Although we recommend that you read the complete Proxy Statement, for your convenience, we have provided a brief overview of the proposals to
be voted on.
PROPOSAL NO. 1MERGER OF GEORGIA MUNICIPAL INTO THE
ACQUIRING FUND
The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement with respect to the proposed Mergers. More
complete information is contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and the appendices hereto. Shareholders should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully.
Background and Reasons for the Mergers
Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Adviser), a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC and the Funds
investment adviser, recommended the Merger proposal as part of an ongoing initiative to streamline Nuveens municipal closed-end fund line-up and eliminate overlapping products. Each Funds Board
considered its Funds Merger(s) and determined that the Merger(s) would be in the best interests of its Fund. Based on information provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, each Target Funds Board believes that its Funds proposed Merger may
benefit the common shareholders of its Fund in a number of ways, including, among other things:
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The potential for higher common share net earnings and distribution levels following the Mergers, due in part to
the Acquiring Funds ability to invest to a greater degree in lower rated securities and a geographically diverse national portfolio, as well as operating economies from the combined funds greater scale; |
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Greater secondary market liquidity and improved secondary market trading for common shares as a result of the
combined funds greater share volume, which may lead to narrower bid-ask spreads and smaller trade-to-trade price movements;
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The potential for a narrower trading discount as a result of the Acquiring Funds common shares trading at a
discount that historically has been lower than that of each Target Funds common shares; |
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Increased portfolio and leverage management flexibility due to the significantly larger asset base of the
combined fund and the Acquiring Funds national mandate with greater flexibility to invest in lower rated securities; and |
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Lower net operating expenses, excluding the costs of leverage, as certain fixed costs are spread over a larger
asset base. |
Each Target Funds Board considered that a greater percentage of the Acquiring Funds portfolio
may be allocated to lower rated municipal securities relative to the amount permitted by the policies of the Target Fund, and recognized that investments in lower rated securities are subject to higher risks than investments in higher rated
securities.
With respect to holders of preferred shares of each Target Fund, the Target Funds Board considered that, upon the
closing of the applicable Merger, holders of any preferred shares outstanding immediately prior to the closing will receive, on a one-for-one basis, newly issued
preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund having substantially similar terms, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, to those of the preferred shares of the applicable Target Fund.
Based on information provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Acquiring Funds Board considered that the Acquiring Fund may benefit in the
near term from a modest increase in operating efficiencies and over the long term from increased investment capital, which allows the Acquiring Fund to pursue additional investment opportunities. With respect to holders of preferred shares of the
Acquiring Fund, the Acquiring Funds Board
considered that the outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund and any preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in the Mergers would have equal priority with each other as to
payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund.
For
these reasons, each Funds Board has determined that its Funds Merger(s) are in the best interest of its Fund and has approved such Merger(s).
The closing of each Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, which include customary closing conditions.
In order for a Merger to occur, all requisite shareholder approvals must be obtained at the applicable Funds shareholder meeting, and certain other consents, confirmations and/or waivers from various third parties, including the liquidity
providers and/or the initial purchasers with respect to outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, must also be obtained. Because the closing of each Merger is contingent upon the applicable Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund obtaining such
shareholder approvals and satisfying (or obtaining the waiver of) other closing conditions, it is possible that a Merger will not occur even if shareholders of a Fund entitled to vote approve the Merger and a Fund satisfies all of its closing
conditions if the other Fund does not obtain its requisite shareholder approvals or satisfy (or obtain the waiver of) its closing conditions. If a Merger is not consummated, the Board of the Target Fund involved in that Merger may take such actions
as it deems in the best interests of the Fund, including conducting additional solicitations with respect to the Merger proposal or continuing to operate the Target Fund as a standalone fund. The closing of each Merger is not contingent on the
closing of the other Merger.
Each series of preferred shares was issued on a private placement basis to one or a small number of
institutional holders. To the extent that one or more preferred shareholders of a Fund owns, holds or controls, individually or in the aggregate, all or a significant portion of a Funds outstanding preferred shares, the approval by a
Funds preferred shareholders required for a Merger to occur may turn on the exercise of voting or consent rights by such particular shareholder(s) and its or their determination as to the favorable view of the Merger with respect to its or
their interests. The Funds exercise no influence or control over the determinations of such shareholders with respect to the Mergers; there is no guarantee that such shareholders will vote to approve a Merger proposal. For a fuller discussion of the
Boards considerations regarding the approval of the Mergers, see C. Information About the MergersReasons for the Mergers.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers
As a non-waivable condition
to closing, each Fund participating in a Merger will receive an opinion of Vedder Price P.C., subject to certain representations, assumptions and conditions, substantially to the effect that the proposed Merger will qualify as a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Accordingly, it is expected that none of the Funds will generally recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a direct result of the Mergers. It is also expected that preferred shareholders of a Target Fund who receive Acquiring Fund preferred shares pursuant to a Merger will recognize no gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a direct result of
the Merger. Prior to the closing of its Merger, each Target Fund expects to declare a distribution to common shareholders of all of its undistributed net investment income and net capital gains, if any. Each Target Fund reports distributions to
common and preferred shareholders as consisting of particular types of income (such as exempt interest, ordinary income and capital gain) based on each classs proportionate share of the total distributions paid by the Fund with respect to that
year. As a result, such distribution could cause a portion of the distributions received by holders of Georgia Municipals AMTP Shares with respect to the year in which such distribution is made to be taxable for federal income tax and Georgia
income tax purposes. If the Mergers had occurred as of September 30, 2022, it is estimated that approximately 70% of Georgia Municipals investment portfolio and approximately 57% of Ohio Municipals investment portfolio would have
been sold by the Acquiring Fund following the Mergers. To the extent the Acquiring Fund sells securities received from a Target Fund following the Mergers, the Acquiring Fund may recognize gains or losses, which may result in taxable distributions
to Acquiring Fund preferred shareholders (including former preferred shareholders of a Target Fund who hold preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund following the Mergers). If such sales had been completed as of September 30, 2022, the
2
repositioning would not have generated net capital gain, taking into account capital loss carry forwards. Following the Mergers, the Acquiring Funds ability to use capital loss carry
forwards may be limited. Securities held by the Funds are purchased and sold on a principal rather than agency basis, and such transactions are not subject to separate brokerage commissions.
The foregoing discussion and the tax opinion discussed above to be received by the Funds regarding certain aspects of the Mergers, including
that the Mergers will qualify as reorganizations under Section 368(a) of the Code, will rely on the position that the Acquiring Fund preferred shares to be issued in the Mergers, if any, will constitute equity of the Acquiring Fund for federal
income tax purposes. See C. Information About the MergersMaterial Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers.
Comparison of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds
General. The Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds are diversified, closed-end management investment companies organized as Massachusetts business trusts. Set forth below is certain comparative information about the organization, capitalization and operation of the Funds.
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Organization |
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Fund |
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Organization Date |
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State of Organization |
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Entity Type |
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Georgia Municipal |
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October 26, 2001 |
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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Business Trust |
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Ohio Municipal |
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April 8, 2013(1) |
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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Business Trust |
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Acquiring Fund |
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March 21, 2001 |
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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Business Trust |
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(1) |
Previously organized as a Minnesota corporation on October 17, 1991. |
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CapitalizationCommon Shares(2) |
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Fund |
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Authorized Shares |
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Shares Outstanding(1) |
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Par Value Per Share |
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Preemptive, Conversion or Exchange Rights |
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Rights to Cumulative Voting |
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Exchange on which Common Shares are Listed |
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Georgia Municipal |
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Unlimited |
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10,399,813 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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None |
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None |
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NYSE |
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Ohio Municipal |
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Unlimited |
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18,254,255 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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None |
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None |
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NYSE |
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Acquiring Fund |
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Unlimited |
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165,390,401 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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None |
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None |
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NYSE |
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(2) |
As of November 30, 2022. |
As of November 30, 2022, the Funds had outstanding the following series of preferred shares, with the Acquiring Funds MFP Shares
and VRDP Shares expected to remain outstanding following the completion of the Mergers:
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Georgia MunicipalPreferred
Shares |
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Series |
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Shares Outstanding |
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Par Value Per Share |
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Liquidation Preference Per Share |
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Series 2028 AMTP Shares |
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585 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Ohio MunicipalPreferred
Shares |
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Series |
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Shares Outstanding |
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Par Value Per Share |
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Liquidation Preference Per Share |
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Series 1 VRDP Shares |
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1,480 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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3
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Acquiring FundPreferred
Shares |
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Series |
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Shares Outstanding |
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Par Value Per Share |
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Liquidation Preference Per Share |
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Series A MFP Shares |
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1,500 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Series B MFP Shares |
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1,550 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Series C MFP Shares |
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3,360 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Series 1 VRDP Shares |
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2,688 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Series 2 VRDP Shares |
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2,622 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Series 3 VRDP Shares |
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1,460 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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Each Funds preferred shares are entitled to one vote per share. The AMTP Shares and VRDP Shares of the
Acquiring Fund to be issued in connection with the Mergers, if any, will have equal priority with each other and with the Acquiring Funds other outstanding preferred shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. In addition, the preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, including any preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in connection with the Mergers, will be senior in
priority to the Acquiring Funds common shares as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. Any preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued
in connection with a Merger will have rights and preferences, including liquidation preferences, that are substantially similar to the preferred shares of the corresponding Target Fund in such Merger. The number of preferred shares currently
outstanding may change due to market or other conditions.
Investment Objectives and Policies. The Funds have similar investment
objectives, policies and risks, but there are differences. Each Target Fund is a state-specific municipal fund that seeks to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and the income tax of a single state. In contrast, the
Acquiring Fund is a national municipal fund that seeks to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. Because Georgia Municipal and Ohio Municipal invest primarily in Georgia and Ohio municipal securities, respectively, they are
subject to economic, political and other risks of a single state, while the Acquiring Fund, which may invest in municipal securities of any U.S. state or territory, is not subject to similar single state risk.
Georgia Municipals investment objectives are current income exempt from regular federal and Georgia income tax and the enhancement of
portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market by investing in tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser believes are
underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued.
Ohio Municipals primary investment
objective is current income exempt from both regular federal income taxes and Ohio personal income taxes, and its secondary investment objective is the enhancement of portfolio value relative to the Ohio municipal bond market through investments in
tax-exempt Ohio municipal obligations that, in the opinion of the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser are underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued.
The Acquiring Funds investment objectives are to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and to enhance
portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market by investing in tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser believes are
underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued.
Each Target Fund invests primarily in
investment grade securities, while the Acquiring Fund is permitted to allocate a greater percentage of its portfolio to lower rated municipal securities. Investments in lower rated securities are subject to higher risks than investments in higher
rated securities, including a higher risk that the issuer will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.
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Each Fund is a diversified, closed-end management
investment company and currently employs leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and the use of inverse floating rate securities.
The following summary compares the current principal investment policies and strategies of the Acquiring Fund to the current principal
investment policies and strategies of each Target Fund as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
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Georgia Municipal |
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Ohio Municipal |
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Acquiring Fund |
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Differences |
Principal Investment Strategy: |
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Principal Investment Strategy: |
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Principal Investment Strategy: |
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As a fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets(1) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from
which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia income taxes. |
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As a fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets(1) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from
which is exempt from regular federal and Ohio income taxes. |
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As a fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets(1) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from
which is exempt from regular federal income taxes. |
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The Acquiring Fund is a national municipal fund, while the Target Funds are state-specific municipal Funds. |
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Alternative Minimum Tax Policy: |
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Alternative Minimum Tax Policy: |
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Alternative Minimum Tax Policy: |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets(2) in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum
tax applicable to individuals (AMT Bonds). |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets(2) in AMT Bonds. |
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The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets(2) in AMT Bonds. |
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Identical. |
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Credit Quality: |
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Credit Quality: |
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Credit Quality: |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment are investment grade quality. A security is considered investment grade quality if it is
rated within the four highest letter grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (NRSRO) that rate such security (even |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in investment grade municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at
least one NRSRO or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds investment adviser. |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 55% of its Managed Assets in securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below the three highest grades (Baa or BBB or lower) by at least one NRSRO or are unrated but
judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser. |
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The Acquiring Fund is permitted to allocate a greater percentage of its portfolio to lower rated municipal securities than the Target Funds. |
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Georgia Municipal |
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Ohio Municipal |
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Acquiring Fund |
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Differences |
if it is rated lower by another), or if it is unrated by any NRSRO but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser. |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment are
rated below investment grade or are unrated by any NRSRO but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser.
Under normal circumstances, no more than 10% of the Funds Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated below B-/B3 or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser. |
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Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment are
rated below investment grade (Ba or BB or lower) or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds investment adviser.
Under normal circumstances, no more than 10% of the Funds Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated below B3/B- or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds investment adviser. |
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Leverage: |
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Leverage: |
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Leverage: |
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The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including the issuance of preferred shares and investments in inverse floating rate securities. As a
fundamental policy, the Fund may not issue debt securities or preferred shares that rank senior to any outstanding preferred shares issued by the Fund. In addition, the Fund may also use certain derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage
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The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including the issuance of preferred shares, investments in inverse floating rate securities and reverse
repurchase agreements. In addition, the Fund may also use certain derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage by creating additional investment exposure. The amount and sources of leverage will vary depending on market |
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The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including the issuance of preferred shares, investments in inverse floating rate securities and borrowings.
In addition, the Fund may use certain derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage by creating additional investment exposure. The amount and sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions. The Fund may |
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Substantially similar, but Georgia Municipal does not have a stated percentage limit on investments in inverse floating rate securities. Ohio Municipal may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. |
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Georgia Municipal |
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Ohio Municipal |
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Acquiring Fund |
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Differences |
creating additional investment exposure. The amount and sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions. |
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conditions. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in inverse floating rate securities. |
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invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in inverse floating rate securities. |
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Illiquid Securities: |
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Illiquid Securities: |
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Illiquid Securities: |
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The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities
laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. |
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The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities
laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. |
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The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities
laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. |
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Identical. |
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Other Investment Companies: |
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Other Investment Companies: |
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Other Investment Companies: |
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The Fund may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) that invest primarily in municipal securities of
the types in which the Fund may invest directly, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations issued thereunder and applicable exemptive orders issued by the SEC. |
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The Fund may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies (including ETFs) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may
invest directly, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations issued thereunder and applicable exemptive orders issued by the SEC. In addition, the Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles
(other than investment companies) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. |
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The Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies (including ETFs) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest
directly, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations issued thereunder and applicable exemptive orders issued by the SEC. In addition, the Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles (other
than investment companies) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. |
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Substantially similar, but Ohio Municipal has a stated percentage limit on investments in other investment companies. |
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Georgia Municipal |
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Ohio Municipal |
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Acquiring Fund |
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Differences |
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The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of
other open- or closed-end investment companies (including ETFs) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. |
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Weighted Average Maturity Policy: |
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Weighted Average Maturity Policy |
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Weighted Average Maturity Policy: |
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The Fund emphasizes investments in municipal securities with long- or intermediate-term maturities. The Fund buys municipal securities with different maturities and intends to maintain an average portfolio maturity of 15 to 30
years, although this may be shortened depending on market conditions. |
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The Fund emphasizes investments in municipal securities with long- or intermediate-term maturities. The Fund generally invests in municipal securities with different maturities to maintain an average portfolio maturity of 15 to 30
years, although this may be shortened depending on market conditions. |
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The Fund generally invests in municipal securities with long-term maturities in order to maintain an average effective maturity of 15 to 30 years, including the effects of leverage, but the average effective maturity of obligations
held by the Fund may be lengthened or shortened depending on market conditions. |
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Substantially similar. |
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Use of Derivatives: |
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Use of Derivatives: |
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Use of Derivatives: |
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The Fund may enter into certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives, including to seek to enhance return, to hedge certain risks of its investments in municipal securities or as a substitute for a position
in the underlying asset. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and municipal market date rate (MMD Rate Locks)), options on financial futures, options on
swap contracts or other derivative instruments. |
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The Fund may enter into certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives, including to seek to enhance return, to hedge certain risks of its investments in municipal securities or as a substitute for a position
in the underlying asset. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and MMD Rate Locks), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative
instruments. |
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The Fund may enter into certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives, including to seek to enhance return, to hedge certain risks of its investments in fixed-income securities or as a substitute for a
position in the underlying asset. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and MMD Rate Locks), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other
derivative instruments. |
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Identical. |
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Georgia Municipal |
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Ohio Municipal |
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Acquiring Fund |
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Differences |
Temporary Defensive Periods: |
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Temporary Defensive Periods: |
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Temporary Defensive Periods: |
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During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Funds investment advisers and/or the Funds sub-advisers opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand
or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond market adversely affect the price at which intermediate-term municipal securities are available), the Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in cash
or cash equivalents, short-term investments or municipal bonds and deviate from its investment policies including the Funds 80% names rule policy. |
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During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Funds investment advisers and/or the Funds sub-advisers opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand
or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond market adversely affect the price at which long-term or intermediate-term municipal securities are available), the Fund may invest up to 100% of its net
assets in cash or cash equivalents, short-term investments or municipal bonds and deviate from its investment policies including the Funds 80% names rule policy. |
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During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Funds investment advisers and/or the Funds sub-advisers opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand
or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond market adversely affect the price at which long-term or intermediate-term municipal securities are available), and in order to keep the Funds cash
fully invested, the Fund may invest any percentage of its Managed Assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term debt securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. |
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Substantially similar. |
(1) |
Each Fund defines Assets as the net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for
investment purposes. |
(2) |
Each Fund defines Managed Assets as the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued
liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Funds use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the
Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value. |
Credit Quality. A comparison of the credit quality (as a percentage of total investment exposure, which includes the leveraged effect
of the Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities of tender option bond trusts) of the portfolios of each Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, as of September 30, 2022, is set forth below.
(1) |
Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard &
Poors Group, Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A, and BBB are investment-grade ratings; |
9
|
BB or lower are below investment-grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities.
Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies. |
(2) |
Ratings shown are the lowest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard &
Poors Group, Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A, and BBB are investment-grade ratings; BB or lower are below investment-grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S.
government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies. |
State Allocation. A comparison of the state allocation (as a percentage of total investment exposure, which includes the leveraged
effect of the Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities of tender option bond trusts) of the respective portfolios of each Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, as of September 30, 2022, is set forth below.
Leverage. Each Fund may issue preferred shares and may utilize inverse floating rate securities,
reverse repurchase agreements (effectively, a secured borrowing) and borrowings (subject to investment restrictions). Each Fund currently employs leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and the use of inverse floaters. In addition, each
Fund may use derivatives and other portfolio instruments that have the economic effect of leverage. Certain important ratios related to each Funds use of leverage for the last three fiscal years for which published financial statements are
available are set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Asset Coverage Ratio(1) |
|
|
318.58 |
% |
|
|
356.24 |
% |
|
|
348.06 |
% |
Regulatory Leverage Ratio(2) |
|
|
31.39 |
% |
|
|
28.07 |
% |
|
|
28.73 |
% |
Effective Leverage Ratio(3) |
|
|
39.10 |
% |
|
|
34.25 |
% |
|
|
34.99 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ohio Municipal |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Asset Coverage Ratio(1) |
|
|
305.29 |
% |
|
|
314.96 |
% |
|
|
320.46 |
% |
Regulatory Leverage Ratio(2) |
|
|
32.76 |
% |
|
|
31.75 |
% |
|
|
31.20 |
% |
Effective Leverage Ratio(3) |
|
|
35.61 |
% |
|
|
35.16 |
% |
|
|
34.58 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
Asset Coverage Ratio(1) |
|
|
276.47 |
% |
|
|
265.79 |
% |
|
|
272.81 |
% |
Regulatory Leverage Ratio(2) |
|
|
36.17 |
% |
|
|
37.62 |
% |
|
|
36.66 |
% |
Effective Leverage Ratio(3) |
|
|
36.50 |
% |
|
|
38.09 |
% |
|
|
37.24 |
% |
(1) |
A Funds asset coverage ratio is defined under the 1940 Act as the ratio that the value of the total assets
of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by preferred shares or senior securities representing indebtedness, bears to the aggregate amount of preferred shares and senior securities representing indebtedness issued by the
Fund. |
(2) |
Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued by or borrowings of a Fund. Both of these are part of a
Funds capital structure. A Fund, however, may from time to time borrow on a typically transient basis in connection with its day-to-day operations, primarily in
connection with the need to settle portfolio trades. Such incidental borrowings are excluded from the calculation of a Funds regulatory leverage and effective leverage ratios. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set forth
in the 1940 Act. |
(3) |
Effective leverage is a Funds effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage and the
leverage effects of certain derivative and other investments in a Funds portfolio that increase the Funds investment exposure. Currently, the leverage effects of Tender Option Bond (TOB) inverse floater holdings are included in effective
leverage values, in addition to any regulatory leverage. |
10
Board Members and Officers. The Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds have the same Board
Members and officers. The management of each Fund, including general oversight of the duties performed by the Funds investment adviser under an investment management agreement between the investment adviser and such Fund (each, an
Investment Management Agreement), is the responsibility of its Board. Each Fund currently has twelve (12) Board Members, each of whom is not considered an interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to each Funds by-laws, the Board of the Fund is divided into three classes
(Class I, Class II and Class III) with staggered multi-year terms, such that only the members of one of the three classes stand for election each year; provided, however, that holders of preferred shares are entitled as a class to
elect two Board Members at all times. The staggered board structure could delay for up to two years the election of a majority of the Board of each Fund. To the extent that one or more preferred shareholders owns, holds or controls, individually or
in aggregate, all or a significant portion of a series of a Funds outstanding preferred shares, a few holders could exert influence on the selection of the Board as a result of the requirement that holders of preferred shares be entitled to
elect two Board Members at all times. The Acquiring Funds board structure will remain in place following the closing of the Mergers.
Investment Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (previously defined as Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Adviser) is
the investment adviser to each Fund and is responsible for overseeing each Funds overall investment strategy, including the use of leverage, and its implementation. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of any sub-adviser to the Funds, managing each Funds business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Funds. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Nuveen Fund Advisors, a registered investment adviser, is a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC
(Nuveen), the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the
companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of September 30, 2022, Nuveen managed approximately $1.1 trillion in assets, of which approximately $149.2 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, each Funds Investment Management Agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors will remain in effect
until August 1, 2023. Each Investment Management Agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by: (1) the Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund; and (2) a majority of the Board Members who are not interested persons of any party to the Investment Management Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each Investment Management
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or Nuveen Fund Advisors upon 60 days written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to each Investment Management Agreement, each Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee for the overall advisory and
administrative services and general office facilities provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors. Each Funds management fee consists of two componentsa complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets of Nuveen-branded
closed- and open-end registered investment companies organized in the United States, and a specific fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets of such Fund. This pricing structure enables the
Funds shareholders to benefit from growth in assets within each individual Fund as well as from growth of complex-wide assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
For Georgia Municipals fiscal year ended May 31, 2022, Ohio Municipals fiscal year ended February 28, 2022 and the
Acquiring Funds fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, the effective management fee rates, expressed as a percentage of average total daily managed assets (including assets attributable to leverage), were 0.60%, 0.59% and 0.60%,
respectively.
11
The annual fund-level fee rate for each Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the
following schedules:
Current Fund-Level Fee Schedules for the Funds
|
|
|
|
|
Target Funds |
|
Average Total Daily Managed Assets* |
|
Annual Fee Rate |
|
For the first $125 million |
|
|
0.4500 |
% |
For the next $125 million |
|
|
0.4375 |
% |
For the next $250 million |
|
|
0.4250 |
% |
For the next $500 million |
|
|
0.4125 |
% |
For the next $1 billion |
|
|
0.4000 |
% |
For the next $3 billion |
|
|
0.3750 |
% |
For managed assets over $5 billion |
|
|
0.3625 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
Average Total Daily Managed Assets* |
|
Annual Fee Rate |
|
For the first $125 million |
|
|
0.5000 |
% |
For the next $125 million |
|
|
0.4875 |
% |
For the next $250 million |
|
|
0.4750 |
% |
For the next $500 million |
|
|
0.4625 |
% |
For the next $1 billion |
|
|
0.4500 |
% |
For the next $3 billion |
|
|
0.4250 |
% |
For managed assets over $5 billion |
|
|
0.4125 |
% |
* |
For this purpose, managed assets means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities
(other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Funds use of effective leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the
Funds financial statements for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles). |
The management fee
compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. Each Fund pays all of its other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its Board Members (other than those
affiliated with the Adviser), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of issuing any preferred shares, expenses of preparing, printing and
distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, listing fees and taxes, if any.
Each
Fund also pays a complex-level fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors, which is payable monthly and is in addition to the fund-level fee. The complex-level fee is based on the aggregate daily amount of eligible assets for all Nuveen-branded closed- and open-end registered investment companies organized in the United States, as stated in the table below. As of September 30, 2022, the complex-level fee rate for each Fund was 0.1587%.
12
The annual complex-level fee for each Fund, payable monthly, is calculated by multiplying the
current complex-wide fee rate, determined according to the following schedule by a Funds daily managed assets:
Complex-Level Fee
Rates
|
|
|
|
|
Complex-Level Managed Asset Breakpoint Level* |
|
Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level |
|
$55 billion |
|
|
0.2000 |
% |
$56 billion |
|
|
0.1996 |
% |
$57 billion |
|
|
0.1989 |
% |
$60 billion |
|
|
0.1961 |
% |
$63 billion |
|
|
0.1931 |
% |
$66 billion |
|
|
0.1900 |
% |
$71 billion |
|
|
0.1851 |
% |
$76 billion |
|
|
0.1806 |
% |
$80 billion |
|
|
0.1773 |
% |
$91 billion |
|
|
0.1691 |
% |
$125 billion |
|
|
0.1599 |
% |
$200 billion |
|
|
0.1505 |
% |
$250 billion |
|
|
0.1469 |
% |
$300 billion |
|
|
0.1445 |
% |
* |
For the complex-level fees, managed assets include closed-end fund
assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the funds use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called
inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by a TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trusts issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the
Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining managed assets in certain circumstances. The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily managed assets of all Nuveen
open-end and closed-end funds that constitute eligible assets. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or
assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Advisers assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do include
certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of the Adviser during the 2019 calendar year. |
Sub-Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors has selected its wholly owned subsidiary, Nuveen Asset
Management, LLC (Nuveen Asset Management or the Sub-Adviser), located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, to serve as the
sub-adviser to each of the Funds pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management (the
Sub-Advisory Agreement). Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, oversees day-to-day operations and
manages the investment of the Funds assets on a discretionary basis, subject to the supervision of Nuveen Fund Advisors. Pursuant to each Sub-Advisory Agreement, Nuveen Asset Management is compensated
for the services it provides to the Funds with a portion of the management fee Nuveen Fund Advisors receives from each Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management retain the right to reallocate investment advisory responsibilities and
fees between themselves in the future.
For the services provided pursuant to Georgia Municipals, Ohio Municipals and the
Acquiring Funds Sub-Advisory Agreements, Nuveen Fund Advisors pays Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee, payable monthly, equal to 38.4615%, 38.4615% and 42.8572%, respectively, of the
management fee (net of applicable breakpoints, waivers and reimbursements) paid by the Funds to Nuveen Fund Advisors.
A discussion of the
basis for the Boards most recent approval of the current Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement for Georgia Municipal is included in Georgia Municipals Annual Report for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 2022. A discussion of the basis for the Boards most recent approval of the current Investment Management Agreement for and Sub-Advisory Agreement for Ohio Municipal is
included in Ohio Municipals Semi-Annual Report for the semi-annual period ended August 31, 2022. A discussion of the
13
basis for the Boards most recent approval of the current Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Acquiring Fund will be
included in the Acquiring Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Portfolio Management.
Subject to the supervision of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management is responsible for execution of specific investment strategies and day-to-day investment
operations. Nuveen Asset Management manages the portfolio of each Fund using a team of analysts and a portfolio manager that focuses on a specific group of funds. Daniel J. Close is the portfolio manager of each Target Fund and Scott R. Romans,
PhD, is the portfolio manager of the Acquiring Fund. Mr. Close assumed portfolio management responsibility for Georgia Municipal and Ohio Municipal in 2007. Mr. Romans assumed portfolio management responsibility for the Acquiring Fund in
2016. Scott R. Romans, PhD, will manage the combined fund upon completion of the Mergers.
Daniel J. Close, CFA, Managing
Director at Nuveen Asset Management, is a portfolio manager on the municipal fixed income team and the head of taxable municipals. He serves as lead portfolio manager and manages a team dedicated to taxable municipal fixed income strategies, which
encompasses customized institutional portfolios and closed-end funds. In addition, Daniel also manages a number of intermediate and long duration tax-exempt state and
national strategies for both open-end and closed-end funds. He also serves on the Custom Fixed Income Solutions team, which sets asset allocation across multi-sector
portfolios. Prior to his current role, he served as a municipal fixed income research analyst covering the corporate-backed, energy, transportation and utility sectors. He received his BS in Business from Miami University and his MBA from
Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management. Mr. Close has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago.
Scott R. Romans, PhD, Managing Director of Nuveen Asset Management, is responsible for managing several state-specific, tax-exempt portfolios, including the California Municipal Bond and the New York Municipal Bond Strategies. He also serves as portfolio manager for a number of closed-end
funds. Before moving to his portfolio management role in 2003, he was a senior research analyst in the firms tax-exempt fixed income department, specializing in the education sector. He holds an
undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S.F. in Finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart School of Business and an MA and PhD in Theology from the University of Chicago.
Comparative Risk Information
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in the Funds involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your
investment or that you may even lose part or all of your investment. An investment in the Funds is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Before you
invest in a Fund, you should consider its principal risks.
Because each Fund invests primarily in municipal securities and other
investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax, the principal risks of an investment in each Fund are similar. However, there are differences between the Funds investment policies that may affect their comparative
risk profiles. The Target Funds are subject to single-state risk, while the Acquiring Fund is not. Due to differences between the Target Funds policies on credit quality and those of the Acquiring Fund, an investment in the Acquiring Fund may
be subject to credit risk and below investment grade risk to a greater degree than an investment in a Target Fund.
The principal risks of
investing in the Acquiring Fund are described in more detail under the caption Risk Factors in the Confidential Information Memorandum accompanying this Proxy Statement as Appendix B (the Memorandum).
14
Comparative Expense Information
The purpose of the Comparative Fee Table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses of investing in common shares of the
Funds. The information in the table reflects the fees and expenses of Georgia Municipal for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2022, Ohio Municipal for the semi-annual period ended August 31, 2022 (annualized), the Acquiring Fund for the
semi-annual period ended April 30, 2022 (annualized) and the pro forma fees and expenses of the combined fund following the Mergers for the six months ended April 30, 2022 (annualized) assuming both Mergers are completed and for each
Merger separately.
The assets of the Funds will vary based on market conditions and other factors and may vary significantly during
volatile market conditions. The figures in the Example are not necessarily indicative of past or future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The Funds actual rates of return may be greater or less than the
hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the Example.
1. Comparative Fee
Table(1)Mergers of Both Georgia Municipal and Ohio Municipal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
|
Ohio Municipal |
|
|
Acquiring Fund(2) |
|
|
Combined Fund Pro Forma(3) |
|
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees |
|
|
0.93 |
% |
|
|
0.95 |
% |
|
|
0.94 |
% |
|
|
0.93 |
% |
Fees on Preferred Shares and Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters(4) |
|
|
0.51 |
% |
|
|
1.00 |
% |
|
|
0.64 |
% |
|
|
0.64 |
% |
Other Expenses |
|
|
0.10 |
%(5) |
|
|
0.08 |
%(5) |
|
|
0.05 |
%(6) |
|
|
0.05 |
% |
Total Annual Expenses |
|
|
1.54 |
% |
|
|
2.03 |
% |
|
|
1.63 |
% |
|
|
1.62 |
% |
(1) |
The table presented above estimates what the annual expenses of the combined fund following the Mergers would be
stated as a percentage of the combined funds net assets attributable to common shares including the costs of leverage for the six month semi-annual period ended April 30, 2022 (annualized). Please see Additional Information About
the Acquiring FundAnnual Expenses Excluding the Costs of Leverage at page 76 for additional information. |
(2) |
Information for the Acquiring Fund has been adjusted to reflect the effects of the acquisition of another Nuveen
Fund subsequent to the date of its most recent published financial statements and the redemption of $50 million of VRDP shares in November 2022. |
(3) |
Assumes the issuance of preferred shares in the amounts set forth in the capitalization table. Such amounts may
change prior to the closing date. Please see C. Information About the MergersCapitalization at page 25. |
(4) |
Fees on preferred shares assume annual dividends paid and amortization of offering costs for AMTP, MFP and VRDP
Shares, where applicable, and annual liquidity and remarketing fees for Series 3 VRDP Shares for the Acquiring Fund. The MFP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, the AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal, the Series 1 VRDP Shares of Ohio Municipal and the
Series 1 and Series 2 VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which currently are in a Special Rate Period, currently do not incur liquidity or remarketing fees. Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters include interest expense attributable to
inverse floating rate securities regardless of how such securities are treated for financial statement purposes. The actual fees on preferred shares and interest and related expenses from inverse floaters incurred in the future may be higher or
lower. If short-term market interest rates rise in the future, and if the Funds continue to maintain leverage the cost of which is tied to short-term interest rates, the Funds interest expense can be expected to rise in tandem. The Funds
use of leverage will increase the amount of management fees paid to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. |
(5) |
Other Expenses are estimated based on actual expenses from the prior fiscal reporting period.
|
(6) |
Other Expenses have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the acquisition of another Nuveen Fund in June 2022,
excluding one-time expenses related to the acquisition of the Nuveen Fund. |
Example: The following examples illustrate the expenses that a common shareholder would pay on a $1,000 investment that is held for the
time periods provided in the table. The examples assume that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested and that Total Annual Expenses remain the same. The examples also assume a 5% annual return. The examples should not be considered a
representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown.
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
49 |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
Ohio Municipal |
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
236 |
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
|
$ |
193 |
|
Combined Fund Pro Forma |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
192 |
|
2. Comparative Fee Table(1)Merger of Georgia
Municipal Only
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
|
Acquiring Fund(2) |
|
|
Combined Fund Pro Forma(3) |
|
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fees |
|
|
0.93 |
% |
|
|
0.94 |
% |
|
|
0.94 |
% |
Fees on Preferred Shares and Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters(4) |
|
|
0.51 |
% |
|
|
0.64 |
% |
|
|
0.64 |
% |
Other Expenses |
|
|
0.10 |
%(5) |
|
|
0.05 |
%(6) |
|
|
0.04 |
% |
Total Annual Expenses |
|
|
1.54 |
% |
|
|
1.63 |
% |
|
|
1.62 |
% |
(1) |
The table presented above estimates what the annual expenses of the combined fund following the Merger would be
stated as a percentage of the combined funds net assets attributable to common shares including the costs of leverage for the six month semi-annual period ended April 30, 2022 (annualized). Please see Additional Information About
the Acquiring FundAnnual Expenses Excluding the Costs of Leverage at page 76 for additional information. |
(2) |
Information for the Acquiring Fund has been adjusted to reflect the effects of the acquisition of another Nuveen
Fund subsequent to the date of its most recent published financial statements and the redemption of $50 million of VRDP shares in November 2022. |
(3) |
Assumes the issuance of preferred shares in the amounts set forth in the capitalization table. Such amounts may
change prior to the closing date. Please see C. Information About the MergersCapitalization at page 25. |
(4) |
Fees on preferred shares assume annual dividends paid and amortization of offering costs for AMTP, MFP and VRDP
Shares, where applicable, and annual liquidity and remarketing fees for Series 3 VRDP Shares for the Acquiring Fund. The MFP Shares of the Acquiring Fund and the Series 1 and Series 2 VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which currently are in a
Special Rate Period, currently do not incur liquidity or remarketing fees. Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters include interest expense attributable to inverse floating rate securities regardless of how such securities are treated
for financial statement purposes. The actual fees on preferred shares and interest and related expenses from inverse floaters incurred in the future may be higher or lower. If short-term market interest rates rise in the future, and if the Funds
continue to maintain leverage, the cost of which is tied to short-term interest rates, the Funds interest expense can be expected to rise in tandem. The Funds use of leverage will increase the amount of management fees paid to the
Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. |
(5) |
Other Expenses are estimated based on actual expenses from the prior fiscal reporting period.
|
(6) |
Other Expenses have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the acquisition of another Nuveen Fund in June 2022,
excluding one-time expenses related to the acquisition of the Nuveen Fund. |
Example: The following examples illustrate the expenses that a common shareholder would pay on a $1,000 investment that is held for the
time periods provided in the table. The examples assume that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested and that Total Annual Expenses remain the same. The examples also assume a 5% annual return. The examples should not be considered a
representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
49 |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
|
$ |
193 |
|
Combined Fund Pro Forma |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
192 |
|
16
Comparative Performance Information
Comparative total return performance for the Funds for periods ended September 30, 2022:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Annual Total Return on Net Asset Value |
|
|
Average Annual Total Return on Market Value |
|
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Five Years |
|
|
Ten Years |
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Five Years |
|
|
Ten Years |
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
|
-19.50 |
% |
|
|
-0.87 |
% |
|
|
0.92 |
% |
|
|
-26.40 |
% |
|
|
-2.31 |
% |
|
|
0.00 |
% |
Ohio Municipal |
|
|
-18.33 |
% |
|
|
-0.29 |
% |
|
|
1.99 |
% |
|
|
-22.85 |
% |
|
|
-0.96 |
% |
|
|
0.02 |
% |
Acquiring Fund |
|
|
-22.33 |
% |
|
|
0.01 |
% |
|
|
2.69 |
% |
|
|
-28.38 |
% |
|
|
-0.61 |
% |
|
|
2.18 |
% |
Average Annual Total Return on Net Asset Value is the combination of changes in common share net asset value,
reinvested dividend income at net asset value and reinvested capital gains distributions at net asset value, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be
reinvested at the ending net asset value. The actual reinvestment price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Funds market price (and not its net asset value), and therefore may be different from the price used
in the calculation. Average Annual Total Return on Market Value is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid
per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last
dividend declared in the period may take place over several days, and in some instances it may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation. Past performance information
is not necessarily indicative of future results.
B. RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Acquiring Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. The Acquiring Fund is not intended to be a complete investment
program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Acquiring Fund will achieve its investment objectives. Investors should consider their long-term investment goals and financial needs when making an
investment decision with respect to shares of the Acquiring Fund. An investment in the Acquiring Fund is intended to be a long-term investment, and you should not view the Fund as a trading vehicle. Your shares at any point in time may be worth less
than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions, if applicable.
The
principal risks of investing in AMTP Shares of the Acquiring Fund are described under the caption Risk Factors in the Memorandum accompanying this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. An investment in AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal is
also generally subject to these principal risks. The risks and special considerations discussed in the Memorandum should be considered by holders of AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal in their evaluation of their Funds Merger.
C. INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGERS
General
Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC and the Funds investment adviser, recommended the Merger proposal as part of an
ongoing initiative to streamline Nuveens municipal closed-end fund line-up and eliminate overlapping products. Each Funds Board considered its Funds Merger(s) and determined that the
Merger(s) would be in the best interests of its Fund. Based on information provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, each Target Funds Board believes that its Funds proposed Merger may benefit the common shareholders of its Fund in a number of
ways, including, among other things:
17
|
|
|
The potential for higher common share net earnings and distribution levels following the Mergers, due in part to
the Acquiring Funds ability to invest to a greater degree in lower rated securities and a geographically diverse national portfolio, as well as operating economies from the combined funds greater scale; |
|
|
|
Greater secondary market liquidity and improved secondary market trading for common shares as a result of the
combined funds greater share volume, which may lead to narrower bid-ask spreads and smaller trade-to-trade price movements;
|
|
|
|
The potential for a narrower trading discount as a result of the Acquiring Funds common shares trading at a
discount that historically has been lower than that of each Target Funds common shares; |
|
|
|
Increased portfolio and leverage management flexibility due to the significantly larger asset base of the
combined fund and the Acquiring Funds national mandate with greater flexibility to invest in lower rated securities; and |
|
|
|
Lower net operating expenses, excluding the costs of leverage, as certain fixed costs are spread over a larger
asset base. |
Each Target Funds Board considered that a greater percentage of the Acquiring Funds portfolio
may be allocated to lower rated municipal securities relative to the amount permitted by the policies of the Target Fund, and recognized that investments in lower rated securities are subject to higher risks than investments in higher rated
securities.
With respect to holders of preferred shares of each Target Fund, the Target Funds Board considered that, upon the
closing of the applicable Merger, holders of any preferred shares outstanding immediately prior to the closing will receive, on a one-for-one basis, newly issued
preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund having substantially similar terms, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, to those of the preferred shares of the applicable Target Fund.
Based on information provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Acquiring Funds Board considered that the Acquiring Fund may benefit in the
near term from a modest increase in operating efficiencies and over the long term from increased investment capital, which allows the Acquiring Fund to pursue additional investment opportunities. With respect to holders of preferred shares of the
Acquiring Fund, the Acquiring Funds Board considered that the outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund and any preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in the Mergers would have equal priority with each other as to payment
of dividends and distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund.
For these
reasons, each Funds Board has determined that its Funds Merger(s) are in the best interest of its Fund and has approved such Merger(s).
The closing of each Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, which include customary closing conditions.
In order for a Merger to occur, all requisite shareholder approvals must be obtained at the applicable Funds shareholder meeting, and certain other consents, confirmations and/or waivers from various third parties, including the liquidity
providers and/or the initial purchasers with respect to outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, must also be obtained. Because the closing of each Merger is contingent upon the applicable Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund obtaining such
shareholder approvals and satisfying (or obtaining the waiver of) other closing conditions, it is possible that a Merger will not occur even if shareholders of a Fund entitled to vote approve the Merger and a Fund satisfies all of its closing
conditions if the other Fund does not obtain its requisite shareholder approvals or satisfy (or obtain the waiver of) its closing conditions. If a Merger is not consummated, the Board of the Target Fund involved in that Merger may take such
18
actions as it deems in the best interests of the Fund, including conducting additional solicitations with respect to the Merger proposal or continuing to operate the Target Fund as a standalone
fund. The closing of each Merger is not contingent on the closing of the other Merger.
Terms of the Mergers
General. The Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Acquiring Fund, each Target Fund and the Merger Sub (the
Agreement), in the form attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement, sets forth the terms of each Merger and, with respect to each Merger, provides for: (1) the merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub, with
the Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company and the separate legal existence of the Target Fund ceasing for all purposes at the Effective Time; (2) the conversion of the issued and outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the
Target Fund into newly issued common shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund, par value $0.01 per share (with cash being received in lieu of any fractional Acquiring Fund common shares), and (3) the conversion of the issued and
outstanding AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares of the Target Fund into newly issued AMTP Shares, with a par value of $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, or newly issued VRDP Shares, with a par value of $0.01 per share and a
liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, respectively. With respect to each Merger, at the Effective Time, without any further action, the Merger Sub as the surviving company shall (i) succeed to and possess all rights, powers and
privileges of the Merger Sub and the Target Fund, and all of the assets and property of whatever kind and character of the Target Fund and the Merger Sub shall vest in the Merger Sub, and (ii) be liable for all of the liabilities and
obligations of the Target Fund and the Merger Sub. As soon as practicable following the completion of the Mergers, the Merger Sub will distribute its assets to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund will assume the liabilities of the Merger Sub
in complete liquidation and dissolution of the Merger Sub under Massachusetts law. The Merger Sub has been formed for the sole purpose of consummating the Mergers and the Merger Sub will not commence operations prior to the closing of the Mergers,
except as necessary to facilitate the Mergers.
As a result of the Mergers, and subsequent distribution of assets to the Acquiring
Fund, the assets of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds would be combined, and the shareholders of the Target Funds would become shareholders of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund will be the accounting survivor of the Mergers.
Each preferred shareholder of a Target Fund will receive the same number of Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares or Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares, as
applicable, having substantially similar terms as the outstanding AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares of such Target Fund held by such preferred shareholder immediately prior to the closing of the Mergers. The aggregate liquidation preference of the
Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares received in connection with the Mergers will equal the aggregate liquidation preference of a Target Funds AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares, as applicable, held immediately prior to the closing of the
Mergers. The Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares and VRDP Shares to be issued in connection with the Mergers will have equal priority with each other and with the Acquiring Funds other outstanding preferred shares as to the payment of dividends and the
distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. In addition, the preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, including any AMTP Shares and VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in
connection with the Mergers, will be senior in priority to the Acquiring Funds common shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund.
However, the Acquiring Fund has multiple types and series of preferred shares outstanding.
The closing date is expected to be on or
about March 6, 2023, or such other date as the parties may agree (the Closing Date). Following the Mergers, each Target Fund will terminate its registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act. The Acquiring Fund will
continue to operate after the Mergers as a registered closed-end management investment company, with the investment objectives and policies described in this Proxy Statement.
19
The aggregate net asset value, as of the Valuation Time (as defined below), of the Acquiring Fund
common shares received by each Target Funds common shareholders in connection with the Mergers will equal the aggregate net asset value of the Target Fund common shares held by shareholders of the Target Fund as of the Valuation Time. Prior to
the Valuation Time, the net asset value of each Fund will be reduced by the costs of the Mergers borne by such Fund. See Description of Common Shares to Be Issued by the Acquiring Fund; Comparison to Target Funds for a description
of the rights of Acquiring Fund common shareholders. However, no fractional Acquiring Fund common shares will be distributed to a Target Funds common shareholders in connection with a Merger. The Acquiring Funds transfer agent will
aggregate all fractional Acquiring Fund common shares that may be due to a Target Funds shareholders as of the Closing Date and will sell the resulting whole shares for the account of holders of all such fractional interests at a value that
may be higher or lower than net asset value, and each such holder will be entitled to a pro rata share of the proceeds from such sale. With respect to the aggregation and sale of fractional common shares, the Acquiring Funds transfer
agent will act directly on behalf of the shareholders entitled to receive fractional shares and will accumulate fractional shares, sell the shares and distribute the cash proceeds net of brokerage commissions, if any, directly to the Target Fund
shareholders entitled to receive the fractional shares (without interest and subject to withholding taxes). For federal income tax purposes, Target Fund shareholders will be treated as if they received fractional share interests and then sold such
interests for cash. The holding period and the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares received by a shareholder, including fractional share interests deemed received by a shareholder, will be the same as the holding period and aggregate
tax basis of the Target Fund common shares previously held by the shareholder, provided the Target Fund shares were held as capital assets at the effective time of a Merger. As a result of the Mergers, common shareholders of the Funds will hold a
smaller percentage of the outstanding common shares of the combined fund as compared to their percentage holdings of their respective Fund prior to the Mergers and thus, common shareholders will hold reduced percentages of ownership in the larger
combined entity than they held in the Acquiring Fund or a Target Fund individually.
Following the Mergers, each preferred shareholder of
the Target Funds would own the same number of new Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares or new VRDP Shares, as applicable, with the same aggregate liquidation preference as the AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares of the Target Fund held by such shareholder immediately
prior to the closing of the Mergers, with substantially similar terms as the outstanding AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares of the Target Fund held by such preferred shareholder immediately prior to the closing of a Merger. As a result of the Mergers,
preferred shareholders of the Funds may hold reduced voting percentages of preferred shares in the combined fund than they held in the Acquiring Fund or a Target Fund individually.
The holders of AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal will receive the following new series of AMTP Shares of the Acquiring Fund:
|
|
|
|
|
Target Fund |
|
Target Fund Preferred Shares Outstanding |
|
Acquiring Fund Preferred Shares to be Issued in the Merger |
Georgia Municipal |
|
AMTP Shares, Series 2028 $100,000 liquidation preference per share
Final Mandatory Redemption Date:
December 1, 2028 |
|
AMTP Shares, Series 2028 $100,000 liquidation preference per share
Final Mandatory Redemption Date:
December 1, 2028 |
Valuation of Common Shares. Pursuant to the Agreement, the net asset value per share of each Target
Fund and the Acquiring Fund shall be computed as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the business day immediately prior to the Closing Date (such time and date referred to herein as the Valuation Time) using the valuation
procedures of the Nuveen closed-end funds or such other valuation procedures as will be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be Issued. At the effective time of the closing (the Effective Time), each Target Fund
common share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into a
20
number of Acquiring Fund common shares equal to one multiplied by the quotient of the net asset value per share of the Target Fund divided by the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund.
Dividends. Dividends shall accumulate on the existing AMTP Shares of the Target Fund up to and including the day immediately
preceding the Closing Date and then cease to accumulate, and dividends on the Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares will accumulate from and including the Closing Date. Prior to the Valuation Time, the Target Fund will declare all accumulated but unpaid
dividends on its AMTP Shares up to and including the day immediately preceding the Closing Date. With respect to the existing AMTP Shares of the Target Fund,
prior to the Effective Time, the Target Fund will establish an escrow account and set aside assets in the amount of the accumulated but unpaid dividends on the
existing AMTP Shares, and such dividends will be paid to the holder(s) of the Target Fund AMTP Shares on the dividend payment date in respect of the first dividend period of the Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares.
Amendments. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing by each Fund as specifically authorized by each Funds Board; provided, however, that following the receipt of shareholder approval of the Agreement, no such amendment, modification or supplement may have the effect of
changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund shares to be issued to a Target Funds shareholders under the Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.
Conditions. Under the terms of the Agreement, the closing of each Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver (if permissible) of
the following closing conditions: (1) the requisite approval by the common and preferred shareholders of the Target Fund and the preferred shareholders of the Acquiring Fund of the proposal with respect to the Target Funds Merger
described in this Proxy Statement, (2) each Funds receipt of an opinion of counsel substantially to the effect that the merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub will qualify as a reorganization under the Code (see
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers), (3) the absence of legal proceedings challenging the Mergers, and (4) the Funds receipt of certain customary certificates and legal opinions. Additionally,
in order for the Mergers to occur, certain other consents, confirmations and/or waivers from various third parties, including the liquidity providers and/or the initial purchasers with respect to outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund,
must also be obtained.
Termination. With respect to each Merger, the Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of the
parties, and such termination may be effected by the Chief Administrative Officer, President or any Vice President of each Fund without further action by a Target Funds Board or the Acquiring Funds Board. In addition, a Fund may at its
option terminate the Agreement with respect to its Merger at or before the closing due to: (1) a breach by the non-terminating party of any representation or warranty, or agreement to be performed at or
before the closing, if not cured within 30 days of the breach and prior to the closing; (2) a condition precedent to the obligations of the terminating party that has not been met or waived and it reasonably appears that it will not or cannot
be met; or (3) a determination by a Target Funds Board or the Acquiring Funds Board that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement is not in the best interests of its respective Fund involved in the
Merger(s).
Reasons for the Mergers
Based on the considerations described below, the Board of Trustees of each Target Fund (each, a Target Board and collectively, the
Target Boards), all of whom are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, and the Board of Trustees of the Acquiring Fund (the Acquiring Board and together with the Target Boards, the Boards
and each individually, a Board), all of whom are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, have each determined that its Funds Merger(s) would be in the best interests of its Fund and that the interests of the
existing shareholders of its Fund would not be diluted as a result of such Merger(s). At a meeting held on November 15-17, 2022 (the Board Meeting), each Board approved its Funds Merger(s)
and recommended that shareholders of its Fund, as applicable, approve such Merger(s).
21
At and prior to the Board Meeting, including at previous meetings, Nuveen Fund Advisors made
presentations and provided the Boards with information relating to the proposed Mergers and alternatives to the proposed Mergers. Prior to approving the Mergers, each Board reviewed the foregoing information with its independent legal counsel and
with management, reviewed with independent legal counsel applicable law and its duties in considering such matters and met with independent legal counsel in private sessions without management present. Each Board recognized that Nuveen Fund
Advisors, each Funds investment adviser, had recommended the Merger proposal as part of an ongoing initiative to streamline Nuveens municipal closed-end fund line-up and eliminate overlapping
products. Based on the foregoing, the Boards considered the following factors (as applicable), among others, in approving the Mergers and recommending that shareholders of the Funds (as applicable) approve the Mergers:
|
|
|
the compatibility of the Funds investment objectives, policies and related risks; |
|
|
|
the consistency of portfolio management; |
|
|
|
the larger asset base of the combined fund as a result of the Mergers and the effect of the Mergers on fees and
expense ratios; |
|
|
|
the potential for improved secondary market trading with respect to common shares; |
|
|
|
the anticipated federal income tax-free nature of the Mergers;
|
|
|
|
the expected costs of the Mergers; |
|
|
|
the terms of the Mergers and whether the Mergers would dilute the interests of the shareholders of the applicable
Funds; |
|
|
|
the effect of the Mergers on shareholder rights; |
|
|
|
alternatives to the Mergers; and |
|
|
|
any potential benefits of the Mergers to Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates as a result of the Mergers.
|
Compatibility of Investment Objectives, Policies and Related Risks. Based on the information presented, the
Boards noted that, as municipal funds, the Funds investment objectives and policies share certain similarities, but there are differences. The Acquiring Fund is a national municipal fund that seeks to provide current income exempt from regular
federal income tax. In contrast, each Target Fund is a state-specific municipal fund that seeks to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and the income tax of a single state. Under its investment policies, each Fund,
under normal circumstances, could invest a portion of its portfolio in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax. In its review, each Board considered the impact of the Mergers on its
Funds portfolio, including any shifts in credit quality and yield. In this regard, the Target Boards recognized that a greater percentage of the Acquiring Funds portfolio may be allocated to lower rated municipal securities relative to
the amount permitted by the policies of the Target Funds. The Target Boards further observed the significantly larger asset size of the Acquiring Fund compared to that of each Target Fund. The Target Boards noted that each Target Funds
shareholders would lose the benefit of the state tax exemption as a result of the applicable Merger, but recognized the potential for higher common share net earnings and distribution levels of the combined fund as a result of, among other things,
the Acquiring Funds ability to invest to a greater degree in lower rated securities, the geographically diverse national portfolio and the operating economies from the combined funds greater scale following the Mergers. Further, in
comparison to the Target Funds, the Target Boards recognized the increased portfolio and leverage management flexibility afforded by the significantly larger asset base of the combined fund and the Acquiring Funds broader national mandate with
greater flexibility to invest in lower rated securities.
22
The Boards considered that each Fund may use leverage through a number of methods, including
through the issuance of preferred shares and investments in inverse floating rate securities. In this regard, the Boards recognized, among other things, that Georgia Municipal has one series of AMTP Shares outstanding, Ohio Municipal has one series
of VRDP Shares outstanding, and the Acquiring Fund has three series of MFP Shares outstanding and three series of VRDP Shares outstanding which are expected to remain outstanding following the Mergers. With respect to holders of preferred shares of
each Target Fund, the Target Board considered that upon closing of its Funds Merger, holders of any preferred shares outstanding immediately prior to the closing will receive, on a one-for-one basis, newly issued preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund having substantially similar terms, immediately prior to the closing of such Merger, to those of the preferred shares of the applicable
Target Fund.
With respect to the Acquiring Fund, the Acquiring Board considered that based on information provided by Nuveen Fund
Advisors, the Acquiring Fund may benefit in the near term from a modest increase in operating efficiencies and over the long term from increased investment capital, which allows the Acquiring Fund to pursue additional investment opportunities. The
Acquiring Board also recognized that the outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund and any preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in the Mergers would have equal priority with each other as to payment of dividends and
distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund.
With respect to principal
investment risks, while the principal risks of an investment in each Fund would be similar in certain respects because each Fund invests in municipal securities and other investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income taxes,
the differences relating to the Funds investment objectives and policies would affect the comparative risk profiles. For example, each Target Fund is subject to single state risk while the Acquiring Fund is not. Each Target Fund also invests
primarily in investment grade securities, while the Acquiring Fund is permitted to allocate a greater percentage of its portfolio to lower rated municipal securities than the Target Funds. Investments in lower rated securities are subject to greater
risks than investments in higher rated securities. The Acquiring Fund therefore would be subject to increased risks from investments in lower rated securities, including the higher risk that the issuer will be unable to pay interest or principal
when due.
Consistency of Portfolio Management. Each Fund has the same investment adviser and
sub-adviser, but the portfolio manager of the Acquiring Fund is different from the portfolio manager of the Target Funds, and the portfolio manager of the Acquiring Fund will continue to manage the combined
fund upon completion of the Mergers. Through the Mergers, the Boards recognized that shareholders would remain invested in a closed-end management investment company that will have greater net assets and the
same investment adviser and sub-adviser.
Larger Asset Base of the Combined Fund; Effect of the
Mergers on Fees and Expense Ratios. The Boards evaluated the fees and expense ratios of each of the Funds (including estimated expenses of the combined fund following the Mergers). It was anticipated that the Funds will benefit from the larger
asset size as fixed costs are shared over a larger asset base. The Target Boards also considered that the fund-level management fee schedule of the Acquiring Fund was higher (approximately by 5 basis points) than that of each Target Fund at each
breakpoint level. However, the Target Boards noted that it was expected that the net operating expenses per common share (i.e., expenses excluding the costs of leverage) of the combined fund would be lower than those of each Target Fund prior to the
closing of the Mergers. In addition, assuming both Mergers are completed, the Acquiring Board noted that the net operating expenses per common share (i.e., expenses excluding the costs of leverage) of the combined fund were expected to be modestly
lower than those of the Acquiring Fund prior to the closing of the Mergers.
Potential for Improved Secondary Market Trading. While
it is not possible to predict trading levels following the Mergers, the Target Boards noted that the Mergers are being proposed, in part, to seek to enhance the secondary trading market for the common shares with respect to the Target Funds. The
Target Boards considered that, relative to the Target Funds, the combined funds greater share volume may result in greater
23
secondary market liquidity and improved secondary market trading for common shares after the Mergers, which may lead to narrower bid-ask spreads and
smaller trade-to-trade price movements. In addition, based on information provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Target Boards considered the potential for a narrower
trading discount, relative to the Target Funds, as a result of the Acquiring Funds common shares trading at a discount that historically has been lower than that of each Target Funds common shares; however, the Target Boards recognized
that the past trading record of the common shares of the Acquiring Fund may not necessarily be indicative of how the common shares of the combined fund will trade in the future and there is no guarantee that the common shares of the combined fund
would have a narrower trading discount than that of either Target Funds common shares. Further, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, the Acquiring Board noted that such Fund may experience modest secondary market benefits with respect to its
common shares due to increased scale.
Anticipated Tax-Free Reorganizations; Capital Loss
Carryforwards. Each Merger will be structured with the intention that it qualifies as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes, and each Fund participating in a Merger will obtain an
opinion of counsel substantially to this effect (based on certain factual representations and certain customary assumptions and exclusions). In addition, the Boards considered the impact of the Mergers on any estimated capital loss carryforwards of
the Funds and applicable limitations of federal income tax rules.
Expected Costs of the Mergers. The Boards considered the
terms and conditions of the Mergers, including the estimated costs associated with the Mergers and the allocation of such costs among the Funds. Preferred shareholders will not bear any costs of the Mergers.
Terms of the Mergers and Impact on Shareholders. The terms of the Mergers are intended to avoid dilution of the interests of the
existing shareholders of the applicable Funds. In this regard, each Target Board considered that each holder of common shares of its Target Fund will receive common shares of the Acquiring Fund (taking into account any fractional shares to which the
shareholder would be entitled) equal in value as of the Valuation Time to the aggregate per share net asset value of that shareholders Target Fund common shares held as of the Valuation Time. However, no fractional common shares of the
Acquiring Fund will be distributed to the Target Funds common shareholders in connection with the Mergers. In lieu of such fractional shares, the Target Funds common shareholders will receive cash. As noted above with respect to holders
of preferred shares of each Target Fund, holders of any preferred shares outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the applicable Merger will receive, on a
one-for-one basis, newly issued preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund having substantially similar terms, immediately prior to the closing of such Merger, to those of
the preferred shares of the applicable Target Fund.
In conjunction with the issuance of additional shares of the Acquiring Fund as
described above, the Acquiring Board considered that the Acquiring Fund would receive additional assets and liabilities as a result of each Merger. Further, as noted above, the outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund and any preferred
shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in the Mergers would have equal priority with each other as to payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund.
Effect on Shareholder Rights. The Boards considered that each Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. In this regard, with
respect to each Target Fund, there will be no change to shareholder rights under state statutory law.
Alternatives. The Target
Boards considered various alternatives to the Mergers, including keeping the status quo, liquidating the Target Funds, and merging the Target Funds into a state specific open-end fund. In considering the
status quo, the Target Boards considered Nuveen Fund Advisors view, among other things, that while the Target Funds would maintain the state income tax exemption, this option may result in continuing secondary market trading discounts and less
competitive tax-adjusted distributions. In considering liquidation, the Target Boards took into account, among other things, that such alternative would be a taxable event and could be potentially disruptive
to long-term shareholders. With respect to a merger into a state specific open-end fund,
24
the Target Boards considered, among other things, that while the Target Funds would maintain the state income tax exemption, based on the information provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, this option
may result in potentially lower tax-free earnings over time and be disruptive to acquiring fund shareholders. In evaluating the proposed Mergers, the Target Boards considered, among other things, Nuveen Fund
Advisors view that combining the Target Funds with a larger closed-end municipal fund with a national mandate was an attractive alternative in light of certain potential benefits to shareholders of the
Target Funds, as outlined above.
Potential Benefits to Nuveen Fund Advisors and Affiliates. The Boards recognized that the Mergers
may result in some benefits and economies of scale for Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates. These may include, for example, a reduction in the level of operational expenses incurred for administrative, compliance and portfolio management
services as a result of the elimination of each Target Fund as a separate fund in the Nuveen complex.
Conclusion. Each Board
approved the Merger(s) involving its Fund, concluding that each such Merger is in the best interests of its Fund and that the interests of existing shareholders of its Fund will not be diluted as a result of the respective Merger(s).
Capitalization
The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Funds as of November 30, 2022, and the
pro-forma combined capitalization of the Acquiring Fund as if the Merger(s) had occurred on that date assuming the completion of both Mergers and the completion of the Merger of Georgia Municipal separately.
1. |
Capitalization TableMergers of Both Georgia Municipal and Ohio Municipal |
The table reflects pro forma exchange ratios of approximately 0.87068067 and 1.08361635 common shares of the Acquiring Fund issued for each common share
of Georgia Municipal and Ohio Municipal, respectively. If the Mergers are consummated, the actual exchange ratios may vary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
|
Ohio Municipal |
|
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
|
Pro Forma Adjustments |
|
|
Acquiring Fund Pro Forma(1) |
|
Series 2028 Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred (AMTP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share,
at liquidation value |
|
$ |
58,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
58,500,000 |
|
Series A MuniFund Preferred (MFP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation
value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
150,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
150,000,000 |
|
Series B MuniFund Preferred (MFP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation
value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
155,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
155,000,000 |
|
Series C MuniFund Preferred (MFP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation
value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
336,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
336,000,000 |
|
Series 1 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
148,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
268,800,000 |
|
|
$ |
(148,000,000 |
) |
|
$ |
268,800,000 |
|
Series 2 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
262,200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
262,200,000 |
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
|
Ohio Municipal |
|
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
|
Pro Forma Adjustments |
|
|
Acquiring Fund Pro Forma(1) |
|
Series 3 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
146,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
146,000,000 |
|
Series 4 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
148,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
148,000,000 |
(2) |
Common Shareholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share; 10,399,813 shares outstanding for Georgia Municipal,
18,254,255 shares outstanding for Ohio Municipal, 165,390,401 shares outstanding for the Acquiring Fund and 194,226,031 shares outstanding for the Combined Fund Pro Forma |
|
$ |
103,998 |
|
|
$ |
182,543 |
|
|
$ |
1,653,904 |
|
|
$ |
1,815 |
(3) |
|
$ |
1,942,260 |
|
Paid-in surplus |
|
$ |
137,104,608 |
|
|
$ |
277,564,322 |
|
|
$ |
2,344,235,732 |
|
|
$ |
(1,216,815 |
)(4) |
|
$ |
2,757,687,847 |
|
Total distributable earnings |
|
$ |
(16,150,910 |
) |
|
$ |
(12,976,273 |
) |
|
$ |
(139,858,693 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(168,985,876 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shares |
|
$ |
121,057,696 |
|
|
$ |
264,770,592 |
|
|
$ |
2,206,030,943 |
|
|
$ |
(1,215,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2,590,644,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value per common share outstanding (net assets attributable to common shares, divided by
common shares outstanding) |
|
$ |
11.64 |
|
|
$ |
14.50 |
|
|
$ |
13.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.34 |
|
Authorized shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
Preferred |
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
(1) |
The pro forma balances are presented as if the Mergers were effective as of November 30, 2022, are presented for
informational purposes only and assumes the issuance of preferred shares in the amounts set forth above, which amounts may change prior to the Closing Date. The actual Closing Date of the Mergers is expected to be on or about March 6, 2023, or
such later time agreed to by the parties at which time the results would be reflective of the actual composition of shareholders equity as of that date. All pro forma adjustments are directly attributable to the Mergers. |
(2) |
Assumes the conversion of outstanding Ohio Municipal Series 1 VRDP Shares into shares of a new series of shares
designated as Series 4 VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund in connection with the Merger of Ohio Municipal. |
(3) |
Assumes the issuance of 9,054,954 and 19,780,676 Acquiring Fund common shares to Georgia Municipal common
shareholders and Ohio Municipal common shareholders, respectively, in connection with the Mergers. These numbers are based on the net asset values of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds as of November 30, 2022, adjusted for estimated Merger
costs. |
(4) |
Includes the impact of estimated total Merger costs of $1,215,000, which are currently expected to be borne by
Georgia Municipal, Ohio Municipal and the Acquiring Fund in the amounts of $280,000, $930,000 and $5,000, respectively. |
2. |
Capitalization TableMerger of Georgia Municipal Only |
The table reflects a pro forma exchange ratio of approximately 0.87068067 common shares of the Acquiring Fund issued for each common share of
Georgia Municipal. If the Merger is consummated, the actual exchange ratio may vary.
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
|
Pro Forma Adjustments |
|
|
Acquiring Fund Pro Forma(1) |
|
Series 2028 Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred (AMTP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per
share, at liquidation value |
|
$ |
58,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
58,500,000 |
|
Series A MuniFund Preferred (MFP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation
value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
150,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
150,000,000 |
|
Series B MuniFund Preferred (MFP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation
value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
155,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
155,000,000 |
|
Series C MuniFund Preferred (MFP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation
value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
336,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
336,000,000 |
|
Series 1 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
268,800,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
268,800,000 |
|
Series 2 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
262,200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
262,200,000 |
|
Series 3 Variable Rate Demand Preferred (VRDP) Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at
liquidation value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
146,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
146,000,000 |
|
Common Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share;
10,399,813 shares outstanding for Georgia Municipal, 165,390,401 shares outstanding for the Acquiring Fund and
174,445,355 shares outstanding for the Combined Fund Pro Forma |
|
$ |
103,998 |
|
|
$ |
1,653,904 |
|
|
$ |
(13,448 |
)(2) |
|
$ |
1,744,454 |
|
Paid-in surplus |
|
|
137,104,608 |
|
|
|
2,344,235,732 |
|
|
|
(271,552 |
)(3) |
|
|
2,481,068,788 |
|
Total distributable earnings |
|
|
(16,150,910 |
) |
|
|
(139,858,693 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(156,009,603 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shares |
|
$ |
121,057,696 |
|
|
$ |
2,206,030,943 |
|
|
$ |
(285,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2,326,803,639 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value per common share outstanding (net assets attributable to common shares, divided by
common shares outstanding) |
|
$ |
11.64 |
|
|
$ |
13.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.34 |
|
Authorized shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
Preferred |
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unlimited |
|
(1) |
The pro forma balances are presented as if the Merger was effective as of November 30, 2022, are presented for
informational purposes only and assumes the issuance of preferred shares in the amounts set forth above, which amounts may change prior to the Closing Date. The actual Closing Date of the Merger is expected to be on or about March 6, 2023, or
such later time agreed to by the parties at which time the results would be reflective of the actual composition of shareholders equity as of that date. All pro forma adjustments are directly attributable to the Merger. |
(2) |
Assumes the issuance of 9,054,954 Acquiring Fund common shares to Georgia Municipal common shareholders in
connection with the Merger. These numbers are based on the net asset values of the Acquiring Fund and Georgia Municipal as of November 30, 2022, adjusted for estimated Merger costs. |
(3) |
Includes the impact of estimated total Merger costs of $285,000, which are currently expected to be borne by
Georgia Municipal and the Acquiring Fund in the amounts of $280,000 and $5,000, respectively. |
27
Expenses Associated with the Mergers
Preferred shareholders will not bear any costs of the Mergers. The costs of the Mergers are estimated to be $1,215,000, but the actual costs
may be higher or lower than that amount. These costs represent the estimated nonrecurring expenses of the Funds in carrying out their obligations under the Agreement and consist of managements estimate of professional service fees, printing
costs and mailing charges related to the proposed Mergers. Based on the expected benefits of the Mergers to each Fund, each of Georgia Municipal, Ohio Municipal and the Acquiring Fund is expected to be allocated $280,000, $930,000 and $5,000,
respectively, of the estimated expenses in connection with the Mergers (0.20%, 0.30% and 0.00%, respectively, of Georgia Municipals, Ohio Municipals and the Acquiring Funds average net assets applicable to common shares for the six
months ended April 30, 2022). If one or both Mergers is not consummated for any reason, including because the requisite shareholder approvals are not obtained, each of the Funds, and common shareholders of each of the Funds indirectly, will
still bear the costs of the Mergers.
The Funds have engaged Computershare Fund Services to assist in the solicitation of proxies at an
estimated aggregate cost of $7,500 per Fund plus reasonable expenses, which is included in the foregoing estimate.
Dissenting Shareholders Rights of Appraisal
Under the charter documents of the Funds, shareholders do not have dissenters rights of appraisal with respect to their shares in
connection with the Mergers.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers
As a non-waivable condition to each Funds obligation to consummate the Mergers, each Fund will
receive a tax opinion from Vedder Price P.C. (which opinion will be based on certain factual representations and certain customary assumptions and exclusions) with respect to its Merger(s) substantially to the effect that, on the basis of the
existing provisions of the Code, current administrative rules and court decisions, for federal income tax purposes:
|
(a) |
The merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws will constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a party to a reorganization, within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code, with respect to
the merger. |
|
(b) |
No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub upon the merger of the Target Fund
with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws or upon the liquidation of the Merger Sub. |
|
(c) |
No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the merger of the Target Fund with and into the
Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws. |
|
(d) |
No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund shareholders upon the conversion of all their Target Fund
shares solely into Acquiring Fund shares in the merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws, except to the extent the Target Fund common shareholders receive cash in lieu of a fractional Acquiring Fund
common share. |
|
(e) |
The aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund shares received by each Target Fund shareholder pursuant to the
merger (including any fractional Acquiring Fund common share to which a Target Fund common shareholder would be entitled) will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Target Fund shares that were converted into such Acquiring Fund shares.
|
28
|
(f) |
The holding period of the Acquiring Fund shares received by each Target Fund shareholder in the merger
(including any fractional Acquiring Fund common share to which a Target Fund common shareholder would be entitled) will include the period during which the shares of the Target Fund that were converted into such Acquiring Fund shares were held by
such shareholder, provided the Target Fund shares are held as capital assets at the effective time of the merger. |
|
(g) |
The basis of the Target Funds assets received by the Merger Sub in the merger will be the same as the
basis of such assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately before the merger. |
|
(h) |
The holding period of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Merger Sub in the merger will include the
period during which those assets were held by the Target Fund. |
With respect to each Merger, the opinion addressing
the federal income tax consequences of the Merger described above will rely on the assumption that the Acquiring Fund AMTP or VRDP Shares received in the Merger, if any, will constitute equity of the Acquiring Fund. In that regard, Stradley, Ronon
Stevens and Young, LLP as special tax counsel to the Acquiring Fund, will deliver an opinion to the Acquiring Fund, subject to certain representations, assumptions and conditions, substantially to the effect that any Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares
received in the Merger by the holders of AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal by the holders of AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal will qualify as equity of the Acquiring Fund for federal income tax purposes. Sidley Austin LLP, as special tax counsel to
the Acquiring Fund, will deliver an opinion to the Acquiring Fund, subject to certain representations, assumptions and conditions, substantially to the effect that any Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares received in the Merger by the holders of VRDP Shares
of Ohio Municipal will qualify as equity of the Acquiring Fund for federal income tax purposes. As a result, distributions with respect to the preferred shares (other than distributions in redemption of preferred shares subject to
Section 302(b) of the Code) will generally constitute dividends to the extent of the Acquiring Funds allocable current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes. Because the treatment of a
corporate security as debt or equity is determined on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each case, and no controlling precedent exists for the preferred shares issued in the Mergers, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) will not question special tax counsels opinions and the Acquiring Funds treatment of the preferred shares as equity. If the IRS were to succeed in such a challenge, holders of preferred shares could be
characterized as receiving taxable interest income rather than exempt-interest or other dividends, possibly requiring them to file amended income tax returns and retroactively to recognize additional amounts of ordinary income and pay additional
tax, interest and penalties, and the tax consequences of the Mergers could differ significantly from those described in this Proxy Statement.
No opinion will be expressed as to (1) the effect of the Mergers on a Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund, the Merger Sub or any Target Fund
shareholder with respect to any asset (including, without limitation, any stock held in a passive foreign investment company as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code) as to which any gain or loss is required to be recognized under federal
income tax principles (i) at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination thereof) or (ii) upon the transfer of such asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a non-taxable
transaction under the Code, (2) the effect of the Mergers under the alternative minimum tax imposed under Section 55 of the Code on a direct or indirect shareholder of a Target Fund that is a corporation, and (3) any other federal tax
issues (except those set forth above) and all state, local or non-U.S. tax issues of any kind.
Each opinion will be based on certain factual representations and customary assumptions. The opinion will rely on such representations and
will assume the accuracy of such representations. If such representations and assumptions are incorrect, the Merger that is the subject of such opinion may not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code, and the Target Fund involved in such Merger and Target Fund shareholders may recognize taxable gain or loss as a result of that Merger.
Opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or the courts and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will concur on all or any
of the issues discussed above. If the Mergers occur but the IRS or the courts
29
determine that a Merger does not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, the Target Fund involved in such Merger may recognize gain or loss
on the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund and/or the deemed distribution of Acquiring Fund shares to its shareholders and each shareholder of that Target Fund would recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between its basis
in its Target Fund shares and the fair market value of the shares of the Acquiring Fund it receives.
Prior to the Valuation Time, each
Target Fund will declare a distribution to its common shareholders, which together with all other distributions to shareholders made with respect to the taxable year in which its Merger occurs and all prior taxable years, will have the effect of
distributing to such shareholders all its net investment income and realized net capital gains (after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards and excluding any net capital gain on which the Target Fund paid federal income tax), if any,
through the Closing Date of the Merger. Each Fund designates distributions to common and preferred shareholders as consisting of particular types of income (such as exempt interest, ordinary income and capital gain) based on each classs
proportionate share of the total distributions paid by the Fund with respect to the year. As a result, such distribution could cause a portion of the distributions received by holders of Georgia Municipals AMTP Shares with respect to the year
in which such distribution occurs to be taxable for federal income tax and Georgia income tax purposes. Additional distributions may be made if necessary.
After the Mergers, the Acquiring Funds ability to use a Target Funds or the Acquiring Funds realized and unrealized pre-Merger capital losses may be limited under certain federal income tax rules applicable to reorganizations of this type. Therefore, in certain circumstances, shareholders may pay federal income tax sooner, or pay
more federal income tax, than they would have had the Mergers not occurred. The effect of these potential limitations, however, will depend on a number of factors including the amount of the losses, the amount of gains to be offset, the exact timing
of the Mergers and the amount of unrealized capital gains in the Funds at the time of the Mergers.
The table below sets forth, as of
May 31, 2022 (the Funds tax year end), Georgia Municipals unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia Municipal |
|
Not subject to expiration: |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term |
|
$ |
2,903,602 |
|
Long-Term |
|
$ |
1,802,813 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
4,706,415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table below sets forth, as of February 28, 2022 (the Funds tax year end), Ohio Municipals
unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ohio Municipal |
|
Not subject to expiration: |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term |
|
|
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table below sets forth, as of October 31, 2021 (the Funds tax year end), the Acquiring
Funds unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any.
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquiring Fund |
|
Not subject to expiration: |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term |
|
$ |
25,114,491 |
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
25,114,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, the shareholders of the Target Funds will receive a proportionate share of any taxable income and
gains (after the application of any available capital loss carryforwards) realized by the Acquiring Fund and not distributed to its shareholders prior to the closing of a Merger when such income and gains are eventually distributed by the Acquiring
Fund. To the extent the Acquiring Fund sells portfolio investments after the Mergers, the Acquiring Fund may recognize gains or losses (including any built-in gain in the portfolio investments of a Target Fund
or the Acquiring Fund that was unrealized at the time of the Mergers), which also may result in taxable distributions to shareholders holding shares of the Acquiring Fund, including former Target Fund preferred shareholders who hold Acquiring Fund
preferred shares after the Mergers. As a result, shareholders of the Target Funds and the Acquiring Fund may receive a greater amount of taxable distributions than they would have had the Mergers not occurred.
The foregoing is intended to be only a summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of the Mergers and should not be considered to
be tax advice. This description of the federal income tax consequences of the Mergers is made without regard to the particular facts and circumstances of any shareholder. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will concur on all or any of
the issues discussed above. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers as to the specific consequences to them of the Mergers, including without limitation the federal, state, local, and non-U.S.
tax consequences with respect to the foregoing matters and any other considerations that may be applicable to them.
Shareholder Approval
The Merger of Georgia Municipal is required to be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of Georgia
Municipals outstanding common and preferred shares entitled to vote on the matter, voting together as a single class, and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of Georgia Municipals outstanding preferred
shares entitled to vote on the matter, voting together as a single class. Georgia Municipal is separately soliciting the votes of its common shareholders through a separate joint proxy statement/prospectus and not through this Proxy Statement. The
Merger is also required to be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the Acquiring Funds outstanding preferred shares entitled to vote on the matter, voting together as a single class.
Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of
a Merger. Broker non-votes are shares held by brokers or nominees, typically in street name, as to which (1) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled
to vote and (2) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter. Because Georgia Municipals shareholders are being asked to vote on both Proposals Nos. 1 and 2, there may be broker non-votes received with respect to Proposal No. 1 at Georgia Municipals Meeting.
Preferred
shareholders of Georgia Municipal are separately being asked to approve the Agreement as a plan of reorganization under the 1940 Act. Section 18(a)(2)(D) of the 1940 Act provides that the terms of preferred shares issued by a
registered closed-end management investment company must contain provisions requiring approval by the vote of a majority of such shares, voting as a class, of any plan of reorganization adversely affecting
such shares. Because the 1940 Act makes no distinction between a plan of reorganization that has an adverse effect as opposed to a materially adverse effect, Georgia Municipal is seeking approval of the Agreement by the holders of its preferred
shares.
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The closing of each Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing
conditions, which include customary closing conditions. In order for the Merger of Georgia Municipal to occur, all requisite shareholder approvals must be obtained at the applicable Funds shareholder meeting, and certain other consents,
confirmations and/or waivers from various third parties, including the liquidity providers and/or the initial purchasers with respect to outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, must also be obtained. Because the closing of the Merger is
contingent upon Georgia Municipal and the Acquiring Fund obtaining such shareholder approvals and satisfying (or obtaining the waiver of) other closing conditions, it is possible that the Merger will not occur even if shareholders of a Fund entitled
to vote approve the Merger and a Fund satisfies all of its closing conditions if the other Fund does not obtain its requisite shareholder approvals or satisfy (or obtain the waiver of) its closing conditions. If the Merger is not consummated, the
Board of Georgia Municipal may take such actions as it deems in the best interests of the Fund, including conducting additional solicitations with respect to the Merger proposal or continuing to operate the Target Fund as a standalone fund. The
closing of each Merger is not contingent on the closing of the other Merger.
Each series of preferred shares was issued on a private
placement basis to one or a small number of institutional holders. To the extent that one or more preferred shareholders of a Fund owns, holds or controls, individually or in the aggregate, all or a significant portion of a Funds outstanding
preferred shares, the approval by a Funds preferred shareholders required for a Merger to occur may turn on the exercise of voting or consent rights by such particular shareholder(s) and its or their determination as to the favorable view of
the Merger with respect to its or their interests. The Funds exercise no influence or control over the determinations of such shareholders with respect to a Merger; there is no guarantee that such shareholders will vote to approve a Merger proposal.
Description of Common Shares to Be Issued by the Acquiring Fund; Comparison to Target Funds
General
As a
general matter, the common shares of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds have equal voting rights and equal rights with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs
of their Fund and have no preemptive, conversion or exchange rights, except as the Trustees may authorize, or rights to cumulative voting. Holders of whole common shares of each Fund are entitled to one vote per share on any matter on which they are
entitled to vote, while each fractional share entitles its holder to a proportional fractional vote. Furthermore, the provisions set forth in each Funds declaration of trust and by-laws include, among
other things, substantially identical super-majority voting provisions and other anti-takeover provisions, as described under Additional Information About the Acquiring FundCertain Provisions in the Acquiring Funds Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws. The full text of each Funds declaration of trust and by-laws are on file with the SEC.
The Acquiring Funds declaration of trust authorizes an unlimited number of common shares, par value $0.01 per share. If the Mergers are
consummated, the Acquiring Fund will issue additional common shares on the Closing Date to each Target Fund based on the relative per share net asset value of the Acquiring Fund and the aggregate net assets of each Target Fund that are transferred
in connection with the Mergers, in each case as of the Valuation Time. The value of the Acquiring Funds net assets will be calculated net of the liquidation preference (including accumulated and unpaid dividends) of all of the Acquiring
Funds outstanding preferred shares.
The terms of the Acquiring Fund common shares to be issued pursuant to the Mergers will be
identical to the terms of the Acquiring Fund common shares that are then outstanding. Acquiring Fund common shares have equal rights with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up
of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund common shares, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive, conversion or exchange rights or rights to cumulative voting.
See also Summary Description of Massachusetts Business Trusts.
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Distributions
So long as preferred shares are outstanding, the Acquiring Fund may not declare a dividend or distribution to common shareholders (other than
a dividend in common shares of the Fund) or purchase outstanding common shares unless all accumulated dividends on preferred shares have been paid and unless the asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, with respect to its preferred shares at the
time of the declaration of such dividend or distribution or at the time of such purchase would be at least 200% after giving effect to the dividend or distribution or purchase price.
Affiliated Brokerage and Other Fees
None of the Target Funds or the Acquiring Fund paid brokerage commissions within the last fiscal year to (i) any broker that is an
affiliated person of such Fund or an affiliated person of such person, or (ii) any broker an affiliated person of which is an affiliated person of such Fund, the Adviser, or the Sub-Adviser of such Fund.
Description of AMTP Shares to Be Issued by the Acquiring Fund
If the Georgia Municipal Merger takes place, the Acquiring Fund will issue AMTP Shares (New AMTP Shares) pursuant to the Agreement
if AMTP Shares of Georgia Municpal are outstanding immediately prior to the closing.
The terms of the New AMTP Shares will be
substantially similar to the terms of the AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. However, because of the Acquiring Funds policy of investing in a nationally diversified portfolio of
municipal securities, the terms of the New AMTP Shares will not include a provision, currently applicable to the Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares, that generally would require an additional payment to holders subject to Georgia income taxation in the
event the Target Fund was required to allocate income subject to Georgia income tax, including capital gains and/or ordinary income, to a given months distribution in order to make such distribution equal, on an
after-tax basis, to the amount of the distribution if it was excludable from Georgia income taxation (in addition to federal income taxation). In addition, due to the phase out of LIBOR, the terms of the
Statement (as defined below) for the New AMTP Shares will reflect a reference rate based on SOFR rather than LIBOR. The aggregate liquidation preference of the New AMTP Shares received in the Merger, if any, will equal the aggregate liquidation
preference of the Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares held immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. The economic terms of the New AMTP Shares likely will not be the same as the terms of the outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund. The
number of AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal currently outstanding may change due to market or other conditions.
Holders of the New
AMTP Shares will be entitled to receive cash dividends when, as and if declared by the Acquiring Funds Board. The amount of dividends per New AMTP Share will equal the sum of dividends accumulated for each day but not yet paid during the
relevant monthly dividend period. The amount of dividends will be calculated based on an index rate equal to the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index plus an applicable spread. The applicable spread will be subject to adjustment in certain circumstances,
including a change in the credit rating assigned to the New AMTP Shares. The dividend amount shall in no circumstances exceed the liquidation preference described below multiplied by 15%, divided by the actual number of days in the year.
The outstanding AMTP Shares for Georgia Municipal have, and the New AMTP Shares will have, a term redemption date of December 1, 2028,
unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. The Acquiring Fund will be obligated to redeem the New AMTP Shares on December 1, 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Acquiring Fund, at a redemption price per share equal to the
liquidation preference per share ($100,000) plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The New AMTP Shares will be subject to optional and mandatory redemption in certain circumstances. The New AMTP Shares may be redeemed in whole or in part at the
option of the Acquiring Fund at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any
33
accumulated but unpaid dividends. In the event the Acquiring Fund fails to comply with asset coverage and/or effective leverage ratio requirements and any such failure is not cured within the
applicable cure period, the Acquiring Fund may become obligated to redeem such number of preferred shares as are necessary to achieve compliance with such requirements.
Except as otherwise provided in the Acquiring Funds declaration of trust, the statement establishing and fixing the rights and
preferences (the Statement) of the New AMTP Shares, or as otherwise required by applicable law, (1) each holder of the New AMTP Shares will be entitled to one vote for each New AMTP Share held on each matter submitted to a vote of
shareholders of the Acquiring Fund, and (2) the holders of the New AMTP Shares, along with holders of other outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, will vote with holders of common shares of the Acquiring Fund as a single class;
provided, however, that holders of preferred shares, including the New AMTP Shares, are entitled as a class to elect two trustees of the Acquiring Fund at all times. The holders of outstanding common shares and preferred shares, including the New
AMTP Shares, voting as a single class, will elect the balance of the trustees of the Acquiring Fund.
Holders of the New AMTP Shares, as a
separate class, will have voting and consent rights with respect to certain actions that would materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of the New AMTP Shares or holders of the New AMTP Shares. In addition, holders of the New
AMTP Shares will have certain consent rights under the purchase agreement for the New AMTP Shares with respect to certain actions that would affect their investment in the Acquiring Fund. Holders of the New AMTP Shares also will be entitled to vote
as a class with holders of other preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund on matters that relate to the conversion of the Acquiring Fund to an open-end investment company, certain plans of reorganization
adversely affecting holders of the preferred shares or any other action requiring a vote of security holders of the Acquiring Fund under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. In certain circumstances, holders of preferred shares, including the New
AMTP Shares, are entitled to elect additional trustees in the event dividends are due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited for their payment, or at any time holders of preferred shares are entitled under the
1940 Act to elect a majority of the trustees of the Acquiring Fund.
The New AMTP Shares will be senior in priority to the Acquiring
Funds common shares as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. The New AMTP Shares will have equal priority with the other preferred
shares of the Acquiring Fund, including the Acquiring Funds outstanding MFP Shares and VRDP Shares, any VRDP Shares to be issued by the Acquiring Fund in the Mergers and any other preferred shares that the Acquiring Fund may issue in the
future, as to the payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund.
Description of VRDP Shares to Be Issued by the Acquiring Fund
If the Merger of Ohio Municipal takes place, the Acquiring Fund will issue VRDP Shares (the New VRDP Shares) pursuant to the
Agreement if VRDP Shares of Ohio Municipal are outstanding immediately prior to the closing.
The terms of the New VRDP Shares will be
substantially similar, as of the time of the closing of the Merger of Ohio Municipal, to the terms of the VRDP Shares of Ohio Municipal outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger of Ohio Municipal. However, because of the Acquiring
Funds policy of investing in a nationally diversified portfolio of municipal securities, the terms of the New VRDP Shares will not include a provision, currently applicable to Ohio Municipals VRDP Shares, that generally would require an
additional payment to holders subject to Ohio income taxation in the event the Fund was required to allocate capital gains and/or ordinary income, to a given months distribution in order to make such distribution equal, on an after-tax basis, to the amount of the distribution if it was excludable from Ohio income taxation (in addition to federal income taxation). The aggregate liquidation preference of the New VRDP Shares received in the
Merger of Ohio Municipal, if any, will equal the aggregate liquidation preference of Ohio Municipals VRDP Shares held immediately prior to the closing of the Mergers. The number of VRDP Shares of Ohio Municipal currently outstanding may change
due to market or other conditions.
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Summary Description of Massachusetts Business Trusts
The following description is based on relevant provisions of applicable Massachusetts law and each Funds governing documents. This
summary does not purport to be complete and we refer you to applicable Massachusetts law and each Funds operative documents.
General. Each Fund is a Massachusetts business trust. A fund organized as a Massachusetts business trust is governed by the
trusts declaration of trust or similar instrument, and its by-laws (its governing documents). Massachusetts law allows the trustees of a business trust to set the terms of a funds
governance in its governing documents. All power and authority to manage the fund and its affairs generally reside with the trustees, and shareholder voting and other rights are limited to those provided to the shareholders in the funds
governing documents.
Because Massachusetts law governing business trusts provides more flexibility compared to typical state corporate
statutes, the Massachusetts business trust is a common form of organization for closed-end funds. However, some consider it less desirable than other entities because it relies on the terms of the applicable
declaration of trust and by-laws and judicial interpretations rather than statutory provisions for substantive issues, such as the personal liability of shareholders and trustees, and does not provide the
level of certitude that corporate laws or newer statutory trust laws, such as those of Delaware, provide.
Shareholders of a Massachusetts
business trust are not afforded the statutory limitation of personal liability generally afforded to shareholders of a corporation from the trusts liabilities. Instead, the declaration of trust of a fund organized as a Massachusetts business
trust typically provides that a shareholder will not be personally liable, and further provides for indemnification to the extent that a shareholder is found personally liable, for the funds acts or obligations. The declaration of trust of
each Fund contains such provisions.
Similarly, the trustees of a Massachusetts business trust are not afforded statutory protection from
personal liability for the obligations of the trust. However, courts in Massachusetts have recognized limitations of a trustees personal liability in contract actions for the obligations of a trust contained in the trusts declaration of
trust, and declarations of trust may also provide that trustees may be indemnified out of the assets of the trust to the extent held personally liable. The declaration of trust of each Fund contains such provisions.
The Funds
Each
Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is governed by its declaration of trust and by-laws. Under the declaration of trust of each Fund, any determination as to what is in the interests of the
Fund made by the trustees in good faith is conclusive, and in construing the provisions of the declaration of trust, there is a presumption in favor of a grant of power to the trustees. Further, the declaration of trust provides that certain
determinations made in good faith by the trustees are binding upon the Fund and all shareholders, and shares are issued and sold on the condition and understanding, evidenced by the purchase of shares, that any and all such determinations will be so
binding. The by-laws of each Fund provide that each shareholder of the Fund, by virtue of having become a shareholder, shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to be bound by the terms of the
Funds governing documents. The Funds declaration of trusts are substantially the same, and the Funds have adopted the same by-laws. The following is a summary of some of the key provisions of the
Funds governing documents.
Shareholder Voting. The declaration of trust of each Fund limits shareholder voting to certain
enumerated matters, including certain amendments to the declaration of trust, the election of trustees if required by the 1940 Act, the merger or consolidation of the Fund with any corporation or a reorganization or sales of assets in certain
circumstances and matters required to be voted on by the 1940 Act, or, for Georgia Municipal and the Acquiring Fund, a recapitalization of the Fund (under certain circumstances).
Meetings of shareholders may be called by the trustees and by the written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote. The holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the voting
35
power of the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund entitled to vote at a meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the holders of
preferred shares are entitled to elect any of a Funds trustees by class vote of such holders, the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the preferred shares entitled to vote at a
meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such an election. Unless other voting provisions contained in the Funds governing documents or the 1940 Act apply, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the
shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present is required to approve a matter. The governing documents require a super-majority vote in certain circumstances with respect to a
merger, consolidation or dissolution of or sale of substantially all of the assets by, the Fund, or its conversion to an open-end investment company and that the affirmative vote of a majority (more than 50%)
of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote is required to elect trustees in a contested election (i.e., an election in which the number of trustees nominated exceeds the number of trustees to be elected), but that a plurality vote
applies in an uncontested election.
The by-laws of each Fund provide that common shares held
by a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of common shares in a Control Share Acquisition shall have the same voting rights as other common shares only to the extent authorized by the Funds shareholders (the Control
Share Provision). Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote in the election of trustees, excluding Interested Shares. Interested Shares include
shares held by Fund officers and any person who has acquired common shares in a Control Share Acquisition. The by-laws define a Control Share Acquisition, subject to various conditions and
exceptions, generally to mean an acquisition of common shares that would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power, but for the Control Share Provision, in the election of trustees (except
for any elections of trustees by holders of preferred shares voting as a separate class) in any one of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than
one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. For this purpose, all common shares acquired by a person within ninety days before or
after the date on which such person acquires shares that result in a Control Share Acquisition, and all common shares acquired by such person pursuant to a plan to make a Control Share Acquisition, shall be deemed to have been acquired in the same
Control Share Acquisition. Subject to various conditions and procedural requirements, including the delivery of a Control Share Acquisition Statement to the Fund setting forth certain required information, a shareholder who obtains or
proposes to obtain beneficial ownership of common shares in a Control Share Acquisition generally may request a vote of shareholders to approve the authorization of voting rights of such shareholder with respect to such shares. See General
InformationAdditional Information About the Solicitation at page 87 for a description of certain legal matters with respect to the Control Share Provision.
Shareholder Meetings. Meetings of shareholders may be called by the trustees and must be called upon the written request of
shareholders entitled to cast at least 10% of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Shareholder requests for special meetings are subject to various requirements under each Funds by-laws,
including as to the specific form of, and information required in, a shareholders request to call such a meeting. A shareholder may request a special meeting only to act on a matter upon which such shareholder is entitled to vote, and
shareholders may not request special meetings for the purpose of electing trustees.
The by-laws
of each Fund authorize the trustees or the chair of a shareholder meeting to adopt rules, regulations and procedures appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, which may include (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business
for the meeting; (ii) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on by the shareholders present or represented at the meeting; (iii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting
and the safety of those present; (iv) limitations on attendance at and participation in the meeting by shareholders, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine;
(v) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (vi) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by shareholders; and (vii) the extent to which, if any, other participants are
permitted to speak.
36
The by-laws of each Fund establish qualification criteria
applicable to prospective trustees and generally require that advance notice be given to the Fund in the event a shareholder desires to nominate a person for election to the Board or to transact any other business at a meeting of shareholders. Any
notice by a shareholder must be accompanied by certain information as required by the by-laws. No shareholder proposal will be considered at any meeting of shareholders of a Fund if such proposal is submitted
by a shareholder who does not satisfy all applicable requirements set forth in the by-laws.
Election and Removal of Trustees. The declaration of trust of each Fund provides that the trustees determine the size of the Board,
subject to a minimum and a maximum number. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, the declaration of trust also provides that vacancies on the Board may be filled by the remaining trustees. A trustee may be removed only for cause and only by
action of at least two-thirds of the remaining trustees or by action of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the class or classes that elected such trustee.
The by-laws of each Fund establish qualification requirements applicable to any person who is recommended, nominated, elected, appointed, qualified or seated as a trustee.
Pursuant to each Funds by-laws, the Funds Board is divided into three classes (Class I,
Class II and Class III) with staggered multi-year terms, such that only the members of one of the three classes stand for election each year. The staggered board structure could delay for up to two years the election of a majority of the
Board of each Fund. The board structure of the Acquiring Fund will remain in place following the closing of the Mergers.
Issuance of
Shares. Under the declaration of trust of each Fund, the trustees are permitted to issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the trustees may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any preemptive rights
or other rights to subscribe to additional shares, except as the trustees may determine. Shares are subject to such other preferences, conversion, exchange or similar rights, as the trustees may determine.
Classes. The declaration of trust of each Fund gives broad authority to the trustees to establish classes or series in addition to
those currently established and to determine the rights and preferences, conversion rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemptions of the shares of the classes or series. The trustees are also
authorized to terminate a class or series without a vote of shareholders under certain circumstances.
Amendments to Governing
Documents. Amendments to the declaration of trust generally require the consent of shareholders owning more than 50% of shares entitled to vote, voting in the aggregate. Certain amendments may be made by the trustees without a shareholder vote,
and any amendment to the voting requirements contained in the declaration of trust requires the approval of two-thirds of the outstanding common shares and preferred shares, if any, entitled to vote, voting in
the aggregate and not by class except to the extent that applicable law or the declaration of trust may require voting by class. Each Funds by-laws may be amended or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted, by a vote of a majority of the trustees. The by-laws of each Fund may not be amended by shareholders.
Shareholder, Trustee and Officer Liability. The declaration of trust of each Fund provides that shareholders have no personal liability
for the acts or obligations of the Fund and requires the Fund to indemnify a shareholder from any loss or expense arising solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some
other reason. In addition, each declaration of trust provides that the Fund will assume the defense of any claim against a shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder. Similarly, each declaration of trust provides that any
person who is a trustee, officer or employee of the Fund is not personally liable to any person in connection with the affairs of the Fund, other than to the Fund and its shareholders arising from such trustees, officers or
employees bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his or her duty. Each declaration of trust further provides for indemnification of such persons and advancement of the expenses of defending any such actions
for which
37
indemnification might be sought. Each declaration of trust also provides that the trustees may rely in good faith on expert advice.
Forum Selection. Each Funds by-laws provide that, unless the Fund consents in writing to
the selection of an alternative forum, and except for certain claims brought under the federal securities laws, the sole and exclusive forum for any shareholder or group of shareholders to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought
on behalf of the Fund, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of any duty owed by a trustee or officer or other employee of a Fund to the Fund or to the Funds shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to
Massachusetts business trust law or the Funds governing documents, and (iv) any other action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall be within the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
(Boston Division) or, to the extent such court does not have jurisdiction, the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County. Each Funds by-laws further provide that
in any such covered action there is no right to a jury trial and the right to a jury trial is expressly waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Derivative and Direct Claims of Shareholders. Each Funds by-laws contain provisions
regarding derivative and direct claims of shareholders. Massachusetts has what is commonly referred to as a universal demand statute, which requires that a shareholder make a written demand on the board, requesting the trustees to bring
an action, before the shareholder is entitled to bring or maintain a derivative action in the right of or name of or on behalf of the trust. Under the Massachusetts statute, a shareholder whose demand has been refused by the trustees may bring the
claim only if the shareholder demonstrates to a court that the trustees decision not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. The
by-laws of each Fund largely incorporate the substantive elements of the Massachusetts statute and establish procedures for shareholders to bring derivative actions and for the Board to consider shareholder
demands that the Fund commence a suit. In addition, the by-laws of each Fund distinguish direct actions from derivative claims and prohibit the latter from being brought directly by a shareholder.
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D. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INVESTMENT POLICIES |
Comparison of the Investment Objectives and Policies of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Funds
General
The
Funds have similar investment objectives, but there are differences. Each Target Fund is a state-specific municipal fund that seeks to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and the income tax of a single state. In contrast,
the Acquiring Fund is a national municipal fund that seeks to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax.
Georgia
Municipals investment objectives are current income exempt from regular federal and Georgia income tax and the enhancement of portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market by investing in
tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser believes are underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that
are undervalued. As a fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, Georgia Municipal will invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia
income taxes.
Ohio Municipals primary investment objective is current income exempt from both regular federal income taxes and Ohio
personal income taxes, and its secondary investment objective is the enhancement of portfolio value relative to the Ohio municipal bond market through investments in tax-exempt Ohio municipal obligations that,
in the opinion of the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser are underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued. As a fundamental policy, under normal
circumstances, Ohio Municipal will invest at least 80% of its Assets, in municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Ohio income taxes.
The Acquiring Funds investment objectives are to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and to enhance portfolio
value relative to the municipal bond market by investing in tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser believes are underrated or
undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued. Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income
from which is exempt from regular federal income taxes.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal
circumstances, the Acquiring Fund may invest up to 55% of its Managed Assets in securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below the three highest grades (Baa or BBB or lower) by at least one NRSRO or unrated securities judged to be of
comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser. As a non-fundamental investment policy, under normal circumstances, each Target Fund will invest at least 80% of its
Managed Assets in investment grade quality municipal securities. A security is considered investment grade if, at the time of investment, it is rated within the four highest letter grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one NRSRO that rates such
security (even if rated lower by another), or if it is unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser (such securities are commonly referred to as split-rated securities). Under
normal circumstances, each Target Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade (Ba or BB or lower) by all NRSROs or are unrated but judged to be of
comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, each Fund will limit the amount of AMT Bonds to no more than
20% of Managed Assets.
Note that (1) each Funds investment objectives; (2) Georgia Municipals policy to invest at
least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia income taxes; (3) Ohio Municipals policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets, in municipal
securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Ohio income taxes and (4) the Acquiring Funds policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Assets in
39
municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular federal income taxes, may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding common and preferred shares voting together as a single class, and the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a single class. When used with respect to particular shares of a Fund,
a majority of the outstanding shares means (1) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present in person (including participation by means of remote or virtual
communication) or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less.
Investment Policies of the
Acquiring Fund
Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and
other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular federal income taxes.
As a
non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund may invest up to 55% of its Managed Assets in securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below the three highest grades (Baa or
BBB or lower) by at least one NRSRO or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds sub-adviser.
The Acquiring Fund generally invests in municipal securities with long-term maturities in order to maintain an average effective maturity of
15 to 30 years, including the effects of leverage, but the average effective maturity of obligations held by the Fund may be lengthened or shortened as a result of portfolio transactions effected by the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser, depending on market conditions and on an assessment by the portfolio manager of which segments of the municipal securities markets offer the most favorable relative investment values and opportunities
for tax-exempt income and total return.
Under normal circumstances:
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The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in AMT Bonds. |
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The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in inverse floating rate securities.
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The Acquiring Fund may not enter into a futures contract or related options or forward contracts if more than 30%
of the Funds Managed Assets would be represented by futures contracts or more than 5% of the Funds Managed Assets would be committed to initial margin deposits and premiums on futures contracts or related options. |
Investment Policies of Georgia Municipal
As a fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, Georgia Municipal will invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and
other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia income taxes.
Georgia Municipal emphasizes
investments in municipal securities with long- or intermediate-term maturities. The Fund buys municipal securities with different maturities and intends to maintain an average portfolio maturity of 15 to 30 years, although this may be shortened
depending on market conditions. As a result, Georgia Municipals portfolio may include long-term and intermediate-term municipal securities.
Under normal circumstances:
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Georgia Municipal will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of
investment are investment grade quality. A security is considered investment grade quality if it is rated within the four highest letter grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one NRSRO that rates such security (even if it is rated lower by
another), or if it is unrated by any NRSRO but judged to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. |
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Georgia Municipal may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of
investment are rated below investment grade or are unrated by any NRSRO but judged to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. |
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No more than 10% of the Georgia Municipals Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated
below B-/B3 or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. |
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The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in AMT Bonds. |
Use of Leverage
Each Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objectives. The Funds may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Funds may
source leverage through a number of methods including the issuance of preferred shares, investments in inverse floating rate securities and borrowings. In addition, the Funds may also use certain derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage
by creating additional investment exposure. The amount and sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions.
Temporary
Defensive Periods
During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Advisers and/or the Sub-Advisers opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond market adversely affect the price at which
long-term or intermediate-term municipal securities are available), and in order to keep a Funds cash fully invested, each Fund may invest any percentage of its Managed Assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term debt
securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. The Funds may not achieve their investment objectives during such periods.
Portfolio Investments
Municipal Securities
General. The Acquiring Fund may invest in various municipal securities, including municipal bonds and notes, other securities issued to
finance and refinance public projects, and other related securities and derivative instruments creating exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular federal income tax.
Municipal securities are generally debt obligations issued by state and local governmental entities and may be issued by U.S. territories and possessions to finance or refinance public projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems.
Municipal securities may also be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects.
Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide permanent financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other
revenue source including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments, and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment
with the proceeds of the later issuance of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or
non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds, tender option bonds and residual interest bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired
through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term
tax-exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the effective leverage of the Acquiring Fund.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in municipal bonds issued by U.S. territories and possessions (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) the income from
which is exempt from regular federal income tax. The yields on
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municipal securities depend on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The market value of municipal securities will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of their issuers to meet interest
and principal payments.
Tobacco Settlement Bonds. The Acquiring Fund may invest in tobacco settlement bonds, which are municipal
securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and U.S. tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an
issuing states proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA is an agreement, reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. The MSA provides
for annual payments in perpetuity by the manufacturers to the states in exchange for releasing all claims against the manufacturers and a pledge of no further litigation. Tobacco manufacturers pay into a master escrow trust based on their market
share, and each state receives a fixed percentage of the payment as set forth in the MSA. A number of states have securitized the future flow of those payments by selling bonds pursuant to indentures or through distinct governmental entities created
for such purpose. The principal and interest payments on the bonds are backed by the future revenue flow related to the MSA. Annual payments on the bonds, and thus risk to a Fund, are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to
the state or its governmental entity.
The actual amount of future settlement payments is further dependent on many factors, including,
but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer
bankruptcy. The initial and annual payments made by the tobacco companies will be adjusted based on a number of factors, the most important of which is domestic cigarette consumption. If the volume of cigarettes shipped in the United States by
manufacturers participating in the settlement decreases significantly, payments due from them will also decrease. Demand for cigarettes in the United States could continue to decline due to price increases needed to recoup the cost of payments by
tobacco companies. Demand could also be affected by anti-smoking campaigns, tax increases, reduced advertising, and enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors; elimination of certain sales venues such as vending machines; and the spread of
local ordinances restricting smoking in public places. As a result, payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline. A market share loss
by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers would cause a downward adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or
reductions in bond payments. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges and has, to date, withstood those challenges.
Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation. The Acquiring Fund also may purchase municipal securities that represent lease
obligations and certificates of participation in such leases. These carry special risks because the issuer of the securities may not be obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease. A municipal lease is an obligation in
the form of a lease or installment purchase that is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations generally is exempt from state and local taxes in the state of issuance. Leases and
installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without
meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of
non-appropriation clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the
appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or
utilizing the leased equipment or facilities.
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Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of
the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering, or the failure to recover fully, the Acquiring Funds
original investment. To the extent that the Acquiring Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. In order
to reduce this risk, the Acquiring Fund will purchase municipal securities representing lease obligations only where the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue
making appropriations until maturity.
A certificate of participation represents an undivided interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal
leases, an installment purchase agreement or other instruments. The certificates typically are issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision
under such leases or installment purchase agreements. Such certificates provide the Acquiring Fund with the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying municipal securities. In addition, such participations generally provide the
Acquiring Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days notice, of all or any part of the Funds participation interest in the underlying municipal securities, plus accrued interest.
Municipal Notes. Municipal securities in the form of notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs, in anticipation
of an issuers receipt of other revenues or financing, and typically have maturities of up to three years. Such instruments may include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation
notes and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance the working capital needs of governments. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, property, use and business taxes,
and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues available under federal revenue sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are
issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds needed for repayment of the bond anticipation notes. Tax and revenue anticipation notes combine the funding
sources of both tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Mortgage notes insured by the Federal Housing Authority secure these notes; however, the proceeds from the
insurance may be less than the economic equivalent of the payment of principal and interest on the mortgage note if there has been a default. The anticipated revenues from taxes, grants or bond financing generally secure the obligations of an issuer
of municipal notes. However, an investment in such instruments presents a risk that the anticipated revenues will not be received or that such revenues will be insufficient to satisfy the issuers payment obligations under the notes or that
refinancing will be otherwise unavailable.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The
principal of, and interest on, pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund
consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal
securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower
market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a
change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the
issuer.
Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide
privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water
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supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or
commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Inverse floating rate securities
are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust, commonly
referred to as a tender option bond trust (TOB trust), that holds municipal bonds. The TOB trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term
floaters or tender option bonds (TOBs)), and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates or receipts. The floating rate securities
have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB trust. In this structure, the floating rate security holders have the option, at periodic short-term intervals, to tender their securities to the trust for purchase and to
receive the face value thereof plus accrued interest. The obligation of the trust to repurchase tendered securities is supported by a remarketing agent and by a liquidity provider. As consideration for providing this support, the remarketing agent
and the liquidity provider receive periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the
trust is not obligated to purchase tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults with respect to the underlying municipal bonds or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer.
As the holder of an inverse floating rate investment, the Acquiring Fund receives the residual cash flow from the TOB trust. Because the
holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security plus accrued interest, the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the
municipal bond deposited into the TOB trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term
floaters to the value of the inverse floaters that are issued by the TOB trust, and can exceed three times for more highly leveraged trusts. All voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the
municipal bonds held in the TOB trust are passed through, pro rata, to the holders of the short-term floaters and to the Acquiring Fund as the holder of the associated inverse floaters.
Because any increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters issued by a TOB trust would reduce the residual interest paid on the
associated inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the TOB trust would affect only the value of the inverse floater and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust so long as the
value of the municipal bond held by the trust exceeded the face amount of short-term floaters outstanding, the value of inverse floaters is generally more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable municipal bond held on an unleveraged basis
outside a TOB trust. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market of fixed-rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but will tend to outperform the market of fixed-rate bonds when interest
rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile in value and return, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields higher than those available on fixed-rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and
maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity or illiquidity based primarily upon the inverse floater holders ability to sell the underlying bonds deposited in the TOB trust at an attractive price.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by TOB trusts in which the liquidity providers have recourse to the
Fund pursuant to a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement. Such an agreement would require the Acquiring Fund to reimburse the liquidity provider, among other circumstances, upon termination of the TOB trust for the difference between the
liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount and accrued interest due to the holders of floating rate securities issued by the trust. The Acquiring Fund will enter into such a recourse agreement (1) when the
liquidity provider requires such a recourse
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agreement because the level of leverage in the TOB trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (2) to seek to prevent the
liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event the municipal bond held in the trust has declined in value to the point where it may cease to exceed the face amount of outstanding short-term floaters. In an instance where the Acquiring
Fund has entered such a recourse agreement, the Fund may suffer a loss that exceeds the amount of its original investment in the inverse floating rate securities; such loss could be as great as that original investment amount plus the face amount of
the floating rate securities issued by the trust plus accrued interest thereon.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in both inverse floating
rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same TOB trust.
Investments in inverse floating rate
securities create leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for common shareholders. See B. Risk FactorsInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.
Floating Rate Securities. The Acquiring Fund may also invest in short-term floating rate securities, as described above, issued by TOB
trusts. Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from
weekly, to monthly, to other periods of up to one year. Since the tender option feature provides a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bond deposited in the trust, the Acquiring Fund, as the holder of
the floating rate securities, relies upon the terms of the remarketing and liquidity agreements with the financial institution that acts as remarketing agent and/or liquidity provider as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further
assurance of liquidity, the terms of the TOB trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal bond deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate securities. The TOB trusts that are organized to issue both
short-term floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate securities.
Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure developments to induce residential,
commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello- Roos bonds, generally are payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to
the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than
general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings generally are limited as to
the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed
to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.
Illiquid Securities
The Acquiring Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to,
restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven
days.
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 Acquiring 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 Acquiring Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which
prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegatee.
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When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Acquiring Fund may buy and sell municipal securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a
later date, normally within 15 to 45 days of the trade date. On such transactions, the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Beginning on the date the Acquiring Fund enters into a
commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, the Fund is required under interpretations of the SEC to maintain in a separate account liquid assets, consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities having a
market value, at all times, at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Income generated by any such assets which provide taxable income for federal income tax purposes is includable in the taxable income of the Acquiring Fund and, to the extent
distributed, will be taxable to shareholders. The Acquiring Fund may enter into contracts to purchase municipal securities on a forward basis (i.e., where settlement will occur more than 60 days from the date of the transaction) only to the extent
that the Fund specifically collateralizes such obligations with a security that is expected to be called or mature within 60 days before or after the settlement date of the forward transaction. The commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued,
delayed-delivery or forward basis may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and, at the time of delivery, the market value may be less than cost.
Derivatives
General. The Acquiring Fund may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments
include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and MMD Rate Locks), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative instruments. Credit default swaps may require
initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. If the Acquiring Fund is a seller of a contract, the Fund would be required to pay the
par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, with respect to such debt obligations. In
return, the Acquiring Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Acquiring Fund would keep the stream of payments and
would have no payment obligations. As the seller, the Acquiring Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If the Acquiring Fund is a buyer of a contract, the Fund would have the right to deliver a referenced
debt obligation and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event (such as a credit downgrade) by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign
corporation, with respect to its debt obligations. In return, the Acquiring Fund would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the
counterparty would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Acquiring Fund. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Acquiring Fund with a counterparty of their respective commitments to pay or receive
interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. The Acquiring Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment
date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. An MMD Rate Lock permits the Acquiring Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of
its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock,
the Acquiring Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part of the yield curve. The Acquiring Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or
risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Acquiring Funds yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long
term interest rates).
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The Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may use derivative
instruments to seek to enhance return, to hedge some of the risks of the Acquiring Funds investments in municipal securities or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income.
There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser will determine to use them for the Acquiring Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful.
Limitations on the Use of Futures, Options on Futures and Swaps. The Adviser has claimed, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, the
exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator under the CEA provided by CFTC Regulation 4.5 and is therefore not currently subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser has claimed the exemption from registration as a commodity trading advisor provided by CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) and is therefore not currently subject to registration or regulation as such under the
CEA with respect to the Acquiring Fund. In February 2012, the CFTC announced substantial amendments to certain exemptions, and to the conditions for reliance on those exemptions, from registration as a commodity pool operator. Under amendments
to the exemption provided under CFTC Regulation 4.5, if the Acquiring Fund uses futures, options on futures, or swaps other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums on these positions
(after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options that are in-the-money at
the time of purchase are in-the-money) may not exceed 5% of the Funds net asset value, or alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of those
positions may not exceed 100% of the Funds net asset value (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The CFTC amendments to Regulation 4.5 took effect on December 31, 2012, and the
Acquiring Fund intends to comply with amended Regulation 4.5s requirements such that the Adviser will not be required to register as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC with respect to the Fund. The Acquiring Fund reserves the right to
employ futures, options on futures and swaps to the extent allowed by CFTC regulations in effect from time to time and in accordance with the Funds policies. However, the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code may limit the extent to which the Acquiring Fund may employ futures, options on futures or swaps.
Structured Notes
The Acquiring Fund may utilize structured notes and similar instruments for investment purposes and also for hedging purposes. Structured
notes are privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an embedded index), such as selected securities, an index of
securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. The terms of such structured instruments normally provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but
not ordinarily below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending upon a
variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the
performance or differential performance of the referenced index or indices or other assets. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss.
Other Investment Companies
The Acquiring Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies
(including ETFs) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations issued thereunder and applicable exemptive orders issued by the
SEC. In addition, the Acquiring Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types
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in which the Fund may invest directly. The Acquiring Fund generally expects that it may invest in other investment companies and/or other pooled investment vehicles either during periods when it
has large amounts of uninvested cash or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high yielding municipal securities available in the market. The Acquiring Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by the Adviser and/or
the Sub-Adviser or their affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to rules promulgated by the SEC. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Acquiring Fund will bear its
ratable share of that investment companys expenses and would remain subject to payment of its own management fees with respect to assets so invested.
The Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment
merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available municipal security investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to leverage risk.
Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending
The SEC has granted an exemptive order permitting the Nuveen registered open-end and closed-end funds, including the Acquiring Fund, to participate in an inter-fund lending facility whereby those funds may directly lend to and borrow money from each other for temporary purposes (e.g., to satisfy
redemption requests or when a sale of securities fails, resulting in an unanticipated cash shortfall) (the Inter-Fund Program). The closed-end Nuveen funds will participate only as
lenders, and not as borrowers, in the Inter-Fund Program because such closed-end funds rarely, if ever, need to borrow cash to meet redemptions. The Inter-Fund Program is subject to a number of conditions,
including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the Inter-Fund Program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank or other financial institution
for a comparable transaction; (2) no fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Inter-Fund Program unless the funds outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the inter-fund borrowing total 10% or less of its total
assets; provided that if the borrowing fund has a secured borrowing outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund, the inter-fund loan must be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent
percentage of collateral to loan value; (3) if a funds total outstanding borrowings immediately after an inter-fund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the inter-fund loan on a secured
basis only; (4) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the Inter-Fund Program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan; (5) a funds inter-fund loans to any one fund shall
not exceed 5% of the lending funds net assets; (6) the duration of inter-fund loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days; and (7) each inter-fund loan may
be called on one business days notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund. In addition, a Nuveen fund may participate in the Inter-Fund Program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with
the funds investment objective and investment policies. The Board of Trustees of the Nuveen Funds is responsible for overseeing the Inter-Fund Program. The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order
permitting the Inter-Fund Program are designed to minimize the risks associated with Inter-Fund Program for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund borrows money from
another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one days notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher rate or take other actions to payoff such loan if an inter-fund loan is not
available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Zero Coupon Bonds
A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after
the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of the zero coupon bond, which generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally
issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This
48
original issue discount (OID) approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk
associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash interest at regular intervals, the instruments ongoing accruals require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability of deferred
payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result, these securities may be subject to greater value fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash on a current
basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds
that pay interest currently or in cash. The Acquiring Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to shareholders representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a
current basis or in cash. Thus, the Acquiring Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds to make income distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash
distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.
Further, the Adviser collects management fees on the value of a
zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing noncash accrual of interest over the life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, the Adviser receives nonrefundable cash payments based on such noncash accruals while investors
incur the risk that such noncash accruals ultimately may not be realized.
Hedging Strategies
The Acquiring Fund may use various investment strategies designed to limit the risk of bond price fluctuations and to preserve capital. These
hedging strategies include using financial futures contracts, options on financial futures or options based on either an index of long-term municipal securities or on taxable debt securities whose prices, in the opinion of the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser, correlate with the prices of the Acquiring Funds investments. These hedging strategies may generate taxable income.
The Board of Georgia Municipal recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
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Other Information
Management of Georgia Municipal does not intend to present and does not have reason to believe that others will present any items of business
at the Meeting, except as described in this Proxy Statement. However, if other matters are properly presented at the meetings for a vote, the proxies will be voted upon such matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons acting under the
proxies.
Upon at least five business days advance written notice to Georgia Municipal, a shareholder of the Fund is entitled to inspect
and copy at the offices where they are maintained, a list of shareholders and their addresses entitled to be present and to vote at Georgia Municipals Meeting, provided that the written notice describes with reasonable particularity the
purpose of the demand, that the demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose, and the records requested are directly connected to that purpose, and provided further that the Trustees shall not have determined in good faith that disclosure
of the records sought would adversely affect Georgia Municipal in the conduct of its business or constitute material non-public information at the time when the shareholders notice of demand to inspect
and copy is received by Georgia Municipal. Georgia Municipal may furnish the shareholder with copies of the shareholder list, including copies furnished through an electronic transmission. Shareholders interested in inspecting the list of
shareholders for their Fund should contact (800) 257-8787 for additional information. To email the Fund, please visit www.nuveen.com/contact-us.
In the absence of a quorum for a particular matter, business may proceed on any other matter or matters that may properly come before the
Meeting if there is present, in person (including virtually) or by proxy, a quorum of shareholders in respect of such other matters. The chair of the meeting may, whether or not a quorum is present, adjourn the meeting with respect to one or more
matters to be considered on behalf of Georgia Municipal without further notice to permit further solicitation of proxies.
By returning
the enclosed form of proxy, you are authorizing the persons named on the proxy to vote in their discretion on any matter that properly comes before the Meeting.
Broker-dealer firms holding shares in street name for the benefit of their customers and clients are generally required to request
the instruction of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares on the proposals. A broker-dealer firm that is subject to the rules of the NYSE and that has not received instructions from a customer prior to the date specified in its
request for voting instructions may not vote such customers shares on Proposal No. 1 described in this Proxy Statement. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a beneficial owner of shares of Georgia Municipal that does not specify
how the beneficial owners shares are to be voted on the proposal may be deemed to be an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposal. However, a broker-dealer firm subject to the rules of the NYSE and that has not received
instructions from a customer prior to the date specified in its request for voting instructions may vote such customers shares on Proposal No. 2 described in this Proxy Statement.
IF YOU CANNOT BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED
IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
Mark L. Winget
Vice President and Secretary
The Nuveen Closed-End Funds
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APPENDIX A
FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the Agreement) is made as of this []
day of [], 2022, by and among Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (the Acquiring Fund), each of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund (Georgia Municipal or a Target Fund) and Nuveen Ohio Quality
Municipal Income Fund (Ohio Municipal or a Target Fund), each a Massachusetts business trust, and NMCIF Merger Sub, LLC (the Merger Sub), a Massachusetts limited liability company and a direct, wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub may be referred to herein together as the Acquiring Fund Parties. The Acquiring Fund and each Target Fund may be referred to herein as a Fund and,
collectively, as the Funds.
For each Merger, this Agreement is intended to be, and is adopted as, a plan of
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The reorganization of each Target Fund into the Acquiring Fund
will consist of the merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to which shareholders of the Target Fund (collectively, Target Fund Shareholders) will receive (i) with respect to holders of the issued and
outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund (Target Fund Common Shares), newly issued common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Acquiring Fund (the Acquiring Fund Common
Shares) and, (ii) with respect to holders of any issued and outstanding Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (AMTP Shares) of Georgia Municipal, newly issued AMTP Shares of the Acquiring Fund with a par value of
$0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $100,000 per share (the Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares) and, (iii) with respect to holders of any issued and outstanding Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares) of
Ohio Municipal, newly issued VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund with a par value of $0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $100,000 per share (the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares and, together with the Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares, the
Acquiring Fund Preferred Shares and, collectively with the Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares and the Acquiring Fund Common Shares, the Acquiring Fund Shares) as provided herein, all upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement (each, a Merger and together, the Mergers).
WHEREAS, each Fund is a
closed-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and each Target Fund owns securities that generally are assets of the
character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, the Acquiring Fund is authorized to issue the Acquiring Fund
Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Acquiring Fund (the Acquiring Fund Board) has determined that each Merger
is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Mergers, and the Board of Trustees of each Target Fund (each, a Target Fund
Board) has determined that its Merger is in the best interests of such Target Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of such Target Fund will not be diluted as a result of its Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
MERGER
1.1
MERGER. With respect to each Merger, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, and in
accordance with Section 2 of
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Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) and Section 59 of the M.G.L. Chapter 156C, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 3.1), the Target Fund shall be
merged with and into the Merger Sub, the separate existence of the Target Fund shall cease and the Merger Sub shall be the surviving company in the Merger (sometimes referred to herein as the Surviving Company) in accordance with such
laws and shall continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Acquiring Fund. The separate limited liability company existence of the Merger Sub shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the Merger and, as the Surviving Company, it shall be governed
by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(a) With respect to each Merger, at
the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of the Target Fund:
(i) Each Target Fund Common Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into the number of Acquiring Fund Common Shares provided for in Section 2.2 (with cash being distributed in lieu of
fractional Acquiring Fund Common Shares as set forth in Section 2.2);
(ii)
The Target Fund AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares, as applicable, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, if any, shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
the holder(s) thereof, be converted into the same number of Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares, respectively, having (a) substantially similar terms to such Target Fund AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares, respectively, as of the Closing (as
defined in Section 3.1), (b) equal priority with other outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Acquiring Fund, and (c) along with
any other outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund, preference with respect to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund over the common shares of the Acquiring
Fund; and
(iii) The membership interests in the Merger Sub issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain unchanged as a result of the Merger and shall remain as the only issued and outstanding membership interests of the Surviving Company.
(b) The certificate of organization of the Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time (the Certificate of Organization) shall be the certificate of organization of the Surviving Company, unless and until amended in accordance with its terms and applicable law. The operating agreement of the Merger Sub in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (the LLC Agreement), shall be the operating agreement of the Surviving Company unless and until amended in accordance with its terms and applicable law.
(c) With respect to each Merger, at the Effective Time, the separate legal existence of the
Target Fund shall cease for all purposes and the Merger Sub shall continue in existence as the Surviving Company, and without any further action being required, the Surviving Company shall succeed to and possess all of the rights, privileges and
powers of the Merger Sub and the Target Fund, and all of the assets and property of whatever kind and character of the Merger Sub and the Target Fund shall vest in the Merger Sub without further act or deed. With respect to each Merger, at the
Effective Time, the Surviving Company shall be liable for all of the liabilities and obligations of the Merger Sub and the Target Fund, and any claim or judgment against the Merger Sub or the Target Fund may be enforced against the Surviving
Company, in accordance with applicable law.
(d) With respect to each Merger, the
Acquiring Fund will issue Acquiring Fund Shares to shareholders of the Target Fund upon the conversion of Target Fund Shares by opening shareholder accounts on the share ledger records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of and in the amounts due to
the shareholders of the Target Fund based on (i) with respect to holders of the issued and outstanding Target Fund Common Shares, their holdings of Target Fund Common Shares as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) with
respect to
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holders of any issued and outstanding AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares of a Target Fund, as applicable, the number of AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares held by such shareholder immediately prior to the
Effective Time. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the applicable transfer agent or tender and paying agent, as applicable, for the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquiring Fund will not issue certificates representing
Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with the Merger, except for any global share certificate or certificates required by a securities depository in connection with the establishment of book-entry ownership of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares or the
Acquiring Fund Preferred Shares. All Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall be deemed issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time.
(e) For each Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the
parties shall cause the filing of one or more certificates of merger (a Certificate of Merger) with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(f) With respect to each Merger, the Target Fund agrees to dispose of certain assets prior to
the Closing, but only if and to the extent necessary, so that at the Closing, when the assets of such Target Fund participating in a Merger are aggregated with the Acquiring Funds assets and the assets of the other Target Fund participating in
a Merger, the resulting portfolio will meet the Acquiring Funds investment objective, policies and restrictions, as set forth in the Acquiring Funds Registration Statement (as defined in Section 5.5). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein will require the Target Fund to dispose of any investments or securities if, in the reasonable judgment of the Target Fund Board or Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Funds (the Adviser), such
disposition would adversely affect the status of the Merger as a reorganization as such term is used in Section 368(a) of the Code or would otherwise not be in the best interests of the Target Fund.
1.2 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION. If both Mergers occur at the same time, as soon
as practicable after the Effective Time (or if both Mergers do not occur at the same time, as soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the last Merger to occur), the Merger Sub shall be dissolved and the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the
Merger Subs liabilities and obligations, known and unknown, contingent or otherwise, whether or not determinable, and the Merger Sub will distribute to the Acquiring Fund, which will be the sole member of the Merger Sub at such time, all of
the assets of the Merger Sub in complete liquidation of its interest in the Merger Sub in accordance with a Plan of Dissolution adopted by the Merger Sub.
1.3 ACCOUNTING AND PERFORMANCE SURVIVOR. In connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, notwithstanding that the Merger Sub shall be the surviving entity in the Merger, the Acquiring Fund shall be deemed the survivor solely for accounting and performance record purposes.
1.4 DECLARATION OF PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS. Dividends shall accumulate on any issued and
outstanding AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares of a Target Fund, as applicable, up to and including the day immediately preceding the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3.1) and then cease to accumulate, and dividends on the Acquiring Fund Preferred
Shares will accumulate from and including the Closing Date. Prior to the Valuation Time (as defined in Section 2.1), each Target Fund will declare all accumulated but unpaid dividends on such AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares, as applicable, up to and
including the day immediately preceding the Closing Date. With respect to any issued and outstanding AMTP Shares of Georgia Municipal, such accumulated and unpaid dividends will be paid on the dividend payment date in respect of the first dividend
period of the Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares. With respect to any issued and outstanding VRDP Shares of Ohio Municipal, such dividends will be paid on the Closing Date to holders thereof as of the day immediately preceding the Closing Date (or, if such
day is not a business day, the next preceding business day). Prior to the Closing Date, Georgia Municipal shall establish an escrow account and set aside assets in the amount of the accumulated but unpaid dividends on its issued and outstanding AMTP
Shares to be held solely of the benefit of the holder(s) of such AMTP Shares as of the record date for such dividends and such dividends shall be paid to such holder(s) on the dividend payment date in respect of the first dividend period of the
Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares. None of the Target Funds, the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub shall have any rights with respect to, or interest in, the assets held in such escrow account.
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1.5 TRANSFER TAXES. Any transfer taxes payable
upon the issuance of Acquiring Fund Shares in a name other than the registered holder of a Target Funds common shares or preferred shares on the books of such Target Fund as of that time shall, as a condition of such issuance and transfer, be
paid by the person to whom such Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued and transferred.
1.6
REPORTING. Any reporting responsibility of a Target Fund, including, without limitation, the responsibility for filing of regulatory reports, tax returns or other documents with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the Commission) or other regulatory authority, the exchange on which such Target Funds shares are listed or any state securities commission and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant
regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of such Target Fund or its duly appointed agent.
1.7
BOOKS AND RECORDS. All books and records of each Target Fund, including all books and records required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, will be available to
the Acquiring Fund from and after the Closing and will be turned over to the Acquiring Fund as soon as practicable following the Closing.
ARTICLE II
VALUATION
2.1
VALUATION OF SHARES. With respect to each Target Fund, the net asset value per share of the Target Fund Common Shares and the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares shall be
computed as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day immediately prior to the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the Valuation Time), using the valuation procedures of the
Nuveen closed-end funds or such other valuation procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties (and approved by the applicable Target Fund Board and the Acquiring Fund Board).
2.2 COMMON SHARES TO BE ISSUED. In each Merger, as of the Effective Time, each Target Fund
Common Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into a number of Acquiring Fund Common Shares equal to one multiplied by the quotient of the net asset value per share of a Target Fund Common Share divided by the
net asset value per share of an Acquiring Fund Common Share, each as determined as of the Valuation Time in accordance with Section 2.1. The aggregate net asset value of Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by Target Fund common shareholders
(the Target Fund Common Shareholders) in a Merger (including any fractional share interests to which they would be entitled) will equal, as of the Valuation Time, the aggregate net asset value of such Target Funds Common Shares
held by such Target Fund Common Shareholders as of such time. No fractional Acquiring Fund Common Shares will be distributed to Target Fund Common Shareholders and, in lieu of such fractional shares, Target Fund Common Shareholders will receive
cash. With respect to each Merger, in the event Target Fund Common Shareholders would be entitled to receive fractional Acquiring Fund Common Shares, the Acquiring Funds transfer agent will aggregate all such fractional common shares and sell
the resulting whole shares on the exchange on which such shares are listed for the account of all such Target Fund Common Shareholders, and each such Target Fund Common Shareholder will be entitled to a pro rata share of the proceeds from such sale.
With respect to the aggregation and sale of fractional common shares in each Merger, the transfer agent for the Acquiring Funds common shares will act directly on behalf of the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive fractional
shares and will accumulate such fractional shares, sell the shares and distribute the cash proceeds net of brokerage commissions, if any, directly to the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive the fractional shares (without interest and
subject to withholding taxes).
2.3 EFFECT OF SUSPENSION IN TRADING. In the event that at the Valuation Time an accurate appraisal of the
net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund or a Target Fund is impracticable due to either: (a) the closure of, or the imposition of a trading restriction on, the exchange on which shares of a Fund are listed
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or another exchange on which the portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or a Target Fund are purchased or sold; or (b) a disruption in trading or the reporting of trading on the exchange
on which shares of a Fund are listed or elsewhere, the Closing Date shall be postponed until at least the first business day after the day on which trading is fully resumed and/or reporting is restored or such later time as the parties may agree
pursuant to Section 3.1.
2.4 COMPUTATIONS OF NET ASSET VALUE. Subject to Section 2.1 above, all computations of net asset value
in this Article II shall be made by or under the direction of State Street Bank and Trust Company in accordance with its regular practice as custodian of the Funds.
ARTICLE III
CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE
3.1 CLOSING DATE. With respect to each Merger, the conditions precedent set forth in Articles VI-VIII herein must be satisfied or waived with respect to the Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub in order for the closing of a Merger to take place. The closing of each Merger (the
Closing) shall occur on March 6, 2023 or such other date as the parties may agree (the Closing Date). Unless otherwise provided, all acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed to take place as of 7:59 a.m., Central
time, on the Closing Date (the Effective Time). The Closing will be held as of 7:59 a.m., Central time, on the Closing Date at the offices of Vedder Price P.C. in Chicago, Illinois, or at such other time and/or place as the parties may
agree.
3.2 CUSTODIANS CERTIFICATE. With respect to each Merger, the Target
Fund shall cause the custodian for such Target Fund to deliver to the Acquiring Fund Parties at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer identifying all of the Target Funds portfolio securities, investments, cash and any other assets
as of the Valuation Time and stating that the Target Funds portfolio securities, investments, cash and any other assets have been delivered in proper form to the Acquiring Fund as of the Closing.
3.3 CERTIFICATES OF TRANSFER AGENTS.
(a) With respect to each Merger, the Target Fund shall issue and deliver, or cause its
transfer agent or tender and paying agent, as applicable, to issue and deliver, to the Acquiring Fund at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer setting forth, with respect to such Target Fund, the number of Target Fund Shares outstanding
as of the Valuation Time and stating that its records contain the names and addresses of all holders of common shares and preferred shares, as applicable, of the Target Fund and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding common shares and
preferred shares, as applicable, held by each such Target Fund Shareholder immediately prior to the Closing.
(b)
With respect to each Merger, the Acquiring Fund shall issue and deliver, or cause the transfer agent, or tender and paying agent, as applicable, with respect to each of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares
and Acquiring Fund Preferred Shares, as applicable, to issue and deliver, to the Target Fund a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Shares to be credited at the Closing to the shareholders of the Target Fund or provide evidence satisfactory to
each Target Fund that such Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the account of the shareholders of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund.
3.4 DELIVERY OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other party
or parties such bills of sale, checks, assignments, assumptions of liability, share certificates, opinions, receipts and other documents or instruments, if any, as such other parties or their counsel may reasonably request to effect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each Target Fund shall, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other
instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further action as the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest and confirm the Merger Subs title to and possession of all of the assets of
such Target Fund and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF EACH TARGET FUND. Each Target Fund represents and warrants the
following to the Acquiring Fund Parties solely on its own behalf with respect to itself and its Merger, as applicable:
(a)
The Target Fund is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) The Target Fund is registered as a closed-end
management investment company under the 1940 Act, and such registration is in full force and effect.
(c)
The Target Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (subject to shareholder approval and compliance with the other provisions hereof) will not result, in violation of
any provision of the Target Funds Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or, if the Target Fund has any issued and outstanding AMTP Shares or VRDP Shares as of the Closing, the Target Funds Statement
Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (Target Fund AMTP Statement or a Target Fund Statement) or Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (Target Fund VRDP Statement or a Target Fund Statement), as applicable, or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Target Fund
is a party or by which it is bound.
(d) There are no contracts outstanding to which the
Target Fund is a party that have not been disclosed in writing to the Acquiring Fund Parties. Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund Parties, the Target Fund has no material contracts or other commitments that
will be terminated with liability to it on or before the Closing.
(e) No litigation,
administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body presently is pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Target Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would result in
liability on the part of the Target Fund other than as have been disclosed to the Acquiring Fund Parties. The Target Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the
provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
(f) (Georgia Municipal Only) The financial statements of the Target Fund as of May 31,
2022, and for the fiscal year then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and have been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, and such statements
(copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund Parties) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Target Fund as of May 31, 2022, and there are no known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund as of such date
that are not disclosed in such statements.
(g) (Georgia Municipal Only) Since the date
of the financial statements referred to in subsection (f) above, there have been no material adverse changes in the Target Funds financial condition, assets, liabilities or business (other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of
business), and there are no liabilities of a material nature, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund that have arisen after such date. Before the Closing Date, the Target Fund will advise the Acquiring Fund Parties of all material liabilities
contingent or otherwise, incurred by it subsequent to May 31, 2022, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this subsection (g), a decline in the net asset value of the Target Fund shall not
constitute a material adverse change.
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(h) (Ohio Municipal Only) The financial
statements of the Target Fund as of February 28, 2022, and for the fiscal year then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and have been audited by an independent
registered public accounting firm, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund Parties) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Target Fund as of February 28, 2022, and there are no known liabilities,
contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund as of such date that are not disclosed in such statements.
(i) (Ohio Municipal Only) The unaudited semi-annual financial statements of the Target Fund as
of August 31, 2022, and for the period then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund
Parties) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Target Fund as of August 31, 2022, and there are no known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund as of such date that are not disclosed in such statements.
(j) (Ohio Municipal Only) Since the date of the financial statements referred to in
subsection (i) above, there have been no material adverse changes in the Target Funds financial condition, assets, liabilities or business (other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business), and there are no liabilities of
a material nature, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund that have arisen after such date. Before the Closing Date, the Target Fund will advise the Acquiring Fund Parties of all material liabilities contingent or otherwise, incurred by it
subsequent to August 31, 2022, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this subsection (j), a decline in the net asset value of the Target Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(k) All federal, state, local and other tax returns and reports of the Target Fund required
by law to be filed by it (taking into account permitted extensions for filing) have been timely filed and are complete and correct in all material respects. All federal, state, local and other taxes of the Target Fund required to be paid (whether or
not shown on any such return or report) have been paid, or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and any such unpaid taxes, as of the date of the financial statements referred to above, are properly reflected thereon. To the best
of the Target Funds knowledge, no tax authority is currently auditing or preparing to audit the Target Fund, and no assessment for taxes, interest, additions to tax or penalties has been asserted against the Target Fund.
(l) The authorized capital of the Target Fund consists of an unlimited number of common
shares and preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund are duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the
Target Fund (recognizing that under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Target Fund shareholders, under certain circumstances, could be held personally liable for the obligations of the Target Fund). All of the issued and outstanding
shares of the Target Fund will, at the time of the Closing, be held of record by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Target Funds transfer agent or tender and paying agent, as applicable, as provided in
Section 3.3. The Target Fund has no outstanding preferred shares except as set forth in the capitalization table in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined in Section 5.5); no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
subscribe for or purchase any shares of the Target Fund; and no outstanding securities convertible into shares of the Target Fund.
(m)
At the Closing, the Target Fund will have good and marketable title to the Target Funds assets held immediately prior to the Effective Time, and full right, power and authority to sell, assign,
transfer and deliver such assets hereunder free and clear of any liens or encumbrances, except those liens and encumbrances to which the Acquiring Fund Parties have received written notice and have not objected, and the Merger Sub will acquire good
and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, including such restrictions as might arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act).
(n) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by
all necessary action on the part of the Target Fund, including the determinations of the Target Fund Board
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required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Target Fund, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
(o) The information to be furnished by the Target Fund for use in any no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be accurate
and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the federal securities laws and other laws and regulations.
(p) From the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 5.5)
through the time of the meetings of Fund shareholders described in Section 5.2 and as of the Closing, any written information furnished by the Target Fund with respect to the Target Fund for use in the Proxy Materials (as defined in
Section 5.5), or any other materials provided in connection with the Target Funds Merger, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make
the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.
(q)
No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court, governmental authority, or any stock exchange on which shares of the Target Fund are listed is required for the consummation by the Target
Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been or will be obtained.
(r)
For each taxable year of its operations (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), the Target Fund (i) has elected to qualify, and has qualified or will qualify (in the case of the
taxable year ending on the Closing Date), as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code (a RIC); (ii) has been eligible to compute and has computed its federal income tax under Section 852 of the
Code, and on or prior to the Closing Date will have declared a distribution with respect to all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), the excess of its interest income excludible
from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code over its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code and its net capital gain (after reduction for any available capital loss carryforward and excluding
any net capital gain on which the Target Fund paid tax under Section 852(b)(3)(A) of the Code) (as such terms are defined in the Code) that has accrued or will accrue on or prior to the Closing Date, and (iii) has been, and will be (in the
case of the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. The Target Fund has not taken any action, caused any action to be taken or caused any action to fail to be taken which action or
failure could cause the Target Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. Prior to the Closing, the Target Fund will have had no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year to which the provisions of Part I of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply
to it.
4.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND PARTIES. Each of the Acquiring Fund and
the Merger Sub, as applicable, represents and warrants to each Target Fund as follows:
(a)
The Acquiring Fund is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) The Merger Sub is a limited liability company, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(c) The Acquiring Fund is
registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and such registration is in full force and effect.
(d) The Acquiring Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
(subject to approval by its preferred shareholders and compliance with the other provisions hereof)
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will not result, in violation of the Acquiring Funds Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, any Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences
of MuniFund Preferred Shares, as supplemented and amended (each, an Acquiring Fund MFP Statement), any Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, as supplemented and amended
(each, an Acquiring Fund VRDP Statement) or any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(e) The Merger Sub is not, and the execution delivery and performance of this Agreement will
not result, in violation of the Merger Subs Certificate of Organization or LLC Agreement.
(f)
No litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body presently is pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub or
any of their properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would result in liability on the part of the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub, other than as have been disclosed to a Target Fund. The Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub know of no
facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and neither is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or
its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
(g) The financial
statements of the Acquiring Fund as of October 31, 2021, and for the fiscal year then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and have been audited by an independent
registered public accounting firm, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to each Target Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of October 31, 2021, and there are no known liabilities, contingent
or otherwise, of the Acquiring Fund as of such date that are not disclosed in such statements.
(h)
The unaudited semi-annual financial statements of the Acquiring Fund as of April 30, 2022, and for the period then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to each Target Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of April 30, 2022, and there are no known liabilities,
contingent or otherwise, of the Acquiring Fund as of such date that are not disclosed in such statements.
(i)
Since the date of the financial statements referred to in subsection (h) above, there have been no material adverse changes in the Acquiring Funds financial condition, assets, liabilities or
business (other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business), and there are no known liabilities of a material nature, contingent or otherwise, of the Acquiring Fund arising after such date. For the purposes of this
subsection (i), a decline in the net asset value of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(j)
All federal, state, local and other tax returns and reports of the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub required by law to be filed by it (taking into account permitted extensions for filing) have been
timely filed and are complete and correct in all material respects. All federal, state, local and other taxes of the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub required to be paid (whether or not shown on any such return or report) have been paid, or
provision will have been made for the payment thereof, and any such unpaid taxes, as of the date of the financial statements referred to above, are properly reflected thereon. To the best of the Acquiring Funds and the Merger Subs
knowledge, no tax authority is currently auditing or preparing to audit the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub, and no assessment for taxes, interest, additions to tax or penalties has been asserted against the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub.
(k) The authorized capital of the Acquiring Fund consists of an unlimited number of common
and preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund are duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the
Acquiring Fund (recognizing that under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Acquiring Fund shareholders, under
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certain circumstances, could be held personally liable for the obligations of the Acquiring Fund). The Acquiring Fund has no outstanding preferred shares other than as set forth in the
capitalization table in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined in Section 5.5); no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of the Acquiring Fund; and no outstanding securities convertible
into shares of the Acquiring Fund.
(l) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub, including the determinations of the Acquiring Fund Board required pursuant to Rule 17a-8(a)
under the 1940 Act. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and
other laws relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
(m)
The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will, at the Closing, have been duly authorized. When so issued and delivered, such Acquiring Fund Shares
will be duly and validly issued shares of the Acquiring Fund and will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund (recognizing that under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Acquiring
Fund shareholders, under certain circumstances, could be held personally liable for the obligations of the Acquiring Fund).
(n)
The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub for use in any no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials and other
documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the federal securities laws and other
laws and regulations.
(o) From the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 5.5) through the time of the
meetings of Fund shareholders described in Section 5.2 and as of the Closing, any written information furnished by the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub with respect to the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub for use in the Proxy Materials (as
defined in Section 5.5), or any other materials provided in connection with the Mergers, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the
statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.
(p)
No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated herein,
except such as have been or will be obtained.
(q) For each taxable year of its
operations, including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund: (i) has elected to qualify, has qualified or will qualify (in the case of the taxable year that includes the Closing Date) and intends to continue to
qualify as a RIC under the Code; (ii) has been eligible to and has computed its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will do so for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date; and (iii) has been, and will be (in
the case of the taxable year that includes the Closing Date), treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. The Acquiring Fund has not taken any action, caused any action to be taken or caused any action to fail to be taken
which action or failure could cause the Acquiring Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. Prior to the Closing, the Acquiring Fund will have had no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year to which the provisions of Part I of Subchapter M of
the Code did not apply to it.
(r) All of the issued and outstanding membership interests
in the Merger Sub are, and at the Effective Time and on the Closing Date will be, owned by the Acquiring Fund, as the sole member of the Merger Sub, and there are (i) no other membership interests or voting securities of the Merger Sub,
(ii) no securities of
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the Merger Sub convertible into membership interests or voting securities of the Merger Sub and (iii) no options or other rights to acquire from the Merger Sub, and no obligations of the
Merger Sub to issue, any membership interests, voting securities or securities convertible into membership interests or voting securities of the Merger Sub.
(s) Since the date of its organization through the Effective Time, the Merger Sub has been,
and will be, disregarded as an entity separate from its owner within the meaning of Section 301.7701-3 of the Treasury Regulations. The Merger Sub has not elected, and will not elect, to be classified,
with effect as of or prior to the liquidation of the Merger Sub, as an association taxable as a corporation pursuant to Section 301.7701-3 of the Treasury Regulations.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE FUNDS AND MERGER SUBSIDIARY
5.1 OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE. Subject to Sections 1.1(f) and
8.5, each Fund will operate its respective business in the ordinary course from the date of this Agreement through the Closing, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include customary dividends and distributions, and any
other distributions necessary or desirable to avoid federal income or excise taxes.
5.2
APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS. The Acquiring Fund will call a meeting of its preferred shareholders and each Target Fund will call a meeting of its common and preferred shareholders
to consider and act upon the proposal or proposals required to effect the provisions of this Agreement and to take all other appropriate actions necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein.
5.3 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Each Target Fund will assist the Acquiring
Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of such Target Funds shares.
5.4 FURTHER ACTION. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, each
Fund and the Merger Sub will take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any
actions required to be taken after the Closing.
5.5 PREPARATION OF REGISTRATION
STATEMENT AND PROXY MATERIALS. The Funds will prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form N-14 relating to the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued to Target Fund Common Shareholders of each Target Fund and the
approval of each Merger by the common shareholders of the applicable Target Fund and the preferred shareholders of the Acquiring Fund and related matters (the Registration Statement), a proxy statement relating to the approval of the
applicable Merger by the holders of Georgia Municipals AMTP Shares (the AMTP Proxy Statement) and a proxy statement relating to the approval of the applicable Merger by the holders of Ohio Municipals VRDP Shares (the
VRDP Proxy Statement). The Registration Statement shall include a proxy statement of the Funds and a prospectus of the Acquiring Fund relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as applicable (the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus). The Registration Statement, the AMTP Proxy Statement and the VRDP Proxy Statement shall be in compliance with the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act, as applicable. Each party
will provide the other party with the materials and information necessary to prepare the Registration Statement and the proxy statements and related materials (the Proxy Materials), for inclusion therein, in connection with the meetings
of the Funds shareholders to consider the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.
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5.6 REGULATORY APPROVALS. The Acquiring Fund will
use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange and such of the state blue sky or
securities laws as it may deem appropriate in order to consummate the transactions hereunder.
5.7
TAX STATUS OF MERGERS. The intention of the parties is that each Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. None of the Funds or the
Merger Sub shall take any action, or cause any action to be taken (including, without limitation, the filing of any tax return), that is inconsistent with such treatment or that results in the failure of the transactions to qualify as
reorganizations within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. At or prior to the Closing, the parties to this Agreement will take such action, or cause such action to be taken, as is reasonably necessary to enable counsel to
render the tax opinion contemplated in Section 8.9.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH TARGET FUND
With respect to the Merger of each Target Fund, the obligations of the Target Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein will be
subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:
6.1 All
representations, covenants and warranties of the Acquiring Fund Parties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as if made at and as
of the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Target Fund a certificate executed in the Acquiring Funds name by (i) the Chief Administrative Officer or any Vice President of the Acquiring Fund and (ii) the Controller
or Treasurer of the Acquiring Fund, in form and substance satisfactory to the Target Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Target Fund shall reasonably request.
6.2 The Acquiring Fund Parties shall have performed and complied in all material respects with
all terms, conditions, covenants, obligations, agreements and restrictions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the Closing.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND PARTIES
With respect to the Merger of each Target Fund, the obligations of the Acquiring Fund Parties to consummate the transactions provided for
herein shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:
7.1 All
representations, covenants and warranties of such Target Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as if made at and as of the
Closing. Such Target Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund Parties on the Closing Date a certificate executed in such Target Funds name by (i) the Chief Administrative Officer or any Vice President of such Target Fund and
(ii) the Controller or Treasurer of such Target Fund, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund Parties and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund Parties shall reasonably
request.
7.2 Such Target Fund shall have performed and complied in all material respects
with all terms, conditions, covenants, obligations, agreements and restrictions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.
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7.3 Such Target Fund shall have delivered to the
Acquiring Fund Parties a statement of the Target Funds assets and liabilities, together with a list of the Target Funds portfolio securities showing the tax basis of such securities by lot and the holding periods of such securities, as
of the Closing, certified by the Controller or Treasurer of the Target Fund.
7.4 Prior to
the Valuation Time, such Target Fund will have declared the dividends and/or distributions contemplated by Sections 1.4 and 8.5.
7.5
Such Target Fund shall have delivered such records, agreements, certificates, instruments and such other documents as the Acquiring Fund Parties shall reasonably request.
7.6 Unless otherwise directed by the Adviser, all contracts of a Target Fund set forth on
Schedule 7.6 will be terminated with respect to such Target Fund as of or prior to the Closing.
ARTICLE VIII
FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
With respect to the Merger of each Target Fund, the obligations of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund Parties to consummate the
transactions provided for herein are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions, as applicable:
8.1
This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the requisite votes of the holders of the outstanding common and preferred shares of the Target Fund in accordance
with applicable law and the provisions of such Target Funds Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and the applicable Target Fund Statement. In addition, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein
shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of the Acquiring Funds Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, each Acquiring Fund MFP Statement and each Acquiring Fund VRDP Statement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the parties may not waive the condition set forth in this Section 8.1.
8.2 As of the Closing, the Commission shall not have issued an unfavorable report under
Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, or instituted any proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act. Furthermore, no action, suit or other proceeding shall
be threatened or pending before any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein.
8.3 All consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities
(including those of the Commission and of state securities authorities, including any necessary no-action positions and exemptive orders from such federal and state authorities) to permit
consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will have been obtained or made. All notices to, or consents or waivers from, other persons, including without limitation holders of preferred shares or liquidity providers with respect to
preferred shares, if necessary, or other actions necessary to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will have been obtained or made.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop
orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued. To the best knowledge of the parties to this Agreement, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under
the 1933 Act.
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8.5 The Target Fund shall have declared, prior to
the Valuation Time, a dividend or dividends with respect to its common shares in an amount determined by the Target Funds officers in accordance with the Target Funds past practice that, together with all other dividends paid by such
Target Fund with respect to all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date, shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders at least all of such Target Funds investment company taxable income for all taxable periods ending
on or before the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), if any, plus the excess of its interest income excludible from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code, if any, over its deductions
disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code for all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date and all of its net capital gains realized in all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date (after reduction for
any available capital loss carryforward and excluding any net capital gain on which such Target Fund paid tax under Section 852(b)(3)(A) of the Code). Prior to the Closing, to the extent such dividend or dividends are not paid prior to the
Closing, the Target Fund shall establish an escrow account and set aside assets in the amount of such dividend or dividends in such escrow account to be held solely for the benefit of common shareholders of such Target Fund as of the record date for
such dividend or dividends and such dividends shall be paid as previously authorized by the Target Fund Board. None of the Target Funds, the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub shall have any rights with respect to, or interest in, the assets held in
such escrow account.
8.6 A Certificate of Merger, specifying the Effective Time as the
date and time of the effectiveness of the Merger, shall have been filed with, and accepted by, the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
8.7 The Target Fund shall have received (i) an opinion from Vedder Price P.C., special
counsel to the Acquiring Fund, and (ii) an opinion from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, each dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect
that:
(a) The Acquiring Fund has been formed as a voluntary association with transferable
shares of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust, and is existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, to such counsels knowledge, has the power as a business trust under its
Declaration of Trust and Massachusetts law applicable to business trusts to conduct its business as described in the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
(b) The Merger Sub has been formed as a limited liability company and is existing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(c) The Acquiring Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and, to such counsels knowledge, such registration under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(d) Assuming that the Acquiring Fund Shares will be issued in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Target Fund on behalf of the Target Fund Shareholders as provided by this Agreement are duly authorized and, upon such delivery, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund, except that, as described in the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act, shareholders of the Acquiring
Fund may under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for its obligations under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has, as such holder, any preemptive rights to acquire, purchase or
subscribe for any securities of the Acquiring Fund under the Acquiring Funds Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(e) The Registration Statement is effective and, to such counsels knowledge, no stop
order under the 1933 Act pertaining thereto has been issued.
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(f) To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent,
approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for consummation by the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, except as
have been obtained, and except as may be required under any Massachusetts securities law, statute, rule or regulation, about which such counsel expresses no opinion.
(g) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub did
not, and the consummation by the Acquiring Fund and the Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated herein will not, violate the Acquiring Funds Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, any Acquiring Fund MFP
Statement or any Acquiring Fund VRDP Statement (assuming the requisite approval of the Acquiring Funds shareholders has been obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Acquiring Funds Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and each Acquiring Fund MFP Statement and each Acquiring Fund VRDP Statement) or the Merger Subs Certificate of Organization or LLC Agreement, respectively.
Insofar as the opinions expressed above relate to or are dependent upon matters that are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Vedder Price P.C. may rely on the opinions of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
8.8 The Acquiring Fund shall have received (i) an opinion from Vedder Price P.C., special
counsel to each Target Fund, and (ii) an opinion from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, each dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that:
(a) The Target Fund has been formed as a voluntary association with transferable shares
of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust, and is existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, to such counsels knowledge, has the power as a business trust under its
Declaration of Trust and Massachusetts law applicable to business trusts to conduct its business as described in the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
(b) The Target Fund is registered as a closed-end
management investment company under the 1940 Act, and, to such counsels knowledge, such registration under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any
court or governmental authority of the United States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated hereby, except as have been obtained, and except as may be required under any
Massachusetts securities law, statute, rule or regulation, about which such counsel expresses no opinion.
(d) To the knowledge of such counsel, the Target Fund has the power under its Declaration of
Trust as a Massachusetts business trust to merge with and into the Merger Sub as contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Target Fund did not, and the
consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein will not, violate the Target Funds Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or if the Target Fund has any issued and outstanding AMTP Shares
or VRDP Shares as of the Closing, the applicable Target Fund Statement (assuming the requisite approval of the Target Funds shareholders has been obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Target Funds Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and, if applicable, Target Fund Statement).
Insofar as the opinions expressed above relate to
or are dependent upon matters that are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Vedder Price P.C. may rely on the opinions of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
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8.9 With respect to each Merger, the Funds shall
have received an opinion of Vedder Price P.C., dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes:
(a) The merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state
laws will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a party to a reorganization, within the meaning of
Section 368(b) of the Code, with respect to the merger.
(b) No gain or loss
will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund or the Merger Sub upon the merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws or upon the liquidation of the Merger Sub.
(c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the merger of the Target Fund
with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws.
(d) No gain or loss will
be recognized by the Target Fund Shareholders upon the conversion of all their Target Fund Shares solely into Acquiring Fund Shares in the merger of the Target Fund with and into the Merger Sub pursuant to applicable state laws, except to the extent
the Target Fund Common Shareholders receive cash in lieu of a fractional Acquiring Fund Common Share.
(e) The aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each Target Fund Shareholder
pursuant to the merger (including any fractional Acquiring Fund Common Share to which a Target Fund Common Shareholder would be entitled) will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Target Fund Shares that were converted into such Acquiring
Fund Shares.
(f) The holding period of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each Target
Fund Shareholder in the merger (including any fractional Acquiring Fund Common Share to which a Target Fund Common Shareholder would be entitled) will include the period during which the shares of the Target Fund that were converted into such
Acquiring Fund Shares were held by such shareholder, provided the Target Fund shares are held as capital assets at the time of the merger.
(g) The basis of the Target Funds assets received by the Merger Sub in the merger will
be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately before the merger.
(h) The holding period of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Merger Sub in the
merger will include the period during which those assets were held by the Target Fund.
No opinion will be expressed as to
(1) the effect of the Mergers on the Target Funds, the Acquiring Fund, the Merger Sub or any Target Fund Shareholder with respect to any asset (including, without limitation, any stock held in a passive foreign investment company as defined in
Section 1297(a) of the Code) as to which any gain or loss is required to be recognized under federal income tax principles (a) at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination thereof) or (b) upon the transfer of such asset
regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a non-taxable transaction under the Code, (2) the effect of the Mergers under the alternative minimum tax imposed under Section 55 of the Code
on any direct or indirect shareholder of a Target Fund that is a corporation, and (3) any other federal tax issues (except those set forth above) and all state, local or foreign tax issues of any kind. Such opinions will be based on customary
assumptions and such representations as Vedder Price P.C. may reasonably request of the Funds and the Merger Sub. Each Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund Parties will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this Section 8.9 with respect to its Merger(s). Insofar as the opinions expressed above relate to or are dependent upon the classification of the
Acquiring Fund AMTP Shares or Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares, as applicable, as equity for federal income tax purposes, Vedder Price P.C. may rely on the opinions delivered to the Acquiring Fund by Sidley Austin LLP and Stradley, Ronon, Stevens and
Young, LLP with respect to such issue.
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ARTICLE IX
EXPENSES
9.1 The expenses incurred in connection with the Mergers (whether or not the Merger with
respect to a Target Fund is consummated) will be allocated among and borne by all of the Funds ratably based on the projected relative benefits to the common shareholders of each Fund, as common shareholders of the Acquiring Fund for a period equal
to shareholders average holding period of shares for each Fund, and each Fund shall have accrued such expenses as liabilities at or before the Valuation Time. Merger-related expenses include, without limitation, (a) expenses associated
with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and other Proxy Materials; (b) postage; (c) printing; (d) accounting fees; (e) legal fees; (f) proxy solicitation costs; and (g) other related administrative
or operational costs.
9.2 Each party represents and warrants to the other parties that
there is no person or entity entitled to receive any brokers fees or similar fees or commission payments in connection with structuring the transactions provided for herein.
9.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly
incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another party of such expenses would result in the disqualification of a Fund as a RIC under the Code.
ARTICLE X
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT
10.1 The parties agree that no party has made to any other party any
representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between and among the parties.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION
11.1 With respect to each Merger, this Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of
the parties to such Merger, and such termination may be effected by the Chief Administrative Officer, President or any Vice President of each Fund without further action by a Target Fund Board or the Acquiring Fund Board. In addition, with respect
to each Merger, either Fund participating in such Merger may at its option terminate the Agreement at or before the Closing due to:
(a) a breach by the non-terminating party of any
representation or warranty, or agreement to be performed at or before the Closing, if not cured within 30 days of the breach and prior to the Closing;
(b) a condition precedent to the obligations of the terminating party that has not been met or
waived and it reasonably appears that it will not or cannot be met; or
(c) a determination
by a Target Fund Board or the Acquiring Fund Board that the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein is not in the best interests of its respective Fund involved in the Merger(s).
11.2 In the event of any such termination, in the absence of willful default, there shall be no
liability for damages on the part of the Acquiring Fund Parties or a Target Fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund will have no effect on the obligation
of that Fund to bear the portion of Merger-related expenses allocated to it as provided in Section 9.1.
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ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
12.1 This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing by the officers of each party subject to the prior review of each Funds counsel and the authorization of each Funds Board of Trustees; provided, however, that following the meeting of the shareholders of a Fund
called by such Fund pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment, modification or supplement may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Target Fund
Shareholders of the applicable Target Fund under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.
ARTICLE XIII
HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT;
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
13.1 The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The use of the terms including or include in this Agreement shall in all cases herein mean including, without limitation or
include, without limitation, respectively.
13.2 This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution and delivery of this Agreement may occur by facsimile or by email in portable document
format (PDF) or by other means of electronic signature and electronic transmission, including DocuSign or other similar method, and originals or copies of signatures executed and delivered by such methods shall have the full force and effect of the
original signatures.
13.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
13.4 This Agreement shall bind and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other parties.
Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of
this Agreement.
13.5 It is expressly agreed that the obligations of each Fund hereunder
shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of such Fund personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund, as provided in such Funds Declaration of Trust, which is on file with
the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by each Funds Board of Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed by authorized officers of each Fund acting as such.
Neither the authorization by such trustees nor the execution and delivery by such officers will 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 property of such
Fund, as provided in the Funds Declaration of Trust.
13.6 It is understood and
agreed that the use of a single agreement among the parties is for administrative convenience only and that this Agreement constitutes a separate agreement between each Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund Parties, as if each party had executed a
separate document. No party will have any liability for the obligations under this Agreement of any other party, and the liabilities of each party under this Agreement will be several and not joint.
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13.7 The failure of any Target Fund or the
Acquiring Fund Parties with respect to a Target Fund to consummate a Merger shall not affect the validity of the other Merger, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed to effect this intent.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as of the date first
written above.
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NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND |
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By:
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Name: |
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Mark L. Winget |
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Title: |
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Vice President and Secretary |
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NUVEEN GEORGIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND |
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By:
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Name: |
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Mark L. Winget |
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Title: |
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Vice President and Secretary |
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NUVEEN OHIO QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND |
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By:
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Name: |
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Mark L. Winget |
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Title: |
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Vice President and Secretary |
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NMCIF MERGER SUB, LLC |
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By:
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Name: |
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Mark L. Winget |
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Title: |
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Vice President and Secretary |
[Signature Page to
Agreement and Plan of Merger (NZF-NKG-NUO Merger)]
Schedule 7.6
Georgia Municipal
Amended and
Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Georgia Municipal and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated as of July 15, 2015, as amended
Investment Management Agreement by and between Georgia Municipal and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC dated October 1, 2014
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement by and between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Asset
Management, LLC dated as of October 1, 2014
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and between Georgia Municipal and Computershare
Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. dated as of June 15, 2017
Ohio Municipal
Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Ohio Municipal and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated as of July 15, 2015,
as amended
Investment Management Agreement by and between Ohio Municipal and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC dated October 1, 2014
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement by and between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Asset
Management, LLC dated as of October 1, 2014
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and between Ohio Municipal and Computershare
Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. dated as of June 15, 2017
APPENDIX B
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND
ADJUSTABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED SHARES
585 SHARES SERIES 2028
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $100,000 PER SHARE
This
Information Memorandum (the Memorandum) is provided for information purposes in connection with the issuance of up to 585 Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares Series 2028, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation
preference of $100,000 per share (the New AMTP Shares), of Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (the Fund) in connection with the proposed merger of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund (Georgia
Municipal or a Target Fund) with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund (the Merger).
This Information Memorandum is being provided exclusively to holders of Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2028, of
Georgia Municipal (the Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares) as of November 10, 2022. Upon the closing of the Merger of Georgia Municipal, Georgia Municipal will be merged with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, with
the issued and outstanding common and preferred shares of Georgia Municipal being converted into newly issued common and preferred shares of the Fund.
If the Merger takes place, the Fund will issue New AMTP Shares to holders of any Goergia Municipal AMTP Shares that are outstanding
immediately prior to the closing. The terms of the New AMTP Shares to be issued in the Merger will be substantially similar to the terms of the Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. The
preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualification, and terms and conditions of redemption of the New AMTP Shares will be set forth in the Funds Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of
Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2028, as it may be amended from time to time, and the appendix thereto, attached hereto as Appendix A1 and incorporated herein by reference (the Statement). Certain
representations will be set forth in a Purchase Agreement between the Fund and the initial holder (the Initial Holder) of New AMTP Shares (the Purchase Agreement). Each prospective holder of the New AMTP Shares
is strongly cautioned to review the Statement and the Purchase Agreement in their entirety for a complete description of all terms applicable to the New AMTP Shares. The summary description of the New AMTP Shares set forth below does not purport to
be a complete description of all terms applicable to the New AMTP Shares.
Investing in
New AMTP Shares involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page B-18.
The date of
this Memorandum is December 20, 2022
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The securities offered hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act), or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities are being offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in accordance with the exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and are subject to transfer restrictions. See Notice to Investors and Plan of Offering.
Any capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given in the Statement attached hereto as Appendix A1.
Book-Entry Only. It is expected that the New AMTP Shares will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the
facilities of The Depository Trust Company (DTC), on or about the closing date of the Merger.
The following is a
summary of certain key terms applicable to the New AMTP Shares. The preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualification, and terms and conditions of redemption, of the New AMTP Shares are set forth in the Statement,
a form of which is attached hereto as Appendix A1. The summary description of the New AMTP Shares set forth below does not purport to be a complete description of all terms applicable to the New AMTP Shares and is qualified in all respects by
the Statement.
The Fund. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment
company. The Funds investment objectives are to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax and to enhance portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market by investing in
tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser believes are underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that
are undervalued. As a fundamental investment policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular
federal income taxes. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
New AMTP Shares. The terms of
the New AMTP Shares to be issued pursuant to the Merger will be substantially similar, as of the time of closing of the Merger, to the terms of the outstanding Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares for which they are exchanged, including the same:
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dividend rate and dividend rate determination method, including applicable spread adjustments, and dividend
amount adjustment provisions; |
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mandatory and optional redemption terms, including the same term redemption date; |
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voting and consent rights; and |
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information delivery requirements. |
However, because of the Funds policy of investing in a nationally diversified portfolio of municipal securities, the terms of the New
AMTP Shares will not include a provision, currently applicable to the Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares, that generally would require an additional payment to holders subject to Georgia income taxation in the event the Fund was required to allocate
income subject to Georgia income tax, including capital gains and/or ordinary income, to a given months distribution in order to make such distribution equal, on an after-tax basis, to the amount of the
distribution if it was excludable from Georgia income taxation (in addition to federal income taxation).
As of November 30,
2022, the Fund had outstanding (i) 6,410 MuniFund Preferred Shares in three series (the Outstanding MFP Shares) and (ii) 6,770 Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares in three series (the
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Outstanding VRDP Shares). Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, it is also proposed that the Fund will issue, in addition to the New AMTP Shares, up to 1,460 VRDP Shares
(the New VRDP Shares) in connection with the concurrent merger of Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund (Ohio Municipal) with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund (the Ohio Municipal
Merger, and together with the Merger, the Mergers) to the extent VRDP Shares of Ohio Municipal are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Ohio Municipal Merger. The New AMTP Shares will have equal priority with the
Funds other preferred shares outstanding from time to time, including the Outstanding MFP Shares, Outstanding VRDP Shares and New VRDP Shares, with respect to the payment of dividends by the Fund and the distribution of assets upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund.
Dividend Amount. Dividends and other distributions on the New
AMTP Shares shall accumulate from the Date of Original Issue. The amount of dividends per share payable on New AMTP Shares on any Dividend Payment Date shall equal the sum of the dividends accumulated but not yet paid for each Rate Period (or part
thereof) in the related Dividend Period. The Dividend Amount for each day in the Rate Period for the New AMTP Shares shall be equal to the product of: (i) (a) the SIFMA Index Rate plus the Dividend Spread in effect for such day, divided by
the actual number of days in the year (365 or 366) in which such day occurs, and (b) the Liquidation Preference for a New AMTP Share. Dollar amounts resulting from the calculation of dividends will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. The Dividend Amount shall in no circumstances exceed the Maximum Amount. The Maximum Amount is calculated as the product of the Liquidation Preference multiplied by
15%, divided by the actual number of days in the year (365 or 366). The Dividend Spread for such New AMTP Shares shall be the Applicable Spread unless such spread is adjusted to (i) the Increased Spread of 5.825% for an Increased Spread Period
(or portion of a Rate Period to which the Increased Spread otherwise applies) (as described below) or (ii) the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread for each Rate Period (or portion of a Rate Period to which the Failed Transition Period
Applicable Spread otherwise applies) (as described below) or (iii) the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread for each Rate Period (or portion of a Rate Period to which the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread otherwise applies) (as
described below).
Term Adjustments. The Fund and the Majority Designated Owner may propose an Adjusted Dividend Amount and/or any
other Adjusted Terms. On any Business Day, the Fund, at its option, may seek to establish an Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or other Adjusted Terms) by delivering a Term Adjustment Notice to the Holders of the New AMTP Shares, or by requesting the
Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Fund, to promptly do so. On any Business Day, a Majority Designated Owner, at its option, may seek to have the Fund establish an Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or other Adjusted Terms) by delivering a
Term Adjustment Notice to the Fund. Promptly after receiving such notice from such Majority Designated Owner, if such Majority Designated Owner then owns less than 100% of the New AMTP Shares, the Fund shall deliver, or request the Redemption and
Paying Agent, on behalf of the Fund, to deliver, notice thereof to the Holders of the New AMTP Shares. A Term Adjustment Notice may be withdrawn at any time by the proposing party prior to agreement in writing to a proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount
(and/or other Adjusted Terms) with the other party pursuant to such Term Adjustment Notice, in which case the Term Adjustment Notice Period shall terminate. After the Majority Designated Owner delivers a Term Adjustment Notice and while the related
Term Adjustment Notice Period is continuing, if at any time during the period commencing forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the 540th calendar day following the delivery of the applicable Term Adjustment Notice (the Scheduled Term
Adjustment Period Expiration Date), the Majority Designated Owner decreases its ownership level of New AMTP Shares to 50% or less of the New AMTP Shares, its Term Adjustment Notice shall be deemed withdrawn and the Term Adjustment Notice
Period shall terminate.
Following delivery of a Term Adjustment Notice, the Fund and the Required Designated Owners shall have until the
Scheduled Term Adjustment Period Expiration Date, or such other date as the Fund and the Required Designated Owners shall agree, to agree in writing to a proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other proposed Adjusted Terms), and enter into an
Adjusted Terms Agreement (the date of such agreement, the Adjusted Terms Agreement Date). The agreed Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other proposed
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Adjusted Terms), if any, may be the rate (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) proposed in the Term Adjustment Notice or such other rate (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) as the Fund and the Required
Designated Owners may agree. If the Fund and the Required Designated Owners enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement during the Term Adjustment Notice Period, then the Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) shall become effective
on the Adjusted Terms Effective Date.
During a Term Adjustment Notice Period, if the Majority Designated Owner is the proposing party,
the Fund shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent it can do so on a commercially reasonable basis, to (A) enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement, or (B) arrange a Third Party Purchase in accordance with the terms of the
Statement. The Fund shall provide the Required Designated Owners with at least ten (10) calendar days (or such shorter period as may be consented to by all of the Designated Owners, which consent shall not be deemed to be a vote required by the
Statement) prior written notice of a Third Party Purchase Date. A Third Party Purchase is the purchase of all of the New AMTP Shares from the Required Designated Owners by a Third Party Purchaser, at a price equal to the Third
Party Purchase Price for the New AMTP Shares, and which is settled in accordance with the procedures described in the Statement and as summarized below. If the Majority Designated Owner is the proposing party, and the Fund and the Required
Designated Owners fail to enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement and the Fund is unable to arrange a Third Party Purchase during the Term Adjustment Notice Period, then (i) the proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount shall not take effect,
(ii) such failure shall constitute a Failed Adjustment Event, (iii) a Failed Adjustment Period shall commence and (iv) the Fund shall redeem all of the New AMTP Shares on the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date, which is generally the
90th calendar day following a Failed Adjustment Event, resulting from such Failed Adjustment Event (a Failed Adjustment Redemption). During a Failed Adjustment Period, the
Dividend Spread used to calculate the Dividend Amount on the New AMTP Shares shall be the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread, as set forth below. During a Failed Adjustment Period, the Dividend Spread used to calculate the Dividend Amount on
the New AMTP Shares shall be the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread, as set forth below. During a Term Adjustment Notice Period, if the Fund is the proposing party, the Fund shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent it can do so
on a commercially reasonable basis, to agree with the Required Designated Owners on the Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) for the New AMTP Shares. If the Fund and the Required Designated Owners fail to reach such agreement
during the Term Adjustment Notice Period, the Term Adjustment Notice shall be deemed withdrawn and the Term Adjustment Notice Period shall terminate.
An Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms), once established, may be further adjusted or replaced with a new Adjusted
Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) in accordance with the terms of the Statement. The Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) agreed to in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Statement shall be set forth
in an Adjusted Terms Agreement and the associated Supplement to the Statements Appendix.
Third Party Purchase. As discussed
above, during a Term Adjustment Notice Period, if the Majority Designated Owner is the proposing party of an Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms), the Fund shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent it can do so on a
commercially reasonable basis, to (A) enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement, or (B) arrange a Third Party Purchase. In the event that a Third Party Purchase is arranged by the Fund, all outstanding New AMTP Shares automatically shall be
subject to a Mandatory Tender and delivered to the Settlement Agent for purchase by the Third Party Purchaser on the Third Party Purchase Date. A Third Party Purchase may also be arranged by the Fund in connection with a Transition (as described
below). The proceeds of such Third Party Purchase shall be used by the Settlement Agent for the purchase of the automatically tendered New AMTP Shares at the Third Party Purchase Price, and the terms of the sale will provide for the wire transfer of
such Third Party Purchase Price by the third party to be received by the Settlement Agent no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Third Party Purchase Date for payment to the Holders automatically tendering the New AMTP Shares for
sale through the Securities Depository in immediately available funds, against delivery of the tendered New AMTP Shares either (i) to the Settlement Agent through the Securities Depository on the Third Party Purchase Date and the re-delivery of such New AMTP Shares by means of FREE delivery through the Securities Depository to the Third Party Purchaser for
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delivery to the relevant purchasers Agent Member or (ii) directly to the Third Party Purchaser or such Agent Member, through the Securities Depository by 3:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Third Party Purchase Date.
A Third Party Purchase shall be effected in accordance with the terms of the Statement.
Transitions. Known as a Transition, the Fund may propose, at its option and without any requirement to deliver a
Term Adjustment Notice, a transfer to a Third Party Purchaser of beneficial ownership of all New AMTP Shares. On any Business Day, the Fund may initiate a Transition. In the event that a Third Party Purchase of the New AMTP Shares is arranged by the
Fund in connection with a Transition, (A) the Fund shall appoint a Settlement Agent in connection with such Third Party Purchase and the associated Mandatory Tender and (B) all New AMTP Shares automatically shall be subject to a Mandatory
Tender and delivered to the Settlement Agent for purchase by the Third Party Purchaser on the Transition Date (as defined below). Upon initiating a Transition, the Fund agrees to use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent that it can do so on a
commercially reasonable basis, to arrange a Third Party Purchase of such New AMTP Shares, upon terms as designated and set forth in a new Supplement for the New AMTP Shares. In the event that the Fund successfully accomplishes a Transition and no
Failed Transition Event (as described below) otherwise shall have occurred and be continuing as of the effective date of the Transition (the Transition Date), then on and as of the Transition Date, such New AMTP Shares shall be
subject to the terms set forth in a new Supplement.
Failed Transition Event means that, in the case of a proposed
Transition, (i) the Fund was unable to successfully Transition all of the New AMTP Shares or (ii) the proceeds of the Third Party Purchase of such New AMTP Shares were not received for any reason by (x) by the Settlement Agent by
4:30 p.m., New York City time on the Transition Date, or (y) if payment is not made directly to the Designated Owners of such New AMTP Shares, by 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the Transition Date. If a Failed Transition Event shall
have occurred and be continuing, (i) the new terms designated by the Fund shall not be established, (ii) all tendered New AMTP Shares, if any, shall be returned to the relevant tendering Holders by the Settlement Agent, and (iii) all
of the then outstanding New AMTP Shares shall be redeemed by the Fund on the Failed Transition Redemption Date at a price per share equal to (i) the Liquidation Preference per New AMTP Share plus (ii) an amount equal to all unpaid
dividends and other distributions on such New AMTP Share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue of such New AMTP Share to (but excluding) the Failed Transition Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but
without interest thereon (the Failed Transition Redemption Price)).
The Fund shall provide the Required Designated
Owners with written notice of a Transition (a Transition Notice) not more than forty-five (45) calendar days and not less than thirty (30) calendar days (or such shorter notice period as may be consented to by the
Required Designated Owners prior to the applicable Transition Date). If a Failed Transition Event occurs, a Failed Transition Period shall commence and continue. For each Rate Period or portion thereof during the Failed Transition Period, if any,
the Dividend Spread used to compute the Dividend Amount on the New AMTP Shares shall be the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread.
Applicable Spread Adjustments. As noted above, the Applicable Spread will initially be the same as the Applicable Spread for the
Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares held immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. The Applicable Spread for the New AMTP Shares may be adjusted to the Increased Spread, the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread or the Failed Adjustment Period
Applicable Spread. The Dividend Spread used to compute the Dividend Amount on New AMTP Shares shall be adjusted to the Increased Spread for each Increased Spread Period. Subject to the cure provisions set forth in the Statement, a Rate Period with
respect to New AMTP Shares shall be deemed to be an Increased Spread Period if on the first day of such Rate Period, (A) the Fund has failed to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time,
on a Dividend Payment Date, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Dividend Payment Date sufficient to pay the full amount of any dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date (a
Dividend Default) and such Dividend Default has not ended as contemplated by the
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terms of the Statement; (B) the Fund has failed to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on an applicable Redemption Date, Deposit Securities that
will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Redemption Date sufficient to pay the full amount of the Redemption Price payable on such Redemption Date (a Redemption Default) and such Redemption Default
has not ended as contemplated by the terms of the Statement; (C) any Rating Agency has withdrawn the credit rating required to be maintained pursuant to the terms of the Statement other than due to the Rating Agency ceasing to rate tax-exempt closed-end management investment companies generally and such withdrawal is continuing; (D) a Ratings Event (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing;
or (E) (i) a court or other applicable governmental authority has made a final determination that for federal income tax purposes the New AMTP Shares do not qualify as equity in the Fund and (ii) such determination results from an act
or failure to act on the part of the Fund (a Tax Event). A Ratings Event shall be deemed to exist at any time that the New AMTP Shares have a long-term credit rating from at least
one-half of the Rating Agencies designated at such time that is Below Investment Grade. For the avoidance of doubt, no determination by any court or other applicable governmental authority that requires the
Fund to make an Additional Amount Payment in respect of a Taxable Allocation shall be deemed to be a Tax Event under the Statement.
If a
Failed Transition Event occurs, a Failed Transition Period shall commence and continue.
As noted above, for each Rate Period or portion
thereof during the Failed Transition Period, the Dividend Spread used to compute the Dividend Amount on the New AMTP Shares shall be the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread, which is the higher of (i) the Applicable Spread that would
otherwise be in effect absent a Failed Transition Event and (ii) 200 basis points (2.00%) (up to 59 days of the continued Failed Transition Period), 225 basis points (2.25%) (60 days but fewer than 90 days of the continued Failed Transition
Period), 250 basis points (2.50%) (90 days but fewer than 120 days of the continued Failed Transition Period), 275 basis points (2.75%) (120 days but fewer than 150 days of the continued Failed Transition Period), 300 basis points (3.00%) (150 days
but fewer than 180 days of the Failed Transition Period), and 400 basis points (4.00%) (180 days or more of the continued Failed Transition Period).
As also noted above, during a Failed Adjustment Period, the Dividend Spread used to calculate the Dividend Amount shall be the Failed
Adjustment Period Applicable Spread, which means, for each day that a Failed Adjustment Period has occurred and is continuing: the higher of (i) the Applicable Spread that would otherwise be in effect absent a Failed Adjustment Event and (ii)
200 basis points (2.00%) (up to 59 days of the continued Failed Adjustment Period), and 225 basis points (2.25%) (60 days but fewer than 90 days of the continued Failed Adjustment Period).
Dividend Payments. The Holders of New AMTP Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted
by, the Board of Trustees (the Board or the Board of Trustees), out of funds legally available therefor and in preference to dividends and other distributions on common shares, cumulative cash dividends and
other distributions on each New AMTP Share in an amount equal to the Dividend Amount, calculated as set forth in the Statement, the Appendix thereto and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, and no more. Dividends and other distributions on the
New AMTP Shares shall accumulate from the Date of Original Issue. The amount of dividends per share payable on New AMTP Shares on any Dividend Payment Date shall equal the sum of the dividends accumulated but not yet paid for each Rate Period (or
part thereof) in the related Dividend Period. The Dividend Period for the New AMTP Shares will generally be a calendar month and the Dividend Payment Date in respect of each Dividend Period is the first Business
Day of each calendar month that the New AMTP Shares are outstanding. The first Dividend Period on the New AMTP Shares will begin on the Date of Original Issue and will end on (and include) the last calendar day of the first full month following the
Date of Original Issue, and the first Dividend Payment Date for the New AMTP Shares will be the first business day following the end of the first Dividend Period. Dividends on New AMTP Shares with respect to any Dividend Period will be declared to
the Holders of record of such shares as their names shall appear on the registration books of the Fund at the close of business on each day in such Dividend Period. Dividends on New AMTP Shares will be paid on each Dividend Payment Date for such New
AMTP Shares to the Holders of shares
B-6
of such New AMTP Shares as their names appear on the registration books of the Fund at the close of business on the day immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date (or if such day is not a
Business Day, the next preceding Business Day). See Dividends and Distributions and the related definitions in the Statement for additional information relating to dividend payments.
Term Redemption. The Fund is required to redeem all outstanding New AMTP Shares on December 1, 2028 (the Term Redemption
Date) unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Fund, at a redemption price equal to the sum of the $100,000 liquidation preference per New AMTP Share plus an amount equal to all accumulated but unpaid dividends and other distributions
thereon (whether or not earned or declared but excluding interest thereon) from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the Term Redemption Date. See RedemptionTerm Redemption in the Statement for additional
information relating to the term redemption of the New AMTP Shares.
Optional Redemption. The New AMTP Shares are subject to
optional redemption in whole or in part at the option of the Fund on any Business Day (as defined below) at a redemption price for each New AMTP Share equal to (x) the Liquidation Preference of such New AMTP Share plus (y) an amount equal
to all unpaid dividends and other distributions on such New AMTP Share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but without interest
thereon).
Asset Coverage Mandatory Redemption. If the Fund fails to have Asset Coverage of at least 225% as of the close of
business on any Business Day on which such Asset Coverage is required to be calculated and such failure is not cured as of 30 calendar days following such Business Day, the Fund will proceed to redeem Preferred Shares of the Fund equal to the lesser
of (i) the minimum number of Preferred Shares that will result in the Fund having Asset Coverage of at least 225% and (ii) the maximum number of Preferred Shares that can be redeemed out of monies expected to be legally available; and, at
the Funds sole option, the Fund may redeem a number of Preferred Shares that will result in the Fund having Asset Coverage of up to and including 250%. The Preferred Shares to be redeemed may include, at the Funds sole option, any number
or proportion of New AMTP Shares. If New AMTP Shares are redeemed, such shares will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to their $100,000 Liquidation Preference per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends and other distributions thereon
(whether or not declared, but excluding interest thereon) from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the date fixed for such redemption. See RedemptionAsset Coverage Mandatory Redemption in the Statement for
additional information relating to the Asset Coverage mandatory redemption.
Effective Leverage Ratio Corrective Action, Including
Mandatory Redemption. If the Effective Leverage Ratio (as modified by the Purchase Agreement with respect to the Initial Holder, including its successors by merger or operation of law) of the Fund exceeds 45% as of the close of business on any
Business Day on which such ratio is required to be calculated and such failure is not cured as of the close of business on the date that is seven Business Days following the Business Day on which such
non-compliance is first determined, the Fund will cause the Effective Leverage Ratio not to exceed 45% by (A) engaging in transactions involving or relating to the floating rate securities not owned by
the Fund and/or the inverse floating rate securities owned by the Fund, including the purchase, sale or retirement thereof, (B) proceeding with redeeming a sufficient number of preferred shares, which at the Funds sole option may include
any number or proportion of New AMTP Shares, in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Shares, or (C) engaging in any combination of the actions contemplated by (A) and (B) above. Any New AMTP Shares so redeemed will be redeemed at a
redemption price equal to their $100,000 Liquidation Preference per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends and other distributions thereon (whether or not declared, but excluding interest thereon) from and including the Date of Original Issue
to (but excluding) the date fixed for such redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Funds Effective Leverage Ratio exceeds 45% on any Business Day solely by reason of fluctuations in the market value of the Funds
portfolio securities, the Effective Leverage Ratio is only required not to exceed 46% on such Business Day. See RedemptionEffective Leverage Ratio Mandatory Redemption in the Statement for additional information relating to the
Effective Leverage Ratio mandatory redemption.
B-7
Other Mandatory Redemptions. The Fund may be required to redeem all outstanding New AMTP
Shares in the event of a Failed Transition Event or a Failed Adjustment Event. See Transitions and Term Adjustments above.
Information Requirements. The Initial Holder is entitled to receive various information concerning the Fund that is described in the
Purchase Agreement under the heading Covenants of the FundInformation. In particular, the Initial Holder is entitled to receive, within two (2) Business Days after the fifteenth and last day of each month reports of portfolio
holdings of the Fund and a report on the Funds Asset Coverage, Effective Leverage Ratio, and the floating rate securities of tender option bond (TOB) trusts for which the Fund owns the inverse floating rate certificates.
Prior to any registration of the New AMTP Shares under the Securities Act (with respect to which the Fund has no obligation), a permitted transferee of such New AMTP Shares will have the right to receive such information upon satisfying certain
conditions. A fee is payable to the Initial Holder if these reports have not been timely delivered and such failure is not cured within three Business Days after notification of such failure is provided by the Initial Holder. Also, in the event of
such a failure, the Initial Holder has the right to calculate the Effective Leverage Ratio for the New AMTP Shares based on the securities holdings contained in the most recent reports provided and current market prices at the time of calculation.
Voting and Consent Rights. Except as otherwise permitted by the terms of the Statement, so long as any New AMTP Shares are
outstanding, the Fund shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the New AMTP Shares subject to the Statement outstanding at the time, voting together as a separate class, amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund (the Declaration) or the Statement, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of such New AMTP Shares
or the Holders thereof; provided, however, that (i) a change in the capitalization of the Fund in accordance with the terms of the Statement shall not be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights and preferences of
the New AMTP Shares, and (ii) a division of a New AMTP Share shall be deemed to materially and adversely affect such preferences, rights or powers only if the terms of such division materially and adversely affect the Holders of the New AMTP
Shares. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of a New AMTP Share or the Holder thereof unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of
such New AMTP Share, or (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such New AMTP Share (other than solely as a result of a division of a New AMTP Share). So long as any New AMTP Shares are outstanding, the Fund
shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% of the New AMTP Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, file a voluntary application for relief under Federal bankruptcy law or any similar
application under state law for so long as the Fund is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent. For the avoidance of doubt, no vote of the holders of common shares shall be required to amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Statement,
including any Appendix or any Supplement thereto. The Initial Holder also has certain consent rights under the Purchase Agreement, including, among other things, to the extent that the Initial Holder and its affiliates are the Holders or Designated
Owners of at least 51% of the New AMTP Shares then outstanding, without the prior written consent of the Initial Holder, the Fund will not agree to, consent to or permit any amendment, supplement, modification or repeal of the Statement or any
provision therein, nor waive any provision thereof. Certain (but not all) of these consent rights are assignable by the Initial Holder to subsequent holders of New AMTP Shares that are permitted transferees of such New AMTP Shares as set forth in
the Statement and Purchase Agreement. All of the consent rights granted to the Majority Participants terminate if any of the New AMTP Shares are registered for sale under the Securities Act. Majority Participants means the Holder(s) of
more than 50% of the New AMTP Shares. See the Purchase Agreement for a complete description of all terms applicable to these consent rights and the limitations thereof.
Investment Strategies. As a fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus
the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes (Assets) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular federal income taxes. As a
non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 55% of its Managed Assets in securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below the three highest grades (Baa or BBB or
lower) by at
B-8
least one NRSRO or unrated securities judged to be of comparable quality by the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser. The Fund may invest up to
20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals (AMT Bonds). Managed Assets means the total assets of the
Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Funds use of leverage (whether or not
those assets are reflected in the Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value. See The Funds Investments.
Tax Exemption. The dividend rate for New AMTP Shares assumes that each months distribution is comprised solely of dividends
exempt from regular federal income tax, although a portion of those dividends may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. From time to time, the Fund may be required to allocate capital gains and/or ordinary income to a given months
distribution on New AMTP Shares. To the extent that it does so, the Fund will use commercially reasonable efforts to contemporaneously either (i) adjust the Dividend Amount so as to pay, or (ii) make a separate, supplemental distribution
of, in either case an amount that, when combined with the total amount of regular tax-exempt income, capital gains and ordinary income in the monthly distribution, is intended to make the distributions equal
on an after-tax basis (determined based upon the maximum marginal federal individual income tax rates taking into account Section 1411 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code), in effect at the time of such payment) to the amount of the monthly distribution if it had been entirely comprised of dividends exempt from regular federal income tax. Alternatively, where such commercially reasonable
efforts do not reasonably permit the Fund to effect a payment or distribution as described in the preceding sentence, the Fund will satisfy the requirement to allocate capital gains or ordinary income to New AMTP Shares by making a supplemental
distribution of such gains or income to holders of New AMTP Shares, over and above the monthly dividend that is fully exempt from regular federal income taxes. If, in connection with a redemption of New AMTP Shares, the Fund allocates capital gains
or ordinary income to a distribution on New AMTP Shares without having made either a contemporaneous adjustment of the Dividend Amount or supplemental distribution of an additional amount or an alternative supplemental distribution of capital gains
and/or ordinary income, it will cause an additional amount to be distributed to holders of New AMTP Shares whose interests are redeemed, which amount, when combined with the total amount of regular tax-exempt
income, capital gains and ordinary income allocated in the distribution, is intended to make the distribution and the additional amount equal on an after-tax basis (determined based upon the maximum marginal
federal individual income tax rates taking into account Section 1411 of the Code in effect at the time of such payment) to the amount of the distribution if it had been entirely comprised of dividends exempt from regular federal income tax.
Investors should consult with their own tax advisors before making an investment in the New AMTP Shares. See Federal Income Tax Matters.
Priority of Payment. New AMTP Shares will be senior securities that represent stock of the Fund and are senior, with priority in all
respects, to the Funds common shares as to payments of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund. New AMTP Shares will have equal priority as to payments of dividends and
as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund with other preferred shares then outstanding. The Fund may issue additional preferred shares on parity with New AMTP Shares, subject to certain
limitations as set forth in the Statement and (prior to any registration for sale of the New AMTP Shares under the Securities Act) certain consent rights of the Majority Participants as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The Fund may not issue
additional classes of shares that are senior to New AMTP Shares or that are senior to other outstanding preferred shares of the Fund as to payments of dividends or as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
affairs of the Fund. The Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not issue debt securities that rank senior to New AMTP Shares other than for temporary or emergency purposes. In addition, as a fundamental policy, the Fund may not borrow money, except
from banks for temporary or emergency purposes or for repurchase of its shares, subject to certain restrictions. The Purchase Agreement further limits such borrowings to temporary purposes and in an amount not to exceed 5% of the Funds assets
and a term of not more than 60 days. See Investment Restrictions in this Information Memorandum, Issuance of Additional Preferred Shares in
B-9
the Statement and MiscellaneousConsent Rights of the Majority Participants to Certain Actions in the Purchase Agreement.
Transfer Restrictions. The New AMTP Shares are subject to substantial restrictions on transfer. See Transfers in the
Statement and the description of such transfer restrictions in this Information Memorandum for additional information on these transfer restrictions.
Liquidity Account and Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement. By the first Business Day following the occurrence and during the
continuance of the Failed Adjustment Period, the Fund shall cause the Custodian to earmark, by means of appropriate identification on its books and records or otherwise in accordance with the Custodians normal procedures, from the other assets
of the Fund (a Liquidity Account) Liquidity Account Investments with a Market Value equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP Shares. If, while the Failed Adjustment Period is
continuing, the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account as of the close of business on any Business Day is less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP
Shares, then the Fund shall cause the Custodian and the Adviser to take all such necessary actions, including earmarking additional assets of the Fund as Liquidity Account Investments, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account
Investments included in the Liquidity Account is at least equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP Shares not later than the close of business on the next succeeding Business Day. With respect to assets
of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account Investments, the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian on any date to release any Liquidity Account Investments from such earmarking and to substitute therefor other
Liquidity Account Investments, so long as (i) the assets of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account Investments at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation
Preference of the New AMTP Shares and (ii) the assets of the Fund designated and earmarked as Deposit Securities at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal to at least the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement (if any)
with respect to the New AMTP Shares for such date. The Fund shall cause the Custodian not to permit any lien, security interest or encumbrance to be created or permitted to exist on or in respect of any Liquidity Account Investments included in the
Liquidity Account, other than liens, security interests or encumbrances arising by operation of law and any lien of the Custodian with respect to the payment of its fees or repayment for its advances.
The Market Value of Deposit Securities held in the Liquidity Account for the New AMTP Shares from and after the day (or if such day is not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) preceding the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date specified in the table set forth below, shall not be less than the percentage of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares set forth
below opposite the number of such days but in all cases subject to the cure provisions of described below:
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Days Preceding
Failed Adjustment Redemption Date: |
|
Market Value of Deposit Securities as Percentage of Liquidation Preference |
|
45 |
|
|
20 |
% |
30 |
|
|
40 |
% |
20 |
|
|
60 |
% |
10 |
|
|
80 |
% |
5 |
|
|
100 |
% |
If the aggregate Market Value of the Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account for the New AMTP
Shares as of the close of business on any Business Day is less than the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement for such Business Day, then the Fund will cause the earmarking of additional or substitute Deposit Securities in respect of the Liquidity
Account, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account is at least equal to the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement not later than the close of business on the next succeeding Business Day.
B-10
The Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account may be applied by the Fund, in its
discretion, towards payment of the Failed Adjustment Redemption Price. Upon the deposit by the Fund with the Redemption and Paying Agent of Deposit Securities having an initial combined Market Value sufficient to effect the redemption of the New
AMTP Shares on the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date, the requirement of the Fund to maintain the Liquidity Account will lapse and be of no further force and effect.
Liquidity Account and Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement. By the first Business Day following the occurrence and during the
continuance of the Failed Transition Period, the Fund shall cause the Custodian to earmark a Liquidity Account comprised of Liquidity Account Investments with a Market Value equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation
Preference of the New AMTP Shares. If, while the Failed Transition Period is continuing, the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account as of the close of business on any Business Day is less than
one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP Shares, then the Fund shall cause the Custodian and the Adviser to take all such necessary actions, including earmarking additional assets of the Fund as Liquidity Account
Investments, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account is at least equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP Shares not later than the close
of business on the next succeeding Business Day. With respect to assets of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account Investments, the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian on any date to release any Liquidity
Account Investments from such earmarking and to substitute therefor other Liquidity Account Investments, so long as (i) the assets of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account Investments at the close of business on such date have a Market Value
equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP Shares and (ii) the assets of the Fund designated and earmarked as Deposit Securities at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal
to at least the Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement (if any) with respect to the New AMTP Shares for such date. The Fund shall cause the Custodian not to permit any lien, security interest or encumbrance to be created or permitted to exist on or
in respect of any Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account, other than liens, security interests or encumbrances arising by operation of law and any lien of the Custodian with respect to the payment of its fees or repayment
for its advances.
The Market Value of the Deposit Securities held in the Liquidity Account from and after the day (or if such day is not
a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) preceding the Failed Transition Redemption Date specified in the table set forth below, shall not be less than the percentage of the Liquidation Preference of the New AMTP Shares set forth below
opposite the number of such days:
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Days Preceding
Failed Transition Redemption Date: |
|
Market Value of Deposit Securities as Percentage of Liquidation Preference |
|
150 |
|
|
20 |
% |
120 |
|
|
40 |
% |
90 |
|
|
60 |
% |
60 |
|
|
80 |
% |
30 |
|
|
100 |
% |
Eligible Assets. In the Purchase Agreement, the Fund has represented that, as of the Date of Original
Issue, the Fund owns only Eligible Assets. Eligible Assets means the instruments described in Exhibit B to the Purchase Agreement, which may be amended from time to time with the prior written consent of
the Initial Holder, in which the Fund may invest. In addition, the Fund has covenanted in the Purchase Agreement to only make investments in Eligible Assets, in accordance with the Funds investment objectives and the investment policies
described in this Information Memorandum.
Redemption and Paying Agent. The redemption and paying agent for the New AMTP Shares is
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc., Canton, Massachusetts (collectively, the Redemption and Paying Agent or Computershare).
B-11
Adviser and Sub-Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors is
responsible for determining the Funds overall investment strategies and their implementation. Nuveen Asset Management serves as the Funds Sub-Adviser and oversees the
day-to-day operations of the Fund.
The Funds
principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (800) 257-8787. Prospective investors should read this Information Memorandum, which sets forth
concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor ought to know before deciding whether to invest.
THE NEW AMTP SHARES
REPRESENT INVESTMENTS IN THE FUND AND DO NOT REPRESENT AN INTEREST IN OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY, ANY OF THE FUNDS ADVISER, NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, OR THE REDEMPTION AND PAYING AGENT.
This Information Memorandum is furnished by the Fund on a confidential basis
exclusively to holders of Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares in connection with an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act, solely for the purpose of enabling a holder of Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares to consider an investment in the
securities offered hereby. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this Information Memorandum has been provided solely by the Fund and other sources identified
herein.
The securities offered hereby have not been and will not be
registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the securities are being offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) of
the Securities Act. Prospective purchasers are hereby notified that any sellers of the securities offered hereby may be relying on the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A. For certain
restrictions on resales, see Notice to Investors. There are no registration rights associated with the New AMTP Shares, and it is unlikely that a market will develop for the securities offered hereby.
Holders of Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares are hereby offered the opportunity, prior to acquiring any New AMTP Shares, to ask questions and
receive answers concerning the terms and conditions of the New AMTP Shares and to obtain from the Fund additional information, to the extent that the Fund possesses such information or can acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense, that is
necessary to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein or provided pursuant hereto.
The New AMTP Shares have not been
approved or disapproved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), or any state securities commission or regulatory authority, nor have the foregoing authorities reviewed this Information Memorandum or confirmed the
accuracy or determined the adequacy of this Information Memorandum. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This
Information Memorandum is personal to the offeree and has been prepared solely for use in connection with the offering of the New AMTP Shares and does not constitute an offer to any other person or to the public generally to subscribe for or
otherwise acquire the securities. Distribution of this Information Memorandum to any person other than the offeree and those persons, if any, retained to advise such offeree with respect to the offer and sale of the New AMTP Shares is not
authorized, and any disclosure of any of its contents is prohibited. Each offeree, by accepting delivery of this Information Memorandum, agrees to the foregoing and agrees to make no copies of this Information Memorandum.
New AMTP Shares will be issued in book-entry form, as global securities (the Global Securities). The Global Securities will
be deposited with, or on behalf of DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the
B-12
nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be held only through DTC and any of its participants. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Information
Memorandum to the New AMTP shareholders include the Beneficial Owners of interests in the New AMTP Shares and references to the New AMTP Shares include any beneficial interest therein. See Book-Entry Procedures and
Settlement.
This Information Memorandum contains information believed to be accurate as of the date hereof with respect to certain
terms of certain documents, but reference is made to the actual documents (copies of which are attached or otherwise available on a confidential basis to prospective investors) for complete information with respect thereto, and all such summaries
are qualified in their entirety by such reference.
The distribution of this Information Memorandum and the offering of the securities in
certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons in possession of this Information Memorandum are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This Information Memorandum does not constitute, and may not be used
for or in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
No action has been taken by the Fund that would permit an offering of the New AMTP Shares or the circulation or distribution of this
Information Memorandum or any offering material in relation to the Fund or the securities in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.
THIS INFORMATION MEMORANDUM IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE RELIED UPON ALONE AS THE BASIS FOR AN INVESTMENT
DECISION. IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE FUND, AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND RISKS INVOLVED. INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO
BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN NEW AMTP SHARES FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.
NEITHER THE FUND NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES
MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION TO ANY OFFEREE OR PURCHASER OF NEW AMTP SHARES REGARDING THE LEGALITY OF INVESTMENT THEREIN BY SUCH OFFEREE OR PURCHASER UNDER APPLICABLE LEGAL INVESTMENT OR SIMILAR LAWS OR REGULATIONS OR THE PROPER CLASSIFICATION OF SUCH
AN INVESTMENT THEREUNDER.
THE CONTENTS OF THIS INFORMATION MEMORANDUM ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL, BUSINESS OR TAX ADVICE. EACH
PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN ATTORNEY, BUSINESS ADVISOR AND TAX ADVISOR AS TO LEGAL, BUSINESS AND TAX ADVICE. INVESTMENT IN THE NEW AMTP SHARES MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL RECIPIENTS OF THIS INFORMATION MEMORANDUM.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Information Memorandum or any other express or implied agreement to the
contrary, each prospective investor (and each employee, representative or other agent of each prospective investor) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of an investment in the
securities offered hereby and all materials of any kind that are provided to the prospective investor relating to such tax treatment and tax structure (as such terms are defined in U.S. Treasury regulation
section 1.6011-4). This authorization of tax disclosure is retroactively effective to the commencement of discussions with the prospective investors regarding the transactions contemplated herein.
In this Information Memorandum, references to U.S. Dollars, Dollars and $ are to United States dollars.
B-13
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Any projections, forecasts and estimates contained or incorporated by reference herein are forward looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions.
Projections, forecasts and estimates are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying any projections, forecasts or estimates will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual
results. Actual results may vary from any projections, forecasts and estimates and the variations may be material. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward looking statements include
changes in interest rates, market, financial or legal uncertainties, including changes in tax law, the state of the market in municipal securities, the funding and solvency of municipal issuers, and the timing and frequency of defaults on underlying
investments. Consequently, the inclusion of any projections, forecasts and estimates herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Fund or any of its affiliates or any other person or entity of the results that will actually be achieved
by the Fund. None of the Fund or its affiliates has any obligation to update or otherwise revise any projections, forecasts and estimates including any revisions to reflect changes in economic conditions or other circumstances arising after the date
hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even if the underlying assumptions do not come to fruition.
B-14
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Information Memorandum. We
have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Information Memorandum. We are offering the New AMTP Shares only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in
this Information Memorandum is accurate only as of the date of this Information Memorandum, regardless of the time of delivery of this Information Memorandum or any issuance of New AMTP Shares.
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NOTICE TO INVESTORS
Each purchaser of the New AMTP Shares offered hereby, by its acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have acknowledged, represented to and
agreed with the Fund as follows:
(1) It understands and acknowledges that the securities are restricted securities and have
not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, are being offered pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and may not be reoffered, sold or otherwise transferred except in compliance with the
registration requirements of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto and in each case in compliance with the conditions for transfer set forth in paragraph
(5) below.
(2) It is a qualified institutional buyer (QIB), as defined in Rule 144A promulgated under
the Securities Act, and is acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of another QIB.
(3) It acknowledges that
neither the Fund nor any person representing the Fund has made any representation to it with respect to the Fund or the offering or sale of any securities other than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Information
Memorandum, which has been delivered to it and upon which it is relying in making its investment decision with respect to the securities and information delivered or made available to it in response to its questions, due diligence, and requests for
information. Further, no representation is made regarding the New AMTP Shares or the advisability of investing in the New AMTP Shares. Moreover, it acknowledges that it has had access to such financial and other information concerning the Fund and
the securities as it has deemed necessary in connection with its decision to acquire the securities offered hereby, including an opportunity to ask questions of and request information from the Fund.
(4) It is acquiring the New AMTP Shares for its own account for investment, and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with,
any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, subject to any requirements of law that the disposition of its property be at all times within its control and subject to its ability to resell such securities pursuant to Rule 144A or any
exemption from registration available under the Securities Act.
(5) In the Purchase Agreement, the Initial Holder has agreed, and each
subsequent holder or owner of the New AMTP Shares will be required to agree, to offer, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of such securities only in whole shares and only to Persons that are both (1)(i) Persons that it reasonably believes are
QIBs that are registered closed-end management investment companies, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange (Closed-End
Funds), banks, or entities that are 100% direct or indirect subsidiaries of banks publicly traded parent holding companies (collectively, Banks), insurance companies or registered
open-end management investment companies, in each case, pursuant to Rule 144A or another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, in a manner not involving any public offering within the
meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, (ii) TOB trusts (or other similar investment vehicles) in which all investors are Persons that the Initial Holder reasonably believes are QIBs that are
Closed-End Funds, Banks, insurance companies, or registered open-end management investment companies, or (iii) other investors with the prior written consent of the
Fund and (2) Persons that are either (i) not a Nuveen Person or (ii) a Nuveen Person, provided that (x) such Nuveen Person would, after such sale and transfer, own not more than 20% of the New AMTP Shares, or (y) the prior
written consent of the Fund and the Holder(s) of more than 50% of the New AMTP Shares has been obtained.
(6) Each purchaser acknowledges
that each certificate representing New AMTP Shares (unless sold to the public in an underwritten offering of such New AMTP Shares pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act) will contain a legend substantially to the
following effect:
THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY
NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION
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HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL, TRANSFER OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF
SUCH SECURITY ONLY IN WHOLE SHARES AND ONLY TO PERSONS THAT ARE BOTH (1)(A) PERSONS THAT THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES ARE QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS THAT ARE REGISTERED CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THE SHARES OF WHICH ARE TRADED ON A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CLOSED-END FUNDS), BANKS OR ENTITIES THAT ARE 100% DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES OF
BANKS PUBLICLY TRADED PARENT HOLDING COMPANIES (COLLECTIVELY, BANKS), INSURANCE COMPANIES OR REGISTERED OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES, IN EACH CASE, IN AN OFFER AND
SALE MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A OR ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN A MANNER NOT INVOLVING ANY PUBLIC OFFERING WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 4(A)(2) OF THE SECURITIES ACT; (B) TENDER OPTION BOND
TRUSTS OR OTHER SIMILAR INVESTMENT VEHICLES IN WHICH ALL INVESTORS ARE PERSONS THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES ARE QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS THAT ARE CLOSED-END FUNDS, BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, OR
REGISTERED OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES; OR (C) PERSONS THAT THE ISSUER OF THE SECURITY HAS CONSENTED IN WRITING TO BE A HOLDER OF THE SECURITY AND (2) PERSONS THAT ARE EITHER
(i) NOT A NUVEEN PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE ISSUER OF THE SECURITY AND THE INITIAL HOLDER) OR (ii) A NUVEEN PERSON, PROVIDED THAT (X) SUCH NUVEEN PERSON WOULD, AFTER SUCH SALE AND TRANSFER, OWN NOT
MORE THAN 20% OF THE NEW AMTP SHARES, OR (Y) THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE FUND AND THE HOLDER(S) OF MORE THAN 50% OF THE NEW AMTP SHARES HAS BEEN OBTAINED.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE AGREED THAT, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF NEW AMTP SHARES,
IT IS TRANSFERRING TO THE TRANSFEREE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE FROM THE FUND ANY DIVIDENDS DECLARED AND UNPAID FOR EACH DAY PRIOR TO THE TRANSFEREE BECOMING THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE NEW AMTP SHARES IN EXCHANGE FOR PAYMENT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR
SUCH NEW AMTP SHARES BY THE TRANSFEREE.
(7) It acknowledges that the Fund and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the
foregoing acknowledgments, representations and agreements and agrees that, if any of the acknowledgments, representations or warranties deemed to have been made by its purchase of securities are no longer accurate, it shall promptly notify the Fund.
If it is acquiring any securities as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, it represents that it has sole investment discretion with respect to each such account and that it has full power to make the foregoing acknowledgments,
representations and agreements on behalf of each such account.
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RISK FACTORS
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little
or no return on your investment or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing you should consider carefully the following risks that you assume when you invest in New AMTP Shares. In addition to risks
associated with investing in New AMTP Shares, an investor in New AMTP Shares will also be subject indirectly to the general risks associated with the Funds investment policies, as described below. The section below does not describe all
of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund. Additional risks and uncertainties may also adversely affect and impact the Fund. See General Risks of Investing in the Fund below.
Risks of Investing in New AMTP Shares
Dividend Rate RiskNew AMTP Shares. The New AMTP Shares are variable dividend rate securities. Such securities generally are less
sensitive to interest and dividend rate changes but may decline in value if their dividend rate does not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest and dividend rates in general. Conversely, variable dividend rate securities will not generally
increase in value if interest and dividend rates decline.
Risks Related to SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap
Index is affected by factors that may affect other interest or dividend rates and rate indexes differently, including the following:
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Marginal Tax Rates. As the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index represents the rate payable on tax-exempt variable rate demand obligations, decreases in the marginal tax rate may increase the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, including in relation to other interest and dividend rates and rate indexes, as a result
of the reduced after-tax benefits of the tax-exempt variable rate demand obligations included in the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. Conversely, increases in the marginal
tax rate may decrease the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, including in relation to other interest and dividend rates and rate indexes, as a result of the greater after-tax benefits of the tax-exempt variable rate demand obligations included in the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. |
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Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Securities. Changes in the tax-exempt status of municipal securities may also affect the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index in relation to other interest and dividend rates and rate indexes. If the tax-exempt
status of municipal securities were to be removed, reduced or otherwise adversely affected, the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index would likely increase, converging toward
non-tax-exempt interest and dividend rates. |
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Tax Treatment of Comparable Securities. Changes in tax laws that grant non-municipal securities more favorable tax treatment to investors may adversely impact market demand for, and the pricing of, municipal securities generally and the
tax-exempt variable rate demand obligations included in the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index specifically. |
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Creditworthiness of Municipal Securities. Any actual or anticipated decline in the actual or perceived
creditworthiness of issuers of municipal securities could significantly increase the level of the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. Issues of creditworthiness that disproportionately affect issuers of municipal securities in relation to issuers of other
variable interest and dividend rate securities would increase the level of the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index in relation to other interest and dividend rates and rate indexes. |
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Supply and Demand for Municipal Securities; Remarketing Practices. In addition to the creditworthiness of
municipal securities, other factors can affect the level of the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, including in relation to other interest and dividend rates and rate indexes, such as supply and demand imbalances, any changes in the remarketing practices
for tax-exempt variable rate demand obligations, and other technical trading factors. Aside from changes in the tax law, such supply and demand movements could derive from fragmentation in the market for
municipal securities, uncertainty with respect to the rights of the holders of municipal securities, and illiquidity generally in the market. |
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Yield Compression. As market interest and dividend rates in general decrease, municipal securities
may become subject to decreasing demand (as the positive tax effects of holding tax-exempt municipal securities decline on a relative basis) and increasing supply (as municipal issuers seek to exploit low
interest rates by issuing more securities). This demand and supply imbalance could increase the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, including in relation to other interest and dividend rates and rate indexes. |
Discontinuation or Modification of the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap Index was created by SIFMA and is produced
by Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg). SIFMA and/or Bloomberg may make methodological or other changes that could change the index level of the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, including changes related to the method by which the index level
is calculated, the criteria for eligibility for inclusion in the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, and/or the timing on which the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is published. In addition, SIFMA and/or Bloomberg may alter, discontinue or suspend calculation or
dissemination of the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. SIFMA and Bloomberg have no obligation to consider the interests of the Holders of the New AMTP Shares in calculating, revising or discontinuing the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. In the event that the
SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is no longer published, the Dividend Amount will be based on the S&P Municipal Bond 7 Day High Grade Rate Index or its successor. If the S&P Municipal Bond 7 Day High Grade Rate Index is no longer published, the
Board of Trustees may in good faith select another reasonably comparable index as a replacement subject to approval of a majority of holders of the New AMTP Shares as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. No assurance can be given that the S&P
Municipal Bond 7 Day High Grade Rate Index or such other comparable index selected by the Board will be an accurate assessment of average tax-exempt variable rate demand obligation interest and dividend rates
that the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is currently proposed to measure.
No Public Trading Market and Restrictions on Transfer. There
is currently no established trading market for New AMTP Shares. The Fund does not intend to apply for a listing of the New AMTP Shares on a securities exchange or an automated dealer quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the
development or liquidity of any market for the New AMTP Shares. The Fund has not registered, and does not intend to register, the New AMTP Shares under the Securities Act. Accordingly, the New AMTP Shares are subject to restrictions on
transferability and resale and may only be purchased by and sold to persons that are reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any successor provision) in accordance
with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any successor provision. Furthermore, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Statement, unless otherwise permitted by the Fund, the New AMTP Shares may only be purchased by and sold to qualified
institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act that are (a) Closed-End Funds, Banks, insurance companies or registered open-end
management investment companies or (b) TOB trusts in which all investors are Closed-End Funds, Banks, insurance companies or registered open-end management
investment companies. See the terms and conditions in the Statement under the heading Transfers. Such restrictions on transfer of the New AMTP Shares may further limit their liquidity. If at any time the Fund is not subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), in order to preserve the exemption for resales and transfers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Fund will furnish, or cause
to be furnished, to holders of New AMTP Shares and prospective purchasers of New AMTP Shares, upon request, information with respect to the Fund satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(4) of Rule 144A under the Securities Act. See
Available Information.
Ratings Risk. The Fund expects that, at issuance, the New AMTP Shares will be rated at a
certain minimum level by Fitch or another Rating Agency designated by the Board of Trustees, and that such rating will be a requirement of issuance of such shares by the holders of the New AMTP Shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. There can be
no assurance that the New AMTP Shares will receive any particular rating from Fitch, or that any such rating will be maintained at the level originally assigned through the term of New AMTP Shares. In the event that Fitch does not issue a rating on
the New AMTP Shares at all or at the minimum level required, the issuance and sale of New AMTP Shares in this offering may not be completed. Ratings do not eliminate or
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mitigate the risks of investing in New AMTP Shares. A rating issued by a Rating Agency (including Fitch) is only the opinion of the entity issuing the rating at that time, and is not a guarantee
as to quality, or an assurance of the future performance, of the rated security (in this case, New AMTP Shares). In addition, the manner in which the Rating Agency obtains and processes information about a particular security may affect the Rating
Agencys ability to react in a timely manner to changes in an issuers circumstances (in this case, the Fund) that could influence a particular rating. A Rating Agency downgrade of the New AMTP Shares that results in an increase in the
Dividend Amount may make New AMTP Shares less liquid in the secondary market. There can be no assurance that any Rating Agency will not alter its rating criteria, resulting in a downgrade of ratings, which could further adversely affect the value
and liquidity of the New AMTP Shares.
Early Redemption Risk. The Fund may voluntarily redeem New AMTP Shares or may be forced to
redeem New AMTP Shares to meet regulatory requirements or the asset coverage and effective leverage requirements of the New AMTP Shares, or in the event of a Failed Transition Event or Failed Adjustment Event. Such redemptions may be at a time that
is unfavorable to holders of New AMTP Shares. The Fund may voluntarily redeem New AMTP Shares before the Term Redemption Date to the extent that market conditions allow the Fund to issue other preferred shares or debt securities at a rate that is
lower than the Dividend Amount on New AMTP Shares. See Redemption Optional Redemption in the Statement for additional information relating to early redemption.
Tax Risk. To qualify for the favorable federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, among other
things, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net
capital gain) would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to stockholders, and such distributions (including underlying distributions attributable to
tax-exempt interest income) would be taxable to stockholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits. The value of New AMTP Shares may be adversely
affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because dividends from New AMTP Shares are generally not expected to be subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of such shares in relation to other investment alternatives is
affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt treatment of dividends on New AMTP Shares. A portion of the dividends from New AMTP Shares may be subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax. In addition, the Fund is relying on an opinion of special tax counsel that the New AMTP Shares will qualify as equity in the Fund for federal income tax purposes. Because there is no direct legal authority on the classification of
instruments similar to New AMTP Shares, investors should be aware that the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) could assert a contrary position meaning that the IRS could classify New AMTP Shares as debt. If the IRS prevailed
on such a position, the Fund would not be able to pass through tax-exempt income to holders of New AMTP Shares, and dividends paid on New AMTP Shares (including dividends already paid) could become taxable as
ordinary interest income. See Federal Income Tax Matters.
Income Shortfall Risk. The municipal securities held in the
Funds portfolio generally pay interest based on long-term yields. Long-term, as well as intermediate-term and short-term interest rates may fluctuate. If the interest rates paid on the municipal securities held by the Fund fall below the SIFMA
Index Rate, the Funds ability to pay dividends on New AMTP Shares could be jeopardized.
Subordination Risk. While holders of
New AMTP Shares will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to any other preferred shares, including other series of New AMTP Shares, issued or that might be issued by the Fund, they will be subordinated to the rights of holders of senior
indebtedness, if any, and the claims of other creditors of the Fund. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of New AMTP Shares in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due, if any, to the holders of
senior indebtedness or other creditors of the Fund.
In addition, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940
Act), may provide debt holders with voting rights that are superior to the voting rights of holders of preferred shares, including holders of
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New AMTP Shares. Currently, the Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not issue debt securities or preferred shares that rank senior to New AMTP Shares other than for temporary or emergency
purposes. See Investment Restrictions. If the Fund enters into borrowings in accordance with its fundamental investment policies, reverse repurchase agreements, delayed delivery purchases and/or forward delivery contracts, or
derivatives, including interest-rate swaps or caps, the rights of lenders and counterparties in those transactions will also be senior to those holders of New AMTP Shares.
Credit Crisis and Liquidity Risk. The financial crisis in the U.S. and global economies over the past several years, including the
European sovereign debt crisis, has resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and in the net asset values of many investment companies, including to some
extent the Fund. Conditions in the U.S. and global economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in fixed income instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased
likelihood of default. The financial condition of federal, state and local governments may be sensitive to market events, which may, in turn, adversely affect the marketability of notes and bonds they issue Recent declines in real estate prices and
general business activity are reducing tax revenues of many state and local governments and could affect the economic viability of projects that are the sole source of revenue to support various private activity bonds. In addition, global economies
and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Because the situation is widespread and
largely unprecedented, it may be unusually difficult to identify both risks and opportunities using past models of the interplay of market forces, or to predict the duration of these market conditions. The severity or duration of these conditions
may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations.
If there is a significant decline in the
value of the Funds portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the New AMTP Shares and any other outstanding leverage (whether through other preferred shares or TOBs) the Fund may have. In addition, illiquidity and volatility in
the credit markets may directly and adversely affect the Funds distributions and/or the liquidity of the Liquidity Account. See Liquidity Account and Liquidity Requirement in the Statement for additional information relating to the
Liquidity Account.
Inflation Risk. Inflation is the reduction in the purchasing power of money resulting from the increase in the
price of goods and services. Inflation risk is the risk that the inflation adjusted (or real) value of an investment in New AMTP Shares or the income from that investment will be worth less in the future.
Reinvestment RiskNew AMTP Shares. Given the potential for early redemption of New AMTP Shares, holders of New AMTP Shares may
face an increased reinvestment risk, which is the risk that the return on an investment purchased with proceeds from the sale or redemption of New AMTP Shares may be lower than the return previously obtained from an investment in New AMTP Shares.
Other Dividend Risks. In addition to the interest rate risks noted above, the Fund may otherwise be unable to pay dividends on New
AMTP Shares in extraordinary circumstances.
General Risks of Investing in the Fund
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that one or more municipal securities in the Funds portfolio will decline in price, or the
issuer thereof will fail to pay interest or principal when due, because the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial status. In general, lower-rated municipal securities carry a greater degree of risk that the issuer will lose
its ability to make interest and principal payments, which could have a negative impact on the Funds net asset value or dividends. Credit risk is increased when a portfolio security is downgraded or the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer
deteriorates. If a municipal security satisfies the rating requirements described above at the time of investment and is subsequently downgraded below that rating, the Fund will not be required to dispose of the security. If a downgrade occurs, the Sub-Adviser will consider
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what action, including the sale of the security, is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. This means that the Fund may invest in municipal securities that are involved in
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the time of acquisition (such securities are commonly referred to as distressed securities).
Credit Spread Risk. Credit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to
differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market believes that municipal securities generally have a greater risk of default. Increasing credit spreads may reduce the market values of the Funds securities. Credit spreads often
increase more for lower rated and unrated securities than for investment grade securities. In addition, when credit spreads increase, reductions in market value will generally be greater for longer-maturity securities.
Below Investment Grade Risk. Municipal securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as junk bonds, are regarded
as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments. Also, to the
extent that the rating assigned to a municipal security in the Funds portfolio is downgraded by any NRSRO, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. The market values for municipal securities of below
investment grade quality tend to be volatile, and these securities are less liquid than investment grade municipal securities. For these reasons, an investment in the Fund, compared with a portfolio consisting solely of investment grade securities,
may experience the following:
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increased price sensitivity resulting from changing interest rates and/or a deteriorating economic environment;
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greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality; |
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adverse issuer specific events that are more likely to render the issuer unable to make interest and/or principal
payments; and |
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the possibility that a negative perception of the below investment grade market develops, resulting in the price
and liquidity of below investment grade securities becoming depressed, and this negative perception could last for a significant period of time. |
Adverse changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of a below investment grade issuer to make principal
payments and interest payments compared to an investment grade issuer. The principal amount of below investment grade securities outstanding has proliferated in the past decade as an increasing number of issuers have used below investment grade
securities for financing. The current downturn may severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. As the national economy experiences the current economic
downturn, resulting in decreased tax and other revenue streams of municipal issuers, or in the event interest rates rise sharply, increasing the interest cost on variable rate instruments and negatively impacting economic activity, the
number of defaults by below investment grade municipal issuers is likely to increase. Similarly, downturns in profitability in specific industries could adversely affect private activity bonds. The market values of lower quality debt securities
tend to reflect individual developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. In addition, the Fund may incur additional expenses to the
extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to foreclose on an issuers assets and take possession of its property or
operations. In such circumstances, the Fund would incur additional costs in disposing of such assets and potential liabilities from operating any business acquired.
The secondary market for below investment grade securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a
factor that may have an adverse effect on the Funds ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for below investment grade municipal securities than
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the market for investment grade municipal securities. The prices quoted by different dealers for below investment grade municipal securities may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid
and ask price is generally much larger for below investment grade municipal securities than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could contract
further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the
securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Funds net asset
value.
Issuers of below investment grade securities are highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of
financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with higher rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates,
highly leveraged issuers of below investment grade securities may experience financial stress. During such periods, such issuers may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuers ability to service its
debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific developments, the issuers inability to meet specific projected forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss from default by the issuer is significantly
greater for the holders of below investment grade securities because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Prices and yields of below investment grade securities will fluctuate over time
and, during periods of economic uncertainty, volatility of below investment grade securities may adversely affect the Funds net asset value. In addition, investments in below investment grade zero coupon bonds rather than income-bearing below
investment grade securities may be more speculative and may be subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates.
Investments in lower rated or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these
securities default on their obligations pertaining thereto, and the federal income tax consequences to the Fund as a holder of such distressed securities may not be clear.
Municipal Securities Market Risk. Investing in the municipal securities market involves certain risks. The municipal market is one in
which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital, and during the 2008-2009 market turmoil these firms capital was severely constrained. As a result, some firms were unwilling to commit their capital
to purchase and to serve as a dealer for municipal securities. The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment
performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Sub-Adviser than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. The secondary market for municipal securities,
particularly the below investment grade bonds in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its municipal securities at
attractive prices or at prices approximating those at which the Fund currently values them. Municipal securities may contain redemption provisions, which may allow the securities to be called or redeemed prior to their stated maturity, potentially
resulting in the distribution of principal and a reduction in subsequent interest distributions.
The ability of municipal issuers to make
timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state
legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities might seek
protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to
which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuers
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obligations on such securities, which may increase the Funds operating expenses. Any income derived from the Funds ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt and may not be of the type that would allow the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC) for federal income tax purposes.
Revenue bonds issued by state or local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family
housing involve special risks in addition to those associated with municipal securities generally, including that the underlying properties may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses and interest costs. These bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on the financial performance of the property, may be
prepayable without penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate income to pay interest. Additionally, unusually high rates of default on the underlying mortgage loans
may reduce revenues available for the payment of principal or interest on such mortgage revenue bonds.
Special Risks Related to
Certain Municipal Obligations. The Fund may invest in municipal leases and certificates of participation in such leases. Municipal leases and certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or
revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property
and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of
non-appropriation clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the
appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased
premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might
prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover the Funds original investment. In the event of non-appropriation, the issuer would be
in default and taking ownership of the assets may be a remedy available to the Fund, although the Fund does not anticipate that such a remedy would normally be pursued. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates
in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Certificates of participation, which represent interests in unmanaged pools of municipal leases or installment
contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificates of participation to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities.
Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.
Tobacco Settlement Bond Risk. Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be
derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing states proportionate share in the Master
Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA is an agreement reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. Under the terms of the MSA, the actual amount of future settlement
payments by tobacco manufacturers is dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies,
continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. If the volume of cigarettes shipped in the U.S. by manufacturers participating in the settlement decreases significantly, payments due from them will also decrease. Demand
for cigarettes in the United States could continue to decline due to price increases needed to recoup the cost of payments by tobacco companies. Demand could also be affected by anti-smoking campaigns, tax increases, reduced advertising, and
enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors; elimination of certain sales venues such as vending machines; and the spread of local ordinances restricting smoking in public places.
B-24
As a result, payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline. A market share loss
by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers would cause a downward adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or
reductions in bond payments. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges and has, to date, withstood those challenges.
Zero
Coupon Bonds Risk. Because interest on zero coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of zero coupon bonds will be more volatile in response to interest rate changes than the values of bonds that distribute income regularly.
Although zero coupon bonds generate income for accounting purposes, they do not produce cash flow, and thus the Fund could be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to generate cash to distribute to shareholders as required
by federal income tax law.
Interest Rate Risk. Generally, when market interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa.
Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. As interest rates decline, issuers of municipal securities may prepay principal earlier
than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities and potentially reducing the Funds income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life of securities, potentially
locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Funds value. In typical market interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term municipal securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term municipal securities as
interest rates change. Because the Fund will invest in long-term municipal securities, the common share net asset value and market price per share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested
primarily in shorter-term municipal securities. In comparison to maturity (which is the date on which a debt instrument ceases and the issuer is obligated to repay the principal amount), duration is a measure of the price volatility of a debt
instrument as a result of changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted average timing of the instruments expected principal and interest payments. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers a securitys yield,
coupon payments, principal payments and call features in addition to the amount of time until the security finally matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration.
Prices of securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. In
general, a portfolio of securities with a longer duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a portfolio with a shorter duration. For example, the price of a bond with an effective duration of two years will rise
(fall) two percent for every one percent decrease (increase) in its yield, and the price of a five-year duration bond will rise (fall) five percent for a one percent decrease (increase) in its yield. Greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates
typically corresponds to higher volatility and higher risk.
Yield curve risk is the risk associated with either a flattening or
steepening of the yield curve, which is a result of changing yields among comparable bonds with different maturities. When market interest rates, or yields, increase, the price of a bond will decrease and vice versa. When the yield curve shifts, the
price of the bond, which was initially priced based on the initial yield curve, will change in price. If the yield curve flattens, then the yield spread between long- and short-term interest rates narrows, and the price of the bond will change
accordingly. If the bond is short-term and the yield decreases, the price of this bond will increase. If the yield curve steepens, this means that the spread between long- and short-term interest rates increases. Therefore, long-term bond prices,
like the ones held by the Fund, will decrease relative to short-term bonds. Changes in the yield curve are based on bond risk premiums and expectations of future interest rates.
Because the values of lower-rated and comparable unrated debt securities are affected both by credit risk and interest rate risk, the price
movements of such lower grade securities typically have not been highly correlated to the fluctuations of the prices of investment grade quality securities in response to changes in market interest rates. The Funds investments in inverse
floating rate securities, as described herein under Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk, will tend to increase common share interest rate risk.
B-25
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) Replacement Risk.
LIBOR is an index rate that historically has been widely used in lending transactions and remains a common reference rate for setting the floating interest rate on private loans. The use of LIBOR is being phased out, which may adversely affect the
Funds investments whose value is tied to LIBOR. While the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) has been recommended as the replacement rate for LIBOR, and some product markets have adopted the use of SOFR, LIBOR may still
be used as a reference rate until such time that private markets have fully transitioned to using SOFR or other alternative reference rates recommended by applicable market regulators. The transition process away from LIBOR may involve, among other
things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR. The potential effect of a discontinuation of LIBOR on the Funds investments will vary depending on, among other things: (1) existing
fallback provisions that provide a replacement reference rate if LIBOR is no longer available; (2) termination provisions in individual contracts; and (3) how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and
fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments held by the Fund. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR until it is clearer how the Funds products and instruments will be impacted
by this transition.
Distressed Securities Risk. The Fund may invest to a limited extent in securities rated CCC+/Caa1 or lower, or
unrated but judged by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality. Some or many of these low-rated securities, although not in default, may be distressed,
meaning that the issuer is experiencing financial difficulties or distress at the time of acquisition. Such securities would present a substantial risk of future default which may cause the Fund to incur losses, including additional expenses, to the
extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on those securities. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio security, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be
required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities may be subject to restrictions on resale.
Puerto Rico Municipal Securities Market Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities
issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations (collectively referred to in this Memorandum as Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth), it
will be disproportionally affected by political, social and economic conditions and developments in the Commonwealth. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that territory could adversely affect the value of the Funds
investment portfolio.
Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including substantial debt
service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
Major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both
August 2015 and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further
downgrades or defaults may place additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Legislation, including legislation that
would allow Puerto Rico to restructure its municipal debt obligations, thus increasing the risk that Puerto Rico may never pay off municipal indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed, could also impact the value of the
Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
These challenges and uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria
and the resulting natural disaster in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of
time needed to rebuild Puerto Ricos infrastructure is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an uncertain economic state. The full extent of the natural disasters impact on Puerto Ricos
economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is difficult to estimate.
B-26
Puerto Ricos political and economic conditions could have a negative impact on the
liquidity or value of Puerto Rican municipal securities, and consequently may affect the Funds investments and its performance if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
Economic and Political Events Risk. The Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it
invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds of similar projects (such as those relating to the education, health care, housing, transportation, or utilities industries), industrial development bonds, or in particular types of municipal
securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds or moral obligation bonds). Such developments may adversely affect a specific industry or local political and economic conditions, and thus may lead to declines in the bonds
creditworthiness and value.
Global Economic Risk. National and regional economies and financial markets are becoming
increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country, region or market might adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or market. Changes in legal, political, regulatory, tax and economic
conditions may cause fluctuations in markets and investments prices around the world, which could negatively impact the value of the Funds investments. Major economic or political disruptions, particularly in large economies like Chinas,
may have global negative economic and market repercussions. Additionally, instability in various countries, such as Afghanistan and Syria, natural and environmental disasters and the spread of infectious illnesses or other public health emergencies,
possible terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world, continued tensions between North Korea and the United States and the international community generally, growing social and political discord in the United States, the European
debt crisis, the response of the international communitythrough economic sanctions and otherwisefurther downgrade of U.S. government securities, the change in the U.S. president and the new administration and other similar events may
adversely affect the global economy and the markets and issuers in which the Fund invests. Recent examples of such events include the outbreak of a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 that was first detected
in China in December 2019 and heightened concerns regarding North Koreas nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missile programs. In addition, Russias recent invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has resulted in sanctions
imposed by several nations, such as the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and Canada. The current sanctions and potential further sanctions may negatively impact certain sectors of Russias economy, but also may negatively impact
the value of the Funds investments that do not have direct exposure to Russia. These events could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closure, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact
on the economy. These events could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Funds service providers, including the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, rely, and could
otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Funds service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of the Fund.
The
Fund does not know and cannot predict how long the securities markets may be affected by these events and the effects of these and similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. The Fund may be adversely affected by
abrogation of international agreements and national laws which have created the market instruments in which the Fund may invest, failure of the designated national and international authorities to enforce compliance with the same laws and
agreements, failure of local, national and international organizations to carry out the duties prescribed to them under the relevant agreements, revisions of these laws and agreements which dilute their effectiveness or conflicting interpretation of
provisions of the same laws and agreements.
Governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have in
the past responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions into companies, new monetary programs and dramatically lower interest rates. An
unexpected or quick reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of these policies, could increase volatility in securities markets, which could adversely affect the Funds investments. See Recent Market Conditions
below.
B-27
Recent Market Conditions. Periods of unusually high financial market volatility and
restrictive credit conditions, at times limited to a particular sector or geographic area, have occurred in the past and may be expected to recur in the future. Some countries, including the United States, have adopted or have signaled protectionist
trade measures, relaxation of the financial industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or reductions to corporate taxes. The scope of these policy changes is still developing, but the equity and debt markets may react strongly to
expectations of change, which could increase volatility, particularly if a resulting policy runs counter to the markets expectations. The outcome of such changes cannot be foreseen at the present time. In addition, geopolitical and other
risks, including environmental and public health risks, may add to instability in the world economy and markets generally. As a result of increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets, the value and liquidity of the Funds
investments may be negatively affected by events impacting a country or region, regardless of whether the Fund invests in issuers located in or with significant exposure to such country or region.
The current outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in instances of market closures and dislocations,
extreme volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, disruptions of healthcare
systems, business operations (including business closures) and supply chains, layoffs, lower consumer demand and employee availability, defaults and credit downgrades, among other significant economic impacts, all of which have disrupted global
economic activity across many industries and may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks, locally or globally and cause general concern and uncertainty. The full economic impact and
ongoing effects of COVID-19 (or other future epidemics or pandemics) at the macro-level and on individual businesses are unpredictable and may result in significant and prolonged effects on the Funds
performance. To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Fund may experience negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Fund is subject, including: operational
impacts on and availability of key personnel of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, and/or any of the Funds other service providers, vendors and counterparties as they face changed circumstances and/or illness related to the
pandemic.
Governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, have in the past responded to
major economic disruptions with changes to fiscal and monetary policy, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions, new monetary programs, and dramatically lower interest rates. Certain of those policy changes are being implemented or
considered in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Such policy changes may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of instruments in which the Fund invests.
On June 23, 2016, the UK held a referendum on whether to remain a member state of the EU, in which voters favored the UKs
withdrawal from the EU, an event widely referred to as Brexit. On January 31, 2020, the UK formally withdrew from the EU. The transition period concluded on December 31, 2020, and EU law no longer applies in the UK. On
December 30, 2020, the UK and EU signed the UK/EU Trade Agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 2021 and sets out the foundation of the economic and legal framework for trade between the UK and EU. As the UK/EU Trade Agreement is a
new legal framework, the implementation of the UK/EU Trade Agreement may result in uncertainty in its application and periods of volatility in both the UK and wider European markets. The longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to
be put in place between the UK and the EU are unclear at this stage, remain subject to negotiation and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the UK and in wider European
markets for some time. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the UK and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for
some time. Additionally, a number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict, most recently in February 2022 when Russia invaded
Ukraine; this conflict may expand and military attacks could occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or
geographical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. The ongoing trade war between China and the United States, including the imposition of tariffs by each country on the other countrys products, has
created a tense
B-28
political environment. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible
failure of individual companies and/or large segments of Chinas export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Funds performance. U.S. companies that source material and goods from China and those that make large amounts of
sales in China would be particularly vulnerable to an escalation of trade tensions. Uncertainty regarding the outcome of the trade tensions and the potential for a trade war could cause the U.S. dollar to decline against safe haven currencies, such
as the Japanese yen and the euro. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.
The impact of these developments in the near- and long-term is unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial
markets and asset valuations around the world.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate
securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a tender option bond trust) formed by a third party sponsor for the purpose of holding municipal bonds.
In general, income on inverse floating rate securities will decrease when interest rates increase and increase when interest rates decrease. Thus, distributions paid to the 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 rates fall. Inverse floating rate securities generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal bonds in a rising interest rate environment.
Investments in inverse floating rate securities may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal.
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In the Adviser and/or
the Sub-Advisers discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party sponsor of a special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse
agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or
(ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party sponsor of the
trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. In such instances, the Fund may be
at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities.
Because of the leveraged nature of such investments,
inverse floating rate securities may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying fixed rate municipal bonds held by the tender option bond. As a result, the market value of such securities generally is more volatile than that
of fixed rate securities.
The Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have
recourse to the Fund may be highly leveraged. The structure and degree to which the Funds inverse floating rate securities are highly leveraged will vary based upon a number of factors, including the size of the trust itself and the terms of
the underlying municipal security. An inverse floating rate security generally is considered highly leveraged if the principal amount of the short-term floating rate interests issued by the related special purpose trust has a three to one gearing to
the principal amount of the inverse floating rate securities owned by the trust. In the event of a significant decline in the value of an underlying security, the Fund may suffer losses in excess of the amount of its investment (up to an amount
equal to the value of the municipal securities underlying the inverse floating rate securities) as a result of liquidating special purpose trusts or other collateral in connection with managing the overall economic effect of leverage on the Fund.
The economic effect of leverage created through the Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities will create an
opportunity for increased common share net income and returns, but will also create the possibility
B-29
that common share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund.
Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based, among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities
deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be called
away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of net asset value and market price of the common shares may
be greater for a fund (like the Fund) that relies primarily on inverse floating rate securities to achieve the economic effect of leverage. The Fund may be required to sell its inverse floating rate securities at less than favorable prices, or
liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:
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If the Fund has a need for cash and the securities in a special purpose trust are not actively trading due to
adverse market conditions; |
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If special purpose trust sponsors (as a collective group or individually) experience financial hardship and
consequently seek to terminate their respective outstanding trusts; and |
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If the value of an underlying security declines significantly (to a level below the notional value of the
floating rate securities issued by the trust) and if additional collateral has not been posted by the Fund. |
The amount
of fees paid to the Adviser (which in turn pays a portion of its fees to the Sub-Adviser) for investment advisory services will be higher if the Fund uses leverage because the fees will be calculated based on
the Funds net assetsthis may create an incentive for the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser to leverage the Fund.
There is no assurance that the Funds strategy of investing in inverse floating rate securities will be successful.
Insurance Risk. The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts.
The credit quality of the companies that provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance for municipal securities have incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit quality investments that have experienced defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such losses have reduced the insurers capital and
called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the
insurer of a municipal security suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant and the value of the municipal
security would more closely, if not entirely, reflect such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a municipal security would decline and may not add any value. The insurance feature of a municipal security does not guarantee
the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the net asset value of the common shares represented by such insured obligation.
Tax Risk. To qualify for the favorable federal income tax treatment generally accorded to a RIC, the Fund must, among other
requirements, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources and satisfy a diversification test on a quarterly basis. If the Fund fails to satisfy the qualifying income or diversification requirements in
any taxable year, the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally,
relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. In order to be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the
diversification requirements, the Fund may be required to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to the Fund and it were to fail to
B-30
qualify for treatment as a RIC for a taxable year, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to federal income tax at the 21% regular corporate rate without any
deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable for federal income tax purposes as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits.
To qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are treated as items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, at least 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund must consist of obligations exempt from regular income tax as of the close of each quarter of the Funds taxable year. If the proportion of taxable investments held by the Fund
exceeded 50% of the Funds total assets as of the close of any quarter of the Funds taxable year, the Fund would not for that taxable year satisfy the general eligibility test that would permit it to pay exempt-interest dividends for that
taxable year.
The value of the Funds investments and its net asset value may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and
policies. Because interest income from municipal securities held by the Fund is normally not subject to regular federal income tax, 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. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the
demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect the Funds net asset value and ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels. Additionally, the
Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax-exempt or tax-advantaged accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the
federal income tax consequences of their investments.
Generally, the Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities do not
generate taxable income for federal income tax purposes.
Alternative Minimum Tax Risk. The Fund may invest in AMT Bonds.
Therefore, a portion of the Funds otherwise exempt-interest dividends may be taxable to those shareholders subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, exempt-interest
dividends may also affect the corporate alternative minimum tax liability of some corporate shareholders.
Taxability
Risk. The Fund will invest in municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, and neither the Investment Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser will independently verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Funds acquisition of such a municipal security, however, the security may be
determined to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends could be adversely affected, subjecting the Funds shareholders to
increased federal income tax liabilities. In certain circumstances, the Fund will make additional distributions to holders of preferred shares to offset the federal income tax effects of a taxable distribution.
Distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and
not eligible for favorable taxation as qualified dividend income), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. See Federal Income Tax Matters.
Derivatives Risk. The Funds use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated
with investing directly in the investments underlying the derivatives. Whether the Funds use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, if the Adviser and Sub-Adviser correctly
forecasts market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. If the Adviser and Sub-Adviser incorrectly forecasts these and other factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be unfavorably
affected. The derivatives market is subject to a changing regulatory environment. It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the derivatives market could adversely affect the Funds ability to successfully use derivative
instruments.
B-31
Risk of Swaps and Swap Options. The Fund may enter into debt-related derivatives
instruments including credit default swap contracts and interest rate swaps. Like most derivative instruments, the use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. In addition, the use of swaps requires an understanding by the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser not only of the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the swap
itself. If the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish
compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds economic leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on
its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
The Fund generally may only close
out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two-party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of
the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund
will succeed in enforcing its rights.
The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. When the Fund purchases a swap
option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. When the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the
underlying agreement.
It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the derivatives market, including the SECs recently
adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, could adversely affect the Funds ability to successfully use derivative instruments.
Legislation and Regulatory Risk. At any time after the date of this Memorandum, legislation or additional regulations may be
enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund, investments held by the Fund or the issuers of such investments. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or investments in which the Fund invests.
Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Fund shareholders may incur increased costs resulting from such legislation or additional regulation. There can be no assurance that future legislation,
regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Additionally, the Fund is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like the
Fund, from registration as a commodity pool operator under Rule 4.5 promulgated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) pursuant to its authority under the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA)
and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator. As a result, the Fund is limited in its ability to use commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes and interest
rate futures) or options on commodity futures, engage in swaps transactions or make certain other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles) for purposes other than bona fide hedging. With respect
to transactions other than for bona fide hedging purposes, either: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Funds positions in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Funds
portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100%
of the liquidation value of the Funds portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the Fund
B-32
may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the futures, options or swaps markets. If the Fund does not continue to claim the exclusion, it would likely
become subject to registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator. The Fund may incur additional expenses as a result of the CFTCs registration and regulatory requirements.
Clearing Broker and Central Clearing Counterparty Risk. The CEA requires swaps and futures clearing brokers registered as futures
commission merchants to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of U.S. domestic futures contracts and cleared swaps from the brokers proprietary assets. Similarly, the CEA requires
each futures commission merchant to hold in separate secure accounts all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of foreign futures contracts and cleared swaps and segregate any such funds from the funds
received with respect to domestic futures contracts. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account and may be invested in certain
instruments permitted under applicable regulations. There is a risk that assets deposited by the Fund with any swaps or futures clearing broker as margin for futures contracts or cleared swaps may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy losses
of other clients of the Funds clearing broker. In addition, the assets of the Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the Funds clearing brokers bankruptcy, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro
rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing brokers customers for the relevant account class. Similarly, the CEA requires a clearing organization approved by the CFTC as a derivatives clearing organization to
segregate all funds and other property received from a clearing members clients in connection with domestic cleared derivative contracts from any funds held at the clearing organization to support the clearing members proprietary
trading. Nevertheless, all customer funds held at a clearing organization in connection with any futures contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account and are not identified to the name of the clearing members individual customers. All
customer funds held at a clearing organization with respect to cleared swaps of customers of a clearing broker are also held in an omnibus account, but CFTC rules require that the clearing broker notify the clearing organization of the amount of the
initial margin provided by the clearing broker to the clearing organization that is attributable to each customer. With respect to futures and options contracts, a clearing organization may use assets of a
non-defaulting customer held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. With respect to
cleared swaps, a clearing organization generally cannot do so, but may do so if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting to the clearing organization as to the attribution of margin among its clients. Also, since clearing brokers
generally provide to clearing organizations the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer, the Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing
organization will not make variation margin payments owed to the Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default. As a result, in the event of a default or the clearing brokers other clients or the
clearing brokers failure to extend its own funds in connection with any such default, the Fund may not be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited by the clearing broker on behalf of the Fund with the clearing organization.
Hedging Risk. The Funds use of derivatives or other transactions to reduce risk involves costs and will be subject to the Adviser
and Sub-Advisers ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Funds portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that the Adviser and
Sub-Advisers judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may
be advisable to do so. These hedging strategies may generate taxable income.
Other Investment Companies Risk. The Fund may
invest in the securities of other investment companies. Such securities may be leveraged. As a result, the Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities. Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment
technique and involves certain risks. An investment in securities of other investment companies that are leveraged may expose the Fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Funds long-term
returns on
B-33
such securities) will be diminished. An ETF that is based on a specific index, whether stock or otherwise, may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting
of securities in the index. An ETF also incurs certain expenses not incurred by its applicable index. The market value of shares of ETFs and closed-end funds may differ from their net asset value.
Counterparty Risk. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Funds counterparties with respect to
derivatives, insured municipal securities or other transactions supported by another partys credit will affect the value of those instruments. Certain entities that have served as counterparties in the markets for these transactions have
recently incurred significant financial hardships including bankruptcy and losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower quality credit investments that have experienced recent defaults
or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such hardships have reduced these entities capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such transactions. By using such
derivatives or other transactions, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience similar financial hardships.
Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to
repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price and date, thereby establishing an effective interest rate. The Funds use of reverse repurchase agreements, in economic essence, constitute a secured borrowing by the Fund from the security
purchaser. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for the purpose of creating a leveraged investment exposure and, as such, their usage involves essentially the same risks associated with a leveraging strategy generally since the
proceeds from these agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements tend to be short-term in tenor, and there can be no assurances that the purchaser (lender) will commit to extend or roll a given
agreement upon its agreed-upon repurchase date or an alternative purchaser can be identified on similar terms.
Reverse repurchase
agreements also involve the risk that the purchaser fails to return the securities as agreed upon, files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. The Fund may be restricted from taking normal portfolio actions during such time, could be subject to loss
to the extent that the proceeds of the agreement are less than the value of securities subject to the agreement and may experience adverse tax consequences.
Illiquid Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in municipal securities and other instruments that, at the time of investment, are
illiquid. Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable and may include some restricted securities, which are securities that may not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act,
if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. Illiquid securities involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Fund or
at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.
Market Disruption Risk. Certain
events have a disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist attacks, war, pandemics and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy. Below-investment-grade
securities tend to be more volatile than higher rated securities, meaning that these events and any actions resulting from them may have a greater impact on the prices and volatility of below-investment-grade securities than on higher rated
securities.
Municipal Bond Market Liquidity Risk. Inventories of municipal bonds 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 the Funds ability to buy or sell bonds, and increase bond price volatility and trading costs,
particularly during periods of economic or market stress. In addition, recent changes to federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of municipal bonds, which may further decrease the Funds ability to buy
or sell bonds. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a 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. If the Fund
needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds prices and hurt performance.
B-34
Income Risk. The Funds income is based primarily on the interest it earns from its
investments, which can vary widely over the short-term and long-term. If interest rates drop, the Funds income available over time to make dividend payments could drop as well if the Fund purchases securities with lower interest coupons.
Call Risk. During periods of declining interest rates or for other purposes, issuers may exercise their option to prepay principal
earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding instruments. This is known as prepayment or call risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to call risk. Debt and preferred instruments may be redeemed
at the option of the issuer, or called, before their stated maturity or redemption date. In general, an issuer will call its debt or preferred instruments if they can be refinanced by issuing new instruments which bear a lower interest
or dividend rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call its debt. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest or dividend rates, resulting
in a decline in the Funds income.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Funds
portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the portfolios current earnings rate.
Sector and Industry Risk. Subject to the concentration limits of the Funds investment policies and guidelines, the Fund may
invest a significant portion of its net assets in certain sectors of the municipal securities market, such as hospitals and other health care facilities, charter schools and other private educational facilities, special taxing districts and start-up utility districts, and private activity bonds including industrial development bonds on behalf of transportation companies such as airline companies, whose credit quality and performance may be more
susceptible to economic, business, political, regulatory and other developments than other sectors of municipal issuers. If the Fund invests a significant portion of its net assets in the sectors noted above, the Funds performance may be
subject to additional risk and variability. To the extent that the Fund focuses its net assets in the hospital and healthcare facilities sector, for example, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with such sector, including adverse government
regulation and reduction in reimbursement rates, as well as government approval of products and services and intense competition. Securities issued with respect to special taxing districts will be subject to various risks, including real-estate
development related risks and taxpayer concentration risk. Further, the fees, special taxes or tax allocations and other revenues established to secure the obligations of securities issued with respect to special taxing districts are generally
limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. Charter schools and other private educational facilities are subject to various risks,
including the reversal of legislation authorizing or funding charter schools, the failure to renew or secure a charter, the failure of a funding entity to appropriate necessary funds and competition from alternatives such as voucher programs.
Issuers of municipal utility securities can be significantly affected by government regulation, financing difficulties, supply and demand of services or fuel and natural resource conservation. The transportation sector, including airports, airlines,
ports and other transportation facilities, can be significantly affected by changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor relations, insurance costs and government regulation.
Valuation Risk. The municipal securities in which the Fund invests typically are valued by a pricing service utilizing a range of
market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. There is no assurance that the Fund will be
able to sell a portfolio security at the price established by the pricing service, which could result in a loss to the Fund. Pricing services generally price municipal securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round
lot size, but some trades may occur in smaller, odd lot sizes, often at lower prices than institutional round lot trades. Different pricing services may incorporate different assumptions and inputs into their valuation
methodologies, potentially resulting in different values for the same securities. As a result, if the Fund were to change pricing services, or if the Funds pricing service were to change its valuation methodology, there could be a material
impact, either positive or negative, on the Funds net asset value.
B-35
Cybersecurity Risk. Technology, such as the Internet, has become more prevalent in the
course of business, and as such, the Fund and its service providers are susceptible to operational and information security risk resulting from cyber incidents. Cyber incidents refer to both intentional attacks and unintentional events including:
processing errors, human errors, technical errors including computer glitches and system malfunctions, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, market-wide technical-related disruptions, unauthorized access to digital systems (through
hacking or malicious software coding), computer viruses, and cyber-attacks which shut down, disable, slow or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes or website access or functionality (including denial of service attacks). Cyber
incidents could adversely impact the Fund and cause the Fund to incur financial loss and expense, as well as face exposure to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures. Cyber
incidents may cause the Fund or its service providers to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, lose operational capacity or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other potentially harmful effects, cyber
incidents also may result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any
cyber incidents in the future. While the Funds service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems
including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Funds Declaration and By-laws include provisions that
could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, change the composition of its Board of Trustees or convert the Fund to open-end status.
B-36
THE FUND
Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on March 21, 2001 pursuant to the Declaration governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Funds common shares are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol NZF. The Funds principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (800) 257-8787.
The following provides information about the Funds outstanding shares as of November 30, 2022:
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(1)
Title of Class |
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(2) Shares Authorized |
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(3) Shares Held by Fund for Its Own Account |
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(4) Shares Outstanding Exclusive of Shares Shown under (3) |
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Common shares |
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Unlimited |
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165,390,401 |
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Preferred shares |
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Unlimited |
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1,500 (Series A MFP) 1,550 (Series B MFP)
3,360 (Series C MFP)
2,688 (Series 1 VRDP)
2,622 (Series 2 VRDP)
1,460 (Series 3 VRDP) |
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The following provides information about the Funds outstanding preferred shares, as adjusted to reflect
the issuance of the New AMTP Shares and the issuance of New VRDP Shares following the completion of the Mergers as if the Mergers had been completed as of November 30, 2022.
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Title of Class |
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Amount Authorized |
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Amount Held By the Fund Or For Its Account |
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Amount Outstanding |
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Preferred Shares: |
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unlimited |
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AMTP: |
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Series 2028 |
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0 |
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585 |
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VRDP: |
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Series 1 |
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0 |
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2,688 |
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Series 2 |
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0 |
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2,622 |
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Series 3 |
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0 |
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1,460 |
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Series 4 |
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0 |
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1,480 |
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MFP: |
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Series A |
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0 |
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1,500 |
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Series B |
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0 |
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1,550 |
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Series C |
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0 |
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3,360 |
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The Fund, without the consent of New AMTP Shares shareholders, may from time to time issue additional
preferred shares of a new or existing series in connection with new financings, refinancing or reorganizations. Additional information about the Fund may be obtained from www.sec.gov or by visiting www.nuveen.com, as set forth in the
section Available Information. Information on those websites is not part of this Memorandum, except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference.
DESCRIPTION OF NEW AMTP SHARES
For a complete description of the preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualification, and terms and
condition of redemption, of the New AMTP Shares please see the form of Statement attached hereto as Appendix A1 and incorporated herein by reference.
B-37
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE AGREEMENT
The Fund will enter into a Purchase Agreement with the Initial Holder with terms substantially similar to those included in the purchase
agreement in effect for Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares immediately prior to consummation of the Mergers, except as described below. Among other things, the Purchase Agreement provides certain information and consent rights to the Initial Holder.
The Purchase Agreement for the New AMTP Shares will differ from the exchange agreement in effect for Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares in that the
Funds representations, warranties and covenants concerning credit quality will be revised to accommodate the Funds investment policy that provides for the Fund investing in up to 55% of its Managed Assets in securities rated, at the time
of investment, below the three highest grades (Baa or BBB or lower) by at least one NRSRO, which includes below-investment-grade securities or unrated securities judged to be of comparable quality by the
Sub-Adviser.
BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND SETTLEMENT
None of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management or the Redemption and Paying Agent takes any responsibility for the
accuracy of the information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs book-entry system, makes any representation as to the completeness of such information or makes any representation as to the absence of material changes in such
information subsequent to the date hereof.
The New AMTP Shares will be book-entry (global) securities. Upon issuance, all book-entry
securities will be represented by one or more fully-registered global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, a securities depository, and will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. DTC will
thus be the only registered holder of the New AMTP Shares.
Purchasers of New AMTP Shares may only hold interests in the global securities
directly through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Purchasers may also hold interests through a securities intermediarybanks, brokerage houses and other institutions that maintain securities accounts for customersthat has
an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the security holdings of its Agent Members (as defined below), and these Agent Members will in turn maintain accounts showing the security holdings of their customers. Some of
these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each Beneficial Owner (as defined below) of a book-entry security will hold that security indirectly through various intermediaries.
Agent Member means a person with an account at the Securities Depository that holds one or more New AMTP Shares through the Securities Depository, directly or indirectly, for a Beneficial Owner and that will be authorized and
instructed, directly or indirectly, by a Beneficial Owner to disclose information to the Redemption and Paying Agent (as defined below) with respect to such Beneficial Owner.
Securities Depository means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, and any substitute for or successor to such
securities depository that shall maintain a book-entry system with respect to the New AMTP Shares. Beneficial Owner means a person in whose name New AMTP Shares are recorded as beneficial owner of such New AMTP Shares by the
Securities Depository, an Agent Member or other securities intermediary on the records of such Securities Depository, Agent Member or securities intermediary, as the case may be, or such persons subrogee.
The interest of each Beneficial Owner in a book-entry security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the Beneficial Owners
securities intermediary or Agent Member. The actual purchaser of the securities will generally not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner under the terms of
the securities and their governing documents. That means that the Fund and the Redemption and Paying Agent or any other agent of the Fund will be entitled to treat the
B-38
registered holder, DTC or its nominee, as the holder of the securities for all purposes. In most cases, the Beneficial Owner will also not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing its
ownership of New AMTP Shares. The laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in
book-entry securities.
A Beneficial Owner of book-entry securities represented by a global security may exchange the securities for
definitive (paper) securities only if:
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DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security and the Fund does not appoint a
qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days; |
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or the Fund in its sole discretion decides to allow some or all book-entry securities to be exchangeable for
definitive securities in registered form. |
Unless indicated otherwise, any global security that is so exchangeable will
be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form, with the same terms and of an equal aggregate amount. Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written
instruction to the registrar of the New AMTP Shares. DTC may base its written instruction upon directions that it receives from Agent Members.
In this Information Memorandum, in the case of book-entry securities, references to actions taken by Beneficial Owners will mean actions taken
by DTC upon instructions from its Agent Members, and references to payments and notices relating to redemptions or the tendering of New AMTP Shares will mean payments and notices related to the redemption or tender of New AMTP Shares to DTC as the
registered holder of the securities for distribution to Agent Members in accordance with DTCs procedures. If fewer than all the New AMTP Shares are being redeemed, DTCs practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each
Agent Member in the New AMTP Shares to be redeemed.
Each sale of a book-entry security will settle in immediately available funds through
DTC unless otherwise stated. Neither the Fund nor the Redemption and Paying Agent, or any agent of either, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership
interests in any book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Neither DTC nor DTCs nominee will consent or vote with respect to the New AMTP Shares unless authorized by a participant in accordance
with DTCs procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy (the Omnibus Proxy) to the Fund as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns DTCs nominee consenting or voting rights
to the Agent Members to whose accounts the New AMTP Shares are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Dividend payments on the New AMTP Shares and payments upon redemption of New AMTP Shares will be made to DTCs nominee or such other
nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTCs practice is to credit participants accounts upon DTCs receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from the Fund or the Redemption and Paying Agent
on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by Agent Members to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. Payment of dividends or redemption proceeds to
DTCs nominee is the responsibility of the Fund or the Redemption and Paying Agent, disbursement of such payments to participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the
responsibility of Agent Members or securities intermediaries who hold through an Agent Member.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS
SECTION CONCERNING DTC AND DTCS BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM SOURCES THAT THE FUND BELIEVES TO BE RELIABLE.
B-39
THE FUND, NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT OR THE REDEMPTION AND PAYING AGENT TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION CONCERNING DTC AND
DTCS BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE BY THE FUND, NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT OR THE REDEMPTION AND PAYING AGENT AS TO THE COMPLETENESS OR ACCURACY OF SUCH INFORMATION OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF MATERIAL ADVERSE
CHANGES IN SUCH INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF. NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE FUND, NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT AND THE REDEMPTION AND PAYING AGENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER DTC IS OR WILL BE FINANCIALLY OR OTHERWISE
CAPABLE OF FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATIONS. THE FUND WILL NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR OBLIGATIONS TO ANY DTC AGENT MEMBER, SECURITIES INTERMEDIARIES, OR THE PERSONS FOR WHOM THEY ACT AS NOMINEES WITH RESPECT TO DIVIDEND PAYMENTS TO OR THE PROVIDING OF
NOTICE FOR THE DTC AGENT MEMBERS, THE SECURITIES INTERMEDIARIES OR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS.
IT IS THE DUTY OF EACH BENEFICIAL OWNER TO
ARRANGE WITH THE DTC AGENT MEMBER OR SECURITIES INTERMEDIARIES TO RECEIVE FROM SUCH DTC AGENT MEMBER OR SECURITIES INTERMEDIARY DIVIDEND PAYMENTS AND ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS. THE FUND IS ALSO OBLIGATED TO DELIVER DIRECTLY TO THE INITIAL HOLDER
CERTAIN INFORMATION, AS SET FORTH IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
B-40
THE FUNDS INVESTMENTS
Investment Objectives and Policies
The
Funds investment objectives are:
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to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax; and |
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to enhance portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market by investing in
tax-exempt municipal bonds that the Funds investment adviser or sub-adviser believes are underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that
are undervalued. |
Underrated municipal securities are those whose ratings do not, in the Investment Advisers
opinion, reflect their true value. Municipal securities may be underrated because of the time that has elapsed since their rating was assigned or reviewed, or because of positive factors that may not have been fully taken into account by rating
agencies, or for other similar reasons. Municipal securities that are undervalued or that represent undervalued municipal market sectors are municipal securities that, in the Investment Advisers opinion, are worth more than the value assigned
to them in the marketplace. Municipal securities of particular types or purposes (e.g., hospital bonds, industrial revenue bonds or bonds issued by a particular municipal issuer) may be undervalued because there is a temporary excess of supply in
that market sector, or because of a general decline in the market price of municipal securities of the market sector for reasons that do not apply to the particular municipal securities that are considered undervalued. The Funds investment in
underrated or undervalued municipal securities will be based on the Investment Advisers belief that the prices of such municipal securities should ultimately reflect their true value. Accordingly, enhancement of portfolio value relative
to the municipal bond market refers to the Funds objective of attempting to realize above-average capital appreciation in a rising market, and to experience less than average capital losses in a declining market. Thus, the Funds
second investment objective is not intended to suggest that capital appreciation is itself an objective of the Fund. Instead, the Fund seeks enhancement of portfolio value relative to the municipal bond market by prudent selection of municipal
securities, regardless of which direction the market may move. Any capital appreciation realized by the Fund will generally result in the distribution of taxable capital gains to common shareholders and holders of preferred shares, including New
AMTP Shares. The Fund is currently required to allocate net capital gains and ordinary income taxable for federal income tax purposes, if any, between common shares and preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, based on each classs
proportionate share of the total distributions paid by the Fund with respect to the year and dividends paid on New AMTP Shares will include an allocated portion of any such net capital gains and ordinary income. See Federal Income Tax
Matters below.
It is a fundamental policy that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as
defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax.
As
a non-fundamental policy subject to change by the Funds trustees upon 60 days notice to shareholders, under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 55% of its Managed Assets (as defined
below) in securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below the three highest grades (Baa or BBB or lower) by at least one NRSRO or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the
Sub-Adviser. The Fund may invest in distressed securities. The Fund may not invest in the securities of an issuer which, at the time of the investment, is in default on its obligations to pay principal or
interest thereon when due or that is involved in a bankruptcy proceeding (i.e. rated below C-, at the time of the investment); provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser
may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders in pursuing a workout arrangement with issuers of defaulted securities to make loans to the defaulted issuer or another party, or purchase a debt, equity or other interest from the
defaulted issuer or another party, or take other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies, but only if that issuers securities are already held by the Fund.
B-41
Under normal circumstances:
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The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in AMT Bonds. |
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The Fund may invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in inverse floating rate securities. |
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The Fund may not enter into a futures contract or related options or forward contracts if more than 30% of the
Funds Managed Assets would be represented by futures contracts or more than 5% of the Funds Managed Assets would be committed to initial margin deposits and premiums on futures contracts or related options. |
Assets means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. Managed Assets means
the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Funds use of
leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.
Securities of below-investment-grade quality (Ba/BB or below) are commonly referred to as junk bonds. Issuers of securities rated
Ba/BB or B are regarded as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial or economic conditions which could adversely affect such payment capacity. Municipal securities rated below
investment-grade quality are obligations of issuers that are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater
investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Municipal securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for
them is less broad. The market for unrated municipal securities is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may have greater difficulty
selling its holdings of these types of portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on the Investment Advisers and/or the Sub-Advisers research and analysis when investing in these
securities.
The ratings of S&P, Moodys and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal securities they
rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity
and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
The foregoing credit quality policies apply only at the time a security is
purchased, and the Fund is not required to dispose of a security in the event that a rating agency downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issuer or that valuation changes of various municipal securities cause the
Funds portfolio to fail to satisfy those policies. In determining whether to retain or sell such a security, the Investment Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may consider such factors as the Investment
Advisers and/or the Sub-Advisers assessment of the credit quality of the issuer of such security, the price at which such security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to such security by
other rating agencies. See Municipal Securities and Special Considerations Relating to Municipal Securities below for a general description of the economic and credit characteristics of municipal issuers. The Fund
may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal bonds of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. See Other Investment
Companies.
The Fund will invest primarily in municipal securities with long-term maturities in order to maintain an average
effective maturity of 15 to 30 years, including the effects of leverage, but the average effective maturity of obligations held by the Fund may be lengthened or shortened as a result of portfolio transactions effected by the Investment Adviser
and/or the Sub-Adviser, depending on market conditions and on an assessment by the portfolio manager of which segments of the municipal securities markets offer the most favorable relative investment values
and opportunities for tax-exempt income and total return.
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The Fund may invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in inverse floating rate securities. The
economic effect of leverage through the Funds purchase of inverse floating rate securities creates an opportunity for increased net income and returns for common shareholders but also creates the possibility that the Funds long-term
returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return of the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund.
The
Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which
the Fund may invest directly, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations issued thereunder and applicable exemptive orders issued by the SEC. In addition, the Fund may purchase municipal securities that are additionally
secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of companies that provide such credit enhancements may affect the value of those securities. Although the insurance feature may reduce certain financial risks, the
premiums for insurance and the higher market price paid for insured obligations may reduce the Funds income. The insurance feature guarantees only the payment of principal and interest on the obligation when due and does not guarantee the
market value of the insured obligations, which will fluctuate with the bond market and the financial success of the issuer and the insurer, and the effectiveness and value of the insurance itself is dependent on the continued creditworthiness of the
insurer. No representation is made as to the insurers ability to meet their commitments.
Obligations of issuers of municipal
securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of such issuers may become subject to the laws
enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures or referenda extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon municipalities to levy taxes. There is
also the possibility that, as a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its municipal securities may be materially affected.
During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the advisers and/or the
sub-advisers opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond market adversely affect the price at which
long-term or intermediate-term municipal securities are available), and in order to keep the Funds cash fully invested, the Fund may invest any percentage of its Managed Assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term debt
securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. The Fund may not achieve its investment objectives during such periods.
The Fund cannot change its investment objectives or its policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related
investments, the income from which is exempt from regular federal income taxes, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common and preferred shares, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, voting as a separate class, and with the prior written consent of the liquidity providers for VRDP Shares, such consent to be determined in each liquidity
providers good faith discretion. A majority of the outstanding, under the 1940 Act, means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy,
or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less. See Voting Rights in the Statement for additional information with respect to the voting rights of Holders.
Municipal Securities
General.
The Fund may invest in various municipal securities, including municipal bonds and notes, other securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, and other related securities and derivative instruments creating exposure to municipal bonds,
notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Municipal securities are generally debt obligations issued
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by state and local governmental entities and may be issued by U.S. territories and possessions to finance or refinance public projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal
securities may also be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects. Municipal
securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide permanent financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue
source including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments, and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with
the proceeds of the later issuance of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or
non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds, tender option bonds and residual interest bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired
through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term
tax-exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the effective leverage of the Fund.
The Fund may invest in municipal bonds issued by U.S. territories and possessions (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) the income from which is
exempt from regular federal income tax. The yields on municipal securities depend on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The market value of municipal securities will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of their issuers to meet interest
and principal payments.
Tobacco Settlement Bonds. The Fund may invest in tobacco settlement bonds, which are municipal securities
that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and U.S. tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing
states proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA is an agreement, reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. The MSA provides
for annual payments in perpetuity by the manufacturers to the states in exchange for releasing all claims against the manufacturers and a pledge of no further litigation. Tobacco manufacturers pay into a master escrow trust based on their market
share, and each state receives a fixed percentage of the payment as set forth in the MSA. A number of states have securitized the future flow of those payments by selling bonds pursuant to indentures or through distinct governmental entities created
for such purpose. The principal and interest payments on the bonds are backed by the future revenue flow related to the MSA. Annual payments on the bonds, and thus risk to a Fund, are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to
the state or its governmental entity.
The actual amount of future settlement payments is further dependent on many factors, including,
but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer
bankruptcy. The initial and annual payments made by the tobacco companies will be adjusted based on a number of factors, the most important of which is domestic cigarette consumption. If the volume of cigarettes shipped in the United States by
manufacturers participating in the settlement decreases significantly, payments due from them will also decrease. Demand for cigarettes in the United States could continue to decline due to price increases needed to recoup the cost of payments by
tobacco companies. Demand could also be affected by anti-smoking campaigns, tax increases, reduced advertising, and enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors; elimination of certain sales venues such as vending machines; and the spread of
local ordinances restricting smoking in public places. As a result, payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline. A market share loss
by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers would cause a downward
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adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or reductions in bond payments. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges
and has, to date, withstood those challenges.
Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation. The Fund also may purchase
municipal securities that represent lease obligations and certificates of participation in such leases. These carry special risks because the issuer of the securities may not be obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the
lease. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase that is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations generally is exempt from state and local taxes
in the state of issuance. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire
property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of non-appropriation clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate
legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the
leased equipment or facilities.
Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the
property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering, or the failure to recover fully, the Funds original
investment. In addition, any income derived from the Funds ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt and may not be of the type that would allow the Fund to continue to qualify as a
RIC. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to reduce this risk, the
Fund will purchase municipal securities representing lease obligations only where the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.
A certificate of participation represents an undivided interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal leases, an installment purchase
agreement or other instruments. The certificates typically are issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment
purchase agreements. Such certificates provide the Fund with the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying municipal securities. In addition, such participations generally provide the Fund with the right to demand payment, on
not more than seven days notice, of all or any part of the Funds participation interest in the underlying municipal securities, plus accrued interest.
Municipal Notes. Municipal securities in the form of notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs, in anticipation
of an issuers receipt of other revenues or financing, and typically have maturities of up to three years. Such instruments may include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation
notes and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance the working capital needs of governments. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, property, use and business taxes,
and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues available under federal revenue sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are
issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds needed for repayment of the bond anticipation notes. Tax and revenue anticipation notes combine the funding
sources of both tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Mortgage notes insured by the Federal Housing Authority secure these notes; however, the proceeds from the
insurance may be less than the economic equivalent of the payment of principal and interest on the mortgage note if there has been a default. The anticipated revenues from taxes, grants or bond financing generally secure the obligations of an issuer
of municipal notes. However, an investment in such
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instruments presents a risk that the anticipated revenues will not be received or that such revenues will be insufficient to satisfy the issuers payment obligations under the notes or that
refinancing will be otherwise unavailable.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The
principal of, and interest on, pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund
consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal
securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower
market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a
change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the
issuer.
Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide
privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types
of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws
place substantial limitations on the size of such issues.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in inverse
floating rate securities. Inverse floating rate securities are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent
beneficial interests in a special purpose trust, commonly referred to as a tender option bond trust (TOB trust), that holds municipal bonds. The TOB trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or
securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds (TOBs)), and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters). Both classes of beneficial
interests are represented by certificates or receipts. The floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB trust. In this structure, the floating rate security holders have the option, at
periodic short-term intervals, to tender their securities to the trust for purchase and to receive the face value thereof plus accrued interest. The obligation of the trust to repurchase tendered securities is supported by a remarketing agent and by
a liquidity provider. As consideration for providing this support, the remarketing agent and the liquidity provider receive periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the
prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the trust is not obligated to purchase tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults with respect to the underlying municipal bonds or a
significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer.
As the holder of an inverse floating rate investment, the Fund
receives the residual cash flow from the TOB trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security plus accrued interest, the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash
flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal bond deposited into the TOB trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed
in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters to the value of the inverse floaters that are issued by the TOB trust, and can exceed three times for more highly leveraged trusts. All voting rights and decisions to be
made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the TOB trust are passed through, pro rata, to the holders of the short-term floaters and to the Fund as the holder of the associated inverse floaters.
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Because any increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters issued by a TOB trust would
reduce the residual interest paid on the associated inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the TOB trust would affect only the value of the inverse floater and not the value of the short-term
floater issued by the trust so long as the value of the municipal bond held by the trust exceeded the face amount of short-term floaters outstanding, the value of inverse floaters is generally more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable
municipal bond held on an unleveraged basis outside a TOB trust. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market of fixed-rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but will tend to outperform the
market of fixed-rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile in value and return, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields higher than those available on fixed-rate bonds with comparable
credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity or illiquidity based primarily upon the inverse floater holders ability to sell the underlying bonds deposited in the TOB trust at an
attractive price.
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by TOB trusts in which the liquidity providers have
recourse to the Fund pursuant to a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the liquidity provider, among other circumstances, upon termination of the TOB trust for the difference between
the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount and accrued interest due to the holders of floating rate securities issued by the trust. The Fund will enter into such a recourse agreement (1) when the liquidity
provider requires such a recourse agreement because the level of leverage in the TOB trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (2) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from
collapsing the trust in the event the municipal bond held in the trust has declined in value to the point where it may cease to exceed the face amount of outstanding short-term floaters. In an instance where the Fund has entered such a recourse
agreement, the Fund may suffer a loss that exceeds the amount of its original investment in the inverse floating rate securities; such loss could be as great as that original investment amount plus the face amount of the floating rate securities
issued by the trust plus accrued interest thereon.
The Fund may invest in both inverse floating rate securities and floating rate
securities (as discussed below) issued by the same TOB trust.
Investments in inverse floating rate securities create leverage. The use of
leverage creates special risks for common shareholders. See Risk FactorsInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.
Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may also invest in short-term floating rate securities, as described above, issued by TOB trusts.
Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to
monthly, to other periods of up to one year. Since the tender option feature provides a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bond deposited in the trust, the Fund, as the holder of the floating rate
securities, relies upon the terms of the remarketing and liquidity agreements with the financial institution that acts as remarketing agent and/or liquidity provider as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further assurance of
liquidity, the terms of the TOB trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal bond deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate securities. The TOB trusts that are organized to issue both short-term
floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate securities.
Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure developments to induce residential,
commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds, generally are payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to
the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than
general tax-supported
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bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings generally are limited as to the
rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to
pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted
securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days.
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 Securities 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 a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegatee.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
Transactions
The Fund may buy and sell municipal securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking
delivery at a later date, normally within 15-45 days of the trade date. On such transactions the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Beginning
on the date the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund is required under interpretations of the SEC to maintain in a separate account liquid assets, consisting of cash, cash
equivalents or liquid securities having a market value, at all times, at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Income generated by any such assets which provide taxable income for federal income tax purposes is includable in the taxable
income of the Fund and, to the extent distributed, will be taxable to shareholders. The Fund may enter into contracts to purchase municipal securities on a forward basis (i.e., where settlement will occur more than 60 days from the date of the
transaction) only to the extent that the Fund specifically collateralizes such obligations with a security that is expected to be called or mature within sixty days before or after the settlement date of the forward transaction. The commitment to
purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward basis may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and at the time of delivery the market value may be less than cost.
Derivatives
General. The Fund
may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and municipal market date rate
(MMD Rate Locks)), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative instruments. Credit default swaps may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to
the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. If the Fund is a seller of a contract, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event
of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, with respect to such debt obligations. In return, the Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the
contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount
of the swap. If the Fund is a buyer of a contract, the Fund would have the right to deliver a
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referenced debt obligation and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event (such as a credit
downgrade) by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporation, with respect to its debt obligations. In return, the Fund would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of
default has occurred. If no default occurs, the counterparty would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Fund. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with a counterparty of their respective
commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash
settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. An MMD Rate Lock permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for
a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an
MMD Rate Lock, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part of the yield curve. The Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk
management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Funds yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest
rates).
The Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may use derivative instruments to seek to enhance
return, to hedge some of the risks of the Funds investments in municipal securities or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income.
There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser will determine to use them for the Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful.
Limitations on the Use of Futures, Options on Futures and Swaps. The Adviser has claimed, with respect to the Fund, the exclusion from
the definition of commodity pool operator under the CEA provided by CFTC Regulation 4.5 and is therefore not currently subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser has claimed the exemption from registration as a commodity trading advisor provided by CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) and is therefore not currently subject to registration or regulation as such under the
CEA with respect to the Fund. In February 2012, the CFTC announced substantial amendments to certain exemptions, and to the conditions for reliance on those exemptions, from registration as a commodity pool operator. Under amendments to the
exemption provided under CFTC Regulation 4.5, if the Fund uses futures, options on futures, or swaps other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums on these positions (after taking into
account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options that are in-the-money at the time of
purchase are in-the-money) may not exceed 5% of the Funds net asset value, or alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of those positions may
not exceed 100% of the Funds net asset value (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The CFTC amendments to Regulation 4.5 took effect on December 31, 2012, and the Fund intends to
comply with amended Regulation 4.5s requirements such that the Adviser will not be required to register as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC with respect to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to employ futures, options on futures and
swaps to the extent allowed by CFTC regulations in effect from time to time and in accordance with the Funds policies. However, the requirements for qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code may limit the extent to which the Fund
may employ futures, options on futures or swaps.
Structured Notes
The Fund may utilize structured notes and similar instruments for investment purposes and also for hedging purposes. Structured notes are
privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an embedded index),
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such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. The terms of such structured instruments normally
provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but not ordinarily below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or
principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending upon a variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments.
The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index or indices or other assets. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to
magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies (including ETFs)
that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations issued thereunder and applicable exemptive orders issued by the SEC. In addition,
the Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund generally expects that it
may invest in other investment companies and/or other pooled investment vehicles either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high yielding municipal securities
available in the market. The Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser or their affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to
rules promulgated by the SEC. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment companys expenses and would remain subject to payment of its own management fees with respect to assets so
invested. Common shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies.
The Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment
merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available municipal security investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described
herein. The net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile, and the yield to common shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.
Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending
The
SEC has granted an exemptive order permitting the Nuveen registered open-end and closed-end funds, including the Fund, to participate in an inter-fund lending facility
whereby those funds may directly lend to and borrow money from each other for temporary purposes (e.g., to satisfy redemption requests or when a sale of securities fails, resulting in an unanticipated cash shortfall) (the
Inter-Fund Program). The closed-end Nuveen funds will participate only as lenders, and not as borrowers, in the Inter-Fund Program because such closed-end
funds rarely, if ever, need to borrow cash to meet redemptions. The Inter-Fund Program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the Inter-Fund
Program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank or other financial institution for a comparable transaction; (2) no fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Inter-Fund Program unless
the funds outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the inter-fund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided that if the borrowing fund has a secured borrowing outstanding from any other lender, including but
not limited to another fund, the inter-fund loan must be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value; (3) if a funds total outstanding borrowings immediately after an
inter-fund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the inter-fund loan on a secured basis only; (4) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the
Inter-Fund Program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan; (5) a funds inter-fund loans to any one fund shall not exceed
B-50
5% of the lending funds net assets; (6) the duration of inter-fund loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven
days; and (7) each inter-fund loan may be called on one business days notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund. In addition, a Nuveen fund may participate in the Inter-Fund Program only if and to the
extent that such participation is consistent with the funds investment objective and investment policies. The Board of Trustees of the Nuveen Funds is responsible for overseeing the Inter-Fund Program. The limitations detailed above and the
other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting the Inter-Fund Program are designed to minimize the risks associated with Inter-Fund Program for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is
without risk. When a fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one days notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher rate or take other actions to payoff
such loan if an inter-fund loan is not available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Zero Coupon Bonds
A zero coupon bond is
a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of the zero coupon bond, which
generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (OID) approximates the total
amount of interest the security will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash interest at
regular intervals, the instruments ongoing accruals require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result, these securities may be subject to greater value
fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash on a current basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to
generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to
shareholders representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable
to do so, and use the cash proceeds to make income distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.
Further, the Adviser collects management fees on the value of a zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing noncash accrual
of interest over the life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, the Adviser receives nonrefundable cash payments based on such noncash accruals while investors incur the risk that such noncash accruals ultimately may not be realized.
Hedging Strategies
The Fund may use
various investment strategies designed to limit the risk of bond price fluctuations and to preserve capital. These hedging strategies include using financial futures contracts, options on financial futures or options based on either an index of
long-term municipal securities or on taxable debt securities whose prices, in the opinion of the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser, correlate with the prices of the Funds investments. These hedging
strategies may generate taxable income.
B-51
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS(1)
Except as described below, the Fund as a fundamental policy may not without the
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares and preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, including New AMTP
Shares, voting as a separate class, and the prior written consent of liquidity providers or other Fund counterparties:
(1)
Issue senior securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), other than preferred shares, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and as otherwise
described in this Memorandum.(2)
(2)
Borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes or for repurchase of its shares, and then only in an amount not exceeding one-third of the
value of the Funds total assets (including the amount borrowed) less the Funds liabilities (other than borrowings).(2)(3)
(3) Act as underwriter of another issuers securities, except to the extent that the Fund
may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.(2)
(4) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry,
provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental
users.(4)
(5) Purchase or sell real estate, but
this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in municipal securities secured by real estate or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such real estate.
(6) 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 or derivative instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
(7) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and exemptive orders granted under the
1940 Act.(5)
(8) Invest more
than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer, except that this limitation shall not apply to bonds issued by the United States Government, its agencies and instrumentalities or to the investment of 25% of its total assets.
(9) Issue debt securities that rank senior to preferred shares other than for temporary or
emergency purposes.
(1) |
This list presents the fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund as they appear in the Funds most
recent registration statement, as the same may subsequently have been modified with the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities. Accordingly, the use of certain defined terms in the table does not
necessarily correspond with defined terms used elsewhere in this Memorandum. |
(2) |
Section 18(c) of the 1940 Act generally limits a registered
closed-end investment company to issuing one class of senior securities representing indebtedness and one class of senior securities representing stock, except that the class of indebtedness or stock may be
issued in one or more series, and promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made by a bank or other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly
distributed, are not deemed a separate class of senior securities. |
B-52
(3) |
Section 18(a) of the 1940 Act generally prohibits a registered
closed-end fund from incurring borrowings if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate amount of its borrowings exceeds 33 1/3% of its total assets. The Fund has not applied for, and currently does not intend to
apply for, any exemptive relief that would allow it to borrow outside of the limits of the 1940 Act. |
(4) |
For purposes of this restriction, governments and their political subdivisions are not members of any industry.
|
(5) |
Section 21 of the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for a registered investment company, like the Fund, to lend money
or other property if (i) the investment companys policies set forth in its registration statement do not permit such a loan or (ii) the borrower controls or is under common control with the investment company. |
For purposes of the foregoing, majority of the outstanding, when used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, means
(i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less.
For the purpose of applying the limitation set forth in subparagraph (8) above for the Fund, an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of
a security when its assets and revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in the case of a non-governmental issuer, such as
an industrial corporation or a privately owned or operated hospital, if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental issuer, then such
non-governmental issuer would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Where a security is also backed by the enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental or other entity (other than a bond insurer),
it shall also be included in the computation of securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility, such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such
a guarantee or letter of credit would be considered a separate security and would be treated as an issue of such government, other entity or bank. When a municipal security is insured by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security that is
issued or guaranteed by the insurer; instead, the issuer of such municipal security will be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing restrictions do not limit the percentage of the Funds assets that may be
invested in municipal securities insured by any given insurer.
The Fund is diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act. Consequently, as to
75% of the Funds total assets, the Fund may not (1) purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than cash, securities of other investment companies and securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if
immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets would be invested in securities of such issuer or (2) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.
Subject to certain exemptions under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest only up to 10% of its Managed Assets in the aggregate in shares of other
investment companies and only up to 5% of its Managed Assets in any one investment company, provided the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the acquired investment company at the time such shares are purchased. As a
stockholder in any investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment companys expenses, and will remain subject to payment of the Funds management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so
invested. Holders of common shares would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be
subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in this Memorandum in the section entitled Risk Factors, the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will
tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.
B-53
In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees:
The Fund
may not:
(1) Sell securities short, unless the Fund owns or has the right to obtain
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling
securities short.
(2) Invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies (including ETFs) except in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder.
(3) Enter into futures contracts or related options or forward contracts, if more than 30% of
the Funds net assets would be represented by futures contracts or more than 5% of the Funds net assets would be committed to initial margin deposits and premiums on futures contracts and related options.
(4) Purchase securities when borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets if and so long as
preferred shares are outstanding.
(5) Purchase securities of companies for the purpose of
exercising control, except that the Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in tax-exempt or taxable fixed-income securities or equity securities for the purpose of acquiring control of an issuer whose
municipal bonds (a) the Fund already owns and (b) have deteriorated or are expected shortly to deteriorate significantly in credit quality, provided the investment adviser determines that such investment should enable the Fund to better
maximize the value of its existing investment in such issuer.
(6) Invest in defaulted
securities or in the securities of an issuer that is in bankruptcy at the time of investment, provided however, pursuant to the sub-advisers policy regarding municipal workouts, the Fund
may invest in defaulted securities from an issuer of a security it already owns, or some other party, to help facilitate a favorable resolution to a municipal workout.
The restrictions and other limitations set forth above will apply only at the time of purchase of securities and will not be considered
violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities.
Investment
grade quality securities are those that are, at the time of investment, either (i) rated by one of the NRSROs that rate such securities within the four highest letter grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one NRSRO that rates such
securities or (ii) unrated by any NRSRO but judged to be of comparable quality by a Funds sub-adviser. Investment grade securities may include split-rated securities.
B-54
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Trustees and Officers
The management of
the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under its investment management agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors is the responsibility of the Funds Board. The number of Board Members is twelve (12), each of whom
is not considered an interested person (as the term interested person is defined in the 1940 Act). Information concerning the trustees and officers of the Fund, including, as applicable, their principal occupations and other
affiliations, the number of portfolios each oversees, other directorships they hold and their compensation and share ownership is incorporated into this Information Memorandum by reference to the Funds Annual Report (File No. 811-10345) filed on January 6, 2022.
Nuveen Fund AdvisorsInvestment Adviser
For a description of Nuveen Fund Advisors, please see the Funds Annual Report (File
No. 811-10345) filed on January 6, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
Nuveen Asset
ManagementSub Adviser
For a description of Nuveen Asset Management, please see the Funds Annual Report (File No. 811-10345) filed on January 6, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
Investment Management and Sub-Advisory Agreements
Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors
and the Fund, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee for the services and facilities provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, payable on a monthly basis, based on the sum of a fund-level fee and a complex-level fee. For such fee schedules,
please see the Funds Annual Report (File No. 811-10345) filed on January 6, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
Portfolio Manager
Scott R. Romans,
PhD, is a Managing Director of Nuveen Asset Management. He is responsible for managing several state-specific, tax-exempt portfolios, including the California Municipal Bond and the New York Municipal Bond
Strategies. He also serves as portfolio manager for a number of closed-end funds. Before moving to his portfolio management role in 2003, he was a senior research analyst in the firms tax-exempt fixed income department, specializing in the education sector. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S.F. in Finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart
School of Business and an MA and PhD in Theology from the University of Chicago.
Portfolio Manager Compensation
For information regarding the portfolio manager compensation, please see the Funds Annual Report (File
No. 811-10345) filed on January 6, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
B-55
NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple accounts are presented a number of potential conflicts, including, among
others, those discussed below.
The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention
to the management of each account. Nuveen Asset Management seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most accounts managed by a
portfolio manager in a particular investment strategy are managed using the same investment models.
If a portfolio manager identifies a
limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, an account may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with
these situations, Nuveen Asset Management has adopted procedures for allocating limited opportunities across multiple accounts.
With
respect to many of its clients accounts, Nuveen Asset Management determines which broker to use to execute transaction orders, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts,
Nuveen Asset Management may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, Nuveen Asset Management may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a fund and other accounts which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the other
accounts.
Some clients are subject to different regulations. As a consequence of this difference in regulatory requirements, some clients
may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques or transactions or to engage in these transactions to the same extent as the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise
where Nuveen Asset Management has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of some accounts, with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.
Nuveen Asset Management has adopted certain compliance
procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts common among investment managers. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Conflicts of interest may also arise when the Sub-Adviser invests one or more of its client accounts
in different or multiple parts of the same issuers capital structure, including investments in public versus private securities, debt versus equity, or senior versus junior/subordinated debt, or otherwise where there are different or
inconsistent rights or benefits. Decisions or actions such as investing, trading, proxy voting, exercising, waiving or amending rights or covenants, workout activity, or serving on a board, committee or other involvement in governance may result in
conflicts of interest between clients holding different securities or investments. Generally, individual portfolio managers will seek to act in a manner that they believe serves the best interest of the accounts they manage. In cases where a
portfolio manager or team faces a conflict among its client accounts, it will seek to act in a manner that it believes best reflects its overall fiduciary duty, which may result in relative advantages or disadvantages for particular accounts.
Code of Ethics
The Fund, Nuveen Fund
Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen and other related entities have adopted codes of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that essentially prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Portfolio Manager, from engaging in
personal investments that compete or interfere with, or attempt to take
B-56
advantage of a clients, including the Funds, anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and are designed to assure that the interests of clients, including Fund shareholders, are
placed before the interests of personnel in connection with personal investment transactions. Personnel subject to the Code of Ethics may purchase shares of the Fund and may generally invest in securities in which the Fund may also invest subject to
the restrictions set forth in the Code of Ethics. Text-only versions of the Code of Ethics of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management and Nuveen can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet
web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of those codes of ethics may be obtained, after mailing the appropriate duplicating fee, by writing to the SECs Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by e-mail request at publicinfo@sec.gov.
B-57
NET ASSET VALUE
The Funds NAV is determined as of the close of regular session trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business. The Funds NAV is calculated by taking the market value of the Funds total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities, and dividing
by the total number of common shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the NAV. All valuations are subject to review by the Funds Board of Trustees or its delegate.
The Fund utilizes independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value portfolio instruments at their market value. If the
pricing services are unable to provide a market value or if a significant event occurs such that the valuation(s) provided are deemed unreliable, the Fund may value portfolio instrument(s) at their fair value, which is generally the amount that an
owner might reasonably expect to receive upon a current sale. Independent pricing services typically value non-equity portfolio instruments utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including
readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. In valuing municipal securities, the pricing services may also consider, among other
factors, the yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating and the obligors credit characteristics considered relevant by the pricing service or the Board of Trustees designee.
In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing services may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management.
If a price cannot be obtained from a pricing service or other pre-approved source, or if Nuveen Fund
Advisors deems such price to be unreliable, or if a significant event occurs after the close of the local market but prior to the time at which the Funds NAV is calculated, a portfolio instrument will be valued at its fair value as determined
in good faith by the Board of Trustees or persons acting at their direction. Nuveen Fund Advisors may determine that a price is unreliable in various circumstances. For example, a price may be deemed unreliable if it has not changed for an
identified period of time, or has changed from the previous days price by more than a threshold amount, and recent transactions and/or broker dealer price quotations differ materially from the price in question.
The valuations for fixed-income securities and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party
pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of fair valuation techniques and methodologies. Short-term fixed-income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is
determined that using this method would not reflect an investments fair value. The valuations of certain fixed-income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily
trade, unless a significant event has occurred.
The Board of Trustees has adopted valuation procedures for the Fund and has delegated the
day-to-day responsibility for fair value determinations to Nuveen Fund Advisors Valuation Committee. All fair value determinations made by the Valuation Committee
are subject to review and ratification by the Board of Trustees. As a general principle, the fair value of a portfolio instrument is the amount that an owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the instruments current sale. A range of
factors and analysis may be considered when determining fair value, including relevant market data, interest rates, credit considerations and/or issuer specific news. However, fair valuation involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the
fair value determined for a portfolio instrument may be materially different from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that instrument.
B-58
BORROWINGS
The Funds Declaration authorizes the Fund, without prior approval of holders of common shares or preferred shares, including New AMTP
Shares, to borrow money. The Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such borrowings subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Any borrowings will rank senior to
the Funds preferred shares, including the New AMTP Shares. The Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not issue debt securities that rank senior to New AMTP Shares, except for emergency or temporary purposes.
Limitations. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any borrowings that are senior securities
representing indebtedness (as defined in the 1940 Act), must have an Asset Coverage of at least 300%. With respect to any such borrowings, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of any such borrowings that are senior securities representing indebtedness, issued by the Fund. Certain types of borrowings may also result in the Fund being subject
to covenants in credit agreements (if any) relating to asset coverage or portfolio composition or otherwise. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings
for preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, or indebtedness, if any, such as commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The incurrence of borrowings constituting
senior securities representing indebtedness generally will require the consent of liquidity providers and purchasers under agreements relating to the Funds outstanding preferred shares, including the New AMTP Shares.
Distribution Preference. The rights of lenders to the Fund to receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such borrowings
will be senior to those of the holders of preferred shares (including New AMTP Shares), and the terms of any such borrowings may contain provisions which limit certain activities of the Fund, including the payment of dividends to holders of
preferred shares in certain circumstances.
Voting Rights. The 1940 Act does (in certain circumstances) grant to the lenders to the
Fund certain voting rights in the event of default in the payment of interest on or repayment of principal. In the event that such provisions would impair the Funds status as a regulated investment company under the Code, the Fund, subject to
its ability to liquidate its portfolio, intends to repay the borrowings.
B-59
DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
Description of Common Shares
In
addition to the preferred shares, the Funds Declaration authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares, par value $0.01 per share. All common shares have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
upon liquidation. Common shares are fully paid and, subject to matters discussed in Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws,
non-assessable when issued and have no preemptive, conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting.
Whenever preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, are outstanding, common shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions
from the Fund unless all accumulated dividends on preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, would be at least 200%
after giving effect to the distributions.
Description of Outstanding Fund MFP Shares
The Outstanding MFP Shares, which will remain outstanding following the completion of the Mergers, are set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series |
|
Shares Outstanding |
|
|
Par Value Per Share |
|
|
Liquidation Preference Per Share |
|
|
Original Issue Date |
|
Term Redemption Date |
Series A MFP Shares |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
May 2017 |
|
May 1, 2047 |
Series B MFP Shares |
|
|
1,550 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
February 2018 |
|
February 3, 2048 |
Series C MFP Shares |
|
|
3,360 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
June 2018 |
|
June 1, 2048 |
The MFP Shares of each series were issued to a qualified institutional buyer through a private transaction
exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
The MFP Shares of each series are in the Variable Rate Mode (the VR
Mode), in which the dividend is currently a variable rate determined by reference to an index rate plus an applicable spread. The Series B MFP Shares are Adjustable Rate, meaning that so long as the Series B MFP Shares are in the
current VR Mode, the Fund and the beneficial owner or owners of the Series B MFP Shares may agree from time to time to adjust the dividend rate and other economic terms.
The term of the current VR Mode for the Series B MFP Shares ends on the Term Redemption Date set forth for such series in the table above,
subject to earlier redemption, repurchase or transition to a new mode by the Fund. The term of the current VR Mode for the Series A MFP Shares currently ends on May 3, 2023, subject to extension or transition to a new mode, or earlier
redemption or repurchase. The term of the current VR Mode for the Series C MFP Shares currently ends on June 21, 2023, subject to extension or transition to a new mode, or earlier redemption or repurchase. Under the respective statements
establishing and fixing the rights and preferences of the MFP Shares, as supplemented (the MFP Statements), the Fund may terminate the VR Mode early or, as applicable, not extend it, and transition the applicable MFP Shares to a new mode
(and, thereafter, until the term redemption date, subsequent new modes), during which many of the economic terms of the MFP Shares set forth in such MFP Statements may be modified. Modified terms for a new mode may include provisions with respect to
(but not limited to) optional tender provisions, mandatory tender provisions, a liquidity facility or other credit enhancement, mandatory purchase provisions, the dividend rate setting provisions (including as to any maximum rate), and, if the
dividend may be determined by reference to an index, formula or other method, the manner in which it will be determined and redemption provisions.
B-60
Dividends
The holders of outstanding MFP Shares of each series are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds legally
available therefor in accordance with the Funds Declaration and applicable law, cumulative cash dividends at the dividend rate or rates for the outstanding MFP Shares of such series payable on the dividend payment dates with respect to the
outstanding MFP Shares of such series. Holders of outstanding MFP Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of such cumulative dividends on the outstanding MFP Shares. No interest, or sum of
money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on outstanding MFP Shares which may be in arrears, and no additional sum of money will be payable in respect of such arrearage.
Redemption
The
outstanding MFP Shares of each series are subject to optional and mandatory redemption in certain circumstances. The Fund is obligated to redeem the outstanding MFP Shares on the Term Redemption Date set forth for each series in the table above,
unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Fund, at a redemption price per share equal to the applicable liquidation preference per share ($100,000) plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared). In the event the
Fund fails to comply with asset coverage and/or effective leverage ratio requirements, as applicable, and any such failure is not cured within the applicable cure period, the Fund may become obligated to redeem such number of preferred shares as are
necessary to achieve compliance with such requirements. In the case of Series A, B or C MFP Shares, the Fund is obligated to redeem all of the outstanding MFP Shares of the applicable series, in the event a mode change is initiated and a failed
transition to a new mode occurs, or, in the case of Series B MFP Shares, a rate adjustment is initiated by the majority beneficial owner and a failed rate adjustment occurs, if such failure is not cured within the applicable cure period.
Outstanding MFP Shares also may be redeemed in whole at any time or in part from time to time at the option of the Fund at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether
or not earned or declared).
Voting and Consent Rights
Except as otherwise provided in the Funds Declaration, the Statements, or as otherwise required by applicable law, (i) each holder
of outstanding MFP Shares is entitled to one vote for each outstanding MFP Share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund, and (ii) the holders of outstanding MFP Shares, along with holders of other outstanding
preferred shares of the Fund, vote with holders of common shares of the Fund as a single class; provided, however, that holders of preferred shares, including outstanding MFP Shares, are entitled as a class to elect two trustees of the Fund at all
times. The holders of outstanding common shares and preferred shares, including outstanding MFP Shares, voting as a single class, elect the balance of the trustees of the Fund.
Holders of outstanding MFP Shares of each series, as a separate class, have voting and consent rights with respect to certain actions that
would materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of the outstanding MFP Shares or holders of outstanding MFP Shares of the applicable series. In addition, holders of outstanding Series A MFP Shares, Series B MFP Shares
and Series C MFP Shares have certain consent rights under the purchase agreement for the outstanding MFP Shares of the applicable series with respect to certain actions that would affect their investment in the Fund. Holders of outstanding MFP
Shares also are entitled to vote as a class with holders of other preferred shares of the Fund on matters that relate to the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, certain plans of
reorganization adversely affecting holders of the preferred shares or any other action requiring a vote of security holders of the Fund under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. In certain circumstances, holders of preferred shares, including
outstanding MFP Shares, are entitled to elect additional trustees in the event dividends are due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited for their payment, or at any time holders of preferred shares are
entitled under the 1940 Act to elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund.
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Priority of Payment
The outstanding MFP Shares are senior in priority to the Funds common shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of
assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund. The outstanding MFP Shares of each series have equal priority as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of
the affairs of the Fund with the other preferred shares of the Fund, including the other series of outstanding MFP Shares, the Outstanding VRDP Shares and the New AMTP Shares and the New VRDP Shares to be issued in the Mergers, if any.
Description of Outstanding Fund VRDP Shares
As of November 30, 2022, the Funds Outstanding VRDP Shares, which are expected to remain outstanding following the completion of
the Mergers, are as follows:
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Series |
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Shares Outstanding |
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Par Value Per Share |
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Liquidation Preference Per Share |
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Original Issue Date |
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Mandatory Redemption Date |
Series 1 VRDP Shares |
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2,688 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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April 2016 |
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March 1, 2040 |
Series 2 VRDP Shares |
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2,622 |
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$ |
0.01 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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April 2016 |
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March 1, 2040 |
Series 3 VRDP Shares |
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|
1,460 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
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|
$ |
100,000 |
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|
|
April 2016 |
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June 1, 2040 |
Under the statement establishing and fixing the rights and preferences of the Outstanding VRDP Shares of each
series (each, a VRDP Statement), the Fund is permitted to establish, from time to time, special rate periods during which many of the terms of the VRDP Shares set forth in such VRDP Statement may be modified. The Series 1 VRDP
Shares and the Series 2 VRDP Shares are in an Adjustable Rate Special Rate Period, in which the dividend is currently a variable rate determined by reference to an index rate plus an applicable spread. So long as the Series 1
VRDP Shares and the Series 2 VRDP Shares are in the current respective special rate period, the Fund and the beneficial owner or owners of the VRDP Shares of the applicable series may agree from time to time to adjust the dividend rate and
other economic terms. The term of the current special rate period for the Series 1 VRDP Shares and the Series 2 VRDP Shares ends on the Mandatory Redemption Date set forth for the applicable series in the table above, subject to earlier
redemption, repurchase or transition to a new special rate period or minimum rate periods by the Fund.
Under the VRDP Statement for the
outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares, the Series 3 VRDP Shares currently pay an adjustable dividend rate set weekly by a remarketing agent. Holders of the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares have the right to give notice on any business day
to tender the securities for remarketing in seven days. The outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares are also subject to a mandatory tender for remarketing upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the
non-payment of dividends by the Fund. Should a remarketing be unsuccessful, the dividend rate will reset to a maximum rate as defined in the governing documents of the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares.
The outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares have the benefit of an unconditional demand feature pursuant to a purchase agreement provided
by a bank acting as liquidity provider to ensure full and timely repayment of the liquidation preference amount plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to holders upon the occurrence of certain events. The agreement for the outstanding Series 3
VRDP Shares requires the liquidity provider to purchase from holders all outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares tendered for sale that were not successfully remarketed. The liquidity provider also must purchase all outstanding Series 3 VRDP
Shares prior to termination of the purchase agreement for such series, including by reason of the failure of the liquidity provider to maintain the requisite level of short-term ratings, if the Fund has not obtained an alternate purchase agreement
before the termination date.
The obligation of the liquidity provider for the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares to purchase the
outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares pursuant to the purchase agreement for such series runs to the benefit of the
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holders of the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares and is unconditional and irrevocable, and as such the short-term ratings assigned to the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares are directly
linked to the short-term creditworthiness of the liquidity provider. The liquidity provider for the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares entered into a purchase agreement with respect to the outstanding Series 3 VRDP Shares, subject to
periodic extension by agreement with the Fund.
Dividends
The holders of Outstanding VRDP Shares of each series are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds legally
available therefor in accordance with the Funds Declaration and applicable law, cumulative cash dividends at the dividend rate for the Outstanding VRDP Shares of such series payable on the dividend payment dates with respect to the Outstanding
VRDP Shares of such series. Holders of Outstanding VRDP Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of such cumulative dividends on the outstanding VRDP Shares. No interest, or sum of money in lieu
of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on Outstanding VRDP Shares which may be in arrears, and no additional sum of money will be payable in respect of such arrearage. The amount of dividends per Outstanding
VRDP Share payable on any dividend payment date will equal the sum of dividends accumulated but not yet paid for each dividend reset period during the relevant monthly dividend period.
Redemption
The
Outstanding VRDP Shares of each series are subject to optional and mandatory redemption in certain circumstances. The Fund is obligated to redeem the Outstanding VRDP Shares on the Mandatory Redemption Date set forth for each series in the table
above, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Fund, at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share ($100,000) plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared).
Pursuant to the VRDP Statement for the Outstanding VRDP Shares of each series and the fee agreement with the liquidity provider for such
series, the Fund will have an obligation to redeem, at a redemption price equal to $100,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) until, but excluding, the date fixed by the Board for redemption,
shares of such series purchased by the liquidity provider pursuant to its obligations under the purchase agreement if the liquidity provider continues to be the beneficial owner for a period of six months and such shares cannot be successfully
remarketed. The Fund also will redeem, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) until, but excluding, the date fixed by the Board for
redemption, such number of preferred shares as is necessary to achieve compliance, if the Fund fails to maintain the minimum VRDP asset coverage required under the 1940 Act and the Funds agreement with the liquidity provider for the
Outstanding VRDP Shares of the applicable series, and such failure is not cured by the applicable cure date.
Outstanding VRDP Shares also
may be redeemed in whole at any time or in part from time to time at the option of the Fund at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared).
Voting and Consent Rights
Except as otherwise provided in the Funds Declaration, the VRDP Statements, or as otherwise required by applicable law, (i) each
holder of Outstanding VRDP Shares is entitled to one vote for each Outstanding VRDP Share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund, and (ii) the holders of outstanding VRDP Shares, along with holders of other
outstanding preferred shares of the Fund, vote with holders of common shares of the Fund as a single class; provided, however, that holders of preferred shares, including outstanding VRDP Shares, are entitled as a class to elect two trustees of the
Fund at all times. The
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holders of outstanding common shares and preferred shares, including outstanding VRDP Shares, voting as a single class, elect the balance of the trustees of the Fund.
Holders of Outstanding VRDP Shares of each series, as a separate class, have voting and consent rights with respect to certain actions that
would materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of the Outstanding VRDP Shares or holders of Outstanding VRDP Shares of the applicable series. Holders of Outstanding VRDP Shares also are entitled to vote as a class with holders
of other preferred shares of the Fund on matters that relate to the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, certain plans of reorganization adversely affecting holders of the preferred shares
or any other action requiring a vote of security holders of the Fund under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. In certain circumstances, holders of preferred shares, including outstanding VRDP Shares, are entitled to elect additional trustees in the
event at least two full years dividends are due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited for their payment, or at any time holders of preferred shares are entitled under the 1940 Act to elect a majority of
the trustees of the Fund.
Priority of Payment
The Outstanding VRDP Shares are senior in priority to the Funds common shares as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution
of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund. The Outstanding VRDP Shares have equal priority as to the payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
affairs of the Fund with other preferred shares of the Fund, including other series of outstanding VRDP Shares, the outstanding MFP Shares, and the New AMTP Shares and the New VRDP Shares to be issued in connection with the Mergers, if any.
Description of New AMTP Shares
See
the beginning of this Information Memorandum and the Statement attached hereto as Appendix A1 for a detailed description of the New AMTP Shares.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BY-LAWS
General
The by-laws of the Fund provide that by becoming a shareholder of the Fund, each shareholder shall be
deemed to have agreed to be bound by the terms of the Declaration and by-laws. However, neither the Declaration nor the by-laws purport to require the waiver of a
shareholders rights under the federal securities laws.
Shareholder and Trustee Liability
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However,
the Funds Declaration contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for debts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such limited liability be given in each obligation, contract or instrument made or issued by the
Fund or the trustees. The Funds Declaration further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the Fund for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.
The Funds Declaration provides that the obligations of the Fund are not binding upon the Funds trustees individually, but only
upon the assets and property of the Fund, and that the trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Funds Declaration protects a trustee against any liability to which he or she would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
The Funds Declaration and by-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other
entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. Specifically, the Funds Declaration requires a vote by holders of at least
two-thirds of the outstanding common shares and preferred shares entitled to vote, voting as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund or a series or class of the Fund with any corporation, association, trust or other
organization or a reorganization or recapitalization of the Fund or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Funds assets (other than in the regular course of the Funds
investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund or a series or class of the Fund, or (5) a removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such
transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Funds Declaration or the Funds by-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Funds outstanding common shares and preferred shares entitled to vote, voting as a single class, is required; provided,
however, that, where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), only the required vote by the applicable class or series will be required. For the
purposes of the foregoing, the term recapitalization will not mean, without limitation, the issuance or redemption of preferred shares pursuant to the terms of the Declaration or the applicable Statement adopted with respect to such
preferred shares, whether or not in conjunction with the issuance, retirement or redemption of other securities or indebtedness of the Fund. However, approval of shareholders is not required for any transaction, whether deemed a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, whereby the Fund issues shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) of any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the
Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization (as that term is used in the 1940 Act) which adversely affects the holders of
preferred shares, the
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action in question will also require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Funds preferred shares outstanding at the
time, voting as a separate class, or, if such action has been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Funds Declaration or the
Funds by-laws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Funds preferred shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class. None of the foregoing voting provisions
may be amended or repealed except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the common shares and preferred shares entitled to vote, voting as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the
Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of
preferred shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Funds Board believes that the provisions of the Funds Declaration relating to such higher votes are in the best interests of the Fund.
In addition, the Funds by-laws require the Board be divided into three classes with staggered
terms. This provision of the by-laws could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board. Holders of preferred shares, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two of the
Funds trustees.
The by-laws of the Fund provide that common shares held by a shareholder
who obtains beneficial ownership of common shares in a Control Share Acquisition shall have the same voting rights as other common shares only to the extent authorized by the Funds shareholders (the Control Share
Provision). Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote in the election of trustees, excluding Interested Shares. Interested Shares include
shares held by Fund officers and any person who has acquired common shares in a Control Share Acquisition. The by-laws define a Control Share Acquisition, subject to various conditions and
exceptions, generally to mean an acquisition of common shares that would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power, but for the Control Share Provision, in the election of trustees (except
for any elections of trustees by holders of preferred shares voting as a separate class) in any one of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than
one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. For this purpose, all common shares acquired by a person within ninety days before or
after the date on which such person acquires shares that result in a Control Share Acquisition, and all common shares acquired by such person pursuant to a plan to make a Control Share Acquisition, shall be deemed to have been acquired in the same
Control Share Acquisition. Subject to various conditions and procedural requirements, including the delivery of a Control Share Acquisition Statement to the Fund setting forth certain required information, a shareholder who obtains or
proposes to obtain beneficial ownership of common shares in a Control Share Acquisition generally may request a vote of shareholders to approve the authorization of voting rights of such shareholder with respect to such shares.
The provisions of the Funds Declaration and by-laws described above could have the effect of
depriving the common shareholders of opportunities to sell their common shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the common shares by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar
transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a third party. However, they provide the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the
Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Funds investment objectives and policies. The Funds Board has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded
that they are in the best interests of the Fund.
The Funds Declaration provides that shareholders will have no right to acquire,
purchase or subscribe for any shares or securities of the Fund, other than such right, if any, as the Funds Board in its discretion may determine.
Procedural Requirements on Derivative Actions, Exclusive Jurisdiction and Jury Trial Waiver
The by-laws of the Fund contain certain provisions affecting potential shareholder claims against the
Fund, including procedural requirements for derivative actions, an exclusive forum provision, and the waiver of
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shareholder rights to a jury trial. Massachusetts is considered a universal demand state, meaning that under Massachusetts corporate law a shareholder must make a demand on the
company before bringing a derivative action (i.e., a lawsuit brought by a shareholder on behalf of the company). The by-laws of the Fund provide detailed procedures for the bringing of derivative actions by
shareholders (the Demand By-Law) which are modeled on the substantive provisions of the Massachusetts corporate law derivative demand statute. The Demand
By-Law is intended 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. Among other things, the Demand By-Law:
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provides that before bringing a derivative action, a shareholder must make a written demand to the Fund;
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establishes a 90 day review period, subject to extension in certain circumstances, for the Board of Trustees to
evaluate the shareholders demand; |
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establishes a mechanism for the Board of Trustees to submit the question of whether to maintain a derivative
action to a vote of shareholders; |
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provides that if the Fund does not notify the requesting shareholder of the rejection of the demand within the
applicable review period, the shareholder may commence a derivative action; |
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establishes bases upon which a trustee will not be considered to be not independent for purposes of evaluating a
derivative demand; and |
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provides that if the trustees who are independent for purposes of considering a shareholder demand determine in
good faith within the applicable review period that the maintenance of a derivative action is not in the best interest of the Fund, the shareholder shall not be permitted to maintain a derivative action unless he or she first sustains the burden of
proof to the 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. |
The Demand By-Law may be more restrictive than procedures for bringing derivative suits applicable to
other investment companies.
The by-laws also require that actions by shareholders against the
Fund, except for actions under the U.S. federal securities laws, be brought only in a certain federal court in Massachusetts, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior
Court in Suffolk County (the Exclusive Jurisdictions), and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. The designation of Exclusive
Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder were permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a
shareholders ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. It is possible that a court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Funds by-laws.
Reference should be made to the Funds Declaration and
by-laws on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
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REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND
The Fund is a closed-end management
investment company, and as such its shareholders do not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their common shares. Instead, the common shares of the Fund trade in the open market at a price that is a function of several factors, including
dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), net asset value, call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit quality, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions and other
factors. Because common shares of closed-end management investment companies may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value, the Funds Board has determined that, at least annually, it will
consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of common shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender
offer for such shares at net asset value, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. There is no assurance that the Funds Board will decide to take any of these actions, or that
share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce market discount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time when the Funds
preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its common shares unless (1) all accumulated but unpaid preferred shares dividends due to be paid have been paid and (2) at the time of such
purchase, redemption or acquisition, the net asset value of the Funds portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the common shares) is at least 200% of the liquidation value (expected to equal the original purchase price
per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon) of the outstanding preferred shares.
If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, it would be required to redeem all its preferred shares then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio), and the common shares would no
longer be listed on an exchange. In contrast to a closed-end management investment company, shareholders of an open-end management investment company may require the
company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less any redemption charge that is in effect at the time of redemption. See Certain Provisions in the
Funds Declaration and By-Laws above for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to the conversion of the Fund to an open-end management investment
company.
Before deciding whether to take any action if the common shares trade below net asset value, the Board would consider all
relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Funds portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders and market considerations. Based on these considerations,
even if the Funds common shares should trade at a discount, the Board may determine that, in the interest of the Fund, no action should be taken.
B-68
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
Below is a discussion of the anticipated federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding, and disposing of New AMTP Shares. The
discussion is based on the current provisions and interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the accompanying Treasury regulations and on current judicial and administrative rulings. All of
these authorities are subject to change and any change can apply retroactively.
Upon issuance of New AMTP Shares, and subject to certain
assumptions and conditions, and based upon certain representations made by the Fund, including representations regarding the nature of the Funds assets and the conduct of the Funds business, Stradley, Ronon Stevens and Young LLP
(Special Tax Counsel) will deliver its opinion concluding that for federal income tax purposes New AMTP Shares will qualify as equity in the Fund and distributions made with respect to the New AMTP Shares will qualify as
exempt-interest dividends to the extent they are reported by the Fund and not otherwise limited under Section 852(b)(5)(A) of the Code (under which the total amount of dividends that may be treated as exempt-interest dividends is limited, based
on the total amount of tax-exempt interest generated by the Fund). The Funds qualification and taxation as a regulated investment company depend upon the Funds ability to meet on a continuing
basis, through actual annual operating results, certain requirements in the federal tax laws. Special Tax Counsel will not review the Funds compliance with those requirements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of
the Funds operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements.
Vedder Price P.C. will provide an opinion,
subject to certain assumptions, conditions and exclusions, and based upon certain representations made by the Fund and the Target Fund, on the anticipated federal income tax consequences of certain aspects of the Merger, including opinions
substantially to the effect that (i) the Merger will qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, (ii) the Fund will not recognize a gain or loss upon the merger of the Target Fund with and into a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund pursuant to applicable state laws or upon the liquidation of the wholly-owned subsidiary and (iii) a holder of Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of such shares
solely into New AMTP Shares. Such opinion will be based, in part, on Special Tax Counsels opinion that the New AMTP Shares will constitute equity in the Fund for federal income tax purposes and will rely on the representations and will assume
the accuracy of such representations. If such opinion, representations or assumptions are incorrect, the Merger may not qualify as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes, and the holders of Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares may recognize
taxable gain or loss as a result of the Merger.
Opinions of counsel are not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service (the
IRS) or the courts. If the Merger occurs but the IRS or the courts determine that the Merger does not qualify as a reorganization under the Code, and thus is taxable, the Target Fund would recognize gain or loss on the transfer of
its assets to the Fund and each holder of Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares would recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between its basis in its Georgia Municipal AMTP Shares and the fair market value of the New AMTP shares it receives.
The following is intended to be a general summary of the material federal income tax consequences of investing in New AMTP Shares. The
discussion generally applies only to holders of New AMTP Shares who are U.S. holders. You will be a U.S. holder if you are (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust that (a) is subject to the supervision of a
court within the United States and the control of one or more United States persons as described in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United
States person. This summary deals only with U.S. holders that hold New AMTP Shares as capital assets. It does not address considerations that may be relevant to you if you are an investor that is subject to special tax rules, such as but not limited
to a financial institution, insurance company, regulated investment company, real estate investment trust, investor in pass-
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through entities, U.S. holder of New AMTP Shares whose functional currency is not the United States dollar, tax-exempt organization, dealer in
securities or currencies, trader in securities or commodities that elects mark to market treatment, person who holds New AMTP Shares in a qualified tax-advantaged account such as but not limited to an IRA,
person that will hold New AMTP Shares as a position in a straddle, hedge or as part of a constructive sale or other integrated transaction for federal income tax purposes or persons with applicable financial
statements within the meaning of Section 451(b) of the Code. If a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership holds New AMTP Shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the
partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding new AMTP Shares, the discussion below may not be applicable to you and you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of acquiring,
owning and disposing of New AMTP Shares. This summary is not intended to be a complete discussion of all such federal income tax consequences, nor does it purport to deal with all categories of investors. This discussion reflects applicable tax laws
of the United States as of the date of this Information Memorandum, which tax laws may change or be subject to new interpretation by the courts or the IRS, possibly with retroactive effect. INVESTORS ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS BEFORE MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND.
Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Fund
The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to continue to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to its shareholders.
The Fund primarily invests in municipal securities issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of
the United States (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) or in municipal securities whose income is otherwise exempt from regular federal income tax. Thus, substantially all of the Funds dividends to the holders of common shares and New AMTP Shares
will qualify as exempt-interest dividends. A shareholder treats an exempt-interest dividend as interest on state and local bonds exempt from regular federal income tax. Some or all of an exempt-interest dividend may be subject to the
federal alternative minimum tax imposed on the shareholder. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, exempt-interest dividends may also affect the corporate alternative minimum tax liability of some corporate shareholders.
In addition to exempt-interest dividends, the Fund may also distribute amounts that are treated as long-term capital gain or ordinary income
to its shareholders. The Fund will allocate distributions to shareholders that are treated as tax-exempt interest and as long-term capital gain and ordinary income, if any, proportionately among its common and
preferred shares based on the dividends paid on such shares with respect to the year. In certain circumstances, the Fund will make additional distributions to holders of preferred shares to offset the tax effects of a taxable distribution.
To qualify for the favorable federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, the Fund must, among other
things, (i) 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
non-U.S. 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 qualified publicly traded
partnerships, as defined in the Code; (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total 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 limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than
5% of the value of the Funds total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) 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 a single issuer, or two or more issuers that the Fund controls and are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified
publicly traded partnerships; and (iii) distribute each year an amount equal to or greater than the
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sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and 90% of its net
tax-exempt interest income.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be
subject to federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code 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 may retain for investment its net capital gain. However, if the Fund retains any net capital gain or any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular
corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a written statement to its shareholders who, if subject to federal income tax on long-term capital
gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the
Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the
Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding
sentence. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and the net capital gain not otherwise retained by the Fund.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise
tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary taxable income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the
calendar year, (ii) 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
(iii) any ordinary taxable income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its
distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.
If at any time when the Funds New AMTP Shares are
outstanding the Fund fails to meet the Asset Coverage, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to holders of its common shares until such Asset Coverage is restored. This may prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net tax-exempt income, and may therefore jeopardize the Funds
qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company or cause the Fund to incur a tax liability or a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed taxable income (including gain), or both. Upon
failure to meet the Asset Coverage, the Fund will be required to redeem preferred shares, which may include New AMTP Shares in order to maintain or restore such asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders of
failing to qualify as a regulated investment company. There can be no assurance, however, that any such redemption would achieve such objectives.
If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement with respect to any
taxable year, and was unable to cure such failure, the Fund would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and distributions to shareholders would not be
deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Additionally, all distributions out of current or accumulated earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible
(i) to be treated as qualified dividend income, as discussed below in the case of noncorporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction under Section 243 of the Code (the Dividends Received
Deduction) in the case of corporate shareholders.
The Fund intends to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, as
defined in the Code, on its common shares and preferred shares by satisfying the requirement that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at
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least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of tax-exempt municipal bonds. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any part thereof (other than
a capital gain dividend) paid by the Fund which are attributable to interest on municipal bonds and are so reported by the Fund. Exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from federal income tax, subject to the possible application of the federal
alternative minimum tax. Failure of the issuer of a tax-exempt security to comply with certain legal or contractual requirements relating to the tax-exempt security
could cause interest on the security, as well as Fund distributions derived from this interest, to become taxable, perhaps retroactively to the date the tax-exempt security was issued.
A portion of the Funds expenditures that would otherwise be deductible may not be allowed as deductions by reason of the Funds
investment in municipal securities (with such disallowed portion, in general, being the same percentage of the Funds aggregate expenses as the percentage of the Funds aggregate income (other than capital gain income) that constitutes
exempt-interest income from municipal securities). A similar disallowance rule also applies to interest expense paid or incurred by the Fund, if any. Such disallowed deductions, if any, will reduce the amount that the Fund can report as
exempt-interest dividends by the disallowed amount. As a result, income distributions by the Fund in excess of the amount of the Funds exempt-interest dividends may be taxable as ordinary income.
Under Section 163(j) of the Code, the amount of business interest that a taxpayer can deduct for any year is generally limited to the
taxpayers (i) business interest income (which is the amount of interest includible in the gross income of the taxpayer which is properly allocable to a trade or business, but does not include investment income) plus (ii) 30% of adjusted
taxable income (but not less than zero) plus (iii) floor plan financing interest. The IRS has issued regulations clarifying that all interest expense and interest income of a regulated investment company is treated as properly allocable to a
trade or business for purposes of the limitation on the deductibility of business interest. As a result, this limitation may impact the Funds ability to use leverage (e.g., borrow money, issue debt securities, etc.). Shareholders of the Fund
may also be subject to this limitation. The Fund is permitted to pass-through its net business interest income (generally the Funds business interest income less applicable expenses and deductions) as a section 163(j) interest
dividend. The amount passed through to shareholders is considered interest income and can be used to determine such shareholders business interest deduction under Code Section 163(j), if any, subject to holding period requirements
and other limitations. The Fund may choose not to report such section 163(j) interest dividends.
The Funds investment
in zero coupon bonds will cause it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these bonds. Such income will be accrued daily by the Fund and, in order to avoid a tax payable by the Fund, the Fund may be required to
liquidate securities that it might otherwise continue to hold in order to generate cash so that the Fund may make required distributions to its shareholders.
The Fund may hold or acquire municipal obligations that are market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the
secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond). If the Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of
such market discount bond as ordinary taxable income to the extent of the accrued market discount.
The Funds investment in
lower-rated or unrated debt securities may present issues for the Fund if the issuers of these securities default on their obligations because the federal income tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not certain.
The Funds transactions in derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other
hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, Section 1256 treatment, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may
affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, may disallow, limit or defer the use of certain deductions or losses of the Fund, accelerate the recognition of income or gains
to the Fund, and cause adjustments in the
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holding periods of the Funds securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because the tax rules
applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect
whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax. These provisions may also require the Fund to recognize
income or gain without receiving cash with which to make distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining regulated investment company status and for avoiding federal income and excise taxes. The Fund will monitor
its transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.
Generally, the character of the income or capital gains that the Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the
Funds shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as regulated investment companies. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a regulated investment company realizes net losses
on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when a Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may
be recognized as a long-term capital loss. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that the Fund will be required to distribute to
shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons,
the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., exempt-interest dividends, long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by
the investment companies in which it invests.
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Holders of New AMTP Shares
The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, under Subchapter M of the Code, and to satisfy conditions which
enable dividends on its common and preferred shares which are attributable to interest on municipal securities to be exempt from federal income tax in the hands of owners of such stock, subject to the possible application of the federal alternative
minimum tax.
In order for any distributions to holders of New AMTP Shares to be eligible to be treated as exempt-interest dividends, New
AMTP Shares must be treated as stock for federal income tax purposes. Under present law, Special Tax Counsel is of the opinion that New AMTP Shares of the Fund will constitute equity of the Fund, and thus distributions with respect to New AMTP
Shares (other than distributions in redemption of New AMTP Shares subject to Section 302(b) of the Code) will generally constitute dividends to the extent of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal
income tax purposes. Because the treatment of a corporate security as debt or equity is determined on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each case, and no controlling precedent exists for the New AMTP Shares, there can be no assurance that
the IRS will not question Special Tax Counsels opinion and the Funds treatment of New AMTP Shares as equity. If the IRS were to succeed in such a challenge, holders of New AMTP Shares could be characterized as receiving taxable
interest income rather than exempt-interest or other dividends, possibly requiring them to file amended income tax returns and retroactively to recognize additional amounts of ordinary income or to pay additional tax, interest, and penalties.
Distributions to shareholders of ordinary income other than tax-exempt interest (including
without limitation net investment income received by the Fund from taxable temporary investments, if any, certain income from financial futures and options transactions and market discount realized by the Fund on the sale of municipal securities)
and of net short-term capital gains realized by the Fund, if any, will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions by the Fund of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital
loss), if any, are taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length
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of time the shareholder has owned the shares with respect to which such distributions are made. The amount of taxable income allocable to the Funds shares will depend upon the amount of
such income realized by the Fund. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits are a return of capital distribution that will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a shareholders shares and,
after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). Because a return of capital distribution reduces the adjusted tax basis of a shareholders shares, a
return of capital distribution may result in a higher capital gain or a lower capital loss on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares. Under current federal income tax law, qualified dividend income received by
noncorporate shareholders is taxed at rates equivalent to long-term capital gain tax rates, which reach a maximum of 20% (plus an additional tax on net investment income, described below, for taxpayers with income exceeding certain
thresholds). Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from non-U.S. corporations that meet certain specified criteria. As long as the Fund qualifies as a
regulated investment company under the Code, it is not expected that any part of its distributions to shareholders from its investments will qualify for the Dividends Received Deduction available to corporate shareholders or as qualified dividend
income in the case of noncorporate shareholders.
The IRS currently requires that a regulated investment company that has two or more
classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income and capital gains). Accordingly, the Fund intends to report dividends made with respect to common shares and preferred shares,
including New AMTP Shares, as consisting of particular types of income (e.g., exempt-interest dividends, net capital gain, or ordinary income) in accordance with each classs proportionate share of the total dividends paid by the Fund with
respect to the year.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, a distribution will be treated as having been
paid on December 31 if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such months and is paid by the Fund in January of the following year. Accordingly, such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in
the calendar year in which the distributions are declared.
A holder of New AMTP Shares will be required to report the dividends declared
by the Fund for each day on which such holder is the shareholder of record. The Fund intends to notify holders of New AMTP Shares in advance if it will allocate to them income that is not exempt from regular federal income tax. In certain
circumstances, the Fund will make payments to holders of preferred shares, including New AMTP Shares, to offset the tax effects of the taxable distribution.
The Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Funds shares to which exempt-interest
dividends are allocated is not deductible. Under rules used by the IRS for determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase or ownership of shares may be considered to have
been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not directly used for the purchase or ownership of such shares.
The interest on
private activity bonds in most instances is not federally tax-exempt to a person who is a substantial user of a facility financed by such bonds or a related person of such
substantial user. As a result, the Fund may not be an appropriate investment for a shareholder who is considered either a substantial user or a related person within the meaning of the Code. In general, a
substantial user of a facility includes a nonexempt person who regularly uses a part of such facility in his trade or business. Related persons are in general defined to include persons among whom there exists a
relationship, either by family or business, which would result in a disallowance of losses in transactions among them under various provisions of the Code (or if they are members of the same controlled group of corporations under the Code),
including a partnership and each of its partners (and certain members of their families), an S corporation and each of its shareholders (and certain members of their families) and various combinations of these and other relationships. The foregoing
is not a complete description of all of the provisions of the Code covering the definitions of substantial user and related person.
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Federal income tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to individuals, trusts and
estates. Interest on certain municipal bonds is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayers alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income from municipal securities subject to
the federal alternative minimum tax, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, although otherwise exempt from federal income tax, would be taxable to its shareholders to the extent that their tax liability is determined under the federal
alternative minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage of the Funds income attributable to municipal securities subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. For taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2022, exempt-interest dividends may also affect the corporate alternative minimum tax liability of some corporate shareholders.
Tax-exempt income, including exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund, is taken into account in
calculating the amount of social security and railroad retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income tax.
Certain
noncorporate shareholders are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on some or all of their net investment income, which includes items of gross income that are attributable to interest, original issue discount and market discount, as well
as net gain from the disposition of other property. This tax generally will apply to an individual whose net investment income, when added to other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married
taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), or $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return. The additional 3.8% tax can also apply to estates or trusts. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
applicability of this tax in respect of their shares.
Sale of Shares
Gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of New AMTP Shares, if any (other than redemptions, the rules for which are described below)
will generally be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets, except that a portion of the amount received on the disposition of New AMTP Shares may be characterized as an accumulated but unpaid dividend, which will be
subject to the rules described above. Gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term if the New AMTP Shares have been held for more than one year and otherwise will be treated as short-term. Present federal income tax law taxes both long-term
and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, under current federal income tax law short-term capital gains and ordinary income
will be taxed at a maximum rate of 37% while long-term capital gains generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. In addition, a 3.8% tax on net investment income may apply to certain shareholders as described above.
Losses realized by a shareholder on the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund held for six months or less are disallowed to the extent of any
distribution of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares, unless the Fund declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt
interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. If not disallowed, such losses are treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gain received (or reported amounts of
undistributed capital gain that are treated as received) with respect to such shares.
Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be
disallowed to the extent that substantially identical stock or securities are reacquired within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of such shares. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will
be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. The deductibility of losses is subject to limits under the Code.
The Fund may, at its option,
redeem New AMTP Shares in whole or in part, and is required to redeem New AMTP Shares to the extent required to maintain the Effective Leverage Ratio and the Asset Coverage or because of a Failed Transition Event or Failed Adjustment Event. Gain or
loss, if any, resulting from a redemption will generally be taxed as gain or loss from the sale or exchange under Section 302 of the Code rather
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than as a dividend, but only if the redemption distribution (i) is deemed not to be essentially equivalent to a dividend, (ii) is in complete redemption of a holders interest in
the Fund, (iii) is substantially disproportionate with respect to the owner, or (iv) with respect to non-corporate holders, is in partial liquidation of the Fund. For purposes of (i), (ii) and
(iii) above, a holders ownership of common and preferred shares will be taken into account and certain constructive ownership rules will apply. As in the case of a sale or exchange, a portion of the amount received on the redemption of
New AMTP Shares may be characterized as an accumulated but unpaid dividend subject to the distribution rules discussed above.
Backup Withholding
The Fund may be required to withhold, for federal income tax purposes, a portion of all distributions (including exempt interest
dividends and redemption proceeds) payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number, who fail to make required certifications or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup
withholding (or if the Fund has been so notified). The current rate of backup withholding is 24%. Certain corporate and other shareholders specified in the Code and the regulations thereunder are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is
not an additional tax; any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders federal income tax liability provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) generally requires the Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the
status of each of its shareholders. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on Fund dividends and
distributions and redemption proceeds. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from (or concerning) its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to
comply with FATCA, related intergovernmental agreements or other applicable law or regulation. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the
investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
Pursuant to proposed regulations, the Treasury Department
has indicated its intent to eliminate the requirements under FATCA of withholding on gross proceeds from the sale, exchange, maturity or other disposition of relevant financial instruments (including redemption of stock). The Treasury Department has
indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization.
Investors are advised to consult their own
tax advisors with respect to the application to their own circumstances of the above-described general federal income taxation rules and with respect to other federal tax and all state, local or foreign tax consequences to them before making an
investment in New AMTP Shares.
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CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND
REDEMPTION AGENT
The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The custodian
performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Funds transfer, shareholder services and dividend disbursing agent and redemption and paying agent is Computershare, 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing services to the Fund. The principal business address of KPMG LLP
is 200 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
MISCELLANEOUS
To the extent that a holder of New AMTP Shares is directly or indirectly a beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of the Funds
outstanding shares (meaning for purposes of holders of New AMTP Shares, more than 10% of the Funds outstanding preferred shares), such a 10% beneficial owner would be subject to the short-swing profit rules that are imposed pursuant to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act (and related reporting requirements). These rules generally provide that such a 10% beneficial owner may have to disgorge any profits realized on purchases and sales, or sales and purchases, of the Funds
preferred shares (including New AMTP Shares) that are made within any six month time period. Holders of New AMTP Shares should consult with their own counsel to determine the applicability of these rules.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other
information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other information filed by the Fund may be accessed through the EDGAR database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies of this
information, with payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The Funds audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, together with the report of KPMG LLP thereon,
are incorporated in this Memorandum by reference to its 2021 Annual Report. Copies of the Annual Report may be obtained from www.sec.gov or by visiting www.nuveen.com. Other than the financial statements included in the Funds Annual Report,
the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the SECs or the Funds website is not part of this Memorandum.
If at any time the Fund is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Fund will furnish to holders of New AMTP Shares
and prospective investors, upon their request, the information specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit compliance with Rule 144A in connection with resales of New AMTP Shares.
Statements in this Memorandum about the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference
is made to the copy of the contract or other documents attached hereto as an appendix or otherwise available upon request from the Fund, subject to compliance with applicable confidentiality restrictions, each such statement being qualified in all
respects by this reference.
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Appendix A1
FORM OF STATEMENT ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES
OF ADJUSTABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED SHARES
Series 2028
A1-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A1-2
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND
STATEMENT ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF
ADJUSTABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED SHARES
Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (the Fund), a Massachusetts business trust, certifies that:
RECITALS
FIRST: The Fund is authorized under Article IV of the Funds Declaration of Trust, as amended (which, as hereafter restated or
amended from time to time, is herein called the Declaration), to issue an unlimited number of Preferred Shares (as defined below), par value $.01 per share.
SECOND: Pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board of Trustees of the Fund by Article IV of the Declaration, the Board of
Trustees has, by resolution, authorized the issuance of Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value per share, of the Fund, such shares to be classified as Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2028 (such shares subject to this Statement
being referred to herein individually as an AMTP Share and collectively as the AMTP Shares). The initial terms related to the AMTP Shares are set forth in this Statement, as modified by the Appendix (as defined
below) attached hereto. Changes to such initial terms shall be set forth in a Supplement (as defined in Article 1) to the Appendix or in a separate statement establishing and fixing the rights and preferences of the AMTP Shares.
THIRD: The number of shares, preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and
conditions of redemption, of the AMTP Shares subject to this Statement, as now or hereafter authorized by the Board of Trustees, are set forth in this Statement, as modified or amended from time to time in the appendix to this Statement (the
Appendix) and in any Supplement thereto that is then in effect, as applicable, specifically relating to such AMTP Shares.
DESIGNATION OF SERIES
The Fund initially shall designate in Appendix A hereto the initial additional or different terms and conditions to apply to the AMTP Shares
of the Fund for a period commencing on the effective date of this Statement and ending not later than the Term Redemption Date.
The Fund,
as authorized by the Board of Trustees and in accordance with and subject to Section 2.2(h), may modify or amend the terms and conditions applicable to the AMTP Shares, and any such Adjusted Terms (as defined in Article I)
applicable to the AMTP Shares will be set forth in a Supplement to the Appendix.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent and
except with respect the AMTP Shares as specifically provided in the Appendix, each of the following terms when used in this Statement shall have the meaning ascribed to it below, whether such term is used in the singular or plural and regardless of
tense:
1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any successor statute.
1940 Act Asset Coverage means asset coverage, as defined for purposes of Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, of
at least 200% with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund which are shares of stock for
A1-3
purposes of the 1940 Act, including all outstanding AMTP Shares (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the 1940 Act or by rule, regulation or order of the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities which are shares of stock of a closed-end investment company).
Additional Amount Payment means a payment to a Holder of AMTP Shares of an amount which, when taken together with the
aggregate amount of Taxable Allocations made to such Holder to which such Additional Amount Payment relates, would cause such Holders dividends in dollars (after federal income tax consequences) from the aggregate of such Taxable Allocations
and the related Additional Amount Payment to be equal to the dollar amount of the dividends that would have been received by such Holder if the amount of such aggregate Taxable Allocations would have been excludable (for federal income tax purposes)
from the gross income of such Holder. Such Additional Amount Payment shall be calculated (i) without consideration being given to the time value of money; (ii) assuming that no Holder of AMTP Shares is subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax with respect to dividends received from the Fund; and (iii) assuming that each Taxable Allocation and each Additional Amount Payment (except to the extent such Additional Amount Payment is reported as an exempt-interest dividend for
purposes of Section 852(b)(5) of the Code) would be taxable in the hands of each Holder of AMTP Shares at the maximum marginal regular federal individual income tax rate (taking account of the tax imposed under Section 1411 of the Code or
any successor provision) applicable to ordinary income or net capital gain, as applicable, or the maximum marginal regular federal corporate income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or net capital gain, as applicable, whichever is greater, in
effect at the time such Additional Amount Payment is paid.
Adjusted Dividend Amount means, with respect to the AMTP
Shares, a new Dividend Amount, as established pursuant to Section 2.2(h) and set forth in a Supplement to the Appendix.
Adjusted Terms has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(h)(xi).
Adjusted Terms Agreement means, with respect to the AMTP Shares, a written agreement between the Fund and the Required
Designated Owners with respect to an Adjusted Dividend Amount and/or any other Adjusted Terms as may be established pursuant to Section 2.2(h).
Adjusted Terms Agreement Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(h)(iv).
Adjusted Terms Effective Date shall have the meaning, with respect to the AMTP Shares, as set forth in a Supplement to the
Appendix.
Adviser means Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or such other entity as shall
be then serving as the investment adviser of the Fund, and shall include, as appropriate, any sub-adviser duly appointed by the Adviser.
Agent Member means a Person with an account at the Securities Depository that holds one or more AMTP Shares through the
Securities Depository, directly or indirectly, for a Designated Owner and that will be authorized and instructed, directly or indirectly, by a Designated Owner to disclose information to the Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to such
Designated Owner.
AMTP Shares shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of this Statement.
Appendix shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of this Statement.
Applicable Spread shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
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Asset Coverage means asset coverage of a class of senior security
which is a stock, as defined for purposes of Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date hereof, determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours (only including Business Days) next preceding the time of such
determination.
Asset Coverage Cure Date means, with respect to the failure by the Fund to maintain Asset Coverage of
at least 225% as of the close of business on a Business Day (as required by Section 2.4(a)), the date that is thirty (30) calendar days following such Business Day.
Banks shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.19(a).
Below Investment Grade means, with respect the AMTP Shares and as of any date, the following ratings with respect to each
Rating Agency (to the extent it is a Rating Agency on such date):
(i) lower than BBB-, in the case of Fitch;
(ii) lower than an equivalent
long-term credit rating to that set forth in clause (i), in the case of any Other Rating Agency; and
(iii) unrated, if no Rating Agency is rating the AMTP Shares.
Board of Trustees means the Board of Trustees of the Fund or any duly authorized committee thereof as permitted by
applicable law.
Business Day means any day (a) other than a day on which commercial banks in The City of New
York, New York are required or authorized by law or executive order to close and (b) on which the New York Stock Exchange is not closed.
Closed-End Funds shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.19(a).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Common Shares means the common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, of the Fund.
Custodian means a bank, as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act, that has the qualifications prescribed in
paragraph 1 of Section 26(a) of the 1940 Act, or such other entity as shall be providing custodian services to the Fund as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, and shall include, as appropriate, any similarly
qualified sub-custodian duly appointed by the Fund.
Custodian Agreement means
any Custodian Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Fund.
Date of Original Issue shall have the meaning as
set forth in the Appendix.
Declaration shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of this Statement.
Default shall mean a Dividend Default or a Redemption Default.
Deposit Securities means, as of any date, any United States dollar-denominated security or other investment of a type
described below that either (i) is a demand obligation payable to the holder thereof on any Business Day or (ii) has a maturity date, mandatory redemption date or mandatory payment date, on its face or at the option of the holder,
preceding the relevant Redemption Date, Dividend Payment Date or other payment date in respect of which such security or other investment has been deposited or set aside as a Deposit Security:
(1) cash or any cash equivalent;
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(2) any U.S. Government Obligation;
(3) any Municipal Security that has a credit rating from at least one NRSRO that is the highest
applicable rating generally ascribed by such NRSRO to Municipal Securities with substantially similar terms as of the date of this Statement (or such ratings future equivalent), including (A) any such Municipal Security that has been pre-refunded by the issuer thereof with the proceeds of such refunding having been irrevocably deposited in trust or escrow for the repayment thereof and (B) any such fixed or variable rate Municipal Security
that qualifies as an eligible security under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act;
(4) any investment in any money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that qualifies under
Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, or similar investment vehicle described in Rule 12d1-1(b)(2) under the 1940 Act, that invests principally in Municipal Securities or U.S.
Government Obligations or any combination thereof; or
(5) any letter of credit from a bank
or other financial institution that has a credit rating from at least one NRSRO that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such NRSRO to bank deposits or short-term debt of similar banks or other financial institutions as of the
date of this Statement (or such ratings future equivalent).
Designated Owner means a Person in whose name the
AMTP Shares are recorded as beneficial owner by the Securities Depository, an Agent Member or other securities intermediary on the records of such Securities Depository, Agent Member or securities intermediary, as the case may be.
Dividend Amount shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
Dividend Default shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(g)(i).
Dividend Payment Date shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
Dividend Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in
effect, as applicable.
Dividend Rate Date shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement
thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Dividend Spread shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any
Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Effective Leverage Ratio shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.4(d).
Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Date shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A).
Electronic Means means email transmission, facsimile transmission or
other similar electronic means of communication providing evidence of transmission (but excluding online communications systems covered by a separate agreement) acceptable to the sending party and the receiving party, in any case if operative as
between any two parties, or, if not operative, by telephone (promptly confirmed by any other method set forth in this definition), which, in the case of notices to the Redemption and Paying Agent and the Custodian, shall be sent by such means to
each of its representatives set forth in the Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement and the Custodian Agreement, respectively.
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Failed Adjustment Event means that, in the case of a Term Adjustment Notice
delivered to the Fund by the Majority Designated Owner, on or before the Scheduled Term Adjustment Period Expiration Date, or such other date as the Fund and the Required Designated Owners shall agree, (i) the Fund and the Required Designated
Owners shall have failed to enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement, or (ii) a Third Party Purchase has not been completed, and in either case such Term Adjustment Notice shall not have been previously withdrawn.
Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that
is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Adjustment Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any
Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread shall have the meaning
as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Adjustment Redemption
shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(h)(v).
Failed Adjustment Redemption Date
shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed
Adjustment Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(d).
Failed
Transition Event shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that
is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Transition Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any
Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread shall have the meaning
as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Transition Redemption
Date shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Failed Transition Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(e).
Fitch means Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group, and any successor or successors thereto.
Fund shall have the meaning as set forth in the Preamble to this Statement.
Holder means, with respect to the AMTP Shares or any other security issued by the Fund, a Person in whose name such
security is registered in the registration books of the Fund maintained by the Redemption and Paying Agent or otherwise.
Increased Spread shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
Increased Spread Period shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.2(g)(i).
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Initial SOFR Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix
and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Initial Rate Period means the Initial SOFR Rate Period or
the Initial SIFMA Rate Period, as applicable.
Initial SIFMA Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the
Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Liquidation Preference means the amount
specified as the liquidation preference per share in the Appendix.
Liquidity Account shall have the meaning as set
forth in Section 2.11(a).
Liquidity Account Investments means Deposit Securities or any
other security or investment owned by the Fund that is rated not less than Baa3 by Moodys, BBB- by Standard & Poors, BBB- by Fitch or an equivalent
rating by any other NRSRO (or any such ratings future equivalent).
Majority Designated Owner of AMTP Shares
means the Designated Owner at the relevant date of more than 50% of the Outstanding AMTP Shares.
Mandatory Redemption
Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(b)(i)(A).
Mandatory
Tender means the mandatory tender of all Outstanding AMTP Shares by the Required Designated Owners thereof in connection with a Third Party Purchase (including a Third Party Purchase effected in connection with a Transition), as set forth
in Section 2.2(h)(vii), Section 3.1 and Article 4, as applicable.
Market
Value of any asset of the Fund means, for securities for which market quotations are readily available, the market value thereof determined by an independent third-party pricing service designated from time to time by the Board of
Trustees, which pricing service shall be Standard & Poors Securities Evaluations, Inc./J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. (or any successor thereto), Interactive Data Corporation (or any successor thereto) or such other independent third-party
pricing service broadly recognized in the tax-exempt fund market. Market Value of any asset shall include any interest accrued thereon. The pricing service values portfolio securities at the mean between the
quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service using methods that include
consideration of: yields or prices of Municipal Securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; state of issuance; indications as to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The pricing service may employ
electronic data processing techniques or a matrix system, or both, to determine recommended valuations.
Maximum Amount
shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor or successors thereto.
Municipal Securities means municipal securities as described under the heading The Funds Investments in
the information memorandum or other offering document for the AMTP Shares.
Notice of Redemption shall have the meaning
as set forth in Section 2.5(f)(i).
Notice of Taxable Allocation shall have the meaning as
set forth in Section 2.10(a).
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NRSRO means (a) each of Fitch, Moodys and Standard &
Poors so long as such Person is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act and (b) any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the
meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act that is not an affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
Nuveen Person means the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940
Act) (other than the Fund, in the case of a redemption or purchase of the AMTP Shares which are to be cancelled within ten (10) days of purchase by the Fund).
Optional Redemption Date shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(c)(i).
Optional Redemption Premium means the premium (if any) payable by the Fund upon the redemption of AMTP Shares at the option
of the Fund, as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Optional Redemption
Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(c)(i).
Other Rating
Agency means each Rating Agency, if any, other than Fitch then providing a rating for the AMTP Shares pursuant to the request of the Fund.
Outstanding means, as of any date with respect to the AMTP Shares, the number of AMTP Shares theretofore issued by the Fund
except (without duplication):
(a) any shares theretofore exchanged, cancelled or redeemed
or delivered to the Redemption and Paying Agent for exchange, cancellation or redemption in accordance with the terms hereof;
(b) any shares as to which the Fund shall have given a Notice of Redemption and irrevocably
deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent sufficient Deposit Securities to redeem such shares in accordance with Section 2.5; and
(c) any shares as to which the Fund shall be the Holder or the Designated Owner.
Person means and includes an individual, a partnership, a trust, a corporation, a limited liability company, an
unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Preferred Shares means the authorized preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Fund,
including the AMTP Shares, shares of any other series of preferred shares now or hereafter issued by the Fund, and any other shares of beneficial interest hereafter authorized and issued by the Fund of a class having priority over any other class as
to distribution of assets or payments of dividends.
Purchase Agreement means (i) with respect to the AMTP
Shares issued pursuant to this Statement, the Purchase Agreement dated as of [●], 2023 between the Fund and the initial holder of the AMTP Shares; or (ii) with respect to any Third Party Purchase, the purchase agreement, if any, between
the Fund and such purchaser, as applicable.
Rate Determination Date means, with respect to the Initial Rate Period for
the AMTP Shares, the day immediately preceding the Date of Original Issue, and with respect to any Subsequent Rate Period for the AMTP Shares, the last day of the immediately preceding Rate Period or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that the next succeeding Rate Determination Date will be determined without regard to any prior extension of a Rate Determination Date to a Business Day.
Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
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Rating Agencies means, as of any date and in respect of the AMTP Shares,
(i) Fitch; and (ii) any other NRSRO designated as a Rating Agency on such date in accordance with Section 2.7, in each of case (i) or (ii) above to the extent it maintains a rating on the AMTP Shares on such
date and has not been replaced as a Rating Agency in accordance with Section 2.7 and (ii) any Other Rating Agency designated as a Rating Agency on such date. Fitch has initially been designated as the Rating
Agency for purposes of the AMTP Shares. In the event that at any time any Rating Agency (A) ceases to be a Rating Agency for purposes of the AMTP Shares and such Rating Agency has been replaced by an Other Rating Agency in accordance with
Section 2.7, any references to any credit rating of the replaced Rating Agency in this Statement, the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable, shall be deleted for purposes hereof as provided
below and shall be deemed instead to be references to the equivalent credit rating of the Other Rating Agency that has replaced such Rating Agency as of the most recent date on which such replacement Other Rating Agency published credit ratings for
the AMTP Shares or (B) designates a new rating definition for any credit rating of such Rating Agency with a corresponding replacement rating definition for such credit rating of such Rating Agency, any references to such replaced rating
definition of such Rating Agency contained in this Statement, the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable, shall instead be deemed to be references to such corresponding replacement rating definition. In the event that
at any time the designation of any Rating Agency as a Rating Agency for purposes of the AMTP Shares is terminated in accordance with Section 2.7, any rating of such terminated Rating Agency, to the extent it would have been
taken into account in any of the provisions of this Statement, the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable, shall be disregarded, and only the ratings of the then-designated Rating Agencies shall be taken into account
for purposes of this Statement, the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Rating Agency
Guidelines means the guidelines of any Rating Agency, as they may be amended or modified from time to time, compliance with which is required to cause such Rating Agency to continue to issue a rating with respect to the AMTP Shares for so
long as any AMTP Shares are Outstanding.
Ratings Event shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.2(g)(i).
Redemption and Paying Agent means, with respect to the AMTP Shares,
collectively, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. and their successors or any other redemption and paying agent appointed by the Fund with respect to the AMTP Shares.
Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement means, with respect to the AMTP Shares, the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
effective as of June 15, 2017 between the Redemption and Paying Agent, the Fund and certain other Persons, as the same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time, or any similar agreement between the Fund and any other redemption
and paying agent appointed by the Fund.
Redemption Date shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.5(f)(i).
Redemption Default shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.2(g)(i).
Redemption Price shall mean the Term Redemption Price, the Mandatory
Redemption Price, the Failed Adjustment Redemption Price, the Failed Transition Redemption Price or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable.
Required Designated Owners of AMTP Shares means the Designated Owners of 100% of the Outstanding AMTP Shares.
Scheduled Term Adjustment Period Expiration Date shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement
thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
A1-10
Securities Depository shall mean The Depository Trust Company and its
successors and assigns or any other securities depository selected by the Fund that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository as set forth in this Statement with respect to the AMTP Shares.
Settlement Agent means, with respect to the AMTP Shares, an agent of the Fund appointed by a resolution of the Board of
Trustees to accept AMTP Shares subject to a Mandatory Tender and to facilitate the settlement of a Third Party Purchase of such AMTP Shares.
SIFMA Index Rate shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
SIFMA Municipal Swap Index shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto
that is in effect, as applicable.
SIFMA Rate Determination Date shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix
and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
SIFMA Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in
the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
SOFR means a Secured Overnight Financing
Rate term rate, as recommended for usage by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
SOFR Index Rate shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as
applicable.
SOFR Rate Determination Date shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement
thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
SOFR Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any
Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Standard & Poors means
Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC business, and any successor or successors thereto.
Statement means this Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term
Preferred Shares, Series 2028, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
Subsequent
SOFR Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable.
Subsequent Rate Period means the Subsequent SOFR Rate Period or the Subsequent SIFMA Rate Period, as applicable.
Subsequent SIFMA Rate Period shall have the meaning as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in
effect, as applicable.
Supplement means, with respect to the AMTP Shares, a written document, authorized and approved
by the Board of Trustees, that amends the Appendix, or a previous Supplement, relating to the AMTP Shares to reflect any Adjusted Terms agreed to in accordance with Section 2.2(h) in an Adjusted Terms Agreement.
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Tax Event shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.2(g)(i).
Taxable Allocation means, with respect to the AMTP Shares, the allocation
of any net capital gain or other income taxable for regular federal income tax purposes to a dividend paid in respect of the AMTP Shares.
Term Adjustment Notice means a notice of a proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) in the form
of EXHIBIT I hereto, delivered by either the Fund or the Majority Designated Owner in accordance with Section 2.2(h).
Term Adjustment Notice Period means, with respect to any Term Adjustment Notice, the period commencing on the date of
delivery of the Term Adjustment Notice and ending on the earliest to occur of (i) withdrawal of the Term Adjustment Notice in accordance with Section 2.2(h)(iii), (ii) the related Adjusted Terms Agreement Date,
(iii) the Third Party Purchase Date, (iv) the date of a Failed Adjustment Event and (v) the Transition Date, as applicable.
Term Redemption Date means the date specified as the Term Redemption Date in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that
is in effect, as applicable.
Term Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in
Section 2.5(a).
Third Party Purchase shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.2(h)(v).
Third Party Purchase Date means the date on which a Third Party Purchase
is completed.
Third Party Purchase Price means, for the AMTP Shares subject to a Third Party Purchase, a price per
share equal to the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and other distributions on such share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the Third Party Purchase Date (whether or not
earned or declared by the Fund, but without interest thereon).
Third Party Purchaser means a Person (other than the
Fund or the Required Designated Owners) that agrees, during a Term Adjustment Notice Period or pursuant to a Transition, to purchase all of the Outstanding AMTP Shares as described in Section 2.2(h) or Article 4, as
applicable.
Transition means the proposed transfer to a Third Party Purchaser of beneficial ownership of all
Outstanding AMTP Shares initiated by the Fund, at its option and without any requirement for any Person to deliver a Term Adjustment Notice, pursuant to Article 4.
Transition Date has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).
Transition Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).
U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations of the United States or of its agencies or instrumentalities that are
entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
Voting Period shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.6(b)(i).
Any additional definitions specifically set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable, any amendments
to any definitions specifically set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable, as such Appendix or Supplement may be amended or further supplemented from time to time, shall be incorporated herein and made
part hereof by reference thereto.
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1.2 Interpretation. The
headings preceding the text of Sections included in this Statement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Statement or be given any effect in interpreting this Statement. The use of the masculine, feminine or neuter gender or
the singular or plural form of words herein shall not limit any provision of this Statement. The use of the terms including or include shall in all cases herein mean including, without limitation or include,
without limitation, respectively. Reference to any Person includes such Persons successors and assigns to the extent such successors and assigns are permitted by the terms of any applicable agreement, and reference to a Person in a
particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually. Reference to any agreement (including this Statement), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time
to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, reference to any law means such law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or
re-enacted, in whole or in part, including rules, regulations, enforcement procedures and any interpretations promulgated thereunder. Underscored references to Sections and references to Articles shall refer
to those portions of this Statement. The use of the terms hereunder, hereof, hereto and words of similar import shall refer to this Statement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or clause of this
Statement.
1.3 Liability of Officers, Trustees and Shareholders. A
copy of the Declaration is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice hereby is given that this Statement is executed on behalf of the Fund by an officer of the Fund in his or her capacity as an officer of the Fund
and not individually and that the obligations of the Fund under or arising out of this Statement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and properties of the Fund. All
persons extending credit to, contracting with or having a claim against the Fund must look solely to the Funds assets and property for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as none of the Funds trustees, officers, agents or
shareholders, whether past, present or future, assume any personal liability for obligations entered on behalf of the Fund.
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ARTICLE 2 TERMS APPLICABLE TO
AMTP SHARES
Except for
such changes and amendments hereto with respect to AMTP Shares that are specifically contemplated by the Appendix or any Supplement to the Appendix as then in effect, the AMTP Shares shall have the following terms:
2.1 Number of Shares; Ranking.
(a) The number of authorized shares constituting the AMTP Shares shall be as set forth in the
Appendix hereto. No fractional AMTP Shares shall be issued.
(b) The AMTP Shares shall
rank on a parity with shares of any other series of Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund. The AMTP Shares shall have preference with
respect to the payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund over the Common Shares as set forth herein.
(c) No Holder of AMTP Shares shall have, solely by reason of being such a Holder, any
preemptive or other right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any AMTP Shares or Common Shares or other securities of the Fund which it may hereafter issue or sell.
(d) The effective date of this Statement is [●], 2023.
2.2 Dividends and Distributions.
(a) The Holders of AMTP Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or
under authority granted by, the Board of Trustees, out of funds legally available therefor and in preference to dividends and other distributions on Common Shares, cumulative cash dividends and other distributions on each AMTP Share in an amount
equal to the Dividend Amount, calculated as set forth in this Statement, the Appendix hereto and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, and no more. Dividends and other distributions on the AMTP Shares shall accumulate from the Date of Original
Issue. The amount of dividends per share payable on AMTP Shares on any Dividend Payment Date shall equal the sum of the dividends accumulated but not yet paid for each Rate Period (or part thereof) in the related Dividend Period. The Dividend Amount
accumulated shall be computed as provided in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable. The Dividend Spread for such AMTP Shares shall be adjusted to the Increased Spread for each Increased Spread Period (or portion of
a Rate Period to which the Increased Spread otherwise applies) as provided in Section 2.2(g) below. The Dividend Spread for such AMTP Shares shall be adjusted (i) to the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread for
each Rate Period (or portion of a Rate Period to which the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread otherwise applies) as provided in Section 4.3 below and (ii) to the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread for
each Rate Period (or portion of a Rate Period to which the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread otherwise applies) as provided in Section 2.2(h)(v) below.
(b) Dividends on AMTP Shares with respect to any Dividend Period shall be declared to the
Holders of such shares as their names shall appear on the registration books of the Fund at the close of business on each day in such Dividend Period and shall be paid as provided in Section 2.2(f) hereof.
(c) (i) No full dividends and other distributions shall be declared or paid on AMTP Shares for
any Dividend Period or part thereof unless full cumulative dividends and other distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with AMTP Shares have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid through the most recent dividend payment dates
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therefor. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been declared and paid on all such outstanding Preferred Shares of any series, any dividends and other distributions being
declared and paid on AMTP Shares will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and other distributions accumulated but unpaid on the shares of each such series of Preferred
Shares on the relevant dividend payment date for such series. Subject to Section 2.10 (and Section 2.5 of the Purchase Agreement), no Holders of AMTP Shares shall be entitled to any dividends and other distributions,
whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of full cumulative dividends and other distributions as provided in this Statement on such AMTP Shares.
(ii) For so long as any AMTP Shares are Outstanding, the Fund shall not: (x) declare any dividend or other distribution (other than a
dividend or distribution paid in Common Shares) in respect of the Common Shares, (y) call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Shares, or (z) pay any proceeds of the liquidation of the Fund in
respect of the Common Shares, unless, in each case, (A) immediately thereafter, the Fund shall have 1940 Act Asset Coverage after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution or redemption or purchase price or liquidation proceeds,
(B) all cumulative dividends and other distributions on all AMTP Shares and all other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with the AMTP Shares due on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase
or acquisition shall have been declared and paid (or shall have been declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Shares) for the payment thereof shall have been deposited irrevocably with the
paying agent for such Preferred Shares) and (C) the Fund shall have deposited Deposit Securities pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.5(f)(ii) hereof with respect to Outstanding AMTP Shares
to be redeemed pursuant to Section 2.5(a) or Section 2.5(b) hereof for which a Notice of Redemption shall have been given or shall have been required to be given in accordance with the terms hereof
on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition.
(iii) Any dividend payment made on
AMTP Shares shall first be credited against the dividends and other distributions accumulated with respect to the earliest Dividend Period for which dividends and distributions have not been paid.
(d) Not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Dividend Payment Date, the Fund
shall deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value on such date sufficient to pay the dividends and other distributions that are payable on such Dividend Payment Date. The Fund may direct the
Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to the investment or reinvestment of any such Deposit Securities so deposited prior to the Dividend Payment Date, provided that such investment consists exclusively of Deposit Securities and provided further
that the proceeds of any such investment will be available as same day funds at the opening of business on such Dividend Payment Date.
(e) All Deposit Securities deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent for the payment of
dividends payable on the AMTP Shares shall be held in trust for the payment of such dividends by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of AMTP Shares entitled to the payment of such dividends pursuant to
Section 2.2(f). Any moneys paid to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with the foregoing but not applied by the Redemption and Paying Agent to the payment of dividends, including interest earned on such moneys
while so held, will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Fund as soon as possible after the date on which such moneys were to have been so applied, upon request of the Fund.
(f) Dividends on AMTP Shares shall be paid on each Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of
such shares as their names appear on the registration books of the Fund at the close of business on the day immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day). Dividends in
arrears on AMTP Shares for any past Dividend Period may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the Holders of such shares as their names appear on the registration books of the Fund on such date,
not exceeding fifteen (15) calendar days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on AMTP Shares
which may be in arrears.
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(g) (i) The Dividend Spread used to compute the
Dividend Amount on AMTP Shares shall be adjusted to the Increased Spread for each Increased Spread Period (as hereinafter defined). Subject to the cure provisions of Section 2.2(g)(iii), a Rate Period with respect to AMTP
Shares shall be deemed to be an Increased Spread Period if on the first day of such Rate Period, (A) the Fund has failed to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Dividend Payment
Date, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Dividend Payment Date sufficient to pay the full amount of any dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date (a Dividend
Default) and such Dividend Default has not ended as contemplated by Section 2.2(g)(ii); (B) the Fund has failed to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on an applicable
Redemption Date, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Redemption Date sufficient to pay the full amount of the Redemption Price payable on such Redemption Date (a Redemption
Default) and such Redemption Default has not ended as contemplated by Section 2.2(g)(ii); (C) any Rating Agency has withdrawn the credit rating required to be maintained pursuant to
Section 2.7 other than due to the Rating Agency ceasing to rate tax-exempt closed-end management investment companies generally and such
withdrawal is continuing; (D) a Ratings Event (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing; or (E) (i) a court or other applicable governmental authority has made a final determination that for U.S. federal income tax purposes the
AMTP Shares do not qualify as equity in the Fund and (ii) such determination results from an act or failure to act on the part of the Fund (a Tax Event). A Ratings Event shall be deemed to exist at any time
that the AMTP Shares have a long-term credit rating from at least one-half of the Rating Agencies designated at such time that is Below Investment Grade. For the avoidance of doubt, no determination by any
court or other applicable governmental authority that requires the Fund to make an Additional Amount Payment in respect of a Taxable Allocation shall be deemed to be a Tax Event hereunder.
(ii) Subject to the cure provisions of Section 2.2(g)(iii), a
Dividend Default or a Redemption Default on the AMTP Shares shall end on the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, an amount equal to all unpaid dividends on such AMTP Shares and any unpaid Redemption Price on such AMTP Shares
shall have been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Redemption and Paying Agent.
(iii) No Increased Spread Period for AMTP Shares with respect to any Dividend Default or
Redemption Default shall be deemed to have commenced if the amount of any dividend or any Redemption Price due in respect of such AMTP Shares (if such Default is not solely due to the willful failure of the Fund) is deposited irrevocably in trust,
in same-day funds, with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day that is not later than three (3) Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date or
Redemption Date with respect to which such Default occurred, together with an amount equal to the Increased Spread applied to the amount and period of such non-payment, determined as provided in
Section 2.2(a).
(h) The following are the procedures for
proposing and establishing an Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms):
(i) On any Business Day, the Fund, at its option, may seek to establish an Adjusted Dividend
Amount (and/or other Adjusted Terms) by delivering a Term Adjustment Notice by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means to the Holders of the AMTP Shares, or by requesting the Redemption and Paying Agent, on
behalf of the Fund, to promptly do so.
(ii) On any Business Day, a Majority Designated
Owner, at its option, may seek to have the Fund establish an Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or other Adjusted Terms) by delivering a Term Adjustment Notice by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means to the
Fund. Promptly after receiving such notice from such Majority Designated Owner, if such Majority Designated Owner then owns less than 100% of the Outstanding AMTP Shares, the Fund shall deliver, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf
of the Fund, to deliver, notice thereof by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means to the Holders of the AMTP Shares.
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(iii) A Term Adjustment Notice may be withdrawn at
any time by the proposing party prior to agreement in writing to a proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or other Adjusted Terms) with the other party pursuant to such Term Adjustment Notice, in which case the Term Adjustment Notice Period shall
terminate. Notice of withdrawal of a Term Adjustment Notice shall be made by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means. After the Majority Designated Owner delivers a Term Adjustment Notice and while the related
Term Adjustment Notice Period is continuing, if at any time during the period commencing forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the Scheduled Term Adjustment Period Expiration Date, the Majority Designated Owner decreases its ownership level of
AMTP Shares to 50% or less of the Outstanding AMTP Shares, its Term Adjustment Notice shall be deemed withdrawn and the Term Adjustment Notice Period shall terminate.
(iv) Following delivery of a Term Adjustment Notice, the Fund and the Required Designated
Owners shall have until the Scheduled Term Adjustment Period Expiration Date, or such other date as the Fund and the Required Designated Owners shall agree, to agree in writing to a proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other proposed
Adjusted Terms), and enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement (the date of such agreement, the Adjusted Terms Agreement Date). The agreed Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other proposed Adjusted Terms), if any, may be the rate
(and/or any other Adjusted Terms) proposed in the Term Adjustment Notice or such other rate (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) as the Fund and the Required Designated Owners may agree. If the Fund and the Required Designated Owners enter into an
Adjusted Terms Agreement during the Term Adjustment Notice Period, then the Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) shall become effective on the Adjusted Terms Effective Date.
(v) During a Term Adjustment Notice Period, if the Majority Designated Owner is the proposing
party, the Fund shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent it can do so on a commercially reasonable basis, to (A) enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement, or (B) arrange a Third Party Purchase as described below. The Fund shall
provide the Required Designated Owners with at least ten (10) calendar days (or such shorter period as may be consented to by all of the Designated Owners, which consent shall not be deemed to be a vote required by
Section 2.6) prior written notice of a Third Party Purchase Date. A Third Party Purchase means the purchase of all of the Outstanding AMTP Shares from the Required Designated Owners by a Third Party
Purchaser, at a price equal to the Third Party Purchase Price for the AMTP Shares, and which is settled in accordance with the procedures described in Section 3.1. If the Majority Designated Owner is the proposing party,
and the Fund and the Required Designated Owners fail to enter into an Adjusted Terms Agreement and the Fund is unable to arrange a Third Party Purchase during the Term Adjustment Notice Period, then (i) the proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount
shall not take effect, (ii) such failure shall constitute a Failed Adjustment Event, (iii) a Failed Adjustment Period shall commence and (iv) the Fund shall redeem all of the Outstanding AMTP Shares on the Failed Adjustment Redemption
Date resulting from such Failed Adjustment Event (a Failed Adjustment Redemption). During a Failed Adjustment Period, the Dividend Spread used to calculate the Dividend Amount shall be the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable
Spread.
(vi) During a Term Adjustment Notice Period, if the Fund is the proposing party,
the Fund shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent it can do so on a commercially reasonable basis, to agree with the Required Designated Owners on the Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) for the AMTP Shares. If the
Fund and the Required Designated Owners fail to reach such agreement during the Term Adjustment Notice Period, the Term Adjustment Notice shall be deemed withdrawn and the Term Adjustment Notice Period shall terminate.
(vii) In the event that a Third Party Purchase of AMTP Shares is arranged by the Fund pursuant
to Section 2.2(h)(v) or in connection with a Transition pursuant to Article 4, (A) the Fund shall appoint a Settlement Agent in connection with such Third Party Purchase and the associated Mandatory Tender and (B) all
Outstanding AMTP Shares automatically shall be subject to a Mandatory Tender and delivered to the Settlement Agent for purchase by the Third Party Purchaser on the Third Party Purchase Date or Transition Date, as applicable, in accordance with
Section 3.1.
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(viii) Delivery of a Term Adjustment Notice
pursuant to Section 2.2(h)(i) shall not preclude the simultaneous or subsequent delivery of a Term Adjustment Notice pursuant to Section 2.2(h)(ii) or a Transition Notice pursuant to
Section 4.2(a), and vice versa.
(ix) An Adjusted Dividend
Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms), once established, may be further adjusted or replaced with a new Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) in accordance with the terms hereof.
(x) The Adjusted Dividend Amount (and/or any other Adjusted Terms) agreed to in accordance with
the foregoing procedures shall be set forth in an Adjusted Terms Agreement and the associated Supplement to the Appendix.
(xi) A Term Adjustment Notice pursuant to this Section 2.2(h) may
propose modified or new terms for the AMTP Shares, including, but not limited to, the Dividend Amount, as well as, as applicable, the Applicable Spread, the Rate Determination Date(s) and the Dividend Period(s) (collectively, Adjusted
Terms); provided, that no Adjusted Terms shall be proposed that modify the terms of Section 2.1, Section 2.2(c), this Section 2.2(h)(xi),
Section 2.3, Section 2.5(a), Section 2.5(f)(v) or Section 2.6 of this Statement.
2.3 Liquidation Rights.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders of AMTP Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders, after satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or payment shall be
made in respect of the Common Shares, a liquidation distribution equal to the Liquidation Preference for such shares, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and other distributions on such shares accumulated to (but excluding) the date fixed
for such distribution or payment on such shares (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but without interest thereon), and such Holders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with any such
liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
(b) If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the Fund available for distribution among the Holders of all Outstanding AMTP Shares and any other outstanding Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with the AMTP
Shares shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full to such Holders of the Liquidation Preference of such AMTP Shares plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and other distributions on such shares as provided in
Section 2.3(a) above and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to such other Preferred Shares, then such available assets shall be distributed among the Holders of such AMTP Shares and such other Preferred Shares
ratably in proportion to the respective preferential liquidation amounts to which they are entitled. In connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary, unless and until the
Liquidation Preference on each Outstanding AMTP Share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and other distributions on such shares as provided in Section 2.3(a) above have been paid in full to the Holders of such shares, no
dividends, distributions or other payments will be made on, and no redemption, purchase or other acquisition by the Fund will be made by the Fund in respect of, the Common Shares.
(c) Neither the sale of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Fund, nor
the merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Fund into or with any other business or statutory trust, corporation or other entity, nor the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other business or statutory trust, corporation or other
entity into or with the Fund shall be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, for the purpose of this Section 2.3.
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2.4 Coverage & Leverage Tests.
(a) Asset Coverage Requirement. For so long as any AMTP Shares are Outstanding, the Fund
shall have Asset Coverage of at least 225% as of the close of business on each Business Day. If the Fund shall fail to maintain such Asset Coverage as of any time as of which such compliance is required to be determined as aforesaid, the provisions
of Section 2.5(b)(i) shall be applicable, which provisions to the extent complied with shall constitute the sole remedy for the Funds failure to comply with the provisions of this
Section 2.4(a).
(b) Calculation of Asset Coverage. For
purposes of determining whether the requirements of Section 2.4(a) are satisfied, (i) no AMTP Shares or other Preferred Shares shall be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of any computation required by
Section 2.4(a) if, prior to or concurrently with such determination, sufficient Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such AMTP Shares or other Preferred Shares) to pay the full
redemption price for such AMTP Shares or other Preferred Shares (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been deposited in trust with the paying agent for such AMTP Shares or other Preferred Shares and the requisite notice of redemption
for such AMTP Shares or other Preferred Shares (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been given, and (ii) the Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds that shall have been deposited with the applicable paying agent shall not be
included as assets of the Fund for purposes of such computation.
(c) Effective Leverage
Ratio Requirement. For so long as AMTP Shares are Outstanding, the Effective Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 45% as of the close of business on any Business Day; provided, however, in the event that the Funds Effective
Leverage Ratio exceeds 45% on any Business Day solely by reason of fluctuations in the market value of the Funds portfolio securities, the Effective Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 46% on such Business Day. If the Effective Leverage Ratio
shall exceed the applicable percentage provided in the preceding sentence as of any time as of which such compliance is required to be determined as aforesaid, the provisions of Section 2.5(b)(ii) shall be applicable, which
provisions to the extent complied with shall constitute the sole remedy for the Funds failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 2.4(c).
(d) Calculation of Effective Leverage Ratio. For purposes of determining whether the
requirements of Section 2.4(c) are satisfied, the Effective Leverage Ratio on any date shall mean the quotient of:
(i) The sum of (A) the aggregate liquidation preference of the Funds senior
securities (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) that are stock for purposes of the 1940 Act, excluding, without duplication, any such senior securities for which the Fund has issued a notice of redemption and either has delivered Deposit
Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such senior securities) to the paying agent for such senior securities or otherwise has adequate Deposit Securities or sufficient funds on hand for the purpose of such redemption;
(B) the aggregate principal amount of the Funds senior securities representing indebtedness (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act); and (C) the aggregate principal amount of floating rate securities not owned by the
Fund that correspond to the associated inverse floating rate securities owned by the Fund; divided by
(ii) The sum of (A) the Market Value of the Funds total assets (for the avoidance of
doubt, determined on a separate company basis, without consolidating the assets held in special purpose vehicles, such as tender option bond trusts, but including the associated inverse floating rate securities owned by the Fund) (including amounts
attributable to senior securities but excluding any assets consisting of Deposit Securities or funds referred to in clause (A) of Section 2.4(d)(i) above), less the amount of the Funds accrued liabilities (for
the avoidance of doubt, other than liabilities for the aggregate principal amount of senior securities representing indebtedness, and other than floating rate securities described in Section 2.4(d)(ii)(B) below), and
(B) the aggregate principal amount of floating rate securities not owned by the Fund that correspond to the associated inverse floating rate securities owned by the Fund.
2.5 Redemption. The AMTP Shares shall be subject to redemption by the Fund
as provided below:
(a) Term Redemption. The Fund shall redeem all AMTP Shares on
the Term Redemption Date, at a price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference per share plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and
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other distributions on such share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the Term Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but without
interest thereon) (the Term Redemption Price).
(b) Asset Coverage
and Effective Leverage Ratio Mandatory Redemption.
(i) Asset Coverage Mandatory
Redemption. (A) If the Fund fails to comply with the Asset Coverage requirement as provided in Section 2.4(a) as of any time as of which such compliance is required to be determined in accordance with
Section 2.4(a) and such failure is not cured as of the Asset Coverage Cure Date other than as a result of the redemption required by this Section 2.5(b)(i), the Fund shall, to the extent permitted
by the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law, redeem a sufficient number of Preferred Shares, which at the Funds sole option (to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law) may include any number or proportion of AMTP Shares, to
enable it to meet the requirements of Section 2.5(b)(i)(B). In connection with such redemption, the Fund shall, by the close of business on the Business Day next following such Asset Coverage Cure Date, cause a notice of
redemption to be issued, in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed. In addition, in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed, the Fund shall cause to be deposited Deposit Securities or other
sufficient funds in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent, in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed. In the event that any AMTP Shares then Outstanding are to be redeemed pursuant to
this Section 2.5(b)(i), the Fund shall redeem such shares at a price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference per share plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and other distributions on such share accumulated
from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the date fixed for such redemption by the Board of Trustees (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but without interest thereon) (the Mandatory Redemption
Price).
(B) On the Redemption Date for a redemption contemplated by
Section 2.5(b)(i)(A), the Fund shall redeem at the Mandatory Redemption Price, out of funds legally available therefor, such number of Preferred Shares (which may include at the sole option of the Fund any number or
proportion of AMTP Shares) as shall be equal to the lesser of (x) the minimum number of Preferred Shares, the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, would
result in the Fund having Asset Coverage on such Asset Coverage Cure Date of at least 225% (provided, however, that if there is no such minimum number of AMTP Shares and other Preferred Shares the redemption or retirement of which
would have such result, all AMTP Shares and other Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be redeemed), and (y) the maximum number of Preferred Shares that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor in accordance
with the Declaration and applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Preferred Shares are redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(b)(i), the Fund may at its sole option, but is not required to, include in
the number of Preferred Shares being mandatorily redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(b)(i) a sufficient number of AMTP Shares that, when aggregated with other Preferred Shares redeemed by the Fund, would result, if deemed
to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, in the Fund having Asset Coverage on such Asset Coverage Cure Date of up to and including 250%. The Fund shall effect such redemption on the date fixed by
the Fund therefor, which date shall not be later than thirty (30) calendar days after such Asset Coverage Cure Date, except that if the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of all of the required number of AMTP Shares
and other Preferred Shares which have been designated to be redeemed or the Fund otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to thirty (30) calendar days after such Asset Coverage Cure Date, the Fund shall redeem those AMTP Shares
and other Preferred Shares which it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption. If fewer than all of the Outstanding AMTP Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to this
Section 2.5(b)(i), the number of AMTP Shares to be redeemed from the respective Holders shall be selected (A) pro rata among the Outstanding AMTP Shares, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the
Board of Trustees may determine to be fair and equitable, in each case, in accordance with the 1940 Act; provided that such method of redemption as set forth in clause (A), (B) or (C) of this Section 2.5(b)(i)(B) shall
be subject to any applicable procedures established by the Securities Depository.
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(ii) Effective Leverage Ratio Mandatory
Redemption. (A) If (1) the Fund fails to comply with the Effective Leverage Ratio requirement as provided in Section 2.4(c) as of any time as of which such compliance is required to be determined in accordance with
Section 2.4(c) or (2) with respect to the AMTP Shares issued pursuant to this Statement, the Fund fails to comply with the Effective Leverage Ratio requirement calculated as set forth in Section 6.13 of the
Purchase Agreement applicable to AMTP Shares if such requirement shall still be in effect in accordance with the terms of such Purchase Agreement, the Fund fails to comply with any additional requirements relating to the calculation of the Effective
Leverage Ratio pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or Appendix or any Supplement thereto then in effect as applicable, and, in any such case, such failure is not cured as of the close of business on the date that is seven (7) Business Days
following the Business Day on which such non-compliance is first determined (the Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Date) other than as a result of the redemption required by this
Section 2.5(b)(ii), the Fund shall cause the Effective Leverage Ratio (determined in accordance with the requirements applicable to the determination of the Effective Leverage Ratio under this Statement, and under the
Appendix and any Supplement thereto then in effect as applicable, and Purchase Agreement for the AMTP Shares in respect of which the Effective Leverage Ratio is being determined) to not exceed the Effective Leverage Ratio required under
Section 2.4(c) as so determined, by (x) not later than the close of business on the Business Day next following the Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Date, engaging in transactions involving or relating to the floating
rate securities not owned by the Fund and/or the inverse floating rate securities owned by the Fund, including the purchase, sale or retirement thereof, (y) to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law, not later than the close
of business on the Business Day next following the Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Date, causing a notice of redemption to be issued, and in addition, causing to be irrevocably deposited Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds in trust with the
Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed, for the redemption at the redemption price specified in the terms of such Preferred Shares of a
sufficient number of Preferred Shares, which at the Funds sole option (to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law) may include any number or proportion of AMTP Shares, or (z) engaging in any combination of the actions
contemplated by, clauses (x) and (y) of this Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A). In the event that any AMTP Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to clause (y) of this Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A), the Fund
shall redeem such AMTP Shares at a price per AMTP Share equal to the Mandatory Redemption Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Preferred Shares are redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(b)(ii), the Fund
may at its sole option, but is not required to, include in the number of Preferred Shares being mandatorily redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(b)(ii) a sufficient number of AMTP Shares that, when aggregated with other
Preferred Shares redeemed by the Fund, would result, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Date, in the Fund having an Effective Leverage Ratio on such Effective Leverage Ratio
Cure Date of no less than 40%.
(B) On the Redemption Date for a redemption contemplated
by clause (y) of Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A), the Fund shall not redeem more than the maximum number of Preferred Shares that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor in accordance with the
Declaration and applicable law. If the Fund is unable to redeem the required number of AMTP Shares and other Preferred Shares which have been designated to be redeemed in accordance with clause (y) of
Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A) due to the unavailability of legally available funds, the Fund shall redeem those AMTP Shares and other Preferred Shares which it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is
able to effect such redemption. If fewer than all of the Outstanding AMTP Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to clause (y) of Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A), the number of AMTP Shares to be redeemed from the respective Holders
shall be selected (A) pro rata among the Outstanding AMTP Shares, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the Board of Trustees may determine to be fair and equitable in each case, in accordance with the 1940 Act;
provided that such method of redemption as set forth in clause (A), (B) or (C) of this Section 2.5(b)(ii)(B) shall be subject to any applicable procedures established by the Securities Depository.
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(c) Optional Redemption.
(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(c)(ii), the Fund may at
its option on any Business Day (an Optional Redemption Date) redeem in whole or from time to time in part the Outstanding AMTP Shares, at a redemption price per AMTP Share (the Optional Redemption Price) equal
to (x) the Liquidation Preference per AMTP Share plus (y) an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and other distributions on such AMTP Share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue to (but excluding) the Optional
Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but without interest thereon) plus (z) the Optional Redemption Premium per share (if any) that is applicable to an optional redemption of AMTP Shares that is effected on
such Optional Redemption Date as set forth in the Appendix and any Supplement thereto that is then in effect, as applicable.
(ii) If fewer than all of the outstanding AMTP Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to
Section 2.5(c)(i), the shares to be redeemed shall be selected either (A) pro rata, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the Board of Trustees may determine to be fair and equitable; provided, in
each such case, that such method of redemption as set forth in clause (A), (B) or (C) of this Section 2.5(c)(ii) shall be subject to any applicable procedures established by the Securities Depository. Subject to the
provisions of this Statement and applicable law, the Board of Trustees will have the full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which AMTP Shares will be redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(c)
from time to time.
(iii) The Fund may not on any date deliver a Notice of Redemption
pursuant to Section 2.5(f) in respect of a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to this Section 2.5(c) unless on such date the Fund has available Deposit Securities for the Optional
Redemption Date contemplated by such Notice of Redemption having a Market Value not less than the amount (including any applicable premium) due to Holders of AMTP Shares by reason of the redemption of such AMTP Shares on such Optional Redemption
Date.
(iv) AMTP Shares redeemed at the Funds sole option in accordance with, but
solely to the extent contemplated by, Section 2.5(b)(i)(B) or Section 2.5(b)(ii) shall be considered mandatorily redeemed pursuant to such Section, as applicable, and not subject to this
Section 2.5(c).
(d) Failed Adjustment Mandatory
Redemption. In the event of a Failed Adjustment Event, the Fund shall redeem all Outstanding AMTP Shares on the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date, at a price per share equal to (i) the Liquidation Preference per AMTP Share plus (ii) an
amount equal to all unpaid dividends and other distributions on such AMTP Share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue of such AMTP Share to (but excluding) the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared
by the Fund, but without interest thereon (the Failed Adjustment Redemption Price).
(e) Failed Transition Mandatory Redemption. In the event of a Failed Transition Event,
the Fund shall redeem all Outstanding AMTP Shares on the Failed Transition Redemption Date, at a price per share equal to (i) the Liquidation Preference per AMTP Share plus (ii) an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and other
distributions on such AMTP Share accumulated from and including the Date of Original Issue of such AMTP Share to (but excluding) the Failed Transition Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but without interest thereon (the
Failed Transition Redemption Price).
(f) Procedures for
Redemption.
(i) If the Fund shall determine or be required to redeem, in whole or in
part, AMTP Shares pursuant to Section 2.5(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) the Fund shall deliver a notice of redemption (the Notice of Redemption), by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage
prepaid or by Electronic Means to Holders thereof, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Fund, to promptly do so by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means. A Notice of Redemption shall
be provided not more than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the date fixed for redemption and not less than five (5) calendar days (or such shorter notice period as may be consented to by all of the Designated Owners of the AMTP
Shares, which consent shall not be deemed to be a vote required by Section 2.6) prior to the date fixed for
A1-22
redemption pursuant to this Section 2.5(f) in such Notice of Redemption (the Redemption Date). Each such Notice of Redemption shall state:
(A) the Redemption Date; (B) the series and number of AMTP Shares to be redeemed; (C) the CUSIP number for AMTP Shares of such series; (D) the applicable Redemption Price on a per share basis; (E) if applicable, the place or
places where the certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Trustees requires and the Notice of Redemption states) are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (F) that dividends on
the AMTP Shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate from and after such Redemption Date; and (G) the provisions of this Statement under which such redemption is made. If fewer than all AMTP Shares held by any Holder are to be redeemed, the
Notice of Redemption delivered to such Holder shall also specify the number of AMTP Shares to be redeemed from such Holder and/or the method of determining such number. The Fund may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to an optional
redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to Section 2.5(c) of this Statement that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that the Fund shall not be required to effect such redemption
unless each such condition has been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. The Fund may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a Failed Adjustment Event contemplated to be effected pursuant
to Section 2.5(d) that such redemption is subject to the condition of the Failed Adjustment Event being continuing on the related Redemption Date. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or delivery thereof shall affect the
validity of redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
(ii) If the Fund
shall give a Notice of Redemption, then at any time from and after the giving of such Notice of Redemption and prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date (so long as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met or
waived by the Fund), the Fund shall (A) deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value on the date thereof no less than the Redemption Price of the AMTP Shares to be redeemed on the Redemption
Date and (B) give the Redemption and Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the Holders of the AMTP Shares called for redemption on the Redemption Date. The Fund may direct the Redemption
and Paying Agent with respect to the investment of any Deposit Securities consisting of cash so deposited prior to the Redemption Date, provided that the proceeds of any such investment shall be available at the opening of business on
the Redemption Date as same day funds. Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (A) of the preceding sentence, if the Redemption Date is the Term Redemption Date, then such deposit of Deposit Securities shall be made no later than fifteen
(15) calendar days prior to the Term Redemption Date.
(iii) Upon the date of the
deposit of such Deposit Securities, all rights of the Holders of the AMTP Shares so called for redemption shall cease and terminate except the right of the Holders thereof to receive the Redemption Price thereof and such AMTP Shares shall no longer
be deemed Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever (other than (A) the transfer thereof prior to the applicable Redemption Date and (B) the accumulation of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms hereof up to (but excluding) the
applicable Redemption Date, which accumulated dividends, unless previously declared and paid as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 2.5(f)(vi) below, shall be payable only as part of the applicable Redemption Price
on the Redemption Date). The Fund shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the Redemption Date, any Deposit Securities in excess of the aggregate Redemption Price of the AMTP Shares called for redemption on the Redemption Date. Any Deposit
Securities so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of three hundred sixty-five (365) calendar days from the Redemption Date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Fund, after which the Holders of the AMTP Shares so called
for redemption shall look only to the Fund for payment of the Redemption Price thereof. The Fund shall be entitled to receive, from time to time after the Redemption Date, any interest on the Deposit Securities so deposited.
(iv) On or after the Redemption Date, each Holder of AMTP Shares in certificated form (if any)
that are subject to redemption shall surrender the certificate(s) evidencing such AMTP Shares to the Fund at the place designated in the Notice of Redemption and shall then be entitled to receive the Redemption Price for such AMTP Shares, without
interest, and in the case of a redemption of fewer than all the AMTP Shares represented by such certificate(s), a new certificate representing the AMTP Shares that were not redeemed.
A1-23
(v) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 2.5, except as otherwise required by law, the Fund shall not redeem any AMTP Shares or other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with the AMTP Shares with respect to dividends and other distributions
unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions on all Outstanding AMTP Shares and shares of other series of Preferred Shares for all applicable past dividend periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund) (x) shall have
been or are contemporaneously paid or (y) shall have been or are contemporaneously declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Shares for the payment of such dividends and other
distributions) shall have been or are contemporaneously deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for such Preferred Shares in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Shares, provided, however,
that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Outstanding AMTP Shares pursuant to an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to Holders of all Outstanding AMTP Shares and any other series of Preferred
Shares for which all accumulated and unpaid dividends and other distributions have not been paid.
(vi) To the extent that any redemption for which Notice of Redemption has been provided is not
made by reason of the absence of legally available funds therefor in accordance with the Declaration, this Statement, and applicable law, such redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become available. In the case of
any redemption pursuant to Section 2.5(c) or Section 2.5(d), no Redemption Default shall be deemed to have occurred if the Fund shall fail to deposit in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent
the Redemption Price with respect to any shares where (1) the Notice of Redemption relating to such redemption provided that such redemption was subject to one or more conditions precedent and (2) any such condition precedent shall not
have been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. Notwithstanding the fact that a Notice of Redemption has been provided with respect to any AMTP Shares, dividends may be declared and paid on such
AMTP Shares in accordance with their terms if Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price of such AMTP Shares shall not have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose.
(g) Redemption and Paying Agent as Trustee of Redemption Payments by Fund. All Deposit
Securities transferred to the Redemption and Paying Agent for payment of the Redemption Price of AMTP Shares called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of Holders of AMTP Shares so to be redeemed
until paid to such Holders in accordance with the terms hereof or returned to the Fund in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(f)(iii) above.
(h) Compliance With Applicable Law. In effecting any redemption pursuant to this
Section 2.5, the Fund shall use its best efforts to comply with all applicable conditions precedent to effecting such redemption under the 1940 Act and any applicable law, but shall effect no redemption except in accordance
with the 1940 Act and any applicable law.
(i) Modification of Redemption
Procedures. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5, the Fund may, in its sole discretion and without a shareholder vote, modify the procedures set forth above with respect to notification of
redemption for the AMTP Shares, provided that such modification does not materially and adversely affect the Holders of the AMTP Shares or cause the Fund to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; and provided further
that no such modification shall in any way alter the rights or obligations of the Redemption and Paying Agent without its prior consent.
2.6 Voting Rights.
(a) One
Vote Per AMTP Share. Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration, this Statement or as otherwise required by law, (i) each Holder of AMTP Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each AMTP Share held by such Holder on each matter
submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund, and (ii) the holders of outstanding Preferred Shares, including Outstanding AMTP Shares, and Common Shares shall vote together as a single class; provided, however, that the holders
of outstanding Preferred Shares, including Outstanding AMTP Shares, shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and Common Shares of
A1-24
the Fund, to elect two trustees of the Fund at all times. Subject to Section 2.6(b), the Holders of outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, including AMTP
Shares, voting together as a single class, shall elect the balance of the trustees.
(b) Voting For Additional Trustees.
(i) Voting Period. During any period in which any one or more of the conditions
described in clauses (A) or (B) of this Section 2.6(b)(i) shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a Voting Period), the number of trustees constituting the Board of Trustees shall be
automatically increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two trustees elected exclusively by the Holders of Preferred Shares, including AMTP Shares, would constitute a majority of the Board of Trustees as so increased by such smallest
number; and the Holders of Preferred Shares, including AMTP Shares, shall be entitled, voting as a class on a one-vote-per-share
basis (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Fund), to elect such smallest number of additional trustees, together with the two trustees that such Holders are in any event entitled to elect. A
Voting Period shall commence:
(A) if, at the close of business on any dividend payment
date for any outstanding Preferred Shares including any Outstanding AMTP Shares, accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such outstanding Preferred Shares equal to at least two (2) full years dividends shall be
due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends; or
(B) if at any time Holders of Preferred Shares are otherwise entitled under the 1940 Act to
elect a majority of the Board of Trustees.
Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in this
Section 2.6(b)(i) shall cease, subject always, however, to the revesting of such voting rights in the Holders of Preferred Shares upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this
Section 2.6(b)(i).
(ii) Notice of Special Meeting. As
soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the Holders of Preferred Shares to elect additional trustees as described in Section 2.6(b)(i), the Fund shall call a special meeting of such Holders and notify the
Redemption and Paying Agent and/or such other Person as is specified in the terms of such Preferred Shares to receive notice (i) by mailing or delivery by Electronic Means or (ii) in such other manner and by such other means as are
specified in the terms of such Preferred Shares, a notice of such special meeting to such Holders, such meeting to be held not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) calendar days after the date of the delivery by Electronic Means or
mailing of such notice or the delivery of such notice by such other means as are described in clause (ii) above. If the Fund fails to call such a special meeting, it may be called at the expense of the Fund by any such Holder on like notice.
The record date for determining the Holders of Preferred Shares entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the close of business on the fifth (5th) Business Day preceding
the calendar day on which such notice is mailed or otherwise delivered. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of Holders of Preferred Shares held during a Voting Period at which trustees are to be elected, such Holders voting together as a
class (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Fund), shall be entitled to elect the number of trustees prescribed in Section 2.6(b)(i) on a
one-vote-per-share basis.
(iii) Terms of Office of Existing Trustees. The terms of office of the incumbent
trustees of the Fund at the time of a special meeting of Holders of Preferred Shares to elect additional trustees in accordance with Section 2.6(b)(i) shall not be affected by the election at such meeting by the Holders of
AMTP Shares and such other Holders of Preferred Shares of the number of trustees that they are entitled to elect, and the trustees so elected by the Holders of AMTP Shares and such other Holders of Preferred Shares, together with the two
(2) trustees elected by the Holders of Preferred Shares in accordance with Section 2.6(a) and the remaining trustees elected by the holders of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, shall constitute the duly
elected trustees of the Fund.
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(iv) Terms of Office of Certain Trustees to
Terminate Upon Termination of Voting Period. Simultaneously with the termination of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional trustees elected by the Holders of the Preferred Shares pursuant to
Section 2.6(b)(i) shall terminate, the remaining trustees shall constitute the trustees of the Fund and the voting rights of the Holders of Preferred Shares to elect additional trustees pursuant to
Section 2.6(b)(i) shall cease, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 2.6(b)(i).
(c) Holders of AMTP Shares to Vote on Certain Matters.
(i) Certain Amendments Requiring Approval of AMTP Shares. Except as otherwise permitted
by the terms of this Statement, including without limitation, Section 2.2(h), so long as any AMTP Shares are Outstanding, the Fund shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least a majority of
the AMTP Shares subject to this Statement Outstanding at the time, voting together as a separate class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Declaration or this Statement, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially
and adversely affect any preference, right or power of such AMTP Shares or the Holders thereof; provided, however, that (i) a change in the capitalization of the Fund in accordance with Section 2.8 hereof
shall not be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights and preferences of the AMTP Shares, and (ii) a division of a AMTP Share shall be deemed to materially and adversely affect such preferences, rights or powers only if
the terms of such division materially and adversely affect the Holders of the AMTP Shares. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of an AMTP Share or the Holder
thereof unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of such AMTP Share, or (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such AMTP Share (other than solely as a result of a division of an
AMTP Share). So long as any AMTP Shares are Outstanding, the Fund shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% of the AMTP Shares Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, file a voluntary
application for relief under Federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long as the Fund is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent. For the avoidance of doubt, no vote of the holders of Common Shares shall be
required to amend, alter or repeal the provisions of this Statement, including any Appendix or any Supplement thereto.
(ii)
1940 Act Matters. Unless a higher percentage is provided for in the Declaration, the affirmative vote of the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares,
including AMTP Shares Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, shall be required (A) to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an
open-end investment company, (B) to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares, or (C) to approve any other action requiring a vote of
security holders of the Fund under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing, the vote of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares means the vote at an annual or special meeting duly called of
(i) sixty-seven percent (67%) or more of such shares present at a meeting, if the Holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of such shares are present or represented by proxy at such meeting, or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of such
shares, whichever is less.
(d) Voting Rights Set Forth Herein Are Sole Voting
Rights. Unless otherwise required by law, the Declaration or this Statement, the Holders of AMTP Shares shall not have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights with respect to voting such AMTP Shares other than those
specifically set forth in this Section 2.6; provided, however, that nothing in this Statement shall be deemed to preclude or limit the right of the Fund (to the extent permitted by applicable law) to
contractually agree with any Holder or Designated Owner of AMTP Shares that any action or inaction by the Fund shall require the consent or approval of such Holder or Designated Owner.
(e) No Cumulative Voting. The Holders of AMTP Shares shall have no rights to cumulative
voting.
(f) Voting for Trustees Sole Remedy for Funds Failure to Declare or Pay
Dividends. In the event that the Fund fails to declare or pay any dividends on any AMTP Shares on the Dividend Payment Date therefor,
A1-26
the exclusive remedy of the Holders of the AMTP Shares shall be the right to vote for trustees pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6. Nothing in this
Section 2.6(f) shall be deemed to affect the obligation of the Fund to accumulate and, if permitted by applicable law, the Declaration and this Statement, pay dividends in an amount other than the Dividend Amount in the
circumstances contemplated by this Statement.
(g) Holders Entitled to Vote. For
purposes of determining any rights of the Holders of AMTP Shares to vote on any matter, whether such right is created by this Statement, by the Declaration, by statute or otherwise, no Holder of AMTP Shares shall be entitled to vote any AMTP Share
and no AMTP Share shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of voting or determining the number of shares required to constitute a quorum if, prior to or concurrently with the time of determination of shares entitled to vote or
the time of the actual vote on the matter, as the case may be, the requisite Notice of Redemption with respect to such AMTP Share shall have been given in accordance with this Statement and Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price
of such AMTP Share shall have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose. No AMTP Share held by the Fund shall have any voting rights or be deemed to be outstanding for voting or for calculating the voting
percentage required on any other matter or other purposes.
2.7 Rating
Agencies.
The Fund shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Rating Agencies to issue long-term credit ratings with
respect to the AMTP Shares for so long any AMTP Shares are Outstanding. The Fund shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with any applicable Rating Agency Guidelines. If a Rating Agency shall cease to rate the securities of tax-exempt closed-end management investment companies generally, the Board of Trustees shall terminate the designation of such Rating Agency as a Rating Agency hereunder. The
Board of Trustees may elect to terminate the designation of any Rating Agency as a Rating Agency hereunder with respect to the AMTP Shares so long as either (i) immediately following such termination, there would be at least one Rating Agency
or (ii) it replaces the terminated Rating Agency with another NRSRO and provides notice thereof to the Holders; provided that such replacement shall not occur unless such replacement Other Rating Agency shall have at the time of
such replacement (i) published a rating for the AMTP Shares and (ii) entered into an agreement with the Fund to continue to publish such rating subject to the Rating Agencys customary conditions. The Board of Trustees may also elect
to designate one or more other NRSROs as Other Rating Agencies hereunder with respect to the AMTP Shares by notice to the Holders. The Rating Agency Guidelines of any Rating Agency may be amended by such Rating Agency without the vote, consent or
approval of the Fund, the Board of Trustees or any Holder of Preferred Shares, including any AMTP Shares, or Common Shares.
2.8 Issuance of Additional Preferred Shares.
So long as any AMTP Shares are Outstanding, the Fund may, without the vote or consent of the Holders thereof authorize, establish and create
and issue and sell shares of one or more series of Preferred Shares, ranking on a parity with AMTP Shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding up of the affairs of the Fund, and
authorize, issue and sell additional shares of any such series of Preferred Shares then outstanding or so established or created, including additional AMTP Shares (to the extent the prior written consent of the Majority Designated Owner has been
obtained if such AMTP Shares are issued pursuant to this Statement), in each case in accordance with applicable law, provided that the Fund shall, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such Preferred Shares and to its receipt and
application of the proceeds thereof, including to the redemption of Preferred Shares with such proceeds, have Asset Coverage (calculated in the same manner as is contemplated by Section 2.4(b)) of at least 225% and an
Effective Leverage Ratio (calculated in the same manner as contemplated by Section
2.4(d)) not in excess of 45%.
2.9 Status of Redeemed or Repurchased
AMTP Shares.
AMTP Shares that at any time have been redeemed, exchanged or purchased by the Fund shall, after such redemption,
exchange or purchase, have the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares.
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2.10 Distributions with respect
to Taxable Allocations.
Whenever a Taxable Allocation is to be paid by the Fund with respect to the AMTP Shares with respect to any
Dividend Period and either the Increased Spread is not in effect or the Maximum Amount has not been exceeded during such Dividend Period, the Fund shall comply with one of clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c) of this
Section 2.10:
(a) The Fund may provide notice to the Redemption
and Paying Agent prior to the commencement of any Dividend Period for the AMTP Shares of the amount of the Taxable Allocation that will be made in respect of such shares for such Dividend Period (a Notice of Taxable Allocation).
Such Notice of Taxable Allocation will state the amount of the dividends payable in respect of each AMTP Share for such Dividend Period that will be treated as a Taxable Allocation and the adjustment to the Dividend Amount for each Rate Period (or
portion thereof) included in such Dividend Period that will be required to pay the Additional Amount Payment in respect of the Taxable Allocation paid on such AMTP Shares for such Dividend Period. In lieu of adjusting the Dividend Amount, the Fund
may make, in addition to and in conjunction with the payment of regular dividends for such Dividend Period, a supplemental distribution in respect of each share for such Dividend Period equal to the Additional Amount Payment payable in respect of
the Taxable Allocation paid on such share for such Dividend Period. The Fund will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the distribution of Taxable Allocations in respect of AMTP Shares as provided in this
Section 2.10(a), and shall only effect the distribution of Taxable Allocations as described in Section 2.10(b) and/or Section 2.10(c) if such commercially reasonable
efforts do not reasonably permit the Fund to effect the distribution of a Taxable Allocation as contemplated by this Section 2.10(a).
(b) If the Fund does not provide a Notice of Taxable Allocation as provided in
Section 2.10(a) with respect to a Taxable Allocation that is made in respect of AMTP Shares, the Fund may make one or more supplemental distributions on such shares equal to the amount of such Taxable Allocation. Any such
supplemental distribution in respect of AMTP Shares may be declared and paid on any date, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the Holders of such shares as their names appear on the registration books of the Fund on such date,
not exceeding fifteen (15) calendar days preceding the payment date of such supplemental distribution, as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
(c) If in connection with a redemption of AMTP Shares, the Fund makes a Taxable Allocation
without having either given advance notice thereof pursuant to Section 2.10(a) or made one or more supplemental distributions pursuant to Section 2.10(b), the Fund shall direct the Redemption and
Paying Agent to send an Additional Amount Payment in respect of such Taxable Allocation to each Holder of such shares at such Persons address as the same appears or last appeared on the record books of the Fund.
(d) Except as required by any Purchase Agreement applicable to the AMTP Shares, for so long as
the applicable provisions of such Purchase Agreement shall be in effect, the Fund shall not be required to pay Additional Amount Payments with respect to AMTP Shares with respect to any net capital gain or other taxable income determined by the
Internal Revenue Service to be allocable in a manner different from the manner used by the Fund.
2.11
Liquidity Account and Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement.
(a)
By the first Business Day following the occurrence and during the continuance of the Failed Adjustment Period, the Fund shall cause the Custodian to earmark, by means of appropriate identification on
its books and records or otherwise in accordance with the Custodians normal procedures, from the other assets of the Fund (a Liquidity Account) Liquidity Account Investments with a Market Value equal to at least one hundred
ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares. If, while the Failed Adjustment Period is continuing, the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account as of the close
of business on any Business Day is less than one hundred ten percent
A1-28
(110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares, then the Fund shall cause the Custodian and the Adviser to take all such necessary actions, including earmarking additional
assets of the Fund as Liquidity Account Investments, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account is at least equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the
Outstanding AMTP Shares not later than the close of business on the next succeeding Business Day. With respect to assets of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account Investments, the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, shall be entitled to instruct the
Custodian on any date to release any Liquidity Account Investments from such earmarking and to substitute therefor other Liquidity Account Investments not so earmarked, so long as (i) the assets of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account
Investments at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares and (ii) the assets of the Fund designated and earmarked as
Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal to at least the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement (if any) determined in accordance with
Section 2.11(b) below with respect to the Outstanding AMTP Shares for such date. The Fund shall cause the Custodian not to permit any lien, security interest or encumbrance to be created or permitted to exist on or in
respect of any Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account, other than liens, security interests or encumbrances arising by operation of law and any lien of the Custodian with respect to the payment of its fees or repayment for
its advances.
(b) In connection with a Liquidity Account related to a Failed Adjustment
Event, the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement shall apply, in all cases subject to the cure provisions of Section 2.11(c) below.
(c) If the aggregate Market Value of the Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account
as of the close of business on any Business Day is less than the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement in respect of the Outstanding AMTP Shares for such Business Day, then the Fund shall cause the earmarking of additional or substitute Deposit
Securities in respect of the Liquidity Account, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account is at least equal to the Failed Adjustment Liquidity Requirement for the Outstanding AMTP Shares not later
than the close of business on the next succeeding Business Day.
(d) The Deposit
Securities included in the Liquidity Account may be applied by the Fund, in its discretion, towards payment of the Failed Adjustment Redemption Price for the Outstanding AMTP Shares. Upon the deposit by the Fund with the Redemption and Paying Agent
of Deposit Securities having an initial combined Market Value sufficient to effect the redemption of the AMTP Shares on the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date, the requirement of the Fund to maintain the Liquidity Account as contemplated by this
Section 2.11 shall lapse and be of no further force and effect.
2.12
Liquidity Account and Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement.
(a)
By the first Business Day following the occurrence and during the continuance of the Failed Transition Period, the Fund shall cause the Custodian to earmark a Liquidity Account comprised of Liquidity
Account Investments with a Market Value equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares. If, while the Failed Transition Period is continuing, the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity
Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account as of the close of business on any Business Day is less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares, then the Fund shall cause the Custodian
and the Adviser to take all such necessary actions, including earmarking additional assets of the Fund as Liquidity Account Investments, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account is at
least equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares not later than the close of business on the next succeeding Business Day. With respect to assets of the Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account
Investments, the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian on
A1-29
any date to release any Liquidity Account Investments from such earmarking and to substitute therefor other Liquidity Account Investments not so earmarked, so long as (i) the assets of the
Fund earmarked as Liquidity Account Investments at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares and (ii) the assets of the
Fund designated and earmarked as Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account at the close of business on such date have a Market Value equal to at least the Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement (if any) determined in accordance with
Section 2.12(b) below with respect to the Outstanding AMTP Shares for such date. The Fund shall cause the Custodian not to permit any lien, security interest or encumbrance to be created or permitted to exist on or in
respect of any Liquidity Account Investments included in the Liquidity Account, other than liens, security interests or encumbrances arising by operation of law and any lien of the Custodian with respect to the payment of its fees or repayment for
its advances.
(b) In connection with a Liquidity Account related to a Failed Transition
Event, the Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement shall apply, in all cases subject to the cure provisions of Section 2.12(c) below.
(c) If the aggregate Market Value of the Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account
as of the close of business on any Business Day is less than the Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement in respect of the Outstanding AMTP Shares for such Business Day, then the Fund shall cause the earmarking of additional or substitute Deposit
Securities in respect of the Liquidity Account, so that the aggregate Market Value of the Deposit Securities included in the Liquidity Account is at least equal to the Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement for the Outstanding AMTP Shares not later
than the close of business on the next succeeding Business Day.
(d) The Deposit
Securities included in the Liquidity Account may be applied by the Fund, in its discretion, towards payment of the Failed Transition Redemption Price for the Outstanding AMTP Shares. Upon the deposit by the Fund with the Redemption and Paying Agent
of Deposit Securities having an initial combined Market Value sufficient to effect the redemption of the AMTP Shares on the Failed Transition Redemption Date, the requirement of the Fund to maintain the Liquidity Account as contemplated by this
Section 2.12 shall lapse and be of no further force and effect.
2.13
Global Certificate.
All AMTP Shares Outstanding from time to time shall be
represented by one global certificate registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee and no registration of transfer of such shares shall be made on the books of the Fund to any Person other than the Securities Depository or its
nominee or transferee. The foregoing restriction on registration of transfer shall be conspicuously noted on the face or back of the global certificates. Such global certificates will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company
and registered in the name of Cede & Co., its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global certificates will be held only through The Depository Trust Company and any of its participants.
2.14 Notice.
All notices or communications hereunder, unless otherwise specified in this Statement, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered
in person, by telecopier, by Electronic Means or by overnight delivery. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be deemed given on the date received.
2.15 Termination.
In the event that no AMTP Shares subject to this Statement are Outstanding, all rights and preferences of the shares established and
designated hereunder shall cease and terminate, and all obligations of the Fund under this Statement shall terminate.
A1-30
2.16 Appendices.
The designation of the AMTP Shares subject to this Statement shall be set forth in an Appendix to this Statement. The Board of Trustees
(i) may, by resolution duly adopted, without shareholder approval (except as otherwise provided by this Statement or required by applicable law) amend the Appendix to this Statement relating to the AMTP Shares so as to reflect any amendments to
the terms applicable to such shares including an increase in the number of authorized shares and (ii) shall, by resolution duly adopted, authorize and approve a Supplement to the Appendix, to reflect any Adjusted Terms agreed to pursuant to
Section 2.2(h) in an Adjusted Terms Agreement.
2.17
Actions on Other than Business Days.
Unless otherwise provided herein, if the date
for making any payment, performing any act or exercising any right, in each case as provided for in this Statement, is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made, act performed or right exercised on the next succeeding Business Day, with the
same force and effect as if made or done on the nominal date provided therefor, and, with respect to any payment so made, no dividends, interest or other amount shall accrue for the period between such nominal date and the date of payment.
2.18 Modification.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Section 2.6(c) and the Purchase Agreement, the Board of Trustees, without
the vote of the Holders of AMTP Shares, may interpret, supplement, or amend the provisions of this Statement, the Appendix hereto and any Supplement thereto that is in effect, as applicable, to supply any omission, resolve any inconsistency or
ambiguity or to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, including any provision that becomes defective after the date hereof because of impossibility of performance or any provision that is inconsistent with any
provision of any other Preferred Shares of the Fund.
2.19 Transfers.
(a) Subject to Article III hereof, a Designated Owner or Holder of any AMTP Shares may
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of AMTP Shares only in whole shares and only to Persons that are both: (1)(i) Persons that such Designated Owner or Holder reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule
144A under the Securities Act or any successor provision) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any successor provision that are registered closed-end management investment companies, the
shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange (Closed-End Funds), banks or entities that are 100% direct or indirect subsidiaries of banks publicly traded parent holding
companies (collectively, Banks), insurance companies or registered open-end management investment companies, (ii) tender option bond trusts or other similar investment vehicles in which
all investors are Persons that such Designated Owner or Holder reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any successor provision) that are
Closed-End Funds, Banks, insurance companies, or registered open-end management investment companies, or (iii) other investors with the prior written consent of the
Fund and (2) Persons that are either (i) not a Nuveen Person or (ii) a Nuveen Person, provided that (x) such Nuveen Person would, after such sale and transfer, own not more than 20% of the Outstanding AMTP Shares, or (y) the
prior written consent of the Fund and the Holder(s) of more than 50% of the Outstanding AMTP Shares has been obtained. The restrictions on transfer contained in this Section 2.19(a) shall not apply to any AMTP Shares that
are being registered and sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or to any subsequent transfer of such AMTP Shares.
(b) If at any time the Fund is not furnishing information pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, in order to preserve the exemption for resales and transfers under Rule 144A, the Fund shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to holders of AMTP Shares and prospective purchasers of AMTP Shares, upon request, information with
respect to the Fund satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(4) of Rule 144A.
A1-31
2.20 No Additional Rights.
Unless otherwise required by law or the Declaration, the Holders of AMTP Shares shall not have any relative rights or preferences or
other special rights with respect to such AMTP Shares other than those specifically set forth in this Statement; provided, however, that nothing in this Statement shall be deemed to preclude or limit the right of the Fund (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) to contractually agree with any Holder or Designated Owner of AMTP Shares with regard to any special rights of such Holder or Designated Owner with respect to its investment in the Fund.
A1-32
ARTICLE 3 THIRD PARTY PURCHASE OF AMTP SHARES
3.1 Third Party Purchase Procedures.
(a) In the event that a Third Party Purchase is arranged by the Fund pursuant to
Section 2.2(h)(v) or in connection with a Transition pursuant to Article 4, all Outstanding AMTP Shares automatically shall be subject to a Mandatory Tender and delivered to the Settlement Agent for purchase by the Third
Party Purchaser on the Third Party Purchase Date, in accordance with this Section 3.1. With respect to any Transition, references to Third Party Purchase Date in this Section 3.1 shall
be deemed to include the Transition Date as applicable. The proceeds of such Third Party Purchase shall be used by the Settlement Agent for the purchase of the automatically tendered AMTP Shares at the Third Party Purchase Price, and the terms of
the sale will provide for the wire transfer of such Third Party Purchase Price by the third party to be received by the Settlement Agent no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Third Party Purchase Date for payment to the Holders
automatically tendering AMTP Shares for sale through the Securities Depository in immediately available funds, against delivery of the tendered AMTP Shares either (i) to the Settlement Agent through the Securities Depository on the Third Party
Purchase Date and the re-delivery of such AMTP Shares by means of FREE delivery through the Securities Depository to the Third Party Purchaser for delivery to the relevant purchasers Agent
Member or (ii) directly to the Third Party Purchaser or such Agent Member, through the Securities Depository by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Third Party Purchase Date.
(b) Any funds paid by the Third Party Purchaser and held in an account of the Settlement Agent
for the payment of the Third Party Purchase Price in connection with the Third Party Purchase shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Third Party Purchaser of the AMTP Shares pending automatic delivery by the Holders pursuant to the Mandatory
Tender of the tendered shares, against payment therefor. In the event of a Third Party Purchase, upon the Mandatory Tender of AMTP Shares from the Holders to the Settlement Agent, the Settlement Agent shall pay, subject to receipt of the Third Party
Purchase Price by the Settlement Agent from the Third Party Purchaser, the Third Party Purchase Price for such AMTP Shares to such tendering Holders. In accordance with and subject to the foregoing, the Settlement Agent shall effect any such payment
on the Third Party Purchase Date.
(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein,
the purchase and delivery of tendered AMTP Shares in the form of global securities, the Third Party Purchase, and payments with respect to the foregoing, will be accomplished in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Securities Depository.
(d) The Fund may modify or waive each of the timing requirements set forth above with the
written consent of the Required Designated Owners and the Settlement Agent, in each case such consent to be required only to the extent such party is affected thereby.
A1-33
ARTICLE 4 TRANSITION
4.1 General Provisions.
(a) On any Business Day, the Fund may initiate a Transition. In the event that a Third Party
Purchase of AMTP Shares is arranged by the Fund in connection with a Transition, (A) the Fund shall appoint a Settlement Agent in connection with such Third Party Purchase and the associated Mandatory Tender and (B) all Outstanding AMTP
Shares automatically shall be subject to a Mandatory Tender and delivered to the Settlement Agent for purchase by the Third Party Purchaser on the Transition Date (as defined below) in accordance with Section 3.1. Upon
initiating a Transition, the Fund agrees to use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent that it can do so on a commercially reasonable basis, to arrange a Third Party Purchase of such AMTP Shares, upon terms as designated and set forth in a new
Appendix or Supplement for the AMTP Shares.
(b) In the event that the Fund successfully
accomplishes a Transition and no Failed Transition Event otherwise shall have occurred and be continuing as of the effective date of the Transition (the Transition Date), then on and as of the Transition Date, such AMTP Shares
shall be subject to the terms set forth in the new Supplement. If a Failed Transition Event shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) the new terms designated by the Fund shall not be established, (ii) all tendered AMTP Shares, if any,
shall be returned to the relevant tendering Holders by the Settlement Agent, and (iii) all of the then Outstanding AMTP Shares shall be redeemed by the Fund on the Failed Transition Redemption Date in accordance with
Section 2.5(e).
(c) The Fund shall use its best efforts to
cause the terms and conditions of such AMTP Shares transitioned to a Third Party Purchaser pursuant to this Article 4 to be consistent with the continuing qualification of such AMTP Shares as equity in the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
and it shall be a condition precedent to such Transition that the Fund shall have received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such AMTP Shares will continue to qualify as equity in the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(d) The terms of the AMTP Shares transitioned to a Third Party Purchaser pursuant to this
Article 4 may not, in any event, affect the parity ranking of such AMTP Shares relative to each other or to any other series of Preferred Shares of the Fund then outstanding with respect to dividends or distribution of assets upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund.
4.2 Notice of
Transition.
(a) The Fund shall provide the Required Designated Owners with written
notice of a Transition pursuant to this Article 4 (a Transition Notice) not more than forty-five (45) calendar days and not less than thirty (30) calendar days (or such shorter notice period as may be consented to by the
Required Designated Owners (which consent shall not be deemed to be a vote required by Section 2.6)) prior to the applicable Transition Date.
(b) The Transition Notice shall state, as applicable: (A) the Transition Date;
(B) the series of AMTP Shares to which the notice relates; (C) the CUSIP number for the AMTP Shares; (D) the Third Party Purchase Price on a per share basis; (E) that (i) all Outstanding AMTP Shares will be subject to Mandatory
Tender and purchase on the Transition Date, and (ii) in the event of a Failed Transition Event, all tendered AMTP Shares will be returned to the relevant tendering Holders; and (F) if applicable, the place or places where the
certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Trustees requires and the Third Party Purchase Agreement states) are to be surrendered for payment of the Third Party Purchase Price. The Fund may provide in
the Transition Notice that such Transition is subject to one or more additional conditions precedent and that the Fund shall not be required to effect such Transition unless each such condition has been satisfied at the time or times and in the
manner specified in such Transition Notice; provided, that no such conditions shall affect the consequences of a Failed Transition Event.
A1-34
4.3 Failed Transition
Period.
If a Failed Transition Event occurs where the Fund has initiated a proposed Transition pursuant to this Article 4, a Failed
Transition Period shall commence and continue. For each Rate Period or portion thereof during the Failed Transition Period, if any, the Dividend Spread used to compute the Dividend Amount on the AMTP Shares shall be the Failed Transition Period
Applicable Spread.
[Signature Page Begins on the Following Page]
A1-35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund has caused this Statement to be signed on
[●], 2023 in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized officer. The Declaration is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the said officer of the Fund has executed this Statement as an officer and not
individually, and the obligations of the Fund set forth in this Statement are not binding upon any such officer, or the trustees of the Fund or shareholders of the Fund, individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.
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NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND |
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By: |
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Name: Mark L. Winget |
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Title: Vice President and Secretary |
[Signature Page to the Appendix Establishing and Fixing the Rights and
Preferences of Series 2028 Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (NZF)]
APPENDIX A
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND
ADJUSTABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED SHARES, SERIES 2028
Preliminary Statement and Incorporation By Reference
This Appendix establishes a Series of Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares of Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund. Except as set
forth below, this Appendix incorporates by reference the terms set forth with respect to such Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares in that Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term
Preferred Shares, Series 2028 effective as of [●], 2023 (the AMTP Statement). This Appendix has been adopted by resolution of the Board of Trustees of Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund and is effective as of
[●], 2023. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein have the respective meanings therefor set forth in the AMTP Statement.
Section 1. Designation as to Series.
Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2028: A series of Five Hundred Eighty Five (585) Preferred Shares classified as
Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares is hereby designated as the Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2028 (the Series 2028 AMTP Shares). Each share of such Series shall have such
preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, in addition to those required by applicable law and those that are expressly set forth in the Declaration
and the AMTP Statement (except as the AMTP Statement may be expressly modified by this Appendix), as are set forth in this Appendix A. The Series 2028 AMTP Shares shall constitute a separate series of Preferred Shares and of the Adjustable
Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares and each Series 2028 AMTP Share shall be identical. The following terms and conditions shall apply solely to the Series 2028 AMTP Shares:
Section 2. Number of Authorized Shares of Series.
The number of authorized shares is Five Hundred Eighty Five (585).
Section 3. Date of Original Issue with respect to Series.
The Date of Original Issue is [●], 2023.
Section 4. Liquidation Preference Applicable to Series.
The Liquidation Preference is $100,000.00 per share.
Section 5. Term Redemption Date Applicable to Series.
The Term Redemption Date is December 1, 2028.
Section 6. Dividend Payment Dates Applicable to Series.
The Dividend Payment Date is the first Business Day of each calendar month that the Series 2028 AMTP Shares are Outstanding.
A2-1
Section 7. Calculation of Dividends.
The amount of dividends per share accumulated for each day (the Dividend Amount) shall be equal to the product of:
(a) the SIFMA Index Rate plus the Dividend Spread in effect for such day, divided by the actual number of days in the year (365 or 366) in which such day occurs, and (b) the Liquidation Preference for a Series 2028 AMTP Share. Dollar
amounts resulting from the calculation of dividends will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. The Dividend Amount shall in no circumstances exceed the Maximum Amount.
Section 8. [Reserved].
Section 9.
Exceptions or Amendments to Certain Definitions Applicable to the Series.
The following definitions contained under the heading
Definitions in the AMTP Statement are hereby amended as follows:
Not applicable.
Section 10. Definitions Applicable to the Series.
The following terms shall have the following meanings (with terms defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural
and vice versa), unless the context otherwise requires:
Applicable Spread means, with respect to any Rate
Period for the SIFMA Index Rate, (i) the percentage per annum set forth opposite the applicable credit rating most recently assigned to the Series 2028 AMTP Shares by the Rating Agency in the table below on the SIFMA Rate Determination
Date for such Rate Period or (ii) such spread or spreads as may be provided for in the Adjusted Terms established pursuant to Section 2.2(h) of the Statement.
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Long-Term Ratings* |
Fitch |
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Applicable Percentage |
AAA to AA |
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0.825% |
AA- |
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1.025% |
A+ |
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1.225% |
A |
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1.425% |
A- |
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1.625% |
BBB+ |
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2.525% |
BBB |
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2.675% |
BBB- |
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2.825% |
* |
And/or the equivalent ratings of any Other Rating Agency then rating the Series 2028 AMTP Shares utilizing the
highest of the ratings of the Rating Agencies then rating the Series 2028 AMTP Shares. |
Dividend
Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 7 of this Appendix A.
Dividend Payment Date means
(i) with respect to the first Dividend Period, [●], 2023; and (ii) with respect to each subsequent Dividend Period, the first Business Day of each calendar month that the Series 2028 AMTP Shares are Outstanding.
Dividend Period means in the case of the first Dividend Period, the period beginning on the Date of Original Issue and
ending on and including [●], 2023 and for each subsequent Dividend Period, the period beginning on and including the first calendar day of the month following the month in which the previous Dividend Period ended and ending on and including
the last calendar day of such month; provided, however, in connection with any voluntary exchange by the Holders thereof of Series 2028 AMTP Shares for any new series
A2-3
of Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares or any other securities of the Fund, the Board of Trustees may declare that a Dividend Period shall begin on and include the first calendar day
of the month in which such exchange will occur and shall end on but not include the date of such exchange, and in such case, the Dividend Payment Date for such dividend shall be the date of such exchange and provided further that, in
connection with any reorganization or merger involving the Fund, the Board of Trustees may establish a Dividend Period of less than a month, in which case the Dividend Payment Date for such dividend shall be the first Business Day following the end
of such Dividend Period.
Dividend Spread means, with respect to each Rate Period and subject to the adjustment
described in Section 2.10(a) of the Statement, the Applicable Spread; provided, however, that, with respect to any Increased Spread Period (or any portion of a Rate Period to which the Increased Spread otherwise applies),
Dividend Spread shall mean the Increased Spread for such Increased Spread Period (or such portion of a Rate Period); provided further, that with respect to any Rate Period (or portion thereof) during the Failed Transition Period,
if any, Dividend Spread shall mean the Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread for such Rate Period; and provided further, that with respect to any Rate Period (or portion thereof) during the Failed Adjustment Period, if any,
Dividend Spread shall mean the Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread for such Rate Period.
Failed Adjustment
Liquidity Requirement means the Market Value of Deposit Securities held in the Liquidity Account from and after the day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) preceding the Failed Adjustment Redemption
Date specified in the table set forth below, shall not be less than the percentage of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares set forth below opposite the number of such days:
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Number of Days Preceding
Failed Adjustment Redemption
Date: |
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Market Value of Deposit
Securities as Percentage of
Liquidation Preference |
45 |
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20% |
30 |
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40% |
20 |
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60% |
10 |
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80% |
5 |
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100% |
Failed Adjustment Period means, upon the occurrence of a Failed Adjustment Event with
respect to Series 2028 AMTP Shares, the period commencing on the date of such Failed Adjustment Event and ending on the earliest to occur of (i) the redemption by the Fund on the Failed Adjustment Redemption Date or, if earlier, another
Redemption Date, if any, of 100% of the Outstanding Series 2028 AMTP Shares, or (ii) the repurchase by the Fund of 100% of such AMTP Shares, or (iii) the successful Transition of 100% of such AMTP Shares or (iv) mutual agreement by
the Fund and the Required Designated Owners to terminate the Failed Adjustment Period and revert to the terms mutually agreed by the Fund and the Required Designated Owners.
Failed Adjustment Period Applicable Spread means, for each day that a Failed Adjustment Period, if any, has occurred and is
continuing: the higher of (i) the Applicable Spread that would otherwise be in effect absent a Failed Adjustment Event and (ii) 200 basis points (2.00%) (up to 59 days of the continued Failed Adjustment Period), and 225 basis points (2.25%) (60
days but fewer than 90 days of the continued Failed Adjustment Period).
Failed Adjustment Redemption Date means the
90th calendar day following a Failed Adjustment Event, or such other date as the Fund and the Required Designated Owners shall agree.
Failed Transition Event means that, in the case of a proposed Transition pursuant to Article 4 of the Statement,
(i) the Fund was unable to successfully Transition all of the Outstanding Series 2028 AMTP Shares or (ii) the proceeds of the Third Party Purchase of such AMTP Shares were not received for any reason by (x) by the Settlement Agent by
4:30 p.m., New York City time on the Transition Date, or (y) if payment is not made directly to the Designated Owners of such AMTP Shares, by 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the Transition Date.
A2-4
Failed Transition Liquidity Requirement means the Market Value of Deposit
Securities held in the Liquidity Account from and after the day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) preceding the Failed Transition Redemption Date specified in the table set forth below, shall not be less than
the percentage of the Liquidation Preference of the Outstanding AMTP Shares set forth below opposite the number of such days:
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Number of Days Preceding
Failed Transition Redemption
Date: |
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Market Value of Deposit
Securities as Percentage of
Liquidation Preference |
150 |
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20% |
120 |
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40% |
90 |
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60% |
60 |
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80% |
30 |
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100% |
Failed Transition Period means, upon the occurrence of a Failed Transition Event with
respect to Series 2028 AMTP Shares, the period commencing on the date of such Failed Transition Event and ending on the earliest to occur of (i) the redemption by the Fund on the Failed Transition Redemption Date or, if earlier, another
Redemption Date, if any, of 100% of the Outstanding Series 2028 AMTP Shares, or (ii) the repurchase by the Fund of 100% of such AMTP Shares, or (iii) the successful Transition of 100% of such AMTP Shares or (iv) mutual agreement by
the Fund and the Required Designated Owners to terminate the Failed Transition Period and revert to the terms mutually agreed by the Fund and the Required Designated Owners.
Failed Transition Period Applicable Spread means, for each day that a Failed Transition Period, if any, has occurred and is
continuing: the higher of (i) the Applicable Spread that would otherwise be in effect absent a Failed Transition Event and (ii) 200 basis points (2.00%) (up to 59 days of the continued Failed Transition Period), 225 basis points (2.25%) (60
days but fewer than 90 days of the continued Failed Transition Period), 250 basis points (2.50%) (90 days but fewer than 120 days of the continued Failed Transition Period), 275 basis points (2.75%) (120 days but fewer than 150 days of the continued
Failed Transition Period), 300 basis points (3.00%) (150 days but fewer than 180 days of the Failed Transition Period), and 400 basis points (4.00%) (180 days or more of the continued Failed Transition Period).
Failed Transition Redemption Date means, in the case of a Failed Transition Event, the first Business Day falling on or
after the 180th calendar day following the Failed Transition Event.
Increased Spread means, with respect to each Series 2028 AMTP Share and subject to the adjustment described in
Section 2.10(a) of the Statement, on each day during any Increased Spread Period, 5.825%.
Initial SIFMA Rate
Period means the period commencing on and including the Date of Original Issue and ending on and including the next succeeding calendar day that is a Wednesday (or, if such Wednesday is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business
Day).
Maximum Amount means the product of the Liquidation Preference multiplied by 15%, divided by the actual number
of days in the year (365 or 366).
Optional Redemption Premium means with respect to each Series 2028 AMTP Share to be
redeemed an amount equal to zero.
Rate Period means each SIFMA Rate Period.
Scheduled Term Adjustment Period Expiration Date means the 540th
calendar day following the delivery of the applicable Term Adjustment Notice.
A2-5
SIFMA Index Rate means, with respect to any SIFMA Rate Period or portion
thereof, (i) the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index made available by approximately 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the SIFMA Rate Determination Date for such SIFMA Rate Period or (ii) if such index is not made so available on such date, the
SIFMA Municipal Swap Index as determined on the previous SIFMA Rate Determination Date.
SIFMA Municipal Swap Index
means the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index, or such other weekly, high-grade index comprised of seven-day, tax-exempt variable
rate demand notes produced by Bloomberg or its successor, or as otherwise designated by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association; provided, however, that if such index is no longer produced by Bloomberg or its
successor, then SIFMA Municipal Swap Index shall mean (i) the S&P Municipal Bond 7 Day High Grade Rate Index produced by Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC or its successors or (ii) if the S&P
Municipal Bond 7 Day High Grade Rate Index is no longer produced, such other reasonably comparable index selected in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
SIFMA Rate Determination Date means, with respect to the Initial SIFMA Rate Period, the Wednesday immediately preceding the
Date of Original Issue, and, with respect to any Subsequent SIFMA Rate Period, the last day of the immediately preceding SIFMA Rate Period or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that
the next succeeding SIFMA Rate Determination Date will be determined without regard to any prior extension of a SIFMA Rate Determination Date to a Business Day.
SIFMA Rate Period means the Initial SIFMA Rate Period and any Subsequent SIFMA Rate Period.
Subsequent SIFMA Rate Period means the period from and including the first day following the Initial SIFMA Rate Period to
and including the next Wednesday (or, if such Wednesday is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) and each subsequent period from and including the first day following the end of the previous Subsequent SIFMA Rate Period to and including the
next Wednesday (or, if such Wednesday is not a Business Day, the next Business Day).
[Signature page follows.]
A2-6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund has caused this Appendix to be signed on
[●], 2023 its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized officer. The Declaration is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the said officer of the Fund has executed this Appendix as an officer and not
individually, and the obligations of the Fund set forth in this Appendix are not binding upon any such officer, or the trustees of the Fund or shareholders of the Fund, individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.
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NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND |
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By: |
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Name: Mark L. Winget |
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Title: Vice President and Secretary |
[Signature Page to the Appendix Establishing and Fixing the Rights and
Preferences of Series 2028 Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (NZF)]
Exhibit I
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT INCOME FUND
FORM OF TERM ADJUSTMENT NOTICE
Date:
Deadline for Adjusted Terms Agreement Date
(Subject to Change
by Agreement between the Fund and
the Required Designated Owners):
Proposing Party:
Proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount
(or such other amount as the Fund and the Required Designated
Owners may agree during the Term Adjustment Notice Period):
[Insert description of Proposed Adjusted Dividend Amount calculation]
Other/Additional Provisions:
Dividend Period(s):
Other:
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[PROPOSING PARTY] |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
Designated Owner of _____________ AMTP Shares,
Series 2028
[Majority Designated Owner is the Proposing Party]
I-1
APPENDIX C
NUMBER OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
HELD DURING EACH FUNDS LAST FISCAL YEAR
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Fund |
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Regular Board Meeting |
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Special Board Meeting |
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Executive Committee Meeting |
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Dividend Committee Meeting |
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Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee Meeting |
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Audit Committee Meeting |
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Nominating and Governance Committee Meeting |
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Closed-End Funds Committee |
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Georgia Municipal |
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5 |
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11 |
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0 |
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9 |
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4 |
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4 |
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6 |
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4 |
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Ohio Municipal |
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5 |
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8 |
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0 |
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9 |
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4 |
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4 |
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8 |
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4 |
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Acquiring Fund |
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5 |
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7 |
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0 |
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8 |
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4 |
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4 |
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8 |
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4 |
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C-1
Nuveen Investments
333 West
Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-1286
(800) 257-8787
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Please
detach at perforation before mailing.
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NUVEEN GEORGIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON
FEBRUARY 8, 2023 |
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PREFERRED SHARES