Reorganization Of The Hartford Income Shares Fund, Inc. With And Into Rivus Bond Fund

At a meeting held on March 17, 2010, the Board of Directors of The Hartford Income Shares Fund, Inc. approved on behalf of The Hartford Income Shares Fund, Inc. (HSF) (the “Acquired Fund”), and the Board of Trustees approved on behalf of Rivus Bond Fund (BDF) (the “Acquiring Fund”), managed by Cutwater Asset Management Corp., the reorganization of the Acquired Fund with and into the Acquiring Fund (the “Reorganization”). The investment adviser of the Acquired Fund is Hartford Investment Financial Services, LLC and the investment adviser of the Acquiring Fund is Cutwater Asset Management Corp. Each Fund is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol set forth above.

The Board of Directors of The Hartford Income Shares Fund, Inc. has called a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund to be held on or about June 15, 2010, for the purpose of seeking the approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”) by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund. If approved, the Reorganization is expected to occur by the end of July 2010.

If the Reorganization Agreement is approved by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, the Reorganization Agreement contemplates: (1) the transfer of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund that have an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of common stock of the Acquired Fund; (2) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; and (3) the distribution of shares of the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund. Each shareholder of the Acquired Fund would receive shares of the Acquiring Fund equal in value to the shares of the Acquired Fund held by that shareholder as of the closing date of the Reorganization.

A proxy statement containing detailed information concerning the Reorganization is expected to be mailed to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders in April 2010, and may also be obtained at that time by contacting The Hartford Income Shares Fund, Inc. Attn: Closed End Funds, P.O. Box 219812, Kansas City, MO 64121. You may also obtain information by calling 1-888-483-0972.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the fund’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and The Hartford assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and past performance is not an indication of future performance.

Investing in funds involves significant risks, including the risk that you may lose part or all of the money you invest. For information on the risks associated with the Acquired Fund, please see the Acquired Fund’s most recent Annual Shareholder Report, dated July 31, 2009.

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of The Hartford Income Shares Fund, Inc. before investing. The Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the fund with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on The Hartford’s website at www.hartfordinvestor.com. The information contained on The Hartford’s website is not a part of this press release. You may also obtain information by calling 1-888-483-0972.