USG Financial Advice Referral Program

Fact Sheet

April 18, 2002

The USG Financial Advice Referral Program is a unique program designed to assist victims’ families and those severely injured by the events of September 11^th in the management and investment of the money they may receive from the Federal Government’s September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund or other sources.  The program is an important part of the USG’s mission to help meet the long-term needs of victims’ families.

This program is for individuals who lost family members or were severely injured in the September 11^th attacks and may be receiving compensation through the Federal Government or other means. The program seeks to help both families with experience and families with little or no experience in financial planning and investing.

There are six firms participating in the program:

• American Express
• JPMorgan Chase

[Chase Investment Services Corp.]

• Merrill Lynch
• Morgan Stanley
• Prudential Financial
• Salomon Smith Barney

These financial institutions are all leaders in the industry and have a national presence.  Each of these firms was directly impacted by the attacks and is committed to helping those affected.

Within each firm, participating advisors are experienced financial professionals who all stepped forward to participate in the program and have been carefully selected by each of their institutions.  The advisors have also undergone training specific to the emotional and financial issues being faced by those affected by the events of September 11^th.

Any eligible individual who would like to participate in the program can begin by calling one of the toll-free hotlines listed below.  These hotlines will direct him or her to a financial education seminar conducted locally and eligible individuals can begin the process of selecting a financial advisor (described in more detail on the next page.)  Seminar attendance is not required for participation in the program.

• American Express                     1-866-487-4297
• JPMorgan Chase                      1-800-403-5788 

[Chase Investment Services Corp.]

• Merrill Lynch                            1-877-262-8297
• Morgan Stanley                        1-800-767-7359
• Prudential Financial                   1-877-560-1809
• Salomon Smith Barney  1-866-248-9356

The USG has worked to develop a coordinated and comprehensive program that starts with basic financial education and develops into a long-term relationship with a financial advisor selected by the client.

The program has THREE PARTS:

1. Financial Education

§         Two seminars are being offered: Money Management Basics and Introduction to Financial Planning.

§         Seminars are free of charge and entail no obligation.

§         Individuals can sign up for one or both of the seminars by calling one of the six toll-free numbers at each of the financial institutions.  The USG is actively reaching out to community groups to schedule seminars, which can also be organized on an ad hoc basis for individuals who put together a group of their own.  However, it is not necessary to attend a seminar to participate in the program.

2. Financial Planning

§         The financial advisors will work one-on-one with families to help them assess their financial needs now and in the future.  Together, they will develop a financial plan that covers how to invest and allocate the money they may receive from the Federal Government.  Financial advisors will recommend the full range of investment options, including insurance and other protection products, most appropriate for each family's situation.

§         Financial plans are free of charge and entail no obligation.

§         Individuals can call any of the six toll-free numbers to set up interviews with one or more financial advisors.

3. Investment Advice and Implementation

§         After developing a financial plan, with the help of a financial advisor, the client can decide how to invest their money and which family protection products to purchase.

§         Where possible, fees and commissions for investment activity are offered at preferential rates.

§         This part of the process is about building a long-term relationship between the advisor and the client.

To learn more about this program and other benefits and services offered by USG’s member organizations, call the September 11^th Support Hotline at 866-689-HELP (4357), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or go to our website at www.9-11usg.org.

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS ARE NOT A DEPOSIT, ARE NOT FDIC INSURED, ARE NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, ARE NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK AND MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE.

Participation in the Financial Advice Referral Program is entirely voluntary and is not a condition to receiving compensation money.  The USG is not involved in compensation decisions. Financial Advice Referral Program participants have a direct relationship with the financial firm and advisor of their choice on all investment matters. The USG only provides a referral service—not a recommendation of a firm or guarantee of success.  The USG will not be involved in any investment activity and is not responsible for the performance of any investments made through a participating financial firm.