Preferred Provider Program

William Blair & Company would like to introduce you to our preferred provider program for your Rule 10b5-1 trading programs. SEC Rule 10b5-1 gives corporate insiders the ability to enter into a contractual trading program that allows the individual to transact in company shares at times when they were previously unable to do so (including during blackout periods).

William Blair & Company has been a leader in the use of 10b5-1 programs. Our staff is experienced and well versed in the nuances of the rule, and is available to assist you and your executives in implementing a program to achieve your goals. William Blair & Company's Preferred Provider Program can help your CFO/Counsel/Trading Officer streamline the establishment and maintenance of this program by creating and maintaining a standard set of account documents, including a pre-approved contract. Our experience has shown that firms that allow each employee to use the brokerage of their choice may strain corporate resources, as this requires the review and approval of many different contract formats and account documents. In a 2002 survey conducted by William Blair, 57% of the respondents stated that they expect to utilize a preferred brokerage relationship for their employee trading programs.

We can work with you to create a trading program and contract template that can be used by any of your employees. A customized employee handbook, complete with your corporate logo, can be created. Other benefits include:

One centralized point of contact

Programs tailored to each individual

Pre-designed trading algorithms

Educational Materials

Please contact us with any questions.

About William Blair & Company

William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is a Chicago-based investment firm offering investment banking, asset management, equity research, institutional and private brokerage, and private capital to individual, institutional, and issuing clients. Since 1935, we have been committed to helping clients achieve their financial objectives. As an independent, employee-owned firm, our philosophy is to serve our clients' interests first and foremost. We place a high value on the enduring nature of our client relationships, the quality of our products and services, and the continuity and integrity of our people. William Blair & Company has offices in Chicago, Hartford, London, San Francisco, Tokyo, Vaduz, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.williamblair.com.