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16 H A R T F O R D B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L | A M E R I C A A T 2 5 0 A s America marks its 250th year of independence, Nassau Financial Group is proud that our roots go back to 1851 and our predecessors insured the life of President Abraham Lincoln. Our story is a truly American one — of entrepre- neurship, resilience, and the ability to build. While we value our long legacy, we are even more energized by the opportunities ahead – for our employees and company, for Connecticut, and for the customers we serve across America. Nassau was founded in 2015, but the first company we acquired was established in Hartford 175 years ago. e American Temperance Life Insurance Company was founded with the mission to insure only individ- uals who abstained from alcohol. A decade later, however, the company removed that restriction and was renamed Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company — a 19th century example of an American business evolving to expand opportunity. Insuring President Lincoln was not the only brush with American his- tory for Nassau's predecessors. During the Panic of 1873, another legacy company paid its stockholders interest in gold to promote stability. ese moments underscore the critical role financial institutions have long played in supporting Americans during times of uncertainty. In our own first decade, Nassau also navigated a period of profound change. From the disruptions of the pandemic to rapid technological transformation, each challenge pushed us to innovate, adapt, and grow. And, while these experiences presented opportunities to strengthen our business, they also reinforced our commitment to help our home city and state prosper alongside us. Where do we see the greatest opportunities ahead? • Anticipating Market Needs. is is a common thread of every Ameri- can success story — companies that can both identify a need and develop products to fulfill it. For Nassau, that means continuing to deliver insurance solutions that support key retirement goals, including protecting savings and securing guaranteed income. • Technology. Since 2019, Nassau has supported Hartford's growing Insurtech ecosystem through our Nassau Reimagine program, and this has strengthened our own ability to adopt emerging technologies. While artificial intelligence is accelerating change, the broader opportunity is the expanding set of tools to help us operate more efficiently, serve customers more effectively, and think more creatively. • Customer Satisfaction. Technology can enhance customer experi- ence, but it cannot replace trusted relationships and personal service. In financial services, relationships matter as much as product quality, and we remain focused on excelling at both. • Building on Connecticut's Strengths. We started Nassau in New York City and then moved our headquarters to Hartford. Beyond the chance to call the iconic Boat Building home, we recognized Connecticut's unique advantages, including a highly skilled talent pool. ese have become even clearer over the past decade. rough our work with fellow business leaders on Hartford's Vision Committee, we see significant potential for Hartford's next wave of investments to build on strengths and assets that already make our capital region distinct and competitive. • Community Ties. Nassau has a strong commitment to supporting our community with dollars and employee volunteers. at engagement also strengthens our company by fostering personal bonds across our teams, deepening ties with the region to help retain our talent, and making Hartford an even better place to live and work. As we reflect on 250 years of American independence, we are remind- ed that our success today is made possible by an economic system that has enabled innovation and advancement across generations. All of us at Nassau are inspired by our history and excited for our future here in Connecticut — a place where we can continue contributing to American economic growth for the next 250 years. Regards, Phil Gass Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Nassau Financial Group AMERICA AT 250 • LETTERS FROM CONNECTICUT'S BUSINESS LEADERS Celebrating Our Shared History and Future Together