NUVEEN TAX FREE TRUST SERIES 880
497, 1996-07-26
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<PAGE>
   
                                 JULY 26, 1996
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
    
 
                                           A
   
NUVEEN                 NUVEEN NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS SERIES 880)
    
 
                                               CUSIP NUMBERS:
 
   
                                               Monthly:               6710A5 139
                                               Quarterly:             6710A5 147
                                               Semi-Annually:         6710A5 154
    
 
   
              PROSPECTUS--PART A (SPECIFIC TERMS) -- JULY 26, 1996
 THIS PART A OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE
                                   PART B OF
  THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUSTS PROSPECTUS, TO WHICH SUCH REFERENCE HEREIN
                           APPLIES. ANY REFERENCE TO
   "NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUSTS" IN PART B SHALL BE AMENDED TO READ "NUVEEN
                             TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS."
     BOTH PARTS OF THE PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
    
 
   
    National  Insured  Trust  324  (the  "Trust")  consists  of  a  portfolio of
interest-bearing obligations issued by  or on behalf  of States, certain  United
States  Territories or authorities and  political subdivisions thereof which, in
the opinion  of recognized  bond  counsel to  the issuing  authorities,  provide
income which is exempt from Federal income tax, to the extent indicated in "WHAT
IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
    
 
    The  objectives of the Trust  are income exempt from  Federal income tax and
conservation of  capital. The  objectives  are, of  course, dependent  upon  the
continuing  ability  of  the issuers,  obligors  and/or insurers  to  meet their
respective obligations.
 
   
    The Portfolio of  the Trust consists  of 13 obligations  issued by  entities
located  in 10 states. The Bonds in  the Trust are either general obligations of
the governmental entity issuing them and are backed by the taxing power  thereof
or  are  payable as  to principal  and interest  from the  income of  a specific
project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to levy  taxes.
The sources of payment for the Bonds are divided as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NUMBER OF                                              PORTFOLIO
      ISSUES                PURPOSE OF ISSUE                PERCENTAGE
  ---------------  ----------------------------------------------------
  <C>              <S>                                     <C>
         3         Electrical System Revenue                      25   %
         2         General Obligations                            20
         3         Health Care Facility Revenue                   17
         2         College and University Revenue                 15
         2         Water and/or Sewer Revenue                     14
         1         Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue                10
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Approximately  18.5% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 15.2% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds) are original issue discount obligations. Certain of these original  issue
discount  obligations, amounting to  3.5% of the  aggregate principal amount and
 .8% of the aggregate offering price of the Bonds in the Trust, are "zero coupon"
bonds. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B  of this Prospectus for a discussion of  the
characteristics of such obligations and of the risks associated therewith.
    
 
    All  of the Bonds in the Trust are covered by policies of insurance obtained
from the  MBIA  Insurance  Corporation guaranteeing  payment  of  principal  and
interest  when due. As a  result of such insurance, the  Bonds in the Trust have
received a rating of "Aaa"  by Moody's and both the  Bonds in the Trust and  the
Units of the Trust have received a rating of "AAA" by Standard & Poor's.
 
   
    Fifteen  percent of the principal  amount of Bonds in  the Trust consists of
issues of entities  located in  the State  of Illinois;  such concentration  may
involve  more risk than if such Bonds  were issued by issuers located in several
states.
    
 
   
    The Trust is  considered to be  concentrated in Bonds  of Electrical  System
Revenue  Issuers whose revenues are subject to certain risks including increased
competition, reduction in future demand and environmental considerations. For  a
discussion  of the  risks associated  with investments  in the  bonds of various
issuers, see "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
    
 
    Information contained  herein  is  subject to  completion  or  amendment.  A
registration  statement relating  to these  securities has  been filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission. These securities  may not be  sold nor  may
offers  to buy be accepted prior to  the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This  Prospectus  shall  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or  the
solicitation  of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful  prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any State.
 
- ----------
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                     1 of 6
<PAGE>
   
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
                REGARDING THE NUVEEN NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324
        ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, JULY 25, 1996
    
          Sponsor and Evaluator........ John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
          Trustee............................ The Chase Manhattan Bank
                ------------------------------------------------
 
The income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been  calculated
for   Unitholders  receiving  monthly,  quarterly  or  semi-annual  distribution
options.
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    10,000,000
Number of Units.....................................          100,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/100,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $     9,496,215
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $         94.96
    Plus Sales Charge 4.9% (5.152% of the Aggregate
     Offering Price of the Bonds per Unit)..........  $          4.89
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $         99.85
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $         94.47
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $         94.96
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $          5.38
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $          4.89
Average Maturity of Bonds in the Trust(2)...........       26.9 years
 
<CAPTION>
                                                          MONTHLY
                                                      SEMI-ANNUAL ---
                                                                QUARTERLY
                                                                --
                                                                ------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>   <C>
  Calculation of Estimated Net Annual
    Interest Income Per Unit
      Annual Interest Income(3)............         $5.4967         $5.4967        $5.4967
      Less Estimated Annual Expense........          $.2277          $.1957         $.1767
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
      Estimated Net Annual Interest
        Income(4)..........................         $5.2690         $5.3010        $5.3200
  Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit...........         $.01463         $.01472        $.01477
  ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN(5)..............            5.28%           5.31%          5.33 %
  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN(5)............            5.39%           5.43%          5.45 %
  Trustee's Annual Fees(6).................         $1.5510         $1.2310        $1.0410
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
Date of Deposit......................................................................................July 26, 1996
Settlement Date......................................................................................July 31, 1996
Mandatory Termination Date....................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Minimum Value of Each Trust...................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.........................................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Estimated Annual Organizational Expenses(7).......................................................$.03020 per Unit
- ----------
BECAUSE CERTAIN OF THE BONDS IN THE TRUST WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE UNTIL AFTER THE SETTLEMENT DATE FOR
A PURCHASE OF UNITS MADE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE BONDS BETWEEN THE DATE OF  DEPOSIT
AND  SUCH DELIVERY DATE WILL BE TREATED  AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL RATHER  THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF
ANY SUCH RETURN  OF PRINCIPAL  IS NOT  INCLUDED IN  THE ANNUAL INTEREST  INCOME SHOWN  ABOVE. FOR  THE TRUST,  THE
FOLLOWING SETS FORTH THE LATEST SCHEDULED BOND DELIVERY DATE, THE AMOUNT PER UNIT THAT WILL BE TREATED AS A RETURN
OF  PRINCIPAL TO  UNITHOLDERS WHO  PURCHASE ON THE  DATE OF  DEPOSIT, AND THE  ESTIMATED CURRENT  RETURN UNDER THE
MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION PLAN AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, ASSUMING  THE PORTFOLIO AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES DO NOT  VARY
FROM  THAT SET FORTH ABOVE (SEE "WHAT  ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?" IN  PART B OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
"SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS").  THE ESTIMATED  CURRENT RETURN  AFTER THE FIRST  YEAR WILL  ALSO BE  HIGHER UNDER  THE
QUARTERLY AND SEMI-ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION PLANS:
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  NATIONAL INSURED TRUST........   AUGUST 30, 1996    $           .05                     5.33        %
</TABLE>
    
 
The  evaluation time for purpose  of sale, purchase or  redemption of Units is 4
p.m. Eastern time or as of  any earlier closing time on  a day on which the  New
York  Stock Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time. (See
"HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
   
(1) Units are offered at  the Public Offering Price  plus accrued interest  from
    the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not  including, the  date of settlement
    (normally three business days  after purchase). The Date  of Deposit of  the
    Fund  has  been  designated  as  the First  Record  Date  for  all  plans of
    distribution of the Trust and, accordingly, for Units purchased on the  Date
    of Deposit, $.07 of accrued interest to the Settlement Date will be added to
    the  Public Offering Price.  (See "WHAT IS  ACCRUED INTEREST?" in  Part B of
    this Prospectus.)
    
(2) The Average Maturity  of Bonds  in the Trust  is calculated  based upon  the
    stated  maturities of the Bonds in the  Trust (or, with respect to Bonds for
    which funds or securities have been placed in escrow to redeem such Bonds on
    a stated call  date, based  upon such call  date). The  Average Maturity  of
    Bonds  in the  Trust may  increase or  decrease from  time to  time as Bonds
    mature or are called or sold.
(3) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds.  (See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" appearing  in
    Part  B of this  Prospectus.) Interest income does  not include accretion of
    original issue  discount on  "zero coupon"  Bonds, Stripped  Obligations  or
    other  original issue discount Bonds. (See "RISK  FACTORS" in Part B of this
    Prospectus.)
(4) The amount and  timing of interest  distributions from the  Trust under  the
    various  plans of distribution  are set forth below.  It is anticipated that
    the amount of interest to  be distributed per Unit  in each year under  each
    plan  of distribution will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan. The amount of interest to
    be distributed  annually  per  Unit,  will generally  change  as  Bonds  are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
(5) Estimated  Long  Term Return  for the  Trust represents  the average  of the
    yields to  maturity  (or  call)  of  the  Bonds  in  the  Trust's  portfolio
    calculated  in  accordance  with  accepted bond  practices  and  adjusted to
    reflect a compounding factor, expenses and sales charges. Estimated  Current
    Return  is computed by dividing  the Net Annual Interest  Income per Unit by
    the Public Offering  Price, and in  contrast to Estimated  Long Term  Return
    does  not reflect the  amortization of premium or  accretion of discount, if
    any. For  more information  see "WHAT  ARE ESTIMATED  LONG TERM  RETURN  AND
    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
(6) Each  Trustee annual  fee is per  $1,000 principal amount  of the underlying
    Bonds in  the  Trust  for  that  portion of  the  Trust  that  represents  a
    particular plan of distribution.
(7) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    organizational  costs  (including  costs   of  preparing  the   registration
    statements,  the trust  indenture and  other closing  documents, registering
    Units with the Securities  and Exchange Commission  and states, the  initial
    audit  of the Trust portfolio, legal fees  and the initial fees and expenses
    of the Trustee but  not including the expenses  incurred in the printing  of
    preliminary and final prospectuses, and expenses incurred in the preparation
    and  printing of  brochures and  other advertising  materials and  any other
    selling expenses)  as  is  common for  mutual  funds.  Total  organizational
    expenses  will be amortized  over a five  year period. See  "WHAT ARE NORMAL
    TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?" in  Part B of this  Prospectus and "Statement  of
    Condition."  Historically, the sponsors of  unit investment trusts have paid
    all the costs of establishing such trusts.
 
                                     2 of 6
<PAGE>
                             INTEREST DISTRIBUTION
 
    Details of interest distributions  per Unit of the  Trust under the  various
plans  appear in  the following table  based upon estimated  Net Annual Interest
Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
                                                  1996                             1997                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        9/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       9/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5173(1)                                                  $  5.3211
                                                          --------  $.4434 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5173(1)   $   .8916(2)   $  1.3374      $  1.3374        $  5.3531
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5173(1)   $   .8952(3)                  $  2.6856        $  5.3721
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Record Dates for  semi-annual distributions  are May  1 and  November 1;  for
   quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
   Record  Dates  for monthly  distributions are  the first  day of  each month.
   Distribution Dates under each distribution plan are the fifteenth day of  the
   month   in  which  the  respective   Record  Date  occurred.  For  additional
   information see "WHEN ARE  DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?"  in Part B  of
   this Prospectus.
 
(1) The  first distribution will  be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the
    distribution plan selected.  Such distribution may  be more or  less than  a
    regular monthly distribution.
 
   
(2) The  second distribution under the  quarterly distribution plan represents a
    2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly  distributions will  be  regular
    3-month distributions.
    
 
   
(3) The second distribution under the semi-annual distribution plan represents a
    2-month  distribution; subsequent semi-annual  distributions will be regular
    6-month distributions.
    
 
                                   TAX STATUS
 
    For a discussion  of the tax  status of  income earned on  Trust Units,  see
"WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
                                     3 of 6
<PAGE>
   
                       NUVEEN NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES 880)
         SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, JULY 26, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's        Price
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,000,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $     1,002,070
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Trinity
                   College Issue, Series E, 5.875% Due 7/1/26.
  1,500,000     * The County of Cook, Illinois, General              2006 at 101        AAA         Aaa           1,470,000
                   Obligation Capital Improvement Bonds, Series
                   1996, 5.875% Due 11/15/22. (When issued.)
  1,000,000      Indiana Health Facility Financing Authority,        2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             967,110
                   Hospital Revenue Refunding and Improvement
                   Bonds, Series 1995 (Community Hospitals
                   Projects), 5.60% Due 5/15/14.
  1,000,000      Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans (Louisiana),           2006 at 101        AAA         Aaa             958,560
                   Exhibition Hall Authority, Special Tax Bonds,
                   Series 1996-C, 5.60% Due 7/15/25.
    180,000      New Hampshire Higher Educational and Health         2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             178,738
                   Facilities Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds,
                   Concord Hospital Issue, Series 1996, 6.00%
                   Due 10/1/26. (When issued.)
    470,000      New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance      2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             473,633
                   Agency, Mental Health Services Facilities
                   Improvement Revenue Bonds, 1995 Series A,
                   6.00% Due 2/15/25. (General Obligation
                   Bonds.)
  1,000,000      New York City, New York, Municipal Water            2005 at 101        AAA         Aaa             996,470
                   Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                   Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 1996 Series A, 5.875%
                   Due 6/15/25.
    500,000      Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities          2006 at 100        AAA         Aaa             495,000
                   Authority (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania),
                   Revenue Bonds, State System of Higher
                   Education, Series N, 5.80% Due 6/15/24.
    350,000     * Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County      No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa              74,074
                   (Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania),
                   Municipal Service Revenue Bonds, Series of
                   1995A, 0.00% Due 8/15/22. (Original issue
                   discount bonds delivered on or about July 27,
                   1995 at a price of 19.274% of principal
                   amount.)
    500,000      South Carolina Public Service Authority,            2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             490,160
                   Revenue Bonds, 1996 Refunding Series A, 5.75%
                   Due 1/1/22. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about April 4, 1996 at a
                   price of 93.751% of principal amount.)
  1,000,000      Intermountain Power Agency (Utah), Power Supply     2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             883,200
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, 1996 Series D, 5.00%
                   Due 7/1/21. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about February 27, 1996 at a
                   price of 94.504% of principal amount.)
  1,000,000     * Sweetwater County, Wyoming, Pollution Control      2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,008,450
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Idaho Power Company
                   Project), Series 1996A, 6.05% Due 7/15/26.
                   (When issued.)
    500,000      Natrona County, Wyoming, Hospital Revenue Bonds     2006 at 101        AAA         Aaa             498,750
                   (Wyoming Medical Center Project), Series
                   1995, 6.00% Due 9/15/24.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$10,000,000                                                                                                 $     9,496,215
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*_ These  Bonds, or  a portion  thereof, have  delivery dates  beyond the normal
   settlement date. Their expected delivery dates  range from August 1, 1996  to
   August  30, 1996. Contracts  relating to Bonds with  delivery dates after the
   date of  settlement for  purchase  made on  the  Date of  Deposit  constitute
   approximately  29%  of  the aggregate  principal  amount of  the  Trust. (See
   "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
    
- ------------
 
    (1) The Sponsor's contracts to purchase  Bonds were entered into during  the
period  from July  25, 1996  to July 26,  1996. Other  information regarding the
Bonds in the Trust on the Date of Deposit is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ANNUAL
                                                           PROFIT      INTEREST
                                              COST TO     (OR LOSS)    INCOME TO    BID PRICE
                   TRUST                      SPONSOR    TO SPONSOR      TRUST      OF BONDS
  ----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324..............  $ 9,454,595  $   41,620   $  554,875   $ 9,447,465
</TABLE>
    
 
   
In addition,  the difference  between the  Trustee's determination  of  Offering
Price  and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .49%. Neither cost
to Sponsor nor  profit (or  loss) to  Sponsor reflects  underwriting profits  or
losses  received  or  incurred  by  the  Sponsor  through  its  participation in
underwriting syndicates.  The Sponsor  did not  participate as  either the  sole
underwriter  or as a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the original
underwriter of any of the Bonds.
    
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
the  prices,  shown. Unless  otherwise indicated,  the  Bonds, except  for Bonds
issued at a  substantial original  issue discount, are  redeemable at  declining
prices  (but not below  par value) in subsequent  years. Original issue discount
bonds, including zero coupon bonds, are generally redeemable at prices based  on
the  issue  price  plus  the  amount  of  original  issue  discount  accreted to
redemption plus, if applicable, some premium,  the amount of which will  decline
in  subsequent years. The Bonds  may also be subject  to sinking fund redemption
without premium  prior to  the dates  shown.  Certain Bonds  may be  subject  to
redemption  without  premium prior  to  the date  shown  pursuant to  special or
mandatory call provisions specified in  the instruments setting forth the  terms
and  provisions of  such Bonds.  See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS", "WHAT  IS THE TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
    (3) All the  Bonds in the  Insured Trusts,  as insured by  the Insurer,  are
rated  AAA by Standard  & Poor's and Aaa  by Moody's. In  addition, Units of the
Trust are rated "AAA" by  Standard & Poor's as a  result of such insurance.  The
"AAA" rating on the Units will be in effect for a period of thirteen months from
the  Date  of Deposit  and will,  unless renewed,  terminate at  the end  of the
period. The insurance obtained by the  Trust guarantees the payment of  interest
and  principal on  the Bonds when  due but  does not cover  certain market risks
associated with fixed income securities  such as accelerated payments,  premiums
payable  on mandatory redemptions or interest rate  risks. (See "WHY AND HOW ARE
THE BONDS INSURED?" in Part B of this Prospectus and "Description of Ratings" in
the Information Supplement.)
 
                                     4 of 6
<PAGE>
                             Statement of Condition
 
   
                       NUVEEN NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324
    
 
   
                    (Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 880)
    
 
   
                              AS OF JULY 26, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
    TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-Exempt Bonds,
  backed by an irrevocable letter of
  credit(1)(2)....................................  $    9,496,215
Accrued interest to July 26, 1996 on underlying
  Bonds(1)........................................          68,368
Organizational costs(3)...........................          15,100
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    9,579,683
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
   LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to July 26, 1996 on
     underlying Bonds(4)..........................  $       68,368
    Accrued organizational costs(3)...............          15,100
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $       83,468
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest
     outstanding (100,000)
      Cost to investors(5)........................  $    9,985,460
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6)....        (489,245)
                                                    --------------
    Net amount applicable to investors............  $    9,496,215
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    9,579,683
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
- ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include  "when
    issued"  or  "regular  way" or  "delayed  delivery" contracts  for  which an
    irrevocable letter of  credit issued  by a  major commercial  bank has  been
    deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter
    of  credit  and any  cash  deposited exceeds  the  amount necessary  for the
    purchase of the Bonds plus accrued interest  to the Date of Deposit. At  the
    Date  of Deposit, Bonds may  have been delivered to  the Sponsor pursuant to
    certain of these contracts; the Sponsor  has assigned to the Trustee all  of
    its rights, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
(2) Aggregate  value (at offering prices) as of the Date of Deposit of the Bonds
    listed under "Schedule of Investments"  herein, and their aggregate cost  to
    the  Trust are the same.  Such offering prices were  determined by Kenny S&P
    Evaluation Services, a division of J.J. Kenny Co., Inc., as of the close  of
    business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See "HOW WAS THE
    PRICE  OF THE BONDS  DETERMINED AT THE DATE  OF DEPOSIT?" in  Part B of this
    Prospectus.) Insurance coverage providing for the timely payment, when  due,
    of  all principal of and interest on the  Bonds in an Insured Trust has been
    obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does
    not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units.  Both
    the bid and the offering prices of the underlying Bonds and of the Units may
    include value attributable to such policies of insurance.
 
(3) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    estimated organizational costs  which will  be deferred  and amortized  over
    five years from the Date of Deposit.
 
(4) Representing,  as set forth in "WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by  the Trustee of  an amount equal  to the  accrued
    Bond interest as of the Date of Deposit.
 
(5) Aggregate  Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B  of
    this Prospectus.
 
(6) The  gross underwriting commission of 4.90% of the Public Offering Price has
    been calculated on the assumption that the  Units sold are not subject to  a
    reduction  of sales  charge for  quantity purchases.  In single transactions
    involving 500 Units or more, the sales  charge is reduced. (See "HOW IS  THE
    PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     5 of 6
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
TO  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN  NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324:
    
 
   
    We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the schedule  of
investments  at  date of  deposit (included  in  Part A  of this  Prospectus) of
National Insured  Trust 324  (contained in  Nuveen Tax-Free  Unit Trust,  Series
880),  as of July 26, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Sponsor. Our  responsibility is  to express  an opinion  on these  financial
statements based on our audit.
    
 
    We  conducted  our  audit  in accordance  with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit arrangement for the purchase of
securities,  described  in  Note   (1)  to  the   statement  of  condition,   by
correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by  the  Sponsor, as  well as
evaluating the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that  our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
    In  our opinion, the statement of  condition and the schedule of investments
at date of deposit referred to  above present fairly, in all material  respects,
the  financial position of  National Insured Trust  324 as of  July 26, 1996, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
Chicago, Illinois,
July 26, 1996.
    
 
                                     6 of 6
<PAGE>
   
                                 JULY 26, 1996
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
    
                                           A
   
NUVEEN               NUVEEN PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS SERIES 880)
    
                                               CUSIP NUMBERS:
   
                                               Monthly:               6706H8 647
                                               Quarterly:             6706H8 654
                                               Semi-Annually:         6706H8 662
    
   
              PROSPECTUS--PART A (SPECIFIC TERMS) -- JULY 26, 1996
 THIS PART A OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE
                                   PART B OF
  THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUSTS PROSPECTUS, TO WHICH SUCH REFERENCE HEREIN
                           APPLIES. ANY REFERENCE TO
   "NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUSTS" IN PART B SHALL BE AMENDED TO READ "NUVEEN
                             TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS."
     BOTH PARTS OF THE PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
    
 
   
    Pennsylvania  Insured Trust  214 (the  "Trust") consists  of a  portfolio of
interest-bearing  obligations  issued  by   or  on  behalf   of  the  State   of
Pennsylvania,  certain United  States Territories  or authorities  and political
subdivisions thereof which,  in the opinion  of recognized bond  counsel to  the
issuing  authorities, provide income which is exempt from Federal income tax and
Pennsylvania state and local income taxes, to the extent indicated below.
    
    The objectives of the Trust are income exempt from Federal and state  income
taxes,  and conservation  of capital. The  objectives are,  of course, dependent
upon the continuing  ability of the  issuers, obligors and/or  insurers to  meet
their respective obligations.
   
    The  Portfolio of  the Trust  consists of  7 obligations  issued by entities
located in Pennsylvania and  one obligation issued by  an entity located in  the
Territory  of Puerto Rico. The Bonds in the Trust are either general obligations
of the  governmental entity  issuing them  and are  backed by  the taxing  power
thereof  or  are payable  as  to principal  and interest  from  the income  of a
specific project or  authority and are  not supported by  the issuer's power  to
levy taxes. The sources of payment for the Bonds are divided as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NUMBER OF                                              PORTFOLIO
      ISSUES                PURPOSE OF ISSUE                PERCENTAGE
  ---------------  ----------------------------------------------------
  <C>              <S>                                     <C>
         2         General Obligations                            29   %
         2         Health Care Facility Revenue                   29
         1         Electrical System Revenue                      14
         1         College and University Revenue                 14
         2         Water and/or Sewer Revenue                     14
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Approximately  18.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 15.2% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds) are original issue discount obligations. Certain of these original  issue
discount  obligations, amounting to  4.3% of the  aggregate principal amount and
1.0% of  the aggregate  offering price  of the  Bonds in  the Trust,  are  "zero
coupon"  bonds. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus for a discussion
of  the  characteristics  of  such  obligations  and  of  the  risks  associated
therewith.
    
    All  of the Bonds in the Trust are covered by policies of insurance obtained
from the  MBIA  Insurance  Corporation guaranteeing  payment  of  principal  and
interest  when due. As a  result of such insurance, the  Bonds in the Trust have
received a rating of "Aaa"  by Moody's and both the  Bonds in the Trust and  the
Units of the Trust have received a rating of "AAA" by Standard & Poor's.
   
    The  Trust is considered to be concentrated in Bonds of Health Care Facility
Revenue Issuers whose revenues are subject to certain risks including  increased
governmental regulation, fluctuating occupancy levels and increased competition.
For  a  discussion of  the risks  associated  with investments  in the  bonds of
various issuers, see "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
    
   
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
              REGARDING THE NUVEEN PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214
        ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, JULY 25, 1996
    
         Sponsor and Evaluator.......... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
         Trustee.............................. The Chase Manhattan Bank
                ------------------------------------------------
 
The income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been  calculated
for   Unitholders  receiving  monthly,  quarterly  or  semi-annual  distribution
options.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $     3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................           35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....         1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $     3,322,801
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $         94.94
    Plus Sales Charge 4.9% (5.152% of the Aggregate
     Offering Price of the Bonds per Unit)..........  $          4.89
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $         99.83
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $         94.45
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $         94.94
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $          5.38
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $          4.89
Average Maturity of Bonds in the Trust(2)...........       27.5 years
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
Information   contained  herein  is  subject   to  completion  or  amendment.  A
registration statement  relating to  these securities  has been  filed with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission. These securities  may not be  sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior  to the time the registration statement  becomes
effective.  This  Prospectus  shall  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in  any State in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any State.
 
                                     1 of 7
<PAGE>
                         ESSENTIAL INFORMATION (CONT.)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  MONTHLY        QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
  <S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
  Calculation of Estimated Net Annual
    Interest Income Per Unit
      Annual Interest Income(3)............         $5.5079         $5.5079        $5.5079
      Less Estimated Annual Expense........          $.2414          $.2094         $.1904
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
      Estimated Net Annual Interest
        Income(4)..........................         $5.2665         $5.2985        $5.3175
  Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit...........         $.01462         $.01471        $.01477
  ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN(5)..............            5.28%           5.31%          5.33 %
  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN(5)............            5.33%           5.35%          5.37 %
  Trustee's Annual Fees(6).................         $1.5353         $1.2153        $1.0253
Date of Deposit......................................................................................July 26, 1996
Settlement Date......................................................................................July 31, 1996
Mandatory Termination Date....................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Minimum Value of Each Trust...................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.........................................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Estimated Annual Organizational Expenses(7).......................................................$.03086 per Unit
- ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
The evaluation time for purpose  of sale, purchase or  redemption of Units is  4
p.m.  Eastern time or as of  any earlier closing time on  a day on which the New
York Stock Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time.  (See
"HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
   
(1) Units  are offered at  the Public Offering Price  plus accrued interest from
    the preceding Record  Date to,  but not  including, the  date of  settlement
    (normally  three business days  after purchase). The Date  of Deposit of the
    Fund has  been  designated  as  the  First Record  Date  for  all  plans  of
    distribution  of the Trust and, accordingly, for Units purchased on the Date
    of Deposit, $.07 of accrued interest to the Settlement Date will be added to
    the Public Offering  Price. (See "WHAT  IS ACCRUED INTEREST?"  in Part B  of
    this Prospectus.)
    
 
(2) The  Average Maturity  of Bonds  in the Trust  is calculated  based upon the
    stated maturities of the Bonds in the  Trust (or, with respect to Bonds  for
    which funds or securities have been placed in escrow to redeem such Bonds on
    a  stated call  date, based  upon such call  date). The  Average Maturity of
    Bonds in the  Trust may  increase or  decrease from  time to  time as  Bonds
    mature or are called or sold.
 
(3) Assumes  delivery of  all Bonds. (See  "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" appearing in
    Part B of this  Prospectus.) Interest income does  not include accretion  of
    original  issue  discount on  "zero coupon"  Bonds, Stripped  Obligations or
    other original issue discount Bonds. (See  "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of  this
    Prospectus.)
 
(4) The  amount and  timing of interest  distributions from the  Trust under the
    various plans of distribution  are set forth below.  It is anticipated  that
    the  amount of interest to  be distributed per Unit  in each year under each
    plan of distribution will initially be substantially equal to the  Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan. The amount of interest to
    be  distributed  annually  per  Unit, will  generally  change  as  Bonds are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
(5) Estimated Long  Term Return  for the  Trust represents  the average  of  the
    yields  to  maturity  (or  call)  of  the  Bonds  in  the  Trust's portfolio
    calculated in  accordance  with  accepted bond  practices  and  adjusted  to
    reflect  a compounding factor, expenses and sales charges. Estimated Current
    Return is computed by  dividing the Net Annual  Interest Income per Unit  by
    the  Public Offering  Price, and in  contrast to Estimated  Long Term Return
    does not reflect the  amortization of premium or  accretion of discount,  if
    any.  For  more information  see "WHAT  ARE ESTIMATED  LONG TERM  RETURN AND
    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6) Each Trustee annual  fee is per  $1,000 principal amount  of the  underlying
    Bonds  in  the  Trust  for  that portion  of  the  Trust  that  represents a
    particular plan of distribution.
 
(7) The Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of  its
    organizational   costs  (including  costs   of  preparing  the  registration
    statements, the  trust indenture  and other  closing documents,  registering
    Units  with the Securities  and Exchange Commission  and states, the initial
    audit of the Trust portfolio, legal  fees and the initial fees and  expenses
    of  the Trustee but not  including the expenses incurred  in the printing of
    preliminary and final prospectuses, and expenses incurred in the preparation
    and printing  of brochures  and other  advertising materials  and any  other
    selling  expenses)  as  is  common for  mutual  funds.  Total organizational
    expenses will be  amortized over a  five year period.  See "WHAT ARE  NORMAL
    TRUST  OPERATING EXPENSES?" in  Part B of this  Prospectus and "Statement of
    Condition." Historically, the sponsors of  unit investment trusts have  paid
    all the costs of establishing such trusts.
 
                                     2 of 7
<PAGE>
                             INTEREST DISTRIBUTION
 
    Details  of interest distributions  per Unit of the  Trust under the various
plans appear in  the following table  based upon estimated  Net Annual  Interest
Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
                                                  1996                             1997                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        9/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       9/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5117(1)                                                  $  5.2665
                                                          --------  $.4386 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5117(1)   $   .8826(2)   $  1.3239      $  1.3239        $  5.2985
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5117(1)   $   .8862(3)                  $  2.6586        $  5.3175
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Record  Dates for  semi-annual distributions  are May  1 and  November 1; for
   quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
   Record Dates  for monthly  distributions are  the first  day of  each  month.
   Distribution  Dates under each distribution plan are the fifteenth day of the
   month  in  which  the  respective   Record  Date  occurred.  For   additional
   information  see "WHEN ARE  DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?"  in Part B of
   this Prospectus.
 
(1) The first distribution will  be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of  the
    distribution  plan selected.  Such distribution may  be more or  less than a
    regular monthly distribution.
 
   
(2) The second distribution under the  quarterly distribution plan represents  a
    2-month  distribution;  subsequent quarterly  distributions will  be regular
    3-month distributions.
    
 
   
(3) The second distribution under the semi-annual distribution plan represents a
    2-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual  distributions will be  regular
    6-month distributions.
    
 
                           PENNSYLVANIA RISK FACTORS
 
    The  financial condition of the Commonwealth  of Pennsylvania is affected by
various national, economic,  social and environmental  policies and  conditions.
Additionally,  Constitutional and statutory limitations imposed on the State and
its local governments concerning taxes, bond indebtedness and other matters  may
constrain  the  revenue-generating capacity  of the  Commonwealth and  its local
governments and, therefore, the ability of  the issuers of the Bonds to  satisfy
their  obligations. Historically,  the Commonwealth  has experienced significant
revenue shortfalls.
 
    The economic vitality of the State  and its various regions and,  therefore,
the  ability of the  State and its  local governments to  satisfy the Bonds, are
affected by numerous factors.  The economy of the  Commonwealth continues to  be
dependent on heavy industry and manufacturing. These sectors tend to be cyclical
and are facing increasing competition from foreign producers.
 
    The  Commonwealth is a party to numerous  lawsuits in which an adverse final
decision could materially affect the Commonwealth's governmental operations  and
consequently its ability to pay debt service on its obligations.
 
    All outstanding general obligation bonds of the Commonwealth are rated AA-
by Standard and Poor's and A1 by Moody's.
 
    Further  information concerning  Pennsylvania risk  factors may  be obtained
upon written  or  telephonic request  to  the  Trustee as  described  in  "OTHER
INFORMATION -- Supplemental Information" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
                                   TAX STATUS
 
    For  a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Trust Units,
see "WHAT  IS THE  TAX  STATUS OF  UNITHOLDERS?" appearing  in  Part B  of  this
Prospectus.
 
    In  the opinion of  Dechert Price & Rhoads,  special Pennsylvania counsel to
the Trust, under existing law:
 
    Units evidencing fractional undivided interests in the Trust are not subject
to any of the personal property taxes presently in effect in Pennsylvania to the
extent of  that proportion  of the  Trust  represented by  Bonds issued  by  the
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania, its  agencies and  instrumentalities, or  by any
county, city, borough, town, township,  school district, municipality and  local
housing  or parking authority  in the Commonwealth of  Pennsylvania or issued by
Puerto  Rico,  the  Virgin  Islands,  Guam  or  the  Northern  Mariana   Islands
("Pennsylvania  Bonds"). The taxes referred to above include the County Personal
Property Tax,  the  additional personal  property  taxes imposed  on  Pittsburgh
residents  by the School District  of Pittsburgh and by  the City of Pittsburgh.
The City of Pittsburgh, the School  District of Pittsburgh and Allegheny  County
cannot  impose personal property taxes as of January 1, 1995. Trust Units may be
taxable under the Pennsylvania inheritance and estate taxes.
 
                                     3 of 7
<PAGE>
    The  proportion  of  interest  income  representing  interest  income   from
Pennsylvania  Bonds distributed to Unitholders of the Trust is not taxable under
the Pennsylvania  Personal Income  Tax or  under the  Corporate Net  Income  Tax
imposed  on corporations  by Article IV  of the  Tax Reform Code.  Nor will such
interest be taxable under the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax
imposed on Philadelphia resident individuals.
 
    The disposition  by the  Trust  of a  Pennsylvania  Bond (whether  by  sale,
exchange, redemption or payment at maturity) will not constitute a taxable event
to  a Unitholder under the Pennsylvania  Personal Income Tax if the Pennsylvania
Bond was  issued  prior to  February  1, 1994.  Further,  although there  is  no
published  authority  on the  subject,  counsel is  of  the opinion  that  (i) a
Unitholder of the  Trust will not  have a taxable  event under the  Pennsylvania
state  and local income taxes referred to in the preceding paragraph (other than
the Corporate Net Income  Tax) upon the  redemption or sale of  his Unit to  the
extent  that the Trust is  then comprised of Pennsylvania  Bonds issued prior to
February 1, 1994 and (ii) the dispositions  by the Trust of a Pennsylvania  Bond
(whether  by  sale,  exchange,  redemption  or  payment  at  maturity)  will not
constitute a taxable event to a Unitholder under the Corporate Net Income Tax or
the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax if the Pennsylvania  Bond
was  issued  prior  to  February  1,  1994.  (The  School  District  tax  has no
application to gain on the disposition of property held by the taxpayer for more
than six months.)
 
    Gains on  the  sale, exchange,  redemption,  or  payment at  maturity  of  a
Pennsylvania Bond issued on or after February 1, 1994, will be taxable under all
of  these taxes, as will gains on the redemption or sale of a unit to the extent
that the Trust is comprised of Pennsylvania Bonds issued on or after February 1,
1994.
 
                                     4 of 7
<PAGE>
   
                     NUVEEN PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES 880)
         SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, JULY 26, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's        Price
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities          2006 at 100        AAA         Aaa     $       495,000
                   Authority (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania),
                   Revenue Bonds, State System of Higher
                   Education, Series N, 5.80% Due 6/15/24.
    500,000      Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority     2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             498,200
                   (Allegheny County, Pennsylvania), Hospital
                   Revenue Bonds, Series A of 1996 (South Hills
                   Health System), 5.875% Due 5/1/26.
    500,000      Delaware County Authority (Commonwealth of          2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             474,950
                   Pennsylvania), Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series
                   of 1995 (Delaware County Memorial Hospital),
                   5.50% Due 8/15/19. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about July 27, 1995 at
                   a price of 94.645% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Erie City School District, Erie County,             2006 at 100        AAA         Aaa             489,485
                   Pennsylvania, General Obligation Bonds,
                   Series A of 1996, 5.75% Due 5/1/26.
    500,000      Northampton County Industrial Development           2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             507,975
                   Authority (Pennsylvania), Pollution Control
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, 1995 Series A
                   (Metropolitan Edison Company Project), 6.10%
                   Due 7/15/21.
    150,000     * Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County      No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa              31,746
                   (Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania),
                   Municipal Service Revenue Bonds, Series of
                   1995A, 0.00% Due 8/15/22. (Original issue
                   discount bonds delivered on or about July 27,
                   1995 at a price of 19.274% of principal
                   amount.)
    350,000      Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County          2006 at 100        AAA         Aaa             350,000
                   (Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania),
                   Municipal Service Revenue Bonds, Series of
                   1996, 5.90% Due 2/15/25. (When issued.)
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2006 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             475,445
                   Bonds of 1996 (General Obligation Bonds.),
                   5.40% Due 7/1/25.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,322,801
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*_ These Bonds, or  a portion  thereof, have  delivery dates  beyond the  normal
   settlement  date. Their expected delivery date  is August 20, 1996. Contracts
   relating to  Bonds with  delivery  dates after  the  date of  settlement  for
   purchase  made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 4%  of the
   aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" in Part
   B of this Prospectus.)
    
 
- ------------
 
    (1) The Sponsor's contracts to purchase  Bonds were entered into during  the
period  from July  24, 1996  to July 26,  1996. Other  information regarding the
Bonds in the Trust on the Date of Deposit is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ANNUAL
                                                           PROFIT      INTEREST
                                              COST TO     (OR LOSS)    INCOME TO    BID PRICE
                   TRUST                      SPONSOR    TO SPONSOR      TRUST      OF BONDS
  ----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214..........  $ 3,311,326  $   11,475   $  192,775   $ 3,305,676
</TABLE>
    
 
   
In addition,  the difference  between the  Trustee's determination  of  Offering
Price  and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .49%. Neither cost
to Sponsor nor  profit (or  loss) to  Sponsor reflects  underwriting profits  or
losses  received  or  incurred  by  the  Sponsor  through  its  participation in
underwriting syndicates.  The Sponsor  did not  participate as  either the  sole
underwriter  or as a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the original
underwriter of any of the Bonds.
    
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
the  prices,  shown. Unless  otherwise indicated,  the  Bonds, except  for Bonds
issued at a  substantial original  issue discount, are  redeemable at  declining
prices  (but not below  par value) in subsequent  years. Original issue discount
bonds, including zero coupon bonds, are generally redeemable at prices based  on
the  issue  price  plus  the  amount  of  original  issue  discount  accreted to
redemption plus, if applicable, some premium,  the amount of which will  decline
in  subsequent years. The Bonds  may also be subject  to sinking fund redemption
without premium  prior to  the dates  shown.  Certain Bonds  may be  subject  to
redemption  without  premium prior  to  the date  shown  pursuant to  special or
mandatory call provisions specified in  the instruments setting forth the  terms
and  provisions of  such Bonds.  See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS", "WHAT  IS THE TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
    (3) All the  Bonds in the  Insured Trusts,  as insured by  the Insurer,  are
rated  AAA by Standard  & Poor's and Aaa  by Moody's. In  addition, Units of the
Trust are rated "AAA" by  Standard & Poor's as a  result of such insurance.  The
"AAA" rating on the Units will be in effect for a period of thirteen months from
the  Date  of Deposit  and will,  unless renewed,  terminate at  the end  of the
period. The insurance obtained by the  Trust guarantees the payment of  interest
and  principal on  the Bonds when  due but  does not cover  certain market risks
associated with fixed income securities  such as accelerated payments,  premiums
payable  on mandatory redemptions or interest rate  risks. (See "WHY AND HOW ARE
THE BONDS INSURED?" in Part B of this Prospectus and "Description of Ratings" in
the Information Supplement.)
 
                                     5 of 7
<PAGE>
                             Statement of Condition
 
   
                     NUVEEN PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214
    
 
   
                    (Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 880)
    
 
   
                              AS OF JULY 26, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
    TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-Free Bonds,
  backed by an irrevocable letter of
  credit(1)(2)....................................  $    3,322,801
Accrued interest to July 26, 1996 on underlying
  Bonds(1)........................................          36,447
Organizational costs(3)...........................           5,400
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    3,364,648
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
   LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to July 26, 1996 on
     underlying Bonds(4)..........................  $       36,447
    Accrued organizational costs(3)...............           5,400
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $       41,847
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest
     outstanding (35,000)
      Cost to investors(5)........................  $    3,493,992
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6)....        (171,191)
                                                    --------------
    Net amount applicable to investors............  $    3,322,801
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    3,364,648
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include  "when
    issued"  or  "regular  way" or  "delayed  delivery" contracts  for  which an
    irrevocable letter of  credit issued  by a  major commercial  bank has  been
    deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter
    of  credit  and any  cash  deposited exceeds  the  amount necessary  for the
    purchase of the Bonds plus accrued interest  to the Date of Deposit. At  the
    Date  of Deposit, Bonds may  have been delivered to  the Sponsor pursuant to
    certain of these contracts; the Sponsor  has assigned to the Trustee all  of
    its rights, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
(2) Aggregate  value (at offering prices) as of the Date of Deposit of the Bonds
    listed under "Schedule of Investments"  herein, and their aggregate cost  to
    the  Trust are the same.  Such offering prices were  determined by Kenny S&P
    Evaluation Services, a division of J.J. Kenny Co., Inc., as of the close  of
    business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See "HOW WAS THE
    PRICE  OF THE BONDS  DETERMINED AT THE DATE  OF DEPOSIT?" in  Part B of this
    Prospectus.) Insurance coverage providing for the timely payment, when  due,
    of  all principal of and interest on the  Bonds in an Insured Trust has been
    obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does
    not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units.  Both
    the bid and the offering prices of the underlying Bonds and of the Units may
    include value attributable to such policies of insurance.
 
(3) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    estimated organizational costs  which will  be deferred  and amortized  over
    five years from the Date of Deposit.
 
(4) Representing,  as set forth in "WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by  the Trustee of  an amount equal  to the  accrued
    Bond interest as of the Date of Deposit.
 
(5) Aggregate  Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B  of
    this Prospectus.
 
(6) The  gross underwriting commission of 4.90% of the Public Offering Price has
    been calculated on the assumption that the  Units sold are not subject to  a
    reduction  of sales  charge for  quantity purchases.  In single transactions
    involving 500 Units or more, the sales  charge is reduced. (See "HOW IS  THE
    PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     6 of 7
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
TO  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN  NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214:
    
 
   
    We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the schedule  of
investments  at  date of  deposit (included  in  Part A  of this  Prospectus) of
Pennsylvania Insured Trust 214 (contained in Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust,  Series
880),  as of July 26, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Sponsor. Our  responsibility is  to express  an opinion  on these  financial
statements based on our audit.
    
 
    We  conducted  our  audit  in accordance  with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit arrangement for the purchase of
securities,  described  in  Note   (1)  to  the   statement  of  condition,   by
correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by  the  Sponsor, as  well as
evaluating the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that  our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
    In  our opinion, the statement of  condition and the schedule of investments
at date of deposit referred to  above present fairly, in all material  respects,
the financial position of Pennsylvania Insured Trust 214 as of July 26, 1996, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
Chicago, Illinois,
July 26, 1996.
    
 
                                     7 of 7
<PAGE>
                          NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS
 
                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
 
   
                               NUVEEN SERIES 880
    
 
   
                This   Information  Supplement  provides  additional
            information concerning  the  structure,  operations  and
            risks  of a Nuveen Tax-Free Unit  Trust not found in the
            prospectuses for the Trusts. This Information Supplement
            is not  a prospectus  and does  not include  all of  the
            information  that a prospective investor should consider
            before investing in a Trust. This Information Supplement
            should be read  in conjunction with  the prospectus  for
            the  Trust in which an investor is considering investing
            ("Prospectus"). Copies of the Prospectus can be obtained
            by calling  or  writing  the Trustee  at  the  telephone
            number   and  address   indicated  in  Part   B  of  the
            Prospectus. This Information Supplement has been created
            to supplement information contained in the Prospectus.
    
 
   
                This Information Supplement is dated July 26,  1996.
            Capitalized terms have been defined in the Prospectus.
    
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
               --------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
GENERAL RISK DISCLOSURE.....................................................           2
  Health Facility Obligations...............................................           2
  Housing Obligations.......................................................           2
  Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds......................................           2
  Federally Enhanced Obligations............................................           3
  Industrial Revenue Obligations............................................           3
  Electric Utility Obligations..............................................           3
  Transportation Facility Revenue Bonds.....................................           4
  Water and/or Sewerage Obligations.........................................           4
  University and College Revenue Obligations................................           4
  Bridge Authority and Tollroad Obligations.................................           4
  Dedicated-Tax Supported Bonds.............................................           4
  Municipal Lease Bonds.....................................................           5
  Original Issue Discount Bonds and Stripped Obligations....................           5
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?..........................................           6
ACCUMULATION PLAN...........................................................           8
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR...............................................          10
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS......................................................          11
HOW THE TRUST COMPARES PERFORMANCE..........................................          13
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME......................................          14
Appendix A -- National Disclosure...........................................         A-1
Appendix B -- Pennsylvania Disclosure.......................................         B-1
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
GENERAL RISK DISCLOSURE
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that such an investment may  entail. These include the ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when due, the  effects of changes in  interest rates generally,  early
call provisions and the potential for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As
set  forth in the portfolio  summaries in Part A  of this Prospectus, the Trusts
may contain or be concentrated  in one or more of  the types of bonds  discussed
below.   The  following  paragraphs  discuss  certain  circumstances  which  may
adversely affect the  ability of issuers  of Bonds  held in the  portfolio of  a
Trust  to make payment of principal and  interest thereon or which may adversely
affect the  ratings of  such Bonds;  with respect  to Insured  Trusts,  however,
because of the insurance obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds,
such changes should not adversely affect an Insured Trust's receipt of principal
and  interest, the Standard & Poor's AAA or  Moody's Aaa ratings of the Bonds in
the Insured Trust portfolio, or the Standard & Poor's AAA rating of the Units of
each such Insured Trust. For economic  risks specific to the individual  Trusts,
see "Risk Factors" for each Trust.
 
    HEALTH  FACILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are  derived from  services provided  by
hospitals  or other health care facilities,  including nursing homes. Ratings of
bonds issued  for health  care  facilities are  sometimes based  on  feasibility
studies  that contain projections of occupancy  levels, revenues and expenses. A
facility's gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may  be
affected  by future events and conditions  including, among other things, demand
for services, the ability of the  facility to provide the services required,  an
increasing  shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments  in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar providers,
efforts by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates,  legislation
establishing  state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation, the
cost and possible unavail-
ability  of  malpractice  insurance,  and  the  termination  or  restriction  of
governmental  financial  assistance,  including that  associated  with Medicare,
Medicaid and other similar third  party payor programs. Medicare  reimbursements
are  currently  calculated  on  a  prospective basis  and  are  not  based  on a
provider's actual  costs.  Such method  of  reimbursement may  adversely  affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare  program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of such
institutions to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a  default
upon  a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses for
such facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not  providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain  hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the damage,
destruction or  condemnation of  the  hospital facilities  or in  other  special
circumstances.
 
    HOUSING  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations of
issuers whose  revenues are  primarily derived  from mortgage  loans to  housing
projects  for  low  to  moderate  income  families.  Such  issues  are generally
characterized by mandatory redemption at par  or, in the case of original  issue
discount  bonds, accreted  value in  the event of  economic defaults  and in the
event of a failure of the operator of a project to comply with certain covenants
as to the operation of the project. The failure of such operator to comply  with
certain  covenants related  to the tax-exempt  status of interest  on the Bonds,
such as provisions requiring that a  specified percentage of units be rented  or
available for rental to low or moderate income families, potentially could cause
interest on such Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from the date of
issuance of the Bonds. The ability of such issuers to make debt service payments
will   be  affected  by  events  and  conditions  affecting  financed  projects,
including, among other  things, the  achievement and  maintenance of  sufficient
occupancy  levels and adequate  rental income, employment  and income conditions
prevailing in local labor markets, increases  in taxes, utility costs and  other
operating  expenses, the managerial ability of project managers, changes in laws
and governmental regulations,  the appropriation  of subsidies,  and social  and
economic  trends affecting  the localities  in which  the projects  are located.
Occupancy of such housing projects may be adversely affected by high rent levels
and income limitations imposed under Federal and state programs.
 
    SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some  of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
single  family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose of
acquiring from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages  on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate  income. Mortgage loans  are generally partially  or completely prepaid
prior to  their final  maturities as  a result  of events  such as  sale of  the
mortgaged  premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these bonds
are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from  such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be  redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from the  failure of  the originating  financial institutions  to make  mortgage
loans   in   sufficient   amounts   within   a   specified   time   period.  The
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
redemption price of such issues may be  more or less than the offering price  of
such  bonds. Additionally,  unusually high  rates of  default on  the underlying
mortgage loans may reduce revenues available for the payment of principal of  or
interest  on such mortgage  revenue bonds. Single  family mortgage revenue bonds
issued after December 31,  1980 were issued under  Section 103A of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or Section 143 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986,  which Sections  contain certain requirements  relating to the  use of the
proceeds of such bonds  in order for  the interest on such  bonds to retain  its
tax-exempt  status. In  each case,  the issuer  of the  bonds has  covenanted to
comply with applicable requirements and bond  counsel to such issuer has  issued
an  opinion that  the interest on  the bonds  is exempt from  Federal income tax
under existing  laws  and regulations.  There  can  be no  assurance  that  such
continuing requirements will be satisfied; the failure to meet such requirements
could  cause interest  on the  Bonds to be  subject to  Federal income taxation,
possibly from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    FEDERALLY ENHANCED  OBLIGATIONS.   Some of  the mortgages  which secure  the
various  health care or housing projects which underlie the previously discussed
Health Facility, Housing,  and Single Family  Mortgage Revenue Obligations  (the
"Obligations")  in a Trust may be  insured by the Federal Housing Administration
("FHA"). Under FHA  regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage amount  cannot
exceed  90%  of the  FHA's  estimated value  of  the project.  The  FHA mortgage
insurance does not constitute a guarantee of timely payment of the principal  of
and  interest on the Obligations. Payment  of mortgage insurance benefits may be
(1) less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or (2) delayed  if
disputes  arise as to  the amount of the  payment or if  certain notices are not
given to the FHA within  the prescribed time periods.  In addition, some of  the
previously  discussed Obligations may be secured by mortgage-backed certificates
guaranteed by the  Government National Mortgage  Association ("GNMA"), a  wholly
owned  corporate  instrumentality  of  the  United  States,  and/or  the Federal
National  Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie   Mae")  a  federally  chartered   and
stockholder-owed  corporation. GNMA and  Fannie Mae guarantee  timely payment of
principal and  interest  on the  mortgage-backed  certificates, even  where  the
underlying   mortgage  payments   are  not  made.   While  such  mortgage-backed
certificates are often pledged  to secure payment of  principal and interest  on
the  Obligations, timely payment of interest and principal on the Obligations is
not insured or guaranteed by  the United States, GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any  other
governmental  agency or  instrumentality. The  GNMA mortgage-backed certificates
constitute a general obligation  of the United States  backed by its full  faith
and  credit. The obligations of Fannie  Mae, including its obligations under the
Fannie Mae mortgage-backed securities, are obligations solely of Fannie Mae  and
are  not backed  by, or  entitled to, the  full faith  and credit  of the United
States.
 
    INDUSTRIAL REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may  be
industrial  revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), including pollution  control revenue bonds,
which  are  tax-exempt  securities  issued  by  states,  municipalities,  public
authorities  or similar entities to finance  the cost of acquiring, constructing
or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by
corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to
the extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the IRBs  or
receipts  or revenues of the issuer under  an arrangement between the issuer and
the corporate operator of  a project. The  arrangement may be in  the form of  a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,
but  in each case  the payments to the  issuer are designed  to be sufficient to
meet the  payments of  amounts due  on the  IRBs. Regardless  of the  structure,
payment  of IRBs is solely dependent  upon the creditworthiness of the corporate
operator of  the  project and,  if  applicable, corporate  guarantor.  Corporate
operators  or  guarantors may  be affected  by  many factors  which may  have an
adverse impact on  the credit  quality of  the particular  company or  industry.
These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental
restrictions,  litigation  resulting  from  accidents  or environmentally-caused
illnesses, extensive competition  and financial deterioration  resulting from  a
corporate  restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or otherwise.
Such a restructuring  may result in  the operator of  a project becoming  highly
leveraged  which may have an impact on such operator's creditworthiness which in
turn would have  an adverse impact  on the  rating and/or market  value of  such
Bonds.  Further, the  possibility of  such a  restructuring may  have an adverse
impact on the market for and consequently  the value of such Bonds, even  though
no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs in
a  Trust may be subject to  special or extraordinary redemption provisions which
may provide for redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue  discount
bonds,  accreted value. The  Sponsor cannot predict the  causes or likelihood of
the redemption of IRBs in a Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    ELECTRIC UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the Bonds  in  a  Trust  may  be
obligations  of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived from  the sale of
electric energy. The problems  faced by such issuers  include the difficulty  in
obtaining  approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the applicable
public utility  commissions,  the  difficulty of  financing  large  construction
programs,  increased competition, reductions  in estimates of  future demand for
electricity in certain areas of the  country, the limitations on operations  and
increased costs and delays
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
attributable  to  environmental considerations,  the  difficulty of  the capital
market in absorbing utility debt, the difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable
prices and the  effect of  energy conservation. All  of such  issuers have  been
experiencing certain of these problems in varying degrees. In addition, Federal,
state  and  municipal  governmental authorities  may  from time  to  time review
existing,  and   impose  additional,   regulations  governing   the   licensing,
construction  and operation of nuclear power  plants, which may adversely affect
the ability of the issuers of certain of  the Bonds in a Trust to make  payments
of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION  FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be
obligations of issuers which  are payable from and  secured by revenues  derived
from  the ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and ports.
The major portion of  an airport's gross operating  income is generally  derived
from  fees received  from airlines pursuant  to use agreements  which consist of
annual payments for airport  use, occupancy of  certain terminal space,  service
fees  and  leases. Airport  operating income  may therefore  be affected  by the
ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements.  The
air  transport industry is  experiencing significant variations  in earnings and
traffic,  due  to  increased  competition,  excess  capacity,  increased  costs,
deregulation,  traffic constraints and  other factors, and  several airlines are
experiencing severe financial difficulties.  In particular, facilities with  use
agreements involving airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a
reduction  in revenue due  to the possible  inability of these  airlines to meet
their use  agreement  obligations because  of  such financial  difficulties  and
possible  bankruptcy.  The Sponsor  cannot  predict what  effect  these industry
conditions may have on airport revenues  which are dependent for payment on  the
financial  condition of the  airlines and their usage  of the particular airport
facility. Bonds that are secured primarily by the revenue collected by a  public
transit  system  typically are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of  sales tax
receipts collected  at  the state  or  local  level, or  of  other  governmental
financial assistance. Transit system net revenues will be affected by variations
in  utilization,  which  in  turn  may  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  local
governmental subsidization, demographic and  population shifts, and  competition
from  other forms  of transportation;  and by  increased costs,  including costs
resulting from previous deferrals of maintenance. Port authorities derive  their
revenues  primarily from fees imposed on ships using the facilities. The rate of
utilization of such facilities may fluctuate depending on the local economy  and
on  competition from  competing forms  of transportation  such as  air, rail and
trucks.
 
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the  Bonds in a  Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water and/or
sewerage services. Such Bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems
of such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  timely  and  adequate  rate
increases,  population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the difficulty
of financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations  and
increased  costs and  delays attributable  to environmental  considerations, the
increasing difficulty of obtaining or  discovering new supplies of fresh  water,
the  effect  of  conservation  programs and  the  impact  of  "no-growth" zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
    UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some of  the Bonds in a  Trust
may  be obligations  of issuers  which are,  or which  govern the  operation of,
colleges and universities and  whose revenues are  derived mainly from  tuition,
dormitory  revenues,  grants and  endowments. General  problems of  such issuers
include the prospect of a declining  percentage of the population consisting  of
"college"  age  individuals,  possible  inability  to  raise  tuitions  and fees
sufficiently to cover  increased operating costs,  the uncertainty of  continued
receipt  of  Federal grants  and state  funding,  and government  legislation or
regulations which may adversely  affect the revenues or  costs of such  issuers.
All  of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems in varying
degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND TOLLROAD OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road  or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by  competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in the availability of fuel to  motorists or significant increases in the  costs
thereof.  Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of vehicles
in the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of  the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX  SUPPORTED  BONDS.   Some  of  the  Bonds in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The  various
types  of Bonds  described below  differ in  structure and  with respect  to the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below.  One
type  of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax received
on either real property or on  sales within a specifically defined  geographical
area;  such  tax generally  will  not provide  bondholders  with a  lien  on the
underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is
secured by a special tax levied  on real property within a defined  geographical
area  in such  a manner that  the tax  is levied on  those who  benefit from the
project;  such   bonds  typically   provide  for   a  statutory   lien  on   the
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
underlying  property for unpaid  taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported
Bond may be secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of
commodities or upon the license to pursue certain occupations or upon  corporate
privileges  within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the
ability of  the  designated  revenues  to satisfy  the  interest  and  principal
payments  on such  bonds may be  affected by  changes in the  local economy, the
financial success of the  enterprise responsible for the  payment of the  taxes,
the  value of  any property on  which taxes may  be assessed and  the ability to
collect such  taxes in  a timely  fashion. Each  of these  factors will  have  a
different affect on each distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations that
are  secured  by lease  payments  of a  governmental  entity. Such  payments are
normally subject to  annual budget  appropriations of  the leasing  governmental
entity.  A governmental  entity that enters  into such a  lease agreement cannot
obligate future  governments to  appropriate  for and  make lease  payments  but
covenants  to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due
in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental  entity's
failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could
result  in insufficient funds  available for payment  of the obligations secured
thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities  and as a consequence  were originally sold at  a discount from their
face, or par, values. This original  issue discount, the difference between  the
initial  purchase price and face value, is deemed under current law to accrue on
a daily basis and the accrued  portion is treated as tax-exempt interest  income
for  federal income tax purposes. On sale  or redemption, gain, if any, realized
in excess of the earned  portion of original issue  discount will be taxable  as
capital  gain. See "What is the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of
an original issue discount bond reflects the present value of its face amount at
maturity. In a stable interest rate environment, the market value of an original
issue discount bond would  tend to increase  more slowly in  early years and  in
greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain  of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face  amount
of  the bond at its maturity. The effect of  owning a zero coupon bond is that a
fixed yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in  effect,
on  all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit  yield,
but  at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at higher
rates in  the  future.  For  this  reason, zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject  to
substantially  greater  price  fluctuations during  periods  of  changing market
interest rates  than are  securities  of comparable  quality that  pay  interest
currently.
 
    Original  issue discount bonds, including zero  coupon bonds, may be subject
to redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of  original
issue   discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,  if
applicable, some premium.  Pursuant to  such call provisions  an original  issue
discount  bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than its
face value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about  the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences  of ownership  with respect  to either  the principal  amount of  or a
payment of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped"  by
depositing  it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in ownership
between the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable,  and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation  therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the  amount
payable  at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue Code
treats as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which  produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to  the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or the
yield to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's  Units
which  is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations.  (See
"WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
    Unitholders  should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the state
and local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or  Stripped
Obligations.  Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state and
local taxes, interest on original  issue discount bonds or Stripped  Obligations
may  be deemed to  be received in  the year of  accrual even though  there is no
corresponding cash payment.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS
 
INSURED TRUSTS--The Insurer's policy unconditionally and irrevocably  guarantees
the  full and complete payment required to be made by or on behalf of the Issuer
to the Paying Agent or its successor of an amount equal to (i) the principal  of
(either  at the stated maturity  or by an advancement  of maturity pursuant to a
mandatory sinking fund  payment) and  interest on,  the Bonds  as such  payments
shall  become due  but shall not  be so  paid (except that  in the  event of any
acceleration of  the  due date  of  such principal  by  reason of  mandatory  or
optional  redemption or acceleration resulting  from default or otherwise, other
than any advancement of maturity pursuant  to a mandatory sinking fund  payment,
the  payments guaranteed by the  Insurer's policy shall be  made in such amounts
and at such times as  such payments of principal would  have been due had  there
not  been any such acceleration); and (ii) the reimbursement of any such payment
which is subsequently removed from  any owner of the  Bonds purusant to a  final
judgment  by a court of competent  jurisdiction that such payment constitutes an
avoidable preference  to  such  owner  within  the  meaning  of  any  applicable
bankruptcy law (a "Preference").
 
    The  Insurer's policy does not insure against loss of any prepayment premium
which may at any time be payable with respect to any Bond. The Insurer's  policy
does  not, under any circumstance, insure against loss relating to: (i) optional
or mandatory redemptions (other than  mandatory sinking fund redemptions);  (ii)
any  payments to be made on an accelerated basis; (iii) payments of the purchase
price of Bonds upon tender by an owner thereof; or (iv) any Preference  relating
to  (i) through (iii) above.  The Insurer's policy also  does not insure against
nonpayment of  principal  of  or  interest  on  the  Bonds  resulting  from  the
insolvency,  negligence or any other act or  omission of the Paying Agent or any
other paying agent for the Bonds.
 
    Upon receipt of  telephonic notice,  such notice  subsequently confirmed  in
writing  by registered or certified  mail, or upon receipt  of written notice by
registered or certified mail, by the Insurer from the Paying Agent or any  owner
of  a Bond the  payment of an  insured amount for  which is then  due, that such
required payment has not been made, the Insurer on the due date of such  payment
or within one business day after receipt of notice of such nonpayment, whichever
is later, will make a deposit of funds, in an account with State Street Bank and
Trust Company, N.A., in New York, New York, or its successor, sufficient for the
payment  of any such  insured amounts which  are then due.  Upon presentment and
surrender of such Bonds or presentment of  such other proof of ownership of  the
Bonds,  together with any appropriate instruments  of assignment to evidence the
assignment of the insured amounts due on  the Bonds as are paid by the  Insurer,
and  appropriate instruments to  effect the appointment of  the Insurer as agent
for such owners  of the  Bonds in  any legal  proceeding related  to payment  of
insured  amounts on the Bonds, such instruments  being in a form satisfactory to
State Street Bank and Trust Company,  N.A. State Street Bank and Trust  Company,
N.A.  shall disclose to such  owners or the Paying  Agent payment of the insured
amounts due on  such Bonds, less  any amount held  by the Paying  Agent for  the
payment of such insured amounts and legally available therefor.
 
    The   Insurer,  formerly   known  as  Municipal   Bond  Investors  Assurance
Corporation, is the  principal operating subsidiary  of MBIA, Inc.,  a New  York
Stock Exchange listed company. MBIA Inc. is not obligated to pay the debts of or
claims  against the Insurer. The  Insurer is domiciled in  the State of New York
and licensed to  do business in  all 50  states, the District  of Columbia,  the
Commonwealth  of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth  of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the Virgin Islands of the United States  and the Territory of Guam. The  Insurer
has one European branch in the Republic of France.
 
    As  of December  31, 1995  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.8 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $2.5 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $1.3  billion  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of  March 31,  1996, the  Insurer had  admitted assets  of $4.0
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $2.7  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $1.3 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities. All information regarding the Insurer, a wholly owned subsidiary of
MBIA  Inc., including the financial statements of the Insurer for the year ended
December 31, 1995,  prepared in  accordance with  generally accepted  accounting
principles, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of MBIA Inc. for the year
ended  December 31, 1995 is hereby  incorporated by reference into this Official
Statement and shall be deemed to be a part hereof. Any statement contained in  a
document  incorporated by reference  herein shall be  modified or superceded for
purposes of this  Official Statement to  the extent that  a statement  contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by
reference  herein  modifies  or  supercedes  such  statement.  Any  statement so
modified or superceded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superceded,
to constitute a part of this Official Statement.
 
    Furthermore, copies of the Insurer's year end financial statements  prepared
in  accordance  with  statutory  accounting  practices  are  available  from the
Insurer.  A  copy  of  the  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  of  MBIA,  Inc.   is
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
available  from  the Insurere  or the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission. The
address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
 
    Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") rates the claims paying ability of the
Insurer "Aaa".
 
    Standard & Poor's Ratings Service, a division of the McGraw Hill  Companies,
Inc. ("Standard & Poor's") rates the claims paying ability of the Insurer "AAA".
 
    Fitch  Investors  Service,  L.P., rates  the  claims paying  ability  of the
Insurer "AAA".
 
    Each rating of the Insurer should be evaluated independently. No application
has been made to any other rating  agency in order to obtain additional  ratings
on  the  Bonds.  The  ratings reflect  the  respective  rating  agency's current
assessment of the creditworthiness of the Insurer and its ability to pay  claims
on  its policies of insurance. Any further explanation as to the significance of
the above ratings may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The above ratings are  not recommendations to buy,  sell or hold the  Bonds,
and  such ratings may  be subject to revision  or withdrawal at  any time by the
rating agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both  ratings
may  have an adverse effect  on the market price of  the Bonds. The Insurer does
not guaranty the market price of the Bonds nor does it guaranty that the ratings
on the Bonds will not be revised or withdrawn.
 
TRADITIONAL TRUSTS--Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of  all
principal  and interest on  certain Bonds in  a Traditional Trust  may have been
obtained by the Sponsor, issuer or underwriter of the particular Bonds  involved
or  by another party. Such insurance,  which provides coverage substantially the
same as  that obtained  with respect  to Bonds  in Insured  Trusts as  described
above,  is effective so long as the  insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer
remains in business. Insurance  relates only to the  particular Bond and not  to
the Units offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a
rating  of "Aaa" by Moody's  Investors Service, Inc. and/or  "AAA" by Standard &
Poor's Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If a Bond in a Traditional Trust is insured, the Schedule of Investments  in
Part  A of  this Prospectus  will identify the  insurer. Such  insurance will be
provided by  Financial  Guaranty  Insurance Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC  Indemnity
Corporation  ("AMBAC"), Bond Investors Guaranty  Insurance Company, now known as
MBIA Corp. of  Illinois ("BIG"),  Capital Guaranty  Insurance Company  ("CGIC"),
Financial Security Assurance, Inc. ("FSA"), Municipal Bond Insurance Association
(the "Association"), MBIA Insurance Corporation ("MBIA") or Connie Lee Insurance
Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor to date  has purchased and presently intends
to purchase insurance for Bonds in Traditional Trusts exclusively from MBIA (see
the preceding disclosure  regarding MBIA). There  can be no  assurance that  any
insurer  listed therein  will be  able to satisfy  its commitments  in the event
claims are made in the future. However, Standard & Poor's Corporation has  rated
the  claims-paying ability of each insurer  "AAA," and Moody's Investors Service
has rated  all bonds  insured by  each such  insurer, except  ConnieLee,  "Aaa."
Moody's Investor's Service gives no ratings for bonds insured by ConnieLee.
 
    Because  any such insurance will  be effective so long  as the insured Bonds
are outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining  the
market  value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that  includes
such  Bonds. The insurance does not, however,  guarantee the market value of the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal  underwriter
of  the  Nuveen Municipal  Bond Fund,  Inc. (the  "Bond Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free
Reserves, Inc. ("Tax-Free Reserves"), Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. (the
"California Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free  Bond Fund,  Inc. ("Tax-Free  Bond  Fund"),
Nuveen  Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  (the "Insured Bond  Fund") and Nuveen
Tax-Free Money  Market Fund,  Inc.  (the "Money  Market  Fund") and  the  Nuveen
Multistate  Tax-Free  Trust  (the  "Multistate  Trust").  Each  of  these  funds
(together, the  "Accumulation Funds")  is  an open-end,  diversified  management
investment   company  into  which  Unitholders  may  choose  to  reinvest  Trust
distributions automatically,  without any  sales  charge. (Reinvestment  in  the
California  Fund is available only to  Unitholders who are California residents.
Reinvestment in the State Portfolios of the Tax-Free Bond Fund, the Insured Bond
Fund, the  Money Market  Fund and  the  Multistate Trust  is available  only  to
Unitholders  who  are residents  of  the states  for  which such  portfolios are
named.) Unitholders may  reinvest both interest  and principal distributions  or
principal  distributions only. Each Accumulation  Fund has investment objectives
which differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest  in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser  to  each Accumulation  Fund is  Nuveen  Advisory Corp.,  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of  the  Sponsor. The  following  is  a general  description  of  the
investment  objectives  and  policies  of each  Accumulation  Fund.  For  a more
detailed description, Unitholders should read the prospectus of the Accumulation
Fund in which they are interested.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
THE BOND FUND
 
    The Bond  Fund has  the  objective of  providing,  through investment  in  a
professionally  managed portfolio of long-term municipal  bonds, as high a level
of current interest income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent  with
preservation  of capital. The Bond Fund  may include in its portfolio tax-exempt
bonds rated Baa or BBB or better by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, unrated  bonds
which,  in the  opinion of the  investment adviser,  have credit characteristics
equivalent  to  bonds  rated  Baa  or  BBB  or  better,  and  certain  temporary
investments,  including securities the interest income from which may be subject
to Federal income tax.
 
TAX-FREE RESERVES
 
    Tax-Free Reserves is a  "money market" fund that  includes in its  portfolio
only  obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of acquisition,
maintains an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or less, values its
portfolio at amortized cost and seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per
share. It provides checkwriting and expedited wire redemption privileges for its
shareholders.  Tax-Free  Reserves  has  the  objective  of  providing,   through
investment  in  a professionally  managed portfolio  of high  quality short-term
municipal obligations, as high  a level of current  interest income exempt  from
Federal  income  tax  as is  consistent  with  preservation of  capital  and the
maintenance of  liquidity.  Tax- Free  Reserves  may include  in  its  portfolio
municipal obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, VMIG-1 or Prime-1 by Moody's or AAA,
AA, SP-1 or A-1 by Standard & Poor's, unrated municipal obligations that, in the
opinion  of the  investment adviser,  have credit  characteristics equivalent to
obligations  rated  as  above,  tax-exempt   obligations  backed  by  the   U.S.
Government, and temporary investments that may be subject to Federal income tax.
 
THE CALIFORNIA FUND
 
    The  California Fund has  the objective of  providing, through investment in
professionally managed portfolios of California municipal obligations, as high a
level of current interest income exempt from both Federal and California  income
taxes as is consistent with the investment policies of each of the portfolios of
the  California Fund  and with  preservation of  capital. Each  portfolio of the
California Fund may include  temporary investments that may  be subject to  tax.
California Unitholders may reinvest in one of three portfolios of the California
Fund:  The Nuveen California Tax-Free Value  Fund, the Nuveen California Insured
Tax-Free Value Fund and the Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund.
 
    The Nuveen California  Tax-Free Value  Fund invests  primarily in  long-term
investment  grade California  tax-exempt bonds  (I.E., bonds  rated in  the four
highest categories by  Moody's or Standard  & Poor's or,  if unrated, that  have
equivalent credit characteristics). The Nuveen California Insured Tax-Free Value
Fund  invests primarily in the same type of investments as the Nuveen California
Tax-Free Value Fund,  each of  which is  covered by  insurance guaranteeing  the
timely  payment of  principal and  interest or  is backed  by a  deposit of U.S.
Government securities.
 
    The Nuveen  California  Tax-Free  Money Market  Fund  invests  primarily  in
high-quality  short term California tax-  exempt money market instruments (I.E.,
obligations rated in the two highest categories by Moody's or Standard &  Poor's
or,  if unrated,  that have  equivalent credit  characteristics). This portfolio
will include  only  obligations  maturing  within one  year  from  the  date  of
acquisition, will maintain an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or
less, will value its portfolio at amortized cost and will seek to maintain a net
asset value of $1.00 per share. The Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
provides for an expedited wire redemption privilege.
 
THE TAX-FREE BOND FUND
 
    The  Tax-Free Bond Fund consists of  the Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Value
Fund, the Nuveen New  York Tax-Free Value Fund,  the Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free  Value
Fund,  and the Nuveen New  Jersey Tax-Free Value Fund,  which are each available
for reinvestment to Unitholders  who are residents of  the state for which  such
portfolio  is  named. The  Tax-Free Bond  Fund has  the objective  of providing,
through investment in a professionally managed portfolio of municipal bonds,  as
high  a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal income tax and
from the  income  tax  imposed  by  each  portfolio's  designated  state  as  is
consistent  with preservation of capital. The  Tax-Free Bond Fund may include in
each of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated Baa  or BBB  or better;  unrated
bonds   which,  in   the  opinion  of   the  investment   adviser,  have  credit
characteristics equivalent to  bonds rated  Baa or  BBB or  better; and  certain
temporary  investments, including securities the  interest income from which may
be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE INSURED BOND FUND
 
    The Insured Bond Fund  consists of the Nuveen  Insured Municipal Bond  Fund,
the  Nuveen Massachusetts  Insured Tax-Free Value  Fund and the  Nuveen New York
Insured Tax-Free  Value  Fund, which  are  each available  for  reinvestment  to
Unitholders.  (The Massachusetts and  New York Portfolios  are available only to
those Unitholders
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
who are residents of the  state for which the  portfolio is named.) The  Insured
Bond  Fund has the objective of  providing, through investment in professionally
managed portfolios  of municipal  bonds, as  high a  level of  current  interest
income  exempt from both Federal income tax and, in the case of designated state
portfolios, from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated state, as
is consistent with preservation of capital. The Insured Bond Fund may include in
each of its portfolios the same type  of investments as the Tax-Free Bond  Fund,
each  of  which  is covered  by  insurance  guaranteeing the  timely  payment of
principal and interest or is backed by a deposit of U.S. Government securities.
 
THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
    The Money Market Fund  consists of the  Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free  Money
Market  Fund and the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Money Market Fund, which are each
available for reinvestment  to Unitholders who  are residents of  the state  for
which  such portfolio is named. The Money Market Fund includes in its portfolios
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains  an average  maturity of  120 days or  less, values  its portfolios at
amortized cost and seeks to maintain a  net asset value of $1.00 per share.  The
Money  Market  Fund  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through  investment in
professionally  managed  portfolios   of  high   quality  short-term   municipal
obligations, as high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal
income  tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated state
as is consistent with stability of  principal and the maintenance of  liquidity.
The  Money  Market  Fund  may  include  in  each  of  its  portfolios  municipal
obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, MIG- 2, VMIG-1, VMIG-2, Prime 1 or Prime 2  by
Moody's  or  AAA, AA,  SP-1,  SP-2, A-1  or A-2  by  Standard &  Poor's; unrated
municipal obligations  that, in  the  opinion of  the investment  adviser,  have
credit  characteristics equivalent to obligations  rated as above; and temporary
investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE MULTISTATE TRUST
 
    The Multistate Trust consists of the Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Michigan Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Value  Fund,
the  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Tax-Free Value Fund  and the Nuveen  Virginia Tax Free
Value Fund, which  are each available  for reinvestment to  Unitholders who  are
residents  of the state for which such  portfolio is named. The Multistate Trust
has the objective of providing,  through investment in a professionally  managed
portfolio  of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income exempt
from both regular Federal  income tax and the  applicable state personal  income
tax  as is  consistent with  preservation of  capital. The  Multistate Trust may
include in  each of  its portfolios  tax-exempt bonds  rated "Baa"  or "BBB"  or
better,  unrated bonds  which, in  the opinion  of the  investment advisor, have
credit characteristics  equivalent to  bonds  rated "baa"  or "BBB"  or  better,
limited  to  no more  than 20%  of  the Multistate  Trust's assets,  and certain
temporary investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
    Each person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in  the
Accumulation  Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of the
Trust invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds.  Reinvesting
Unitholders   may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,  each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal  only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest only
principal distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the  next
day  on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day") if
the distribution  date is  not  a business  day,  automatically be  received  by
Shareholder  Services, Inc., transfer agent for  each of the Accumulation Funds,
on behalf of such participant  and applied on that  date to purchase shares  (or
fractions  thereof)  of  the Accumulation  Fund  chosen  at net  asset  value as
computed as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such date. All distributions  will
be  reinvested  in the  Accumulation Fund  chosen  and no  part thereof  will be
retained in a  separate account. These  purchases will be  made without a  sales
charge.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Sponsor and Underwriter, was founded in 1898
and  is  the oldest  and  largest investment  banking  firm specializing  in the
underwriting and distribution of tax-exempt securities and maintains the largest
research department in the investment  banking community devoted exclusively  to
the  analysis of municipal securities. In  1961 the Sponsor began sponsoring the
Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust  and, since this  time, it has  issued more than  $30
billion  in tax-exempt unit trusts, including over $8 billion in insured trusts.
The Sponsor is  also principal underwriter  of the Nuveen  Municipal Bond  Fund,
Inc.,  the Nuveen  Tax-Free Money Market  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Tax-Free Reserves,
Inc., Nuveen California Tax-Free  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Tax-Free Bond Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc. and Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund,
Inc.,  all  registered open-end  management investment  companies, and  acted as
co-managing underwriter of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen  California
Municipal  Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New  York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Municipal Income  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen California  Municipal Income  Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen New York Municipal Income
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Performance Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California  Performance Plus Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  New  York  Performance  Plus  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Municipal
Advantage Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Municipal  Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
California  Municipal Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  New York Municipal
Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Investment Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  California  Investment Quality  Municipal  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen  New York
Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Quality Municipal  Fund,
Inc.,  Nuveen  Florida Investment  Quality  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Pennsylvania
Investment  Quality  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  New  Jersey  Investment   Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., and the Nuveen Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
California  Quality  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  New  York  Select  Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured
Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida Quality Income Municipal  Fund,
Nuveen  Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Quality
Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Ohio Quality  Income Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Pennsylvania Quality Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Texas Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  California Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
New  York Quality Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Select Tax Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen Select  Tax
Free  Income  Portfolio  2,  Nuveen Insured  California  Select  Tax-Free Income
Portfolio, Nuveen  Insured New  York Select  Tax-Free Income  Portfolio,  Nuveen
Premium  Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc.,  Nuveen Select Tax Free Income Portfolio
3, Nuveen Select  Maturities Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Insured California  Premium
Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen  Insured  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen  Insured Florida
Premium Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Michigan  Premium Income Municipal  Fund,
Inc.,  Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured New
York Premium Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Ohio Premium Income  Municipal
Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Texas
Premium Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  Premium Income Municipal  Fund 4,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Pennsylvania  Premium Income  Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen  Insured Florida
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal  Fund,
Nuveen  Virginia  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  Massachusetts Premium
Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured  California Premium Income Municipal  Fund
2,  Inc., Nuveen Insured  New York Premium  Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen New
Jersey Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  2,  Nuveen  Washington  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Georgia
Premium Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Missouri  Premium Income Municipal  Fund,
Nuveen  Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina Premium
Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen
Florida Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen New York Premium Income  Municipal
Fund,  Nuveen  California  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen Pennsylvania
Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Maryland Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen
Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen Ohio Premium Income  Municipal
Fund  2,  Nuveen  Insured Premium  Income  Municipal Fund  2,  Nuveen California
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, all registered closed-end management investment
companies.  These  registered  open-end  and  closed-end  investment   companies
currently  have  approximately  $32.8  billion  in  tax-exempt  securities under
management. Nationwide, more than 1,000,000 individual investors have  purchased
Nuveen's  tax exempt trusts and funds.  The present corporation was organized in
1967 as  a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of  Nuveen Corporation,  successor  to  the
original  John  Nuveen  & Co.  founded  in  1898 as  a  sole  proprietorship and
incorporated in  1953.  In  1974,  John  Nuveen  &  Co.  Incorporated  became  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of The  St. Paul Companies,  Inc., a financial services
management company  located in  St. Paul,  Minnesota. On  May 19,  1992,  common
shares  comprising a  minority interest  in The  John Nuveen  Company ("JNC"), a
newly organized corporation which holds all  of the shares of Nuveen, were  sold
to  the  general  public in  an  initial  public offering.  St.  Paul  retains a
controlling interest in  JNC with over  70% of  JNC's shares. The  Sponsor is  a
member  of  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  and  the
Securities Industry Association and has its principal offices located in Chicago
(333 W. Wacker Drive) and New York  (Swiss Bank Tower, 10 East 50th Street).  It
maintains 14 regional offices.
 
The  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trusts  and the Sponsor have  adopted a code of ethics
which essentially prohibits  all Nuveen  investment personnel  from engaging  in
personal  investments  which  compete  or interfere  with,  or  attempt  to take
advantage of, a  Trust's anticipated  or actual portfolio  transactions, and  is
designed  to  assure  that the  interest  of  Unitholders is  placed  before the
interest  of   Nuveen  personnel   in   connection  with   personal   investment
transactions.
 
    To help advisers and investors better understand and more efficiently use an
investment  in the Trust  to reach their investment  goals, the Trust's sponsor,
John Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated,  may advertise and  create specific  investment
programs  and  systems.  For  example, such  activities  may  include presenting
information on how to use  an investment in the  Trust, alone or in  combination
with  an investment in other mutual funds or unit investment trusts sponsored by
Nuveen, to accumulate  assets for  future education needs  or periodic  payments
such as
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
insurance premiums. The Trust's sponsor may produce software or additional sales
literature  to promote the advantages of using the Trust to meet these and other
specific investor needs.
 
    The  Sponsor  offers  a  program   of  advertising  support  to   registered
broker-dealer  firms, banks and bank affiliates  ("Firms") that sell Trust Units
or shares  of  Nuveen Open-End  Tax-Free  Mutual Funds  (excluding  money-market
funds) ("Funds"). Under this program, the Sponsor will pay or reimburse the Firm
for  up  to one  half  of specified  media costs  incurred  in the  placement of
advertisements which jointly feature the Firm  and the Nuveen Funds and  Trusts.
Reimbursements  to the Firm will be based on the number of the Firm's registered
representatives who have sold  Fund Shares and/or Trust  Units during the  prior
calendar  year according to  an established schedule.  Reimbursements under this
program will be made by the Sponsor and not by the Funds or Trusts.
 
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard  &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A  Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the creditworthiness
of an obligor with  respect to a specific  debt obligation. This assessment  may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The  rating is not  a recommendation to  purchase, sell or  hold a security,
inasmuch as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for  a
particular investor.
 
    The  ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
& Poor's does not  perform an audit  in connection with any  rating and may,  on
occasion,  rely on unaudited financial information.  The ratings may be changed,
suspended or withdrawn  as a result  of changes in,  or unavailability of,  such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood  of default--capacity and  willingness of the  obligor as to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection afforded by,  and relative position  of, the obligation  in
          the  event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds  rated AA have  a very strong  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to  pay
interest  and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are  more
likely  to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by  the
addition  of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the major
rating categories.
 
    PROVISIONAL  RATINGS:  The   letter  "p"  indicates   that  the  rating   is
provisional.  A  provisional rating  assumes  the successful  completion  of the
project being financed by  the issuance of the  bonds being rated and  indicates
that  payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing credit  quality subsequent  to completion  of the  project, makes  no
comment  on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of, such
completion. Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment  with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
    NOTE  RATINGS:  A  Standard  & Poor's  note  rating  reflects  the liquidity
concerns and market access risks unique to  notes. Notes due in 3 years or  less
will  likely receive  a note  rating. Notes  maturing beyond  3 years  will most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and  interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS
 
    A Standard  & Poor's  rating on  the units  of an  insured investment  trust
(hereinafter  referred to  collectively as  "units" and  "trusts") is  a current
assessment of  creditworthiness with  respect  to the  investment held  by  such
trust.  This assessment takes  into consideration the  financial capacity of the
issuers and of any guarantors, insurers,  lessees or mortgagors with respect  to
such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account the extent
to  which  trust expenses  or  portfolio asset  sales  for less  than  the trust
purchase price  will  reduce payment  to  the  unitholder of  the  interest  and
principal  required to be paid on the  portfolio assets. In addition, the rating
is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the  rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard  &  Poor's and/or  certain  short-term investments.  Standard  & Poor's
defines its  AAA  rating for  such  assets as  the  highest rating  assigned  by
Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt obligation.  Capacity to  pay interest  and repay
principal is very strong.  However, unit ratings may  be subject to revision  or
withdrawal  at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating.
 
    MOODY'S INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.    A brief  description of  the  applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the  smallest degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to  change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute  that,
with  the  occasional  exception  of oversupply  in  a  few  specific instances,
characteristically, their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money  market
fluctuations.
 
    Aa--Bonds  which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins  of
protection  may  not  be  as  large as  in  Aaa  securities  or  fluctuations of
protective elements may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other  elements
present  which  make the  long-term  risks appear  somewhat  larger than  in Aaa
securities. Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money  market
influences,  with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes  and
are  to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be  present
which  suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The market
value of A-rated bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic  performance
during  a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but, during periods
of normalcy,  A-rated  bonds  frequently  move  in  parallel  with  Aaa  and  Aa
obligations,  with  the occasional  exception of  oversupply  in a  few specific
instances.
 
    Moody's bond rating  symbols may  contain numerical modifiers  of a  generic
rating  classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the high
end of  its category;  the modifier  2 indicates  a mid-range  ranking; and  the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    Baa--Bonds  which are rated Baa are  considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest  payments
and  principal security appear  adequate for the  present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any  great
length  of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative  characteristics as  well. The market  value of  Baa-rated
bonds  is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside from
occasional speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa  market
valuations  move in parallel  with Aaa, Aa  and A obligations  during periods of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con. (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of  some
act  or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These are
bonds secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings  of
projects  unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes  probable credit stature upon  completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    NOTE RATINGS:
 
    MIG 1--  This  designation denotes  best  quality. There  is  present strong
           protection by established cash  flows, superior liquidity support  or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2--  This designation  denotes high  quality. Margins  of protection are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
HOW THE TRUST COMPARES PERFORMANCE
 
    The Sponsor may compare the estimated returns of the Trust with the  returns
or  yields  of  other  tax-free  and taxable  investments,  often  on  a taxable
equivalent basis. In addition, the Sponsor  from time to time may quote  various
performance  measures and  studies in  order to  compare the  historical returns
available from an investment  in municipal securities  with investments in  both
tax-free and taxable securities.
 
    In  September 1995, Nuveen  Research prepared one  such study which compared
the after-tax value  of $100,000  initially invested  in 1975  in various  asset
classes  including  municipal  bonds,  treasury bonds  and  corporate  bonds. As
indicated in the chart  provided below, the 20-year  study shows that  municipal
bonds  significantly outperformed corporate and  treasury bonds once the effects
of taxes were  factored in.  In fact, over  the 20-year  period, municipal  bond
returns in dollars were more than double those of treasury bonds.
 
                 AFTER-TAX VALUE OF $100,000 INVESTED IN 1975*
 
    The  graph appearing  on this  page of  the Information  Supplement compares
after-tax total returns  of $100,000  initially in 1975  in each  of the  Lehman
Brothers MuniBond Index, Long-Term Treasury Index and Long-Term Corporate Index.
As  indicated in the graph,  such an investment in  the Lehman Brothers MuniBond
Index, Long-Term  Treasury  Index  and  Long-Term  Corporate  Index  would  have
appreciated  to $448,740,  $267,668, and  $304,049, respectively  at the  end of
1994. The  graph  assumes all  proceeds  of  investment are  reinvested  at  the
respective  index rates at the time of reinvestment and also assumes that 20% of
the assets in each category are turned over annually and proceeds are reinvested
in the respective indexes. The tax rates assumed to generate the after-tax total
returns were based upon the income  and capital gain rates applicable each  year
from  1975-1994 for an investor who earned the inflation-adjusted equivalents of
$400,000 in 1994. In addition, treasury returns were "grossed up" an assumed  5%
to  take into account the Treasuries' exemption from state income tax. The graph
is for  illustrative  purposes  only,  and does  not  represent  the  return  or
performance  of any Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit Trust  and is not  intended to predict
future results.
 
    * The  graph compares  after-tax  total returns  using the  Lehman  Brothers
MuniBond  Index,  Long-Term Treasury  Index and  Long-Term Corporate  Index. The
graph assumes all proceeds of investment are reinvested at the respective  index
rates  at the time  of reinvestment and also  assumes that 20%  of the assets in
each category  are turned  over  annually and  proceeds  are reinvested  in  the
respective  indexes.  The  tax rates  assumed  to generate  the  after-tax total
returns were based upon the income  and capital gain rates applicable each  year
from  1975-1994 for an investor who earned the inflation-adjusted equivalents of
$100,000 in 1994. In addition, treasury returns were "grossed up" an assumed  5%
to  take into account the Treasuries' exemption from state income tax. The graph
is for  illustrative  purposes  only,  and does  not  represent  the  return  or
performance  of any Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit Trust  and is not  intended to predict
future results.
 
    A comparison  of  the  estimated  returns of  the  Trust  and  the  historic
performance  of  municipal  bonds  to  the  returns  and  performance  of  other
investments is  one  element  to  consider  in  making  an  informed  investment
decision.  Taxable investments have investment  characteristics that differ from
those of the Trust.  U.S. Government bonds are  long-term investments backed  by
the  full faith  and credit of  the U.S.  Government and are  subject to federal
income tax  but are  exempt from  state  income taxes.  Bank CDs  are  generally
short-term  FDIC insured investments, which pay fixed principal and interest but
are subject to fluctuating rollover rates. Both bank CDs and corporate bonds are
generally subject to both federal and state income taxes. Money market funds are
short term  investments with  stable net  asset values,  fluctuating yields  and
special features that enhance liquidity.
 
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME
 
    The examples provided below illustrate how to calculate the estimated annual
income  generated by a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each respective Trust.
The illustrations assume that the  investment was made on  the day prior to  the
date  of deposit  by an investor  electing the monthly  distribution plan. These
hypothetical
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
examples are  for illustrative  purposes only  and not  intended to  reflect  or
predict the results of any actual investment.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>        <C>                              <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 324
 
    $10,000                       DIVIDED  BY $99.92                         =          100.080
    Investment                              Offering price and                          # of units purchased
    (as of 07/25/96)                        accrued interest
 
    100.080                      X          $5.3211                          =          $532.54
    # of units purchased                    Annual income per unit                      annual income
                                            (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>        <C>                              <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 214
 
    $10,000                       DIVIDED  BY $99.90                         =          100.100
    Investment                              Offering price and                          # of units purchased
    (as of 07/25/96)                        accrued interest
 
    100.100                      X          $5.2665                          =          $527.18
    # of units purchased                    Annual income per unit                      annual income
                                            (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX A
                              NATIONAL DISCLOSURE
 
NATIONALLY DIVERSIFIED TRUST TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
(NATIONAL INSURED TRUST)
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  published  1996  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased tax  rates for  higher-income tax  payers that  were included  in  the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. The tables illustrate what you would have to
earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for
your  income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax rate is affected by both his
taxable income and his adjusted gross income. Locate your adjusted gross  income
and  your taxable  income (which  is your adjusted  gross income  reduced by any
deductions and  exemptions), then  locate your  tax bracket  based on  joint  or
single  tax  filing. Read  across to  the  equivalent taxable  estimated current
return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED
    TAXABLE        GROSS                                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 40.1 $    0-117.95      15.0   %     5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65
    40.1- 96.9      0-117.95      28.0         6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03
               117.95-176.95      29.0         6.69    7.04    7.39    7.75    8.10    8.45    8.80    9.15
    96.9-147.7      0-117.95      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
               117.95-176.95      32.0         6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56
               176.95-299.45      34.5         7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92
  147.7-263.75 117.95-176.95      37.0         7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
               176.95-299.45      40.0         7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83
                 Over 299.45      37.0   2     7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
   Over 263.75 176.95-299.45      44.0         8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61
                 Over 299.45      41.0   3     8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
</TABLE>
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED
    TAXABLE        GROSS                                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $    0- 24.00 $    0-117.95      15.0   %     5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65
  24.00- 58.15      0-117.95      28.0         6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03
  58.15-121.30      0-117.95      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
               117.95-240.45      32.5         7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63
 121.30-263.75 117.95-240.45      38.0         7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48
                 Over 240.45      37.0   2     7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
   Over 263.75   Over 240.45      41.0   3     8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
      1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations on itemized  deductions
and  the  deduction for  personal exemptions.  They were  designed to  phase out
certain  benefits  of  these  deductions  for  higher  income  taxpayers.  These
limitations,  in effect, raise the current  maximum marginal Federal tax rate to
approximately 44.0 percent for taxpayers filing  a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers filing
a single return entitled to only  one personal exemption. These limitations  are
subject  to certain maximums,  which depend on the  number of exemptions claimed
and the total  amount of the  taxpayer's itemized deductions.  For example,  the
limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to lose more than
80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
 
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on
itemized deductions has been met.
 
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on
itemized deductions has been met.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX B
                            PENNSYLVANIA DISCLOSURE
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--PENNSYLVANIA
 
    RISK   FACTORS--Prospective   investors   should   consider   the  financial
difficulties and pressures which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and certain of
its municipal subdivisions have undergone. Both the Commonwealth and the City of
Philadelphia have historically experienced significant revenue shortfalls. There
can be no assurance that the  Commonwealth will not experience further  declines
in  economic conditions or that portions  of the municipal obligations purchased
by the Fund  will not  be affected  by such  declines. Without  intending to  be
complete,  the following briefly  summarizes some of  these difficulties and the
current financial situation, as  well as some of  the complex factors  affecting
the financial situation in the Commonwealth. It is derived from sources that are
generally  available to investors  and is based in  part on information obtained
from various agencies in the Commonwealth. No independent verification has  been
made of the following information.
 
    STATE   ECONOMY--Pennsylvania   has  been   historically  identified   as  a
heavy-industry state  although  that  reputation has  changed  recently  as  the
industrial  composition of the Commonwealth diversified when the coal, steel and
railroad industries began  to decline. The  major new sources  of growth in  the
Commonwealth  are in the service sector, including trade, medical and the health
services, education and financial institutions. The Commonwealth's  agricultural
industries are also an important component of its economic structure, accounting
for  more  than  $3.6 billion  in  crop  and livestock  products  annually while
agribusiness and  food  related  industries  support  $39  billion  in  economic
activity annually.
 
   
    Non-manufacturing  employment  in  the Commonwealth  has  increased steadily
since 1980 to its 1995 level  of 82.1 percent of total Commonwealth  employment.
The  growth in employment experienced in the Commonwealth during such periods is
comparable to the  growth in  employment in the  Middle Atlantic  region of  the
United   States.  Manufacturing,   which  contributed   17.9  percent   of  1995
non-agricultural employment, has fallen behind both the services sector and  the
trade sector as the largest single source of employment within the Commonwealth.
In  1995, the services sector accounted for 30.4 percent of all non-agricultural
employment in  the  Commonwealth  while  the trade  sector  accounted  for  22.8
percent.
    
 
   
    The  Commonwealth recently experienced a  slowdown in its economy. Moreover,
economic strengths and weaknesses vary  in different parts of the  Commonwealth.
In  general,  heavy  industry  and  manufacturing  have  been  facing increasing
competition from foreign producers. During 1995, the annual average unemployment
rate in the Commonwealth was 5.9 percent compared to 5.6 percent for the  United
States.  For March 1996 the unadjusted unemployment  rate was 5.9 percent in the
Commonwealth and 5.8 percent in the United States, while the seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate for the Commonwealth was 5.6 percent and for the United States
was 5.6 percent.
    
 
    STATE BUDGET--The  Commonwealth  operates under  an  annual budget  that  is
formulated and submitted for legislative approval by the Governor each February.
The  Pennsylvania  Constitution  requires that  the  Governor's  budget proposal
consist of three parts: (i) a  balanced operating budget setting forth  proposed
expenditures  and estimated revenues from all sources and, if estimated revenues
and available surplus are less than proposed expenditures, recommending specific
additional sources of revenue sufficient to  pay the deficiency; (ii) a  capital
budget  setting forth proposed expenditures to  be financed from the proceeds of
obligations of the  Commonwealth or its  agencies or from  operating funds;  and
(iii)  a financial plan for not less than the succeeding five fiscal years, that
includes for each year projected  operating expenditures and estimated  revenues
and  projected expenditures for capital projects.  The General Assembly may add,
change or delete  any items  in the  budget prepared  by the  Governor, but  the
Governor  retains veto  power over the  individual appropriations  passed by the
legislature. The Commonwealth's fiscal  year begins on July  1 and ends on  June
30.
 
    All  funds  received by  the Commonwealth  are  subject to  appropriation in
specific amounts by the  General Assembly or by  executive authorization by  the
Governor.  Total appropriations enacted  by the General  Assembly may not exceed
the ensuing  year's  estimated revenues,  plus  (less) the  unappropriated  fund
balance  (deficit) of the preceding year, except for constitutionally authorized
debt service payments. Appropriations from the principal operating funds of  the
Commonwealth  (the General  Fund, the Motor  License Fund and  the State Lottery
Fund)  are  generally  made  for  one  fiscal  year  and  are  returned  to  the
unappropriated  surplus of the fund if not spent or encumbered by the end of the
fiscal year. The Constitution specifies that a surplus of operating funds at the
end of a fiscal year must be appropriated for the ensuing year.
 
    Pennsylvania  uses  the  "fund"  method  of  accounting.  For  purposes   of
government  accounting, a "fund" is an  independent fiscal and accounting entity
with a self-balancing  set of  accounts, recording cash  and/or other  resources
together  with all related liabilities and  equities that are segregated for the
purpose of carrying on
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
specific activities  or  attaining certain  objectives  in accordance  with  the
fund's  special regulations,  restrictions or limitations.  In the Commonwealth,
funds  are  established  by  legislative  enactment  or  in  certain  cases   by
administrative  action. Over 150 funds have  been established for the purpose of
recording the receipt and disbursement  of moneys received by the  Commonwealth.
Annual budgets are adopted each fiscal year for the principal operating funds of
the  Commonwealth  and several  other  special revenue  funds.  Expenditures and
encumbrances against  these funds  may only  be made  pursuant to  appropriation
measures  enacted  by the  General Assembly  and approved  by the  Governor. The
General Fund,  the  Commonwealth's  largest fund,  receives  all  tax  revenues,
non-tax  revenues and federal grants and  entitlements that are not specified by
law to be deposited elsewhere. The majority of the Commonwealth's operating  and
administrative  expenses are payable from the  General Fund. Debt service on all
bond indebtedness of the Commonwealth,  except that issued for highway  purposes
or  for the benefit of other special  revenue funds, is payable from the General
Fund.
 
    Financial information for the principal operating funds of the  Commonwealth
are maintained on a budgetary basis of accounting, which is used for the purpose
of  ensuring  compliance  with the  enacted  operating budget.  Since  1984, the
Commonwealth has also  prepared annual financial  statements in accordance  with
generally  accepted  accounting principles  ("GAAP"). Budgetary  basis financial
reports are  based on  a  modified cash  basis of  accounting  as opposed  to  a
modified  accrual basis  of accounting prescribed  by GAAP.  The budgetary basis
financial information  is adjusted  at fiscal  year-end to  reflect  appropriate
accruals for financial reporting in conformity with GAAP.
 
   
    RECENT  FINANCIAL CONDITIONS--From fiscal 1984,  when the Commonwealth first
prepared its financial  statements on  a GAAP  basis, through  fiscal 1989,  the
Commonwealth  reported a  positive unreserved-undesignated fund  balance for its
governmental fund types at each fiscal year end. Slowing economic growth  during
1990, leading to a national economic recession beginning in fiscal 1991, reduced
revenue  growth  and  increased  costs  of  certain  governmental  programs  and
contributed to negative unreserved-undesignated fund balances at the end of  the
1990  and 1991 fiscal  years. The negative  unreserved-undesignated fund balance
was due largely to operating deficits in the General Fund and the State  Lottery
Fund  during those fiscal years.  Actions taken during fiscal  1992 to bring the
General Fund budget back into  balance, including tax increases and  expenditure
restraints,  resulted in a $1.1 billion reduction to the unreserved-undesignated
fund deficit for  combined governmental fund  types and a  return to a  positive
fund  balance. Financial  performance continued to  improve during  the 1993 and
1994 fiscal years. The  fund balance for the  governmental fund types  increased
from $1,692.8 million on June 30, 1993, as restated, to $1,982.0 million on June
30, 1994, an increase of $289.2 million. An unreserved-undesignated fund balance
of  $334.7 million was recorded for fiscal 1994  year end. At June 30, 1995, the
fund balance totaled $1,927.6 million, including an unreserved-undesignated fund
balance of $104.8 million.
    
 
   
    FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR  RECENT FISCAL  YEARS--For the  five-year period  from
fiscal  1991 through fiscal 1995, total revenues and other sources rose at a 9.1
percent average annual rate while total expenditures and other uses grew by  7.4
percent  annually. Over two-thirds  of the increase in  total revenues and other
sources during this period occurred during  fiscal 1992 when a $2.7 billion  tax
increase  was  enacted to  address  a fiscal  1991  budget deficit  and  to fund
increased expenditures for  fiscal 1992.  For the four-year  period from  fiscal
1992  through  fiscal 1995,  total revenues  and other  sources increased  at an
annual average of 3.3 percent, less than  one-half the rate of increase for  the
five-year period beginning with fiscal 1991. This slower rate of growth was due,
in  part, to tax rate reductions and other tax law revisions that restrained the
growth of tax receipts for fiscal years 1993, 1994 and 1995.
    
 
   
    Expenditures and other uses followed a pattern similar to that for revenues,
although with smaller growth rates, during  the fiscal 1991 through fiscal  1995
period.  Program areas having the largest increase  in costs for the fiscal 1991
to fiscal  1995  period  related  to protection  of  persons  and  property,  an
expansion  of state prisons, and public health and welfare. Recently, efforts to
restrain the rapid  expansion of public  health and welfare  program costs  have
resulted  in expenditure increases  at or below  the total rate  of increase for
total expenditures in each fiscal year.
    
 
    FISCAL 1994 FINANCIAL RESULTS--Commonwealth revenues during the 1994  fiscal
year  totaled $15,210.7 million,  $38.6 million above  the fiscal year estimate,
and 3.9 percent  over commonwealth  revenues during  the 1993  fiscal year.  The
sales  tax was an  important contributor to the  higher than estimated revenues.
The strength of collections  from the sales tax  offset the lower than  budgeted
performance  of the personal  income tax that  ended the 1994  fiscal year $74.4
million below estimate. The shortfall in the personal income tax was largely due
to shortfalls in income not subject  to withholding such as interest,  dividends
and  other income. Expenditures, excluding pooled financing expenditures and net
of all fiscal 1994 appropriation lapses, totaled $14,934.4 million  representing
a  7.2 percent  increase over fiscal  1993 expenditures.  Medical assistance and
prisons spending contributed to the rate of spending growth for the 1994  fiscal
year. The Commonwealth maintained an operating
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
balance  on a  budgetary basis  for fiscal 1994  producing a  fiscal year ending
unappropriated surplus of $335.8 million.
 
    FISCAL 1995  FINANCIAL RESULTS--Commonwealth  revenues for  the 1995  fiscal
year were above estimate and exceeded fiscal year expenditures and encumbrances.
Fiscal  1995 was the fourth consecutive fiscal year the Commonwealth reported an
increase in the fiscal  year-end unappropriated balance.  Prior to reserves  for
transfer  to  the  Tax  Stabilization  Reserve  Fund,  the  fiscal  1995 closing
unappropriated surplus was $540.0  million, an increase  of $204.2 million  over
the fiscal 1994 closing unappropriated surplus prior to transfers.
 
    Commonwealth  revenues during the 1995 fiscal  year were $459.4 million, 2.9
percent, above the estimate of  revenues used at the  time the 1995 fiscal  year
budget  was  enacted.  Corporation  taxes  contributed  $329.4  million  of  the
additional receipts largely due to higher receipts from the corporate net income
tax. Fiscal 1995 revenues  from the corporate net  income tax were 22.6  percent
over  collections in fiscal 1994 and include the effects of the reduction of the
tax rate from  12.25 percent  to 11.99 percent  that became  effective with  tax
years  beginning  on  and after  January  1, 1994.  The  sales and  use  tax and
miscellaneous revenues also  showed strong year-over-year  growth that  produced
above-estimate  revenue collections.  Sales and  use tax  revenues were $5,526.9
million, $128.8 million above the enacted  budget estimate and 7.9 percent  over
fiscal  1994 collections.  Tax receipts  from both  motor vehicle  and non-motor
vehicle sales  contributed  to  the higher  collections.  Miscellaneous  revenue
collections  for fiscal 1995  were $183.5 million,  $44.9 million above estimate
and were largely  due to  additional investment earnings,  escheat revenues  and
other miscellaneous revenues.
 
    FISCAL  1996 BUDGET--On June  30, 1995, the Governor  signed a $16.2 billion
general fund budget,  an increase of  approximately 2.7 percent  over the  total
appropriations  from  Commonwealth  revenues  in  the  fiscal  1995  budget. The
appropriations increase for  fiscal 1996 is  one of the  lowest rates in  recent
years.  Areas receiving the  largest budgetary increases  are medical assistance
and basic education. In  addition, the budget  accelerated corporate net  income
tax  rate reductions, eliminated the inheritance  tax paid by a surviving spouse
on jointly owned property, and made other business tax reductions.
 
   
    FISCAL 1997 BUDGET--In  February 1996, the  Governor presented his  proposed
fiscal 1997 budget to the General Assembly. Proposed appropriations from General
Fund  Commonwealth  revenues  totals  $16,189.9 million,  a  reduction  from the
estimated $16,219.9 million (including proposed supplemental appropriations) for
fiscal 1996. The proposed  reduction represents a  decline of approximately  0.2
percent  in  appropriations from  the prior  fiscal  year. Revenue  receipts are
estimated to  increase  by $403.9  million,  or 2.5  percent,  over  anticipated
receipts  for fiscal 1996. The anticipated increased revenues, together with the
projected $140  million  of appropriation  lapses  during fiscal  1996  and  the
proposed  draw-down of approximately $95 million  of surplus provide the funding
sources for  the proposed  budget. The  proposed draw-down  of the  fiscal  1996
unappropriated  surplus produces  a projected  1997 fiscal  year end  surplus of
under $5 million, without any consideration of possible appropriation lapses for
fiscal 1997. The decline in appropriation  authority over the prior fiscal  year
in the proposed budget relies on several program changes, including $329 million
of  cost  containment  efforts  in public  health  and  welfare  programs. Other
significant  cost  restraints  include  reductions  to  appropriations  for  the
state-aided  colleges and  universities and  no increases  for the state-related
colleges and universities.
    
 
    DEBT LIMITS AND OUTSTANDING DEBT--The Pennsylvania Constitution permits  the
issuance  of the following types  of debt: (i) debt  to suppress insurrection or
rehabilitate areas affected  by disaster; (ii)  electorate approved debt;  (iii)
debt for capital projects subject to an aggregate outstanding debt limit of 1.75
times  the annual average tax  revenues of the preceding  five fiscal years; and
(iv) tax anticipation notes payable in the fiscal year of issuance.
 
   
    Under the  Pennsylvania Fiscal  Code,  the Auditor  General is  required  to
certify  to the Governor and the  General Assembly certain information regarding
the Commonwealth's  indebtedness. According  to the  February 29,  1996  Auditor
General  certificate, the average annual tax  revenues deposited in all funds in
the five fiscal years ended June 30, 1995 was approximately $17.7 billion,  and,
therefore,  the net debt limitation  for the 1996 fiscal  year is $30.9 billion.
Outstanding net debt totaled $3.9 billion at June 30, 1995, approximately  equal
to  the net  debt at June  30, 1994.  At February 29,  1996, the  amount of debt
authorized by law to be issued, but not yet incurred, was $16.5 billion.
    
 
   
    Outstanding general obligation  debt totaled  $5,045.4 million  at June  30,
1995,  a decrease of $30.4 million from  June 30, 1994. Over the ten-year period
ending June 30, 1995, total outstanding general obligation debt increased at  an
annual rate of 1.1 percent. Within the most recent five-year period, outstanding
general obligation debt has grown at an annual rate of 1.7 percent.
    
 
    DEBT  RATINGS--All outstanding general obligation  bonds of the Commonwealth
are rated AA- by S&P and A1 by Moody's.
 
                                      B-3
<PAGE>
    CITY  OF   PHILADELPHIA--The   City   of   Philadelphia   (the   "City"   or
"Philadelphia")  is  the largest  city in  the  Commonwealth, with  an estimated
population of 1,585,577 according to the 1990 Census. Philadelphia experienced a
series of general fund  deficits for fiscal years  1988 through 1992 which  have
culminated  in  serious  financial  difficulties  for  the  City.  In  its  1992
Comprehensive  Annual  Financial  Report,  Philadelphia  reported  a  cumulative
general fund deficit of $71.4 million for fiscal year 1992.
 
   
    In  June  1991, the  Pennsylvania  legislature established  the Pennsylvania
Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority ("PICA"), a five-member board to  assist
Philadelphia  in  remedying  fiscal  emergencies. PICA  is  designed  to provide
assistance through the issuance of funding debt and to make factual findings and
recommendations to Philadelphia concerning its budgetary and fiscal affairs. The
legislation empowered PICA to issue notes  and bonds on behalf of  Philadelphia,
and also authorized Philadelphia to levy a one-percent sales tax the proceeds of
which  would  be  used  to  pay  off the  bonds.  In  return  for  PICA's fiscal
assistance, Philadelphia is required, among other things, to establish five-year
financial plans that include balanced annual budgets. Under the legislation,  if
Philadelphia  does not  comply with  such requirements,  PICA may  withhold bond
revenues and certain state funding. At this time, the City is operating under  a
five-year   fiscal  plan  approved   by  PICA  on   April  17,  1995.  Technical
modifications were made to that plan as  of July 12, 1995 and the revised  plan,
incorporating  such technical  modifications, was approved  by PICA  on July 18,
1995. As of November 15, 1995, PICA has issued approximately $1,418.7 million of
its Special Tax Revenue Bonds.
    
 
    No further PICA bonds are to be issued by PICA for the purpose of  financing
a  capital project or  deficit as the  authority for such  bond sales expired on
December 31, 1994. PICA's authority to issue debt for the purpose of financing a
cash flow deficit expires on December  31, 1996. Its ability to refund  existing
outstanding debt is unrestricted.
 
   
    In  January 1993, Philadelphia anticipated  a cumulative general fund budget
deficit of $57 million for the 1993 fiscal year. In response to the  anticipated
deficit,  the Mayor unveiled a financial plan eliminating the budget deficit for
the 1993 budget year  through significant service cuts  that included a plan  to
privatize  certain city-provided  services. Due to  an upsurge  in tax receipts,
cost-cutting and  additional PICA  borrowings, Philadelphia  completed the  1993
fiscal  year with a balanced general fund  budget. The audit findings for fiscal
year 1993 show a cumulative general fund surplus of approximately $3 million for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1993.
    
 
    In January 1994, the Mayor proposed a $2.3 billion city general fund  budget
that  included no  tax increases,  no significant service  cuts and  a series of
modest health  and welfare  program  increases. At  that  time, the  Mayor  also
unveiled  a $2.2 billion program  (the "Philadelphia Economic Stimulus Program")
designed to stimulate Philadelphia's economy and  stop the loss of 1,000 jobs  a
month.  In its 1994 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Philadelphia reported
a cumulative general fund surplus of approximately $15.4 million for the  fiscal
year  ended June 30, 1994, up from approximately $3 million as of June 30, 1993.
Philadelphia's preliminary unaudited General  Fund financial statements at  June
30, 1995 project a surplus approximating $59.6 million.
 
   
    S&P's  rating on Philadelphia's general  obligation bonds is "BBB-." Moody's
rating is currently "Baa."
    
 
   
    LITIGATION--The Commonwealth is  a party  to numerous lawsuits  in which  an
adverse  final decision could materially  affect the Commonwealth's governmental
operations and consequently its ability to pay debt service on its  obligations.
The  Commonwealth also faces tort claims made  possible by the limited waiver of
sovereign immunity effected by Act 152, approved September 28, 1978, as amended.
Under the Act, damages for  any loss are limited to  $250,000 per person and  $1
million for each accident.
    
 
PENNSYLVANIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1996 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993.  The
combined  state and Federal tax  brackets shown reflect the  fact that state tax
payments are currently deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The table does  not
reflect  any local taxes other than personal income taxes. The tables illustrate
what you  would have  to earn  on taxable  investments to  equal the  tax-exempt
estimated  current return for your income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax
rate is  affected by  both his  taxable income  and his  adjusted gross  income.
Locate your adjusted gross and your taxable income (which is your adjusted gross
income  reduced by any deductions and  exemptions), then locate your tax bracket
based on  joint or  single tax  filing. Read  across to  the equivalent  taxable
estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                      B-4
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS      STATE* AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 40.1 $    0-117.95      17.5   %     5.76    6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88
    40.1- 96.9      0-117.95      30.0         6.79    7.14    7.50    7.86    8.21    8.57    8.93    9.29
               117.95-176.95      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
    96.9-147.7      0-117.95      33.0         7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70
               117.95-176.95      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
               176.95-299.45      36.5         7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24
  147.7-263.75 117.95-176.95      39.0         7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
               176.95-299.45      41.5         8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11
                 Over 299.45      39.0   2     7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
   Over 263.75 176.95-299.45      45.5         8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93
                 Over 299.45      42.5   3     8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS      STATE* AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $    0- 24.00 $    0-117.95      17.5         5.76    6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88
  24.00- 58.15      0-117.95      30.0         6.79    7.14    7.50    7.86    8.21    8.57    8.93    9.29
  58.15-121.30      0-117.95      33.0         7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70
               117.95-240.45      34.5         7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92
 121.30-263.75 117.95-240.45      39.5         7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74
                 Over 240.45      39.0   2     7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
   Over 263.75   Over 240.45      42.5   3     8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on itemized deductions
and the  deduction for  personal exemptions.  They were  designed to  phase  out
certain  benefits  of  these  deductions  for  higher  income  taxpayers.  These
limitations, in effect, raise the current maximum marginal combined tax rate  to
approximately  45.59 percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to approximately 42.45 percent for taxpayers filing
a single return entitled to only  one personal exemption. These limitations  are
subject  to certain maximums,  which depend on the  number of exemptions claimed
and the total  amount of the  taxpayer's itemized deductions.  For example,  the
limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to lose more than
80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
 
      2 Marginal combined tax rate  reverts to 37.79% after  the 80% cap on  the
limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
      3  Marginal combined tax rate  reverts to 41.29% after  the 80% cap on the
limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
                                      B-5

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the National
Insured  Trust 324 which is  incorporated in the Prospectus  dated July 26, 1996
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>                     001
<NAME>                        National Insured
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             9,454,595
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            9,496,215
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        68,368
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    9,579,683
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            68,368
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  68,368
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                               100,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      9,496,215
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 94.96
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This   schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from  the
Pennsylvania Insured Trust  214 which  is incorporated in  the Prospectus  dated
July   26,  1996  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>                     002
<NAME>                        Pennsylvania Insured
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,311,326
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,322,801
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        36,447
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,364,648
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            36,447
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  36,447
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,322,801
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 94.94
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>


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