FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII (Form: N-1A/A, Received: 09/26/2016 06:03:42)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2016

1933 Act Registration No. 333-210186

1940 Act Registration No. 811-23147

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form N-1A

Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933	[X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2	[ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. __	[ ]
and/or
Registration Statement Under the Investment Company Act of 1940	[X]
Amendment No. 2	[ ]

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 621-1675

W. Scott Jardine, Esq., Secretary

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI

First Trust Advisors L.P.

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Eric F. Fess, Esq.

Chapman and Cutler LLP

111 West Monroe Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

Contents of Registration Statement

This Registration Statement comprises the following papers and contents:

The Facing Sheet

Part A - Prospectus for First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF and First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF

Part B - Statement of Additional Information for First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF and First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF

Part C - Other Information

Signatures

Index to Exhibits

Exhibits

First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

Prospectus

First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF

Ticker Symbol:	FCEF
Exchange:	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

The First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the “Fund”) intends to list and principally trade its shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). Market prices may differ to some degree from the net asset value of the shares. Unlike mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems shares at net asset value, only in large specified blocks each consisting of 50,000 shares (each such block of shares called a “Creation Unit,” and collectively, the “Creation Units”). The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities in which the Fund invests and/or cash, and only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into participation agreements.

The Fund is a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the “Trust”) and an actively managed exchange-traded fund organized as a separate series of a registered management company.

Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE

The Information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

TO BE UPDATED

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Summary Information	3
Additional Information on the Fund's Investment Objectives and Strategies	10
Fund Investments	10
Additional Risks of Investing in the Fund	11
Fund Organization	14
Management of the Fund	14
How to Buy and Sell Shares	15
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes	16
Federal Tax Matters	16
Distribution Plan	19
Net Asset Value	19
Fund Service Providers	20
Premium/Discount Information	20
Other Information	21

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Summary Information

Investment Objectives

The First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF seeks to provide current income with a secondary emphasis on total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing and selling shares may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker, which are not reflected in the table below.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees	0.85%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees ⁽¹⁾	0.00%
Other Expenses ⁽²⁾	0.00%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses ⁽³⁾	1.69%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	2.54%

(1)	Although the Fund has adopted a 12b-1 plan that permits it to pay up to 0.25% per annum, it will not pay 12b-1 fees at any time before September 30, 2018.
(2)	"Other Expenses" is an estimate based on the expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year.
(3)	"Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" is an estimate based on the expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year.

Example

The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account customary brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling shares of the Fund in the secondary market.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels until September 30, 2018, and thereafter at 2.79% to represent the imposition of the 12b-1 fee of 0.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year	3 Years
$257	$817

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transactions costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in a portfolio of closed-end investment companies that are listed and traded in the United States on registered exchanges (“Closed-End Funds”). Closed-End Funds issue shares of common stock that are traded on a securities exchange. Because the shares of Closed-End Funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of Closed-End Funds in the secondary market.

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In selecting the Closed-End Funds in which the Fund will invest (“Underlying Funds”), the Fund’s investment advisor will utilize a range of investment approaches. The Fund’s investment advisor generally takes a systemic approach to investing, including the utilization of a proprietary model that identifies, sorts and scores Closed-End Funds based upon various market metrics and economic factors, including, but not limited to, Fund size, duration, leverage ratio, average maturity, earnings rate, undistributed net investment income, distribution rate, premium or discount, net asset value and share price returns, sponsor and distribution policies.

The Underlying Funds may invest in, among other types of investments, U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities, U.S. and non-U.S. government debt, corporate debt, municipal securities, commodities, preferred securities, convertible securities, high yield securities, master limited partnerships and senior loans.

Principal Risks

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved.

AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT CONCENTRATION RISK. Only an authorized participant (as defined in the “Frequent Purchases and Redemptions” Section) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as authorized participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, in either of these cases, Fund shares may trade at a discount to the Fund’s net asset value and possibly face delisting.

CASH TRANSACTIONS RISK. The Fund may, under certain circumstances, effect a portion of creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in an ETF that effects its creations and redemptions for in-kind securities. Because the Fund may effect a portion of redemptions for cash, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. A sale of shares may result in capital gains or losses and may also result in higher brokerage costs.

CLOSED-END FUND RISK. Because the shares of Closed-End Funds cannot be redeemed upon demand, shares of many Closed-End Funds will trade on exchanges at market prices rather than net asset value, which may cause the shares to trade at a price greater than net asset value (premium) or less than net asset value (discount). There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any Closed-End Fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease or that when the Fund seeks to sell shares of a Closed-End Fund it can receive the NAV for those shares. Closed-End Funds have lower levels of daily volume when compared to open-end investment companies. There are greater risks involved in investing in securities with limited market liquidity. To the extent the Fund invests in Closed-End Funds, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the Closed-End Fund. Therefore, the Fund would incur higher expenses, which may be duplicative, than if the Fund did not invest in Closed-End Funds. The performance of the Fund is dependent upon the performance of the Underlying Funds.

In addition, Closed-End Funds may utilize leverage. As a result, the Fund may be exposed indirectly to leverage through an investment in such securities. An investment in the securities of Closed-End Funds that use leverage may expose the Fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Fund’s long-term return on such securities will be diminished. Closed-End Funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the Closed-End Fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such Closed-End Fund’s common shareholders.

The organizational documents of Closed-End Funds may include provisions that could the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Closed-End Fund or to change the composition of its board of directors, which could limit the ability of shareholders to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Closed-End Fund.

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result from outside attacks such as denial-of-service attacks through efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users. In addition, cyber security breaches of the Fund’s third party service providers, such as its administrator, transfer agent, custodian, or sub-advisor, as applicable, or issuers in which the Fund invests, can also subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches. The Fund has established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security. However, there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially because the Fund does not directly control the cyber security systems of issuers or third party service providers.

MANAGEMENT RISK. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. In managing the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund’s investment advisor will apply investment techniques and risk analyses that may not have the desired result. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objectives.

MARKET RISK. Market risk is the risk that a particular Underlying Fund, the securities in which the Underlying Fund invests, or shares of the Fund in general may fall in value. Securities are subject to market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic, political, regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of the Fund could decline in value or underperform other investments.

MARKET MAKER RISK. If the Fund has lower average daily trading volumes, it may rely on a small number of third-party market makers to provide a market for the purchase and sale of shares. Any trading halt or other problem relating to the trading activity of these market makers could result in a dramatic change in the spread between the Fund’s net asset value and the price at which the Fund’s shares are trading on Nasdaq, which could result in a decrease in value of the Fund’s shares. In addition, decisions by market makers or authorized participants to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying values of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Fund shares trading at a discount to net asset value and also in greater than normal intraday bid-ask spreads for Fund shares.

NEW FUND RISK. The Fund currently has fewer assets than larger funds, and like other new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time. This impact may be positive or negative, depending on the direction of market movement during the period affected. Also, during the initial invest-up period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest a larger amount or all of its assets in cash equivalents or it may hold cash.

NON-DIVERSIFICATION RISK. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a result, the Fund is only limited as to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of any one issuer by the diversification requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, experience increased volatility and be highly invested in certain issuers.

VOLATILITY RISK. The market price and net asset value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s yield will change daily. There may be instances when the Fund will experience large in-flows and out-flows, which will significantly alter the Fund’s size. At times, these fluctuations may negatively impact the Fund’s yield, result in increased transaction costs for the Fund and contribute to the overall volatility of the Fund. The risk will be more prevalent when the Fund is smaller in size, such as during the Fund’s invest-up period. An investor may lose money by investing in this Fund because this Fund is not a money market fund and may experience significant fluctuations in its net asset value.

UNDERLYING FUNDS RISK. The Fund may be subject to the following risks as a result of its investment in the Underlying Funds:

CALL RISK. If an issuer calls higher-yielding debt instruments held by the Fund, performance could be adversely impacted.

COUNTERPARTY RISK. To the extent that an Underlying Fund engages in derivatives transactions, the Underlying Fund bears the risk that the counterparty to the derivative or other contract with a third-party may default on its obligations or otherwise fail to honor its obligations. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations the Underlying Fund will lose money and the value of an investment in the Underlying Fund’s shares may decrease.

COVERED CALL RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in covered call options. Covered call risk is the risk that an Underlying Fund will forgo, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. In addition, as the Underlying Fund writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited. The writer of an option has no control over the time

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when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.

CREDIT RISK. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security will be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and the related risk that the value of a security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make such payments.

CURRENCY RISK. The Underlying Funds may hold investments that are denominated in non-U.S. currencies, or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies, currency exchange rates or interest rates denominated in such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Underlying Funds’ investments and the value of the Underlying Funds’ shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Underlying Funds may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

DERIVATIVES RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in derivatives. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, index or rate, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when the Underlying Fund’s portfolio managers use derivatives to enhance the Underlying Fund’s return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or offset) the risk of a position or security held by the Underlying Fund.

DISTRESSED SECURITIES RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in debt securities that are currently in default and not expected to pay the current coupon (“Distressed Securities”). Distressed Securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in high yield securities that are not in default. Generally, an Underlying Fund will not receive interest payments from the Distressed Securities it holds, and there is a substantial risk that the principal will not be repaid. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding related to a Distressed Security, the Underlying Fund may lose its entire investment in such Distressed Security.

EQUITY SECURITIES RISK. Because certain of the Underlying Funds invest in equity securities, the value of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate with changes in the value of these equity securities. Equity securities prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, such as market volatility, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.

ETF RISK. The shares of an ETF trade like common stock and represent a portfolio of securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs.

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES RISK. An investment in the Fund involves risk associated with the Underlying Funds’ investments in fixed income securities including the risk that certain of the Underlying Funds may not have the benefit of covenants that would prevent the issuer from engaging in capital restructurings or borrowing transactions in connection with corporate acquisitions, leveraged buyouts or restructurings. This limitation could reduce the ability of the issuer to meet its payment obligations and might result in increased credit risk. In addition, certain of the securities may be redeemed or prepaid by the issuer, resulting in lower interest payments received by the Underlying Funds and reduced distributions to shareholders.

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in high yield securities. High yield securities, or “junk” bonds, are subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss than securities with higher ratings, and therefore, may be highly speculative. These securities are issued by companies that may have limited operating history, narrowly focused operations, and/or other impediments to the timely payment of periodic interest and principal at maturity. If the economy slows down or dips into recession, the issuers of high yield securities may not have sufficient resources to continue making timely payment of periodic interest and principal at maturity. The market for high yield securities is generally smaller and less liquid than that for investment grade securities. High yield securities are generally not listed on a national securities exchange but trade in the over-the-counter markets. Due to the smaller, less liquid market for high yield securities, the bid-offer spread on such securities is generally greater than it is for investment grade securities and the purchase or sale of such securities may take longer to complete. In general, high yield securities may have a greater risk of default than other types of securities.

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INCOME RISK. The income of the Underlying Funds could decline due to falling market interest rates. This is because, in a falling interest rate environment, the Underlying Funds generally will have to invest the proceeds from sales of their shares, as well as the proceeds from maturing portfolio securities, or portfolio securities that have been called, in lower-yielding securities.

INTEREST RATE RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may be subject to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the debt securities in an Underlying Fund’s portfolio will decline because of rising market interest rates. Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter term debt securities and higher for longer term debt securities. Duration is a measure of the expected price volatility of a debt security as a result of changes in market rates of interest, based on, among other factors, the weighted average timing of the debt security’s expected principal and interest payments. In general, duration represents the expected percentage change in the value of a security for an immediate 1% change in interest rates. Therefore, prices of debt securities with shorter durations tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than debt securities with longer durations. As the value of a debt security changes over time, so will its duration.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTION RISK. The Fund’s investment in Closed-End Funds is restricted by the 1940 Act and the Fund’s associated exemptive relief which limits the amount of any single Closed-End Fund that can be owned by the Fund, individually and in the aggregate with all other registered investment companies and private investment pools advised by First Trust and its affiliates. This limitation may prevent the Fund from purchasing shares of a Closed-End Fund that it may have otherwise purchased pursuant to its investment objective and principal investment strategy.

LEVERAGE RISK. The Underlying Funds may employ the use of leverage in their portfolios. Leverage may be structural leverage, through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock, or effective leverage, which results from an Underlying Fund’s investment in derivative instruments that are inherently leveraged. While leverage often serves to increase the yield of an Underlying Fund, this leverage also subjects the Underlying Fund to increased risks, including the likelihood of increased volatility and the possibility that the Underlying Fund’s common share income will fall if the dividend rate on the preferred shares or the interest rate on any borrowings rises.

LIQUIDITY RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest a portion of their assets in lower-quality debt issued by companies that are highly leveraged. Lower-quality debt tends to be less liquid than higher-quality debt. Moreover, smaller debt issues tend to be less liquid than larger debt issues. As of the fourth quarter of 2015, the market for high yield debt has experienced decreased liquidity, and investor perception of increased risk has caused yield spreads to widen. Decreased liquidity may negatively affect an Underlying Fund’s ability to mitigate risk.

MLP RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in publicly-traded master limited partnerships and limited liability companies taxed as partnerships (“MLPs”). An investment in MLP units involves risks which differ from an investment in common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. In addition, there are certain tax risks associated with an investment in MLP units and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders and the general partner, including those arising from incentive distribution payments. In addition, there is the risk that a MLP could be, contrary to its intention, taxed as a corporation, resulting in decreased returns from such MLP.

MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in municipal debt securities. Issuers, including governmental issuers, may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The values of municipal obligations that depend on a specific revenue source to fund their payment obligations may fluctuate as a result of actual or anticipated changes in the cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the revenue source. In addition, changes in federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer may adversely affect the tax exempt status of municipal obligations. Loss of tax-exempt status may cause interest received and distributed to shareholders by the Fund to be taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such municipal obligations.

NON-U.S. SECURITIES RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in non-U.S. securities. Non-U.S. securities are subject to higher volatility than securities of domestic issuers due to possible adverse political, social or economic developments, restrictions on foreign investment or exchange of securities, lack of liquidity, currency exchange rates, excessive taxation, government seizure of assets, different legal or accounting standards, and less government supervision and regulation of exchanges in foreign countries.

PREFERRED SECURITIES RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in preferred securities. Preferred securities combine some of the characteristics of both common stocks and bonds. Preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and

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other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Preferred securities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and income risk.

PREPAYMENT RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may be subject to pre-payment risk. The degree to which borrowers prepay loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among loan investors, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. The Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds received on terms as favorable as the prepaid loan.

SENIOR LOAN RISK. Senior loans, in which certain of the Underlying Funds may invest, are usually rated below investment grade but may also be unrated. As a result, the risks associated with these senior loans are similar to the risks of high yield fixed income instruments. An economic downturn would generally lead to a higher non-payment rate, and a senior loan may lose significant market value before a default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a senior loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the senior loan’s value. Unlike the securities markets, there is no central clearinghouse for loan trades, and the loan market has not established enforceable settlement standards or remedies for failure to settle. Therefore, portfolio transactions in senior loans may have uncertain settlement time periods. Senior loans are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, including liquidity risk and the risk of investing in below investment grade fixed income instruments. Furthermore, increases in interest rates may result in greater volatility of Senior Loans and average duration may fluctuate with fluctuations in interest rates.

SMALLER COMPANIES RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in small and/or mid capitalization companies. Such companies may be more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments, and their securities may be less liquid and may experience greater price volatility than larger, more established companies as a result of several factors, including limited trading volumes, products or financial resources, management inexperience and less publicly available information. Accordingly, such companies are generally subject to greater market risk than larger, more established companies.

Performance

The Fund does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information, and information that gives some indication of the risks of an investment in the Fund by comparing the Fund’s performance with a broad measure of market performance, will be available on the Fund’s website at www.ftportfolios.com. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

Management

Investment Advisor

First Trust Advisors L.P. ( “First Trust” or the “Advisor” )

Portfolio Manager

The following person serves as the portfolio manager of the Fund:

•	Ken Fincher, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of First Trust

The portfolio manager is primarily and jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The portfolio manager has served as part of the portfolio management team of the Fund since 2016.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in Creation Units consisting of 50,000 shares. The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities in which the Fund invests and/or cash, and only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into participation agreements. Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on Nasdaq through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on Nasdaq at market prices rather than net asset value, which may cause the shares to trade at a price greater than net asset value (premium) or less than net asset value (discount).

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Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions on shares held in a tax-deferred account, while not immediately taxable, will be subject to tax when the shares are no longer held in a tax-deferred account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), First Trust and First Trust Portfolios L.P., the Fund’s distributor, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

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Additional Information on the Fund's Investment Objectives and Strategies

The Fund’s investment objective is a fundamental policy that may only be changed with shareholder approval. Unless an investment policy is identified as being fundamental, all investment policies included in the prospectus and the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the “Trust”), of which the Fund is a series, without shareholder approval. If there is a material change to the Fund’s principal investment strategies, you should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment for you. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy pursuant to Rule 35d-1 (the “Name Policy”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), whereby the Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in Closed-End Funds. The Name Policy may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. If there is a material change to the Fund’s principal investment strategies, you should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment for you. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

Fund Investments

Principal Investments

Investment Companies

The Fund will principally invest in securities of Closed-End Funds. However, the Fund may also invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Closed-End Funds and ETFs are managed registered investment companies which invest in various types of securities. Closed-End Funds issue shares of common stock that are traded on a securities exchange. The Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies is limited by the 1940 Act and the related rules and interpretations. Both Closed-End Funds and ETFs trade on a securities exchange and their shares may, at times, trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value.

As a shareholder in a pooled investment vehicle, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that vehicle’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the fund’s advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other pooled investment vehicles. In addition, the Fund will incur brokerage costs when purchasing and selling shares of ETFs and Closed-End Funds. Securities of other pooled investment vehicles may be leveraged, in which case the value and/or yield of such securities will tend to be more volatile than securities of unleveraged vehicles.

In addition, as a non-principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest in inverse ETFs. An inverse ETF is a special type of index ETF that is designed to provide investment results that move in the opposite direction of the daily price movement of the index to which it is benchmarked. These ETFs may pursue this strategy by utilizing short selling, trading derivatives such as futures contracts and employing other leveraged investment techniques.

Non-Principal Investments

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in short-term debt securities, money market funds and other cash equivalents, or it may hold cash. The percentage of the Fund invested in such holdings will vary and will depend on several factors, including market conditions. For temporary defensive purposes, during the initial invest-up period and during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or it may hold cash. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when the Advisor believes securities in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors and in other extraordinary circumstances. Short-term debt securities are securities from issuers having a long-term debt rating of at least A by S&P Ratings, Moody’s or Fitch and having a maturity of one year or less.

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savings and loan association; (iii) bankers’ acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions; (iv) repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities; (v) bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest; and (vi) commercial paper, which is short-term unsecured promissory notes The Fund may only invest in commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P Ratings, Prime-1 or higher by Moody’s or F1 or higher by Fitch.

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may hold up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (calculated at the time of investment). The Fund will monitor its portfolio liquidity on an ongoing basis to determine whether, in light of current circumstances, an adequate level of liquidity is being maintained, and will consider taking appropriate steps in order to maintain adequate liquidity if, through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets are held in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets as determined in accordance with SEC staff guidance.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

A description of the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is included in the Fund’s SAI, which is available on the Fund’s website at www.ftportfolios.com.

Additional Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may lose all or part of your investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund will meet its stated objectives. Before you invest, you should consider the following supplemental disclosure pertaining to the Principal Risks set forth above as well as additional Non-Principal Risks set forth below in this prospectus.

Principal Risks

CALL RISK. Certain of the Underlying Funds invest in bonds. Many bonds may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or “called,” before their stated maturity date. In general, an issuer will call its bonds if they can be refinanced by issuing new bonds which bear a lower interest rate. The Underlying Funds are subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, a bond issuer will call its high yielding bonds. The Underlying Funds would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Underlying Fund’s income.

CASH TRANSACTIONS RISK. The Fund may, under certain circumstances, effect a portion of its creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in an exchange-traded fund that effects its creations and redemptions only for in-kind securities. Exchange-traded funds are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid being taxed on gains on the distributed portfolio securities at the fund level. Because the Fund may effect a portion of redemptions for cash, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. Any recognized gain on these sales by the Fund will generally cause the Fund to recognize a gain it might not otherwise have recognized, or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise be required if it were to distribute portfolio securities only in-kind. The Fund intends to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than if they had made an investment in a different exchange-traded fund. Moreover, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if the Fund sold and redeemed its shares principally in‐kind, will be passed on to those purchasing and redeeming Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees. In addition, these factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s shares than for exchange‐traded funds that distribute portfolio securities in-kind.

CLOSED-END FUND RISK. The shares of many Closed-End Funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many Closed-End Funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of Closed-End Funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of Closed-End Fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.

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The Fund may invest in shares of Closed-End Funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any Closed-End Fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such Closed-End Funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a Closed-End Fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.

Closed-End Funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the Closed-End Fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such Closed-End Fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of Closed-End Funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

CREDIT RISK. An issuer of a debt instrument may be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and the related risk that the value of a debt instrument may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or unwillingness to make such payments. High yield and comparable unrated debt securities, while generally offering higher yields than investment grade debt with similar maturities, involve greater risks, including the possibility of dividend or interest deferral, default or bankruptcy, and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal. Credit risk is heightened for loans in which the Underlying Funds invest because companies that issue such loans tend to be highly leveraged and thus are more susceptible to the risks of interest deferral, default and/or bankruptcy.

INTEREST RATE RISK. The value of the Underlying Funds’ debt securities will fluctuate in value with changes in interest rates. In general, debt securities will increase in value when interest rates fall and decrease in value when interest rates rise. The Underlying Funds may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case due to the current period of historically low rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives.

Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter-term investments and higher for longer-term investments. Duration is a common measure of interest rate risk. Duration measures a debt security’s expected life on a present value basis, taking into account the debt security’s yield, interest payments and final maturity. Duration is a reasonably accurate measure of a debt security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a debt security, the greater the debt security’s price sensitivity is to changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates also may lengthen the duration of debt securities with call features, since exercise of the call becomes less likely as interest rates rise, which in turn will make the securities more sensitive to changes in interest rates and result in even steeper price declines in the event of further interest rate increases.

An increase in interest rates could also cause principal payments on a debt security to be repaid at a slower rate than expected. This risk is particularly prevalent for a callable security where an increase in interest rates could cause the issuer of that security to not redeem the security as anticipated on the call date, which could have the effect of lengthening that debt security’s expected maturity, in turn making that security more vulnerable to interest rate risk and reducing its market value.

When interest rates fall, an Underlying Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds from the sale, redemption or early prepayment of a debt security at a lower interest rate.

MARKET RISK. The market values of the Fund’s investments may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably. Market values of debt securities are affected by a number of different factors, including changes in interest rates, the credit quality of bond issuers, and general economic and market conditions.

Non-Principal Risks

BORROWING AND LEVERAGE RISK. If the Fund borrows money, it must pay interest and other fees, which may reduce the Fund’s returns. As prescribed by the 1940 Act, the Fund will be required to maintain specified asset coverage of at least 300%

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with respect to any bank borrowing immediately following such borrowing. The Fund may be required to dispose of assets on unfavorable terms if market fluctuations or other factors reduce the Fund’s asset coverage to less than the prescribed amount.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The Advisor is dependent upon the experience and expertise of the Fund’s portfolio manager in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Advisor were to lose the services of the portfolio manager, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for the portfolio manager in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Advisor.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS RISK. The Underlying Funds’ investment in depositary receipts involves further risks due to certain features of depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are usually in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) or European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”). ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. ADRs are issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. GDRs and EDRs are similar to ADRs, but are shares of foreign-based corporations generally issued by international banks in one or more markets around the world and by European banks, respectively. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts, whether ADRs, GDRs or EDRs, are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary.

Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights pursuant to a deposit agreement between the underlying issuer and the depositary. In certain cases, the depositary will vote the shares deposited with it as directed by the underlying issuer’s board of directors. Furthermore, investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipt. Moreover, if depositary receipts are converted into shares, the laws in certain countries may limit the ability of a non-resident to trade the shares and to reconvert the shares to depositary receipts.

Depositary receipts may be “sponsored” or “unsponsored.” Sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer, whereas unsponsored depositary receipts may be established by a depositary without participation by the underlying issuer. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs associated with establishing the unsponsored depositary receipts. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

Depositary receipts may be unregistered and unlisted. The Underlying Funds’ investments may also include depositary receipts that are not purchased in the public markets and are restricted securities that can be offered and sold only to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between an Underlying Fund’s decision to sell these types of depositary receipts and the point at which the Underlying Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Underlying Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell..

INFLATION RISK. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund's assets can decline as can the value of the Fund's distributions.

ISSUER SPECIFIC CHANGES RISK. Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security’s or instrument’s value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. Issuer specific events can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

LEGISLATION/LITIGATION RISK. From time to time, various legislative initiatives are proposed in the United States and abroad, which may have a negative impact on certain companies in which the Fund invests. In addition, litigation regarding any of the issuers of the securities owned by the Fund, or industries represented by these issuers, may negatively impact the value of the securities. Such legislation or litigation may cause a Fund to lose value or may result in higher portfolio turnover if the Advisor determines to sell such a holding.

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Trading Issues

Although the Fund intends to list its shares for trading on Nasdaq, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in shares on Nasdaq may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of Nasdaq, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on Nasdaq is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Nasdaq “circuit breaker” rules. Market makers are under no obligation to make a market in the Fund’s shares, and authorized participants are not obligated to submit purchase or redemption orders for Creation Units. There can be no assurance that the requirements of Nasdaq necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. Due to the initial small asset size of the Fund, it is more likely to have difficulty maintaining its listing on Nasdaq.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value

The net asset value of shares of the Fund will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in net asset value as well as the relative supply of and demand for shares on Nasdaq. First Trust cannot predict whether shares will trade below, at or above their net asset value. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the holdings of the Fund trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. However, given that shares can only be purchased and redeemed for cash or in-kind, in Creation Units, and only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into participation agreements (unlike shares of closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their net asset value), First Trust believes that large discounts or premiums to the net asset value of shares should not be sustained.

Fund Organization

The Fund is a series of the Trust, an investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is treated as a separate fund with its own investment objectives and policies. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Trust’s Board is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Trust. The Board elects the Trust’s officers and approves all significant agreements, including those with the investment advisor, custodian and fund administrative and accounting agent.

Management of the Fund

First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, is the investment advisor to the Fund. In this capacity, First Trust is responsible for the selection and ongoing monitoring of the securities in the Fund's portfolio and certain other services necessary for the management of the portfolio.

First Trust is a limited partnership with one limited partner, Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., and one general partner, The Charger Corporation. Grace Partners of DuPage L.P. is a limited partnership with one general partner, The Charger Corporation, and a number of limited partners. The Charger Corporation is an Illinois corporation controlled by James A. Bowen, the Chief Executive Officer of First Trust. First Trust discharges its responsibilities subject to the policies of the Board.

First Trust serves as advisor or sub-advisor for 7 mutual fund portfolios, 10 exchange-traded funds consisting of 114 series and 16 closed-end funds. It is also the portfolio supervisor of certain unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. ( “FTP” ), an affiliate of First Trust, 120 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. FTP specializes in the underwriting, trading and distribution of unit investment trusts and other securities. FTP is the principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund.

Ken Fincher is the Fund’s portfolio manager and has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

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community and also served on the Closed-End Fund committee of the Investment Company Institute. Mr. Fincher received a B.A. in financial administration from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. from Loyola University Graduate School of Business.

For additional information concerning First Trust, including a description of the services provided to the Fund, see the Fund’s SAI. Additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and the portfolio manager’s ownership of shares in the Fund is provided in the SAI.

Management Fee

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, First Trust manages the investment of the Fund’s assets and will be responsible for the Fund’s expenses, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, license and other services, but excluding fee payments under the Investment Management Agreement, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, distribution and service fees payable pursuant to a 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses.

The Fund has agreed to pay First Trust an annual management fee of 0.85% of its average daily net assets. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has neither commenced operations nor paid management fees.

A discussion regarding the Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended February 28, 2017.

How to Buy and Sell Shares

Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Fund are expected to be listed for trading on the secondary market on Nasdaq. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares. There is no minimum investment when buying shares on Nasdaq. Although shares are generally purchased and sold in “round lots” of 100 shares, brokerage firms typically permit investors to purchase or sell shares in smaller “odd lots,” at no per-share price differential. When buying or selling shares through a broker, investors should expect to incur customary brokerage commissions, investors may receive less than the net asset value of the shares because shares are bought and sold at market prices rather than at net asset value, and investors may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offer price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per share.

For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is treated as a registered investment company, and the acquisition of shares by other registered investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund is limited to 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any Underlying Fund unless the Fund enters into a participation agreement with that Underlying Fund. However, the total amount of securities of an Underlying Fund held by the Fund, both individually and when aggregated with all other shares of the Underlying Fund held by other registered investment companies and private investment pools advised by the Advisor or its affiliates (as well as shares held by the Advisor and its affiliates) generally cannot exceed 25% of the outstanding voting securities of the Underlying Fund, and none of these entities (including the Fund) may individually or collectively exert a controlling influence over the Underlying Fund.

Book Entry

Shares are held in book-entry form, which means that no share certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.

Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of share certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other stocks that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.

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Share Trading Prices

The trading price of shares of the Fund on Nasdaq is based on market price and may differ from the Fund’s daily net asset value and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors.

Information regarding the intra-day value of the shares of the Fund, also referred to as the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”), is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the Fund’s trading day by the national securities exchange on which the shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IOPV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the net asset value per share of the Fund because the IOPV may not be calculated in the same manner as the net asset value, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The price of a non-U.S. security that is primarily traded on a non-U.S. exchange shall be updated, using the last sale price, every 15 seconds throughout the trading day, provided that upon the closing of such non-U.S. exchange, the closing price of the security, after being converted to U.S. dollars, will be used. This will likely cause the IOPV to deviate significantly from the true market value of the portfolio. Furthermore, in calculating the IOPV of the Fund’s shares, exchange rates may be used throughout the day (9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Eastern Time) that may differ from those used to calculate the net asset value per share of the Fund and consequently may result in differences between the net asset value and the IOPV. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the IOPV of shares of the Fund and the Fund does not make any warranty as to its accuracy.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of the Fund’s Shares

The Fund imposes no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions (“market timing”). In determining not to approve a written, established policy, the Board evaluated the risks of market timing activities by the Fund’s shareholders. The Board considered that the Fund’s shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into participation agreements (i.e., authorized participants (“APs”)) and that the vast majority of trading in the Fund’s shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not involve the Fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With respect to trades directly with the Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent that the Fund may effect the purchase or redemption of Creation Units in exchange wholly or partially for cash, the Board noted that such trades could result in dilution to the Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that the shares trade at or close to net asset value. In addition, the Fund imposes fixed and variable transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Fund in effecting trades. Finally, the Advisor monitors purchase and redemption orders from APs for patterns of abusive trading and the Fund reserves the right to not accept orders from APs that the Advisor has determined may be disruptive to the management of the Fund, or otherwise not in the Fund’s best interests.

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly by the Fund. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Such shares will generally be reinvested by the broker based upon the market price of those shares and investors may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by the broker.

Federal Tax Matters

This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning shares of the Fund. This section is current as of the date of this prospectus. Tax laws and interpretations change frequently, and these summaries do not describe all of the tax consequences to all taxpayers. For example, these summaries generally do not describe your situation if you are a corporation, a non-U.S. person, a broker-dealer, or other investor with special circumstances. In addition, this section does not describe your state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.

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reached a conclusion with respect to, the federal income tax treatment of the assets to be included in the Fund. This may not be sufficient for you to use for the purpose of avoiding penalties under federal tax law.

As with any investment, you should seek advice based on your individual circumstances from your own tax advisor.

Fund Status

The Fund intends to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the federal tax laws. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes its income as required by the tax law, the Fund generally will not pay federal income taxes.

Distributions

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable. After the end of each year, you will receive a tax statement that separates the distributions of the Fund into two categories, ordinary income distributions and capital gain dividends. Ordinary income distributions are generally taxed at your ordinary tax rate, however, as further discussed below, certain ordinary income distributions received from the Fund may be taxed at the capital gains tax rates. Generally, you will treat all capital gain dividends as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have owned your shares. To determine your actual tax liability for your capital gain dividends, you must calculate your total net capital gain or loss for the tax year after considering all of your other taxable transactions, as described below. In addition, the Fund may make distributions that represent a return of capital for tax purposes and thus will generally not be taxable to you; however, such distributions may reduce your tax basis in your shares, which could result in you having to pay higher taxes in the future when shares are sold, even if you sell the shares at a loss from your original investment. The tax status of your distributions from the Fund is not affected by whether you reinvest your distributions in additional shares or receive them in cash. The income from the Fund that you must take into account for federal income tax purposes is not reduced by amounts used to pay a deferred sales fee, if any. The tax laws may require you to treat distributions made to you in January as if you had received them on December 31 of the previous year.

Income from the Fund may also be subject to a 3.8% “Medicare tax.” This tax will generally apply to your net investment income if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts, which are $250,000 in the case of married couples filing joint returns and $200,000 in the case of single individuals.

Dividends Received Deduction

A corporation that owns shares generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to dividends received from the Fund because the dividends received deduction is generally not available for distributions from regulated investment companies. However, certain ordinary income dividends on shares that are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from certain corporations may be reported by the Fund as being eligible for the dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains and Losses and Certain Ordinary Income Dividends

If you are an individual, the maximum marginal stated federal tax rate for net capital gain is generally 20% for taxpayers in the 39.6% tax bracket, 15% for taxpayers in the 25%, 28%, 33% and 35% tax brackets and 0% for taxpayers in the 10% and 15% tax brackets. Some portion of your capital gain dividends may be taxed at a higher maximum stated tax rate. Capital gains may also be subject to the Medicare tax described above.

Net capital gain equals net long-term capital gain minus net short-term capital loss for the taxable year. Capital gain or loss is long-term if the holding period for the asset is more than one year and is short-term if the holding period for the asset is one year or less. You must exclude the date you purchase your shares to determine your holding period. However, if you receive a capital gain dividend from the Fund and sell your share at a loss after holding it for six months or less, the loss will be recharacterized as long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend received. The tax rates for capital gains realized from assets held for one year or less are generally the same as for ordinary income. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, treats certain capital gains as ordinary income in special situations.

Ordinary income dividends received by an individual shareholder from a regulated investment company such as the Fund are generally taxed at the same rates that apply to net capital gain (as discussed above), provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied and provided the dividends are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund itself. The Fund will provide notice to its shareholders of the amount of any distribution which may be taken into account as a dividend which is eligible for the capital gains tax rates.

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Sale of Shares

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

If you exchange securities for Creation Units, you will generally recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and your aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the cash component paid. If you exchange Creation Units for securities, you will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between your basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the cash redemption amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units or Creation Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Deductibility of Fund Expenses

Expenses incurred and deducted by the Fund will generally not be treated as income taxable to you. In some cases, however, you may be required to treat your portion of these Fund expenses as income. In these cases, you may be able to take a deduction for these expenses. However, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions, such as investment expenses, may be deducted by individuals only to the extent that all of these deductions exceed 2% of the individual’s adjusted gross income. Some individuals may also be subject to further limitations on the amount of their itemized deductions depending on their income.

Non-U.S. Tax Credit

Because the Fund will invest in non-U.S. securities, the tax statement that you receive may include an item showing non-U.S. taxes the Fund paid to other countries. In this case, dividends taxed to you will include your share of the taxes the Fund paid to other countries. You may be able to deduct or receive a tax credit for your share of these taxes.

Non-U.S. Investors

If you are a non-U.S. investor (i.e., an investor other than a U.S. citizen or resident or a U.S. corporation, partnership, estate or trust), you should be aware that, generally, subject to applicable tax treaties, distributions from the Fund will be characterized as dividends for federal income tax purposes (other than dividends which the Fund properly reports as capital gain dividends) and will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes, subject to certain exceptions described below. However, distributions received by a non-U.S. investor from the Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met. Distributions from the Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as an interest-related dividend attributable to certain interest income received by the Fund or as a short-term capital gain dividend attributable to certain net short-term capital gain income received by the Fund may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes when received by certain foreign investors, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met.

Distributions may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30% in the case of distributions to (i) certain non-U.S. financial institutions that have not entered into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to collect and disclose certain information and are not resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury and (ii) certain other non-U.S. entities that do not provide certain certifications and information about the entity’s U.S. owners. Disposition of shares by such persons may be subject to such withholding after December 31, 2018.

Investments in Certain Non-U.S. Corporations

If the Fund holds an equity interest in any passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), which are generally certain non-U.S. corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on gains and certain distributions with respect to those equity interests, even if all the income or gain is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund will not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such taxes. The Fund may be able to make an election that could ameliorate these adverse tax consequences. In this case, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such PFIC shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases

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included in income. Under this election, the Fund might be required to recognize in a year income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income would nevertheless be subject to the distribution requirement and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax. Dividends paid by PFICs are not treated as qualified dividend income.

Distribution Plan

FTP serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. FTP does not maintain a secondary market in shares.

The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to reimburse FTP for amounts expended to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units or the provision of investor services. FTP may also use this amount to compensate securities dealers or other persons that are APs for providing distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services.

The Fund does not currently pay 12b-1 fees, and pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund will not pay 12b-1 fees any time before September 30, 2018. However, in the event 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.

Net Asset Value

The Fund’s net asset value is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. If the New York Stock Exchange closes early on a valuation day, the Fund’s net asset value will be determined as of that time. Net asset value per share is calculated for the Fund by taking the market price of the Fund’s total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), and dividing such amount by the total number of shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the net asset value per share. All valuations are subject to review by the Board or its delegate.

The Fund’s investments are valued daily at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value, in accordance with valuation procedures adopted by the Board and in accordance with the 1940 Act. Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. Securities listed on Nasdaq or AIM are valued at the official closing price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, or no official closing price in the case of securities traded on Nasdaq or AIM, the securities are fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and ask price on such day. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price or official closing price, as applicable, on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities trading on Nasdaq or AIM, are fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at the closing bid price. Short-term investments that mature in less than 60 days when purchased are fair valued at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discount, provided the Advisor’s Pricing Committee has determined that the use of amortized cost is an appropriate reflection of fair value given market and issuer-specific conditions existing at the time of the determination. Net asset value may change on days when investors may not sell or redeem Fund shares.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established pricing methods. Such securities may be valued by the Board or its delegate, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, at fair value. The use of fair value pricing by the Fund is governed by valuation procedures adopted by the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, certain restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market or fair value price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s net asset value or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale. When fair value prices are used, generally

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they will differ from the current market quotations or official closing prices on the applicable exchange. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities. See the Fund’s SAI for details.

Because foreign securities exchanges may be open on different days than the days during which an investor may purchase or sell shares of the Fund, the value of the Fund’s securities may change on days when investors are not able to purchase or sell shares of the Fund. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation.

Fund Service Providers

The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as the administrator, custodian and fund accounting and transfer agent for the Fund. Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, serves as legal counsel to the Fund. First Trust serves as the fund reporting agent for the Fund.

Premium/Discount Information

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, does not have information about the differences between the Fund’s daily market price on Nasdaq and its net asset value. Once the Fund has commenced operations, this information will be available on the Fund’s website at www.ftportfolios.com.

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Other Information

Continuous Offering

The Fund will issue, on a continuous offering basis, its shares in one or more groups of a fixed number of Fund shares (each such group of such specified number of individual Fund shares, a “Creation Unit Aggregation”). The method by which Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations after placing an order with FTP, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells such shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, however, has received from the Securities and Exchange Commission an exemption from the prospectus delivery obligation in ordinary secondary market transactions under certain circumstances, on the condition that purchasers are provided with a product description of the shares. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares are reminded that, under the Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to a broker-dealer in connection with a sale on Nasdaq is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available from Nasdaq upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange, a trading facility or an alternative trading system.

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First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF

For More Information

For more detailed information on the Fund, several additional sources of information are available to you. The SAI, incorporated by reference into this prospectus, contains detailed information on the Fund’s policies and operation. Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly impacted the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. The Fund’s most recent SAI, annual or semi-annual reports and certain other information are available free of charge by calling the Fund at (800) 621-1675, on the Fund’s website at www.ftportfolios.com or through your financial advisor. Shareholders may call the toll-free number above with any inquiries.

You may obtain this and other information regarding the Fund, including the SAI and the Codes of Ethics adopted by First Trust, FTP and the Trust, directly from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information on the SEC’s website is free of charge. Visit the SEC’s on-line EDGAR database at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., or call the SEC at (202) 551-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room. You may also request information regarding the Fund by sending a request (along with a duplication fee) to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1520 or by sending an electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

First Trust Advisors L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(800) 621-1675
www.ftportfolios.com

SEC File #: 333-210186

811-23147

First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

Prospectus

First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF

Ticker Symbol:	MCEF
Exchange:	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

The First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the “Fund”) intends to list and principally trade its shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). Market prices may differ to some degree from the net asset value of the shares. Unlike mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems shares at net asset value, only in large specified blocks each consisting of 50,000 shares (each such block of shares called a “Creation Unit,” and collectively, the “Creation Units”). The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities in which the Fund invests and/or cash, and only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into participation agreements.

The Fund is a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the “Trust”) and an actively managed exchange-traded fund organized as a separate series of a registered management company.

Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE

TO BE UPDATED

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Summary Information	3
Additional Information on the Fund's Investment Objective and Strategies	9
Fund Investments	9
Additional Risks of Investing in the Fund	10
Fund Organization	14
Management of the Fund	14
How to Buy and Sell Shares	15
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes	16
Federal Tax Matters	17
Distribution Plan	19
Net Asset Value	19
Fund Service Providers	20
Premium/Discount Information	20
Other Information	21

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Summary Information

Investment Objective

The First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF seeks to provide current income.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees	0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees ⁽¹⁾	0.00%
Other Expenses ⁽²⁾	0.00%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses ⁽³⁾	1.23%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.98%

(1)	Although the Fund has adopted a 12b-1 plan that permits it to pay up to 0.25% per annum, it will not pay 12b-1 fees at any time before September 30, 2018.
(2)	"Other Expenses" is an estimate based on the expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year.
(3)	"Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" is an estimate based on the expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year.

Example

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels until September 30, 2018, and thereafter at 2.23% to represent the imposition of the 12b-1 fee of 0.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year	3 Years
$201	$648

Portfolio Turnover

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in a portfolio of closed-end investment companies that are listed and traded in the United States on registered exchanges (“Closed-End Funds”) which invest primarily in municipal debt securities some or all of which pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income taxes (collectively, “Municipal Securities”). Closed-End Funds issue shares of common stock that are traded on a securities exchange. Because the shares of Closed-End Funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of Closed-End Funds in the secondary market.

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Municipal Securities are generally issued by or on behalf of states, territories or possessions of the U.S. and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. The Closed-End Funds in which the Fund invests (“Underlying Funds”) may invest in a range of Municipal Securities, including, but not limited to, municipal lease obligations (and certificates of participation in such obligations), municipal general obligation bonds, municipal revenue bonds, municipal notes, municipal cash equivalents, private activity bonds (including without limitation industrial development bonds), and pre-refunded and escrowed to maturity bonds. In addition, Municipal Securities include inverse floating rate securities issued by tender option bond (“TOB”) trusts and securities issued by custodial receipt trusts, each of which are investment vehicles the underlying assets of which are municipal bonds. The Underlying Funds may invest in Municipal Securities of any maturity and any duration. The Underlying Funds may also invest in Municipal Securities of any credit quality, including high yield securities, also known as “junk bonds.”

In selecting the Underlying Funds, the Fund’s investment advisor will utilize a range of investment approaches. The Fund’s investment advisor generally takes a systemic approach to investing, including the utilization of a proprietary model that identifies, sorts and scores Closed-End Funds based upon various market metrics and economic factors, including, but not limited to, Fund size, duration, leverage ratio, average maturity, earnings rate, undistributed net investment income, distribution rate, premium or discount, net asset value and share price returns, sponsor and distribution policies.

In addition, the Fund may also invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).

Principal Risks

ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX RISK. The Fund has no limit as to the amount that can be invested in alternative minimum tax bonds. Therefore, all or a portion of the Fund’s otherwise exempt-interest dividends may be taxable to those shareholders subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

CALL RISK. If an issuer calls higher-yielding debt instruments held by the Underlying Funds, performance could be adversely impacted.

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will be diminished. Closed-End Funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the Closed-End Fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such Closed-End Fund’s common shareholders.

CYBER SECURITY RISK. As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the Fund has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Such events could cause the Fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. Cyber security breaches may involve unauthorized access to the Fund’s digital information systems through “hacking” or malicious software coding, but may also result from outside attacks such as denial-of-service attacks through efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users. In addition, cyber security breaches of the Fund’s third party service providers, such as its administrator, transfer agent, custodian, or sub-advisor, as applicable, or issuers in which the Fund invests, can also subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches. The Fund has established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security. However, there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially because the Fund does not directly control the cyber security systems of issuers or third party service providers.

NON-DIVERSIFICATION RISK. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the " 1940 Act "). As a result, the Fund is only limited as to the percentage of its assets which may be invested in the securities of any one issuer by the diversification requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more

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susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, experience increased volatility and be highly invested in certain issuers.

UNDERLYING FUNDS RISK. The Fund may be subject to the following risks as a result of its investment in the Underlying Funds:

CREDIT RISK. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security held by an Underlying Fund will be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and the related risk that the value of such security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make such payments.

CUSTODIAL RECEIPT TRUSTS RISK. Custodial receipts are financial instruments similar to TOBs sold through private placements that represent the right to receive future principal and interest payments on underlying municipal obligations. Custodial receipt trusts may issue inverse floater securities and if an Underlying Funds were to hold inverse floaters issued by custodial receipt trusts, the Underlying Fund would be subject to the risks of inverse floaters described herein. In particular, because the instruments may be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed-income instruments.

DISTRESSED MUNICIPAL SECURITIES RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in Municipal Securities that are currently in default and not expected to pay the current coupon (“ Distressed Municipal Securities ”). Distressed Municipal Securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in high yield securities that are not in default. Generally, an Underlying Fund will not receive interest payments from the Distressed Municipal Securities it holds, and there is a substantial risk that the principal will not be repaid. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding related to a Distressed Municipal Security, the Underlying Fund may lose its entire investment in such Distressed Municipal Security.

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in high yield securities. High yield securities, or “junk” bonds, are subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss than securities with higher ratings, and therefore, may be highly speculative. These securities are issued by companies that may have limited operating history, narrowly focused operations, and/or other impediments to the timely payment of periodic interest and principal at maturity. If the economy slows down or dips into recession, the issuers of high yield securities may not have sufficient resources to continue making timely payment of periodic interest and principal at maturity. The market for high yield securities is generally smaller and less liquid than that for investment grade securities. High yield securities are generally not listed on a national securities exchange but trade in the over-the-counter markets. Due to the smaller, less liquid market for high yield securities, the bid-offer spread on such securities is generally greater than it is for investment grade securities and the purchase or sale of such securities may take longer to complete. In general, high yield securities may have a greater risk of default than other types of securities.

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INTEREST RATE RISK. The Underlying Funds are subject to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the debt securities in an Underlying Fund’s portfolio will decline because of rising market interest rates. Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter term debt securities and higher for longer term debt securities. Duration is a measure of the expected price volatility of a debt security as a result of changes in market rates of interest, based on, among other factors, the weighted average timing of the debt security’s expected principal and interest payments. In general, duration represents the expected percentage change in the value of a security for an immediate 1% change in interest rates. Therefore, prices of debt securities with shorter durations tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than debt securities with longer durations. As the value of a debt security changes over time, so will its duration.

INVERSE FLOATERS RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by TOB trusts. These securities create effective leverage. Due to the leveraged nature of these investments, the value of an inverse floater will increase and decrease to a significantly greater extent than the values of the TOB trust’s underlying municipal bonds in response to changes in market interest rates or credit quality. In addition, distributions paid to an Underlying Fund on its inverse floaters will be reduced or even eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. An investment in inverse floaters typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate municipal bond.

LIQUIDITY RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest a portion of their assets in lower-quality debt issued by entities that are highly leveraged. Lower-quality debt tends to be less liquid than higher-quality debt. Moreover, smaller debt issues tend to be less liquid than larger debt issues. As of the fourth quarter of 2015, the market for high yield debt has experienced decreased liquidity, and investor perception of increased risk has caused yield spreads to widen. Decreased liquidity may negatively affect an Underlying Fund’s ability to mitigate risk.

In addition, inventories of Municipal Securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease an Underlying Fund’s ability to buy or sell Municipal Securities, and increase price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress.

MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in participation interests in municipal leases. Participation interests in municipal leases pose special risks because many leases and contracts contain “non-appropriation” clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for this purpose by the appropriate legislative body.

MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS RISK. The Underlying Funds’ investment in Municipal Securities subjects them to municipal obligations risk. Issuers, including governmental issuers, may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The values of municipal obligations that depend on a specific revenue source to fund their payment obligations may fluctuate as a result of actual or anticipated changes in the cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the revenue source. In addition, changes in federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal obligations. Loss of tax-exempt status may cause interest received and distributed to shareholders by the Fund to be taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such municipal obligations.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISK. The values of Municipal Securities held by the Underlying Funds may be adversely affected by local political and economic conditions and developments. Adverse conditions in an industry significant to a local economy could have a correspondingly adverse effect on the financial condition of local issuers.

TAX RISK. Interest income from Municipal Securities is normally not subject to regular federal income tax, but income from Municipal Securities held by the Underlying Funds could be declared taxable because of, among other things, unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities or noncompliant conduct of a bond issuer. Consequently, the attractiveness of Municipal Securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from Municipal Securities.

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ZERO COUPON BONDS RISK. The Underlying Funds may invest in zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not pay interest on a current basis and may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while such bonds generate income for purposes of generally accepted accounting standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause the Fund to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by tax laws.

Performance

Management

Investment Advisor

First Trust Advisors L.P. ( “First Trust” or the “Advisor” )

Portfolio Manager

The following person serves as the portfolio manager of the Fund:

•	Ken Fincher, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of First Trust

The portfolio manager is primarily and jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The portfolio manager has served as part of the portfolio management team of the Fund since 2016.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make interest income distributions, some or all of which will be exempt from regular federal income tax. All or a portion of these distributions, however, may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and state and local taxes, and may have other tax consequences ( e.g. , they may affect the amount of your social security benefits that are taxed). The Fund may make other distributions that are subject to federal income tax.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

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Additional Information on the Fund's Investment Objective and Strategies

The Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy pursuant to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Name Policy”), whereby the Fund, under normal market conditions, invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in Closed-End Funds that invest primarily in Municipal Securities. The Fund will look to the Underlying Funds’ investment objective and principal investment strategies to determine compliance with the Name Policy. The Name Policy may not be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without shareholder approval. Unless an investment policy is identified as being fundamental, all investment policies included in this prospectus and the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. If there is a material change to the Fund’s principal investment strategies, you should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment for you. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Fund Investments

Principal Investments

Investment Companies

Municipal Securities

Municipal Securities are debt securities that generally pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income taxes. Municipal Securities are generally issued by or on behalf of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. The types of Municipal Securities in which the Underlying Funds may invest include municipal lease obligations (and certificates of participation in such obligations), municipal general obligation bonds, municipal revenue bonds, municipal notes, municipal cash equivalents, private activity bonds (including without limitation industrial development bonds), and pre-refunded and escrowed to maturity bonds. In addition, Municipal Securities include securities issued by tender option bond (“TOB”) trusts and custodial receipt trusts, each of which are investment vehicles the underlying assets of which are municipal bonds.

The Underlying Funds may invest in Municipal Securities of any maturity and any duration.

Non-Principal Investments

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

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or outflows, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or it may hold cash. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when the Advisor believes securities in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors and in other extraordinary circumstances. Short-term debt securities are securities from issuers having a long-term debt rating of at least BBB-/Baa3 by S&P Ratings, Moody’s or Fitch and having a maturity of one year or less.

The use of temporary investments will not be a part of a principal investment strategy of the Fund. Short-term debt securities are defined to include, without limitation, the following: (i) fixed rate and floating rate U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest, which are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings and loan association; (iii) bankers’ acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions; (iv) repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities; (v) bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest; and (vi) commercial paper, which is short-term unsecured promissory notes The Fund may only invest in commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P Ratings, Prime-1 or higher by Moody’s or F1 or higher by Fitch.

Illiquid Securities

Inverse ETFs

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

Additional Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may lose all or part of your investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund will meet its stated objective. Before you invest, you should consider the following supplemental disclosure pertaining to the Principal Risks set forth above as well as additional Non-Principal Risks set forth below in this prospectus.

Principal Risks

CALL RISK. Many bonds may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or “called,” before their stated maturity date. In general, an issuer will call its bonds if they can be refinanced by issuing new bonds which bear a lower interest rate. The Underlying Funds are subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, a bond issuer will call its high yielding bonds. The Underlying Funds would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Underlying Fund’s income.

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being taxed on this gain at the fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than if they had made an investment in a different exchange-traded fund. Moreover, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if the Fund sold and redeemed its shares principally in‐kind, will be passed on to those purchasing and redeeming Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees. In addition, these factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s shares than for exchange‐traded funds that distribute portfolio securities in-kind.

CREDIT RISK. An issuer of a debt instrument may be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and the related risk that the value of a debt instrument may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or unwillingness to make such payments. High yield and comparable unrated debt securities, while generally offering higher yields than investment grade debt with similar maturities, involve greater risks, including the possibility of dividend or interest deferral, default or bankruptcy, and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal. Credit risk is heightened for loans in which the Fund invests because companies that issue such loans tend to be highly leveraged and thus are more susceptible to the risks of interest deferral, default and/or bankruptcy.

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When interest rates fall, an Underlying Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds from the sale, redemption or early prepayment of a debt security at a lower interest rate.

INVERSE FLOATERS RISK. The Underlying Funds may use inverse floaters, which creates effective leverage. Due to the leveraged nature of these investments, the value of an inverse floater will increase and decrease to a significantly greater extent than the values of the TOB trust’s underlying municipal bonds in response to changes in market interest rates or credit quality. An investment in inverse floaters typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate municipal bond.

Distributions on inverse floaters bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Thus, distributions paid to the Underlying Funds on their inverse floaters will be reduced or even eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. The greater the amount of floaters sold by a TOB trust relative to the inverse floaters (i.e., the greater the effective leverage of the inverse floaters), the more volatile the distributions on the inverse floaters will be. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal bonds in a rising interest rate environment.

A TOB trust may be terminated without the Underlying Fund’s consent upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the bankruptcy or default of the issuer of the securities in the trust. If that happens, the floaters will be redeemed at par (plus accrued interest) out of the proceeds from the sale of securities in the TOB trust, and the Underlying Fund will be entitled to the remaining proceeds, if any. Thus, if there is a decrease in the value of the securities held in the TOB trust, the Underlying Fund may lose some or all of the principal amount of its investment in the inverse floaters.

MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS RISK. The Underlying Funds may purchase participation interests in municipal leases. These are undivided interests in a lease, installment purchase contract, or conditional sale contract entered into by a state or local government unit to acquire equipment or facilities. Participation interests in municipal leases pose special risks because many leases and contracts contain “non-appropriation” clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for this purpose by the appropriate legislative body. Although these kinds of obligations are secured by the leased equipment or facilities, it might be difficult and time consuming to dispose of the equipment or facilities in the event of non-appropriation, and the Underlying Fund might not recover the full principal amount of the obligation.

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES MARKET LIQUIDITY RISK. Inventories of Municipal Securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease an Underlying Fund’s ability to buy or sell Municipal Securities, and increase price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or markets stress. In addition, recent federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of Municipal Securities, which may further decrease the Underlying Funds’ ability to buy or sell Municipal Securities. As a result, the Underlying Funds may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a Municipal Security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. The Underlying Funds may invest a significant portion of its assets in unrated Municipal Securities. The market for these securities may be less liquid than the market for rated Municipal Securities of comparable quality. In addition, as of the fourth quarter of 2015, the market for high yield debt has experienced decreased liquidity, and investor perception of increased risk has caused yield spreads to widen. Decreased liquidity may negatively affect the Underlying Funds’ ability to mitigate risk and meet redemptions.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISK. The values of Municipal Securities may be adversely affected by local political and economic conditions and developments. Adverse conditions in an industry significant to a local economy could have a correspondingly adverse effect on the financial condition of local issuers. Other factors that could affect Municipal Securities include a change in the local, state, or national economy, demographic factors, ecological or environmental concerns, statutory limitations on the issuer’s ability to increase taxes, and other developments generally affecting the revenue of issuers (for example, legislation or court decisions reducing state aid to local governments or mandating additional services). This risk would be heightened to the extent that the Underlying Funds invest a substantial portion of the below investment grade quality portion of their portfolio in the bonds of similar projects (such as those relating to the education, health care, housing, transportation, or utilities

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industries), in industrial development bonds, or in particular types of Municipal Securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds or moral obligation bonds) that are particularly exposed to specific types of adverse economic, business or political events.

To the extent that the Underlying Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers located in a given state or U.S. territory, it will be disproportionally affected by political and economic conditions and developments in that state or territory. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that state or territory could adversely affect municipal bond issuers in that state or territory and therefore the value of the Underlying Fund’s investment portfolio.

TAX RISK. Proposals have been introduced in Congress to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities, and similar proposals may be introduced in the future. Proposed “flat tax” and “value added tax” proposals would also have the effect of eliminating the tax preference for Municipal Securities. Some of the past proposals would have applied to interest on Municipal Securities issued before the date of enactment, which would have adversely affected their value to a material degree. If such a proposal were enacted, the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Underlying Funds and the value of the Fund’s portfolio would be adversely affected.

ZERO COUPON BONDS RISK. As interest on zero coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of the bonds are subject to greater fluctuations than are the value of bonds that distribute income regularly and may be more speculative than such bonds. Accordingly, the values of zero coupon bonds may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while zero coupon bonds generate income for purposes of generally accepted accounting standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause the Underlying Funds to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by tax laws.

Non-Principal Risks

BORROWING AND LEVERAGE RISK. If the Fund borrows money, it must pay interest and other fees, which may reduce the Fund’s returns. As prescribed by the 1940, the Fund will be required to maintain specified asset coverage of at least 300% with respect to any bank borrowing immediately following such borrowing. The Fund may be required to dispose of assets on unfavorable terms if market fluctuations or other factors reduce the Fund’s asset coverage to less than the prescribed amount.

CREDIT RATING AGENCY RISK. Credit ratings are determined by credit rating agencies such as S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, and are only the opinions of such entities. Ratings assigned by a rating agency are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risk or the liquidity of securities. Any shortcomings or inefficiencies in credit rating agencies’ processes for determining credit ratings may adversely affect the credit ratings of securities held by the Closed-End Funds in which the Fund invests and, as a result, may adversely affect those securities’ perceived or actual credit risk.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The Advisor is dependent upon the experience and expertise of the Fund’s portfolio managers in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Advisor were to lose the services of any of these portfolio managers, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for any of the portfolio managers in the event of their death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Advisor.

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LEGISLATION/LITIGATION RISK. From time to time, various legislative initiatives are proposed in the United States and abroad, which may have a negative impact on certain companies in which the Fund invests. In addition, litigation regarding any of the issuers of the securities owned by the Underlying Funds, or industries represented by these issuers, may negatively impact the value of the Fund’s shares. Such legislation or litigation may cause the Fund to lose value or may result in higher portfolio turnover if the Advisor determines to sell such a holding.

VALUATION RISK. Unlike publicly traded securities that trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for fixed income securities trading. Fixed income securities generally trade on an “over-the-counter” market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of fixed income securities may carry more uncertainty and risk than that of publicly traded securities. Accordingly, determinations of the fair value of fixed income securities may be based on infrequent and dated information. Also, because the available information is less reliable and more subjective, elements of judgment may play a greater role in valuation of debt securities than for other types of securities. Typically, fixed income securities are valued using information provided by a third-party pricing service, which primarily uses broker quotes to value the securities.

Trading Issues

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value

The net asset value of shares of the Fund will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in net asset value as well as the relative supply of and demand for shares on Nasdaq. First Trust cannot predict whether shares will trade below, at or above their net asset value. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the holdings of the Fund trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. However, given that shares can only be purchased and redeemed for cash or, in-kind, in Creation Units, and only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into participation agreements (unlike shares of closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their net asset value), First Trust believes that large discounts or premiums to the net asset value of shares should not be sustained.

Fund Organization

The Fund is a series of the Trust, an investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is treated as a separate fund with its own investment objective and policies. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Trust’s Board is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Trust. The Board elects the Trust’s officers and approves all significant agreements, including those with the investment advisor, custodian and fund administrative and accounting agent.

Management of the Fund

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Ken Fincher is the Fund’s portfolio manager and has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

•

Ken Fincher is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at First Trust. Mr. Fincher joined First Trust with over 20 years of experience in financial markets. His current responsibilities include management of separately managed accounts that invest primarily in closed-end funds. He has also helped develop new product structures in the closed-end fund space. Mr. Fincher has been named Outstanding Individual Contributor to the Closed-End Fund Sector in 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 by financial analysts and his peers in the closed-end fund community and also served on the Closed-End Fund committee of the Investment Company Institute. Mr. Fincher received a B.A. in financial administration from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. from Loyola University Graduate School of Business.

Management Fee

The Fund has agreed to pay First Trust an annual management fee of 0.75% of its average daily net assets. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has neither commenced operations nor paid management fees.

How to Buy and Sell Shares

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Book Entry

Share Trading Prices

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of the Fund’s Shares

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least monthly by the Fund. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually.

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Federal Tax Matters

This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of counsel to the Fund. The Internal Revenue Service could disagree with any conclusions set forth in this section. In addition, counsel to the Fund was not asked to review, and has not reached a conclusion with respect to, the federal income tax treatment of the assets to be included in the Fund. This may not be sufficient for you to use for the purpose of avoiding penalties under federal tax law.

As with any investment, you should seek advice based on your individual circumstances from your own tax advisor.

Fund Status

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the federal tax laws. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes its income as required by the tax law, the Fund generally will not pay federal income taxes.

Distributions

After the end of each year, you will receive a tax statement that separates the distributions of the Fund into three categories, exempt-interest dividends, ordinary income distributions and capital gain dividends. Dividends that qualify as “exempt-interest dividends” generally are excluded from your gross income for federal income tax purposes. Some or all of the exempt-interest dividends, however, may be taken into account in determining your alternative minimum tax and may have other tax consequences (e.g., they may affect the amount of your social security benefits that are taxed). Ordinary income distributions are generally taxed at your ordinary tax rate. Generally, you will treat all capital gain dividends as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have owned your shares. To determine your actual tax liability for your capital gain dividends, you must calculate your total net capital gain or loss for the tax year after considering all of your other taxable transactions, as described below. In addition, the Fund may make distributions that represent a return of capital for tax purposes and thus will generally not be taxable to you; however, such distributions may reduce your tax basis in your shares, which could result in you having to pay higher taxes in the future when shares are sold, even if you sell the shares at a loss from your original investment. The tax status of your distributions from the Fund is not affected by whether you reinvest your distributions in additional shares or receive them in cash. The income from the Fund that you must take into account for federal income tax purposes is not reduced by amounts used to pay a deferred sales fee, if any. The tax laws may require you to treat distributions made to you in January as if you had received them on December 31 of the previous year.

Income from the Fund may also be subject to a 3.8% “Medicare tax.” This tax generally applies to your net investment income if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts, which are $250,000 in the case of married couples filing joint returns and $200,000 in the case of single individuals. Interest that is excluded from gross income and exempt-interest dividends from the Fund are generally not included in your net investment income for purposes of this tax.

Dividends Received Deduction

Capital Gains and Losses

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Net capital gain equals net long-term capital gain minus net short-term capital loss for the taxable year. Capital gain or loss is long-term if the holding period for the asset is more than one year and is short-term if the holding period for the asset is one year or less. You must exclude the date you purchase your shares to determine your holding period. If you hold a share for six months or less, any loss incurred by you related to the disposition of such share will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividends you received, except in the case of a regular dividend paid by the Fund if the Fund declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. To the extent, if any, it is not disallowed, it will be recharacterized as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividend received. The tax rates for capital gains realized from assets held for one year or less are generally the same as for ordinary income. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, treats certain capital gains as ordinary income in special situations.

Sale of Shares

If you sell or redeem your shares, you will generally recognize a taxable gain or loss. To determine the amount of this gain or loss, you must subtract your tax basis in your shares from the amount you receive in the transaction. Your tax basis in your shares is generally equal to the cost of your shares, generally including sales charges. In some cases, however, you may have to adjust your tax basis after you purchase your shares. Further, if you hold your shares for six months or less, any loss incurred by you related to the disposition of such a share will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividends you received, except as otherwise described in the prior paragraph.

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

If you exchange securities for Creation Units you will generally recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and your aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the cash component paid. If you exchange Creation Units for securities, you will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between your basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the cash redemption amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units or Creation Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Deductibility of Fund Expenses

Expenses incurred and deducted by the Fund will generally not be treated as income taxable to you. In some cases, however, you may be required to treat your portion of these Fund expenses as income. In these cases you may be able to take a deduction for these expenses. However, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions, such as investment expenses, may be deducted by individuals only to the extent that all of these deductions exceed 2% of the individual’s adjusted gross income. Some individuals may also be subject to further limitations on the amount of their itemized deductions, depending on their income. Further, because the Fund pays exempt-interest dividends, which are treated as exempt interest for federal income tax purposes, you will not be able to deduct some of your interest expense for debt that you incur or continue to purchase or carry your shares.

Non-U.S. Investors

If you are a non-U.S. investor (i.e., an investor other than a U.S. citizen or resident or a U.S. corporation, partnership, estate or trust), you should be aware that, generally, subject to applicable tax treaties, distributions from the Fund will be characterized as dividends for federal income tax purposes (other than dividends which the Fund properly reports as capital gain dividends) and, other than exempt-interest dividends, will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes, subject to certain exceptions described below. However, distributions received by a non-U.S. investor from the Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met. Distributions from the Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as an interest-related dividend attributable to certain interest income received by the Fund or as a short-term capital gain dividend attributable to certain net short-term capital gain income received by the Fund may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes when received by certain foreign investors, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met.

Distributions may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30% in the case of distributions to (i) certain non-U.S. financial institutions that have not entered into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to collect and disclose certain information and are not resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury and (ii) certain other non-U.S. entities that do not provide certain certifications and information about the entity’s U.S. owners. Dispositions of shares by such persons may be subject to such withholding after December 31, 2018.

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Distribution Plan

FTP serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. FTP does not maintain a secondary market in shares.

Net Asset Value

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sell shares of the Fund. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation.

Fund Service Providers

Premium/Discount Information

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Other Information

Continuous Offering

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First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF

For More Information

First Trust Advisors L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(800) 621-1675
www.ftportfolios.com

SEC File #: 333-210186

811-23147

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Investment Company Act File No. 811-23147

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

FUND NAME		TICKER SYMBOL		EXCHANGE
First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF		FCEF		Nasdaq

DATED [TO BE UPDATED]

This Statement of Additional Information ( “SAI” ) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated [TO BE UPDATED], as it may be revised from time to time (the “Prospectus” ), for First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the “Fund” ), a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the “Trust” ). Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust’s distributor, First Trust Portfolios L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, or by calling toll free at (800) 621-1675.

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer of sale is not permitted.

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General Description of the Trust and the Fund	1
Exchange Listing and Trading	2
Investment Objectives and Policies	3
Investment Strategies	4
Investment Risks	7
Management of the Fund	8
Brokerage Allocations	16
Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Distributor, Additional Service Provider and Exchange	17
Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries	18
Additional Information	20
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures	20
Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations	21
Federal Tax Matters	26
Determination of Net Asset Value	30
Dividends and Distributions	31
Miscellaneous Information	32
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	33
First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF Statement of Assets and Liabilities	34
Exhibit A—Proxy Voting Guidelines	A-1

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General Description of the Trust and the Fund

The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 22, 2016, and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or more series or “Funds.” The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ). The Trust currently offers shares in two series: including First Trust CEF Income Opportunities ETF and First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunities ETF, each of which is a non-diversified series.

This SAI relates to the Fund. The Fund, as a series of the Trust, represents a beneficial interest in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets, with its own objective and policies.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Trustees” ) has the right to establish additional series in the future, to determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges thereof and to modify such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges without shareholder approval. Shares of any series may also be divided into one or more classes at the discretion of the Trustees.

The Trust or any series or class thereof may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees upon written notice to the shareholders.

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required, consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all series of the Trust vote together as a single class except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, or if the matter being voted on affects only a particular series, and, if a matter affects a particular series differently from other series, the shares of that series will vote separately on such matter. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration” ) requires a shareholder vote only on those matters where the 1940 Act requires a vote of shareholders and otherwise permits the Trustees to take actions without seeking the consent of shareholders. For example, the Declaration gives the Trustees broad authority to approve reorganizations between the Fund and another entity, such as another exchange-traded fund, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets, or the termination of the Trust or the Fund without shareholder approval if the 1940 Act would not require such approval.

The Declaration provides that by becoming a shareholder of the Fund, each shareholder shall be expressly held to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. The Declaration may, except in limited circumstances, be amended by the Trustees in any respect without a shareholder vote. The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish the number of Trustees and that vacancies on the Board of Trustees may be filled by the remaining Trustees, except when election of Trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Declaration also provides that Trustees may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the voting power of the Trust, or by a vote of two-thirds of the remaining Trustees. The provisions of the Declaration relating to the election and removal of Trustees may not be amended without the approval of two-thirds of the Trustees.

The holders of Fund shares are required to disclose information on direct or indirect ownership of Fund shares as may be required to comply with various laws applicable to the Fund or as the Trustees may determine, and ownership of Fund shares may be disclosed by the Fund if so required by law or regulation. In addition, pursuant to the Declaration, the Trustees may, in their discretion, require the Trust to redeem shares held by any shareholder for any reason under terms set by the Trustees. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details various information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the Fund, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholder may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholder is able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. In making such a determination, a Trustee is not considered to have a personal financial interest by virtue of being compensated for his or her services as a Trustee. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholder will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Fund in connection with the consideration of the demand under a number of circumstances. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the Declaration, the shareholder bringing the action may be responsible for the Fund’s costs,

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including attorneys’ fees. The Declaration also provides that any shareholder bringing an action against the Fund waives the right to trial by jury to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The Trust is not required to and does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders.

Under Massachusetts law applicable to Massachusetts business trusts, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations. However, the Declaration contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of this disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the Trust for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust or the Fund itself was unable to meet its obligations.

The Declaration further provides that a Trustee acting in his or her capacity as Trustee is not personally liable to any person other than the Trust or its shareholders, for any act, omission, or obligation of the Trust. The Declaration requires the Trust to indemnify any persons who are or who have been Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust for any liability for actions or failure to act except to the extent prohibited by applicable federal law. In making any determination as to whether any person is entitled to the advancement of expenses in connection with a claim for which indemnification is sought, such person is entitled to a rebuttable presumption that he or she did not engage in conduct for which indemnification is not available. The Declaration provides that any Trustee who serves as chair of the Board of Trustees or of a committee of the Board of Trustees, as lead independent Trustee or as audit committee financial expert, or in any other similar capacity will not be subject to any greater standard of care or liability because of such position.

The Fund is advised by First Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor” or “First Trust” ).

The shares of the Fund list and principally trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ( “Nasdaq” or the “Exchange” ). The shares will trade on Nasdaq at market prices that may be below, at or above net asset value. The Fund offers and issues shares at net asset value only in aggregations of a specified number of shares (each a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation” ), generally in exchange for a basket of securities (the “Deposit Securities” ), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component” ). Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 shares of the Fund.

The Trust reserves the right to permit creations and redemptions of Fund shares to be made in whole or in part on a cash basis under certain circumstances. Fund shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Fund cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the section entitled “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations.” In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” ) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.

Exchange Listing and Trading

There can be no assurance that the requirements of Nasdaq necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Fund will continue to be met. Nasdaq may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (ii) the value of the Fund’s Index (as defined below) is no longer calculated or available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of Nasdaq makes further dealings on Nasdaq inadvisable. Nasdaq will remove the shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund.

As in the case of other stocks traded on Nasdaq, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The Fund reserves the right to adjust the price levels of shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.

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Investment Objectives and Policies

The Prospectus describes the investment objective and certain policies of the Fund. The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objective and policies of the Fund.

The Fund is subject to the following fundamental policies, which may not be changed without approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund:

(1)	The Fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
(2)	The Fund may not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
(3)	The Fund will not underwrite the securities of other issuers except to the extent the Fund may be considered an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act” ), in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
(4)	The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).
(5)	The Fund may not make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under the Fund’s investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements, or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of portfolio securities may be made by the Fund if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.
(6)	The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts, forward contracts or other derivative instruments, or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
(7)	The Fund may not invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies.

For purposes of applying restriction (1) above, under the 1940 Act as currently in effect, the Fund is not permitted to issue senior securities, except that the Fund may borrow from any bank if immediately after such borrowing the value of the Fund’s total assets is at least 300% of the principal amount of all of the Fund’s borrowings (i.e., the principal amount of the borrowings may not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets). In the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, the Fund shall, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays), reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowing shall be at least 300%. The fundamental investment limitations set forth above limit the Fund’s ability to engage in certain investment practices and purchase securities or other instruments to the extent permitted by, or consistent with, applicable law. As such, these limitations will change as the statute, rules, regulations or orders (or, if applicable, interpretations) change, and no shareholder vote will be required or sought.

Except for restriction (2) above, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase in percentage resulting from a change in market value of the investment or the total assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction. With respect to restriction (2), if the limitations are exceeded as a result of a change in market value then the Fund will reduce the amount of borrowings within three days thereafter to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations (not including Sundays and holidays).

The foregoing fundamental policies of the Fund may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The 1940 Act defines a majority vote as the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding securities are represented; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. With respect to the submission of a change in an investment policy to the holders of outstanding voting securities of the Fund, such matter shall be deemed to have been effectively acted upon with respect to the Fund if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund vote for the approval of such matter, notwithstanding that such matter has not been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any other series of the Trust affected by such matter.

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In addition to the foregoing fundamental policies, the Fund is also subject to strategies and policies discussed herein which, unless otherwise noted, are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board of Trustees.

The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy pursuant to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (a “Name Policy” ) whereby the Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 80% of its assets in Closed-End Funds (as defined below). As a result, the Fund must provide shareholders with a notice meeting the requirements of Rule 35d-1(c) at least 60 days prior to any change of the Fund’s Name Policy.

Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in a portfolio of closed-end investment companies that are listed and traded in the United States on registered exchanges ( “Closed-End Funds” ). In selecting the Closed-End Funds in which the Fund will invest ( “Underlying Funds” ), the Fund’s investment advisor will analyze relevant Closed-End Fund data metrics and economic factors. Fund shareholders are entitled to 60 days’ notice prior to any change in this non-fundamental investment policy.

Types of Investments

Closed-End Funds. Shares of Closed-End Funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% and 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or Nasdaq or, in some cases, may be traded in other OTC markets. Because the shares of Closed-End Funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of Closed-End Funds in the secondary market. The Fund generally will purchase shares of Closed-End Funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of equity securities in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a Closed-End Fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the Closed-End Fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.

The shares of many Closed-End Funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many Closed-End Funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of Closed-End Fund shares also may contribute to such shares’ trading at a discount to their net asset value.

Fixed Income Investments and Cash Equivalents. Normally, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its investment objectives and consequently may invest significantly in fixed income securities and cash equivalents; however, for temporary or defensive purposes, the Fund may also invest in other fixed income investments and cash equivalents in order to provide income, liquidity and preserve capital.

Fixed income investments and cash equivalents held by the Fund may include, without limitation, the types of investments set forth below.

(1)

The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest, which are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities include securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, by various agencies of the U.S. government, or by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury securities are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. government-sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some of the U.S. government agencies that issue or guarantee securities include the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Farmers Home Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, the Maritime Administration, the Small Business Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority. An instrumentality of the U.S. government is a government agency organized under federal charter with government supervision. Instrumentalities issuing or guaranteeing securities include, among others, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Banks, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal

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	Intermediate Credit Banks and Federal National Mortgage Association. In the case of those U.S. government securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. The U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities; and, consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2)	The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. If such certificates of deposit are non-negotiable, they will be considered illiquid securities and be subject to the Fund’s 15% restriction on investments in illiquid securities. Pursuant to the certificate of deposit, the issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured. The Fund may only invest in certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with at least $1 billion in assets.
(3)	The Fund may invest in bankers’ acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of interest for a specific maturity.
(4)	The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities with counterparties that are deemed by the Advisor to present acceptable credit risks. In such an action, at the time the Fund purchases the security, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver the security to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the security at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the affected Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered into, however, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The portfolio managers monitor the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The portfolio managers do so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(5)	The Fund may invest in bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which case the yields of these investments will be reduced.
(6)	The Fund may invest in commercial paper, which are short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for the notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Fund’s portfolio managers will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. The Fund may invest in commercial paper only if its has received the highest rating from at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by First Trust to be of comparable quality.

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(7)

The Fund may invest in shares of money market funds, as consistent with its investment objective and policies. Shares of money market funds are subject to management fees and other expenses of those funds. Therefore, investments in money market funds will cause the Fund to bear proportionately the costs incurred by the money market funds’ operations. At the same time, the Fund will continue to pay its own management fees and expenses with respect to all of its assets, including any portion invested in the shares of other investment companies. Although money market funds that operate in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act seek to preserve a $1.00 share price (until October 2016, when amended Rule 2a-7 will require share prices of non-government money market funds to be valuated at their floating net asset value), it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in money market funds.

Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). For purposes of this restriction, illiquid securities include, but are not limited to, certain restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act that are deemed to be illiquid; and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. However, the Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a result, such securities would comprise more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The Board of Trustees or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 15% limitation. The Board of Trustees has delegated to First Trust the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any equity or fixed-income security, although it has retained oversight for such determinations. With respect to Rule 144A securities, First Trust considers factors such as (i) the nature of the market for a security (including the institutional private resale market, the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security, the amount of time normally needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer); (ii) the terms of certain securities or other instruments allowing for the disposition to a third party or the issuer thereof (e.g., certain repurchase obligations and demand instruments); and (iii) other permissible relevant factors.

Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. If, through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, the Fund should be in a position where more than 15% of the value of its net assets are invested in illiquid securities, including restricted securities which are not readily marketable, the Fund will take such steps as is deemed advisable, if any, to protect liquidity.

Investment Companies. In addition to its investments in Closed-End Funds, the Fund may also invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ( “ETFs” ). An ETF is a fund that holds a portfolio of securities and trades on a securities exchange and its shares may, at times, trade a premium or discount to its net asset value. As a shareholder in a pooled investment vehicle, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that vehicle’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees with respect to assets so invested. Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other pooled asset vehicles. In addition, the Fund will also incur brokerage costs when purchasing and selling shares of ETFs. Other pooled investment vehicles may be leveraged, and the net asset value and market value of their securities will therefore be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield of unleveraged pooled investment vehicles.

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund buys and sells portfolio securities in the normal course of its investment activities. The proportion of the Fund’s investment portfolio that is bought and sold during a year is known as the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for example, if the Fund bought and sold securities valued at 100% of its net assets within one year. A high portfolio turnover rate could result in the payment by the Fund of increased brokerage costs, expenses and taxes.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

In order to generate additional income, as a non-principal investment strategy, First Trust is authorized to select certain Funds, with notice to the Board of Trustees, to lend portfolio securities representing up to 33-1/3% of the value of their total assets to broker-dealers, banks or other institutional borrowers of securities. As with other extensions of credit, there may

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be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the Fund will only enter into domestic loan arrangements with broker-dealers, banks or other institutions which First Trust has determined are creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund will pay a portion of the income earned on the lending transaction to the placing broker and may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with these loans. First Trust may select any Fund to participate in the securities lending program, at its discretion with notice to the Board of Trustees.

In these loan arrangements, the applicable Funds will receive collateral in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other high-grade debt obligations equal to at least 102% (for domestic securities) or 105% (for international securities) of the market value of the securities loaned as determined at the time of loan origination. This collateral must be valued daily by First Trust or the applicable Fund’s lending agent and, if the market value of the loaned securities increases, the borrower must furnish additional collateral to the lending Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the lending Fund any dividends or interest paid on the securities. Loans are subject to termination at any time by the Fund or the borrower. While a Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, it would terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered important with respect to the investment. When a Fund lends portfolio securities to a borrower, payments in lieu of dividends made by the borrower to the Fund will not constitute “qualified dividends” taxable at the same rate as long-term capital gains, even if the actual dividends would have constituted qualified dividends had the Fund held the securities.

Investment Risks

Overview

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks that an investment in the Fund’s shares entails, including the risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities held by the Fund or the general condition of the securities market may worsen and the value of the equity securities and therefore the value of the Fund may decline. The Fund may not be an appropriate investment for those who are unable or unwilling to assume the risks involved generally with such an investment. The past market and earnings performance of any of the equity securities included in the Fund are not predictive of their future performance.

Closed-End Fund Risk

The shares of many Closed-End Funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many Closed-End Funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of Closed-End Fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value. The Fund may invest in shares of Closed-End Funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any Closed-End Fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such Closed-End Funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a Closed-End Fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.

Closed-End Funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the Closed-End Fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund's common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of Closed-End Funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

Equity Securities Risk

Equity securities are especially susceptible to general market movements and to volatile increases and decreases of value as market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers change. These perceptions are based on unpredictable factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises. First Trust cannot predict the direction

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or scope of any of these factors. Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments from the issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate to those of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks of, such issuers.

Whether or not the equity securities in the Fund or in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund are listed on a securities exchange, the principal trading market for certain of the equity securities in the Fund or in the underlying Closed-End Funds may be in the over-the-counter ( “OTC” ) market. As a result, the existence of a liquid trading market for the equity securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in the equity securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made for any of the equity securities, that any market for the equity securities will be maintained or that there will be sufficient liquidity of the equity securities in any markets made. The price at which the equity securities are held in the Fund or in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund will be adversely affected if trading markets for the equity securities are limited or absent.

Shareholders of common stocks of the type held by the Fund and in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund have a right to receive dividends only when and if, and in the amounts, declared by the issuer’s board of directors and have a right to participate in amounts available for distribution by the issuer only after all other claims on the issuer have been paid. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer and, therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or provide the same degree of protection of capital as do debt securities. The issuance of additional debt securities or preferred stock will create prior claims for payment of principal, interest and dividends which could adversely affect the ability and inclination of the issuer to declare or pay dividends on its common stock or the rights of holders of common stock with respect to assets of the issuer upon liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of common stocks is subject to market fluctuations for as long as the common stocks remain outstanding, and thus the value of the equity securities in the Fund or in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund will fluctuate over the life of the Fund and the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund and may be more or less than the price at which they were purchased by the Fund or the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund. The equity securities held in the Fund and in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund may appreciate or depreciate in value (or pay dividends) depending on the full range of economic and market influences affecting these securities, including the impact of the Fund’s or the underlying Closed-End Funds’ purchase and sale of the equity securities and other factors.

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the entity, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Cumulative preferred stock dividends must be paid before common stock dividends and any cumulative preferred stock dividend omitted is added to future dividends payable to the holders of cumulative preferred stock. Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled to rights on liquidation, which are senior to those of common stockholders.

Liquidity Risk

Whether or not the equity securities in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund are listed on a securities exchange, the principal trading market for certain of the equity securities in the underlying Closed-End Funds may be in the OTC market. As a result, the existence of a liquid trading market for the equity securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in the equity securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made for any of the equity securities, that any market for the equity securities will be maintained or that there will be sufficient liquidity of the equity securities in any markets made. The price at which the equity securities are held in the underlying Closed-End Funds held by the Fund will be adversely affected if trading markets for the equity securities are limited or absent.

Litigation Risk

At any time litigation may be instituted on a variety of grounds with respect to the common stocks held by the underlying Closed-End Funds in which the Fund invests. The Fund is unable to predict whether litigation that has been or will be instituted might have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

Management of the Fund

Trustees and Officers

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term is defined in the 1940 Act) and four of whom are Trustees who are not officers or employees of First Trust or any of its affiliates ( “Independent Trustees” ). The Trustees set broad policies for the Fund, choose the Trust’s officers and hire the Trust’s investment advisor. The officers of the Trust manage its day-to-day operations and are responsible to the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and a statement of their present positions and principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each Trustee oversees and the other directorships they have held during the past five years, if applicable. Each Trustee has been elected for an indefinite term. The officers of the Trust serve indefinite terms. Each Trustee, except for James A. Bowen, is an Independent Trustee. Mr. Bowen is deemed an “interested person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) ( “Interested Trustee” ) of the Trust due to his position as Chief Executive Officer of First Trust, investment advisor to the Fund.

Name, Address and Date of Birth	Position and Offices with Trust	Term of Office and Year First Elected or Appointed	Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years	Number of Portfolios in the First Trust Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee	Other Trusteeships or Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past 5 Years
TRUSTEE WHO IS AN INTERESTED PERSON OF THE TRUST
James A. Bowen ⁽¹⁾ 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 09/55	Chairman of the Board and Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Chief Executive Officer, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Chairman of the Board of Directors, BondWave LLC (Software Development Company/ Investment Advisor) and Stonebridge Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor)	137 Portfolios	None
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Richard E. Erickson c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 04/51	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Physician; President, Wheaton Orthopedics; Limited Partner, Gundersen Real Estate Limited Partnership; Member (April 2007 to November 2015), Sportsmed LLC	137 Portfolios	None
Thomas R. Kadlec c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 11/57	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	President, ADM Investor Services, Inc. (Futures Commission Merchant)	137 Portfolios	Director of ADM Investor Services, Inc., ADM Investor Services International, and Futures Industry Association
Robert F. Keith c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 11/56	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	President, Hibs Enterprises (Financial and Management Consulting)	137 Portfolios	Director of Trust Company of Illinois
Niel B. Nielson c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 03/54	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (January 2015 to present), Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation (Educational Products and Services); President and Chief Executive Officer (June 2012 to September 2014), Servant Interactive LLC (Educational Products and Services); President and Chief Executive Officer (June 2012 to September 2014), Dew Learning LLC (Educational Products and Services); President (June 2002 to June 2012), Covenant College	137 Portfolios	Director of Covenant Transport Inc. (May 2003 to May 2014)
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
James M. Dykas 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 01/66	President and Chief Executive Officer	• Indefinite term • Since January 2016	Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (January 2016 to present), Controller (January 2011 to January 2016), Senior Vice President (April 2007 to January 2016), First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A

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Name, Address and Date of Birth	Position and Offices with Trust	Term of Office and Year First Elected or Appointed	Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years	Number of Portfolios in the First Trust Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee	Other Trusteeships or Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past 5 Years
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
Donald P. Swade 120 E. Liberty Drive Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 08/72	Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer	• Indefinite term • Since January 2016	Vice President (April 2012 to Present), First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P., Vice President (September 2006 to April 2012), Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC/Claymore Securities, Inc.	N/A	N/A
W. Scott Jardine 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 05/60	Secretary and Chief Legal Officer	• Indefinite term • Since inception	General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Secretary and General Counsel, BondWave LLC (Software Development Company/ Investment Advisor) and Secretary, Stonebridge Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor)	N/A	N/A
Daniel J. Lindquist 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 02/70	Vice President	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Managing Director (July 2012 to present), Senior Vice President (September 2005 to July 2012), First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Kristi A. Maher 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 12/66	Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary	• Indefinite term • Chief Compliance Officer Since inceptin • Assistant Secretary Since inception	Deputy General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Roger F. Testin 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 06/66	Vice President	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Senior Vice President, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Stan Ueland 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 11/70	Vice President	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Senior Vice President (September 2012 to present), Vice President (August 2005 to September 2012) First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A

(1)	Mr. Bowen is deemed an “interested person” of the Trust due to his position as Chief Executive Officer of First Trust, investment advisor of the Funds.

Unitary Board Leadership Structure

Each Trustee serves as a trustee of all open-end and closed-end funds in the First Trust Fund Complex (as defined below), which is known as a “unitary” board leadership structure. Each Trustee currently serves as a trustee of First Trust Series Fund and First Trust Variable Insurance Trust, open-end funds with seven portfolios advised by First Trust; First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund, First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund, First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II, First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund, First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, First Trust Dividend and Income Fund, First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund, First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund, First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund, First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund and First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund, closed-end funds advised by First Trust; First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund V, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX ^® Fund and First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX ^® Fund II, exchange-traded funds with 114 portfolios advised by First Trust (each a “First Trust Fund” and collectively, the “First Trust Fund Complex” ). None of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, nor any of their immediate family members, has ever been a director, officer or employee of, or consultant to, First Trust, First Trust Portfolios L.P. or their affiliates.

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The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Advisor, is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trustees of the Trust set broad policies for the Fund, choose the Trust’s officers and hire the Fund’s investment advisor and other service providers. The officers of the Trust manage the day to-day operations and are responsible to the Trust’s Board. The Trust’s Board is composed of four Independent Trustees and one Interested Trustee. The Interested Trustee, James A. Bowen, serves as the Chairman of the Board for each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex.

The same five persons serve as Trustees on the Trust’s Board and on the Boards of all other First Trust Funds. The unitary board structure was adopted for the First Trust Funds because of the efficiencies it achieves with respect to the governance and oversight of the First Trust Funds. Each First Trust Fund is subject to the rules and regulations of the 1940 Act (and other applicable securities laws), which means that many of the First Trust Funds face similar issues with respect to certain of their fundamental activities, including risk management, portfolio liquidity, portfolio valuation and financial reporting. Because of the similar and often overlapping issues facing the First Trust Funds, including among the First Trust exchange-traded funds, the Board of the First Trust Funds believes that maintaining a unitary board structure promotes efficiency and consistency in the governance and oversight of all First Trust Funds and reduces the costs, administrative burdens and possible conflicts that may result from having multiple boards. In adopting a unitary board structure, the Trustees seek to provide effective governance through establishing a board the overall composition of which will, as a body, possess the appropriate skills, diversity, independence and experience to oversee the Fund’s business.

Annually, the Board reviews its governance structure and the committee structures, their performance and functions, and it reviews any processes that would enhance Board governance over the Fund’s business. The Board has determined that its leadership structure, including the unitary board and committee structure, is appropriate based on the characteristics of the funds it serves and the characteristics of the First Trust Fund Complex as a whole.

In order to streamline communication between the Advisor and the Independent Trustees and create certain efficiencies, the Board has a Lead Independent Trustee who is responsible for: (i) coordinating activities of the Independent Trustees; (ii) working with the Advisor, Fund counsel and the independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees to determine the agenda for Board meetings; (iii) serving as the principal contact for and facilitating communication between the Independent Trustees and the Fund’s service providers, particularly the Advisor; and (iv) any other duties that the Independent Trustees may delegate to the Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee is selected by the Independent Trustees and serves a three year term or until his or her successor is selected.

The Board has established four standing committees (as described below) and has delegated certain of its responsibilities to those committees. The Board and its committees meet frequently throughout the year to oversee the Fund’s activities, review contractual arrangements with and performance of service providers, oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, and review Fund performance. The Independent Trustees are represented by independent legal counsel at all Board and committee meetings (other than meetings of the Executive Committee). Generally, the Board acts by majority vote of all the Trustees, including a majority vote of the Independent Trustees if required by applicable law.

The three Committee Chairmen and the Lead Independent Trustee rotate every three years in serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee or the Valuation Committee or as Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee and immediate past Lead Independent Trustee also serve on the Executive Committee with the Interested Trustee.

The four standing committees of the First Trust Fund Complex are: the Executive Committee (and Pricing and Dividend Committee), the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Valuation Committee and the Audit Committee. The Executive Committee, which meets between Board meetings, is authorized to exercise all powers of and to act in the place of the Board of Trustees to the extent permitted by the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By Laws. Such Committee is also responsible for the declaration and setting of dividends. Mr. Kadlec, Mr. Bowen and Mr. Keith are members of the Executive Committee.

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Fund should mail such recommendation to W. Scott Jardine, Secretary, at the Trust’s address, 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Such recommendation shall include the following information: (i) evidence of Fund ownership of the person or entity recommending the candidate (if a Fund shareholder); (ii) a full description of the proposed candidate’s background, including education, experience, current employment and date of birth; (iii) names and addresses of at least three professional references for the candidate; (iv) information as to whether the candidate is an “interested person” in relation to the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, and such other information that may be considered to impair the candidate’s independence; and (v) any other information that may be helpful to the Committee in evaluating the candidate. If a recommendation is received with satisfactorily completed information regarding a candidate during a time when a vacancy exists on the Board or during such other time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is accepting recommendations, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and to counsel to the Independent Trustees. Recommendations received at any other time will be kept on file until such time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is accepting recommendations, at which point they may be considered for nomination.

The Valuation Committee is responsible for the oversight of the valuation procedures of the Fund (the “Valuation Procedures” ), for determining the fair value of the Fund’s securities or other assets under certain circumstances as described in the Valuation Procedures and for evaluating the performance of any pricing service for the Fund. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson are members of the Valuation Committee.

The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting process, system of internal controls and audit process and for evaluating and appointing independent auditors (subject also to Board approval). Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson serve on the Audit Committee.

Executive Officers

The executive officers of the Trust hold the same positions with each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex (representing 137 portfolios) as they hold with the Trust.

Risk Oversight

As part of the general oversight of the Fund, the Board is involved in the risk oversight of the Fund. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Fund’s risks. Oversight of investment and compliance risk is performed primarily at the Board level in conjunction with the Advisor’s investment oversight group and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer ( “CCO” ). Oversight of other risks also occurs at the committee level. The Advisor’s investment oversight group reports to the Board at quarterly meetings regarding, among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance. The Board reviews reports on the Fund’s and the service providers’ compliance policies and procedures at each quarterly Board meeting and receives an annual report from the CCO regarding the operations of the Fund’s and the service providers’ compliance program. In addition, the Independent Trustees meet privately each quarter with the CCO. The Audit Committee reviews with the Advisor the Fund’s major financial risk exposures and the steps the Advisor has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including the Fund’s risk assessment and risk management policies and guidelines. The Audit Committee also, as appropriate, reviews in a general manner the processes other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Nominating and Governance Committee monitors all matters related to the corporate governance of the Trust. The Valuation Committee monitors valuation risk and compliance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures and oversees the pricing services and actions by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities.

Not all risks that may affect the 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 Advisor or other service providers. For instance, as the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent, the Fund and its service providers have become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security (generally, intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund or a service provider to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity). There can be no guarantee that any risk management systems established by the Fund, its service providers, or issuers of the securities in which the Fund invests to reduce cyber security risks will succeed, and the Fund cannot control such systems put in place by service providers, issuers or other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund and/or its shareholders. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Fund’s ability to manage risk is subject to substantial limitations.

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Board Diversification and Trustee Qualifications

As described above, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board oversees matters related to the nomination of Trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to establish an effective Board with an appropriate range of skills and diversity, including, as appropriate, differences in background, professional experience, education, vocation, and other individual characteristics and traits in the aggregate. Each Trustee must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability and, if qualifying as an Independent Trustee, independence from the Advisor and any sub-advisors, underwriters or other service providers, including any affiliates of these entities.

Listed below for each current Trustee are the experiences, qualifications and attributes that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each current Trustee should serve as a Trustee in light of the Trust’s business and structure.

Richard E. Erickson, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon and President of Wheaton Orthopedics. He also has been a co-owner and director of a fitness center and a limited partner of two real estate companies. Dr. Erickson has served as a Trustee of each First Trust Fund since its inception. Dr. Erickson has also served as the Lead Independent Trustee and on the Executive Committee (2008 – 2009), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2003 – 2007), Chairman of the Audit Committee (2012 – 2013) and Chairman of the Valuation Committee (June 2006 – 2007 and 2010 – 2011) of the First Trust Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (since January 1, 2014) of the First Trust Funds.

Thomas R. Kadlec is President of ADM Investor Services Inc. ( “ADMIS” ), a futures commission merchant and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Archer Daniels Midland Company ( “ADM” ). Mr. Kadlec has been employed by ADMIS and its affiliates since 1990 in various accounting, financial, operations and risk management capacities. Mr. Kadlec serves on the boards of several international affiliates of ADMIS and is a member of ADM’s Integrated Risk Committee, which is tasked with the duty of implementing and communicating enterprise-wide risk management. In 2014, Mr. Kadlec was elected to the board of the Futures Industry Association. Mr. Kadlec has served as a Trustee of each First Trust Fund since its inception. Mr. Kadlec also served on the Executive Committee from the organization of the first First Trust closed-end fund in 2003 until he was elected as the first Lead Independent Trustee in December 2005, serving as such through 2007. He also served as Chairman of the Valuation Committee (2008 – 2009), Chairman of the Audit Committee (2010 – 2011) and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2012 – 2013). He currently serves as Lead Independent Trustee and on the Executive Committee (since January 1, 2014) of the First Trust Funds.

Robert F. Keith is President of Hibs Enterprises, a financial and management consulting firm. Mr. Keith has been with Hibs Enterprises since 2003. Prior thereto, Mr. Keith spent 18 years with ServiceMaster and Aramark, including three years as President and COO of ServiceMaster Consumer Services, where he led the initial expansion of certain products overseas; five years as President and COO of ServiceMaster Management Services; and two years as President of Aramark ServiceMaster Management Services. Mr. Keith is a certified public accountant and also has held the positions of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of ServiceMaster, at which time he oversaw the financial aspects of ServiceMaster’s expansion of its Management Services division into Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Mr. Keith has served as a Trustee of the First Trust Funds since June 2006. Mr. Keith has also served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee (2008 – 2009) and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2010 – 2011) of the First Trust Funds. He served as Lead Independent Trustee and on the Executive Committee (2012 – 2013) and currently serves as Chairman of the Valuation Committee (since January 1, 2014) and on the Executive Committee (since January 31, 2014) of the First Trust Funds.

Niel B. Nielson, Ph.D., has been the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation, a global provider of educational products and services since January 2015. Mr. Nielson formerly served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dew Learning LLC from June 2012 through September 2014. Mr. Nielson formerly served as President of Covenant College (2002 – 2012), and as a partner and trader (of options and futures contracts for hedging options) for Ritchie Capital Markets Group (1996 – 1997), where he held an administrative management position at this proprietary derivatives trading company. He also held prior positions in new business development for ServiceMaster Management Services Company and in personnel and human resources for NationsBank of North Carolina, N.A. and Chicago Research and Trading Group, Ltd. ( “CRT” ). His international experience includes serving as a director of CRT Europe, Inc. for two years, directing out of London all aspects of business conducted by the U.K. and European subsidiary of CRT. Prior to that, Mr. Nielson was a trader and manager at CRT in Chicago. Mr. Nielson has served as a Trustee of each First Trust Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999. Mr. Nielson has also served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee (2003 – 2006), Chairman of the Valuation Committee (2007 – 2008), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2008 – 2009) and Lead Independent Trustee and a member of the Executive Committee (2010 – 2011). He currently serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee (since January 1, 2014) of the First Trust Funds.

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James A. Bowen is Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P. Mr. Bowen is involved in the day-to-day management of the First Trust Funds and serves on the Executive Committee. He has over 26 years of experience in the investment company business in sales, sales management and executive management. Mr. Bowen has served as a Trustee of each First Trust Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999.

Effective January 1, 2016, the fixed annual retainer paid to the Independent Trustees is $230,000 per year and an annual per fund fee is $2,500 for each closed-end fund and actively managed fund and $250 for each index fund. The fixed annual retainer is allocated equally among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex rather than being allocated pro rata based on each fund’s net assets. Additionally, the Lead Independent Trustee is paid $30,000 annually, the Chairman of the Audit Committee or Valuation Committee are each paid $20,000 annually and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee is paid $10,000 annually to serve in such capacities with compensation allocated pro rata among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex based on its net assets.

The following table sets forth the estimated compensation (including reimbursement for travel and out‑of‑pocket expenses) to be paid by the Funds for one fiscal year and the actual compensation paid by the First Trust Fund Complex to each of the Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015, respectively. The Trust has no retirement or pension plans. The officers and Trustee who are “interested persons” as designated above serve without any compensation from the Trust. The Trust has no employees. Its officers are compensated by First Trust.

Name of Trustee	Estimated Compensation from the Fund ⁽¹⁾	Total Compensation from the First Trust Fund Complex ⁽²⁾
Richard E. Erickson	$4,318	$352,350
Thomas R. Kadlec	$4,361	$361,500
Robert F. Keith	$4,340	$351,535
Niel B. Nielson	$4,340	$356,500

(1)	The estimated compensation to be paid by the Funds to the Independent Trustees for one fiscal year for services to the Fund.
(2)	The total compensation paid to the Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015 for services to the 120 portfolios, which consists of 7 open-end mutual funds, 16 closed-end funds and 97 exchange-traded funds.

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in the Fund and in other funds overseen by the Trustees in the First Trust Fund Complex as of December 31, 2015:

Trustee	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund (Number of Shares Held)	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in the First Trust Fund Complex
Interested Trustee
James A. Bowen	None	Over $100,000
Independent Trustees
Richard E. Erickson	None	Over $100,000
Thomas R. Kadlec	None	Over $100,000
Robert F. Keith	None	Over $100,000
Niel B. Nielson	None	Over $100,000

As of December 31, 2015, the Independent Trustees of the Trust and their immediate family members did not own beneficially or of record any class of securities of an investment advisor or principal underwriter of the Fund or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with an investment advisor or principal underwriter of the Fund.

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As of September 26, 2016, the officers and Trustees, in the aggregate, owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.

As of September 26, 2016, First Trust Portfolios was the sole shareholder of the Fund. As a sole shareholder, First Trust Portfolios has the ability to control the outcome of any item presented to shareholders for approval.

As of September 26, 2016, the Advisor did not own any shares of the Fund.

Investment Advisor. First Trust, 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, is the investment advisor to the Fund. First Trust is a limited partnership with one limited partner, Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., and one general partner, The Charger Corporation. Grace Partners of DuPage L.P. is a limited partnership with one general partner, The Charger Corporation, and a number of limited partners. The Charger Corporation is an Illinois corporation controlled by James A. Bowen, the Chief Executive Officer of First Trust. First Trust discharges its responsibilities to the Fund subject to the policies of the Board of Trustees.

First Trust provides investment tools and portfolios for advisors and investors. First Trust is committed to theoretically sound portfolio construction and empirically verifiable investment management approaches. Its asset management philosophy and investment discipline are deeply rooted in the application of intuitive factor analysis and model implementation to enhance investment decisions.

First Trust acts as investment advisor for and manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. First Trust also administers the Trust’s business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and permits any of its officers or employees to serve without compensation as Trustees or officers of the Trust if elected to such positions.

Pursuant to an investment agreement between First Trust and the Trust (the “Investment Management Agreement” ), First Trust will manage the investment of the Fund’s assets and will be responsible for paying all expenses of the Fund, excluding the fee payments under the Investment Management Agreement, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, distribution and service fees payable pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses. The Fund has agreed to pay First Trust an annual management fee equal to 0.85% of its average daily net assets.

Under the Investment Management Agreement, First Trust shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such recommendation shall have been selected with due care and in good faith, except loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of First Trust in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Investment Management Agreement terminates automatically upon assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty as to the Fund by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities on 60 days’ written notice to First Trust, or by First Trust on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.

Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is primarily and jointly responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the Fund. There is currently one portfolio manager, as follows:

Name	Position with First Trust	Length of Service with First Trust	Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
Ken Fincher	Senior Vice President and Portfolios Manager	Since 2008	Vice President and Portfolio Manager, First Trust Portfolios L.P.

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As of the date of this SAI, the portfolio manager does not beneficially own any shares of the Fund.

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Compensation. The compensation structure for each portfolio manager is based upon a fixed salary as well as a discretionary bonus determined by the management of First Trust. Salaries are determined by management and are based upon an individual’s position and overall value to the firm. Bonuses are also determined by management and are based upon an individual’s overall contribution to the success of the firm and the profitability of the firm. Salaries and bonuses for portfolio managers are not based upon criteria such as performance of the Fund or the value of assets included in the Fund’s portfolios.

Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager manages the investment vehicles (other than the Funds of the Trust) with the number of accounts and assets, as of August 31, 2016, set forth in the table below:

Accounts Managed By Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager	Registered Investment Companies Number of Accounts ($ Assets)	Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Number of Accounts ($ Assets)	Other Accounts Number of Accounts ($ Assets)
Ken Fincher	0 ($0)	0 ($0)	221 ($75,056,379)

Conflicts. None of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager pays an advisory fee that is based upon the performance of the account. In addition, First Trust believes that there are no material conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments and the investments of the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. However, because the investment strategy of the Fund and the investment strategies of many of the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager are based on fairly mechanical investment processes, the portfolio manager may recommend that certain clients sell and other clients buy a given security at the same time. In addition, because the investment strategies of the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager generally result in the clients investing in readily available securities, First Trust believes that there should not be material conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

Brokerage Allocations

First Trust is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund and for the placement of the Fund’s securities business, the negotiation of the commissions to be paid on brokered transactions, the prices for principal trades in securities, and the allocation of portfolio brokerage and principal business. It is the policy of First Trust to seek the best execution at the best security price available with respect to each transaction, and with respect to brokered transactions in light of the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided to First Trust and its clients. The best price to the Fund means the best net price without regard to the mix between purchase or sale price and commission, if any. Purchases may be made from underwriters, dealers, and, on occasion, the issuers. Commissions will be paid on the Fund’s futures and options transactions, if any. The purchase price of portfolio securities purchased from an underwriter or dealer may include underwriting commissions and dealer spreads. The Fund may pay markups on principal transactions. In selecting broker/dealers and in negotiating commissions, First Trust considers, among other things, the firm’s reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and its financial condition. Fund portfolio transactions may be effected with broker/dealers who have assisted investors in the purchase of shares.

Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act” ), permits an investment advisor, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay a broker or dealer who supplies brokerage and research services a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction. Brokerage and research services include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). Such brokerage and research services are often referred to as “soft dollars.” First Trust has advised the Board of Trustees that it does not currently intend to use soft dollars.

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that the research information received in this manner provides the Fund with benefits by supplementing the research otherwise available to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement provides that such higher commissions will not be paid by the Fund unless the Advisor determines in good faith that the amount is reasonable in relation to the services provided. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to First Trust under the Investment Management Agreement would not be reduced as a result of receipt by First Trust of research services.

First Trust places portfolio transactions for other advisory accounts advised by it, and research services furnished by firms through which the Fund effects securities transactions may be used by First Trust in servicing all of its accounts; not all of such services may be used by First Trust in connection with the Fund. First Trust believes it is not possible to measure separately the benefits from research services to each of the accounts (including the Fund) advised by it. Because the volume and nature of the trading activities of the accounts are not uniform, the amount of commissions in excess of those charged by another broker paid by each account for brokerage and research services will vary. However, First Trust believes such costs to the Fund will not be disproportionate to the benefits received by the Fund on a continuing basis. First Trust seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by the Fund and another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations between the Fund and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by First Trust are the respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holding of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment and the size of investment commitments generally held.

Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Distributor, Additional Service Provider and Exchange

Administrator. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ( “BNYM” ) serves as Administrator for the Fund. Its principal address is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

BNYM serves as Administrator for the Trust pursuant to a Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement. Under such agreement, BNYM is obligated on a continuous basis, to provide such administrative services as the Board of Trustees reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the Trust and the Fund. BNYM will generally assist in all aspects of the Trust’s and the Fund’s operations; supply and maintain office facilities (which may be in BNYM’s own offices), statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping services (including, without limitation, the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agency agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; and provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with federal and state securities laws.

Pursuant to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, the Trust on behalf of the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties.

Pursuant to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between BNYM and the Trust, the Fund has agreed to pay such compensation as is mutually agreed from time to time and such out-of-pocket expenses as incurred by BNYM in the performance of its duties. This fee is subject to reduction for assets over $1 billion. The Fund has not paid any fees to BNYM under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, as the Advisor has assumed responsibility for payment of these fees as part of the unitary management fee.

Custodian, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant. BNYM, as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement, holds the Fund’s assets. BNYM also serves as transfer agent of the Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. As the Fund’s accounting agent, BNYM calculates the net asset value of shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. BNYM may be reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses. BNYM also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement.

Distributor. First Trust Portfolios L.P., an affiliate of First Trust, is the distributor ( “FTP” or the “Distributor” ) and principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund. Its principal address is 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Fund shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the Prospectus and below under the heading “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations.”

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12b-1 Plan. The Trust has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan” ) pursuant to which the Fund may reimburse the Distributor up to a maximum annual rate of 0.25% of its average daily net assets.

Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees will receive and review after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made. With the exception of the Distributor and its affiliates, no “interested person” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) and no Trustee of the Trust has a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any related agreement.

No fee is currently paid by the Fund under the Plan, and pursuant to a contractual agreement, the Fund will not pay 12b-1 fees any time before September 30, 2018.

Aggregations. Fund shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ( “FINRA” ).

The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days’ written notice by the Trust to the Distributor (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with participants that utilize the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (the “DTC Participants” ), which have international, operational, capabilities and place orders for Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund shares. Participating Parties (which are participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation) shall be DTC Participants.

Additional Service Provider. First Trust, on behalf of the Fund has engaged NYSE index group or its designee (the “IPV Calculator” ), to calculate the intra-day values for the shares of the Fund.

Exchange. The only relationship that Nasdaq has with First Trust or the Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that Nasdaq lists the shares of the Fund and disseminates the intra-day portfolio values that are calculated by the IPV Calculator pursuant to its listing agreement with the Trust. Nasdaq is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the asset value of the Fund. Nasdaq has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries

First Trust or its affiliates may from time to time make payments, out of their own resources, to certain financial intermediaries that sell shares of First Trust mutual funds and ETFs ( “First Trust Funds” ) to promote the sales and retention of Fund shares by those firms and their customers. The amounts of these payments vary by intermediary. The level of payments that First Trust is willing to provide to a particular intermediary may be affected by, among other factors, (i) the firm’s total assets or Fund shares held in and recent net investments into First Trust Funds, (ii) the value of the assets invested in the First Trust Funds by the intermediary’s customers, (iii) redemption rates, (iv) its ability to attract and retain assets, (v) the intermediary’s reputation in the industry, (vi) the level and/or type of marketing assistance and educational activities provided by the intermediary, (vii) the firm’s level of participation in First Trust Funds’ sales and marketing programs, (viii) the firm’s compensation program for its registered representatives who sell Fund shares and provide services to Fund shareholders, and (ix) the asset class of the First Trust Funds for which these payments are provided. Such payments are generally asset-based but also may include the payment of a lump sum.

First Trust may also make payments to certain intermediaries for certain administrative services and shareholder processing services, including record keeping and sub-accounting of shareholder accounts pursuant to a sub-transfer agency, omnibus account service or sub-accounting agreement. All fees payable by First Trust under this category of services may be charged back to the Fund, subject to approval by the Board.

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dealers of record for accounts invested in one or more of the First Trust Funds or that make First Trust Fund shares available through certain selected Fund no-transaction fee institutional platforms and fee-based wrap programs at certain financial intermediaries. Program servicing payments typically apply to employee benefit plans, such as retirement plans, or fee-based advisory programs but may apply to retail sales and assets in certain situations. The payments are based on such factors as the type and nature of services or support furnished by the intermediary and are generally asset-based. Services for which an intermediary receives marketing support payments may include, but are not limited to, business planning assistance, advertising, educating the intermediary’s personnel about First Trust Funds in connection with shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the intermediary’s preferred or recommended fund list, and access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. In addition, intermediaries may be compensated for enabling representatives of First Trust and/or its affiliates to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client and investor events and other events sponsored by the intermediary. Services for which an intermediary receives program servicing payments typically include, but are not limited to, record keeping, reporting or transaction processing and shareholder communications and other account administration services, but may also include services rendered in connection with Fund/investment selection and monitoring, employee enrollment and education, plan balance rollover or separation, or other similar services. An intermediary may perform program services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform program services. These payments are in addition to the service fee and any applicable omnibus sub-accounting fees paid to these firms with respect to these services by the First Trust Funds out of Fund assets.

From time to time, First Trust and/or its affiliates, at its expense, may provide other compensation to intermediaries that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the First Trust Funds, which may be in addition to marketing support and program servicing payments described above. For example, First Trust and/or its affiliates may: (i) compensate intermediaries for National Securities Clearing Corporation networking system services ( e.g. , shareholder communication, account statements, trade confirmations and tax reporting) on an asset-based or per-account basis; (ii) compensate intermediaries for providing Fund shareholder trading information; (iii) make onetime or periodic payments to reimburse selected intermediaries for items such as ticket charges ( i.e. , fees that an intermediary charges its representatives for effecting transactions in Fund shares) or exchange order, operational charges ( e.g. , fees that an intermediary charges for establishing the Fund on its trading system) and literature printing and/or distribution costs; (iv) at the direction of a retirement plan’s sponsor, reimburse or pay direct expenses of an employee benefit plan that would otherwise be payable by the plan; and (v) provide payments to broker-dealers to help defray their technology or infrastructure costs.

When not provided for in a marketing support or program servicing agreement, First Trust and/ or its affiliates may also pay intermediaries for enabling First Trust and/or its affiliates to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other intermediary employees, client and investor events and other intermediary-sponsored events, and for travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with prospecting, asset retention and due diligence trips. These payments, if any, may vary depending upon the nature of the event. First Trust and/or its affiliates make payments for such events as it deems appropriate, subject to its internal guidelines and applicable law.

First Trust and/or its affiliates occasionally sponsor due diligence meetings for registered representatives during which they receive updates on various First Trust Funds and are afforded the opportunity to speak with portfolio managers. Although invitations to these meetings are not conditioned on selling a specific number of shares, those who have shown an interest in First Trust Funds are more likely to be considered. To the extent permitted by their firm’s policies and procedures, all or a portion of registered representatives’ expenses in attending these meetings may be covered by First Trust and/or its affiliates.

The amounts of payments referenced above made by First Trust and/or its affiliates could be significant and may create an incentive for an intermediary or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of the First Trust Funds to its customers. The intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the First Trust Funds within the intermediary’s organization by, for example, placing the First Trust Funds on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting First Trust and/or its affiliates preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the First Trust Funds in various ways within the intermediary’s organization. These payments are made pursuant to negotiated agreements with intermediaries. The payments do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of a share or the amount the Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Furthermore, many of these payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Fund’s Prospectus because they are not paid by the Fund. The types of payments described herein are not mutually exclusive, and a single intermediary may receive some or all types of payments as described.

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affiliates and the services it provides for those payments. Investors may wish to take intermediary payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund shares.

Additional Information

Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.

DTC Acts as Securities Depository for Fund Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ( “DTC” ) or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants” ) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE” ) and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants” ).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners” ) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to a letter agreement between DTC and the Trust, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participants a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Fund distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, as the registered holder of all Fund shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “ street name, ” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy that seeks to ensure that proxies for securities held by the Fund are voted consistently with the best interests of the Fund.

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The Board has delegated to First Trust the proxy voting responsibilities for the Fund and has directed First Trust to vote proxies consistent with the Fund’s best interests. First Trust has engaged the services of Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. ( “ISS” ), to make recommendations to First Trust on the voting of proxies relating to securities held by the Fund. If First Trust manages the assets of a company or its pension plan and any of First Trust’s clients hold any securities of that company, First Trust will vote proxies relating to such company’s securities in accordance with the ISS recommendations to avoid any conflict of interest.

To the extent that the Fund invests in other registered investment companies ( “acquired funds” ), it may do so pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC. The relief granted by that order is conditioned upon complying with a number of undertakings, some of which require the Fund to vote its shares in an acquired fund in the same proportion as other holders of the acquired fund’s shares. As a result, to the extent that the Fund, or another registered investment company advised by First Trust, relies on the relief granted by the exemptive order to invest in a particular acquired fund, First Trust will vote shares of that acquired fund in the same proportion as the other holders of that acquired fund’s shares.

First Trust has adopted the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines. While these guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive, they do provide guidance on First Trust’s general voting policies. The ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines are attached hereto as Exhibit A .

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. Form N-Q for the Trust is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Trust’s Forms N-Q are available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 621-1675 or by writing to First Trust Portfolios L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.

Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Board of Trustees must approve all material amendments to this policy. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet websites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated each day the NYSE is open for trading via the National Securities Clearing Corporation ( “NSCC” ). The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also available on the Fund’s website at http://www.ftportfolios.com. The Trust, First Trust, FTP and BNYM will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.

Codes of Ethics. In order to mitigate the possibility that the Fund will be adversely affected by personal trading, the Trust, First Trust and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These Codes of Ethics contain policies restricting securities trading in personal accounts of the officers, Trustees and others who normally come into possession of information on portfolio transactions. Personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics may invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund; however, the Codes of Ethics require that each transaction in such securities be reviewed by the CCO or his or her designee. These Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations

Creation. The Trust issues and sells shares of the Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at its net asset value next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.

A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Deposit of Securities and Deposit or Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund may consist of (i) cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities, as defined below, and/or (ii) a designated portfolio of equity securities determined by First Trust — the “Deposit Securities” — per each Creation Unit Aggregation and generally an amount of cash — the “Cash Component” — computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component (including the cash in lieu amount) constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.

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The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the Balancing Amount. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit Aggregation and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the net asset value of Fund shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and (ii) the “Deposit Amount” — an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities and/or cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number ( i.e. , the net asset value per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the creator will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number ( i.e. , the net asset value per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the creator will receive the Cash Component.

The Custodian, through the NSCC (discussed below), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business of the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund.

Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund change as corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by First Trust with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash — i.e. , a “cash in lieu” amount — to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available, that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require, under certain circumstances, the substitution of a different security in lieu of depositing some or all of the Deposit Securities. The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to First Trust on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit or resulting from certain corporate actions.

In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day, the estimated Cash Component, for the current day as well as the Cash Component for the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. In order to be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund, an entity must be a DTC Participant (see the section entitled “Book Entry Only System”), must have executed an agreement with the Distributor and transfer agent, with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations ( “Participant Agreement” ) (discussed below) and must have international operational capabilities. A DTC Participant is also referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All Fund shares, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All standard orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the transfer agent no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the NYSE ( “Closing Time” ) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the net asset value of shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Participant Agreement, in the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available, which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the transfer agent pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below. Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communications failure may impede the ability to reach the transfer agent or an Authorized Participant.

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a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those persons placing orders should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

Placement of Creation Orders. Deposit Securities must be delivered to the Trust through DTC or NSCC, subject to and in accordance with the applicable provisions set forth in the Participant Agreement and Deposit Securities which are non-U.S. securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian of the Trust on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date, as defined below all in accordance with the terms of the Participant Agreement. If a Deposit Security is an ADR or similar domestic instrument, it may be delivered to the Custodian. The Authorized Participant must also pay on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date immediately available or same-day funds estimated by Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the creation order, together with the applicable Creation Transaction Fee (as defined below) and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. The “International Contractual Settlement Date” is the earlier of (i) the date upon which all of the required Deposit Securities, the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due are delivered to the Fund or (ii) the latest day for settlement on the customary settlement cycle in the jurisdiction(s) where any of the securities of the Fund are customarily traded. Any excess funds will be returned following settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit Aggregation.

Issuance of Creation Unit Aggregations. A Creation Unit Aggregation will generally not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the portfolio of Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component, the payment of the Creation Transaction Fee (as defined below) and any other required cash amounts have been completed. When the required Deposit Securities which are U.S. securities have been delivered to the Trust through DTC or NSCC, and each relevant subcustodian confirms to Custodian that the required Deposit Securities which are non-U.S. securities (or, when permitted in the sole discretion of Trust, the cash in lieu thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian, the Custodian shall notify the Distributor and the transfer agent which, acting on behalf of the Trust, will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust may in its sole discretion permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or for other relevant reasons. If the Distributor, acting on behalf of the Trust, determines that a “cash in lieu” amount will be accepted, the Distributor will notify the Authorized Participant and the transfer agent, and the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the “cash in lieu” amount, with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust as discussed below.

In the event that an order for a Creation Unit is incomplete because certain or all of the Deposit Securities are missing, the Trust may issue a Creation Unit notwithstanding such deficiency in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by an additional cash deposit (described below) with respect to the undelivered Deposit Securities. To the extent contemplated by the applicable Participant Agreement, Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund will be issued to such Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds having a value (marked to market daily) at least equal to 115% which First Trust may change from time to time of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement date. The Participant Agreement will permit the Fund to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the value of the collateral.

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halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Fund, the Trust, First Trust, the Distributor, the transfer agent, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; the imposition by a foreign government or a regulatory body of controls, or other monetary, currency or trading restrictions that directly affect the portfolio securities held; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits, nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation Transaction Fee. Purchasers of Creation Units must pay a creation transaction fee (the “Creation Transaction Fee” ) that is currently $500. The Creation Transaction Fee is applicable to each purchase transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. The Creation Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily net asset value per share times the number of shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. When the Fund permits an Authorized Participant to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of purchasing the Deposit Securities and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.

As discussed above, shares of the Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Fund cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities.

Redemption of Fund Shares in Creation Unit Aggregations. Fund shares may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the transfer agent and only on a Business Day. The Fund will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Unit Aggregations. Beneficial Owners must accumulate enough shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation in order to have such shares redeemed by the Trust. Shares generally will be redeemed in Creation Unit Aggregations in exchange for a particular portfolio of securities ( “Fund Securities” ), although the Fund has the right to make redemption payments in cash, in-kind or a combination of each. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur customary brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.

With respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.

Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund (as discussed below), the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation generally consist of Fund Securities — as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form — plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Creation Unit Aggregation being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount” ), less the applicable Redemption Transaction Fee as listed below and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the net asset value of the Fund shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the difference plus, the applicable Redemption Transaction Fee and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of

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the Fund or determination of the Fund’s net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as are permitted by the SEC.

Redemption Transaction Fee. Parties redeeming Creation Units must pay a redemption transaction fee (the “Redemption Transaction Fee” ) that is currently $500. The Redemption Transaction Fee is applicable to each redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. The Redemption Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order and may also be assessed an amount to cover other costs including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes and part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to such securities. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of such services.

Placement of Redemption Orders. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. Investors other than APs are responsible for making arrangements for a redemption request to be made through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by BNYM (in its capacity as transfer agent) not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of a Fund specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to BNYM; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Deliveries of Fund Securities to investors are generally expected to be made within three Business Days.

To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement, in the event the Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit Aggregation to be redeemed to the Fund’s transfer agent, the transfer agent may nonetheless accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash having a value (marked to market daily) at least equal to 115%, which First Trust may change from time to time, of the value of the missing shares.

The current procedures for collateralization of missing shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by BNYM and marked to market daily, and that the fees of BNYM and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. If the Authorized Participant’s agreement provides for collateralization, it will permit the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to purchase the missing shares at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares and the value of the collateral.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by BNYM according to the procedures set forth in this SAI under “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to BNYM by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of shares of the Fund are delivered to BNYM prior to the specified time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by BNYM on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to BNYM by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but either (i) the requisite number of shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the specified time, as described above, on such Transmittal Date, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust, i.e. , the Business Day on which the shares of the Fund are delivered through DTC to BNYM by the specified time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the net asset value of its Fund shares based on the net asset value of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charges for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder,

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provide such redeemer cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Redemption Amount, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the net asset value.

Redemptions of Fund shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

Because the portfolio securities of the Fund may trade on the relevant exchange(s) on days that the listing exchange for the Fund is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Fund, shareholders may not be able to redeem their shares of the Fund, or purchase and sell shares of the Fund on the listing exchange for the Fund, on days when the net asset value of the Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

Federal Tax Matters

This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning shares of the Fund. This section is current as of the date of the SAI. Tax laws and interpretations change frequently, and these summaries do not describe all of the tax consequences to all taxpayers. For example, these summaries generally do not describe your situation if you are a corporation, a non-U.S. person, a broker-dealer, or other investor with special circumstances. In addition, this section does not describe your state, local or foreign tax consequences.

This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of counsel to the Fund. The Internal Revenue Service could disagree with any conclusions set forth in this section. In addition, our counsel was not asked to review, and has not reached a conclusion with respect to the federal income tax treatment of the assets to be deposited in the Fund. This may not be sufficient for prospective investors to use for the purpose of avoiding penalties under federal tax law.

As with any investment, prospective investors should seek advice based on their individual circumstances from their own tax advisor.

The Fund intends to qualify annually and to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code” ).

To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, the Fund must, among other things, (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer generally limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more of certain publicly traded partnerships; and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income each taxable year. There are certain exceptions for failure to qualify if the failure is for reasonable cause or is de minimis, and certain corrective action is taken and certain tax payments are made by the Fund.

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to federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. In addition, amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax unless, generally, the Fund distributes during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. In order to prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

Subject to certain reasonable cause and de minimis exceptions, if the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income.

Distributions

Dividends paid out of the Fund’s investment company taxable income are generally taxable to a shareholder as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. However, certain ordinary income distributions received from the Fund may be taxed at capital gains tax rates. In particular, ordinary income dividends received by an individual shareholder from a regulated investment company such as the Fund are generally taxed at the same rates that apply to net capital gain, provided that certain holding period requirements are satisfied and provided the dividends are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund itself. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs and foreign corporations are qualifying dividends eligible for this lower tax rate only in certain circumstances. The Fund will provide notice to its shareholders of the amount of any distributions that may be taken into account as a dividend which is eligible for the capital gains tax rates. The Fund can not make any guarantees as to the amount of any distribution which will be regarded as a qualifying dividend.

A corporation that owns shares generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to many dividends received from the Fund because the dividends received deduction is generally not available for distributions from regulated investment companies. However, certain ordinary income dividends on shares that are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from certain domestic corporations may be reported by the Fund as being eligible for the dividends received deduction.

Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, properly reported as capital gain dividends are taxable to a shareholder as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held Fund shares. Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares, rather than cash, generally will have a tax basis in each such share equal to the value of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a shareholder as a return of capital which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares.

Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal income tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the value of those shares.

Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares

Upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund, which a shareholder holds as a capital asset, such a shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Generally, a shareholder’s gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year.

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Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

If a shareholder exchanges securities for Creation Units the shareholder will generally recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the shareholder’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. If a shareholder exchanges Creation Units for securities, then the shareholder will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the shareholder’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units or Creation Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Nature of Fund’s Investments

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur and (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.

Futures Contracts and Options

The Fund’s transactions in futures contracts and options will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund ( i.e. , may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital, or short-term or long-term), may accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and may defer Fund losses. These rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio ( i.e. , treat them as if they were closed out), and (b) may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement for qualifying to be taxed as a regulated investment company and the distribution requirements for avoiding excise taxes.

Investments in Certain Foreign Corporations

If the Fund holds an equity interest in any “passive foreign investment companies” ( “PFICs” ), which are generally certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on gains and certain distributions with respect to those equity interests, even if all the income or gain is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund will not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such taxes. The Fund may be able to make an election that could ameliorate these adverse tax consequences. In this case, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such PFIC shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases included in income. Under this election, the Fund might be required to recognize in a year income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income would nevertheless be subject to the distribution requirement and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above). Dividends paid by PFICs are not treated as qualified dividend income.

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Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all taxable distributions and sale proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or fail to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, a foreign corporation or foreign partnership ( “non-U.S. shareholder” ) depends on whether the income of the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder.

In addition to the rules described in this section concerning the potential imposition of withholding on distributions to non-U.S. persons, distributions to non-U.S. persons that are “financial institutions” may be subject to a withholding tax of 30% unless an agreement is in place between the financial institution and the U.S. Treasury to collect and disclose information about accounts, equity investments, or debt interests in the financial institution held by one or more U.S. persons or the institution is resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury. For these purposes, a “financial institution” means any entity that (i) accepts deposits in the ordinary course of a banking or similar business, (ii) holds financial assets for the account of others as a substantial portion of its business, or (iii) is engaged (or holds itself out as being engaged) primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities, partnership interests, commodities or any interest (including a futures contract or option) in such securities, partnership interests or commodities. Dispositions of shares by such persons may be subject to such withholding after December 31, 2018.

Distributions to non-financial non-U.S. entities (other than publicly traded foreign entities, entities owned by residents of U.S. possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, or foreign central banks) will also be subject to a withholding tax of 30% if the entity does not certify that the entity does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provide the name, address and TIN of each substantial U.S. owner. Dispositions of shares by such persons may be subject to such withholding after December 31, 2018.

Income Not Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions.

Distributions of capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by the Fund which are properly reported by the Fund as undistributed capital gains will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a non-U.S. shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the non-U.S. shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. If a non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual, any gain such shareholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of such shareholder’s shares of the Fund in the United States will ordinarily be exempt from U.S. tax unless the gain is U.S. source income and such shareholder is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. Distributions from the Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as an interest-related dividend attributable to certain interest income received by the Fund or as a short-term capital gain dividend attributable to certain net short-term capital gain income received by the Fund may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes when received by certain foreign investors, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met.

In addition, capital gain distributions attributable to gains from U.S. real property interests (including certain U.S. real property holding corporations) will generally be subject to United States withholding tax and will give rise to an obligation on the part of the foreign shareholder to file a United States tax return.

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Income Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are properly reported by the Fund as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Non-U.S. corporate shareholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code. The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

Other Taxation

Fund shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

Determination of Net Asset Value

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Net Asset Value.”

The per share net asset value of the Fund is determined by dividing the total value of the securities and other assets, less liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding. Under normal circumstances, daily calculation of the net asset value will utilize the last closing sale price of each security held by the Fund at the close of the market on which such security is principally listed. In determining net asset value, portfolio securities for the Fund for which accurate market quotations are readily available will be valued by the Fund accounting agent as follows:

(1)	Common stocks and other equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange other than Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market ( “AIM” ) will be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded, or the official closing price for Nasdaq and AIM securities. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price or official closing price, as applicable, on the Business Day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities.
(2)	Shares of open-end funds are valued at fair value which is based on NAV per share.
(3)	Securities traded in the OTC market are fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price.
(4)	Exchange traded options and futures contracts are valued at the closing price in the market where such contracts are principally traded. If no closing price is available, they will be fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price. OTC options and futures contracts are fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price.
(5)	Forward foreign currency contracts are fair valued at the current day’s interpolated foreign exchange rate, as calculated using the current day’s spot rate, and the 30, 60, 90 and 180-day forward rates provided by a pricing service or by certain independent dealers in such contracts.

In addition, the following types of securities will be fair valued by the Fund accounting agent as follows:

(1)

Fixed-income securities, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, total return swaps, currency swaps, currency-linked notes, credit-linked notes and other similar instruments will be fair valued using a pricing service.

(2)

Fixed income and other debt securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less when purchased are fair valued at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts (amortized cost), provided the Advisor’s Pricing Committee has determined that the use of amortized cost is an appropriate reflection of fair value given market and issuer-specific conditions existing at the time of the determination. Factors that may be considered in determining the appropriateness of the use of amortized cost include, but are not limited to, the following:

(i)	the credit conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto;

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(ii)	the liquidity conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto;
(iii)	the interest rate conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto (such as significant changes in interest rates);
(iv)	issuer-specific conditions (such as significant credit deterioration); and
(v)	any other market-based data the Advisor’s Pricing Committee considers relevant. In this regard, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee may use last-obtained market-based data to assist it when valuing portfolio securities using amortized cost.

(3)

Repurchase agreements will be fair valued as follows. Overnight repurchase agreements will be fair valued at amortized cost when it represents the best estimate of fair value. Term repurchase agreements (i.e., those whose maturity exceeds seven days) will be fair valued by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee at the average of the bid quotations obtained daily from at least two recognized dealers.

If the Advisor’s Pricing Committee has reason to question the accuracy or reliability of a price supplied or the use of the amortized cost methodology, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee shall determine if “it needs to fair value” such portfolio security pursuant to established valuation procedures. From time to time, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee will request that the Fund accounting agent submit price challenges to a pricing service, usually in response to any updated broker prices received.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established pricing methods. Such securities may be valued by the Board of Trustees or its delegate, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, at fair value. These securities generally include but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities that may not be publicly sold without registration under the 1933 Act) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market or fair value price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of Fund net asset value (as may be the case in foreign markets on which the security is primarily traded) or is likely to make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s fair value. Fair value prices represent any prices not considered market value prices and are either obtained from a pricing service or are determined by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee. Market value prices represent last sale or official closing prices from a national or foreign exchange (i.e., a regulated market) and are primarily obtained from pricing services. If no market price or official close price is available from either a pricing service or no quotations are available from one or more brokers or if the Advisor’s Pricing Committee has reason to question the reliability or accuracy of a price supplied or the use of amortized cost, the value of any portfolio security held by a Fund for which reliable market prices/quotations are not readily available will be determined by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee in a manner that most appropriately reflects fair market value of the security on the valuation date, based on a consideration of all available information. When fair value prices are used, generally they will differ from market quotations or official closing prices on the applicable exchange.

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which a shareholder may purchase the shares of a Fund, the value of a Fund’s investments may change on the days when shareholders are not able to purchase the shares of the Fund. For foreign securities, if an extraordinary market event occurs between the time the last “current” market quotation is available for a security in the Fund’s portfolio and the time the Fund’s net asset value is determined and calls into doubt whether that earlier market quotation represents fair value at the time the Fund’s net asset value is determined, the Fund accounting agent will immediately notify the Advisor’s Pricing Committee and the Advisor’s Pricing Committee shall determine the fair valuation. For foreign securities, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee may seek to determine the “fair value” of such securities by retaining a pricing service to determine the value of the securities.

Foreign securities, currencies and other assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar as provided by a pricing service. All assets denominated in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation.

Dividends and Distributions

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”

General Policies. Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a

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more frequent basis. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a regulated investment company or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

Dividends and other distributions of Fund shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Fund.

Dividend Reinvestment Service. No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their brokers in order to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.

Miscellaneous Information

Counsel. Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, is counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 111 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, serves as the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. The firm audits The Fund's financial statements and performs other related audit services.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholder of

First Trust CEF Income Opportunities ETF:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of First Trust CEF Income Opportunities ETF (the “Fund”), a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, as of September 16, 2016. This statement of assets and liabilities is the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the statement of assets and liabilities referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Trust CEF Income Opportunities ETF as of September 16, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, Illinois

September 23, 2016

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First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities

September 16, 2016

ASSETS:
Cash	$100,000
Total Assets	$100,000
Paid in Capital	$100,000
NET ASSETS	$100,000
Shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized, $0.01 par value)	5,000
Net asset value, offering price, and redemption price per share	$ 20.00

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Note 1: Organization

First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the “Fund”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), is a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, a registered open-end investment company that was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 22, 2016. The Fund has had no operations through September 16, 2016, other than matters relating to organization and registration and the sale of its shares to First Trust Portfolios L.P., the sole shareholder of the Fund.

The Fund seeks to provide current income with a secondary emphasis on total return. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in a portfolio of closed-end investment companies that are listed and traded in the United States on registered exchanges.

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund, which is an investment company within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update 2013-08, follows accounting and reporting guidance under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The preparation of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Fund intends to comply in its initial fiscal year and thereafter with provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gains) distributed to shareholders.

Note 3: Fees and Expenses

First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust” or the “Advisor”) has agreed to bear the organization and offering costs of the Fund. First Trust is responsible for the selection and ongoing monitoring of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio and certain other services necessary for the management of the portfolio. First Trust will manage the investment of the Fund’s assets and will be responsible for the Fund’s expenses, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, license and other services, but excluding fee payments under the Investment Management Agreement, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, distribution and service fees pursuant to a 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses. The Fund has agreed to pay First Trust an annual management fee equal to 0.85% of its average daily net assets.

Note 4: Capital

Subsequent to the Fund’s organization, shares will be created and redeemed by the Fund only in large blocks consisting of 50,000 Shares. Each block of 50,000 Shares is called a “Creation Unit.” As a practical matter, only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements, called “Authorized Participants” (“APs”), can purchase or redeem these Creation Units. Transaction fees, based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio

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and the countries in which the transactions are settled, are charged to those APs creating or redeeming Creation Units. The Fund’s Creation Units will generally be issued and redeemed for cash and, in certain circumstances, in-kind for the securities in which the Fund invests. Unlike most ETFs, the Fund currently intends to effect most creations and redemptions, in whole or in part, for cash, rather than in-kind, because of the nature of the Fund’s underlying investments. As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax efficient than an investment in a more conventional ETF.

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Exhibit A — Proxy Voting Guidelines

United States

Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

2016 Benchmark Policy Recommendations

Effective for Meetings on or after February 1, 2016
Published January 22, 2016

www.issgovernance.com

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The policies contained herein are a sampling of selected key U.S. proxy voting guidelines and are not
intended to be exhaustive. A full summary of ISS’ 2016 proxy voting guidelines can be found at:
http://www.issgovernance.com/policy-gateway/2016-policy-information/

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for director nominees, except under the following circumstances:

1. Accountability

Vote against ⁽¹⁾ or withhold from the entire board of directors (except new nominees ⁽²⁾ , who should be considered case-by-case) for the following:

Problematic Takeover Defenses

Classified Board Structure:

1.1.	The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election. All appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable.

Director Performance Evaluation:

1.2.

The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company’s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company’s five-year total shareholder return and operational metrics. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:

➤	A classified board structure;
➤	A supermajority vote requirement;
➤	Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections or a majority vote standard with no plurality carve-out for contested elections;
➤	The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;
➤	The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;
➤	A dual-class capital structure; and/or
➤	A non-shareholder-approved poison pill.

⁽¹⁾

In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use “Withhold” as the contrary vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use “Against”. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid contrary vote option for the particular company.

⁽²⁾

A “new nominee” is any current nominee who has not already been elected by shareholders and who joined the board after the problematic action in question transpired. If ISS cannot determine whether the nominee joined the board before or after the problematic action transpired, the nominee will be considered a “new nominee” if he or she joined the board within the 12 months prior to the upcoming shareholder meeting.

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Poison Pills:

1.3.	The company’s poison pill has a “dead-hand” or “modified dead-hand” feature. Vote against or withhold from nominees every year until this feature is removed;
1.4.	The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term” pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote against or withhold votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill; or
1.5.	The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.

Vote case-by-case on all nominees if:

1.6.	The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors:

➤	The date of the pill‘s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders — i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on the ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances;
➤	The issuer’s rationale;
➤	The issuer’s governance structure and practices; and
➤	The issuer’s track record of accountability to shareholders.

Problematic Audit-Related Practices

Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the Audit Committee if:

1.7.	The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under “Auditor Ratification”);
1.8.	The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or
1.9.	There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

Vote case-by-case on members of the Audit Committee and potentially the full board if:

1.10.

Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence, and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether withhold/against votes are warranted.

Problematic Compensation Practices/Pay for Performance Misalignment

In the absence of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation ballot item or in egregious situations, vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

1.11.	There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
1.12.	The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;
1.13.	The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders;

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1.14.	The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or
1.15.	The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders.

Vote case-by-case on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if:

1.16.

The company’s previous say-on-pay received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

➤	The company's response, including:

➤	Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

➤	Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
➤	The company's ownership structure; and
➤	Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments

1.17.

Generally vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case) if the board amends the company's bylaws or charter without shareholder approval in a manner that materially diminishes shareholders' rights or that could adversely impact shareholders, considering the following factors:

➤	The board's rationale for adopting the bylaw/charter amendment without shareholder ratification;
➤	Disclosure by the company of any significant engagement with shareholders regarding the amendment;
➤	The level of impairment of shareholders' rights caused by the board's unilateral amendment to the bylaws/charter;
➤	The board's track record with regard to unilateral board action on bylaw/charter amendments or other entrenchment provisions;
➤	The company's ownership structure;
➤	The company's existing governance provisions;
➤	The timing of the board's amendment to the bylaws/charter in connection with a significant business development; and,
➤	Other factors, as deemed appropriate, that may be relevant to determine the impact of the amendment on shareholders.

Unless the adverse amendment is reversed or submitted to a binding shareholder vote, in subsequent years vote case-by-case on director nominees. Generally vote against (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case) if the directors:

➤	Classified the board;
➤	Adopted supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter; or
➤	Eliminated shareholders' ability to amend bylaws.

1.18.

For newly public companies, generally vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case) if, prior to or in connection with the company's public offering, the company or its board adopted bylaw or charter provisions materially adverse to shareholder rights, considering the following factors:

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➤	The level of impairment of shareholders' rights caused by the provision;
➤	The disclosed rationale for adopting the provision;
➤	The ability to change the governance structure in the future ( e.g. , limitations on shareholders’ right to amend the bylaws or charter, or supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter);
➤	The ability of shareholders to hold directors accountable through annual director elections, or whether the company has a classified board structure; and,
➤	A public commitment to put the provision to a shareholder vote within three years of the date of the initial public offering.

Unless the adverse provision is reversed or submitted to a vote of public shareholders, vote case-by-case on director nominees in subsequent years.

Governance Failures

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to:

1.19.	Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight ⁽³⁾ , or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;
1.20.	Failure to replace management as appropriate; or
1.21.	Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

2. Responsiveness

Vote case-by-case on individual directors, committee members, or the entire board of directors as appropriate if:

2.1.	The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year. Factors that will be considered are:

➤	Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;
➤	Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;
➤	The subject matter of the proposal;
➤	The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;
➤	Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with shareholders;
➤	The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either shareholder or management proposals); and
➤	Other factors as appropriate.

2.2.	The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;
2.3.	At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote;
2.4.	The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency; or

⁽³⁾	Examples of failure of risk oversight include, but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging of company stock; or significant pledging of company stock.

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2.5.	The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account:

➤	The board's rationale for selecting a frequency that is different from the frequency that received a plurality;
➤	The company's ownership structure and vote results;
➤	ISS' analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and
➤	The previous year's support level on the company's say-on-pay proposal.

3. Composition

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings:

3.1.

Generally vote against or withhold from directors (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case ⁽⁴⁾ who attend less than 75 percent of the aggregate of their board and committee meetings for the period for which they served, unless an acceptable reason for absences is disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing. Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:

➤	Medical issues/illness;
➤	Family emergencies; and
➤	Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).

3.2.	If the proxy disclosure is unclear and insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of his/her board and committee meetings during his/her period of service, vote against or withhold from the director(s) in question.

Overboarded Directors:

Vote against or withhold from individual directors who:

3.3.	Sit on more than six public company boards; with respect to annual meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2017 ⁽⁵⁾ , sit on more than five public company boards; or
3.4.	Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own — withhold only at their outside boards ⁽⁶⁾ .

4. Independence

Vote against or withhold from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the Categorization of Directors) when:

4.1.	The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;

⁽⁴⁾	For new nominees only, schedule conflicts due to commitments made prior to their appointment to the board are considered if disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing.

⁽⁵⁾	This policy change includes a 1-year transition period to allow time for affected directors to address necessary changes if they wish.

⁽⁶⁾

Although all of a CEO’s subsidiary boards will be counted as separate boards, ISS will not recommend a withhold vote from the CEO of a parent company board or any of the controlled (>50 percent ownership) subsidiaries of that parent, but may do so at subsidiaries that are less than 50 percent controlled and boards outside the parent/subsidiary relationships.

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4.2.	The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;
4.3.	The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or
4.4.	Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors.

Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring that the chairman’s position be filled by an independent director, taking into consideration the following:

➤	The scope of the proposal;
➤	The company's current board leadership structure;
➤	The company's governance structure and practices;
➤	Company performance; and
➤	Any other relevant factors that may be applicable.

Regarding the scope of the proposal, consider whether the proposal is precatory or binding and whether the proposal is seeking an immediate change in the chairman role or the policy can be implemented at the next CEO transition.

Under the review of the company's board leadership structure, ISS may support the proposal under the following scenarios absent a compelling rationale: the presence of an executive or non-independent chair in addition to the CEO; a recent recombination of the role of CEO and chair; and/or departure from a structure with an independent chair. ISS will also consider any recent transitions in board leadership and the effect such transitions may have on independent board leadership as well as the designation of a lead director role.

When considering the governance structure, ISS will consider the overall independence of the board, the independence of key committees, the establishment of governance guidelines, board tenure and its relationship to CEO tenure, and any other factors that may be relevant. Any concerns about a company's governance structure will weigh in favor of support for the proposal.

The review of the company's governance practices may include, but is not limited to poor compensation practices, material failures of governance and risk oversight, related-party transactions or other issues putting director independence at risk, corporate or management scandals, and actions by management or the board with potential or realized negative impact on shareholders. Any such practices may suggest a need for more independent oversight at the company thus warranting support of the proposal.

ISS' performance assessment will generally consider one-, three, and five-year TSR compared to the company's peers and the market as a whole. While poor performance will weigh in favor of the adoption of an independent chair policy, strong performance over the long-term will be considered a mitigating factor when determining whether the proposed leadership change warrants support.

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Proxy Access

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals for proxy access with the following provisions:

➤	Ownership threshold: maximum requirement not more than three percent (3%) of the voting power;
➤	Ownership duration: maximum requirement not longer than three (3) years of continuous ownership for each member of the nominating group;
➤	Aggregation: minimal or no limits on the number of shareholders permitted to form a nominating group;
➤	Cap: cap on nominees of generally twenty-five percent (25%) of the board.

Review for reasonableness any other restrictions on the right of proxy access.

Generally vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.

Proxy Contests/Proxy Access — Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:

➤	Long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry;
➤	Management’s track record;
➤	Background to the contested election;
➤	Nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements;
➤	Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of the critique against management;
➤	Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); and
➤	Stock ownership positions.

In the case of candidates nominated pursuant to proxy access, vote case-by-case considering any applicable factors listed above or additional factors which may be relevant, including those that are specific to the company, to the nominee(s) and/or to the nature of the election (such as whether or not there are more candidates than board seats).

CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING

Common Stock Authorization

➤	General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class of common stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote against proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares if a vote for a reverse stock split on the same ballot is warranted despite the fact that the authorized shares would not be reduced proportionally.

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Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:

➤	Past Board Performance:

➤	The company's use of authorized shares during the last three years

➤	The Current Request:

➤	Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase;
➤	Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; and
➤	The dilutive impact of the request as determined relative to an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns.

ISS will apply the relevant allowable increase below to requests to increase common stock that are for general corporate purposes (or to the general corporate purposes portion of a request that also includes a specific need):

A.	Most companies: 100 percent of existing authorized shares.
B.	Companies with less than 50 percent of existing authorized shares either outstanding or reserved for issuance: 50 percent of existing authorized shares.
C.	Companies with one- and three-year total shareholder returns (TSRs) in the bottom 10 percent of the U.S. market as of the end of the calendar quarter that is closest to their most recent fiscal year end: 50 percent of existing authorized shares.
D.	Companies at which both conditions (B and C) above are both present: 25 percent of existing authorized shares.

If there is an acquisition, private placement, or similar transaction on the ballot (not including equity incentive plans) that ISS is recommending FOR, the allowable increase will be the greater of (i) twice the amount needed to support the transactions on the ballot, and (ii) the allowable increase as calculated above.

Mergers and Acquisitions

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

➤	Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale.
➤	Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.
➤	Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.
➤	Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation "wins" can also signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process ( e.g. , full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.
➤	Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests

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may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the "ISS Transaction Summary" section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists.

➤

Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

COMPENSATION

Executive Pay Evaluation

Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs:

1.	Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;
2.	Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;
3.	Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making ( e.g. , including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);
4.	Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;
5.	Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.

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Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation — Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay)

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.
	Vote against Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Management Say-on-Pay — MSOP) if:

➤	There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
➤	The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;
➤	The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

Vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

➤	There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an MSOP is warranted due to pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;
➤	The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast;
➤	The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or
➤	The situation is egregious.

Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation

ISS annually conducts a pay-for-performance analysis to identify strong or satisfactory alignment between pay and performance over a sustained period. With respect to companies in the Russell 3000 or Russell 3000E Indices ⁽⁷⁾ , this analysis considers the following:

1.	Peer Group ⁽⁸⁾ Alignment:

➤	The degree of alignment between the company's annualized TSR rank and the CEO's annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.
➤	The multiple of the CEO's total pay relative to the peer group median.

2.	Absolute Alignment ⁽⁹⁾ – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e. , the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.

If the above analysis demonstrates significant unsatisfactory long-term pay-for-performance alignment or, in the case of companies outside the Russell indices, misaligned pay and performance are otherwise suggested, our analysis may include any of the following qualitative factors, as relevant to evaluating how various pay elements may work to encourage or to undermine long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests:

⁽⁷⁾	The Russell 3000E Index includes approximately 4,000 of the largest U.S. equity securities.

⁽⁸⁾

The revised peer group is generally comprised of 14-24 companies that are selected using market cap, revenue (or assets for certain financial firms), GICS industry group, and company's selected peers' GICS industry group, with size constraints, via a process designed to select peers that are comparable to the subject company in terms of revenue/assets and industry, and also within a market cap bucket that is reflective of the company's. For Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels companies, market cap is the only size determinant.

⁽⁹⁾	Only Russell 3000 Index companies are subject to the Absolute Alignment analysis.

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➤	The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards;
➤	The overall ratio of performance-based compensation;
➤	The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals;
➤	The company's peer group benchmarking practices;
➤	Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers;
➤	Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices ( e.g. , bi-annual awards);
➤	Realizable pay ⁽¹⁰⁾ compared to grant pay; and
➤	Any other factors deemed relevant.

Problematic Pay Practices

The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including:

➤	Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;
➤	Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and
➤	Options Backdating.

Problematic Pay Practices related to Non-Performance-Based Compensation Elements

Pay elements that are not directly based on performance are generally evaluated case-by-case considering the context of a company's overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. Please refer to ISS' Compensation FAQ document for detail on specific pay practices that have been identified as potentially problematic and may lead to negative recommendations if they are deemed to be inappropriate or unjustified relative to executive pay best practices. The list below highlights the problematic practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may result in adverse vote recommendations:

➤	Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);
➤	Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting;
➤	New or extended agreements that provide for:

➤	CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus;
➤	CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties ("single" or "modified single" triggers);
➤	CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including "modified" gross-ups);

➤	Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally-managed issuers (EMIs) such that a reasonable assessment of pay programs and practices applicable to the EMI's executives is not possible.

Incentives that may Motivate Excessive Risk-Taking

➤	Multi-year guaranteed bonuses;
➤	A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans;
➤	Lucrative severance packages;
➤	High pay opportunities relative to industry peers;
➤	Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or
➤	Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk.

Factors that potentially mitigate the impact of risky incentives include rigorous claw-back provisions and robust stock ownership/holding guidelines.

⁽¹⁰⁾	ISS research reports include realizable pay for S&P1500 companies.

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Options Backdating

The following factors should be examined case-by-case to allow for distinctions to be made between “sloppy” plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud:

➤	Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;
➤	Duration of options backdating;
➤	Size of restatement due to options backdating;
➤	Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and
➤	Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future.

Compensation Committee Communications and Responsiveness

Consider the following factors case-by-case when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board’s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues:

➤	Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or
➤	Failure to adequately respond to the company's previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

➤	The company's response, including:

➤	Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

➤	Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
➤	The company's ownership structure; and
➤	Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans

➤

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on certain equity-based compensation plans ⁽¹¹⁾ depending on a combination of certain plan features and equity grant practices, where positive factors may counterbalance negative factors, and vice versa, as evaluated using an "equity plan scorecard" (EPSC) approach with three pillars:

➤	Plan Cost: The total estimated cost of the company’s equity plans relative to industry/market cap peers, measured by the company's estimated Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) in relation to peers and considering both:

➤	SVT based on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants, plus outstanding unvested/unexercised grants; and
➤	SVT based only on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants.

➤	Plan Features:

➤	Automatic single-triggered award vesting upon a change in control (CIC);
➤	Discretionary vesting authority;
➤	Liberal share recycling on various award types;

⁽¹¹⁾

Proposals evaluated under the EPSC policy generally include those to approve or amend (1) stock option plans for employees and/or employees and directors, (2) restricted stock plans for employees and/or employees and directors, and (3) omnibus stock incentive plans for employees and/or employees and directors.

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2016 U.S. Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

➤	Lack of minimum vesting period for grants made under the plan.

➤	Grant Practices:

➤	The company’s three year burn rate relative to its industry/market cap peers;
➤	Vesting requirements in most recent CEO equity grants (3-year look-back);
➤	The estimated duration of the plan (based on the sum of shares remaining available and the new shares requested, divided by the average annual shares granted in the prior three years);
➤	The proportion of the CEO's most recent equity grants/awards subject to performance conditions;
➤	Whether the company maintains a claw-back policy;
➤	Whether the company has established post exercise/vesting share-holding requirements.

Generally vote against the plan proposal if the combination of above factors indicates that the plan is not, overall, in shareholders' interests, or if any of the following egregious factors apply:

➤	Awards may vest in connection with a liberal change-of-control definition;
➤	The plan would permit repricing or cash buyout of underwater options without shareholder approval (either by expressly permitting it — for NYSE and Nasdaq listed companies — or by not prohibiting it when the company has a history of repricing — for non-listed companies);
➤	The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices or a significant pay-for-performance disconnect under certain circumstances; or
➤	Any other plan features are determined to have a significant negative impact on shareholder interests.

SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS)

Global Approach

Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short or long term.

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will also be considered:

➤	If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;
➤	If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;
➤	Whether the proposal's request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;
➤	The company's approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;
➤	If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and
➤	If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

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2016 U.S. Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for resolutions requesting that a company disclose information on the risks related to climate change on its operations and investments, such as financial, physical, or regulatory risks, considering:

➤	Whether the company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impact that climate change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
➤	The company’s level of disclosure is at least comparable to that of industry peers; and
➤	There are no significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s environmental performance.

Generally vote for proposals requesting a report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from company operations and/or products and operations, unless:

➤	The company already discloses current, publicly-available information on the impacts that GHG emissions may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
➤	The company's level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and
➤	There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company's GHG emissions.

Vote case-by-case on proposals that call for the adoption of GHG reduction goals from products and operations, taking into account:

➤	Whether the company provides disclosure of year-over-year GHG emissions performance data;
➤	Whether company disclosure lags behind industry peers;
➤	The company's actual GHG emissions performance;
➤	The company's current GHG emission policies, oversight mechanisms, and related initiatives; and
➤	Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or controversy related to GHG emissions.

Board Diversity

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for requests for reports on a company's efforts to diversify the board, unless:

➤	The gender and racial minority representation of the company’s board is reasonably inclusive in relation to companies of similar size and business; and
➤	The board already reports on its nominating procedures and gender and racial minority initiatives on the board and within the company.

Vote case-by-case on proposals asking a company to increase the gender and racial minority representation on its board, taking into account:

➤	The degree of existing gender and racial minority diversity on the company’s board and among its executive officers;
➤	The level of gender and racial minority representation that exists at the company’s industry peers;
➤	The company’s established process for addressing gender and racial minority board representation;
➤	Whether the proposal includes an overly prescriptive request to amend nominating committee charter language;
➤	The independence of the company’s nominating committee;
➤	Whether the company uses an outside search firm to identify potential director nominees; and
➤	Whether the company has had recent controversies, fines, or litigation regarding equal employment practices.

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2016 U.S. Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

Sustainability Reporting

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless:

➤	The company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such as an environment, health, and safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive code of corporate conduct; and/or a diversity report; or
➤	The company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified time frame.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Compensation-Related Proposals

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to link, or report on linking, executive compensation to sustainability (environmental and social) criteria, considering:

➤	Whether the company has significant and/or persistent controversies or regulatory violations regarding social and/or environmental issues;
➤	Whether the company has management systems and oversight mechanisms in place regarding its social and environmental performance;
➤	The degree to which industry peers have incorporated similar non-financial performance criteria in their executive compensation practices; and
➤	The company's current level of disclosure regarding its environmental and social performance.

This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the "Information") is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve, or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS for A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

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Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits), or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

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PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Investment Company Act File No. 811-23147

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

FUND NAME		TICKER SYMBOL		EXCHANGE
First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF		MCEF		Nasdaq

DATED [TO BE UPDATED]

This Statement of Additional Information ( “SAI” ) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated [TO BE UPDATED], as it may be revised from time to time (the “Prospectus” ), for First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the “Fund” ), a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the “Trust” ). Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust’s distributor, First Trust Portfolios L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, or by calling toll free at (800) 621-1675.

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General Description of the Trust and the Fund	1
Exchange Listing and Trading	2
Investment Objective and Policies	3
Investment Strategies	4
Investment Risks	9
Management of the Fund	10
Brokerage Allocations	17
Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Distributor, Additional Service Provider and Exchange	18
Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries	20
Additional Information	21
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures	22
Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations	23
Federal Tax Matters	28
Determination of Net Asset Value	31
Dividends and Distributions	33
Miscellaneous Information	33
Exhibit A—Proxy Voting Guidelines	A-1

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General Description of the Trust and the Fund

The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 22, 2016, and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or more series or “Funds.” The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ). The Trust currently offers shares in two series: including the First Trust CEF Income Opportunities ETF and First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunities ETF, each of which is a non-diversified series.

This SAI relates to the Fund. The Fund, as a series of the Trust, represents a beneficial interest in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets, with its own objective and policies.

The Trust or any series or class thereof may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees upon written notice to the shareholders.

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required, consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all series of the Trust vote together as a single class except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act or if the matter being voted on affects only a particular series, and, if a matter affects a particular series differently from other series, the shares of that series will vote separately on such matter. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration” ) requires a shareholder vote only on those matters where the 1940 Act requires a vote of shareholders and otherwise permits the Trustees to take actions without seeking the consent of shareholders. For example, the Declaration gives the Trustees broad authority to approve reorganizations between the Fund and another entity, such as another exchange-traded fund, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets, or the termination of the Trust or the Fund without shareholder approval if the 1940 Act would not require such approval.

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including attorneys’ fees. The Declaration also provides that any shareholder bringing an action against the Fund waives the right to trial by jury to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The Trust is not required to and does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders.

The Fund is advised by First Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor” or “First Trust” ).

Exchange Listing and Trading

As in the case of other stocks traded on Nasdaq, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The Funds reserve the right to adjust the price levels of shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.

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Investment Objective and Policies

(1)	The Fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
(2)	The Fund may not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
(3)	The Fund will not underwrite the securities of other issuers except to the extent the Fund may be considered an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act” ), in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
(4)	The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).
(5)	The Fund may not make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under the Fund's investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements, or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of portfolio securities may be made by the Fund if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would exceed 33⅓% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
(6)	The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts, forward contracts or other derivative instruments, or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
(7)	The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies..

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The Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy pursuant to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Name Policy” ) whereby the Fund, under normal market conditions, invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in Closed-End Funds that invest primarily in Municipal Securities (as defined below).

The Fund will look to the Underlying Funds’ investment objective and principal investment strategies to determine compliance with the Name Policy. The Name Policy may not be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without shareholder approval.

Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in a portfolio of closed-end investment companies that are listed and traded in the United States on registered exchanges ( “Closed-End Funds” ) which invest primarily in municipal debt securities some or all of which pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income taxes ( “Municipal Securities” ). In selecting the Closed-End Funds in which the Fund will invest ( “Underlying Funds” ), the Fund’s investment advisor will analyze relevant Closed-End Fund data metrics and economic factors.

Types of Investments

Fixed income investments and cash equivalents held by the Fund may include, without limitation, the types of investments set forth below.

(1)

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	Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, the Maritime Administration, the Small Business Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority. An instrumentality of the U.S. government is a government agency organized under federal charter with government supervision. Instrumentalities issuing or guaranteeing securities include, among others, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Banks, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Federal National Mortgage Association. In the case of those U.S. government securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. The U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities; and, consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2)	The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. If such certificates of deposit are non-negotiable, they will be considered illiquid securities and be subject to the Fund’s 15% restriction on investments in illiquid securities. Pursuant to the certificate of deposit, the issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured. The Fund may only invest in certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with at least $1 billion in assets.
(3)	The Fund may invest in bankers’ acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of interest for a specific maturity.
(4)	The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities with counterparties that are deemed by the Advisor to present acceptable credit risks. In such an action, at the time the Fund purchases the security, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver the security to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the security at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the affected Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered into, however, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The portfolio managers monitor the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The portfolio managers do so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(5)	The Fund may invest in bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which case the yields of these investments will be reduced.
(6)	The Fund may invest in commercial paper, which are short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for the notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Fund’s portfolio managers will consider the financial condition of the corporation ( e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity

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might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. The Fund may invest in commercial paper only if it has received the highest rating from at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by First Trust to be of comparable quality.

(7)

Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest in illiquid securities ( i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). For purposes of this restriction, illiquid securities include, but are not limited to, certain restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act that are deemed to be illiquid; and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. However, the Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a result, such securities would comprise more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The Board of Trustees or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 15% limitation. The Board of Trustees has delegated to First Trust the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any equity or fixed-income security, although it has retained oversight for such determinations. With respect to Rule 144A securities, First Trust considers factors such as (i) the nature of the market for a security (including the institutional private resale market, the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security, the amount of time normally needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer); (ii) the terms of certain securities or other instruments allowing for the disposition to a third party or the issuer thereof ( e.g., certain repurchase obligations and demand instruments); and (iii) other permissible relevant factors.

As a shareholder in pooled investment vehicle, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that vehicle’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees with respect to assets so invested. Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other pooled asset vehicles. In addition, the Fund will also incur brokerage costs when purchasing and selling shares of ETFs.

Other pooled investment vehicles may be leveraged, and the net asset value and market value of their securities will therefore be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield of unleveraged pooled investment vehicles.

Municipal Securities. Municipal Securities are debt securities that generally pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income taxes. Municipal Securities are generally issued by or on behalf of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. The types of Municipal Securities in which the Underlying Funds may invest include municipal lease obligations (and certificates of participation in such obligations), municipal general obligation bonds, municipal revenue bonds, municipal notes, municipal cash equivalents, private activity bonds (including without limitation industrial development bonds), and pre-refunded and escrowed to maturity

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bonds. In addition, Municipal Securities include securities issued by tender option bond ( “TOB” ) trusts and custodial receipt trusts, each of which are investment vehicles the underlying assets of which are municipal bonds. Additional information on certain of the types of Municipal Securities in which Underlying Funds may invest is listed below.

Municipal Lease Obligations. The Underlying Funds may purchase municipal lease obligations, primarily through certificates of participation. Certificates of participation in municipal leases are undivided interests in a lease, installment purchase contract or conditional sale contract entered into by a state or local governmental unit to acquire equipment or facilities.

Private Activity Bonds. A private activity bond is a type of revenue bond that is issued by or on behalf of a state or local government for the purpose of financing the project of a private user. Revenue bonds are usually payable only out of a specific revenue source rather than from general revenues. Revenue bonds ordinarily are not backed by the faith, credit or general taxing power of the issuing governmental entity. The principal and interest on revenue bonds for private facilities are typically paid out of rents or other specified payments made to the issuing governmental entity by a private company which uses or operates the facilities. Industrial revenue bonds are an example of these types of obligations. Industrial revenue bonds are issued by governmental entities to provide financing aid to community facilities such as hospitals, hotels, business or residential complexes, convention halls and sport complexes.

Pre-Refunded and Escrowed to Maturity Bonds. There are two types of refunded bonds: pre-refunded bonds and escrowed-to-maturity ( “ETM” ) bonds. Refunded bonds may have originally been issued as general obligation or revenue bonds, but become refunded when they are secured by an escrow fund, usually consisting entirely of direct U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency obligations sufficient for paying the bondholders. The escrow fund for a pre-refunded municipal bond may be structured so that the refunded bonds are to be called at the first possible date or a subsequent call date established in the original bond debenture. The call price usually includes a premium from 1% to 3% above par. This type of structure usually is used for those refundings that either reduce the issuer’s interest payment expenses or change the debt maturity schedule. In escrow funds for ETM refunded municipal bonds, the maturity schedules of the securities in the escrow funds match the regular debt-service requirements on the bonds as originally stated in the bond indentures.

Tender Option Bonds. In a TOB transaction, one or more highly-rated municipal bonds are deposited into a special purpose trust that issues two types of securities: floating rate securities (or “floaters” ) and inverse floating rate securities. The Underlying Funds may acquire the inverse floating rate securities or “inverse floaters” from a TOB trust. The interest rates on inverse floaters issued by a TOB trust vary inversely to the interest rates paid on the floaters. Holders of the floaters have the right to tender their securities to the TOB trust at par plus accrued interest. As a result, holders of the inverse floaters are exposed to all of the gains or losses on the underlying municipal bonds, despite the fact that their net cash investment is significantly less than the value of the bonds. This multiplies the positive or negative impact of the underlying bonds’ price movements on the value of the inverse floaters, thereby creating effective leverage. Because changes in short-term interest rates inversely affect the rate of interest received on an inverse floater, and because inverse floaters essentially represent a leveraged investment, the value of an inverse floater is generally more volatile than that of a conventional fixed-rate bond having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity.

Custodial Receipt Trusts. Custodial receipts are financial instruments similar to TOBs that are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain municipal securities. The underwriter of these certificates or receipts typically purchases municipal securities and deposits them in an irrevocable trust or custodial account with a custodian bank, which then issues receipts or certificates that evidence ownership of the periodic unmatured coupon payments and the final principal payment on the obligation. The principal and interest payments on the municipal securities underlying custodial receipts may be allocated in a number of ways. For example, payments may be allocated such that certain custodial receipts may have variable or floating interest rates and others may be stripped securities which pay only the principal or interest due on the underlying municipal securities. The Underlying Funds may invest in custodial receipts which have inverse floating interest rates.

Refunded Bonds. The Underlying Funds may invest in refunded bonds. Refunded bonds may have originally been issued as general obligation or revenue bonds, but become refunded when they are secured by an escrow fund, usually consisting entirely of direct U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency obligations sufficient for paying the bondholders. There are two types of refunded bonds: pre-refunded bonds and escrowed-to-maturity (“ ETM ”) bonds. The escrow fund for a pre-refunded municipal bond may be structured so that the refunded bonds are to be called at the first possible date or a subsequent call date established in the original bond debenture. The call price usually includes a premium from 1% to 3% above par. This type of structure usually is used for those refundings that either reduce the issuer’s interest payment expenses or change the debt maturity schedule. In escrow funds for ETM refunded municipal bonds, the maturity schedules of the securities in the escrow funds match the regular debt-service requirements on the bonds as originally stated in the bond indentures.

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Derivative Municipal Securities. The Underlying Funds may also acquire derivative municipal securities, which are custodial receipts of certificates underwritten by securities dealers or banks that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain municipal securities. The underwriter of these certificates or receipts typically purchases municipal securities and deposits them in an irrevocable trust or custodial account with a custodian bank, which then issues receipts or certificates that evidence ownership of the periodic unmatured coupon payments and the final principal payment on the obligation.

The principal and interest payments on the municipal securities underlying custodial receipts may be allocated in a number of ways. For example, payments may be allocated such that certain custodial receipts may have variable or floating interest rates and others may be stripped securities which pay only the principal or interest due on the underlying municipal securities. The Fund may invest in custodial receipts which have inverse floating interest rates and other inverse floating rate municipal obligations, as described below.

Inverse Floating Rate Municipal Securities. The Underlying Funds may invest in inverse floating rate municipal securities or “inverse floaters,” whose rates vary inversely to interest rates on a specified short-term municipal bond index or on another instrument. Such securities involve special risks as compared to conventional fixed-rate bonds. Should short-term interest rates rise, the Underlying Funds’ investment in inverse floaters likely would adversely affect the Underlying Funds’ earnings and distributions to shareholders. Also, because changes in the interest rate on the other index or other instrument inversely affect the rate of interest received on an inverse floater, and because inverse floaters essentially represent a leveraged investment in a long-term bond, the value of an inverse floater is generally more volatile than that of a conventional fixed-rate bond having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity. Although volatile in value, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields substantially exceeding the yields available on conventional fixed-rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. The markets for inverse floating rate securities may be less developed and have less liquidity than the markets for conventional securities.

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund buys and sells portfolio securities in the normal course of their investment activities. The proportion of the Fund's investment portfolio that is bought and sold during a year is known as the Fund's portfolio turnover rate. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for example, if the Fund bought and sold securities valued at 100% of its net assets within one year. A high portfolio turnover rate could result in the payment by the Fund of increased brokerage costs, expenses and taxes.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

In order to generate additional income, as a non-principal investment strategy, First Trust is authorized to select certain Fund, with notice to the Board of Trustees, to lend portfolio securities representing up to 33⅓% of the value of their total assets to broker-dealers, banks or other institutional borrowers of securities. As with other extensions of credit, there may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the Fund will only enter into domestic loan arrangements with broker-dealers, banks or other institutions which First Trust has determined are creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. The lending Fund will pay a portion of the income earned on the lending transaction to the placing broker and may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with these loans. First Trust may select any Fund to participate in the securities lending program, at its discretion with notice to the Board of Trustees.

In these loan arrangements, the Fund will receive collateral in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other high-grade debt obligations equal to at least 102% (for domestic securities) or 105% (for international securities) of the market value of the securities loaned as determined at the time of loan origination. This collateral must be valued daily by First Trust or the Fund’s lending agent and, if the market value of the loaned securities increases, the borrower must furnish additional collateral to the lending Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the lending Fund any dividends or interest paid on the securities. Loans are subject to termination at any time by the lending Fund or the borrower. While the Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, it would terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered important with respect to the investment. When the Fund lends portfolio securities to a borrower, payments in lieu of dividends made by the borrower to the Fund will not constitute “qualified dividends” taxable at the same rate as long-term capital gains, even if the actual dividends would have constituted qualified dividends had the Fund held the securities.

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Investment Risks

The following risk disclosure supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment risks that appears in the Prospectus.

Overview

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks that an investment in Fund's shares entails, including the risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities held by the Fund or the general condition of the securities market may worsen and the value of the securities and therefore the value of the Fund may decline. The Fund may not be an appropriate investment for those who are unable or unwilling to assume the risks involved generally with such an investment. The past market and earnings performance of any of the securities included in the Fund is not predictive of their future performance.

Closed-End Fund Risk

Closed-End Funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the Closed-End Fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund's common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of Closed-End Funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

Escrowed-to-Maturity Municipal Bond Risk

Investment in ETM municipal bonds held by the Underlying Funds may subject the Underlying Funds to interest rate risk, market risk and credit risk. In addition, while a secondary market exists for ETM municipal bonds, if the Underlying Funds sell ETM municipal bonds prior to maturity, the price received may be more or less than the original cost, depending on market conditions at the time of sale.

Liquidity Risk

Whether or not the equity securities in the Underlying Funds held by the Fund are listed on a securities exchange, the principal trading market for certain of the equity securities in the Underlying Funds may be in the OTC market. As a result, the existence of a liquid trading market for the equity securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in the equity securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made for any of the equity securities, that any market for the equity securities will be maintained or that there will be sufficient liquidity of the equity securities in any markets made. The price at which the equity securities are held in the Underlying Funds held by the Fund will be adversely affected if trading markets for the equity securities are limited or absent.

Litigation Risk

At any time litigation may be instituted on a variety of grounds with respect to the common stocks held by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. The Fund is unable to predict whether litigation that has been or will be instituted might have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

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Pre-refunded Municipal Bonds Risk

Investment in pre-refunded municipal bonds held by the Underlying Funds may subject the Underlying Funds to interest rate risk, market risk and credit risk. In addition, while a secondary market exists for pre-refunded municipal bonds, if the Underlying Funds sell pre-refunded municipal bonds prior to maturity, the price received may be more or less than the original cost, depending on market conditions at the time of sale.

Management of the Fund

Trustees and Officers

The general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. There are five Trustees of the Trust, one of whom is an “interested person” (as the term is defined in the 1940 Act) and four of whom are Trustees who are not officers or employees of First Trust or any of its affiliates ( “Independent Trustees” ). The Trustees set broad policies for the Fund, choose the Trust’s officers and hire the Trust’s investment advisor. The officers of the Trust manage its day-to-day operations and are responsible to the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and a statement of their present positions and principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each Trustee oversees and the other directorships they have held during the past five years, if applicable. Each Trustee has been elected for an indefinite term. The officers of the Trust serve indefinite terms. Each Trustee, except for James A. Bowen, is an Independent Trustee. Mr. Bowen is deemed an “interested person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) ( “Interested Trustee” ) of the Trust due to his position as Chief Executive Officer of First Trust, investment advisor to the Fund.

Name, Address and Date of Birth	Position and Offices with Trust	Term of Office and Year First Elected or Appointed	Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years	Number of Portfolios in the First Trust Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee	Other Trusteeships or Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past 5 Years
TRUSTEE WHO IS AN INTERESTED PERSON OF THE TRUST
James A. Bowen ⁽¹⁾ 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 09/55	Chairman of the Board and Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Chief Executive Officer, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Chairman of the Board of Directors, BondWave LLC (Software Development Company/ Investment Advisor) and Stonebridge Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor)	137 Portfolios	None
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Richard E. Erickson c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 04/51	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Physician; President, Wheaton Orthopedics; Limited Partner, Gundersen Real Estate Limited Partnership; Member, Sportsmed LLC (April 2007 to November 2015)	137 Portfolios	None
Thomas R. Kadlec c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 11/57	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	President, ADM Investor Services, Inc. (Futures Commission Merchant)	137 Portfolios	Director of ADM Investor Services, Inc., ADM Investor Services International, and Futures Industry Association
Robert F. Keith c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 11/56	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	President, Hibs Enterprises (Financial and Management Consulting)	137 Portfolios	Director of Trust Company of Illinois

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Name, Address and Date of Birth	Position and Offices with Trust	Term of Office and Year First Elected or Appointed	Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years	Number of Portfolios in the First Trust Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee	Other Trusteeships or Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Niel B. Nielson c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 03/54	Trustee	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (January 2015 to present), Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation (Educational Products and Services); President and Chief Executive Officer (June 2012 to September 2014), Servant Interactive LLC (Educational Products and Services); President and Chief Executive Officer (June 2012 to September 2014), Dew Learning LLC (Educational Products and Services); President (June 2002 to June 2012), Covenant College	137 Portfolios	Director of Covenant Transport Inc. (May 2003 to May 2014)
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
James M. Dykas 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 01/66	President and Chief Executive Officer	• Indefinite term • Since January 2016	Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (January 2016 to present), Controller (January 2011 to January 2016), Senior Vice President (April 2007 to January 2016), First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Donald P. Swade 120 E. Liberty Drive Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 08/72	Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer	• Indefinite term • Since January 2016	Vice President (April 2012 to Present), First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P., Vice President (September 2006 to April 2012), Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC/Claymore Securities, Inc.	N/A	N/A
W. Scott Jardine 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 05/60	Secretary and Chief Legal Officer	• Indefinite term • Since inception	General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Secretary and General Counsel, BondWave LLC (Software Development Company/ Investment Advisor) and Secretary, Stonebridge Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor)	N/A	N/A
Daniel J. Lindquist 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 02/70	Vice President	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Managing Director (July 2012 to present), Senior Vice President (September 2005 to July 2012), First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Kristi A. Maher 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 12/66	Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary	• Indefinite term • Chief Compliance Officer Since January 2011 • Assistant Secretary Since inception	Deputy General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Roger F. Testin 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 06/66	Vice President	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Senior Vice President, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A
Stan Ueland 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 D.O.B.: 11/70	Vice President	• Indefinite term • Since inception	Senior Vice President (September 2012 to present), Vice President (August 2005 to September 2012) First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.	N/A	N/A

(1)	Mr. Bowen is deemed an “interested person” of the Trust due to his position as Chief Executive Officer of First Trust, investment advisor of the Fund.

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Unitary Board Leadership Structure

Each Trustee serves as a trustee of all open-end and closed-end funds in the First Trust Fund Complex (as defined below), which is known as a “unitary” board leadership structure. Each Trustee currently serves as a trustee of First Trust Series Fund and First Trust Variable Insurance Trust, open-end funds with seven portfolios advised by First Trust; First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund, First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund, First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II, First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund, First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, First Trust Dividend and Income Fund, First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund, First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund, First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund, First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund, closed-end funds advised by First Trust; and First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund V, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX ^® Fund and First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX ^® Fund II, exchange-traded funds with 114 portfolios advised by First Trust (each a “First Trust Fund” and collectively, the “First Trust Fund Complex” ). None of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, nor any of their immediate family members, has ever been a director, officer or employee of, or consultant to, First Trust, First Trust Portfolios L.P. or their affiliates.

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The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for appointing and nominating non-interested persons to the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson are members of the Nominating and Governance Committee. If there is no vacancy on the Board of Trustees, the Board will not actively seek recommendations from other parties, including shareholders. The Board of Trustees adopted a mandatory retirement age of 75 for Trustees, beyond which age Trustees are ineligible to serve. The Committee will not consider new trustee candidates who are 72 years of age or older. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees occurs and nominations are sought to fill such vacancy, the Nominating and Governance Committee may seek nominations from those sources it deems appropriate in its discretion, including shareholders of the Fund. To submit a recommendation for nomination as a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees, shareholders of the Fund should mail such recommendation to W. Scott Jardine, Secretary, at the Trust’s address, 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Such recommendation shall include the following information: (i) evidence of Fund ownership of the person or entity recommending the candidate (if a Fund shareholder); (ii) a full description of the proposed candidate’s background, including education, experience, current employment and date of birth; (iii) names and addresses of at least three professional references for the candidate; (iv) information as to whether the candidate is an “interested person” in relation to the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, and such other information that may be considered to impair the candidate’s independence; and (v) any other information that may be helpful to the Committee in evaluating the candidate. If a recommendation is received with satisfactorily completed information regarding a candidate during a time when a vacancy exists on the Board or during such other time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is accepting recommendations, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and to counsel to the Independent Trustees. Recommendations received at any other time will be kept on file until such time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is accepting recommendations, at which point they may be considered for nomination.

Executive Officers

The executive officers of the Trust hold the same positions with each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex (representing 137 portfolios) as they hold with the Trust.

Risk Oversight

As part of the general oversight of the Fund, the Board is involved in the risk oversight of the Fund. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Fund’s risks. Oversight of investment and compliance risk is performed primarily at the Board level in conjunction with the Advisor’s investment oversight group and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Oversight of other risks also occurs at the committee level. The Advisor’s investment oversight group reports to the Board at quarterly meetings regarding, among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance. The Board reviews reports on the Fund’s and the service providers’ compliance policies and procedures at each quarterly Board meeting and receives an annual report from the CCO regarding the operations of the Fund’s and the service providers’ compliance program. In addition, the Independent Trustees meet privately each quarter with the CCO. The Audit Committee reviews with the Advisor the Fund’s major financial risk exposures and the steps the Advisor has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including the Fund’s risk assessment and risk management policies and guidelines. The

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Audit Committee also, as appropriate, reviews in a general manner the processes other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Nominating and Governance Committee monitors all matters related to the corporate governance of the Trust. The Valuation Committee monitors valuation risk and compliance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures and oversees the pricing services and actions by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities.

Board Diversification and Trustee Qualifications

As described above, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board oversees matters related to the nomination of Trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to establish an effective Board with an appropriate range of skills and diversity, including, as appropriate, differences in background, professional experience, education, vocation, and other individual characteristics and traits in the aggregate. Each Trustee must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability and, if qualifying as an Independent Trustee, independence from the Advisor, underwriters or other service providers, including any affiliates of these entities.

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Mr. Keith has also served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee (2008 – 2009) and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2010 – 2011) of the First Trust Funds. He served as Lead Independent Trustee and on the Executive Committee (2012 – 2013) and currently serves as Chairman of the Valuation Committee (since January 1, 2014) and on the Executive Committee (since January 31, 2014) of the First Trust Funds.

The following table sets forth the estimated compensation (including reimbursement for travel and out-of-pocket expenses) to be paid by the Funds for one fiscal year and the actual compensation paid by the First Trust Fund Complex to each of the Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015, respectively. The Trust has no retirement or pension plans. The officers and Trustee who are “interested persons” as designated above serve without any compensation from the Trust. The Trust has no employees. Its officers are compensated by First Trust.

Name of Trustee	Estimated Compensation from the Fund ⁽¹⁾	Total Compensation from the First Trust Fund Complex ⁽²⁾
Richard E. Erickson	$4,318	$352,350
Thomas R. Kadlec	$4,361	$361,500
Robert F. Keith	$4,340	$357,350
Niel B. Nielson	$4,340	$356,500

(1)	The estimated compensation to be paid by the Fund to the Independent Trustees for one fiscal year for services to the Fund.
(2)	The total compensation paid to the Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015 for services to the 120 portfolios, which consists of 7 open-end mutual funds, 16 closed-end funds and 97 exchange-traded funds.

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Trustee	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund (Number of Shares Held)	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in the First Trust Fund Complex
Interested Trustee
James A. Bowen	None	Over $100,000
Independent Trustees
Richard E. Erickson	None	Over $100,000
Thomas R. Kadlec	None	Over $100,000
Robert F. Keith	None	Over $100,000
Niel B. Nielson	None	Over $100,000

As of September 26, 2016, the officers and Trustees, in the aggregate, owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.

As of September 26, 2016, the Advisor did not own any shares of the Fund.

Under the Investment Management Agreement, First Trust shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such recommendation shall have been selected with due care and in good faith, except loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of First Trust in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Investment Management Agreement terminates automatically upon assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty as to the Fund by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of the holders

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of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities on 60 days’ written notice to First Trust, or by First Trust on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.

Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is primarily and jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. There is currently one portfolio manager, as follows:

Name	Position with First Trust	Length of Service with First Trust	Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
Ken Fincher	Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager	Since 2008	Vice President and Portfolio Manager First Trust Portfolios L.P.

•

As of the date of this SAI, the portfolio manager does not beneficially own any shares of the Fund.

Compensation. The compensation structure for each portfolio manager is based upon a fixed salary as well as a discretionary bonus determined by the management of First Trust. Salaries are determined by management and are based upon an individual’s position and overall value to the firm. Bonuses are also determined by management and are based upon an individual’s overall contribution to the success of the firm and the profitability of the firm. Salaries and bonuses for the portfolio managers are not based upon criteria such as performance of the Fund or the value of assets included in the Fund’s portfolio.

Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager	Registered Investment Companies Number of Accounts ($ Assets)	Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Number of Accounts ($ Assets)	Other Accounts Number of Accounts ($ Assets)
Ken Fincher	0 ($0)	0 ($0)	221 ($75,056,379)

Conflicts. None of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager pays an advisory fee that is based upon the performance of the account. In addition, First Trust believes that there are no material conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the portfolio manager's management of the Fund's investments and the investments of the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. However, because the investment strategy of the Fund and the investment strategies of many of the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager are based on fairly mechanical investment processes, the portfolio manager may recommend that certain clients sell and other clients buy a given security at the same time. In addition, because the investment strategies of the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager generally result in the clients investing in readily available securities, First Trust believes that there should not be material conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

Brokerage Allocations

First Trust is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund and for the placement of the Fund's securities business, the negotiation of the commissions to be paid on brokered transactions, the prices for principal trades in securities, and the allocation of portfolio brokerage and principal business. It is the policy of First Trust to seek the best execution at the best security price available with respect to each transaction, and with respect to brokered transactions in light of the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided to First Trust and its clients. The best price to the Fund means the best net price without regard to the mix between purchase or sale price and commission, if any. Purchases may be made from underwriters, dealers and, on occasion, the issuers. Commissions will be paid on the Fund's futures transactions, if any. The purchase price of portfolio securities purchased from an underwriter or dealer may include underwriting commissions and

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dealer spreads. The Fund may pay markups on principal transactions. In selecting broker-dealers and in negotiating commissions, First Trust considers, among other things, the firm’s reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and its financial condition. Fund portfolio transactions may be effected with broker-dealers who have assisted investors in the purchase of shares.

Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act” ), permits an investment advisor, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay a broker or dealer who supplies brokerage and research services a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction. Brokerage and research services include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody). Such brokerage and research services are often referred to as “soft dollars.” First Trust has advised the Board of Trustees that it does not currently intend to use soft dollars.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in selecting brokers, First Trust may in the future consider investment and market information and other research, such as economic, securities and performance measurement research, provided by such brokers, and the quality and reliability of brokerage services, including execution capability, performance and financial responsibility. Accordingly, the commissions charged by any such broker may be greater than the amount another firm might charge if First Trust determines in good faith that the amount of such commissions is reasonable in relation to the value of the research information and brokerage services provided by such broker to First Trust or the Trust. In addition, First Trust must determine that the research information received in this manner provides the Fund with benefits by supplementing the research otherwise available to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement provides that such higher commissions will not be paid by the Fund unless the Advisor determines in good faith that the amount is reasonable in relation to the services provided. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to First Trust under the Investment Management Agreement would not be reduced as a result of receipt by First Trust of research services.

First Trust places portfolio transactions for other advisory accounts advised by it, and research services furnished by firms through which the Fund effects its securities transactions may be used by First Trust in servicing all of its accounts; not all of such services may be used by First Trust in connection with the Fund. First Trust believes it is not possible to measure separately the benefits from research services to each of the accounts (including the Fund) advised by it. Because the volume and nature of the trading activities of the accounts are not uniform, the amount of commissions in excess of those charged by another broker paid by each account for brokerage and research services will vary. However, First Trust believes such costs to the Fund will not be disproportionate to the benefits received by the Fund on a continuing basis. First Trust seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by the Fund and another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations between the Fund and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by First Trust are the respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holding of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment and the size of investment commitments generally held.

Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Distributor, Additional Service Provider and Exchange

Administrator . The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ( “BNYM” ) serves as Administrator for the Fund. Its principal address is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.Pursuant to the Administrative Agency Agreement, the Trust on behalf of the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties.

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data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; and provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with federal and state securities laws.

Custodian, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant . BNYM, as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement, holds the Fund’s assets. BNYM also serves as transfer agent of the Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. As the Fund’s accounting agent, BNYM calculates the net asset value of shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. BNYM may be reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses. BNYM also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement.

Distributor . First Trust Portfolios L.P., an affiliate of First Trust, is the distributor ( “FTP” or the “Distributor” ) and principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund. Its principal address is 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Fund shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the Prospectus and below under the heading “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations.”

12b-1 Plan . The Trust has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan” ) pursuant to which the Fund may reimburse the Distributor up to a maximum annual rate of 0.25% of its average daily net assets.

No fee is currently paid by the Fund under the Plan, and pursuant to a contractual agreement, the Fund will not pay 12b-1 fees any time before September 30, 2018.

Additional Service Provider. First Trust, on behalf of the Fund has engaged NYSE index group or its designee (the “IPV Calculator”) , to calculate the intra-day values for the shares of the Fund.

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determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the asset value of the Fund. Nasdaq has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries

First Trust and/or its affiliates may make payments, out of its own assets, to those firms as compensation and/or reimbursement for marketing support and/or program servicing to selected intermediaries that are registered as holders or dealers of record for accounts invested in one or more of the First Trust Funds or that make First Trust Fund shares available through certain selected Fund no-transaction fee institutional platforms and fee-based wrap programs at certain financial intermediaries. Program servicing payments typically apply to employee benefit plans, such as retirement plans, or fee-based advisory programs but may apply to retail sales and assets in certain situations. The payments are based on such factors as the type and nature of services or support furnished by the intermediary and are generally asset based. Services for which an intermediary receives marketing support payments may include, but are not limited to, business planning assistance, advertising, educating the intermediary’s personnel about First Trust Funds in connection with shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the intermediary’s preferred or recommended fund list, and access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. In addition, intermediaries may be compensated for enabling representatives of First Trust and/or its affiliates to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client and investor events and other events sponsored by the intermediary. Services for which an intermediary receives program servicing payments typically include, but are not limited to, record keeping, reporting or transaction processing and shareholder communications and other account administration services, but may also include services rendered in connection with Fund/investment selection and monitoring, employee enrollment and education, plan balance rollover or separation, or other similar services. An intermediary may perform program services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform program services. These payments are in addition to the service fee and any applicable omnibus sub-accounting fees paid to these firms with respect to these services by the First Trust Funds out of Fund assets.

From time to time, First Trust and/or its affiliates, at its expense, may provide other compensation to intermediaries that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the First Trust Funds, which may be in addition to marketing support and program servicing payments described above. For example, First Trust and/or its affiliates may: (i) compensate intermediaries for National Securities Clearing Corporation networking system services ( e.g. , shareholder communication, account statements, trade confirmations and tax reporting) on an asset-based or per-account basis; (ii) compensate intermediaries for providing Fund shareholder trading information; (iii) make one-time or periodic payments to reimburse selected intermediaries for items such as ticket charges ( i.e. , fees that an intermediary charges its representatives for effecting transactions in Fund shares) or exchange order, operational charges ( e.g. , fees that an intermediary charges for establishing the Fund on its trading system), and literature printing and/or distribution costs; (iv) at the direction of a retirement plan’s sponsor, reimburse or pay direct expenses of an employee benefit plan that would otherwise be payable by the plan; and (v) provide payments to broker-dealers to help defray their technology or infrastructure costs.

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sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other intermediary employees, client and investor events and other intermediary-sponsored events, and for travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with prospecting, asset retention and due diligence trips. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event. First Trust and/or its affiliates make payments for such events as it deems appropriate, subject to its internal guidelines and applicable law.

The amounts of payments referenced above made by First Trust and/or its affiliates could be significant and may create an incentive for an intermediary or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of the First Trust Funds to its customers. The intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the First Trust Funds within the intermediary’s organization by, for example, placing the First Trust Funds on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting First Trust and/or its affiliates preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the First Trust Funds in various ways within the intermediary’s organization. These payments are made pursuant to negotiated agreements with intermediaries. The payments do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of a share or the amount the Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Furthermore, many of these payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Fund's Prospectus because they are not paid by the Fund. The types of payments described herein are not mutually exclusive, and a single intermediary may receive some or all types of payments as described.

Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. Investors can ask their intermediaries for information about any payments they receive from First Trust and/or its affiliates and the services it provides for those payments. Investors may wish to take intermediary payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund shares.

Additional Information

Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.

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to each such DTC Participants a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy that seeks to ensure that proxies for securities held by the Fund are voted consistently with the best interests of the Fund.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund's portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. Form N-Q for the Trust is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund's Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Trust’s Forms N-Q are available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 621-1675 or by writing to First Trust Portfolios L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.

Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Board of Trustees must approve all material amendments to this policy. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet websites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated each day the NYSE is open for trading via the National Securities Clearing Corporation ( “NSCC” ). The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also available on the Fund's website at http://www.ftportfolios.com. The Trust, First Trust, FTP and BNYM will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.

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Codes of Ethics. In order to mitigate the possibility that the Fund will be adversely affected by personal trading, the Trust, First Trust and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These Codes of Ethics contain policies restricting securities trading in personal accounts of the officers, Trustees and others who normally come into possession of information on portfolio transactions. Personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics may invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund; however, the Codes of Ethics require that each transaction in such securities be reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee. These Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations

Creation. The Trust issues and sells shares of the Funds only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at their net asset values next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.

The Custodian, through the NSCC (discussed below), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business of the NYSE (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund change as corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by First Trust with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash — i.e. , a “cash in lieu” amount — to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available, that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require, under certain circumstances, the substitution of a different security in lieu of depositing some or all of the Deposit Securities The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to First Trust on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit or resulting from certain corporate actions.

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Entry Only System”), must have executed an agreement with the Distributor and transfer agent, with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below) and must have international operational capabilities. A DTC Participant is also referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All Fund shares, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All standard orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the transfer agent no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the net asset value of shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Participant Agreement, in the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available, which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the transfer agent pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below. Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communications failure may impede the ability to reach the transfer agent or an Authorized Participant.

All orders from investors who are not Authorized Participants to create Creation Unit Aggregations shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those persons placing orders should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

Issuance of Creation Unit Aggregations . A Creation Unit Aggregation will generally not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the portfolio of Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component, the payment of the Creation Transaction Fee (as defined below) and any other required cash amounts have been completed. When the required Deposit Securities which are U.S. securities have been delivered to the Trust through DTC or NSCC, and each relevant subcustodian confirms to Custodian that the required Deposit Securities which are non-U.S. securities (or, when permitted in the sole discretion of Trust, the cash in lieu thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian, the Custodian shall notify the Distributor and the transfer agent which, acting on behalf of the Trust, will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust may in its sole discretion permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash ( i.e. , a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or for other relevant reasons. If the Distributor, acting on behalf of the Trust, determines that a “cash in lieu” amount will be accepted, the Distributor will notify the Authorized Participant and the transfer agent, and the Authorized

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Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the “cash in lieu” amount, with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust as discussed below.

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor with respect to the Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the required Fund Deposit is not delivered; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of the Trust, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise have an adverse effect on the Trust, the Fund or the rights of Beneficial Owners; or (vii) circumstances outside the control of the Trust or the Fund make it impossible to process creation orders for all practical purposes. Examples of such circumstances include: acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Fund, the Trust, First Trust, the Distributor, the transfer agent, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; the imposition by a foreign government or a regulatory body of controls, or other monetary, currency or trading restrictions that directly affect the portfolio securities held; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits, nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

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Beneficial Owners must accumulate enough shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation in order to have such shares redeemed by the Trust. Shares generally will be redeemed in Creation Unit Aggregations in exchange for a particular portfolio of securities ( “Fund Securities” ), although the Fund has the right to make redemption payments in cash, in-kind or a combination of each. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur customary brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.

With respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the NYSE (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund or determination of the Fund’s net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as are permitted by the SEC.

Deliveries of Fund Securities to investors are generally expected to be made within three Business Days.

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that the fees of BNYM and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. If the Authorized Participant’s agreement provides for collateralization, it will permit the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to purchase the missing shares at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares and the value of the collateral.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by BNYM according to the procedures set forth in this SAI under “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to BNYM by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of shares of the Fund are delivered to BNYM prior to the specified time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by BNYM on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to BNYM by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but either (i) the requisite number of shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the specified time, as described above, on such Transmittal Date, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust, i.e., the Business Day on which the shares of the Fund are delivered through DTC to BNYM by the specified time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

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Federal Tax Matters

This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of counsel to the Fund. The Internal Revenue Service could disagree with any conclusions set forth in this section. In addition, our counsel was not asked to review, and has not reached a conclusion with respect to the federal income tax treatment of the assets to be deposited in the Fund. This may not be sufficient for prospective investors to use for the purpose of avoiding penalties under federal tax law.

As with any investment, prospective investors should seek advice based on their individual circumstances from their own tax advisor.

The Fund intends to qualify annually and to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code” ).

As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it will generally be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. In addition, amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax unless, generally, the Fund distributes during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. In order to prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

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Distributions

Dividends paid out of the Fund’s investment company taxable income are generally taxable to a shareholder as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. In addition, some dividends may qualify as “exempt-interest dividends,” which generally are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Some or all of the exempt-interest dividends, however, may be taken into account in determining alternative minimum tax and may have other tax consequences (e.g., they may affect the amount of social security benefits that are taxed).

Income from the Fund may also be subject to a 3.8% “Medicare tax.” This tax generally applies to net investment income if the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts, which are $250,000 in the case of married couples filing joint returns and $200,000 in the case of single individuals. Interest that is excluded from gross income and exempt-interest dividends from the Fund are generally not included in your net investment income for purposes of this tax.

Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares

Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent that shares disposed of are replaced (including through reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after disposition of shares or to the extent that the shareholder, during such period, acquires or enters into an option or contract to acquire, substantially identical stock or securities. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. If a shareholder holds a share for six months or less, any loss incurred by the shareholder related to the disposition of such share will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividends you received, except in the case of a regular dividend paid by the Fund if the Fund declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. To the extent, if any, it is not disallowed, it will be recharacterized as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividend received.

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

If a shareholder exchanges equity securities for Creation Units the shareholder will generally recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the shareholder’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. If a shareholder exchanges Creation Units for equity securities, then the shareholder will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the shareholder’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units or Creation Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

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Nature of Fund Investments

Certain of the Funds’ investment practices are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Funds to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur and (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.

Futures Contracts and Options

The Fund’s transactions in futures contracts and options will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund ( i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital, or short-term or long-term), may accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and may defer Fund losses. These rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio ( i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), and (b) may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement for qualifying to be taxed as a regulated investment company and the distribution requirements for avoiding excise taxes.

Backup Withholding

The Funds may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all taxable distributions and sale proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Funds with their correct taxpayer identification number or fail to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

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who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a non-U.S. shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the non-U.S. shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. If a non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual, any gain such shareholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of such shareholder’s shares of the Fund in the United States will ordinarily be exempt from U.S. tax unless the gain is U.S. source income and such shareholder is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. Distributions from the Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as an interest-related dividend attributable to certain interest income received by the Fund or as a short-term capital gain dividend attributable to certain net short-term capital gain income received by the Fund may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes when received by certain foreign investors, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met.

Other Taxation

Determination of Net Asset Value

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Net Asset Value.”

The per-share net asset value of the Fund is determined by dividing the total value of the securities and other assets, less liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding. Under normal circumstances, daily calculation of the net asset value will utilize the last closing sale price of each security held by the Fund at the close of the market on which such security is principally listed. In determining net asset value, portfolio securities for the Fund for which accurate market quotations are readily available will be valued by the Fund accounting agent as follows:

(1)	Common stocks and other equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange other than The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ( “Nasdaq” ) and the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market ( “AIM” ) will be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded, or the official closing price for Nasdaq and AIM securities. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price or official closing price, as applicable, on the Business Day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities.
(2)	Shares of open-end funds are valued at fair value which is based on NAV per share.
(3)	Securities traded in the OTC market are fair valued at the mean of the bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price.

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(4)

Exchange traded options and futures contracts are valued at the closing price in the market where such contracts are principally traded. If no closing price is available, they will be fair valued at the mean of the bid and asked price. If no mean price is available, they will be fair valued at their closing bid price. OTC options and futures contracts are fair valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price.

(5)

Forward foreign currency contracts are fair valued at the current day’s interpolated foreign exchange rate, as calculated using the current day’s spot rate, and the 30, 60, 90 and 180-day forward rates provided by a pricing service or by certain independent dealers in such contracts.

In addition, the following types of securities will be fair valued by the Fund accounting agent as follows:

(1)

(2)

(i)	the credit conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto;
(ii)	the liquidity conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto;
(iii)	the interest rate conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto (such as significant changes in interest rates);
(iv)	issuer-specific conditions (such as significant credit deterioration); and
(v)	any other market-based data the Advisor’s Pricing Committee considers relevant. In this regard, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee may use last-obtained market-based data to assist it when valuing portfolio securities using amortized cost.

(3)

Repurchase agreements will be valued as follows. Overnight repurchase agreements will be fair valued at amortized cost when it represents the best estimate of fair value. Term repurchase agreements ( i.e. , those whose maturity exceeds seven days) will be fair valued by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee at the average of the bid quotations obtained daily from at least two recognized dealers.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established pricing methods. Such securities may be valued by the Board of Trustees or its delegate, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, at fair value. These securities generally include but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities that may not be publicly sold without registration under the 1933 Act) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market or fair value price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of Fund net asset value (as may be the case in foreign markets on which the security is primarily traded) or is likely to make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s fair value. Fair value prices represent any prices not considered market value prices and are either obtained from a pricing service or are determined by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee. Market value prices represent last sale or official closing prices from a national or foreign exchange (i.e., a regulated market) and are primarily obtained from pricing services. If no market price or official close price is available from either a pricing service or no quotations are available from one or more brokers or if the Advisor’s Pricing Committee has reason to question the reliability or accuracy of a price supplied or the use of amortized cost, the value of any portfolio security held by the Fund for which reliable market prices/quotations are not readily available will be determined by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee in a manner that most appropriately reflects

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fair market value of the security on the valuation date, based on a consideration of all available information. When fair value prices are used, generally they will differ from market quotations or official closing prices on the applicable exchange.

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which a shareholder may purchase the shares of the Fund, the value of the Fund’s investments may change on the days when shareholders are not able to purchase the shares of the Fund. For foreign securities, if an extraordinary market event occurs between the time the last “current” market quotation is available for a security in the Fund’s portfolio and the time the Fund’s net asset value is determined and calls into doubt whether that earlier market quotation represents fair value at the time the Fund’s net asset value is determined, the Fund accounting agent will immediately notify the Advisor’s Pricing Committee and the Advisor’s Pricing Committee shall determine the fair valuation. For foreign securities, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee may seek to determine the “fair value” of such securities by retaining a pricing service to determine the value of the securities.

Dividends and Distributions

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”

General Policies. Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid monthly. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a regulated investment company or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

Miscellaneous Information

Counsel. Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, is counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 111 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, serves as the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. The firm audits the financial statements and performs other related audit services.

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Exhibit A — Proxy Voting Guidelines

United States

Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

2016 Benchmark Policy Recommendations

Effective for Meetings on or after February 1, 2016
Published January 22, 2016

www.issgovernance.com

A-1

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2016 U.S. Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for director nominees, except under the following circumstances:

1. Accountability

Vote against ⁽¹⁾ or withhold from the entire board of directors (except new nominees ⁽²⁾ , who should be considered case-by-case) for the following:

Problematic Takeover Defenses

Classified Board Structure:

1.1.	The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election. All appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable.

Director Performance Evaluation:

1.2.

➤	A classified board structure;
➤	A supermajority vote requirement;
➤	Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections or a majority vote standard with no plurality carve-out for contested elections;
➤	The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;
➤	The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;
➤	A dual-class capital structure; and/or
➤	A non-shareholder-approved poison pill.

⁽¹⁾

⁽²⁾

A-2

Enabling the financial community to manage governance risk for the benefit of shareholders.

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2016 U.S. Concise Proxy Voting Guidelines

Poison Pills:

1.3.	The company’s poison pill has a “dead-hand” or “modified dead-hand” feature. Vote against or withhold from nominees every year until this feature is removed;
1.4.	The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term” pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote against or withhold votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill; or
1.5.	The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.

Vote case-by-case on all nominees if:

1.6.	The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors:

➤	The date of the pill‘s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders — i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on the ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances;
➤	The issuer’s rationale;
➤	The issuer’s governance structure and practices; and
➤	The issuer’s track record of accountability to shareholders.

Problematic Audit-Related Practices

Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the Audit Committee if:

1.7.	The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under “Auditor Ratification”);
1.8.	The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or
1.9.	There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

Vote case-by-case on members of the Audit Committee and potentially the full board if:

1.10.

Problematic Compensation Practices/Pay for Performance Misalignment

1.11.	There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
1.12.	The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;
1.13.	The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders;

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1.14.	The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or
1.15.	The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders.

Vote case-by-case on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if:

1.16.

The company’s previous say-on-pay received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

➤	The company's response, including:

➤	Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

➤	Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
➤	The company's ownership structure; and
➤	Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments

1.17.

➤	The board's rationale for adopting the bylaw/charter amendment without shareholder ratification;
➤	Disclosure by the company of any significant engagement with shareholders regarding the amendment;
➤	The level of impairment of shareholders' rights caused by the board's unilateral amendment to the bylaws/charter;
➤	The board's track record with regard to unilateral board action on bylaw/charter amendments or other entrenchment provisions;
➤	The company's ownership structure;
➤	The company's existing governance provisions;
➤	The timing of the board's amendment to the bylaws/charter in connection with a significant business development; and,
➤	Other factors, as deemed appropriate, that may be relevant to determine the impact of the amendment on shareholders.

➤	Classified the board;
➤	Adopted supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter; or
➤	Eliminated shareholders' ability to amend bylaws.

1.18.

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➤	The level of impairment of shareholders' rights caused by the provision;
➤	The disclosed rationale for adopting the provision;
➤	The ability to change the governance structure in the future ( e.g. , limitations on shareholders’ right to amend the bylaws or charter, or supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter);
➤	The ability of shareholders to hold directors accountable through annual director elections, or whether the company has a classified board structure; and,
➤	A public commitment to put the provision to a shareholder vote within three years of the date of the initial public offering.

Unless the adverse provision is reversed or submitted to a vote of public shareholders, vote case-by-case on director nominees in subsequent years.

Governance Failures

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to:

1.19.	Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight ⁽³⁾ , or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;
1.20.	Failure to replace management as appropriate; or
1.21.	Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

2. Responsiveness

Vote case-by-case on individual directors, committee members, or the entire board of directors as appropriate if:

2.1.	The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year. Factors that will be considered are:

➤	Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;
➤	Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;
➤	The subject matter of the proposal;
➤	The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;
➤	Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with shareholders;
➤	The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either shareholder or management proposals); and
➤	Other factors as appropriate.

2.2.	The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;
2.3.	At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote;
2.4.	The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency; or

⁽³⁾	Examples of failure of risk oversight include, but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging of company stock; or significant pledging of company stock.

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2.5.	The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account:

➤	The board's rationale for selecting a frequency that is different from the frequency that received a plurality;
➤	The company's ownership structure and vote results;
➤	ISS' analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and
➤	The previous year's support level on the company's say-on-pay proposal.

3. Composition

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings:

3.1.

➤	Medical issues/illness;
➤	Family emergencies; and
➤	Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).

3.2.	If the proxy disclosure is unclear and insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of his/her board and committee meetings during his/her period of service, vote against or withhold from the director(s) in question.

Overboarded Directors:

Vote against or withhold from individual directors who:

3.3.	Sit on more than six public company boards; with respect to annual meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2017 ⁽⁵⁾ , sit on more than five public company boards; or
3.4.	Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own — withhold only at their outside boards ⁽⁶⁾ .

4. Independence

Vote against or withhold from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the Categorization of Directors) when:

4.1.	The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;

⁽⁴⁾	For new nominees only, schedule conflicts due to commitments made prior to their appointment to the board are considered if disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing.

⁽⁵⁾	This policy change includes a 1-year transition period to allow time for affected directors to address necessary changes if they wish.

⁽⁶⁾

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4.2.	The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;
4.3.	The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or
4.4.	Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors.

Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring that the chairman’s position be filled by an independent director, taking into consideration the following:

➤	The scope of the proposal;
➤	The company's current board leadership structure;
➤	The company's governance structure and practices;
➤	Company performance; and
➤	Any other relevant factors that may be applicable.

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Proxy Access

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals for proxy access with the following provisions:

➤	Ownership threshold: maximum requirement not more than three percent (3%) of the voting power;
➤	Ownership duration: maximum requirement not longer than three (3) years of continuous ownership for each member of the nominating group;
➤	Aggregation: minimal or no limits on the number of shareholders permitted to form a nominating group;
➤	Cap: cap on nominees of generally twenty-five percent (25%) of the board.

Review for reasonableness any other restrictions on the right of proxy access.

Generally vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.

Proxy Contests/Proxy Access — Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:

➤	Long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry;
➤	Management’s track record;
➤	Background to the contested election;
➤	Nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements;
➤	Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of the critique against management;
➤	Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); and
➤	Stock ownership positions.

CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING

Common Stock Authorization

➤	General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class of common stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights.

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➤	Past Board Performance:

➤	The company's use of authorized shares during the last three years

➤	The Current Request:

➤	Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase;
➤	Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; and
➤	The dilutive impact of the request as determined relative to an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns.

A.	Most companies: 100 percent of existing authorized shares.
B.	Companies with less than 50 percent of existing authorized shares either outstanding or reserved for issuance: 50 percent of existing authorized shares.
C.	Companies with one- and three-year total shareholder returns (TSRs) in the bottom 10 percent of the U.S. market as of the end of the calendar quarter that is closest to their most recent fiscal year end: 50 percent of existing authorized shares.
D.	Companies at which both conditions (B and C) above are both present: 25 percent of existing authorized shares.

Mergers and Acquisitions

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

➤	Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale.
➤	Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.
➤	Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.
➤	Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation "wins" can also signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process ( e.g. , full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.
➤	Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests

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➤

COMPENSATION

Executive Pay Evaluation

Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs:

1.	Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;
2.	Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;
3.	Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making ( e.g. , including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);
4.	Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;
5.	Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.

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Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation — Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay)

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.
	Vote against Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Management Say-on-Pay — MSOP) if:

➤	There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
➤	The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;
➤	The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

Vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

➤	There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an MSOP is warranted due to pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;
➤	The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast;
➤	The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or
➤	The situation is egregious.

Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation

1.	Peer Group ⁽⁸⁾ Alignment:

➤	The degree of alignment between the company's annualized TSR rank and the CEO's annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.
➤	The multiple of the CEO's total pay relative to the peer group median.

2.	Absolute Alignment ⁽⁹⁾ – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e. , the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.

⁽⁷⁾	The Russell 3000E Index includes approximately 4,000 of the largest U.S. equity securities.

⁽⁸⁾

⁽⁹⁾	Only Russell 3000 Index companies are subject to the Absolute Alignment analysis.

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➤	The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards;
➤	The overall ratio of performance-based compensation;
➤	The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals;
➤	The company's peer group benchmarking practices;
➤	Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers;
➤	Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices ( e.g. , bi-annual awards);
➤	Realizable pay ⁽¹⁰⁾ compared to grant pay; and
➤	Any other factors deemed relevant.

Problematic Pay Practices

The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including:

➤	Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;
➤	Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and
➤	Options Backdating.

Problematic Pay Practices related to Non-Performance-Based Compensation Elements

➤	Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);
➤	Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting;
➤	New or extended agreements that provide for:

➤	CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus;
➤	CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties ("single" or "modified single" triggers);
➤	CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including "modified" gross-ups);

➤	Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally-managed issuers (EMIs) such that a reasonable assessment of pay programs and practices applicable to the EMI's executives is not possible.

Incentives that may Motivate Excessive Risk-Taking

➤	Multi-year guaranteed bonuses;
➤	A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans;
➤	Lucrative severance packages;
➤	High pay opportunities relative to industry peers;
➤	Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or
➤	Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk.

Factors that potentially mitigate the impact of risky incentives include rigorous claw-back provisions and robust stock ownership/holding guidelines.

⁽¹⁰⁾	ISS research reports include realizable pay for S&P1500 companies.

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Options Backdating

The following factors should be examined case-by-case to allow for distinctions to be made between “sloppy” plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud:

➤	Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;
➤	Duration of options backdating;
➤	Size of restatement due to options backdating;
➤	Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and
➤	Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future.

Compensation Committee Communications and Responsiveness

Consider the following factors case-by-case when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board’s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues:

➤	Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or
➤	Failure to adequately respond to the company's previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

➤	The company's response, including:

➤	Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
➤	Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

➤	Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
➤	The company's ownership structure; and
➤	Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans

➤

➤	Plan Cost: The total estimated cost of the company’s equity plans relative to industry/market cap peers, measured by the company's estimated Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) in relation to peers and considering both:

➤	SVT based on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants, plus outstanding unvested/unexercised grants; and
➤	SVT based only on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants.

➤	Plan Features:

➤	Automatic single-triggered award vesting upon a change in control (CIC);
➤	Discretionary vesting authority;
➤	Liberal share recycling on various award types;

⁽¹¹⁾

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➤	Lack of minimum vesting period for grants made under the plan.

➤	Grant Practices:

➤	The company’s three year burn rate relative to its industry/market cap peers;
➤	Vesting requirements in most recent CEO equity grants (3-year look-back);
➤	The estimated duration of the plan (based on the sum of shares remaining available and the new shares requested, divided by the average annual shares granted in the prior three years);
➤	The proportion of the CEO's most recent equity grants/awards subject to performance conditions;
➤	Whether the company maintains a claw-back policy;
➤	Whether the company has established post exercise/vesting share-holding requirements.

Generally vote against the plan proposal if the combination of above factors indicates that the plan is not, overall, in shareholders' interests, or if any of the following egregious factors apply:

➤	Awards may vest in connection with a liberal change-of-control definition;
➤	The plan would permit repricing or cash buyout of underwater options without shareholder approval (either by expressly permitting it — for NYSE and Nasdaq listed companies — or by not prohibiting it when the company has a history of repricing — for non-listed companies);
➤	The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices or a significant pay-for-performance disconnect under certain circumstances; or
➤	Any other plan features are determined to have a significant negative impact on shareholder interests.

SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS)

Global Approach

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will also be considered:

➤	If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;
➤	If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;
➤	Whether the proposal's request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;
➤	The company's approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;
➤	If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and
➤	If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

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Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for resolutions requesting that a company disclose information on the risks related to climate change on its operations and investments, such as financial, physical, or regulatory risks, considering:

➤	Whether the company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impact that climate change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
➤	The company’s level of disclosure is at least comparable to that of industry peers; and
➤	There are no significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s environmental performance.

Generally vote for proposals requesting a report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from company operations and/or products and operations, unless:

➤	The company already discloses current, publicly-available information on the impacts that GHG emissions may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
➤	The company's level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and
➤	There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company's GHG emissions.

Vote case-by-case on proposals that call for the adoption of GHG reduction goals from products and operations, taking into account:

➤	Whether the company provides disclosure of year-over-year GHG emissions performance data;
➤	Whether company disclosure lags behind industry peers;
➤	The company's actual GHG emissions performance;
➤	The company's current GHG emission policies, oversight mechanisms, and related initiatives; and
➤	Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or controversy related to GHG emissions.

Board Diversity

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for requests for reports on a company's efforts to diversify the board, unless:

➤	The gender and racial minority representation of the company’s board is reasonably inclusive in relation to companies of similar size and business; and
➤	The board already reports on its nominating procedures and gender and racial minority initiatives on the board and within the company.

Vote case-by-case on proposals asking a company to increase the gender and racial minority representation on its board, taking into account:

➤	The degree of existing gender and racial minority diversity on the company’s board and among its executive officers;
➤	The level of gender and racial minority representation that exists at the company’s industry peers;
➤	The company’s established process for addressing gender and racial minority board representation;
➤	Whether the proposal includes an overly prescriptive request to amend nominating committee charter language;
➤	The independence of the company’s nominating committee;
➤	Whether the company uses an outside search firm to identify potential director nominees; and
➤	Whether the company has had recent controversies, fines, or litigation regarding equal employment practices.

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Sustainability Reporting

➤	General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless:

➤	The company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such as an environment, health, and safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive code of corporate conduct; and/or a diversity report; or
➤	The company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified time frame.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Compensation-Related Proposals

➤	General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to link, or report on linking, executive compensation to sustainability (environmental and social) criteria, considering:

➤	Whether the company has significant and/or persistent controversies or regulatory violations regarding social and/or environmental issues;
➤	Whether the company has management systems and oversight mechanisms in place regarding its social and environmental performance;
➤	The degree to which industry peers have incorporated similar non-financial performance criteria in their executive compensation practices; and
➤	The company's current level of disclosure regarding its environmental and social performance.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

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The Global Leader In Corporate Governance

www.issgovernance.com

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First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

Part C – Other Information

Item 28. Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description

(a)

Declaration of Trust of the Registrant. (1)

(b)

By-Laws of the Registrant. (1)

(c)

Not applicable

(d)

Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and First Trust Advisors L.P., dated June 13, 2016. (2)

(e)

Distribution Agreement between Registrant and First Trust Portfolios, dated September 15, 2016. (2)

(f)

Not Applicable.

(g)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated June 23, 2016. (2)

(h)

(1) Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated June 23, 2016. (2)

(2) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated June 23, 2016. (2)

(3) Form of Subscription Agreement. (2)

(4) Form of Participant Agreement. (2)

(i)

(1) Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. (2)

(2) Opinion and Consent of Chapman and Cutler LLP. (2)

(j)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (2)

(k)

Not Applicable.

(l)

Not Applicable.

(m)

12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan. (2)

(n)

Not Applicable.

(o)

Not Applicable.

(p)

(1) First Trust Advisors L.P., First Trust Portfolios L.P. Code of Ethics, amended on July 1, 2013. (1)

(2) First Trust Funds Code of Ethics, amended on October 30, 2013. (1)

(q)

Powers of Attorney (1)

__________________

(1)

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-210186) filed on March 14, 2016.

(2)

Filed herewith.

Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant

Not Applicable.

Item 30. Indemnification

Section 9.5 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides as follows:

Section 9.5. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 9.5, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person" ), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law.

The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Subject to applicable federal law, expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 9.5 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.5.

To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

As used in this Section 9.5, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, demands, actions, suits, investigations, regulatory inquiries, proceedings or any other occurrence of a similar nature, whether actual or threatened and whether civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals, and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust”), investment adviser to the Registrant, serves as adviser or sub-adviser to various other open-end and closed-end management investment companies and is the portfolio supervisor of certain unit investment trusts. The principal business of certain of First Trust’s principal executive officers involves various activities in connection with the family of unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”). The principal address for all these investment companies, First Trust, FTP and the persons below is 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.

A description of any business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the officers of First Trust who serve as officers or trustees of the Registrant have engaged during the last two years for his or her account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee appears under “Management of the Fund” in the Statement of Additional Information. Such information for the remaining senior officers of First Trust appears below:

Name and Position with First Trust	Employment During Past Two Years
Andrew S. Roggensack, President	Managing Director and President, First Trust
R. Scott Hall, Managing Director	Managing Director, First Trust
Ronald D. McAlister, Managing Director	Managing Director, First Trust
David G. McGarel, Chief Investment Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director	Managing Director; Senior Vice President, First Trust

Name and Position with First Trust	Employment During Past Two Years
Kathleen Brown, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President	Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, First Trust
Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President	Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, First Trust

Item 32. Principal Underwriter

(a) FTP serves as principal underwriter of the shares of the Registrant, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund V, First Trust Exchange Traded Fund VI, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII, First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX ^® Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX ^® Fund II, First Trust Variable Insurance Trust and First Trust Series Fund. FTP serves as principal underwriter and depositor of the following investment companies registered as unit investment trusts: the First Trust Combined Series, FT Series (formerly known as the First Trust Special Situations Trust), the First Trust Insured Corporate Trust, the First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds and the First Trust GNMA.

(b)

Name and Principal Business Address*	Positions and Offices with Underwriter	Positions and Offices with Fund
The Charger Corporation	General Partner	None
Grace Partners of DuPage L.P.	Limited Partner	None
James A. Bowen	Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director	Trustee and Chairman of the Board
James M. Dykas	Chief Financial Officer	President and Chief Executive Officer
Frank L. Fichera	Managing Director	None
Russell J. Graham	Managing Director	None
R. Scott Hall	Managing Director	None
W. Scott Jardine	General Counsel, Secretary and Managing Director	Secretary
Daniel J. Lindquist	Managing Director	Vice President
Ronald D. McAlister	Managing Director	None

Name and Principal Business Address*	Positions and Offices with Underwriter	Positions and Offices with Fund
David G. McGarel	Chief Investment Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director	None
Richard A. Olson	Managing Director	None
Marisa Bowen	Managing Director	None
Andrew S. Roggensack	President and Managing Director	None
Kristi A. Maher	Deputy General Counsel	Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary
* All addresses are 120 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

First Trust, 120 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, maintains the Registrant’s organizational documents, minutes of meetings, contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the investment adviser.

Item 34. Management Services

Not Applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings

Not Applicable.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized in the City of Wheaton, and State of Illinois on the 26th day of September, 2016.

	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII
	By:	/s/ James M. Dykas
		James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

Signature	Title		Date
/s/ James M. Dykas	President and Chief Executive Officer		September 26, 2016
James M. Dykas
/s/ Donald P. Swade	Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer		September 26, 2016
Donald P. Swade
James A. Bowen*	) Trustee )
	)
Richard E. Erickson*	) Trustee )
	)
Thomas R. Kadlec*	) Trustee )
	)	By:	/s/ W. Scott Jardine
Robert F. Keith*	) Trustee )		W. Scott Jardine Attorney-In-Fact
	)		September 26, 2016
Niel B. Nielson *	) Trustee )
	)

Original powers of attorney authorizing W. Scott Jardine, James M. Dykas, Eric F. Fess and Kristi A. Maher to execute Registrant's Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for each of the trustees of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, were previously executed, filed as an exhibit and are incorporated by reference herein .

Index to Exhibits

(b)

(4) Participant Agreement.

(d)

Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and First Trust Advisors L.P., dated June 13, 2016.

(e)

Distribution Agreement between Registrant and First Trust Portfolios, dated September 15, 2016.

(g)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated June 23, 2016.

(h)

(1) Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated June 23, 2016.

(2) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated June 23, 2016.

(3) Form of Subscription Agreement.

(4) Form of Participant Agreement.

(i)

(1) Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

(2) Opinion and Consent of Chapman and Cutler LLP.

(j)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

(m)

12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT made this thirteenth day of June 2016, by and between FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), and FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P., an Illinois limited partnership (the "Adviser").

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company;

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

WHEREAS, the Trust intends to offer shares in series as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and any other series as to which this Agreement may hereafter be made applicable and set forth on Schedule A, which may be amended from time to time (each such series being herein referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds"); and

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser as investment adviser, to furnish certain investment advisory and portfolio management services to the Trust with respect to the Funds, and the Adviser is willing to furnish such services.

W I T N E S S E T H:

In consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

1. The Trust hereby engages the Adviser to act as the investment adviser for, and to set the overall investment strategy and manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of, each Fund in accordance with each Fund's investment objectives and policies and limitations, and to administer each Fund's affairs to the extent requested by and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust for the period and upon the terms herein set forth. The investment of each Fund's assets shall be subject to the Fund's policies, restrictions and limitations with respect to investments as set forth in the Fund's then current registration statement under the l940 Act, and all applicable laws and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the management of registered open-end management investment companies.

The Adviser accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render such services, to furnish office facilities and equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services (other than such services, if any, provided by the Funds' transfer agent, administrator or other service providers) for the Funds, to permit any of its officers or employees to serve without compensation as trustees or officers of the Trust if elected or appointed to such positions, and to assume the obligations herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Adviser shall at its own expense furnish all executive and other personnel, office space, and office facilities required to render the investment management and administrative services set forth in this Agreement. In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of a Fund

not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to a Fund under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.

2. The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, shall neither have the authority to act for nor represent the Trust in any way, nor otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.

3. For the services and facilities described in Section 1, each Fund will pay to the Adviser, at the end of each calendar month, and the Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, an investment management fee equal to the annual rate of each Fund's average daily net assets as set forth on Schedule A.

For the month and year in which this Agreement becomes effective, or terminates, there shall be an appropriate proration on the basis of the number of days that the Agreement shall have been in effect during the month and year, respectively. The services of the Adviser to the Trust under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services or other services to others so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby.

4. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall pay all of the expenses of each Fund of the Trust (including the cost of transfer agency, sub-advisory, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services and license fees, if any) but excluding the fee payment under this Agreement, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions (such as dividend and distribution expenses from securities sold short and/or other investment related costs), distribution and service fees payable pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses.

5. The Adviser shall arrange for suitably qualified officers or employees of the Adviser to serve, without compensation from the Trust, as Trustees, officers or agents of the Trust, if duly elected or appointed to such positions, and subject to their individual consent and to any limitations imposed by law.

6. For purposes of this Agreement, brokerage commissions paid by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a Fund's portfolio securities or other assets shall be considered a cost of the securities or assets of the Fund and shall be paid by the Fund.

7. The Adviser is authorized to select the brokers, dealers, futures commission merchants, banks, or any other agent or counterparty that will execute the purchases and sales of a Fund's portfolio investments on behalf of the Fund, and is directed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain best execution, which includes most favorable net results and execution of the Fund's orders, taking into account all appropriate factors, including price, dealer spread or commission, size and difficulty of the transaction and research or other services provided. Subject to approval by the Trust's Board of Trustees and to the extent permitted by and in conformance with applicable law and the

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rules and regulations thereunder (including Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act), the Adviser may select brokers, dealers, futures commission merchants or other persons affiliated with the Adviser. It is understood that the Adviser will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully, or to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Trust, or be in breach of any obligation owing to the Trust under this Agreement, or otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a member of a securities exchange, a broker or a dealer a commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund in excess of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged if the Adviser determined in good faith that the commission paid was reasonable in relation to the brokerage or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect to its accounts, including the Fund, as to which it exercises investment discretion.

In addition, the Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the rules and regulations thereunder, aggregate purchase and sale orders of portfolio investments with similar orders being made simultaneously for other accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, if in the Adviser's reasonable judgment such aggregation shall result in an overall economic benefit to a Fund, taking into consideration the selling or purchase price, brokerage commissions and other expenses. In the event that a purchase or sale of an asset of a Fund occurs as part of any aggregate sale or purchase orders, the objective of the Adviser and any of its affiliates involved in such transaction shall be to allocate the securities or other assets so purchased or sold, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, among the Fund and other accounts in an equitable manner. Nevertheless, each Fund acknowledges that under some circumstances, such allocation may adversely affect the Fund with respect to the price or size of the portfolio investments obtainable or salable. Whenever a Fund and one or more other investment advisory clients of the Adviser have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each, although such allocation may result in a delay in one or more client accounts being fully invested that would not occur if such an allocation were not made. Moreover, it is possible that due to differing investment objectives or for other reasons, the Adviser and its affiliates may purchase securities or other instruments of an issuer for one client and at approximately the same time recommend selling or sell the same or similar types of securities, assets or instruments for another client.

The Adviser will not arrange purchases or sales of portfolio investments between a Fund and other accounts advised by the Adviser or its affiliates unless (a) such purchases or sales are in accordance with applicable law and the rules and regulations thereunder (including Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act) and the Trust's policies and procedures, (b) the Adviser determines the purchase or sale is in the best interests of each Fund, and (c) the Trust's Board of Trustees has approved these types of transactions.

To the extent a Fund seeks to adopt, amend or eliminate any objectives, policies, restrictions or procedures in a manner that modifies or restricts Adviser's authority regarding the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions, the Fund agrees to use reasonable commercial efforts to consult with the Adviser regarding the modifications or restrictions prior to such adoption, amendment or elimination.

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The Adviser will communicate to the officers and Trustees of the Trust such information relating to transactions for the Funds as they may reasonably request. In no instance will portfolio investments be purchased by or sold to the Adviser or any affiliated person of either the Trust or the Adviser, except as may be permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any applicable exemptive orders.

The Adviser further agrees that it:

(a) will use the same degree of skill and care in providing such services as it uses in providing services to fiduciary accounts for which it has investment responsibilities;

(b) will (i) conform in all material respects to all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, (ii) comply in all material respects with all policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees for the Trust and communicated to the Adviser, and (iii) conduct its activities under this Agreement in all material respects in accordance with any applicable regulations of any governmental authority pertaining to its investment advisory, commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisory activities;

(c) will report regularly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust (generally on a quarterly basis) and will make appropriate persons available for the purpose of reviewing with representatives of the Board of Trustees on a regular basis at reasonable times the management of each Fund, including, without limitation, review of the general investment strategies of each Fund, the performance of each Fund's investment portfolio in relation to relevant standard industry indices and general conditions affecting the marketplace and will provide various other reports from time to time as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees of the Trust; and

(d) will prepare and maintain such books and records with respect to each Fund's securities and other transactions as required under applicable law and will prepare and furnish the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request. The Adviser further agrees that all records which it maintains for each Fund are the property of the Fund and the Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the request of the Fund (provided, however, that Adviser shall be permitted to retain copies thereof); and shall be permitted to retain originals (with copies to the Fund) to the extent required under Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or other applicable law.

8. Subject to applicable statutes and regulations, it is understood that officers, Trustees, or agents of the Trust are, or may be, interested persons
(as such term is defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder) of the Adviser as officers, directors, agents, shareholders or otherwise, and that the officers, directors, shareholders and agents of the Adviser may be interested persons of the Trust otherwise than as Trustees, officers or agents.

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9. The Adviser shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any asset, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such recommendation shall have been selected with due care and in good faith, except loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

10. Subject to obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under
Section 15 of the 1940 Act (after taking into effect any exemptive order, no-action assurances or other relief, rule or regulation upon which the respective Fund may rely), the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers at the Adviser's own cost and expense for the purpose of furnishing one or more of the services described in Section 1 hereof with respect to a Fund. In addition, the Adviser may adjust from time to time the duties delegated to any sub-adviser, the portion of portfolio assets of the Fund that the sub-adviser shall manage and the fees to be paid to the sub-adviser pursuant to any sub-advisory agreement or other arrangement entered into in accordance with this Agreement, subject to the approvals set forth in Section 15 of the 1940 Act if required after taking into account any exemptive order, no-action assurances or other relief, rule or regulation upon which the respective Fund may rely. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall be responsible to a Fund for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser's duties hereunder. In addition, to the extent the respective Fund is relying on an exemptive order or an amendment thereto permitting the Fund to hire one or more sub-advisers or amend a sub-advisory agreement without shareholder approval, the Adviser agrees to comply with any terms and conditions provided in such exemptive order or amendment applicable to it.

11. The Trust acknowledges that the Adviser now acts, and intends in the future to act, as an investment adviser to other managed accounts and as investment adviser or sub-investment adviser to one or more other investment companies that are not a series of the Trust. In addition, the Trust acknowledges that the persons employed by the Adviser to assist in the Adviser's duties under this Agreement will not devote their full time to such efforts. It is also agreed that the Adviser may use any supplemental research obtained for the benefit of the Trust in providing investment advice to its other investment advisory accounts and for managing its own accounts.

12. This Agreement shall be effective on the date provided on Schedule A for each respective Fund, provided it has been approved in the manner required by the 1940 Act (after taking into effect any exemptive order, no action assurances, or other relief, rule or regulation upon which the Trust may rely). This Agreement shall continue in effect until the two-year anniversary of the date of its effectiveness as to a Fund, unless and until terminated by either party as hereinafter provided, and shall continue in force from year to year thereafter, but only as long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner required by the 1940 Act (after taking into effect any exemptive order, no action assurances, or other relief, rule or regulation upon which the Trust may rely).

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This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, and may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by a Fund or by the Adviser upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party. Each Fund may effect termination by action of the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, accompanied by appropriate notice. This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, in the event that it shall have been established by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Adviser, or any officer or director of the Adviser, has taken any action which results in a breach of the material covenants of the Adviser set forth herein. Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the right of the Adviser to receive payments on any unpaid balance of the compensation, described in Section 3, earned prior to such termination and for any additional period during which the Adviser serves as such for the Fund, subject to applicable law. The terms "assignment" and "vote of the majority of outstanding voting securities" shall have the same meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

13. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both parties.

14. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder shall not be thereby affected.

15. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for receipt of such notice.

16. All parties hereto are expressly put on notice of the Trust's Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the limitation of shareholder and trustee liability contained therein. This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Trust by the Trust's officers as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Trust or a Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trust's Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the respective Fund, and persons dealing with the Trust must look solely to the assets of such Fund for the enforcement of any claims.

17. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with applicable federal law and (except as to Section 16 hereof which shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts) the laws of the State of Illinois.

18. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or enforceable by, any person or entity that is not a party hereto.

19. Any action brought on or with respect to this Agreement or any other document executed in connection herewith or therewith by a party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement shall be brought only in a court of competent jurisdiction in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, or if venue does not lie in any such court only in a court of competent jurisdiction within

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the State of Illinois (the "Chosen Courts"). Each party to this Agreement (a) consents to jurisdiction in the Chosen Courts; (b) waives any objection to venue in any of the Chosen Courts; and (c) waives any objection that any of the Chosen Courts is an inconvenient forum. In any action commenced by a party hereto against another party to the Agreement, there shall be no right to a jury trial.
THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS EXPRESSLY WAIVED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and the Adviser have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year above written.

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

                                          By: /s/ James M. Dykas
                                             -----------------------------
                                          Name:  James M. Dykas
                                          Title: President and CEO


ATTEST:
       -----------------------------
Name:  Matthew B. Farber
Title: Assistant General Counsel

FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.

                                          By: /s/ James M. Dykas
                                             -----------------------------
                                          Name:  James M. Dykas
                                          Title: Chief Financial Officer


ATTEST:
       -----------------------------
Name:  Matthew B. Farber
Title: Assistant General Counsel

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SCHEDULE A

(as of June 13, 2016)

                                     FUNDS

                                                     ANNUAL RATE OF
                                                      AVERAGE DAILY   EFFECTIVE
Series                                                 NET ASSETS        DATE
--------------------------------------------------   --------------   ----------
First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF                    1.45%

First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF

First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

September 15, 2016

First Trust Portfolios L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187

To Whom It May Concern:

This is to confirm that, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter contained, the above-named investment company (the "Trust") has agreed that you shall be, during the term of this agreement, the distributor of shares of each Series of the Trust set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as such Exhibit may be revised from time to time (each, an "Series"). For purposes of this agreement the term "Shares" shall mean the authorized shares of the relevant Series.

1. SERVICES AS DISTRIBUTOR

1.1. You will act as an agent of the Trust for the distribution of Shares in Creation Units (as defined herein) covered by, and in accordance with, the registration statement and prospectus then in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and will transmit promptly any orders received by you for purchase or redemption of Shares in Creation Units to the transfer agent for the Trust as identified in the Trust's prospectus. You shall deliver or cause the delivery of a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and shall maintain records of both orders placed with you and confirmations of acceptance furnished by you. You represent and warrant that you are a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. You agree to comply with all of the applicable terms and provisions of the 1934 Act.

1.2. You agree to use your best efforts to perform the services contemplated herein on a continuous basis. It is contemplated that you may enter into "Participant Agreements" with broker-dealers who agree to solicit orders for Shares. In addition, you may enter into sales or servicing agreements with securities dealers, financial institutions and other industry professionals, such as investment advisers, accountants and estate planning firms. In entering into sales or servicing agreements, you will act only on your own behalf as principal.

1.3. You shall act as distributor of Shares in Creation Units in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,

including, without limitations, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any securities association registered under the 1934 Act.

1.4. Whenever the parties hereto, in their collective judgment, mutually agree that such action is warranted by unusual market, economic or political conditions, or by abnormal circumstances of any kind deemed by them to render sales of a Trust's Shares in Creation Units not in the best interest of the Trust, the parties hereto may agree to decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of, any Shares in Creation Units until such time as the parties deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales.

1.5. The Trust agrees to pay all appropriate costs and expenses, including but not limited to, all expenses in connection with the registration of Shares under the 1933 Act and all expenses in connection with maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of Shares in Creation Units and for supplying information, prices and other data to be furnished by the Trust hereunder, and all expenses in connection with the preparation and printing of the Trust's prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to shareholders; provided, however, that the Trust shall not pay any of the costs of advertising or promotion for the sale of Shares, except as such payments may be made pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.

1.6. The Trust agrees to execute any and all documents and to furnish any and all information and otherwise to take all actions which may be reasonably necessary in the discretion of the Trust's officers in connection with the qualification of Shares for sale in Creation Units in such states as you may designate to the Trust and the Trust may approve, and the Trust agrees to pay all expenses which may be incurred in connection with such qualification. You shall pay all expenses connected with your own qualification as a dealer under state or Federal laws and, except as otherwise specifically provided in this agreement, all other expenses incurred by you in connection with the sale of Shares in Creation Units as contemplated in this agreement.

1.7. The Trust shall furnish you from time to time, for use in connection with the sale of Shares in Creation Units, such information with respect to the Trust or any relevant Series and the Shares as you may reasonably request, all of which shall be signed by one or more of the Trust's duly authorized officers; and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any such information, when so signed by the Trust's officers, shall be true and correct. The Trust also shall furnish you upon request with: (a) semi-annual reports and annual audited reports of the Trust's books and accounts made by independent public accountants regularly retained by the Trust, (b) quarterly earnings statements prepared by the Trust, (c) a monthly itemized list of the securities in the Trust's or, if applicable, each Series' portfolio, (d) monthly balance sheets as soon as practicable after the end of each month, and (e) from time to time such additional information regarding the Trust's financial condition as you may reasonably request.

1.8. The Trust represents to you that all registration statements and prospectuses filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, with respect to the Shares have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of said Acts and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. As used in

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this agreement the terms "registration statement" and "prospectus" shall mean any registration statement and prospectus, including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been filed with said Commission. The Trust represents and warrants to you that any registration statement and prospectus, when such registration statement becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with said Acts and the rules and regulations of said Commission; that all statements of fact contained in any such registration statement and prospectus will be true and correct when such registration statement becomes effective; and that neither any registration statement nor any prospectus when such registration statement becomes effective will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Trust may, but shall not be obligated to, propose from time to time such amendment or amendments to any registration statement and such supplement or supplements to any prospectus as it may deem necessary or advisable. If the Trust shall not propose such amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements within fifteen days after receipt by the Trust of a written request from you to do so, you may, at your option, terminate this agreement or decline to make offers of the Trust's securities until such amendments are made. The Trust will give you reasonable notice in advance of its filing of any amendment to any registration statement or supplement to any prospectus; provided, however, that nothing contained in this agreement shall in any way limit the Trust's right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

1.9. The Trust authorizes you and any dealers with whom you have entered into Participant Agreements to use any prospectus in the form most recently furnished by the Trust in connection with the sale of Shares in Creation Units. The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold you, your several officers and directors, and any person who controls you within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which you, your officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or common law or otherwise, (a) arising out of or on the basis of any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any registration statement or any prospectus or any statement of additional information, or (b) arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any registration statement, any prospectus or any statement of additional information or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, or (c) arising out of breach of any obligation, representation or warranty pursuant to this Agreement by the Trust, or (d) the Trust's failure to comply with applicable securities laws, except that the Trust's agreement to indemnify you, your officers or directors, and any such controlling person will not be deemed to cover any such claim, demand, liability or expense to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission made in any registration statement, any prospectus or any statement of additional information in reliance upon information furnished by you, your officers, directors or any such controlling person to the Trust or its representatives for use in the preparation thereof, and except that

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the Trust's agreement to indemnify you and the Trust's representations and warranties set out in paragraph 1.8 of this Agreement will not be deemed to cover any liability to the Trusts or their shareholders to which you would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of your duties, or by reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties under this Agreement ("Disqualifying Conduct"). The Trust's agreement to indemnify you, your officers and directors, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Trust's being notified of any action brought against you, your officers or directors, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to the Trust at its address set forth above within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. The failure so to notify the Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which the Trust may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph
1.9. The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by you. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by you, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Trust will reimburse you, your officers and directors, or the controlling person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by you or them. The Trust's indemnification agreement contained in this paragraph 1.9 and the Trust's representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of you, your officers and directors, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to your benefit, to the benefit of your several officers and directors, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons or other affiliates, and their successors. The Trust agrees promptly to notify you of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or Board members in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.

1.10. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Board members, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust, its officers or Board members, or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands, (a) shall arise out of or be based upon any information, statements or representations made or provided by you in any sales literature or advertisements, or any Disqualifying Conduct by you in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, (b) shall arise out of or be based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in writing by you to the Trust specifically for use in the Trust's registration statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the registration statement or in the

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corresponding statements made in the prospectus or statement of additional information, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by you to the Trust and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading, (c) arising out of your breach of any obligation, representation or warranty pursuant to this Agreement, or (d) your failure to comply with applicable securities laws. Your agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Board members, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon your being notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to you at your address set forth above within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. The failure so to notify you of any such action shall not relieve you from any liability which you may have to the Trust, its officers or Board members, or to such controlling person by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of your indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. You will be entitled to assume the defense of such action, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by you and approved by an executive officer of the Trust, if such action is based solely upon such alleged misstatement or omission on your part, and in any other event Trust, its officers or Board members, or such controlling person shall each have the right to participate in the defense or preparation of the defense of any such action. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Trust's benefit, to the benefit of the Trust's officers and Board members, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors. You agree promptly to notify the Trust of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against you or any of your officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.

1.11. No Shares shall be offered by either you or the Trust under any of the provisions of this agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of such Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act or if and so long as a current prospectus as required by Section 10 of said 1933 Act is not on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph 1.11 shall in any way restrict or have any application to or bearing upon the Trust's obligation to redeem or repurchase any Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Trust's prospectus or charter documents.

1.12. The Trust agrees to advise you immediately in writing of the occurrence of any of the following events, as soon as any such event comes to the attention of the Trust:

(a) any request by the Securities and Exchange Commission for amendments to the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or for additional information;

(b) the event of the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;

I the happening of any event which makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a change in such registration statement or prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and

(d) all actions of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to any amendments to any registration statement or prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. OFFERING CREATION UNITS

Shares in Creation Units of each Series will be offered for sale by you at a price per Creation Unit in the manner set forth in the then-current prospectus, based on a net asset value determined in accordance with the Trust's prospectus and charter documents. Any payments to dealers shall be governed by a separate agreement between you and such dealer and the Trust's then-current prospectus.

You will accept as compensation for the performance of your obligations hereunder such compensation, if any, as may be provided for in any plan of distribution adopted by the Trust with respect to the Trust or any Series pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

3. TERM

This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Series of the Trust as of the date set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and will continue for an initial two-year term from the date of effectiveness and is renewable annually thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved (a) by the Trust's Board on behalf of each Series or (b) by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Shares of the Trust or the relevant Series, as the case may be, provided that in either event its continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This agreement may be terminated in respect of an Series at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined under the 1940 Act) or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant Series, on at least 60 days' written notice to you. This agreement may also be terminated at any time by you, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days' notice by you and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined under the 1940 Act).

4. MISCELLANEOUS

4.1. The Trust recognizes that your directors, officers and employees may from time to time serve as directors, trustees, officers and employees of corporations and business trusts (including other investment companies), and that you or your affiliates may enter into distribution or other agreements with such other corporations and trusts.

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4.2. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

4.3. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

4.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be 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 upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

Please confirm that the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding and indicate your acceptance hereof by signing below, whereupon it shall become a binding agreement between us.

Very truly yours,

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

ACCEPTED:

FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P.

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                                   EXHIBIT A
                           (AS OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2016)

                              SERIES OF THE TRUST
SERIES                                                          EFFECTIVE DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF                        September 28, 2016

First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF              September 28, 2016

EXECUTION

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of June 23, 2016 between First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, a business trust organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts having its principal office and place of business at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (the "Trust") and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation having its principal office and place of business at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286 {"Custodian").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and

WHEREAS, the Trust, so authorized, intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series as set forth on Schedule II (each such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement by amendment hereof, being referred to as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"); and

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Custodian to provide for the Funds the services described herein, and the Custodian is willing to provide such services, all as more fully set forth below;

Now, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

"Authorized Person" shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of the Trust, duly authorized by the Trust's board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.

"BNYM Affiliate" shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

"Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.

"Business Day" shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant Depositories are open for business.

"Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Trust by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

"Composite Currency Unit" shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.

"Depository" shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other securities depository, book-entry system or clearing agency authorized to act as such under applicable law identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.

"Foreign Depository" shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to the Trust prior to the use of such Foreign Depository on Schedule III (as the same may be changed by Custodian from time to time and identified to the Trust) and
(d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing identified to the Trust prior to the use of such successor or nominee.

"Instructions" shall mean communications transmitted by electronic or telecommunications media, including S.W.I.F.T., computer-to-computer interface, or dedicated transmission lines.

"Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

"Securities" shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a Depository or by a Subcustodian).

"Subcustodian" shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Trust from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.

"Transfer Agent" shall mean The Bank ofNew York Mellon.

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ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS

Section 1. (a) The Trust hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for each Fund in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of each Fund from the assets of any other Fund. Such accounts (each, an "Account"; collectively, the "Accounts") shall be in the name of the Trust.

(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such subaccounts within each Account as the Trust and Custodian may agree upon (each a "Special Account"), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.

(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Trust and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.

Section 2. The Trust hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Trust, that:

(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder;

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust, approved by a resolution of its board, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust in respect of each Fund thereof from time to time existing, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;

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(c) To the best of its knowledge and belief, it is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;

(d) It will not knowingly use the services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Trust;

(e) If the Trust's foreign custody manager is not the Custodian or a BNYM Affiliate, the Trust's Board or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "'40 Act"), has determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian (as defined below)) which Custodian or any Subcustodian is authorized to utilize in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof, satisfies the applicable requirements of the '40 Act and 17f-5 thereunder, as the case may be;

(f) Prior to any settlement instructions being given to the Custodian requiring the services of a Foreign Depository, the Trust's investment advisor has indicated that it shall have determined that the custody arrangements of such Foreign Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule 17f-7 under the '40 Act;

(g) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and delivering Certificates to Custodian, shall cause each Authorized Person to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, understands that there may be more secure methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by the Trust, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be utilized provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian, may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;

(h) It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation, any advance or overdraft (including any day-light overdraft) in the Accounts, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each Fund does not exceed the amount such Fund is permitted to borrow under the '40 Act;

(i) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the '40 Act;

(j) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose; and

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(k) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority.

Section 3. The Custodian hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing, that:

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Custodian, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order ore judgment binding it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;

(c) It will not knowingly use the assets delivered to it, or perform its services, pursuant to this Agreement in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to Custodian;

(d) Upon the reasonable request of the Trust's Chief Compliance officer, it will inform the Trust of any material changes to be made or imminently to be made to its policies and procedures relating to the services contemplated herein;

(e) It has at least the minimum qualifications required by Section 17(f)(1) of the '40 Act to act as custodian of the Securities and cash of the Fund(s); and

(f) It has, and will maintain, such backup, contingency and disaster recovery procedures as are required by its regulators.

Section 4. The Trust hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian's request a Form FR U-l (or successor form) whenever the Trust borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.

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Article III

Custody and Related Services

Section 1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Trust hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities and cash, all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions with respect to the Securities, received by it from time to time for the account of the Trust and its applicable Fund. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this
Section 1, Depositories, Subcustodians (provided (i) if the Custodian employs a Subcustodian for custody of assets located in the U.S., the Custodian has received notice of the approval of such Subcustodian by the Trust's board, and
(ii) if the Trust's foreign custody manager is not the Custodian or a BNYM Affiliate, the Custodian has received notice of the Subcustodians approved by the Trust's board or foreign custody manager for custody of assets located outside the U.S.), and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian's agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Trust and each Fund thereof, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the "Replacement Subcustodian"). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Trust's board or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the '40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.

(b) In the event that the Trust desires to have the Custodian serve as foreign custody manager to a Fund, and the Custodian agrees to provide such services, the Trust and Custodian shall enter into a Foreign Custody Manager Agreement substantially in the form attached as Appendix II.

(c) Unless applicable law otherwise requires or Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any

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kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Trust by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.

(d) With respect to each Depository, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Trust, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of the Depository.

(e) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Trust with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository in accordance with Rule 17f-7(a)(l)(i)(A) of the '40 Act, and
(ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Trust of any material change in such risks in accordance with Rule 17f-7(a)(l)(i)(B) of the '40 Act. The Custodian shall only utilize a Foreign Depository that it has determined satisfies the requirements of Rule 17f-7(b)(l) as an "Eligible Securities Depository" (as defined in Rule 17f- 7(b)(1)) and has provided the risk analysis required in (i) of this paragraph (e). In such a manner as Custodian deems reasonable, Custodian shall give the Trust prompt notice of any material change known to Custodian, that would adversely affect Custodian's determination that an entity is an Eligible Securities Depository. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term "Country Risks" shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depositoiy: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country's regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.

(f) With respect to each country in which the Custodian or a Subcustodian maintains assets for a Fund pursuant to this Agreement, the Custodian will, as requested by the Trust from time to time, furnish the Trust the information specified in Appendix III.

Section 2. Custodian shall furnish the Trust with an advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts.

Section 3. With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:

(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

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(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Securities which may mature and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

(c) Forward to the Trust copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;

(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;

(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and

(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.

Section 4. (a) Custodian shall notify the Trust of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Trust.

(b) Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on the Trust or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Trust's Certificate or Instructions at Custodian's offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Trust). Absent Custodian's timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions, Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Securities.

Section 5. All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Trust or its designee. For Securities issued in the United States, Custodian's only duty shall be to mail to the Trust any documents (including proxy statements, annual reports and signed proxies) actually received by Custodian relating to the exercise of such voting rights. With respect to Securities issued outside of the United States, Custodian's only duty shall be to provide the Trust with access to a provider of global proxy

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services at the Trust's request. The Trust shall be responsible for all costs associated with its use of such services.

Section 6. Custodian shall promptly advise the Trust upon Custodian's actual receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities in which the Trust has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.

Section 7. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.

Section 8. The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto {"Taxes"), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of the Trust and the applicable Fund or any transaction related thereto. The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold), except to the extent that any Taxes are the direct result of the bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian. Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax for or in respect of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account of the applicable Fund in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly

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after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Trust is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid for or in respect of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, (i) provide the Trust with required forms to apply for such reduction or exemption, if any, and, if such service is provided by the applicable Subcustodian, request such Subcustodian continually to monitor the availability of any reduction or exemption (and the Custodian shall provide to the Trust from time to time upon request a list of the Subcustodians providing such monitoring service), and (ii) either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Trust all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for refund, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any forms or documentation provided by the Trust to Custodian hereunder. The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

Section 9. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange transactions, the Trust shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, "sufficient immediately available funds" shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Trust with immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Trust may specify to Custodian.

(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a BNYM Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels upon such terms, and for such compensation, as the Trust and the Custodian or its affiliate may agree upon. The Trust may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian or its affiliate will establish terms of trading, rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Trust. The Trust shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust shall bear the risks that rules or procedures imposed by Depositories, exchange controls, assets freezes or other laws, rules, regulations or orders shall prohibit or impose burdens or costs on the transfer to, by or for the accounts of the Trust with respect to an applicable Fund of Securities or cash held outside the United States or denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars or the conversion of cash from one currency into another currency. Custodian shall not be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by such law, regulation, rule or procedure. Neither Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be liable to the Trust or any Fund for loss resulting from any of the foregoing events.

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(c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services in connection with this Agreement, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. The Trust understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments (e.g., derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as determined by it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder.

Section 10. Custodian shall promptly send to the Trust (a) any reports it receives from a Depository on such Depository's system of internal accounting control, and (b) such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.

Section 11. Until such time as Custodian receives a certificate to the contrary with respect to a particular Security, Custodian may release the identity of the Trust to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and shareholder.

ARTICLE IV

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES; CREDITS TO ACCOUNT

Section 1. Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a Security generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made, Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.

Section 2. The Trust understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any

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provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities. The Trust assumes full responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities. Section 3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Trust, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian's actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be "final" until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.

ARTICLE V

OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS

Section 1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds, in any currency, on behalf of any Fund which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for such Fund shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such Fund, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate account of a Fund for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Trust is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a Fund, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York Mellon under a cash management and related services agreement with the Trust, if any (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Trust for such Fund payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers in the relevant currency, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Trust hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law (but in no event greater than the amount of such overdraft or indebtedness plus applicable accrued interest) have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset, of such Fund at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of such Fund or in which such Fund may

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have an interest which is then in Custodian's possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting in Custodian's behalf. The Trust authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Fund's credit on Custodian's books. Section 2. If the Trust borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Fund to which such borrowing relates;
(b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, (f) the Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the '40 Act and the applicable Fund's prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Trust fails to specify in a Certificate the Fund, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.

ARTICLE VI

SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds and securities available for payment to, or in accordance with the instructions of, the Transfer Agent for the redemption or repurchase of shares of the applicable Fund {"Shares") which shall have been accepted by the Transfer Agent. The Custodian will transfer any Securities to or on the order of the person identified by the Transfer Agent in the manner specified by the Transfer Agent (either through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or otherwise). Any cash redemption payment (less any applicable cash redemption transaction fees) shall be effected as specified by the Transfer Agent either through DTC or through wire transfer in the case of redemptions effected outside of DTC. All funds and securities to be made available for payment with respect to a transaction, shall be out of funds and securities held for the Account of the specified Fund.

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ARTICLE VII

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. Whenever the Trust shall determine that a Fund shall pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Fund specified therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.

Section 2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of such Fund the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Trust specified therein.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING CUSTODIAN

Section 1. (a) Custodian shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees (collectively, "Losses"), incurred by or asserted against the Trust or, or in respect of, any Fund, except those Losses arising out of Custodian's own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depositories or of Foreign Depositories, except in each case to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian's failure to fulfill its duties hereunder. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Trust or any Fund as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian (other than a BNYM Affiliate), Depository or Foreign Depository, Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository, and Custodian's sole responsibility and liability to the Trust or Fund shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian) except to the extent the action or inaction of the relevant Subcustodian; Depository or Foreign Depository is a direct result of the Custodian's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall Custodian be liable to the Trust, any Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement, except Custodian shall be liable to the Trust and any applicable Fund for direct money damages caused by Custodian's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, nor shall the Custodian or any Subcustodian (except only with respect to clause (vii), which shall not limit a Subcustodian's liability in respect of its own insolvency) be liable: (i) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; (ii) for acting in accordance with Instructions without reviewing the same; (iii) for conclusively presuming (in Custodian's reasonable judgment) that all Instructions are given only by person(s) duly authorized; (iv) for conclusively presuming (in Custodian's reasonable judgment) that all disbursements of cash directed by the Trust, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Sections 2(i) and (j) of Article II hereof; (v) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses

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resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of property; (vi) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services (a "Force Majeure Event") provided that Custodian has established and maintained disaster recovery and contingency plans and systems as described in Section 1(b) of Article VIII below or, if not, that such Losses would have occurred even if BNYM had established and maintained such plans and systems; (vii) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian (other than a BNYM Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian's failure to fulfill its duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository; (viii) for any Losses arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect, limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or prevented by such law, regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the account of the Trust and the respective Fund, and Custodian may treat any account denominated in an affected currency as a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies; or (ix) for any action or inaction taken or omitted to by Custodian in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel for the Trust or its own outside counsel.

(b) Custodian shall maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, such disaster recovery and contingency plans and systems as it reasonably believes necessary and appropriate to recover its operations from the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event which are consistent with the requirements of any statute, regulation or rule to which it is subject that imposes business resumption and contingency planning standards.

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(c) Custodian may enter at its own expense into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any BNYM Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder.

(d) The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian's performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund; provided however, that the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian's own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement, provided, however, that if the Custodian is serving as foreign custody manager to a Fund in accordance with a Foreign Custody Manager Agreement in the form annexed as Appendix II, the Custodian's indemnification for Losses arising from the acts of any Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Custodian shall be subject to such further limitations as shall be provided in the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Custodian agrees to indemnify the Trust and hold the Trust harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against the Trust and determined by an arbiter of appropriate jurisdiction to be a direct result of Custodian's negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Trust in a successful defense of claims by Custodian; provided however, that Custodian shall not indemnify the Trust for those Losses arising out of the Trust's own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

Section 2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

(a) Any Losses incurred by the Trust, any Fund or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;

(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Trust or any Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;

(c) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;

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(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Trust in respect of any Fund;

(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust;

(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate security for the Trust and the applicable Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust and such Fund. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of any Fund are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;

(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Trust; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Trust of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Trust may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Trust is entitled to receive, or to notify the Trust of Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or

(h) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Trust and specifically allocated to a Fund are such as properly may be held by the Trust or such Fund under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Trust, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Trust.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Trust inquires into any matter described in Article VIII, Section 2(a) or (b) above, Custodian shall provide reasonable assistance to the Trust on such inquiries at the Trust's expense.

Section 3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of outside counsel and shall not be liable with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in conformity with such advice, provided that any such action or omission by Custodian is consistent with Custodian's rights and responsibilities under this Agreement.

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Section 4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment. Custodian shall endeavor to promptly notify the Trust of any such defaults or refused payments.

Section 5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.

Section 6. The Trust shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at Custodian's standard rates for such services as may be applicable. The Trust shall reimburse Custodian for all costs associated with the conversion of the Trust's Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Trust shall also reimburse Custodian for out-ofpocket expenses which are a normal incident of the services provided hereunder.

Section 7. Custodian has the right to debit any cash account held for the Trust or applicable Fund for any amount payable by such Fund or the Trust in respect of such Fund in connection with any and all obligations of the Trust in respect of such Fund to Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Trust shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right upon notice to the Trust to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Trust, any Securities or cash Custodian or a BNYM Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Trust or the applicable Fund, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a BNYM Affiliate may have to the Trust in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Custodian will endeavor to promptly notify the Trust of any such setoffs, with such notice to include an explanation of such setoffs and any remaining applicable obligations of the Trust to Custodian, provided that Custodian's failure to so notify shall not impair its rights as set forth hereunder. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Trust or Fund may be transferred to Custodian and any BNYM Affiliate in order to effect the above rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any amount payable or other obligation of the Trust to Custodian is only in respect of a particular Fund, Custodian and/or Custodian Affiliate may only exercise the rights set forth in this paragraph with respect to the cash account, Securities or other assets held for the account of such applicable Fund.

Section 8. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Trust elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by

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Custodian, the Trust's use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto, and Custodian shall provide user and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys only to an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

Section 9. The books and records pertaining to the Trust which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Trust. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the '40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Trust, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records during Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Trust or its authorized representative, as soon as practicable. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained, as soon as practicable. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Trust's books and records will be returned to the Trust upon request.

Section 10. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with any report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.

Section 11. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement.

Section 12. From time to time as requested by the Trust, the Custodian shall provide to the Trust such certifications and sub-certifications, in the form agreed to by the Trust and the Custodian, with respect to Form N-Qs, Form N-CSRs, compliance policies and procedures under Rule 38a-l under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and such other matters that may be reasonably requested by the Trust or the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer from time to time. In addition, the Custodian will, from time to time, provide a written assessment of its compliance program in conformity with current industry standards that is reasonably acceptable to the Trust to enable the Trust to fulfill its obligations under Rule 38a-l of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. From time to time as requested by the Trust, the Custodian shall request from each Subcustodian, and provide to the Trust upon receipt, such Subcustodian's annual financial information, reports on accounting controls and compliance policies and procedures.

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ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

Section 1. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities and money then owned by the Trust and any Fund and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.

Section 2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the Trust shall, upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust) and money then owned by the Trust and any Fund, be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.

Section 3. Notwithstanding Section 1 of this Article IX, the Trust may terminate the services of Custodian under this Agreement at any time (A) by providing thirty (30) days' written notice in the event that Custodian (i) shall fail in any material respect to perform its duties and obligations hereunder pursuant to the applicable standard of care set forth herein, the Trust shall have given written notice thereof, and such material failure shall not have been remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trust within thirty (30) days after such written notice is received, or (ii) shall have ceased to be qualified as a custodian under the '40 Act, shall be indicted for a crime directly related to the services contemplated hereunder, shall commence any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or have such a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding initiated against it which shall not be dismissed within sixty (60) days, or (B) immediately in the event of an appointment of a conservator or receiver for Custodian or any parent of Custodian by a regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Each party shall keep confidential any information relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information"). Confidential

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Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust or Custodian and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust or Custodian a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if: (a) it is necessary for Custodian to release such information in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; (b) it is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (c) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (d) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (e) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (f) it is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted);
(g) it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (h) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party; or (i) it is necessary for Custodian to release such information to Custodian's internal or external accountants or legal counsel who are subject to a duty of confidentiality. Custodian acknowledges and agrees that in connection with its services under this Agreement it receives non-public confidential portfolio holdings information ("Portfolio Information") with respect to the Trust. Custodian agrees that, subject to the foregoing provisions of and the exceptions set forth in this Article X Section 1 (other than the exception set forth above in this Article X Section 1 as sub-item (a), which exception set forth in sub-item (a) shall not be applicable to the Trust's Portfolio Information), Custodian will keep confidential the Trust's Portfolio Information and will not disclose the Trust's Portfolio Information other than pursuant to a written Certificate or Instructions; provided that without the need for such a written Certification or Instructions and notwithstanding any other provision of this Article X Section 1 to the contrary, the Trust's Portfolio Information may be disclosed (i) to Subcustodians and (ii) to third party pricing services which are engaged by Custodian in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement, and which shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to such Portfolio Information. The Custodian's agreements with its Subcustodians require the Subcustodian, subject to any applicable law, to use best efforts to maintain the confidentiality of matters concerning the property held by the Subcustodian for the account of a Fund.

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Section 2. The Trust agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall not be liable in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.

Section 3. Each notice, request, demand, approval or other communication which may be or is required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing in English and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when received by the intended party, if delivered personally at the address set forth below for the intended party during normal business hours at such address, if sent by facsimile transmission to the respective facsimile transmission numbers of the parties set forth below, or if sent by recognized overnight courier service or by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Trust: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

                 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
                 Wheaton, Illinois 60187
                 Attention: General Counsel
                 Facsimile: 630-517-7437
                 Confirm: 630-765-8798

If to the
Custodian:       The Bank of New York Mellon
                 101 Barclay Street, 20W
                 NewYork, New York 10286
                 Attention: Rosalia Koopman
                 Facsimile: 212-815-2948
                 Confirm: 212-815-4647

Notices shall be given to such other addressee or address, or both, or by way of such other facsimile transmission number, as a particular party may from time to time designate by written notice to the other parties hereto given in accordance with this Section.

Section 4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

Section 5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the

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validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Trust and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.

Section 6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

Section 7. (a) It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust (and Funds thereof) hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust (and Funds thereof), personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust.

(b) This Agreement is an agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Trust with respect to each Fund. With respect to any obligation of the Trust on behalf of any Fund arising out of this Agreement, the Custodian shall look for payment of such obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if the Custodian had separately contracted with the Trust by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund.

(c) As used herein, the "applicable Fund" shall be each Fund in respect of which any amount due the Custodian arises, and if any amount due the Custodian arises in respect of more than one Fund, the same shall be allocated by the Custodian among such Funds in accordance with Section 7(b) of this Article. Any amounts due the Custodian which may not be allocated in accordance with the preceding sentence shall constitute General Liabilities as defined in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and allocated by the Trust and paid in accordance with the provisions thereof.

Section 8. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the "BNY Mellon Group"). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal,

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compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the "Centralized Functions") in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes the Custodian to disclose information regarding the Trust and the Accounts ("Customer-Related Data") to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third- party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) the Custodian may store the names and business contact information of the Trust's employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with the Trust. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.

Section 9. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

By  /s/ James M. Dykas
   -------------------------------
   Title: President
          ------------------------
   Tax Identification No:
                         ---------

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

By  /s/ Rosalia A. Koopman
   -------------------------------
   Title: Managing Director
          ------------------------
   Tax Identification No:
                         ---------

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SCHEDULE I
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS (THE
TRUST - ORAL AND WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS)

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting Secretary of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the "Trust"), and further certifies that the following officers or employees of the Trust have been duly authorized in conformity with the Trust's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to deliver Certificates and Oral Instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon ("Custodian") pursuant to the Custody Agreement between the Trust and Custodian dated , 2016 and that the signatures appearing opposite their names are true and correct:

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             NAME                     TITLE                     SIGNATURE


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                         (Continued on Following Page)

NAME TITLE SIGNATURE

This certificate supersedes any certificate of Authorized Persons you may currently have on file.

                                      By:
[seal]                                    ---------------------------------
                                       Title: Secretary
                                       Date:
                                            -----------------

SCHEDULE II

SCHEDULE III
FOREIGN DEPOSITORIES

APPENDIX I

ELECTRONIC SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. License; Use, (a) This Appendix I shall govern use by FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII (the "Trust") of electronic communications, information delivery, portfolio management and banking services, that The Bank of New York Mellon and its affiliates (herein "BNYM") may provide in connection with the services as Custodian pursuant to the annexed Custody Agreement (the "Agreement"), such as The Bank of New York Mellon Inform (TM) and The Bank of New York Mellon CA$H-Register Plus(R), and any computer software, proprietary data and documentation provided by BNYM to the Trust in connection therewith (collectively, the "Electronic Services"). In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Appendix I and the main body of this Agreement with respect to the Trust's use of the Electronic Services, the terms of this Appendix I shall control.

(b) BNYM grants to the Trust a personal, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use the Electronic Services to which the Trust subscribes solely for the purpose of transmitting instructions and information ("Written Instructions"), obtaining reports, analyses and statements and other information and data, making inquiries and otherwise communicating with BNYM in connection with the Trust's relationship with BNYM, as Custodian pursuant to the Agreement. The Trust shall use the Electronic Services solely for its own internal and proper business purposes and not in the operation of a service bureau. Except as set forth herein, no license or right of any kind is granted to the Trust or any other person with respect to the Electronic Services. The Trust acknowledges that BNYM and its suppliers retain and have title and exclusive proprietary rights to the Electronic Services, including any trade secrets or other ideas, concepts, know-how, methodologies, and information incorporated therein and the exclusive rights to any copyrights, trade dress, look and feel, trademarks and patents (including registrations and applications for registration of either), and other legal protections available in respect thereof (unless such information was provided by the Trust). The Trust further acknowledges that all or a part of the Electronic Services may be copyrighted or trademarked (or a registration or claim made therefor) by BNYM or its suppliers. The Trust shall not take any action with respect to the Electronic Services inconsistent with the foregoing acknowledgments, nor shall the Trust attempt to decompile, reverse engineer or modify the Electronic Services. The Trust may not copy, distribute, sell, lease or provide, directly or indirectly, the Electronic Services or any portion thereof to any other person or entity without BNYM's prior written consent. The Trust may not remove any statutory copyright notice or other notice included in the Electronic Services. The Trust shall reproduce any such notice on any reproduction of any portion of the Electronic Services and shall add any statutory copyright notice or other notice upon BNYM's request.

(c) Portions of the Electronic Services may contain, deliver or rely on data supplied by third parties ("Third Party Data"), such as pricing data and indicative data, and services supplied by third parties ("Third Party Services") such as analytic and accounting services. Third Party Data and Third Party Services supplied hereunder are obtained from sources that BNYM believes to be reliable but, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Agreement with respect to the duties of BNYM as Custodian, are provided without any independent

Appendix J

investigation by BNYM. BNYM and its suppliers do not represent or warrant that the Third Party Data or Third Party Services are correct, complete or current. Third Party Data and Third Party Services are proprietary to their suppliers, are provided solely for the Trust's internal use, and may not be reused, disseminated or redistributed in any form. The Trust shall not use any Third Party Data in any manner that would act as a substitute for obtaining a license for the data directly from the supplier. Third Party Data and Third Party Services should not be used in making any investment decision. BNYM AND ITS SUPPLIERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIRD PARTY DATA OR THIRD PARTY SERVICES. BNYM's suppliers of Third Party Data and Services are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Section 1(c) and Section 5 below.

(d) The Trust understands and agrees that any links in the Electronic Services to Internet sites may be to sites sponsored and maintained by third parties. BNYM makes no guarantees, representations or warranties concerning the information contained in any third party site (including without limitation that such information is correct, current, complete or free of viruses or other contamination), or any products or services sold through third party sites. All such links to third party Internet sites are provided solely as a convenience to the Trust and the Trust accesses and uses such sites at its own risk. A link in the Electronic Services to a third party site does not constitute BNYM's endorsement, authorisation or sponsorship of such site or any products and services available from such site.

2. Equipment. The Trust shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all equipment and services, including but not limited to communications services, necessary for it to utilize and obtain access to the Electronic Services, and BNYM shall not be responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or services.

3. Proprietary Information. The Electronic Services, and any proprietary data (including Third Party Data), processes, software, information and documentation made available to the Trust (other than which are or become part of the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public) (collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property of BNYM or its suppliers. However, for the avoidance of doubt, reports generated by the Trust containing information relating to its account(s) (except for Third Party Data contained therein) are not deemed to be within the meaning of the term "Information." The Trust shall keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that the Trust uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets, but not less than reasonable care. Upon termination of the Agreement or the licenses granted herein for any reason, the Trust shall return to BNYM any and all copies of the Information which are in its possession or under its control (except that the Trust may retain such information as may be required for the Trust to comply with applicable law, regulation or other record keeping requirements and reports containing Third Party Data, provided that such Third Party Data remains subject to the provisions of this Appendix). The provisions of this Section 3 shall not affect the copyright status of any of the Information which may be copyrighted and shall apply to all information whether or not copyrighted.

4. Modifications. BNYM reserves the right to modify the Electronic Services from time to time. It is understood and agreed that Custodian will

Appendix i - 5 -

endeavor to provide the Trust with advance notice of any such modifications which materially alter the user interface or functionality of the Electronic Services, provided, however, that prior notice may not be possible under the circumstances and Custodian shall not have any liability to the Trust for failing to provide such notice under these circumstances. The Trust agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the Electronic Services without BNYM's prior written consent. The Trust acknowledges that any modifications to the Electronic Services, whether by the Trust or BNYM and whether with or without BNYM's consent, shall become the property of BNYM.

5. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES: LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. BNYM AND ITS MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES OR ANY THIRD PARTY DATA OR THIRD PARTY SERVICES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES, THIRD PARTY DATA AND THIRD PARTY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS." TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL BNYM OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH CUSTOMER MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES, THIRD PARTY DATA OR THIRD PARTY SERVICES, EVEN IF BNYM OR SUCH SUPPLIER KNEW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL BNYM OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ACTS OF GOD, MACHINE OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN OR MALFUNCTION, INTERRUPTION OR MALFUNCTION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, LABOR DIFFICULTIES OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR CAUSE BEYOND THEIR REASONABLE CONTROL (A "FORCE MAJEURE EVENT"). CUSTODIAN WILL MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT SUCH DISASTER RECOVERY AND CONTINGENCY PLANS AND SYSTEMS AS IT REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO RECOVER ITS OPERATIONS FROM THE OCCURRENCE OF A FORCE MAJEURE EVENT AND WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY STATUTE, REGULATION OR RULE TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT THAT IMPOSES BUSINESS RESUMPTIONS AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING STANDARDS. CUSTODIAN SHALL EMPLOY COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS TO RESUME PERFORMANCE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE OF A FORCE MAJEURE EVENT.

6. Security: Reliance; Unauthorized Use: Funds Transfers. BNYM will establish security procedures to be followed in connection with the use of the Electronic Services, and the Trust agrees to comply with the security procedures. The Trust understands and agrees that the security procedures are intended to determine whether instructions received by BNYM as Custodian through the Electronic Services are authorized but are not (unless otherwise specified in writing) intended to detect any errors contained in such instructions. The Trust will cause all persons utilizing the Electronic Services to treat any user

Appendix I - 5 -

and authorization codes, passwords, authentication keys and other security devices with the highest degree of care and confidentiality. Upon termination of the Trust's use of the Electronic Services, the Trust shall return to BNYM any security devices (e.g., token cards) provided by BNYM. BNYM is hereby irrevocably authorized to comply with and rely upon on Written Instructions and other communications, whether or not authorized, received by it through the Electronic Services. The Trust acknowledges that it has sole responsibility for ensuring that only Authorized Persons (as defined in the Agreement) use the Electronic Services and that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law BNYM shall not be responsible nor liable for any unauthorized use thereof or for any losses sustained by the Trust arising from or in connection with the use of the Electronic Services or BNYM's reliance upon and compliance with Written Instructions and other communications received through the Electronic Services. With respect to instructions for a transfer of funds issued through the Electronic Services, when instructed to credit or pay a party by both name and a unique numeric or alpha-numeric identifier (e.g. ABA number or account number), BNYM, its affiliates, and any other bank participating in the funds transfer, may rely solely on the unique identifier, even if it identifies a party different than the party named. Such reliance on a unique identifier shall apply to beneficiaries named in such instructions as well as any financial institution which is designated in such instructions to act as an intermediary in a funds transfer. It is understood and agreed that unless otherwise specifically provided herein, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereto shall be bound by the rules of any funds transfer system utilized to effect a funds transfer hereunder.

7. Acknowledgments. BNYM, as Custodian, shall acknowledge through the Electronic Services its receipt of each Written Instruction communicated through the Electronic Services, and in the absence of such acknowledgment BNYM shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such Written Instruction and the Trust may not claim that such Written Instruction was received by BNYM. The Custodian may in its discretion decline to act upon any instructions or communications that are insufficient or incomplete (and in such event, the Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to advise the Trust of any instruction or communication which it determines to be insufficient or incomplete in such manner that the Trust may submit a revised instruction or communication) or are not received by the Custodian by the time specified in the Agreement for the Custodian to act upon, or in accordance with such, instructions or communications.

8. Viruses. Each of the Trust and BNYM, as Custodian, agrees to use reasonable efforts to prevent the transmission through the Electronic Services of any software or file which contains any viruses, worms, harmful component or corrupted data and agrees not to use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Electronic Services.

Appendix J -- 5 -

9. Encryption. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that encryption may not be available for every communication through the Electronic Services, or for all data. The Trust agrees that BNYM may deactivate any encryption features at any time, without notice or liability to the Trust, for the purpose of maintaining, repairing or troubleshooting its systems. It is understood and agreed that Custodian will endeavor to provide the Trust with notice of any such deactivation, provided, however, that prior notification may not be possible under the circumstances and BNYM will not have any liability to the Trust for failing to provide such notice under these circumstances.

10. On-Line Inquiry and Modification of Records. In connection with the Trust's use of the Electronic Services, BNYM may, at the Trust's request, permit the Trust to enter data directly into a BNYM database for the purpose of modifying certain information maintained by BNYM's systems, including, but not limited to, change of address information. To the extent that the Trust is granted such access, the Trust agrees to indemnify and hold BNYM harmless from all loss, liability, cost, damage and expense (including attorney's fees and expenses) to which BNYM may be subjected or which may be incurred in connection with any claim which may arise out of or as a result of changes to BNYM database records initiated by the Trust.

11. Agents. The Trust may, on advance written notice to the BNYM, permit its agents and contractors who are not otherwise identified as Authorized Persons ("Agents") to access and use the Electronic Services on the Trust's behalf, except that the BNYM reserves the right to prohibit the Trust's use of any particular Agent for any reason. The Trust shall require its Agent(s) to agree in writing to be bound by the terms of the Agreement and this Appendix, and the Trust shall be liable and responsible for any act or omission of such Agent in the same manner, and to the same extent, as though such act or omission were that of the Trust. Each submission of a Written Instruction or other communication by the Agent through the Electronic Services shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Trust that the Agent continues to be duly authorized by the Trust to so act on its behalf and the BNYM may rely on the representations and warranties made herein in complying with such Written Instruction or communication. Any Written Instruction or other communication through the Electronic Services by an Agent shall be deemed that of the Trust, and the Trust shall be bound thereby whether or not authorized. The Trust may, subject to the terms of this Appendix and upon advance written notice to the Bank, provide a copy of the Electronic Service user manuals to its Agent if the Agent requires such copies to use the Electronic Services on the Trust's behalf. Upon cessation of any such Agent's services, the Trust shall promptly terminate such Agent's access to the Electronic Services, retrieve from the Agent any copies of the manuals and destroy them, and retrieve from the Agent any token cards or other security devices provided by BNYM and return them to BNYM.

12. Proprietary Rights. Notwithstanding Section 5, all intellectual property rights in the Electronic Services are either owned by BNYM or secured by it for use as contemplated hereunder.

Appendix J - 5 -

On-line communications terms.doc
(9/06)

Appendix 1 - 5 -

APPENDIX II

FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT between FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII, a business trust organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts having its principal office and place of business at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (the "Trust") and The Bank of New York Mellon ("BNYM").

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint BNYM as a Foreign Custody Manager as defined in the Rule (as such term is defined below) on the terms and conditions contained herein;

WHEREAS, BNYM desires to serve as a Foreign Custody Manager and perform the duties set forth herein on the terms and conditions contained herein with respect to one or more Funds (as such term is defined below);

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter contained in this Agreement, the Trust and BNYM hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

1. "BOARD" shall mean the board of directors or board of trustees, as the case may be, of the Trust.

2. "ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN" shall have the meaning provided in the Rule.

3. "MONITORING SYSTEM" shall mean a system established by BNYM to fulfill the Responsibilities specified in clauses (d) and (e) of Section 1 of Article III of this Agreement.

4. "RESPONSIBILITIES" shall mean the responsibilities delegated to BNYM under the Rule as a Foreign Custody Manager to a Fund with respect to each Specified Country and each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by BNYM, as such responsibilities are more fully described in Article III of this Agreement.

5. "RULE" shall mean Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended effective June 12, 2000.

Appendix II

6. "Fund" shall mean the respective portfolios, if any, of the Trust listed on Schedule I hereto, and if none are listed, references to Fund shall be references to the Trust.

7. "Specified Country" shall mean each country listed on Schedule II attached hereto and each country, other than the United States, constituting the primary market for a security with respect to which the Trust has given settlement instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon as custodian (the "Custodian") under its Custody Agreement with the Trust.

ARTICLE II.
BNYM AS A FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER

1. The Trust on behalf of its Board hereby delegates to BNYM with respect to each Specified Country the Responsibilities to be performed for each Fund of the Trust.

2. BNYM accepts the Board's delegation of Responsibilities with respect to each Specified Country and agrees in performing the Responsibilities as a Foreign Custody Manager to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of the Trust's assets would exercise.

3. BNYM shall provide to the Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of the Trust's foreign custody arrangements written reports notifying the Board of the placement of assets of the Trust with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian within a Specified Country and of any material change in the arrangements (including the contract governing such arrangements) with respect to assets of the Trust with any such Eligible Foreign Custodian.

ARTICLE III.
RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, BNYM shall with respect to each Specified Country select an Eligible Foreign Custodian. In connection therewith, BNYM shall: (a) determine that assets of the Trust held by such Eligible Foreign Custodian will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market in which such Eligible Foreign Custodian operates, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation, those contained in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule; (b) determine that the Trust's foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian are governed by a written contract with the Custodian which will provide reasonable care for the Trust's assets based on the standards specified in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule; (c) determine that each contract with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall include the provisions specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) of the Rule or, alternatively, in lieu of any or all of such (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) provisions, such other provisions as BNYM determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the assets of the Trust as such specified provisions; (d) monitor pursuant to the Monitoring System the appropriateness of maintaining the assets of the Trust with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule and the performance of the contract governing such arrangement; and (e) advise the Trust whenever BNYM determines under the Monitoring System that an arrangement (including, any material change in the contract governing such arrangement) described in preceding clause (d) no longer meets the requirements of the Rule.

Appendix II-2-

2. For purposes of preceding Section 1 of this Article, BNYM's determination of appropriateness shall not include, nor be deemed to include, any evaluation of Country Risks associated with investment in a particular country. For purposes hereof, "Country Risks" shall mean systemic risks of holding assets in a particular country including but not limited to (a) an Eligible Foreign Custodian's use of any depositories that act as or operate a system or a transnational system for the central handling of securities or any equivalent book-entries; (b) such country's financial infrastructure; (c) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices; (d) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; (e) regulation of the banking or securities industry; (f) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and (g) market conditions which affect the orderly execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.

ARTICLE IV.
REPRESENTATIONS

1. The Trust hereby represents that: (a) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust on behalf of the Fund, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on the Trust prohibits the Trust's execution or performance of this Agreement; (b) this Agreement has been approved and ratified by the Board at a meeting duly called and at which a quorum was at all times present, and (c) the Trust's investment advisor has indicated that it will consider the Country Risks associated with investment in each Specified Country prior to any settlement instructions being given to the Custodian with respect to any other country.

2. BNYM hereby represents that: (a) BNYM is duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, with full power to carry on its businesses as now conducted, and to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BNYM, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of BNYM enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on BNYM prohibits BNYM's execution or performance of this Agreement; and (c) BNYM has established the Monitoring System.

ARTICLE V.
CONCERNING BNYM

1. BNYM shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees, sustained or incurred by, or asserted against, the Trust or any Fund except to the extent the same arises out of the failure of BNYM to exercise the care, prudence and diligence required by Section 2 of Article II hereof. In no event shall BNYM be liable to the

Appendix II-3-

Trust, any Fund, the Board, or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or for lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement.

2. The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall indemnify BNYM and hold it harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees, sustained or incurred by, or asserted against, BNYM by reason or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of BNYM's performance hereunder, provided that the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, shall not indemnify BNYM to the extent any such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arises out of BNYM's failure to exercise the reasonable care, prudence and diligence required by
Section 2 of Article II hereof or to the extent any such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims is attributable to the actions or omissions of an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by BNYM and arises out of the failure of BNYM to exercise the reasonable care, prudence and diligence required by Section 2 of Article II hereof.

3. For its services hereunder, the Trust agrees to pay to BNYM such compensation and out-of-pocket expenses as shall be mutually agreed.

4. BNYM shall have only such duties as are expressly set forth herein. In no event shall BNYM be liable for any Country Risks associated with investments in a particular country.

ARTICLE VI.
MISCELLANEOUS

1. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Trust and BNYM as a Foreign Custody Manager, and no provision in the Custody Agreement between the Trust and the Custodian shall affect the duties and obligations of BNYM hereunder, nor shall any provision in this Agreement affect the duties or obligations of the Custodian under the Custody Agreement.

2. Each notice, request, demand, approval or other communication which may be or is required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing in English and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when received by the intended party, if delivered personally at the address set forth below for the intended party during normal business hours at such address, if sent by facsimile transmission to the respective facsimile transmission numbers of the parties set forth below, or if sent by recognized overnight courier service or by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Trust: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

                          120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
                          Wheaton, Illinois 60187
                          Attention: General Counsel
                          Facsimile: 630-517-7437
                          Confirm: 630-765-8798

         If to BNYM:      The Bank of New York Mellon
                          101 Barclay Street, 20W


Appendix II-4-

New York, New York 10286 Attention: Rosalia Koopman Facsimile: 212-815-2948 Confirm: 212-815-4647

3. Each party shall keep confidential any information relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust or BNYM and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust or BNYM a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if: (a) it is necessary for BNYM to release such information in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; (b) it is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (c) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (d) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (e) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (f) it is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted); (g) it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (h) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party; or (i) it is necessary for BNYM to release such information to BNYM's internal or external accountants or legal counsel who are subject to a duty of confidentiality. BNYM acknowledges and agrees that in connection with its services under this Agreement it receives non-public confidential portfolio holdings information ("Portfolio Information") with respect to the Trust. BNYM agrees that, subject to the foregoing provisions of and the exceptions set forth in this Section 3 (other than the exception set forth above in this Section 3 as sub-item (a), which exception set forth in sub-item (a) shall not be applicable to the Trust's Portfolio Information), BNYM will keep confidential the Trust's Portfolio Information and will not disclose the Trust's Portfolio Information other than pursuant to a written instruction from the Trust; provided that without the need for such a written instruction and notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3 to the contrary, the Trust's Portfolio Information may be disclosed to third party pricing services which are engaged by BNYM in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement and which shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to such Portfolio Information.

Appendix II-5-

4. From time to time as requested by the Trust, BNYM shall provide to the Trust such certifications and sub-certifications, in the form agreed to by the Trust and BNYM, with respect to Form N-Qs, Form N-CSRs, and compliance policies and procedures under Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, as amended, and such other matters that may be reasonably requested by the Trust or the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer from time to time. In addition, BNYM will, from time to time, provide a written assessment of its compliance program in conformity with current industry standards that is reasonably acceptable to enable the Trust to fulfill its obligations under Rule 38a- l of the 1940 Act.

5. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional Funds with respect to which it desires to have BNYM serve as Foreign Custody Manager under the terms hereof, it shall so notify BNYM in writing, and if BNYM agrees in writing to provide such services, such Fund will be added to this Agreement.

6. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.

7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and BNYM hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and BNYM each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

8. The parties hereto agree that in performing hereunder, BNYM is acting solely on behalf of the Trust and no contractual or service relationship shall be deemed to be established hereby between BNYM and any other person by reason of this Agreement.

9. (a) It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust (and Funds thereof) hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust (and Funds thereof), personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund, as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust.

Appendix II-6-

such obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if the BNYM had separately contracted with the Trust by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund.

(c) As used herein, the "applicable Fund" shall be each Fund in respect of which any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims previously specified arise in whole or in part, and if any such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arise in respect of more than one Fund, the same shall be allocated by BNYM among such Funds in accordance with Section 7 of Article X of the Custody Agreement between the Trust and BNYM. Any amounts due BNYM which may not be allocated in accordance with the preceding sentence shall constitute General Liabilities as defined in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and allocated by the Trust and paid in accordance with the provisions thereof.

10. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

11. This Agreement shall terminate simultaneously with the termination of the Custody Agreement between the Trust and the Custodian, and may otherwise be terminated by either party giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than thirty
(30) days after the date of such notice.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and BNYM have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII
By

Title:

Tax Identification No.:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
Title:

Appendix II-7-

SCHEDULE I

FUNDS OF THE TRUST

Appendix II--
Schedule I

SCHEDULE II

Specified Countries

Appendix II
Schedule II

APPENDIX III

The Custodian shall furnish, upon the initial placing of Securities and cash into a country and annually thereafter, unless the Custodian has otherwise notified the Trust, the following information:

A. An Opinion or Memorandum of local counsel concerning:

i. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded the Trust's independent public accountants to books and records kept by an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.

ii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Trust's ability to recover its Securities and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.

iii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Trust's ability to recover Securities that are lost while under the control of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.

B. Written information concerning:

i. Expropriation, nationalization, freezes or confiscation of the Securities in that country.

ii. Difficulties in converting cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars in that country.

C. A market report with respect to the following topics:

i. the securities regulatory environment of the country,

ii. restrictions on ownership by foreigners, including preinvestment approvals,

iii. foreign exchange and money transfer

iv. execution andsettlement of trades

v. taxation, and

vi. depositories.

D. Analysis of Foreign Depositories specified in paragraph (e) of
Section 1 of Article III of the Custody Agreement.

To aid the Trust in monitoring country risk, the Custodian shall also make available market flashes with respect to changes in the information in market reports.

Appendix III

EXECUTION

FUND ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of June 23, 2016, by and between First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the "Trust"), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation ("BNYM").

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Trust is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and

WHEREAS, the Trust, so authorized, intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series as set forth on Exhibit A (each such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 12 herein, being referred to as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds")-, and

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain BNYM to provide for the Funds the services described herein, and BNYM is willing to provide such services, all as more fully set forth below;

Now, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Appointment. The Trust hereby appoints BNYM as its agent for the term of this Agreement to perform the services described herein. BNYM hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth.

2. Representations and Warranties. The Trust hereby represents and warrants to BNYM, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that:

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms;

(c) It is conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to cany on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Declaration of Trust or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and

(d) To the extent the performance of any services described in Schedule II attached hereto by BNYM in accordance with the then effective Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) for any Fund would violate any applicable laws or regulations, the Trust shall so notify BNYM as soon as practicable to the extent Trust officers have knowledge or reasonably should have knowledge of such violation in writing and thereafter shall either furnish BNYM with the appropriate values of securities, net asset value or other computation, as the case may be, or, subject to the prior approval of BNYM, instruct BNYM in writing to value securities and/or compute net asset value or other computations in a manner the Trust specifies in writing, and either the furnishing of such values or the giving of such instructions shall constitute a representation by the Trust that the same is consistent with all applicable laws and regulations and with its Prospectus.

BNYM hereby represents and warrants to the Funds, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing that:

(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BNYM in accordance with all requisite corporate action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of BNYM enforceable in accordance with its terms;

(c) BNYM has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as currently conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on BNYM and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on BNYM or affecting its property which would prohibit the execution or performance by BNYM of this Agreement; and

(d) To the extent the performance of any services described in Schedule II attached hereto by BNYM in accordance with the then effective Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) for the Fund would violate any applicable laws or regulations applicable to BNYM, BNYM shall so notify the Fund in writing as soon as practicable, to the extent that BNYM personnel responsible for the performance of such services have knowledge, or should reasonably have knowledge, of such violation.

3. Delivery of Documents, (a) The Trust will promptly deliver to BNYM true and correct copies of each of the following documents as currently in effect and will promptly deliver to it all future amendments and supplements thereto, if any:

(i) The Trust's Declaration of Trust or other organizational document and all amendments thereto (the "Trust Agreement")',

(ii) The Trust's bylaws (the "Bylaws")',

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(iii) Resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust;

(iv) The registration statement most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the shares of each Fund (each, a "Registration Statement")',

(v) The Trust's Notification of Registration under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A filed with the SEC; and

(vi) The Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to each Fund (collectively, the "Prospectus").

(b) The copy of the Trust Agreement shall be certified by the Secretary of State (or other appropriate official) of the state of organization, and if the Trust Agreement is required by law also to be filed with a county or other officer or official body, a certificate of such filing shall be filed with a certified copy submitted to BNYM. Each copy of the Bylaws, Registration Statement and Prospectus, and all amendments thereto, and copies of Board resolutions, shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust.

(c) It shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust to deliver to BNYM the currently effective Prospectus for each Fund and BNYM shall not be deemed to have notice of any information contained in such Prospectus until it is actually received or a copy is obtained by BNYM.

4. Duties and Obligations of BNYM. (a) Subject to the direction and control of the Trust's Trustees and the provisions of this Agreement, BNYM shall provide to the Trust (i) the administrative services set forth on Schedule I attached hereto and (ii) the valuation and computation services listed on Schedule //attached hereto.

(b) In performing hereunder, BNYM shall provide, at its expense, office space, facilities, equipment and personnel.

(c) BNYM shall not provide any services relating to the management, investment advisory or sub-advisory functions of the Trust, distribution of shares of any Fund, maintenance of the Trust's financial records, except to the extent specifically set forth herein or the schedules hereto or other services normally performed by the Trusts' respective counsel or independent auditors.

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(d) Upon receipt of the Trust's prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), BNYM may delegate any of its duties and obligations hereunder to any delegee or agent whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate. BNYM shall bear any costs and expenses associated with BNYM's delegation to such delegees and agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Trust consent shall be required for any such delegation to any other subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. BNYM shall not be liable to the Trust or any Fund for any loss or damage arising out of, or in connection with, the actions or omissions to act of any delegee or agent unaffiliated with BNYM and utilized hereunder so long as BNYM acts in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in the selection or retention of such delegee or agent, provided, however, that BNYM shall use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue any rights or remedies in respect of such loss or damage which BNYM may have against any such unaffiliated delegee or agent in the event of its default; any recovery shall be for the account of the Trust and applicable Fund, and BNYM shall be reimbursed by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund for any cost incurred in pursuing the same. For purposes of this Agreement, BNYM shall be subject to the same standard of care with respect to and liable for, the actions and omissions of any such delegee or agent who is a BNYM affiliate to the same extent a BNYM's direct actions or omissions under this Agreement.

(e) The Trust shall cause its officers, advisors, sponsor, distributor, legal counsel, independent accountants, current administrator (if any) and transfer agent to cooperate with BNYM and to provide BNYM, upon request, with such information or documents relating to the Trust as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, in order to enable BNYM to perform its duties hereunder. In connection with its duties hereunder, BNYM shall be entitled to rely, and shall be held harmless by the Trust when acting in reasonable reliance, upon the instructions, advice or any documents provided to BNYM from
(i) a person reasonably believed by BNYM to have been identified by the Trust as authorized to give advice on behalf of the Trust or its advisors (each an "Authorized Person"), (ii) Trust counsel, (iii) the Trust's independent accountants, (iv) the Trust's adviser and (v) the Trust's distributor. BNYM shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from or arising out of the failure of the Trust to cause any information, documents or advice from legal counsel or independent accountants to be provided to BNYM as provided herein. All fees or costs charged by such persons shall be borne by the applicable Fund.

(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict BNYM, any affiliate of BNYM or any officer or employee thereof from acting for the Trust or any Fund in other capacities or acting for or with any third parties, and providing services similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder. The Trust acknowledges that in performing services under this Agreement, BNYM may be required to review or calculate amounts due BNYM or its affiliates from the Trust and its respective Funds, and agrees that such conflicting interests shall not prevent BNYM from so acting.

(g) The Trust shall furnish BNYM with any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation deemed necessary by BNYM in the performance of its duties hereunder, including, without limitation, the amounts or written formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of liabilities and expenses for each Fund. BNYM shall not be required to include

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as liabilities and expenses, nor as a reduction of net asset value, any accrual for any federal, state, or foreign income taxes unless the Trust shall have specified to BNYM the precise amount of the same to be included in liabilities and expenses or used to reduce net asset value. The Trust shall also furnish BNYM with bid, offer, or market values of the portfolio securities ("Securities") of any Fund if BNYM notifies the Trust that same are not available to BNYM from a security pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNYM which BNYM in its judgment deems reliable at the time such information is required for calculations hereunder. At any time and from time to time, the Trust also may furnish BNYM with bid, offer, or market values of Securities and instruct BNYM to use such information in its calculations hereunder. BNYM shall at no time be required or obligated to commence or maintain any utilization of, or subscriptions to, any securities pricing or similar service. In no event shall BNYM be required to determine, or have any obligations with respect to, whether a market price represents any fair or true value, nor to adjust any price to reflect any events or announcements, including, without limitation, those with respect to the issuer thereof, it being agreed that all such determinations and considerations shall be solely for the Trust.

(h) BNYM may apply to an officer of the Trust for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with BNYM's performance hereunder for the Trust, and BNYM shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with such instructions. Such application for instructions may, at the option of BNYM, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by BNYM with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and BNYM shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, BNYM has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

(i) If BNYM shall be in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, BNYM may, with prior notice to the Trust, request advice from outside counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Trust, the Trust's investment adviser or BNYM, at the option of BNYM), provided, however, that the Trust may request BNYM to obtain and consider advice of counsel for the Trust or its investment advisor before engaging counsel of its own choosing. Expense of counsel to the Trust or its investment advisor shall be borne by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund; expense of other counsel shall be borne by BNYM.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement or Schedule I or II attached hereto, BNYM shall have no duty or obligation with respect to, including, without limitation, any duty or obligation to determine, or advise or notify the Trust of: (i) the taxable nature of any distribution or amount received or deemed received by, or payable to, any Fund (ii) the taxable nature or effect on any Fund or its shareholders of any corporate actions, class actions, tax reclaims, tax refunds or similar events, (iii) the taxable nature or taxable amount of any distribution or dividend paid, payable or deemed paid, by any Fund to its shareholders, or (iv) the effect under any federal, state, or foreign income tax laws of any Fund making or not making any distribution or dividend payment, or any election with respect thereto.

(k) BNYM shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and Schedules I and II attached hereto, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BNYM in connection with this Agreement.

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(l) BNYM, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to rely fully on the accuracy and validity of any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation furnished to it by any Authorized Person on behalf of the Trust and shall have no duty or obligation to review the accuracy, validity or propriety of such instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation, including, without limitation, evaluations of securities; the amounts or formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of the liabilities and expenses of any Fund; the amounts receivable and the amounts payable on the sale or purchase of Securities; and amounts receivable or amounts payable for the sale or redemption of the shares of any Fund effected by or on behalf of the Trust. In the event BNYM's computations hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information, including, without limitation, bid, offer or market values of securities or other assets, or accruals of interest or earnings thereon, from a pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNYM which BNYM in its judgment deems reliable, BNYM shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BNYM shall not be required to inquire into any valuation of securities or other assets by the Trust or any third party described in this paragraph (1) even though BNYM in performing services similar to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement for others may receive different valuations of the same or different securities of the same issuers.

(m) BNYM, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall not be responsible for determining whether any interest accruable to any Fund is or will be actually paid, but will accrue such interest until otherwise instructed by the Trust.

(n) BNYM shall not be responsible for delays or errors which occur by reason of circumstances beyond its control in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, labor difficulties within or without BNYM, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, failures of transportation, interruptions, loss, or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (hardware or software) services (a "Force Majeure Event"), provided that BNYM has established and maintained a disaster recovery and contingency plans and systems as described in Section 4(o) below or, if not, that such delay or error would have occurred even if BNYM had established and maintained such plans and systems. Nor shall BNYM be responsible for delays or failures to supply the information or services specified in this Agreement where such delays or failures are caused by the failure of any person(s) other than BNYM to supply any instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation deemed necessaiy by BNYM in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

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(o) BNYM will maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, such disaster recovery and contingency plans and systems as it reasonably believes to be necessaiy and appropriate to recover its operations from the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event and which are consistent with the requirements of any statute, regulation or rule to which it is subject that imposes business resumption and contingency planning standards. BNYM shall employ commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances, following the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event.

5. Allocation of Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, including
Section 17(b) and 17(c)hereunder, all costs and expenses arising or incurred in connection with the performance of this Agreement shall be paid by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund, including but not limited to, organizational costs and costs of maintaining the existence of the Trust and the applicable Fund, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, insurance premiums, compensation and expenses of the Trust's Trustees, directors, officers or employees, legal, accounting and audit expenses, management, advisory, sub-advisory, administration and shareholder servicing fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents, expenses (including clerical expenses) incident to the issuance, redemption or repurchase of the shares of any Fund, fees and expenses incident to the registration or qualification under federal or state securities laws of the Trust, any Fund or the shares of any Fund, costs (including printing and mailing costs) of preparing and distributing Prospectuses, reports, notices and proxy material to the shareholders of any Fund, all expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Trust's Trustees, directors and shareholders, and extraordinary expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting the Trust or any Fund and legal obligations relating thereto for which the Trust may have to indemnify its Trustees, directors and officers.

6. Standard of Care; Indemnification, (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, BNYM shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including attorneys' and accountants' fees) incurred by the Trust or any Fund, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BNYM's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall BNYM be liable to the Trust, any Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action, but BNYM shall be liable to the Trust and the applicable Fund for direct money damages caused by BNYM's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. BNYM shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with its performance hereunder, including its actions or omissions, the incompleteness or inaccuracy of any specifications or other information furnished by the Trust, or for delays caused by circumstances beyond BNYM's control, unless such loss, damage or expense arises out of the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of BNYM. BNYM shall indemnify and hold harmless each Fund from and against any and all direct costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims, and reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees relating thereto ("Losses") where such Losses have been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) to have arisen out of BNYM's failure to discharge its duties in accordance with its standard of care as set forth hereunder. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of BNYM, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

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(b) The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless BNYM from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims, and reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees relating thereto, which are sustained or incurred or which may be asserted against BNYM, by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNYM in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct hereunder or in reliance upon
(i) any law, act, regulation or interpretation of the same, (ii) the Registration Statement or Prospectus of any Fund, (iii) any instructions of an Authorized Person, or (iv) any opinion of legal counsel for the Trust or BNYM, or arising out of transactions or other activities of the Trust which occurred prior to the commencement of this Agreement; provided, that neither the Trust nor any applicable Fund shall indemnify BNYM for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims for which BNYM is liable under preceding 6(a). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall indemnify BNYM against and save BNYM harmless from any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, arising from any one or more of the following:

(i) Errors in records or instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation of any kind, as the case may be, supplied to BNYM by any third party described above in 4(e) or 4(h) above;

(ii) Action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken by BNYM pursuant to written or oral instructions of the Trust or otherwise without negligence or willful misconduct;

(iii) Any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNYM in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel for the Trust or its own outside counsel, provided that any such action or omission by BNYM in conformity with such advice or opinion of its own counsel is consistent with BNYM's rights and responsibilities under this Agreement;

(iv) Any improper use by the Trust or its agents, distributor or investment advisor of any valuations or computations supplied by BNYM pursuant to this Agreement;

(v) The method of valuation of the securities and the method of computing each Fund's net asset value; or

(vi) Any valuations of securities or net asset value provided by the Trust.

(c) Actions taken or omitted in reliance on oral or written instructions, or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument reasonably believed by BNYM to be genuine or bearing the signature of a person or persons believed to be authorized to sign, countersign or execute the same, or upon the opinion of legal counsel for the Trust or its own outside counsel, shall be presumed (in BNYM's reasonable judgment) to have been taken or omitted in good faith.

7. Record Retention and Confidentiality, (a) BNYM shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Trust all books and records which the Trust and BNYM are, or may be, required to keep and maintain in connection with the services to be

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provided hereunder pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, Rules 3la-1 and 3la-2 under the 1940 Act. BNYM further agrees that all such books and records shall be the property of the Trust and to make such books and records available for inspection by the Trust, by the investment adviser to the Trust, or by the SEC at reasonable times.

(b) Each party shall keep confidential any information relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall include (1) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust or BNYM and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (2) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust or BNYM a competitive advantage over its competitors; (3) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (4) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if: (a) it is necessary for BNYM to release such information in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; (b) it is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (c) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (d) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (e) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (f) it is requested or required to be disclosed by the

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receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted); (g) it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (h) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party; or (i) it is necessary for BNYM to release such information to BNYM's internal or external accountants or legal counsel who are subject to a duty of confidentiality. BNYM acknowledges and agrees that in connection with its services under this Agreement it receives non-public confidential portfolio holdings information ("Portfolio Information") with respect to the Trust. BNYM agrees that, subject to the foregoing provisions of and the exceptions set forth in this Section 7(b) (other than the exception set forth above in this Section 7(b) as sub-item (1), which exception set forth in sub-item (1) shall not be applicable to the Trust's Portfolio Information), BNYM will keep confidential the Trust's Portfolio Information and will not disclose the Trust's Portfolio Information other than pursuant to a written instruction from the Trust; provided that without the need for such a written instruction and notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7(b) to the contrary, the Trust's Portfolio Information may be disclosed to third party pricing services which are engaged by BNYM in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement and which shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to such Portfolio Information.

(c) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the "BNY Mellon Group"). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the "Centralized Functions") in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes BNYM to disclose information regarding the Trust ("Customer-Related Data") to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) BNYM may store the names and business contact information of the Trust's employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.

8. Regulation S-P. BNYM agrees to make reasonable efforts to adhere to the Trust's policy regarding the use of shareholder and potential shareholder information as required by Regulation S-P. BNYM shall be free to share information regarding shareholders and potential shareholders of the Funds of the Trust, on an as needed basis in order to fulfill its role as administrator, with other authorized agents of the Trust including service providers and brokers. BNYM shall also be free to provide such information to its internal and external auditors, counsel and accountants, its regulators and examiners, and to any other person when advised by its counsel that it could be liable for failure to provide such information.

9. Compensation. For the services provided hereunder, the Trust agrees to pay BNYM such compensation as is mutually agreed from time to time and such out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. telecommunication charges, postage and delivery

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charges, record retention costs, reproduction charges and transportation and lodging costs) as are incurred by BNYM in performing its duties hereunder. Except as hereinafter set forth, compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly. The Trust authorizes BNYM to debit the custody account of the applicable Fund for all amounts due and payable by such Fund or the Trust in respect of such Fund in connection with any and all obligations of the Trust in respect of such Fund to BNYM under this Agreement. BNYM shall deliver to the Trust invoices for services rendered after debiting the applicable custody account with an indication that payment has been made. Upon termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the compensation for such part of a month shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining compensation payable to BNYM, the Trust's net asset value shall be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Prospectus of the respective Fund.

10. Term of Agreement, (a) This Agreement shall continue until terminated by either BNYM giving to the Trust, or the Trust giving to BNYM, a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which date shall be not less than 90 days after the date of the giving of such notice. Upon termination hereof, the Trust shall pay to BNYM such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination, and shall reimburse BNYM for any disbursements and expenses made or incurred by BNYM and payable or reimbursable hereunder.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, BNYM may terminate this Agreement upon 30 days prior written notice to the Trust if the Trust shall terminate its custody agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon, or fail to perform its obligations hereunder in a material respect.

11. Authorized Persons. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a list of persons duly authorized by the Trustees of the Trust to execute this Agreement and give any written or oral instructions, or written or oral specifications, by or on behalf of the Trust. From time to time the Trust may deliver a new Exhibit B to add or delete any person and BNYM shall be entitled to rely on the last Exhibit B actually received by BNYM.

12. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by BNYM and the Trust, and authorized or approved by the Trust's Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of shares in addition to the Funds listed on Exhibit A attached hereto with respect to which it desires to have BNYM render services under the terms hereof and if BNYM wishes to provide such services, the parties will execute a revised Exhibit A adding such additional series. Upon execution of such revised Exhibit A, the series so added shall become a Fund hereunder.

13. Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the written consent of BNYM, or by BNYM without the written consent of the Trust accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Trust's Trustees.

14. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Trust and BNYM each hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder, and waives to the fullest

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extent permitted by law its right to a trial by jury. To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Trust may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, the Trust irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity.

15. Severability. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.

16. No Waiver. Each and every right granted to BNYM and the Trust hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of BNYM or the Trust to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by BNYM or the Trust of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

17. Limitations of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders, (a) It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust (and Funds thereof) hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust (and Funds thereof), personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund, as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund, as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust.

(b) This Agreement is an agreement entered into between BNYM and the Trust with respect to each Fund. With respect to any obligation of the Trust on behalf of any Fund arising out of this Agreement, BNYM shall look for payment of such obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if BNYM had separately contracted with the Trust by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund.

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(c) As used herein, the "applicable Fund" shall be each Fund in respect of which any amount due BNYM arises, and if any amount due BNYM arises in respect of more than one Fund, the same shall be allocated by BNYM among such Funds in accordance with Section 17(b) hereof. Any amounts due BNYM which may not be allocated in accordance with the preceding sentence shall constitute General Liabilities as defined in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and allocated by the Trust and paid in accordance with the provisions thereof. The parties acknowledge that the obligations of the Funds hereunder are several and not joint, that no Fund shall be liable for any amount owing by another Fund and that the Funds have executed one instrument for convenience only.

18. Notices. Each notice, request, demand, approval or other communication which may be or is required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing in English and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when received by the intended party, if delivered personally at the address set forth below for the intended party during normal business hours at such address, if sent by facsimile transmission to the respective facsimile transmission numbers of the parties set forth below, or if sent by recognized overnight courier service or by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Trust: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

                 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
                 Wheaton, Illinois 60187
                 Attention: General Counsel
                 Facsimile: 630-517-7437
                 Confirm: 630-765-8798

If to BNYM:      The Bank of New York Mellon
                 101 Barclay Street, 20W
                 New York, New York 10286
                 Attention: Rosalia Koopman
                 Facsimile: 212-815-2948
                 Confirm: 212-815-4647

19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts together shall constitute only one instrument.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

By  /s/ James M. Dykas
   ------------------------------
   Title: President
          -----------------------
          James M. Dykas

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

By  /s/ Rosalia A. Koopman
   ------------------------------
   Title: Managing Director
          -----------------------

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EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

I, ______________________, General Counsel of First Trust Advisors L.P.
and ________________________________________ of FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), do hereby certify that:

The following individuals serve in the following positions with the First Trust Advisors L.P., and each has been duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to give written or oral instructions or written or oral specifications by or on behalf of the Trust to BNYM and the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct signatures.

NAME POSITION SIGNATURE

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

GENERAL COUNSEL

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

ASSOCIATE

MANAGING DIRECTOR

SCHEDULE I

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

1. Oversee the maintenance by the Trust's custodian of certain books and records of the Trust as required under Rule 31 a-1 (b) of the 1940 Act.

2. Establish appropriate expense accruals, maintain expense files and coordinate the payment of invoices.

3. Prepare for review and approval by the treasurer for the Trust, its counsel and its independent accountants financial information for the semi-annual and annual reports of the Funds of the Trust, proxy statements and other communications required or otherwise to be sent to the shareholders of a Fund or the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and arrange for the printing and dissemination of such reports and communications to record and beneficial shareholders through The Depository Trust Company.

4. Prepare federal, state and local income tax returns for each Fund and file such returns upon the approval of the Trust's independent accountants; monitor and report on SubChapter M qualifications; prepare and file all Form 1099s with respect to the Trust's directors or trustees; monitor compliance with
Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code; calculate and maintain records pertaining to original issue discount and premium amortization as required; perform ongoing wash sales review (i.epurchases and sales of investments of a Fund within 30 days of each other). Prepare and maintain tax lot schedules for each security purchased for each Fund.

5. Prepare and, subject to approval of the Trust's treasurer, disseminate to the Trust's board quarterly unaudited financial statements and schedules of investments of each Fund and make presentations to the board, as appropriate.

6. Prepare for review and approval by the treasurer and chief executive officer of the Trust, its counsel and its independent accountants the Trust's periodic financial reports for its respective Funds required to be filed with the SEC on Form N-SAR, Form N-Q, FormN-CSR and financial information required by Form N-l A and such other reports, forms or filings as may be mutually agreed upon.

7. Prepare recommendations as to each Fund's income and capital gains available for distribution; calculate such distributions for each Fund in accordance with applicable regulations and the distribution for each Fund in accordance with applicable regulations and the distribution policies set forth in the Fund's registration statement, and assist Trust management in making final determination of distribution amounts.

8. Oversee and review calculation of fees paid to the Trust's investment adviser, custodian and transfer agent.

9. Respond to, or refer to the Trust's officers or the distributor or the transfer agent, shareholder inquiries relating to the Trust.

10. Provide testing of portfolios on a weekly basis, to assist the Trust's investment adviser in complying with Internal Revenue Code mandatory qualification requirements, the requirements of the 1940 Act and a Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information limitations as may be mutually agreed upon.

11. Review and provide assistance on shareholder communications.

12. Prepare for review and approval by the treasurer of the Trust, its counsel and its independent accountants and file annual and semi-annual shareholder reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies; review text of "President's letters" to shareholders and "Management's Discussion of Fund Performance" (which shall also be subject to review by the Trust's legal counsel).

13. Organize, attend and prepare minutes of shareholder meetings.

14. Counsel and assist the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely with the Trust's legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters.

15. Prepare for review and approval by the treasurer for the Trust, its counsel and its independent accountants and file with the SEC amendments to the registration statement for a Fund, including updating a Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, where applicable.

16. Prepare for review and approval by the treasurer for the Trust, its counsel and its independent accountants and file with the SEC proxy statements and proxy cards; provide consultation on proxy solicitation matters.

17. Prepare agenda and board materials for board meetings, make presentations where appropriate, prepare minutes and follow-up on matters raised at board meetings and maintain minute books.

18. Prepare and file with the SEC Rule 24f-2 notices.

19. Prepare statistical reports for outside information services (e.g. IBC/Donoghue, ICI, Lipper Analytical and Morningstar).

20. Prepare and execute periodic certifications and sub-certifications, in a form agreed to by the Trust and BNYM, with respect to Form N-Qs, Form N-CSRs, compliance policies and procedures under Rule 38a-l of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("Rule 38a- 1"), and such other matters that may be reasonably requested by the Trust or the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer from time to time.

21. Periodically provide a written assessment of BNYM's Rule 38a-l compliance program to the Trust in conformity with current industry standards that is reasonably acceptable to the Trust.

22. As appropriate, compute yields, total returns, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rate and, if requested, portfolio average dollar-weighted maturity.

SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND COMPUTATION SERVICES

I. BNYM shall maintain the following records on a daily basis for each Fund.

1. Report of priced portfolio securities

2. Statement of net asset value per share

II. BNYM shall prepare on behalf of the Trust all books and records of the Trust as required by Rule31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and as such rule or any successor rule, may be amended from time to time, that are applicable to the fulfillment of BNYM's duties hereunder, as well as any other documents necessary or advisable for compliance with applicable regulation as may be mutually agreed to between the Trust and BNYM. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BNYM will prepare and maintain the following records upon receipt of information in proper form from the Trust or its authorized agents for each Fund:

1. General Ledger

2. General Journal

3. Cash Receipts Journal

4. Cash Disbursements Journal

5. Subscriptions Journal

6. Redemptions Journal

7. Accounts Receivable Reports

8. Accounts Payable Reports

9. Open Subscriptions/Redemption Reports

10. Transaction (Securities) Journal

11. Broker Net Trades Reports

III. BNYM shall prepare a Holdings Ledger on a quarterly basis, and a Buy-Sell Ledger (Broker's Ledger) on a semiannual basis for each Fund. Schedule D shall be produced on an annual basis for each Fund. The above reports may be printed according to any other required frequency to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Trust's Auditors.

IV. For internal control purposes, BNYM uses the Account Journals produced by The Bank of New York Mellon Custody System to record daily settlements of the following for each Fund:

1. Securities bought

2. Securities sold

3. Interest received

4. Dividends received

5. Capital stock sold

6. Capital stock redeemed

7. Other income and expenses

All portfolio purchases for the Trust are recorded to reflect expected maturity value and total cost including any prepaid interest.

EXECUTION

TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of June 23, 2016, by and between FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, having its principal office and place of business at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (the "Trust") and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation having its principal office and place of business at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286 (the "Bank").

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

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and

WHEREAS, the Trust, so authorized, intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series as set forth on Exhibit A (each such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement by amendment hereof in accordance with Section 11, being referred to as a "Fund' and collectively as the "Funds"); and

WHEREAS, the Trust and designated agents will issue for purchase and redeem shares of the Funds only in aggregations of shares known as "Creation Units" (50,000 shares or such other aggregation as is specified in the prospectus for a Fund) (each a "Creation Unit") principally in kind;

WHEREAS, The Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York ("DTC"), or its nominee (Cede & Co.), will be the initial record or registered owner (the "Shareholder") of all shares;

WHEREAS, the Trust on behalf of the Funds (identified on Exhibit A as the same may be amended from time to time) desires to appoint the Bank as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Bank desires to accept such appointment;

Now, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF THE BANK.

Section 1.1. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, hereby employs and appoints the Bank to act as, and the Bank agrees to act as its transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share of each Fund ("Shares"), and as the Trust's dividend disbursing agent.

Section 1.2. The Bank agrees that it will perform the following services:

(a) The Bank shall enter into Participant Agreements with the Participants identified therein in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B

with such changes and modifications as shall be approved by the Distributor identified therein (the Distributor's execution of the Participant Agreement being conclusive as to its approval of any such changes and modifications), provided that no changes or modifications which adversely affect the Bank's rights or obligations shall be made without its consent, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Participant Agreements the Bank shall:

(i) Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units;

(ii) Prepare and transmit by means of DTC's book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund;

(iii) Maintain the record of the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by the Funds of the Trust and held by the Shareholder;

(iv) Record the issuance of Shares of the respective Funds of the Trust and maintain a record of the total number of outstanding Shares of the Funds of the Trust, and, which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Trust. The Bank shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust.

(v) Prepare and transmit to the Trust and the Trust's administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to the Bank by the administrator or by the Trust) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares;

(vi) On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to the Bank and the Trust's administrator the number of outstanding Shares for each Fund;

(vii) On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Participant Agreement), transmit to the Bank, the Trust and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;

(viii) Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request;

(ix) Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;

(x) Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder and/or beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with the policies and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;

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(xi) Distribute or maintain, as directed by the Trust, amounts related to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units and dividends and distributions;

(xii) Maintain those books and records of the Trust specified by the Trust in Schedule A attached hereto;

(xiii) Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions during such month on a gross transaction basis and identify on a daily basis the net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such business day and with respect to the Participant (as defined in the Participant Agreement) purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed;

(xiv) Receive from the Distributor (as defined in the Participant Agreement) purchase orders from Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) for Creation Unit aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Trust by the Distributor, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation ("NSCC") and/or DTC, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the appropriate number of Shares of the applicable Fund and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Funds of the Trust;

(xv) Receive from the Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) redemption requests, deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to The Bank of New York Mellon as custodian for the Trust, generate and transmit or cause to be generated and transmitted confirmation of receipt of such redemption requests to the Participants submitting the same; transmit appropriate trade instructions to the NSCC and/or DTC, if applicable, and redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder;

(xvi) Confirm the name, U.S. taxpayer identification number and principal place of business of each Authorized Participant; and

(xvii) Act in conformity with the Trust's Declaration of Trust, as presently in effect and as amended from time to time, the Trust's By-Laws, each Fund's prospectus, all as provided to the Bank by the Trust or its adviser, and will be subject to the standard set forth in Section 6, comply with and conform to the requirements of

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the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, particularly Section 17A thereof, and all other applicable federal and state laws, regulations and rulings as such apply to the Bank and the services provided as contemplated herein.

(b) In addition to and neither in lieu nor in contravention of the services set forth in the above paragraph (a), the Bank shall: perform the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including but not limited to: maintaining the account of the Shareholder; obtaining a list of DTC participants holding interests in the Global Certificate at the request of the Trust; mailing proxy materials, shareholder reports and prospectuses to the Shareholder or DTC participants or beneficial owners of Shares at the request of the Trust; and maintaining the items set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and performing such services identified in each Participant Agreement.

(c) The following shall be delivered to DTC for delivery to beneficial owners in accordance with the procedures for book-entry only securities of DTC:

(i) Annual and semi-annual reports of the Funds of the Trust;

(ii) Trust proxies, proxy statements and other proxy soliciting materials;

(iii) The Trust's prospectus(es) and amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including stickers; and

(iv) Other communications or materials as may be required by law or reasonably requested by the Trust.

(d) If the Shares are represented by individual Certificates, the Bank shall perform the services agreed to in writing by the Bank and the Trust.

(e) The Bank shall provide additional services (if any) on behalf of the Trust (i.e., escheatment services) which may be agreed upon in writing between the Trust and the Bank.

(f) The Bank shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner required by applicable law, rules and regulations under the 1940 Act. To the extent required by
Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (the "Rules"), the Bank agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by the Bank relating to the services to be performed by the Bank hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its request.

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SECTION 2. FEES AND EXPENSES.

Section 2.1. The Bank shall receive from the Trust such compensation for the Transfer Agent's services provided pursuant to this Agreement as may be agreed to from time to time in a written fee schedule approved by the parties. The fees are accrued daily and billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon the termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.

Section 2.2. In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.1 above, the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund agrees to reimburse the Bank for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to confirmation production, postage, forms, telephone, microfilm, microfiche, tabulating proxies, records storage, or advances incurred by the Bank for the items set out in the fee schedule attached hereto or relating to dividend distributions and reports (whereas all expenses related to creations and redemptions of the securities of any Fund shall be borne by the relevant Participant in such creations and redemptions). In addition, any other expenses incurred by the Bank at the request or with the consent of the Trust, will be reimbursed by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund.

Section 2.3. The Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within ten business days following the receipt of the respective billing notice accompanied by supporting documentation, as appropriate. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, reports and other mailings to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Bank by the Trust at least seven (7) days prior to the mailing date of such materials.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TFIE BANK.

Section 3.1. The Bank represents and warrants to the Trust that:

It is a banking corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York.

It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of New York.

It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter and By-Laws to act as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

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It has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as currently conducted; there is no statue, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on the Bank and no provisions of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on the Bank or affecting its property which would prohibit the execution or performance by the Bank of this Agreement.

It has established and will continue to maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the requirements of applicable law relating to the privacy of non-public personal consumer financial information.

It has implemented and shall maintain appropriate policies, procedures and processes reasonably designed to satisfy the requirements of federal and New York Law applicable to Bank, including, without limitations, the requirements of The Gramm- Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C.
Section 6801 and 6805) and regulations promulgated thereunder and the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Bank's ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TRUST.

Section 4.1. The Trust represents and warrants to the Bank that:

It is a business trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts.

It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

All corporate proceedings required by said Declaration of Trust and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

It is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on behalf of each of the Funds will become effective or is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Funds of the Trust being offered for sale.

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SECTION 5. RESERVED.

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION.

Section 6.1. Except for Losses (as defined below) for which the Bank has accepted liability pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, the Bank shall not be responsible for, and the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall indemnify and hold the Bank harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability ("Losses ") arising out of or attributable to:

(a) All actions of the Bank or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. NSCC, DTC or any third party described in Section 5 are not agents or subcontractors of the Bank.

(b) The Trust's negligence or willful misconduct in respect of the applicable Fund.

(d) The reasonable reliance on or use by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services in respect of the applicable Fund which (i) are received by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors, and (ii) have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust in respect of the applicable Fund including but not limited to any previous transfer agent or registrar.

(e) The reasonable reliance on, or the carrying out by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of any instructions or requests of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund.

(f) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.

In no event shall the Trust be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages, regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable.

Section 6.2. At any time the Bank may apply to any officer of the Trust for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel of the Bank's choosing with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Bank under this Agreement, and the Bank and its agents or subcontractors

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shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in reasonable reliance upon such instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel and shall promptly advise the Trust of such advice or opinion (except for actions or omissions by Bank taken with negligence or willful misconduct). The Bank, its agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided the Bank or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Trust, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust.

Section 6.3. Neither the Trust nor any Fund shall be responsible for, and the Bank shall be liable for and shall indemnify the Trust and the applicable Fund against direct money damages arising out of or attributable to:

(a) The Bank's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(b) The breach of any representation or warranty of the Bank hereunder.

Section 6.4. The provisions of Section 6 shall survive and remain in effect after any termination of this Agreement or any resignation or removal of the Bank as transfer agent hereunder.

SECTION 7. STANDARD OF CARE.

The Bank shall act in good faith, reasonable care, diligence and prudence in carrying out its duties and obligations set forth herein as a professional transfer agent would exercise under the facts and circumstances. The Bank shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for any loss or damage unless such loss or damage is caused by its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or that of its employees, or its breach of any of its representations or warranties hereunder. In no event shall the Bank be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable.

SECTION 8. CONCERNING THE BANK.

Section 8.1. The Bank may, at its own expense, enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Bank affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessaiy or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge the Bank from its obligations hereunder and the Bank shall be liable and responsible to the Trust for any act or omission of any Bank affiliate in the manner, and to the same extent, as though such act or omission were that of the Bank.

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Section 8.2. The Bank shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any written or oral instruction actually received by the Bank and reasonably believed by the Bank to be duly authorized and delivered. The Trust agrees to forward to Bank written instructions confirming oral instructions by the close of business of the same day that such oral instructions are given to the Bank. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming written instructions are not received or that contrary written instructions are received by the Bank shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such oral instructions and effected by the Bank. If the Trust elects to transmit written instructions through an on-line communication system offered by the Bank, the Trust's use thereof shall be subject to the terms and conditions attached hereto as Appendix A.

Section 8.3. The Bank shall establish and maintain a disaster recovery plan and back-up system at all times satisfying the requirements of all applicable law, rules, and regulations (the "Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System "). The Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control which are not a result of its negligence, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or communications service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, provided that the Bank has established and is maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System, or if not, that such delay or failure would have occurred even if Bank had established and was maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System. Upon the occurrence of any such delay or failure, the Bank shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 8.4. The Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and each Participant Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Bank in connection with this Agreement except as set forth in this Agreement and each Participant Agreement.

Section 8.5. At any time the Bank may apply to an officer of the Trust for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Bank's duties and obligations under this Agreement, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with such instructions. Such application by the Bank for instructions from an officer of the Trust may, at the option of the Bank, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, the Bank has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted. In connection with the foregoing, if the Bank personnel who are responsible for receiving and/or

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implementing such Trust instructions have actual knowledge that any instructions provided by the Trust at the request of the Bank pursuant to this section would cause the Bank to take any action or omit to take any action in a manner contrary to any law or regulation, the Bank will notify the Customer of its concerns, without any liability for failing to do so. If the Bank shall be in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should take or should not take, the Bank may request advice from outside counsel (who may be counsel for the Trust, the Trust's investment adviser or the Bank, at the option of the Bank). The Bank shall pay the cost of any counsel retained by the Bank. The Bank shall not be liable with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

Section 8.6. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

(a) The legality of the issue, sale or transfer of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be received in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust to request such issuance, sale or transfer;

(b) The legality of the purchase of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be paid in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust to request such purchase;

(c) The legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Trust in respect of the Shares of any Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend; or

(d) The legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares.

SECTION 9. COVENANTS OF THE TRUST AND THE BANK

Section 9.1. The Trust shall promptly furnish to the Bank the following:

(a) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust authorizing the appointment of the Bank and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

(b) A copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust and all amendments thereto.

(c) Shares will be transferred upon presentation to the Bank of Shares to its electronic account at DTC, accompanied by such documents as the Bank deems necessary to evidence the authority of the person making such transfer, and bearing satisfactory evidence of the payment of applicable stock transfer taxes, if any. In the case of small estates where no administration is contemplated, the Bank may, when furnished with an appropriate surety bond, and without further approval of the Trust,

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transfer Shares registered in the name of the decedent where the current market value of the Shares being transferred does not exceed such amount as may from time to time be prescribed by the various states. The Bank reserves the right to refuse to transfer Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsements on documents submitted to it are valid and genuine, and for that purpose it may require, unless otherwise instructed by an Officer of the Trust, a guaranty of signature by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Bank, which requirements include membership or participation in STAMP or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Bank in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Bank also reserves the right to refuse to transfer Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct to make transfers which the Bank, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is satisfied that there is no basis to any claims adverse to such transfer. The Bank may, in effecting transfers of Shares, rely upon those provisions of the Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers or the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, applicable to the transfer of securities, and the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund shall indemnify the Bank for any act done or omitted by it in good faith and without negligence or willftil misconduct in reliance upon such laws.

(d) The Bank assumes no responsibility with respect to the transfer of restricted securities where counsel for the Trust advises that such transfer may be properly effected.

Section 9.2. The Trust shall deliver to the Bank the following documents on or before the initial issuance of Shares of any Fund:

(a) At the reasonable request of the Bank, an opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and nonassessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore); and

(b) A certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Trust establishing the authority of the Bank.

Section 9.3. Prior to the issuance of any additional Shares of any Fund pursuant to stock dividends or stock splits, and prior to any reduction in the number of Shares of any Fund outstanding pursuant to any reverse stock split, the Trust shall deliver the following documents to the Bank:

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(a) A certified copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees and/or the shareholders of the applicable Fund authorizing such issuance of additional Shares of the Fund or such reduction, as the case may be;

(b) A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance or reduction of such Shares, as the case may be; and

(c) At the request of the Bank, an opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the validity of the Shares, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore).

Section 9.4. The Bank agrees that all books and records listed on Schedule A hereto or otherwise prepared or maintained by the Bank relating to the services to be performed by the Bank hereunder as required by applicable law are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained and made available upon reasonable request, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its request.

Section 9.5. Each party shall keep confidential any information relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust or the Bank and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust or the Bank a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if: (a) it is necessary for the Bank to release such information in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; (b) it is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (c) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (d) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (e) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (f) it is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted); (g) it is

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relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (h) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party; or (i) it is necessary for Bank to release such information to the Bank's internal or external accountants or legal counsel who are subject to a duty of confidentiality. Bank acknowledges and agrees that in connection with its services under this Agreement it receives non-public confidential portfolio holdings information ("Portfolio Information") with respect to the Trust. Bank agrees that, subject to the foregoing provisions of and the exceptions set forth in this Section 9.5 (other than the exception set forth above in this Section 9.5 as sub-item (a), which exception set forth in sub-item
(a) shall not be applicable to the Trust's Portfolio Information), Bank will keep confidential the Trust's Portfolio Information and will not disclose the Trust's Portfolio Information other than pursuant to a written instruction from the Trust; provided that without the need for such a written instruction and notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9.5 to the contrary, the Trust's Portfolio Information may be disclosed to third party pricing services which are engaged by Bank in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement and which shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to such Portfolio Information.

Section 9.6. In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of a Fund of the Trust, the Bank will endeavor to promptly notify the Trust and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.

Section 9.7. The Bank shall file such appropriate information returns concerning the payment and composition of dividends and capital gain distributions and tax withholding with the proper Federal, State and local authorities as are required by law to be filed by the Trust and shall withhold such sums as are required to be withheld by applicable law.

Section 9.8. From time to time as requested by the Trust, the Bank shall provide to the Trust such certifications and sub-certifications, in the form reasonably agreed to by the Trust and Bank, with respect to Form N-Qs, Form N-CSRs, compliance policies and procedures under Rule 38a-l under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and such other matters that may be reasonably requested by the Trust or the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer from time to time. In addition, the Bank will, from time to time, provide a written assessment of its compliance program in conformity with current industry standards that is reasonably acceptable to enable the Trust to fulfill its obligations under Rule 38a-l of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

SECTION 10. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.

Section 10.1. Either of the parties may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall not be less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving such notice.

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Section 10.2. Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Trust. Additionally, the Bank reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with such termination.

Section 10.3. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the other party upon the happening of any of the followings: (i) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against such party any such case or proceeding; (ii) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the party any such case or proceeding;
(iii) a party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) a party states in any medium, written, electronic or otherwise, any public communication or in any other public manner its inability to pay debts as they come due, Either party hereto may exercise its termination right under this
Section 10.2 at any time after occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right.

Section 10.4 The terms of Section 2 and Section 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 11. ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

Section 11.1. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional Funds with respect to which it desires to have the Bank render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Bank in writing, and if the Bank agrees in writing to provide such services, such additional issuance shall become Shares hereunder and Exhibit A shall be amended to include the Fund.

SECTION 12. ASSIGNMENT.

Section 12.1. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.

Section 12.2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

SECTION 13. SEVERABILITY AND BENEFICIARIES.

Section 13.1. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the

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parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.

Section 13.2. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Bank and the Trust, and none of any authorized Participant (as defined in the Participation Agreement), any Shareholder or beneficial owner of any Shares shall be or be deemed a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

SECTION 14. AMENDMENT.

Section 14.1. This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

SECTION 15. NEW YORK LAW TO APPLY

Section 15.1. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and the Bank hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust and the Bank hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and the Bank each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

SECTION 16. MERGER OF AGREEMENT.

Section 16.1. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.

SECTION 17. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF THE TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS,

Section 17.1. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust (and Funds thereof) hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust (and Funds thereof), personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund, as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust and the applicable Fund as provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust.

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Section 17.2. This Agreement is an agreement entered into between the Bank and the Trust with respect to each Fund. With respect to any obligation of the Trust on behalf of any Fund arising out of this Agreement, the Bank shall look for payment of such obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if the Bank had separately contracted with the Trust by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund.

Section 173. As used herein, the "applicable Fund" shall be each Fund in respect of which any amount due the Bank arises, and if any amount due the Bank arises in respect of more than one Fund, the same shall be allocated by the Bank among such Funds in accordance with Section 17.2. Any amounts due the Bank which may not be allocated in accordance with the preceding sentence shall constitute General Liabilities as defined in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and allocated by the Trust and paid in accordance with the provisions thereof.

SECTION 18. NOTICES.

Section 18.1. Each notice, request, demand, approval or other communication which may be or is required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing in English and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when received by the intended party, if delivered personally at the address set forth below for the intended party during normal business hours at such address, if sent by facsimile transmission to the respective facsimile transmission numbers of the parties set forth below, or if sent by recognized overnight courier service or by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Trust: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

                 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
                 Wheaton, Illinois 60187
                 Attention: General Counsel
                 Facsimile: 630-517-7437
                 Confirm: 630-765-8798

IftoBNYM:       The Bank of New York Mellon
                101 Barclay Street, 20W
                New York, New York 10286
                Attention: Rosalia A. Koopman
                Facsimile: 212 815-4647
                Confirm: 212 815-2948

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SECTION 19. COUNTERPARTS.

Section 19.1. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

SECTION 20. INFORMATION SHARING.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the "BNY Mellon Group"). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the "Centralized Functions") in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes the Bank to disclose information regarding the Trust ("Customer-Related Data") to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) the Bank may store the names and business contact information of the Trust's employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

By  /s/ James M. Dykas
   ------------------------------
   Name : James M. Dykas
          -----------------------
   Title: President
          -----------------------

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

By  /s/ Rosalia A. Koopman
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   Name : Rosalia A. Koopman
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   Title: Managing Director
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EXHIBIT A
Funds of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

As of _______________________

Exhibit A

SCHEDULE A

BOOKS AND RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY BANK

Source Documents requesting Creations and Redemptions

Correspondence/AP Inquiries
Reconciliations, bank statements, copies of canceled checks, cash proofs

Daily/Monthly reconciliation of outstanding units between the Trust and DTC

Net Asset Computation Documentation Dividend Records

Year-end Statements and Tax Forms

Schedule A

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

To be provided

Exhibit B
Attachment A

Appendix A

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

This Subscription Agreement (the "Agreement") made this 16th day of September, 2016 by and between First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of its series, First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the "Fund"), and First Trust Portfolios L.P., an Illinois limited partnership (the "Subscriber").

RECITALS:

1. The Trust has been formed for the purposes of carrying on business as an open-end management investment company;

2. The Fund is a series of the Trust; and

2. The Subscriber wishes to subscribe for and purchase, and the Trust wishes to sell to the Subscriber, 5,000 shares of the Fund at $20 per share.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

l. The Subscriber subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Trust 5,000 shares of the Fund at $20 per share. Subscriber agrees to make payment for these shares of the Fund at such time as demand for payment may be made by an officer of the Trust.

2. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, agrees to issue and sell said shares to Subscriber promptly upon its receipt of the purchase price.

3. To induce the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to accept its subscription and issue the shares subscribed for, the Subscriber represents that it is informed as follows:

(a) That the shares being subscribed for have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of l933 ("Securities Act");

(b) That the shares will be sold by the Fund in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

(c) That the Trust's reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is predicated in part on the representations and agreements contained in this Agreement;

(d) That when issued, the shares will be "restricted securities" as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of Rule l44 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act ("Rule l44") and cannot be sold or transferred by Subscriber unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and

(e) That there do not appear to be any exemptions from the registration provisions of the Securities Act available to the Subscriber for resale of the shares. In the future, certain exemptions may possibly become available, including an exemption for limited sales including an exemption for limited sales in accordance with the conditions of Rule l44.

The Subscriber understands that a primary purpose of the information acknowledged in subparagraphs (a) through (e) above is to put it on notice as to restrictions on the transferability of the shares.

4. To further induce the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to accept its subscription and issue the shares subscribed for, the Subscriber:

(a) Represents and warrants that the shares subscribed for are being and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not on behalf of any other person or persons and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any public distribution thereof; and

(b) Agrees that any certificates representing the shares subscribed for may bear a legend substantially in the following form:

The shares represented by this certificate have been acquired for investment and have not been registered under the Securities Act of l933 or any other federal or state securities law. These shares may not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred unless registered under said securities laws or unless some exemption from registration is available.

5. This Agreement and all of its provisions shall be binding upon the legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

6. The Trust's Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Fund by the Trust's officers as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Trust by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trust's Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund, a series of the Trust.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK.
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Subscription Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the day and date first above written.

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII,
ON BEHALF OF ITS SERIES,
FIRST TRUST CEF INCOME OPPORTUNITY ETF

By _______________________________________
Name:
Title:

FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P.

By _______________________________________
Name:
Title:

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED ALPHADEX(R) FUND AND
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND IV
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

This Participant Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into between First Trust Portfolios, L.P. (the "Distributor"), ______________________________ (the "Participant") and The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Transfer Agent"). The Transfer Agent serves as the Transfer Agent of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund and First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV and [First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII] (each, a "Trust" and, collectively, the "Trusts") and is an Index Receipt Agent as that term is defined in the rules of the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC"). The Distributor has been retained to provide certain services with respect to acting as principal underwriter of each Trust in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share ("Shares"), of the Series of each Trust (each a "Fund") on Schedule I attached hereto and incorporated herein, as the same may be amended from time to time. Certain Funds (each, an "International Fund") may include securities of issuers that are domiciled outside the United States and listed on the foreign equivalent of a U.S. national securities exchange (a "U.S. exchange"). The Distributor, the Transfer Agent and the Participant acknowledge and agree that each Trust and Fund shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and shall receive the benefits contemplated by this Agreement to the extent specified herein. The prospectus and statement of additional information for each Fund (collectively, the "Prospectus") are incorporated herein and included as part of the respective Trust's Registration Statement as amended on Form N-1A. Shares may be created or redeemed only in aggregations of 50,000 (or such other aggregation as is specified in the relevant Fund's Prospectus), referred to therein and herein as a "Creation Unit." Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the relevant Fund's Prospectus. All references to "cash" shall refer to U.S. dollars.

This Agreement is intended to set forth certain premises and the procedures by which the Participant may create and/or redeem Creation Units (i) through the Continuous Net Settlement ("CNS") clearing processes of NSCC as such processes have been enhanced to effect creations and redemptions of Creation Units, such processes being referred to herein as the "Trusts' Clearing Process," or (ii) outside the Trusts' Clearing Process (e.g., through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company ("DTC")).

This Agreement supersedes any prior Participant Agreement entered into by the parties with respect to the Trusts and any Fund from and after the date hereof. Any and all prior Participant Agreements entered into by the parties are deemed terminated upon execution of this Agreement.

The parties hereto in consideration of the premises and of the agreements contained herein agree as follows:

SECTION 1. STATUS OF PARTICIPANT.

The Participant hereby represents, covenants and warrants that (i) with respect to orders for the creation or redemption of Creation Units by means of the Trusts' Clearing Process, it is a member of NSCC and a participant in the CNS System of NSCC (as defined in the Prospectus, a "Participating Party"); and
(ii) with respect to orders for the creation or redemption of Creation Units outside the Trusts' Clearing Process, it is a DTC Participant (as defined in the Prospectus, a "DTC Participant"). The Participant may place orders for the creation or redemption of Creation Units (a "Creation Order" and "Redemption Order," respectively) either through the Trusts' Clearing Process or outside the Trusts' Clearing Process, subject to the procedures for creation and redemption referred to in Section 2 of this Agreement ("Execution of Orders") and the procedures described in Attachment A attached hereto and incorporated herein and made a part hereof, as the same may be amended from time to time ("Attachment A"). Any change in the foregoing status of the Participant shall terminate this Agreement, and the Participant shall give immediate notice to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent of such change.

The Participant further represents that it is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. ("FINRA") or is exempt from or otherwise not required to be licensed as a broker-dealer or a member of FINRA. The Participant is qualified as a broker or dealer, or otherwise, under all applicable state laws where it is required to do so in order that Shares may be sold in such states where the Participant intends to sell such Shares. The Participant agrees to conform to the rules of FINRA and the securities laws of any jurisdiction in which it sells, directly or indirectly, Shares, to the extent such laws, rules and regulations relate to the Participant's transactions in, and activities with respect to, the Shares.

The Participant understands and acknowledges that the proposed method by which Creation Units of Shares will be purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. For example, because new Creation Units of Shares may be issued and sold by the Trusts and their respective Funds on an ongoing basis, the offer and sale of Shares to investors may involve a "distribution," as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). The Participant understands and acknowledges that its offer and sale of Shares to investors, depending on the circumstances, may result in its being deemed a participant in a distribution in a manner which could render it a statutory underwriter and subject it to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. The Participant also understands and acknowledges that dealers who are not "underwriters" but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, may be required to deliver a prospectus.

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SECTION 2. EXECUTION OF ORDERS.

All orders for the creation or redemption of Creation Units shall be handled in accordance with the terms of the respective Fund's Prospectus, and the procedures described in Attachment A to this Agreement. In the event the procedures include the use of recorded telephone lines, the Participant hereby consents to such use. Each Trust reserves the right to issue additional or other procedures relating to the manner of creating or redeeming Creation Units (and the procedures for the Trusts may, but need not be, identical), and the Participant, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent agree to comply with such procedures as may be issued from time to time, upon reasonable notice thereof.

The Participant understands and agrees that Creations Orders and Redemption Orders may be submitted only on days that the U.S. exchange where the Shares are principally listed (as specified in the Prospectus) is open for trading or business.

SECTION 3. NSCC.

Solely with respect to orders for the creation or redemption of Creation Units through the Trusts' Clearing Process, the Participant as a Participating Party hereby authorizes the Transfer Agent to transmit to NSCC on behalf of the Participant such instructions, including share and cash amounts as are necessary with respect to the creation and redemption of Creation Units consistent with the instructions issued by the Participant to the Trust telephone representative identified in Attachment A hereto (the "Trust Telephone Representative"). The Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of such instructions issued by the Transfer Agent, as the case may be, and reported to NSCC as though such instructions were issued by the Participant directly to NSCC.

With respect to any Redemption Order, the Participant also acknowledges and agrees to use its best efforts to return to the applicable Fund any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to it or to the party for which it is acting in respect of any Deposit Securities that are transferred to the Participant or any party for which it is acting that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Securities at the time of transfer, should have been paid to the Fund. With respect to any Redemption Order, the Participant also acknowledges and agrees that the applicable Fund is entitled to reduce the amount of money or other proceeds due to the Participant or any party for which it is acting that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Securities at the time of transfer, should be paid to the Fund. With respect to any Creation Order, the Distributor shall cause the applicable Fund's Custodian to return to the Participant or any party for which it is acting any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to the Fund in respect of any Deposit Securities that are transferred to a Fund that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Securities at the time of transfer, should have been paid to the Participant or any party for which it is acting.

SECTION 4. DEPOSIT SECURITIES.

The Participant understands that the number and names of the designated portfolio of securities (each, a "Deposit Security" and, collectively, the

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"Deposit Securities") and relevant cash amounts (the "Cash Component") to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit (the current "Fund Deposit") for each Fund will be made available each day that the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open for trading through the facilities of the NSCC. The Participant will not be responsible for errors in the information relating to the Deposit Securities to be included in the current Fund Deposit to be transmitted through the facilities of the NSCC in connection with Redemption Orders and Creation Orders that are caused by the applicable Trust or Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent.

Under certain circumstances, a Trust may, in its discretion, permit or require, with respect to one or more Funds, a Participant to substitute cash in lieu of depositing some or all of the requisite Deposit Securities. A Trust may additionally permit, in its discretion, with respect to one or more International Funds under certain circumstances, a Participant to substitute a different security in lieu of depositing some or all of the Deposit Securities. Substitution of cash or a different security might be permitted or required, for example, because one or more Deposit Securities may be unavailable, may not be available in the quantity needed, or may not be eligible for trading by the Participant (or any party on whose behalf the Participant is acting) due to local trading restrictions (including, for example, requirements that securities be traded only for cash in local currency) or other circumstances.

SECTION 5. ROLE OF PARTICIPANT.

The Participant shall have no authority in any transaction to act as agent of the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, any Trust or any Fund.

(a) The Participant agrees (i) subject to any privacy obligations or other obligations arising under the federal or state securities laws it may have to it customers, to assist the Distributor in ascertaining certain information regarding sales of Shares made by or through Participant upon the request of a Trust or Fund or the Distributor necessary for the applicable Trust or Fund to comply with its obligation to distribute information to its shareholders as may be required from time to time under applicable state or federal securities laws, or (ii) in lieu thereof, and at the option of the Participant, the Participant may undertake to deliver Prospectuses, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, proxy material, annual and other reports of a Fund or other similar information that the applicable Trust or Fund is obligated to deliver to its shareholders to the Participant's customers that custody Fund Shares with the Participant, after receipt from the applicable Trust or Fund or the Distributor of sufficient quantities to allow mailing thereof to such customers. The expenses associated with such transmissions shall be borne by the Distributor or the applicable Trust or Fund in accordance with usual custom and practice in respect of such communications. None of the Distributor, the applicable Trust or Fund or any of their respective affiliates shall use the names and addresses and other information concerning Participant's customers for any purpose except in connection with the performance of their duties and responsibilities hereunder and except for servicing and informational mailings described in this clause (a) of Section 5, or as may otherwise be required by applicable law.

(b) The Participant certifies that it has policies, procedures and internal controls in place that are reasonably designed to comply with all

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applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including applicable provisions of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control as the same may in effect from time to time.

SECTION 6. PARTICIPANT REPRESENTATIONS.

(a) The Participant represents, warrants and agrees that it will not make any representations concerning any Fund, the applicable Trust, the Creation Units or the Shares other than those consistent with the Fund's then current Prospectus or any promotional or sales literature furnished to the Participant by the Distributor or the applicable Trust or Fund, or any such materials permitted by clause (b) of this Section 6.

(b) The Participant agrees not to furnish or cause to be furnished by Participant or its employees to any person or to display or publish any information or materials relating to a Trust or any Fund (including, without limitation, promotional materials and sales literature, advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters, signs or other similar materials, but not including any materials prepared and used for Participant's internal use only, any brokerage communications between employees of Participant and customers or any communications prepared and directed to registered broker-dealers) ("Marketing Materials"), except (i) such Marketing Materials as may be furnished to the Participant by the Distributor or the applicable Trust or Fund and (ii) such other Marketing Materials as are consistent with the applicable Fund's then current Prospectus or otherwise approved by the Distributor or the Trust; provided that such Marketing Materials clearly indicate that such Marketing Materials are prepared and distributed by Participant and, upon request, a copy is forwarded to the Distributor as soon as practicable.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Participant and its affiliates may prepare and circulate in the regular course of their businesses (i) research reports that include information, opinions or recommendations relating to Shares; and (ii) without reference to a Fund or its Prospectus, data and information relating to the various indices to which the Funds are benchmarked.

SECTION 7. SUBCUSTODIAN ACCOUNTS.

The Participant understands and agrees that in the case of an International Fund, the relevant Trust has caused The Bank of New York Mellon acting in its capacity as the Trust's custodian ("Custodian") to maintain with one or more applicable subcustodians (each, a "Subcustodian") for such International Fund an account in the relevant foreign jurisdiction(s) to which the Participant shall deliver or cause to be delivered in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit the securities and any other cash amounts (or the cash value of all or a part of such securities, in the case of a permitted or required cash purchase or "cash in lieu" amount) on behalf of itself or any party for which it is acting (whether or not a customer), with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust or such International Fund, in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable to such account in such foreign jurisdiction.

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SECTION 8. TITLE TO SECURITIES: RESTRICTED SHARES.

The Participant represents that upon delivery of a portfolio of Deposit Securities to a Fund's custodian, the Fund will acquire good and unencumbered title to such securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims, including, without limitation, any special restriction upon the sale or transfer of such securities imposed by (i) any agreement or arrangement entered into by the Participant or any party for which it is acting in connection with a Creation Order or (ii) any provision of the Securities Act, and any regulations thereunder (except that portfolio securities of issuers other than U.S. issuers shall not be required to have been registered under the Securities Act if exempt from such registration), or of the applicable laws or regulations of any other applicable jurisdiction.

SECTION 9. FEES.

In connection with the creation or redemption of Creation Units, the Transfer Agent shall charge, and the Participant agrees to pay to the Transfer Agent, (i) the Creation Transaction Fee or Redemption Transaction Fee (each also sometimes referred to individually herein as the "Transaction Fee") prescribed in the relevant Fund's Prospectus applicable to creations or redemptions through the Trusts' Clearing Process, or (ii) the applicable Creation Transaction Fee or Redemption Transaction Fee plus, in each case, such additional variable amounts as may be prescribed in the relevant Fund's Prospectus for (a) creations or redemptions outside the Trusts' Clearing Process and (b) creations through the Trusts' Clearing Process where the cash equivalent value of one or more Deposit Securities is being deposited in lieu of the inclusion of such Deposit Securities in the securities portion of the Fund Deposit. The Transaction Fee may be waived or otherwise adjusted from time to time subject to the provisions relating thereto and any limitations as prescribed in the relevant Fund's Prospectus. With respect to International Funds (for which creations and redemptions are processed outside the Trusts' Clearing Process), such additional variable amounts may include any expenses incurred by a Fund in the transfer of Deposit Securities to the Fund in connection with a creation of Creation Units, and in the transfer of Deposit Securities to the Participant in connection with a redemption of Creation Units; such expenses may include operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes and the like. When an International Fund permits a Participant to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the Participant may be assessed a higher Transaction Fee on the substitute security portion of its investment to cover the cost of purchasing the Deposit Securities and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.

SECTION 10. AUTHORIZED PERSONS.

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, the Participant shall deliver to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent, duly certified as appropriate by its secretary or other duly authorized person, a certificate setting forth the names and signatures of all persons authorized to give instructions relating to activity contemplated hereby or any

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other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Participant (each, an "Authorized Person"). Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Distributor and the Transfer Agent as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until delivery to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent of a superseding certificate bearing a subsequent date. The Transfer Agent shall issue to each Authorized Person a unique personal identification number ("PIN Number") by which such Authorized Person and the Participant shall be identified and instructions issued by the Participant hereunder shall be authenticated. Upon the termination or revocation of authority of such Authorized Person by the Participant, the Participant shall give prompt written notice of such fact to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent and such notice shall be effective upon receipt by both the Distributor and the Transfer Agent.

SECTION 11. REDEMPTION.

The Participant represents and warrants that it will not obtain a Submission Number (as defined in Attachment A) from the Transfer Agent for the purpose of redeeming a Creation Unit unless it first ascertains that (a) it or its customer, as the case may be, owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares of any Fund to be redeemed, and the entire proceeds of the redemption, (b) the delivery of such Shares to the Transfer Agent in accordance with the Prospectus or as otherwise required by the Trust or Fund would not be precluded as the result of their being subject to or the subject of a loan, repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or other arrangement and (c) upon delivery to the Fund's custodian, the Shares will be free and clear of all liens.

A Trust may make redemptions in cash in lieu of transferring one or more Deposit Securities if the Trust or Fund determines, in its discretion, that such method is warranted because a Participant who has placed the Redemption Order is restrained by regulation or policy from transacting in the Deposit Securities, delivery of the Deposit Securities is not permissible under applicable law or foreign stock exchange regulations, or for other reasons.

In connection with an International Fund, a Participant must maintain appropriate securities broker-dealer, bank or other custody arrangements to which account Deposit Securities will be delivered in connection with a redemption. If a redeeming Participant, or any party on whose behalf the Participant is acting, does not have appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Deposit Securities in the relevant foreign jurisdiction(s) and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Deposit Securities in such foreign jurisdiction(s) and in certain other circumstances, the Trust or Fund may in its discretion redeem Shares for cash, and the redeeming Participant, on behalf of itself or any part for which it is acting, will be required to receive redemption proceeds in cash. In such case, the Participant will receive a cash payment equal to the net asset value (next determined after receipt of the Redemption Order) times the number of Shares in a Creation Unit of the relevant International Fund, minus the Transaction Fee and other costs specified in Section 9.

In the case of a beneficial owner of an International Fund who is a resident of Australia or New Zealand, the Participant understands and agrees that such beneficial owner is only entitled to receive cash upon its redemption

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of Creation Units. In a Redemption Order, the Participant will be required to confirm that an in-kind redemption request has not been submitted on behalf of a beneficial owner who is an Australian or New Zealand resident.

SECTION 12. FUND'S TAX BASIS.

The Participant represents and warrants to the Distributor and each Trust and Fund that with respect to any Creation Units it shall only deliver or transfer, or cause to be delivered or transferred, Deposit Securities (or contracts therefor) that, should Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, apply to such delivery or transfer, will have a tax basis in the hands of the Fund receiving the Deposit Securities equal to the closing market price of such Deposit Securities on the date the Creation Order with respect thereto is Deemed Received (as such term is defined in Attachment A hereto). Such representation and warranty shall be deemed repeated with respect to each Creation Order.

SECTION 13. INDEMNIFICATION.

(a) The Participant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor in its capacity as principal underwriter, each Trust, each Fund, the Transfer Agent, their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act (each, for purposes of this paragraph, an "Indemnified Party") from and against any loss, liability, cost and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by such Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Participant of any provision of this Agreement that relates to the Participant; (ii) any failure on the part of the Participant to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Participant to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations in relation to the sales, trading or marketing of Shares and the creation or redemption of or investment in a Fund or Funds, except that the Participant shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnified Party to the extent that such failure was caused by Participant's adherence to instructions given or representations made by the Distributor, the Transfer Agent or any Indemnified Party, as applicable; or (iv) actions of such Indemnified Party in reliance upon any instructions issued or representations made in accordance with Attachment A (as it may be amended from time to time) reasonably believed by the Distributor or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, to be genuine and to have been given by the Participant except to the extent that the Participant had previously revoked a PIN Number used in giving such instructions or representations (where applicable) and such revocation was given by the Participant and received by the Distributor and the Transfer Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 10 hereto. The Participant and the Distributor understand and agree that each Trust and Fund as a third party beneficiary of this Agreement is entitled and intends to proceed directly against the Participant in the event that the Participant fails to honor any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement that benefit each such Trust and Fund.

(b) The Distributor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Participant, its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (each, for purposes of this paragraph, an "Indemnified Party") from and against any loss, liability, cost

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and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by such Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Distributor of any provision of this Agreement that relates to the Distributor; (ii) any failure on the part of the Distributor to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Distributor to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations in relation to its role as Distributor of the Funds; or (iv) actions of such Indemnified Party in reliance upon any instructions issued or representations made in accordance with Attachment A (as it may be amended from time to time) reasonably believed by the Participant to be genuine and to have been given by the Distributor or the Transfer Agent.

(c) Each of the Distributor and Participant agrees to jointly and severally indemnify Transfer Agent and hold Transfer Agent harmless from and against any and all losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Transfer Agent by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Transfer Agent's performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Transfer Agent in a successful defense of claims by the Distributor and/or Participant; provided however, Distributor and/or Participant shall not indemnify Transfer Agent for those losses arising out of Transfer Agent's own negligence or willful misconduct or that of its employees. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Distributor and/or Participant, and their respective successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

(d) Except to the extent that the Transfer Agent is to be indemnified as provided in this Section 13, no party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party or to any other person for any damages arising out of mistakes or errors in data provided to such Indemnified Party by a third party, or out of interruptions or delays of electronic means of communications with the Indemnified Parties.

SECTION 14. STANDARD OF CARE.

Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for any loss or damage unless such loss or damage is caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct or that of its employees, or its breach of any of its obligations hereunder. In no event shall the Transfer Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable.

SECTION 15. FORCE MAJEURE.

Transfer Agent shall establish and maintain a disaster recovery plan and back-up system at all times satisfying the requirements of all laws, rules and regulations (the "Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System") applicable to the Transfer Agent for providing services as such. Transfer Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control which are not a result of its negligence, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, transportation, computer

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(hardware or software) or communications service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, provided that Transfer Agent has established and is maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System, or if not, that such delay or failure would have occurred even if Transfer Agent had established and was maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System. Upon the occurrence of any such delay or failure, Transfer Agent shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 16. ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

The Participant acknowledges receipt of each relevant Fund's Prospectus and represents it has reviewed such document and understands the terms thereof.

SECTION 17. NOTICES.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, all notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid registered or certified United States first class mail, return receipt requested, or facsimile or similar means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided herein). Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to the Transfer Agent shall be given or sent as follows: The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, Attn: ETF Services Group. All notices to the Participant and the Distributor shall be directed to the address, telephone or facsimile indicated below the signature line of such party.

SECTION 18. TERMINATION.

This Agreement shall become effective in this form as of the date accepted by the Transfer Agent and may be terminated at any time by any party upon thirty
(30) days prior notice to the other parties (i) unless earlier terminated by the Transfer Agent in the event of a breach of this Agreement or the procedures described herein by the Participant or (ii) in the event that a Trust is terminated pursuant to its Declaration of Trust. This Agreement supersedes any prior Participant Agreement entered into by the parties. Any and all prior Participant Agreements entered into by the parties are deemed terminated upon execution of this Agreement.

SECTION 19. PROSPECTUS.

(a) The Distributor will provide to the Participant copies of the then current Prospectus for each Fund and any printed supplemental information in reasonable quantities upon request. The Distributor represents, warrants and agrees that it will notify the Participant when a revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus for any Shares is available and deliver or otherwise make available to the Participant copies of such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus at such time and in such numbers as to enable the Participant to comply with any obligation it may have to deliver such Prospectus to customers. As a general matter, the Distributor will make such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus available to the Participant no later than its effective

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date. The Distributor shall be deemed to have complied with this Section 19 when the Participant has received such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus by email at _____________________, in printable form, with such number of hard copies as may be agreed from time to time by the parties promptly thereafter.

(b) Distributor represents and warrants that (i) the registration statement(s) for First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund on Form N-1A (No. 333-125751) and the Prospectus(es) contained therein, the registration statement(s) for First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II on Form N-1A (No. 333-137036) and the Prospectus(es) contained therein, and the registration statement(s) for First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund (No. 333-140895) and the Prospectus(es) contained therein, and the registration statement(s) for First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV (No. 333-174332) and the Prospectus(es) contained therein, and the registration statement(s) for [First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII on Form N-1A (No. 333-210186)] and the Prospectus(es) contained therein, conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the registration statement and any amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(ii) the sale and distribution of the Shares as contemplated herein will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Trusts, any Fund or the Distributor; and (iii) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares, except the registration under the Securities Act of the Shares.

SECTION 20. COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 21. NO WAIVER.

Each and every right granted to any party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by any party hereto of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

SECTION 22. ENFORCEABILITY; AMENDMENT.

In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a

-11-

written agreement executed by the parties hereto, except that any amendment to Schedule I approved in writing by the Distributor (upon which written approval the Transfer Agent may conclusively rely) and any amendment to Attachment A hereto need be signed only by the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall provide the Participant a copy of any such amendment in the manner provided in
Section 17. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by any party without the written consent of the others.

SECTION 23. GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. Each party hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

SECTION 24. STATUS OF FUND

The Distributor hereby represents that each Series (i) of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund (ii) of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, (iii) of the First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX (R) Fund, (iv) of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV, and (v) of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII is a registered open ended investment company operating in accordance with the exemptive order granted under 812-13000 and I.C. Release No. 27068 dated September 20, 2005, as the same may be amended from time to time, and I.C. Release No. 27051 dated August 26, 2005 and any additional I.C. Releases related to such amendments.

-12-

FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS, L.P.

By
  ---------------------------------------------
   Name:
         --------------------------------------
   Title:
         --------------------------------------

Address:      120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400
              Wheaton, Illinois  60187
Telephone:    (630) 765-8798
Facsimile:    (630) 517-7437

By
Name:
Title:

Address:

Telephone:
Facsimile:

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Transfer Agent

                               By
                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                        --------------------------------------
                                  Title:
                                        --------------------------------------

                               Address:    101 Barclay Street
                                           New York, New York 10286
                               Telephone:  (212) 815-5031
                               Facsimile:  (212) 815-2889

Dated:
      -----------------------

-13-

SERIES OF FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index(SM) Fund

First Trust Morningstar(R) Dividend Leaders(SM) Index Fund

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index(SM) Fund

First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index(SM) Fund

First Trust US IPO Index Fund

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund

First Trust Capital Strength ETF

First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index(SM) Fund

First Trust NASDAQ(R) Clean Edge(R) Green Energy Index Fund

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index(SM) Fund

First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Index Fund

First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF

First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund

First Trust ISE Water Index Fund

First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund

First Trust ISE Chindia Index Fund

First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Exchange-Traded Fund

First Trust NASDAQ(R) ABA(R) Community Bank Index Fund

First Trust CBOE VIX Tail Hedge Index Fund

SERIES OF FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II

First Trust STOXX(R) European Select Dividend Index Fund

First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Markets Real Estate Index Fund

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund

First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund

First Trust ISE Global Engineering and Construction Index Fund

First Trust NASDAQ(R) Clean Edge(R) Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund

First Trust Indxx Global Natural Rserouces Income ETF

First Trust Indexx Global Agriculature ETF

First Trust ISE BICK Index Fund

First Trust NASDAQ Smartphone Index Fund

First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund

First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund

First Trust International IPO ETF

First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF

Sch. I

SERIES OF FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND IV

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Index Fund

First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF

First Trust Senior Load Fund

First Trust Enhanced Short Maturity ETF

First Trust Strategic Income ETF

First Trust Low Duration Opportunities ETF

[SERIES OF FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF

First Trust Long/Short Currency Strategy ETF]

SERIES OF FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED ALPHADEX(R) FUND

First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Energy AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Financials AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Materials AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX(R) Fund

First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund

First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund

First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund

First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund

First Trust Mega Cap AlphaDEX Fund

-2-

ATTACHMENT A

Subject to the terms and conditions of the attached Participant Agreement, this document supplements the Prospectuses for the Series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, for the Series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, for the Series of First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund and for the Series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV and for the Series of [First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII] and is an attachment to, and incorporated into and made a part of, the Participant Agreement with respect to the procedures to be used by (i) the Transfer Agent in processing an order for the creation of Shares, and (ii) the Transfer Agent in processing a request for the redemption of Shares, and (iii) the Participants and the Transfer Agent in delivering or arranging for the delivery of requisite cash payments, Fund Deposit or Shares, as the case may be, in connection with the submission of orders for creation or requests for redemption. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined have the meaning assigned to them in the Participant Agreement.

A Participant is first required to have signed the Participant Agreement. Upon acceptance of the Participant Agreement by the Distributor, the Transfer Agent will assign a unique personal identification number ("PIN Number") to each Authorized Person authorized to act for the Participant. This will allow a Participant through its Authorized Person(s) to place orders for either creation or redemption of Shares.

SECTION I. TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR CREATION OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES

1. Call to Receive a Submission Number. An Authorized Person for the Participant will call the Trust Telephone Representative at (212) 815-5031 not later than the closing time of the regular trading session on The New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE Closing Time") (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. New York time) to receive a submission number ("Submission Number"). In the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on the trade date. Upon verifying the authenticity of the caller (as determined by the use of the appropriate PIN Number) and the terms of the order for creation or request for redemption, the Trust Telephone Representative will issue a unique Submission Number. All orders with respect to the creation or redemption of Shares are required to be in writing and accompanied by the designated Submission Number. Incoming telephone calls are queued and will be handled in the sequence received. Calls placed before the NYSE Closing Time will be processed even if the call is taken after this cut-off time. ACCORDINGLY, DO NOT HANG UP AND REDIAL. INCOMING CALLS THAT ARE ATTEMPTED LATER THAN THE NYSE CLOSING TIME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

2. Assemble the Submission. The Authorized Person submitting an order to create or a request to redeem shall assemble (a) written instructions regarding such creation order or redemption request and (b) the designated Submission Number in one document and transmit such document by facsimile to the Trust Telephone Representative and the Distributor, as applicable, according to the procedures set forth below in subsection 3. The document so transmitted is hereinafter referred to as the "Submission," and the Business Day on which a Submission is made is hereinafter referred to as the "Transmittal Date." As used herein, a Business Day ("Business Day") is any day on which The New York Stock

Attachment 1-1-

Exchange is open. NOTE THAT THE TELEPHONE CALL IN WHICH THE SUBMISSION NUMBER IS ISSUED INITIATES THE ORDER PROCESS BUT DOES NOT ALONE CONSTITUTE THE ORDER. AN ORDER OR REQUEST IS ONLY COMPLETED AND PROCESSED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SUBMISSION.

3. Transmit the Submission. A Submission Number is only valid for a limited time. The Submission for either creations or redemptions of Shares must be sent by facsimile to the Trust Telephone Representative, as applicable, within fifteen (15) minutes of the issuance of the Submission Number. In the event that the Submission is not received within such time period, the Trust Telephone Representative will attempt to contact the Participant to request immediate transmission of the Submission.

(a) In the case of a Submission for creation, unless the Submission is received by the Trust Telephone Representative upon the earlier of within (i) fifteen (15) minutes of contact with the Participant or (ii) forty-five (45) minutes after the NYSE Closing Time, the Submission will be deemed invalid.

(b) In the case of a Submission for redemption, unless such Submission is received by the Trust Telephone Representative within (i) fifteen (15) minutes of contact with the Participant or (ii) forty-five
(45) minutes after the NYSE Closing Time, whichever is earlier, such order for redemption contained therein shall be deemed invalid.

4. Await Receipt of Confirmation.

(a) Trusts' Clearing Process-Creation Orders. The Transfer Agent shall issue to the Participating Party a confirmation of acceptance of an order to create Shares in Creation Unit size aggregations ("Creation Order") through the Trusts' Clearing Process within fifteen (15) minutes of its receipt of a Submission received in good form. In the event the Participating Party does not receive a timely confirmation from the Transfer Agent, it should contact the Distributor and the Trust Telephone Representative at the business numbers indicated.

(b) Trusts' Clearing Process-Requests for Redemptions. The Transfer Agent shall issue to the Participating Party a confirmation of acceptance of a request to redeem Shares in Creation Unit size aggregations ("Redemption Order") through the Trusts' Clearing Process within fifteen
(15) minutes of its receipt of a Submission received in good form. In the event the Participating Party does not receive a timely confirmation from the Transfer Agent, it should contact the Transfer Agent directly at the business number indicated.

(c) Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. The Transfer Agent shall issue to the DTC Participant an acknowledgment of receipt of a Creation Order outside the Trusts' Clearing Process within fifteen (15) minutes of its receipt of a Submission received in good form. In the event the DTC Participant does not receive a timely acknowledgment from the Transfer Agent, it should contact the Transfer Agent at the business numbers indicated.

Attachment 1-2

(d) Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. The Transfer Agent shall issue to the DTC Participant an acknowledgment of receipt of a Redemption Order outside the Trusts' Clearing Process within fifteen (15) minutes of its receipt of a Submission received in good form. In the event the DTC Participant does not receive a timely acknowledgment from the Transfer Agent, it should contact the Transfer Agent directly at the business number indicated.

SECTION II. PARTICIPANTS' RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELIVERING OR EFFECTING THE DELIVERY OF REQUISITE FUND DEPOSIT OR SHARES AND CASH PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH CREATION ORDERS OR REDEMPTION ORDERS

1. Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. The Participating Party notified of confirmation of a Creation Order to create Shares through the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be required to transfer or arrange for the transfer of (a) the requisite Deposit Securities (or contracts to purchase such Deposit Securities expected to be delivered through NSCC by the "regular way" settlement date) and (b) the Cash Component, if any, to the Transfer Agent by means of the Trusts' Clearing Process so as to be received no later than on the "regular way" settlement date following the Business Day on which such order is Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent as set forth below in Section IV.

2. Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. The Participating Party notified of confirmation of a Redemption Order to redeem Shares through the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be required to transfer or arrange for the transfer of the requisite Shares and the Cash Redemption Amount, as defined in the applicable Fund's Prospectus ("Cash Redemption Amount"), if any, to the Transfer Agent by means of the Trusts' Clearing Process so as to be received no later than on the "regular way" settlement date following the Business Day on which such order is Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent as set forth below in
Section IV.

3. Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. The DTC Participant notified of acknowledgment of a Creation Order to create Shares outside the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be required to effect a transfer to the Transfer Agent of (a) the requisite Deposit Securities through DTC so as to be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day immediately following the Business Day on which such order is Deemed Received by the Distributor as set forth below in Section IV, in such a way as to replicate the Fund Deposit established on the Transmittal Date by the Transfer Agent and (b) the Cash Component, if there is a positive Cash Component, through the Federal Reserve Bank wire system so as to be received by the Transfer Agent by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day immediately following the day such order is Deemed Received. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the Deposit Securities by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and the Cash Component, if any, by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Business Day immediately following the day such order is Deemed Received, the Creation Order contained in such Submission shall be canceled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, the DTC Participant may resubmit such canceled order on the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted.

4. Purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations Prior to Receipt of Deposit Securities. Creation Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by a Fund of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described

Attachment 1-3

below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the applicable Fund's Shares on the date the Creation Order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus
(ii) one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the "Additional Cash Deposit"). The Creation Order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the Creation Order is placed in proper form prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such date, and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Transfer Agent by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day. If the Creation Order is not placed in proper form by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the next Business Day, then the Creation Order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the applicable Fund, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Fund in an amount at least equal to one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The parties hereto further agree that the Trust may purchase the missing Deposit Securities at any time and the Participant agrees to accept liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the amount of the Additional Cash Deposit maintained with the Fund, as the Trust may determine in its sole discretion.

5. Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. The DTC Participant notified of acknowledgment of a Redemption Order to redeem Shares outside the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be required to effect a transfer to the Transfer Agent of (a) the requisite number of Shares through DTC no later than the NYSE Closing Time on the Business Day on which such Redemption Order is Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent and (b) the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, through the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the next Business Day immediately following the Business Day on which such order is Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent.

6. Transaction Fee. In connection with the creation or redemption of Creation Units, the Transfer Agent shall charge, and the Participant agrees to pay to the Transfer Agent, (i) the Creation Transaction Fee or Redemption Transaction Fee prescribed in the relevant Fund's Prospectus applicable to creations or redemptions through the Trusts' Clearing Process, or (ii) the applicable Creation Transaction Fee or Redemption Transaction Fee plus, in each case, such additional variable amounts as may be prescribed in the relevant Fund's Prospectus for (a) creations or redemptions outside the Trusts' Clearing Process and (b) creations through the Trusts' Clearing Process where the cash equivalent value of one or more Deposit Securities is being deposited in lieu of the inclusion of such Deposit Securities in the securities portion of the Fund Deposit. The Cash Component or Cash Redemption Amount payable or to be received, as the case may be, by the Participant in connection with the Creation Order or Redemption Order shall be adjusted by the amount of such applicable Transaction Fee and additional variable amounts, if any.

Attachment 1-4

7. International Funds -- Creation Orders.

(a) Except as provided below, Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local Subcustodian of the Trust on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date (defined below). The Participant must also pay on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date immediately available or same day funds estimated by Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the Creation Order, together with the applicable Creation Transaction Fee and additional variable amounts (as described below and in the Prospectus). The "International Contractual Settlement Date" with respect to each International Fund is the earlier of
(i) the date upon which all of the required Deposit Securities, the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due are delivered to the Fund and (ii) the latest day for settlement on the customary settlement cycle in the jurisdiction(s) where any of the securities of such International Fund are customarily traded.

(b) Except as provided in the next two paragraphs, a Creation Unit of Shares will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the portfolio of Deposit Securities, the payment of the Cash Component, the payment of any other cash amounts and the Creation Transaction Fee have been completed. When the Subcustodian confirms to Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or, when permitted in the sole discretion of Trust, the cash in lieu thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant Subcustodian, the Custodian shall notify Distributor and the Transfer Agent which, acting on behalf of the Trust, will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit of Shares.

(c) The Trust may in its sole discretion permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a "cash in lieu" amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or for other similar reasons. If the Distributor, acting on behalf of the Trust, determines that a "cash in lieu" amount will be accepted, Distributor will notify the Participant and the Transfer Agent, and the Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the "cash in lieu" amount, with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust.

(d) In the event that a Fund Deposit is incomplete on the International Contractual Settlement Date for a Creation Order because certain or all of the Deposit Securities are missing, the Trust may issue a Creation Unit of Shares notwithstanding such deficiency in reliance on the undertaking of the Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by an Additional Cash Deposit with respect to undelivered Deposit Securities as described above in Section 4.

(e) Cash shall be delivered in the manner provided above for Creation Orders outside the Trusts' Clearing Process.

Attachment 1-5

(f) In addition to the Creation Transaction Fee, the Participant shall pay additional variable amounts which may include expenses incurred by the Fund in the transfer of Deposit Securities to the Fund in connection with a creation of Creation Units. These expenses may include operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes and the like. When an International Fund permits a Participant to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the Participant may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of purchasing the Deposit Securities and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.

8. International Funds -- Redemption Orders.

(a) A Participant must maintain appropriate securities broker-dealer, bank or other custody arrangements to which account Deposit Securities will be delivered in connection with a Redemption Order. If the Participant, or any party on whose behalf the Participant is acting, does not have appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Deposit Securities in the relevant foreign jurisdiction(s) and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, the Participant will be required to receive redemption proceeds in cash, as described in paragraph (d) below.

(b) The delivery of redemption proceeds will be made within twelve calendar days after the Redemption Order is received in proper form, except to the extent that a delivery is delayed due to the introduction of new or special holidays, the treatment by participants in the local market of certain days as "informal holidays" (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), or changes in local securities delivery practices. Under these circumstances, the Fund will notify the Participant as soon as reasonably practicable

(c) The Trust may in its sole discretion permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a "cash in lieu" amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or for other similar reasons. If the Distributor, acting on behalf of the Trust, determines that a "cash in lieu" amount will be delivered, Distributor will notify the Participant and the Transfer Agent and the Participant shall receive the "cash in lieu" amount, with any appropriate adjustments as advised by Trust.

(d) If a redeeming Participant, or any party on whose behalf the Participant is acting, does not have appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Deposit Securities in the relevant foreign jurisdiction(s) and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Deposit Securities in such foreign jurisdiction(s) and in certain other circumstances, the Trust may in its discretion redeem Shares for cash, and the redeeming Participant, on behalf of itself or any party for which it is acting, will be required to receive redemption proceeds in cash. In such case, the Participant will receive a cash payment equal to the net asset value (next determined after

Attachment 1-6

receipt of the Redemption Order) times the number of Shares in a Creation Unit of the relevant International Fund, minus the Transaction Fee.

(e) Cash shall be delivered in the manner provided above for Redemption Orders outside the Trusts' Clearing Process.

(f) In addition to the Redemption Transaction Fee, the Participant shall pay additional variable amounts which may include expenses incurred by the Fund in the transfer of Deposit Securities to the Participant. These expenses may include operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes and the like. When an International Fund redeems Shares for cash, the Participant may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of selling the Deposit Securities, including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees and stamp taxes.

SECTION III. TRANSFER AGENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR EFFECTING DELIVERY OF REQUISITE SHARES OR SECURITIES AND CASH PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH ORDERS FOR CREATION OR REQUESTS FOR REDEMPTION

1. Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. After the Transfer Agent has received notification of a Submission from the Participant for a Creation Order for Shares through the Trusts' Clearing Process which has been Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent as set forth below in Section IV, the Transfer Agent shall initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Shares and the Cash Component, if any, through the Trusts' Clearing Process so as to be received by the creator no later than on the "regular way" settlement date following the Business Day on which the Submission is Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent.

2. Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. After the Transfer Agent has received a Submission for a Redemption Order for Shares through the Trusts' Clearing Process which has been Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent as set forth below in Section IV, the Transfer Agent shall initiate procedures to transfer the requisite securities (or contracts to purchase such securities expected to be delivered through NSCC by the "regular way" settlement date) and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, through the Trusts' Clearing Process so as to be received by the beneficial owner no later than on the "regular way" settlement date following the Business Day on which the Submission is Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent.

3. Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. After the Transfer Agent has received notification of a Submission from the Participant for a Creation Order for Shares outside the Trusts' Clearing Process which has been Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent as set forth below in Section IV, the Transfer Agent shall initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Shares through DTC and the DTC Participants and the Cash Component, if any, through the Federal Reserve Bank wire system so as to be received by the creator no later than the same Business Day on which the transfer of Deposit Securities is required to be made pursuant to Section IV (3) in order for the Deemed Received order to continue to be Deemed Received. A Creation Order relating to Shares of an International Fund will be processed in the manner provided in this paragraph.

Attachment 1-7

4. Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. After the Transfer Agent has received a Submission for a Redemption Order for Shares outside the Trusts' Clearing Process which has been Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent as set forth below in Section IV, the Transfer Agent shall initiate procedures to transfer the requisite securities (or contracts to purchase such securities expected to be delivered within three Business Days) through DTC and the DTC Participants and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, through the Federal Reserve Bank wire system so as to be received by the Participant no later than the same Business Day on which the transfer of Shares is required to be made pursuant to Section IV (4) in order for the Deemed Received order to continue to be Deemed Received. A Redemption Order relating to Shares of an International Fund will be processed in the manner provided in this paragraph, except as otherwise provided in Section II 8 (b).

SECTION IV. PROCEDURES BY WHICH AN ORDER TO CREATE OR A REQUEST TO REDEEM SHALL BE "DEEMED RECEIVED"

1. Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. A Creation Order to create Shares through the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be "Deemed Received" by the Transfer Agent on the Transmittal Date only if (a) the Submission containing such order is in proper form and (b) such Submission is received by the Transfer Agent no later than the time on such Transmittal Date as set forth in Section I
(3) (a) hereof. Orders to create Shares contained in Submissions transmitted after such time on a Transmittal Date shall be deemed invalid.

2. Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. A Redemption Order to redeem Shares through the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent on the Transmittal Date only if (a) the Submission containing such request is in proper form and (b) such Submission is received by the Transfer Agent no later than the time on such Transmittal Date as set forth in
Section I(3)(b) hereof. Requests to redeem Shares contained in Submissions transmitted after such time on a Transmittal Date shall be "Deemed Received" by the Transfer Agent on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date.

3. Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Creation Orders. An Creation Order to create Shares outside the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent on the Transmittal Date only if: (a) the Submission containing such order is in proper form, and (b) such Submission is received by the Transfer Agent no later than the time on such Transmittal Date as set forth in Section I(3)(a) hereof, provided, however, that such order shall cease to be Deemed Received unless (a) the requisite number of Deposit Securities is transferred through DTC to the account of the applicable Fund no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the Business Day next following the Transmittal Date and (b) the cash equal to the Cash Component, if any, is transferred via the Federal Reserve Bank wire system to the account of the applicable Fund by no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Business Day next following the Transmittal Date. If either the Submission, the requisite Deposit Securities or the cash equal to the Cash Component is not received by the Transfer Agent within the time periods set forth above, such order shall be deemed invalid.

4. Outside the Trusts' Clearing Process -- Redemption Orders. A request to redeem Shares outside the Trusts' Clearing Process shall be Deemed Received by

Attachment 1-8

the Transfer Agent on the Transmittal Date only if (a) the Submission containing such request is in proper form, and (b) such Submission is received by the Transfer Agent no later than the time as set forth in Section I(3)(b) hereof, provided, however, that such order shall cease to be Deemed Received unless (a) the requisite number of Shares is transferred via DTC to the account of the Transfer Agent by the NYSE Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (b) the Cash Redemption Amount owed to the applicable Fund, if any, is received by the Transfer Agent no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, of the Business Day next following such Transmittal Date. If either the Submission, the Shares or cash equal to the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, is not received by the applicable Fund within the time periods set forth above, such redemption request shall be Deemed Received by the Transfer Agent on the Business Day on which both the Submission and the requisite number of Shares are delivered to the Transfer Agent within the proper time periods as set forth above; provided that the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, is then paid on the next Business Day within the time period set forth above.

5. Ambiguous Instructions. In the event that a Submission contains terms that differ from the information provided in the telephone call at the time of issuance of the Submission Number, the Trust Telephone Representative will attempt to contact the Participant to request confirmation of the terms of the order. If an Authorized Person confirms the terms as they appear in the Submission then the Submission will be accepted and processed. If an Authorized Person contradicts its terms, the Submission will be deemed invalid, and a corrected Submission must be received by the Transfer Agent, as applicable, not later than the earlier of (i) within fifteen (15) minutes of such contact with the Participant or (ii) forty-five (45) minutes after the NYSE Closing Time. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the invalidation of the initial Submission pursuant to this paragraph, a Submission that is otherwise in proper form shall be deemed submitted at the time of its initial Submission for purposes of determining when orders are Deemed Received hereunder. If the Trust Telephone Representative is not able to contact an Authorized Person, then the Submission shall be accepted and processed in accordance with its terms notwithstanding any inconsistency from the terms of the telephone information. In the event that a Submission contains terms that are illegible, the Submission will be deemed invalid and the Trust Telephone Representative will attempt to contact the Participant to request retransmission of the Submission. A corrected Submission must be received by the Transfer Agent, as applicable, not later than the earlier of (i) within fifteen (15) minutes of such contact with the Participant or (ii) forty-five (45) minutes after the NYSE Closing Time.

6. Suspension or Rejection of an Order. Each Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a Creation Order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of a Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (iii) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (iv) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the reasonable opinion of the applicable Trust or its investment adviser (the "Adviser"), have an adverse effect on the Trust, the applicable Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (v) in the event that circumstances exist outside the control of the applicable Trust or Fund, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and the Adviser that, in their reasonable judgment, make it for all practical purposes impossible to process Creation Orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts;

Attachment 1-9

systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting a Trust or Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The applicable Trust shall notify immediately a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. Each Trust and Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

SECTION V. TELEPHONE AND FACSIMILE

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND, FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II, FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED ALPHADEX (R) FUND AND FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND IV AND [FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII:]

Telephone: (630) 765-8000
Facsimile: (630) 517-7509

TRANSFER AGENT:

Telephone: (212) 815-2793
Facsimile: (212) 667-9549

PARTICIPANT::

Telephone:
Facsimile:

FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS, L.P.

Title:

PARTICIPANT:

By
Title:

Attachment 1-10

ACCEPTED BY:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
as Transfer Agent

By
Title:

Dated:

Attachment 1-11

September 23, 2016

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII
120 E. Liberty Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

Chapman and Cutler LLP
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Re: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Massachusetts counsel to First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the "Trust") on behalf of its series First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF and First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF (each, a "Fund") in connection with the Trust's Pre-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about September 23, 2016 (as so amended, the "Registration Statement") with respect to each Fund's shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"). You have requested that we deliver this opinion to you in connection with the Trust's filing of such Registration Statement.

In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined the following documents:

(a) a certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as to the existence of the Trust;

(b) a copy, stamped as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 25, 2016, of the Trust's Declaration of Trust dated as of February 22, 2016 (the "Declaration");

(c) a copy of Trust's Establishment and Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, included as Appendix A to the Declaration and effective as of February 22, 2016 (the "Designation");

(d) a certificate executed by an appropriate officer of the Trust, certifying as to, and attaching copies of, the Trust's Declaration, Designation, By-Laws, and minutes of the meeting of the Trust's Board of Trustees held on June 13, 2016 (the "Resolutions"); and

(e) a draft of the Registration Statement received on September 15,

2016.

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII
Chapman and Cutler LLP
September 23, 2016

Page 2

In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to the originals of all of the documents reviewed by us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of all original documents reviewed by us in original or copy form and the legal competence of each individual executing any document. We have also assumed that the Registration Statement, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be in substantially the form of filing referred to in paragraph (e) above. We have further assumed that the Trust's Declaration, Designation, By-Laws and the Resolutions will not have been amended, modified or withdrawn with respect to matters relating to the Shares and will be in full force and effect on the date of the issuance of such Shares.

This opinion is based entirely on our review of the documents listed above and such investigation of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. We have made no other review or investigation of any kind whatsoever, and we have assumed, without independent inquiry, the accuracy of the information set forth in such documents.

As to any opinion below relating to the due formation or existence of the Trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, our opinion relies entirely upon and is limited by the certificate of public officials referred to in (a) above.

This opinion is limited solely to the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as applied by courts located in Massachusetts (other than Massachusetts securities laws, as to which we express no opinion), to the extent that the same may apply to or govern the transactions referred to herein. No opinion is given herein as to the choice of law which any tribunal may apply to such transaction. In addition, to the extent that the Trust's Declaration, Designation or By-Laws refer to, incorporate or require compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any other law or regulation applicable to the Trust, except for the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as aforesaid, we have assumed compliance by the Trust with such Act and such other laws and regulations.

We understand that all of the foregoing assumptions and limitations are acceptable to you.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, please be advised that it is our opinion that:

1. The Trust has been formed and is existing under the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a voluntary

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII
Chapman and Cutler LLP
September 23, 2016

Page 3

association with transferable shares of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a "Massachusetts business trust."

2. The Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Resolutions and for the consideration described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, except that, as set forth in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the Trust may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for its obligations.

This opinion is given as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update this opinion to reflect any changes in law or any other facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention. We hereby consent to your reliance on this opinion in connection with your opinion to the Trust with respect to the Shares and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not concede that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Very truly yours,

/s/ MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP

CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP 111 WEST MONROE STREET

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603

September 23, 2016

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

Re: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as counsel for the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the "Trust"), which proposes to offer and sell shares of each of its series (the "Shares"), First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF and First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the "Funds"), in the manner and on the terms set forth in Amendment No. 2 and Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on or about September 23, 2016 (the "Amendment") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, respectively.

In connection therewith, we have examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law, including the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP issued to the Trust or Trust's counsel upon which we have relied as they relate to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us to express the opinion hereinafter set forth.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

The Shares of the Funds may be issued from time to time in accordance with the Trust's Declaration of Trust dated February 22, 2016 and the Trust's By-Laws, and subject to compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities and the receipt by the Funds of the purchase price of not less than the net asset value per Share, and such Shares, when so issued and sold by the Funds, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except that, as set forth in the Amendment, shareholders of a Fund may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for its obligations.

September 23, 2016

Page 2

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (File No. 333-210186) relating to the Shares referred to above, to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said Registration Statement.

Respectfully submitted,

 /s/ CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP
-----------------------------
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in the Pre-Effective Amendment No.2 to Registration Statement No. 333-210186 on Form N-1A of our report dated September 23, 2016, related to the statement of assets and liabilities of First Trust CEF Income Opportunities ETF, appearing in the Statement of Additional Information, which is part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the heading "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Statement of Additional Information, which is part of the Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, Illinois
September 23, 2016

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

1. The Trust. First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and organized as a series trust (each such series is referred to herein as a "Fund").

2. The Plan. The Trust desires to adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule l2b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the shares of beneficial interest ("Shares") of certain of the Funds which are identified in Exhibit A hereof, and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board of Trustees") has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Distribution and Service Plan (the "Plan") will benefit each such Fund (the "Designated Funds") and its holders of Shares. Accordingly, on behalf of each Designated Fund, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Trust's registration statement under the 1940 Act and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such registration statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect).

3. The Distributor. The Trust has entered into a written Distribution Agreement with First Trust Portfolios L.P. (the "Distributor"), pursuant to which the Distributor will act as the exclusive distributor with respect to the creation and distribution of Creation Unit size aggregations of Shares as described in the Trust's registration statement ("Creation Units") of each Fund.

4. Payments. (a) The Trust may pay a monthly fee not to exceed 0.25% per annum of each Fund's average daily net assets to reimburse the Distributor for actual amounts expended to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of each Fund or the provision of investor services, including but not limited to (i) delivering copies of the Trust's then-current prospectus to prospective purchasers of such Creation Units, statement of additional information or annual or semi-annual reports relating to the Trust;
(ii) marketing and promotional services including advertising; (iii) facilitating communications with beneficial owners of shares of the Trust, including providing explanations to owners regarding fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Trust or any Funds thereof; (iv) delivering any notices of shareholder meetings and proxy statements accompanying such notices in connection with general and special meetings of interest holders of the Trust; and (v) such other services and obligations as are set forth in the Distribution Agreement. Such payments shall be made within ten (10) days of the end of each calendar month. The determination of daily net assets shall be made at the close of business each day throughout the month and computed in the manner specified in the then current Prospectus for the determination of the net asset value of Creation Units.

(b) Distribution expenses incurred in any one year in excess of 0.25% of each Fund's average daily net assets may be reimbursed in subsequent years subject to the annual 0.25% limit and subject further to the approval of the Board of Trustees including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested

persons" of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement related to this Plan (the "Independent Trustees").

(c) The Distributor may use all or any portion of the amount received pursuant to this Plan to compensate securities dealers or other persons that are Authorized Participants for providing distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services, pursuant to agreements with the Distributor, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 4(a) hereof.

(d) First Trust Advisors L.P., may use any portion of its advisory fee to compensate dealers, including the Distributor, for expenses incurred in connection with the sales and distribution of a Fund's shares, including, without limitation, compensation of its sales force, expenses of printing and distributing prospectuses to persons other than shareholders, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing advertising and sales literature and reports to shareholders used in connection with the sale of a Fund's share, certain other expenses associated with the distribution of shares of a Fund, and any distribution-related expenses that may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Trustees.

All such expenses covered by the Plan shall be deemed incurred whether paid directly by the Distributor or by a third party to the extent reimbursed therefor by the Distributor.

5. Effective Date. This Plan shall become effective upon approval by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.

6. Term. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain in effect with respect to the Designated Fund for one year from its effective date and shall continue thereafter, provided that its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.

7. Amendment. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees, provided that (a) any amendment to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services provided for in paragraph 4 hereof shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Designated Fund, and (b) any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment.

8. Termination. This Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Designated Fund. In the event of termination or non-continuance

of this Plan, the Trust may reimburse any expense which it incurred prior to such termination or non-continuance, provided that such reimbursement is specifically approved by both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees.

9. Assignment. This Plan will not be terminated by an assignment, however, an assignment will terminate any agreement under the Plan involving any such assignment.

10. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Distributor shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

11. Records. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, each agreement related hereto and each report referred to in paragraph 9 hereof for a period of at least six years from the date of the Plan, agreement and report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

12. Independent Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act).

13. Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.

EXHIBIT A
(AS OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2016)

FUND                                                          EFFECTIVE DATE
-----------------------------------------------------------   ------------------
First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF                        September 28, 2016

First Trust Municipal CEF Income Opportunity ETF              September 28, 2016