Recently, Bank of New York Mellon Shareholder Services (BNY Mellon) reported that a security breach had occurred, affecting 8 million of its shareholders, of which approximately 723,000 are New Yorkers. BNY Mellon provides stock transfer agency, employee plan administration, and related services for issuers of securities.

On February 27, 2008, BNY Mellon became aware that a vendor was unable to account for one of several boxes of data backup tapes. It does not believe that the information contained on the tapes has been accessed or used inappropriately.

Those concerned may visit www.bnymellon.com/tapequery for additional information. BNY Mellon began, on August 28, 2008, to send letters to all affected individuals. BNY Mellon advises that it is offering a free 24 month subscription to a credit monitoring company, Triple Alert SM at no charge to affected individuals. To enroll in this product, an individual must activate his or her credit monitoring membership within 90 days of the date of the letter he or she receives from BNY Mellon by visiting http://partner.consumerinfo.com/alert, and using the activation code contained in such letter. Triple Alert will provide affected individuals with a copy of their credit report; monitor their credit files at all three major credit bureaus; and, notify affected individuals of certain suspicious activities.

In addition, BNY Mellon is offering to reimburse affected individuals for the cost of an initial placement and one removal of a security freeze on their credit reports with each of the three credit reporting agencies, where such freeze is placed within 90 days of receipt of the notification letter.

Affected individuals interested in learning about the security freeze reimbursement process or the breach itself should call 1-877-289-0136. Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EDT and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT.