December 30, 2009 – First Asset/BlackRock North American Dividend Achievers™ Trust (“BDA”) announced the completion of its merger with Criterion Global Dividend Fund (“Global Dividend”).

The merger was accomplished on a taxable basis for unitholders of BDA. Each issued and outstanding unit of BDA received 0.73904 Class D Units of Global Dividend in connection with the merger.

The exchange ratio was determined by dividing (i) the net asset value per unit of BDA Fund as at the close of business on December 29, 2009 (i.e. $5.86302 per Unit) by (ii) net asset value per Class D Unit of Global Dividend as at the close of business on December 29, 2009 (i.e. $7.93326 per Unit).

On September 28, 2007 Payout Performers Income Fund (TSX: PPF.UN) (“PPF”) and First Asset/BlackRock North American Dividend Achievers™ Trust (TSX: BDA.UN) (“BDA”) announced the completion of the merger of PPF into BDA. PPF’s portfolio securities were converted into cash and transferred to BDA in exchange for units of BDA. The merger was accomplished on a tax-deferred roll-over basis for unitholders of PPF. Each unit of PPF was entitled to receive 0.9051 units of BDA.

The exchange ratio was determined by dividing (i) the net asset value per unit of PPF as at the close of business on September 27, 2007 (i.e. $9.06 per Unit) by (ii) net asset value per unit of BDA as at the close of business on September 27, 2007 (i.e. $10.01 per Unit).