[SCHEDULE 13G/A] First Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF SEC Filing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Truist Financial Corporation filed Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13G disclosing its passive ownership in First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (series believed to trade under ticker UCON; CUSIP 33740F391). The filing corrects typographical errors in a September 2024 submission.

• Beneficial ownership: 128,859 shares, representing 15.619 % of the ETF’s outstanding units.
• Voting & dispositive power: Truist has sole power to vote and dispose of all reported shares; no shared power is indicated.
• Filer status: Truist reports as a parent holding company (HC) and investment adviser (IA) under Rule 13d-1(b).
• Reason for amendment: The original filing misstated (i) the issuer CIK, and (ii) the share count at 825,000 (entire share class) instead of 128,859 held by Truist.
• Date of event: 30 Aug 2024; Signature date: 15 Jul 2025 by Vice President Edward M. Kwiatkowski.

The correction significantly lowers Truist’s previously reported stake from 100 % to ~16 %, aligning disclosures with actual holdings and reaffirming that the position is held in the ordinary course of business without intent to influence control.

Positive

• Accurate stake disclosed: Amendment clarifies Truist’s true 15.6 % position, reducing market uncertainty.
• Continued compliance: Filing affirms Truist’s intent to hold shares passively under Rule 13d-1(b) with no control ambitions.

Negative

• Prior reporting error: Original filing overstated ownership at 100 %, indicating weaknesses in Truist’s disclosure controls.
• High concentration: Even after correction, Truist controls over 15 % of the ETF, a level that may concern some investors regarding liquidity and influence.

Insights

Equity Analyst

TL;DR – Filing corrects Truist’s stake to 15.6 %; neutral corporate governance impact.

The amendment removes the misperception that Truist owned the entire ETF float. A 15.6 % holding still obliges ongoing 13G reporting but remains below levels associated with control. Because Schedule 13G is a passive ownership declaration, no strategic intent is signalled. The correction may relieve concerns of excessive concentration risk for other unit-holders, yet it does not alter the ETF’s fundamentals or Truist’s balance-sheet exposure materially. Accordingly I view the disclosure as informational with limited market impact.

Regulatory Compliance Expert

TL;DR – Amendment improves filing accuracy; highlights prior compliance lapse.

The erroneous September 2024 report overstated ownership seven-fold and cited the wrong issuer CIK, breaching Section 13(d) precision standards. Timely correction mitigates potential SEC scrutiny but underscores the importance of robust internal controls over regulatory reporting. No fines or enforcement actions are referenced, so immediate legal risk appears low. From a compliance standpoint the action is neutral-to-slightly positive, restoring data integrity without signalling additional liabilities.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. 3)

FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

(Name of Issuer)

Exchange Traded Fund

(Title of Class of Securities)

33740F391

(CUSIP Number)

08/30/2024

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

Rule 13d-1(b)

Rule 13d-1(c)

Rule 13d-1(d)

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 33740F391

1

Names of Reporting Persons

TRUIST FINANCIAL CORP

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

NORTH CAROLINA

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 128,859.00
6	Shared Voting Power 0.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 128,859.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

128,859.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

15.6 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

HC, IA

Comment for Type of Reporting Person: This amendment is being filed solely to correct typographical errors in original filing. The Issuer CIK number listed in the original Schedule G filing in September 2024 is listed as 0002003743 (FT Vest Hedged Equity Enhanced Income Fund LLC) instead of 0001667919 (FIRST TR EXCHNG TRADED FD VIII). The Amount beneficially owned was previously incorrectly filed at 825,000, the total outstanding shares, instead of 128,859.00

SCHEDULE 13G

Item 1.
(a)	Name of issuer: FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII
(b)	Address of issuer's principal executive offices: 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, SUITE 400, WHEATON, ILLINOIS, 60187.
Item 2.
(a)	Name of person filing: Truist Financial Corporation as Parent Holding Company for Truist Advisory Services, Inc. an affiliated Registered Investment Advisor
(b)	Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: 214 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202
(c)	Citizenship: Truist Financial Corporation is a North Carolina Corporation; Truist Advisory Services, Inc. is a Delaware Corporation
(d)	Title of class of securities: Exchange Traded Fund
(e)	CUSIP No.: 33740F391
Item 3.	If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)	Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)	Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)	Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)	Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)	An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)	An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)	A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)	A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)	A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)	A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:
(k)	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.	Ownership
(a)	Amount beneficially owned: 128,859
(b)	Percent of class: 15.619 %
(c)	Number of shares as to which the person has:
	(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 128,859
	(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
	(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 128,859
	(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
Item 5.	Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Item 6.	Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
	Not Applicable
Item 7.	Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
	Not Applicable
Item 8.	Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
	Not Applicable
Item 9.	Notice of Dissolution of Group.
	Not Applicable

Item 10.

Certifications:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

TRUIST FINANCIAL CORP

Signature:	Edward M. Kwiatkowski
Name/Title:	Vice President
Date:	07/15/2025

FAQ

How many UCON shares does Truist Financial Corp own?

Truist reports 128,859 shares, equal to 15.619 % of the ETF’s outstanding units.

Why did Truist file Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13G for UCON?

The amendment corrects typographical errors in issuer CIK and share count from 825,000 to the accurate 128,859 shares.

Does Truist intend to influence control of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII?

No. The certification states the shares are held in the ordinary course and not for the purpose of influencing control.

What rule permits Truist to file on Schedule 13G rather than 13D?

Truist files under Rule 13d-1(b) as a parent holding company and registered investment adviser with a passive intent.

When is the effective date of the ownership information?

The date of event requiring the filing is 30 August 2024, while the amendment was signed on 15 July 2025.