<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950123-11-100584.txt : 20111128
<SEC-HEADER>0000950123-11-100584.hdr.sgml : 20111128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20111128113218
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950123-11-100584
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		5
FILED AS OF DATE:		20111128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20111128
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20111128

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JOHN HANCOCK BANK & THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000925683
		IRS NUMBER:				043241844
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08568
		FILM NUMBER:		111227430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-663-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN BANK & THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940728

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN REGIONAL BANK & THRIFT FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>b89234b1defa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>JOHN HANCOCK BANK AND THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>defa14a</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">





<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SCHEDULE 14A</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES<BR>
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (Amendment No. &#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;)</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Filed by the Registrant <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT><BR>
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Check the appropriate box:

</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 0pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Preliminary Proxy Statement</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 0pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule&nbsp;14a-6(e)(2))</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 0pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Definitive Proxy Statement</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 0pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Definitive Additional Materials</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 0pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Soliciting Material Under &#167;240.14a-12</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>JOHN
HANCOCK BANK AND THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>



<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 0pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>No fee required.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 0pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules&nbsp;14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule&nbsp;0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">5)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Total fee paid:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule&nbsp;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.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Amount Previously Paid:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filing Party:</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Date Filed:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>


<DIV style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">

<P><DIV style="position: relative; float: left; width: 4%">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 240pt; margin-left: 1%">
<IMG src="b89234b1b8923446.gif" alt="(IMAGE)">
</DIV>

</DIV>

<DIV style="position: relative; float: left; margin-left: 2%; width: 86%">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">
<FONT face="'Times New Roman',Times,serif"><FONT style="font-size:16pt"><b>*** Exercise Your
<i>Right</i> to Vote ***</b></FONT></FONT>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 3pt"><FONT style="font-size:12pt">
<b>IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the<br> Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on January 20, 2012.
</b></FONT>

</DIV>
<P><DIV style="position: relative; float: left; width: 48%">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 15pt"><FONT style="font-size:12pt">
<B>JOHN HANCOCK BANK AND THRIFT <br>
OPPORTUNITY FUND
</B>
</FONT>
</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV style="position: relative; float: right; width: 48%">
<P>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border: 0px solid black; padding: 0px; border-left: 4px solid #7c7676; border-bottom: 2px solid #7c7676">

<DIV style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid black; padding: 3px">

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 3pt"><FONT style="font-size:11pt"><u><B>Meeting Information</B></u></FONT>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt; line-height: 1.5"><B>Meeting
Type: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>Annual Meeting of Shareholders<BR>
<B>For holders as of: &nbsp;&nbsp;</B>November 1,  2011<BR>
<font style="white-space: nowrap"><B>Date: &nbsp;&nbsp;</B>January 20, 2012&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Time:&nbsp;&nbsp; </B>2:00 p.m., EST</font>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 1pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 8pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Location:</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>
601 Congress Street<br> Boston, Massachusetts 02210</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt"><font style="white-space: nowrap"><B>Directions to meeting: </B>http://materials.proxyvote.com/JH/Proxy</font>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt">&nbsp;
</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>
</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 2pt">You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above named fund.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt">This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote
these shares. <b>This communication presents only an
overview of the more complete proxy materials that are
available to you on the Internet</b>. You may view the proxy
materials online at <i>www.proxyvote.com </i>or easily request a
paper copy (see reverse side of this notice).
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>We encourage you to access and review all of the
important information contained in the proxy materials
before voting.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 1pt; margin-left: 0%; background: #000000; color: #ffffff; padding: 5"><B>See the reverse side of this
notice to
obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.</B>
</DIV>

<BR clear="all"><BR>
</DIV>

<DIV style="position: relative; float: right; width: 4%">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>
</DIV>
</DIV>
<BR clear="all"><BR>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>



<DIV style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">

<P><DIV style="position: relative; float: left; width: 4%">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 330pt"><IMG src="b89234b1b8923447.gif" alt="()">
</DIV>

</DIV>
<DIV style="position: relative; float: left; margin-left: 2%; width: 86%">



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><FONT face="'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<FONT style="font-size:14pt">&#151;<B> &nbsp;Before You Vote&nbsp; </B>&#151;</FONT></FONT>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><FONT style="font-size:10pt">How to Access the Proxy Materials</FONT></DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-left: 12px; border-left: 4px solid  #7c7676; border-bottom: 4px solid  #7c7676; padding: 0px">

<DIV style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 6pt">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 1%"><B>Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:
</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 3pt; margin-left: 1%"><b>NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDES PRESIDENT&#146;S
LETTER)</b>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 1pt; margin-left: 1%"><B>How to View Online:</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 1pt; margin-left: 1%">Have the 12-Digit Control Number available (located on the following page) and

visit:
<i>www.proxyvote.com</i>.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 3pt; margin-left: 1%"><b>How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:</b>

</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 1pt; margin-left: 1%"><b>If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must

request one, otherwise you will not receive a paper or e-mail copy of
these documents. There is NO
charge to you for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:</b>

</DIV>
<DIV align="right">
<TABLE style="font-size: 9pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="80%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 2pt">
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="79%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">1) <I>BY INTERNET</I>:
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">www.proxyvote.com</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD NOWRAP valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">2) <I>BY TELEPHONE</I>:
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1-800-579-1639</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3) <I>BY E-MAIL*</I>:
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">sendmaterial@proxyvote.com</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 2pt" align="right">
<TABLE width="99%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 9pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 9pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="justify">If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 12-Digit Control Number
(located on the following page) in the subject line.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 3pt; margin-left: 1%">Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor.
<b>Please make the request as instructed above on or before January 9, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery.
</b>

</DIV>
</DIV>

</DIV>

</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><FONT face="'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<FONT style="font-size:14pt">&#151;<B> &nbsp;How To

Vote&nbsp; </B>&#151;</FONT> </FONT>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 2pt">
<FONT style="font-size:10pt">Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods</FONT>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-left: 12px; border-left: 4px solid  #7c7676; border-bottom: 4px solid  #7c7676; padding: 0px">


<DIV style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid black; padding: 11px; margin-top: 3pt">



<DIV align="JUSTIFY" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 3pt"><B>Vote
In Person: </B>If you choose to vote these shares in person at the
meeting, you must request a &#147;<i>legal proxy.</i>&#148; To do so,
please follow the instructions at <i>www.proxyvote.com</i> or request a paper copy of the materials, which will contain the appropriate instructions. Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the
possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance.

</DIV>



<DIV align="JUSTIFY" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Vote By Internet: </B>
 To vote now by Internet, go to <i>www.proxyvote.com.</i> Have the 12-Digit Control Number available and follow the instructions.

</DIV>


<DIV align="JUSTIFY" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Vote By Mail: </B>You can vote by mail by
requesting a paper copy of the materials, which
will include
a voting instruction form.
</DIV>
</DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV style="position: relative; float: right; width: 4%">
</DIV>
</DIV>
<BR clear="all"><BR>


</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>


<DIV style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">



<P><DIV style="position: relative; float: left; width: 4%">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 250pt"><IMG src="b89234b1b8923448.gif" alt="(NUMBER)">
</DIV>

</div>

<DIV style="position: relative; float: left; margin-left: 2%; width: 86%">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD colspan="7" valign="top" align="center" style="border: 3px solid #000000"><B>Voting Items</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 0px solid #000000; border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 3pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD NOWRAP colspan="7" valign="top" align="left"><div align="justify"><B>
The Board of Trustees recommends <br>that you vote FOR the following:
</B> </div>
</TD>
    <TD colspan="4" style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</table></div>


<DIV style="margin-top: 0pt">
<TABLE width="35%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 7pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left"><B>1.</B></TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><div align="justify">To elect three (3) Trustees to serve for a three-year term ending at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders in 2015 or such earlier date as required by the by-laws of the Fund.
</div></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 3pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 7pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>01) &nbsp;&nbsp;Stanley Martin<br>
        02) &nbsp;&nbsp;John A. Moore <br>
        03) &nbsp;&nbsp;John G. Vrysen
</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV style="width: 85%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; FONT-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt">NOTE: To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV style="width: 85%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; FONT-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>

</DIV>


<DIV style="position: relative; float: right; width: 4%">
</DIV>
<BR clear="all"><br><BR clear="all"><br><BR clear="all"><br>
</div>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>


<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD colspan="7" valign="top" align="center" style="border: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 0px solid #000000; border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 30pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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<TABLE style="font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="94%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 50pt">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="center" style="border: 3px solid #000000"><B>Voting
Instructions</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 0px solid #000000; border-right: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 100pt; margin-left: 1%"><IMG src="b89234b1b8923449.gif" alt="()">
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
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