NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST III
497, 1997-09-29
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<PAGE>
 
NUVEEN

Municipal 
Bond Funds



September 26, 1997

Prospectus                                      [PHOTO APPEARS HERE]

Dependable, tax-free income
to help you keep more of
what you earn.






Alabama
Georgia
Louisiana
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
<PAGE>
 

Investing in Nuveen Mutual Funds


Since our founding in 1898, John Nuveen & Co. has been synonymous with
investments that withstand the test of time. Today, we offer a range of equity
and fixed-income mutual funds designed to suit the unique circumstances and
financial planning needs of mature investors. More than 1.3 million investors
have entrusted Nuveen to help them maintain the lifestyle they currently enjoy.
 
Value investing -- purchasing quality securities that represent good relative
value -- is the cornerstone of Nuveen's investment philosophy. It is a
disciplined, long-term strategy that offers the potential for above average
returns over time with moderated risk. Successful value investing begins with 
in-depth research and a discerning eye for marketplace opportunity. Our team of
investment professionals is backed by the discipline, resources and expertise of
Nuveen's almost a century of investment experience, including one of the most
recognized research departments in the industry.
 
This prospectus describes in detail the investment objectives, policies and
risks of certain Nuveen municipal bond funds. We invite you to discuss the 
contents with your financial adviser, or you may call us at 800-621-7227 for 
additional information.

<PAGE>
 
                       
                    Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund     
                       
                    Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund     
                       
                    Nuveen Flagship Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund     
                       
                    Nuveen Flagship North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund     
                       
                    Nuveen Flagship South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund     
                       
                    Nuveen Flagship Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund     
                       
                    SEPTEMBER 26, 1997     
                       
                    PROSPECTUS     
 
                    OVERVIEW
 
                    The funds listed above are part of the Nuveen Flagship
                    Multistate Trust III, an open-end investment company.
                    Each fund seeks to provide high tax-free income and
                    preservation of capital through investments in diver-
                    sified portfolios of quality municipal bonds.
 
                    Each fund offers a set of flexible purchase options
                    which permit you to purchase fund shares in the way
                    that is best suited to your individual circumstances
                    and investment needs. For detailed information about
                    these flexible purchase options, please refer to "How
                    to Select a Purchase Option" later in this prospectus.
                       
                    This prospectus contains important information you
                    should know before investing. Please read it carefully
                    and keep it for future reference. You can find more
                    detailed information about each fund in the statement
                    of additional information which is part of this pro-
                    spectus by reference. For a free copy, write to Nuveen
                    or call (800) 621-7227.     
                       
                    SHARES OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS
                    OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT
                    FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
                    CORPORATION, OR ANY OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
                    SHARES OF THE FUNDS INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUD-
                    ING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVEST-
                    ED.     
                       
                    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
                    BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
                    SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EX-
                    CHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
                    PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPEC-
                    TUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
                    OFFENSE.     
                       

                    CONTENTS     
                                                                
                     1  OVERVIEW                    

                     2  FUND SUMMARIES AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     

                        FUND STRATEGIES             

                    14  Investment Objective     

                    14  How the Funds Select Investments     

                    15  Risk Reduction Strategies     

                        INVESTING IN THE FUNDS     

                    15  How to Buy Fund Shares     

                    16  How to Select a Purchase Option     

                    17  How to Sell Fund Shares     

                    18  Exchanging Shares           

                    18  Optional Features and Services     

                        DIVIDENDS AND TAXES     

                    19  How the Funds Pay Dividends     

                    20  Taxes and Tax Reporting

                    21  Taxable Equivalent Yields

                        GENERAL INFORMATION     

                    21  How to Contact Nuveen     

                    21  Fund Service Providers

                    22  How the Funds Report Performance     

                    22  How Fund Shares are Priced

                    22  Organization     

                        APPENDIX     

                    22  Special State Considerations     
 
                                      ---
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
       
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP ALABAMA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                     
                  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
INCEPTION: April 11, 1994
   
NET ASSETS: $5.2 million     
       
TOTAL RETURN (ANNUALIZED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<S>            <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
                     CLASS A         CLASS A
               (OFFER PRICE)           (NAV)         CLASS B         CLASS C         CLASS R
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year                 4.63%           9.22%           8.79%           9.00%           9.38%
Inception              5.83%           7.29%           6.74%           6.95%           7.34%
</TABLE>    
   
Class A total returns reflect actual performance for all periods; Classes B, C
and R total returns reflect actual performance for periods since class incep-
tion (see "Financial Highlights" for dates) and Class A performance for peri-
ods prior to class inception, adjusted for the differences in sales charges
(and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes. Class B total returns as-
sume an ongoing investment and do not reflect the imposition of the CDSC; your
returns for the 1 year and since inception periods would be lower if you re-
deemed at the end of those periods. See Overview of Fund Operating Expenses
and Shareholder Transaction Expenses.     
   
The fund assumes investment risk in pursuit of its investment objective,
chiefly in the form of interest rate risk and credit risk. The fund limits
this risk by purchasing only certain types and maturities of municipal bonds
and by diversifying its investment portfolio geographically and by industry.
See Risk Reduction Strategies for further information.     
       
MATURITY (YEARS)

                           [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]

Average Maturity                20.4
Average Modified Duration        8.4

       
CREDIT QUALITY

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                                  AAA     70%
                                  AA      11%
                                  A       14%
                                  BBB/NR   5%

          
INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION (TOP 6)     
                                     LOGO
                       
                    EXPENSE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Maximum, as % of Offering Price)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Sales Charge on Purchases                               4.20%(1)       -       -       -
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                           -       -       -       -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) on Redemptions     - (1)   5%(2)   1%(3)       -
</TABLE>    
       
OVERVIEW OF FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Annual, as % of Average Net Assets)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                        CLASS A              CLASS B              CLASS C              CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>
 Management Fees         0.55%                0.55%                0.55%                0.55%
 12b-1 Fees              0.20%                0.95%                0.75%                    -
 Other                   1.48%                1.48%                1.48%                1.48%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Gross)           2.23%                2.98%                2.78%                2.03%
 Waivers/
 Reimbursements         (1.84%)              (1.84%)              (1.84%)              (1.84%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Net)             0.39%                1.14%                0.94%                0.19%
</TABLE>    
       
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER EXPENSES (5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The example illustrates the expenses on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
the fund based on the Total Expenses shown at left, an assumed annual total
return of 5% and reinvestment of all dividends.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
HOLDING PERIOD         CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1 Year                     $46                   $51                   $10                    $2
3 Years                    $54                   $69                   $30                    $6
5 Years                    $63                   $74                   $52                   $11
10 Years                   $89                  $118                  $115                   $24
</TABLE>    
 
                                      ---
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
 
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The financial highlights below are excerpted from the fund's latest annual re-
port which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent
auditors. For a free copy of the fund's latest annual and/or semi-annual re-
ports, write to Nuveen or call (800) 621-7227.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE      LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)    -----------------------  -------------------------
<S>             <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>    <C>
                                              NET
ALABAMA++             NET            REALIZED AND   DIVIDENDS                   NET    TOTAL
                    ASSET              UNREALIZED   FROM TAX-                 ASSET   RETURN
                    VALUE        NET  GAIN (LOSS)  EXEMPT NET  DISTRIBUTIONS  VALUE   ON NET
YEAR ENDING     BEGINNING INVESTMENT         FROM  INVESTMENT   FROM CAPITAL END OF    ASSET
MAY 31,         OF PERIOD  INCOME(B)  INVESTMENTS      INCOME          GAINS PERIOD VALUE(A)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (4/94)
1997               $ 9.77       $.53        $ .35      $ (.53)          $  - $10.12     9.22%
1996                 9.94        .53         (.17)       (.53)             -   9.77     3.72
1995                 9.66        .52          .28        (.52)             -   9.94     8.77
1994(c)              9.58        .03          .09        (.04)             -   9.66     9.34+
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)             10.16        .11         (.02)       (.11)             -  10.14      .94
CLASS C (2/97)
1997(c)             10.16        .12         (.02)       (.12)             -  10.14      .99
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)             10.16        .16         (.05)       (.14)             -  10.13     1.08
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                     RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)    -------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                RATIO
                                               OF NET
                                 RATIO OF  INVESTMENT
                                 EXPENSES   INCOME TO
ALABAMA++                      TO AVERAGE     AVERAGE
                               NET ASSETS  NET ASSETS
                    NET ASSETS      AFTER       AFTER  PORTFOLIO
YEAR ENDING      END OF PERIOD REIMBURSE-  REIMBURSE-   TURNOVER
MAY 31,         (IN THOUSANDS)    MENT(B)     MENT(B)       RATE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (4/94)
1997                    $4,446        .40%       5.29%        72%
1996                     3,256        .48        5.24         42
1995                     1,880        .16        5.47        120
1994(c)                    357          -        2.42+         -
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)                    591        .71+       4.26+        72
CLASS C (2/97)
1997(c)                    205        .40+       4.57+        72
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)                      -          -        6.17+        72
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
+ Annualized.
++ Information included prior to the year ending May 31, 1997, reflects the
   financial highlights of Flagship Alabama.
(a) Total returns are calculated on net asset value without any sales charge.
(b) After waiver of certain management fees or reimbursement of expenses, if
    applicable, by Nuveen Advisory or its predecessor, Flagship Financial.
(c) From commencement of class operations as noted.
 
 
NOTES:
(1) The Class A sales charge may be reduced or waived based on the amount of
    purchase or for certain eligible categories of investors. A CDSC of 1% is
    imposed on redemptions of certain purchases of $1 million or more within
    18 months of purchase. See "How to Select a Purchase Option."
(2) CDSC declines to 0% at the end of six years.
(3) Imposed only on redemptions within 12 months of purchase.
(4) Effective February 1, 1997, the fund eliminated the 0.20% distribution fee
    on Class A shares and reduced the distribution fee on Class C shares from
    0.75% to 0.55%. Long-term holders of Class B and C shares may pay more in
    distribution fees and CDSCs than the maximum initial sales charge permit-
    ted under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Rules of Fair
    Practice. The waiver/reimbursement levels shown reflect Nuveen's current
    undertaking, made in connection with its acquisition of Flagship Resources
    as described in "Fund Service Providers--Investment Adviser," to continue
    Flagship's general dividend-setting practices.
(5) The expenses shown assume that you redeem your shares at the end of each
    holding period. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
    years. If instead you redeemed your shares immediately prior to the end of
    each holding period, your expenses would be higher. If you did not redeem
    Class B shares at the end of each holding period, your expenses would have
    been $12 for the one year period, $36 for the three year period, $63 for
    the five year period, and $118 for the ten year period. This example does
    not represent past or future expenses; actual expenses may be higher or
    lower.
 
                                      ---
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
       
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP GEORGIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                      
                   PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
INCEPTION: March 27, 1986
   
NET ASSETS: $123.5 million     
TOTAL RETURN (ANNUALIZED)
<TABLE>   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                    CLASS A         CLASS A
              (OFFER PRICE)           (NAV)         CLASS B         CLASS C         CLASS R
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
1 Year                4.79%           9.39%           8.73%           8.80%           9.46%
5 Years               5.71%           6.62%           6.03%           6.00%           6.64%
10 Years              7.39%           7.85%           7.38%           7.24%           7.86%
</TABLE>    
   
Class A total returns reflect actual performance for all periods; Classes B, C
and R total returns reflect actual performance for periods since class incep-
tion (see "Financial Highlights" for dates), and Class A performance for peri-
ods prior to class inception, adjusted for the differences in sales charges
(and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes. Class B total returns assume
an ongoing investment and do not reflect the imposition of the CDSC; your re-
turns for the 1 year and 5 year periods would be lower if you redeemed at the
end of those periods. See Overview of Fund Operating Expenses and Shareholder
Transaction Expenses.     
   
The fund assumes investment risk in pursuit of its investment objective,
chiefly in the form of interest rate risk and credit risk. The fund limits this
risk by purchasing only certain types and maturities of municipal bonds and by
diversifying its investment portfolio geographically and by industry. See Risk
Reduction Strategies for further information.     
MATURITY (YEARS)
   
                           [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]

Average Maturity                22.6
Average Modified Duration        9.4
 
CREDIT QUALITY
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          AAA/Pre-refunded        53%
                          AA                      16%
                          A                       19%
                          BBB/NR                  12%

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION (TOP 6) 
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          Housing Facilities      29%
                          Escrowed Bonds          14%
                          Hospitals               14%
                          Tax Revenue             12%
                          General Obligations      9%
                          Other                   22%


                     EXPENSE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Maximum, as % of Offering Price)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Sales Charge on Purchases                               4.20%(1)       -       -       -
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                           -       -       -       -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) on Redemptions      -(1)   5%(2)   1%(3)       -
</TABLE>    
       
OVERVIEW OF FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Annual, as % of Average Net Assets)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                       CLASS A              CLASS B              CLASS C              CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Management Fees          0.55%                0.55%                0.55%                0.55%
12b-1 Fees               0.20%                0.95%                0.75%                    -
Other Expenses           0.12%                0.12%                0.12%                0.12%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (Gross)            0.87%                1.62%                1.42%                0.67%
Waivers/
Reimbursements          (0.18%)              (0.18%)              (0.18%)              (0.18%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (Net)              0.69%                1.44%                1.24%                0.49%
</TABLE>    
       
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER EXPENSES (5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The example illustrates the expenses on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the
fund based on the Total Expenses shown at left, an assumed annual total return
of 5% and reinvestment of all dividends.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
HOLDING PERIOD         CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1 Year                     $49                   $54                   $13                    $5
3 Years                    $63                   $78                   $39                   $16
5 Years                    $79                   $90                   $68                   $27
10 Years                  $124                  $152                  $150                   $62
</TABLE>    
 
                                      ---
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The financial highlights below are excerpted from the fund's latest annual re-
port which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent
auditors. For a free copy of the fund's latest annual and/or semi-annual re-
ports, write to Nuveen or call (800) 621-7227.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  OPERATING PERFORMANCE     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)            ---------------------- ------------------------
 
                                                     NET
                                                REALIZED
                                                     AND
                             NET              UNREALIZED  DIVIDENDS                  NET    TOTAL
GEORGIA++                   ASSET                   GAIN  FROM TAX-                ASSET   RETURN
                            VALUE        NET      (LOSS) EXEMPT NET DISTRIBUTIONS  VALUE   ON NET
YEAR ENDING             BEGINNING INVESTMENT        FROM INVESTMENT  FROM CAPITAL END OF    ASSET
MAY 31,                 OF PERIOD  INCOME(B) INVESTMENTS     INCOME         GAINS PERIOD VALUE(A)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>    <C>
CLASS A (3/86)
1997                       $10.20       $.57      $ .37      $(.57)           $ - $10.57     9.39%
1996                        10.46        .57       (.25)      (.58)             -  10.20     3.05
1995                        10.23        .58        .23       (.58)             -  10.46     8.31
1994                        10.62        .59       (.39)      (.59)             -  10.23     1.83
1993                        10.16        .62        .45       (.61)             -  10.62    10.84
1992                         9.95        .63        .21       (.63)             -  10.16     8.81
1991                         9.67        .64        .28       (.64)             -   9.95     9.90
1990                         9.88        .65       (.22)      (.64)             -   9.67     4.55
1989                         9.30        .65        .59       (.66)             -   9.88    13.77
1988                         9.19        .66        .11       (.66)             -   9.30     8.61
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)                     10.66        .14       (.11)      (.12)             -  10.57      .31
CLASS C (1/94)
1997                        10.18        .51        .37       (.51)             -  10.55     8.80
1996                        10.44        .51       (.25)      (.52)             -  10.18     2.48
1995                        10.21        .52        .23       (.52)             -  10.44     7.72
1994(c)                     10.91        .19       (.69)      (.20)             -  10.21   (10.96)+
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)                     10.65        .18       (.06)      (.20)             -  10.57     1.11
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)  ---------------------------------------------
                                                    RATIO
                                     RATIO OF      OF NET
                                     EXPENSES  INVESTMENT
                                           TO   INCOME TO
                                      AVERAGE     AVERAGE
GEORGIA++               NET ASSETS NET ASSETS  NET ASSETS
                            END OF      AFTER       AFTER  PORTFOLIO
YEAR ENDING             PERIOD (IN REIMBURSE-  REIMBURSE-   TURNOVER
MAY 31,                 THOUSANDS)    MENT(B)     MENT(B)       RATE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
CLASS A (3/86)
1997                      $111,518        .78%       5.44%        39%
1996                       107,862        .80        5.46         59
1995                       113,354        .83        5.79         40
1994                       123,068        .70        5.47         39
1993                       101,196        .62        5.88         30
1992                        70,650        .57        6.31         21
1991                        44,829        .72        6.60         24
1990                        36,034        .84        6.62         34
1989                        35,637        .96        6.74         23
1988                        29,701        .91        7.14         46
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)                        113       1.32+       4.80+        39
CLASS C (1/94)
1997                        11,803       1.32        4.87         39
1996                         9,433       1.34        4.90         59
1995                         6,973       1.38        5.18         40
1994(c)                      4,348       1.27+       4.55+        39
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)                         22        .38+       5.71+        39
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
+ Annualized.
++ Information included prior to the year ending May 31, 1997, reflects the
   financial highlights of Flagship Georgia.
(a) Total returns are calculated on net asset value without any sales charge.
(b) After waiver of certain management fees or reimbursement of expenses, if
    applicable, by Nuveen Advisory or its predecessor, Flagship Financial.
(c) From commencement of class operations as noted.
 
 
NOTES:
(1) The Class A sales charge may be reduced or waived based on the amount of
    purchase or for certain eligible categories of investors. A CDSC of 1% is
    imposed on redemptions of certain purchases of $1 million or more within
    18 months of purchase. See "How to Select a Purchase Option."
(2) CDSC declines to 0% at the end of six years.
(3) Imposed only on redemptions within 12 months of purchase.
(4) Effective February 1, 1997, the fund eliminated the 0.20% distribution fee
    on Class A Shares and reduced the distribution fee on Class C shares from
    0.75% to 0.55%. Long-term holders of Class B and C shares may pay more in
    distribution fees and CDSCs than the maximum initial sales charge permit-
    ted under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Rules of Fair
    Practice. The waiver/reimbursement levels shown reflect Nuveen's current
    undertaking, made in connection with its acquisition of Flagship Resources
    as described in "Fund Service Providers--Investment Adviser," to continue
    Flagship's general dividend-setting practices.
(5) The expenses shown assume that you redeem your shares at the end of each
    holding period. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
    years. If instead you redeemed your shares immediately prior to the end of
    each holding period, your expenses would be higher. If you did not redeem
    Class B shares at the end of each holding period, your expenses would have
    been $15 for the one year period, $46 for the three year period, $79 for
    the five year period, and $152 for the ten year period. This example does
    not represent past or future expenses; actual expenses may be higher or
    lower.
 
                                      ---
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                     
                  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
INCEPTION: September 12, 1989
   
NET ASSETS: $84.6 million     
TOTAL RETURN (ANNUALIZED)
<TABLE>   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                     CLASS A         CLASS A
               (OFFER PRICE)            (NAV)        CLASS B         CLASS C         CLASS R
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
1 Year             4.78%              9.37%           8.61%           8.78%           9.33%
5 Years            6.65%              7.57%           6.96%           6.97%           7.56%
Inception          7.74%              8.34%           7.73%           7.73%           8.33%
</TABLE>    
   
Class A total returns reflect actual performance for all periods; Classes B, C
and R total returns reflect actual performance for periods since class incep-
tion (see "Financial Highlights" for dates), and Class A performance for peri-
ods prior to class inception, adjusted for the differences in sales charges
(and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes. Class B total returns as-
sume an ongoing investment and do not reflect the imposition of the CDSC; your
returns for the 1 year and 5 year periods would be lower if you redeemed at
the end of those periods. See Overview of Fund Operating Expenses and Share-
holder Transaction Expenses.     
   
The fund assumes investment risk in pursuit of its investment objective,
chiefly in the form of interest rate risk and credit risk. The fund limits
this risk by purchasing only certain types and maturities of municipal bonds
and by diversifying its investment portfolio geographically and by industry.
See Risk Reduction Strategies for further information.     


MATURITY (YEARS)
   
                           [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]

Average Maturity                22.2
Average Modified Duration        8.7
 
CREDIT QUALITY
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          AAA/Pre-refunded        60%
                          AA                       9%
                          A                       11%
                          BBB/NR                  20%

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION (TOP 6) 
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          Hospitals               26%
                          Pollution Control       22%
                          General Obligations     17%
                          Housing Facilities       9%
                          Escrowed Bonds           9%
                          Other                   17%


                    EXPENSE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Maximum, as % of Offering Price)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Sales Charge on Purchases                               4.20%(1)       -       -       -
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                           -       -       -       -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) on Redemptions      -(1)   5%(2)   1%(3)       -
</TABLE>
OVERVIEW OF FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Annual, as % of Average Net Assets)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                        CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Management Fees          0.55%                 0.55%                 0.55%                 0.55%
12b-1 Fees               0.20%                 0.95%                 0.75%                      -
Other                    0.13%                 0.13%                 0.13%                 0.13%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Gross)           0.88%                 1.63%                 1.43%                 0.68%
Waivers/
Reimbursements          (0.08%)               (0.08%)               (0.08%)               (0.08%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Net)             0.80%                 1.55%                 1.35%                 0.60%
</TABLE>    
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER EXPENSES (5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The example illustrates the expenses on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
the fund based on the Total Expenses shown at left, an assumed annual total
return of 5% and reinvestment of all dividends.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
HOLDING PERIOD         CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1 Year                     $50                   $55                   $14                    $6
3 Years                    $66                   $81                   $43                   $19
5 Years                    $85                   $96                   $74                   $33
10 Years                  $137                  $164                  $162                   $75
</TABLE>    
 
                                      ---
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
 
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The financial highlights below are excerpted from the fund's latest annual re-
port which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent
auditors. For a free copy of the fund's latest annual and/or semi-annual re-
ports, write to Nuveen or call (800) 621-7227.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          OPERATING PERFORMANCE      LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)    ----------------------  -------------------------
                                             NET
                                        REALIZED
                     NET                     AND   DIVIDENDS                         NET    TOTAL
LOUISIANA++         ASSET             UNREALIZED   FROM TAX-                       ASSET   RETURN
                    VALUE        NET GAIN (LOSS)  EXEMPT NET  DISTRIBUTIONS        VALUE   ON NET
YEAR ENDING     BEGINNING INVESTMENT        FROM  INVESTMENT   FROM CAPITAL       END OF    ASSET
MAY 31,         OF PERIOD  INCOME(B) INVESTMENTS      INCOME          GAINS       PERIOD VALUE(A)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>               <C>      <C>
CLASS A (9/89)
1997               $10.71       $.59       $ .39       $(.59)         $  -        $11.10     9.37%
1996                10.80        .59        (.08)       (.60)            -         10.71     4.77
1995                10.48        .60         .32        (.60)            -         10.80     9.20
1994                10.93        .61        (.40)       (.62)          (.04)+++    10.48     1.77
1993                10.30        .64         .67        (.63)          (.05)       10.93    13.12
1992                10.02        .65         .35        (.65)          (.07)       10.30    10.35
1991                 9.63        .66         .40        (.67)            -         10.02    11.47
1990(c)              9.58        .44         .04        (.43)            -          9.63     6.52+
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)             11.10        .16          -         (.17)            -         11.09     1.44
CLASS C (2/94)
1997                10.70        .53         .39        (.53)            -         11.09     8.78
1996                10.80        .53        (.09)       (.54)            -         10.70     4.12
1995                10.48        .54         .32        (.54)            -         10.80     8.59
1994(c)             11.29        .16        (.81)       (.16)            -         10.48   (17.21)+
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)             11.17        .15        (.08)       (.15)            -         11.09      .67
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                         RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                 RATIO OF NET
                                   RATIO OF        INVESTMENT
LOUISIANA++     NET ASSETS      EXPENSES TO         INCOME TO
                    END OF      AVERAGE NET       AVERAGE NET  PORTFOLIO
YEAR ENDING     PERIOD (IN     ASSETS AFTER      ASSETS AFTER   TURNOVER
MAY 31,         THOUSANDS) REIMBURSEMENT(B)  REIMBURSEMENT(B)       RATE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>        <C>               <C>               <C>
CLASS A (9/89)
1997               $76,030              .79%             5.38%        25%
1996                72,005              .80              5.46         26
1995                68,145              .83              5.80         44
1994                66,281              .66              5.56         22
1993                54,483              .61              5.95         29
1992                38,873              .49              6.43         43
1991                27,762              .38              6.79         57
1990(c)             16,678              .44+             6.40+        32
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)                917             1.46+             4.69+        25
CLASS C (2/94)
1997                 7,645             1.33              4.83         25
1996                 5,658             1.35              4.87         26
1995                 3,220             1.37              5.21         44
1994(c)              1,501             1.23+             4.79+        22
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)                 -               .04+             5.31+        25
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
+ Annualized.
++ Information included prior to the year ending May 31, 1997, reflects the
   financial highlights of Flagship Louisiana.
+++ Amount shown includes a distribution in excess of capital gains of $.01
    per share.
(a) Total returns are calculated on net asset value without any sales charge.
(b) After waiver of certain management fees or reimbursement of expenses, if
    applicable, by Nuveen Advisory or its predecessor, Flagship Financial.
(c) From commencement of class operations as noted.
 
 
NOTES:
(1) The Class A sales charge may be reduced or waived based on the amount of
    purchase or for certain eligible categories of investors. A CDSC of 1% is
    imposed on redemptions of certain purchases of $1 million or more within
    18 months of purchase. See "How to Select a Purchase Option."
(2) CDSC declines to 0% at the end of six years.
(3) Imposed only on redemptions within 12 months of purchase.
(4) Effective February 1, 1997, the fund eliminated the 0.20% distribution fee
    for Class A shares and reduced the distribution fee on Class C shares from
    0.75% to 0.55%. Long-term holders of Class B and C shares may pay more in
    distribution fees and CDSCs than the maximum initial sales charge permit-
    ted under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Rules of Fair
    Practice. The waiver/reimbursement levels shown reflect Nuveen's current
    undertaking, made in connection with its acquisition of Flagship Resources
    as described in "Fund Service Providers--Investment Adviser," to continue
    Flagship's general dividend-setting practices.
(5) The expenses shown assume that you redeem your shares at the end of each
    holding period. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
    years. If instead you redeemed your shares immediately prior to the end of
    each holding period, your expenses would be higher. If you did not redeem
    Class B shares at the end of each holding period, your expenses would have
    been $16 for the one year period, $49 for the three year period, $84 for
    the five year period, and $164 for the ten year period. This example does
    not represent past or future expenses; actual expenses may be higher or
    lower.
 
                                      ---
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
       
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP NORTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                      
                   PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
INCEPTION:  March 27, 1986
          
NET ASSETS: $189.3 million     
TOTAL RETURN (ANNUALIZED)
<TABLE>   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                    CLASS A         CLASS A
              (OFFER PRICE)            (NAV)        CLASS B         CLASS C         CLASS R
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
1 Year                3.26%           7.79%           7.14%           7.20%           7.86%
5 Years               5.40%           6.31%           5.72%           5.69%           6.33%
10 Years              7.39%           7.85%           7.38%           7.24%           7.86%
</TABLE>    
   
Class A total returns reflect actual performance for all periods; Classes B, C
and R total returns reflect actual performance for periods since class incep-
tion (see "Financial Highlights" for dates), and Class A performance for peri-
ods prior to class inception, adjusted for the differences in sales charges
(and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes. Class B total returns assume
an ongoing investment and do not reflect the imposition of the CDSC; your re-
turns for the 1 year and 5 year periods would be lower if you redeemed at the
end of those periods. See Overview of Fund Operating Expenses and Shareholder
Transaction Expenses.     
   
The fund assumes investment risk in pursuit of its investment objective,
chiefly in the form of interest rate risk and credit risk. The fund limits this
risk by purchasing only certain types and maturities of municipal bonds and by
diversifying its investment portfolio geographically and by industry. See Risk
Reduction Strategies for further information.     


MATURITY (YEARS)
   
                           [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]

Average Maturity                18.7
Average Modified Duration        7.7
 
CREDIT QUALITY
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          AAA/Pre-refunded        36%
                          AA                      29%
                          A                       19%
                          BBB/NR                  16%

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION (TOP 6) 
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          Hospitals               20%
                          Escrowed Bonds          16%
                          Utility                 13%
                          Pollution Control       12%
                          Housing Facilities       9%
                          Other                   30%


                     EXPENSE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Maximum, as % of Offering Price)
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Sales Charge on Purchases                               4.20%(1)       -       -       -
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                           -       -       -       -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) on Redemptions      -(1)   5%(2)   1%(3)       -
</TABLE>    
       
OVERVIEW OF FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Annual, as % of Average Net Assets)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                        CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Management Fees          0.55%                 0.55%                 0.55%                 0.55%
12b-1 Fees               0.20%                 0.95%                 0.75%                     -
Other Expenses           0.11%                 0.11%                 0.11%                 0.11%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Gross)           0.86%                 1.61%                 1.41%                 0.66%
Waivers/
Reimbursements               -                     -                     -                     -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Net)             0.86%                 1.61%                 1.41%                 0.66%
</TABLE>    
       
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER EXPENSES (5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The example illustrates the expenses on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the
fund based on the Total Expenses shown at left, an assumed annual total return
of 5% and reinvestment of all dividends.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
HOLDING PERIOD         CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1 Year                     $50                   $56                   $14                    $7
3 Years                    $68                   $83                   $45                   $21
5 Years                    $88                   $99                   $77                   $37
10 Years                  $144                  $171                  $169                   $82
</TABLE>    
 
                                      ---
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
 
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The financial highlights below are excerpted from the fund's latest annual re-
port which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent
auditors. For a free copy of the fund's latest annual and/or semi-annual re-
ports, write to Nuveen or call (800) 621-7227.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)       OPERATING PERFORMANCE     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
                            ----------------------- -------------------------
<S>               <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>       <C>
 
 
                                                NET  DIVIDENDS
NORTH CAROLINA++        NET            REALIZED AND  FROM TAX-                      NET    TOTAL
                      ASSET              UNREALIZED     EXEMPT                    ASSET   RETURN
                      VALUE        NET  GAIN (LOSS)        NET  DISTRIBUTIONS     VALUE   ON NET
YEAR ENDING       BEGINNING INVESTMENT         FROM INVESTMENT   FROM CAPITAL       END    ASSET
MAY 31,           OF PERIOD  INCOME(B)  INVESTMENTS     INCOME          GAINS OF PERIOD VALUE(A)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (3/86)
1997                 $10.05       $.54       $ .23       $(.54)         $  -     $10.28     7.79%
1996                  10.23        .55        (.18)       (.55)            -      10.05     3.67
1995                  10.08        .57         .15        (.57)            -      10.23     7.45
1994                  10.51        .57        (.42)       (.58)            -      10.08     1.30
1993                   9.97        .58         .55        (.59)            -      10.51    11.66
1992                   9.70        .60         .27        (.60)            -       9.97     9.30
1991                   9.46        .61         .24        (.61)            -       9.70     9.28
1990                   9.59        .61        (.13)       (.61)            -       9.46     5.16
1989                   8.93        .62         .66        (.62)            -       9.59    14.78
1988                   8.80        .62         .13        (.62)            -       8.93     8.77
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)               10.33        .12        (.06)       (.11)            -      10.28      .64
CLASS C (10/93)
1997                  10.03        .48         .23        (.48)            -      10.26     7.20
1996                  10.22        .49        (.18)       (.50)            -      10.03     3.01
1995                  10.06        .51         .16        (.51)            -      10.22     6.97
1994(c)               10.84        .32        (.78)       (.32)            -      10.06    (6.26)+
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)               10.27        .18         .01        (.18)            -      10.28     1.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)               RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
                            ---------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                              RATIO
                                             OF NET
                                         INVESTMENT
                               RATIO OF   INCOME TO
NORTH CAROLINA++               EXPENSES     AVERAGE
                  NET ASSETS TO AVERAGE  NET ASSETS
                      END OF  NET AFTER       AFTER  PORTFOLIO
YEAR ENDING       PERIOD (IN REIMBURSE-  REIMBURSE-   TURNOVER
MAY 31,           THOUSANDS)    MENT(B)     MENT(B)       RATE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (3/86)
1997                $181,595        .93%       5.31%        23%
1996                 185,016        .90        5.32         54
1995                 191,850        .91        5.73         35
1994                 196,087        .89        5.41         21
1993                 169,944        .95        5.70         12
1992                 131,488        .98        6.10         17
1991                 108,917        .99        6.36         12
1990                  96,348        .94        6.40         34
1989                  87,539        .92        6.66         21
1988                  68,077        .83        6.93         75
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)                  271       1.62+       4.60+        23
CLASS C (10/93)
1997                   7,065       1.48        4.76         23
1996                   6,589       1.45        4.77         54
1995                   6,049       1.46        5.13         35
1994(c)                4,161       1.49+       4.65+        21
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)                  405        .66+       5.57+        23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
+ Annualized.
++ Information included prior to the year ending May 31, 1997, reflects the
   financial highlights of Flagship North Carolina.
(a) Total returns are calculated on net asset value without any sales charge.
(b) After waiver of certain management fees or reimbursement of expenses, if
    applicable, by Nuveen Advisory or its predecessor, Flagship Financial.
(c) From commencement of class operations as noted.
 
 
 
NOTES:
(1) The Class A sales charge may be reduced or waived based on the amount of
    purchase or for certain eligible categories of investors. A CDSC of 1% is
    imposed on redemptions of certain purchases of $1 million or more within
    18 months of purchase. See "How to Select a Purchase Option."
(2) CDSC declines to 0% at the end of six years.
(3) Imposed only on redemptions within 12 months of purchase.
(4) Effective February 1, 1997, the fund eliminated the 0.20% distribution fee
    for Class A shares and reduced the distribution fee on Class C shares from
    0.75% to 0.55%. Long-term holders of Class B and C shares may pay more in
    distribution fees and CDSCs than the maximum initial sales charge permit-
    ted under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Rules of Fair
    Practice. The waiver/reimbursement levels shown reflect Nuveen's current
    undertaking, made in connection with its acquisition of Flagship Resources
    as described in "Fund Service Providers--Investment Adviser," to continue
    Flagship's general dividend-setting practices.
(5) The expenses shown assume that you redeem your shares at the end of each
    holding period. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
    years. If instead you redeemed your shares immediately prior to the end of
    each holding period, your expenses would be higher. If you did not redeem
    Class B shares at the end of each holding period, your expenses would have
    been $16 for the one year period, $51 for the three year period, $88 for
    the five year period, and $171 for the ten year period. This example does
    not represent past or future expenses; actual expenses may be higher or
    lower.
 
                                      ---
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
       
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP SOUTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                     
                  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
   
INCEPTION: July 6, 1993     
   
NET ASSETS: $10.2 million     
       
TOTAL RETURN (ANNUALIZED)
<TABLE>   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
                     CLASS A         CLASS A
               (OFFER PRICE)           (NAV)         CLASS B         CLASS C         CLASS R
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year                 3.73%           8.28%           7.52%           7.73%           8.45%
Inception              4.04%           5.19%           4.57%           4.78%           5.23%
</TABLE>    
   
Class A total returns reflect actual performance for all periods; Classes B, C
and R total returns reflect actual performance for periods since class incep-
tion (see "Financial Highlights" for dates), and Class A performance for peri-
ods prior to class inception, adjusted for the differences in sales charges
(and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes. Class B total returns as-
sume an ongoing investment and do not reflect the imposition of the CDSC; your
returns for the 1 year and since inception periods would be lower if you re-
deemed at the end of those periods. See Overview of Fund Operating Expenses
and Shareholder Transaction Expenses.     
   
The fund assumes investment risk in pursuit of its investment objective,
chiefly in the form of interest rate risk and credit risk. The fund limits
this risk by purchasing only certain types and maturities of municipal bonds
and by diversifying its investment portfolio geographically and by industry.
See Risk Reduction Strategies for further information.     


MATURITY (YEARS)
   
                           [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]

Average Maturity                19.0
Average Modified Duration        8.2
 
CREDIT QUALITY
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          AAA                     61%
                          AA                      18%
                          A                       14%
                          BBB/NR                   7%

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION (TOP 6) 
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                       Water & Sewer                 22%
                       General Obligations           17%
                       Education/Student Loans       14%
                       Municipal Appropriations      12%
                       Housing Facilities            11%
                       Other                         24%


                    EXPENSE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Maximum, as % of Offering Price)
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                        CLASS A    CLASS B    CLASS C    CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Charge on Purchases                                 4.20%(1)       -          -          -
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                          -          -          -          -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) on Redemptions        -(1)      5%(2)      1%(3)       -
</TABLE>    
       
OVERVIEW OF FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Annual, as % of Average Net Assets)
 
<TABLE>   
<S>              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
                 CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C  CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------
Management Fees    0.55%    0.55%    0.55%    0.55%
12b-1 Fees         0.20%    0.95%    0.75%        -
Other Expenses     0.60%    0.60%    0.60%    0.60%
- ----------------------------------------------------
  Total (Gross)    1.35%    2.10%    1.90%    1.15%
Waivers/
Reimbursements    (0.76%)  (0.76%)  (0.76%)  (0.76%)
- ----------------------------------------------------
  Total (Net)      0.59%    1.34%    1.14%    0.39%
</TABLE>    
       
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER EXPENSES (5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The example illustrates the expenses on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
the fund based on the Total Expenses shown at left, an assumed annual total
return of 5% and reinvestment of all dividends.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
HOLDING PERIOD         CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1 Year                     $48                   $53                   $12                    $4
3 Years                    $60                   $75                   $36                   $13
5 Years                    $74                   $85                   $63                   $22
10 Years                  $113                  $141                  $139                   $49
</TABLE>    
 
                                      ---
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
 
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The financial highlights below are excerpted from the fund's latest annual re-
port which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent
auditors. For a free copy of the fund's latest annual and/or semi-annual re-
ports, write to Nuveen or call (800) 621-7227.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE    LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)    -----------------------  ---------------------
<S>             <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>    <C>
 
 
 
SOUTH                                         NET
CAROLINA++            NET            REALIZED AND   DIVIDENDS  DISTRIBU-     NET    TOTAL
                    ASSET              UNREALIZED   FROM TAX-      TIONS   ASSET   RETURN
                    VALUE        NET  GAIN (LOSS)  EXEMPT NET       FROM   VALUE   ON NET
YEAR ENDING     BEGINNING INVESTMENT         FROM  INVESTMENT    CAPITAL  END OF    ASSET
MAY 31,         OF PERIOD  INCOME(B)  INVESTMENTS      INCOME      GAINS  PERIOD VALUE(A)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (7/93)
1997                $9.28       $.51        $ .24       $(.50)      $  -   $9.53     8.28%
1996                 9.45        .48         (.15)       (.50)         -    9.28     3.53
1995                 9.20        .50          .25        (.50)         -    9.45     8.54
1994(c)              9.58        .42         (.38)       (.39)      (.03)   9.20      .15+
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)              9.61        .13         (.11)       (.11)         -    9.52      .20
CLASS C (2/97)
1997(c)              9.63        .13         (.13)       (.11)         -    9.52      .03
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)              9.60        .14         (.07)       (.13)         -    9.54      .75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                     RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)    -------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>
 
                                                RATIO
                                               OF NET
                                 RATIO OF  INVESTMENT
SOUTH                            EXPENSES   INCOME TO
CAROLINA++                     TO AVERAGE     AVERAGE
                    NET ASSETS NET ASSETS  NET ASSETS
                        END OF      AFTER       AFTER  PORTFOLIO
YEAR ENDING             PERIOD REIMBURSE-  REIMBURSE-   TURNOVER
MAY 31,         (IN THOUSANDS)    MENT(B)     MENT(B)       RATE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (7/93)
1997                   $ 9,629        .41%       5.36%        68%
1996                    10,534        .71        4.98         76
1995                     9,013        .40        5.54         87
1994(c)                  6,284        .40+       4.82+        88
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(c)                    160       1.09+       4.87+        68
CLASS C (2/97)
1997(c)                    420        .90+       4.86+        68
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(c)                     25        .14+       5.73+        68
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
+ Annualized.
++ Information included prior to the year ending May 31, 1997, reflects the
   financial highlights of Flagship South Carolina.
(a) Total returns are calculated on net asset value without any sales charge.
(b) After waiver of certain management fees or reimbursement of expenses, if
    applicable, by Nuveen Advisory or its predecessor, Flagship Financial.
(c) From commencement of class operations as noted.
 
 
NOTES:
(1) The Class A sales charge may be reduced or waived based on the amount of
    purchase or for certain eligible categories of investors. A CDSC of 1% is
    imposed on redemptions of certain purchases of $1 million or more within
    18 months of purchase. See "How to Select a Purchase Option."
(2) CDSC declines to 0% at the end of six years.
(3) Imposed only on redemptions within 12 months of purchase.
(4) Effective February 1, 1997, the fund eliminated the 0.20% distribution fee
    on Class A shares and reduced the distribution fee on Class C shares from
    0.75% to 0.55%. Long-term holders of Class B and C shares may pay more in
    distribution fees and CDSCs than the maximum initial sales charge permit-
    ted under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Rules of Fair
    Practice. The waiver/reimbursement levels shown reflect Nuveen's current
    undertaking, made in connection with its acquisition of Flagship Resources
    as described in "Fund Service Providers--Investment Adviser," to continue
    Flagship's general dividend-setting practices.
(5) The expenses shown assume that you redeem your shares at the end of each
    holding period. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
    years. If instead you redeemed your shares immediately prior to the end of
    each holding period, your expenses would be higher. If you did not redeem
    Class B shares at the end of each holding period, your expenses would have
    been $14 for the one year period, $42 for the three year period, $73 for
    the five year period, and $141 for the ten year period. This example does
    not represent past or future expenses; actual expenses may be higher or
    lower.
 
                                      ---
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
   
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP TENNESSEE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND     
                     
                  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
   
INCEPTION: November 2, 1987     
   
NET ASSETS: $273.3 million     
 
TOTAL RETURN (ANNUALIZED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                     CLASS A         CLASS A
               (OFFER PRICE)            (NAV)        CLASS B         CLASS C         CLASS R
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
1 Year                 3.18%           7.71%           7.07%           7.12%           7.58%
5 Years                5.76%           6.67%           6.08%           6.07%           6.64%
Inception              7.35%           7.83%           7.34%           7.23%           7.82%
</TABLE>    
   
Class A total returns reflect actual performance for all periods; Classes B, C
and R total returns reflect actual performance for periods since class incep-
tion (see "Financial Highlights" for dates), and Class A performance for peri-
ods prior to class inception, adjusted for the differences in sales charges
(and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes. Class B total returns as-
sume an ongoing investment and do not reflect the imposition of the CDSC; your
returns for the 1 year and 5 year periods would be lower if you redeemed at
the end of those periods. See Overview of Fund Operating Expenses and Share-
holder Transaction Expenses.     
   
The fund assumes investment risk in pursuit of its investment objective,
chiefly in the form of interest rate risk and credit risk. The fund limits
this risk by purchasing only certain types and maturities of municipal bonds
and by diversifying its investment portfolio geographically and by industry.
See Risk Reduction Strategies for further information.     
 

MATURITY (YEARS)
   
                           [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]

Average Maturity                19.3
Average Modified Duration        7.0
 
CREDIT QUALITY
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          AAA/Pre-refunded        40%
                          AA                      24%
                          A                       18%
                          BBB/NR                  10%

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION (TOP 6) 
 
                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                          Pollution Control       19%
                          Health Care/Hospitals   17%
                          General Obligations     14%
                          Escrowed Bonds          14%
                          Housing Facilities       9%
                          Other                   27%


                    EXPENSE INFORMATION AS OF 5/31/97     
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Maximum, as % of Offering Price)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Sales Charge on Purchases                        4.20%(1)       -       -       -
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                    -       -       -       -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) on
Redemptions                                         - (1)   5%(2)   1%(3)       -
</TABLE>
 
OVERVIEW OF FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Annual, as % of Average Net Assets)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                       CLASS A              CLASS B              CLASS C              CLASS R
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Management Fees          0.54%                0.54%                0.54%                0.54%
12b-1 Fees               0.20%                0.95%                0.75%                    -
Other Expenses           0.10%                0.10%                0.10%                0.10%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Gross)           0.84%                1.59%                1.39%                0.64%
Waivers/
Reimbursements          (0.04%)              (0.04%)              (0.04%)              (0.04%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total (Net)             0.80%                1.55%                1.35%                0.60%
</TABLE>    
 
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER EXPENSES (5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The example illustrates the expenses on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
the fund based on the Total Expenses shown at left, an assumed annual total
return of 5% and reinvestment of all dividends.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
HOLDING PERIOD         CLASS A               CLASS B               CLASS C               CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1 Year                     $50                   $55                   $14                    $6
3 Years                    $66                   $81                   $43                   $19
5 Years                    $85                   $96                   $74                   $33
10 Years                  $137                  $164                  $162                   $75
</TABLE>    
 
                                      ---
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
 
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The financial highlights below are excerpted from the fund's latest annual re-
port which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent
auditors. For a free copy of the fund's latest annual and/or semi-annual re-
ports, write to Nuveen or call (800) 621-7227.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  OPERATING PERFORMANCE      LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)            ----------------------  ------------------------
                                                     NET
                                                REALIZED
TENNESSEE++                   NET                    AND   DIVIDENDS                   NET    TOTAL
                            ASSET             UNREALIZED   FROM TAX-                 ASSET   RETURN
                            VALUE        NET GAIN (LOSS)  EXEMPT NET DISTRIBUTIONS   VALUE   ON NET
YEAR ENDING             BEGINNING INVESTMENT        FROM  INVESTMENT  FROM CAPITAL  END OF    ASSET
MAY 31,                 OF PERIOD  INCOME(B) INVESTMENTS      INCOME         GAINS  PERIOD VALUE(A)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>    <C>
CLASS A (11/87)
1997                       $10.83       $.59       $ .23      $(.59)          $  -  $11.06     7.71%
1996                        11.01        .59        (.18)      (.59)             -   10.83     3.78
1995                        10.78        .60         .23       (.60)             -   11.01     8.04
1994                        11.23        .61        (.43)      (.61)          (.02)  10.78     1.55
1993                        10.56        .62         .68       (.63)             -   11.23    12.60
1992                        10.34        .65         .22       (.65)             -   10.56     8.66
1991                        10.09        .67         .26       (.67)          (.01)  10.34     9.73
1990                        10.26        .67        (.15)      (.67)          (.02)  10.09     5.53
1989                         9.65        .68         .60       (.67)             -   10.26    13.89
1988(c)                      9.58        .35         .09       (.37)             -    9.65     7.50+
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(C)                     11.14        .14        (.09)      (.13)             -   11.06      .42
CLASS C (10/93)
1997                        10.82        .53         .23       (.53)             -   11.05     7.12
1996                        11.00        .53        (.18)      (.53)             -   10.82     3.22
1995                        10.78        .54         .22       (.54)             -   11.00     7.35
1994(c)                     11.61        .35        (.83)      (.34)          (.01)  10.78    (5.92)+
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(C)                     11.09        .20        (.05)      (.20)             -   11.04     1.40
<CAPTION>
                                 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
CLASS (INCEPTION DATE)  ---------------------------------------------
                                                   RATIO
                                                   OF NET
                                     RATIO OF  INVESTMENT
                                     EXPENSES   INCOME TO
TENNESSEE++                        TO AVERAGE     AVERAGE
                        NET ASSETS NET ASSETS  NET ASSETS
                            END OF      AFTER       AFTER  PORTFOLIO
YEAR ENDING             PERIOD (IN REIMBURSE-  REIMBURSE-   TURNOVER
MAY 31,                 THOUSANDS)    MENT(B)     MENT(B)       RATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
CLASS A (11/87)
1997                      $257,475        .85%       5.35%        23%
1996                       250,886        .88        5.30         38
1995                       241,778        .89        5.64         23
1994                       236,230        .76        5.42         17
1993                       191,811        .88        5.66         15
1992                       126,833        .84        6.18         35
1991                        92,431        .76        6.60         30
1990                        73,752        .78        6.57         56
1989                        62,048        .62        6.80         50
1988(c)                     23,725        .47+       6.35+        23
CLASS B (2/97)
1997(C)                        537       1.37+       4.72+        23
CLASS C (10/93)
1997                        15,049       1.40        4.80         23
1996                        15,483       1.43        4.75         38
1995                        12,494       1.44        5.08         23
1994(c)                     10,652       1.23+       4.80+        17
CLASS R (2/97)
1997(C)                        248        .46+       5.75+        23
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Annualized.
++ Information included prior to the year ending May 31, 1997, reflects the
   financial highlights of Flagship Tennessee.
(a) Total returns are calculated on net asset value without any sales charge.
(b) After waiver of certain management fees or reimbursement of expenses, if
    applicable, by Nuveen Advisory or its predecessor, Flagship Financial.
(c) From commencement of class operations as noted.
 
NOTES:
(1) The Class A sales charge may be reduced or waived based on the amount of
    purchase or for certain eligible categories of investors. A CDSC of 1% is
    imposed on redemptions of certain purchases of $1 million or more within
    18 months of purchase. See "How to Select a Purchase Option."
 
(2) CDSC declines to 0% at the end of six years.
 
(3) Imposed only on redemptions within 12 months of purchase.
 
(4) Effective February 1, 1997, the fund eliminated the 0.20% distribution fee
    on Class A shares and reduced the distribution fee on Class C shares from
    0.75% to 0.55%. Long-term holders of Class B and C shares may pay more in
    distribution fees and CDSCs than the maximum initial sales charge permit-
    ted under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Rules of Fair
    Practice. The waiver/reimbursement levels shown reflect Nuveen's current
    undertaking, made in connection with its acquisition of Flagship Resources
    as described in "Fund Service Providers--Investment Adviser," to continue
    Flagship's general dividend-setting practices.
 
(5) The expenses shown assume that you redeem your shares at the end of each
    holding period. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
    years. If instead you redeemed your shares immediately prior to the end of
    each holding period, your expenses would be higher. If you did not redeem
    Class B shares at the end of each holding period, your expenses would have
    been $16 for the one year period, $49 for the three year period, $84 for
    the five year period, and $164 for the ten year period. This example does
    not represent past or future expenses; actual expenses may be higher or
    lower.
 
                                      ---
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
FUND STRATEGIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The investment objective of each fund is to provide you with as high a level
of current interest income exempt from regular federal, state and, in some
cases, local income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital. There
is no assurance that the funds will achieve their investment objective.
 
INVESTOR SUITABILITY
The funds are a suitable investment for tax-conscious investors seeking to:
 
 .  Earn regular monthly tax-free dividends;
 
 .  Preserve investment capital over time;
 
 .  Reduce taxes on investment income;
 
 .  Set aside money systematically for retirement, estate planning or college
   funding.
 
The funds are not a suitable investment for individuals seeking to:
 
 . Pursue an aggressive, high-growth investment strategy;
 
 . Invest through an IRA or 401k plan;
 
 . Avoid fluctuations in share price.
 
 
HOW THE FUNDS SELECT INVESTMENTS
 
TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL BONDS
The funds invest substantially all of their assets (at least 80%) in municipal
bonds that pay interest that is exempt from regular federal, state and, in
some cases, local income taxes. Income from these bonds may be subject to the
federal alternative minimum tax.
 
Municipal bonds are either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically
are issued to finance public projects (such as roads or public buildings), to
pay general operating expenses, or to refinance outstanding debt. Municipal
bonds may also be issued for private activities, such as housing, medical and
educational facility construction, or for privately owned industrial develop-
ment and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds are backed by
the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be re-
paid from any revenue source; revenue bonds may be repaid only from the reve-
nues of a specific facility or source.
 
FOCUS ON QUALITY MUNICIPAL BONDS
The funds purchase only quality municipal bonds that are either rated invest-
ment grade (AAA/Aaa to BBB/Baa) by independent ratings agencies at the time of
purchase or are non-rated but judged to be investment grade by the funds' in-
vestment adviser. If suitable municipal bonds from a specific state are not
available at attractive prices and yields, a fund may invest in municipal
bonds of U.S. territories (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) which are exempt from
regular federal, state, and local income taxes.
 
The funds may purchase municipal bonds that represent lease obligations. These
carry special risks because the issuer of the bonds may not be obligated to
appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease. In order to re-
duce this risk, the funds will only purchase leases where the issuer has a
strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.
 
Bond ratings are furnished by Standard & Poor's Corporation, Fitch Investors
Services, and Moody's Investors Services. The ratings BBB and Baa are not
identical--S&P and Fitch consider bonds rated BBB to have adequate capacity to
pay principal and interest; Moody's considers bonds rated Baa to have some
speculative characteristics. Bond ratings represent the opinions of the rat-
ings agencies; they are not absolute standards of quality.
 
VALUE INVESTING STRATEGY
The funds' investment adviser uses a value-oriented strategy and looks for
higher-yielding and undervalued municipal bonds that offer above-average total
return potential. The adviser emphasizes fundamental research and selects mu-
nicipal bonds on the basis of its evaluation of each bond's relative value in
terms of current yield, price, credit quality and future prospects. The ad-
viser then monitors each fund's portfolio to assure that municipal bonds pur-
chased continue to represent over time, in its opinion, the best values avail-
able.
 
PORTFOLIO MATURITY
Each fund purchases municipal bonds with different maturities in pursuit of
its investment objective, but maintains under normal market conditions an in-
vestment portfolio with an overall weighted average maturity within a defined
range. All of the funds described in this prospectus are long-term funds and
normally maintain a weighted average portfolio maturity of 15 to 30 years. See
"Defensive Investment Strategies" below for further information.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
A fund buys and sells portfolio securities in the normal course of its invest-
ment activities. The proportion of the fund's investment portfolio that is
sold and replaced with new securities during a year is known as the fund's
portfolio turnover rate. The funds intend to keep portfolio turnover rela-
tively low in order to reduce trading costs and the realization of taxable
capital gains. Each fund, however, may make limited short-term trades to take
advantage of market opportunities or reduce market risk.
 
DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
Each fund may buy or sell bonds on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis,
making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15 to 45
days of the trade date. This type of transaction may involve an element of
risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and, since
securities are subject to market fluctuation, the value of the bonds at time
of delivery may be less (or more) than cost.
 
 
                                      ---
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES
 
In pursuit of its investment objective, each fund assumes investment risk,
chiefly in the form of interest rate and credit risk. Interest rate risk is
the risk that changes in market interest rates will affect the value of a
fund's investment portfolio. In general, the value of a municipal bond falls
when interest rates rise, and increases when interest rates fall. Credit risk
is the risk that an issuer of a municipal bond is unable to meet its obliga-
tion to make interest and principal payments. In general, lower rated munici-
pal bonds are perceived to carry a greater degree of risk in the issuer's
ability to make interest and principal payments. Municipal bonds with longer
maturities (durations) or lower ratings generally provide higher current in-
come, but are subject to greater price fluctuation due to changes in market
conditions than bonds with shorter maturities or higher ratings, respectively.
 
Because the funds primarily purchase municipal bonds from a specific state,
each fund also bears investment risk from the economic, political or regula-
tory changes that could adversely affect municipal bond issuers in that state
and therefore the value of the fund's investment portfolio. These risks may be
greater for the Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina
Funds, which as "non-diversified" funds may concentrate their investments in
municipal bonds of certain issuers to a greater extent than the Tennessee Fund
described in this prospectus, which is a diversified fund.
 
The funds limit your investment risk generally by restricting the types and
maturities of municipal bonds they purchase, and by diversifying their invest-
ment portfolios across different industry sectors. The funds should be consid-
ered long-term investments and may not be suitable for investors with short-
term investment horizons.
 
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The funds have adopted certain investment limitations (based on total fund as-
sets) designed to limit your investment risk and maintain portfolio diversifi-
cation. Each fund may not have more than:
 
 . 25% in any one industry sector, such as electric utilities or health care;
  and
 
 . 10% in borrowings (33% if used to meet redemptions).
 
As a diversified fund, the Tennessee Fund also may not have more than:
 
 . 5% in securities of any one issuer (except U.S. government securities or for
  25% of each fund's assets).
 
DEFENSIVE INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Each fund may invest in high quality short-term municipal securities in order
to reduce risk and preserve capital. Under normal market conditions, each fund
may invest only up to 20% of net assets in short-term municipal securities
that are exempt from regular federal income tax, although the funds may invest
up to 100% as a temporary defensive measure in response to adverse market con-
ditions. During temporary defensive periods, the weighted average maturity of
a fund's investment portfolio may fall below the defined range described above
under "Portfolio Maturity."
 
If suitable short-term municipal investments are not reasonably available, the
funds may invest in short-term taxable securities that are rated Aaa or AAA,
by Moody's or S&P, respectively, or issued by the U.S. government, and that
have a maturity of one year or less or have a variable interest rate.
 
Each fund may also use various investment strategies designed to limit the
risk of bond price fluctuations and to preserve capital. These hedging strate-
gies include using financial futures contracts, options on financial futures,
or options based on either an index of long-term tax-free securities or on
debt securities whose prices, in the opinion of the funds' investment adviser,
correlate with the prices of the funds' investments. The funds, however, have
no present intent to use these strategies.
 
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each fund's investment objective as well as the policies described above in
"Focus on Quality Municipal Bonds" and "Risk Reduction Strategies" are funda-
mental and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the share-
holders of each fund.
INVESTING IN THE FUNDS
 
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
 
You may open an account with $3,000 per fund share class and make additional
investments at any time with as little as $50. Reinvestment of Nuveen unit
trust distributions have no purchase minimums. Purchases through sponsors of
fee-based programs meeting certain criteria, as described in the statement of
additional information, may be eligible for lower minimums. The share price
you pay will depend on when Nuveen receives your order: orders received before
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00
p.m. Eastern time) will receive that day's share price; otherwise you will re-
ceive the next business day's share price.
 
BUYING SHARES THROUGH A FINANCIAL ADVISER
You may buy fund shares through your financial adviser, who can handle all the
details for you, including establishing an account with Nuveen. Financial ad-
visers can also help you review your financial needs and formulate long-term
investment goals and objectives. In addition, financial advisers generally can
help you develop a customized financial plan, select investments, and monitor
and review your portfolio on an ongoing basis to assure your investments con-
tinue to meet your needs as circumstances change.
 
Financial advisers are usually paid either from fund sales charges and fees or
by charging you a separate fee in lieu of a sales charge for ongoing invest-
ment advice and services.
 
If you do not have a financial adviser, call (800) 621-7227 and Nuveen can re-
fer you to one in your area.
 
                                      ---
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
BUYING SHARES BY MAIL
You may also open an account and purchase shares by mail by completing the en-
closed Nuveen application and mailing it along with your check (payable to the
appropriate fund) to the address listed under "How to Contact Nuveen." Sales
charges are not waived when you buy shares by mail.
 
Each fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order and waive or in-
crease minimum investment requirements. The funds also reserve the right to
suspend the issuance of shares at any time; any suspension, however, will not
affect your ability to redeem shares.
 
HOW TO SELECT A PURCHASE OPTION
 
The funds offer you a variety of flexible options when buying shares. Whether
you typically work with a financial adviser on a commission or a fee basis or
prefer to work on a more self-directed basis, you can purchase shares in the
way that is most suited to your individual circumstances and investment needs.
Each of the four available ways to purchase fund shares is called a class of
shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R. While each of these classes
features different sales charges, on-going fees and eligibility requirements,
each entitles you to a share of the same portfolio of municipal bonds.
 
Selecting the class of shares which is most appropriate for you will depend on
a variety of factors. You should weigh carefully whether you and your finan-
cial adviser work on a commission or fee basis, the types of services that you
will receive, the amount you intend to buy, how long you plan to own your in-
vestment and whether or not you will reinvest dividends. If you compensate
your financial adviser directly, you should consider the fees your financial
adviser charges for investment advice or handling your trades in addition to
any sales charges and fees imposed by the funds. Please refer to your finan-
cial adviser's sales material for further information. Each class of shares is
described in more detail below and under "Fund Service Providers--The Distrib-
utor." Your financial adviser can explain each option and help you determine
which is most appropriate for you, or you can call (800) 621-7227.
 
BUYING CLASS A SHARES
You may buy Class A shares at their public offering price on the day of pur-
chase. The price you pay will equal the Class A NAV (net asset value) plus a
sales charge based upon the amount of your purchase. Class A shares also bear
a 0.20% annual service fee which compensates your financial adviser for pro-
viding you with ongoing service.
 
The following Class A sales charges and commissions apply to all funds de-
scribed in this prospectus:
 
CLASS A SALES CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS
<TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 AUTHORIZED
                                                                                     DEALER
                                    SALES CHARGE                                 COMMISSION
                             -------------------------------------------         ----------
                              AS % OF                                               AS % OF
                               PUBLIC                    AS % OF                     PUBLIC
                             OFFERING                   YOUR NET                   OFFERING
PURCHASE AMOUNT                 PRICE                 INVESTMENT                      PRICE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                      <C>                        <C>
      Up to $50,000            4.20%                       4.38%                      3.70%
    $50,000-100,000            4.00                         4.18                       3.50
   $100,000-250,000            3.50                         3.63                       3.00
   $250,000-500,000            2.50                         2.56                       2.00
 $500,000-1,000,000            2.00                         2.04                       1.50
$1,000,000 and over           --(1)                           --                      --(1)
</TABLE>
(1) Nuveen pays authorized dealers a commission equal to the sum of 1% of the
    first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next $2.5 million, plus 0.25% of any
    amount over $5 million. Unless the authorized dealer waived the commis-
    sion, you may be assessed a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%
    if you redeem any of your shares within 18 months of purchase. The CDSC is
    calculated on the lower of your purchase price or redemption proceeds.
 
Nuveen periodically undertakes sales promotion programs with authorized deal-
ers and may pay them the full applicable sales charge as a commission. In ad-
dition, Nuveen may provide support to authorized dealers in connection with
sales meetings, seminars, prospecting seminars and other events at which
Nuveen presents its products and services. Under certain circumstances, Nuveen
may also make ongoing payments to authorized dealers to facilitate the market-
ing and administration of new and existing shareholder accounts, including
payments for advertising. The statement of additional information contains
further information about these programs.
 
OTHER SALES CHARGE DISCOUNTS
Nuveen offers a number of programs that enable you to reduce or eliminate the
sales charge on Class A shares:
 
Sales Charge Reductions
 
 . Rights of Accumulation
 
 . Letter of Intent
 
 . Group Purchase
 
Sales Charge Waivers
 
 . Nuveen Unit Trust Reinvestment
 
 . Purchases using Redemptions from Unrelated Funds
 
 . Fee-Based Programs
 
 . Bank Trust Departments
 
 . Certain Employees of Nuveen or Authorized Dealers
 
                                      ---
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
Please refer to the statement of additional information for detailed descrip-
tions of these programs. Further information on these programs is also avail-
able through your financial adviser or by calling (800) 621-7227. Your finan-
cial adviser can also provide and help you prepare the necessary application
forms. You or your financial adviser are responsible for notifying Nuveen
about your eligibility for any sales charge reduction or waiver at the time of
each purchase.
 
The funds may modify or discontinue these programs at any time upon written
notice to shareholders.
 
BUYING CLASS B SHARES
You may buy Class B shares at their public offering price on the day of pur-
chase. The price you pay will equal the Class B NAV. There is no initial sales
charge, but Class B shares bear a 0.20% annual service fee which compensates
your financial adviser for providing you with ongoing service, and a 0.75% an-
nual distribution fee which compensates Nuveen for paying your financial ad-
viser a 4% commission at the time of purchase.
 
Class B shares convert automatically to Class A shares eight years after pur-
chase. Class B shares will convert only if the fund is assured that the con-
version does not generate tax consequences for investors, based upon the opin-
ion of outside counsel or the written assurance of the IRS.
 
CLASS B CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
If you redeem Class B shares within six years of purchase, you will be as-
sessed a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) based upon the following
schedule:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      DURING YEAR
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              1               2               3               4               5               6              7+
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
CDSC         5%              4%              4%              3%              2%              1%              0%
</TABLE>
 
The CDSC is calculated on the lower of your purchase price or redemption pro-
ceeds.
 
BUYING CLASS C SHARES
You may buy Class C shares at their public offering price on the day of pur-
chase. The price you pay will equal the Class C NAV. There is no initial sales
charge, but Class C shares bear a 0.20% annual service fee which compensates
your financial adviser for providing you with ongoing service, and a 0.55% an-
nual distribution fee which compensates Nuveen for paying your financial ad-
viser for the sale, including a 1% commission at the time of sale.
 
If you redeem your Class C shares within one year of purchase, you may be as-
sessed a CDSC of 1%. The CDSC is calculated on the lower of your purchase
price or redemption proceeds.
 
BUYING CLASS R SHARES
Under limited circumstances, you may purchase Class R shares at their net as-
set value on the day of purchase. In order to qualify, you must be eligible
under one of the programs described under "Other Sales Charge Discounts" above
to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge (excluding Unit Trust rein-
vestment) or meet certain other purchase size criteria. Please refer to the
statement of additional information for further information. There are no
sales charges or ongoing fees. Class R shares have lower ongoing expenses than
Class A shares.
 
HOW TO SELL FUND SHARES
 
You may use one of the methods described below to redeem your shares on any
day the New York Stock Exchange is open. You will receive the share price next
determined after Nuveen has received your redemption request in good order.
Your redemption request must be received before the close of trading of the
New York Stock Exchange (normally 4 p.m. Eastern time) for you to receive that
day's price. The funds do not charge any redemption fees, although you will be
assessed a CDSC were applicable.
 
SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER
You may sell fund shares by contacting your financial adviser who can provide
and help you prepare all the necessary documentation. Your financial adviser
may charge you for this service.
 
SELLING SHARES BY TELEPHONE
Unless you have declined telephone redemption privileges, you may sell fund
shares by calling (800) 621-7227. Your redemption must not exceed $50,000 and
you may not redeem by telephone shares held in certificate form. Checks will
be issued only to the shareholder on record and mailed to the address on rec-
ord. If you have established electronic funds transfer privileges on your ac-
count, you may have redemption proceeds transferred electronically to your
bank account; if you are redeeming $1,000 or more, you may expedite your re-
quest by having your redemption proceeds wired directly into your bank ac-
count. See "Fund
Direct--Electronic Funds Transfer" below.
 
Nuveen, the transfer agent, or the fund will be liable for losses resulting
from unauthorized telephone redemptions only if they do not follow reasonable
procedures designed to verify the identity of the caller. You should immedi-
ately verify your trade confirmations when you receive them.
 
SELLING SHARES BY MAIL
You may sell fund shares by mail by sending a written request to Nuveen at the
address listed below under "How to Contact Nuveen." Your request must include
the following information:
 
 . The fund's name;
 
 . Your name and account number;
 
 . The dollar or share amount you wish to redeem;
 
 . The signature of each owner exactly as it appears on the account;
 
 . The name of the person you want your redemption proceeds paid to, if other
  than to the shareholder of record;
 
 . The address you want your redemption proceeds sent to, if other than the ad-
  dress of record;
                                      17---
<PAGE>
 
 . Any certificates you have for the shares; and
 
 . Any required signature guarantees.
 
Signatures must be guaranteed if you are redeeming more than $50,000, you want
the check payable to someone other than the shareholder on record, or you want
the check sent to another address (or the address on record has been changed
within the last 60 days). Signature guarantees must be obtained from a bank,
brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved
Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the fund. A
notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
 
Unless other arrangements are made, checks will be sent to your address on
record. Checks will normally be mailed within one business day, but in no
event more than seven days from receipt of your redemption request. If any
shares were purchased less than 15 days prior to your request, the fund will
not mail your redemption proceeds until the check for your purchase has
cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
Each fund may suspend redemptions or delay payment on redemptions for more
than seven days (three days for street name accounts) in certain extraordinary
circumstances as described in the statement of additional information.
 
OPERATION OF THE CDSC
When you redeem Class A, Class B, or Class C shares subject to a CDSC, the
fund will first redeem any shares that are not subject to a CDSC or that rep-
resent an increase in the value of your fund account due to capital apprecia-
tion, and then redeem the shares you have owned for the longest period of
time, unless you ask the fund to redeem your shares in a different order. No
CDSC is imposed on shares you buy through the reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains. The holding period is calculated on a monthly basis and begins
on the first day of the month in which you buy shares. When you redeem shares
subject to a CDSC, the CDSC is calculated on the lower of your purchase price
or redemption proceeds, deducted from your redemption proceeds, and paid to
Nuveen. The CDSC may be waived under certain special circumstances as de-
scribed in the statement of additional information.
 
ACCOUNT MINIMUMS
From time to time, the funds may establish minimum account size requirements.
The funds reserve the right to liquidate your account upon 30 days written no-
tice if the value of your account falls below an established minimum. The
funds presently have set a minimum balance of $100 unless you have an active
unit trust reinvestment account. You will not be assessed a CDSC on an invol-
untary redemption.
 
EXCHANGING SHARES
 
You may exchange fund shares at any time for the same class of shares in an-
other Nuveen national or state mutual fund. You may exchange fund shares by
calling (800) 621-7227 or by mailing your written request to Nuveen at the ad-
dress listed under "How to Contact Nuveen."
 
You must have owned your fund shares for at least 15 days and your exchange
must meet the minimum purchase requirements of the fund into which you are ex-
changing. No CDSC will be assessed on an exchange, and the holding period of
your investment will be carried over to the new fund for purposes of determin-
ing any future CDSC. You may not exchange Class B shares for shares of a
Nuveen money market fund.
 
Because an exchange is treated for tax purposes as the concurrent sale and
purchase of fund shares, you should consult your tax adviser about the tax
consequences of any contemplated exchange. Each fund reserves the right to
limit or terminate exchange privileges if it believes doing so is in the best
interests of fund shareholders.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON MARKET TIMING
The exchange privilege is not intended to permit you to use a fund for short-
term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with portfolio manage-
ment, raise fund operating expenses or otherwise have an adverse effect on
fund shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other
circumstances where the funds' investment adviser believes doing so would be
in the best interests of the fund, each fund reserves the right to revise or
terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges, or
reject any exchange. You will be notified in the event this happens to the ex-
tent required by law.
 
OPTIONAL FEATURES AND SERVICES
 
SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT
Once you have opened an account, you may make regular investments of $50 or
more a month through automatic deductions from your bank account (see "Fund
Direct--Electronic Funds Transfer" below), or directly from your paycheck. To
invest regularly from your bank account, simply complete the appropriate sec-
tion of the account application. To invest regularly from your paycheck, call
Nuveen for a Payroll Direct Deposit Enrollment form. If you need additional
copies of these forms, or would like assistance completing them, contact your
financial adviser or call Nuveen at (800) 621-7227.
 
One of the benefits of systematic investing is "dollar cost averaging." Be-
cause you are making fixed payments, you buy fewer shares when the price is
high, and more when the price is low. As a result, the average price you pay
will be less than the average share price of fund shares over this period.
Dollar cost averaging does not assure profits or protect against losses in a
steadily declining market. Since dollar cost averaging involves continuous in-
vestment regardless of fluctuating price levels, you should consider your fi-
nancial ability to continue investing in declining as well as rising markets
before deciding to invest in this way.
 
Systematic investing may also make you eligible for reduced sales charges on
shares of the fund as well as other Nuveen mutual funds (see "Other Sales
Charge Discounts").
 
                                      ---
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
THE POWER OF SYSTEMATIC INVESTING
The chart below illustrates the benefits of systematic investing based on a
$3,000 initial investment and subsequent monthly investments of $100 over 20
years. The example assumes you earn a return of 4%, 5% or 6% annually on your
investment and that you reinvest all dividends. These annual returns do not
reflect past or projected fund performance.
 
THE POWER OF SYSTEMATIC INVESTING
 
LOGO
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS
If the value of your fund account is at least $10,000, you may request to have
$50 or more withdrawn automatically from your account. You may elect to re-
ceive payments monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually and may choose to
receive a check, have the monies transferred directly into your bank account
(see "Fund Direct--Electronic Funds Transfer" below), paid to a third party or
sent payable to you at an address other than your address of record. You must
complete the appropriate section of the account application or Account Update
Form to participate in the fund's systematic withdrawal plan.
 
You should not establish systematic withdrawals if you intend to make concur-
rent purchases of Class A, B or C shares because you may unnecessarily pay a
sales charge or CDSC on these purchases.
 
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
If you redeem fund shares, you may reinvest all or part of your redemption
proceeds in shares of the same class up to one year later without incurring
any applicable sales charges, and your prior holding period will be reinstated
for the purpose of determining applicable sales charges. You may exercise this
privilege only once per redemption request.
 
If you paid a CDSC, your CDSC will be refunded and your holding period rein-
stated. You should consult your tax adviser about the tax consequences of ex-
ercising your reinstatement privilege.
 
FUND DIRECT-ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER
You may arrange to transfer funds electronically between your bank account and
your fund account by completing the appropriate section of the account appli-
cation or the Account Update Form. If you need additional copies of these
forms, or would like assistance completing them, contact your financial ad-
viser or call Nuveen at (800) 621-7227. You may use Fund Direct to quickly and
conveniently purchase or sell shares by telephone, systematically invest or
withdraw funds, or send dividend payments directly to your bank account.
 
In addition, if you have established electronic funds transfer privileges on
your account, you may request that redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more be
sent by Federal Reserve wire directly into your bank account. While you will
generally receive your redemption proceeds more quickly than a regular tele-
phone redemption via Fund Direct, the fund may charge you a fee for this expe-
dited service.
 
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES
 
HOW THE FUNDS PAY DIVIDENDS
 
The funds pay tax-free dividends monthly and any taxable capital gains or
other distributions once a year in December. The funds declare dividends on or
about the ninth of each month and generally pay dividends on the first busi-
ness day of the following month.
 
PAYMENT AND REINVESTMENT OPTIONS
The funds automatically reinvest your dividends each month in additional fund
shares of the same share class unless you request otherwise. You may request
to have your dividends paid to you by check, deposited directly into your bank
account, paid to a third party, sent to an address other than your address of
record or reinvested in shares of the same share class of another Nuveen mu-
tual fund. If you wish to do so, complete the appropriate section of the ac-
count application, contact your financial adviser or call Nuveen at (800) 621-
7227.
 
CALCULATION OF FUND DIVIDENDS
Each fund pays dividends based upon its past and projected net income in order
to distribute substantially all of its net income each fiscal year.
 
In order to maintain a more stable monthly dividend, each fund may sometimes
distribute less or more than the amount of net income earned in a particular
period as a result of fluctuations in a fund's net income. Undistributed net
income is included in the fund's share price; similarly, distributions from
previously undistributed net income reduce the fund's share price. This divi-
dend policy is not expected to affect the management of a fund's portfolio.
 
                                      ---
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
Dividends for Class A, B, C and R shares are determined in the same manner and
at the same time. Dividends per share will vary based on which class of fund
shares you own, reflecting the different ongoing fees and other expenses of
each class.
 
TAXES AND TAX REPORTING
 
The discussion below and in the statement of additional information provides
general tax information related to an investment in fund shares. Because tax
laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax adviser about
the tax consequences of a specific fund investment.
 
Each fund primarily invests in municipal bonds from a specific state or in mu-
nicipal bonds whose income is otherwise exempt from regular federal, state and
local income taxes. Consequently, the regular monthly dividends you receive
will be exempt from regular federal, state and, in some cases, local income
taxes. All or a portion of these dividends, however, may be subject to the
federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
 
Although the funds do not seek to realize taxable income or capital gains, the
funds may realize and distribute taxable income or capital gains from time to
time as a result of each fund's normal investment activities. Each fund will
distribute in December any taxable income or capital gains realized over the
preceding year. Net short-term gains are taxable as ordinary income. Net long-
term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of how
long you have owned your investment. Taxable dividends do not qualify for a
dividends received deduction if you are a corporate shareholder.
 
Each year, you will receive a year-end statement that describes the tax status
of dividends paid to you during the preceding year, including the source of
its investment income by state and the portion of its income that is subject
to AMT. You will receive this statement from the firm where you purchased your
fund shares if you hold your investment in street name; Nuveen will send you
this statement if you hold your shares in registered form.
 
The tax status of your dividends is not affected by whether you reinvest your
dividends or receive them in cash.
 
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES CLOSE TO A RECORD DATE
If you purchase fund shares shortly before the record date for a taxable divi-
dend, the entire dividend you receive may be taxable to you even though a por-
tion of the dividend effectively represents a return of your purchase price.
This is commonly known as "buying a dividend." Similarly, if you sell or ex-
change fund shares shortly before the record date for a tax-exempt dividend, a
portion of the price you receive may be treated as a taxable capital gain even
though it reflects tax-free income earned but not yet distributed by the fund.
 
REDEEMING SHARES HELD LESS THAN SIX MONTHS
If you sell or exchange shares that you have owned for less than six months
and you recognized a short-term capital loss when you redeemed your shares,
the loss you can claim will be reduced by the amount of tax-free dividends
paid to you on those shares. Any remaining short-term capital loss will be
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent you also received capital gain
dividends on those shares. You should consult your tax adviser for complete
information about these rules. Please consider the tax consequences carefully
when contemplating a redemption.
 
OTHER IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
In order to avoid corporate taxation of its earnings and to pay tax-free divi-
dends, each fund must meet certain I.R.S. requirements that govern the fund's
sources of income, diversification of assets and distribution of earnings to
shareholders. Each fund has met these requirements in the past and intends to
do so in the future. If a fund failed to do so, the fund would be required to
pay corporate taxes on its earnings and all your distributions would be tax-
able as ordinary income.
 
A fund may be required to withhold 31% of certain of your dividends if you
have not provided the fund with your correct taxpayer identification number
(normally your social security number), or if you are otherwise subject to
back-up withholding.
 
If you receive social security benefits, you should be aware that tax-free in-
come is taken into account in calculating the amount of these benefits that
may be subject to federal income tax.
 
If you borrow money to buy fund shares, you may not deduct the interest on
that loan. Under I.R.S. rules, fund shares may be treated as having been
bought with borrowed money even if the purchase cannot be traced directly to
borrowed money.
 
If you are subject to the alternative minimum tax, a portion of your regular
monthly dividends may be taxable.
 
                                      ---
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT YIELDS
 
The taxable equivalent yield is the current yield you would need to earn on a
taxable investment in order to equal a stated tax-free yield on a municipal
investment. To assist you to more easily compare municipal investments like
the funds with taxable alternative investments, the table below presents the
taxable equivalent yields for a range of hypothetical tax-free yields and tax
rates:
 
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT OF TAX-FREE YIELDS
                                Tax-Free Yield
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX RATE         4.00%               4.50%               5.00%                5.50%                6.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>
28.0%            5.56%               6.25%               6.94%                7.64%                8.33%
31.0%            5.80%               6.52%               7.25%                7.97%                8.70%
36.0%            6.25%               7.03%               7.81%                8.59%                9.37%
39.6%            6.62%               7.45%               8.28%                9.11%                9.93%
</TABLE>
 
The yields and tax rates shown above are hypothetical and do not predict your
actual returns or effective tax rate. For more detailed information, see the
statement of additional information or consult your tax adviser.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
 
HOW TO CONTACT NUVEEN
 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
If you would like general information about Nuveen Mutual Funds or any other
Nuveen product, call (800) 621-7227 between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central
time.
 
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
If you are calling to purchase or redeem shares, request an exchange or con-
duct other account transactions, call (800) 621-7227 between 7:30 a.m. and
7:00 p.m. Central time. If you are sending a written request to Nuveen, you
should mail your request to the following address:
 
Nuveen Mutual Funds
P.O. Box 5330
Denver, CO 80217-5330
 
When purchasing fund shares by mail, please be sure to include a check made
out to the name of the Fund and mark clearly on your check which class of
shares you are purchasing. If you do not specify which class of shares you are
purchasing, Nuveen will assume you are buying Class A shares if you are open-
ing a new account; if you are adding to an existing account, Nuveen will as-
sume you wish to buy more shares of the class you already own.
 
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Nuveen Advisory Corp. ("Nuveen Advisory") serves as the investment adviser to
the funds and in this capacity is responsible for the selection and on-going
monitoring of the municipal bonds in each fund's investment portfolio. Nuveen
Advisory serves as investment adviser to investment portfolios with more than
$35 billion in municipal assets under management. The funds' Board of Trustees
oversees the activities of Nuveen Advisory, which also include managing the
funds' business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other
administrative services. Established in 1976, Nuveen Advisory is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, which itself is approxi-
mately 78% owned by the St. Paul Companies, Inc. Effective January 1, 1997,
The John Nuveen Company acquired Flagship Resources Inc., and as part of that
acquisition, Flagship Financial, the adviser to the Flagship Funds, was merged
with Nuveen Advisory.
 
For providing these services, Nuveen Advisory is paid an annual management
fee. The following schedule applies to all funds described in this prospectus:
 
MANAGEMENT FEES
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSET VALUE                                   MANAGEMENT FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
For the first $125 million                                             0.5500%
For the next $125 million                                              0.5375%
For the next $250 million                                              0.5250%
For the next $500 million                                              0.5125%
For the next $1 billion                                                0.5000%
For assets over $2 billion                                             0.4750%
</TABLE>
 
For more information about fees and expenses, see the fund operating expense
tables in the Fund Summaries.
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Overall investment management strategy and operating policies for the funds
are set by the Investment Policy Committee of Nuveen Advisory. The Investment
Policy Committee is comprised of the principal executive officers and portfo-
lio managers of Nuveen Advisory and meets regularly to review economic condi-
tions, the outlook for the financial markets in general and the status of the
municipal markets in particular. Day-to-day operation of each fund and the ex-
ecution of its specific investment strategies is the responsibility of the
designated portfolio manager described below.
 
Michael Davern is the portfolio manager for the Alabama and Georgia Funds. Mr.
Davern has managed these funds since 1994, first as a Vice President of Flag-
ship Financial Inc., the funds' prior investment adviser, and then as a Vice
President of Nuveen Advisory after the acquisition of Flagship Resources Inc.
by The John Nuveen Company in January 1997. Walter Parker is the portfolio
manager for the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee Funds. Mr.
Parker has managed these funds since 1995, and since 1994 had been a Vice
President of Flagship Financial Inc., the funds' prior investment adviser, un-
til becoming a Vice President of Nuveen Advisory upon the acquisition of Flag-
ship Resources Inc. by The John Nuveen Company in January 1997. Jan
 
                                      ---
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
Terbreuggen is the portfolio manager for the Louisiana Fund. Mr. Terbrueggen
has managed the fund as a Vice President of Flagship Financial Inc., the
funds' prior investment adviser, since 1992, until becoming a Vice President
of Nuveen Advisory upon the acquisition of Flagship Resources Inc. by The John
Nuveen Company in January 1997.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
John Nuveen and Co. Incorporated serves as the selling agent and distributor
of the funds' shares. In this capacity, Nuveen manages the offering of the
funds' shares and is responsible for all sales and promotional activities. In
order to reimburse Nuveen for its costs in connection with these activities,
including compensation paid to authorized dealers, each fund has adopted a
distribution and service plan under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940.
 
The plan authorizes each fund to pay Nuveen an annual 0.20% service fee on the
average daily net assets of each class of shares outstanding. The plan also
authorizes each fund to pay Nuveen an annual 0.75% distribution fee on the av-
erage daily net assets of Class B shares outstanding. The plan also authorizes
each fund to pay Nuveen an annual 0.55% distribution fee on the average daily
net assets of Class C shares outstanding. In order to help compensate Nuveen
for the sales commission paid to financial advisers at the time of sale on
sales of Class B and Class C shares, Nuveen retains the first year's service
fee on sales of Class B shares and all Class B distribution fees, and retains
the first year's service and distribution fees on sales of Class C shares.
Otherwise, Nuveen pays these fees to the broker of the record. The statement
of additional information contains a detailed description of the plan and its
provisions.
 
TRANSFER AGENT
The funds have appointed Boston Financial, P.O. Box 8509, Boston, MA, 02266-
8509, as the transfer agent responsible for distributing dividend payments and
providing certain bookkeeping, data processing and other administrative serv-
ices in connection with the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
 
HOW THE FUNDS REPORT PERFORMANCE
 
Each fund may quote its yield and total return in reports to shareholders,
sales literature and advertisements. The funds may also compare their invest-
ment results to various passive indices or other mutual funds with similar in-
vestment objectives. Comparative performance information may include data from
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc. and other industry publi-
cations. See the statement of additional information for a more detailed dis-
cussion.
 
You may find more information about each fund's performance in its annual re-
port. Call Nuveen at (800) 621-7227 for a free copy.
 
HOW FUND SHARES ARE PRICED
 
The share price for each class of fund shares, also called its net asset value
(NAV), is calculated every business day as of the close of regular trading on
the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4 p.m. Eastern time). The net asset
value for a class of fund shares is computed by calculating the total value of
the class' portion of the fund's portfolio investments and other assets, sub-
tracting any liabilities or other debts, and dividing by the total number of
its shares outstanding.
 
The prices of municipal bonds in each fund's investment portfolio are provided
by a pricing service approved and supervised by the fund's Board of Trustees.
When price quotes are not readily available (which is usually the case for mu-
nicipal securities), the pricing service establishes fair market value based
on yields or prices of municipal bonds of comparable quality, type of issue,
coupon, maturity and rating, indications of value from securities dealers and
general market conditions.
 
ORGANIZATION
 
The Trust is an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, consisting of multiple funds. The shares of each fund are divided
into classes. Each class of shares represents an interest in the same portfo-
lio of investments and the shares of each class have equal rights as to vot-
ing, redemption, dividends and liquidation. However, each class bears differ-
ent sales charges and service fees.
 
The funds are not required to and do not intend to hold annual meetings.
Shareholders owning ten percent or more of a fund's outstanding shares may
call a special meeting for any purpose, including to elect or remove trustees
or to change fundamental policies.
 
APPENDIX
 
SPECIAL STATE CONSIDERATIONS
 
Because the funds primarily purchase municipal bonds from a specific state,
each fund also bears investment risk from economic, political or regulatory
changes that could adversely affect municipal bond issuers in that state and
therefore the value of the fund's investment portfolio. The following discus-
sion of special state considerations was obtained from official offering
statements of these issuers and has not been independently verified by the
funds. The discussion includes general state tax information related to an in-
vestment in fund shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you
should consult your tax adviser about the state tax consequences of a specific
fund investment. See the statement of additional information for further in-
formation.
 
ALABAMA
The industrialization of Alabama's economy over the past two decades has re-
sulted in a manufacturing sector that represents just over a quarter of the
state's gross product and 21.7% of employment. In recent years, the importance
of the service sector has grown as regional concentrations such as the medical
complex in Birmingham and the high technol-
 
                                      ---
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
ogy research center at Huntsville stimulate growth. The trade and service sec-
tors have provided 75% of job growth in recent years.
 
The state's unemployment rate was 4.5% in June 1997. Per capita income growth
significantly outpaced the national average during the period from 1980 to
1990. However, personal income in the state remains below the national median
at $20,055, about 82% of the U.S. per capita average.
 
Moody's gives Alabama general obligation bonds an Aa rating while Standard &
Poor's gives them an AA rating.
 
Tax Treatment.
The Alabama Fund's regular monthly dividends will not be subject to Alabama
personal income taxes to the extent they are paid out of income earned on Ala-
bama municipal bonds or U.S. government securities. You will be subject to Al-
abama personal income taxes, however, to the extent the Alabama Fund realizes
any taxable income or capital gains even if such income or gains are not dis-
tributed to you as dividends, or if you sell or exchange Alabama Fund shares
and realize a capital gain on the transaction.
 
The treatment of corporate shareholders of the Alabama Fund is similar to that
described above.
 
GEORGIA
One of the nation's fastest growing states in terms of population, Georgia has
benefited from steady economic and employment growth as a result of the
State's stable and broad-based trade and service economy, low average cost of
living, and extensive transportation infrastructure. This economic growth as
well as the State's healthy financial position were recognized in the State's
recent rating upgrade from AA+ to AAA by Standard & Poor's.
 
The State's unemployment level is low at 4.4% in June, 1997, down from 5.1% in
June of 1996. Per capita income is $22,709, which is about 94% of the national
average and 104% of the region.
 
Georgia's tight financial policies and conservative management have resulted
in a substantial operating surplus of $476 million and an unreserved general
fund balance of $621 million in fiscal 1996. The large surplus enabled the
State to increase reserves for debt service and expand the fiscal 1997 budget.
As of July 31, 1997, Georgia's general obligation debt carries triple-A rat-
ings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch.
 
Tax Treatment.
The Georgia Fund's regular monthly dividends will not be subject to Georgia
personal income taxes to the extent they are paid out of income earned on
Georgia municipal bonds or U.S. government securities. You will be subject to
Georgia personal income taxes, however, to the extent the Georgia Fund dis-
tributes any taxable income or realized capital gains, or if you sell or ex-
change Georgia Fund shares and realize a capital gain on the transaction.
 
The treatment of corporate shareholders of the Georgia Fund is similar to that
described above.
 
LOUISIANA
Louisiana's economic base has experienced some improvement after the recession
of the 1980's. Per capita personal income has improved and was $19,824 in
1996, but remains flat at about 80% of the national average. The annual aver-
age unemployment rate for the State in 1996 was 6.7%, well above the national
average of 5.4%. Employment projections show increases of approximately 2% an-
nually, with 66,000 additional jobs expected in the next two years.
 
The State possesses natural resources which have played a significant role in
driving the economy. Chemicals provide the largest employment in the manufac-
turing industry. Tourism is the second largest industry in the state, adding
$6.6 billion to the economy and generating $450 million in state and local
taxes by the end of 1995. Louisiana will continue to rely on the gaming indus-
try, despite a sector employment drop of about 4% in 1996 due to the consoli-
dation and downsizing of hotels and casinos.
 
Financial operations have stabilized somewhat in recent years. The General
Fund ending balance increased 36% from fiscal year 1995 to fiscal year 1996.
Debt service comprises approximately 4% of State expenditures. Debt levels
have moderated, declining approximately 42% since extremely high levels in
1987. This decline is partly due to the recent retirement and defeasement of
bonds once issued by the Louisiana Recovery District to recover deficits expe-
rienced in the 1980's.
 
The State of Louisiana general obligation bond ratings by Standard & Poor's
and Fitch are A- and A, respectively. Moody's revised Louisiana's general ob-
ligation rating from Baa1 to A3 in March of 1997.
 
Tax Treatment.
The Louisiana Fund's regular monthly dividends will not be subject to Louisi-
ana personal income tax to the extent they are paid out of income earned on
Louisiana municipal obligations or U.S. government securities. You will be
subject to Louisiana personal income tax, however, to the extent the Louisiana
Fund distributes any taxable income or realized capital gains, or if you sell
or exchange Louisiana Fund shares and realize capital gain on the transaction.
 
The treatment of corporate shareholders of the Louisiana Fund is similar to
that described above.
 
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina's economy continues to grow and diversify. The State ranks
among the top ten states in economic growth, as measured by employment, popu-
lation, and personal income growth. While manufacturing remains the State's
major employment sector, the services and retail trade sectors also supply a
significant percentage of employment. Growth in the high-technology sector has
helped diversify the State's economy and also has helped offset recent employ-
ment losses in the textile, apparel, and tobacco industries.
 
The State's unemployment rate was 3.6% in June 1997, below the national aver-
age of 5.0% in June 1997 and down
 
                                      ---
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
from the State's 4.3% rate in June 1996. Per capita income grew to $22,010 in
1996 but remains below the national average of $24,731.
 
The State has implemented sound financial policies and maintains low debt lev-
els. Its Constitution mandates that total expenditures not exceed receipts for
the same period plus any surplus available at the start of the fiscal year.
These conservative policies, combined with the State's economic recovery, re-
sulted in budget surpluses in each fiscal year 1992-1996. In February 1997,
Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch confirmed their respective triple-A rat-
ings for the State.
 
Tax Treatment.
The North Carolina Fund's regular monthly dividends will not be subject to
North Carolina personal income taxes to the extent they are paid out of income
earned on North Carolina municipal bonds or obligations of the U.S. govern-
ment. You will be subject to North Carolina personal income taxes, however, to
the extent the North Carolina fund distributes any taxable income or realized
capital gains, or if you sell or exchange North Carolina Fund shares and real-
ize a capital gain on the transaction.
 
The treatment of corporate shareholders of the North Carolina Fund is similar
to that described above.
 
SOUTH CAROLINA
Though still reliant on the textile industry, South Carolina's economy has di-
versified into other areas such as trade, services, and durable goods manufac-
turing. While not a wealthy state, employment growth has outpaced the national
growth rate. Steady economic gains are expected to continue. The strength of
the job market, combined with low housing costs and the State's attractive
climate, are expected to continue to attract new residents.
 
The State's June 1997 unemployment rate of 5.1% stands slightly above the 5.0%
national level. Per capita income was $19,755 in 1996, equal to about 81% of
the national average with personal income growth exceeding the national growth
rate.
 
South Carolina's Constitution mandates a balanced budget and employs several
means to ensure its achievement. The Constitution also requires the government
to set aside 3% of general fund revenues in a General Reserve Fund and 2% in a
Capital Reserve Fund as a hedge against any year end deficit. This sound fis-
cal policy allowed South Carolina to end fiscal 1996 with a general fund bal-
ance of $285 million, $26 million over fiscal 1995. As of July 31, 1997, South
Carolina's general obligation debt carries triple-A ratings from Standard &
Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.
 
Tax Treatment.
The South Carolina Fund's regular monthly dividends will not be subject to
South Carolina personal income taxes to the extent they are paid out of income
earned on South Carolina municipal bonds or U.S. government securities. You
will be subject to South Carolina personal income taxes, however, to the ex-
tent the South Carolina Fund distributes any taxable income or realized capi-
tal gains, or if you sell or exchange South Carolina Fund shares and realize a
capital gain on the transaction.
 
The treatment of corporate shareholders of the South Carolina Fund is similar
to that described above.
 
TENNESSEE
Tennessee's economy has diversified over the past several years. Traditionally
a manufacturing state, Tennessee has shifted toward services and trade indus-
tries. Tennessee's average annual unemployment rate in 1996 was 5.2%, compared
to the national average rate of 5.4%. The state's population has grown stead-
ily by approximately 1% annually. Personal income grew over 87% from 1983 to
1993 to reach $18,434 per capita. The per capita average increased again to
$21,764 in 1996.
 
Tennessee's Constitution requires that a fiscal year's expenditures not exceed
that year's revenues and available reserves. Taxes represent the largest
source of governmental revenues, comprising 50.3% of revenues in 1996. At 1996
fiscal year end, general obligation debt in Tennessee totaled $634.7 million.
Tennessee's solid fiscal budget management is reflected in its general obliga-
tion ratings of Aaa/AA+/AAA by Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch,
respectively.
 
Tax Treatment.
The Tennessee Fund's regular monthly dividends will not be subject to Tennes-
see personal income taxes to the extent they are paid out of income earned on
or capital gains realized from the sale of Tennessee municipal bonds or U.S.
government securities. You will be subject to Tennessee personal income taxes,
however, to the extent the Tennessee Fund distributes any taxable income or
realized capital gains on other securities. You will not be subject to Tennes-
see personal income taxes if you sell or exchange Tennessee Fund shares.
 
The treatment of corporate shareholders of the Tennessee fund differs from
that described above.
 
                                      ---
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
 
Nuveen Family of Mutual Funds
              
Nuveen's family of funds offers a variety of funds designed to help you reach
your financial goals. The funds below are grouped by investment objectives.

GROWTH AND INCOME FUNDS
Growth and Income Stock Fund
Balanced Stock and Bond Fund
Balanced Municipal and Stock Fund

              
MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS     
 
National Funds

Long-term

Insured Long-term

Intermediate-term

Limited-term


State Funds
<TABLE> 

<S>                   <C>                  <C>        
Alabama             Kentucky/3/            New York/1/

Arizona             Louisiana              North Carolina

California/1/       Maryland               Ohio

Colorado            Massachusetts/1/       Pennsylvania

Connecticut         Michigan               South Carolina

Florida/2/          Missouri               Tennessee

Georgia             New Jersey/2/          Virginia

Kansas              New Mexico             Wisconsin
</TABLE> 
              
1.  Long-term and insured long-term portfolios.
2.  Long-term and intermediate-term portfolios.     
3.  Long-term and limited-term portfolios.
 
 
Nuveen Family of Municipal Bond Funds

           [MAP APPEARS HERE]



NUVEEN
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1286

(800) 621-7227                                                         
www.nuveen.com

<PAGE>
 
                                                              SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST III
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP ALABAMA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP GEORGIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP NORTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP SOUTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP TENNESSEE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. This Statement
of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of
the Nuveen Flagship Multistate Trust III dated September 26, 1997. The
Prospectus may be obtained without charge from certain securities
representatives, banks, and other financial institutions that have entered into
sales agreements with John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, or from the Funds, by
mailing a written request to the Funds, c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, 333
West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling (800) 621-7227.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Investment Policies and Investment Portfolio............................... S-2
Management................................................................. S-12
Investment Adviser and Investment Management Agreement..................... S-23
Portfolio Transactions..................................................... S-24
Net Asset Value............................................................ S-25
Tax Matters................................................................ S-25
Performance Information.................................................... S-33
Additional Information on the Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares....... S-40
Distribution and Service Plan.............................................. S-46
Independent Public Accountants and Custodian............................... S-48
Financial Statements....................................................... S-48
Appendix A--Ratings of Investments.........................................  A-1
Appendix B--Description of Hedging Techniques..............................  B-1
</TABLE>
 
  The audited financial statements for each Fund's most recent fiscal year
appear in the Funds' Annual Reports; each is included herein by reference. The
Annual Reports accompany this Statement of Additional Information.
 
 
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
  The investment objective and certain fundamental investment policies of each
Fund are described in the Prospectus. Each of the Funds, as a fundamental
policy, may not, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
shares of that Fund:
 
    (1) Invest in securities other than Municipal Obligations and short-term
  securities, as described in the Prospectus. Municipal Obligations are
  municipal bonds that pay interest that is exempt from regular federal,
  state and, in some cases, local income taxes.
 
    (2) Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one
  issuer, except this limitation shall not apply to securities of the United
  States Government, and to the investment of 25% of such Fund's assets. This
  limitation shall apply only to the Georgia Municipal Bond Fund, the
  Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund, the North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund, and
  the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund.
 
    (3) Borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes
  and not for investment purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding
  (a) 10% of the value of its total assets at the time of borrowing or (b)
  one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets including the amount
  borrowed, in order to meet redemption requests which might otherwise
  require the untimely disposition of securities. While any such borrowings
  exceed 5% of such Fund's total assets, no additional purchases of
  investment securities will be made by such Fund. If due to market
  fluctuations or other reasons, the value of the Fund's assets falls below
  300% of its borrowings, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within 3
  business days. To do this, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its
  investments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
 
    (4) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that, to secure
  borrowings permitted by subparagraph (2) above, it may pledge securities
  having a market value at the time of pledge not exceeding 10% of the value
  of the Fund's total assets.
 
    (5) Issue senior securities as defined in the Investment Company Act of
  1940, except to the extent such issuance might be involved with respect to
  borrowings described under item (3) above or with respect to transactions
  involving futures contracts or the writing of options within the limits
  described in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.
 
    (6) Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the
  purchase or sale of Municipal Obligations in accordance with its investment
  objective, policies and limitations, may be deemed to be an underwriting.
 
    (7) Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent any Fund
  from investing in Municipal Obligations secured by real estate or interests
  therein or foreclosing upon and selling such security.
 
    (8) Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts or oil, gas or
  other mineral exploration or development programs, except for transactions
  involving futures contracts within the limits described in the Prospectus
  and this Statement of Additional Information.
 
    (9) Make loans, other than by entering into repurchase agreements and
  through the purchase of Municipal Obligations or temporary investments in
  accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
    (10) Make short sales of securities or purchase any securities on margin,
  except for such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of
  transactions.
 
    (11) Write or purchase put or call options, except to the extent that the
  purchase of a stand-by commitment may be considered the purchase of a put,
  and except for transactions involving options within the limits described
  in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.
 
    (12) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in
  any one industry; provided, however, that such limitations shall not be
  applicable to Municipal Obligations issued by governments or political
  subdivisions of governments, and obligations issued or guaranteed by the
  U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
 
    (13) Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer other than the
  securities of the Fund if, to the Fund's knowledge, those trustees of the
  Trust, or those officers and directors of Nuveen Advisory Corp. ("Nuveen
  Advisory"), who individually own beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the
  outstanding securities of such issuer, together own beneficially more than
  5% of such outstanding securities.
 
  In addition, each Fund, as a non-fundamental policy, may not invest more than
15% of its net assets in "illiquid" securities, including repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days.
 
  For the purpose of applying the limitations set forth in paragraph (2) above,
an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of a security when its assets and
revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are
backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in the case of a non-
governmental user, such as an industrial corporation or a privately owned or
operated hospital, if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of
the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user would be deemed to
be the sole issuer. Where a security is also backed by the enforceable
obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental entity or other entity
(other than a bond insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of
securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity.
 
  Where a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other
facility, such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee or
letter of credit would be considered a separate security and would be treated
as an issue of such government, other entity or bank. Where a security is
insured by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security issued or
guaranteed by the insurer; instead the issuer of such security will be
determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing
restrictions do not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be
invested in securities insured by any single insurer.
 
  The foregoing restrictions and limitations, as well as a Fund's policies as
to ratings of portfolio investments, will apply only at the time of purchase of
securities, and the percentage limitations will not be considered violated
unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a
result of an acquisition of securities, unless otherwise indicated.
 
  The foregoing fundamental investment policies, together with the investment
objective of each Fund, cannot be changed without approval by holders of a
"majority of the Fund's outstanding voting shares." As defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the
Fund's shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
Fund's shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the
Fund's shares, whichever is less.
 
  The Nuveen Flagship Multistate Trust III (the "Trust") is an open-end
management series investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on July 1, 1996. Each of the Funds is an open-end management investment
company organized as a series of the Nuveen Flagship Multistate Trust III. The
Trust is an open-end management series company under SEC Rule 18f-2. Each Fund
is a separate series issuing its own shares. The Trust currently has six
series: the Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (formerly the
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
Flagship Alabama Double Tax Exempt Fund, a series of the Flagship Tax Exempt
Funds Trust); the Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund (formerly the
Flagship Georgia Double Tax Exempt Fund, a series of the Flagship Tax Exempt
Funds Trust); the Nuveen Flagship Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund (formerly the
Flagship Louisiana Double Tax Exempt Fund, a series of the Flagship Tax Exempt
Funds Trust); the Nuveen Flagship North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund (formerly
the Flagship North Carolina Tax Exempt Fund, a series of the Flagship Tax
Exempt Funds Trust); the Nuveen Flagship South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
(formerly the Flagship South Carolina Double Tax Exempt Fund, a series of the
Flagship Tax Exempt Funds Trust); and the Nuveen Flagship Tennessee Municipal
Bond Fund (formerly the Flagship Tennessee Double Tax Exempt Fund, a series of
the Flagship Tax Exempt Funds Trust). Certain matters under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 which must be submitted to a vote of the holders of the
outstanding voting securities of a series company shall not be deemed to have
been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of each Fund affected by such matter.
 
  The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that
notice of this disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument
entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust
further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the
Trust for all loss and expense of any shareholder personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which
both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself were unable to meet its
obligations. The Trust believes the likelihood of these circumstances is
remote.
 
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
  As described in the Prospectus, each of the Funds invests substantially all
of its assets (at least 80%) in a portfolio of Municipal Obligations free from
regular federal, state and, in some cases, local income tax in each Fund's
respective state, which generally will be Municipal Obligations issued within
the Fund's respective state. In general, Municipal Obligations include debt
obligations issued by states, cities and local authorities to obtain funds for
various public purposes, including construction of a wide range of public
facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, hospitals, housing, mass
transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Industrial
development bonds and pollution control bonds that are issued by or on behalf
of public authorities to finance various privately-rated facilities are
included within the term Municipal Obligations if the interest paid thereon is
exempt from federal income tax.
 
  The investment assets of each Fund will consist of (1) Municipal Obligations
which are rated at the time of purchase within the four highest grades (Baa or
BBB or better) by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), by Standard and
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or by Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"), (2)
unrated Municipal Obligations which, in the opinion of Nuveen Advisory, have
credit characteristics equivalent to bonds rated within the four highest grades
by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, except that the Fund may not invest more than 20% of
its net assets in unrated bonds and (3) temporary investments as described
below, the income from which may be subject to state income tax or to both
federal and state income taxes. See Appendix A for more information about
ratings by Moody's, S&P, and Fitch.
 
  As described in the Prospectus, each Fund may invest in Municipal Obligations
that constitute participations in a lease obligation or installment purchase
contract obligation (hereafter collectively called "lease obligations") of a
municipal authority or entity. Although lease obligations do not constitute
general obligations of the municipality for which the municipality's taxing
power is pledged, a lease obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality's
covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the lease
obligation.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
However, certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which
provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment
purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose
on a yearly basis. Although nonappropriation lease obligations are secured by
the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure
might prove difficult. A Fund will seek to minimize the special risks
associated with such securities by only investing in those nonappropriation
leases where Nuveen Advisory has determined that the issuer has a strong
incentive to continue making appropriations and timely payment until the
security's maturity. Some lease obligations may be illiquid under certain
circumstances. Lease obligations normally provide a premium interest rate which
along with regular amortization of the principal may make them attractive for a
portion of the assets of the Funds.
 
  Obligations of issuers of Municipal Obligations are subject to the provisions
of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors. In addition, the obligations of such issuers may become subject to
the laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures or referenda
extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other
constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon municipalities to levy
taxes. There is also the possibility that, as a result of legislation or other
conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal
of and interest on its Municipal Obligations may be materially affected.
 
PORTFOLIO TRADING AND TURNOVER
 
  The Funds will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time
in order to take advantage of opportunities in the municipal market and to
limit exposure to market risk. The Funds may also engage to a limited extent in
short-term trading consistent with their investment objective. Securities may
be sold in anticipation of market decline or purchased in anticipation of
market rise and later sold. In addition, a security may be sold and another of
comparable quality purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage
of what Nuveen Advisory believes to be a temporary disparity in the normal
yield relationship between the two securities. Each Fund may make changes in
its investment portfolio in order to limit its exposure to changing market
conditions. Changes in a Fund's investments are known as "portfolio turnover."
While it is impossible to predict future portfolio turnover rates, the annual
portfolio turnover rate for each of the Funds is generally not expected to
exceed 75%. However, each Fund reserves the right to make changes in its
investments whenever it deems such action advisable and, therefore, a Fund's
annual portfolio turnover rate may exceed 75% in particular years depending
upon market conditions.
 
  The portfolio turnover rates for the Funds, for the fiscal year-end of the
Fund as a series of its predecessor entity (described above), and for the 1997
year-end, as indicated, were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        FISCAL
                                                                         YEAR
                                                                       1996 1997
                                                                       ---- ----
      <S>                                                              <C>  <C>
      Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund..................... 42%  72%
      Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund..................... 59%  39%
      Nuveen Flagship Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund................... 26%  25%
      Nuveen Flagship North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund.............. 54%  23%
      Nuveen Flagship South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund.............. 76%  68%
      Nuveen Flagship Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund................... 38%  23%
</TABLE>
 
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
  Each Fund may purchase and sell Municipal Obligations on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions arise
when securities are purchased or sold with payment and delivery beyond the
regular settlement date. (When-issued transactions normally settle within 15-45
days.) On such transactions the payment obligation and the interest rate are
fixed at the time the buyer enters into the
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
commitment. The commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis may involve an element of risk because the value of the
securities is subject to market fluctuation, no interest accrues to the
purchaser prior to settlement of the transaction, and at the time of delivery
the market value may be less than cost. At the time a Fund makes the commitment
to purchase a Municipal Obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis,
it will record the transaction and reflect the amount due and the value of the
security in determining its net asset value. Likewise, at the time a Fund makes
the commitment to sell a Municipal Obligation on a delayed delivery basis, it
will record the transaction and include the proceeds to be received in
determining its net asset value; accordingly, any fluctuations in the value of
the Municipal Obligation sold pursuant to a delayed delivery commitment are
ignored in calculating net asset value so long as the commitment remains in
effect. The Funds will maintain designated readily marketable assets at least
equal in value to commitments to purchase when-issued or delayed delivery
securities, such assets to be segregated by the Custodian specifically for the
settlement of such commitments. The Funds will only make commitments to
purchase Municipal Obligations on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis with
the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Funds reserve the
right to sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed
advisable. If a when-issued security is sold before delivery any gain or loss
would not be tax-exempt. The Funds commonly engage in when-issued transactions
in order to purchase or sell newly-issued Municipal Obligations, and may engage
in delayed delivery transactions in order to manage its operations more
effectively.
 
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS OF DESIGNATED STATES
 
  As described in the Prospectus, except for investments in temporary
investments, each of the Funds will invest substantially all of its assets (at
least 80%) in municipal bonds that are exempt from federal and state tax in
that state ("Municipal Obligations"), generally Municipal Obligations issued in
its respective state. Each Fund is therefore more susceptible to political,
economic or regulatory factors adversely affecting issuers of Municipal
Obligations in its state. Brief summaries of these factors are contained in the
Prospectus. Set forth below is additional information that bears upon the risk
of investing in Municipal Obligations issued by public authorities in the
states of currently offered Funds. This information was obtained from official
statements of issuers located in the respective states as well as from other
publicly available official documents and statements. The Funds have not
independently verified any of the information contained in such statements and
documents. The information below is intended only as a general summary, and is
not intended as a discussion of any specific factor that may affect any
particular obligation or issuer.
 
FACTORS PERTAINING TO ALABAMA
 
  The industrialization of Alabama's economy over the past two decades has
resulted in a manufacturing sector that represents just over a quarter of the
State's gross product and 21.7% of employment. Nine consecutive years of
private sector capital investment exceeding $2 billion annually has also left
the State's manufacturing facilities modernized and more competitive in the
domestic and world markets. In recent years, the importance of the service
sector has grown as regional concentrations such as the medical complex in
Birmingham and the high technology research center at Huntsville stimulate
growth. The trade and service sectors have provided 75% of job growth in recent
years.
 
  The State's unemployment rate fell from 8.0% in 1994 to 4.5% in June 1997.
Alabama enjoyed a 25.9% increase in per capita income from 1990-94 outstripping
the 15.4% national growth during the same period. Per capita income growth also
significantly outpaced the national average during the period from 1980 to
1990. However, personal income in the State remains below the national median
at about 82% of the U.S. per capita average.
 
  Moody's gives Alabama general obligation bonds an Aa rating while S&P's given
them an AA rating.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
 
FACTORS PERTAINING TO GEORGIA
 
  One of the nation's fastest growing states in terms of population, Georgia
has benefited from steady economic and employment growth as a result of the
State's stable and broad-based trade/service economy, low average cost of
living, and extensive transportation infrastructure. According to S&P, the 1996
Olympic games represented a sizable bubble on the State's economic trend line,
however, to date no significant drop-off from the State's pre-Olympic trend
line has occurred. This economic growth as well as the State's healthy
financial position were recognized in the State's recent rating upgrade from
AA+ to AAA by S&P.
 
  The State's unemployment level is low at 4.4% in June, 1997, down from 5.1%
in June of 1996. On a per capita basis, personal income is $22,709, equal to
about 94% of the national average and 104% of the region.
 
  Georgia's tight financial policies and conservative management have resulted
in a substantial operating surplus of $476 million and an unreserved general
fund balance of $621 million in fiscal 1996. The large surplus enabled the
State to increase reserves for debt service and expand the fiscal 1997 budget.
As of July 31, 1997, Georgia's general obligation debt carries triple-A ratings
from S&P, Moody's, and Fitch.
 
FACTORS PERTAINING TO LOUISIANA
 
  Louisiana's economic base has experienced some improvement after the
recession of the 1980's. Population has increased approximately 3% since 1990
after ten years of zero growth. Per capita personal income has improved and was
$19,824 in 1996, but remains flat at about 80% of the national average. The
annual average unemployment rate for the State in 1996 was 6.7%, well above the
national average of 5.4%. Employment projections show increases of
approximately 2% annually, with 66,000 additional jobs expected in the next two
years. Single family housing construction grew approximately 1.5% in 1996.
 
  The State possesses natural resources which have played a significant role in
driving the economy. Louisiana is the second largest petroleum refining
producer and the third largest producer of chemical products in the nation. In
the next year $700 million will be invested in three Direct Reduction Iron
facilities. Chemicals provide the largest employment in the manufacturing
industry. Tourism is the second largest industry in the State, adding $6.6
billion to the economy and generating $450 million in state and local taxes by
the end of 1995. Louisiana will continue to rely on the gaming industry,
despite a sector employment drop of about 4% in 1996 due to the consolidation
and downsizing of hotels and casinos.
 
  Financial operations have stabilized somewhat in recent years. The General
Fund ending balance increased 36% from fiscal year 1995 to fiscal year 1996.
The State's primary revenue sources are federal grants 27%, other taxes and
revenues 16%, pension trust revenues 15%, and state sales and use taxes 13%.
Federal grants declined 9.3% due to Medicaid funding reductions. The State's
primary expenditures are for health and hospitals 32%, education 18%, colleges
and universities 14%. Debt service comprises approximately 4% of State
expenditures. Debt levels have moderated, declining approximately 42% since
extremely high levels in 1987. This decline is partly due to the recent
retirement and defeasement of bonds once issued by the Louisiana Recovery
District to recover deficits experienced in the 1980's.
 
  The State of Louisiana general obligation bond rating by S&P and Fitch are A-
and A, respectively. Moody's revised Louisiana's general obligation rating from
Baa1 to A3 in March of 1997.
 
FACTORS PERTAINING TO NORTH CAROLINA
 
  North Carolina's economy continues to grow and diversify. The State ranks
among the top ten states in terms of economic growth, as measured by
employment, population, and personal income growth. While manufacturing remains
the State's major employment sector, the services and retail trade sectors also
supply a significant percentage of employment. Growth in the high-technology
sector has helped diversify the State's economy and has also helped offset
recent employment losses in the textile, apparel, and tobacco industries.
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
 
  The State's unemployment rate was 3.6% in June 1997, below the national
average of 5.0% in June 1997 and down from the 4.3% rate for the State in June
1996. Per capita income grew from $13,716 in 1987 to $22,010 in 1996 but
remains below the national average of $24,231.
 
  The State has implemented sound financial policies and maintains low debt
levels. Its Constitution mandates that total expenditures not exceed receipts
for the same period plus any surplus available at the start of the fiscal year.
These conservative policies, combined with the State's economic recovery,
resulted in budget surpluses in each fiscal year 1992-1996. In February 1997,
Moody's, S&P, and Fitch confirmed their respective triple-A ratings for the
State.
 
FACTORS PERTAINING TO SOUTH CAROLINA
 
  Though still reliant on the textile industry, South Carolina's economy has
diversified into other areas such as trade, services, and durable goods
manufacturing. While not a wealthy state, employment growth has outpaced the
national growth rate. Steady economic gains are expected to continue as local
companies' expansion plans should contribute to future growth. The strength of
the job market, combined with low housing costs and the State's attractive
climate are expected to continue to attract new residents.
 
  The State's June 1997 unemployment rate (5.1%) stands slightly above the 5.0%
national level. On a per capita basis, personal income was $19,755 in 1996,
equal to about 81% of the national average with personal income growth
exceeding the national rate.
 
  South Carolina's Constitution mandates a balanced budget and employs several
means to ensure its achievement. Each quarter the State Budget and Control
Board must monitor revenues and lower appropriations in the event the State
projects a deficit after the first or second quarters. The Constitution also
requires the government to set aside 3% of general fund revenues in a General
Reserve Fund and 2% in a Capital Reserve Fund as a hedge against any year end
deficit. During the fiscal year, the State must fund its operating expenses
with the Capital Reserve Fund moneys before resorting to any cuts in an effort
to meet projected deficits. At the end of the year, the legislature may apply
both funds to any deficit but any moneys taken from the General Reserve must be
replaced within 3 years. This sound fiscal policy allowed South Carolina to end
fiscal 1996 with a general fund balance of $285 million, $26 million over
fiscal 1995. As of July 31, 1997, South Carolina's general obligation debt
carries triple-A ratings from S&P, Moody's, and Fitch.
 
  The State recently revised its school bond intercept program. Under the new
legislation, the State may divert state aid funds directly to the paying agent
to pay debt service upon notification from a school district of an imminent
default. Previously, the State could divert funds only after a default had
occurred.
 
FACTORS PERTAINING TO TENNESSEE
 
  Tennessee's economy has diversified over the past several years.
Traditionally a manufacturing state, Tennessee has shifted toward services and
trade industries. Tennessee's average annual unemployment rate in 1996 was
5.2%, compared to the nation's average rate of 5.4%. Tennessee's unemployment
rate has remained below the national average since 1989. The State's population
has grown steadily by approximately 1% annually. Personal income grew over 87%
from 1983 to 1993 to reach $18,434 per capita. The per capita average increased
again to $21,764 in 1996.
 
  Tennessee's Constitution requires that a fiscal year's expenditures not
exceed that year's revenues and available reserves. Taxes represent the largest
source of governmental revenues, comprising 50.3% of revenues in 1996. Tax
collections increased 4.6% from 1995 due primarily to sales tax revenue growth.
Total governmental expenditures increased 2.2% from 1995, as education funding
was enhanced by 3.7%. Tennessee's Rainy Day Fund is stable at approximately
$101 million. Debt levels are manageable. At 1996 fiscal year end, general
obligation debt in Tennessee totaled $634.7 million. Tennessee's solid fiscal
budget management is reflected in its general obligation ratings of Aaa/AA+/AAA
by Moody's, S&P and Fitch, respectively.
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
 
HEDGING AND OTHER DEFENSIVE ACTIONS
 
  Each Fund may periodically engage in hedging transactions. Hedging is a term
used for various methods of seeking to preserve portfolio capital value of
offsetting price changes in one investment through making another investment
whose price should tend to move in the opposite direction. It may be desirable
and possible in various market environments to partially hedge the portfolio
against fluctuations in market value due to interest rate fluctuations by
investment in financial futures and index futures as well as related put and
call options on such instruments. Both parties entering into an index or
financial futures contract are required to post an initial deposit of 1% to 5%
of the total contract price. Typically, option holders enter into offsetting
closing transactions to enable settlement in cash rather than take delivery of
the position in the future of the underlying security. Each Fund will only sell
covered futures contracts, which means that the Fund segregates assets equal to
the amount of the obligations.
 
  These transactions present certain risks. In particular, the imperfect
correlation between price movements in the futures contract and price movements
in the securities being hedged creates the possibility that losses on the hedge
by a Fund may be greater than gains in the value of the securities in such
series, portfolio. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid
in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, a Fund may not be able
to close out the transaction without incurring losses substantially greater
than the initial deposit. Finally, the potential daily deposit requirements in
futures contracts create an ongoing greater potential financial risk than do
options transactions, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial
premium. Losses due to hedging transactions will reduce yield. Net gains, if
any, from hedging and other portfolio transactions will be distributed as
taxable distributions to shareholders.
 
  No Fund will make any investment (whether an initial premium or deposit or a
subsequent deposit) other than as necessary to close a prior investment if,
immediately after such investment, the sum of the amount of its premiums and
deposits would exceed 5% of such series' net assets. Each series will invest in
these instruments only in markets believed by the investment adviser to be
active and sufficiently liquid. For further information regarding these
investment strategies and risks presented thereby, see Appendix B to this
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Each Fund reserves the right for liquidity or defensive purposes (such as
thinness in the market for municipal securities or an expected substantial
decline in value of long-term obligations), to temporarily invest up to 20% of
its assets in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its
agencies or instrumentalities, including up to 5% in adequately collateralized
repurchase agreements relating thereto. Interest on each instrument is taxable
for Federal income tax purposes and would reduce the amount of tax-free
interest payable to shareholders.
 
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
 
  The Prospectus discusses briefly the ability of the Funds to invest a portion
of their assets in federally tax-exempt or taxable short-term securities
("temporary investments"). Temporary investments will not exceed 20% of a
Fund's assets except when made for defensive purposes. The Funds will invest
only in taxable temporary investments that are either U.S. Government
securities or are rated within the highest grade by Moody's, S&P, or Fitch and
mature within one year from the date of purchase or carry a variable or
floating rate of interest. See Appendix A for more information about ratings by
Moody's, S&P, and Fitch.
 
  The Funds may invest in the following federally tax-exempt temporary
investments:
 
    Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) are usually general obligations of state
  and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing
  for projects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term
  debt obligations or bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations
  on its BANs is
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
 
  primarily dependent on the issuer's access to the long-term municipal bond
  market and the likelihood that the proceeds of such bond sales will be used
  to pay the principal and interest on the BANs.
 
    Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are issued by state and local governments
  to finance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is
  generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues. Tax anticipation
  notes are usually general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an
  issuer's capacity to raise taxes due to, among other things, a decline in
  its tax base or a rise in delinquencies, could adversely affect the
  issuer's ability to meet its obligations on outstanding TANs.
 
    Revenue Anticipation Notes (RANs) are issued by governments or
  governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a
  designated source will be used to repay the notes. In general, they also
  constitute general obligations of the issuer. A decline in the receipt of
  projected revenues, such as anticipated revenues from another level of
  government, could adversely affect an issuer's ability to meet its
  obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition, the possibility that the
  revenues would, when received, be used to meet other obligations could
  affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal and interest on RANs.
 
    Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for
  specific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with funds obtained
  from the Federal Housing Administration.
 
    Bank Notes are notes issued by local government bodies and agencies as
  those described above to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The
  purposes for which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently
  issued to meet short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These
  notes may have risks similar to the risks associated with TANs and RANs.
 
    Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (Municipal Paper) represents very short-term
  unsecured, negotiable promissory notes, issued by states, municipalities
  and their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of
  municipal paper may be made from various sources, to the extent the funds
  are available therefrom. Maturities of municipal paper generally will be
  shorter than the maturities of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited
  secondary market for issues of municipal paper.
 
  Certain Municipal Obligations may carry variable or floating rates of
interest whereby the rate of interest is not fixed, but varies with changes in
specified market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or a tax-exempt
money market index.
 
  While these various types of notes as a group represent the major portion of
the tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are occasionally available in
the marketplace and the Fund may invest in such other types of notes to the
extent permitted under its investment objective, policies and limitations. Such
notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from
those mentioned above.
 
  The Funds may also invest in the following taxable temporary investments:
 
    U.S. Government Direct Obligations are issued by the United States
  Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds.
 
    --Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are
     issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at
     par value at maturity.
 
    --Treasury notes are longer-term interest bearing obligations with
     original maturities of one to seven years.
 
    --Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with
     original maturities from five to thirty years.
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
 
  U.S. Government Agencies Securities--Certain federal agencies have been
established as instrumentalities of the United States Government to supervise
and finance certain types of activities. These agencies include, but are not
limited to, the Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Land Banks, Federal Intermediate
Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal National Mortgage Association,
Government National Mortgage Association, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, and Tennessee Valley Authority. Issues of these agencies, while not
direct obligations of the United States Government, are either backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States or are guaranteed by the Treasury or
supported by the issuing agencies' right to borrow from the Treasury. There can
be no assurance that the United States Government itself will pay interest and
principal on securities as to which it is not legally so obligated.
 
  Certificates of Deposit (CDs)--A certificate of deposit is a negotiable
interest bearing instrument with a specific maturity. CDs are issued by banks
in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the
secondary market, prior to maturity. The Fund will only invest in U.S. dollar
denominated CDs issued by U.S. banks with assets of $1 billion or more.
 
  Commercial Paper--Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured
short-term promissory notes issued by corporations. Maturities on these issues
vary from a few days to nine months. Commercial paper may be purchased from
U.S. corporations.
 
  Other Corporate Obligations--The Funds may purchase notes, bonds and
debentures issued by corporations if at the time of purchase there is less than
one year remaining until maturity or if they carry a variable or floating rate
of interest.
 
  Repurchase Agreements--A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement
whereby the seller of securities (U.S. Government or Municipal Obligations)
agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date
agreed upon by the parties. The agreed upon repurchase price determines the
yield during a Fund's holding period. Repurchase agreements are considered to
be loans collateralized by the underlying security that is the subject of the
repurchase contract. The Funds will only enter into repurchase agreements with
dealers, domestic banks or recognized financial institutions that in the
opinion of Nuveen Advisory present minimal credit risk. The risk to the Funds
is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price
on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral
at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the
agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is
a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the
collateral may be sold but a Fund might incur a loss if the value of the
collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in
connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy
proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security,
realization upon the collateral by a Fund may be delayed or limited. Nuveen
Advisory will monitor the value of collateral at the time the transaction is
entered into and at all times subsequent during the term of the repurchase
agreement in an effort to determine that the value always equals or exceeds the
agreed upon price. In the event the value of the collateral declined below the
repurchase price, Nuveen Advisory will demand additional collateral from the
issuer to increase the value of the collateral to at least that of the
repurchase price. Each of the Funds will not invest more than 10% of its assets
in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT
 
  The management of the Trust, including general supervision of the duties
performed for the Funds under the Investment Management Agreement, is the
responsibility of its Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has eight
trustees, two of whom are "interested persons" (as the term "interested
persons" is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) and six of whom are
"disinterested persons." The names and business addresses of the trustees and
officers of the Trust and their principal occupations and other affiliations
during the past five years are set forth below, with those trustees who are
"interested persons" of the Trust indicated by an asterisk.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              POSITIONS
                             AND OFFICES             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
NAME AND ADDRESS        AGE  WITH TRUST              DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------        ---  -----------             ----------------------
<S>                     <C> <C>           <C>
Timothy R.              48  Chairman and  Chairman since July 1, 1996 of The John
 Schwertfeger*               Trustee       Nuveen Company, John Nuveen & Co.
 333 West Wacker Drive                     Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory Corp. and
 Chicago, IL 60606                         Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.; prior
                                           thereto Executive Vice President and
                                           Director of The John Nuveen Company, John
                                           Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory
                                           Corp. (since October 1992) and Nuveen
                                           Institutional Advisory Corp. (since October
                                           1992).
Anthony T. Dean*        52  President and President since July 1, 1996 of The John
 333 West Wacker Drive       Trustee       Nuveen Company, John Nuveen & Co.
 Chicago, IL 60606                         Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory Corp. and
                                           Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.; prior
                                           thereto, Executive Vice President and
                                           Director of The John Nuveen Company, John
                                           Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory
                                           Corp. (since October 1992) and Nuveen
                                           Institutional Advisory Corp. (since October
                                           1992).
Robert P. Bremner       56  Trustee       Private Investor and Management Consultant.
 3725 Huntington
 Street, N.W.
 Washington, D.C. 20015
Lawrence H. Brown       63  Trustee       Retired (August 1989) as Senior Vice
 201 Michigan Avenue                       President of The Northern Trust Company.
 Highwood, IL 60040
Anne E. Impellizzeri    64  Trustee       President and Chief Executive Officer of
 3 West 29th Street                        Blanton-Peale Institute of Religion and
 New York, NY 10001                        Health.
Peter R. Sawers         64  Trustee       Adjunct Professor of Business and Economics,
 22 The Landmark                           University of Dubuque, Iowa; Adjunct
 Northfield, IL 60093                      Professor, Lake Forest Graduate School of
                                           Management, Lake Forest, Illinois;
                                           Chartered Financial Analyst; Certified
                                           Management Consultant.
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        POSITIONS
                       AND OFFICES              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
NAME AND ADDRESS  AGE   WITH TRUST              DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------  ---  -----------              ----------------------
<S>               <C> <C>            <C>
William J.        53  Trustee        Senior Partner, Miller-Valentine Partners,
 Schneider                            Vice President, Miller-Valentine Group.
 4000 Miller-
 Valentine
 Ct.
 P.O. Box 744
 Dayton, OH
 45401
Judith M.         49  Trustee        Executive Director, Gaylord and Dorothy
 Stockdale                            Donnelley Foundation (since 1994); prior
 35 E. Wacker                         thereto, Executive Director, Great Lakes
 Drive                                Protection Fund (from 1990 to 1994).
 Suite 2600
 Chicago, IL
 60601
Bruce P.          57  Executive Vice Executive Vice President of John Nuveen &
 Bedford               President      Co. Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory Corp. and
 333 West                             Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. (since
 Wacker Drive                         January 1997); prior thereto, Chairman and
 Chicago, IL                          CEO of Flagship Resources Inc. and Flagship
 60606                                Financial Inc. and the Flagship funds.
Michael S.        40  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Davern                               (since January 1997); prior thereto, Vice
 One South                            President and Portfolio Manager of Flagship
 Main Street                          Financial.
 Dayton, OH
 45402
William M.        33  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Fitzgerald                           (since December 1995); Assistant Vice
 333 West                             President of Nuveen Advisory Corp. (from
 Wacker Drive                         September 1992 to December 1995), prior
 Chicago, IL                          thereto, Assistant Portfolio Manager of
 60606                                Nuveen Advisory Corp.
Kathleen M.       50  Vice President Vice President of John Nuveen & Co.
 Flanagan                             Incorporated, Vice President (since June
 333 West                             1996) of Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen
 Wacker Drive                         Institutional Advisory Corp.
 Chicago, IL
 60606
J. Thomas         42  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Futrell
 333 West
 Wacker Drive
 Chicago, IL
 60606
Richard A.        34  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Huber                                (since January 1997); prior thereto, Vice
 One South                            President and Portfolio Manager of Flagship
 Main Street                          Financial.
 Dayton, OH
 45402
Steven J.         39  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Krupa
 333 West
 Wacker Drive
 Chicago, IL
 60606
Anna R.           51  Vice President Vice President of John Nuveen & Co.
 Kucinskis                            Incorporated.
 333 West
 Wacker Drive
 Chicago, IL
 60606
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        POSITIONS
                       AND OFFICES              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
NAME AND ADDRESS  AGE   WITH TRUST              DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------  ---  -----------              ----------------------
<S>               <C> <C>            <C>
Larry W. Martin   46  Vice President Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
 333 West                             Assistant General Counsel of John Nuveen &
 Wacker Drive                         Co. Incorporated; Vice President (since May
 Chicago, IL                          1993) and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen
 60606                                Advisory Corp.; Vice President (since May
                                      1993) and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen
                                      Institutional Advisory Corp.; Assistant
                                      Secretary of The John Nuveen Company (since
                                      February 1993).
Edward F.         32  Vice President Vice President (since September 1996),
 Neild, IV                            previously Assistant Vice President (since
 One South Main                       December 1993) of Nuveen Advisory Corp.,
 Street Dayton,                       portfolio manager prior thereto; Vice
 OH 45402                             President (since September 1996),
                                      previously Assistant Vice President (since
                                      May 1995) of Nuveen Institutional Advisory
                                      Corp., portfolio manager prior thereto.
Walter K.         48  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Parker                               (since January 1997); prior thereto, Vice
 One South Main                       President and Portfolio Manager (since July
 Street                               1994) of Flagship Financial; Portfolio
 Dayton, OH                           Manager and CIO Trust Investor (between
 45402                                1983 and June 1994) for PNC Bank.
O. Walter         58  Vice President Vice President and Controller of The John
 Renfftlen                            Nuveen Company, John Nuveen & Co.
 333 West                             Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory Corp. and
 Wacker Drive                         Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.
 Chicago, IL
 60606
Thomas C.         46  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp. and
 Spalding, Jr.                        Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.;
 333 West                             Chartered Financial Analyst.
 Wacker Drive
 Chicago, IL
 60606
H. William        63  Vice President Vice President and Treasurer of The John
 Stabenow                             Nuveen Company, John Nuveen & Co.
 333 West                             Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory Corp. and
 Wacker Drive                         Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.
 Chicago, IL
 60606
Jan E.            41  Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
 Terbrueggen                          (since January 1997); prior thereto, Vice
 One South Main                       President and Portfolio Manager of Flagship
 Street                               Financial.
 Dayton, OH
 45402
Gifford R.        41  Vice President Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
 Zimmerman             and Assistant  Associate General Counsel of John Nuveen &
 333 West              Secretary      Co. Incorporated; Vice President (since May
 Wacker Drive                         1993) and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen
 Chicago, IL                          Advisory Corp.; Vice President (since May
 60606                                1993) and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen
                                      Institutional Advisory Corp; Assistant
                                      Secretary of The John Nuveen Company (since
                                      May 1994).
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
 
  Anthony Dean, Peter Sawers and Timothy Schwertfeger serve as members of the
Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee, which
meets between regular meetings of the Board of Trustees, is authorized to
exercise all of the powers of the Board of Trustees.
 
  The trustees of the Trust are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of
42 Nuveen open-end funds and 52 Nuveen closed-end funds advised by Nuveen
Advisory Corp.
 
  The following table sets forth compensation paid by the Trust to each of the
trustees of the Trust and the total compensation paid to each trustee during
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997. The Trust has no retirement or pension
plans. The officers and trustees affiliated with Nuveen serve without any
compensation from the Trust. Trustees Brown, Impellizzeri, Rosenheim and Sawers
became trustees of this Trust on February 1, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     TOTAL
                                                   AGGREGATE      COMPENSATION
                                                 COMPENSATION    FROM TRUST AND
                                                FROM THE SERIES   FUND COMPLEX
      NAME OF TRUSTEE                            OF THIS TRUST  PAID TO TRUSTEES
      ---------------                           --------------- ----------------
      <S>                                       <C>             <C>
      Robert P. Bremner........................     $2,711(1)       $25,333(1)
      Lawrence H. Brown........................     $  641          $59,500
      Anne E. Impellizzeri.....................     $  641          $59,500
      Margaret K. Rosenheim....................     $  705          $67,582(2)
      Peter R. Sawers..........................     $  641          $59,500
      William J. Schneider.....................     $2,880(1)       $26,333(1)
      Judith M. Stockdale......................     $    0(3)       $     0(3)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes compensation received as a trustee of the Flagship Funds, for the
    period June 1, 1996 to January 1, 1997.
(2) Includes $1,582 in interest accrued on deferred compensation from prior
    years; former trustee, retired July 1997
(3) Elected to the Board in July 1997.
 
  Each trustee who is not affiliated with Nuveen or Nuveen Advisory receives a
fee. The Trust requires no employees other than its officers, all of whom are
compensated by Nuveen.
 
  The officers and directors of each Fund, in the aggregate, own less than 1%
of the shares of the Fund.
 
  The following table sets forth the percentage ownership of each person, who,
as of September 4, 1997, owns of record, or is known by Registrant to own of
record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Fund's shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
Nuveen Flagship Alabama
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    25.57%
 Class A Shares............ For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
                            Farley L. Berman                          7.41
                            1234 Champaign Avenue
                            Anniston, AL 36207-4727
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS                       NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------                       -------------------------             ------------
<S>                                          <C>                                   <C>
                                             Prudential Securities, Inc. FBO           5.36%
                                             Jerry F. Wilson
                                             P.O. Box 300
                                             Addison, AL 35540-0300
                                             Smith Barney Inc.                         5.21
                                             00144705397
                                             388 Greenwich Street
                                             New York, NY 10013-2375
Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
 Class B Shares............................  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    98.46
                                             For the sole benefit of its customers
                                             Attn Fund Administration
                                             4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                                             Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
 Class C Shares............................  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    90.92
                                             For the sole benefit of its customers
                                             Attn Fund Administration
                                             4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                                             Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
 Class R Shares............................  Boston Financial Data Services           50.83
                                             Corp. Actions Audit Acct. #2 407
                                             Flagship Funds
                                             2 Heritage Dr. 8th Floor
                                             N Quincy, MA 02171-2144
                                             Boston Financial Data Services           49.17
                                             Corp. Actions Audit Acct. #1 407
                                             Flagship Funds
                                             2 Heritage Dr. 8th Floor
                                             N Quincy, MA 02171-2144
Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
 Class A Shares............................  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    38.21
                                             For the sole benefit of its customers
                                             Attn Fund Administration
                                             4800 Deer Lake Dr., E 3rd Fl
                                             Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
 Class B Shares............................  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    62.71
                                             For the sole benefit of its customers
                                             Attn Fund Administration
                                             4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                                             Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
                            Prudential Securities Inc. FBO            8.77
                            Gwen P. Akin
                            577 Lees TRCE SW
                            Marietta, GA 30064-3075
                            BHC Securities Inc.                       7.55
                            FAO 20940232
                            Attn Mutual Funds Dept.
                            One Commerce Square
                            2005 Market St. Suite 1200
                            Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042
                            Prudential Securities Inc. FBO            6.81
                            Evelyn S. Hampton
                            Burney A. Sullivan
                            Elizabeth S Smith JT TEN
                            109 Sullivan Dr.
                            Dahlonega, GA 30533
                            Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette                 5.71
                            Securities Corporation Inc.
                            P.O. Box 2052
                            Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052
Nuveen Flagship Georgia
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    53.57
 Class C Shares............ for the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Georgia
 Municipal Bond Fund        Carolyn P. Fellows TR                    50.09
 Class R Shares............ Carolyn P. Fellows LVG Trust
                            U/A DTD 5-25-90
                            415 Sassafras Rd
                            Roswell, GA 30076-3669
                            Louise S. Brooks                         28.84
                            P.O. Box 818
                            Valdosta, GA 31603-0818
                            Albert D. Cannon                          9.89
                            1958 Overbrooke Way
                            Austell, GA 30001-1129
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
                            Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette                 5.66%
                            Securities Corporation Inc.
                            P.O. Box 2052
                            Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052
Nuveen Flagship Louisiana
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    44.47
 Class A Shares............ for the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Louisiana
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    71.16
 Class B Shares............ For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Louisiana
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    62.04
 Class C Shares............ for the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Louisiana
 Municipal Bond Fund        Boston Financial Data Services           50.77
 Class R Shares............ Corp. Actions Audit Acct. #2 886
                            Flagship Funds
                            2 Heritage Dr. 8th Floor
                            N Quincy, MA 02171-2144
                            Boston Financial Data Services           49.23
                            Corp. Actions Audit Acct. #1 886
                            Flagship Funds
                            2 Heritage Dr. 8th Floor
                            N Quincy, MA 02171-2144
Nuveen Flagship North
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    17.91
 Fund Class A Shares....... for the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
Nuveen Flagship North
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Gladys P. Keplinger TOD                  21.70%
 Fund Class B Shares....... Beulah P. Horton 30%
                            Gloria P. Carons 70%
                            9101 Hood Rd.
                            Charlotte, NC 28215-8763
                            Wheat First Securities, Inc.             19.06
                            A/C 3803-8880
                            Peter Hairston
                            Box 415 Peter Hairston Rd.
                            Advance, NC 27006-0415
                            NFSC FEBO #BBN-004871                    10.35
                            William W. Smith
                            606 Brookwood Lane
                            Goldsboro, NC 27534-7510
                            Interstate/Johnson Lane                   7.76
                            FBO 274-73197-19
                            Interstate Tower
                            P.O. Box 1220
                            Charlotte, NC 28201-1220
                            Fubs & Co. FEBO                           6.54
                            John S. Smith
                            P.O. Box 596
                            Murphy, NC 28906-0596
                            Smith Barney Inc.                         6.39
                            00180140333
                            388 Greenwich Street
                            New York, NY 10013-2375
                            Fubs & Co. FEBO                           5.65
                            Helen M. Gibson
                            P.O. Box 1954
                            Bryson City, NC 28713-4954
Nuveen Flagship North
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    26.30
 Fund Class C Shares....... for the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship North
 Carolina Municipal Bond    James H. Ward                            12.68
 Fund Class R Shares....... P.O. Box 67
                            Plymouth, NC 27962-0067
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
                            Maryellen D. Casler                      12.22%
                            1726 Seabrook Ave.
                            Cary, NC 27511-5625
                            Barry W. Barrick Jr.                     11.84
                            1900 Highland Pl.
                            Raleigh, NC 27607-3102
                            Daniel Bonadies                           9.25
                            4 Apalousa Pl.
                            Pinehurst, NC 28374
                            Erwin Sweetman &                          7.70
                            Shirley Sweetman
                            JT TEN WROS NOT TC
                            532 Medcalf Dr. SW
                            Sunset Beach, NC 28468-4501
                            Wayne D. Brodd                            6.75
                            5012 Hermitage Dr.
                            Raleigh, NC 27612-2714
                            Louise S. Allen                           5.81
                            157 Sitterson Loop
                            Plymouth, NC 27962-9566
                            Carolyn W. Harding                        5.07
                            324 Sunnyside Dr.
                            Washington, NC 27889-9227
                            Thomas Frederick Armstrong                5.06
                            2608 Churchill Rd.
                            Raleigh, NC 27608-1906
Nuveen Flagship South
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    25.92
 Fund                       For the sole benefit of its customers
 Class A Shares............ Attn: Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
                            Joseph F. Rice                            9.21
                            777 Bradburn Dr.
                            Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464-5114
                            PaineWebber for the benefit of            7.50
                            Thomas V. Malloy &
                            Isabel C. Malloy JTWROS
                            24 Marina Village Way
                            Salem, SC 29676-4502
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
                            JC Bradford & Co., Cust. FBO              6.74%
                            Ruth K. Keever
                            330 Commerce St.
                            Nashville, TN 37201-1805
Nuveen Flagship South
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    97.51
 Fund Class B Shares....... For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn: Fund Adminstration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship South
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Interstate Johnson Lane                  58.44
 Fund Class C Shares....... FBO 329-0071-15
                            Interstate Tower
                            P.O. Box 1320
                            Charlotte, NC 28201-1220
                            Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    31.03
                            For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn: Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E. FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
                            Interstate/Johnson Lane                  10.51
                            FBO 272-73155-13
                            Interstate Tower
                            P.O. Box 1220
                            Charlotte, NC 28201-1220
Nuveen Flagship South
 Carolina Municipal Bond    Nancy W. Edwards                         61.21
 Fund Class R Shares....... 5 Nilstead Way
                            Greenville, SC 29615-5332
                            E. Chatfield Blakeman                    38.54
                            23 New River Trce
                            Lake Wylie, SC 29710-8932
Nuveen Flagship Tennessee
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    21.74
 Class A Shares............ For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn: Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Tennessee
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    25.26
 Class B Shares............ For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn: Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PERCENTAGE
NAME OF FUND AND CLASS      NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER             OF OWNERSHIP
- ----------------------      -------------------------             ------------
<S>                         <C>                                   <C>
                            Carl A. Zemenick                         20.57%
                            595 St. Blaise Road
                            Gallatin, TN 37066-4449
                            BHC Securities Inc.                      15.11
                            FAO 52197563
                            Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
                            One Commerce Sq.
                            2005 Market St., Suite 1200
                            Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042
                            Don R. Osborne and                        8.32
                            Linda L. Osborne JTWROS
                            P.O. Box 5495
                            Kingsport, TN 37663-0495
                            Ethel T. Maxwell TTEE                     8.02
                            Ethel T. Maxwell Living
                            Trust U/A DTD 6-3-96
                            3636 Central Ave
                            Memphis, TN 38111-6004
Nuveen Flagship Tennessee
 Municipal Bond Fund        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith    46.53
 Class C Shares............ For the sole benefit of its customers
                            Attn: Fund Administration
                            4800 Deer Lake Dr., E FL 3
                            Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Nuveen Flagship Tennessee
 Municipal Bond Fund        Darius A. Hensley                        39.17
 Class R Shares............ P.O. Box 305
                            Piney Flats, TN 37686-0305
                            J.C. Bradford & Co. Cust FBO             19.69
                            Jeffrey L. Cooper
                            330 Commerce St.
                            Nashville, TN 37201-1805
                            Henry Bartosch                           15.81
                            Georgia J. Bartosch JT WROS
                            3535 Kirby Rd., Apt A121
                            Memphis, TN 38115-3710
                            Walter Wolentarski &                     12.90
                            Patricia A. Wolentarski
                            JT TEN
                            665 Rebel Road
                            Old Hickory, TN 37138-1045
                            Georgia J. Bartosch                       8.07
                            Henry Bartosch JTWROS
                            3535 Kirby Rd., Apt A121
                            Memphis, TN 38115-3710
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
 
  Nuveen Advisory Corp. acts as investment adviser for and manages the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of each of the Funds. Nuveen Advisory
also administers the Trust's business affairs, provides office facilities and
equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and
permits any of its officers or employees to serve without compensation as
trustees or officers of the Trust if elected to such positions. See "Fund
Service Providers" in the Prospectus.
 
  Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Advisory and
the Trust, each of the Funds has agreed to pay an annual management fee at the
rates set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSET VALUE FEE                                 MANAGEMENT FEE
- ---------------------------------                                 --------------
<S>                                                               <C>
For the first $125 million.......................................  .5500 of 1%
For the next $125 million........................................  .5375 of 1%
For the next $250 million........................................  .5250 of 1%
For the next $500 million........................................  .5125 of 1%
For the next $1 billion..........................................  .5000 of 1%
For assets over $2 billion.......................................  .4750 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
  Nuveen Advisory has committed through at least 1998 to continue Flagship's
general dividend-setting practices.
 
  For the last three fiscal years, the Funds paid net management fees to
Flagship Financial, predecessor to Nuveen Advisory, and beginning on February
1, 1997, to Nuveen Advisory, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                MANAGEMENT FEES NET OF   FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE
                              EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT PAID     REIMBURSEMENTS
                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED       FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                              -------------------------- -----------------------
                              5/31/95  5/31/96  5/31/97  5/31/95 5/31/96 5/31/97
                              -------- ------- --------- ------- ------- -------
<S>                           <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
Alabama Municipal Bond Fund.  $     --      --        --   4,854  70,457  98,659
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund.  $287,399 235,562   338,940 321,940 366,193 283,341
Louisiana Municipal Bond
 Fund.......................  $ 96,442 148,090   223,450 240,777 222,310 193,709
North Carolina Municipal
 Bond Fund..................  $675,473 674,110   850,815 289,460 318,954 133,892
South Carolina Municipal
 Bond Fund..................  $     --      --        --  37,587  86,888 125,003
Tennessee Municipal Bond
 Fund.......................  $776,025 921,400 1,051,491 442,963 389,150 341,259
</TABLE>
 
  In addition to the management fee of Nuveen Advisory, each Fund pays all
other costs and expenses of its operations and a portion of the Trust's general
administrative expenses allocated in proportion to the net assets of each Fund.
 
  Nuveen Advisory is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Nuveen & Co.
Incorporated ("Nuveen"), the Funds' principal underwriter. In 1961, Nuveen
began sponsoring the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and since that time has
issued more than $36 billion in tax-exempt unit trusts, including over $12
billion in tax-exempt insured unit trusts. In addition, Nuveen open-end and
closed-end funds held approximately $36 billion in tax-exempt securities under
management as of the date of this Statement. Over 1,000,000 individuals have
invested to date in Nuveen's tax-exempt funds and trusts. Founded in 1898,
Nuveen is a subsidiary of The John Nuveen Company which, in turn, is
approximately 78% owned by The St. Paul Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul"). St. Paul
is located in St. Paul, Minnesota and is principally engaged in providing
property-liability insurance through subsidiaries. Effective January 1, 1997,
The John Nuveen Company acquired Flagship Resources Inc., and as
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
 
part of that acquisition, Flagship Financial, the adviser to the Flagship
Funds, was merged with Nuveen Advisory.
 
  Nuveen Advisory's portfolio managers call upon the resources of Nuveen's
Research Department. The Nuveen Research Department reviews more than $100
billion in municipal bonds every year.
 
  The Funds, the other Nuveen funds, Nuveen Advisory, and other related
entities have adopted a code of ethics which essentially prohibits all Nuveen
fund management personnel, including Nuveen fund portfolio managers, from
engaging in personal investments which compete or interfere with, or attempt to
take advantage of, a Fund's anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and
is designed to assure that the interests of Fund shareholders are placed before
the interests of Nuveen personnel in connection with personal investment
transactions.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Nuveen Advisory, in effecting purchases and sales of portfolio securities for
the account of each Fund, will place orders in such manner as, in the opinion
of management, will offer the best price and market for the execution of each
transaction. Portfolio securities will normally be purchased directly from an
underwriter or in the over-the-counter market from the principal dealers in
such securities, unless it appears that a better price or execution may be
obtained elsewhere. Portfolio securities will not be purchased from Nuveen or
its affiliates except in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
  The Funds expect that all portfolio transactions will be effected on a
principal (as opposed to an agency) basis and, accordingly, do not expect to
pay any brokerage commissions. Purchases from underwriters will include a
commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases
from dealers will include the spread between the bid and asked price. Given the
best price and execution obtainable, it will be the practice of the Funds to
select dealers which, in addition, furnish research information (primarily
credit analyses of issuers and general economic reports) and statistical and
other services to Nuveen Advisory. It is not possible to place a dollar value
on information and statistical and other services received from dealers. Since
it is only supplementary to Nuveen Advisory's own research efforts, the receipt
of research information is not expected to reduce significantly Nuveen
Advisory's expenses. While Nuveen Advisory will be primarily responsible for
the placement of the business of the Funds, the policies and practices of
Nuveen Advisory in this regard must be consistent with the foregoing and will,
at all times, be subject to review by the Board of Trustees.
 
  Nuveen Advisory reserves the right to, and does, manage other investment
accounts and investment companies for other clients, which may have investment
objectives similar to the Funds. Subject to applicable laws and regulations,
Nuveen Advisory will attempt to allocate equitably portfolio transactions among
the Funds and the portfolios of its other clients purchasing or selling
securities whenever decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by a Fund
and one or more of such other clients simultaneously. In making such
allocations the main factors to be considered will be the respective investment
objectives of the Fund and such other clients, the relative size of portfolio
holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for
investment by the Fund and such other clients, the size of investment
commitments generally held by the Fund and such other clients and opinions of
the persons responsible for recommending investments to the Fund and such other
clients. While this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or
amount of the securities available to a Fund from time to time, it is the
opinion of the Board of Trustees that the benefits available from Nuveen
Advisory's organization will outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from
exposure to simultaneous transactions.
 
  Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Funds may not purchase
portfolio securities from any underwriting syndicate of which Nuveen is a
member except under certain limited conditions set forth in Rule
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
 
10f-3. The Rule sets forth requirements relating to, among other things, the
terms of an issue of Municipal Obligations purchased by a Fund, the amount of
Municipal Obligations which may be purchased in any one issue and the assets of
a Fund which may be invested in a particular issue. In addition, purchases of
securities made pursuant to the terms of the Rule must be approved at least
quarterly by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of the Trust.
 
NET ASSET VALUE
 
  As stated in the Prospectus, the net asset value of the shares of the Funds
will be determined separately for each class of the Funds' shares by The Chase
Manhattan Bank, the Funds' custodian, as of the close of trading (normally 4:00
p.m. Eastern Time) on each day on which the Exchange is normally open for
trading. The Exchange is not open for trading on New Year's Day, Washington's
Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of a class of shares of a
Fund will be computed by dividing the value of the Fund's assets attributable
to the class, less the liabilities attributable to the class, by the number of
shares of the class outstanding.
 
  In determining net asset value for the Funds, each Fund's custodian utilizes
the valuations of portfolio securities furnished by a pricing service approved
by the trustees. Securities for which quotations are not readily available
(which constitute a majority of the securities held by the Funds) are valued at
fair value as determined by the pricing service using methods which include
consideration of the following: yields or prices of municipal bonds of
comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as
to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The pricing service may
employ electronic data processing techniques and/or a matrix system to
determine valuations. The procedures of the pricing service and its valuations
are reviewed by the officers of the Trust under the general supervision of the
Board of Trustees.
 
TAX MATTERS
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
  The following discussion of federal income tax matters is based upon the
advice of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, counsel to the Trust.
 
  Each Fund intends to qualify under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") for tax treatment as a regulated investment
company. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, a Fund must
satisfy certain requirements relating to the source of its income,
diversification of its assets, and distributions of its income to shareholders.
First, a Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income (including
tax-exempt interest) from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or
securities, foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to
gains from options and futures) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such stock or securities (the "90% gross income test"). Second,
for taxable years beginning on or before August 5, 1997, a Fund must derive
less than 30% of its annual gross income from the sale or other disposition of
any of the following which was held for less than three months: (i) stock or
securities and (ii) certain options, futures, or forward contracts (the "short-
short test"). The short-short test will not be a requirement for qualification
as a regulated investment company for taxable years beginning after August 5,
1997. Third, a Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of its total assets
is comprised of cash, cash items, United States Government securities,
securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited
in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the
value of a Fund's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer,
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
 
and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the total assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than United States Government securities
and securities of other regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers
controlled by a Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or
businesses.
 
  As a regulated investment company, a Fund will not be subject to federal
income tax in any taxable year for which it distributes at least 90% of the sum
of (i) its "investment company taxable income" (which includes dividends,
taxable interest, taxable original issue discount and market discount income,
income from securities lending, net short-term capital gain in excess of long-
term capital loss, and any other taxable income other than "net capital gain"
(as defined below) and is reduced by deductible expenses) and (ii) its net tax-
exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income over
certain disallowed deductions). A Fund may retain for investment its net
capital gain (which consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain
over its short-term capital loss). However, if a Fund retains any net capital
gain or any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at
regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If a Fund retains any capital
gain, such Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital
gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to federal income tax on
long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal
income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such
undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate
shares of the tax paid by such Fund against their federal income tax
liabilities if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such
liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by
a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current
law to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the
shareholder's gross income. Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually
to its shareholders all or substantially all of its net tax-exempt interest and
any investment company taxable income and net capital gain.
 
  Treasury regulations permit a regulated investment company, in determining
its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, i.e., the excess of
net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for any taxable
year, to elect (unless it has made a taxable year election for excise tax
purposes as discussed below) to treat all or part of any net capital loss, any
net long-term capital loss or any net foreign currency loss incurred after
October 31 as if they had been incurred in the succeeding year.
 
  Each Fund also intends to satisfy conditions (including requirements as to
the proportion of its assets invested in Municipal Obligations) that will
enable it to designate distributions from the interest income generated by
investments in Municipal Obligations, which is exempt from regular federal
income tax when received by such Fund, as exempt-interest dividends.
Shareholders receiving exempt-interest dividends will not be subject to regular
federal income tax on the amount of such dividends. Insurance proceeds received
by a Fund under any insurance policies in respect of scheduled interest
payments on defaulted Municipal Obligations will be excludable from federal
gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code. In the case of non-appropriation
by a political subdivision, however, there can be no assurance that payments
made by the insurer representing interest on "non-appropriation" lease
obligations will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax
purposes. See "Investment Policies and Investment Portfolio; Portfolio
Securities."
 
  Distributions by a Fund of net interest received from certain taxable
temporary investments (such as certificates of deposit, commercial paper and
obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities) and net
short-term capital gains realized by a Fund, if any, will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income whether received in cash or additional shares.
If a Fund purchases a Municipal Obligation at a market discount, any gain
realized by the Fund upon sale or redemption of the Municipal Obligation will
be treated as taxable interest income to the extent such gain does not exceed
the market discount, and any gain realized in excess of the market discount
will be treated as capital gains. Any net long-term capital gains realized by a
Fund and distributed to shareholders in cash or additional shares, will be
taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of
time investors have owned shares of a Fund. Distributions by a
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
 
Fund that do not constitute ordinary income dividends, exempt-interest
dividends, or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return of capital to
the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in his or her
shares. Any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his or her shares,
as discussed below.
 
  If a Fund has both tax-exempt and taxable income, it will use the "average
annual" method for determining the designated percentage that is taxable income
and designate the use of such method within 60 days after the end of the Fund's
taxable year. Under this method, one designated percentage is applied uniformly
to all distributions made during the Fund's taxable year. The percentage of
income designated as tax-exempt for any particular distribution may be
substantially different from the percentage of the Fund's income that was tax-
exempt during the period covered by the distribution.
 
  If a Fund engages in hedging transactions involving financial futures and
options, these transactions will be subject to special tax rules, the effect of
which may be to accelerate income to a Fund, defer a Fund's losses, cause
adjustments in the holding periods of a Fund's securities, convert long-term
capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital
losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the
amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
  Because the taxable portion of a Fund's investment income consists primarily
of interest, none of its dividends, whether or not treated as exempt-interest
dividends, is expected to qualify under the Internal Revenue Code for the
dividends received deductions for corporations.
 
  Prior to purchasing shares in a Fund, the impact of dividends or
distributions which are expected to be or have been declared, but not paid,
should be carefully considered. Any dividend or distribution declared shortly
after a purchase of such shares prior to the record date will have the effect
of reducing the per share net asset value by the per share amount of the
dividend or distribution.
 
  Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid,
dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of
record on a specified date in one of those months and paid during the following
January, will be treated as having been distributed by a Fund (and received by
the shareholders) on December 31.
 
  The redemption or exchange of the shares of a Fund normally will result in
capital gain or loss to the shareholders. Present law taxes both long- and
short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary
income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, (i) gain on the sale of shares
held for more than 18 months will generally be taxed at a maximum marginal rate
of 20%, (ii) gain on the sale of shares held for more than one year but not
more than 18 months will generally be taxed at a maximum marginal rate of 28%,
and (iii) gain on the sale of shares held for not more than one year and other
ordinary income will generally be taxed at a maximum marginal rate of 39.6%.
Because of the limitations on itemized deductions and the deduction for
personal exemptions applicable to higher income taxpayers, the effective tax
rate on net income may be higher in certain circumstances.
 
  All or a portion of a sales charge paid in purchasing shares of a Fund cannot
be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the
redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to
the extent shares of a Fund or another fund are subsequently acquired without
payment of a sales charge pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege.
Any disregarded portion of such charge will result in an increase in the
shareholder's tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. Moreover, losses
recognized by a shareholder on the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund
held for six months or less are disallowed to the extent of any distribution of
exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares and, if not
disallowed, such losses are treated as long-term capital losses to the extent
of any distributions of long-term capital gains made with respect to such
shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on the redemption or exchange of
shares of a Fund if the shareholder purchases other shares of such Fund
(whether through
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>
 
reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) or the shareholder acquires or
enters into a contract or option to acquire securities that are substantially
identical to shares of a Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after such redemption or exchange. If disallowed, the
loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.
 
  It may not be advantageous from a tax perspective for shareholders to redeem
or exchange shares after tax-exempt income has accrued but before the record
date for the exempt-interest dividend representing the distribution of such
income. Because such accrued tax-exempt income is included in the net asset
value per share (which equals the redemption or exchange value), such a
redemption could result in treatment of the portion of the sales or redemption
proceeds equal to the accrued tax-exempt interest as taxable gain (to the
extent the redemption or exchange price exceeds the shareholder's tax basis in
the shares disposed of) rather than tax-exempt interest.
 
  In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, a Fund must distribute or be
deemed to have distributed by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of
its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its
realized capital gains over its realized capital losses (generally computed on
the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year) and 100% of
any taxable ordinary income and the excess of realized capital gains over
realized capital losses for the prior year that was not distributed during such
year and on which such Fund paid no federal income tax. For purposes of the
excise tax, a regulated investment company may reduce its capital gain net
income (but not below its net capital gain) by the amount of any net ordinary
loss for the calendar year. The Funds intend to make timely distributions in
compliance with these requirements and consequently it is anticipated that they
generally will not be required to pay the excise tax.
 
  If in any year a Fund should fail to qualify under Subchapter M for tax
treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund would incur a regular
corporate federal income tax upon its income for that year (other than interest
income from Municipal Obligations), and distributions to its shareholders would
be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax
purposes to the extent of the Fund's available earnings and profits.
 
  Because the Funds may invest in private activity bonds, the interest on which
is not federally tax-exempt to persons who are "substantial users" of the
facilities financed by such bonds or "related persons" of such "substantial
users," the Funds may not be an appropriate investment for shareholders who are
considered either a "substantial user" or a "related person" within the meaning
of the Code. For additional information, investors should consult their tax
advisers before investing in a Fund.
 
  Federal tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to both
corporations and individuals. Interest on certain Municipal Obligations, such
as bonds issued to make loans for housing purposes or to private entities (but
not for certain tax-exempt organizations such as universities and non-profit
hospitals), is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount
of a taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that a Fund
receives income from Municipal Obligations subject to the alternative minimum
tax, a portion of the dividends paid by it, although otherwise exempt from
federal income tax, will be taxable to shareholders to the extent that their
tax liability is determined under the alternative minimum tax regime. The Funds
will annually supply shareholders with a report indicating the percentage of
Fund income attributable to Municipal Obligations subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax.
 
  In addition, the alternative minimum taxable income for corporations is
increased by 75% of the difference between an alternative measure of income
("adjusted current earnings") and the amount otherwise determined to be the
alternative minimum taxable income. Interest on all Municipal Obligations, and
therefore all distributions by the Funds that would otherwise be tax-exempt, is
included in calculating a corporation's adjusted current earnings.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>
 
  Tax-exempt income, including exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund, will
be added to the taxable income of individuals receiving social security or
railroad retirement benefits in determining whether a portion of that benefit
will be subject to federal income tax.
 
  The Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to
purchase or carry shares of any Fund is not deductible. Under rules used by the
IRS for determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of shares of a Fund may
be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are
not directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
 
  The Funds are required in certain circumstances to withhold 31% of taxable
dividends and certain other payments paid to non-corporate holders of shares
who have not furnished to the Funds their correct taxpayer identification
number (in the case of individuals, their social security number) and certain
certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding.
 
  The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the
Code and Treasury Regulations presently in effect as they directly govern the
taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. For complete provisions, reference
should be made to the pertinent Code sections and Treasury Regulations. The
Code and Treasury Regulations are subject to change by legislative or
administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive with respect to
Fund transactions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers
for more detailed information concerning the federal taxation of the Funds and
the income tax consequences to their shareholders.
 
STATE TAX MATTERS
 
  The discussion of tax treatment is based on the assumptions that the Funds
will qualify under Subchapter M of the Code as regulated investment companies
and as qualified investment funds under applicable state law, that they will
satisfy the conditions which will cause distributions to qualify as exempt-
interest dividends to shareholders when distributed as intended, and that each
Fund will distribute all interest and dividends it receives to its
shareholders. Unless otherwise noted, shareholders in each Fund will not be
subject to state income taxation on distributions that are attributable to
interest earned on the municipal obligations issued by that state or its
subdivisions, or on obligations of the United States. Shareholders generally
will be required to include capital gain distributions in their income for
state tax purposes. The tax discussion summarizes general state tax laws which
are currently in effect and are subject to change by legislative or
administrative action; any such changes may be retroactive with respect to the
applicable Fund's transactions. Investors should consult a tax adviser for more
detailed information about state taxes to which they may be subject.
 
ALABAMA
 
  The following is a general, abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
applicable Alabama tax law as presently in effect as it directly governs the
taxation of resident individual and corporate shareholders of the Alabama Fund.
This summary does not address the taxation of other shareholders nor does it
discuss any local taxes that may be applicable. These provisions are subject to
change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be
retroactive with respect to Alabama Fund transactions.
 
  The following is based on the assumptions that the Alabama Fund will qualify
under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company, that it will
satisfy the conditions which will cause Alabama Fund distributions to qualify
as exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, and that it will distribute all
interest and dividends it receives to the Alabama Fund's shareholders.
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>
 
  The Alabama Fund will be subject to the Alabama corporate franchise tax and
the Alabama income tax only if it has a sufficient nexus with Alabama. If it is
subject to such taxes, it does not expect to pay a material amount of either
tax.
 
  Distributions by the Alabama Fund that are attributable to interest on any
obligation of Alabama and its political subdivisions or to interest on
obligations of the United States, its territories, possessions, or
instrumentalities that are exempt from state taxation under federal law will
not be subject to the Alabama personal income tax or the Alabama corporate
income tax. Distributions attributable to all other taxable income realized by
the Alabama Fund, including capital gains will be subject to the Alabama
personal and corporate income taxes.
 
  Gain on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of the Alabama
Fund will be subject to the Alabama personal and corporate income taxes.
 
  Shares of the Alabama Fund may be subject to the Alabama inheritance tax and
the Alabama estate tax if held by an Alabama decedent at the time of death.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers for more
detailed information concerning Alabama and local tax matters.
 
GEORGIA
 
  The following is a general, abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
applicable Georgia tax law as presently in effect as it directly governs the
taxation of resident individual and corporate shareholders of the Georgia Fund.
This summary does not address the taxation of other shareholders nor does it
discuss any local taxes that may be applicable. These provisions are subject to
change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be
retroactive with respect to Georgia Fund transactions.
 
  The following is based on the assumptions that the Georgia Fund will qualify
under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company, that it will
satisfy the conditions which will cause Georgia Fund distributions to qualify
as exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, and that it will distribute all
interest and dividends it receives to the Georgia Fund's shareholders.
 
  The Georgia Fund will be subject to the Georgia corporate net worth tax and
the Georgia corporate income tax only if it has a sufficient nexus with
Georgia. If it is subject to such taxes, it does not expect to pay a material
amount of either tax.
 
  Distributions from the Georgia Fund that are attributable to interest on any
obligation of Georgia or its political subdivisions or on obligations of the
United States, its territories, possessions, or instrumentalities that are
exempt from state taxation under federal law will not be subject to the Georgia
personal income tax or the Georgia corporate income tax. All other
distributions, including distributions attributable to capital gains, will be
subject to the Georgia personal and corporate income taxes.
 
  Gain on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of the Georgia
Fund will be subject to the Georgia personal and corporate income taxes.
 
  Shares of the Georgia Fund may be subject to the Georgia estate tax if held
by a Georgia decedent at the time of death.
 
  Shareholders should note that the Georgia intangible personal property tax
has been repealed effective January 1, 1997.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers for more
detailed information concerning Georgia and local tax matters.
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>
 
LOUISIANA
 
  The following is a general, abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
applicable Louisiana tax law as presently in effect as it directly governs the
taxation of resident individual and corporate shareholders of the Louisiana
Fund. This summary does not address the taxation of other shareholders nor does
it discuss any local taxes that may be applicable. These provisions are subject
to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be
retroactive with respect to Louisiana Fund transactions.
 
  The following is based on the assumptions that the Louisiana Fund will
qualify under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company, that
it will satisfy the conditions which will cause Louisiana Fund distributions to
qualify as exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, and that it will
distribute all interest and dividends it receives to the Louisiana Fund's
shareholders.
 
  The Louisiana Fund will be subject to the Louisiana corporate franchise tax
and corporate income tax only if it has a sufficient nexus with Louisiana. If
it is subject to such taxes, it does not expect to pay a material amount of
either tax.
 
  Distributions by the Louisiana Fund that are attributable to interest on any
obligation of Louisiana and its political subdivisions or to interest on
obligations of the United States, its territories, possessions or
instrumentalities that are exempt from state taxation under federal law will
not be subject to the Louisiana personal income tax or the Louisiana corporate
income tax. All other distributions, including distributions attributable to
capital gains, will be subject to the Louisiana personal and corporate income
taxes.
 
  Gain on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of the Louisiana
Fund will be subject to the Louisiana personal and corporate income taxes.
 
  Shares of the Louisiana Fund may be subject to the Louisiana inheritance tax
and the Louisiana estate tax if held by a Louisiana decedent at the time of
death.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers for more
detailed information concerning Louisiana tax matters.
 
NORTH CAROLINA
 
  The following is a general, abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
applicable North Carolina tax law as presently in effect as it directly governs
the taxation of resident individual and corporate shareholders of the North
Carolina Fund. This summary does not address the taxation of other shareholders
nor does it discuss any local taxes that may be applicable. These provisions
are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such
change may be retroactive with respect to North Carolina Fund transactions.
 
  The following is based on the assumptions that the North Carolina Fund will
qualify under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company, that
it will satisfy the conditions which will cause North Carolina Fund
distributions to qualify as exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, and that
it will distribute all interest and dividends it receives to the North Carolina
Fund's shareholders.
 
  The North Carolina Fund will be subject to the North Carolina corporation
income tax and the North Carolina franchise tax only if it has a sufficient
nexus with North Carolina. If it is subject to such taxes, it does not expect
to pay a material amount of either tax.
 
  Distributions from North Carolina Fund that are attributable to interest on
any obligation of North Carolina or its political subdivisions or to interest
on obligations of the United States, its territories, possessions, or
instrumentalities that are exempt from state taxation under federal law will
not be subject to the North
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
 
Carolina personal income tax or the North Carolina corporation income tax. All
other distributions, including distributions attributable to capital gains,
will be subject to the North Carolina personal and corporation income taxes.
 
  Gain on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of the North
Carolina Fund will be subject to the North Carolina personal and corporation
income taxes.
 
  Shares of the North Carolina Fund may be subject to the North Carolina
inheritance tax and the North Carolina estate tax if owned by a North Carolina
decedent at the time of death.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers for more
detailed information concerning North Carolina and local tax matters.
 
SOUTH CAROLINA
 
  The following is a general, abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
applicable South Carolina tax law as presently in effect as it directly governs
the taxation of resident individual and corporate shareholders of the South
Carolina Fund. This summary does not address the taxation of other shareholders
nor does it discuss any local taxes that may be applicable. These provisions
are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such
change may be retroactive with respect to South Carolina Fund transactions.
 
  The following is based on the assumptions that the South Carolina Fund will
qualify under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company, that
it will satisfy the conditions which will cause South Carolina Fund
distributions to qualify as exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, and that
it will distribute all interest and dividends it receives to the South Carolina
Fund's shareholders.
 
  The South Carolina Fund will be subject to the South Carolina corporation net
license fee and the South Carolina corporate income tax only if it has a
sufficient nexus with South Carolina. If it is subject to such taxes, it does
not expect to pay a material amount of either tax.
 
  Distributions by the South Carolina Fund that are attributable to interest on
any obligations of South Carolina or its political subdivisions or to interest
on obligations of the United States, its territories, possessions, or
instrumentalities that are exempt from state taxation under federal law will
not be subject to the South Carolina personal income tax or the South Carolina
corporate income tax. All other distributions, including distributions
attributable to capital gains, will be subject to the South Carolina personal
and corporate income taxes.
 
  Gain on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of the South
Carolina Fund will be subject to the South Carolina personal and corporate
income taxes.
 
  Shares of the South Carolina Fund may be subject to the South Carolina estate
tax if owned by a South Carolina decedent at the time of death.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers for more
detailed information concerning South Carolina and local tax matters.
 
TENNESSEE
 
  The following is a general, abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
applicable Tennessee tax law as presently in effect as it directly governs the
taxation of resident individual and corporate shareholders of the Tennessee
Fund. This summary does not address the taxation of other shareholders nor does
it discuss any local taxes that may be applicable. These provisions are subject
to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be
retroactive with respect to Tennessee Fund transactions.
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>
 
  The following is based on the assumptions that the Tennessee Fund will
qualify under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company, that
it will invest at least 75% of its assets in obligations of Tennessee and its
political subdivisions ("Tennessee Obligations") or obligations of the United
States, its territories, possessions, or instrumentalities that are exempt from
state taxation under federal law ("Federal Obligations"), that it will satisfy
the conditions which will cause Tennessee Fund distributions to qualify as
exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, and that it will distribute all
interest and dividends it receives to the Tennessee Fund's shareholders. 
 
  The Tennessee Fund is not subject to Tennessee taxes.
 
  Distributions from the Tennessee Fund that are attributable to interest on
Tennessee Obligations or to interest on Federal Obligations will not be subject
to the Tennessee individual income tax (also known as the "Hall income tax").
In addition, under current administrative practice of the Tennessee Department
of Revenue, dividends attributable to gains realized from the sale or exchange
of Tennessee Obligations or Federal Obligations will not be subject to the
Tennessee individual income tax. All other distributions will be subject to
such tax.
 
  All distributions from the Tennessee Fund, regardless of source, will be
subject to the Tennessee corporate excise tax.

  Gain on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of the Tennessee
Fund will not be subject to the Tennessee individual income tax but will be
subject to the Tennessee corporate excise tax. 
 
  Shares of the Tennessee Fund may be subject to the Tennessee inheritance tax
and the Tennessee estate tax if owned by a Tennessee decedent at the time of
death.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers for more
detailed information concerning Tennessee and local tax matters.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
  The historical investment performance of the Funds may be shown in the form
of "yield," "taxable equivalent yield," "average annual total return,"
"cumulative total return" and "taxable equivalent total return" figures, each
of which will be calculated separately for each class of shares.
 
  In accordance with a standardized method prescribed by rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), yield is computed by dividing the
net investment income per share earned during the specified one month or 30-day
period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period,
according to the following formula:
 
                                    ( a-b    )6
                            Yield=2[(----- +1) -1]
                                    ( cd     )
 
  In the above formula, a = dividends and interest earned during the period; b
= expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements); c = the average
daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were entitled to
receive dividends; and d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day
of the period. In the case of Class A shares, the maximum offering price
includes the current maximum front-end sales charge of 4.20%.
 
  In computing yield, the Funds follow certain standardized accounting
practices specified by SEC rules. These practices are not necessarily
consistent with those that the Funds use to prepare their annual and interim
financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Thus, yield may not equal the income paid to shareholders or the
income reported in a Fund's financial statements.
 
                                      S-33
<PAGE>
 
  Taxable equivalent yield is computed by dividing that portion of the yield
which is tax-exempt by the remainder of (1 minus the stated combined federal
and state income tax rate, taking into account the deductibility of state taxes
for federal income tax purposes) and adding the product to that portion, if
any, of the yield that is not tax exempt.
 
  The taxable equivalent yields quoted below are based upon (1) the stated
combined federal and state income tax rates and (2) the yields for the 30-day
period quoted in the left-hand column.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 AS OF MAY 31, 1997
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                            COMBINED FEDERAL       TAXABLE
                                     YIELD AND STATE TAX RATE* EQUIVALENT YIELD
                                     ----- ------------------- ----------------
      <S>                            <C>   <C>                 <C>
      Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.............  4.94%        41.5%             8.44%
        Class B Shares.............  4.29%        41.5%             7.33%
        Class C Shares.............  4.64%        41.5%             7.93%
        Class R Shares.............  5.43%        41.5%             9.28%
      Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.............  4.97%        43.0%             8.72%
        Class B Shares.............  4.44%        43.0%             7.79%
        Class C Shares.............  4.64%        43.0%             8.14%
        Class R Shares.............  5.39%        43.0%             9.46%
      Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.............  4.87%        42.0%             8.40%
        Class B Shares.............  4.35%        42.0%             7.50%
        Class C Shares.............  4.54%        42.0%             7.83%
        Class R Shares.............  5.71%        42.0%             9.84%
      North Carolina Municipal Bond
      Fund
        Class A Shares.............  4.49%        44.5%             8.09%
        Class B Shares.............  3.94%        44.5%             7.10%
        Class C Shares.............  4.14%        44.5%             7.46%
        Class R Shares.............  4.88%        44.5%             8.79%
      South Carolina Municipal Bond
      Fund
        Class A Shares.............  5.12%        44.0%             9.14%
        Class B Shares.............  4.60%        44.0%             8.21%
        Class C Shares.............  4.82%        44.0%             8.61%
        Class R Shares.............  5.55%        44.0%             9.91%
      Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.............  4.83%        43.0%             8.47%
        Class B Shares.............  4.31%        43.0%             7.56%
        Class C Shares.............  4.49%        43.0%             7.88%
        Class R Shares.............  5.28%        43.0%             9.26%
</TABLE>
 
- --------
   * The combined tax rates used in these tables represent the highest or one
     of the highest combined tax rates applicable to state taxpayers, rounded
     to the nearest .5%; these rates do not reflect the current federal tax
     limitations on itemized deductions and personal exemptions, which may
     raise the effective tax rate and taxable equivalent yield for taxpayers
     above certain income levels.
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>
 
  For additional information concerning taxable equivalent yields, see the
Taxable Equivalent Yields table in the Prospectus.
 
  The Funds may from time to time in their advertising and sales materials
report a quotation of their current distribution rate. The distribution rate
represents a measure of dividends distributed for a specified period.
Distribution rate is computed by taking the most recent monthly tax-free income
dividend per share, multiplying it by 12 to annualize it, and dividing by the
appropriate price per share (e.g., net asset value for purchases to be made
without a load such as reinvestments from Nuveen UITs, or the maximum public
offering price). The distribution rate differs from yield and total return and
therefore is not intended to be a complete measure of performance. Distribution
rate may sometimes differ from yield because a Fund may be paying out more than
it is earning and because it may not include the effect of amortization of bond
premiums to the extent such premiums arise after the bonds were purchased.
 
  The distribution rates as of the period quoted, based on the maximum public
offering price then in effect for the Funds, and assuming the imposition of the
maximum sales charge for Class A Shares of 4.20%, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          MAY 31, 1997
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                       DISTRIBUTION RATES
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
                                                 ------- ------- ------- -------
      <S>                                        <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
      Alabama Municipal Bond Fund...............  5.02%   4.49%   4.69%   5.44%
      Georgia Municipal Bond Fund...............  5.12%   4.60%   4.80%   5.55%
      Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund.............  5.07%   4.56%   4.74%   5.50%
      North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund .......  4.98%   4.45%   4.64%   5.39%
      South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund........  5.03%   4.51%   4.70%   5.45%
      Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund.............  5.07%   4.55%   4.75%   5.50%
</TABLE>
 
  Average annual total return quotation is computed in accordance with a
standardized method prescribed by SEC rules. The average annual total return
for a specific period is found by taking a hypothetical, $1,000 investment
("initial investment") in Fund shares on the first day of the period, reducing
the amount to reflect the maximum sales charge, and computing the "redeemable
value" of that investment at the end of the period. The redeemable value is
then divided by the initial investment, and this quotient is taken to the Nth
root (N representing the number of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted
from the result, which is then expressed as a percentage. The calculation
assumes that all income and capital gains distributions have been reinvested in
Fund shares at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.
 
  Total returns for the Class A Shares of each fund reflect actual performance
for all periods. For the Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Tennessee Funds, the Class B, C and R Shares, total returns
reflect actual performance for periods since class inception, and the Class A
Shares' performance for periods prior to inception, adjusted for the
differences in sales charges (and for Class B and C, fees) between the classes.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>
 
  The inception dates for each class of the Funds' shares are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               INCEPTION DATES
                                                              ------------------
      <S>                                                     <C>
      Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.......................................     April 11, 1994
        Class B Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class C Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class R Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
      Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.......................................     March 27, 1986
        Class B Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class C Shares.......................................    January 4, 1994
        Class R Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
      Lousiana Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares....................................... September 12, 1989
        Class B Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class C Shares.......................................   February 2, 1994
        Class R Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
      North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.......................................     March 27, 1986
        Class B Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class C Shares.......................................    October 4, 1993
        Class R Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
      South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.......................................       July 6, 1993
        Class B Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class C Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class R Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
      Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund
        Class A Shares.......................................   November 2, 1987
        Class B Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
        Class C Shares.......................................    October 4, 1993
        Class R Shares.......................................   February 1, 1997
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-36
<PAGE>
 
  The annual total return figures for the Funds, including the effect of the
maximum sales charge for Class A shares, and applicable CDSC for Class B
Shares, for the one-year, five-year and ten-year periods (as applicable) ended
May 31, 1997 and for the period from inception through May 31, 1997,
respectively, were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS FROM INCEPTION
                                   ENDED     ENDED      ENDED      THROUGH
                                  MAY 31,   MAY 31,    MAY 31,     MAY 31,
                                    1997      1997      1997         1997
                                  -------- ---------- --------- --------------
     <S>                          <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>
     Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
       Class A Shares............  4.63%       N/A        N/A       5.83%
       Class B Shares............  4.79%       N/A        N/A       5.91%
       Class C Shares............  9.00%       N/A        N/A       6.95%
       Class R Shares............  9.38%       N/A        N/A       7.34%
     Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
       Class A Shares............  4.79%     5.71%      7.39%       6.99%
       Class B Shares............  4.73%     5.87%      7.38%       6.98%
       Class C Shares............  8.80%     6.00%      7.24%       6.80%
       Class R Shares............  9.46%     6.64%      7.86%       7.41%
     Louisiana Municipal Bond
        Fund
       Class A Shares............  4.78%     6.65%        N/A       7.74%
       Class B Shares............  4.61%     6.80%        N/A       7.73%
       Class C Shares............  8.78%     6.97%        N/A       7.73%
       Class R Shares............  9.33%     7.56%        N/A       8.33%
     North Carolina Municipal
        Bond Fund
       Class A Shares............  3.26%     5.40%      7.39%       6.51%
       Class B Shares............  3.14%     5.56%      7.38%       6.50%
       Class C Shares............  7.20%     5.69%      7.24%       6.31%
       Class R Shares............  7.86%     6.33%      7.86%       6.93%
     South Carolina Municipal
        Bond Fund
       Class A Shares............  3.73%       N/A        N/A       4.04%
       Class B Shares............  3.52%       N/A        N/A       3.89%
       Class C Shares............  7.73%       N/A        N/A       4.78%
       Class R Shares............  8.45%       N/A        N/A       5.23%
     Tennessee Municipal Bond
        Fund
       Class A Shares............  3.18%     5.76%        N/A       7.35%
       Class B Shares............  3.07%     5.92%        N/A       7.34%
       Class C Shares............  7.12%     6.07%        N/A       7.23%
       Class R Shares............  7.58%     6.64%        N/A       7.82%
</TABLE>
 
 
  Calculation of cumulative total return is not subject to a prescribed
formula. Cumulative total return for a specific period is calculated by first
taking a hypothetical initial investment in Fund shares on the first day of the
period, deducting (in some cases) the maximum sales charge, and computing the
"redeemable value" of that investment at the end of the period. The cumulative
total return percentage is then determined by subtracting
 
                                      S-37
<PAGE>
 
the initial investment from the redeemable value and dividing the remainder by
the initial investment and expressing the result as a percentage. The
calculation assumes that all income and capital gains distributions by the Fund
have been reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the
period. Cumulative total return may also be shown as the increased dollar value
of the hypothetical investment over the period. Cumulative total return
calculations that do not include the effect of the sales charge would be
reduced if such charge were included.
 
  The cumulative total return figures for the Funds, including the effect of
the maximum sales charge for the Class A Shares, and applicable CDSC for Class
B Shares, for the one-year, five-year and ten-year periods (as applicable)
ended May 31, 1997, and for the period since inception through May 31, 1997,
respectively, using the performance of the oldest class for periods prior to
the inception of the newer classes, as described above, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                                ---------------------------------------
                                                                FROM
                                ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS INCEPTION
                                 ENDED     ENDED      ENDED    THROUGH
                                MAY 31,   MAY 31,    MAY 31,   MAY 31,
                                  1997      1997      1997      1997
                                -------- ---------- --------- ---------
     <S>                        <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>
     Alabama Municipal Bond
        Fund
       Class A Shares..........  4.63%        N/A        N/A    19.45%
       Class B Shares..........  4.79%        N/A        N/A    19.73%
       Class C Shares..........  9.00%        N/A        N/A    23.47%
       Class R Shares..........  9.38%        N/A        N/A    24.87%
     Georgia Municipal Bond
        Fund
       Class A Shares..........  4.79%     32.00%    103.92%   112.88%
       Class B Shares..........  4.73%     32.99%    103.73%   112.69%
       Class C Shares..........  8.80%     33.82%    101.14%   108.54%
       Class R Shares..........  9.46%     37.88%    113.01%   122.36%
     Louisiana Municipal Bond
        Fund
       Class A Shares..........  4.78%     37.99%        N/A    77.69%
       Class B Shares..........  4.61%     38.97%        N/A    77.58%
       Class C Shares..........  8.78%     40.03%        N/A    77.66%
       Class R Shares..........  9.33%     43.98%        N/A    85.40%
     North Carolina Municipal
        Bond Fund
       Class A Shares..........  3.26%     30.09%    104.00%   102.38%
       Class B Shares..........  3.14%     31.08%    103.87%   102.25%
       Class C Shares..........  7.20%     31.86%    101.22%    98.26%
       Class R Shares..........  7.86%     35.89%    113.08%   111.40%
     South Carolina Municipal
        Bond Fund
       Class A Shares..........  3.73%        N/A        N/A    16.72%
       Class B Shares..........  3.52%        N/A        N/A    16.06%
       Class C Shares..........  7.73%        N/A        N/A    19.99%
       Class R Shares..........  8.45%        N/A        N/A    22.02%
     Tennessee Municipal Bond
        Fund
       Class A Shares..........  3.18%     32.28%        N/A    97.26%
       Class B Shares..........  3.07%     33.30%        N/A    97.09%
       Class C Shares..........  7.12%     34.24%        N/A    95.21%
       Class R Shares..........  7.58%     37.93%        N/A   105.68%
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-38
<PAGE>
 
  Calculation of taxable equivalent total return is also not subject to a
prescribed formula. Taxable equivalent total return for a specific period is
calculated by first taking a hypothetical initial investment in Fund shares on
the first day of the period, computing the total return for each calendar year
in the period in the manner described above, and increasing the total return
for each such calendar year by the amount of additional income that a taxable
fund would need to have generated to equal the income on an after-tax basis, at
a specified income tax rate (usually the highest marginal federal tax rate),
calculated as described above under the discussion of "taxable equivalent
yield." The resulting amount for the calendar year is then divided by the
initial investment amount to arrive at a "taxable equivalent total return
factor" for the calendar year. The taxable equivalent total return factors for
all the calendar years are then multiplied together and the result is then
annualized by taking its Nth root (N representing the number of years in the
period) and subtracting 1, which provides a taxable equivalent total return
expressed as a percentage.
 
  Using the 41.5% maximum combined marginal federal and State tax rate for
1997, the annual taxable equivalent total return for the Alabama Municipal
Fund's Class A shares for the one-year period ended May 31, 1997 was 13.17%.
 
  Class A Shares of the Funds are sold at net asset value plus a current
maximum sales charge of 4.20% of the offering price. This current maximum sales
charge will typically be used for purposes of calculating performance figures.
Yield, returns and net asset value of each class of shares of the Funds will
fluctuate. Factors affecting the performance of the Funds include general
market conditions, operating expenses and investment management. Any additional
fees charged by a securities representative or other financial services firm
would reduce returns described in this section. Shares of the Funds are
redeemable at net asset value, which may be more or less than original cost.
 
  In reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising and
sales literature, the Funds may also compare their performance with that of:
(1) the Consumer Price Index or various unmanaged bond indexes such as the
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index and the Salomon Brothers High Grade
Corporate Bond Index and (2) other fixed income or municipal bond mutual funds
or mutual fund indexes as reported by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
("Lipper"), Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar"), Wiesenberger Investment
Companies Service ("Wiesenberger") and CDA Investment Technologies, Inc.
("CDA") or similar independent services which monitor the performance of mutual
funds, or other industry or financial publications such as Barron's, Changing
Times, Forbes and Money Magazine. Performance comparisons by these indexes,
services or publications may rank mutual funds over different periods of time
by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year, or other types of total return
and performance figures. Any given performance quotation or performance
comparison should not be considered as representative of the performance of the
Funds for any future period.
 
  Each fund may from time to time in its advertising and sales materials
compare its current yield or total return with the yield or total return on
taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
certificates of deposit (CDs) or money market funds. These taxable investments
have investment characteristics that differ from those of the Funds. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are long-term investments backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and bank CDs are generally short-term,
FDIC-insured investments, which pay fixed principal and interest but are
subject to fluctuating rollover rates. Money market funds are short-term
investments with stable net asset values, fluctuating yields and special
features enhancing liquidity.
 
  There are differences and similarities between the investments which the
Funds may purchase and the investments measured by the indexes and reporting
services which are described herein. The Consumer Price Index is generally
considered to be a measure of inflation. The CDA Mutual Fund-Municipal Bond
Index is a weighted performance average of other mutual funds with a federally
tax-exempt income objective. The Salomon Brothers High Grade Corporate Bond
Index is an unmanaged index that generally represents the performance of
 
                                      S-39
<PAGE>
 
high grade long-term taxable bonds during various market conditions. The Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index that generally represents
the performance of high grade intermediate and long-term municipal bonds during
various market conditions. Lipper calculates municipal bond fund averages based
on average maturity and credit quality. Morningstar rates mutual funds by
overall risk-adjusted performance, investment objectives, and assets. Lipper,
Morningstar, Wiesenberger and CDA are widely recognized mutual fund reporting
services whose performance calculations are based upon changes in net asset
value with all dividends reinvested and which do not include the effect of any
sales charges. The market prices and yields of taxable and tax-exempt bonds
will fluctuate. The Funds primarily invest in investment grade Municipal
Obligations in pursuing their objective of as high a level of current interest
income which is exempt from federal and state income tax as is consistent, in
the view of the Funds' management, with preservation of capital.
 
  The Funds may also compare their taxable equivalent total return performance
to the total return performance of taxable income funds such as treasury
securities funds, corporate bond funds (either investment grade or high yield),
or Ginnie Mae funds. These types of funds, because of the character of their
underlying securities, differ from municipal bond funds in several respects.
The susceptibility of the price of treasury bonds to credit risk is far less
than that of municipal bonds, but the price of treasury bonds tends to be
slightly more susceptible to change resulting from changes in market interest
rates. The susceptibility of the price of investment grade corporate bonds and
municipal bonds to market interest rate changes and general credit changes is
similar. High yield bonds are subject to a greater degree of price volatility
than municipal bonds resulting from changes in market interest rates and are
particularly susceptible to volatility from credit changes. Ginnie Mae bonds
are generally subject to less price volatility than municipal bonds from credit
concerns, due primarily to the fact that the timely payment of monthly
installments of principal and interest are backed by the full faith and credit
of the U.S. Government, but Ginnie Mae bonds of equivalent coupon and maturity
are generally more susceptible to price volatility resulting from market
interest rate changes. In addition, the volatility of Ginnie Mae bonds due to
changes in market interest rates may differ from municipal bonds of comparable
coupon and maturity because bonds of the sensitivity of Ginnie Mae prepayment
experience to change in interest rates.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
 
  As described in the Prospectus, the Funds provide you with alternative ways
of purchasing Fund shares based upon your individual investment needs and
preferences.
 
  Each class of shares of a Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio
of investments. Each class of shares is identical in all respects except that
each class bears its own class expenses, including distribution and
administration expenses, and each class has exclusive voting rights with
respect to any distribution or service plan applicable to its shares. As a
result of the differences in the expenses borne by each class of shares, net
income per share, dividends per share and net asset value per share will vary
among a Fund's classes of shares.
 
  Shareholders of each class will share expenses proportionately for services
that are received equally by all shareholders. A particular class of shares
will bear only those expenses that are directly attributable to that class,
where the type or amount of services received by a class varies from one class
to another. For example, class-specific expenses generally will include
distribution and service fees.
 
  The minimum initial investment is $3,000 per fund share class, and may be
lower for accounts opened through fee-based programs for which the program
sponsor has established a single master account with the fund's transfer agent
and performs all sub-accounting services related to that account.
 
                                      S-40
<PAGE>
 
REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES AND CLASS R
SHARE PURCHASE ELIGIBILITY
 
  Rights of Accumulation. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on a
purchase of Class A Shares of any Fund if the amount of your purchase, when
added to the value that day of all of your prior purchases of shares of any
Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual Fund, or units of a Nuveen unit trust, on
which an up-front sales charge or ongoing distribution fee is imposed, or is
normally imposed, falls within the amounts stated in the Class A Sales Charges
and Commissions table in "How to Select a Purchase Option" in the Prospectus.
You or your financial adviser must notify Nuveen or the Fund's transfer agent
of any cumulative discount whenever you plan to purchase Class A Shares of a
Fund that you wish to qualify for a reduced sales charge.
 
  Letter of Intent. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on a purchase of
Class A Shares of any Fund if you plan to purchase Class A Shares of Nuveen
Mutual Funds over the next 13 months and the total amount of your purchases
would, if purchased at one time, qualify you for one of the reduced sales
charges shown in the Class A Sales Charges and Commissions table in "How to
Select a Purchase Option" in the Prospectus. In order to take advantage of this
option, you must complete the applicable section of the Application Form or
sign and deliver either to an Authorized Dealer or to the Fund's transfer agent
a written Letter of Intent in a form acceptable to Nuveen. A Letter of Intent
states that you intend, but are not obligated, to purchase over the next 13
months a stated total amount of Class A Shares that would qualify you for a
reduced sales charge shown above. You may count shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund
that you already own on which you paid an up-front sales charge or an ongoing
distribution fee and any Class B or C Shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund that you
purchase over the next 13 months towards completion of your investment program,
but you will receive a reduced sales charge only on new Class A Shares you
purchase with a sales charge over the 13 months. You cannot count towards
completion of your investment program Class A Shares that you purchase without
a sales charge through investment of distributions from a Nuveen Mutual Fund or
a Nuveen Unit Trust or otherwise.
 
  By establishing a Letter of Intent, you agree that your first purchase of
Class A Shares of a Fund following execution of the Letter of Intent will be at
least 5% of the total amount of your intended purchases. You further agree that
shares representing 5% of the total amount of your intended purchases will be
held in escrow pending completion of these purchases. All dividends and capital
gains distributions on Class A Shares held in escrow will be credited to your
account. If total purchases, less redemptions, prior to the expiration of the
13 month period equal or exceed the amount specified in your Letter of Intent,
the Class A Shares held in escrow will be transferred to your account. If the
total purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified in your Letter
of Intent and thereby qualify for a lower sales charge than the sales charge
specified in your Letter of Intent, you will receive this lower sales charge
retroactively, and the difference between it and the higher sales charge paid
will be used to purchase additional Class A Shares on your behalf. If the total
purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount specified, you must pay
Nuveen an amount equal to the difference between the amounts paid for these
purchases and the amounts which would have been paid if the higher sales charge
had been applied. If you do not pay the additional amount within 20 days after
written request by Nuveen or your financial adviser, Nuveen will redeem an
appropriate number of your escrowed Class A Shares to meet the required
payment. By establishing a Letter of Intent, you irrevocably appoint Nuveen as
attorney to give instructions to redeem any or all of your escrowed shares,
with full power of substitution in the premises.
 
  You or your financial adviser must notify Nuveen or the Fund's transfer agent
whenever you make a purchase of Fund shares that you wish to be covered under
the Letter of Intent option.
 
  Reinvestment of Nuveen Unit Trust Distributions. You may purchase Class A
Shares without an up-front sales charge by reinvestment of distributions from
any of the various unit trusts sponsored by Nuveen. There is no initial or
subsequent minimum investment requirement for such reinvestment purchases.
 
                                      S-41
<PAGE>
 
  Group Purchase Programs. If you are a member of a qualified group, you may
purchase Class A Shares of any Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual Fund at the
reduced sales charge applicable to the group's purchases taken as a whole. A
"qualified group" is one which has previously been in existence, has a purpose
other than investment, has ten or more participating members, has agreed to
include Fund sales publications in mailings to members and has agreed to comply
with certain administrative requirements relating to its group purchases.
 
  Under any group purchase program, the minimum initial investment in Class A
Shares of any particular Fund or portfolio for each participant in the program
is $3,000 and the minimum monthly investment in Class A Shares of any
particular Fund or portfolio by each participant is $50. No certificates will
be issued for any participant's account. All dividends and other distributions
by a Fund will be reinvested in additional Class A Shares of the same Fund. No
participant may utilize a systematic withdrawal program.
 
  To establish a group purchase program, both the group itself and each
participant must fill out special application materials, which the group
administrator may obtain from the group's financial adviser, by calling Nuveen
toll-free (800) 621-7227.
 
  Reinvestment of Redemption Proceeds from Unaffiliated Funds. You may also
purchase Class A Shares at net asset value without a sales charge if the
purchase takes place through a broker-dealer and represents the reinvestment of
the proceeds of the redemption of shares of one or more registered investment
companies not affiliated with Nuveen. You must provide appropriate
documentation that the redemption occurred not more than one year prior to the
reinvestment of the proceeds in Class A Shares, and that you either paid an up-
front sales charge or were subject to a contingent deferred sales charge in
respect of the redemption of such shares of such other investment company.
 
  Special Sales Charge Waivers. Class A Shares of a Fund may be purchased at
net asset value without a sales charge, and Class R Shares may be purchased, by
the following categories of investors:
 
  . officers, trustees and former trustees of the Nuveen and Flagship Funds;
 
  . bona fide, full-time and retired employees of Nuveen, any parent company
    of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof, or their immediate family members;
 
  . any person who, for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director or
    bona fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate family
    members;
 
  . officers and directors of bank holding companies that make Fund shares
    available directly or through subsidiaries or bank affiliates or their
    immediate family members;
 
  . bank or broker-affiliated trust departments investing funds over which
    they exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority and that are
    held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity;
 
  . investors purchasing on a periodic fee, asset-based fee or no transaction
    fee basis through a broker-dealer sponsored mutual fund purchase program;
 
  . clients of investment advisers, financial planners or other financial
    intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for their
    services.
 
  Holders of Class C Shares acquired on or before January 31, 1997 can convert
those shares to Class A Shares of the same fund at the shareholder's
affirmative request six years after the date of purchase. Holders of Class C
Shares must submit their request to the transfer agent no later than the last
business day of the 71st
 
                                      S-42
<PAGE>
 
month following the month in which they purchased their shares. Holders of
Class C Shares purchased after that date will not have the option to convert
those shares to Class A Shares.
 
  Any Class A Shares purchased pursuant to a special sales charge waiver must
be acquired for investment purposes and on the condition that they will not be
transferred or resold except through redemption by the Funds. You or your
financial adviser must notify Nuveen or the Fund's transfer agent whenever you
make a purchase of Class A Shares of any Fund that you wish to be covered under
these special sales charge waivers.
 
  Class A Shares of any Fund may be issued at net asset value without a sales
charge in connection with the acquisition by a Fund of another investment
company. All purchases under the special sales charge waivers will be subject
to minimum purchase requirements as established by the Funds.
 
  In determining the amount of your purchases of Class A Shares of any Fund
that may qualify for a reduced sales charge, the following purchases may be
combined: (1) all purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary for a single trust,
estate or fiduciary account; (2) all purchases by individuals and their
immediate family members (i.e., their spouses, parents, children, grandparents,
grandchildren, parents-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, siblings, a
sibling's spouse, and a spouse's siblings); or (3) all purchases made through a
group purchase program as described above.
 
  Class R Share Purchase Eligibility. Class R Shares are available for
purchases of $1 million or more and for purchases using dividends and capital
gains distributions on Class R Shares. Class R Shares also are available for
the following categories of investors:
 
  . officers, trustees and former trustees of the Nuveen and Flagship Funds;
 
  . bona fide, full-time and retired employees of Nuveen, any parent company
    of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof, or their immediate family members;
 
  . any person who, for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director or
    bona fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate family
    members;
 
  . officers and directors of bank holding companies that make Fund shares
    available directly or through subsidiaries or bank affiliates, or their
    immediate family members;
 
  . bank or broker-affiliated trust departments investing funds over which
    they exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority and that are
    held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity;
 
  . investors purchasing on a periodic fee, asset-based fee or no transaction
    fee basis through a broker-dealer sponsored mutual fund purchase program;
 
  . clients of investment advisers, financial planners or other financial
    intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for their
    services.
 
In addition, purchasers of Nuveen unit trusts may reinvest their distributions
from such unit trusts in Class R Shares, if, before September 6, 1994, such
purchasers had elected to reinvest distributions in Nuveen Fund shares (before
June 13, 1995 for Nuveen Municipal Bond Fund shares). Shareholders may exchange
their Class R Shares of any Nuveen Fund into Class R Shares of any other Nuveen
Fund.
 
  The reduced sales charge programs may be modified or discontinued by the
Funds at any time upon prior written notice to shareholders of the Funds.
 
  For more information about the purchase of Class A Shares or reduced sales
charge programs, or to obtain the required application forms, call Nuveen toll-
free at (800) 621-7227.
 
                                      S-43
<PAGE>
 
REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
 
  Class A Shares are normally redeemed at net asset value, without any
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC"). However, in the case of Class A
Shares purchased at net asset value on or after July 1, 1996 because the
purchase amount exceeded $1 million, where the Authorized Dealer did not waive
the sales commission, a CDSC of 1% is imposed on any redemption within 18
months of purchase. In the case of Class B Shares redeemed within six years of
purchase, a CDSC is imposed, beginning at 5% for redemptions within the first
year, declining to 4% for redemptions within years two and three, and declining
by 1% each year thereafter until disappearing after the sixth year. Class C
Shares are redeemed at net asset value, without any CDSC, except that a CDSC of
1% is imposed upon redemption of Class C Shares that are redeemed within 12
months of purchase.
 
  In determining whether a CDSC is payable, a Fund will first redeem shares not
subject to any charge, or that represent an increase in the value of a Fund
account due to capital appreciation, and then will redeem shares held for the
longest period, unless the shareholder specifies another order. No CDSC is
charged upon shares purchased as a result of automatic reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains paid. In addition, no CDSC will be charged on
exchanges of shares into another Nuveen Mutual Fund or Nuveen money market
fund. You may not exchange Class B Shares for shares of a Nuveen money market
fund. The holding period is calculated on a monthly basis and begins the first
day of the month in which the order for investment is received. The CDSC is
calculated based on the lower of the redeemed shares' cost or net asset value
at the time of the redemption and is deducted from the redemption proceeds.
Nuveen receives the amount of any CDSC shareholders pay. If Class A or Class C
Shares subject to a CDSC are exchanged for shares of a Nuveen money market
fund, the CDSC would be imposed on the subsequent redemption of those money
market shares, and the period during which the shareholder holds the money
market fund shares would be counted in determining the remaining duration of
the CDSC. The Fund may elect not to so count the period during which the
shareholder held the money market fund shares, in which event the amount of any
applicable CDSC would be reduced in accordance with applicable SEC rules by the
amount of any 12b-1 plan payments to which those money market funds shares may
be subject.
 
  The CDSC may be waived or reduced under the following six special
circumstances: 1) redemptions within one year following the death or
disability, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, of a shareholder; 2) in whole or in part for redemptions of
shares by shareholders with accounts in excess of specified breakpoints that
correspond to the breakpoints under which the up-front sales charge on Class A
Shares is reduced pursuant to Rule 22d-1 under the Act; 3) redemptions of
shares purchased under circumstances or by a category of investors for which
Class A Shares could be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge; 4)
in connection with the exercise of a reinstatement privilege whereby the
proceeds of a redemption of a Fund's shares subject to a sales charge are
reinvested in shares of certain Funds within a specified number of days; 5) in
connection with the exercise of a Fund's right to redeem all shares in an
account that does not maintain a certain minimum balance or that the applicable
board has determined may have material adverse consequences to the shareholders
of such Fund; and 6) redemptions made pursuant to a Fund's systematic
withdrawal plan, up to 12% of the original investment amount. If a Fund waives
or reduces the CDSC, such waiver or reduction would be uniformly applied to all
Fund shares in the particular category. In waiving or reducing a CDSC, the
Funds will comply with the requirements of Rule 22d-1 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended.
 
GENERAL MATTERS
 
  The Funds may encourage registered representatives and their firms to help
apportion their assets among bonds, stocks and cash, and may seek to
participate in programs that recommend a portion of their assets be invested in
tax-free, fixed income securities.
 
                                      S-44
<PAGE>
 
  In addition to the types of compensation to dealers to promote sales of fund
shares that are described in the prospectus, Nuveen may from time to time make
additional reallowances only to certain authorized dealers who sell or are
expected to sell certain minimum amounts of shares of the Nuveen mutual funds
during specified time periods.
 
  To help advisers and investors better understand and most efficiently use the
Funds to reach their investment goals, the Funds may advertise and create
specific investment programs and systems. For example, this may include
information on how to use the Funds to accumulate assets for future education
needs or periodic payments such as insurance premiums. The Funds may produce
software, electronic information sites, or additional sales literature to
promote the advantages of using the Funds to meet these and other specific
investor needs.
 
  Exchanges of shares of a Fund for shares of a Nuveen money market fund may be
made on days when both funds calculate a net asset value and make shares
available for public purchase. Shares of the Nuveen money market funds may be
purchased on days on which the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is normally open
for business. In addition to the holidays observed by the Fund, the Nuveen
money market funds observe and will not make fund shares available for purchase
on the following holidays: Martin Luther King's Birthday, Columbus Day and
Veterans Day.
 
  In addition, you may exchange Class R Shares of any Fund for Class A Shares
of the same Fund without a sales charge if the current net asset value of those
Class R Shares is at least $3,000 or you already own Class A Shares of that
Fund.
 
  Each Fund may suspend the right of redemption, or delay payment to redeeming
shareholders for more than seven days, when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed (not including customary weekend and holiday closings); when trading in
the markets a Fund normally uses is restricted, or the SEC determines that an
emergency exists so that trading of a Fund's portfolio securities or
determination of a Fund's net asset value is not reasonably practical; or the
SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption or the delay in
payment to redeeming shareholders for more than seven days.
 
  Shares will be registered in the name of the investor or the investor's
financial adviser. A change in registration or transfer of shares held in the
name of a financial adviser may only be made by an order in good form from the
financial adviser acting on the investor's behalf. Share certificates will only
be issued upon written request to the Funds' transfer agent. No share
certificates will be issued for fractional shares.
 
  For more information on the procedure for purchasing shares of a Fund and on
the special purchase programs available thereunder, see "How to Buy Fund
Shares" in the Prospectus.
 
  Nuveen serves as the principal underwriter of the shares of the Funds
pursuant to a "best efforts" arrangement as provided by a distribution
agreement with the Nuveen Flagship Multistate Trust III, dated February 1, 1997
("Distribution Agreement"). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Trust
appointed Nuveen to be its agent for the distribution of the Funds' shares on a
continuous offering basis. Nuveen sells shares to or through brokers, dealers,
banks or other qualified financial intermediaries (collectively referred to as
"Dealers"), or others, in a manner consistent with the then effective
registration statement of the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
Nuveen, at its own expense, finances certain activities incident to the sale
and distribution of the Funds' shares, including printing and distributing of
prospectuses and statements of additional information to other than existing
shareholders, the printing and distributing of sales literature, advertising
and payment of compensation and giving of concessions to Dealers. Nuveen
receives for its services the excess, if any, of the sales price of the Funds'
shares less the net asset value of those shares, and reallows a majority or all
of such amounts to the Dealers who sold the shares; Nuveen may act as such a
Dealer. Nuveen also receives compensation pursuant to a distribution plan
adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1 and described herein under
"Distribution and Service Plan." Nuveen receives any CDSCs imposed on
redemptions of Shares.
 
                                      S-45
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of underwriting
commissions with respect to the sale of Fund shares and the amount thereof
retained by Nuveen (or Flagship Financial, Inc., which Nuveen acquired on
January 1, 1997) for each of the Funds for the last three fiscal years. All
figures are to the nearest thousand.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEAR ENDED               YEAR ENDED               YEAR ENDED
                               MAY 31, 1997             MAY 31, 1996             MAY 31, 1995
                         ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
                          AMOUNT OF     AMOUNT     AMOUNT OF     AMOUNT     AMOUNT OF     AMOUNT
                         UNDERWRITING RETAINED BY UNDERWRITING RETAINED BY UNDERWRITING RETAINED BY
                         COMMISSIONS    NUVEEN    COMMISSIONS   FLAGSHIP   COMMISSIONS   FLAGSHIP
FUND                     ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
<S>                      <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Alabama Fund............      51            7          37            5          41            6
Georgia Fund............     343           49         293           39         347           47
Louisiana Fund..........     297           63         254           33         247           32
North Carolina Fund.....     228           31         358           49         439           47
South Carolina Fund.....      49            6          48            8          44            6
Tennessee Fund..........     612           86         639           88         846          113
</TABLE>
 
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
 
  The Funds have adopted a plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, which provides that Class B Shares and Class C
Shares will be subject to an annual distribution fee, and that Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares will be subject to an annual service fee.
Class R Shares will not be subject to either distribution or service fees.
 
  The distribution fee applicable to Class B and Class C Shares under each
Fund's Plan will be payable to reimburse Nuveen for services and expenses
incurred in connection with the distribution of Class B and Class C Shares,
respectively. These expenses include payments to Authorized Dealers, including
Nuveen, who are brokers of record with respect to the Class B and Class C
Shares, as well as, without limitation, expenses of printing and distributing
prospectuses to persons other than shareholders of the Fund, expenses of
preparing, printing and distributing advertising and sales literature and
reports to shareholders used in connection with the sale of Class B and Class C
Shares, certain other expenses associated with the distribution of Class B and
Class C Shares, and any distribution-related expenses that may be authorized
from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
 
  The service fee applicable to Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C
Shares under each Fund's Plan will be payable to Authorized Dealers in
connection with the provision of ongoing account services to shareholders.
These services may include establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts,
answering shareholder inquiries and providing other personal services to
shareholders.
 
  Each Fund may spend up to .20 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets
of Class A Shares as a service fee under the Plan applicable to Class A Shares.
Each Fund may spend up to .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of
Class B Shares as a distribution fee and up to .20 of 1% per year of the
average daily net assets of Class B Shares as a service fee under the Plan
applicable to Class B Shares. Each Fund may spend up to .55 of 1% per year of
the average daily net assets of Class C Shares as a distribution fee and up to
 .20 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class C Shares as a
service fee under the Plan applicable to Class C Shares.
 
                                      S-46
<PAGE>
 
  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997, 100% of service fees and distribution
fees were paid out as compensation to Authorized Dealers. For the period from
June 1, 1996 to January 31, 1997, the service fee for all Class C Shares was
 .20% and the distribution fee was .40% for the Class A Shares and .75% for the
Class C Shares. Thereafter, the service fee for the Class A and Class C Shares
was .20% and the distribution fee for the Class B Shares was .75% and for the
Class C Shares was .55%.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           COMPENSATION PAID TO
                                                          AUTHORIZED DEALERS FOR
                                                            END OF FISCAL 1997
                                                          ----------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
  Class A................................................        $ 12,164
  Class B................................................        $    372
  Class C................................................        $     72
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
  Class A................................................        $366,712
  Class B................................................        $    173
  Class C................................................        $ 92,494
Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund
  Class A................................................        $247,898
  Class B................................................        $  1,569
  Class C................................................        $ 54,724
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
  Class A................................................        $617,970
  Class B................................................        $    448
  Class C................................................        $ 60,676
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
  Class A................................................        $ 36,806
  Class B................................................        $    353
  Class C................................................        $    223
Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund
  Class A................................................        $852,686
  Class B................................................        $    761
  Class C................................................        $137,228
</TABLE>
 
  Under each Fund's Plan, the Fund will report quarterly to the Board of
Trustees for its review all amounts expended per class of shares under the
Plan. The Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any class of
shares, without the payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the
trustees who are not "interested persons" and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the Plan or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of such class. The Plan may be renewed from year to year if
approved by a vote of the Board of Trustees and a vote of the non-interested
trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan may
be continued only if the trustees who vote to approve such continuance
conclude, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their
fiduciary duties under applicable law, that there is a reasonable likelihood
that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The Plan may not be
amended to increase materially the cost which a class of shares may bear under
the Plan without the approval of the shareholders of the affected class, and
any other material amendments of the Plan must be approved by the non-
interested trustees by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of considering such amendments. During the continuance of the Plan, the
selection and nomination of the non-interested trustees of the Trust will be
committed to the discretion of the non-interested trustees then in office.
 
                                      S-47
<PAGE>
 
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND CUSTODIAN
 
  Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, 1700 Courthouse Plaza N.E.,
Dayton, Ohio 45402 has been selected as auditors for all of the Funds. In
addition to audit services, the auditors will provide consultation and
assistance on accounting, internal control, tax and related matters. The
financial statements incorporated by reference elsewhere in this Statement of
Additional Information and the information for prior periods set forth under
"Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus have been audited by the auditors as
indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are included in reliance
upon the authority of those auditors in giving their reports.
 
  The custodian of the assets of the Funds is The Chase Manhattan Bank, 4 New
York Plaza, New York, New York 10004. The custodian performs custodial, fund
accounting, portfolio accounting, shareholder, and transfer agency services.
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  The audited financial statements for each Fund's most recent fiscal year
appear in the Fund's Annual Reports; and are incorporated herein by reference.
The Annual Reports accompany this Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                      S-48
<PAGE>
 
APPENDIX A
 
RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
 
  The four highest ratings of Moody's for Municipal Obligations are Aaa, Aa, A
and Baa. Municipal Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the "best
quality." The rating of Aa is assigned to Municipal Obligations which are of
"high quality by all standards," but as to which margins of protection or other
elements make long-term risks appear somewhat greater than in Aaa rated
Municipal Obligations. The Aaa and Aa rated Municipal Obligations comprise what
are generally known as "high grade bonds." Municipal Obligations that are rated
A by Moody's possess many favorable investment attributes and are considered
upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and
interest of A rated Municipal Obligations are considered adequate, but elements
may be present, which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future. Municipal Obligations rated Baa by Moody's are considered medium grade
obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Such
bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative
characteristics as well. 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 general rating category.
 
  The four highest ratings of S&P for Municipal Obligations are AAA, AA, A and
BBB. Municipal Obligations rated AAA have a strong capacity to pay principal
and interest. The rating of AA indicates that capacity to pay principal and
interest is very strong and such bonds differ from AAA issues only in small
degree. The category of A describes bonds which have a strong capacity to pay
principal and interest, although such bonds are somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions. The
BBB rating is the lowest "investment grade" security rating by S&P. Municipal
Obligations rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas such bonds normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in this category than for
bonds in the A category.
 
  The four highest ratings of Fitch for Municipal Obligations are AAA, AA, A
and BBB. Municipal Obligations rated AAA are considered to be investment grade
and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong
ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected
by reasonably foreseeable events. Municipal Obligations rated AA are considered
to be investment grade and of very high quality. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as
bonds rated "AAA." Because Municipal Obligations rated in the "AAA" and "AA"
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated "F-1+." Municipal
Obligations rated A are considered to be investment grade and of high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in
economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings. Municipal
Obligations rated BBB are considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory
credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these
bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher
ratings.
 
  The "Other Corporate Obligations" category of temporary investments are
corporate (as opposed to municipal) debt obligations rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by
Moody's. Corporate debt obligations rated AAA by S&P have an extremely strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. The Moody's corporate debt rating of
Aaa is comparable to that set forth above for Municipal Obligations.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
  Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by such Fund.
Neither event requires the elimination of such obligation from a Fund's
portfolio, but Nuveen Advisory will consider such an event in its determination
of whether the Fund should continue to hold such obligation.
 
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
APPENDIX B
 
DESCRIPTION OF HEDGING TECHNIQUES
 
  Set forth below is additional information regarding the various Fund's
defensive hedging techniques and use of repurchase agreements.
 
FUTURES AND INDEX TRANSACTIONS
 
  Financial Futures. A financial future is an agreement between two parties to
buy and sell a security for a set price on a future date. They have been
designed by boards of trade which have been designated "contracts markets" by
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").
 
  The purchase of financial futures is for the purpose of hedging a Fund's
existing or anticipated holdings of long-term debt securities. When a Fund
purchases a financial future, it deposits in cash or securities an "initial
margin" of between 1% and 5% of the contract amount. Thereafter, the Fund's
account is either credited or debited on a daily basis in correlation with the
fluctuation in price of the underlying future or other requirements imposed by
the exchange in order to maintain an orderly market. The Fund must make
additional payments to cover debits to its account and has the right to
withdraw credits in excess of the liquidity, the Fund may close out its
position at any time prior to expiration of the financial future by taking an
opposite position. At closing a final determination of debits and credits is
made, additional cash is paid by or to the Fund to settle the final
determination and the Fund realizes a loss or gain depending on whether on a
net basis it made or received such payments.
 
  The sale of financial futures is for the purpose of hedging a Fund's existing
or anticipated holdings of long-term debt securities. For example, if a Fund
owns long-term bonds and interest rates were expected to increase, it might
sell financial futures. If interest rates did increase, the value of long-term
bonds in the Fund's portfolio would decline, but the value of the Fund's
financial futures would be expected to increase at approximately the same rate
thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it
otherwise would have.
 
  Among the risks associated with the use of financial futures by the Funds as
a hedging device, perhaps the most significant is the imperfect correlation
between movements in the price of the financial futures and movements in the
price of the debt securities which are the subject of the hedge.
 
  Thus, if the price of the financial future moves less or more than the price
of the securities which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be
fully effective. To compensate for this imperfect correlation, the Fund may
enter into financial futures in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount
of the securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of
such securities has been greater than the historical volatility of the
financial futures. Conversely, the Fund may enter into fewer financial futures
if the historical volatility of the price of the securities being hedged is
less than the historical volatility of the financial futures.
 
  The market prices of financial futures may also be affected by factors other
than interest rates. One of these factors is the possibility that rapid changes
in the volume of closing transactions, whether due to volatile markets or
movements by speculators, would temporarily distort the normal relationship
between the markets in the financial future and the chosen debt securities. In
these circumstances as well as in periods of rapid and large price movements.
The Fund might find it difficult or impossible to close out a particular
transaction.
 
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
  Options on Financial Futures. The Funds may also purchase put or call options
on financial futures which are traded on a U.S. Exchange or board of trade and
enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an
existing position. Currently, options can be purchased with respect to
financial futures on U.S. Treasury Bonds on The Chicago Board of Trade. The
purchase of put options on financial futures is analogous to the purchase of
put options by a Fund on its portfolio securities to hedge against the risk of
rising interest rates. As with options on debt securities, the holder of an
option may terminate his position by selling an option of the same Fund. There
is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
 
INDEX CONTRACTS
 
  Index Futures. A tax-exempt bond index which assigns relative values to the
tax-exempt bonds included in the index is traded on the Chicago Board of Trade.
The index fluctuates with changes in the market values of all tax-exempt bonds
included rather than a single bond. An index future is a bilateral agreement
pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of
cash--rather than any security--equal to specified dollar amount times the
difference between the index value at the close of the last trading day of the
contract and the price at which the index future was originally written. Thus,
an index future is similar to traditional financial futures except that
settlement is made in cash.
 
  Index Options. The Funds may also purchase put or call options on U.S.
Government or tax-exempt bond index futures and enter into closing transactions
with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. Options on
index futures are similar to options on debt instruments except that an option
on an index future gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium
paid, to assume a position in an index contract rather than an underlying
security at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the
option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by
the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by
delivery of the accumulated balance of the writer's futures margin account
which represents the amount by which the market price of the index futures
contract, at exercise, is less than the exercise price of the option on the
index future.
 
  Bond index futures and options transactions would be subject to risks similar
to transactions in financial futures and options thereon as described above. No
series will enter into transactions in index or financial futures or related
options unless and until, in the Adviser's opinion, the market for such
instruments has developed sufficiently.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
  A Fund may invest temporarily up to 5% of its assets in repurchase
agreements, which are agreements pursuant to which securities are acquired by
the Fund from a third party with the understanding that they will be
repurchased by the seller at a fixed price on an agreed date. These agreements
may be made with respect to any of the portfolio securities in which the Fund
is authorized to invest. Repurchase agreements may be characterized as loans
secured by the underlying securities. The Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements with (i) member banks of the Federal Reserve System having total
assets in excess of $500 million and (ii) securities dealers, provided that
such banks or dealers meet the creditworthiness standards established by the
Fund's board of trustees ("Qualified Institutions"). The Adviser will monitor
the continued creditworthiness of Qualified Institutions, subject to the
oversight of the Fund's board of trustees.
 
  The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the
seller of securities under a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to
repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or
otherwise, the Fund will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could
involve costs or
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
 
delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or
reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, the Fund's ability to
dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible
that the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying
securities. To minimize this risk, the securities underlying the repurchase
agreement will be held by the custodian at all times in an amount at least
equal to the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the seller fails
to repurchase the securities, the Fund may suffer a loss to the extent proceeds
from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.
 
  The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate
of interest which is unrelated to the coupon rate or date of maturity of the
purchased security. The collateral is marked to market daily. Such agreements
permit the Fund to keep all its assets earning interest while retaining
"overnight" flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature.
 
                                      B-3


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