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/Gallatin 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.
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST IMPORTANT NOTICE
ADVISORS L.P.
January 10, 2008
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL 60532
Re: FIRST TRUST/GALLATIN 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/Gallatin Specialty Finance
and Financial Opportunities Fund, scheduled to be held on January 23, 2008 at
4:00 p.m. Central Time. In early December you should have received proxy
materials seeking your vote for the Special Meeting of Shareholders. So far, we
have received voting instructions from many shareholders, but as of the date of
this letter our records indicate that 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? As indicated in the Proxy Statement, one of the
proposals presented requires the voting participation of a majority of the
outstanding shares in the Fund. Every shareholder's vote counts regardless of
the number of shares owned. As a shareholder of record of the First
Trust/Gallatin Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, your
participation is critical to the outcome of this Meeting. If sufficient voting
participation is not received by JANUARY 23TH 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
1-866-406-2283 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 1-866-406-2283. 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 January 23th.
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 IMPORTANT NOTICE
ADVISORS L.P.
January 10, 2008
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL 60532
Re: FIRST TRUST/GALLATIN 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/Gallatin Specialty Finance
and Financial Opportunities Fund, scheduled to be held on January 23, 2008 at
4:00 p.m. Central Time. In early December you should have received proxy
materials seeking your vote for the Special Meeting of Shareholders. So far, we
have received voting instructions from many shareholders, but as of the date of
this letter our records indicate that 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? As indicated in the Proxy Statement, one of the
proposals presented requires the voting participation of a majority of the
outstanding shares in the Fund. Every shareholder's vote counts regardless of
the number of shares owned. As a shareholder of record of the First
Trust/Gallatin Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, your
participation is critical to the outcome of this Meeting. If sufficient voting
participation is not received by JANUARY 23TH 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, PLEASE CALL 1-866-406-2283 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 January 23th.
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