SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(RULE 14a-101)

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:

 

[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
   
[_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2))
   
[_] Definitive Proxy Statement
   
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
   
[_] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

 

 

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
 
(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
 
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[X] No fee required.
 
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
 
(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.:
 
 
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(4) Date Filed:
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

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AB FUNDS

66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, New York 10001

Toll Free (800) 221-5672

June [ ], 2026

Dear Stockholders:

The Board of Directors/Trustees (each, a “Board” and, collectively, the “Boards”) of each investment company (each, a “Company” and, collectively, the “Companies”) listed in the accompanying Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders is pleased to invite you to the Joint Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of the Companies and each fund organized as a series of one of the Companies (each, a “Fund” and, collectively with the Companies which do not offer separate series, the “Funds”) to be held on August 3, 2026. The accompanying Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement present two proposals (each, a “Proposal” and, collectively, the “Proposals”) to be considered and voted on at the Meeting.

Your vote truly matters! No matter how many shares you own, your participation is important. Please take a moment to review the Proposals in the enclosed Proxy Statement.

At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and vote on two proposals. Under the first Proposal, stockholders will be asked to elect directors/trustees of the Companies. Under the second Proposal, stockholders of each Fund will be asked to approve a new investment advisory agreement with AllianceBernstein L.P., the investment adviser to the Funds (the “Adviser”). The approval of new advisory agreements is being proposed as a result of certain anticipated changes in the ownership of the Adviser in connection with a planned merger, which is described in more detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement. Your vote is necessary to ensure the Funds can continue to be managed by the Adviser without interruption. No changes to fees, portfolio management, or the services provided are expected.

Each Board has concluded that the Proposals are advisable and in the best interests of each of the Funds it oversees, and unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the Proposals that apply to each of those Funds in which you hold shares.

Your attendance at the Meeting is not necessary. Voting is easy – you can vote in one of five ways:

 

   

By Internet through the website listed on your Proxy Card(s);

 

   

By telephone by calling the toll-free number listed on your Proxy Card(s) and following the recorded instructions;

 

   

By mail by signing and dating your Proxy Card(s) and returning it in the postage paid envelope;

 

   

By voting at the virtual Meeting on August 3, 2026;

 

   

By live agent by calling the Funds’ proxy solicitor, Sodali & Co. toll free at (800) 311-1512.


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If you have any questions or need assistance, please call (800) 311-1512. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this important process.

Sincerely,

 

Onur Erzan

        

Alexander Chaloff

President of AB Funds (excluding Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc., Bernstein Fund, Inc. and AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund)

         President of Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc., Bernstein Fund, Inc. and AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund


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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Q.

WHY DID YOU SEND ME THIS BOOKLET?

 

A.

Stockholders are being asked to elect directors or trustees (each, a “Director” and, collectively, the “Directors”). In addition, stockholders of each Fund are being asked to approve a new investment advisory agreement, as discussed in more detail below. This booklet contains the Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement that provides information you should review before voting on the proposals (each, a “Proposal” and, collectively, the “Proposals”) that will be presented at the Joint Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of each investment company listed in the accompanying notice (each, a “Company” and, collectively, the “Companies”) and each fund organized as a series of the Company (each, a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). The term “Fund” also includes the standalone Companies (identified in the Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders), which do not offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities.

You are receiving these proxy materials because you own shares of a Fund as of the close of business on June 12, 2026 (the “Record Date”) (we refer to the holders of shares as “stockholders”). As a stockholder, you have the right to vote on the Proposal(s) concerning your investment in a Fund, but only with respect to the Fund or Funds in which you owned shares as of the Record Date.

 

Q.

WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD?

 

A.

The members of the Board of Directors (each, a “Board” and, collectively, the “Boards”) serve as representatives of stockholders of the Fund or Funds they oversee and for which they serve as a Director. Members of the Board have an obligation to serve the best interests of those Funds. The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires a majority of the Directors to have been elected by stockholders of the Funds for which they serve. If, due to retirements and other reasons, less than a majority of Directors serving have been elected by stockholders, then the Company must call a stockholder meeting to elect Directors. In addition, the 1940 Act also provides that the Board may fill vacancies occurring between stockholder meetings if immediately after filling such vacancy at least two-thirds of the Directors have been elected by stockholders.

Having all Directors elected by stockholders at this time permits the Board to fill vacancies in the future should it become necessary or desirable, subject to the requirements noted above. This would also provide the Board with the maximum flexibility to fill vacancies on the Board without the administrative burden and expense of calling a special meeting of stockholders.

 

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The nominees for each Board are Alexander Chaloff, R. Jay Gerken, Jeffrey R. Holland, Jeanette W. Loeb, John A. Lovito, Carol C. McMullen, Garry L. Moody, and Emilie D. Wrapp. All nominees are current members of the Board.

Additional information regarding each nominee and the Proposal is set forth in the enclosed Proxy Statement.

 

Q.

WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO APPROVE NEW INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS?

 

A.

As required by the 1940 Act, each Fund’s current investment advisory agreement with AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) automatically terminates in the event of an assignment, which includes a direct or indirect transfer of a controlling block of the voting securities of the Adviser. This provision effectively requires a Fund’s stockholders to vote on a new investment advisory agreement if the Adviser experiences a direct or indirect transfer of a controlling block of its voting securities for purposes of the 1940 Act.

As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement, Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“Equitable”), the holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser, has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Corebridge Financial, Inc. (“Corebridge”), and various Corebridge subsidiaries, to effect an all-stock merger transaction to combine their respective businesses into a newly formed company. It is anticipated that as a result of the merger, Equitable stockholders will own approximately 49% of the combined company and Corebridge stockholders will own approximately 51% of the combined company. This may constitute an indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser and an “assignment” causing a termination of each Fund’s current investment advisory agreement. To ensure continuation of the advisory services provided to each Fund, stockholders are being asked to approve a new investment advisory agreement.

The transaction is not expected to result in any changes to the contractual investment advisory fees charged to the Funds, the portfolio management of any Fund, or the nature and quality of services provided by the Adviser.

 

Q.

WHO IS ASKING FOR MY VOTE?

 

A.

The Board of each Fund is asking you to vote at the Meeting on the Proposals applicable to that Fund. Details regarding the Proposals are set forth in the Proxy Statement. A summary of the Proposals is as follows:

 

   

The first Proposal is to consider and vote upon the election of Directors of each Company.

 

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The second Proposal is to consider and vote upon the approval of a new investment advisory agreement for each Fund with the Adviser.

Each stockholder will be asked to vote on the Proposal(s) that applies to the Fund in which the stockholder holds shares.

 

Q.

HOW DO I VOTE MY SHARES?

 

A.

You can vote your shares online, by phone, or by mail. To vote online or by phone use the instructions and control numbers on your Proxy Card or Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders, as applicable. To vote by mail, complete, sign, and date your Proxy Card, then return it in the postage-paid envelope. If you have questions related to the Meeting or need help voting, contact Sodali & Co. at (800) 311-1512.

You can help reduce stockholder costs by voting promptly. Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares that you own. Please read the enclosed materials and vote your shares.

 

Q.

WILL THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AFFECT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT OR INVESTMENT STRATEGY OF ANY FUND?

 

A.

No. The investment objectives, principal investment strategies, investment processes and principal risks of the Funds will not change as a result of entering into the proposed new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser. Further, there are no anticipated changes to the portfolio management team of any Fund in connection with the proposed agreements.

 

Q.

DO THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS DIFFER FROM THE CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS?

 

A.

No. The proposed new investment advisory agreements are identical in all material respects to the current investment advisory agreements, except with respect to the effective and termination dates. If the new agreements are approved and become effective, the Adviser will continue to provide advisory services to the Funds on the same terms and at the same contractual advisory fee rates as provided under the current investment advisory agreements, subject to any expense limitation. There is no anticipated change in the level, nature or quality of services provided to the Funds by the Adviser.

 

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Q.

WHAT HAPPENS IF STOCKHOLDERS OF A FUND DO NOT APPROVE THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT?

 

A.

If the stockholders of a Fund do not approve the proposed new investment advisory agreement of the Fund and no direct or indirect transfer of a controlling block of the Adviser’s voting securities occurs, the Adviser would continue to serve as adviser to the Fund under the current advisory agreement.

If the stockholders of a Fund do not approve the proposed new investment advisory agreement and a direct or indirect transfer of a controlling block of the Adviser’s voting securities occurs, the current investment advisory agreement would terminate and the Adviser would not be able to serve as adviser for the Fund to provide for continuity of service. Under these circumstances, the Board would need to take appropriate action, which could include, among other things, allowing the Fund to operate under an interim advisory agreement with a duration of no more than 150 days (which agreement has been approved by the Board, as discussed in the Proxy Statement).

If the stockholders of a Fund have not approved the proposed new investment advisory agreement by the expiration of the interim advisory agreement, the Board would need to consider other actions for the Fund, such as seeking approval of a new investment advisory agreement, liquidating the Fund, reorganizing the Fund with and into another investment company, or relying on other legal precedent or analysis in proceeding under the current agreement.

 

Q.

HOW DO THE BOARDS RECOMMEND I VOTE?

 

A.

Each Board recommends that you vote “FOR” each Proposal that applies to the Funds overseen by that Board.

Please note that each Board has considered the Proposals and is recommending and asking that you vote for the Proposals only with respect to the Fund or Funds that the Board oversees.

 

Q.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

 

A.

Stockholders of record of the Funds at the close of business on June 12, 2026 are entitled to vote at the Meeting or any postponement or adjournment of the Meeting. You will be entitled to vote only on the Proposals with respect to the Fund or Funds of which you were a stockholder on the Record Date. If you owned shares on the Record Date, you have the right to vote even if you later redeemed the shares.

 

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Q.

WHAT ROLE DO THE BOARDS PLAY?

 

A.

The business and affairs of each Fund are overseen by that Fund’s Board. Each Director of a Fund has an obligation to act in what he or she believes to be the best interests of the Fund, including approving and recommending the Proposals in the Proxy Statement for that Fund. The background of each nominee for Director is described in the Proxy Statement.

 

Q.

WHY ARE THE PROPOSALS FOR MULTIPLE FUNDS IN ONE PROXY STATEMENT?

 

A.

Many stockholders own shares of multiple Funds. We have included the Proposals in one Proxy Statement to reduce costs and to avoid burdening stockholders with more than one Proxy Statement. Multiple Proxy Statements would consume more paper and increase printing and mailing costs. We recognize that the Proxy Statement is lengthy and have endeavored to make it as simple and understandable as possible.

 

Q.

HOW MANY VOTES ARE NEEDED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSALS?

 

A.

The election of each nominee for Director requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast in the election of Directors for each Company, assuming the presence of a quorum. Under a plurality vote, the candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected, even if they receive approval from less than a majority of the votes cast. Because the Director nominees are running unopposed, the Director nominees are expected to be elected as Directors, as all Director nominees who receive votes in favor will be elected, so long as a quorum is present. Stockholders of Funds that are series of a Company will vote together for the election of Directors of that Company, e.g., with each share of each Fund that is a series of that Company having one vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, not being votes cast, will have no effect on the outcome of votes on the Proposal.

The approval of a new investment advisory agreement for a Fund requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities as defined in the 1940 Act, which means the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The stockholders of each Fund vote separately on this Proposal. An abstention or broker non-vote, if any, will be considered present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum but will have the effect of a vote against the Proposal.

 

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Q.

WHAT IF THE PROPOSALS DO NOT RECEIVE SUFFICIENT VOTES BY THE TIME OF THE MEETING?

 

A.

If there are not sufficient votes by stockholders of a Fund to approve the Proposals by the time of the Meeting, the Meeting for the Fund is expected to be postponed or adjourned to permit further solicitation of proxy votes. If the Proposals are not approved at any final adjournment of such Meeting, the Board will consider what action, if any, would be in the best interests of the stockholders, which could include one of the actions noted above.

 

Q.

HOW CAN I AUTHORIZE PROXIES TO CAST MY VOTE?

 

A.

Please follow the instructions included on the enclosed Proxy Card or on the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Joint Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on August 3, 2026. If you have questions related to the Meeting or need help voting, contact Sodali & Co. at (800) 311-1512.

 

Q.

WHAT IF I WANT TO REVOKE MY PROXY?

 

A.

You can revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise (i) by giving written notice to the Secretary of a Fund at 66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, New York 10001, (ii) by authorizing a later-dated proxy (either by signing and submitting another Proxy Card or by calling (800) 311-1512) or (iii) by voting at the virtual Meeting. Please note that attendance at the Meeting without voting will not be sufficient to revoke a previously authorized proxy. If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, and would like to change your voting instructions, please follow the instructions provided to you by your intermediary.

 

Q.

WHO WILL COVER THE COSTS OF THIS PROXY SOLICITATION?

 

A.

It is expected that the Adviser will bear the proxy solicitation costs, including the printing and mailing of proxy materials, as well as the legal expenses of counsel relating thereto.

 

Q.

WHOM DO I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROXY?

 

A.

Please call (800) 311-1512 if you have questions.

 

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LOGO

AB Active ETFs, Inc.

AB Bond Fund, Inc.

AB Cap Fund, Inc.

AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc.

AB Corporate Shares

AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc.

AB Equity Income Fund, Inc.

AB Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.

AB Global Bond Fund, Inc.

AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.

AB High Income Fund, Inc.

AB Institutional Funds, Inc.

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

AB Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

AB Municipal Income Fund II

AB Relative Value Fund, Inc.

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc.

AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc.

AB Trust

The AB Portfolios

Bernstein Fund, Inc.

Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund

  


66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, New York 10001

Toll Free (800) 221-5672

 


NOTICE OF JOINT MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 3, 2026

To the Stockholders of the Funds:

Notice is hereby given that a Joint Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of the investment companies (“Companies”) listed above and, as applicable, each fund organized as a series of the Companies (each, a “Fund”, and, collectively, the “Funds”) will be held on August 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The term

 

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“Fund” also includes the standalone Companies (identified below), which do not offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities. Each of the Companies is a Maryland corporation, with the exception of AB Corporate Shares, AB Municipal Income Fund II, AB Trust, and The AB Portfolios, each of which is a Massachusetts business trust (collectively, the “Massachusetts Funds”), and AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, which is a Delaware statutory trust. The Meeting is designated as (i) the “Annual” stockholder meeting for all AB Funds (as defined in the Proxy Statement), except for the Massachusetts Funds and AMMAF, and (ii) a “Special” stockholder meeting for the Massachusetts Funds and AMMAF.

The Meeting will be held to consider and vote on the following proposals (the “Proposals”), which are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement dated June [ ], 2026:

 

  1.

To consider and vote upon the election of directors or trustees (each, a “Director” and collectively, the “Directors”) for each Company, each such Director to serve for a term of indefinite duration and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

 

  2.

To consider and vote upon the approval of a new investment advisory agreement for each Fund with AllianceBernstein L.P.

 

  3.

For those Funds for which the Meeting is designated as the Annual Meeting, to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof.

Except as noted in Proposal 3 set forth above, only the business set forth in this Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders may be brought before the Meeting with respect to the Funds.

The Boards recommend that stockholders vote “FOR” each Proposal. The enclosed proxy for each Fund is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors/Trustees of that Fund.

The Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, which will be conducted online. Stockholders may attend and vote at the virtual Meeting by following the instructions included in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

 

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Any stockholder of record of a Fund at the close of business on June 12, 2026 is entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. The Proxy Statement and accompanying materials, or an Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Joint Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on August 3, 2026 (the “Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials”), are being mailed to stockholders on or about June 24, 2026.

 

By Order of the Boards of Directors/Trustees,

Nancy E. Hay

Secretary

New York, New York

June [ ], 2026

 

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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

If you received a Proxy Card in the mail, please indicate your voting instructions on the enclosed Proxy Card, sign and date it, and return it in the envelope provided, which needs no postage if mailed in the United States. You may also authorize proxies to cast your vote by telephone or through the Internet. To do so, please follow the instructions on the enclosed Proxy Card or on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Your vote is very important no matter how many shares you own. Please mark and mail or otherwise authorize your proxy promptly in order to save the Funds any additional cost of further proxy solicitation and in order for the Meeting to be held as scheduled.

 


The [A/B] Logo is a service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered trademark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

JOINT MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

AUGUST 3, 2026

 

AB Active ETFs, Inc. (“AB ETFs”)

-   AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

-   AB Conservative Buffer ETF

-   AB Core Bond ETF

-   AB Core Plus Bond ETF

-   AB Corporate Bond ETF

-   AB Disruptors ETF

-   AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

-   AB High Yield ETF

-   AB International Buffer ETF

-   AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

-   AB International Growth ETF

-   AB Moderate Buffer ETF

-   AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

-   AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

-   AB Short Duration Income ETF

-   AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

-   AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

-   AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

-   AB US Equity ETF

-   AB US High Dividend ETF

-   AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

-   AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

-   AB Ultra Short Income ETF

 

AB Bond Fund, Inc. (“ABF”)

-   AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

-   AB Bond Inflation Strategy

-   AB Income Fund

-   AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

-   AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

-   AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

 

AB Cap Fund, Inc. (“ACF”)

-   AB All China Equity Portfolio

-   AB Concentrated Growth Fund

-   AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

-   AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

-   AB International Growth Portfolio

-   AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

-   AB Select US Equity Portfolio

-   AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

 

 

-   AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

-   AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

 

AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc. (“ACOF”)

 

AB Corporate Shares (“ACS”)

-   AB Corporate Income Shares

-   AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

-   AB Municipal Income Shares

-   AB Municipal Income Shares C

-   AB Municipal Income Shares N

-   AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

 

AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc. (“ADGF”)

 

AB Equity Income Fund, Inc. (“AEIF”) 1

 

AB Fixed-Income Shares, Inc. (“AFIS”)

-   AB Government Money Market Portfolio

 

AB Global Bond Fund, Inc. (“AGBF”)

 

AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc. (“AGRAF”)

 

AB High Income Fund, Inc. (“AHIF”)

 

AB Institutional Funds, Inc. (“AInstF”)

-   AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

 

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. (“ALCGF”)

 

AB Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (“AMIF”)

-   AB California Portfolio

-   AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

-   AB National Portfolio

-   AB New York Portfolio

 

AB Municipal Income Fund II (“AMIF II”)

-   AB Massachusetts Portfolio

-   AB Virginia Portfolio

 

AB Relative Value Fund, Inc. (“ARVF”)

 

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc. (“ASGTF”)

 

AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc. (“ASITF”)

 

 

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AB Trust (“ABT”)

-   AB Discovery Value Fund

-   AB International Value Fund

-   AB Large Cap Value Fund

 

The AB Portfolios (“TAP”)

-   AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

-   AB Growth Fund

-   AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

-   AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

 

 

Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“Bernstein”)

-   International Strategic Equities Portfolio

-   International Small Cap Portfolio

-   Small Cap Core Portfolio

 

Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“SCB”)

-   AB Core Bond Portfolio

-   Diversified Municipal Portfolio

-   Overlay A Portfolio

-   Overlay B Portfolio

-   Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

-   Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

 

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund (“AMMAF”)

 

(collectively, the “AB Funds”)

 

AB ETFs, ABF, ACF, ACOF, ACS, ADGF, AEIF, AFIS, AGBF, AGRAF, AHIF, AInstF, ALCGF, AMIF, AMIF II, ARVF, ASGTF, ASITF, ABT, TAP, Bernstein, SCB and AMMAF are each a “Company.” ACOF, ADGF, AEIF, AGBF, AGRAF, AHIF, ALCGF, ARVF, ASGTF, ASITF and AMMAF are each also a standalone Company, which do not offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities. Each of the Companies is a Maryland corporation, with the exception of ACS, AMIF II, ABT, and TAP, each of which is a Massachusetts business trust (collectively, the “Massachusetts Funds”), and AMMAF, which is a Delaware statutory trust.

 

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66 Hudson Boulevard East

New York, New York 10001

 

 

INTRODUCTION

This is a combined Proxy Statement for the funds listed above (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The term “Fund” also includes the standalone Companies, which do not offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities. Each of the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each, a “Board” and, collectively, the “Boards”) is soliciting proxies for a Joint Meeting of Stockholders of the Funds (the “Meeting”) to consider and vote on the proposals (each, a “Proposal” and, collectively, the “Proposals”) that are being recommended by the Board for the Fund or Funds that it oversees. We refer to directors or trustees as, individually, a “Director” or, collectively, the “Directors” for the purposes of this Proxy Statement.

The Funds are sending you this Proxy Statement to ask for your vote on the Proposals. The Meeting will be held on August 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, which will be conducted online via a live webcast. You will be able to attend and participate in the Meeting online. You may vote during the Meeting by following the instructions available on the Meeting website during the Meeting. There is no physical location for the Meeting.

The solicitation will be made primarily by mail and may also be made by telephone or through the Internet. It is expected that AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will bear the proxy solicitation costs, including the printing and mailing of proxy materials, as well as the legal expenses of counsel relating thereto. Stockholders will receive either a copy of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy materials, which are expected to be mailed on or about June 24, 2026, or an Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Joint Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on August 3, 2026 (the “Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials”), which is expected to be mailed on or about June 24, 2026.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you must register in advance to attend the Meeting. To register you must submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy) reflecting your Fund holdings along with your name and email address to Sodali & Co., the Funds’ tabulator. You may forward an email from your intermediary or attach an image of your legal proxy to sfs-meetinginfo@sodali.com. Requests for registration must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. You will receive a confirmation email from sfs-meetinginfo@sodali.com of your registration and

 

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instructions that will allow you to vote at the Meeting. Stockholders are encouraged to access the Meeting website prior to the start time to allow ample time to log into the Meeting webcast and test their computer system. For questions relating to participation at the Meeting by remote communication, please call Sodali & Co. at (800) 311-1512.

Any stockholder or shareholder (each, a “stockholder” and, collectively, together, the “stockholders”) who owned shares of a Fund at the close of business on June 12, 2026 (the “Record Date”) is entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof. Each share is entitled to one vote, and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Appendix A sets forth the number of shares of each Fund issued and outstanding as of the Record Date. The Meeting is designated as (i) the “Annual” stockholder meeting for all AB Funds, except the Massachusetts Funds and AMMAF, and (ii) a “Special” stockholder meeting for the Massachusetts Funds and AMMAF.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, we urge you to authorize a proxy to vote your shares in advance of the Meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials for the Meeting.

As permitted by law, a Fund may deliver one copy of this Proxy Statement to such Fund’s stockholders residing at the same address, unless such stockholders have notified the Fund of their desire to receive multiple copies of the stockholder reports and proxy statements that the Fund sends. If you would like to receive an additional copy, please call (800) 227-4618 or write to Mutual Fund Legal at AllianceBernstein L.P., 66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, New York 10001. The Fund will then promptly deliver, upon request, a separate copy of this Proxy Statement to any stockholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Stockholders of a Fund wishing to receive separate copies of the Fund’s stockholder reports and proxy statements in the future, and stockholders sharing an address that wish to receive a single copy if they are receiving multiple copies, should also send a request as indicated.

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the Joint Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on Monday, August 3, 2026. This Proxy Statement is available on the Internet at https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/corporate-responsibility/corporate-governance/proxy-voting/mutual-fund-proxy-statements.html or at https://proxyvotinginfo.com/p/
alliancebernstein2026
.

 

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PROPOSAL ONE:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Meeting, stockholders of each Company will vote on the election of Directors of their Company. Unless otherwise noted herein, each Director elected at the Meeting will serve for a term of indefinite duration and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

The individuals identified below have been nominated for election as Directors of the Companies. All nominees are current members of the Board.

Section 16 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that fund directors must be elected by the holders of outstanding securities of a fund, with the exception that vacancies occurring between meetings may be filled in any otherwise legal manner so long as, immediately after a vacancy is filled, at least two-thirds of the directors were elected by security holders. In order to provide the Boards with the maximum flexibility to fill vacancies on the Board without the administrative burden and expense of calling a special meeting of stockholders, the Board of each Company believes it is appropriate for all Director nominees to be submitted to stockholders for election.

Each nominee was recommended for nomination by the Fund’s Governance and Nominating Committee. The Committee, which, among other things, considers recommendations on nominations for Directors, reviewed the qualifications, experience, and background of the nominees. Based upon this review, the Committee recommended each nominee to the respective Board as a candidate for nomination as a Director. At meetings of Directors held on May 5-7, 2026, after discussion and further consideration of the matter, the Directors voted to nominate the nominees for election by stockholders.

Unless contrary instructions are received, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies in the accompanying Proxy Card to vote in favor of the nominees named below for election as Directors.

Independent Director Nominees:

R. Jay Gerken

Jeffrey R. Holland

Jeanette W. Loeb

John A. Lovito

Carol C. McMullen

Garry L. Moody

Emilie D. Wrapp

Interested Director Nominee:

Alexander Chaloff

 

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Each nominee has consented to serve as a Director. The Boards know of no reason why any of the nominees would be unable to serve, but in the event any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the proxies received indicating a vote in favor of such nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee as the Boards may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion.

Certain information concerning the nominees for Director is set forth below (nominees are referred to as Directors in the charts below).

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR FIRST
ELECTED**)


 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND

OTHER INFORMATION


  PORTFOLIOS IN
AB FUNDS
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY DIRECTOR***

   

OTHER PUBLIC
COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY HELD
BY DIRECTOR


INDEPENDENT

DIRECTORS

Garry L. Moody,#

Chair of the Board

74

(2007)

  Private Investor since prior to 2021. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax Department. He served as a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council from October 2019 through September 2023, where he also served as Chairman of the Governance Committee from October 2021 through September 2023. He has served as Chairman of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, and Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since January 2023; he has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since 2008, and served as Chairman of the Audit Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, from     91     None

 

6


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NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR FIRST
ELECTED**)


 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND

OTHER INFORMATION


  PORTFOLIOS IN
AB FUNDS
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY DIRECTOR***

   

OTHER PUBLIC
COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY HELD
BY DIRECTOR


    2008 to February 2023. He has served as a director or trustee and Chair of the AB Funds Complex and Chair of the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025.            

R. Jay Gerken,#

75

(2025)

  Private Investor since prior to 2021. Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, and President & Board Member of The Legg Mason and Western Asset mutual funds from 2005 until June 2013. Previously, he was the President and Chair of the boards of the Citigroup Asset Management mutual funds from 2002 to 2005; Portfolio Manager and Managing Director, Smith Barney Asset Management from 1993 to 2001 and President & CEO, Directions Management of Shearson Lehman, Inc. from 1988 to 1993. He was Chair of the SCB and Bernstein Board and the AMMAF Board from July 2023 to December 2024; he has served as a director or trustee of SCB and Bernstein since July 2013 and AMMAF since December 2018 and served as Chair of the Audit Committees of SCB and Bernstein from July 2018 to June 2023 and Chair of the Audit Committee of AMMAF from December 2018 to June 2023. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025.     91     Associated Banc-Corp

Jeffrey R. Holland,#

60

(2025)

  Private Investor since prior to 2021. Formerly, Limited Partner of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. from 2014 to 2018. Prior thereto, General Partner of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. from 2006 to 2013. He has served as a director or trustee of SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF since September 2019 and served as Chair of the Audit Committees of such Funds from July 2023 to December 2024. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025.     91     None

 

7


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NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR FIRST
ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND

OTHER INFORMATION

  PORTFOLIOS IN
AB FUNDS
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY DIRECTOR***
   

OTHER PUBLIC
COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY HELD
BY DIRECTOR

Jeanette W. Loeb,#

73

(2020)

  Private Investor since prior to 2021. Director of New York City Center since 2005. Formerly, Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to April 2023. She was a director of MidCap Financial Investment Corporation (business development company) from August 2011 to July 2023 and a director of AMMAF from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since April 2020 and has served as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since August 2023. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex and as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025.     91     None

John A. Lovito,#

61

  Private Investor since 2025. Formerly, Co-Chief Investment Officer Global Fixed Income/SVP at American Century Investments (2009-2025) where he held a number of senior positions including as a member of the Investment Oversight Committee, Product and Markets Committee and Extended Management Committee; Managing Director at Neuberger Berman (2001-2008) where he was a member of the Investment Committee and lead portfolio manager for Global and International Strategies; and Portfolio Manager at Brown Brothers Harriman (1986-2001); He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex since June 1, 2026.     91     None

 

8


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NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR FIRST
ELECTED**)


 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND

OTHER INFORMATION


  PORTFOLIOS IN
AB FUNDS
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY DIRECTOR***

   

OTHER PUBLIC
COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY HELD
BY DIRECTOR


Carol C. McMullen,#

70

(2016)

  Private Investor since prior to 2021. Formerly, a Member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box from 2018 until March 2025, where she also served as Advisory Board Chair from June 2023 until March 2025. Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) from 2014 until July 2023; member, Mass General Brigham (formerly, Partners Healthcare) Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since June 2016, and has served as Chair of the Audit Committees of such Funds since February 2023. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex and as Chair of the Audit Committees of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025.     91     None

Emilie D. Wrapp,#

70

(2025)

  Private Investor since July 2023. Formerly, Senior Vice President, Counsel, Assistant Secretary & Senior Mutual Fund Legal Advisor of the Adviser+ (January 2023 – June 2023). Prior thereto, Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary, Counsel, and Head of Mutual Fund &     91     None

 

9


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NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR FIRST
ELECTED**)


 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND

OTHER INFORMATION


  PORTFOLIOS IN
AB FUNDS
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY DIRECTOR***

   

OTHER PUBLIC
COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY HELD
BY DIRECTOR


    Retail Legal of the Adviser+; Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since prior to 2021 until June 2023. She served as a member of the Advisory Board to the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, from January 2024 to December 2024 (to May 2025 with respect to AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund (“ANMIF”) and AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund (“AGHIF”)). She served as a director or trustee of all AB Funds, excluding ANMIF and AGHIF, since January 2025, and has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex since May 2025.            

INTERESTED

DIRECTOR

Alexander Chaloff,++

54

(2025)

  Senior Vice President of the Adviser+, with which he has been associated since prior to 2021. He has been Chief Investment Officer and Head of Investment & Wealth Strategies of Bernstein Private Wealth Management since April 2023. He previously served as Co-Head of the Investment Strategy Group since 2020. Prior to joining Bernstein Private Wealth Management in 2005, he was a managing director at Wilshire Associates, a leading global investment consultant, serving on the firm’s investment committee. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF since April 2023. He has served as a director or trustee of all AB Funds, excluding ANMIF and AGHIF, since January 2025 and has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex since March 2025.     91     None

*

The address for the Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal and Compliance Department – Mutual Fund Legal, 66 Hudson Boulevard East, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10001.

 

**

There is no stated term of office for the Funds’ Directors.

 

10


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***

This is the total number of separate portfolios that a nominee for election as director would oversee if he or she were elected. The term “AB Funds Complex” refers to the AB Funds, AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. and ANMIF and AGHIF, two closed-end investment companies sponsored and advised by the Adviser that are not covered by this Proxy Statement.

 

#

Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

+

The Adviser is an affiliate of the Fund.

 

++

Mr. Chaloff is an “interested person”, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, of the Fund because of his affiliation with the Adviser.

The business and affairs of each Fund are overseen by the Fund’s Board. Directors who are not “interested persons” of a Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Directors”, and Directors who are “interested persons” of a Fund are referred to as “Interested Directors”. Certain information concerning each Fund’s governance structure and each Director is set forth below.

Experience, Skills, Attributes and Qualifications of the Funds’ Directors. The Governance and Nominating Committee of each Fund’s Board, which is composed of Independent Directors, reviews the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of potential candidates for nomination or election by the Board, and conducts a similar review in connection with the proposed nomination of current Directors for re-election by stockholders at any annual or special meeting of stockholders. In evaluating a candidate for nomination or election as a Director, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers the contribution that the candidate would be expected to make to the diverse mix of experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that each Board believes contributes to good governance for the applicable Funds. In assessing diversity of experience, the Governance and Nominating Committee takes account of a candidate’s educational and professional background, but also the diversity of experience a candidate derives from race, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or cultural background. Additional information concerning the Governance and Nominating Committee’s consideration of nominees appears in the description of the Committee below.

Each Fund’s Board believes that, collectively, the Directors have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing each Fund and protecting the interests of stockholders. The Board of each Fund has concluded that, based on each Director’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Directors, each Director is qualified and should continue to serve as such.

In determining that a particular Director was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Director, each Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. In addition, each Board has taken into account the

 

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actual service and commitment of each current Director during his or her tenure (including the Director’s commitment and participation in Board and committee meetings, as well as his or her current and prior leadership of standing committees, working groups and ad hoc committees) in concluding that each should continue to serve. Additional information about the specific experience, skills, attributes and qualifications of each Director, which in each case led to the Board’s conclusion that the Director should serve (or continue to serve) as trustee or director of the Fund, is provided in the table above and in the next paragraph.

Among other attributes and qualifications common to all Directors are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them (including information requested by the Directors), to interact effectively with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Directors. In evaluating the Directors, each Board considered, among other things, that: Mr. Chaloff has business, finance and investment management experience as Head of Investment & Wealth Strategies of Bernstein Private Wealth Management of the Adviser, and he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF since April 2023; Mr. Gerken has investment management experience as a portfolio manager and executive officer, and he served as Chair of SCB and Bernstein Board and AMMAF Board from July 2023 to December 2024 and served as Chair of the Audit Committees of SCB and Bernstein from July 2018 to June 2023 and Chair of the Audit Committee of AMMAF from December 2018 to June 2023; Mr. Holland has business experience as a senior executive of a financial services firm, including experience in provision of custody and other services to investment funds globally, and he served as Chair of the Audit Committees of SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF from July 2023 to December 2024; Ms. Loeb has extensive experience in the financial services industry and in business more generally, including as a former executive and partner of a large global financial services company and as Chief Executive Officer of a private e-commerce company, a director and audit committee member of a large publicly traded business development company, and a director or trustee of numerous non-profit organizations including the United Nations Development Corporation and New York City Center and has served as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since August 2023 and has served as the Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025; Mr. Lovito has extensive investment management experience having served as Co-Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income of a large investment management firm where he was also Co-Chair of the Global Fixed Income Investment Committee and a member of the firm’s Investment Oversight, Product and Markets and Expanded Management Committees; he also served as a portfolio manager at multiple investment management firms; Ms. McMullen has experience in talent management for a global technology consulting firm, served on the advi-

 

12


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sory board of a privately held e-commerce company, has served as director of a variety of privately held firms and non-profit boards (including as director of one of the 10 largest healthcare systems in the U.S. and Chair of a top U.S. community hospital), has extensive asset management industry experience including as Director of Global Investment Research for a major fund company and President of Wealth Management for a regional bank, and has served as Chair of the Audit Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since February 2023 and as the Chair of the Audit Committees of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025; Mr. Moody, a certified public accountant, has extensive experience in the asset management industry as a senior executive of a large fund complex and as Vice Chairman and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner for a major accounting firm, and served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Investment Company Institute, the leading association representing regulated funds, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, from October 2019 through September 2023, and also the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, a group created by the Investment Company Institute that aims to advance the education, communication and policy positions of investment company independent directors, where he also served as the Chairman of the Governance Committee from October 2021 through September 2023, served as Chairman of the Audit Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, from 2008 to February 2023, served as Chairman of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, and the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, in 2023 and 2024, and has served as Chair of the AB Funds Complex and the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds Complex since January 2025; and Ms. Wrapp has extensive experience in the investment management industry, including as Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary, Counsel and Head of Mutual Fund & Retail Legal of the Adviser, and as Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, and other registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, and has had extensive involvement in fund industry organizations including committees and working groups of the Investment Company Institute, and she served as an Advisory Board Member to the AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, from January 2024 to December 2024 (to May 2025 with respect to ANMIF and AGHIF). The disclosure herein of a Director’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills does not impose on such Director, if elected, any duties, obligations, or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liability imposed on any Director as a member of a Board and any committee thereof in the absence of such experience, qualifications, attributes and skills.

Board Structure and Oversight Function. Each Board is responsible for oversight of the management of the applicable Fund. Each Fund has engaged the Adviser to manage the Fund on a day-to-day basis. Each Board is responsible for

 

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overseeing the Adviser and the applicable Fund’s other service providers in the operations of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and otherwise in accordance with its Prospectus, the requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable Federal, state and other securities and other laws, and the Fund’s charter and bylaws. Each Board meets at regularly scheduled meetings four times throughout the year. In addition, the Directors may meet at special meetings or on an informal basis at other times. The Independent Directors also regularly meet without the presence of any representatives of management. As described below, each Board has established three standing committees – the Audit, Governance and Nominating and Independent Directors Committees – and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. Each committee is composed exclusively of Independent Directors. The responsibilities of each committee, including its oversight responsibilities, are described further below. The Independent Directors have also engaged independent legal counsel, and may, from time to time, engage consultants and other advisors, to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.

An Independent Director serves as Chair of each Board. The Chair’s duties include setting the agenda for each Board meeting in consultation with management, presiding at each Board meeting, meeting with management between Board meetings, and facilitating communication and coordination between the Independent Directors and management. The Directors have determined that a Board’s leadership by an Independent Director and its committees composed exclusively of Independent Directors is appropriate because they believe it sets the proper tone to the relationships between the Funds, on the one hand, and the Adviser and other service providers, on the other, and facilitates the exercise of the Board’s independent judgment in evaluating and managing the relationships. In addition, each Fund is required to have an Independent Director as Chair pursuant to certain 2003 regulatory settlements involving the Adviser.

Risk Oversight. Each Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance and operational risks, including cyber risks. Day-to-day risk management with respect to a Fund resides with the Adviser or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), subject to supervision by the Adviser. Each Board has charged the Adviser and its affiliates with (i) identifying events or circumstances, the occurrence of which could have demonstrable and material adverse effects on the Fund; (ii) to the extent appropriate, reasonable or practicable, implementing processes and controls reasonably designed to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to evaluate continuously, and to revise as appropriate, the processes and controls described in (i) and (ii) above.

 

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Risk oversight forms part of a Board’s general oversight of the Fund’s investment program and operations and is addressed as part of various regular Board and committee activities. The Fund’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Adviser and other service providers. Each of these persons has an independent interest in risk management but the policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Fund’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. Oversight of risk management is provided by each Board and its Audit Committee. The Directors regularly receive reports from, among others, management (including the Chief Risk Officer of the Adviser), the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Adviser’s internal legal counsel, the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer and internal auditors for the Adviser, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Fund and the Adviser’s risk management programs. In addition, the Directors receive regular updates on cyber security matters from the Adviser.

Not all risks that may affect a Fund can be identified, nor can controls be developed to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. It may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, the processes and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness, and some risks are simply beyond the reasonable control of the Fund or the Adviser, its affiliates or other service providers. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve a Fund’s goals. As a result of the foregoing and other factors a Fund’s ability to manage risk is subject to substantial limitations.

Board Committees. Each Fund’s Board has three standing committees – an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee and an Independent Directors Committee. The number of meetings held by each of these committees during each Fund’s respective fiscal year is set forth in Appendix B. The members of the Audit, Governance and Nominating and Independent Directors Committees are identified above.

The function of the Audit Committee is to assist each Board in its oversight of each Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices.

The function of the Governance and Nominating Committee includes the nomination of persons to fill any vacancies or newly created positions on the Board. Each Board has adopted a charter for its Governance and Nominating Committee. Pursuant to the charter, the Committee assists each Board in carrying out its responsibilities with respect to governance of the Fund and identifies, evaluates, selects and nominates candidates for the Board. The Committee may also set standards or qualifications for Directors and reviews at least annually the performance of each Director, taking into account factors such as attendance at meetings,

 

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adherence to Board policies, preparation for and participation at meetings, commitment and contribution to the overall work of each Board and its committees, and whether there are health or other reasons that might affect the Director’s ability to perform his or her duties. The Committee may consider candidates for nomination as Directors submitted by the Fund’s current Board members, officers, the Adviser, stockholders and other appropriate sources.

Pursuant to the charter, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider candidates for nomination as a Director submitted by a stockholder or group of stockholders who have beneficially owned at least 5% of the Company’s common stock or shares of beneficial interest for at least two years prior to the time of submission and who timely provide specified information about the candidates and the nominating stockholder or group. To be timely for consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee, the submission, including all required information, must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Funds not less than 120 days before the date of the proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. If the Funds did not hold an annual meeting of stockholders in the previous year, the submission must be delivered or mailed and received within a reasonable amount of time before the Funds begin to print and mail its proxy materials. Public notice of such upcoming annual meeting of stockholders may be given in a stockholder report or other mailing to stockholders or by other means deemed by the Governance and Nominating Committee or the Boards to be reasonably calculated to inform stockholders.

Stockholders submitting a candidate for consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee must provide the following information to the Governance and Nominating Committee: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, date of birth, business address and residence address of the candidate; (B) any position or business relationship of the candidate, currently or within the preceding five years, with the stockholder or an associated person of the stockholder as defined below; (C) the class or series and number of all shares of the Company owned of record or beneficially by the candidate; (D) any other information regarding the candidate that is required to be disclosed about a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of Directors pursuant to Section 20 of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (E) whether the stockholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) and, if believed not to be an “interested person”, information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient for the Funds to make such determination; and (F) information as to the candidate’s knowledge of the investment company industry, experience as a director or senior officer of public companies, directorships on the boards of other registered investment companies and educational background; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Director if elected; (iii) the written and signed

 

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agreement of the candidate to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire if elected; (iv) the stockholder’s consent to be named as such by the Funds; (v) the class or series and number of all shares of the Fund owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder and any associated person of the stockholder and the dates on which such shares were acquired, specifying the number of shares owned beneficially but not of record by each, and stating the names of each as they appear on the Funds’ record books and the names of any nominee holders for each; and (vi) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder, the candidate and/or any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the stockholder. “Associated person of the stockholder” means any person who is required to be identified under clause (vi) of this paragraph and any other person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, directly or indirectly, (a) the stockholder or (b) the associated person of the stockholder.

The Governance and Nominating Committee may require the stockholder to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to verify any information furnished pursuant to the nominating procedures described above or to determine the qualifications and eligibility of the candidate proposed by the stockholder to serve on the Board. If the stockholder fails to provide such other information in writing within seven days of receipt of written request from the Governance and Nominating Committee, the recommendation of such candidate as a nominee will be deemed not properly submitted for consideration, and will not be considered, by the Committee.

The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider only one candidate submitted by such a stockholder or group for nomination for election at an annual meeting of stockholders. The Governance and Nominating Committee will not consider self-nominated candidates. The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider and evaluate candidates submitted by stockholders on the basis of the same criteria as those used to consider and evaluate candidates submitted from other sources. These criteria include the candidate’s relevant knowledge, experience, and expertise, the candidate’s ability to carry out his or her duties in the best interests of the Funds, and the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Director. When assessing a candidate for nomination, the Committee considers whether the individual’s background, skills, and experience will complement the background, skills, and experience of other nominees and will contribute to the diversity of the Board.

The function of the Independent Directors Committee is to consider and take action on matters that each Board or Committee believes should be addressed in executive session of the Independent Directors, such as review and approval of the Advisory and Distribution Services Agreements.

During each Fund’s fiscal year ended 2025 and 2026, as applicable, each Director attended at least 75% of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of each

 

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committee of the Board of Directors on which the Director served (during the period for which the Director served as a Director or committee member), with the exception of Mr. Chaloff, who attended less than 75% of the Board meetings, and Mr. Lovito, who was appointed as a Director of the Companies effective June 1, 2026.

The Boards have adopted a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of their Fund. To communicate with the Board or an individual Director of a Fund, a stockholder must send a written communication to that Fund’s principal office at the address listed in the Notice of Joint Meeting of Stockholders accompanying this Proxy Statement, addressed to the Board of that Fund or the individual Director. All stockholder communications received in accordance with this process will be forwarded to the Board or the individual Director to whom or to which the communication is addressed.

Other Information

Additional information on Proposal One, including information on the principal officers of the Funds, nominee ownership of Fund shares and Board compensation, is included in Appendix C (Additional Information on Proposal One) and Appendix D (Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm).

The Board of each Company unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” each of the nominees to serve as a Director of the applicable Company. The election of each nominee requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast for each Company.

 

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PROPOSAL TWO:

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

Background

On March 26, 2026, Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Equitable”), the owner of the Adviser, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Equitable, Corebridge Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Corebridge”), and various Corebridge subsidiaries. Equitable and Corebridge have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, to effect an all-stock merger transaction to combine their respective businesses into a newly formed company (“HoldCo”). Equitable is the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Equitable also holds 68% of the outstanding partnership interests of the Adviser.

At the effective time of the merger, each issued and outstanding share of Equitable and Corebridge common stock, outstanding performance share units granted under any Equitable stock plan and preferred stock will be converted into, and become exchangeable for, newly created corresponding shares of HoldCo common stock or preferred stock with substantially identical powers, preferences, privileges and rights as the previously issued Equitable or Corebridge common or preferred stock. Upon closing, current Equitable stockholders will own approximately 49% of HoldCo and current Corebridge stockholders will own approximately 51% of HoldCo. HoldCo will be the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation and will hold 68% of the outstanding partnership interests of the Adviser.

Currently, the Adviser and its affiliates do not anticipate that the merger will have a material impact on the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser providing services to the Funds. The Adviser’s current leadership and key investment teams are expected to stay in place, and no change in senior management’s strategy for the Adviser is anticipated as a result of the implementation of the merger.

Completion of the merger is subject to certain regulatory approvals and other conditions. This planned merger gives rise to the proposal to approve new advisory agreements.

The Funds are subject to Section 15 of the 1940 Act. Section 15 provides that any investment advisory agreement with a registered investment company such as a Fund, must terminate automatically upon its “assignment,” which includes any direct or indirect transfer of a controlling block of outstanding voting securities of an investment adviser or the parent company of an investment adviser. Such transfer is often referred to as a “Change of Control Event.”

Whether a particular transaction results in a Change of Control Event depends on the facts and circumstances of the transaction. Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act

 

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defines the term “control” as “the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.” Section 2(a)(9) also creates certain rebuttable presumptions concerning “control” based on the ownership of a company’s voting securities. A “person” (defined to include individuals as well as companies) is presumed to “control” a company if the person beneficially owns more than 25% of the company’s voting securities, and is presumed not to control a company if the person beneficially owns 25% or less of the company’s voting securities “unless control actually exists in fact”. Under federal securities laws, the term “beneficial owner” is defined as a person who, either directly or indirectly, has or shares: (1) “voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of” the ownership interest; or (2) “investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of” the ownership interest. Using these definitions, any transaction that results in a person who is not a presumptive control person of an adviser to a registered fund becoming a presumptive control person of that adviser, or results in a person who was a presumptive control person of such adviser becoming a presumptive non-control person, constitutes an assignment of the advisory contract with the registered fund and results in its immediate termination. When that occurs the assignment and the automatic termination provision of the advisory agreements is triggered. An automatic termination of the advisory agreements gives rise to the need for a stockholder vote to approve new advisory agreements with the Adviser reflecting its new ownership structure following the closing of the merger transaction.

It is anticipated that the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement may be deemed a Change of Control Event resulting in the automatic termination of the existing investment advisory agreements (“Current Agreements”) of the Funds. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services can continue uninterrupted following the transaction, the Boards have approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Merger Agreement. Stockholders are being asked to approve the new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser approved by the Boards (collectively, such new advisory agreements, the “Proposed Agreements”), which would, if approved by stockholders, be effective upon the later of such approval and the Change of Control Event. These agreements are described under the heading “Description of the Proposed Agreements” below.

The Adviser anticipates compliance with the conditions of Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act. Section 15(f) provides, in pertinent part, that affiliated persons of an adviser may receive any amount or benefit in connection with a sale of securities of, or a sale of any other interest in, such an adviser which results in an assignment of an investment advisory or sub-advisory agreement if, for a period of three years after the time of such a transaction, at least 75% of the members of the board of any investment company which it oversees are not “interested persons” (as defined

 

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in the 1940 Act) of the new or old investment adviser; and, if, for a two-year period, there is no “unfair burden” imposed on any such investment company as a result of the transaction. The Boards currently satisfy the 75% requirement of Section 15(f) and are expected to do so at the time of the merger transaction, and the Adviser has represented to the Boards that it will use its best efforts to ensure its and its affiliates’ compliance with the unfair burden condition for so long as this requirement of Section 15(f) applies.

Discussion

At the Meeting, stockholders of each Fund will be asked to consider and vote to approve a Proposed Agreement to ensure that existing investment advisory services can continue uninterrupted following the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. A general description of each Proposed Agreement is included below.

As discussed above in the section entitled “Background,” the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement may result in a Change of Control Event, which would result in the automatic termination of the advisory agreement for each Fund with the Adviser.

At in-person Board meetings (the “Board Meeting”) held on May 5-7, 2026, the Adviser presented its recommendation that each Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreements. Each Board approved the Proposed Agreement for that Fund or Funds it oversees and recommended that stockholders of those Funds vote to approve the Proposed Agreements at the Meeting. The factors that the Board considered in approving the Proposed Agreements are set forth below under “Board Consideration of the Proposed Agreements” and in appendices to this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, the Board of each Fund recommended approval of the Proposed Agreement by stockholders of that Fund, as discussed in this Proxy Statement.

The Adviser

The Adviser is a Delaware limited partnership with principal offices at 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The Adviser is a leading global investment adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of March 31, 2026 totaling approximately $839 billion (of which approximately $158 billion represented assets of registered investment companies sponsored by the Adviser). As of March 31, 2026, the Adviser managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 11 of the nation’s FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee retirement funds in 33 of the 50 states, for investment companies, and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 26 registered investment companies managed by the

 

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Adviser, comprising approximately 91 separate investment portfolios, had as of March 31, 2026 approximately 2 million stockholder accounts.

Equitable (formerly AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.) is a leading financial services company in the U.S. and consists of two well-established principal franchises, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company and AllianceBernstein.

AllianceBernstein Corporation (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Equitable) owns 100,000 general partnership units in AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. and a 1% general partnership interest in the Adviser.

As of March 31, 2026, the direct ownership structure of the Adviser, expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests, was as follows:

 

Equitable Holdings and its subsidiaries

     68.0

AllianceBernstein Holding L.P.

     31.4

Unaffiliated holders

     0.6
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AB Holding and the Adviser, Equitable and its subsidiaries have an approximate 68.0% economic interest in the Adviser as of March 31, 2026.

The names and principal occupations of the Adviser’s chief executive officer (also a director) and directors are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each person listed below is 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

 

NAME

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

Joan Lamm-Tennant

   Chair of the Board of the Adviser and Chair of the Board of Equitable, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (“Equitable Financial”) and Equitable Financial Insurance Company of America (“Equitable America”).

Seth Bernstein

   Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser and Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Management and Research of Equitable.

Bruce Holley

   Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal’s Financial Services Industry Practice.

Daniel Kaye

   Director of Equitable, Equitable Financial and Equitable America. Director of CME Group, Inc.

Nick Lane

   Head of Retirement, Wealth Management & Protection Solutions of Equitable. President of Equitable Financial.

 

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NAME

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

Das Narayandas

   Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.

Mark Pearson

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Equitable. CEO and Director of Equitable Financial and Equitable America.

Robin Raju

   Chief Financial Officer of Equitable.

Charles Stonehill

   Director of Equitable, Equitable America and Equitable Financial.

Todd Walthall

   Independent Director.

Description of the Proposed Agreements

The description of each Proposed Agreement that follows is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable form of each type of Proposed Agreement included in Appendix E to this Proxy Statement. Each Fund to which the respective form relates is also set forth in Appendix E. (As indicated below, the advisory fee rate for each Fund is provided in Appendix F.) Each Proposed Agreement is identical in all material respects to the applicable Current Agreement, except that it reflects new effective and termination dates, as the Proposed Agreement would, if approved by stockholders of the Fund, become effective upon the later of such approval and the Change of Control Event. The material terms of each Proposed Agreement are discussed in more detail below.

 

  

Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

Contractual Management Fees    Appendix F includes the fee schedules for each Fund and provides information on the fees paid to the Adviser by each registered investment company with an investment objective similar to the investment objectives of the Funds.    No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal.
Advisory Services    Each Proposed Agreement provides that the Adviser will, subject to the oversight of the Directors and in accordance with the Fund’s prospectus, manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and administer its affairs. In this regard, it is the responsibility of the Adviser to make investment and reinvestment decisions for each Fund and to place the purchase and sale orders for each Fund. The Adviser provides research and advice, continuously supervises the investment portfolio of each Fund and pays the costs of certain clerical and administrative services involved in portfolio management.    No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal.

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

Reimbursement of Administrative Expenses   

The material terms regarding reimbursement of administrative expenses under each Proposed Agreement are as follows:

 

›  All Funds (other than AB All Market Total Return Portfolio, AB Growth Fund, AMMAF, the ACS Funds, AB ETFs Funds, SCB and Bernstein Funds)

 

The Proposed Agreements for these Funds include a provision for the reimbursement to the Adviser of the costs of certain administrative services, including clerical, accounting, legal and other services, that the Adviser provides to the Funds at the request of the Funds.

 

›  AB All Market Total Return Portfolio, AB Growth Fund, the ACS Funds, SCB and Bernstein Funds

 

The Proposed Agreements for these Funds do not contain a reimbursement provision.

 

›  AMMAF

 

While the Proposed Agreement for AMMAF does not contain a reimbursement provision, AMMAF has entered into a separate Administrative Reimbursement Agreement with the Adviser pursuant to which AMMAF reimburses the Adviser for certain administrative services at cost. The Administrative Reimbursement Agreement is not affected by a Change of Control Event.

   No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal.
  

 

›  AB ETFs Funds

 

While the Proposed Agreement for the AB ETFs Funds provides for the reimbursement to the Adviser of the costs of certain administrative services, the Adviser does not intend to request such reimbursement, at least in the near future.

 

Appendix G includes information on the amounts paid by the Funds to the Adviser with respect to the administrative services described above during the most recent fiscal year of each Fund, as applicable.

  

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

Other Expenses   

The material terms regarding other expenses under each Proposed Agreement are as follows:

 

›  All Funds (other than AB ETFs Funds, TAP Funds, ACS Funds, AMMAF, SCB and Bernstein Funds)

 

The Proposed Agreements for these Funds provide that each Fund is responsible for the payment of various expenses, including: (a) custody, transfer and dividend disbursing expenses; (b) fees of Directors who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser; (c) legal and auditing expenses; (d) clerical, accounting and other office costs; (e) the cost of certain personnel, who may be employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, that provide clerical, accounting and other services to such Fund; (f) costs of printing prospectuses and stockholder reports; (g) the cost of maintenance of corporate existence; (h) interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions; (i) costs of stationary and supplies; (j) expenses and fees related to registration and filing with the SEC and with state regulatory authorities; and (k) promotional expenses paid pursuant to any Rule 12b-1 Plan.

   No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal.
  

 

The Proposed Agreement for ADGF is substantially similar to the other Proposed Agreements described in the paragraph above, except that it also provides that ADGF shall pay the allocated portion of the fees of any trade association of which ADGF may be a member, the cost of stock certificates representing shares of ADGF, and all expenses of stockholders’ and directors’ meetings.

 

›  The AB ETFs Funds

 

The Proposed Agreement for the AB ETFs Funds provides that the AB ETFs Funds will be responsible for the payment of the following expenses: (a) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transfer and withholding taxes); (b) expenses of each AB ETFs Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions but not including fees of an AB ETFs Fund’s custodian relating to portfolio transactions; (c) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (d) the advisory fee payable hereunder; (e) the cost of personnel providing services to us at such rates as shall from time to time be agreed upon between us; and (f) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the Directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act).

  

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

  

 

›  The TAP Funds

 

The Proposed Agreement for the TAP Funds provides that AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy and AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy are responsible for the payment of various expenses, including the following: the cost of personnel for rendering clerical, accounting and other services to each Fund at such rates as from time to time to be agreed upon between the Adviser and the TAP Funds, provided that all time devoted to the investment or reinvestment of securities in the Funds shall be for the Adviser’s account.

 

›  The ACS Funds

 

The Proposed Agreement for the ACS Funds provides that the ACS Funds will be responsible for the payment of the following expenses: (a) taxes, if any, levied against ACS or the ACS Funds; (b) brokerage fees and commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the ACS Funds; (c) costs, including any interest expenses, of borrowing money and (except with respect to AB Corporate Income Shares) other leveraging methods; (d) extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses and expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, or other claims and/or legal obligations of ACS to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, stockholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto; and (e) ACS’s organizational and offering expenses to the extent authorized by the Directors, and any other expenses that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Adviser is responsible under the Proposed Agreements for the ACS Funds for certain expenses incurred by the ACS Funds required to be included as “other expenses” for purposes of the registration statement, including: (a) expenses of the independent public accountant, (b) expenses of the transfer agent(s), registrar, dividend disbursing agent(s) and stockholder recordkeeping services, (c) expenses of the custodian, including any recordkeeping services provided by the custodian, (d) expenses relating to obtaining quotations for calculating the value of an ACS Fund’s net assets, (e) expenses relating to the preparation of such reports and other materials as may reasonably be requested by the Directors, (f) expenses relating to the maintenance of ACS’s tax records, (g) expenses, including expenses relating to the procurement of legal services, incident to meetings of stockholders, the preparation and mailing of prospectuses and reports to stockholders, the filing of

  

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

  

reports with regulatory bodies, the maintenance of ACS’s existence and qualification to do business and the registration of shares with federal and state securities authorities, (h) fees and expenses of ACS’s Directors and officers, and the fees and expenses of any legal counsel or any other persons engaged by such persons in connection with the discharge of their duties as Directors or officers, (i) costs of printing certificates representing ACS’s shares, (j) ACS’s pro rata portion of the fidelity bond required by Section 17(g) of the 1940 Act or other insurance premiums, and (k) association membership dues.

 

›  AMMAF

 

The Proposed Agreement for AMMAF provides that AMMAF is responsible for the payment of various expenses, including the following: (a) brokerage and commission expenses; (b) Federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including issue and transfer taxes, incurred by or levied on AMMAF; (c) interest charges on borrowings; (d) AMMAF’s organizational and offering expenses, whether or not advanced by the Adviser; (e) fees and expenses of registering AMMAF’s shares under the appropriate Federal securities laws and of qualifying AMMAF’s shares under applicable state securities laws; (f) fees and expenses of listing and maintaining the listing of AMMAF’s shares on any national securities exchange; (g) expenses of printing and distributing AMMAF’s prospectuses and reports to stockholders; (h) costs of proxy solicitations; (i) charges and expenses of AMMAF’s administrator(s) (including the Adviser’s charges under the Administrative Reimbursement Agreement), custodian, and transfer and dividend disbursing agent and registrar of shares; (j) compensation of the Fund’s officers, Directors and employees who do not devote any part of their time to the Adviser’s affairs or the affairs of the Adviser’s affiliates other than AMMAF; (k) legal and auditing expenses; (l) payment of all investment advisory fees (including the fees payable to the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement); (m) fee and charges of any third parties providing due diligence reviews of the operations of investment managers of AMMAF’s potential and actual investments and the travel costs of the Adviser’s personnel in connection with such reviews; (n) costs of stationery and supplies; and (o) costs of periodic offers to repurchase AMMAF’s shares.

  

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

  

 

›  SCB

 

The Proposed Agreements for SCB provide that the SCB Funds are responsible for the payment of various expenses, including the following: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser under the Agreement and the Shareholder Servicing and Administrative Agreement; (b) the fees and expenses of Directors who are not affiliated with the Adviser; (c) the fees and expenses of the SCB Funds’ custodian and transfer agent including but not limited to fees and expenses relating to Fund accounting, pricing of the Funds’ shares, and computation of net asset value; (d) the fees and expenses of calculating yield and/or performance of the SCB Funds; (e) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants; (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable to governmental agencies; (g) the fees of any trade association of which SCB is a member; (h) payment of the SCB Funds’ share of the organization expenses of the SCB Funds or SCB; (i) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of SCB and the shares of the SCB Funds with the SEC, registering SCB as a broker or dealer and qualifying the shares of the SCB Funds under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, allocable communications expenses with respect to investor services, all expenses of stockholders’ and Directors’ meetings and preparing, printing and mailing proxies, prospectuses and reports to stockholders; (j) brokers’ commissions, dealers’ mark-ups and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable in connection with the SCB Funds’ transactions; (k) the cost of stock certificates representing shares of the SCB Funds; (l) insurance expenses, including, but not limited to, the cost of a fidelity bond, directors and officers insurance and errors and omissions insurance; and (m) litigation and indemnification expenses, expenses incurred in connection with mergers, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the SCB Funds’ business.

 

›  The Bernstein Funds

 

The Proposed Agreements for the Bernstein Funds provide that the Funds are responsible for the payment of various expenses, including the following: (a) interest and taxes; (b) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments (including, without limitation, security settlement costs); (c) calculating a Fund’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm, or agent or

  

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

   service provider of the Company (including, without limitation, Fund administrators, custodians and pricing services)); (d) interest payable on debt and dividends and distributions on stock, as applicable, if any, incurred to finance the Fund’s investments; (e) custodian, registrar and transfer agent fees and fees and expenses of other service providers; (f) direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs; fees and expenses of the Company’s Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Adviser; (g) the cost of office facilities as described in the Agreement; (h) legal and audit expenses; (i) fees and expenses related to the registration and qualification of a Fund and the Fund’s shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (j) expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to stockholders of the Funds; (k) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Funds’ stockholders, including proxy solicitations therefor; (l) insurance premiums for fidelity bond and other insurance coverage; (m) investment management fees; (n) the fees of any trade association of which the Company is a member; (o) expenses of filing, printing and mailing prospectuses and supplements thereto to stockholders of the Funds; (p) expenses related to the engagement of any third-party professionals, consultants, experts or specialists hired to perform work in respect of the Company or the Funds; (q) all other expenses incurred by the Company or the Funds in connection with administering the business of the Company or the Funds, including each Fund’s allocable portion of the cost of the Company’s legal, compliance, administrative and accounting personnel, and their respective staffs; (r) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Company is a party and legal obligations that the Company may have to indemnify the Company’s directors, officers and/or employees or agents with respect to these actions, suits or proceedings; (s) organizational expenses of the Company and the Funds; and (t) the costs, fees and expenses otherwise stated in the Agreement as applicable to the Company or the Funds.   
Exculpatory Provisions    The Proposed Agreements provide that the Adviser shall not be liable thereunder for any mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing in the Proposed Agreements shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect, the Adviser against any liability to the    No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal.

 

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Proposed Agreement

  

Proposed Changes from Current Agreement

   particular Fund or to its stockholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties thereunder, or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder.   
Term and Continuance    A Proposed Agreement would, if approved by stockholders of the Fund, become effective upon the later of such approval and the Change of Control Event. Each Proposed Agreement would continue in effect for one year from its effective date and thereafter from year to year provided that its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or by the Board, and in either case, by a majority of the Directors who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” of any such party at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such matter.    No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal. The Proposed Agreements would differ only to the extent of their effective and termination dates.
Termination    Each Proposed Agreement automatically terminates upon assignment and is terminable with respect to the related Fund at any time without penalty by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by vote of the directors of the Fund, in either case on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund, except that the Adviser may terminate the Proposed Agreement for SCB upon 30 to 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. For more information on when the Current Agreements were last approved by stockholders, see Appendix F.    No change is proposed in connection with the Proposal.

Board Consideration of the Proposed Agreements

As described above, the Merger Agreement contemplates a transaction that may result ultimately in an indirect Change of Control Event for the Adviser, which in turn would result in the automatic termination of each Current Agreement. At the Board Meeting, the Adviser presented its recommendation that each Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreements with respect to the Fund or Funds which it oversees. Following review and discussion with the Adviser, each of the Boards, including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of the Funds (the “Independent Directors”) as defined in the 1940 Act, approved at its Board Meeting the Proposed Agreements with the Adviser for the Fund or Funds overseen by that Board. The Boards, including the respective Independent Directors, also considered and approved interim advisory agreements with the Adviser (each, an “Interim Advisory Agreement”) at the Board Meeting, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of a Proposed Agreement had not been

 

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obtained as of the date of the Change of Control Event resulting in the automatic termination of an investment advisory agreement.

The decision by each of the Boards, including a majority of the Independent Directors, to approve the Proposed Agreements and Interim Advisory Agreements, as applicable, for the Funds overseen by that Board and to recommend approval of the Proposed Agreements by stockholders of those Funds was based on a determination by the Boards that it would be advisable and in the best interests of those Funds for the Adviser to continue providing investment advisory and related services for those Funds, without interruption.

Each of the Boards, including the Independent Directors of the Board, recommends approval of the Proposed Agreements for the Fund or Funds overseen by that Board by stockholders of those Funds.

The Boards reviewed detailed information on the Merger Agreement, including the ownership and control structure of the Adviser and its affiliated entities both before and after the transaction that may result ultimately in an indirect Change of Control Event for the Adviser. The Boards reviewed information about the potential impact of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement on the Adviser and each of the Adviser’s affiliates that provides services to the Funds. The Boards considered the Adviser’s statement that it does not anticipate that the Merger Agreement will have a material impact on the Adviser or any affiliates of the Adviser with respect to operations, personnel, organizational structure, capitalization, or financial and other resources.

The Boards further noted the Adviser’s representation that the Adviser anticipates compliance with the conditions of Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act, including that it will use its best efforts to ensure its and its affiliates’ compliance with the unfair burden condition for so long as the requirements of Section 15(f) apply.

Each of the Boards reviewed the Proposed Agreement and Interim Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund it oversees with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The Independent Directors also discussed the proposed approvals in private sessions with their counsel.

A further description of the process followed by each Board in approving the Proposed Agreements for each Fund, including information reviewed, certain material factors considered, and certain related conclusions reached, is set forth in Appendix H to this Proxy Statement.

 

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Each of the Boards has considered the Proposed Agreements and is recommending their approval, only with respect to the Fund or Funds that it oversees.

Approval of Proposal Two requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” of each Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, which means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (“1940 Act Majority Vote”).

The Board, including the Independent Directors, of each Fund unanimously recommends that the stockholders of that Fund vote “FOR” Proposal Two.

 

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PROXY VOTING AND STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS

Stockholders may vote by attending the Meeting virtually and by following the instructions available on the Meeting website, by properly executing and returning the enclosed Proxy Card or by authorizing a proxy to vote their shares by telephone or through the Internet using the instructions provided on the enclosed Proxy Card.

Stockholders are encouraged to access the Meeting website prior to the start time to allow ample time to log into the Meeting webcast and test their computer system. For questions relating to participation at the Meeting by remote communication, please call Sodali & Co. (“Sodali”) at (800) 311-1512.

All properly executed and timely received proxies will be exercised at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereon or as otherwise provided therein. Accordingly, unless instructions to the contrary are marked on the proxies, the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholder will be cast (i) “FOR” the election of each of the nominees as a Director for a Company (Proposal One) and (ii) “FOR” the approval of the investment advisory agreements (Proposal Two).

Those stockholders who hold shares directly and not through a broker or nominee (that is, a stockholder of record) may authorize their proxies to cast their votes by completing a Proxy Card and returning it by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope as well as by telephoning toll free (855) 454-4575 or by authorizing a proxy through the Internet at www.proxyvotenow.com/ab2026 and following the directions on the Proxy Card. Owners of shares held through a broker or nominee (who is the stockholder of record for those shares) should follow directions provided to the stockholder by the broker or nominee to submit voting instructions. Instructions to be followed by a stockholder of record to authorize a proxy via telephone or through the Internet, including use of the control number on the stockholder’s Proxy Card and Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, are designed to verify stockholder identities, to allow stockholders to give voting instructions and to confirm that stockholder instructions have been recorded properly. Stockholders who authorize proxies by telephone or through the Internet should not also return a Proxy Card. A stockholder of record may revoke the stockholder’s proxy at any time prior to exercise thereof by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Funds at 66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, New York 10001, by authorizing a later-dated proxy (either by signing and mailing another Proxy Card or by telephone or through the Internet, as indicated above), or by attending and voting at the virtual Meeting. Attendance alone is not sufficient to revoke a previously authorized proxy.

Properly executed proxies may be returned with instructions to abstain from voting or to withhold authority to vote (an “abstention”) or represent a broker “non-vote” (which is a proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that the broker or

 

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nominee has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power to vote).

The approval of Proposal One for each Company requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast, assuming the presence of a quorum. Under a plurality vote, the candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected, even if they receive approval from less than a majority of the votes cast. Because the nominees are running unopposed, the nominees are expected to be elected as Directors, as all nominees who receive votes in favor will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, not being votes cast, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal One.

The approval of Proposal Two for a Fund requires a 1940 Act Majority Vote. The stockholders of each Fund vote separately on Proposal Two. An abstention or broker non-vote, if any, will be considered present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum but will have the effect of a vote against Proposal Two.

If any matter other than the Proposals properly comes before the Meeting, the shares represented by proxies will be voted on all such other proposals in the discretion of the person or persons voting the proxies.

Except as described for the Funds below, a quorum for each Fund for the Meeting will consist of the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third of a Fund’s shares entitled to vote at the Meeting. With respect to AMIF II, a quorum for the Meeting will consist of the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s shares entitled to vote at the Meeting. With respect to ABT and AMMAF, a quorum for the Meeting will consist of the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of 40% of the Fund’s shares entitled to vote at the Meeting. With respect to ACS and TAP, a quorum for the Meeting will consist of the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of 30% of a Fund’s shares entitled to vote at the Meeting. In the event a quorum is not present at the Meeting, or, even if a quorum is so present, if sufficient votes in favor of the position recommended by the Board on any proposal for a Fund described in the Proxy Statement are not timely received, the Chairman of the Board of that Fund is expected to authorize, or the persons named as proxies are expected to propose and vote for one or more adjournments of the Meeting for that Fund up to 120 days after the Record Date to permit further solicitation of proxies without notice other than announcement at the Meeting. If a proposal to adjourn is submitted to stockholders, shares represented by proxies indicating a vote contrary to the position recommended by the Board on a proposal will be voted against adjournment as to that proposal.

The Meeting is scheduled as a joint meeting of the stockholders of the Funds because the stockholders of all the Funds are to consider and vote on the approval

 

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of new investment advisory agreements. Stockholders of each Fund will vote separately on the new investment advisory agreement for their Fund and on any other matter that may properly come before the meeting for that Fund. An unfavorable vote by the stockholders of one Fund will not affect the vote on the new investment advisory agreement or any other matter by the stockholders of another Fund.

Each Fund has engaged Sodali, 430 Park Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10022, to assist in the distribution of proxy materials and the solicitation and tabulation of proxies for the Meeting. Sodali will receive fees of approximately $5,600,000 for its proxy solicitation services, which includes the costs of printing and mailing proxy materials and reimbursement for certain other costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its services, all of which will be borne by the Adviser. The Adviser and Sodali may solicit proxies personally and by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, text or the Internet.

Other Information

INFORMATION AS TO THE INVESTMENT ADVISER,

ADMINISTRATOR, AND DISTRIBUTOR OF THE FUNDS

Each Fund’s investment adviser is AllianceBernstein L.P., 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The Adviser also provides administrative services for certain of the Funds and is reimbursed by certain Funds for the costs of such services. State Street Bank and Trust Company, which serves as custodian and accounting agent for certain Funds, also provides administrative services to certain of the Funds. Except with respect to AB ETFs, AMMAF, Bernstein and SCB, each Fund’s distributor is AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The distributor for AB ETFs is Foreside Fund Services, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. Both ABI and Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, LLC, 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, serve as distributors to AMMAF, Bernstein and SCB. See Appendix I for the fees paid by each Fund to certain affiliates of the Adviser over the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year and any commissions paid to affiliated broker-dealers over that same period. See Appendix G for the costs reimbursed by the Funds to the Adviser for certain administrative services over the most recently completed fiscal year for each Fund.

OTHER MATTERS

Management of each Fund does not know of any matters properly to be presented at the Meeting other than those mentioned in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the shares represented by proxies will be voted with respect thereto in the discretion of the person or persons voting

 

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the proxies. For those Funds for which the Meeting has been designated as a Special Meeting, only the business set forth in the Notice of Joint Meeting of Shareholders may be brought before the Meeting with regard to the Funds.

STOCK OWNERSHIP

Information regarding person(s) who owned of record or were known by a Fund to beneficially own 5% or more of the Fund’s shares (or class of shares, if applicable) on May 26, 2026 is provided in Appendix J.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

The Funds do not hold stockholder meetings annually. As such, the anticipated date of the next stockholder meeting of a Fund cannot be provided.

Any stockholder who wishes to submit a proposal to be included in the Fund’s proxy statement and form of proxy card for a Fund’s next meeting of stockholders should send the proposal to the Fund so as to be received within a reasonable time before a Fund begins to print and mail its proxy materials relating to such meeting. Timely submission of a proposal does not guarantee that such proposal will be included in a proxy statement or presented at the meeting. A stockholder proposal may be presented at a meeting of stockholders only if such proposal concerns a matter that may be properly brought before the meeting under applicable federal proxy rules, state law and are in accordance with the applicable Fund’s governing instruments.

REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

Each Fund will furnish each person to whom this Proxy Statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is delivered with a copy of its latest annual report to stockholders and its subsequent semi-annual report to stockholders, if any, upon request and without charge. To request a copy, please call AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. at (800) 221-5672, Foreside Fund Services, LLC at (800) 243-5994 for the AB ETFs, or contact Mutual Fund Legal at AllianceBernstein L.P., 66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, New York 10001.

 

By Order of the Boards of Directors,

Nancy E. Hay

Secretary

June [ ], 2026

New York, New York

 

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APPENDIX A – SHARES OUTSTANDING AS OF THE RECORD DATE

The following table sets forth the outstanding shares of each Fund as of the Record Date. Each full share is entitled to one vote, and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote.

 

Fund (Place of Organization)


  Class A
    Class C
    Advisor Class
    Class I
    Class Z
    Class 1
    Class 2
    Outstanding
Shares

 

AB Active ETFs, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Conservative Buffer ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Core Bond ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Core Plus Bond ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Corporate Bond ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Disruptors ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB High Yield ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB International Buffer ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB International Growth ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Moderate Buffer ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Short Duration Income ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Ultra Short Income ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB US Equity ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB US High Dividend ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Bond Fund, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       [      [      N/A       [ 

AB Bond Inflation Strategy

    [      [      [      [      [      [      [      [ 

AB Income Fund

    [      [      [      N/A       [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [      [      [ 

AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

    [      N/A       [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Cap Fund, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

AB All China Equity Portfolio

    [      N/A       [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Concentrated Growth Fund

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

 

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Fund (Place of Organization)


  Class A
    Class C
    Advisor Class
    Class I
    Class Z
    Class 1
    Class 2
    Outstanding
Shares

 

AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB International Growth Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Select US Equity Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Corporate Shares (MA)

                                                               

AB Corporate Income Shares

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Municipal Income Shares

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Municipal Income Shares C

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Municipal Income Shares N

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Equity Income Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Global Bond Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB High Income Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Institutional Funds, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

    N/A       N/A       N/A       [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund (DE)

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

AB California Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB National Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB New York Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Municipal Income Fund II (MA)

                                                               

AB Massachusetts Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Virginia Portfolio

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Relative Value Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc. (MD)

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Trust (MA)

                                                               

AB Discovery Value Fund

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB International Value Fund

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Large Cap Value Fund

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

The AB Portfolios (MA)

                                                               

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

 

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Fund (Place of Organization)


  Class A
    Class C
    Advisor Class
    Class I
    Class Z
    Class 1
    Class 2
    Outstanding
Shares

 

AB Growth Fund

    [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    [      [      [      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Fixed-Income Shares, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

AB Government Money Market Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      [      [      N/A       [ 

Bernstein Fund, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

International Small Cap Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

International Strategic Equities Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

Small Cap Core Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (MD)

                                                               

Diversified Municipal Portfolio

    [      [      [      [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

AB Core Bond Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       N/A       [      [      N/A       N/A       [ 

Overlay A Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [      [      [ 

Overlay B Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [      [      [ 

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [      [      [ 

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       [      [      [ 

 

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APPENDIX B – MEETINGS OF STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES

The number of meetings held by the committees of the Boards of the AB Funds during each of the Funds’ most recent fiscal year (or period for new funds) is set forth below:

 

    Fiscal Year (or
Period) Ended
    Audit
Committee
Meetings

    Governance
and
Nominating
Committee
Meetings

    Independent
Directors
Committee
Meetings

 

ACF

                               

AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

    March 31, 2026       3       5       9  

AMMAF

    March 31, 2026       3       5       9  

ACS

                               

AB Corporate Income Shares

    April 30, 2026       3       5       9  

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

    April 30, 2026       3       5       9  

AB Municipal Income Shares

    April 30, 2026       3       5       9  

AB Municipal Income Shares C

    April 30, 2026       0       2       3  

AB Municipal Income Shares N

    April 30, 2026       0       2       3  

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

    April 30, 2026       3       5       9  

AFIS

                               

AB Government Money Market Portfolio

    April 30, 2026       3       5       9  

AMIF

                               

AB California Portfolio

    May 31, 2025       3       4       8  

AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

    May 31, 2025       3       4       8  

AB National Portfolio

    May 31, 2025       3       4       8  

AB New York Portfolio

    May 31, 2025       3       4       8  

AMIF II

                               

AB Massachusetts Portfolio

    May 31, 2025       3       4       8  

AB Virginia Portfolio

    May 31, 2025       3       4       8  

ACF

                               

AB Concentrated Growth Fund

    June 30, 2025       3       4       8  

AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

    June 30, 2025       3       4       8  

AB International Growth Portfolio

    June 30, 2025       3       4       8  

AB Select US Equity Portfolio

    June 30, 2025       3       4       8  

AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

    June 30, 2025       3       4       8  

ASITF

    June 30, 2025       3       4       8  

ACF

                               

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

    July 31, 2025       3       3       7  

ADGF

    July 31, 2025       3       3       7  

ALCGF

    July 31, 2025       3       3       7  

ASGTF

    July 31, 2025       3       3       7  

TAP

                               

AB Growth Fund

    July 31, 2025       3       3       7  

TAP

                               

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

    August 31, 2025       3       4       8  

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    August 31, 2025       3       4       8  

 

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Table of Contents
    Fiscal Year (or
Period) Ended
  Audit
Committee
Meetings

  Governance
and
Nominating
Committee
Meetings

  Independent
Directors
Committee
Meetings

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

  August 31, 2025   3   4   8

AGBF

  September 30, 2025   3   4   8

SCB

               

AB Core Bond Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

Diversified Municipal Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

Overlay A Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

Overlay B Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

BF

               

International Strategic Equities Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

International Small Cap Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

Small Cap Core Portfolio

  September 30, 2025   2   4   9

ABF

               

AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AB Bond Inflation Strategy

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AB Income Fund

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AHIF

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

ARVF

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AInstF

               

AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

  October 31, 2025   3   4   8

AB ETFs

               

AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

  November 30, 2025   N/A   N/A   N/A

AB Conservative Buffer ETF

  November 30, 2025   4   4   8

AB Core Bond ETF

  November 30, 2025   N/A   N/A   N/A

AB Core Plus Bond ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Corporate Bond ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Disruptors ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

  November 30, 2025   1   2   4

AB High Yield ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB International Buffer ETF

  November 30, 2025   2   4   8

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB International Growth ETF

  November 30, 2025   N/A   1   2

AB Moderate Buffer ETF

  November 30, 2025   2   4   8

AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

  November 30, 2025   N/A   N/A   N/A

AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

  November 30, 2025   4   4   8

AB Short Duration Income ETF

  November 30, 2025   4   4   8

 

B-2


Table of Contents
    Fiscal Year (or
Period) Ended
  Audit
Committee
Meetings

  Governance
and
Nominating
Committee
Meetings

  Independent
Directors
Committee
Meetings

AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Ultra Short Income ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB US Equity ETF*

  November 30, 2025   N/A   N/A   N/A

AB US High Dividend ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

ABT

               

AB Discovery Value Fund

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB International Value Fund

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Large Cap Value Fund

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

ACF

               

AB All China Equity Portfolio

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

ACOF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AEIF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

AGRAF

  November 30, 2025   3   4   8

*

Inception date for AB US Equity ETF is December 15, 2025.

 

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APPENDIX C – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PROPOSAL ONE

Additional information on Proposal One, including information on the principal officers of the Funds, nominee ownership of Fund shares and Board compensation, is presented below.

Principal Officers of the Funds

Certain information concerning the Funds’ officers is set forth below. The Funds’ officers are elected annually by the respective Board of Directors until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

 

Name, Address*
and Age


 

Position(s) Held with Funds

(Month and Year First Elected)


 

Principal Occupation During the
Past Five Years


Onur Erzan,

50

 

President and Chief Executive Officer,

AB Funds (excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF) (04/21)

  President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since January 2021, and he oversees the Private Wealth Management, Global Private Alternatives and Global Asset Management Distribution businesses, in addition to the firm’s Strategy and Corporate Development functions. He serves as Chair of the AB Operating Committee and is also a member of the Equitable Holdings Management Committee. President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds, ANMIF and AGHIF since April 2021 and the AB ETFs as of May 2022. Director of AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, from April 2021 to December 2024, and from April 2021 to March 2025 with respect to ANMIF and AGHIF. Prior to joining the Adviser in 2021, he was at McKinsey & Company for almost 20 years, where he most recently held the position of senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. He has also served on the boards of Graham Windham and Turkish Philanthropy Funds.

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Address*
and Age


 

Position(s) Held with Funds

(Month and Year First Elected)


 

Principal Occupation During the
Past Five Years


Alexander Chaloff,

54

 

President and Chief Executive Officer,

SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF (04/23)

  Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2021. He has been Chief Investment Officer and Head of Investment & Wealth Strategies of Bernstein Private Wealth Management since April 2023. He previously served as Co-Head of the Investment Strategy Group since 2020. Prior to joining Bernstein Private Wealth Management in 2005, he was a managing director at Wilshire Associates, a leading global investment consultant, serving on the firm’s investment committee. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF since April 2023. He has served as a director or trustee of all AB Funds, excluding ANMIF and AGHIF, since January 2025 and has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds Complex since March 2025.

Nancy E. Hay,

53

 

Secretary,

AB Funds (12/22)

  Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2021, and Assistant Secretary of ABI**.

Michael B. Reyes,

49

 

Senior Vice President,

AB Funds (excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF) (08/18); SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF (10/18)

  Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2021.

Stephen M. Woetzel,

54

 

Treasurer and

Chief Financial Officer,

AB Funds (excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF) (11/23); SCB, Bernstein and

AMMAF (10/23)

  Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2021.

Jennifer Friedland,

51

 

Chief Compliance Officer,

AB Funds (excluding AB ETFs, SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF) (01/23); AB ETFs (05/22); SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF (01/23)

  Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since 2021 and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer (of all AB Funds, excluding SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF, since January 2023 and of the AB ETFs since 2022) and Director of Subadvisory Fund Compliance.

Vercelia Petty,

53

 

Controller,

AB Funds (02/26)

  Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2021.

*

The address for the Funds’ officers is 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

**

The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Funds.

 

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Table of Contents

Additional Information on the Directors

As of May 12, 2026, no nominee for Director, nor any of their immediate family members, owned beneficially or of record any class of securities in the Adviser or a Fund’s distributor or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly “controlling,” “controlled by,” or “under common control with” (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) the Adviser or the Fund’s distributor.

Ownership in the Funds

The dollar range of a Fund’s securities owned by each Director or Director nominee and the aggregate dollar range of securities owned in the Funds as of May 12, 2026 are set forth below.

 

AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors and Independent Director Nominees     Interested
Director
and
Interested
Director
Nominee
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jeanette
W. Loeb
    John A.
Lovito*
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

AB ETFs

                                                                                                                       

-AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Conservative Buffer ETF

    None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None  

-AB Core Bond ETF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Core Plus Bond ETF

   
Over
$100,000
 
 
    None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Corporate Bond ETF

    $1-$10,000       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Disruptors ETF

    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
    None      
Over
$100,000
 
 

 

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Table of Contents

AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors and Independent Director Nominees     Interested
Director
and
Interested
Director
Nominee
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jeanette
W. Loeb
    John A.
Lovito*
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

-AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

   
Over
$100,000
 
 
    None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB High Yield ETF

   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None  

-AB International Buffer ETF

    None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None  

-AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None       None       None  

-AB International Growth ETF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Moderate Buffer ETF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Short Duration Income ETF

    None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None  

-AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

    None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Ultra Short Income ETF

   
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB US Equity ETF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB US High Dividend ETF

    None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None  

 

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Table of Contents

AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors and Independent Director Nominees     Interested
Director
and
Interested
Director
Nominee
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jeanette
W. Loeb
    John A.
Lovito*
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

-AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

    None       None       None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None  

-AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

    None       None       None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None       None       None  

ABF

               

-AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Bond Inflation Strategy

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Income Fund

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

ACF

               

-AB All China Equity Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 

-AB Concentrated Growth Fund

    None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None      

$1

$10,000


 

-AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None      

$1

$10,000


 

-AB International Growth Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Select US Equity Portfolio

    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None  

-AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None  

 

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Table of Contents

AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors and Independent Director Nominees     Interested
Director
and
Interested
Director
Nominee
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jeanette
W. Loeb
    John A.
Lovito*
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

-AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$50,001-
$100,000

 

-AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 

ACOF

    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None  

ACS

               

-AB Corporate Income Shares

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Municipal Income Shares

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Municipal Income Shares C

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Municipal Income Shares N

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

ADGF

    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 

AEIF

    None       None       None       None       None      
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None  

AFIS

               

-AB Government Money Market Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None  

AGBF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

AGRAF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

AHIF

    None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None  

AInstF

               

-AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

 

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AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors and Independent Director Nominees     Interested
Director
and
Interested
Director
Nominee
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jeanette
W. Loeb
    John A.
Lovito*
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

ALCGF

    None       None       None       None       None      
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None  

AMMAF

   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 

AMIF

               

-AB California Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB National Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB New York Portfolio

    None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None       None       None       None       None  

AMIF II

               

-AB Massachusetts Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Virginia Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

ARVF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

ASGTF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

ASITF

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

ABT

               

-AB Discovery Value Fund

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 

-AB International Value Fund

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Large Cap Value Fund

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

TAP

               

-AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Growth Fund

    None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None       None       None       None      
$10,001-
$50,000

 
    None  

 

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AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors and Independent Director Nominees     Interested
Director
and
Interested
Director
Nominee
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jeanette
W. Loeb
    John A.
Lovito*
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

-AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    None       None       None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 
    None       None       None  

SCB

               

-AB Core Bond Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-Diversified Municipal Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-Overlay A Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-Overlay B Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

Bernstein

               

-International Strategic Equities Portfolio

   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
    None       None       None       None       None      
Over
$100,000
 
 

-International Small Cap Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None       None  

-Small Cap Core Portfolio

    None       None       None       None       None       None       None      
$50,001-
$100,000

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds

   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
    None      
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
   
Over
$100,000
 
 
 
*

Mr. Lovito was appointed as a Director of the Companies effective June 1, 2026.

 

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Compensation From the Funds

None of the Funds pay any fees to, or reimburse expenses of, its Directors who are considered “interested persons” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Funds. The aggregate compensation paid to the Directors and Director nominees for a Fund during each Fund’s respective fiscal year or period ended in either 2025 or 2026, the aggregate compensation paid to the Directors during calendar year 2025 by all of the investment companies in the AB Funds Complex, and the total number of investment companies in the AB Funds Complex as to which the Directors are a director or trustee, and the number of investment portfolios as to which the Directors are directors or trustees are set forth below. During each Fund’s respective fiscal year or period ended in either 2025 or 2026, neither the Funds nor any other investment company in the AB Funds Complex paid compensation in the form of pension or retirement benefits to any of its Directors or paid compensation to officers of the Funds.

 

AB Funds


 

Portfolio


  Independent Directors
    Interested
Director

 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jorge A.
Bermudez*

    John A.
Lovito**

    Jeanette W.
Loeb
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp

    Alexander
Chaloff
 

AB ETF

                                                                       

-AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF***

  $ 6,576     $ 2,485     $ 2,581     $ 0     $ 2,789     $ 2,941     $ 3,626     $ 2,436     $ 0  

-AB Conservative Buffer ETF

  $ 3,179     $ 3,225     $ 3,325     $ 0     $ 3,619     $ 3,817     $ 4,690     $ 3,159     $ 0  

-AB Core Bond ETF***

  $ 2,323     $ 2,323     $ 3,293     $ 0     $ 3,671     $ 3,830     $ 4,629     $ 3,193     $ 0  

-AB Core Plus Bond ETF

  $ 2,278     $ 2,311     $ 2,407     $ 0     $ 2,594     $ 2,735     $ 3,375     $ 2,266     $ 0  

-AB Corporate Bond ETF

  $ 2,137     $ 2,168     $ 2,263     $ 0     $ 2,434     $ 2,566     $ 3,171     $ 2,126     $ 0  

-AB Disruptors ETF

  $ 3,134     $ 3,177     $ 3,276     $ 0     $ 3,570     $ 3,763     $ 4,623     $ 3,117     $ 0  

-AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

  $ 3,529     $ 3,530     $ 3,530     $ 0     $ 4,059     $ 4,236     $ 5,118     $ 3,530     $ 0  

-AB High Yield ETF

  $ 2,380     $ 2,414     $ 2,510     $ 0     $ 2,710     $ 2,857     $ 3,525     $ 2,368     $ 0  

-AB International Buffer ETF

  $ 2,153     $ 2,184     $ 2,195     $ 0     $ 2,451     $ 2,584     $ 3,141     $ 2,135     $ 0  

-AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

  $ 3,590     $ 3,641     $ 3,743     $ 0     $ 4,088     $ 4,310     $ 5,289     $ 3,568     $ 0  

-AB International Growth ETF

  $ 523     $ 523     $ 523     $ 0     $ 602     $ 628     $ 759     $ 525     $ 0  

-AB Moderate Buffer ETF

  $ 2,297     $ 2,330     $ 2,342     $ 0     $ 2,615     $ 2,757     $ 3,351     $ 2,279     $ 0  

-AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF***

  $ 2,145     $ 2,176     $ 2,271     $ 0     $ 2,443     $ 2,575     $ 3,182     $ 2,134     $ 0  

 

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AB Funds


 

Portfolio


  Independent Directors
    Interested
Director

 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jorge A.
Bermudez*

    John A.
Lovito**

    Jeanette W.
Loeb
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp

    Alexander
Chaloff
 

-AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

  $ 3,084     $ 3,128     $ 3,226     $ 0     $ 3,512     $ 3,703     $ 4,554     $ 3,066     $ 0  

-AB Short Duration Income ETF

  $ 2,251     $ 2,283     $ 2,379     $ 0     $ 2,563     $ 2,702     $ 3,337     $ 2,239     $ 0  

-AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

  $ 2,450     $ 2,485     $ 2,581     $ 0     $ 2,789     $ 2,941     $ 3,626     $ 2,436     $ 0  

-AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

  $ 2,145     $ 2,176     $ 2,271     $ 0     $ 2,443     $ 2,575     $ 3,182     $ 2,134     $ 0  

-AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

  $ 3,095     $ 3,139     $ 3,238     $ 0     $ 3,524     $ 3,716     $ 4,567     $ 3,077     $ 0  

-AB Ultra Short Income ETF

  $ 3,834     $ 3,890     $ 3,994     $ 0     $ 4,365     $ 4,604     $ 5,646     $ 3,809     $ 0  

-AB US Equity ETF***

  $ 2,294     $ 2,294     $ 2,294     $ 0     $ 2,638     $ 2,752     $ 3,326     $ 2,294     $ 0  

-AB US High Dividend ETF

  $ 2,195     $ 2,226     $ 2,321     $ 0     $ 2,499     $ 2,635     $ 3,254     $ 2,183     $ 0  

-AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

  $ 2,661     $ 2,699     $ 2,796     $ 0     $ 3,031     $ 3,195     $ 3,934     $ 2,647     $ 0  

-AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

  $ 2,257     $ 2,290     $ 2,385     $ 0     $ 2,570     $ 2,710     $ 3,346     $ 2,245     $ 0  

ABF

                                                                       

-AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

  $ 2,166     $ 2,166     $ 3,015     $ 0     $ 3,467     $ 3,616     $ 4,372     $ 3,015     $ 0  

-AB Bond Inflation Strategy

  $ 2,196     $ 2,196     $ 3,026     $ 0     $ 3,479     $ 3,629     $ 4,387     $ 3,026     $ 0  

-AB Income Fund

  $ 3,680     $ 3,680     $ 5,209     $ 0     $ 5,991     $ 6,250     $ 7,553     $ 5,209     $ 0  

-AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

  $ 2,908     $ 2,908     $ 4,034     $ 0     $ 4,639     $ 4,839     $ 5,849     $ 4,034     $ 0  

-AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

  $ 1,800     $ 1,800     $ 2,483     $ 0     $ 2,855     $ 2,978     $ 3,600     $ 2,483     $ 0  

-AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

  $ 2,285     $ 2,285     $ 3,115     $ 0     $ 3,582     $ 3,736     $ 4,517     $ 3,115     $ 0  

ACF

                                                                       

-AB All China Equity Portfolio

  $ 2,136     $ 2,136     $ 2,136     $ 0     $ 2,456     $ 2,562     $ 3,097     $ 2,136     $ 0  

-AB Concentrated Growth Fund

  $ 1,497     $ 1,497     $ 3,333     $ 0     $ 3,833     $ 4,000     $ 4,833     $ 2,581     $ 0  

-AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

  $ 535     $ 535     $ 2,446     $ 0     $ 2,813     $ 2,935     $ 3,547     $ 2,446     $ 0  

-AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

  $ 2,727     $ 2,727     $ 6,104     $ 0     $ 7,020     $ 7,325     $ 8,851     $ 4,774     $ 0  

-AB International Growth Portfolio

  $ 1,105     $ 1,105     $ 2,405     $ 0     $ 2,765     $ 2,886     $ 3,487     $ 1,838     $ 0  

-AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  $ 2,108     $ 2,138     $ 2,233     $ 0     $ 2,400     $ 2,530     $ 3,128     $ 2,097     $ 0  

-AB Select US Equity Portfolio

  $ 1,204       1,204     $ 2,585     $ 0     $ 2,972     $ 3,102     $ 3,748     $ 1,966     $ 0  

-AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

  $ 1,926     $ 1,926     $ 4,222     $ 0     $ 4,856     $ 5,067     $ 6,122     $ 3,244     $ 0  

-AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

  $ 3,024     $ 3,024     $ 7,036     $ 0     $ 8,091     $ 8,443     $ 10,202     $ 7,036     $ 0  

 

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AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors     Interested
Director
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jorge A.
Bermudez*
    John A.
Lovito**
    Jeanette W.
Loeb
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

-AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

  $ 2,743     $ 2,743     $ 2,743     $ 0     $ 3,154     $ 3,290     $ 3,977     $ 2,743     $ 0  

ACOF

  $ 2,295     $ 2,295     $ 2,295     $ 0     $ 2,639     $ 2,752     $ 3,328     $ 2,295     $ 0  

ACS

                 

-AB Corporate Income Shares

  $ 563     $ 564     $ 2,749     $ 0     $ 2,958     $ 3,190     $ 3,967     $ 2,587     $ 0  

-AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

  $ 701     $ 702     $ 3,306     $ 0     $ 3,601     $ 3,862     $ 4,783     $ 3,146     $ 0  

-AB Municipal Income Shares

  $ 5,069     $ 5,076     $ 21,978     $ 0     $ 25,173     $ 26,392     $ 32,144     $ 21,917     $ 0  

-AB Municipal Income Shares C

  $ 520     $ 519     $ 519     $ 0     $ 597     $ 623     $ 753     $ 519     $ 0  

-AB Municipal Income Shares N

  $ 520     $ 519     $ 519     $ 0     $ 597     $ 623     $ 753     $ 519     $ 0  

-AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

  $ 650     $ 651     $ 3,073     $ 0     $ 3,331     $ 3,581     $ 4,442     $ 2,912     $ 0  

ADGF

  $ 2,637     $ 2,637     $ 5,864     $ 0     $ 6,744     $ 7,037     $ 8,503     $ 5,864     $ 0  

AEIF

  $ 2,823     $ 2,823     $ 2,823     $ 0     $ 3,246     $ 3,386     $ 4,093     $ 2,823     $ 0  

AFIS

                 

-AB Government Money Market Portfolio

  $ 7,840     $ 7,840     $ 35,943     $ 0     $ 41,335     $ 43,132     $ 52,118     $ 35,943     $ 0  

AGBF

  $ 7,088     $ 7,088     $ 9,808     $ 0     $ 11,280     $ 11,768     $ 14,222     $ 9,808     $ 0  

AGRAF

  $ 2,272     $ 2,272     $ 2,272     $ 0       2,613     $ 2,725     $ 3,295     $ 2,272     $ 0  

AHIF

  $ 4,437     $ 4,437     $ 6,230     $ 0     $ 7,164     $ 7,474     $ 9,033     $ 6,230     $ 0  

AInstF

                 

-AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

  $ 1,713     $ 1,713     $ 2,369     $ 0     $ 2,724     $ 2,841     $ 3,435     $ 2,369     $ 0  

AMMAF

  $ 11,635     $ 10,183     $ 829     $ 0     $ 972     $ 1,018     $ 1,257     $ 847     $ 0  

ALCGF

  $ 17,746     $ 17,746     $ 39,851     $ 0     $ 45,828     $ 47,821     $ 57,783     $ 39,850     $ 0  

AMIF

                 

-AB California Portfolio

  $ 1,792     $ 1,792     $ 3,895     $ 0     $ 4,479     $ 4,674     $ 5,648     $ 2,980     $ 0  

-AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

  $ 2,797     $ 2,797     $ 6,217     $ 0     $ 7,150     $ 7,460     $ 9,015     $ 4,821     $ 0  

-AB National Portfolio

  $ 2,229     $ 2,229     $ 4,885     $ 0     $ 5,618     $ 5,862     $ 7,083     $ 3,761     $ 0  

-AB New York Portfolio

  $ 1,337     $ 1,337     $ 2,893     $ 0     $ 3,327     $ 3,471     $ 4,194     $ 2,204     $ 0  

AMIF II

                 

-AB Massachusetts Portfolio

  $ 1,177     $ 1,177     $ 2,537     $ 0     $ 2,918     $ 3,044     $ 3,679     $ 1,932     $ 0  

-AB Virginia Portfolio

  $ 1,142     $ 1,142     $ 2,463     $ 0     $ 2,833     $ 2,956     $ 3,572     $ 1,875     $ 0  

 

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AB Funds


 

Portfolio


  Independent Directors
    Interested
Director

 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jorge A.
Bermudez*

    John A.
Lovito**

    Jeanette W.
Loeb
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp

    Alexander
Chaloff
 

ARVF

  $ 3,265     $ 3,265     $ 4,588     $ 0     $ 5,276     $ 5,504     $ 6,652     $ 4,588     $ 0  

ASGTF

  $ 2,045     $ 2,045     $ 4,638     $ 0     $ 5,334     $ 5,566     $ 6,725     $ 4,638     $ 0  

ASITF

  $ 1,594     $ 1,594     $ 3,499     $ 0     $ 4,024     $ 4,199     $ 5,074     $ 2,690     $ 0  

ABT

                                                                       

-AB Discovery Value Fund

  $ 4,867     $ 4,867     $ 4,867     $ 0     $ 5,597     $ 5,839     $ 7,058     $ 4,867     $ 0  

-AB International Value Fund

  $ 2,206     $ 2,206     $ 2,206     $ 0     $ 2,537     $ 2,646     $ 3,199     $ 2,206     $ 0  

-AB Large Cap Value Fund

  $ 2,599     $ 2,599     $ 2,599     $ 0     $ 2,989     $ 3,118     $ 3,769     $ 2,599     $ 0  

TAP

                                                                       

-AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

  $ 1,946     $ 1,946     $ 2,694     $ 0     $ 3,097     $ 3,232     $ 3,905     $ 2,694     $ 0  

-AB Growth Fund

  $ 1,966     $ 1,966     $ 4,266     $ 0     $ 4,905     $ 5,119     $ 6,185     $ 4,266     $ 0  

-AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

  $ 2,367     $ 2,367     $ 3,272     $ 0     $ 3,763     $ 3,927     $ 4,745     $ 3,272     $ 0  

-AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

  $ 2,724     $ 2,724     $ 3,774     $ 0     $ 4,340     $ 4,529     $ 5,473     $ 3,774     $ 0  

SCB

                                                                       

-AB Core Bond Portfolio

  $ 18,085     $ 16,135     $ 5,422     $ 0     $ 6,235     $ 6,505     $ 7,862     $ 5,422     $ 0  

-Diversified Municipal Portfolio

  $ 21,585     $ 19,195     $ 6,063     $ 0     $ 6,973     $ 7,274     $ 8,792     $ 6,063     $ 0  

-Overlay A Portfolio

  $ 3,444     $ 3,215     $ 1,951     $ 0     $ 2,243     $ 2,339     $ 2,829     $ 1,951     $ 0  

-Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

  $ 5,767     $ 5,241     $ 2,346     $ 0     $ 2,698     $ 2,814     $ 3,402     $ 2,346     $ 0  

-Overlay B Portfolio

  $ 3,011     $ 2,833     $ 1,849     $ 0     $ 2,126     $ 2,217     $ 2,681     $ 1,849     $ 0  

-Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

  $ 3,961     $ 3,661     $ 2,010     $ 0     $ 2,312     $ 2,411     $ 2,915     $ 2,010     $ 0  

Bernstein

                                                                       

-International Strategic Equities Portfolio

  $ 34,388     $ 30,544     $ 9,385     $ 0     $ 10,793     $ 11,261     $ 13,609     $ 0     $ 0  

-International Small Cap Portfolio

  $ 5,970     $ 5,446     $ 2,559     $ 0     $ 2,943     $ 3,069     $ 3,711     $ 0     $ 0  

-Small Cap Core Portfolio

  $ 4,437     $ 4,089     $ 2,175     $ 0     $ 2,502     $ 2,609     $ 3,154     $ 0     $ 0  

 

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AB Funds

 

Portfolio

  Independent Directors     Interested
Director
 
  R. Jay
Gerken
    Jeffrey R.
Holland
    Jorge A.
Bermudez*
    John A.
Lovito**
    Jeanette W.
Loeb
    Carol C.
McMullen
    Garry L.
Moody
    Emilie D.
Wrapp
    Alexander
Chaloff
 

Compensation from the AB Funds Complex, including the Funds, during 2025****

  $ 380,000     $ 380,000     $ 380,000     $ 0     $ 437,000     $ 456,000     $ 551,000     $ 365,862     $ 0  
 
*

Mr. Bermudez resigned as a Director of the Companies effective May 4, 2026.

**

Mr. Lovito was appointed as a Director of the Companies effective June 1, 2026.

***

Amounts provided are estimated for the Fund’s current fiscal year as the Fund was not in operation for its entire previous fiscal year.

****

Represents compensation from 26 investment companies (91 investment portfolios) within the AB Funds Complex, including the Funds, as to which the Director is a Director or Trustee. This amount also includes compensation received from certain investment companies advised by the Adviser that are not included in this Proxy Statement due to their respective liquidations occurring prior to the Record Date.

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Trustees and certain officers of AMMAF, the Adviser, certain affiliated persons of the Adviser, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of any class of outstanding securities of AMMAF are required to file forms reporting their affiliation with AMMAF and reports of ownership and changes in ownership of AMMAF’s securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Based on a review of these forms filed electronically with the SEC, AMMAF has determined that the following forms were filed late: for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, the Form 3 filed on February 25, 2026 by Vercelia Petty to report becoming a reporting person, and the Form 4 filed on November 18, 2025 by Vikas Kapoor to report a sale of shares.

 

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APPENDIX D – INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Certain information regarding the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds whose stockholders are to vote on Proposal One regarding the election of Fund Directors is provided below.

Independent Auditors for the Funds

The Board of each AB Fund, with the exception of SCB, Bernstein, and AMMAF, has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, while the Boards of SCB, Bernstein and AMMAF has each selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) (PwC and E&Y, each an “Auditor”) to serve in that capacity for the respective Funds. Each Auditor has audited the accounts of the respective Funds for the Fund’s last two fiscal years, and each Auditor has represented that it does not have any direct financial interest or any material indirect financial interest in the respective Funds. Representatives of the Auditors are not expected to be present at the Meeting, but will have the opportunity to make a statement if they wish, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their presence.

Report of the Audit Committee of AMMAF

The Audit Committee of AMMAF will discuss with PwC the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and will receive the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and will discuss with PwC their independence.

The Audit Committee reviews and discusses the audit of AMMAF’s financial statements with fund management and PwC. If any material concerns arise during the course of the audit and the preparation of the audited financial statements mailed to stockholders and included in the AMMAF’s Annual Report to Stockholders as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Audit Committee would be notified by fund management or the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee received no such notifications for AMMAF. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audit of AMMAF’s financial statements with fund management and PwC at a meeting held on May 21, 2026, and recommended to the Board that AMMAF’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 be included in its Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

D-1


Table of Contents

R. Jay Gerken, Member of the Audit Committee

Jeffrey R. Holland, Member of the Audit Committee

Jeanette W. Loeb, Member of the Audit Committee

John A. Lovito, Member of the Audit Committee

Carol C. McMullen, Chair of the Audit Committee

Garry L. Moody, Member of the Audit Committee

Emilie D. Wrapp, Member of the Audit Committee

 

D-2


Table of Contents

Independent Auditor’s Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm identified above, for each Fund’s fiscal years ended 2025 and 2024, for professional services rendered for: (i) the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements included in the Fund’s annual report to stockholders; (ii) assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (i), which include advice and education related to accounting and auditing issues, quarterly press release review (for those Funds that issue quarterly press releases), and preferred stock maintenance testing (for those Funds that issue preferred stock); and (iii) tax compliance, tax advice and tax return preparation. The following table also shows aggregate non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and entities that control, are controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund.

 

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB ETFs*

                                                                                         

AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

     29,000        N/A               N/A        8,400               1,634,412        N/A       

8,400

(8,400

 

 

     N/A  

AB Conservative Buffer ETF

     23,000        23,000                      26,392        13,646        1,652,404        1,730,104       

26,392

(26,392

 

 

    

13,646

(13,646

 

 

AB Core Bond ETF

     115,500        N/A               N/A        14,000               1,640,012        N/A       

14,000

(14,000

 

 

     N/A  

AB Core Plus Bond ETF

     55,000        29,000                      22,121        16,014        1,648,133        1,732,472       

22,121

(22,121

 

 

    

16,014

(16,014

 

 

 

D-3


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB Corporate Bond ETF

     25,000        25,000                      15,726        16,014        1,641,738        1,732,472       

15,726

(15,726

 

 

    

16,014

(16,014

 

 

AB Disruptors ETF

     23,000        23,000                      17,598        17,361        1,643,610        1,733,819       

17,598

(17,598

 

 

    

17,361

(17,361

 

 

AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

     29,000        N/A               N/A        11,000        N/A        1,637,012        N/A       

11,000

(11,000

 

 

     N/A  

AB High Yield ETF

     60,000        60,000                      19,811        23,710        1,645,823        1,740,168       

19,811

(19,811

 

 

    

23,710

(23,710

 

 

AB International Buffer ETF

     23,000        N/A               N/A        24,468        N/A        1,650,480        N/A       

24,468

(24,468

 

 

     N/A  

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

     29,000        76,201        6,500               19,017        38,367        1,651,529        1,754,825       

25,517

(6,500

(19,017

 

    

38,367

(38,367

 

 

AB International Growth ETF

     29,000        N/A               N/A        13,050        N/A        1,639,062        N/A       

13,050

(13,050

 

 

     N/A  

AB Moderate Buffer ETF

     23,000        N/A               N/A        24,468        N/A        1,650,480        N/A       

24,468

(24,468

 

 

     N/A  

 

D-4


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

     29,000        N/A               N/A        8,300        N/A        1,634,312        N/A       

8,300

(8,300

 

 

     N/A  

AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

     60,000        99,000        5,500               18,340        39,074        1,649,852        1,751,532       

23,840

(5,500

(18,340

 

    

35,074

(35,074

 

 

AB Short Duration Income ETF

     50,000        95,700        5,500               14,725        39,574        1,646,237        1,756,032       

20,225

(5,500

(14,725

 

    

39,574

(39,574

 

 

AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

     29,000        29,000                      14,725        13,336        1,640,737        1,729,794       

14,725

(14,725

 

 

    

13,336

(13,336

 

 

AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

     29,000        29,000                      14,725        13,336        1,640,737        1,729,794       

14,725

(14,725

 

 

    

13,336

(13,336

 

 

AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

     29,000        25,000                      16,226        15,788        1,642,238        1,732,246       

16,226

(16,226

 

 

    

15,788

(15,788

 

 

AB Ultra Short Income ETF

     25,000        25,000                      16,226        17,543        1,642,238        1,743,001       

16,226

(16,226

 

 

    

17,543

(17,543

 

 

AB US High Dividend ETF

     23,000        23,000                      16,497        21,753        1,642,509        1,738,211       

16,497

(16,497

 

 

    

21,753

(21,753

 

 

 

D-5


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

     23,000        23,000                      14,726        30,043        1,640,738        1,746,501       

14,726

(14,726

 

 

    

30,043

(30,043

 

 

AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

     23,000        23,000                      15,103        18,647        1,641,115        1,735,105       

15,103

(15,103

 

 

    

18,647

(18,647

 

 

AB US Equity ETF

     N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  

ABF

                                                                                         

AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

     92,184        92,184                      67,815        46,261        1,692,259        2,070,567       

67,815

(67,815

 

 

    

46,261

(46,261

 

 

AB Bond Inflation Strategy

     100,902        100,902                      20,261        17,252        1,644,705        2,041,557       

20,261

(20,261

 

 

    

17,252

(17,252

 

 

AB Income Fund

     120,000        127,218                      33,833        26,962        1,658,277        2,051,268       

33,833

(33,833

 

 

    

26,962

(26,962

 

 

AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

     73,009        73,009                      19,645        17,351        1,644,089        2,041,657       

19,645

(19,645

 

 

    

17,351

(17,351

 

 

AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

     47,250        47,250                      19,435        22,920        1,643,879        2,047,226       

19,435

(19,435

 

 

    

22,920

(22,920

 

 

 

D-6


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

     45,000        45,000                      27,865        23,724        1,652,309        2,048,030       

27,865

(27,865

 

 

    

23,724

(23,724

 

 

ACF

                                                                                         

AB All China Equity Portfolio

     35,674        35,674                      25,275        21,720        1,651,287        1,738,178       

25,275

(25,275

 

 

    

21,720

(21,720

 

 

AB Concentrated Growth Fund

     30,000        30,000                      20,227        18,333        1,450,611        2,093,169       

20,227

(20,227

 

 

    

18,333

(18,333

 

 

AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

     60,657        60,657                      41,516        36,542        1,268,773        1,949,620       

41,516

41,516

 

 

 

    

36,542

(36,542

 

 

AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

     44,022        44,022                      52,152        22,326        1,482,536        2,097,162       

52,152

(52,152

 

 

    

22,326

(22,326

 

 

AB International Growth Portfolio

     35,000        35,000                      44,487        20,397        1,474,871        2,095,233       

44,487

(44,487

 

 

    

20,397

(20,397

 

 

AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

     40,453        30,340                      13,000        11,700        1,639,012        1,728,158       

13,000

(13,000

 

 

    

11,700

(11,700

 

 

 

D-7


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB Select US Equity Portfolio

     36,420        36,420                      25,616        20,785        1,456,000        2,095,621       

25,616

(25,616

 

 

    

20,785

(20,785

 

 

AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

     40,200        40,200                      22,315        19,017        1,452,699        2,093,853       

22,315

(22,315

 

 

    

19,017

(19,017

 

 

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

     33,994        33,994                      17,473        15,707        1,843,821        2,090,543       

17,473

(17,473

 

 

    

15,707

(15,707

 

 

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

     32,974        32,974                      24,519        22,389        1,650,446        1,736,973       

24,434

(24,434

 

 

    

20,515

(20,515

 

 

ACOF

     36,034        36,034                      24,434        20,515        1,650,446        1,736,973       

24,434

(24,434

 

 

    

20,515

(20,515

 

 

ACS

                                                                                         

AB Corporate Income Shares

     34,164        34,164                      17,471        14,586        2,003,077        1,981,599       

17,471

(17,471

 

 

    

14,586

(14,586

 

 

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

     31,218        31,218                      19,856        15,750        2,005,462        1,982,763       

19,856

(19,856

 

 

    

15,750

(15,750

 

 

 

D-8


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB Municipal Income Shares

     70,000        47,621                      19,856        15,750        2,005,462        1,982,763       

19,856

(19,856

 

 

    

15,750

(15,750

 

 

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

     37,843        37,843                      19,344        15,586        2,004,950        1,982,599       

19,344

(19,344

 

 

    

15,586

(15,586

 

 

AB Municipal Income Shares C**

     N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  

AB Municipal Income Shares N**

     N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  

ADGF

     34,504        34,504                      18,485        16,690        1,844,833        2,091,526       

18,485

(18,485

 

 

    

16,690

(16,690

 

 

AEIF

     40,453        40,453                      26,519        20,817        1,652,531        1,737,275       

26,519

(26,519

 

 

    

20,817

(20,817

 

 

AFIS

                                                                                         

AB Government Money Market Portfolio

     30,255        30,255                      20,659        17,300        2,006,265        1,984,313       

20,659

(20,659

 

 

    

17,300

(17,300

 

 

AGBF

     100,000        100,000                      38,138        15,074        1,712,984        2,068,978       

38,138

(38,138

 

 

    

15,074

(15,074

 

 

 

D-9


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AGRAF

     88,612        88,612                      43,159        42,068        1,669,171        1,758,526       

43,159

(43,159

 

 

    

42,068

(42,068

 

 

AHIF

     155,000        169,203                      34,234        34,553        1,658,678        2,058,859       

34,234

(34,234

 

 

    

34,553

(34,553

 

 

AInstF

                                                                                         

AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

     50,991        50,991                      31,624        31,882        1,656,068        2,056,128       

31,624

(31,624

 

 

    

31,822

(31,822

 

 

ALCGF

     33,994        33,994                      20,361        18,298        1,846,709        2,093,134       

20,361

(20,361

 

 

    

18,298

(18,298

 

 

AMMAF

     70,600        70,600                      57,798        28,923        2,490,071        4,311,282       

57,798

(57,798

 

 

    

28,923

(28,923

 

 

AMIF

                                                                                         

AB California Portfolio

     39,152        39,152                      18,954        18,428        1,478,093        2,070,514       

18,954

(18,954

 

 

    

18,428

(18,428

 

 

AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

     70,000        48,760                      19,454        18,928        1,478,593        2,071,014       

19,454

(19,454

 

 

    

18,928

(18,928

 

 

 

D-10


Table of Contents

Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB National Portfolio

     40,597        40,597                      18,954        18,428        1,478,093        2,070,514       

18,954

(18,954

 

 

    

18,428

(18,428

 

 

AB New York Portfolio

     40,597        40,597                      18,954        18,428        1,478,093        2,070,514       

18,954

(18,954

 

 

    

18,428

(18,428

 

 

AMIF II

                                                                                         

AB Massachusetts Portfolio

     32,320        32,320                      18,816        18,290        1,477,955        2,070,376       

18,816

(18,816

 

 

    

18,290

(18,290

 

 

AB Virginia Portfolio

     32,320        32,320                      18,816        18,290        1,477,955        2,070,376       

18,816

(18,816

 

 

    


(18,290

 

 

ARVF

     36,034        36,034                      23,901        19,740        1,648,345        2,044,046       

23,901

(23,901

 

 

    

19,740

(19,740

 

 

ASGTF

     46,715        46,715                      26,110        27,050        1,852,458        2,101,886       

26,110

(26,110

 

 

    

27,050

(27,050

 

 

ASITF

     46,715        46,715                      97,579        21,676        1,527,963        2,096,512       

97,579

(97,579

 

 

    

21,676

(21,676

 

 

 

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Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

ABT

                                                                                         

AB Discovery Value Fund

     40,453        40,453                      22,993        22,480        1,649,005        1,738,938       

22,993

(22,993

 

 

    

22,480

(22,480

 

 

AB International Value Fund

     45,552        45,552                      27,332        24,282        1,653,344        1,740,740       

27,332

(27,332

 

 

    

24,282

(24,282

 

 

AB Large Cap Value Fund

     35,524        35,524                      23,041        19,943        1,649,053        1,736,401       

23,041

(23,041

 

 

    

19,943

(19,943

 

 

TAP

                                                                                         

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

     106,481        106,481                      36,102        23,964        1,478,020        2,077,868       

36,102

(36,102

 

 

    

23,964

(23,964

 

 

AB Growth Fund

     33,994        33,994                      18,176        16,063        1,844,524        2,090,899       

18,176

(18,176

 

 

    

16,063

(16,063

 

 

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

     44,723        44,723                      25,093        12,679        1,467,011        2,066,583       

25,093

(25,093

 

 

    

12,679

(12,679

 

 

 

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Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

     44,723        44,723                      23,175        11,478        1,465,093        2,065,382       

23,175

(23,175

 

 

    

11,478

(11,478

 

 

Bernstein

                                                                                         

International Strategic Equities Portfolio

     23,618        26,250        807        1,176        129,607        130,492        1,215,938        4,542,552       

130,414

(807

(129,607

 

    

131,668

(1,176

(130,492

 

International Small Cap Portfolio

     23,618        26,250        807        1,176        57,963        60,056        1,144,294        4,472,116       

58,770

(807

(57,963

 

    

61,232

(1,176

(60,056

 

Small Cap Core Portfolio

     20,506        22,785        807        1,176        27,593        26,792        1,113,924        4,438,852       

28,400

(807

(27,593

 

    

27,968

(1,176

(26,792

 

SCB

                                                                                         

AB Core Bond Portfolio

     92,083        100,034        807        1,176        34,213        30,663        1,120,544        4,442,722       

35,020

(807

(34,213

 

    

31,839

(1,176

(30,663

 

Diversified Municipal Portfolio

     109,069        122,720        807        1,176        36,424        40,664        1,122,755        4,452,723       

37,231

(807

(36,424

 

    

41,840

(1,176

(40,664

 

Overlay A Portfolio

     65,435        72,706                      55,259        51,926        1,140,783        4,462,809       

55,259

(55,259

 

 

    

51,926

(51,926

 

 

 

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Fund


   Audit Fees
($)
     Audit-Related
Fees

($)
     Tax Fees
($)
     All Fees for
Non-Audit
Services Provided
to the Portfolio,
the Adviser and
Service Affiliates
($)
     Total Amount of
Foregoing Column

Pre-Approved by the
Audit Committee

(Portion Composed of
Audit Related Fees)

(Portion  Composed
of Tax Fees)
($)
 
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
     2025
     2024
 

Overlay B Portfolio

     70,384        83,205                      51,449        48,570        1,136,973        4,459,453       

51,449

(51,449

 

 

    

48,570

(48,570

 

 

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

     53,539        59,488                      55,271        51,926        1,140,795        4,462,809       

55,271

(55,271

 

 

    

51,926

(51,926

 

 

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

     58,039        76,488                      51,945        88,507        1,137,469        4,499,390       

51,945

(51,945

 

 

    

88,507

(88,507

 

 


*

The amounts provided for certain series of AB ETFs are described as “N/A” because these series had not commenced operations as of the fiscal year indicated.

 

**

The inception date for AB Municipal Income Shares C and AB Municipal Income Shares N is January 27, 2026.

 

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Beginning with audit and non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the applicable Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures require the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Fund by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. Each Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures also require pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Adviser and Service Affiliates to the extent that these services are directly related to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund.

All of the amounts for Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees are for services pre-approved by the applicable Fund’s Audit Committee.

Each Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of any non-audit services not pre-approved by the Audit Committee provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser and Service Affiliates is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

 

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APPENDIX E — FORMS OF PROPOSED AGREEMENTS

The forms of Proposed Agreements discussed in this Proxy Statement appear below. A form of Proposed Agreement is provided for multiple Funds in instances in which the Current Agreements do not differ materially.

FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

[ETFs]

66 Hudson Boulevard East

New York, New York 10001

[   ], 2026

AllianceBernstein L.P.

501 Commerce Street

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Dear Sirs:

We herewith confirm our agreement with you as follows:

1. We are an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”). We are currently authorized to issue separate portfolios of shares and our Directors are authorized to reclassify and issue any unissued shares to any number of additional classes or series (Portfolios) each having its own investment objective, policies and restrictions, all as more fully described in the Prospectuses and the Statements of Additional Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement filed on our behalf under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Act. We are engaged in the business of investing and reinvesting our assets in securities of the type and in accordance with the limitations specified in our Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Act, and any representations made in our Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, all in such manner and to such extent as may from time to time be authorized by our Directors. We enclose copies of the documents listed above and will from time to time furnish you with any amendments thereof.

2. (a) We hereby employ you to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets in each of our Portfolios as above specified, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to provide management and other services specified below.

(b) You will make decisions with respect to all purchases and sales of securities in each of our Portfolios. To carry out such decisions, you are hereby authorized,

 

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as our agent and attorney-in-fact, for our account and at our risk and in our name, to place orders for the investment and reinvestment of our assets. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in securities in each of our Portfolios you are authorized to exercise full discretion and act for us in the same manner and with the same force and effect as we might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions.

(c) You will report to our Directors at each meeting thereof all changes in each Portfolio since the prior report, and will also keep us in touch with important developments affecting any Portfolio and on your own initiative will furnish us from time to time with such information as you may believe appropriate for this purpose, whether concerning the individual companies whose securities are included in our Portfolios, the industries in which they engage, or the conditions prevailing in the economy generally. You will also furnish us with such statistical and analytical information with respect to securities in each of our Portfolios as you may believe appropriate or as we reasonably may request. In making such purchases and sales of securities in any of our Portfolios, you will bear in mind the policies set from time to time by our Directors as well as the limitations imposed by our Articles of Incorporation and in our Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Act, the limitations in the Act and of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in respect of regulated investment companies and the investment objective, policies and restrictions for each of our Portfolios.

(d) It is understood that you will from time to time employ or associate with yourselves such persons as you believe to be particularly fitted to assist you in the execution of your duties hereunder, the cost of performance of such duties to be borne and paid by you. No obligation may be incurred on our behalf in any such respect. During the continuance of this agreement and at our request you will provide to us persons satisfactory to our Directors to serve as our officers. You or your affiliates will also provide persons, who may be our officers, to render such clerical, accounting and other services to us as we may from time to time request of you. Such personnel may be employees of you or your affiliates. We will pay to you or your affiliates the cost of such personnel for rendering such services to us at such rates as shall from time to time be agreed upon between us, provided that all time devoted to the investment or reinvestment of securities in each of our Portfolios shall be for your account. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict our right to hire our own employees or to contract for services to be performed by third parties. Furthermore, you or your affiliates (other than us) shall furnish us without charge with such management supervision and assistance and such office facilities as you may believe appropriate or as we may reasonably request subject to the requirements of any regulatory authority to which you may be subject. You or your affiliates (other than us) shall also be responsible for the payment of any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of our shares (other than the portion of the promotional expenses to be borne by us in accordance with an

 

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effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and the costs of printing our prospectuses and other reports to shareholders and fees related to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with state regulatory authorities).

3. Except as set forth in this paragraph, you agree to pay all expenses incurred by us. We, on behalf of each Portfolio, on a Portfolio-by-Portfolio basis out of the assets of the particular Portfolio for which an expense relates, agree to pay all of the following expenses incurred by each Portfolio: (a) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transfer and withholding taxes); (b) expenses of each Portfolio incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions but not including fees of a Portfolio’s custodian relating to portfolio transactions; (c) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by us in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (d) the advisory fee payable to you hereunder; (e) the cost of personnel providing services to us that is payable by us pursuant to subparagraph (d) of paragraph 2 above; and (f) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the Directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act). The internal expenses of pooled investment vehicles in which a Portfolio may invest (acquired fund fees and expenses) are not expenses of the Portfolio and are not paid by you, except that you shall reimburse each Portfolio for its share of the internal expenses (advisory fees and other expenses) of any pooled investment vehicle for which you serve as investment adviser.

4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in rendering these services to us, and we agree as an inducement to your undertaking these services that you shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect, you against any liability to us or to our security holders to which you would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of your duties hereunder, or by reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties hereunder.

5. In consideration of the foregoing, we will pay you monthly on the last day of each month with respect to the [   ] ETF a fee of [   ]% of the Portfolio’s average net assets; provided, however, that your compensation for the period from the date hereof through the last day of the month in which the effective date hereof occurs shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to such full month, and provided further that upon any termination of this agreement before the end of any month, such compensation for the period from the end of the last month ending prior to such termination to the date of termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to such full month and shall be payable upon the date of termination.

 

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6. This agreement (i) shall become effective on the date hereof, (ii) shall remain in effect for a term of one year from the date hereof, and (iii) shall continue in effect thereafter with respect to each Portfolio so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by our Directors or by majority vote of the holders of our outstanding voting securities (as so defined) of such Portfolio, and, in either case, by a majority of our Directors who are not parties to this agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any such party (other than as Directors of the Fund) provided further, however, that if the continuation of this agreement is not approved as to a Portfolio, you may continue to render to such Portfolio the services described herein in the manner and to the extent permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Upon the effectiveness of this agreement, it shall supersede all previous agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This agreement may be terminated with respect to any Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as so defined) of such Portfolio, or by a vote of a majority of our Directors on 60 days’ written notice to you, or by you with respect to any Portfolio on 60 days’ written notice to us.

7. This agreement may not be transferred, assigned, sold or in any matter hypothecated or pledged by you and this agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any such transfer, assignment, sale, hypothecation or pledge by you. The terms “transfer”, “assignment” and “sale” as used in this paragraph shall have the meanings ascribed thereto by governing law and any interpretation thereof contained in rules or regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

8. (a) Except to the extent necessary to perform your obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict your right, or the right of any of your employees, or any of the directors of AllianceBernstein Corporation, general partner, who may also be a director, officer or employee of ours, or persons otherwise affiliated with us (within the meaning of the Act) to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

(b) You will notify us of any change in the general partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such change.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.

Very truly yours,

AB Active ETFs, Inc.

By:            

 Name:

 Title:

Agreed to and accepted [   ], 2026.

AllianceBernstein L.P.

By:               

 Name:

 Title:

 

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FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

[ABF, ABT, ACOF, AEIF, AFIS, AGBF, AGRAF, AHIF, AInstF, ALCGF, AMIF, AMIF II, ARVF, ASGTF and ASITF]

66 Hudson Boulevard East

New York, New York 10001

[   ], 2026

AllianceBernstein L.P.

501 Commerce Street

Nashville, TN 37203

Dear Sirs:

We herewith confirm our agreement with you as follows:

1.     We are an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”). We are currently authorized to issue [   ] portfolios of shares and our Directors are authorized to reclassify and issue any unissued shares to any number of additional classes or series (Portfolios) each having its own investment objective, policies and restrictions, all as more fully described in the Prospectuses and the Statements of Additional Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement filed on our behalf under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Act. We are engaged in the business of investing and reinvesting our assets in securities of the type and in accordance with the limitations specified in our Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Act, and any representations made in our Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, all in such manner and to such extent as may from time to time be authorized by our Directors. We enclose copies of the documents listed above and will from time to time furnish you with any amendments thereof.

2. (a) We hereby employ you to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets in each of our Portfolios as above specified, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to provide management and other services specified below.

(b) You will make decisions with respect to all purchases and sales of securities in each of our Portfolios. To carry out such decisions, you are hereby authorized, as our agent and attorney-in-fact, for our account and at our risk and in our name, to place orders for the investment and reinvestment of our assets. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in securities in each of our Portfolios you are authorized to exercise full discretion and act for us in the same manner and with the same force and effect as we might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions.

 

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(c) You will report to our Directors at each meeting thereof all changes in each Portfolio since the prior report, and will also keep us in touch with important developments affecting any Portfolio and on your own initiative will furnish us from time to time with such information as you may believe appropriate for this purpose, whether concerning the individual companies whose securities are included in our Portfolios, the industries in which they engage, or the conditions prevailing in the economy generally. You will also furnish us with such statistical and analytical information with respect to securities in each of our Portfolios as you may believe appropriate or as we reasonably may request. In making such purchases and sales of securities in any of our Portfolios, you will bear in mind the policies set from time to time by our Directors as well as the limitations imposed by our Articles of Incorporation and in our Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Act, the limitations in the Act and of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in respect of regulated investment companies and the investment objective, policies and restrictions for each of our Portfolios.

(d) It is understood that you will from time to time employ or associate with yourselves such persons as you believe to be particularly fitted to assist you in the execution of your duties hereunder, the cost of performance of such duties to be borne and paid by you. No obligation may be incurred on our behalf in any such respect. During the continuance of this agreement and at our request you will provide to us persons satisfactory to our Directors to serve as our officers. You or your affiliates will also provide persons, who may be our officers, to render such clerical, accounting and other services to us as we may from time to time request of you. Such personnel may be employees of you or your affiliates. We will pay to you or your affiliates the cost of such personnel for rendering such services to us at such rates as shall from time to time be agreed upon between us, provided that all time devoted to the investment or reinvestment of securities in each of our Portfolios shall be for your account. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict our right to hire our own employees or to contract for services to be performed by third parties. Furthermore, you or your affiliates (other than us) shall furnish us without charge with such management supervision and assistance and such office facilities as you may believe appropriate or as we may reasonably request subject to the requirements of any regulatory authority to which you may be subject. You or your affiliates (other than us) shall also be responsible for the payment of any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of our shares (other than the portion of the promotional expenses to be borne by us in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and the costs of printing our prospectuses and other reports to shareholders and fees related to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with state regulatory authorities).

3. It is further agreed that you will reimburse us for that portion of the ordinary operating expenses of each of our Portfolios (except interest, taxes, brokerage, distribution service fees paid in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and extraordinary expenses, all to the extent permitted by applicable state law and regulation) (collectively, “Excludable

 

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Expenses”) incurred by us which exceeds, as to a Portfolio, the limits applicable to such Portfolio under the laws or regulations of any state in which our shares of such Portfolio are qualified for sale for the prior fiscal year. [Applicable for ABF, AEIF, AGBF, AGRAF, AHIF, ALCGF, AMIF, AMIF II, ARVF, ASGTF and ASITF]

We hereby confirm that, subject to the foregoing, we shall be responsible and hereby assume the obligation for payment of all our other expenses including: (a) payment of the fees payable to you under paragraph (5) hereof; (b) custody, transfer, and dividend disbursing expenses; (c) fees of directors who are not your affiliated persons; (d) legal and auditing expenses; (e) clerical, accounting and other office costs; (f) the cost of personnel providing services to us, as provided in subparagraph (d) of paragraph 2 above; (g) costs of printing our prospectuses and shareholder reports; (h) cost of maintenance of corporate existence; (i) interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions; (j) costs of stationery and supplies; (k) expenses and fees related to registration and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with state regulatory authorities; and (l) such promotional expenses as may be contemplated by an effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act provided, however, that our payment of such promotional expenses shall be in the amounts, and in accordance with the procedures, set forth in such plan.

4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in rendering these services to us, and we agree as an inducement to your undertaking these services that you shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect, you against any liability to us or to our security holders to which you would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of your duties hereunder, or by reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties hereunder.

5. In consideration of the foregoing, we will pay you [monthly on the last day of each month] with respect to the [   ] Portfolio a fee of [   ]; provided, however, that your compensation for the period from the date hereof through the last day of the month in which the effective date hereof occurs shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to such full month, and provided further that, upon any termination of this agreement before the end of any month, such compensation for the period from the end of the last month ending prior to such termination to the date of termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to such full month and shall be payable upon the date of termination.

6. This agreement shall (i) become effective on the date hereof, (ii) shall remain in effect for a term of one year from the date hereof and (iii) shall continue in effect thereafter with respect to each Portfolio so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by our Directors or by majority vote of the holders of our outstanding voting securities (as so defined) of such Portfolio, and, in either case, by a

 

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majority of our Directors who are not parties to this agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any such party (other than as Directors of the Fund) provided further, however, that if the continuation of this agreement is not approved as to a Portfolio, you may continue to render to such Portfolio the services described herein in the manner and to the extent permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Upon the effectiveness of this agreement, it shall supersede all previous agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This agreement may be terminated with respect to any Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as so defined) of such Portfolio, or by a vote of a majority of our Directors on 60 days’ written notice to you, or by you with respect to any Portfolio on 60 days’ written notice to us.

7. This agreement shall not be amended as to any Portfolio unless such amendment is approved by vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of our Directors/Trustees who are not parties to this agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any party to this agreement (other than as our Directors/Trustees), and, if required by law, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of such Portfolio. Shareholders of a Portfolio not affected by any such amendment shall have no right to participate in any such vote. [Applicable for ABT, ACOF, AFIS and AInstF]

8. This agreement may not be transferred, assigned, sold or in any matter hypothecated or pledged by you and this agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any such transfer, assignment, sale, hypothecation or pledge by you. The terms “transfer”, “assignment” and “sale” as used in this paragraph shall have the meanings ascribed thereto by governing law and any interpretation thereof contained in rules or regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. [Applicable for ABF, AEIF, AFIS, AGBF, AGRAF, AHIF, AInstF, ALCGF, AMIF, AMIF II, ARVF, ASGTF and ASITF]

As to any particular Portfolio, this agreement may not be assigned by you and, as to such Portfolio, this agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any assignment by you. The term “assignment” as used in this paragraph shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by the Act and any regulations or interpretations of the Commission thereunder. [Applicable for ABT and ACOF]

9. (a) Except to the extent necessary to perform your obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict your right, or the right of any of your employees, or any of the directors of AllianceBernstein Corporation, general partner, who may also be a director, officer or employee of ours, or persons otherwise affiliated with us (within the meaning of the Act) to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

 

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(b) You will notify us of any change in the general partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such change.

10. If you cease to act as our investment adviser, or, in any event, if you so request in writing, we agree to take all necessary action to change our name to a name not including the terms “Alliance” or “Bernstein.” You may from time to time make available without charge to us for our use such marks or symbols owned by you, including marks or symbols containing the term “Alliance” or “Bernstein” or any variation thereof, as you may consider appropriate. Any such marks or symbols so made available will remain your property and you shall have the right, upon notice in writing, to require us to cease the use of such mark or symbol at any time. [Applicable for all except AGRAF, AMIF, ARVF and ASGTF]

11. This agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the Act. [Applicable for all except ABF, AGRAF and AMIF]

12. This agreement embodies that entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. For the avoidance of doubt, this agreement does not, and is not intended to, confer any rights, privileges, claims or remedies upon any person other than the parties and their respective successors. [Applicable for AFIS]

A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of each of the respective Funds. [Applicable for ABT]

Notice is hereby given that this agreement is entered into on our behalf by an officer of our Trust in his capacity as an officer and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this agreement are not binding upon any of our Trustees, officers, shareholders, employees or agents individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of our Trust. [Applicable for AMIF II]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.

Very truly yours,

[Fund Name]

By:            

 Name:

 Title:

Accepted: [   ], 2026

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

By:               

 Name:

 Title:

 

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FORM OF ADVISORY AGREEMENT

[AMMAF]

66 Hudson Boulevard East

New York, New York 10001

[   ], 2026

AllianceBernstein L.P.

501 Commerce Street

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

 

Dear Sirs:

We herewith confirm our agreement with you as follows:

1. We are a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). We are engaged in the business of investing and reinvesting our assets in securities of the type and in accordance with the limitations specified in our Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Act, and any representations made in our prospectus, all in such manner and to such extent as may from time to time be authorized by our Board of Trustees. We enclose copies of the documents listed above and will from time to time furnish you with any amendments thereof.

2. (a) We hereby employ you to manage the investment and reinvestment of our assets as above specified, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to provide management and other services specified below.

 (a) You will make decisions with respect to all purchases and sales of our portfolio securities. To carry out such decisions, you are hereby authorized, as our agent and attorney-in-fact, for our account and at our risk and in our name, to place orders for the investment and reinvestment of our assets. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in our portfolio investments you are authorized to exercise full discretion and act for us in the same manner and with the same force and effect as we might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions. In making such purchases and sales of our portfolio investments, you will bear in mind the policies set from time to time by our Board of Trustees as well as the limitations imposed by our Declaration of Trust and in our Registration Statement under the Act and the Securities Act of 1933, and the limitations of the Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in respect of regulated investment companies.

 (b) You will report to our Board of Trustees at each meeting thereof on the management of our portfolio investments, and will also keep us in touch with

 

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important developments affecting such portfolio investments and on your own initiative will furnish us from time to time with such information as you may believe appropriate for this purpose, whether concerning the individual issuers whose securities are included in our portfolio, the industries in which they engage, or the conditions prevailing in the economy generally. You will also furnish us with such statistical and analytical information with respect to our portfolio investments as you may believe appropriate or as we reasonably may request.

 (c) It is understood that you will from time to time employ or associate with yourselves such persons as you believe to be particularly fitted to assist you in the execution of your duties hereunder. During the continuance of this agreement at our request you will provide us at your expense persons satisfactory to our Board of Trustees to serve as our officers, and you shall be responsible for the compensation of any of our trustees who devote part of their time to the affairs of you and your affiliates (other than us). Furthermore, you or your affiliates (other than us) shall furnish us without charge with such management supervision and assistance and such office facilities as you may believe appropriate or as we may reasonably request subject to the requirements of any regulatory authority to which you may be subject. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit your right to reimbursement under the Administrative Reimbursement Agreement dated as of the date hereof between us and you (the “Administrative Reimbursement Agreement”) with respect to services provided under the Administrative Reimbursement Agreement for which reimbursement has been approved by our Board of Trustees. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict our right to hire our own employees or to contract for services to be performed by third parties, or to restrict your right to be compensated by us pursuant to separate agreement(s) for providing to us clerical, accounting and other services not specifically addressed herein.

3. Subject to the foregoing, we shall be responsible and hereby assume the obligation for payment of all our expenses, including: (a) brokerage and commission expenses; (b) Federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including issue and transfer taxes, incurred by or levied on us; (c) interest charges on borrowings; (d) our organizational and offering expenses, whether or not advanced by you; (e) fees and expenses of registering our shares under the appropriate Federal securities laws and of qualifying our shares under applicable state securities laws; (f) fees and expenses of listing and maintaining the listing of our shares on any national securities exchange; (g) expenses of printing and distributing our prospectuses and reports to shareholders; (h) costs of proxy solicitations; (i) charges and expenses of our administrator(s) (including your charges under the Administrative Reimbursement Agreement), custodian, and transfer and dividend disbursing agent and registrar of shares; (j) compensation of our officers, Trustees and employees who do not devote any part of their time to your affairs or the affairs of your affiliates other than us; (k) legal and auditing expenses; (l) payment of all investment advisory fees (including the fees payable to you hereunder); (m) fee and charges of any third parties providing due diligence reviews of the operations of investment managers of

 

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our potential and actual investments and the travel costs of your personnel in connection with such reviews; (n) costs of stationery and supplies; and (o) costs of periodic offers to repurchase our shares.

4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in rendering these services to us, and we agree as an inducement to your undertaking these services that you shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect, you against any liability to us or to our security holders to which you would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of your duties hereunder, or by reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties hereunder.

5. In consideration of the foregoing we will pay you a monthly fee at an annual rate of [    ] of our net assets determined as of the last day of each calendar month, adjusted upward for amounts accepted as subscriptions as of the first day of the subsequent month and adjusted downward for amounts accepted as repurchases as of the first day of the subsequent month. Such fee shall be payable in arrears on the last day of the subsequent calendar month for services performed hereunder during such month. If this agreement becomes effective after the beginning of a month or this agreement terminates prior to the end of a month, such fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such portion of the month bears to the full month.

6. This agreement shall become effective on the date hereof and shall continue in force for a term of one year from the date hereof, and shall continue in effect thereafter provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by our Board of Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act), and, in either case, by a majority of our Board of Trustees who are not interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any party to this agreement). Upon the effectiveness of this agreement, it shall supersede all previous agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities (as so defined), or by a vote of a majority of our entire Board of Trustees on sixty days’ written notice to you, or by you on sixty days’ written notice to us.

7. This agreement may not be transferred, assigned, sold or in any manner hypothecated or pledged and this agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any such transfer, assignment, sale, hypothecation or pledge. The terms “transfer”, “assignment” and “sale” as used in this paragraph shall have the meanings ascribed hereto by governing law and any interpretation thereof contained in rules or regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

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8. (a) Except to the extent necessary to perform your obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict your right, or the right of any of your employees, or any of the officers or directors of AllianceBernstein Corporation, your general partner, or persons otherwise affiliated with us (within the meaning of the Act) to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other trust, corporation, firm, individual or association.

 (a) You will notify us of any change in general partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such change.

9. If you cease to act as our investment adviser, or, in any event, if you so request in writing, we agree to take all necessary action to change our name to a name not including the term “AllianceBernstein”. You may from time to time make available without charge to us for our use such marks or symbols owned by you, including marks or symbols containing the term “AllianceBernstein” or any variation thereof, as you may consider appropriate. Any such marks or symbols so made available will remain your property and you shall have the right, upon notice in writing, to require us to cease the use of such mark or symbol at any time.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.

Very truly yours,

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund

By:            

 Name:

 Title:

Accepted: [   ], 2026

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

By:               

 Name:

 Title:

 

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FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

[ACF]

66 Hudson Boulevard East

New York, New York 10001

[   ], 2026

AllianceBernstein L.P.

501 Commerce Street

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Dear Sirs:

We herewith confirm our agreement with you as follows:

1. We are currently authorized to issue separate classes of shares and our Board of Directors is authorized to reclassify and issue any unissued shares to any number of additional classes or series (Portfolios) each having its own investment objective, policies and restrictions, all as more fully described in the prospectus and statement of additional information constituting parts of our Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Registration Statement”). We are engaged in the business of investing and reinvesting our capital of each of our Portfolios in securities of the type and in accordance with the limitations specified in our Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, Registration Statement, and any representation made in our Prospectus, all in such manner and to such extent as may from time to time be authorized by our Board of Directors. We enclose copies of the documents listed above and will from time to time furnish you with any amendments thereof. We will also keep you currently advised as to the make-up of the portfolio of securities in each of our Portfolios.

2. (a) We hereby employ you to advise us in respect of investing and reinvesting of our capital in each of our Portfolios as above specified, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to provide management and other services specified below.

(a) You on your own motion will advise us whenever in your opinion conditions are such as to make it desirable that a specific security or group of securities be eliminated from the portfolio of securities of a Portfolio or added to it. You will also keep us in touch with important developments affecting any Portfolio and on your own initiative will furnish us from time to time with such information as you may believe appropriate for this purpose, whether concerning the individual companies whose securities are included in our Portfolios, or the industries in which they engage, or the economy generally. Similar information is to be furnished to us with reference to securities which you may believe desirable for inclusion in a Portfolio. You will also furnish us with such statistical information

 

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with respect to the securities in each of our Portfolios which we may hold or contemplate purchasing as you may believe appropriate or as we reasonably may request. In advising us, you will bear in mind the limitations imposed by our Certificate of Incorporation and statement of policy included in our Registration Statement and the limitations in the Investment Company Act and of the Internal Revenue Code in respect of regulated investment companies for each of our Portfolios.

(b) It is understood that you will from time to time employ or associate with yourselves such persons as you believe to be particularly fitted to assist you in the execution of this contract, the compensation of such persons to be paid by you. No obligation may be incurred on our behalf in any such respect. During the continuance of this agreement you will provide persons satisfactory to our Board of Directors to serve as our officers. You or your affiliates will also provide persons, who may be our officers, to render such clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to us as we may from time to time request of you. Such personnel may be employees of you and your affiliates. We will pay to you or your affiliates the cost of such personnel for rendering such services to us at such rates as shall from time to time be agreed upon between us, provided that all time devoted to the investment or reinvestment of securities in each of our Portfolios shall be for your account. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict our right to hire our own employees or to contract for services to be performed by third parties. Furthermore, you or your affiliates (other than us) shall furnish us without charge with such management supervision and assistance and such office facilities as you may believe appropriate or as we may reasonably request subject to the requirements of any regulatory authority to which you may be subject.

3. It is further agreed that, except as provided in paragraph 2(c) hereof, you shall be responsible for the following expenses incurred by us during each year or portion thereof that this agreement is in effect between us: (i) the compensation of any of our directors, officers, and employees who devote less than all of their time to our affairs and who devote part of their time to the affairs of you and your affiliates, (ii) expenses of computing the net asset value of the shares of each of our Portfolios to the extent such computation is required under applicable Federal securities laws, (iii) expenses of office rental, and (iv) clerical and bookkeeping expenses. We shall be responsible and hereby assume the obligation for payment of all our other expenses including (a) brokerage and commission expenses, (b) Federal, State or local taxes, including issue and transfer taxes, incurred by or levied on us, (c) interest charges on borrowing, (d) fees and expenses of registering the shares of each of our Portfolios under the appropriate Federal securities laws (other than expenses relative to the initial registration) and of qualifying the shares of each of our Portfolios under applicable State securities laws, including expenses attendant upon renewing and increasing such registrations and qualifications, (e) expenses of printing and distributing our prospectuses and other reports to stockholders, (f) costs of proxy solicitations, (g) charges and expenses incurred by us in acting as transfer agent and registrar of the shares of each of our Portfolios, (h) charges and expenses of our custodian, (i) compensation of our

 

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officers, directors and employees who do not devote any part of their time to the affairs of you or your affiliates, (j) legal and auditing expenses, (k) payment of all investment advisory fees (including the fees payable to you hereunder), (1) costs of stationery and supplies, and (m) such promotional expenses as may be contemplated by an effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act; provided, however, that our payment of such promotional expenses shall be in the amounts, and in accordance with the procedures, set forth in such plan.

4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in rendering these services to us, and we agree as an inducement to your undertaking these services that you shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect, you against any liability to us or to our security holders to which you would otherwise be subject by reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties hereunder.

5. In consideration of the foregoing we will pay you, in the case of the [   ] Portfolio, a [monthly] fee at an annualized rate of [   ]% of the [   ] Portfolio managed by you. In the event of any termination of this agreement, your compensation will be calculated on the basis of a period ending on the last day on which this agreement is in effect, subject to proration based on the number of days elapsed in the current period as a percentage of the total number of days in such period.

6. This agreement shall (i) become effective on the date hereof, (ii) shall remain in effect for a term of one year from the date hereof, and (iii) shall continue in effect thereafter with respect to each Portfolio provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by our Board of Directors (including a majority of our directors who are not parties to this agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of any such party), or by vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of each Portfolio. Upon the effectiveness of this agreement, it shall supersede all previous agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This agreement may be terminated with respect to any Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as so defined) of such Portfolio, or by a vote of a majority of our entire Board of Directors on sixty days’ written notice to you, or by you with respect to any Portfolio on 60 days’ written notice to us.

7. This agreement may not be transferred, assigned, sold or in any manner hypothecated or pledged and this agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any such transfer, assignment, sale, hypothecation or pledge. The terms “transfer”, “assignment”, and “sale” as used in this paragraph shall have the

 

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meanings ascribed thereto by governing and any interpretation thereof contained in rules or regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

8. (a) Except to the extent necessary to perform your obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict your right, or the right of any of your employees, or any of the Directors of AllianceBernstein Corporation, general partner, who may also be a director, officer or employee of ours, or persons otherwise interested persons with respect to us (within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940) to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

(b) You will notify us of any change in the general partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such change.

9. It is understood that, whether or not we follow the investment advice and recommendations given by you to us hereunder, the provisions contained herein concerning your compensation hereunder shall be binding on you and us.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.

Very truly yours,

AB CAP FUND, INC.

By:            

 Name:

 Title:

Accepted: As of [   ], 2026

AllianceBernstein L.P.

By:               

 Name:

 Title:

 

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FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

[ACS]

66 Hudson Boulevard East

New York, New York 10001

[   ], 2026

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

501 Commerce Street

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Dear Sirs:

AB Corporate Shares (the “Trust”), on behalf of each of its series listed on Schedule I hereto (each, a “Fund”), herewith confirms our agreement with you (the “Agreement”) as follows:

1. We are an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). We are currently authorized to issue separate classes of shares and our Trustees are authorized to reclassify and issue any unissued shares to any number of additional classes or series each having its own investment objective, policies and restrictions, all as more fully described in the prospectus and the statement of additional information constituting parts of our Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Act (the “Registration Statement”). We propose to engage in the business of investing and reinvesting the assets of each Fund in securities (the “portfolio assets”) of the type and in accordance with the limitations specified in our Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”), Bylaws and Registration Statement, and any representations made in our prospectus and statement of additional information, all in such manner and to such extent as may from time to time be authorized by our Trustees. We enclose copies of the documents listed above and will from time to time furnish you with any amendments thereof.

2. (a) We hereby employ you to manage the investment and reinvestment of the portfolio assets as above specified and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to provide the management and other services specified below.

(a) You will make decisions with respect to all purchases and sales of the portfolio assets. To carry out such decisions, you are hereby authorized, as our agent and attorney-in-fact, for our account and at our risk and in our name, to place orders for the investment and reinvestment of the portfolio assets. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in the portfolio assets, you are authorized to exercise full discretion and act for us in the same manner and with the same force and effect as we might or could do with respect to such

 

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purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions.

(b) You will report to our Trustees at each meeting thereof all changes in the portfolio assets since the prior report and will also keep us in touch with important developments affecting the portfolio assets and on your own initiative will furnish us from time to time with such information as you may believe appropriate for this purpose, whether concerning the individual issuers whose securities are included in the portfolio assets, the industries in which they engage, or the conditions prevailing in the economy generally. You will also furnish us with such statistical and analytical information with respect to the portfolio assets as you may believe appropriate or as we reasonably may request. In making such purchases and sales of the portfolio assets, you will bear in mind the policies set from time to time by our Trustees as well as the limitations imposed by our Declaration of Trust and in our Registration Statement, in each case as amended from time to time, the limitations in the Act and of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in respect of regulated investment companies and the investment objectives, policies and practices, including restrictions, applicable to each of our Funds.

(c) It is understood that you will from time to time employ or associate with yourselves such persons as you believe to be particularly fitted to assist you in the execution of your duties hereunder, the cost of performance of such duties to be borne and paid by you. No obligation may be incurred on our behalf in any such respect. During the continuance of this Agreement and at our request, you will provide to us persons satisfactory to our Trustees to serve as our officers. You or your affiliates will also provide persons, who may be our officers, to render such clerical, accounting and other services to us as we may from time to time reasonably request of you. Such personnel may be employees of you or your affiliates. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict our right to hire our own employees or to contract for services to be performed by third parties. Furthermore, you or your affiliates shall furnish us without charge with such management supervision and assistance and such office facilities as you may believe appropriate or as we may reasonably request subject to the requirements of any regulatory authority to which you may be subject. You or your affiliates shall also be responsible for the payment of any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of our shares.

3. During the term of this Agreement, you will pay all expenses you incur in connection with your obligations under this Agreement, except any expenses that are paid by a party other than us under the terms of any other agreement to which we are a party or a third-party beneficiary. You assume and shall pay for maintaining your staff and personnel and shall, at your own expense, provide the equipment, office space and facilities necessary to perform your obligations under this Agreement.

(a) You shall also be responsible for and hereby assume the obligation for payment of all of our expenses that might otherwise be required to be included

 

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as “other expenses” of the Fund for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-1A (other than expenses described in paragraph (b) of this Section 3), including, without limitation, the following expenses:

(i) Expenses of our independent public accountants;

(ii) Expenses of our transfer agent(s), registrar, dividend disbursing agent(s) and shareholder recordkeeping services;

(iii) Expenses of our custodian, including any recordkeeping services provided by the custodian;

(iv) Expenses relating to obtaining quotations for calculating the value of each Fund’s net assets;

(v) Expenses relating to the preparation of such reports and other materials as may reasonably be requested by our Trustees;

(vi) Expenses relating to the maintenance of our tax records;

(vii) Expenses, including expenses relating to the procurement of legal services, incident to meetings of our shareholders, the preparation and mailing of our prospectuses and reports to our shareholders, the filing of reports with regulatory bodies, the maintenance of our existence and qualification to do business and the registration of shares with federal and state securities authorities;

(viii) Fees and expenses of our Trustees and officers, and the fees and expenses of any legal counsel or any other persons engaged by such persons in connection with the discharge of their duties as Trustees or officers;

(ix) Costs of printing certificates representing our shares;

(x) Our pro rata portion of the fidelity bond required by Section 17(g) of the Act or other insurance premiums; and

(xi) Association membership dues.

(b) We shall bear, and you will not be responsible for, the following expenses:

(1) Taxes, if any, levied against us or any of the Funds;

(i) Brokerage fees and commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for any of the Funds;

(ii) Costs, including any interest expenses, of borrowing money and (except with respect to AllianceBernstein Corporate Income Shares) other leveraging methods;

 

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(iii) Extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses and expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, or other claims and/or the legal obligations of us to indemnify our trustees, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto; and

(iv) Our organizational and offering expenses to the extent authorized by our Board of Trustees, and any other expenses that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in rendering these services to us, and we agree as an inducement to your undertaking these services that you shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect, you against any liability to us or to our security holders to which you would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of your duties hereunder, or by reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties hereunder.

5. You shall receive no compensation from us for your services hereunder. We understand and agree, however, that you and your affiliates expect to receive compensation from third parties in connection with your provision of services hereunder.

6. This Agreement (i) shall become effective on the date hereof, (ii) shall remain in effect for a term of one year from the date hereof, and (iii) shall continue in effect thereafter with respect to a Fund only so long as its continuance with respect to that Fund is specifically approved at least annually by our Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of such Fund, and, in either case, by a vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of our Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any party to this Agreement (other than as our Trustees), and provided further, however, that if the continuation of this Agreement is not approved as to a Fund, you may continue to render to such Fund the services described herein in the manner and to the extent permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, it shall supersede all previous agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of such Fund, or by a vote of our Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to you, or by you with respect to any Fund on 60 days’ written notice to us.

7. This Agreement shall not be amended as to any Fund unless such amendment is approved by vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of our Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any party to this Agreement (other than as our Trustees), and, if required by law, by vote of a majority of

 

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the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of such Fund. Shareholders of a Fund not affected by any such amendment shall have no right to participate in any such vote.

8. As to any particular Fund, this Agreement may not be assigned by you and, as to such Fund, this Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any assignment by you. The term “assignment” as used in this paragraph shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by the Act and any regulations or interpretations of the Commission thereunder.

9. (a) Except to the extent necessary to perform your obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict your right, or the right of any of your employees, or any of the officers or directors of AllianceBernstein Corporation, your general partner, who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of ours, or persons otherwise affiliated with us (within the meaning of the Act), to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other trust, corporation, firm, individual or association.

(a) You will notify us of any change in the general partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such change.

10. If you cease to act as our investment adviser, or, in any event, if you so request in writing, we agree to take all necessary action to change our name to a name not including the terms “Alliance” or “Bernstein.” You may from time to time make available without charge to us for our use such marks or symbols owned by you, including marks or symbols containing the term “Alliance” or “Bernstein” or any variation thereof, as you may consider appropriate. Any such marks or symbols so made available will remain your property and you shall have the right, upon notice in writing, to require us to cease the use of such mark or symbol at any time.

11. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the Act.

12. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of each of the respective Funds.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.

Very truly yours,

AB CORPORATE SHARES

By:            

Name:

Title: 

Agreed to and accepted

as of [   ], 2026

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

By:             

Name:

Title: 

 

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SCHEDULE I

Fund

AB Corporate Income Shares

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

AB Municipal Income Shares

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

AB Municipal Income Shares C

AB Municipal Income Shares N

 

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FORM OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

[ADGF]

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, made this [] day of [   ], 2026 between AB DISCOVERY GROWTH FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter called the “Investment Corporation”), and ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Manager”).

WHEREAS, the Investment Corporation has been organized for the purpose of investing its funds in chemical, government and other permitted securities and desires to avail itself of the experience, sources of information, advice, assistance and facilities available to the Manager and to have the Manager perform for it various management, statistical, accounting and clerical services; and the Manager is willing to furnish such advice, facilities and services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

1. The Investment Corporation hereby employs the Manager to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Investment Corporation and to administer its affairs, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Directors of the Investment Corporation for the period and on the terms as set forth herein. The Manager hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period, at its expense, to render the services and to assume the obligations as set forth herein for the compensation provided herein.

2. The Manager will recommend from time to time to the Board of Directors or a committee thereof a general investment program and, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Directors of the Investment Corporation, will manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Investment Corporation. Such general investment program and the implementation thereof will be in accordance with the policies and restrictions set forth in the Investment Corporation’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and its Prospectus which is part of such Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, and such other policies as may from time to time be adopted by the Board of Directors.

3. The Manager will administer the Investment Corporation’s corporate affairs, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Directors of the Investment Corporation and, in connection therewith, shall furnish the Investment Corporation with an office, and with ordinary clerical and bookkeeping services at such office, and shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as directors or officers of the Investment Corporation, to serve

 

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in the capacities in which they are elected. All services to be furnished by the Manager under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any such directors, officers or employees of the Manager.

In connection with the administration of the corporate affairs of the Investment Corporation, the Manager will bear all of the following expenses:

(i) the salaries and expenses of all personnel, except the fees and expenses of directors who are not affiliated persons of the manager, and

(ii) all expenses incurred by the Manager or by the Investment Corporation in connection with the management of the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Investment Corporation and in the ordinary course of the administration of the corporate affairs of the Investment Corporation, other than those specifically assumed by the Investment Corporation herein.

Except as otherwise expressly provided above, the Investment Corporation assumes and will pay expenses of the Investment Corporation, including without limitation:

(a) the fees and expenses of directors who are not affiliated persons of the Manager,

(b) the fees and expenses of the custodian which relate to (i) the custodial function and the record- keeping connection therewith, (ii) the providing of records to the Manager useful to the Manager in connection with the Manager’s obligation to maintain the required accounting records of the Investment Corporation, (iii) the pricing of the shares of the Investment Corporation, and (iv) for mail orders, the cashiering function in connection with the issuance and redemption of the Investment Corporation’s securities,

(c) the fees and expenses of the Investment Corporation’s transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent, which may be the custodian, which relate to (i) maintenance of each shareholder account, including all transactions in that account from regular corporate transactions or in accordance with various investment or withdrawal plans provided by the Investment corporation, (ii) providing information with respect to dealers, if any, who participated in the sale of Investment Corporation shares, and (iii) providing information necessary in computing the amount available for a shareholder’s privilege to purchase other funds managed by the Manager or any affiliated persons of the Manager,

(d) the cost of personnel, who may be employees of the Manager or its affiliates, rendering to the Investment Company such clerical, accounting and other services as the Investment Company may from time to time request of the Manager; provided, that all time devoted to the

 

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investment or reinvestment of the portfolio assets of the Investment Company shall be for the account of the Manager,

(e) the charges and expenses of auditors,

(f) brokers’ commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Investment Corporation in connection with its securities transactions,

(g) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Investment Corporation to federal, state or other governmental agencies,

(h) the allocated portion of the fees of any trade association of which the Investment Corporation may be a member,

(i) the cost of stock certificates representing shares of the Investment Corporation,

(j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the Investment Corporation and of its shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with State regulatory authorities,

(k) all expenses of shareholders’ and directors’ meetings and of preparing and printing reports to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders, and

(l) the charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Investment Corporation in connection with legal matters relating to the Investment Corporation, including without limitation, legal services rendered in connection with the Investment Corporation’s corporate existence, corporate and financial structure and relations with its shareholders, and registration and qualifications of securities under federal law, and litigation.

4. With respect to the Investment Corporation’s portfolio securities, the Manager shall purchase such securities from or through and sell such securities to or through such persons, brokers or dealers as it shall deem appropriate. In placing orders for such purchases and sales which are being placed with brokers and dealers in accordance with a policy of seeking “best execution” of such orders, it is recognized that the Manager may give consideration to the relationships of the Manager or its parent with brokers or dealers and to research, statistical and other services furnished by brokers or dealers to the Manager or its parent for their use. No security transactions shall be executed through any broker-dealer affiliated with the Manager without the specific approval of a majority of the directors of the Investment Corporation who are not affiliated persons of the Manager.

Notwithstanding the above paragraph, it is understood that it is desirable for the Manager to have access to supplemental research and security and

 

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economic analysis provided by brokers and of use to the Investment Corporation, even though such access may require the allocation of brokerage business to brokers who execute brokerage transactions at higher rates to the Investment Corporation than may be available from other brokers who are providing only execution service. Similarly it is important to the Investment Corporation for the Manager to have good business relationships with broker-dealers who, in the Manager’s judgement, are important block traders, or have special knowledge of potential buyers and sellers of substantial blocks of, or who are important dealers in, securities which the Investment Corporation may wish to buy or sell. Therefore, the Manager is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of the Investment Corporation’s securities with such brokers, subject to the review by the Board of Directors from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation of this policy. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may also be useful to the Manager or its parent in connection with service to other clients.

The Board of Directors may authorize the payment by the Investment Corporation of additional compensation to others for consulting services, supplemental research and security and economic analysis. Such authorization may be on the Board’s own initiative or based on recommendations by the Manager. The Board may also determine to the extent permitted by generally accepted accounting principles that such payment may be charged to principal or income of the Investment Corporation as they deem appropriate depending on the purpose of such charges and the extent to which such services replace brokerage information which was previously paid for by brokerage commissions.

5. No director, officer or employee of the Investment Corporation shall receive from the Investment Corporation any salary or other compensation as such director, officer or employee while he is at the same time a director, officer or employee of the Manager. This paragraph shall not apply to consultants and other persons who are not regular members of the Manager’s staff.

6. In consideration of the foregoing the Investment Corporation will pay the Manager a monthly fee at an annualized rate of [    ] of the Investment Company’s average daily net assets. Such fee shall be payable in arrears on the last day of each calendar month for services performed hereunder during such month. If this agreement terminates prior to the end of a month, such fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such portion of the month bears to the full month.

7. The Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Director of the Investment Corporation in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Manager.

 

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8. (a) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Manager who may also be a director, officer or employee of the Investment Corporation to engage in any other business or to devote his time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature, nor to limit or restrict the right of the Manager to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

(b) You will notify us of any change in the general partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such change.

9. As used in this Agreement, the terms “security”, “chemical security”, “government security”, other “permitted security” and “net assets”, defined in Article Eighth of the Articles of Incorporation of the Investment Corporation, shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein, and the terms “assignment” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meanings given to them by Section 2(a)(4) and 2(a)(42), respectively, of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

10. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

11. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (a) by the Board of Directors of the Investment Corporation or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Investment Corporation by written notice given not less than 60 days’ prior to the termination date addressed to the Manager at its principal place of business and (b) by the Manager by 60 days’ prior written notice addressed to the Investment Corporation at its principal place of business.

12. This Management Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof and shall remain in effect for a term of one year from the date hereof, and shall continue in effect thereafter so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by majority vote of the holders of outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, by a majority of the Board who are not parties to this agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of any such party provided further, however, that if the continuation of this agreement is not approved, the Manager may continue to render the services described herein in the manner and to the extent permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Upon the effectiveness of this agreement, it shall supersede all previous agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, or by a vote of a majority of the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Manager, or by the Manager on 60 days’ written notice to the Investment Corporation.

 

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Agreement to be executed by their officers hereunto duly authorized.

AB DISCOVERY GROWTH FUND, INC.

 

                      

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

By AllianceBernstein Corporation, General Partner

 

                      

 

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FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

[TAP]

This Investment Advisory Agreement (this “Contract”) executed as of [   ], 2026 between THE AB PORTFOLIOS, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of each of its portfolio series listed on Exhibit A hereto (each a “Fund”), and ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Manager”).

Witnesseth:

That in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

 

1.

SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY MANAGER TO THE TRUST AND FUNDS.

(a) Subject always to the control of the Trustees of the Trust, the Manager will, at its expense, furnish continuously an investment program for each Fund, will make investment decisions on behalf of each Fund and will, subject to the provisions of paragraph (c), place all orders for the purchase and sale of each Fund’s portfolio securities. Subject always to the control of the Trustees of the Trust, the Manager will also manage, supervise and conduct the other affairs and business of the Trust and the Funds, and matters incidental thereto. In the performance of its duties, the Manager will comply with the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws of the Trust and each Fund’s stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions and will use its best efforts to safeguard and promote the welfare of the Trust and the Funds and to comply with other policies which the Trustees may from time to time determine.

(b) Except as otherwise provided below, the Manager, at its expense, will furnish all necessary office space and equipment and provide persons, who may be the Trust’s officers, to render such clerical, accounting and other services required for it to perform its duties hereunder. Such personnel may be employees of the Manager or its affiliates. The Manager will pay all salaries, fees and expenses of officers and Trustees of the Trust who are affiliated with the Manager.

With respect to AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy and AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy, the Trust, on behalf of AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy and AB Tax -Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy, will pay to the Manager or its affiliates the cost of personnel for rendering clerical, accounting and other services to AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy and AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy at such rates as shall from time to time be agreed upon between the Manager and the Trust, provided that all time devoted to the investment or reinvestment of securities in the Funds shall be for the Manager’s account.

 

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(c) In the selection of brokers, dealers, or futures commissions merchants (collectively, “brokers”) and the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for each Fund, the Manager shall seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services as described below. In using its best efforts to obtain for each Fund the most favorable price and execution available, the Manager, bearing in mind each Fund’s best interest at all times, shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including, by way of illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker in other transactions. Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine, the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Contract or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused any Fund to pay a broker that provides brokerage and research services to the Manager an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to such Fund and to other clients of the Manager as to which the Manager exercises investment discretion. The Trust hereby agrees with the Manager and with any Sub-Adviser selected by the Manager as provided in Section l(d) that any entity or person associated with the Manager or such Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange is authorized to effect any transaction on such exchange for the account of a Fund which is permitted by Section 1 l(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 1 la2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2- 2(T)(a)(2)(iv).

(d) Subject to the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Manager, at its expense, may select and contract with one or more investment advisers (the “Sub-Adviser”) for any Fund to perform some or all of the services for which it is responsible pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 1 (and any related facilities or services for which it is responsible under paragraph (b) of this Section 1). The Manager will compensate any Sub-Adviser of such Fund for its services to such Fund. The Manager may terminate the services of any Sub-Adviser at any time in its sole discretion, and shall at such time assume the responsibilities of such Sub-Adviser unless and until a successor Sub-Adviser is selected.

(e) The Manager shall not be obligated to pay any expenses of or for the Trust or any Fund not expressly assumed by the Manager pursuant to this Section 1 other than as provided in Section 3.

 

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2.

OTHER AGREEMENTS, ETC.

It is understood that any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers and employees of the Trust may be a shareholder, director, officer or employee of, or be otherwise interested in, the Manager, and in any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager, and that the Manager and any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager may have an interest in the Trust or in any Fund. It is also understood that the Manager and persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager have and may have advisory, management service, distribution or other contracts with other organizations and persons, and may have other interests and businesses.

 

3.

COMPENSATION TO BE PAID BY THE TRUST TO THE MANAGER.

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, will pay to the Manager as compensation for the Manager’s services rendered, for the facilities furnished and for the expenses borne by the Manager pursuant to Section 1, a fee, computed and paid monthly at the following annual rates applicable to the average daily net asset value of each Fund:

[   ]

Such fee computed with respect to the net asset value of a Fund shall be paid from the assets of such Fund. Such average daily net asset value of each Fund shall be determined by taking an average of all of the determinations of such net asset value during such month at the close of business on each business day during such month while this Contract is in effect. Such fee shall be payable for each month within five (5) business days after the end of such month.

In the event that expenses of any Fund for any fiscal year (not including any distribution expenses paid by such Fund pursuant to any distribution plan) should exceed the expense limitation on investment company expenses enforced by any statute or regulatory authority of any jurisdiction in which shares of such Fund are qualified for offer and sale, the compensation due to the Manager for such fiscal year shall be reduced by the amount of such excess by a reduction or refund thereof. In the event that the expenses of any Fund exceed any expense limitation which the Manager may, by written notice to the Trust, voluntarily declare to be effective with respect to such Fund, subject to such terms and conditions as the Manager may prescribe in such notice, the compensation due the Manager shall be reduced, and, if necessary, the Manager shall bear the expenses of such Fund to the extent required by such expense limitation.

If the Manager shall serve for less than the whole of a month, the foregoing compensation shall be prorated.

 

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4.

ASSIGNMENT TERMINATES THIS CONTRACT; AMENDMENTS OF THIS CONTRACT.

This Contract shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment; and this Contract shall not be amended as to any Fund unless such amendment is approved at a meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Fund, and by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Manager or of any Sub-Adviser of the Trust. Shareholders of a Fund not affected by any such amendment shall have no right to vote with respect to such amendment.

 

5.

EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION OF THIS CONTRACT.

(a) This Contract shall (i) become effective upon its execution, and shall remain in full force and effect for a term of one year from the date of execution and (ii) continue in effect thereafter with respect to each Fund so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust or the shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Fund, and a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval (unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 4); provided, however, that if the continuance of this Contract is submitted to the shareholders of such Fund for their approval and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this Contract as provided herein, the Manager may continue to serve hereunder in a manner consistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(b) Either party hereto may at any time terminate this Contract as to any Fund by not more than sixty days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party.

Action by the Trust under (b) above may be taken either (i) by vote of a majority of its Trustees or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the relevant Fund affected. Termination of this Contract pursuant to this Section 5 shall be without the payment of any penalty.

 

6.

CERTAIN INFORMATION.

The Manager shall promptly notify the Trust in writing of the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) the Manager shall fail to be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, and under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Manager is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations

 

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under this Agreement, (b) the Manager shall have been served or otherwise have notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Trust or a Fund, and (c) there shall be any change in the “control” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Manager.

 

7.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this Contract, the “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares” of a Fund means the affirmative vote, at a duly called and held meeting of shareholders of such Fund (a) of the holders of 67% or more of the shares of such Fund present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such meeting are present in person or by proxy, or (b) of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such meeting, whichever is less. For the purposes of this Contract, the terms “affiliated person,” “control,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have their respective meanings defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act; the term “specifically approve at least annually” shall be construed in a manner consistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

8.

NONLIABILITY OF MANAGER.

In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Manager, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Manager shall not be subject to any liability to the Trust, to any Fund or to any shareholder of any Fund, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder.

 

9.

USE OF NAME.

The Manager and its affiliates own the names “Alliance,” “Bernstein” and “AllianceBernstein”, which may be used by the Trust only with the consent of the Manager. The Manager consents to the use by the Trust of any name embodying the names “Alliance,” “Bernstein” and “AllianceBernstein”, but only on the condition and so long as (i) this Agreement shall remain in full force, (ii) the Trust or any Fund, as the case may be, shall fully perform, fulfill and comply with all provisions of this Agreement expressed herein to be performed, fulfilled or complied with by it, and (iii) AllianceBernstein L.P. is the Manager of any Fund. No such

 

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name shall be used by the Trust at any time or in any place or for any purposes or under any conditions except as in this section provided. The foregoing authorization by the Manager to the Trust to use the names “Alliance,” “Bernstein” and “AllianceBernstein” as part of a business or name is not exclusive of the right of the Manager itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the same; the Trust acknowledges and agrees that as between the Manager and the Trust, the Manager has the exclusive right so to use, or authorize others to use, said name, and the Trust agrees to take such action as may reasonably be requested by the Manager to give full effect to the provisions of this section (including, without limitation, consenting to such use of said name). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust agrees that, upon (i) any termination of this Agreement by either party or (ii) the violation of any of its provisions by the Trust or any Fund, as the case may be, the Trust will, at the request of the Manager made within six months after such termination or violation, use its best efforts to change the name of the Trust and each Fund so as to eliminate all reference, if any, to the names “Alliance,” “Bernstein” and “AllianceBernstein” and will not thereafter transact any business in a name containing the names “Alliance,” “Bernstein” or “AllianceBernstein” in any form or combination whatsoever, or designate itself as the same entity as or successor to an entity of such name, or otherwise use the names “Alliance,” “Bernstein” or “AllianceBernstein” or any other reference to the Manager.

Such covenants on the part of the Trust shall be binding upon it, its Trustees, officers, stockholders, creditors and all other persons claiming under or through it.

 

10.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS.

A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as amended, is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of each of the respective Funds.

 

11.

SEPARATE CONTRACTS.

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, shall be deemed to have entered into a wholly separate Contract relating exclusively to each such Fund. Any amendment to or termination of this Contract explicitly relating to one or more Funds shall have no affect on, and shall not be considered to amend or terminate this Contract with respect to, any other Fund.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE AB PORTFOLIOS and ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P. have each caused this Investment Advisory Agreement to be signed in duplicate on its behalf by its duly authorized representative, all as of the day and year first above written.

THE AB PORTFOLIOS

By:            

 Name:

 Title:

Accepted: [   ], 2026

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

By:               

 Name:

 Title:

 

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Exhibit A to Investment Advisory Agreement

AB Growth Fund

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

AB Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

 

 

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FORM OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

[SCB]

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of [   ], 2026 between SANFORD C. BERNSTEIN FUND, INC., a Maryland Corporation, (the “Fund”), on behalf of the AB Core Bond Portfolio, the Diversified Municipal Portfolio, the Overlay A Portfolio, the Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio, the Overlay B Portfolio and the Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio (the “Portfolios”) and ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership (the “Adviser” or “Alliance”).

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein made, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall manage the investment operations of the Portfolios and the Fund including, but not limited to, continuously providing the Portfolios with investment management, including investment research, advice and supervision, determining which securities or other investments including, but not limited to, debt and equity securities, options, and futures and options on futures, shall be purchased or sold by the Portfolios, making purchases and sales of securities and such other investments on behalf of the Portfolios and determining how voting and other rights with respect to securities and other investments owned by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolios shall be exercised, subject in each case to oversight by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Directors” or the “Board”) and in accordance with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and of the Portfolios set forth in the Registration Statement and the current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relating to the Fund or the Portfolio, as amended from time to time, the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) and other applicable law. The Fund understands that the Adviser may also act as the investment manager to other persons or entities, including other investment companies.

2. Limitation of Liability. Subject to Section 36 of the Act, the Adviser and the directors, officers and employees of the Adviser, shall not be liable to the Fund or the Portfolios for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or the performance or non-performance of duties under this Agreement, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of, or by reason of reckless disregard of, obligations and duties under this Agreement.

3. Indemnification. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser and the directors, officers, and employees of the Adviser, against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out

 

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of the performance or non-performance of any duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect the Adviser or any director, officer or employee thereof against any liability to the Fund or its stockholders, to which the Adviser or any director, officer or employee thereof would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.

4. Expenses. The Adviser shall pay all of its expenses arising from the performance of its obligations under Section 1 of this Agreement and shall pay any salaries, fees and expenses of the Directors who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser shall not be required to pay any other expenses of the Fund or a Portfolio, including (a) the fees payable to Alliance under this Agreement and the Shareholder Servicing and Administrative Agreement; (b) the fees and expenses of Directors who are not affiliated with Alliance; (c) the fees and expenses of the Custodian and Transfer Agent including but not limited to fees and expenses relating to Fund accounting, pricing of the Portfolios’ shares, and computation of net asset value; (d) the fees and expenses of calculating yield and/or performance of the Portfolios; (e) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants; (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable to governmental agencies; (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund is a member; (h) reimbursement of the Portfolios’ share of the organization expenses of the Portfolios or the Fund; (i) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and the shares of the Portfolios with the Securities and Exchange Commission, registering the Fund as a broker or dealer and qualifying the shares of the Portfolios under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, allocable communications expenses with respect to investor services, all expenses of shareholders’ and Board of Directors’ meetings and preparing, printing and mailing proxies, prospectuses and reports to shareholders; (j) brokers’ commissions, dealers’ mark-ups and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable in connection with the Portfolios’ transactions; (k) the cost of stock certificates representing shares of the Portfolios; (l) insurance expenses, including, but not limited to, the cost of a fidelity bond, directors and officers insurance and errors and omissions insurance; and (m) litigation and indemnification expenses, expenses incurred in connection with mergers, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Portfolios’ business.

5. Compensation. As compensation for the services performed and the facilities and personnel provided by the Adviser pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement, the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, will pay the Adviser, promptly after the end of each month, fees at the rates set forth below:

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If the Adviser shall serve hereunder for less than the whole of any month, the fee hereunder shall be prorated.

6. Purchase and Sale of Securities. The Adviser shall purchase securities from or through and sell securities to or through such persons, brokers, or dealers as the Adviser shall deem appropriate in order to carry out the policy with respect to portfolio transactions as set forth in the Registration Statement and the current Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information covering the respective Portfolios, as amended from time to time, or as the Directors may direct from time to time. Nothing herein shall prohibit the Directors from approving the payment by the Fund of additional compensation to others for consulting services, supplemental research and security and economic analysis.

7. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof, and shall remain in effect for a term of one year from the date hereof, and shall continue in effect thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the Act with regard to investment advisory contracts; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty, on behalf of any or all of the Portfolios, by the Fund, by the Board or, with respect to any Portfolio, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of any Portfolio, or by the Adviser on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Act).

8. Miscellaneous. The Fund hereby agrees that if at any time the Adviser shall cease to act as investment adviser to any Portfolio or to the Fund, at the request of the Adviser (or its successor) the Fund shall take all steps necessary under law to change its corporate name to delete the reference to Sanford C. Bernstein or to delete the reference to Bernstein from the name of the Portfolio, and shall thereafter refrain from using such name with reference to any such Portfolio and, if applicable, the Fund.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not be construed to require, or to impose any duty upon, either of the parties to do anything in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, and the Adviser have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

SANFORD C. BERNSTEIN FUND, INC.

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Agreed to and accepted [    ], 2026.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

 

By:

 

 

 
 

Name:

 
 

Title:

 

 

 

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FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

[Bernstein]

This Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of [   ], 2026 by and between Bernstein Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland on behalf of the portfolios listed on Annex A hereto (each, a “Portfolio” and, together, the “Portfolios”) and AllianceBernstein L.P, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged in rendering management and investment advisory services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide management and investment advisory services to the Fund and the Portfolios on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set out in this Agreement, the Fund and the Adviser agree as follows:

1. Investment Description; Appointment

(a) Investment Description. The investment objective(s), policies and limitations of each Portfolio of the Fund are specified in the applicable prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for the Portfolio (collectively, the “Disclosure Documents”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as it may be periodically amended or supplemented.

(b) Appointment of Adviser. The Fund hereby appoints the Adviser to act as a manager and investment adviser of the Fund’s Portfolios and to furnish, or arrange for its affiliates or subadvisers to furnish, the management, administrative and investment advisory services described below, subject to the policies of, review by and overall control of the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser hereby accepts such appointment and agrees during such period, at its own expense (except as otherwise provided herein), to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein for the compensation provided

 

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for herein. The Adviser and its affiliates for all purposes herein shall be deemed to be independent contractors and, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Fund.

2. Duties of the Investment Adviser

(a) Management and Administrative Services. The Adviser shall perform, or arrange for its affiliates to perform, the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund and the Portfolios, including providing the Fund necessary personnel and such other services as the Adviser, subject to review by the Board, from time to time shall determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser, also on behalf of the Fund and the Portfolios, shall conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, pricing agents, dividend disbursing agents, other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. As described below in Section 7(c) of this Agreement, the Fund agrees to reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the costs and expenses associated with certain administrative, legal, compliance, recordkeeping and other services and personnel.

(b) Investment Advisory Services. Subject to the supervision, direction and approval of the Board, the Adviser will conduct a continual program of investment, evaluation, purchase, sale, and reinvestment of the Portfolios’ assets. Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Adviser is authorized, in its sole discretion, to: (i) obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, financial, and other information affecting the economy generally and certain investment assets as such information relates to securities or other financial instruments that are purchased for or considered for purchase by the Portfolios; (ii) make investment decisions for the Portfolios (including the exercise or disposition of rights accompanying portfolio securities (such as tender offers or exchanges) and other attendant rights thereto); (iii) place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions on behalf of the Portfolios and manage otherwise uninvested cash assets of the Portfolios; (iv) arrange for the pricing of Portfolio securities; (v) execute account documentation, agreements, contracts and other documents as may be requested by brokers, dealers, counterparties and other persons in connection with the Adviser’s management of the assets of the Portfolios (in such respect, the Adviser will act as the Portfolios’ agent and attorney-in-fact); (vi) employ professional portfolio managers, securities analysts and other investment professionals who provide research services to the Portfolios; (vii) engage certain third party professionals, consultants, experts or specialists in connection with the Adviser’s management of the assets of the Portfolios (in such respect, the Adviser will act as the Portfolios’ agent and attorney-in-fact); (viii) make decisions with respect to the use by the Portfolios of borrowing for leverage or other investment or corporate purposes; and (ix) vote or determine to abstain from voting all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of

 

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securities in which assets of the Portfolios are invested. The Adviser will in general take such action as is appropriate to effectively manage the Fund’s investment practices. In addition:

(i) The Adviser will maintain and preserve the records specified in Section 14 of this Agreement and any other records related to the Portfolios’ transactions as are required under any applicable state or federal securities law or regulation, including: the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Advisers Act.

(ii) The Adviser shall at all times perform its obligations in material compliance with: (A) the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Fund, as amended from time to time; (B) the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions of a Portfolio in effect from time to time; and (C) the Disclosure Documents of the applicable Portfolio in effect from time to time. In addition, the Adviser will comply with procedures of the Fund (“Fund Procedures”) provided to the Adviser by the Fund. The Adviser will notify the Fund as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach under this Section 2(b)(ii), including detection of any “material compliance matters” as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.

(iii) The Adviser will maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that complies with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, a copy of which will be provided to the Fund along with any amendments to such Code of Ethics in effect from time to time, and will adhere to such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement.

(iv) The Adviser, as directed by the Board, will manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Portfolios in a manner consistent with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, subject to the best interests of each Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser may recommend that a Portfolio incur excise tax or other taxes or associated costs if it believes it is in the best interest of the Portfolio with respect to making periodic distributions or is otherwise in the best interest of the management of the Portfolio’s cash or other assets.

(c) Subadvisers. In carrying out its responsibilities hereunder, the Adviser may employ, retain or otherwise avail itself of the services of other persons or entities including without limitation, affiliates of the Adviser, on such terms as the Adviser shall determine to be necessary, desirable or appropriate. However, if the Adviser chooses to retain or avail itself of the services of another person or entity to provide investment advice with respect to assets of a Portfolio (a “Subadviser”), such other person or entity must be (i) registered as an investment adviser under the

 

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Advisers Act, (ii) retained at the Adviser’s own cost and expense and (iii) retained subject to the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act or any exemption therefrom.

3. Information and Reports

(a) The Adviser will keep the Fund informed of developments relating to its duties as investment adviser of which the Adviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund. In this regard, the Adviser will provide the Fund and its officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Fund may from time to time reasonably request.

(b) The Adviser also will provide the Fund with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Fund or the Portfolios required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Adviser will promptly inform the Fund if any information in the Disclosure Documents, as amended or supplemented from time to time, is (or will become) inaccurate or incomplete.

4. Standard of Care

The Adviser will exercise its reasonable judgment and will act in good faith and in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws and regulations in rendering the services it agrees to provide under this Agreement. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the management of the Fund or the Portfolios, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. As used in this Section 4, the term “Adviser” shall include any affiliates of the Adviser performing services for the Fund contemplated hereby, and directors, officers and employees of the Adviser and of such affiliates. The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services stated herein.

5. Adviser’s Duties Regarding Fund Transactions

(a) Placement of Orders. The Adviser will take all actions that it considers necessary to implement the investment policies of the Portfolios, and, in particular, to place all orders for the purchase or sale of securities or other investments for the Portfolios with brokers or dealers the Adviser, in its sole discretion, selects. To that end, the Adviser is authorized as each Portfolio’s agent to give instructions to the Fund’s custodian as to deliveries of securities or other investments and payments of cash for the Portfolio’s account. In connection with the selection of brokers or

 

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dealers and the placement of purchase and sale orders, the Adviser is subject to the supervision of the Board and is directed at all times to seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy guidelines determined by the Board and set out in the Portfolios’ current Disclosure Documents, subject to provisions (b) and (c) of this Section 5.

(b) Selection of Brokers and Dealers. In the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser is authorized to consider not only the available prices and rates of brokerage commissions, but also other relevant factors, which may include, without limitation: the execution capabilities of the brokers and dealers; the research and other services provided by the brokers and dealers that the Adviser believes will enhance its general portfolio management capabilities; the size of the transaction; the difficulty of execution; the operational facilities of these brokers and dealers; the risk to a broker or dealer of positioning a block of securities; and the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided by the brokers and dealers. In connection with the foregoing, the Adviser is specifically authorized to pay those brokers and dealers who provide brokerage and research services to the Adviser a higher commission than that charged by other brokers and dealers if the Adviser determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the services in terms of either the particular transaction or in terms of the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to any other client accounts or portfolios that the Adviser advises. The execution of such transactions will not be considered to represent an unlawful breach of any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise. To the extent permitted by applicable law and authorized by the Board, the Adviser may select affiliated brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions.

(c) Aggregated Transactions. On occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or other financial instrument to be in the best interest of the Fund or a Portfolio, as well as other clients, the Adviser is authorized, but not required, to aggregate purchase and sale orders for securities or other financial instruments held (or to be held) by the Fund or Portfolio with similar orders being made on the same day for other client accounts or portfolios that the Adviser manages. When an order is so aggregated, the Adviser may allocate the recommendations or transactions among all accounts and portfolios for whom the recommendation is made or transaction is effected on a basis that the Adviser reasonably considers equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and its other clients. The Adviser and the Fund recognize that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtainable for the Fund.

6. Compensation

For the services rendered and the expenses assumed by the Adviser (other than those services described below in Section 7(c) of this Agreement), each Portfolio shall pay to the Adviser at the end of each calendar month a fee at the annualized

 

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rates set forth Annex B hereto. The fee for the period from the Effective Date (defined below) of the Agreement to the end of the month during which the Effective Date occurs will be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of a month, the fee for such part of that month will be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period and will be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining fees payable to the Adviser, the value of a Portfolio’s assets will be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Disclosure Documents, and on days on which the value of Portfolio assets are not so determined, the asset value computation to be used will be as determined on the immediately preceding day on which the asset value was determined. As described in Section 7(c) of this Agreement, in addition to the fees set forth in this Section 6 (including Annex B hereto), the Fund will reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the costs and expenses associated with certain administrative, legal, compliance, recordkeeping and other services and personnel.

7. Expenses

(a) The Adviser. All investment professionals of the Adviser and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Fund or the Portfolios. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund agrees to reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the costs and expenses associated with certain administrative, legal, compliance, recordkeeping and other services and personnel as provided in subsection (c) to this Section 7.

(b) The Fund. The Fund and the Portfolios will bear all other expenses to be incurred in their operations (including to the extent such operations are performed by the Adviser or its affiliates), including, but not limited to, (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments (including, without limitation, security settlement costs); (iii) calculating a Portfolio’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm, or agent or service provider of the Fund (including, without limitation, Fund administrators, custodians and pricing services)); (iv) interest payable on debt and dividends and distributions on stock, as applicable, if any, incurred to finance the Portfolio’s investments; (v) custodian, registrar and transfer agent fees and fees and expenses of other service providers; (vi) direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs; fees and expenses of the Fund’s directors who are not “interested persons” of the Adviser; (vii) the cost of office facilities as described in Section 7(c) of this Agreement; (viii) legal and audit expenses; (ix) fees

 

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and expenses related to the registration and qualification of a Portfolio and the Portfolio’s shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (x) expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to shareholders of the Portfolios; (xi) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Portfolios’ shareholders, including proxy solicitations therefor; (xii) insurance premiums for fidelity bond and other insurance coverage; (xiii) investment management fees; (xiv) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund is a member; (xv) expenses of filing, printing and mailing prospectuses and supplements thereto to shareholders of the Portfolios; (xvi) expenses related to the engagement of any third-party professionals, consultants, experts or specialists hired to perform work in respect of the Fund or the Portfolios; (xvii) all other expenses incurred by the Fund or the Portfolios in connection with administering the business of the Fund or the Portfolios, including each Portfolio’s allocable portion of the cost of the Fund’s legal, compliance, administrative and accounting personnel, and their respective staffs; (xviii) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and legal obligations that the Fund may have to indemnify the Fund’s directors, officers and/or employees or agents with respect to these actions, suits or proceedings; (xix) organizational expenses of the Fund and the Portfolios; and (xx) the costs, fees and expenses otherwise stated in this Agreement as applicable to the Fund or the Portfolios, including, without limitation, those set out in Section 7(c).

(c) At the request of the Fund, and as determined by the Board from time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates shall perform (or delegate, oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) certain administrative, legal, compliance, recordkeeping and other services necessary for the operation of the Fund and the Portfolios not otherwise provided by other Fund service providers. The Adviser or its affiliates, acting in such capacity, shall make reports to the Board of its or their performance of such services and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Fund as it shall determine to be desirable. In full consideration of the provision of such services, the Fund shall reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the costs and expenses (other than compensation of the employees of the Adviser acting in its capacity as investment adviser) incurred by the Adviser or its affiliates, if any, in performing the services and providing the facilities contemplated in this Section 7(c). Such costs and expenses include, but are not limited to, direct costs and expenses of the services, including, without limitation, the cost of systems necessary for the operations of the Fund (including, but not limited to, application licensing, development and maintenance, data licensing and reporting); secretarial and other staff; printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying; each Portfolio’s allocable portion of the Adviser’s or its affiliate’s overhead in performing its obligations under this Section, including, without limitation, rent and the allocable portion of the cost, if any, of the Fund’s legal, compliance, administrative and accounting personnel, and their respective staffs. The

 

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Adviser or its affiliates shall be reimbursed for the cost and expenses of such services. The methodology for determining costs and expenses shall be subject to review and approval by the Board.

8. Services to Other Companies or Accounts

The Fund understands that the Adviser and its affiliates now act, will continue to act and may act in the future as investment manager or adviser to fiduciary and other managed accounts, and as an investment manager or adviser to other investment companies that have the same, similar or different investment objectives and strategies as the Portfolios, including any offshore entities or private accounts. The Fund understands that the persons employed by the Adviser to assist in the performance of the Adviser’s duties under this Agreement may not devote their full time to such duties, and that nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Adviser to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature.

 

9.

Custody

Nothing in this Agreement will require the Adviser to take or receive physical possession of cash, securities, or other investments of the Fund.

 

10.

Term of Agreement; Termination of Agreement; Amendment of Agreement

(a) Term. This Agreement will become effective on the date hereof (the “Effective Date”), and, unless terminated in accordance with its terms, will continue for a term of one year from the Effective Date and thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually as required by the 1940 Act or any exemption therefrom.

(b) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Portfolio, without penalty, (i) by the Board or by vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser, and (ii) by the Adviser upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Fund with respect to the Portfolio. This Agreement also will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, the termination of this Agreement with respect to one Portfolio shall not operate to terminate this Agreement with respect to any other Portfolio unless such termination is specifically agreed by the parties hereto as including such other Portfolio.

(c) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties with respect to a Portfolio only if the amendment is specifically approved by: (i) a majority of those directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or

 

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“interested persons” of any party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Agreement’s approval; and (ii) if required by applicable law, the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio. For the avoidance of doubt, any amendment of this Agreement with respect to one Portfolio shall not operate to amend this Agreement with respect to any other Portfolio unless such amendment is specifically agreed by the parties hereto as including such other Portfolio.

 

11.

Representations and Covenants of the Fund

The Fund represents and covenants to the Adviser as follows:

(a) The Fund is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as the business is now being conducted.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Agreement are within the Fund’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions of the Board, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Fund’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instruments binding upon the Fund.

(c) The Fund is, or will be prior to commencing operations, registered as a management investment company under the 1940 Act and the Fund’s shares are (or will be prior to commencing operations) registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state securities laws.

 

12.

Representations and Covenants of the Adviser

The Adviser represents and covenants to the Fund that as of the commencement of operations of the Fund:

(a) It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as this business is now being conducted.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement are within the Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this

 

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Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instruments binding upon the Adviser.

(c) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement.

(d) It is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.

 

13.

Indemnification

(a) Indemnification of Adviser. The Fund shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”)) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses incurred in connection therewith) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Fund or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance or non-performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Fund or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

14.

Records

(a) Maintenance of Records. The Adviser hereby undertakes and agrees to maintain for the Fund, in the form and for the period required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, all records relating to the Fund’s investments that are required to be maintained by the Fund pursuant to the 1940 Act with respect to the Adviser’s responsibilities under this Agreement (the “Fund’s Books and Records”).

(b) Ownership of Records. The Adviser agrees that the Fund’s Books and Records are the Fund’s property and further agrees to surrender them promptly to

 

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the Fund upon the request of the Fund; provided, however, that the Adviser may retain copies of the Fund’s Books and Records at its own cost. The Fund’s Books and Records will be made available, within two (2) business days of a written request, to the Fund’s accountants or auditors during regular business hours at the Adviser’s offices. The Fund or its authorized representatives will have the right to copy any records in the Adviser’s possession that pertain to the Fund. These books, records, information, or reports will be made available to properly authorized government representatives consistent with state and federal law and/or regulations. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, the Fund’s Books and Records will be returned to the Fund.

 

15.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the conflict of law principles thereof, and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.

 

16.

Entire Agreement; Severability; No Third Party Beneficiary

This Agreement (including the Annexes hereto) embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not, and is not intended to, confer any rights, privileges, claims or remedies upon any person other than the parties and their respective successors.

 

17.

Liability of a Portfolio

The Adviser agrees that for services rendered to a Portfolio, or for any claim by it in connection with services rendered to a Portfolio, it shall look only to the assets of such Portfolio for satisfaction and that it shall have no claim against the assets of any other portfolios of the Fund.

 

18.

Definitions

The terms “assignment,” “affiliated person,” and “interested person,” when used in this Agreement, will have the respective meanings specified in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. The term “majority of the outstanding shares” means the lesser of (a) sixty-seven percent (67%) or more of the shares present at a meeting if more

 

E-55


Table of Contents

than fifty percent (50%) of these shares are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares.

 

19.

Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together will constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

BERNSTEIN FUND, INC.

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Agreed to and accepted [    ], 2026.

AllianceBernstein L.P.

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

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ANNEX A

Portfolios

International Small Cap Portfolio

International Strategic Equities Portfolio

Small Cap Core Portfolio

 

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ANNEX B

Pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, for the services rendered and the expenses assumed by the Adviser (other than those services described in Section 7(c) of this Agreement), each Portfolio shall pay to the Adviser at the end of each calendar month the applicable fee at the annualized rates set forth in the table below.

[    ]

If the Adviser shall serve hereunder for less than the whole of any month, the fee hereunder shall be prorated.

 

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Table of Contents

APPENDIX F – INFORMATION REGARDING CURRENT AGREEMENTS

The Adviser currently serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to the current investment advisory agreement. The table below sets forth the date of each Fund’s current investment advisory agreement, the date it was last submitted to a vote of stockholders (in order to approve the agreement), the annual rate of the advisory fee, the annual rate at which advisory fees were paid by each Fund to the Adviser for the most recently ended fiscal year, the aggregate amount of advisory fees paid by each Fund to the Adviser for the Fund’s most recently ended fiscal year and each Fund’s net assets as of the most recently ended fiscal year. The table also reflects information regarding the fee rate paid to the Adviser and the net assets of each registered investment company with an investment objective similar to the investment objectives of the Funds.

 

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Table of Contents

Growth of Capital

 

Fund

  Date of
Agreement
  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval
 

Annual Rate of

Advisory Fee

  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid
    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB All China Equity Portfolio

  7/25/18   10/11/2018   0.95% of average daily net assets     0.95     501,323       52,236,434     Y

AB Concentrated Growth Fund

  3/1/14   11/14/2018   0.65% of average daily net assets     0.65     5,290,168       741,227,733     Y

AB International Growth Portfolio

  4/15/15   11/14/2018   0.75% of average daily net assets     0.55     1,100,831       116,851,418     Y

AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  4/27/24   N/A  

0.63% on the first $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.605% on the next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.58% in excess of $5 billion on average daily net assets

    0.63     13,872       2,359,140     Y

AB Select US Equity Portfolio

  12/8/11   11/14/2018   1.00% of average daily net assets     0.94     2,825,762       311,709,885     Y

AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

  12/12/12, as
amended
  11/14/2018   1.50% of the first $2.5 billion and 1.475% thereafter of average daily net assets     1.43     21,973,445       1,531,141,335     Y

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

  12/3/14   12/11/2018   0.80% of average daily net assets     0.80     4,500,782       541,825,777     Y

AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc.

  12/6/99, as
amended
  4/24/2019   0.55% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion     0.55     999,420       191,629,805     Y

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of

Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Relative Value Fund, Inc.

  7/22/92, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.55% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets     0.54     10,263,048       1,777,284,240     Y

AB Large Cap Value Fund

  1/31/01, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.50% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets     0.47     2,168,603       452,618,253     Y

AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc.

  7/22/92, as
amended
  11/14/2018  

0.75% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets

0.65% on the next $500 million of average daily net assets

0.55% in excess of $1 billion of average daily net assets

    0.60     15,969,190       2,586,046,232     Y

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

  9/17/92, as
amended
  4/24/2019   0.60% of first $2.5 billion,
0.50% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.45% in excess of $5 billion
    0.47     127,847,044       27,503,262,935     Y

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund

  11/13/19   12/11/2018  

1.00% of an aggregate of the Fund’s net assets determined as of the last day of a calendar month and adjusted for subscriptions and repurchases accepted as of the first

day of the subsequent month

    1     10,887,118       1,044,616,889     Y

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of

Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc.

  7/22/92, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

Fund’s aggregate net assets at the close of business on the last business day of the previous quarter: 0.25 of 0.65% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.25 of 0.55% of

the next $2.5 billion, and 0.25 of 0.50% of the net assets in excess of $5 billion

    0.63     10,908,555       1,604,258,936     Y

AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc.

  4/22/94, as
amended
  3/12/2019  

0.65% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily

net assets. the next $2.5 billion and 0.50% in excess of $5 billion

    0.65     6,056,841       920,412,656     Y

AB Discovery Value Fund

  1/31/01, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.75% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.65% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.60% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.75     17,332,031       2,307,640,682     Y

AB International Value Fund

  1/31/01, as
amended
  5/6/2019   0.75% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.65% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.60% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.75     819,030       125,240,978     Y

AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

  11/12/14   12/11/2018  

0.75% of the first $2.5 billion

0.65% of the excess over $2.5 billion up to $5 billion

0.60% of the excess of $5 billion

    0.74     20,826,939       2,838,435,075     Y

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of

Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

  7/22/92, as
amended
  4/24/2019   0.75% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.65% of the excess over
$2.5 billion up to $5 billion and 0.60% of the excess over $5 billion as a percentage of average daily net assets
    0.72     24,534,003       3,061,118,294     Y

Bernstein International Strategic Equities Portfolio

  12/15/15, as
amended
  11/14/2018   0.75% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.65% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.60% thereafter of average daily net assets     0.66     55,466,019       9,472,485,845     Y

AB Growth Fund

  1/6/11   4/24/2019  

0.75% on the first $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.65% on the next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.60% in excess of $5 billion on average daily net assets

    0.72     11,353,671       1,603,936,886     Y

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

  1/6/11   12/11/2018   0.65% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.55% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.50% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.37     5,639,857       936,017,060     Y

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

  1/6/11   12/11/2018   0.65% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.55% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.50% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.37     8,139,260       1,344,207,001     Y

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Fund

  Date of
Agreement
  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval
 

Annual Rate of

Advisory Fee

  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid
    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

Bernstein International Small Cap Portfolio

  12/15/15,
as amended
  11/14/2018   1.00% of average daily net assets     1.00     10,976,158       1,186,118,756     Y

Bernstein Small Cap Core Portfolio

  12/15/15,
as amended
  11/14/2018   0.80% of average daily net assets     0.80     5,558,821       732,509,031     Y

AB Disruptors ETF

  3/15/23   N/A   0.65%     0.65     5,079,497       1,288,531,206     Y

AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

  5/25/25   N/A   0.70%     0.70     52,817       53,523,677     Y

AB US High Dividend ETF

  3/15/23, as
amended
  N/A   0.35%     0.35     263,236       132,430,721     Y

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

  9/11/23, as
amended
  N/A   0.39%     0.39     1,845,796       672,760,259     Y

AB US Equity ETF1

  11/24/25   N/A   0.50%     0.50     N/A       0     Y

AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

  3/15/23, as
amended
  N/A   0.39%     0.39     495,296       166,448,304     Y

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

  6/26/24   N/A   0.50%     0.50     5,936,011       1,494,446,565     Y

AB International Growth ETF

  9/11/25   N/A   0.55%     0.55     5,033       4,297,099     Y

AB Conservative Buffer ETF

  12/1/23   N/A   0.69%     0.69     5,922,408       976,687,375     Y

AB International Buffer ETF

  11/19/24   N/A   0.69%     0.69     268,178       73,899,786     Y

AB Moderate Buffer ETF

  11/19/24   N/A   0.69%     0.69     1,009,950       268,945,473     Y
 
1 

The Fund launched on December 15, 2025.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

Total Return

 

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

  8/31/11, as
amended
  11/14/2018  

0.85% of the first $1 billion

0.80% of the next $1 billion

0.75% of the next $1 billion

0.70% in excess of $3 billion

    0.85     1,120,080       129,678,069     Y

AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

  4/30/21   N/A   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.35% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.45     1,210,619       286,128,202     Y

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

  9/15/10   10/11/2018   N/A*     N/A       0       449,028,773     Y

AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.

  7/22/92, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

0.60% of the first $200 million, 0.50% of the next $200 million and 0.40% in excess of $400 million of

daily net assets

    0.57     983,551       167,703,524     Y

AB High Income Fund, Inc.

  2/1/94, as
amended
  11/14/2018  

0.50% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion of average daily

net assets

    0.49     15,340,040       3,127,341,583     Y

 

F-7


Table of Contents

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Equity Income Fund, Inc.

  9/28/93, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

0.50% on the first $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.45% on the next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.40% in excess of $5 billion on average daily net assets

    0.48     3,062,370       692,644,993     Y

AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

  11/14/97, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.55% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.55     979,064       179,214,231     Y

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

  1/6/11   12/11/2018   0.55% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.54     2,325,646       424,298,297     Y

AB High Yield ETF

  5/9/23   N/A   0.40%     0.40     855,447       305,450,364     Y

* 

The Fund does not pay an advisory fee to the Adviser, but is an integral part of “wrap-fee” programs and other investment programs sponsored by investment advisers. Participants in wrap-fee programs or other similar fee-based programs pay a “wrap fee” or similar fee to the program’s sponsor that covers investment advisory and administrative and other similar services (and in turn the program sponsor pays fees to the Adviser), while institutional investment advisory clients of the Adviser pay the Adviser a fee for investment advisory and administrative and other similar services.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Income

 

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Income Fund

  4/22/16, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.40% of the excess over $2.5 billion up to $5 billion and
0.35% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets
    0.45     10,458,248       2,288,793,931     Y

AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

  12/11/13, as
amended
  10/11/2018   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the excess over $2.5 billion up to $5 billion and
0.35% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets
    0.45     3,605,596       1,052,194,234     Y

AB Ultra Short Income ETF

  8/4/22   N/A   0.25%     0.25     3,414,704       1,499,275,212     Y

AB Short Duration Income ETF

  5/24/24   N/A   0.30%     0.30     350,187       145,142,535     Y

AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

  5/24/24   N/A   0.40%     0.40     3,165,603       837,800,765     Y

AB Core Bond ETF

  10/13/25   N/A   0.28%     0.28     552,941       876,551,908     Y

AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

  8/4/22   N/A   0.27%     0.27     2,126,953       1,044,152,755     Y

AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

  12/1/23   N/A   0.28%     0.28     719,676       420,507,850     Y

AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

  12/1/23   N/A   0.28%     0.28     88,484       42,820,423     Y

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Fund

  Date of
Agreement
  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval
 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee

  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid
    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Corporate Income Shares

  9/7/04   11/14/2018   N/A*     N/A       0       169,080,060     N

AB Government Money Market Portfolio

  5/31/16   10/11/2018   0.20% on average daily assets     0.20     46,653,144       24,598,337,892        Y**

AB Global Bond Fund, Inc.

  7/22/92, as
amended
  11/14/2018   0.50% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.46     27,280,176       6,469,631,971     Y

AB Core Bond Portfolio

  10/2/00, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

0.450% of the first $2.5 billion

0.400% of the next $2.5 billion

0.350% of the next $3 billion

0.300% thereafter

    0.28     17,818,535       4,357,839,717     Y
 
*

The Fund does not pay an advisory fee to the Adviser, but is an integral part of “wrap-fee” programs and other investment programs sponsored by investment advisers. Participants in wrap-fee programs or other similar fee-based programs pay a “wrap fee” or similar fee to the program’s sponsor that covers investment advisory and administrative and other similar services (and in turn the program sponsor pays fees to the Adviser), while institutional investment advisory clients of the Adviser pay the Adviser a fee for investment advisory and administrative and other similar services.

 

**

Management fee waiver effective 8/1/18.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Real Return

 

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

  5/8/10   10/11/2018   0.75% of average daily net assets     0.75     5,061,270       713,150,890     Y

AB Bond Inflation Strategy

  1/26/10   11/14/2018   0.50% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets     0.50     3,460,158       753,549,025     Y

AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

  1/26/10   11/14/2018   0.50% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets     0.50     7,323,577       1,546,980,629     Y

 

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Tax Exempt Income

 

Fund

  Date of
Agreement
  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval
 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee

  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid
    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

  9/12/17   12/11/2018   N/A*     N/A       0       611,216,297     Y

AB Municipal Income Shares

  9/1/10   11/14/2018   N/A*     N/A       0       14,896,560,709     Y

AB Municipal Income Shares C***

  1/21/26   N/A   N/A*     N/A       0       864,466,987     N

AB Municipal Income Shares N***

  1/21/26   N/A   N/A*     N/A       0       614,870,913     N

AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

  12/17/09   11/14/2018   0.50% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.45% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.40% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.49     14,445,386       2,740,695,399     Y

AB California Portfolio

  7/22/92, as
amended
  11/14/2018   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.35% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.45     5,542,038       1,216,871,806     Y

AB National Portfolio

  7/22/92, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.35% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.45     8,748,752       1,852,071,358     Y

AB New York Portfolio

  7/22/92, as
amended
  4/24/2019   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.35% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets     0.45     2,267,454       501,723,545     Y

 

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Fund

  Date of
Agreement
  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval
 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee

  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid
    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

AB Massachusetts Portfolio

  5/21/93, as
amended
  4/24/2019   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.35% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets     0.45     1,109,230       228,885,243     Y

AB Virginia Portfolio

  5/21/93, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.45% of the first $2.5 billion, 0.40% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.35% in excess of $5 billion, of average daily net assets     0.45     873,549       187,654,956     Y
 
*

The Fund does not pay an advisory fee to the Adviser, but is an integral part of “wrap-fee” programs and other investment programs sponsored by investment advisers. Participants in wrap-fee programs or other similar fee-based programs pay a “wrap fee” or similar fee to the program’s sponsor that covers investment advisory and administrative and other similar services (and in turn the program sponsor pays fees to the Adviser), while institutional investment advisory clients of the Adviser pay the Adviser a fee for investment advisory and administrative and other similar services.

 

***

The Fund launched on February 2, 2026.

 

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Volatility Management

 

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

SCB Overlay A Portfolio

  10/2/00, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

0.90% on the first $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.875% on the next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.85% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets

    0.90     3,979,145       438,553,694     Y

SCB Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

  10/2/00, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

0.90% on the first $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.875% on the next $2.5 billion of average daily net assets

0.85% in excess of $5 billion of average daily net assets

    0.90     8,149,810       867,093,571     Y

SCB Overlay B Portfolio

  10/2/00, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.65% of average daily net assets     0.65     2,150,667       308,128,458     Y

SCB Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

  10/2/00, as
amended
  12/11/2018   0.65% of average daily net assets     0.65     3,390,659       481,671,071     Y

 

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Total Return (Including Tax-Exempt Income)

 

Fund


  Date of
Agreement

  Date of Last
Stockholder
Approval

 

Annual Rate of
Advisory Fee


  Annual
Rate at
Which
Advisory
Fees were
Paid

    Aggregate
Amount of
Management
Fees Paid to
Adviser

($)
    Net Assets
($)
    Has
Compensation
Been Waived,
Reduced or
Otherwise
Agreed to be
Reduced
Under any
Applicable
Contract?

SCB Diversified Municipal Portfolio

  October 2,
2000, as
amended
  12/11/2018  

0.425% of the first $1 billion

0.375% of the next $2 billion

0.325% of the next $2 billion

0.275% of the next $2 billion

0.225% thereafter

    0.37     17,802,073       5,160,184,488     N

AB Corporate Bond ETF

  12/1/23   N/A   0.30%     0.30     79,159       27,142,293     Y

AB Core Plus Bond ETF

  12/1/23, as
amended
  N/A   0.30%     0.30     432,589       195,913,051     Y

AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

  10/2/25   N/A   0.27%     0.27     508,576       1,098,152,689     Y

AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

  10/13/25   N/A   0.27%     0.27     775,888       1,292,950,270     Y

 

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APPENDIX G – REIMBURSEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES TO THE ADVISER

The following table sets forth the costs reimbursed by the Funds to the Adviser for certain administrative services, including clerical, accounting, legal and other services, and associated overhead costs, for the respective fiscal year ends.

 

Fund

  Fiscal Year Ended     Amount Reimbursed
for Administrative
Services

($)
    Amount Waived
by the Adviser

($)
 

AB Active ETFs, Inc.

     

AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF

    11/30/2025       0       193  

AB Conservative Buffer ETF

    11/30/2025       0       9,378  

AB Core Bond ETF

    11/30/2025       0       7,251  

AB Core Plus Bond ETF

    11/30/2025       0       15,024  

AB Corporate Bond ETF

    11/30/2025       0       884  

AB Disruptors ETF

    11/30/2025       0       34,656  

AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF

    11/30/2025       0       219  

AB High Yield ETF

    11/30/2025       0       9,525  

AB International Buffer ETF

    11/30/2025       0       419  

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF

    11/30/2025       0       28,214  

AB International Growth ETF

    11/30/2025       0       29  

AB Moderate Buffer ETF

    11/30/2025       0       1,653  

AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF

    11/30/2025       0       0  

AB Short Duration High Yield ETF

    11/30/2025       0       31,672  

AB Short Duration Income ETF

    11/30/2025       0       2,361  

AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF

    11/30/2025       0       8,830  

AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF

    11/30/2025       0       655  

AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF

    11/30/2025       0       34,043  

AB Ultra Short Income ETF

    11/30/2025       0       145,820  

AB US Equity ETF2

    N/A       0       0  

AB US High Dividend ETF

    11/30/2025       0       347  

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF

    11/30/2025       0       14,965  

AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF

    11/30/2025       0       4,604  

AB Bond Fund, Inc.

     

AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

    10/31/2025       102,949       249,233  

AB Bond Inflation Strategy

    10/31/2025       141,369       1,071,779  

AB Income Fund

    10/31/2025       103,299       969,024  

AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

    10/31/2025       113,879       1,041,270  

AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

    10/31/2025       122,217       87,413  

AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    10/31/2025       101,848       477,316  

 

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Fund

  Fiscal Year Ended     Amount Reimbursed
for Administrative
Services

($)
    Amount Waived
by the Adviser

($)
 

AB Cap Fund, Inc.

     

AB All China Equity Portfolio

    11/30/2025       98,481       248,287  

AB Concentrated Growth Fund

    6/30/2025       97,346       17,437  

AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

    3/31/2026       91,303       527,366  

AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

    6/30/2025       100,644       13,286  

AB International Growth Portfolio3

    6/30/2025       97,346       244,160  

AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

    11/30/2025       90,932       336,214  

AB Select US Equity Portfolio

    6/30/2025       100,356       13,904  

AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

    6/30/2025       94,870       1,031,653  

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

    7/31/2025       156,298       318,070  

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

    11/30/2025       94,111       18,253  

AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc.

    11/30/2025       118,010       1,950  

AB Corporate Shares

     

AB Corporate Income Shares

    4/30/2025       0       N/A  

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

    4/30/2025       0       19,191  

AB Municipal Income Shares

    4/30/2025       0       287,742  

AB Municipal Income Shares C4

    4/30/2025       0       0  

AB Municipal Income Shares N4

    4/30/2025       0       0  

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

    4/30/2025       0       27,908  

AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc.

    7/31/2025       90,234       158,174  

AB Equity Income Fund, Inc.

    11/30/2025       96,223       163,949  

AB Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.

     

AB Government Money Market Portfolio

    4/30/2025       147,671       3,801,399 5 

AB Global Bond Fund, Inc.

    9/30/2025       141,524       194,092  

AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.

    11/30/2025       151,283       48,160  

AB High Income Fund, Inc.

    10/31/2025       108,015       96,058  

AB Institutional Funds, Inc.

     

AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

    10/31/2025       91,192       2,842  

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

    7/31/2025       129,810       536,661  

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund

    3/31/2026       252,934       53,996  

AB Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

     

AB California Portfolio

    5/31/2025       106,482       216,450  

AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

    5/31/2025       128,097       51,457  

AB National Portfolio

    5/31/2025       121,874       490,473  

AB New York Portfolio

    5/31/2025       105,158       343,844  

AB Municipal Income Fund II

     

AB Massachusetts Portfolio

    5/31/2025       94,968       299,389  

AB Virginia Portfolio

    5/31/2025       95,662       213,846  

AB Relative Value Fund, Inc.

    10/31/2025       94,500       587,207  

 

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Fund

  Fiscal Year Ended     Amount Reimbursed
for Administrative
Services

($)
    Amount Waived
by the Adviser

($)
 

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc.

    7/31/2025       103,766       87,667  

AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc.

    6/30/2025       134,463       57,626  

AB Trust

     

AB Discovery Value Fund

    11/30/2025       126,947       53,103  

AB International Value Fund

    11/30/2025       99,017       478,064  

AB Large Cap Value Fund

    11/30/2025       116,291       113,175  

The AB Portfolios

     

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

    8/31/2025       0       38,850  

AB Growth Fund

    7/31/2025       0       33,400  

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    8/31/2025       88,392       2,393,874  

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

    8/31/2025       92,072       3,478,430  

Bernstein Fund, Inc.

     

International Strategic Equities Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       171,887  

International Small Cap Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       31,262  

Small Cap Core Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       10,316  

Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.

     

Diversified Municipal Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       0  

AB Core Bond Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       3,475,252  

Overlay A Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       1,307,918  

Overlay B Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       175,761  

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       2,743,716  

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

    9/30/2025       0       54,097  
 
2 

The Fund launched on 12/15/2025.

3 

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to 1.15%, 1.90% and 0.90% of the daily average net assets for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively. The Expense Caps may not be terminated by the Adviser before October 31, 2025. For the year ended June 30, 2025, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $235,776. The expense caps were terminated after October 31, 2025 and is now a voluntary waiver.

4 

The Fund launched on 2/2/2026.

5 

The Adviser had contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of the advisory fee until August 31, 2023. Effective September 1, 2023, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive 0.05% of the advisory fee (resulting in a net advisory fee of 0.15%) until August 31, 2024. For the year ended April 30, 2025, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $3,801,399. The contractual waiver expired August 31, 2024, and was not renewed.

 

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APPENDIX H – BOARD CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSED AGREEMENTS

At a meeting of the Boards held in-person on May 5-7, 2026, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Boards consider and approve the Proposed Agreements. The Current Agreements provide for automatic termination in the event of an assignment, and the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement may result in an assignment. The Proposed Agreements are being considered to take effect upon the closing, subject to stockholder approval. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreements, the Boards considered their conclusions in connection with their most recent approvals of the Current Agreements, in particular in cases where the last approval of a Current Agreement was relatively recent, including the Boards’ general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreements, the Boards considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Boards since their most recent approvals of the Current Agreements that would be a material consideration to the Boards in connection with their consideration of the Proposed Agreements, except for matters disclosed to the Boards by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that each Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the corresponding Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.

The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the Directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the Directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.

The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different Directors may have

 

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attributed different weights to the various factors. The Directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreements, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the Current Agreements and to be performed under the Proposed Agreements, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreements, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Merger Agreement and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that certain Proposed Agreements, similar to the corresponding Current Agreements, provide that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, and that the Adviser receives similar reimbursements from AMMAF pursuant to a separate Administrative Reimbursement Agreement. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Funds to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Proposed Agreements. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Funds’ latest fiscal year reviewed and that, in the case of the AB ETFs, the Adviser does not expect to request such reimbursements. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the Directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to each Fund under the Proposed Agreement for the Fund.

 

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Table of Contents

Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability

The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2024 and 2025, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the Directors. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreements with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses, as applicable. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable. The Directors were unable to consider historical information about the profitability of certain Funds that had recently commenced operations and for which historical profitability information was not available. The Adviser agreed to provide the Directors with profitability information in connection with future proposed continuances of the Proposed Agreements.

Fall-Out Benefits

The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds and the money market fund or other underlying funds advised by the Adviser in which the Funds invests, as applicable, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds; 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the shares of most of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by most of the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.

 

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Table of Contents

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreements were approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.

The Boards’ consideration of each Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the related Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors determined to continue to monitor the performance of certain Funds closely and concluded that the investment performance of each other Fund was acceptable.

Management Fees and Other Expenses

The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the ‘‘15(c) provider’’) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds or exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), as applicable, in the same category as the Fund or the AB ETFs, as applicable. In the case of the AB ETFs, the Directors noted that the management fee is a unitary fee and that the Adviser pays all expenses of the Fund except for certain expenses payable by the Fund such as interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds or ETFs. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee waivers for certain Funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year. In the case of the ACS Funds, the Directors noted that the management fee rate is zero but also were cognizant that the Adviser is indirectly compensated by the wrap fee program sponsors that use the ACS Funds as an investment vehicle for their clients.

The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients utilizing investment strategies similar to those of each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Vice President and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and

 

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for services to any sub-advised funds utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional accounts managed by the Adviser that utilize investment strategies similar to those of the Funds.

In the case of the AB ETFs, the Directors noted that the unitary fees for those Funds cover additional services provided by third parties and thus are not directly comparable to the Adviser’s institutional fee schedules and the schedules of fees for most other funds advised by the Adviser. The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows (in the case of open-end Funds) and, in the case of the AB ETFs, demands considerably more managerial and administrative resources due to the potential for frequent creations and redemptions of shares; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

In connection with their review of each Fund’s management fee, the Directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Fund in comparison to the medians for a peer group and a peer universe of funds or ETFs, as applicable, selected by the 15(c) provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others, and in most cases, the Adviser is responsible for paying such services under its unitary fee arrangement with the AB ETFs.

 

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The Boards’ consideration of each Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the related Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.

The Directors did not consider comparative expense information for the ACS Funds because those Funds do not bear ordinary expenses.

Economies of Scale

The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds or ETFs, as applicable, similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds and ETFs do not have breakpoints at all. The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.

The Directors did not consider the extent to which fee levels in the Advisory Agreement for the ACS Funds reflect economies of scale because that Advisory Agreement does not provide for any compensation to be paid to the Adviser by the ACS Funds and the expense ratio of each of those Funds is zero.

Interim Advisory Agreements

In approving the Interim Advisory Agreements, the Boards, with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreements. The Interim Advisory Agreements approved by the Boards are identical to the Proposed Agreements, as well as the Current

 

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Agreements, in all material respects except for their proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under an Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the 150-day period after termination of the Current Agreement, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under an Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending shareholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.

 

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APPENDIX I – FEES PAID TO AFFILIATES OF THE ADVISER

The following table sets forth the fees paid to ABI (the “Distributor”) and AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”). During each Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Funds did not pay brokerage commissions to any affiliated broker.

 

Fund

       Fiscal Year Ended      Fees Paid to the
Distributor

($)
     Fees Paid to the
Transfer Agent
($)
 

AB Bond Fund, Inc.

          

AB All Market Real Return Portfolio

       10/31/2025        1,401,450        83,293  

AB Bond Inflation Strategy

       10/31/2025        491,976        119,657  

AB Income Fund

       10/31/2025        933,561        394,375  

AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

       10/31/2025        983,471        86,232  

AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio

       10/31/2025        85        18,000  

AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

       10/31/2025        261,189        51,205  

AB Cap Fund, Inc.

          

AB All China Equity Portfolio

       11/30/2025        884        18,000  

AB Concentrated Growth Fund

       6/30/2025        281,529        105,611  

AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

       3/31/2026        8,962        17,913  

AB Global Core Equity Portfolio

       6/30/2025        18,665        198,325  

AB International Growth Portfolio

       6/30/2025        11,359        19,963  

AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio

       11/30/2025        0        440  

AB Select US Equity Portfolio

       6/30/2025        151,604        35,817  

AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio

       6/30/2025        511,676        208,542  

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

       7/31/2025        1,742,466        805,705  

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

       11/30/2025        214,412        60,202  

AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc.

       11/30/2025        369,708        51,444  

AB Corporate Shares

          

AB Corporate Income Shares

       4/30/2025        0        0  

AB Impact Municipal Income Shares

       4/30/2025        0        0  

AB Municipal Income Shares

       4/30/2025        0        0  

AB Municipal Income Shares C

       4/30/2025        0        0  

 

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Fund

       Fiscal Year Ended      Fees Paid to the
Distributor

($)
     Fees Paid to the
Transfer Agent
($)
 

AB Municipal Income Shares N

       4/30/2025        0        0  

AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares

       4/30/2025        0        0  

AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc.

       7/31/2025        1,408,520        546,670  

AB Equity Income Fund, Inc.

       11/30/2025        978,688        114,366  

AB Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.

          

AB Government Money Market Portfolio

       4/30/2025        22,589,108        565,236  

AB Global Bond Fund, Inc.

       9/30/2025        787,736        847,962  

AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.

       11/30/2025        394,936        96,923  

AB High Income Fund, Inc.

       10/31/2025        3,382,248        552,826  

AB Institutional Funds, Inc.

          

AB Global Real Estate Investment Fund II

       10/31/2025        0        18,000  

AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

       7/31/2025        17,731,431        3,931,403  

AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund

       3/31/2025        0        217,742  

AB Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

          

AB California Portfolio

       5/31/2025        1,451,523        67,820  

AB High Income Municipal Portfolio

       5/31/2025        1,760,172        214,046  

AB National Portfolio

       5/31/2025        1,173,150        183,174  

AB New York Portfolio

       5/31/2025        843,576        50,752  

AB Municipal Income Fund II

          

AB Massachusetts Portfolio

       5/31/2025        223,366        23,930  

AB Virginia Portfolio

       5/31/2025        309,496        18,182  

AB Relative Value Fund, Inc.

       10/31/2025        3,558,318        589,315  

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc.

       7/31/2025        1,890,386        550,110  

AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc.

       6/30/2025        330,015        192,303  

 

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Fund

       Fiscal Year Ended      Fees Paid to the
Distributor

($)
     Fees Paid to the
Transfer Agent
($)
 

AB Trust

          

AB Discovery Value Fund

       11/30/2025        559,560        544,691  

AB International Value Fund

       11/30/2025        204,091        81,097  

AB Large Cap Value Fund

       11/30/2025        129,213        86,240  

The AB Portfolios

          

AB All Market Total Return Portfolio

       8/31/2025        949,792        123,731  

AB Growth Fund

       7/31/2025        3,331,235        364,978  

AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

       8/31/2025        120,442        66,955  

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy

       8/31/2025        928,861        209,364  

Bernstein Fund, Inc.

          

International Strategic Equities Portfolio

       9/30/2025        1,057,412        369,654  

International Small Cap Portfolio

       9/30/2025        151,211        159,844  

Small Cap Core Portfolio

       9/30/2025        19,012        188,277  

Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.

          

Diversified Municipal Portfolio

       9/30/2025        527,278        146,618  

AB Core Bond Portfolio

       9/30/2025        0        18,005  

Overlay A Portfolio

       9/30/2025        0        0  

Overlay B Portfolio

       9/30/2025        0        0  

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

       9/30/2025        0        0  

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

       9/30/2025        0        0  

 

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APPENDIX J – STOCK OWNERSHIP

To the knowledge of each Fund, as of May 26, 2026, the persons below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the noted class of outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
AB California Intermediate Municipal ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     36,004,567       77.59
  N/A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     2,608,844       5.62
AB Conservative Buffer ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     24,014,083       96.25
AB Core Bond ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     32,885,010       92.98
AB Core Plus Bond ETF   N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     1,735,390       28.26
  N/A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     360,295       5.87
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     390,928       6.37
  N/A   State Street Bank & Trust Company   North Quincy, MA     877,137       14.28
AB Corporate Bond ETF   N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     205,168       27.36
  N/A   State Street Bank & Trust Company   North Quincy, MA     473,000       63.07
AB Disruptors ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     11,480,861       56.47
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     1,924,158       9.46
  N/A   State Street Bank & Trust Company   North Quincy, MA     1,163,910       5.73
AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     28,912,805       70.90
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     5,300,240       13.00
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,946,783       7.23
AB High Yield ETF   N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     2,058,459       22.77
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     3,604,079       39.87
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,660,258       18.37
  N/A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     456,678       5.05
  N/A   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     724,651       8.02
AB International Buffer ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     2,751,350       90.21
AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     22,596,566       57.50
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     10,537,732       26.81
AB Moderate Buffer ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     10,070,199       98.01
AB New York Intermediate Municipal ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     46,198,019       88.80
AB Short Duration High Yield ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     4,258,454       16.87

 

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Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     2,663,651       10.55
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     3,167,030       12.55
  N/A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,247,354       8.90
  N/A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     2,518,987       9.98
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,807,613       7.16
  N/A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,962,142       7.77
  N/A   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     1,278,193       5.06
  N/A   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     2,383,934       9.44
AB Short Duration Income ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     4,171,646       85.34
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     268,182       5.49
AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     12,379,432       51.58
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     5,351,941       22.30
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     1,212,767       5.05
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,981,612       12.42
AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     299,277       13.01
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     836,822       36.38
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     468,968       20.39
  N/A   State Street Bank & Trust Company   North Quincy, MA     431,000       18.74
AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     23,837,745       48.06
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     2,937,849       5.92
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     5,049,048       10.18
  N/A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,520,287       5.08
  N/A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     3,860,834       7.78
  N/A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,893,594       9.87
AB Ultra Short Income ETF   N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     2,311,032       7.88
  N/A   J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.   Brooklyn, NY     1,573,316       5.36
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     5,491,590       18.73
  N/A   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     1,859,580       6.34
  N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     11,936,850       40.70
  N/A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,564,783       5.34

 

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Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
AB US Equity ETF   N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     26,078,471       99.76
AB US High Dividend ETF   N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     197,353       9.40
  N/A   Citibank, NA   Tampa, FL     356,378       16.97
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     379,635       18.08
  N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     190,095       9.05
  N/A   State Street Bank & Trust Company   North Quincy, MA     854,030       40.67
AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF   N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     1,734,109       11.65
  N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     9,516,777       63.96
  N/A   State Street Bank & Trust Company   North Quincy, MA     2,034,108       13.67
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF   N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Phoenix, AZ     426,902       16.87
  N/A   LPL Financial   Fort Mill, SC     339,385       13.41
  N/A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     1,479,909       58.49
AB All Market Real Return Portfolio   A   Mary K. Bannworth & Mark Bannworth JTWROS   Ship Bottom, NJ     49,651       6.10
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     564       12.44
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     373       8.22
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     3,584       79.02
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     129,985       12.02
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     70,277       6.50
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     104,047       9.62
  Z   SCB Overlay A Portfolio DAADA   New York, NY     2,397,730       31.42
  Z   SCB Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio DAATADA   New York, NY     4,360,173       57.14
  Z   SCB Overlay B Portfolio DAABDA   New York, NY     870,887       11.41
AB Bond Inflation Strategy   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     332,894       10.17
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     402,288       12.29
  A   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     214,307       6.55

 

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Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     636,615       19.45
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     77,068       26.64
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     60,505       20.91
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     75,964       26.26
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     28,642       9.90
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     3,719,541       17.07
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     6,872,021       31.53
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     1,105,988       5.07
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     3,062,995       14.05
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     2,444,494       11.22
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     2,009,145       9.22
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     132,640       21.46
  I   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     61,969       10.03
  I   Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company   Valley Forge, PA     42,251       6.84
  I   TIAA Trust, N.A.   Charlotte, NC     163,189       26.40
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     246,892       5.72
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     1,142,938       26.47
  Z   TIAA Trust, N.A.   Charlotte, NC     1,051,697       24.36
  Z   Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company   Windsor, CT     218,374       5.06
  Z   Voya Institutional Trust Company   Windsor, CT     236,898       5.49
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     593,450       8.95
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     728,164       10.98
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     591,648       8.92
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     931,257       14.04

 

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Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     520,147       7.84
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     394,879       5.95
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     566,192       8.54

AB Income Fund

  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,558,260       8.87
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,018,467       11.49
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     3,567,220       20.31
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     1,787,875       10.18
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,741,272       9.91
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,566,597       8.92
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,066,096       6.07
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     27,339,481       8.41
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     44,153,095       13.58
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     23,335,065       7.18
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     27,829,797       8.56
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     28,692,729       8.83
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     25,905,259       7.97
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     729,227       11.51
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,011,958       15.97
  C   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     939,865       14.83
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     419,555       6.62
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,126,705       17.78
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     881,418       13.91
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     346,042       5.46
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,556,049       33.93
  Z   TIAA Trust, N.A.   Charlotte, NC     2,790,521       60.85
AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy   A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     2,080,492       13.16
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,368,535       14.98
  A   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     1,296,007       8.20
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     5,597,061       35.40

 

J-5


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     907,740       5.74
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     104,107       9.59
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     59,424       5.47
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     183,889       16.93
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     119,610.282       11.01
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     96,209       8.86
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     62,227       5.73
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     260,486       23.99
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     107,002       9.85
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     7,394,145       11.17
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     13,581,184       20.51
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     3,333,089       5.03
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     4,189,616       6.33
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     4,225,151       6.38
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     11,512,079       17.39
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     5,666,039       8.56
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     4,324,003       6.53
  2   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     1,201,882       5.91
AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     2,831       48.86
  A   AllianceBernstein L.P.   Nashville, TN     1,000       17.26
  A   Neil A. Tobin TOD/DE   Cortland, OH     297       5.12
  A   Gregory R. Lovaglio TOD/DE   Berlin Center, OH     353       6.10
  A   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Austintown, OH     1,001       17.27
  A   Neil A. Tobin TOD/DE   Cortland, OH     297       5.12
AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,113,638       9.52
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,022,197       8.74

 

J-6


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     6,373,479       54.48
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     803,129       6.87
  A   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     1,183,309       10.11
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     91,275       8.15
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     124,158       11.09
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     284,628       25.42
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     268,899       24.01
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     122,572       10.94
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     171,883       15.35
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     24,333,315       20.15
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     22,031,373       18.24
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     7,467,112       6.18
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     12,504,178       10.36
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     19,234,627       15.93
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     16,081,000       13.32
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     10,401,744       8.61
AB All China Equity Portfolio   A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     37,426       88.18
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     311,386       6.49
AB Concentrated Growth Fund   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     60,957       6.29
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     59,069       6.09
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     93,243       9.62
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     71,499       7.38
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     106,907       11.03
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     328,011       33.84
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     23,788       16.66
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     10,709       7.50
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     21,373       14.96
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     8,072       5.65
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     22,247       15.58

 

J-7


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     31,530       22.08
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     7,742       5.42
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     517,897       5.82
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     1,297,347       14.58
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     29,372       99.16
  Z   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     3,774       8.29
  Z   Saxon & Co.   Cleveland, OH     21,054       46.26
  Z   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     2,848       6.26
  Z   TIAA Trust, N.A.   Charlotte, NC     4,764       10.47
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     12,013       26.39
AB Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     40,350       8.93
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     62,045       13.73
  A   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     29,448       6.52
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     24,534       5.43
  A   John Martucci & Linda Martucci JTWROS   Leland, NC     37,371       8.27
  A   Adele White-Eutsey TOD/DE   Somerset, NJ     26,078       5.77
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     641       9.28
  C   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     1,598       23.14
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     1,343       19.44
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Morgan Hill, CA     1,461       21.15
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     634       9.18
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   McKinney, TX     712       10.31
  I   Matrix Trust Company   Phoenix, AZ     10,764       37.40
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     6,339       22.02
  I   Reliance Trust Company   Greenville, NC     11,199       38.91
AB Global Core Equity Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     18,793       6.47
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     29,386       10.12

 

J-8


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     25,111       8.65
  A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     25,111       8.65
  A   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     28,336       9.76
  A   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     47,408       16.33
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     778       6.30
  C   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     698       5.66
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     3,419       27.69
  C   Matrix Trust Company   Denver, CO     668       5.41
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Cincinnati, OH     862       6.98
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     5,335       43.20
AB International Growth Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     21,213       15.47
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     21,837       15.93
  A   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     34,723       25.33
  A   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Frankfort, IL     8,141       5.94
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     25,135       18.33
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     366,251       5.14
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     370,820       5.21
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     714       5.41
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,516       19.06
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     3,804       28.82
  C   Rolf T. Lee TOD/DE   San Francisco, CA     2,926       22.17
  C   Michael L. Foley TOD/DE   San Francisco, CA     900       6.82
  C   Kenneth Bradley Stokes Trust   San Francisco, CA     1,971       14.93
AB Mid Cap Value Portfolio   Z   AllianceBernstein L.P.   Nashville, TN     213,512       100.00
AB Select US Equity Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     170,989       9.69
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     97,919       5.55

 

J-9


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     208,477       11.81
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     412,084       23.34
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     114,567       6.49
  A   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     99,014       5.61
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     191,496       67.09
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     38,844       13.61
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     835,596       7.81
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     564,353       5.27
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     977,960       9.14
  I   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     476,831       99.98
AB Select US Long/Short Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     483,829       6.15
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     810,562       10.30
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,325,286       16.84
  A   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     447,966       5.69
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     621,476       7.90
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     581,359       7.39
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     1,992,675       25.32
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     73,982       6.47
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     64,826       5.67
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     265,011       23.16
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     89,817       7.85
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     125,756       10.99
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     99,899       8.73
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     244,838       21.40
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     82,083       7.17
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     7,044,109       7.98
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     9,010,291       10.21
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     7,199,416       8.16
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     10,196,745       11.56
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     29,631,050       33.58

 

J-10


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  I   SEI Private Trust Company   Oaks, PA     1,013,311       54.82
  I   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     116,473       6.30
  I   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.   New York, NY     667,616       36.12
AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio   A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     902,389       13.75
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     396,951       6.05
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     374,913       5.71
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     19,731       10.50
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     28,489       15.15
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     23,712       12.61
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     10,569       5.62
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     48,548       25.82
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     14,522       7.72
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     9,835       5.23
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     2,202,255       15.86
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,169,673       8.43
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,025,756       7.39
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     1,630,481       11.74
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     1,302,457       9.38
  I   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,253,370       31.79
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     244,558       6.20
  I   Voya Institutional Trust Company   Windsor, CT     261,008       6.62
  I   State Of South Carolina   Greenwood Village, CO     736,909       18.69
  I   State Of South Carolina   Greenwood Village, CO     228,953       5.81
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     265,996       6.75
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,606,301       28.48
  Z   TIAA Trust, N.A.   Charlotte, NC     524,587       5.73
  Z   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     486,572       5.32
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     512,184       5.60
AB Small Cap Value Portfolio   Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     6,985,565       23.36

 

J-11


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Advisor   John Hancock Trust Company, LLC   Boston, MA     2,293,676       7.67
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     3,078,100       10.29
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,657       75.61
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     737       11.97
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Ponte Vedra, FL     571       9.28
AB Core Opportunities Fund, Inc.   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     439,571       8.09
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     462,726       8.52
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     330,978       6.09
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     673,969       12.40
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     392,679       7.23
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     12,082       8.68
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     26,194       18.82
  C   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     7,046       5.06
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     16,043       11.53
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     7,563       5.44
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     10,759       7.73
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     24,401       17.54
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     367,416       24.05
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     168,810       11.05
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     94,280       6.17
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     154,625       10.12
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     225,034       14.73
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     174,607       11.43
  I   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     12,008       5.44
  I   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     190,659       86.32
  Z   Equitable Life   Jersey City, NJ     3,449       77.62
  Z   Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company   Windsor, CT     400       9.00
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     280       6.30

 

J-12


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Z   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     302       6.80
AB Corporate Income Shares   N/A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,190,675       14.31
  N/A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     5,250,908       34.30
AB Impact Municipal Income Shares   N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     3,561,144       5.61
AB Municipal Income Shares   N/A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     323,280,158       21.08
  N/A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     276,205,246       18.01
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     151,167,330       9.86
AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares   N/A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     7,612,976       15.02
  N/A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     7,386,167       14.57
  N/A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     4,524,738       8.92
AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc.   A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     2,419,579       5.22
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     3,362,249       7.26
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     3,023,204       6.53
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     24,841       6.39
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     69,499       17.87
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     24,621       6.33
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     38,990       10.02
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     20,492       5.27
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     120,853       31.07
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     21,176       5.44
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     22,792,653       19.07
  I   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     218,832       11.48
  I   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     139,115       7.30
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     292,390       15.34
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     121,116       6.35
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     379,648       19.92
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     124,575       6.54
  Z   FIIOC   Covington, KY     4,079,926       15.00

 

J-13


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Z   AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy APPVM   New York, NY     2,436,669       8.96
  Z   AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation TMAPPRA   New York, NY     1,701,437       6.26
  Z   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     1,585,416       5.83
  Z   SEI Private Trust Company   Oaks, PA     3,623,226       13.32
  Z   Lincoln Retirement Services Company   Fort Wayne, IN     5,445,110       20.02
AB Equity Income Fund, Inc.   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     804,873       8.29
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     851,916       8.78
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     879,886       9.07
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     735,719       7.58
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     648,886       6.69
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     895,435       9.23
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     633,760       6.53
  A   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     729,996       7.52
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     42,765       10.76
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     37,464       9.42
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     43,896       11.04
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     19,897       5.00
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     40,885       10.28
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     111,362       28.01
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     2,198,583       25.43
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     628,548       7.27
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     788,319       9.12
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     556,543       6.44
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     453,589       5.25
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     798,824       9.24
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     12,798       9.13
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     22,604       16.12
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     32,817       23.40
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     34,159       24.36

 

J-14


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     29,899       21.32
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     302,718       54.24
  Z   Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company   Windsor, CT     57,214       10.25
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     32,869       5.89
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     73,523       13.17
AB Government Money Market Portfolio   A   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     616,319,041       6.89
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,326,009,960       14.83
  A   Edward D. Jones & Co., Inc.   Saint Louis, MO     6,675,882,709       74.65
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     3,138,924       19.49
  C   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     5,947,327       36.92
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,325,704       26.85
  Advisor   RBC Capital Markets, LLC   Minneapolis, MN     58,173,757       5.95
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     866,333,172       88.63
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     4,175,151       5.22
  I   CBNA Custodian   Utica, NY     6,228,426       7.78
  I   State Street Bank and Trust Company   Boston, MA     5,906,164       7.38
  I   AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company   New York, NY     48,726,018       60.90
  AB   EQFABNCA STIF   Charlotte, NC     551,087,000       6.55
  AB   EFLOA Separate Account   Charlotte, NC     698,851,000       8.31
  AB   EFLOA EFOSCSCA   Charlotte, NC     1,363,575,800       16.22
  AB   EQH STIF   Charlotte, NC     693,031,846       8.24
  AB   AB Select US Equity Long/Short Holdings   New York, NY     642,414,287       7.64
  Inst   EQH AB-EQH Loan Program   Charlotte, NC     375,000,000       24.61
  Inst   EFS STIF   Charlotte, NC     252,770,220       16.59
  Inst   EQNET Third Party STIF   Charlotte, NC     237,350,552       15.58
  Inst   EQNET ELAS Agents STIF   Charlotte, NC     150,370,000       9.87
  Inst   EQADV STIF   Charlotte, NC     76,518,859       5.02
  Inst   EQDLLC STIF   Charlotte, NC     85,069,207       5.58
AB Global Bond Fund, Inc.   A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,698,165       7.76
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,759,063       5.06
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,547,185       7.33

 

J-15


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     2,478,795       7.13
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     2,795,376       8.04
  A   John Hancock Trust Company, LLC   Boston, MA     3,148,635       9.06
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     65,003       7.78
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     60,146       7.20
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     59,352       7.11
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     369,309       44.23
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     45,238       5.42
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     33,685,673       5.23
  I   John Hancock Trust Company, LLC   Boston, MA     31,940,672       34.09
  I   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     10,314,055       11.01
  Z   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     121,165,767       49.28
  Z   UBATCO & Co.   Lincoln, NE     22,711,348       9.24
  Z   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     19,020,830       7.74
AB Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     749,405       8.06
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     522,169       5.61
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     884,716       9.51
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     531,326       5.71
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     635,456       6.83
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     749,546       8.06
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     10,886       10.95
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     9,353       9.41
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Shamong, NJ     5,339       5.37
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     9,290       9.35
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     29,882       30.06
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     35,413       7.79
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     67,461       14.83
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment   Minneapolis, MN     30,258       6.65
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     49,442       10.87
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     41,504       9.13

 

J-16


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Advisor   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     30,516       6.71
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     42,138       9.27
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     34,553       7.60
  I   American United Life Insurance Company   Windsor, CT     76,924       44.17
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     81,887       47.02
AB High Income Fund, Inc.   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     7,139,449       6.30
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     11,608,493       10.24
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     7,151,773       6.31
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     9,352,131       8.25
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     8,467,954       7.47
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     10,989,022       9.69
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     14,772,947       13.03
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     2,270,381       14.78
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     4,919,698       32.03
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,699,584       11.06
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     985,988       6.42
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,686,774       10.98
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     1,329,368       8.65
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     15,677,579       5.46
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     24,614,632       8.57
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     22,865,602       7.96
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     15,954,850       5.56
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     32,514,995       11.32
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     17,325,082       6.03
  I   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,600,004       44.30
  I   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     577,640       9.84
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     401,016       6.83
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     560,975       9.56
  I   Matrix Trust Company   Phoenix, AZ     424,957       7.24
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,258,644       16.94
  Z   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     3,288,774       24.67

 

J-17


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Z   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     807,211       6.05
  Z   Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company   Windsor, CT     946,103       7.10
  Z   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     1,637,300       12.28
AB Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.   A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     6,430,958       13.40
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     2,912,582       6.07
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     5,959,368       12.42
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,508,341       5.23
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     3,115,921       6.49
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     2,919,716       6.08
  A   John Hancock Trust Company, LLC   Boston, MA     2,791,372       5.82
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     228,202       7.21
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     696,062       21.98
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     440,643       13.92
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     181,418       5.73
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     256,356       8.10
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     203,768       6.43
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     208,746       6.59
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     536,491       16.94
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     19,051,596       18.34
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     18,339,828       17.65
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     5,915,304       5.69
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     6,387,654       6.15
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     10,254,103       9.87
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     9,123,924       8.78
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     6,546,463       6.30
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     807,825       14.10
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     807,759       14.10
  I   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     481,406       8.40
  I   Saxon & Co.   Cleveland, OH     646,845       11.29

 

J-18


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     11,744,813       23.92
  Z   Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company   Windsor, CT     3,864,694       7.87
  Z   Voya Institutional Trust Company   Windsor, CT     2,474,989       5.04
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     3,113,633       6.34
  Z   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     4,101,872       8.36
AB California Portfolio   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     5,058,780       9.88
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     3,189,610       6.23
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     4,243,051       8.29
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     11,616,620       22.69
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     3,226,009       6.30
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     12,843,543       25.09
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     175,219       11.36
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     77,720       5.04
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     140,818       9.13
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     393,289       25.49
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     120,215       7.79
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     414,436       26.86
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     7,750,389       10.28
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     6,304,918       8.37
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     12,525,335       16.62
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     8,482,256       11.25
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     4,316,305       5.73
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     6,441,058       8.55
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,353,982       5.78
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     15,387,056       20.42
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     3,929,176       5.21
AB High Income Municipal Portfolio   A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     5,927,550       13.14
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     6,225,633       13.80
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,433,763       9.83
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,559,141       5.67

 

J-19


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     10,960,018       24.30
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     341,732       11.75
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     378,543       13.01
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     625,673       21.50
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     177,118       6.09
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     282,151       9.70
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     451,917       15.53
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     253,816       8.72
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     24,278,756       11.96
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     10,797,560       5.32
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     23,799,530       11.73
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     15,542,243       7.66
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     12,048,422       5.94
  Z   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     2,249,535       11.17
  Z   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     13,845,382       68.75
  Z   SEI Private Trust Company   Oaks, PA     3,929,950       19.51

AB National Portfolio

  A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     3,699,219       9.37
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     2,442,489       6.18
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     3,229,098       8.18
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     4,285,947       10.85
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,552,402       11.53
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,040,765       5.17
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     4,276,337       10.83
  A   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     2,376,664       6.02
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     59,938       5.53
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     146,758       13.53
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     192,308       17.73
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     68,246       6.29
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     92,416       8.52
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     139,998       12.91
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     134,855       12.44

 

J-20


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     18,390,447       11.06
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     14,975,611       9.01
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     15,341,288       9.23
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     8,354,241       5.02
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     23,073,480       13.88
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     24,511,286       14.74
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     30,042,469       18.07

AB New York Portfolio

  A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     6,641,852       20.94
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,653,094       5.21
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     3,772,359       11.89
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,913,839       15.49
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     5,017,158       15.82
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     139,281       22.14
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     50,541       8.04
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     70,940       11.28
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     60,661       9.64
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     41,635       6.62
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     74,671       11.87
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     115,818       18.41
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     2,672,002       9.45
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,608,859       9.22
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,333,143       8.25
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     1,673,566       5.92
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     1,804,255       6.38
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,743,769       6.16
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     2,942,006       10.40
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     10,616,766       37.53
AB Massachusetts Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,360,561       19.95
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,294,711       18.99
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,081,276       15.86

 

J-21


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     709,358       10.40
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     376,497       5.52
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     59,532       33.55
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     9,667       5.45
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     20,549       11.58
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     28,387       16.00
  C   Florence M. Garrett TOD/DE   Orleans, MA     11,124       6.27
  C   Heather J. Litman & Kenneth R. Litman JTWROS   Westborough, MA     13,291       7.49
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     12,083       6.81
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,476,121       7.75
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,640,745       13.86
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,002,343       5.26
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     7,504,546       39.39
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,559,946       8.19
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     1,285,832       6.75
  Advisor   SEI Private Trust Company   Oaks, PA     2,334,963       12.26

AB Virginia Portfolio

  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     935,108       10.52
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,638,680       18.43
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,304,195       14.67
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,074,248       12.08
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     887,772       9.99
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     795,060       8.94
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     44,345       15.05
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     18,473       6.27
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     46,814       15.89
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     94,516       32.08
  C   The Simpkins Trust   Yorktown, VA     25,974       8.82
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     17,223       5.85

 

J-22


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     875,038       7.61
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,155,344       10.05
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     608,094       5.29
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     2,030,521       17.67
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,299,970       11.31
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     1,298,440       11.30
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     2,218,065       19.30
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     781,443       6.80
AB Relative Value Fund, Inc.   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     12,263,878       6.24
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     21,174,477       10.78
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     13,549,883       6.90
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     13,601,637       6.93
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     11,844,650       6.03
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     11,780,294       6.00
  C   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     263,817       12.51
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     145,178       6.88
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     157,715       7.48
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     350,291       16.61
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     212,694       10.08
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     174,695       8.28
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     153,796       7.29
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     224,880       10.66
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     7,923,430       15.99
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     5,098,764       10.29
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     6,214,484       12.54
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     4,232,759       8.54
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,631,787       5.31
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     4,022,972       8.12
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     3,936,333       7.94
  I   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     1,318,054       31.57
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     274,260       6.57

 

J-23


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     427,176       10.23
  I   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     419,916       10.06
  I   FIIOC   Covington, KY     487,179       11.67
  I   State Street Bank and Trust Company   Boston, MA     262,399       6.28
  Z   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,087,530       11.32
  Z   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     599,301       6.24
  Z   Equitable Life   Jersey City, NJ     2,536,991       26.40
  Z   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     1,275,383       13.27
  Z   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     570,962       5.94
AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund, Inc.   A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     383,264       8.73
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     287,270       6.54
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     330,767       7.53
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     265,963       6.06
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     389,902       8.88
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     274,920       6.26
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     5,283       7.22
  C   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     24,634       33.66
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     8,876       12.13
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     13,240       18.09
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     549,364       12.70
  I   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     16,444       7.51
  I   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     17,524       8.00
  I   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     13,647       6.23
  I   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     135,005       61.65
  Z   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     45,415       18.22
  Z   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     199,530       80.04
AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund, Inc.   A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     491,563       8.79
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     335,951       6.01
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     420,227       7.51
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     302,739       5.41

 

J-24


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     580,467       10.38
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     439,194       7.85
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,210       6.40
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,249       11.89
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     9,112       48.18
  I   GCON Management Company, LLC   Phoenix, AZ     5,248       15.86
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     5,548       16.76
  I   American Trust Custody   Pittsburgh, PA     2,529       7.64
  I   Lincoln Retirement Services Company   Fort Wayne, IN     14,938       45.14
  I   Lincoln Retirement Services Company   Fort Wayne, IN     2,690       8.13
  Z   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     389,939       72.22
  Z   Saxon & Co.   Cleveland, OH     107,229       19.86
  Z   Saxon & Co.   Cleveland, OH     38,521       7.13
AB Discovery Value Fund   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     625,760       6.86
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,318,645       14.45
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     746,872       8.19
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     524,397       5.75
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     461,192       5.05
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     36,152       24.53
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     11,167       7.58
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     34,037       23.10
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     15,813       10.73
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     18,811       12.77
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     4,085,209       5.84
  I   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     978,004       15.98
  I   Voya Institutional Trust Company   Windsor, CT     3,681,836       60.15
  I   Lincoln Retirement Services Company   Fort Wayne, IN     814,169       13.30
  Z   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     2,031,945       9.85
  Z   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     2,437,150       11.82

 

J-25


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Z   FIIOC   Covington, KY     7,083,296       34.34
  Z   AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy APPVM   New York, NY     2,092,861       10.15
  Z   AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation TMAPPRA   New York, NY     1,407,180       6.82
AB International Value Fund   A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     276,190       6.12
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     469,270       10.39
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     325,492       7.21
  A   Hartford Life Insurance Company   Hartford, CT     253,679       5.62
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     16,928       24.98
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     3,901       5.76
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     5,511       8.13
  C   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     3,943       5.82
  C   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     6,055       8.94
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     177,203       9.48
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     121,009       6.47
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     182,708       9.77
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     133,292       7.13
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     223,574       11.96
  Advisor   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     419,095       22.41
  I   Nationwide Trust Company   Columbus, OH     8,486       11.73
  I   GCON Management Company, LLC   Phoenix, AZ     23,427       32.38
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     5,884       8.13
  I   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     6,334       8.75
  I   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     3,918       5.42
  I   DCGT   Des Moines, IA     4,335       5.99
AB Large Cap Value Fund   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     180,653       6.45
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     273,903       9.78
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     165,380       5.91
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     185,825       6.64

 

J-26


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     180,409       6.44
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     165,129       5.90
  A   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     293,662       10.49
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     11,821       18.64
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     29,153       45.97
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   Boyne City, MI     5,203       8.20
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     4,330       6.83
  I   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     46,968       53.28
  I   American Trust Custody   Pittsburgh, PA     33,632       38.15
  I   FIIOC   Covington KY     5,893       6.69
  Z   AllianceBernstein L.P.   Nashville, TN     524       14.95
  Z   Voya Institutional Trust Company   Windsor, CT     2,979       84.98
AB All Market Total Return Portfolio   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     4,834,624       21.26
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,997,077       8.78
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,133,011       9.38
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     1,200,029       5.28
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,669,206       7.34
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     2,067,225       9.09
  A   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     1,174,733       5.17
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     17,523       16.26
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     13,508       12.53
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     15,131       14.04
  C   AllianceBernstein Trust Company, LLC   El Dorado, KS     6,311       5.85
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     6,699       6.21
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     156,906       5.09
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     369,541       11.98
  I   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     22,498       59.31
  I   Ascensus Trust Company   Fargo, ND     5,622       14.82
  I   American Trust Custody   Pittsburgh, PA     9,568       25.22

AB Growth Fund

  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     652,515       5.72
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     860,686       7.54

 

J-27


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     737,839       6.47
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     861,034       7.55
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     643,754       5.64
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     993,746       8.71
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     36,996       21.98
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     16,018       9.51
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     13,584       8.07
  C   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     9,329       5.54
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     46,727       27.76
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     204,378       12.57
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     329,282       20.25
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     173,178       10.65
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     101,887       6.26
  Advisor   American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.   Minneapolis, MN     98,086       6.03
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     177,667       10.92
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     127,639       7.85
  Advisor   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     118,027       7.26
  Advisor   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     109,252       6.72
  I   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     47,366       10.62
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     48,906       10.97
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     24,821       5.57
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     32,251       7.23
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     84,630       18.98
  I   Empower Trust Company, LLC   Greenwood Village, CO     63,050       14.14
AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     123,677       6.25
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     312,408       15.78
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     165,939       8.38
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     150,449       7.60
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     178,045       8.99

 

J-28


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     168,915       8.53
  A   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     109,233       5.52
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     6,342       19.81
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     21,149       66.07
AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy   A   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   Brooklyn, NY     2,269,440       14.28
  A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     1,472,362       9.26
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,275,288       8.02
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     880,578       5.54
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,231,502       7.75
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,329,048       8.36
  C   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     13,151       12.83
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     17,526       17.10
  C   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     15,943       15.56
International Strategic Equities Portfolio   Z   AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy   New York, NY     18,994,247       42.85
  Z   SCB Overlay A Portfolio DAAADA   New York, NY     2,746,635       6.20
  Z   SCB Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio DAATADA   New York, NY     9,311,084       21.00
  Z   AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation TMAPPRA   New York, NY     13,273,864       29.94
  SCB   Psalm 103 Foundation   Nashville, TN     1,651,402       5.50
International Small Cap Core Portfolio   Z   AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy APPVM   New York, NY     3,822,575       40.87
  Z   SCB Overlay A Portfolio DAAADA   New York, NY     826,056       8.83
  Z   SCB Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio DAATADA   New York, NY     2,051,749       21.94
  Z   AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation TMAPPRA   New York, NY     2,651,594       28.35
Small Cap Core Portfolio   Z   AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy APPVM   New York, NY     2,403,505       41.14
  Z   SCB Overlay A Portfolio DAAADA   New York, NY     538,812       9.22
  Z   SCB Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio DAATADA   New York, NY     1,171,608       20.05

 

J-29


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  Z   AB Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation TMAPPRA   New York, NY     1,729,024       29.59
  SCB   Article Third Trust   Nashville, TN     30,841       5.02
SCB Diversified Municipal Portfolio   A   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     755,596       6.19
  A   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     1,443,289       11.82
  A   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     2,579,390       21.12
  A   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     1,352,050       11.07
  A   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     669,675       5.48
  A   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     2,015,291       16.50
  A   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     640,540       5.25
  C   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     56,403       14.49
  C   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     97,275       24.98
  C   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     21,698       5.57
  C   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     35,895       9.22
  C   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   San Francisco, CA     47,235       12.13
  C   Raymond James   St. Petersburg, FL     52,648       13.52
  Advisor   LPL Financial   San Diego, CA     2,214,322       5.64
  Advisor   National Financial Services LLC   Jersey City, NJ     6,516,468       16.61
  Advisor   MLPF&S   Jacksonville, FL     2,708,857       6.90
  Advisor   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC   Saint Louis, MO     3,241,993       8.26
  Advisor   UBS WM USA   Weehawken, NJ     3,496,294       8.91
  Advisor   Pershing LLC   Jersey City, NJ     7,280,054       18.56
  Advisor   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC   New York, NY     3,159,064       8.05
  Advisor   SEI Private Trust Company   Oaks, PA     3,548,648       9.04
  Z   J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC   Brooklyn, NY     50,839,053       78.20
  Z   Edward D. Jones & Co.   Saint Louis, MO     10,543,066       16.22
AB Core Bond Portfolio   Z   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     460,243       59.11
  Z   Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC   Nashville, TN     316,859       40.70
Overlay A Portfolio   2   The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust   Nashville, TN     284,448       6.91
  2   Reed Smith LLP   Nashville, TN     604,411       14.68
  2   Satco Products, Inc.   Nashville, TN     299,304       7.27

 

J-30


Table of Contents

Fund

  Class  

Name

 

Location

  Number of
Shares of Class
    % of
Class
 
  2   Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation   Nashville, TN     231,361       5.62
  2   Rochester Area Foundation   Nashville, TN     560,715       13.62
  2   MT Graham Regional Medical Center   Nashville, TN     430,295       10.45
Overlay B Portfolio   2   Reed Smith LLP   Nashville, TN     477,244       7.81
  2   Reed Smith LLP   Nashville, TN     2,396,166       39.19
  2   Gayla Jones Von Her   Nashville, TN     554,450       9.07
  2   The Annie S. Totah Revocable Trust   Nashville, TN     340,169       5.56
Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio   2   NQSM Trust   Nashville, TN     3,096,804       18.72
  2   Jernstedt I LLC   Nashville, TN     942,914       5.70
  2   Jane B. Dunaway 2002 Remainder Charitable Trust   Nashville, TN     1,547,664       9.36
Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio   2   Marital Trust (GST Non-Exempt) - Core   Nashville, TN     643,012       5.99
  2   The Secondary Survivor’s Trust   Nashville, TN     945,051       8.80
  2   The Joan Myers Revocable Trust   Nashville, TN     595,971       5.55
  2   Jernstedt I LLC   Nashville, TN     740,837       6.90
  2   Jane B. Dunaway 2002 Remainder Charitable Trust   Nashville, TN     613,473       5.71

A stockholder who owns of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities is presumed to “control” the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, and may have a significant impact on matters submitted to a stockholder vote. To the knowledge of each Fund, as of May 26, 2026, no person owned of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

 

J-31


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   Page  

Introduction

     3  

Proposal One: Election of Directors

     5  

Proposal Two: Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements

     19  

Proxy Voting and Stockholder Meetings

     33  

Information as to the Investment Adviser, Administrator, and Distributor of the Funds

     35  

Other Matters

     35  

Stock Ownership

     36  

Submission of Proposals for Next Meeting of Stockholders

     36  

Reports to Stockholders

     36  

Appendix A: Shares Outstanding As of the Record Date

     A-1  

Appendix B: Meetings of Standing Board Committees

     B-1  

Appendix C: Additional Information on Proposal One

     C-1  

Appendix D: Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     D-1  

Appendix E: Forms of Proposed Agreements

     E-1  

Appendix F: Information Regarding Current Agreements

     F-1  

Appendix G: Reimbursement of Administrative Expenses to the Adviser

     G-1  

Appendix H: Board Consideration of the Proposed Agreements

     H-1  

Appendix I: Fees Paid to Affiliates of the Adviser

     I-1  

Appendix J: Stock Ownership

     J-1  

 

THE AB FUNDS

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

NOTICE OF JOINT MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENT

June [ ], 2026


Table of Contents

LOGO

PO Box 211230, Eagan, MN 55121-9984 VOTE ONLINE 1. Read the proxy statement. 2. Go to: www.proxyvotenow.com/ab2026 3. Follow the simple instructions. VOTE BY PHONE 1. Read the proxy statement and have the proxy card at hand. 2. Call toll-free: 855-454-4575 3. Follow the simple instructions. VOTE BY MAIL 1. Read the proxy statement. 2. Check the appropriate box(es) on the reverse side of the proxy card 3. Sign, date and return the proxy card in the envelope provided. AB FUNDS PROXY FOR THE JOINT MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD AUGUST 3, 2026 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES The undersigned stockholder of the Funds listed on the reverse side (each a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”) hereby appoints each of Carol Rappa and Nancy E. Hay, collectively or individually, as proxies for the undersigned, with the power of substitution of each, to vote and act with respect to all shares of the Funds, which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) to be held virtually at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 3, 2026, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof, upon the proposals described in the accompanying Notice of the Joint Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, which has been received by the undersigned and the terms of each of which are incorporated by reference, and any other matter(s) that may come before the Meeting and to otherwise represent the undersigned at the Meeting with all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Meeting, revoking all prior proxies given in connection with the Meeting. The proxies named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the votes indicated on this ballot. IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED BUT NO VOTE IS INDICATED AS TO THE PROPOSAL(S), THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR ALL” WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES AND “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE NEW INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY IS HEREBY CONFERRED AS TO ALL OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY POSTPONEMENT OR ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. CONTROL NUMBER AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE(S) This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Signature(s) and Title(s), if applicable    Sign in the box above Date   100436_AB2026


Table of Contents

LOGO

Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy card. If signing for estates, trusts, or other fiduciaries, your title or capacity should be stated and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If shares are held jointly, one or more joint owners should sign personally. If a corporation, the signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. 100436_AB2026


Table of Contents

LOGO

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS for the Joint Meeting of Stockholders to be held on August 3, 2026. Please refer to the Proxy Statement for a discussion of each of these matters. The Proxy Statement for this Meeting is available at https://proxyvotinginfo.com/p/alliancebernstein2026. This card represents all your accounts with the same registration and address. YOUR FUNDS YOUR FUNDS YOUR FUNDS FundName1 FundName2 FundName3 FundName4 FundName5 FundName6 This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors/Trustees. It will be voted as specified. If no specification is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR ALL” with respect to the election of Directors/Trustees and “FOR” the proposal to approve the new investment advisory agreement. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting to be voted on, the proxy holders will vote, act and consent on these matters in their discretion. The Board of Directors/Trustees has voted in favor of all the proposals and recommends that you vote “FOR” each nominee for Director/Trustee and the proposal to approve the new investment advisory agreement. TO VOTE, MARK BOX(ES) BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: ☒ 1. To elect eight Directors/Trustees to the Board of Directors/Trustees. FOR ALLWITHHOLD ALLFOR ALL EXCEPT* (01) R. Jay Gerken (05)Carol C. McMullen☐ ☐ ☐ (02) Jeffrey R. Holland (06)Garry L. Moody (03) Jeanette W. Loeb (07)Emilie D. Wrapp (04) John A. Lovito (08)Alexander Chaloff *Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark the FOR ALL EXCEPT box and write the nominee(s) number(s) on the line below.  2. To approve a new investment advisory agreement with AllianceBernstein L.P. To vote all Funds FOR ☐  To vote all Funds AGAINST ☐ To ABSTAIN votes for all Funds ☐, or vote separately by Fund(s) below. If you own the same fund in multiple accounts, that fund name will appear multiple times. FOR AGAINST ABSTAINFOR AGAINSTABSTAIN 01 FundName1 ☐ ☐ ☐ 02 FundName2 ☐ ☐ ☐ 03 FundName3 ☐ ☐ ☐ 04 FundName4 ☐ ☐ ☐ 05 FundName5 ☐ ☐ ☐ 06 FundName6 ☐ ☐ ☐ 100436_AB2026