Effective August 15, 2008, Abbott began using the Direct Registration system (DRS) for its shares, a paperless form of stock ownership commonly referred to as “book entry” that allows your shares to be held in your name and tracked electronically. You retain full ownership of your shares without having to hold a paper stock certificate.
Shares held in book entry have all the traditional rights and privileges as shares held in certificate form. Furthermore, by keeping your shares in book entry, you do not have to worry about protecting your stock certificates from loss, theft or destruction. Book entry ownership also allows for electronic shares transactions, such as ownership transfers, sales and moving shares to or from a broker.
If you have any questions, please contact Computershare at:
Computershare Trust Co., NA
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
(888) 332-2268 (toll free)
www.computershare.com
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