Michael McCarthy is executive vice president and portfolio manager for Franklin Equity Group (FEG). He is the lead portfolio manager for the Franklin Small Cap Growth strategy, and also assists with the management of the Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth strategy, which he has helped manage since its inception in 1992. Mr. McCarthy is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder and earned his B.A. in history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco (SASF) and the CFA Institute

Bradley Carris is a vice president, portfolio manager and research analyst with Franklin Equity Group. He is a member of the Franklin Small Cap Growth portfolio management team. He specializes in research analysis of the specialty finance and bank industries while leading the financial and business services team. His prior research experience includes analysis of European communications service providers. Prior to his employment with Franklin Templeton Investments, Mr. Carris was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy and a manager for Accenture PLC's Communications and High Tech Industry Group. Mr. Carris joined Franklin Templeton in 2001 after receiving an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. He received a B.A. from Duke University in 1992. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and member of the CFA Society of San Francisco and the CFA Institute.