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ULLICOBULLETIN A PUBLICATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY ULLICO | LABOR’S COMPANY | VOL.4, ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2016 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO: Ullico Celebrates Connection North America’s to the Building Trades Building Trades For over 85 years and counting Unions and Ullico hen the North America’s Building Trades – A Historic Partnership Unions (NABTU) meets for its annual Legisla- tive Conference in April, Ullico will be there. n May 1, 1927, The Union As a labor-owned insurance and investment Labor Life Insurance Company W company, Ullico’s history with the building trades is long O opened for business, and as we and deep. In fact, nearly 75 percent of Ullico’s shareholders are approach our 89th Anniversary, and building trades unions. “The building trades have always the beginning of the North America’s been a big part of this organization,” says Ed Smith, Building Trades Unions (NABTU) president and CEO of Ullico. Legislative Conference, I am reminded of the historic partnership we have With the funding support of Ullico’s current board belong to enjoyed throughout the years. building trades unions, programs the building trades. “The leadership like Separate Account J (J for Jobs) of this company has been sup- I am proud to say that our relationship with have created thousands of union ported and well represented by the Building Trades unions has never been jobs around the country while the building trades,” says Ed Smith, better, and that NABTU President and Ullico seeking competitive returns for president and CEO, Ullico. “They’ve Secretary-Treasurer Sean McGarvey is one of their investment funds. always had a seat at the table.” our strongest proponents. Sean’s leadership on The leadership of the building Ullico has proudly been linked the value proposition of investing pension fund trades in the union workplace is with the building trades for more dollars into Economically Targeted Investments also reflected in Ullico’s history. than 85 years…and here’s to many dovetails with his message of the economic More than half the directors on more! ✪ impact of Ullico’s investment platforms. continued on page 2 Inside this Issue: 3 Ullico Invests in Hydroelectric Power Portfolio 4 J for Jobs Makes an Impact in 2015 5 Lending Activity 2015 6 J for Jobs Helps Families Own Homes 7 The Current Outlook for Fiduciaries 9 Employees Recognized for Outstanding Work 10 Welcome to Our New Clients VOL. 4, ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2016 | 1 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO: continued from cover page Putting Building Trades members and partnering Con- tractors to work by investing in our J for Jobs and Ullico Infrastructure Fund, is truly a decision that pays economic dividends for the funds and the union members they serve. The economic impact is amplified as it is coupled with the funds’ goal of stable, risk adjusted rate of return. These investments underscore the importance of utilizing every tool and taking every opportunity to leverage resources that grow the labor movement. Thanks to all of our investors for your continued strong participation in our investment platforms, and please keep it coming, because the more we have to invest, the more union jobs we create. The Rest of the Story At Ullico, in addition to job creation and competitive returns on pension fund investments, we also provide solutions to the issues faced every day by unions and their respective trust funds — fiduciary and union liability insur- ance to protect union leaders and trustees, and stop loss coverage to protect the assets of health & welfare funds. New programs include private exchanges for health care, and union-friendly defined contribution platforms to meet today’s challenges, and core standards like life, property and casualty insurance that have stood the test of time. Our goal is to continue developing products that matter, and then back them up with a professional staff that is dedicated to getting the job done right the first time. The Road Ahead While the 2016 election has bombarded us with drama, hyperbole and spectacle, we know that our marketplace llico completed a $20 million financing for will be affected no matter what the outcome. This is why the Eagle Creek Renewable Energy Hydro- now, more than ever, we will not be distracted from our electric power portfolio. Eagle Creek mission of meeting the financial needs of those we serve, U and being a company that organized labor is proud to own currently owns and operates 47 hydroelectric facilities — yesterday, today and tomorrow. On behalf of Ullico and in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New all its employees, thanks for your continued support, and Jersey, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Maine and is I promise you that we will continue to work as hard as you constructing two new facilities in Vermont. do, to grow this company and the labor movement. ✪ Eagle Creek’s hydroelectric plants provide clean, renew- able energy to residents and businesses in the Midwest, Northeast and New England regions. The majority of the portfolio’s energy output is sold to credit-worthy entities through long-term power purchase agreements. Ullico is investing as a mezzanine lender. Eagle Creek intends to use the proceeds of Ullico’s investment to continue to acquire hydroelectric assets throughout the United States. Edward M. Smith “This is a creatively structured transaction that provides President and CEO Ullico with a foothold into the highly desirable hydroelec- Ullico Inc. tric generation sector while offering Eagle Creek a competi- tive capital solution to grow its portfolio of hydro projects,” 2 | ULLICO BULLETIN | SPRING 2016 Ullico Invests in Hydroelectric Power Portfolio Eagle Creek project is Ullico’s latest infrastructure investment Through this investment, Ullico’s investment ensures that Eagle The Ullico Infrastructure Fund and Creek will continue to employ union- the units issued will not be registered Ullico is broadening its ized labor in its major maintenance and under the Securities Act of 1933, as “infrastructure investment construction activities. Eagle Creek is amended, the Investment Company currently constructing two new plants in Act of 1940, as amended, or under state footprint to several new Vermont using unionized contractors. securities laws. Investment in infra- states and regions that have “Through this investment, Ullico structure is speculative, not suitable for is broadening its infrastructure invest- all investors, and should be undertaken long been important to the ment footprint to several new states and only by experienced and sophisticated labor movement. regions that have long been important investors who are willing to bear the to the labor movement,” said Edward M. high risks of such an investment, which Edward M. Smith Smith, president and CEO of Ullico Inc. include, but are not limited to, lack of President and CEO of Ullico Inc. “Ullico is proud to be teaming up with liquidity, restrictions on transferring ” Eagle Creek to expand its portfolio.” ownership to the Fund, absence of said Rohit Syal, head of acquisitions for Ullico Inc., through its infrastruc- information regarding valuation and Ullico’s infrastructure investments. ture business, currently has invest- pricing, and high fees and expenses. “As zero-fuel cost base load power ments in the utility and energy sectors Potential investors in the Fund should generation, hydro represents a core, and is exploring opportunities in all carefully read the Confidential Private low risk infrastructure asset, and the core sectors including transportation Placement Memorandum for a descrip- Eagle Creek financing is a compelling and social infrastructure. tion of the potential risks associated investment for the Ullico infrastructure Ballard Spahr represented Ullico as with investment in the Fund. ✪ portfolio,” said Jeff Murphy, portfolio Lender’s Counsel, and Chadbourne & manager for Ullico’s infrastructure Parke represented Eagle Creek in the investments. transaction. VOL. 4, ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2016 | 3 J for Jobs Makes an Impact in 2015 Ullico’s real estate fund has another noteworthy year n 2015, The Union Labor loans from Ullico in 2015 ing Economically Targeted J for Jobs continues Life Insurance Company’s will create over 7,500 jobs, Investments (ETIs). ETIs are to serve as a vehicle for Separate Account J (J for 15 million working hours products that seek financial I building strong communities Jobs) continued to build on and $900 million of personal returns while generating “ its strong momentum, as it income (including benefits) important economic or while seeking competitive closed 20 loans and invested for union workers. Further- social benefits. Like many returns for investors, approximately $1.3 billion. more, these loans will also popular ETIs, Union Labor Herbert A. Kolben, In the past four years, J for generate revenue for local, Life’s Separate Account J Senior Vice President of Union Labor Jobs has closed 70 loans for state and federal govern- creates economic benefits in Life’s Real Estate Investment Group. approximately $3 billion. ments in the form of sales addition to its investment ” “J for Jobs continues to taxes, income taxes, real returns. serve as a vehicle for build- estate taxes and so on. The bulletin clarified that (Union Labor Life) and sold ing strong communities Creating jobs while seek- ETIs can be treated the same through Ullico Investment while seeking competitive ing competitive returns has as other prudent investments, Company, Inc. (member returns for investors,” said been part of J for Jobs since provided the levels of risk and FINRA/SIPC), both subsid- Herbert A. Kolben, senior its inception. Overall, the return are equivalent. This iaries of Ullico Inc., and is vice president of Union program is estimated to have important guidance allows offered to properly qualified Labor Life’s Real Estate created over 297,000 con- investors to choose plans, institutional and accredited Investment Group. “Going struction jobs and almost like J for Jobs, that also have a investors only.