14-June-2006

AST Equity Plan Solutions formerly Wachovia Bank's Employee Shareholder Services Group, is proud to roll out this new site for participants in stock option, restricted stock and employee stock purchase plans. You'll find everything you need to manage your equity benefit plans right here. Even better, we have great enhancements coming soon that will make using this site even more beneficial, such as the ability to model stock option exercises, make tax elections for vested restricted stock or view different purchase scenarios in a purchase plan.

1-July-2006
Employee Financial Education

AST Equity Plan Solutions believes that equity benefits and financial education should go hand-in-hand. However, providing employees the background they need to fully understand and maximize the benefits of their equity compensation is not a simple matter. As an employer, you would no more offer advice on when to exercise a stock option than you would make recommendations on a 401(k) fund allocation. Yet you are reluctant to mandate a relationship for your participants with a financial advisor. To address this important concern, we have established strategic alliances with world-class securities firms that give your participants access to the following:programs that help them understand the value of their equity plans.

- advice to help them make informed decisions on when to exercise or sell equity shares.

- information to help them understand the implications of various transactions they may be considering.

- asset management strategies for proceeds from the sale of equity shares.

Many participants, particularly those who have a high net worth or who have the potential to gain considerable income through their equity benefits will appreciate being able to consult with a knowledgeable financial advisor prior to trading. However, participants who prefer simply to exercise online and receive their shares or proceeds deposited directly to their own brokerage or bank accounts can do exactly that.

AST Equity Plan Solutions has built a network of strategic alliance brokers who work with us to offer full support to Section 16(b) executives and other insiders who are subject to specific reporting and regulatory requirements prior to trading. We also coordinate with the designated broker to offer the set-up and automated administration of 10b5-1 plans to your executives who wish to establish these plans.

Contact Lynda Spiegel for further information at lspiegel@astepsdiv.com