Midwest Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2
The Trust. The First Trust (registered trademark) Special Situations
Trust, Series 186 (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust consisting of
a portfolio of common stocks issued by financial institutions which are
incorporated or headquartered in the United States.
The objective of the Trust is to provide for potential capital
appreciation and increasing dividend income by investing the Trust's
portfolio in common stocks issued by financial institutions which are
incorporated or headquartered in the United States (the "Equity
Securities"). See "Schedule of Investments." The Trust has a mandatory
termination date ("Mandatory Termination Date" or "Trust Ending Date")
as set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." There is, of
course, no guarantee that the objective of the Trust will be achieved.
Each Unit of the Trust represents an undivided fractional interest in
all the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust.
The Equity Securities deposited in the Trust's portfolio have no fixed
maturity date and the value of these underlying Equity Securities will
fluctuate with changes in the values of stocks in general. See
"Portfolio."
The Sponsor may, from time to time during a period of up to
approximately 360 days after the Initial Date of Deposit, deposit
additional Equity Securities in the Trust or cash (including a letter of
credit) with instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in
the Trust. Such deposits of additional Equity Securities or cash will be
done in such a manner that the original proportionate relationship
amongst the individual issues of the Equity Securities shall be
maintained. Any deposit by the Sponsor of additional Equity Securities,
or the purchase of additional Equity Securities pursuant to a cash
deposit, will duplicate, as nearly as is practicable, the original
proportionate relationship established on the Initial Date of Deposit,
not the actual proportionate relationship on the subsequent date of
deposit, since the two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the
sale, redemption or liquidation of any Equity Securities deposited in
the Trust on the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. See "What
is the First Trust Special Situations Trust?" and "How May Equity
Securities be Removed from the Trust?"
Public Offering Price. The Public Offering Price per Unit of the Trust
during the initial offering period is equal to the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of
over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata
share of cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust,
plus an initial sales charge equal to the difference between the maximum
sales charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and the maximum
remaining deferred sales charge, initially $.35 per Unit. Commencing on
May 30, 1997, and on the last business day of each month thereafter,
through November 28, 1997, a deferred sales charge of $.05 will be
assessed per Unit per month. Units purchased subsequent to the initial
deferred sales charge payment but still during the initial offering
period will be subject to the initial sales charge and the remaining
deferred sales charge payments not yet collected. The deferred sales
charge will be paid from funds in the Income and/or Capital Accounts, if
sufficient, or from the periodic sale of Equity Securities. The total
maximum sales charge assessed to Unit holders on a per Unit basis will
be 4.5%
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
The date of this Prospectus is February 26, 1997
Page 1
of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.545% of the net amount invested,
exclusive of the deferred sales charge), subject to a reduction
beginning March 1, 1998. A pro rata share of accumulated dividends, if
any, in the Income Account is included in the Public Offering Price.
Upon completion of the deferred sales charge period, the secondary
market Public Offering Price per Unit for the Trust will not include
deferred payments, but will instead include only a one-time initial
sales charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.712%
of the net amount invested), which will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% on each
March 1, commencing March 1, 1998 to a minimum sales charge of 3.0%. The
minimum amount which an investor may purchase of the Trust is 150 Units
or $1,500. The sales charge is reduced on a graduated scale for sales
involving at least 10,000 Units. See "How is the Public Offering Price
Determined?"
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY,
ANY BANK, AND UNITS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK
INCLUDING LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
Estimated Net Annual Distributions. The estimated net annual dividend
distributions to Unit holders (based on the most recent quarterly or
semi-annual ordinary dividend declared with respect to the Equity
Securities in the Trust) on the Initial Date of Deposit was $.0637 per
Unit. The actual net annual dividend distributions per Unit will vary
with changes in fees and expenses of the Trust, with changes in
dividends received and with the sale or liquidation of Equity
Securities; therefore, there is no assurance that the net annual
dividend distributions will be realized in the future.
Dividend and Capital Distributions. Distributions of dividends and
capital, if any, received by the Trust, net of expenses of the Trust,
will be paid on the Distribution Date to Unit holders of record on the
Record Date as set forth in the "Summary of Essential Information."
Distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made at
least annually in December of each year. Any distribution of income
and/or capital will be net of the expenses of the Trust. See "What is
the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?" Additionally, upon termination
of the Trust, the Trustee will distribute, upon surrender of Units for
redemption, to each Unit holder his pro rata share of the Trust's
assets, less expenses, in the manner set forth under "Rights of Unit
Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?"
Secondary Market for Units. After the initial offering period, while
under no obligation to do so, both the Sponsor and the Underwriter
intend to maintain a market for Units of the Trust and offer to
repurchase such Units at prices which are based on the aggregate
underlying value of Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined
by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the bid
prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus cash,
if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. If a secondary
market is maintained during the initial offering period, the prices at
which Units will be repurchased will also be based upon the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and
the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or
minus cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. If
a secondary market is not maintained, a Unit holder may redeem Units
through redemption at prices based upon the aggregate underlying value
of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and either the ask
prices (during the initial offering period) or the bid prices
(subsequent to the initial offering period) of over-the-counter traded
Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata share of cash, if any, in
the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. A Unit holder tendering
2,500 Units or more for redemption may request a distribution of shares
of Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration
charges) (an "In-Kind Distribution") in lieu of payment in cash. Any
deferred sales charge remaining on Units at the time of their sale or
redemption will be collected at that time. See "How May Units be
Redeemed?"
Termination. Commencing on the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity
Securities will begin to be sold as prescribed by the Sponsor. The
Trustee shall provide written notice of any termination of the Trust to
Unit holders which will specify when Unit holders may surrender their
certificates for cancellation and will include a form to enable Unit
holders to elect an In-Kind Distribution if such Unit holder owns at
least 2,500 Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment in cash
for such Unit holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the
disposition by the Trustee of Equity Securities. To be effective, the
election form, together with surrendered certificates and other
documentation required by the Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee
at least five business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date.
Page 2
Unit holders not electing a distribution of shares of Equity Securities
will receive a cash distribution within a reasonable time after the
Trust is terminated. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and
Capital Distributed?" and "Other Information-How May the Indenture be
Amended or Terminated?"
Risk Factors. An investment in the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the risks associated therewith, including, among other
factors, the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of
the issuers of the Equity Securities or the general condition of the
stock market, volatile interest rates, economic recession or increased
regulation on banks. The Trust's portfolio is not managed and Equity
Securities will not be sold by the Trust regardless of market
fluctuations, although some Equity Securities may be sold under certain
limited circumstances. See "What are Equity Securities?-Risk Factors."
Page 3
Summary of Essential Information
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
of the Equity Securities-February 26, 1997
Underwriter: Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
Sponsor: Nike Securities L.P.
Trustee: The Chase Manhattan Bank
Evaluator: First Trust Advisors L.P.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
General Information
<S> <C>
Initial Number of Units (1) 257,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1)
1/257,000
Public Offering Price:
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities in Portfolio (2) $2,544,301
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities per Unit $ 9.900
Maximum Sales Charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price per Unit
(4.545% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge) (3) $ .450
Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit $ (.350)
Public Offering Price per Unit (3) $ 10.000
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit $ 9.550
Redemption Price per Unit (based on aggregate
underlying value of Equity Securities) (4) $ 9.550
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
CUSIP Number 33718T 605
First Settlement Date March 3, 1997
Mandatory Termination Date March 1, 2001
Discretionary Liquidation Amount The Trust may be terminated if the value thereof is less than the lower of
$2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Equity Securities deposited in the
Trust during the primary offering period.
Trustee's Annual Fee $.0096 per Unit outstanding.
Evaluator's Annual Fee $.0030 per Unit outstanding, payable to an affiliate of the Sponsor.
Evaluations for purposes of sale, purchase or redemption of Units are made
as of the close of trading (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the New
York Stock Exchange on each day on which it is open.
Supervisory Fee (5) Maximum of $.0035 per Unit outstanding annually payable to an affiliate of
the Sponsor.
Estimated Annual Amortization of
Organizational and Offering Costs (6) $.0036 per Unit.
Income Distribution Record Date Fifteenth day of each June and December commencing June 15, 1997.
Income Distribution Date (7) Last day of each June and December commencing June 30, 1997.
</TABLE>
[FN]
____________
(1) As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, the
number of Units of the Trust may be adjusted so that the Public Offering
Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. Therefore, to the extent
of any such adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will
increase or decrease accordingly, from the amounts indicated above.
(2) Each Equity Security listed on a national securities exchange or the
NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the last closing sale price,
or if no such price exists or if the Equity Security is not so listed,
at the closing ask price thereof.
(3) The maximum sales charge consists of an initial sales charge and a
deferred sales charge. The initial sales charge applies to all Units and
represents an amount equal to the difference between the maximum sales
charge for the Trust of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and the amount
of the maximum remaining deferred sales charge (initially $.350 per
Unit). Subsequent to the Initial Date of Deposit, the amount of the
initial sales charge will vary with changes in the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities underlying the Trust. In addition to the
initial sales charge, Unit holders will pay a deferred sales charge of
$.05 per Unit per month commencing May 30, 1997 and on the last business
day of each month thereafter through November 28, 1997. During the
initial offering period, Units purchased subsequent to the initial
deferred sales charge payment will be subject to the initial sales
charge and the remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet
collected. These deferred sales charge payments will be paid from funds
in the Income and/or Capital Accounts, if sufficient, or from the
periodic sale of Equity Securities. See "Fee Table" and "Public
Offering" for additional information. Commencing on December 1, 1997,
the secondary market sales charge will not include the deferred sales
charge payments but will instead include only a one-time initial sales
charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and will decrease by 1/2 of
1% on each subsequent March 1, commencing March 1, 1998 to a minimum
sales charge of 3.0% as described under "Public Offering." On the
Initial Date of Deposit there will be no accumulated dividends in the
Income Account. Anyone ordering Units after such date will pay a pro
rata share of any accumulated dividends in such Income Account. The
Public Offering Price as shown reflects the value of the Equity
Securities at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit and
establishes the original proportionate relationship amongst the
individual securities. No sales to investors will be executed at this
price. Additional Equity Securities will be deposited during the day of
the Initial Date of Deposit which will be valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time and sold to investors at a Public Offering Price per Unit based on
this valuation.
(4) See "How May Units be Redeemed?"
(5) In addition, the Sponsor will be reimbursed for bookkeeping and other
administrative expenses currently at a maximum annual rate of $.0028 per
Unit.
(6) The Trust (and therefore Unit holders) will bear all or a portion of
its organizational and offering costs (including costs of preparing the
registration statement, the trust indenture and other closing documents,
registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the
initial fees and expenses of the Trustee but not including the expenses
incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and
expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of brochures and other
advertising materials and any other selling expenses) as is common for
mutual funds. Total organizational and offering expenses will be charged
off over a period not to exceed the life of the Trust (approximately
four years). See "What are the Expenses and Charges?" and "Statement of
Net Assets."
(7) Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly payable
on the last day of the month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth
day of such month if the amount available for distribution equals at
least $0.01 per Unit. Notwithstanding, distributions of funds in the
Capital Account, if any, will be made in December of each year.
Page 4
FEE TABLE
This Fee Table is intended to help you to understand the costs and
expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. See "Public
Offering" and "What are the Expenses and Charges?" Although the Trust
has a term of approximately four years and is a unit investment trust
rather than a mutual fund, this information is presented to permit a
comparison of fees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount
per Unit
________
<S> <C> <C>
Unit Holder Transaction Expenses
Initial sales charge imposed on purchase
(as a percentage of public offering price) 1.00%(a) $0.10
Deferred sales charge
(as a percentage of public offering price) 3.50%(b) 0.35
________ ________
4.50% $0.45
======== ========
Estimated Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Trustee's fee .098% $.0096
Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative, amortization
of organizational and offering costs and evaluation fees .132% .0129
Other operating expenses .055% .0054
________ ________
Total .285% $.0279
======== ========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Example
__________
Cumulative Expenses Paid for Period:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years
________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming the Midwest Financial Institutions, Series 2 has an
estimated operating expense ratio of .285% and a 5% annual return on
the investment throughout the periods $48 $54 $60
</TABLE>
The example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and
utilizes a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by Securities and
Exchange Commission regulations applicable to mutual funds. For purposes
of the example, the deferred sales charge imposed on reinvestment of
dividends is not reflected until the year following payment of the
dividend; the cumulative expenses would be higher if sales charges on
reinvested dividends were reflected in the year of reinvestment. The
example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or annual rate of return; the actual expenses and annual rate
of return may be more or less than those assumed for purposes of the
example. In addition, while the Trust only has a term of approximately
four years, investors may be able to reinvest their proceeds into a
subsequently offered trust, subject to additional sales charges. In this
scenario the actual expenses incurred by an investor would exceed those
set forth above.
[FN]
__________
(a) The Initial Sales Charge is actually the difference between the
maximum total sales charge of 4.5% and the maximum remaining deferred
sales charge (initially $.350 per Unit) and would exceed 1.0% if the
Public Offering Price exceeds $10.00 per Unit.
(b)The actual fee is $.05 per month per Unit, irrespective of purchase
or redemption price deducted monthly commencing May 30, 1997 through
November 28, 1997. If a Unit holder sells or redeems Units before all of
these deductions have been made, the balance of the deferred sales
charge payments remaining will be deducted from the sales or redemption
proceeds. If the Unit price is less than $10.00 per Unit, the deferred
sales charge will exceed 3.5%. Units purchased subsequent to the initial
deferred sales charge payment will be subject to the previously
collected deferred sales charge payments at the time of purchase and any
remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet collected.
Page 5
MIDWEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TRUST, SERIES 2
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186
What is The First Trust Special Situations Trust?
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186 is one of a series
of investment companies created by the Sponsor under the name of The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, all of which are generally similar
but each of which is separate and is designated by a different series
number (the "Trust"). This Series consists of an underlying separate
unit investment trust designated as: Midwest Financial Institutions
Trust, Series 2. The Trust was created under the laws of the State of
New York pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture"), dated the
Initial Date of Deposit, with Nike Securities L.P. as Sponsor, The Chase
Manhattan Bank as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P. as Portfolio
Supervisor and Evaluator.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor deposited with the Trustee
confirmations of contracts for the purchase of common stocks issued by
financial institutions, together with an irrevocable letter or letters
of credit of a financial institution in an amount at least equal to the
purchase price of such securities. In exchange for the deposit of
securities or contracts to purchase securities in the Trust, the Trustee
delivered to the Sponsor documents evidencing the entire ownership of
the Trust.
The objective of the Trust is to provide for potential capital
appreciation and increasing dividend income through an investment in
equity securities issued by regional financial institutions, which are
incorporated or headquartered in the United States (the "Equity
Securities"). In the Underwriter's opinion, the financial institution
stocks selected for deposit in the Trust have the potential to achieve
above average capital appreciation over the life of the Trust, due to
the following factors: the Midwest's relatively stable economic
environment, low relative stock valuations of the issuing financial
institutions, a strong industry earnings outlook and continued
consolidation activity in the financial institutions industry. The
Underwriter believes the Trust presents investors with an opportunity to
purchase stocks of companies in the financial institutions industry that
appear overlooked. As the financial institutions industry is currently
undergoing a large amount of consolidation, the Underwriter believes
investors should profit from financial institutions becoming more
efficient and from takeover premiums paid to acquired companies. The
Equity Securities were chosen by the Underwriter based on factors
including, but not limited to asset quality, earnings momentum,
management expertise and franchise value. There is, of course, no
guarantee that the objective of the Trust will be achieved.
With the deposit of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of
Deposit, the Sponsor established a percentage relationship between the
amounts of individual Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio. From
time to time following the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor,
pursuant to the Indenture, may deposit additional Equity Securities in
the Trust or cash (including a letter of credit) with instructions to
purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust, and Units may be
continuously offered for sale to the public by means of this Prospectus,
resulting in a potential increase in the outstanding number of Units of
the Trust. Any deposit by the Sponsor of additional Equity Securities or
cash will duplicate, as nearly as is practicable, the original
proportionate relationship and not the actual proportionate relationship
on the subsequent date of deposit, since the two may differ. Any such
difference may be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of
the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust on the Initial, or any
subsequent, Date of Deposit. See "How May Equity Securities be Removed
from the Trust?" The original percentage relationship of each Equity
Security to the Trust is set forth herein under "Schedule of
Investments." Since the prices of the underlying Equity Securities will
fluctuate daily, the ratio, on a market value basis, will also change
daily. The portion of Equity Securities represented by each Unit will
not change as a result of the deposit of additional Equity Securities in
the Trust. If the Sponsor deposits cash, however, existing and new
investors may experience a dilution of their investment and a reduction
in their anticipated income because of fluctuations in the price of the
Equity Securities and because the Trust will pay the associated
brokerage fees. To minimize this effect, the Trust will try to purchase
the Equity Securities as close to the evaluation time or as close to the
evaluation price as possible. The Trustee may from time to time retain
and pay compensation to the Sponsor (or an affiliate of the Sponsor) to
Page 6
act as agent for the Trust with respect to acquiring Equity Securities
for the Trust. In acting in such capacity, the Sponsor or its affiliate
will be held subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit of the Trust represented the
undivided fractional interest in the Equity Securities as set forth
under "Summary of Essential Information." To the extent that Units of
the Trust are redeemed, the aggregate value of the Equity Securities in
the Trust will be reduced and the undivided fractional interest
represented by each outstanding Unit of the Trust will increase.
However, if additional Units are issued by the Trust in connection with
the deposit of additional Equity Securities or cash by the Sponsor, the
aggregate value of the Equity Securities in the Trust will be increased
by amounts allocable to additional Units, and the fractional undivided
interest represented by each Unit of the Trust will be decreased
proportionately. See "How May Units be Redeemed?" The Trust has a
Mandatory Termination Date as set fourth herein under "Summary of
Essential Information."
What are the Expenses and Charges?
With the exception of the brokerage fees discussed above and bookkeeping
and other administrative services provided to the Trust, for which the
Sponsor will be reimbursed in amounts as set forth under "Summary of
Essential Information," the Sponsor will not receive any fees in
connection with its activities relating to the Trust.
First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of the Sponsor, will receive an
annual supervisory fee, which is not to exceed the amount set forth
under "Summary of Essential Information," for providing portfolio
supervisory services for the Trust. Such fee is based on the number of
Units outstanding in the Trust on January 1 of each year, except for the
year or years in which an initial offering period occurs, in which case
the fee for a month is based on the number of Units outstanding at the
end of such month. In providing such supervisory services, the Portfolio
Supervisor may purchase research services from a variety of sources
which may include underwriters or dealers of the Trust.
Subsequent to the initial offering period, First Trust Advisors L.P., in
its capacity as Evaluator for the Trust, will receive a fee as indicated
in the "Summary of Essential Information."
The Trustee pays certain expenses of the Trust for which it is
reimbursed by the Trust. The Trustee will receive for its ordinary
recurring services to the Trust an annual fee as set forth in "Summary
of Essential Information." Such fee will be based upon the largest
aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding at any time during
the year. For a discussion of the services performed by the Trustee
pursuant to its obligations under the Indenture, reference is made to
the material set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders."
The Trustee's and above described fees are payable from the Income
Account of the Trust to the extent funds are available, and then from
the Capital Account of the Trust. Since the Trustee has the use of the
funds being held in the Capital and Income Accounts for payment of
expenses and redemptions and since such Accounts are noninterest-bearing
to Unit holders, the Trustee benefits thereby. Part of the Trustee's
compensation for its services to the Trust is expected to result from
the use of these funds. However, the Trustee may bear from its own
resources certain expenses relating to the Trust, including organization
costs and brokerage commissions.
Each of the above mentioned fees may be increased without approval of
the Unit holders by amounts not exceeding proportionate increases under
the category "All Services Less Rent of Shelter" in the Consumer Price
Index published by the United States Department of Labor. In addition,
with respect to the fees payable to the Sponsor or an affiliate of the
Sponsor for providing bookkeeping and other administrative services,
supervisory services and evaluation services, such individual fees may
exceed the actual costs of providing such services for the Trust, but at
no time will the total amount received for such services rendered to all
unit investment trusts of which Nike Securities L.P. is the Sponsor in
any calendar year exceed the actual cost to the Sponsor or its affiliate
of supplying such services in such year.
Expenses incurred in establishing the Trust, including costs of
preparing the registration statement, the trust indenture and other
closing documents, registering Units with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and registering or qualifying the Units with the states, the
initial audit of the Trust's portfolio, legal fees, the initial fees and
expenses of the Trustee and any other out-of-pocket expenses, will be
paid by the Trust and charged off over the life of the Trust
(approximately four years). The following additional charges are or may
be incurred by the Trust: all legal and annual auditing expenses of the
Page 7
Trustee incurred by or in connection with its responsibilities under the
Indenture; the expenses and costs of any action undertaken by the
Trustee to protect the Trust and the rights and interests of the Unit
holders; fees of the Trustee for any extraordinary services performed
under the Indenture; indemnification of the Trustee for any loss,
liability or expense incurred by it without negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with its
acceptance or administration of the Trust; indemnification of the
Sponsor for any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in acting as Depositor of
the Trust; all taxes and other government charges imposed upon the
Equity Securities or any part of the Trust (no such taxes or charges are
being levied or made or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, contemplated).
The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee, when paid or owing to
the Trustee, are secured by a lien on the Trust. In addition, the
Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities in the Trust in order to
make funds available to pay all these amounts if funds are not otherwise
available in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. Since the
Equity Securities are all common stocks and the income stream produced
by dividend payments is unpredictable, the Sponsor cannot provide any
assurance that dividends will be sufficient to meet any or all expenses
of the Trust. As described above, if dividends are insufficient to cover
expenses, it is likely that Equity Securities will have to be sold to
meet Trust expenses. These sales may result in capital gains or losses
to Unit holders. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
The Indenture requires the Trust to be audited on an annual basis at the
expense of the Trust by independent auditors selected by the Sponsor. So
long as the Sponsor is making a secondary market for the Units, the
Sponsor is required to bear the cost of such annual audits to the extent
such cost exceeds $0.0050 per Unit. Unit holders of the Trust covered by
an audit may obtain a copy of the audited financial statements upon
request.
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?
This is a general discussion of certain of the Federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Units.
The summary is limited to investors who hold the Units as "capital
assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). Unit
holders should consult their tax advisers in determining the Federal,
state, local and any other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of Units in the Trust. For purposes of the following
discussion and opinion, it is assumed that each Equity Security is
equity for Federal income tax purposes.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, special counsel for the Sponsor,
under existing law:
1. The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for
Federal income tax purposes; each Unit holder will be treated as the
owner of a pro rata portion of each of the assets of the Trust under the
Code; and the income of the Trust will be treated as income of the Unit
holders thereof under the Code. Each Unit holder will be considered to
have received his pro rata share of the income derived from each Equity
Security when such income is considered to be received by the Trust.
2. Each Unit holder will be considered to have received all of the
dividends paid on his or her pro rata portion of each Equity Security
when such dividends are received by the Trust regardless of whether such
dividends are used to pay a portion of the deferred sales charge. Unit
holders will be taxed in this manner regardless of whether distributions
from the Trust are actually received by the Unit holder or are
automatically reinvested.
3. Each Unit holder will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes
of an Equity Security (whether by sale, taxable exchange, liquidation,
redemption, or otherwise) or upon the sale or redemption of Units by
such Unit holder (except to the extent an In-Kind distribution of stocks
is received by such Unit holder as described below). The price a Unit
holder pays for his Units is allocated among his pro rata portion of
each Equity Security held by the Trust (in proportion to the fair market
values thereof on the valuation date closest to the date the Unit holder
purchases his Units) in order to determine his tax basis for his pro
rata portion of each Equity Security held by such Trust. It should be
noted that certain legislative proposals have been made which could
affect the calculation of basis for Unit holders holding securities that
are substantially identical to the Equity Securities. Unit holders
Page 8
should consult their own tax advisors with regard to calculation of
basis. For Federal income tax purposes, a Unit holder's pro rata portion
of dividends, as defined by Section 316 of the Code, paid by a
corporation with respect to an Equity Security held by the Trust is
taxable as ordinary income to the extent of such corporation's current
and accumulated "earnings and profits." A Unit holder's pro rata portion
of dividends paid on such Equity Security which exceed such current and
accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a Unit holder's tax
basis in such Equity Security, and to the extent that such dividends
exceed a Unit holder's tax basis in such Equity Security shall generally
be treated as capital gain. In general, any such capital gain will be
short-term unless a Unit holder has held his Units for more than one year.
4. A Unit holder's portion of gain, if any, upon the sale or
redemption of Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the
Trust will generally be considered a capital gain except in the case of
a dealer or a financial institution and will be long-term if the Unit
holder has held his Units for more than one year (the date on which the
Units are acquired (i.e., the trade date) is excluded for purposes of
determining whether the Units have been held for more than one year). A
Unit holder's portion of loss, if any, upon the sale or redemption of
Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the Trust will
generally be considered a capital loss (except in the case of a dealer
or a financial institution) and, in general, will be long-term if the
Unit holder has held his Units for more than one year. Unit holders
should consult their tax advisers regarding the recognition of such
capital gains and losses for Federal income tax purposes.
Deferred Sales Charge. Generally, the tax basis of a Unit holder
includes sales charges, and such charges are not deductible. A portion
of the sales charge for the Trust is deferred. It is possible that for
Federal income tax purposes a portion of the deferred sales charge may
be treated as interest which would be deductible by a Unit holder
subject to limitations on the deduction of investment interest. In such
a case, the non-interest portion of the deferred sales charge would be
added to the Unit holder's tax basis in his or her Units. The deferred
sales charge could cause the Unit holder's Units to be considered to be
debt-financed under Section 246A of the Code which would result in a
small reduction of the dividends-received deduction. In any case, the
income (or proceeds from redemption) a Unit holder must take into
account for Federal income tax purposes is not reduced by amounts
deducted to pay the deferred sales charge. Unit holders should consult
their own tax advisers as to the income tax consequences of the deferred
sales charge.
Dividends Received Deduction. A corporation that owns Units will
generally be entitled to a 70% dividends received deduction with respect
to such Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends received by the
Trust (to the extent such dividends are taxable as ordinary income, as
discussed above, and are attributable to domestic corporations) in the
same manner as if such corporation directly owned the Equity Securities
paying such dividends (other than corporate Unit holders, such as "S"
corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their
special characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes
such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding
corporation tax). However, a corporation owning Units should be aware
that Sections 246 and 246A of the Code impose additional limitations on
the eligibility of dividends for the 70% dividends received deduction.
These limitations include a requirement that stock (and therefore Units)
must generally be held at least 46 days (as determined under Section
246(c) of the Code). Final regulations have been issued which address
special rules that must be considered in determining whether the 46-day
holding period requirement is met. Moreover, the allowable percentage of
the deduction will be reduced from 70% if a corporate Unit holder owns
certain stock (or Units) the financing of which is directly attributable
to indebtedness incurred by such corporation.
It should be noted that various legislative proposals that would affect
the dividends received deduction have been introduced. Unit holders
should consult with their tax advisers with respect to the limitations
on and possible modifications to the dividends received deduction.
Limitations on Deductibility of the Trust's Expenses by Unit Holders.
Each Unit holder's pro rata share of each expense paid by the Trust is
deductible by the Unit holder to the same extent as though the expense
had been paid directly by such Unit holder. It should be noted that as a
result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain miscellaneous itemized
deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return preparation fees and
employee business expenses will be deductible by an individual only to
the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted gross income.
Page 9
Unit holders may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of the
Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation.
Recognition of Taxable Gain or Loss Upon Disposition of Securities by
the Trust or Disposition of Units. As discussed above, a Unit holder may
recognize taxable gain (or loss) when an Equity Security is disposed of
by the Trust or if the Unit holder disposes of a Unit. For taxpayers
other than corporations, net capital gains (which is defined as net long-
term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for a taxable year)
are subject to a maximum stated marginal tax rate of 28%. However, it
should be noted that legislative proposals are introduced from time to
time that affect tax rates and could affect relative differences at
which ordinary income and capital gains are taxed.
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "Tax Act") raised tax rates
on ordinary income while capital gains remain subject to a 28% maximum
stated rate for taxpayers other than corporations. Because some or all
capital gains are taxed at a comparatively lower rate under the Tax Act,
the Tax Act includes a provision that recharacterizes capital gains as
ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions that are
"conversion transactions" effective for transactions entered into after
April 30, 1993. Unit holders and prospective investors should consult
with their tax advisers regarding the potential effect of this provision
on their investment in Units.
If the Unit holder disposes of a Unit, he is deemed thereby to have
disposed of his entire pro rata interest in all assets of the Trust
involved including his pro rata portion of all the Equity Securities
represented by the Unit.
Legislative proposals have been made that would treat certain
transactions designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and
opportunities for gain as constructive sales for purposes of recognition
of gain (but not loss). Unit holders should consult their own tax
advisors with regard to any such constructive sale rules.
Special Tax Consequences of In-Kind Distributions Upon Redemption of
Units or Termination of the Trust. As discussed in "Rights of Unit
Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?", under certain
circumstances a Unit holder who owns at least 2,500 Units of the Trust
may request an In-Kind Distribution upon the redemption of Units or the
termination of the Trust. The Unit holder requesting an In-Kind
Distribution will be liable for expenses related thereto (the
"Distribution Expenses") and the amount of such In-Kind Distribution
will be reduced by the amount of the Distribution Expenses. See "Rights
of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" As previously
discussed, prior to the redemption of Units or the termination of the
Trust, a Unit holder is considered as owning a pro rata portion of each
of the Trust's assets for Federal income tax purposes. The receipt of an
In-Kind Distribution will result in a Unit holder receiving an undivided
interest in whole shares of stock plus, possibly, cash.
The potential tax consequences that may occur under an In-Kind
Distribution will depend on whether or not a Unit holder receives cash
in addition to Equity Securities. An "Equity Security" for this purpose
is a particular class of stock issued by a particular corporation. A
Unit holder will not recognize gain or loss if a Unit holder only
receives Equity Securities in exchange for his or her pro rata portion
in the Equity Securities held by the Trust. However, if a Unit holder
also receives cash in exchange for a fractional share of an Equity
Security held by the Trust, such Unit holder will generally recognize
gain or loss based upon the difference between the amount of cash
received by the Unit holder and his tax basis in such fractional share
of an Equity Security held by the Trust.
Because the Trust will own many Equity Securities, a Unit holder who
requests an In-Kind Distribution will have to analyze the tax
consequences with respect to each Equity Security owned by the Trust.
The amount of taxable gain (or loss) recognized upon such exchange will
generally equal the sum of the gain (or loss) recognized under the rules
described above by such Unit holder with respect to each Equity Security
owned by the Trust. Unit holders who request an In-Kind Distribution are
advised to consult their tax advisers in this regard.
Computation of the Unit Holder's Tax Basis. Initially, a Unit holder's
tax basis in his Units will generally equal the price paid by such Unit
holder for his Units. The cost of the Units is allocated among the
Equity Securities held in the Trust in accordance with the proportion of
the fair market values of such Equity Securities as of the valuation
date nearest the date the Units are purchased in order to determine such
Unit holder's tax basis for his pro rata portion of each Equity Security.
Page 10
A Unit holder's tax basis in his Units and his pro rata portion of an
Equity Security held by the Trust will be reduced to the extent
dividends paid with respect to such Equity Security are received by the
Trust which are not taxable as ordinary income as described above.
General. Each Unit holder will be requested to provide the Unit holder's
taxpayer identification number to the Trustee and to certify that the
Unit holder has not been notified that payments to the Unit holder are
subject to back-up withholding. If the proper taxpayer identification
number and appropriate certification are not provided when requested,
distributions by the Trust to such Unit holder (including amounts
received upon the redemption of Units) will be subject to back-up
withholding. Distributions by the Trust will generally be subject to
United States income taxation and withholding in the case of Units held
by non-resident alien individuals, foreign corporations or other non-
United States persons. Such persons should consult their tax advisers.
Unit holders will be notified annually of the amounts of dividends
includable in the Unit holder's gross income and amounts of Trust
expenses which may be claimed as itemized deductions.
Unit holders desiring to purchase Units for tax-deferred plans and IRAs
should consult their broker for details on establishing such accounts.
Units may also be purchased by persons who already have self-directed
plans established. See "Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for
Retirement Plans?"
The foregoing discussion relates only to the tax treatment of United
States Unit holders with regard to United States Federal income taxes;
Unit holders may be subject to foreign, state and local taxation. Unit
holders should consult their tax advisers regarding potential state or
local taxation with respect to the Units.
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, Special Counsel to the
Trust for New York tax matters, under the existing income tax laws of
the State of New York, each Trust is not an association taxable as a
corporation and the income of such Trusts will be treated as the income
of the Unit holders thereof.
Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for Retirement Plans?
Units of the Trust may be well suited for purchase by Individual
Retirement Accounts, Keogh Plans, pension funds and other tax-deferred
retirement plans. Generally, the Federal income tax relating to capital
gains and income received in each of the foregoing plans is deferred
until distributions are received. Distributions from such plans are
generally treated as ordinary income but may, in some cases, be eligible
for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Investors
considering participation in any such plan should review specific tax
laws related thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers
with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. Such
plans are offered by brokerage firms and other financial institutions.
Fees and charges with respect to such plans may vary.
PORTFOLIO
What are Equity Securities?
The Trust consists of different issues of Equity Securities issued by
financial institutions and are listed on a national securities exchange
or the NASDAQ National Market System or traded in the over-the-counter
market. See "What are the Equity Securities Selected for Midwest
Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2?" for a general description of
the companies.
Risk Factors. An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the problems and risks inherent in the financial
institutions industry in general. Banks, thrifts and their holding
companies are especially subject to the adverse effects of economic
recession, volatile interest rates, portfolio concentrations in
geographic markets and in commercial and residential real estate loans,
and competition from new entrants in their fields of business. Banks and
thrifts are highly dependent on net interest income. Recent profits have
benefitted from the relatively high yield on earning assets and
relatively low cost of funds. There is no certainty that such conditions
will continue, especially in a rising interest rate environment.
Commercial loan demand for banks has not been robust and an increasing
number of commercial loans have been securitized, which may have a
potentially adverse effect on the market share of the commercial banking
system. Bank and thrift institutions have received significant consumer
mortgage fee income as a result of activity in mortgage and refinance
markets. As initial home purchasing and refinancing activity subsides,
Page 11
this income is expected to diminish to a lower level. Economic
conditions in the real estate markets, which have been weak in the
recent past, can have a substantial effect upon banks and thrifts
because they generally have a portion of their assets invested in loans
secured by real estate, as has recently been the case for a number of
banks and thrifts with respect to commercial real estate in the
northeastern and southwestern regions of the United States. Banks,
thrifts and their holding companies are subject to extensive federal
regulation and, when such institutions are state-chartered, to state
regulation as well. Such regulations impose strict capital requirements
and limitations on the nature and extent of business activities that
banks and thrifts may pursue. Furthermore, bank regulators have a wide
range of discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement
authority and may substantially restrict the permissible activities of a
particular institution if deemed to pose significant risks to the
soundness of such institution or the safety of the federal deposit
insurance fund. Regulatory actions, such as increases in the minimum
capital requirements applicable to banks and thrifts and increases in
deposit insurance premiums required to be paid by banks and thrifts to
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), can negatively
impact earnings and the ability of a company to pay dividends. Neither
federal insurance of deposits nor governmental regulations, however,
insures the solvency or profitability of banks or their holding
companies, or insures against any risk of investment in the securities
issued by such institutions.
The statutory requirements applicable to and regulatory supervision of
banks, thrifts and their holding companies have increased significantly
and have undergone substantial change in recent years. To a great
extent, these changes are embodied in the Financial Institutions Reform,
Recovery and Enforcement Act; enacted in August 1989, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, the Resolution
Trust Corporation Refinancing, Restructuring, and Improvement Act of
1991 and the regulations promulgated under these laws. Many of the
regulations promulgated pursuant to these laws have only recently been
finalized and their impact on the business, financial condition and
prospects of the Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio cannot be
predicted with certainty. Periodic efforts by recent Administrations to
introduce legislation broadening the ability of banks to compete with
new products have not been successful, but if enacted could lead to more
failures as a result of increased competition and added risks. Failure
to enact such legislation, on the other hand, may lead to declining
earnings and an inability to compete with unregulated financial
institutions. Efforts to expand the ability of federal thrifts to branch
on an interstate basis have been initially successful through
promulgation of regulations, and legislation to liberalize interstate
banking has recently been signed into law. Under the legislation, banks
will be able to purchase or establish subsidiary banks in any state, one
year after the legislation's enactment. Starting in mid-1997, banks
would be allowed to turn existing banks into branches, though states
could pass laws to permit interstate branch banking before then.
Consolidation is likely to continue in both cases. The Securities and
Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board require
the expanded use of market value accounting by banks and have imposed
rules requiring market accounting for investment securities held in
trading accounts or available for sale. Adoption of additional such
rules may result in increased volatility in the reported health of the
industry, and mandated regulatory intervention to correct such problems.
Additional legislative and regulatory changes may be forthcoming. For
example, the bank regulatory authorities have proposed substantial
changes to the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws, rules
and regulations, and there can be no certainty as to the effect, if any,
that such changes would have on the Equity Securities in the Trust's
portfolio. In addition, from time to time the deposit insurance system
is reviewed by Congress and federal regulators, and proposed reforms of
that system could, among other things, further restrict the ways in
which deposited monies can be used by banks or reduce the dollar amount
or number of deposits insured for any depositor. Such reforms could
reduce profitability as investment opportunities available to bank
institutions become more limited and as consumers look for savings
vehicles other than bank deposits. Banks and thrifts face significant
competition from other financial institutions such as mutual funds,
credit unions, mortgage banking companies and insurance companies, and
increased competition may result from legislative broadening of regional
and national interstate banking powers as has been recently enacted.
Among other benefits, the legislation allows banks and bank holding
companies to acquire across previously prohibited state lines and to
consolidate their various bank subsidiaries into one unit. The Sponsor
makes no prediction as to what, if any, manner of bank and thrift
regulatory actions might ultimately be adopted or what ultimate effect
such actions might have on the Trust's portfolio.
Page 12
The Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 generally prohibits a bank
holding company from (1) acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 5%
of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of a bank or
bank holding company, (2) acquiring control of a bank or another bank
holding company, (3) acquiring all or substantially all the assets of a
bank, or (4) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company,
without first obtaining Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") approval. In
considering an application with respect to any such transaction, the FRB
is required to consider a variety of factors, including the potential
anti-competitive effects of the transaction, the financial condition and
future prospects of the combining and resulting institutions, the
managerial resources of the resulting institution, the convenience and
needs of the communities the combined organization would serve, the
record of performance of each combining organization under the Community
Reinvestment Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the
prospective availability to the FRB of information appropriate to
determine ongoing regulatory compliance with applicable banking laws. In
addition, the federal Change In Bank Control Act and various state laws
impose limitations on the ability of one or more individuals or other
entities to acquire control of banks or bank holding companies.
The FRB has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends
by bank holding companies. In the policy statement, the FRB expressed
its view that a bank holding company experiencing earnings weaknesses
should not pay cash dividends which exceed its net income or which could
only be funded in ways that would weaken its financial health, such as
by borrowing. The FRB also may impose limitations on the payment of
dividends as a condition to its approval of certain applications,
including applications for approval of mergers and acquisitions. The
Sponsor makes no prediction as to the effect, if any, such laws will
have on the Equity Securities or whether such approvals, if necessary,
will be obtained.
The Trust consists of such of the Equity Securities listed under
"Schedule of Investments" as may continue to be held from time to time
in the Trust and any additional Equity Securities acquired and held by
the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Agreement, together
with cash held in the Income and Capital Accounts. Neither the Sponsor
nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any failure in any of the
Equity Securities. However, should any contract for the purchase of any
of the Equity Securities initially deposited hereunder fail, the Sponsor
will, unless substantially all of the moneys held in the Trust to cover
such purchase are reinvested in substitute Equity Securities in
accordance with the Trust Agreement, refund the cash and sales charge
attributable to such failed contract to all Unit holders on the next
distribution date.
Because certain of the Equity Securities from time to time may be sold
under certain circumstances described herein, and because the proceeds
from such events will be distributed to Unit holders and will not be
reinvested, no assurance can be given that the Trust will retain for any
length of time its present size and composition. Although the Portfolio
is not managed, the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to sell Equity
Securities under certain limited circumstances. Pursuant to the
Indenture and with limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell or keep any
securities or other property acquired in exchange for Equity Securities
such as those acquired in connection with a merger or other transaction.
See "How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?" Equity
Securities, however, will not be sold by the Trust to take advantage of
market fluctuations or changes in anticipated rates of appreciation or
depreciation.
Whether or not the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities
exchange, the principal trading market for the Equity Securities may be
in the over-the-counter market. As a result, the existence of a liquid
trading market for the Equity Securities may depend on whether dealers
will make a market in the Equity Securities. There can be no assurance
that a market will be made for any of the Equity Securities, that any
market for the Equity Securities will be maintained or of the liquidity
of the Equity Securities in any markets made. In addition, the Trust may
be restricted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 from selling
Equity Securities to the Sponsor. The price at which the Equity
Securities may be sold to meet redemptions and the value of the Trust
will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Equity Securities
are limited or absent.
An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of the risks
which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that
the financial condition of the issuers of the Equity Securities or the
general condition of the common stock market may worsen, and the value
of the Equity Securities and therefore the value of the Units may
decline. Common stocks are especially susceptible to general stock
Page 13
market movements and to volatile increases and decreases of value as
market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers change. These
perceptions are based on unpredictable factors, including expectations
regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation
and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or
regional political, economic or banking crises. Shareholders of common
stocks have rights to receive payments from the issuers of those common
stocks that are generally subordinate to those of creditors of, or
holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks of, such issuers.
Shareholders of common stocks of the type held by the Trust have a right
to receive dividends only when and if and in the amounts declared by the
issuer's board of directors, and they have a right to participate in
amounts available for distribution by the issuer only after all other
claims on the issuer have been paid or provided for. Common stocks do
not represent an obligation of the issuer and, therefore, do not offer
any assurance of income or provide the same degree of protection of
capital as do debt securities. The issuance of additional debt
securities or preferred stock will create prior claims for payment of
principal, interest and dividends which could adversely affect the
ability and inclination of the issuer to declare or pay dividends on its
common stock or the rights of holders of common stock with respect to
assets of the issuer upon liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of common
stocks is subject to market fluctuations for as long as the common
stocks remain outstanding, and thus the value of the Equity Securities
in the Portfolio may be expected to fluctuate over the life of the Trust
to values higher or lower than those prevailing on the Initial Date of
Deposit.
Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred
stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of
the entity, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the
issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt
obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Cumulative
preferred stock dividends must be paid before common stock dividends,
and any cumulative preferred stock dividend omitted is added to future
dividends payable to the holders of cumulative preferred stock.
Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled to rights on
liquidation which are senior to those of common stockholders.
Unit holders will be unable to dispose of any of the Equity Securities
in the Portfolio, as such, and will not be able to vote the Equity
Securities. As the holder of the Equity Securities, the Trustee will
have the right to vote all of the voting stocks in the Trust and will
vote such stocks in accordance with the instructions of the Sponsor.
Investors should note that because the Underwriter uses the list of
Equity Securities which comprises the portfolio in its independent
capacity as an investment advisor to individuals, mutual funds, employee
benefit plans and other institutions and persons and distributes this
information to various individuals and entities, the Underwriter may
recommend or effect from time to time the purchase or sale of one or
more of the Equity Securities. This may have an effect on the prices of
the Equity Securities which is adverse to the interests of the
purchasers of Units of the Trust. Additionally, this may have an impact
on the price paid by the Trust for the Equity Securities as well as the
price received upon redemption of the Units or upon the termination of
the Trust. Investors should also note that Equity Securities will not be
removed from the Trust and additional Units of the Trust may be created
even if the Underwriter no longer believes certain or all of the Equity
Securities have the potential to provide capital appreciation and
increasing dividend income over the life of the Trust or issues a sell
recommendation regarding any of the Equity Securities included in the
Trust.
The Underwriter has acquired or may acquire the Equity Securities for
the Sponsor and thereby may benefit. The Underwriter in its general
securities business acts as agent or principal in connection with the
purchase and sale of equity securities, including the Equity Securities
in the Trust, and may act as a market maker in certain of the Equity
Securities. The Underwriter also from time to time may issue reports on
and make recommendations relating to equity securities, which may
include the Equity Securities. The Underwriter has performed investment
banking services for certain of the issuers of the Equity Securities.
What are the Equity Securities Selected for Midwest Financial
Institutions Trust, Series 2?
BANKS
Banc One Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, had assets of
$101.8 billion and common equity of $8.4 billion at December 31, 1996.
Page 14
Banc One Corporation now operates 1,502 offices in Arizona, Colorado,
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah,
West Virginia and Wisconsin. The bank offers depository and lending
services to individual and commercial customers. Through its other
subsidiaries, Banc One provides data processing, venture capital
investment and merchant banking, trust, brokerage, investment and
equipment leasing services.
Brenton Banks, Inc., headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the state's
largest, home-based bank holding company, with 45 service locations
serving metropolitan markets and regional economic centers across the
state. The company offers a complete range of financial products and
services, including agricultural and commercial banking; trust and
investment management services; investment, insurance and real estate
brokerage; mortgage banking; cash management and international banking
services; and the company's own proprietary mutual funds.
Commerce Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a
registered bank holding company offering a full line of financial
services, including retail and commercial banking, investment management
and securities brokerage. The company currently operates in more than
250 locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. The company also has
five other operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit
related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.
First American Corporation, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a
$10.4 billion financial services holding company, with 168 banking
offices, 302 ATMs and approximately 4,100 employees. The corporation is
the parent company of First American National Bank, First American
National Bank of Kentucky, First American Federal Savings Bank of
Virginia and First American Enterprises, Inc. It also owns 98% of INVEST
Financial Corporation. Through INVEST Financial Corporation, the company
has approximately 1,700 representatives selling mutual funds, annuities
and other investment products in more than 1,000 investment centers
throughout the United States.
First of America Bank Corporation, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
is a $22 billion bank holding company which has $15 billion in loans and
$18 billion in deposits and serves over 2.8 million households in
Illinois, Indiana, Florida and Michigan. The corporation engages in
commercial and retail banking as well as mortgage origination services
in Arizona and North Carolina. The corporation also provides trust,
insurance and other financial services, managing over $20 billion in
trust and mutual fund assets.
Firstbank of Illinois Co., headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, is
the largest bank holding company providing banking trust and other
financial services through its subsidiaries in Central and Southern
Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area. Company subsidiaries in
Illinois include Central Bank (Fairview Heights), Elliott State Bank
(Jacksonville), Farmers and Merchants Bank of Carlinville, The First
National Bank of Central Illinois (Springfield), First Trust and Savings
Bank of Taylorville, FFG Trust Inc. (Springfield) and FFG Investments
Inc. (Springfield). Subsidiaries in Missouri include Colonial Bank (Des
Peres), Duchesne Bank (St. Peters) and Zemenick & Walker, Inc. (St.
Louis). The company operates 38 offices in 13 Illinois counties and six
offices in Missouri.
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, is the
state's third largest publicly-traded bank holding company with over $3
billion in assets. First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. is engaged in commercial
banking, trust, investment management and mortgage services, primarily
in northern Illinois and eastern Iowa.
First Source Corporation, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is a
bank holding company for 1st Source Bank and 1st Source Bank of Starke
County. The banks attract deposits and offer a wide range of commercial
banking, personal banking and trust services. 1st Source Bank serves St.
Joseph, Marshall, Elkhart, Laporte, Porter and Kosciusko counties from
33 branch offices in Indiana.
Independent Bank Corporation, headquartered in Ionia, Michigan, is a
bank holding company with assets totaling $889 million at December 31,
1996. The company's four subsidiary banks operate 61 offices across
Michigan's lower peninsula.
Irwin Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, is an
interrelated group of specialized financial services companies. The
corporation, through its four principal operating subsidiaries-Inland
Mortgage Corporation, Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company, Irwin Home
Equity Corporation, and Affiliated Capital Corporation-provides a broad
range of mortgage, commercial and retail banking services, as well as
trust, investment, leasing, insurance and consumer financial services in
select markets nationwide.
Page 15
Magna Group, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a community
bank holding company with $5.46 billion in assets. The company currently
has 107 banking locations in Illinois and Missouri, a trust company and
a brokerage company. Prior to the end of the first quarter 1997, the
company anticipates closing on the previously announced acquisition of
Homeland Bankshares Corporation, a $1.2 billion bank holding company
with 30 banking locations in Iowa. After completion of the transaction,
Magna Group, Inc. will have 137 banking locations throughout Illinois,
Iowa and Missouri and total assets in excess of $6.6 billion.
Mercantile Bancorporation Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is
a $19 billion multi-bank holding company, operating banks in Arkansas,
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. The company has mergers pending
with the $3.1 billion asset Mark Twain Bancshares, Inc., Roosevelt
Financial Group, Inc., a $9 billion thrift holding company, and Regional
Bancshares Inc., a $175 million asset holding company located in Madison
County, Illinois. The company's non-banking subsidiaries include
companies providing brokerage services, asset-based lending, investment
advisory services, leasing services and credit life insurance.
Norwest Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an
$80.2 billion company providing banking, insurance, investments,
mortgages and consumer finance services through 3,437 stores in the
United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America and elsewhere
internationally.
Old Kent Financial Corporation, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan,
is a bank holding company whose affiliated banks operate over 200 full-
service offices in Illinois and Michigan. The corporation had total
assets of $13 billion at January 1, 1997.
Peoples First Corporation, headquartered in Paducah, Kentucky, is a
multi-bank holding company which conducts a complete range of commercial
and personal banking activities through 25 western Kentucky banking
offices and three Tennessee banking offices in Clarksville.
Republic Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a $1.5
billion registered bank holding company and one of the largest 35
mortgage lenders in the country. The company's subsidiaries, Republic
Bank (including its subsidiaries Republic Bancorp Mortgage Inc. and CUB
Funding Corporation), Republic Savings Bank and Market Street Mortgage
Corporation operate 104 offices in the following 20 states: Michigan,
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Utah and Virginia.
Simmons First National Corporation, headquartered in Pine Bluff,
Arkansas, is a multi-bank holding company, with banks in Pine Bluff,
Jonesboro, Lake Village, Dumas, and Rogers, Arkansas. The corporation's
five banks conduct financial operations from 29 offices in 15
communities in Arkansas.
Southwest Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is a
publicly-owned company. Its subsidiary, the Stillwater National Bank and
Trust Company, operates seven offices located in Stillwater, Tulsa,
Oklahoma City and Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Trans Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a
financial services holding company, operating primarily in Kentucky and
Tennessee. The company serves business and consumer customers through
its financial sales centers, a 24-hour call center, direct sales teams,
and wholly-owned brokerage and mortgage affiliates.
UMB Financial Corporation, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a
$6.5 billion multi-bank holding company, operating 16 banks with nearly
140 banking centers throughout Missouri, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas,
Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Union Planters Corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, is the
largest bank holding company domiciled in Tennessee and one of the 50
largest in the nation, with 38 banking subsidiaries and 404 locations
throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri
and Tennessee.
THRIFTS
Acadiana Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, is the
holding company for LBA Savings Bank. In its 97th year, LBA Savings Bank
conducts business from its main office and three branch offices located
in Lafayette and from one loan production office in Eunice, Louisiana.
Advantage Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the
parent company of Advantage Bank, FSB, has 15 full-service offices
located in Kenosha, Lake Geneva, Paddock and Racine, Wisconsin and
Burbank, Gurnee, North Chicago, Tinley Park and Zion, Illinois. The
Page 16
company also has mortgage loan origination offices located in Wauwatosa,
Kenosha and Racine, Wisconsin and Grayslake and Naperville, Illinois.
Alliance Bancorp is headquartered in Hinsdale, Illinois. The company's
banking subsidiary, Liberty Federal Bank, is a $1.3 billion bank
operating 15 retail banking offices throughout Chicagoland. Liberty
Federal Bank also owns Preferred Mortgage Associates, Ltd., one of the
largest mortgage brokers in the Chicago metropolitan area.
CBES Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is a
bank holding company for Community Bank of Excelsior Springs, a Savings
Bank. The bank provides commercial banking services, including one- to
four-family residential mortgage loans, construction and land loans and
consumer loans, and operates two banking offices in Clay County, Missouri.
Charter Financial, Inc., headquartered in Sparta, Illinois, is the
holding company of Charter Bank, S.B., which has offices located in
Sparta, Anna, Carbondale, DuQuoin, Marion, Murphysboro and Steeleville,
Illinois.
Charter One Financial, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the
holding company for Charter One Bank. With approximately $14 billion in
total assets, Charter One Bank is one of the largest thrifts in the
country. The bank has 172 branch locations: 94 branches in Ohio
operating under the name Charter One Bank and 78 branches in Michigan
operating under the name First Federal of Michigan.
Citizens First Financial Corporation, headquartered in Normal, Illinois,
is the holding company for Citizens Savings Bank F.S.B. The bank has six
offices in central Illinois.
CNS Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri, is the
holding company for City National Savings Bank. The Bank attracts
deposits from the general public and provides one- to four-family
residential mortgage loans. City National also provides origination and
purchase of multi-family, commercial real estate, construction, land and
consumer loans. The company operates five full-service offices.
Coastal Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Coastal Banc Holding Company, Inc., owns 100%
of the voting stock of Coastal Banc SSB, a Texas-chartered state savings
bank. Coastal Banc SSB operates 376 branch offices in metropolitan
Houston, Corpus Christi, Austin and small cities in central and south
Texas.
Damen Financial Corporation, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is
the holding company for Damen Federal Bank for Savings, a federally-
chartered stock savings bank. On January 16, 1997, the company issued a
press release to announce that Damen Federal Bank for Savings had
received conditional approval from the office of the Comptroller of the
Currency to convert its charter from a federal savings bank to a
national bank. The savings bank is a community-oriented institution,
which offers traditional deposit and mortgage loan products and operates
three full-service offices in Chicago, Schaumburg and Burbank, Illinois.
Fidelity Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is the
holding company for Fidelity Federal Savings Bank, which provides retail
banking services through five full-service locations in Chicago,
Franklin Park and Schaumburg. The bank is primarily in the business of
attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those
funds in mortgages and consumer loans. The bank also provides
investments that are not FDIC insured through INVEST Financial
Corporation.
First Federal Capital Corporation, headquartered in LaCrosse, Wisconsin,
is the parent company of First Federal Savings Bank LaCrosse-Madison.
The $1.5 billion holding company serves customers across Wisconsin
through a network of 48 banking facilities.
First Financial Corporation, headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin,
is the holding company for First Financial Bank, one of the nation's
largest savings banks. The corporation has total assets of $5.7 billion
and operates 128 consumer banking offices throughout Wisconsin and
Illinois.
Great Financial Bank, FSB, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is the
largest independent bank headquartered in Kentucky, serving Kentucky and
southern Indiana through offices located in Louisville, Lexington,
Owensboro and surrounding communities.
Harrington Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Richmond, Virginia,
is a $527.4 million thrift holding company with three full-service
facilities in Richmond, Carmel and Fishers, Indiana.
Home Bancorp of Elgin, headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, with $356.3
million in assets at December 31, 1996, is the holding company for Home
Federal Savings and Loan Association of Elgin, a federally-chartered
Page 17
stock savings and loan association. The company was established in 1883
and is a community-oriented institution serving the area northwest of
Chicago through its main Elgin, Illinois office and through four full-
service branches located in Crystal Lake, Roselle, Bartlett and South
Elgin, Illinois.
Home Federal Bancorp, headquartered in Seymour, Indiana, is a unitary
holding company. Home Federal Savings Bank is its principal subsidiary.
Home Federal Savings Bank offers a wide range of consumer and commercial
financial services through 16 offices in southeastern Indiana.
MAF Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, is the
parent company of Mid America Federal Savings Bank, a federally-
chartered stock savings bank. The bank operates a network of 20 retail
banking offices, primarily in Chicago and its western suburbs.
Mid-Continent Federal Savings Bank, headquartered in El Dorado, Kansas,
has nine full-service office locations-one each in El Dorado, Newton and
Augusta, two in Winfield, and four in Wichita, Kansas. The bank is a
community-oriented, full-service retail savings institution offering
traditional mortgage loan products and conducting a mortgage banking
operation through the origination and purchase from correspondents of
mortgages for sale in the secondary market.
NS&L Bancorp Inc., headquartered in Neosho, Missouri, is a unitary
savings and loan holding company whose sole subsidiary is Neosho Savings
and Loan Association F.A.
St. Paul Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is the
holding company for St. Paul Federal Bank for Savings, the largest
independent thrift institution headquartered in Illinois. St. Paul
Federal Bank for Savings operates 52 retail banking offices throughout
metropolitan Chicago. The company also provides discount brokerage,
insurance, annuity and real estate development services through other
subsidiaries.
Security First Corporation, headquartered in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, the
holding company for Security Federal Savings & Loan Association of
Cleveland and First Federal Savings Bank of Kent, operates 14 branch
offices throughout six counties in northeastern Ohio.
TCF Financial Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a
stock savings bank holding company with banking operations in Minnesota,
Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Affiliates include consumer
finance, mortgage banking, title insurance, annuity and mutual fund
sales companies.
Teche Holding Company, headquartered in Franklin, Louisiana, is the
holding company for Teche Federal Savings Bank, which presently operates
nine full-service offices in the Louisiana parishes of St. Mary, Iberia,
Lafayette, St. Martin and Terrebonne.
Westco Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Westchester, Illinois, is the
holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan of Westchester. The
bank offers general banking services, such as lending and deposit
services, to customers in Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, Will and
Grundy counties, Illinois.
What are Some Additional Considerations for Investors?
Investors should be aware of certain other considerations before making
a decision to invest in the Trust.
The value of the Equity Securities will fluctuate over the life of the
Trust and may be more or less than the price at which they were
deposited in the Trust. The Equity Securities may appreciate or
depreciate in value (or pay dividends), depending on the full range of
economic and market influences affecting these securities.
The Sponsor and the Trustee shall not be liable in any way for any
default, failure or defect in any Security. In the event of a notice
that any Equity Security will not be delivered ("Failed Contract
Obligations") to the Trust, the Sponsor is authorized under the
Indenture to direct the Trustee to acquire other Equity Securities
("Replacement Securities"). Any Replacement Security will be identical
to those which were the subject of the failed contract. The Replacement
Securities must be purchased within 20 days after delivery of the notice
of a failed contract, and the purchase price may not exceed the amount
of funds reserved for the purchase of the Failed Contract Obligations.
If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraphs is not utilized to acquire Replacement Securities in the
event of a failed contract, the Sponsor will refund the sales charge
attributable to such Failed Contract Obligations to all Unit holders of
the Trust, and the Trustee will distribute the principal attributable to
such Failed Contract Obligations not more than 120 days after the date
Page 18
on which the Trustee received a notice from the Sponsor that a
Replacement Security would not be deposited in the Trust. In addition,
Unit holders should be aware that, at the time of receipt of such
principal, they may not be able to reinvest such proceeds in other
securities at a yield equal to or in excess of the yield which such
proceeds would have earned for Unit holders of the Trust.
The Indenture also authorizes the Sponsor to increase the size of the
Trust and the number of Units thereof by the deposit of additional
Equity Securities or cash (including a letter of credit) with
instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust and
the issuance of a corresponding number of additional Units. If the
Sponsor deposits cash, however, existing and new investors may
experience a dilution of their investment and a reduction in their
anticipated income because of fluctuations in the prices of the Equity
Securities between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the
Equity Securities and because the Trust will pay the associated
brokerage fees.
The Trust consists of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" (or contracts to purchase such Securities) as may continue
to be held from time to time in the Trust and any additional Equity
Securities acquired and held by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of
the Indenture (including provisions with respect to deposits into the
Trust of Equity Securities or cash in connection with the issuance of
additional Units).
Once all of the Equity Securities in the Trust are acquired, the Trustee
will have no power to vary the investments of the Trust, i.e., the
Trustee will have no managerial power to take advantage of market
variations to improve a Unit holder's investment, and may dispose of
Equity Securities only under limited circumstances. See "How May Equity
Securities be Removed from the Trust?"
To the best of the Sponsor's knowledge, there is no litigation pending
as of the Initial Date of Deposit in respect of any Equity Security
which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Trust. At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit, litigation may
be instituted on a variety of grounds with respect to the Equity
Securities. The Sponsor is unable to predict whether any such litigation
will be instituted, or if instituted, whether such litigation might have
a material adverse effect on the Trust.
PUBLIC OFFERING
How is the Public Offering Price Determined?
Units are offered at the Public Offering Price. During the initial
offering period, the Public Offering Price is based on the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and
the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or
minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust,
plus an initial sales charge equal to the difference between the maximum
sales charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and the maximum
remaining deferred sales charge, initially $.350 per Unit. Commencing on
May 30, 1997, and on the last business day of each month thereafter,
through November 28, 1997, a deferred sales charge of $.05 will be
assessed per Unit per month. Units purchased subsequent to the initial
deferred sales charge payment but still during the initial offering
period will be subject to the initial sales charge and the remaining
deferred sales charge payments not yet collected. The deferred sales
charge will be paid from funds in the Income and/or Capital Accounts, if
sufficient, or from the periodic sale of Equity Securities. The total
maximum sales charge assessed to Unit holders on a per Unit basis will
be 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.545% of the net
amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge). Upon
completion of the deferred sales charge period, the secondary market
Public Offering Price per Unit for the Trust will not include deferred
payments, but will instead include only a one-time initial sales charge
of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.712% of the net
amount invested), which will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% on each March 1,
commencing March 1, 1998 to a minimum sales charge of 3.0%.
During the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price is
based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the
Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity
Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust divided by the number of Units of the Trust
outstanding, reduced by the deferred sales charge not yet paid. For
secondary market sales after the completion of the initial offering
Page 19
period, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price is also based on the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and
the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or
minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust
divided by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust.
The minimum amount which an investor may purchase of the Trust is 150
Units or $1,500. The applicable sales charge for both primary and
secondary market sales is reduced by a discount as indicated below for
volume purchases as a percentage of the Public Offering Price (except
for sales made pursuant to a "wrap fee account" or similar arrangements
as set forth below) as a percentage of the Public Offering Price (except
for sales made pursuant to a "wrap fee account" or similar arrangements
as set forth below):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Units Discount
_______________ ________
<S> <C>
10,000 to 24,999 0.50%
25,000 to 49,999 1.00%
50,000 or more 1.50%
</TABLE>
Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the selling
Underwriter, broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. The reduced
sales charge structure will apply on all purchases of Units in the Trust
by the same person on any one day from the Underwriter or any one
broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. Additionally, Units
purchased in the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in the name of a
child of such purchaser under 21 years of age will be deemed, for the
purposes of calculating the applicable sales charge, to be additional
purchases by the purchaser. The reduced sales charges will also be
applicable to a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a
single trust estate or single fiduciary account. The purchaser must
inform the Underwriter, broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent of
any such combined purchase prior to the sale, in order to obtain the
indicated discount. In addition, with respect to employees, officers and
directors (including their immediate family members, defined as spouses,
children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, mothers-in-law,
fathers-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and trustees, custodians
or fiduciaries for the benefit of such persons) of the Sponsor, Underwriter
and broker/dealers, banks or other selling agents and their
subsidiaries, the sales charge is reduced by 1.5% of the Public Offering
Price for purchases of Units during the primary and secondary public
offering periods.
Investors who purchase Units through registered broker/dealers who
charge periodic fees for financial planning, investment advisory or
asset management services or provide such services in connection with
the establishment of an investment account for which a comprehensive
"wrap fee" charge is imposed may purchase Units in the primary or
secondary market at the Public Offering Price, less the concession the
Sponsor typically would allow such broker/dealer. See "Public Offering-
How are Units Distributed?"
Had the Units of the Trust been available for sale on the business day
prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price would
have been as indicated in "Summary of Essential Information." The Public
Offering Price of Units on the date of the prospectus or during the
initial offering period may vary from the amount stated under "Summary
of Essential Information" in accordance with fluctuations in the prices
of the underlying Equity Securities. During the initial offering period,
the aggregate value of the Units of the Trust shall be determined on the
basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities therein
plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the
Trust. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities will be
determined in the following manner: if the Equity Securities are listed
on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System,
this evaluation is generally based on the closing sale prices on that
exchange or that system (unless it is determined that these prices are
inappropriate as a basis for valuation) or, if there is no closing sale
price on that exchange or system, at the closing ask prices. If the
Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so listed and the principal
market therefor is other than on the exchange, the evaluation shall
generally be based on the current ask prices on the over-the-counter
market (unless it is determined that these prices are inappropriate as a
basis for evaluation). If current ask prices are unavailable, the
evaluation is generally determined (a) on the basis of current ask
prices for comparable securities, (b) by appraising the value of the
Equity Securities on the ask side of the market or (c) by any
combination of the above.
After the completion of the initial offering period, the secondary
market Public Offering Price will be equal to the aggregate underlying
Page 20
value of the Equity Securities therein, plus or minus cash, if any, in
the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust plus the applicable sales
charge. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities for
secondary market sales is calculated in the same manner as described
above for sales made during the initial offering period with the
exception that bid prices are used instead of ask prices.
Although payment is normally made three business days following the
order for purchase (the "date of settlement"), payment may be made prior
thereto. A person will become owner of Units on the date of settlement
provided payment has been received. Cash, if any, made available to the
Sponsor prior to the date of settlement for the purchase of Units may be
used in the Sponsor's business and may be deemed to be a benefit to the
Sponsor, subject to the limitations of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Delivery of Certificates representing Units so ordered will be
made three business days following such order or shortly thereafter. See
"Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?" for information
regarding the ability to redeem Units ordered for purchase.
How are Units Distributed?
During the initial offering period (i) for Units issued on the Initial
Date of Deposit and (ii) for additional Units issued after such date as
additional Equity Securities are deposited by the Sponsor, Units will be
distributed to the public at the then current Public Offering Price. The
initial offering period may be up to approximately 360 days. During such
period, the Sponsor may deposit additional Equity Securities in the
Trust and create additional Units. Units reacquired by the Sponsor
during the initial offering period (at prices based upon the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus a
pro rata share of cash, if any in the Income and Capital Accounts of the
Trust) may be resold at the then current Public Offering Price. Upon the
termination of the initial offering period, unsold Units created or
reacquired during the initial offering period will be sold or resold at
the then current Public Offering Price.
Upon completion of the initial offering, Units repurchased in the
secondary market (see "Will There be a Secondary Market?") may be
offered by this prospectus at the secondary market public offering price
determined in the manner described above.
It is the intention of the Sponsor to qualify Units of the Trust for
sale in a number of states. Sales initially will be made to dealers and
other selling agents at prices which represent a concession or agency
commission of 2.9% of the Public Offering Price, and, for secondary
market sales, 2.9% of the Public Offering Price (or 65% of the then
current maximum sales charge after March 1, 1998). Effective on each
March 1, commencing March 1, 1998, such sales charge will be reduced by
1/2 of 1% to a minimum sales charge of 3.0%. However, resales of Units
of the Trust by such dealers and other selling agents to the public will
be made at the Public Offering Price described in the prospectus. The
Sponsor reserves the right to change the amount of the concession or
agency commission from time to time. Certain commercial banks may be
making Units of the Trust available to their customers on an agency
basis. A portion of the sales charge paid by these customers is retained
by or remitted to the banks in the amounts indicated above. Under the
Glass-Steagall Act, banks are prohibited from underwriting Trust Units;
however, the Glass-Steagall Act does permit certain agency transactions
and the banking regulators have not indicated that these particular
agency transactions are not permitted under such Act. In Texas and in
certain other states, any banks making Units available must be
registered as broker/dealers under state law.
What are the Sponsor's and Underwriter's Profits?
The Underwriter of the Trust will receive a gross sales commission equal
to 4.5% of the Public Offering Price of the Units (equivalent to 4.545%
of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge),
less any reduced sales charge for quantity purchases as described under
"Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" See
"Underwriting" for information regarding the receipt of the excess gross
sales commissions by the Sponsor from the Underwriter and additional
concessions available to the Underwriter, dealers and others. In
addition, the Sponsor may be considered to have realized a profit or to
have sustained a loss, as the case may be, in the amount of any
difference between the cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust (which
is based on the Evaluator's determination of the aggregate offering
Page 21
price of the underlying Equity Securities of such Trust on the Initial
Date of Deposit as well as subsequent deposits) and the cost of such
Equity Securities to the Sponsor. See "Underwriting" and Note (2) of
"Schedule of Investments." During the initial offering period, the
Underwriter also may realize profits or sustain losses as a result of
fluctuations after the Initial Date of Deposit in the Public Offering
Price received by the Underwriter upon the sale of Units.
In maintaining a market for the Units, the Sponsor and Underwriter will
also realize profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference
between the price at which Units are purchased and the price at which
Units are resold (which price includes a sales charge of 4.5% subject to
reduction beginning March 1, 1998) or redeemed. The secondary market
public offering price of Units may be greater or less than the cost of
such Units to the Sponsor or the Underwriter.
Will There be a Secondary Market?
After the initial offering period, although not obligated to do so, both
the Sponsor and the Underwriter intend to maintain a market for the
Units and continuously offer to purchase Units at prices, subject to
change at any time, based upon the aggregate underlying value of the
Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income
and Capital Accounts of the Trust. All expenses incurred in maintaining
a secondary market, other than the fees of the Evaluator and the costs
of the Trustee in transferring and recording the ownership of Units,
will be borne by the Sponsor. If the supply of Units exceeds demand, or
for some other business reason, the Sponsor or Underwriter may
discontinue purchases of Units at such prices. IF A UNIT HOLDER WISHES
TO DISPOSE OF HIS UNITS, HE SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE UNDERWRITER OR SPONSOR
AS TO CURRENT MARKET PRICES PRIOR TO MAKING A TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO
THE TRUSTEE. Units subject to a deferred sales charge which are sold or
tendered for redemption prior to such time as the entire deferred sales
charge on such Units has been collected will be assessed the amount of
the remaining deferred sales charge at the time of sale or redemption.
RIGHTS OF UNIT HOLDERS
How is Evidence of Ownership Issued and Transferred?
The Trustee is authorized to treat as the record owner of Units that
person who is registered as such owner on the books of the Trustee.
Ownership of Units may be evidenced by registered certificates executed
by the Trustee and the Sponsor. Delivery of certificates representing
Units ordered for purchase is normally made three business days
following such order or shortly thereafter. Certificates are
transferable by presentation and surrender to the Trustee properly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. Certificates to be redeemed must be properly endorsed or
accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer. A Unit
holder must sign exactly as his name appears on the face of the
certificate with the signature guaranteed by a participant in the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other
signature guaranty program in addition to, or in substitution for,
STAMP, as may be accepted by the Trustee. In certain instances, the
Trustee may require additional documents such as, but not limited to,
trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor or
administrator or certificates of corporate authority.
Certificates will be issued in fully registered form, transferable only
on the books of the Trustee in denominations of one Unit or any multiple
thereof, numbered serially for purposes of identification.
Unit holders may elect to hold their Units in uncertificated form. The
Trustee will maintain an account for each such Unit holder and will
credit each such account with the number of Units purchased by that Unit
holder. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer of Units
held in uncertificated form, the Trustee will send to the registered
owner of Units a written initial transaction statement containing a
description of the Trust; the number of Units issued or transferred; the
name, address and taxpayer identification number, if any, of the new
registered owner; a notation of any liens and restrictions of the issuer
and any adverse claims to which such Units are or may be subject or a
statement that there are no such liens, restrictions or adverse claims;
and the date the transfer was registered. Uncertificated Units are
transferable through the same procedures applicable to Units evidenced
by certificates (described above), except that no certificate need be
presented to the Trustee and no certificate will be issued upon the
transfer unless requested by the Unit holder. A Unit holder may at any
time request the Trustee to issue certificates for Units.
Page 22
Although no such charge is now made or contemplated, a Unit holder may
be required to pay $2.00 to the Trustee per certificate reissued or
transferred and to pay any governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with each such transfer or exchange. For new certificates
issued to replace destroyed, stolen or lost certificates, the Unit
holder may be required to furnish indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee
and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur. Mutilated certificates
must be surrendered to the Trustee for replacement.
How are Income and Capital Distributed?
The Trustee will distribute any net income received with respect to any
of the securities in the Trust on or about the Income Distribution Dates
to Unit holders of record on the preceding Income Record Date. See
"Summary of Essential Information." Persons who purchase Units will
commence receiving distributions only after such person becomes a record
owner. Notification to the Trustee of the transfer of Units is the
responsibility of the purchaser, but in the normal course of business
such notice is provided by the selling broker/dealer. The pro rata share
of cash in the Capital Account of the Trust will be computed as of the
fifteenth day of each month. Proceeds received on the sale of any Equity
Securities in the Trust, to the extent not used to meet redemptions of
Units or pay expenses, will, however, be distributed on the last day of
each month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of such month
if the amount available for distribution equals at least $0.01 per Unit.
The Trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in the Capital
Account of the Trust (but may itself earn interest thereon and therefore
benefit from the use of such funds). Notwithstanding, distributions of
funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made on the last day of
each December to Unit holders of record as of December 15. See "What is
the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
It is anticipated that the deferred sales charge will be collected from
the Capital Account and that amounts in the Capital Account will be
sufficient to cover the cost of the deferred sales charge. However, to
the extent that amounts in the Capital Account are insufficient to
satisfy the then current deferred sales charge obligation, Equity
Securities may be sold to meet such shortfall. Distributions of amounts
necessary to pay the deferred portion of the sales charge will be made
to an account designated by the Sponsor for purposes of satisfying Unit
holders' deferred sales charge obligations.
Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is
required to withhold a specified percentage of any distribution made by
the Trust if the Trustee has not been furnished the Unit holder's tax
identification number in the manner required by such regulations. Any
amount so withheld is transmitted to the Internal Revenue Service and
may be recovered by the Unit holder only when filing a tax return. Under
normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unit holder's tax
identification number from the selling broker. However, a Unit holder
should examine his or her statements from the Trustee to make sure that
the Trustee has been provided a certified tax identification number in
order to avoid this possible "back-up withholding." In the event the
Trustee has not been previously provided such number, one should be
provided as soon as possible.
Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, each Unit holder
will, upon surrender of his Units for redemption, receive: (i) the pro
rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition of Equity
Securities, unless he elects an In-Kind Distribution as described under
"How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?" and (ii) a pro rata
share of any other assets of the Trust, less expenses of the Trust. Not
less than 60 days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust,
the Trustee will provide written notice thereof to all Unit holders and
will include with such notice a form to enable Unit holders to elect a
distribution of whole shares of Equity Securities (an "In-Kind
Distribution"), if such Unit holder owns at least 2,500 Units of the
Trust, rather than receive payment in cash for such Unit holder's pro
rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition by the Trustee
of Equity Securities. An In-Kind Distribution will be reduced by
customary transfer and registration charges. To be effective, the
election form, together with surrendered certificates and other
documentation required by the Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee
at least five business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of
the Trust. A Unit holder may, of course, at any time after the Equity
Securities are distributed sell all or a portion of the shares.
The Trustee will credit to the Income Account of the Trust any dividends
received on the Equity Securities therein. All other receipts (e.g.
return of capital, etc.) are credited to the Capital Account of the Trust.
Page 23
The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the
Trust for state and local taxes, if any, and any governmental charges
payable out of the Trust.
What Reports will Unit Holders Receive?
The Trustee shall furnish Unit holders in connection with each
distribution a statement of the amount of income, if any, and the amount
of other receipts, if any, which are being distributed, expressed in
each case as a dollar amount per Unit. Within a reasonable period of
time after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to
each person who at any time during the calendar year was a Unit holder
of the Trust the following information in reasonable detail: (1) a
summary of transactions in the Trust for such year; (2) any Equity
Securities sold during the year and the Equity Securities held at the
end of such year by the Trust; (3) the redemption price per Unit based
upon a computation thereof on the 31st day of December of such year (or
the last business day prior thereto); and (4) amounts of income and
capital distributed during such year.
In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting requirements,
Unit holders will be furnished, upon request to the Trustee, evaluations
of the Securities in the Trust furnished to it by the Evaluator.
How May Units be Redeemed?
A Unit holder may redeem all or a portion of his Units by tendering to
the Trustee, at its corporate trust office in the City of New York, the
certificates representing the Units to be redeemed, or in the case of
uncertificated Units, delivery of a request for redemption, duly
endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer with signature
guaranteed as explained above (or by providing satisfactory indemnity,
as in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates), and
payment of applicable governmental charges, if any. No redemption fee
will be charged. On the third business day following such tender, the
Unit holder will be entitled to receive in cash an amount for each Unit
equal to the Redemption Price per Unit next computed after receipt by
the Trustee of such tender of Units. The "date of tender" is deemed to
be the date on which Units are received by the Trustee (if such day is a
day in which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading), except
that as regards Units received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or as of
any earlier closing time on a day on which the New York Stock Exchange
is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time), the date of
tender is the next day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading and such Units will be deemed to have been tendered to the
Trustee on such day for redemption at the redemption price computed on
that day. Units so redeemed shall be cancelled. Units tendered for
redemption prior to such time as the entire deferred sales charge on
such Units has been collected will be assessed the amount of remaining
deferred sales charge at the time of redemption.
Any Unit holder tendering 2,500 Units or more for redemption may request
by written notice submitted at the time of tender from the Trustee, in
lieu of a cash redemption, a distribution of shares of Equity Securities
in an amount and value of Equity Securities per Unit equal to the
Redemption Price Per Unit as determined as of the evaluation next
following tender. To the extent possible, In-Kind Distributions shall be
made by the Trustee through the distribution of each of the Equity
Securities in book-entry form to the account of the Unit holder's bank
or broker/dealer at the Depository Trust Company. An In-Kind
Distribution will be reduced by customary transfer and registration
charges. The tendering Unit holder will receive his pro rata number of
whole shares of each of the Equity Securities comprising the portfolio
and cash from the Capital Account equal to the fractional shares to
which the tendering Unit holder is entitled. The Trustee may adjust the
number of shares of any issue of Equity Securities included in a Unit
holder's In-Kind Distribution to facilitate the distribution of whole
shares, such adjustment to be made on the basis of the value of Equity
Securities on the date of tender. If funds in the Capital Account are
insufficient to cover the required cash distribution to the tendering
Unit holder, the Trustee may sell Equity Securities in the manner
described above.
Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is
required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a
Unit redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unit
holder's tax identification number in the manner required by such
regulations. For further information regarding this withholding, see
"How are Income and Capital Distributed?" In the event the Trustee has
not been previously provided such number, one must be provided at the
time redemption is requested.
Page 24
Any amounts paid on redemption representing income shall be withdrawn
from the Income Account of the Trust to the extent that funds are
available for such purpose, or from the Capital Account. All other
amounts paid on redemption shall be withdrawn from the Capital Account
of the Trust.
The Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities of the Trust in order
to make funds available for redemption. To the extent that Equity
Securities are sold, the size and diversity of the Trust will be
reduced. Such sales may be required at a time when Equity Securities
would not otherwise be sold and might result in lower prices than might
otherwise be realized.
The Redemption Price per Unit will be determined on the basis of the
aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust
(generally determined by the closing sale prices of the listed Equity
Securities and either the ask prices (during the initial offering
period) or the bid prices (subsequent to the initial offering period) of
the over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus cash, if
any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. The Redemption
Price per Unit is the pro rata share of each Unit determined by the
Trustee by adding: (1) the cash on hand in the Trust other than cash
deposited in the Trust to purchase Equity Securities not applied to the
purchase of such Equity Securities; (2) the aggregate value of the
Equity Securities held in the Trust, as determined by the Evaluator on
the basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in
the Trust next computed; and (3) dividends receivable on the Equity
Securities trading ex-dividend as of the date of computation; and
deducting therefrom: (1) amounts representing any applicable taxes or
governmental charges payable out of the Trust; (2) any amounts owing to
the Trustee for its advances; (3) an amount representing estimated
accrued expenses of the Trust, including but not limited to fees and
expenses of the Trustee (including legal and auditing fees), the
Evaluator and supervisory fees, if any; (4) cash held for distribution
to Unit holders of record of the Trust as of the business day prior to
the evaluation being made; and (5) other liabilities incurred by the
Trust; and finally dividing the results of such computation by the
number of Units of the Trust outstanding as of the date thereof.
The aggregate value of the Equity Securities will be determined in the
following manner: if the Equity Securities are listed on a national
securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System, this
evaluation is generally based on the closing sale prices on that
exchange or that system (unless it is determined that these prices are
inappropriate as a basis for valuation) or, if there is no closing sale
price on that exchange or system, at the closing bid prices. If the
Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so listed and the principal
market therefor is other than on the exchange, the evaluation shall
generally be based on the current bid prices on the over-the-counter
market (unless these prices are inappropriate as a basis for
evaluation). If current bid prices are unavailable, the evaluation is
generally determined (a) on the basis of current bid prices for
comparable securities, (b) by appraising the value of the Equity
Securities on the bid side of the market or (c) by any combination of
the above.
The right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed for any
period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than
for customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which the
Securities and Exchange Commission determines that trading on the New
York Stock Exchange is restricted or any emergency exists, as a result
of which disposal or evaluation of the Securities is not reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange
Commission may by order permit. Under certain extreme circumstances, the
Sponsor may apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for an order
permitting a full or partial suspension of the right of Unit holders to
redeem their Units. The Trustee is not liable to any person in any way
for any loss or damage which may result from any such suspension or
postponement.
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor?
The Trustee shall notify the Sponsor of any tender of Units for
redemption. If the Sponsor's bid in the secondary market at that time
equals or exceeds the Redemption Price per Unit, it may purchase such
Units by notifying the Trustee before 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same
business day and by making payment therefor to the Unit holder not later
than the day on which the Units would otherwise have been redeemed by
the Trustee. Units held by the Sponsor may be tendered to the Trustee
for redemption as any other Units. In the event the Sponsor does not
purchase Units, the Trustee may sell Units tendered for redemption in
Page 25
the over-the-counter market, if any, as long as the amount to be
received by the Unit holder is equal to the amount he would have
received on redemption of the Units.
The offering price of any Units acquired by the Sponsor will be in
accord with the Public Offering Price described in the then effective
prospectus describing such Units. Any profit or loss resulting from the
resale or redemption of such Units will belong to the Sponsor.
How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?
The Portfolio of the Trust is not "managed" by the Sponsor or the
Trustee; their activities described herein are governed solely by the
provisions of the Indenture. The Indenture provides that the Sponsor may
(but need not) direct the Trustee to dispose of an Equity Security in
the event that an issuer defaults in the payment of a dividend that has
been declared, that any action or proceeding has been instituted
restraining the payment of dividends or there exists any legal question
or impediment affecting such Equity Security, that the issuer of the
Equity Security has breached a covenant which would affect the payments
of dividends, the credit standing of the issuer or otherwise impair the
sound investment character of the Equity Security, that the issuer has
defaulted on the payment on any other of its outstanding obligations, or
that the price of the Equity Security has declined to such an extent or
other such credit factors exist so that in the opinion of the Sponsor,
the retention of such Equity Securities would be detrimental to the
Trust. Except as stated under "Portfolio-What are Some Additional
Considerations for Investors?" for Failed Obligations, the acquisition
by the Trust of any securities or other property other than the Equity
Securities is prohibited. Pursuant to the Indenture and with limited
exceptions, the Trustee may sell any securities or other property
acquired in exchange for Equity Securities such as those acquired in
connection with a merger or other transaction. If offered such new or
exchanged securities or property, the Trustee shall reject the offer.
However, in the event such securities or property are nonetheless
acquired by the Trust, they may be accepted for deposit in the Trust and
either sold by the Trustee or held in the Trust pursuant to the
direction of the Sponsor (who may rely on the advice of the Portfolio
Supervisor). Proceeds from the sale of Equity Securities (or any
securities or other property received by the Trust in exchange for
Equity Securities) by the Trustee are credited to the Capital Account of
the Trust for distribution to Unit holders or to meet redemptions. The
Trustee may from time to time retain and pay compensation to the Sponsor
(or an affiliate of the Sponsor) to act as agent for the Trust with
respect to selling Equity Securities from the Trust. In acting in such
capacity the Sponsor or its affiliate will be held subject to the
restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Trustee may also sell Equity Securities designated by the Sponsor,
or if not so directed, in its own discretion, for the purpose of
redeeming Units of the Trust tendered for redemption and the payment of
expenses.
The Sponsor, in designating Equity Securities to be sold by the Trustee,
will generally make selections in order to maintain, to the extent
practicable, the proportionate relationship among the number of shares
of individual issues of Equity Securities. To the extent this is not
practicable, the composition and diversity of the Equity Securities may
be altered. In order to obtain the best price for the Trust, it may be
necessary for the Sponsor to specify minimum amounts (generally 100
shares) in which blocks of Equity Securities are to be sold.
INFORMATION AS TO UNDERWRITER, SPONSOR, TRUSTEE AND EVALUATOR
Who is the Underwriter?
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated ("Stifel, Nicolaus"), the
largest subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. (a holding company publicly
traded on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in St. Louis,
Missouri), provides brokerage, trading, investment advisory, and other
related financial services to individual and institutional investors
through a network of 41 offices in 12 states.
With over 100 years of service in the financial services industry,
Stifel, Nicolaus has created a tradition of enhancing customer knowledge
of investment products and their application in meeting financial
objectives.
The Financial Institutions Group at Stifel, Nicolaus includes eight
senior professionals providing specialized services to the bank and
thrift industry. Their expertise focuses on research, consulting,
Page 26
valuations, merger and acquisition activities, public and private
financing, and investment services.
The research team for the Midwest Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2
is led by Joseph A. Stieven, Senior Vice President and Director of the
Financial Institutions Research Group. Mr. Stieven is nationally
recognized as a leading regional bank and thrift analyst, and is widely
quoted throughout numerous national and regional business publications.
Prior to joining Stifel, Nicolaus in 1985, Mr. Stieven was a financial
analyst/examiner in the Banking Supervisory and Regulations Department
with The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. This is the fifth unit
investment trust led by Mr. Stieven since January 1993.
Who is the Sponsor?
Nike Securities L.P., the Sponsor, specializes in the underwriting,
trading and distribution of unit investment trusts and other securities.
Nike Securities L.P., an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991,
acts as Sponsor for successive series of The First Trust Combined
Series, The First Trust Special Situations Trust, The First Trust
Insured Corporate Trust, The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds and
The First Trust GNMA. First Trust introduced the first insured unit
investment trust in 1974 and to date more than $9 billion in First Trust
unit investment trusts have been deposited. The Sponsor's employees
include a team of professionals with many years of experience in the
unit investment trust industry. The Sponsor is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and Securities Investor
Protection Corporation and has its principal offices at 1001 Warrenville
Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number (630) 241-4141. As of
December 31, 1995, the total partners' capital of Nike Securities L.P.
was $9,033,760 (audited). (This paragraph relates only to the Sponsor
and not to the Trust or to any series thereof or to the Underwriter. The
information is included herein only for the purpose of informing
investors as to the financial responsibility of the Sponsor and its
ability to carry out its contractual obligations. More detailed
financial information will be made available by the Sponsor upon request.)
Who is the Trustee?
The Trustee is The Chase Manhattan Bank, with its principal executive
office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and its unit
investment trust office at 4 New York Plaza, 6th floor, New York, New
York 10004-2413. Unit holders who have questions regarding the Trust may
call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520. The Trustee is
subject to supervision by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of
New York, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
The Trustee, whose duties are ministerial in nature, has not
participated in the selection of the Equity Securities. For information
relating to the responsibilities of the Trustee under the Indenture,
reference is made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit
Holders."
The Trustee and any successor trustee may resign by executing an
instrument in writing and filing the same with the Sponsor and mailing a
copy of a notice of resignation to all Unit holders. Upon receipt of
such notice, the Sponsor is obligated to appoint a successor trustee
promptly. If the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt
or its affairs are taken over by public authorities, the Sponsor may
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor as provided in the Indenture.
If upon resignation of a trustee no successor has accepted the
appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee may
apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor. The resignation or removal of a trustee becomes effective
only when the successor trustee accepts its appointment as such or when
a court of competent jurisdiction appoints a successor trustee.
Any corporation into which a Trustee may be merged or with which it may
be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which a Trustee shall be a party, shall be the
successor Trustee. The Trustee must be a banking corporation organized
under the laws of the United States or any State and having at all times
an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$5,000,000.
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee
The Sponsor and the Trustee shall be under no liability to Unit holders
for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action in good
faith pursuant to the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be
Page 27
liable only for their own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence (ordinary negligence in the case of the Trustee) or reckless
disregard of their obligations and duties. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the
Trustee of any of the Equity Securities. In the event of the failure of
the Sponsor to act under the Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder
and shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith under
the Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental
charges imposed upon or in respect of the Equity Securities or upon the
interest thereon or upon it as Trustee under the Indenture or upon or in
respect of the Trust which the Trustee may be required to pay under any
present or future law of the United States of America or of any other
taxing authority having jurisdiction. In addition, the Indenture
contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee.
If the Sponsor shall fail to perform any of its duties under the
Indenture or becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt or its
affairs are taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee may (a)
appoint a successor Sponsor at rates of compensation deemed by the
Trustee to be reasonable and not exceeding amounts prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or (b) terminate the Indenture and
liquidate the Trust as provided herein, or (c) continue to act as
Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
Who is the Evaluator?
The Evaluator is First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited
partnership formed in 1991 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The
Evaluator's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532. The
Evaluator may resign or may be removed by the Sponsor or the Trustee, in
which event the Sponsor and the Trustee are to use their best efforts to
appoint a satisfactory successor. Such resignation or removal shall
become effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor
Evaluator. If upon resignation of the Evaluator no successor has
accepted appointment within 30 days after notice of resignation, the
Evaluator may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor.
The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on any evaluation
furnished by the Evaluator and shall have no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof. Determinations by the Evaluator under the Indenture
shall be made in good faith upon the basis of the best information
available to it, provided, however, that the Evaluator shall be under no
liability to the Trustee, Sponsor or Unit holders for errors in
judgment. This provision shall not protect the Evaluator in any case of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties.
OTHER INFORMATION
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?
The Sponsor and the Trustee have the power to amend the Indenture
without the consent of any of the Unit holders when such an amendment is
(1) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision of
the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision contained therein, or (2) to make such other provisions as
shall not adversely affect the interest of the Unit holders (as
determined in good faith by the Sponsor and the Trustee).
The Indenture provides that the Trust shall terminate upon the Mandatory
Termination Date indicated herein under "Summary of Essential
Information." The Trust may be liquidated at any time by consent of 100%
of the Unit holders of the Trust or by the Trustee when the value of the
Equity Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any evaluation, is less
than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Equity
Securities deposited in such Trust during the primary offering period,
or in the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more
than 60% of the Units of the Trust are tendered for redemption by the
Underwriter, including the Sponsor. If the Trust is liquidated because
of the redemption of unsold Units of the Trust by the Underwriter, the
Sponsor will refund to each purchaser of Units of the Trust the entire
sales charge and the transaction fees paid by such purchaser. In the
event of termination, written notice thereof will be sent by the Trustee
to all Unit holders of the Trust. Within a reasonable period after
termination, the Trustee will follow the procedures set forth under "How
are Income and Capital Distributed?"
Commencing on the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity Securities will
begin to be sold in connection with the termination of the Trust. The
Sponsor will determine the manner, timing and execution of the sale of
the Equity Securities. Written notice of any termination of the Trust
Page 28
specifying the time or times at which Unit holders may surrender their
certificates for cancellation shall be given by the Trustee to each Unit
holder at his address appearing on the registration books of the Trust
maintained by the Trustee. At least 60 days prior to the Maturity Date
of the Trust, the Trustee will provide written notice thereof to all
Unit holders and will include with such notice a form to enable Unit
holders to elect a distribution of shares of Equity Securities (reduced
by customary transfer and registration charges), if such Unit holder
owns at least 2,500 Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment
in cash for such Unit holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized
upon the disposition by the Trustee of Equity Securities. To be
effective, the election form, together with surrendered certificates and
other documentation required by the Trustee, must be returned to the
Trustee at least five business days prior to the Mandatory Termination
Date of the Trust. Unit holders not electing a distribution of shares of
Equity Securities will receive a cash distribution from the sale of the
remaining Equity Securities within a reasonable time after the Trust is
terminated. Regardless of the distribution involved, the Trustee will
deduct from the funds of the Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances
or indemnities provided by the Trust Agreement, including estimated
compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any amounts
required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes or
other governmental charges. Any sale of Equity Securities in the Trust
upon termination may result in a lower amount than might otherwise be
realized if such sale were not required at such time. The Trustee will
then distribute to each Unit holder his pro rata share of the balance of
the Income and Capital Accounts.
Legal Opinions
The legality of the Units offered hereby and certain matters relating to
Federal tax law have been passed upon by Chapman and Cutler, 111 West
Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, as counsel for the Sponsor.
Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, will act as counsel for the Trustee and as
special New York tax counsel for the Trust.
Experts
The statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, of
the Trust at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit
appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement has been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement,
and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriter named below has purchased Units in the following amount:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number
Name Address of Units
______ _________ ________
<S> <C> <C>
Underwriter
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, 500 North Broadway, 16th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63102 257,000
Incorporated
========
</TABLE>
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Underwriter of the Trust became the
owner of the Units of the Trust and entitled to the benefits thereof, as
well as the risks inherent therein.
The Underwriter Agreement provides that a public offering of the Units
of the Trust will be made at the Public Offering Price described in the
prospectus. Units may also be sold to or through dealers and other
selling agents during the initial offering period and in the secondary
market at prices representing a concession or agency commission as
described in "Public Offering-How are Units Distributed?"
The Underwriter has agreed to underwrite additional Units of the Trust
as they become available. The Sponsor will receive from the Underwriter
the difference between the gross sales commission and 3.6% of the
Public Offering Price of the Units, which is retained by the
Underwriter.
From time to time the Sponsor may implement programs under which
Underwriters and dealers of the Trust may receive nominal awards from
the Sponsor for each of their registered representatives who have sold a
minimum number of UIT Units during a specified time period. In addition,
at various times the Sponsor may implement other programs under which
Page 29
the sales force of an Underwriter or dealer may be eligible to win other
nominal awards for certain sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor
will reallow to any such Underwriter or dealer that sponsors sales
contests or recognition programs conforming to criteria established by
the Sponsor, or participates in sales programs sponsored by the Sponsor,
an amount not exceeding the total applicable sales charges on the sales
generated by such person at the public offering price during such
programs. Also, the Sponsor in its discretion may from time to time
pursuant to objective criteria established by the Sponsor pay fees to
qualifying Underwriters or dealers for certain services or activities
which are primarily intended to result in sales of Units of the Trust.
Such payments are made by the Sponsor out of its own assets, and not out
of the assets of the Trust. These programs will not change the price
Unit holders pay for their Units or the amount that the Trust will
receive from the Units sold.
The Sponsor may from time to time in its advertising and sales materials
compare the then current estimated returns on the Trust and returns over
specified periods on other similar Trusts sponsored by Nike Securities
L.P. with returns on other taxable investments such as corporate or U.S.
Government bonds, bank CDs and money market accounts or money market
funds, each of which has investment characteristics that may differ from
those of the Trust. U.S. Government bonds, for example, are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and bank CDs and money
market accounts are insured by an agency of the federal government.
Money market accounts and money market funds provide stability of
principal, but pay interest at rates that vary with the condition of the
short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Trust performance may be compared to performance on a total return basis
with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price
Index, or performance data from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
Morningstar Publications, Inc. or from publications such as Money, The
New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, Business Week, Forbes or
Fortune. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should
not be considered representative of the Trust's relative performance for
any future period.
Page 30
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders
THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS TRUST, SERIES 186
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the
schedule of investments, of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 186, comprised of Midwest Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2,
at the opening of business on February 26, 1997. This statement of net
assets is the responsibility of the Trust's Sponsor. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on this statement of net assets based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statement of net assets is
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement
of net assets. Our procedures included confirmation of the letter of
credit held by the Trustee and deposited in the Trust on February 26,
1997. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by the Sponsor, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the statement of net assets. We believe that our
audit of the statement of net assets provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The First
Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186, comprised of Midwest
Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2, at the opening of business on
February 26, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 1997
Page 31
Statement of Net Assets
MIDWEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TRUST, SERIES 2
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
February 26, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSETS
<S> <C>
Investment in Equity Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $2,544,301
Organizational and offering costs (3) 36,000
____________
2,580,301
Less accrued organizational and offering costs (3) (36,000)
Less liability for deferred sales charge (4) (89,950)
____________
Net assets $2,454,351
============
Units outstanding 257,000
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Cost to investors (5) $2,570,001
Less sales charge (5) (115,650)
____________
Net Assets $2,454,351
============
</TABLE>
[FN]
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
(1) Aggregate cost of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value.
(2) An irrevocable letter of credit totaling $3,000,000 issued by The
Chase Manhattan Bank has been deposited with the Trustee as collateral,
which is sufficient to cover the monies necessary for the purchase of
the Equity Securities pursuant to contracts for the purchase of such
Equity Securities.
(3) The Trust will bear all or a portion of its estimated organizational
and offering costs which will be deferred and charged off over a period
not to exceed the life of the Trust (approximately four years). The
estimated organizational and offering costs are based on 2,500,000 Units
of the Trust expected to be issued. To the extent the number of Units
issued is larger or smaller, the estimate will vary.
(4) Represents the amount of mandatory distributions from the Trust ($.35
per Unit), payable to the Sponsor in ten equal monthly installments
beginning on May 30, 1997, and on the last business day of each month
thereafter through November 28, 1997. If Units are redeemed prior to
November 28, 1997, the remaining amount of the deferred sales charge
applicable to such Units will be payable at the time of redemption.
(5) The aggregate cost to investors includes a sales charge computed at
the rate of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.545% of
the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge),
assuming no reduction of sales charge for quantity purchases.
Page 32
Schedule of Investments
MIDWEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TRUST, SERIES 2
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
February 26, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Market Cost of
of Aggregate Value Equity
Number Ticker Symbol and Offering per Securities
of Shares Name of Issuer of Equity Securities (1) Price Share to Trust (2)
_________ _______________________________________ ____________ ______ _____________
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
BANKS
1,496 ONE Banc One Corporation 2.77% $47.125 $ 70,499
1,408 BRBK Brenton Banks, Inc. 1.55% 28.000 39,424
2,930 CBSH Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 5.57% 48.375 141,739
1,020 FATN First American Corporation 2.69% 67.125 68,468
1,305 FOA First of America Bank Corporation 3.36% 65.500 85,477
3,238 FBIC Firstbank of Illinois Co. 4.75% 37.250 120,616
1,622 FMBI First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 2.04% 32.000 51,904
2,119 SRCE First Source Corporation 2.02% 24.250 51,386
1,527 IBCP Independent Bank Corporation 2.19% 36.500 55,735
806 IRWN Irwin Financial Corporation 0.95% 30.000 24,180
2,486 MGR Magna Group, Inc. 3.20% 32.750 81,417
1,488 MTL Mercantile Bancorporation Inc. 3.45% 59.000 87,792
996 NOB Norwest Corporation 2.03% 51.875 51,667
1,518 OKEN Old Kent Financial Corporation 3.05% 51.125 77,608
1,008 PFKY Peoples First Corporation 1.02% 25.750 25,956
4,813 RBNC Republic Bancorp, Inc. 2.53% 13.375 64,374
1,687 SFNCA Simmons First National Corporation 1.84% 27.750 46,814
2,544 OKSB Southwest Bancorp, Inc. 2.20% 22.000 55,968
2,961 TRFI Trans Financial, Inc. 3.04% 26.125 77,356
1,952 UMBF UMB Financial Corporation 3.26% 42.500 82,960
2,418 UPC Union Planters Corporation 4.49% 47.250 114,251
THRIFTS
1,527 ANA Acadiana Bancshares, Inc. 1.05% 17.500 26,722
695 AADV Advantage Bancorp, Inc. 1.01% 37.000 25,715
1,478 ABCL Alliance Bancorp 1.83% 31.500 46,557
785 CBES CBES Bancorp, Inc. 0.54% 17.500 13,737
3,758 CBSB Charter Financial, Inc. 2.40% 16.250 61,067
1,527 COFI Charter One Financial, Inc. 2.97% 49.500 75,587
4,534 CBK Citizens First Financial Corporation 2.74% 15.375 69,710
2,850 CNSB CNS Bancorp, Inc. 1.82% 16.250 46,313
1,212 CBSA Coastal Bancorp, Inc. 1.25% 26.250 31,815
2,189 DFIN Damen Financial Corporation 1.28% 14.875 32,561
2,411 FBCI Fidelity Bancorp, Inc. 1.99% 21.000 50,631
2,523 FTFC First Federal Capital Corporation 3.00% 30.250 76,321
3,330 FFHC First Financial Corporation 3.73% 28.500 94,905
515 GTFN Great Financial Bank, FSB 0.67% 33.125 17,059
3,005 HFGI Harrington Financial Group, Inc. 1.24% 10.500 31,553
1,834 HBEI Home Bancorp of Elgin 1.09% 15.125 27,739
1,963 HOMF Home Federal Bancorp 2.16% 28.000 54,964
1,686 MAFB MAF Bancorp, Inc. 2.70% 40.750 68,705
</TABLE>
page 33
Schedule of Investments (cont.)
MIDWEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TRUST, SERIES 2
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
February 26, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Market Cost of
of Aggregate Value Equity
Number Ticker Symbol and Offering per Securities
of Shares Name of Issuer of Equity Securities (1) Price Share to Trust (2)
__________ _______________________________________ ____________ ______ ___________
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
504 MCBS Mid-Continent Federal Savings Bank 0.51% $25.750 $ 12,978
817 NSLB NS&L Bancorp Inc. 0.53% 16.500 13,480
1,717 SPBC St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. 1.78% 26.375 45,286
1,152 SFSL Security First Corporation 0.86% 19.000 21,888
1,621 TCB TCF Financial Corporation 2.97% 46.625 75,579
2,004 TSH Teche Holding Company 1.26% 16.000 32,064
717 WCBI Westco Bancorp, Inc. 0.62% 22.000 15,774
________ __________
Total Investments 100% $2,544,301
======== ==========
</TABLE>
[FN]
____________
(1) All Equity Securities are represented by regular way contracts to
purchase such Equity Securities for the performance of which an
irrevocable letter of credit has been deposited with the Trustee. The
contracts to purchase Equity Securities were entered into by the Sponsor
on February 26, 1997.
(2) The cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust represents the
aggregate underlying value with respect to the Equity Securities
acquired (generally determined by the last sale prices of the listed
Equity Securities and the ask prices of the over-the-counter traded
Equity Securities on the business day preceding the Initial Date of
Deposit). The valuation of the Equity Securities has been determined by
the Evaluator, an affiliate of the Sponsor. The aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit was
$2,544,301. Cost and profit to Sponsor relating to the Equity Securities
sold to the Trust were $2,504,660 and $39,641, respectively.
Page 34
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Page 35
CONTENTS:
Summary of Essential Information 4
Midwest Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 186:
What is The First Trust Special Situations Trust? 6
What are the Expenses and Charges? 7
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders? 8
Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for
Retirement Plans? 11
Portfolio:
What are Equity Securities? 11
Risk Factors 11
What are the Equity Securities Selected for
Midwest Financial Institutions Trust, Series 2? 14
What are Some Additional Considerations
for Investors? 18
Public Offering:
How is the Public Offering Price Determined? 19
How are Units Distributed? 21
What are the Sponsor's and Underwriter's Profits? 21
Will There be a Secondary Market? 22
Rights of Unit Holders:
How is Evidence of Ownership Issued
and Transferred? 22
How are Income and Capital Distributed? 23
What Reports will Unit Holders Receive? 24
How May Units be Redeemed? 24
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor? 25
How May Equity Securities be Removed
from the Trust? 26
Information as to Underwriter, Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator:
Who is the Underwriter? 26
Who is the Sponsor? 27
Who is the Trustee? 27
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee 27
Who is the Evaluator? 28
Other Information:
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated? 28
Legal Opinions 29
Experts 29
Underwriting 29
Report of Independent Auditors 31
Statement of Net Assets 32
Notes to Statement of Net Assets 32
Schedule of Investments 33
____________
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS RELATING THERETO, WHICH THE FUND
HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AND TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE.
Stifel, Nicolaus
& Company, Incorporated
MIDWEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TRUST
SERIES 2
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
500 North Broadway, 16th Floor
St. Louis, MO 63102
Trustee:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 New York Plaza, 6th floor
New York, New York 10004-2413
1-800-682-7520
February 26, 1997
PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Page 36
