Concerned Investor Issues Letter to Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (FINS) Shareholders Regarding the Need to Vote AGAINST a New Investment Advisory Agreement at Special Meeting
Investor's Opposition: Trevor Montano, a shareholder of Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (FINS), is urging fellow shareholders to vote against a new investment advisory agreement with Angel Oak Capital Advisors due to poor financial performance and lack of accountability.
Poor Performance: Since its inception in 2019, FINS has seen a decline of over 35% in share price and has consistently traded at a discount to its Net Asset Value (NAV), indicating underperformance compared to peer closed-end funds.
Board Governance Issues: Montano criticizes the Board for failing to conduct a competitive selection process for investment advisors and allowing unelected trustees to remain in power, which undermines shareholder rights and interests.
Financial Mismanagement Allegations: He claims that Angel Oak has profited more from advisory fees than the net income generated for shareholders, suggesting that their financial strategies have prioritized their own enrichment over shareholder value.
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- Financing Size: Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust has successfully closed a $50 million offering of Series A Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares, which is expected to be used primarily for refinancing existing debt and making new investments, thereby enhancing the fund's capital structure and investment capabilities.
- Debt Management: The fund has also entered into a Notes Purchase Agreement for $40 million of Series C Senior Notes, which will be used to redeem maturing 2.35% Series A Senior Notes, optimizing the debt portfolio and reducing financing costs.
- Investment Strategy: Angel Oak Capital Advisors anticipates that the strategic use of leverage, capitalizing on interest rate differentials, will enhance income generation capabilities, further driving value for the fund and seizing market opportunities.
- Annual Meeting Arrangement: The fund's Board of Trustees has called for the Annual Shareholder Meeting on September 25, 2026, where shareholders will vote on new trustee elections and proposed amendments to the trust, ensuring transparency and effectiveness in corporate governance.
- Distribution Announcement: Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust has declared a distribution of $0.115 per share for March 2026, reflecting the fund's commitment to ongoing returns for investors, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Record and Pay Dates: The record date for the distribution is March 17, 2026, with payment scheduled for March 31, 2026, ensuring timely returns for investors and enhancing the fund's attractiveness.
- Source of Distribution: While the fund aims to pay distributions based on actual net investment income, a portion may derive from other sources, including short-term capital gains and return of capital, which could impact investors' tax planning.
- Portfolio Overview: The FINS fund predominantly invests in U.S. financial sector debt, with at least 50% of its portfolio rated investment grade, demonstrating strategic considerations in risk management and income stability.
- Tight Credit Spreads: Despite fluctuations in market sentiment, credit spreads remain historically tight, indicating continued confidence in borrower health and funding conditions, suggesting that investors still trust income assets.
- Misunderstanding Software Lending: The market's panic over software borrowers is an overreaction, as software lending has been a cornerstone of private credit due to the stable cash flows and high margins these companies generate, reflecting crowd psychology rather than actual credit deterioration.
- Stable Energy Income: Energy income continues to benefit from a balanced commodity environment, with oil prices high enough to support steady production and cash flow without triggering reckless capital expansion, highlighting strong long-term demand trends.
- Mortgage Securities Recovery: Agency mortgage-backed securities have quietly improved as spreads stabilize and rate volatility moderates, with minimal credit risk and stable fundamentals, creating attractive yield opportunities for disciplined investors.
- Market Liquidity Analysis: The current credit market shows solid liquidity with an open financing window, and tight spreads indicate that investors must remain cautious to avoid losses from market fluctuations.
- Income Source Strategy: The Easy Income portfolio aims to achieve low-volatility returns through diversified income sources, emphasizing the importance of cash flow rather than relying on market timing.
- Quality Asset Allocation: High-grade and high-yield bonds provide reliable income and liquidity within the portfolio, and despite tight spreads, returns still depend on collecting coupons.
- Portfolio Management: By selecting closed-end funds with sustainable payouts and high-quality preferred stocks, the Easy Income portfolio can maintain stable cash flow amid market volatility.
Portfolio Performance: The November Easy Income Portfolio Review highlights a focus on generating reliable income through a diverse mix of assets, including private credit, midstream oil and gas, and residential mortgage-backed securities, despite market volatility and macroeconomic concerns.
Key Holdings and Updates: Significant updates include the merger of Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. (TYG) which raised its monthly distribution, and continued strong performance from various funds like the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) and the Special Opportunities Fund (SPE).
Market Trends: The review notes a stable environment for corporate credit markets, with tightening spreads and consistent income from investment-grade and high-yield positions, while also emphasizing the potential in discounted closed-end funds and community bank debt.
Investment Strategy: The strategy remains focused on owning real assets, maintaining disciplined credit practices, and capitalizing on discounts with catalysts, ensuring steady cash flow amidst broader market distractions.

Distribution Announcement: Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (FINS) declared a distribution of $0.115 per share for November 2025, with a record date of November 14 and a payable date of November 28, 2025.
Source of Distributions: A portion of the distribution may come from sources other than net investment income, such as capital gains or return of capital, and shareholders will receive a notice if this occurs.
Investment Focus: FINS primarily invests in U.S. financial sector debt and aims to maintain at least 50% of its portfolio in investment-grade rated securities.
Investment Management: Angel Oak Capital Advisors specializes in fixed-income investment solutions, focusing on mortgage-backed securities and structured credit, and emphasizes the importance of understanding investment objectives and risks before investing.








