4.15.2008 - 09:00am ET

(CSRwire) MONTPELIER, VT - April 15, 2008 – Sentinel Investments, the investment management arm of Vermont-based National Life Group, announced today that it successfully completed the acquisition of the Citizens Funds from Citizens Advisers of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Nearly $740 million in assets and approximately 20,000 shareholder accounts transferred over to the Sentinel organization as a result of the acquisition. The Citizens transaction increases Sentinel’s assets under management to approximately $18 billion today.

Under the agreement, each of Citizens' eight funds were reorganized into existing or new Sentinel funds. With the completion of the transaction, Sentinel proudly launched its first mutual funds focused on sustainable investing-Sentinel Sustainable Core Opportunities Fund (Class A symbol: MYPVX) and Sentinel Sustainable Emerging Companies Fund (Class A symbol: WAEGX). The new funds intend to adopt Citizens' comprehensive social screening process, shareholder advocacy and proxy voting guidelines.

"We are delighted that Citizens' shareholders approved this reorganization," said Christian Thwaites, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel Asset Management, Inc. "We are firmly committed to carrying on Citizens' great work in sustainable and socially responsible investing, and we take great pride that Citizens funds shareholders' have given us their vote of approval. They can certainly expect continuity, a high level of customer service, and a broad and very competitive product offering managed by a highly regarded investment management organization."

Thwaites added, "This is our third mutual fund transaction in the past three years and it is another example of our ability to execute our strategy of growing our business through a combination of organic growth and selected acquisitions. As industry consolidation continues, Sentinel is committed to pursuing more opportunities to strengthen our business and serve our shareholders."

The eight Citizens Funds were reorganized into Sentinel Funds as follows:

Citizens Fund reorganized into:
Citizens Core Growth Fund
Citizens Value Fund
Citizens Emerging Growth Fund
Citizens Small Cap Core Growth Fund

New Sentinel Sustainable Fund
Sentinel Sustainable Core Opportunities Fund
Sentinel Sustainable Core Opportunities Fund
Sentinel Sustainable Emerging Companies Fund
Sentinel Sustainable Emerging Companies Fund

Citizens Fund reorganized into:
Citizens Global Equity Fund
Citizens Balanced Fund
Citizens Income Fund
Citizens Money Market Fund

Existing Sentinel Fund
Sentinel International Equity Fund
Sentinel Balanced Fund
Sentinel Government Securities Fund
Sentinel U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

About Sentinel Investments

Sentinel Investments is a member of National Life Group and manages nearly $18 billion in mutual funds, insurance portfolios and institutional accounts. Sentinel Funds has a history that dates back nearly 75 years when its flagship fund—Sentinel Common Stock Fund—was launched. Sentinel Investments offers the Sentinel family of mutual funds, as well as retirement plan solutions and institutional investment management. The company is headquartered in Montpelier, VT, with offices in New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Sentinel Investments is the unifying brand name for Sentinel Asset Management, Inc., Sentinel Financial Services Company and Sentinel Administrative Services, Inc. Sentinel Funds are distributed by Sentinel Financial Services Company, One National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05604, 800.233.4332, sentinelinvestments.com.

For more complete information about Sentinel Funds, please call 1.800.282.FUND or visit us online at www.sentinelinvestments.com.

Consider a fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund and is available from your financial advisor or www.sentinelinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to risks and fluctuate in value.

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