SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[X] Soliciting Material under ss. 240.14a-12
First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No Fee Required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:(1)
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
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(3) Filing party:
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(4) Date filed:
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(1) Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how
it was determined.
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST
ADVISORS L.P.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
October 16, 2008
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL 60532
Re: FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Dear Valued Shareholder:
Our records indicate that we have not yet received your important proxy
vote for the Special Meeting of Shareholders of First Trust Specialty
Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, scheduled to be held on Monday,
November 17th at 4:00 p.m. Central Time at the offices of counsel to the
Fund, Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois
60603. In late September you should have received proxy materials seeking
your vote for the Special Meeting of Shareholders requesting your vote on
a proposal to approve a new investment sub-advisory agreement among the
Fund, First Trust Advisors L.P. and Confluence Investment Management LLC.
So far, we have received voting instructions from many shareholders, but
as of the date of this letter we have not yet received a vote on behalf
of your shares. We ask that you PLEASE HELP US BY TAKING A MOMENT NOW TO
VOTE. Please note that important matters are being voted on that will
affect your investment in the Fund. It is important that we receive
enough votes to complete the business of this meeting without additional
delay and cost.
WHY DOES IT MATTER IF I VOTE? Every shareholder's vote counts regardless
of the number of shares owned. As a shareholder of record of the First
Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, your
participation is critical to the outcome of this Meeting. If sufficient
voting participation is not received by NOVEMBER 17TH additional expenses
of further solicitation efforts could be incurred.
Please help us to achieve sufficient voting participation by taking a
moment to vote your shares today. If you need another copy of the Proxy
Statement, have any proxy-related questions, or wish to vote your proxy
by phone, PLEASE CALL 1-866-530-8634 for assistance.
WE HAVE SET UP THE FOLLOWING VOTING METHODS SO THAT YOU WILL FIND
ONE TO BE CONVENIENT AND VOTE YOUR SHARES TODAY.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 1. VOTE BY TELEPHONE. You may cast your vote by
calling our toll-free proxy hotline at
1-866-530-8634. Representatives are available to
record your vote Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 2. VOTE BY TOUCH-TONE PHONE. You may cast your vote by
telephone by calling the toll-free number found on
the enclosed proxy ballot(s).
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 3. VOTE THROUGH THE INTERNET. You may cast your vote
using the Internet by logging into the Internet
address located on the enclosed proxy ballot(s) and
following the instructions on the website.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 4. VOTE BY MAIL. You may cast your vote by signing,
dating and mailing the enclosed proxy ballot in the
postage-prepaid return envelope provided. If
convenient for you, please utilize one of the
voting options above so that your vote will be
received no later than November 17th.
Thank you for your assistance with this important matter. If you have
voted since this letter was mailed, we thank you for casting your vote.
Otherwise, please take a moment now to vote.
Sincerely,
/s/ James A. Bowen
James A. Bowen
Chairman of the Board
NOBO
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST
ADVISORS L.P.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
October 16, 2008
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL 60532
Re: FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Dear Valued Shareholder:
Our records indicate that we have not yet received your important proxy
vote for the Special Meeting of Shareholders of First Trust Specialty
Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, scheduled to be held on Monday,
November 17th at 4:00 p.m. Central Time at the offices of counsel to the
Fund, Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois
60603. In late September you should have received proxy materials seeking
your vote for the Special Meeting of Shareholders requesting your vote on
a proposal to approve a new investment sub-advisory agreement among the
Fund, First Trust Advisors L.P. and Confluence Investment Management LLC.
So far, we have received voting instructions from many shareholders, but
as of the date of this letter we have not yet received a vote on behalf
of your shares. We ask that you PLEASE HELP US BY TAKING A MOMENT NOW TO
VOTE. Please note that important matters are being voted on that will
affect your investment in the Fund. It is important that we receive
enough votes to complete the business of this meeting without additional
delay and cost.
WHY DOES IT MATTER IF I VOTE? Every shareholder's vote counts regardless
of the number of shares owned. As a shareholder of record of the First
Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, your
participation is critical to the outcome of this Meeting. If sufficient
voting participation is not received by NOVEMBER 17TH additional expenses
of further solicitation efforts could be incurred.
Please help us to achieve sufficient voting participation by taking a
moment to vote your shares today. If you need another copy of the Proxy
Statement or have any proxy-related questions, PLEASE CALL 1-866-530-8634
for assistance.
WE HAVE SET UP THE FOLLOWING VOTING METHODS SO THAT YOU WILL FIND
ONE TO BE CONVENIENT AND VOTE YOUR SHARES TODAY.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 1. VOTE BY TOUCH-TONE PHONE. You may cast your vote by
telephone by calling the toll-free number found on
the enclosed proxy ballot(s).
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 2. VOTE THROUGH THE INTERNET. You may cast your vote
using the Internet by logging into the Internet
address located on the enclosed proxy ballot(s) and
following the instructions on the website.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] 3. VOTE BY MAIL. You may cast your vote by signing,
dating and mailing the enclosed proxy ballot in the
postage-prepaid return envelope provided. If
convenient for you, please utilize one of the
voting options above so that your vote will be
received no later than November 17th.
Thank you for your assistance with this important matter. If you have
voted since this letter was mailed, we thank you for casting your vote.
Otherwise, please take a moment now to vote.
Sincerely,
/s/ James A. Bowen
James A. Bowen
Chairman of the Board
OBO