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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
-------------------------------------------------------------
(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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how
it was determined.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] FIRST TRUST
ADVISORS L.P.
October 29, 2008
120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, WHEATON, IL 60187
Re: FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Dear Valued Shareholder:
WE NEED YOUR HELP. We still need to get your proxy voting instructions for the
Special Meeting of Shareholders of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial
Opportunities Fund. YOU ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE YET TO
VOTE.
The Meeting is 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.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. 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 cast your vote 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
THE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. AND
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
HAVE CHANGED TO 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, WHEATON, IL 60187 AND 630-765-8000,
RESPECTIVELY.
NOBO
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] FIRST TRUST
ADVISORS L.P.
October 29, 2008
120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, WHEATON, IL 60187
Re: FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Dear Valued Shareholder:
WE NEED YOUR HELP. We still need to get your proxy voting instructions for the
Special Meeting of Shareholders of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial
Opportunities Fund. YOU ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE YET TO
VOTE.
The Meeting is 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.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. 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 cast your vote 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
THE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. AND
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
HAVE CHANGED TO 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, WHEATON, IL 60187 AND 630-765-8000,
RESPECTIVELY.
OBO