HBI EQUITY TRUST SERIES 3
S-6EL24, 1997-03-13
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<PAGE>
 
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 1997
                                                      Registration No. 333-
                                                                               
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.  20549-1004

                                   Form S-6

                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT

    For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities of Unit
                               Investment Trusts
                          Registered on Form N-8B-2.

A. Exact name of Trust:          HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3

B. Name of Depositor:            HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.

C. Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:

                         Howe Barnes Investments, Inc.
                     135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1500
                           Chicago, Illinois  60603

D. Name and complete address of agents for service:

                                                            Copy to:
     HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.                 CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
     Attention:  Michael E. Sammon                 Attention:  Mark J. Kneedy
     135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1500          111 West Monroe Street
     Chicago, Illinois  60603                      Chicago, Illinois  60603

E. Title and amount of securities being registered: Indefinite number of Units
   of fractional undivided interests pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under
   the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended

F. Proposed maximum aggregate offering price to the public of the securities
   being registered: Indefinite

G. Amount of filing fee: Not Applicable

H. Approximate date of proposed public offering:

 AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     [_]  Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on
          April __, 1997 at 2:00 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a)
may determine.
<PAGE>
 
                           HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3

                             Cross Reference Sheet

                    Pursuant to Rule 404(c) of Regulation C
                        under the Securities Act of 1933

   (Form N-8B-2 Items Required by Instruction as to Prospectus in Form S-6)

     Form N-8B-2                                           Form S-6
     Item Number                                      Heading in Prospectus

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                    I.  Organization and General Information

<S>                                            <C>
1.  (a)  Name of trust                     )   Front Cover
    (b)  Title of securities issued        )   Front Cover

2.  Name and address of Depositor          )   Back Cover

3.  Name and address of Trustee            )   Back Cover

4.  Name and address of principal          )   Back Cover
    underwriter

5.  Organization of trust                  )   The Trust

6.  Execution and termination of           )   Essential Information Regarding the Trust;
    Trust Indenture and Agreement          )   Administration of the Trust; Amendment of
                                           )   Indenture; The Trust; Termination of the
                                           )   Trust

7.  Changes of Name                        )   *

8.  Fiscal year                            )   *

9.  Litigation                             )   *

       II.  General Description of the Trust and Securities of the Trust

10. General information regarding          )
    trust's securities and rights          )
    of holders                             )

    (a)  Type of Securities (Registered    )
         or Bearer)                        )   The Trust; Rights of Unitholders
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
          Form N-8B-2                                          Form S-6
          Item Number                                   Heading in Prospectus
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                             <C>
     (b)  Type of Securities (Cumula-        )
          tive or Distributive)              )  *

     (c)  Rights of Holders as to with-      )  The Trust; Redemption of Units; Public
          drawal or redemption               )  Offering of Units - Maintenance of
                                             )  Secondary Market

     (d)  Rights of Holders as to            )  The Trust; Public Offering of Units -
          conversion, transfer, etc.         )  Maintenance of Secondary market;
                                             )  Redemption of Units

     (e)  Rights if Trust issues periodic    )
          payment plan certificates.         )  *

     (f)  Voting rights as to Securities     )  Rights of Unitholders
          under the Indenture                )

     (g)  Notice to Holders as to            )
          change in:                         )

         (1)  Assets of Trust                )  Administration of the Trust - Portfolio
                                             )  Supervision; Amendment of the Indenture

         (2)  Terms and Conditions of        )  Administration of the Trust - Portfolio
              the Trust's Securities         )  Supervision; Amendment of the Indenture

         (3)  Provisions of Trust            )  Amendment of the Indenture

         (4)  Identity of Depositor and      )
              Trustee                        )  Sponsor; Trustee

     (h)  Consent of Security Holders        )
          required to change:                )

         (1)  Composition of assets of       )  Administration of the Trust - Portfolio
              Trust                          )  Supervision; Amendment of the Indenture

         (2)  Terms and conditions of        )  Administration of the Trust
              Trust's Securities             )

         (3)  Provisions of Indenture        )  Amendment of the Indenture

         (4)  Identity of Depositor and      )
              Trustee                        )  Sponsor; Trustee
 
</TABLE> 

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>
 
          Form N-8B-2                                          Form S-6
          Item Number                                   Heading in Prospectus
<TABLE> 
<S>                                          <C> 
     (i)  Other feature or right          )  *

11.  Type of securities comprising        )  The Trust; Rights of Unitholders;
     security holder's interest           )  Administration of the Trust - Portfolio
                                          )  Supervision

12.  Information concerning periodic      )
     payment certificates                 )  *

13.  (a)  Load, fees, expenses, etc.      )  Public Offering of Units; Expenses of the
                                          )  Trust

     (b)  Certain information regard-     )  *
          ing periodic payment            )
          certificates                    )

     (c)  Certain percentages             )  Public Offering of Units; Expenses of the
                                          )  Trust

     (d)  Certain other fees, etc.        )  Public Offering of Units - Public Offering
          payable by holders              )  Price

     (e)  Load, fees, expenses, and       )
          charges not covered in 13(a)    )  Rights of Unitholders

     (f)  Certain profits receivable by   )
          depositor, principal under-     )
          writers, trustee or affiliated  )  Public Offering of Units - Profits to the
          persons                         )  Sponsor

     (g)  Ratio of annual charges to      )
          income                          )  *

14.  Issuance of trust's securities       )  The Trust; Rights of Unitholders

15.  Receipt and handling of payments     )  Public Offering of Units - Profits to the
     from purchasers                      )  Sponsor; Administration of the Trust

16.  Acquisition and disposition of       )  The Trust; Administration of the Trust -
     Underlying Securities                )  Portfolio Supervision; Termination of the
                                          )  Trust

17.  Withdrawal or redemption             )  Public Offering of Units - Maintenance of a
</TABLE> 

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                 Form N-8B-2                                            Form S-6
                 Item Number                                     Heading in Prospectus
<S>  <C>                                        <C>
                                                 )  Secondary Market; Redemption of Units
 
18.  (a)  Receipt and disposition                )  Distributions to Unitholders; Administration
          of income                              )  of the Trust
                                              
     (b)  Reinvestment of distribu-              )  *
          tions                                  )
                                              
     (c)  Reserves or special funds              )  Distributions to Unitholders; Administration
                                                 )  of the Trust - Accounts; Administration of
                                                 )  the Trust - Reinvestment
                                              
     (d)  Schedule of distributions              )  Essential Information Regarding the Trust
 
19.  Records, accounts and reports               )  Distributions to Unitholders; Administration
                                                 )  of the Trust - Reports and Records
 
20.  Certain miscellaneous provisions            )  Sponsor; Termination of the Trust;
     of Trust Agreement                          )  Amendment of the Indenture
 
21.  Loans to security holders                   )  *
 
22.  Limitations on liability                    )  Sponsor; Trustee
 
23.  Bonding arrangements                        )  *
 
24.  Other material provisions of                )  *
     trust agreement                             )

                 III.  Organization Personnel and Affiliated Persons of Depositor


25.  Organization of Depositor                   )  Sponsor                                
                                                                                           
26.  Fees received by Depositor                  )  Administration of the Trust - Portfolio
                                                 )  Supervision; Expenses of the Trust     
                                                                                           
27.  Business of Depositor                       )  Sponsor                                
                                                                                           
28.  Certain information as to                   )  Sponsor                                
     officials and affiliated                    )                                         
     persons of Depositor                        )                                         
                                                                                           
29.  Voting securities of Depositor              )  Sponsor                                 
</TABLE> 

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

             FORM N-8B-2                                FORM S-6
             ITEM NUMBER                          HEADING IN PROSPECTUS

<S>  <C>                               <C>
30.  Persons controlling Depositor      )  Sponsor
                                         
31.  Payments by Depositor to officers  )  *
     for certain other services         )
     rendered to trust                  )
                                         
32.  Payments by Depositor to           )  *
     directors for certain other        )
     services rendered to trust         )
                                         
33.  Remuneration of employees of       )  *
     Depositor for certain services     )
     rendered to trust                  )  

                 IV.  Distribution and Redemption of Securities

35.  Distribution of trust's            )  Public Offering of Units -- Distribution
     securities by states               )  of Units

36.  Suspension of sales of trust's     )  *
     securities                         )
 
37.  Revocation of authority to         )  *
     distribute                         )
 
38.  (a)  Method of distribution        )  Public Offering of Units -- Distribution of
                                        )  Units; Public Offering of Units --
                                        )  Maintenance of a Secondary Market
                                         
     (b)  Underwriting agreements       )  *
                                         
     (c)  Selling agreements            )  Public Offering of Units -- Distribution of
                                        )  Units
                                         
39.  (a)  Organization of principal     )  Sponsor
           underwriter                  ) 
                                         
     (b)  N.A.S.D. membership by        )  Sponsor
           principal underwriter        )
 
40.  Certain fees received by           )  Administration of the Trust -- Portfolio
     principal underwriter              )  Supervision; Expenses of the Trust
 
41.  (a)  Business of principal         )  Sponsor
</TABLE> 

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
             FORM N-8B-2                                FORM S-6
             ITEM NUMBER                          HEADING IN PROSPECTUS

<S>  <C>                               <C>
          underwriter                   )
     
     (b)  Branch offices of principal   )  *
          underwriter                       
     
     (c)  Salesmen of principal         )  *
          underwriter                   )
     
42.  Ownership of trust's securities    )  Sponsor
     by certain persons                 )
     
43.  Certain brokerage commissions      )  Public Offering of Units -- Profits to
     received by principal              )  Sponsor
     underwriter                        )
     
44.  (a)  Method of valuation           )  The Trust; Public Offering of Units --
                                        )  Maintenance of a Secondary Market;
                                        )  Valuation of Units; Redemption of Units
     
     (b)  Schedule as to offering price )  Essential Information Regarding the Trust;
                                        )  Public Offering of Units -- Public Offering
                                        )  Price; Valuation of Units; Schedule of
                                        )  Investments
     
     (c)  Variation in offering price   )  Public Offering of Units -- Public Offering
          to certain persons            )  Price
     
45.  Suspension of redemption rights    )  *
     
46.  (a)  Redemption valuation          )  Valuation of Units; Redemption of Units
     
     (b)  Schedule as to redemption     )  *
          price                         )
     
     
              V.  Information Concerning the Trustee or Custodian
     
47.  Maintenance of position in         )  Redemption of Units
     underlying securities              )
     
48.  Organization and regulation of     )  Trustee
     Trustee                            )
</TABLE> 

- ---------------------------------------------------
*  Not applicable, answer negative or not required.

                                     -vi-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

 
             FORM N-8B-2                                FORM S-6
             ITEM NUMBER                          HEADING IN PROSPECTUS

<S>  <C>                            <C>
49.  Fees and expenses of Trustee    )  Essential Information Regarding the Trust;
                                     )  Expenses of the Trust; Trustee;
                                     )  Administration of the Trust -- Accounts;
                                     )  Distributions to Unitholders
                                      
50.  Trustee's lien                  )  Expenses of the Trust

        VI.  Information Concerning Insurance of Holders of Securities

51.  (a)  Name and address of        ) 
          Insurance Company          )  *
                                       
     (b)  Type of policies           )  *
                                      
     (c)  Type of risks insured and  ) 
          excluded                   )  *
                                       
     (d)  Coverage of policies       )  *
                                       
     (e)  Beneficiaries of policies  )  *
                                        
     (f)  Terms and manner of        ) 
          cancellation               )  *
                                      
     (g)  Method of determining      ) 
          premiums                   )  *
                                       
     (h)  Amount of aggregate        ) 
          premiums paid              )  *
                                      
     (i)  Who receives any part of   ) 
          premiums                   )  *
                                       
     (j)  Other material provisions  ) 
          of the Trust relating to   )  *
          insurance                  )
                                       
                          VII.  Policy of Registrant

52.  (a)  Method of selecting and    )  The Trust; Administration of the Trust --
          eliminating securities     )  Portfolio Supervision; Termination of the
          from the Trust             )  Trust
</TABLE>                               
                                      
                                     -vii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


 
             FORM N-8B-2                                FORM S-6
             ITEM NUMBER                          HEADING IN PROSPECTUS

<S>  <C>                                  <C>
     (b)  Elimination of securities from   )  Administration of the Trust -- Portfolio
          the Trust                        )  Supervision
     
     (c)  Policy of Trust regarding        )  The Trust; Administration of the Trust --
          substitution and elimination     )  Portfolio Supervision
     
     (d)  Description of any fundamental   )  The Trust; Administration of the Trust --
          policy of the Trust              )  Portfolio Supervision; Termination of the
                                           )  Trust
     
53.  (a)  Taxable status of the Trust      )  Tax Considerations
                                           )
 
     (b)  Qualification of the Trust as a  )  *
          regulated investment company     )

                 VIII.  Financial and Statistical Information
 
54.  Information regarding the Trust's     ) *
     past ten fiscal years                 )
 
55.  Certain information regarding         ) *
     periodic payment plan certificates    )
 
56.  Certain information regarding         ) *
     periodic payment plan certificates    )
 
57.  Certain information regarding         ) *
     periodic payment plan certificates    )
 
58.  Certain information regarding         ) *
     periodic payment plan certificates    )
 
59.  Financial statements                  ) Statement of Net Assets
     (Instruction 1(c) to Form S-6)        )
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------
* Not applicable, answer negative or not required.

                                    -viii-
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY STATE.                                                                    +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
       SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 13, 1997
 
HBI
EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3
A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST
 
                 A PORTFOLIO OF MIDWEST BANK AND THRIFT STOCKS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The investment objective of this Trust is to provide for capital appreciation
through an investment in common stocks of certain banking institutions and
thrift institutions incorporated or headquartered in the midwestern United
States and having, in the Sponsor's opinion, on the Initial Date of Deposit,
the potential to outperform broad-based stock indices and bank and thrift
stocks generally over the three-year life of the Trust. The value of the Units
will fluctuate with the value of the portfolio of underlying securities.
 
The minimum purchase in the initial public offering is 100 Units or
approximately $1,500. Only whole Units may be purchased. Units will be
available for purchase only during the initial public offering period.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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.
 
                                      LOGO
 
                         HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
  Read and retain this Prospectus for future reference. Prospectus dated April
                                      , 1997
<PAGE>
 
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUST
                            As of April   , 1997(1)
 
                    Sponsor: Howe Barnes Investments, Inc.
                  Trustee: Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
 
Initial Date of Deposit......................................... April   , 1997
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
Aggregate Value of Stocks in Trust (2)............................... $
Number of Units......................................................
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust Represented by Each Unit..
Calculation of Public Offering Price per Unit (3)
 Aggregate Value of Stocks in Trust (2).............................. $
 Divided by         Units............................................    $
 Plus Sales Charge of 5.000% of Public Offering Price (5.263% of net
  amount invested)...................................................    $
 Public Offering Price per Unit......................................    $15.00
Redemption Price per Unit (3)........................................    $
Excess of Public Offering Price per Unit over Redemption Price per
 Unit................................................................    $
</TABLE>
Evaluation Time......................................... 3:00 p.m. Chicago time
Income and Capital Account Distribution Dates...... July 15, 1997 and quarterly
                                                                     thereafter
Record Dates............................. July 1, 1997 and quarterly thereafter
Mandatory Termination Date...................................... March 31, 2000
Discretionary Liquidation Amount...... 40% of the aggregate market value of the
   total value of the Stocks deposited in the Trust during the primary offering
                                                                         period
Trustee's Annual Fee..................................................... $
Estimated Annual Sponsor's Supervisory Fee...................... $     per Unit
Estimated Annual Miscellaneous Expenses......................... $     per Unit
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Estimated Annual Organizational Expenses (4)..................... $     per Unit
</TABLE>
 
- --------
(1) The date prior to the Initial Date of Deposit.
(2) Represents value of the Stocks in the portfolio based on the closing
    prices at the offer side of the market on April   , 1997, rather than the
    closing prices at the bid side of the market. After the initial offering,
    Net Asset Value of the Trust is calculated based on the closing prices at
    the bid side of the market of the Stocks. See "Valuation of Units." The
    aggregate value of the Stocks based on the closing bid prices on April   ,
    1997 is $         .
(3) The initial Public Offering Price per Unit on the Initial Date of Deposit
    is based on the pro rata share of the aggregate value of the Stocks in the
    Trust, valued at the offer side of the market, plus the applicable sales
    charge. Thereafter, the Public Offering Price during the initial public
    offering period will be based upon the Net Asset Value of the Trust next
    computed (based, during the initial public offering period only, on
    valuation at the offer side of the market) as described in "Valuation of
    Units" plus the applicable sales charge. The Redemption Price per Unit
    will be calculated based on the Net Asset Value next computed (based on
    valuation at the bid side of the market) based on the pro rata share of
    the aggregate value of the Stocks in the Trust as described in "Redemption
    of Units."
(4) The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    organizational 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 portfolio and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee
    but not including the expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of
    brochures and other advertising materials and any other selling expenses)
    as is common for mutual funds. It is intended that total organizational
    expenses will be amortized over a three year period or over the life of
    the Trust if less than three years. See "Expenses of the Trust" and
    "Statement of Net Assets." Historically, the sponsors of unit investment
    trusts have paid all the costs of establishing such trusts.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                          HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3
 
  HBI Equity Trust. The objective of the HBI Equity Trust, Series 3 (the
"Trust") is to provide for capital appreciation through an investment in
common stocks of banking institutions and thrift institutions incorporated or
headquartered in the midwestern United States (the "Stocks"). Stocks have been
selected which, in the Sponsor's opinion, on the Initial Date of Deposit have
the potential to outperform broad-based stock indices and bank and thrift
stocks generally over the three-year life of the Trust. The Trust is not a
"managed" investment portfolio, but rather will consist of the same portfolio
of Stocks for the life of the Trust, subject to adjustment or elimination in
certain limited circumstances. Except for temporary investment of any proceeds
received in such limited circumstances, the Trust's portfolio will consist
exclusively of common stocks. See "Administration of the Trust."
 
  The Trust will seek to achieve its objective of capital appreciation through
an investment in a portfolio of Stocks representing banking institutions and
thrift institutions incorporated or headquartered in the midwestern United
States. The Sponsor believes that changes in state banking laws to permit
wider interstate banking and the continuing consolidation of the banking and
thrift industries have created attractive investment opportunities among
numerous midwestern banking institution and thrift institution stocks. The
Sponsor believes these stocks have the potential to achieve above-average
capital appreciation over the next three years primarily due to strong or
improving fundamental characteristics of the issuer companies, including among
other factors, strength and depth of management, strategic banking locations
in stable or growing market areas, high asset quality, and potential earnings
growth.
 
  In selecting the Stocks for the Trust, the Sponsor has considered, among
other financial criteria of the issuer (or its banking or thrift subsidiary),
regulatory capital levels, net interest margin, return on average assets,
return on average equity, the adequacy of the loan loss reserve, the level of
non-performing and non-accrual loans, and loan charge-off history. The Sponsor
did not base its selection of Stocks for the Trust on the payment of dividends
by the various issuers; however, many selected Stocks do currently pay
dividends.
 
  Termination. Unless advised to the contrary by the Sponsor, the Trustee will
begin to sell the Stocks held in the Trust 30 days prior to the Mandatory
Termination Date. Moneys held upon such sale of Stocks, to the extent not
reinvested in Treasury Obligations, and funds received from Treasury
Obligations upon maturity will be held in non-interest bearing accounts until
distributed and will be of benefit to the Trustee. See "Expenses of the
Trust." During the life of the Trust, Securities will not be sold to take
advantage of market fluctuations. The Trust will terminate three years after
the Initial Date of Deposit regardless of market conditions at that time. See
"Termination of the Trust" and "Tax Considerations."
 
  Public Offering Price. The initial Public Offering Price per Unit on the
Initial Date of Deposit is determined by dividing the aggregate value of the
Stocks, based on the closing prices at the offer side of the market on the
date prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, by the number of Units being sold,
plus the applicable sales charge. Thereafter, during the initial public
offering period, the Public Offering Price per Unit is computed by dividing
the Net Asset Value of the Trust (based, during the initial public offering
period only, on valuation of the Securities at the offer side of the market),
as determined by the Trustee as described under "Valuation of Units," by the
number of Units outstanding, then adding the applicable sales charge. During
the initial public offering period, the sales charge will be 5.000% of the
Public Offering Price (5.263% of the net amount invested); provided, however,
that a reduced sales charge will apply to employees and affiliates of the
Sponsor and certain of their relatives. See "Public Offering of Units--Public
Offering Price."
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
  Distributions. The Trustee will make pro rata distributions to Unitholders
from both the Income Account and the Capital Account on each Distribution Date
to the extent funds are available for distribution in the respective accounts.
See "Distributions to Unitholders." Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustee
will distribute to each Unitholder of record on such date his pro rata share
of the Trust's assets, less expenses. Holders may request to receive such
distribution "in kind." See "Redemption of Units" and "Termination of the
Trust." See "Tax Considerations" for a discussion of the tax consequences to
an investor of an "in kind" redemption. The sale of Stocks in the Trust in the
period prior to termination and upon termination may result in a lower amount
than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not required at such time
due to impending or actual termination of the Trust. For this reason, among
others, the amount realized by a Unitholder upon termination may be less than
the amount paid by such Unitholder.
 
  Secondary Market. The Sponsor is not obligated, and currently does not
intend, to maintain a secondary market for the Units. Accordingly, a
Unitholder may currently only purchase Units in the initial public offering
and only dispose of his Units through redemption.
 
  Risk Factors. An investment in the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the risks associated therewith, including, among others, the
possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuer or the
general condition of the stock market, volatile interest rates, economic
recession and potential increased regulation on banks and thrifts. See "The
Trust--Risk Factors."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
THE UNITHOLDERS, SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3
 
  We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the
schedule of investments, of HBI Equity Trust, Series 3, as of the opening of
business on April   , 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 securities and the letter
of credit held by the Trustee and deposited in the Trust on April   , 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 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 HBI Equity Trust,
Series 3 at the opening of business on April   , 1997 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
April   , 1997
 
                          HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3
 
                            STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
 
  At the opening of business on April   , 1997, the Initial Date of Deposit.
 
NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                             <C>
     Investments (1)(2)............................................. $
     Organizational and offering costs (3)..........................
                                                                     ----------
     Less accrued organizational and offering costs (3).............
                                                                     ----------
     Net assets..................................................... $
                                                                     ==========
     Units outstanding..............................................
 
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
     Cost to investors (4).......................................... $
     Less sales charge (4)..........................................
                                                                     ----------
     Net proceeds to the Trust, equal to net assets................. $
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------------
(1) Aggregate cost to the Trust of the Stocks listed in the schedule of
    investments is based on the closing prices at the offer side of the market
    of the Stocks on April   , 1997, the business day prior to the Initial
    Date of Deposit, as determined by the Trustee in its capacity as
    Evaluator.
(2) Investments consist of $          aggregate value of Stocks which have
    been delivered to the Trustee and $        aggregate value of the
    Sponsor's contracts to purchase the remaining Stocks for which an
    irrevocable letter of credit from Harris Trust and Savings Bank totaling
    $          has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to such contracts
    to purchase the remaining Stocks.
(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 three years from the Initial Date of Deposit. The estimated
    organizational and offering costs are based on           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) The aggregate cost to investors includes a sales charge computed at the
    rate of 5.000% of the initial Public Offering Price (equivalent to 5.263%
    of the net amount invested) and assumes no reduction in sales charges for
    purchases by employees and affiliates of the Sponsor and certain of their
    relatives.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                          HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3
 
                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
 
  At the opening of business on April   , 1997, the Initial Date of Deposit.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     COST OF
             NAME OF                STOCKS TO
   TICKER    ISSUERS       NUMBER     TRUST
   SYMBOL (LOCATION)(1)   OF SHARES   (2)(3)
   ------ -------------   --------- ----------
   <C>    <S>             <C>       <C>
                             ---    ----------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS.            $
                             ---    ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------------
(1) At the Initial Date of Deposit all issuers are quoted on the Nasdaq
    National Market.
(2) Represents the aggregate value of the Stocks based on the closing prices
    on April   , 1997, the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit,
    at the offer side of the market. The aggregate value of the Stocks based
    on the closing prices at the bid side of the market on April   , 1997 was
    $         .
(3) The aggregate cost of the Stocks to the Sponsor, including brokerage
    commissions, was $          and the profit to the Sponsor at the opening
    of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit was $      . See "Public
    Offering of Units--Profits to the Sponsor."
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                   THE TRUST
 
  General. The Trust is one of a series of similar but separate unit
investment trusts created under Missouri law by the Sponsor pursuant to a
Trust Agreement dated as of the Date of Deposit (the "Indenture"), between
Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. (the "Sponsor") and Investors Fiduciary Trust
Company (the "Trustee"). Reference is made to the Indenture and any statements
contained herein are qualified in their entirety by the provisions of the
Indenture.
 
  The portfolio of the Trust consists of common stock of certain issuers
selected by the Sponsor, including, in the case of securities not delivered on
the Initial Date of Deposit, confirmations of contracts to purchase such
securities, and any additional stocks acquired and held in the Trust pursuant
to the Indenture (collectively, the "Stocks"). Portfolios of additional series
may include shares of preferred stock or other equity securities convertible
into common stock.
 
  On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor deposited the Stocks with the
Trustee together with cash or an irrevocable letter or letters of credit of a
commercial bank or banks in an amount at least equal to the aggregate purchase
price of any of the Stocks represented by confirmation of contracts to
purchase such securities. The value of the Stocks on the Initial Date of
Deposit was determined on the basis of the closing prices at the offer side of
the market on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. In
exchange for the deposit of the Stocks, including any contracts to purchase
Stocks, the Trustee delivered to the Sponsor a receipt for Units representing
the entire ownership of the Trust.
 
  On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit represented that fractional
undivided interest in each of the Stocks as set forth under "Essential
Information Regarding the Trust." If any Units are redeemed, the aggregate
value of Stocks in the Trust will be reduced, and the fractional undivided
interest represented by each remaining Unit will be increased proportionately.
Units will remain outstanding until redeemed upon tender to the Trustee by any
Unitholder (which may include the Sponsor) or until the termination of the
Trust. See "Termination of the Trust."
 
  In the event a contract to purchase a Stock which is deposited on the
Initial Date of Deposit fails, funds attributable to such failed contract may
be reinvested in such other substantially similar stock or stocks, if any,
which have been identified as substitute stocks by the Sponsor as of the
Initial Date of Deposit or, if not so reinvested within 40 days after the
Initial Date of Deposit (the "Purchase Period"), distributed to Unitholders of
record on the last day of the month during which the end of the Purchase
Period occurred. The distribution will be made within 20 days following such
record date and, in the event of such a distribution, the Sponsor will refund
to each Unitholder the portion of the sales charge attributable to such failed
contract.
 
  Additional Units of the Trust may be issued at any time by depositing in the
Trust additional Stocks or contracts to purchase securities together with
irrevocable letters of credit or cash. As additional Units are issued by the
Trust as a result of the deposit of additional Stocks by the Sponsor, the
aggregate value of the Stocks in the Trust will be increased and the
fractional undivided interest in the Trust represented by each Unit will be
decreased. The Sponsor may continue to make additional deposits of Stocks into
the Trust following the Initial Date of Deposit, provided that such additional
deposits will be in amounts which will maintain, as nearly as practicable, the
original proportionate relationship and not the actual proportionate
relationship on the subsequent date of deposit, since the actual proportionate
relationship may be different than the original proportionate relationship.
Any such difference may be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any
of the Stocks deposited in the Trust on the Initial, or any subsequent, Date
of Deposit.
 
  Each Unit initially offered represents an undivided interest in the Trust.
To the extent any Units are redeemed by the Trustee or additional Units are
issued as a result of additional Stocks
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
being deposited by the Sponsor, the fractional undivided interest in the Trust
represented by each unredeemed Unit will increase or decrease accordingly,
although the actual interest in the Trust represented by such fraction will
remain unchanged. Investors should note that the Stocks were selected for
inclusion in the Trust as of the Initial Date of Deposit. The Trust may
continue to purchase or hold Stocks originally selected through this process
even though the evaluation of the attractiveness of the Stocks may have
changed and, if the evaluation were performed again at that time, the Stocks
would not be selected for the Trust.
 
  Because the Trust is organized as a unit investment trust, rather than as a
management investment company, the Trustee and the Sponsor do not have
authority to manage the Trust's assets in an attempt to take advantage of
various market conditions to improve the Trust's Net Asset Value, but rather
may dispose of Stocks only under limited circumstances. The original
proportionate relationship among the Stocks is only subject to adjustment (i)
to reflect the occurrence of a stock split, stock dividend or a similar event
which affects the capital structure of the issuer of a Stock but which does
not affect the Trust's percentage ownership of the common stock equity of such
issuer at the time of such event, (ii) to reflect a sale of a Stock, (iii) to
reflect the acquisition (and subsequent disposition upon maturity) of Treasury
Obligations or (iv) to reflect a merger or reorganization by an issuer of a
Stock. See "Administration of the Trust--Portfolio Supervision" and
"Administration of the Trust--Reinvestment."
 
  The Stocks are common stocks which have been selected by the Sponsor as
having, as of the Initial Date of Deposit, an above-average capital
appreciation potential over the life of the Trust. Stocks contained in the
Trust will not be sold to take advantage of market fluctuations nor will they
be sold solely because the Sponsor no longer considers them to have
appreciation potential. Proceeds from the sale of Stocks, if any (unless such
proceeds are reinvested in Treasury Obligations if and to the extent there is
no legal impediment thereto), and any dividends and distributions received
will be held by the Trustee in non-interest bearing accounts until used to pay
expenses or distributed to Unitholders on the next following Distribution
Date. See "Administration of the Trust--Reinvestment." To the extent that
funds are held in such non-interest bearing accounts, such funds will benefit
the Trustee.
 
  Risk Factors. An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in common stocks in
general, including the risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the
Stocks or the general condition of the stock market may worsen and the value
of the Stocks and therefore the value of the Units may decline. Common stocks
are especially susceptible to general stock 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 domestic and foreign government, economic,
monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion
or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.
The general risks are associated with the rights to receive payments from the
issuer which are generally inferior to creditors of, or holders of debt
obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Holders of common
stocks have a right to receive dividends only when and if, and in the amounts,
declared by the issuer's board of directors and to participate in amounts
available for distribution by the issuer only after all other claims against
the issuer have been paid or provided for. By contrast, holders of preferred
stocks have the right to receive dividends at a fixed rate when and as
declared by the issuer's board of directors, normally on a cumulative basis,
but do not participate in other amounts available for distribution by the
issuing corporation. Dividends on cumulative preferred stock must be paid
before any dividends are p[aid on common stock. Preferred stocks are also
entitled to rights on liquidation which are senior to those of common stocks.
For these reasons, preferred stocks generally entail less risk than common
stocks.
 
  Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer. Therefore they
do not offer any assurance of income or provide the degree of protection of
debt securities. The issuance of debt
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
securities or preferred stock by an issuer 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. Unlike debt securities, which
typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity, common stocks do
not have a fixed principal amount or a maturity. Additionally, the value of
the Stocks in the Trust is subject to market fluctuations for as long as the
Stocks remain outstanding, and therefore over the life of the Trust the Stocks
in the Trust may be expected to fluctuate to values higher or lower than those
prevailing on the Initial Date of Deposit.
 
  The Trust is concentrated in Stocks issued by companies in the banking and
thrift industries. In view of this, an investment in Units of the Trust should
be made with an understanding of the problems and risks inherent in the
banking and thrift industries in general. Banking institutions and thrift
institutions 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. Economic conditions in the real
estate markets, which have been weak in the recent past, can have a
significant effect upon banking institutions and thrift institutions because
they generally have a substantial percentage 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. Banking institutions and thrift
institutions are subject to extensive federal regulation and, when such
institutions are state-chartered, to state regulation as well. Regulatory
actions, such as increases in the minimum capital requirements applicable to
commercial banks and thrifts and increases in deposit insurance premiums
required to be paid by commercial banks and thrifts to the FDIC, can
negatively impact earnings and the ability of an institution to pay dividends.
Furthermore, neither federal insurance of deposits nor governmental
regulation, however, ensures the solvency or profitability of banking
institutions or thrift institutions, or insures against any risk of investment
in the securities issued by such institutions.
 
  Financial institutions and their holding companies are extensively regulated
under federal and state laws. As a result, the business, financial condition
and prospects of banks and thrifts can be materially affected not only by
management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by applicable
statutes and regulations and other regulatory pronouncements and policies
promulgated by regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the banks and
thrifts, such as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB"),
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC"), the Office of Thrift
Supervision (the "OTS"), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")
and the state banking regulators. The effect of such statutes, regulations and
other pronouncements and policies can be significant, cannot be predicted with
a high degree of certainty and can change over time. Furthermore, such
statutes, regulations and other pronouncements and policies are intended to
protect depositors and the FDIC's deposit insurance funds, not to protect
stockholders. Bank and thrift holding companies as well as their subsidiary
banks and thrifts are subject to enforcement actions by their regulators for
regulatory violations. In addition to compliance with statutory and regulatory
limitations and requirements concerning financial and operating matters,
regulated financial institutions must file periodic and other reports and
information with their regulators and are subject to examination by each of
their regulators.
 
  The statutory requirements applicable to and regulatory supervision of bank
and thrift holding companies and their subsidiary banks and thrifts 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 ("FIRREA"), enacted in August 1989, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"),
enacted
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
in December 1991, and the regulations promulgated under FIRREA and FDICIA.
Many of the regulations promulgated pursuant to FDICIA have only recently been
finalized and their impact on the business and financial condition and
prospects of banks and thrifts cannot be predicted with certainty. Currently,
various initiatives have been proposed that could result in wide-ranging
restructuring of the bank regulatory system in the United States. These
include (i) the merger or other combination of the financial institution
regulators, including the FRB, the OCC, the OTS and the FDIC, (ii) the
combination of the OCC and FDIC, with the FRB remaining independent, and (iii)
the creation of a new federal banking agency to provide comprehensive
supervision of financial institutions. Banks and thrifts currently face
significant competition from other financial institutions such as mutual
funds, credit unions, mortgage banking corporations and insurance companies,
and increased competition may result from broadening national interstate
banking powers. The Sponsor makes no prediction as to what, if any, additional
bank and thrift regulatory reform might be adopted or what ultimate effect
such reform might have on the Trust's portfolio.
 
  Until distributed, proceeds received upon the sale of Stocks may be
reinvested in interest-bearing Treasury Obligations maturing prior to the next
Distribution Date or, if earlier, December 31 of the year of purchase to the
extent legally permissible. See "Administration of the Trust--Reinvestment."
The value of the Securities and, therefore, the value of Units, may be
expected to fluctuate.
 
  The Sponsor has acquired or will acquire the Stocks and thereby benefits
from transaction fees. The Sponsor in its general securities business acts as
agent or principal in connection with the purchase and sale of equity
securities, including the Stocks in the Trust, and may act as a market maker
in certain or all of the Stocks. The Sponsor also from time to time may issue
reports on and make recommendations relating to equity securities, which may
include the Stocks. See "Public Offering of Units--Profits to the Sponsor."
 
                              TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
  The following 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, as amended (the "Code"). Unitholders
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.
 
  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 Unitholder will be treated as the owner of a pro
  rata portion of each of the assets of the Trust; and the income of the
  Trust will be treated under the Code as income of the Unitholders thereof
  when such income is received or deemed to be received by the Trust, without
  regard to when it is distributed to the Unitholders.
 
    2. Each Unitholder will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes of a
  Security (whether by sale, exchange, or redemption) or upon the sale of
  redemption of Units by such Unitholder. The price a Unitholder pays for his
  Units, including sales charges, will be allocated among his pro rata
  portion of each of the Securities and other assets held by the Trust (in
  proportion to the fair market values thereof on the date the Unitholder
  purchases his Units) in order to determine his initial cost basis for his
  pro rata portion of each of the Securities and other assets held by the
  Trust. For federal income tax purposes, a Unitholder's pro rata portion of
  dividends, as determined under Section 316 of the Code, paid with respect
  to the Stock of a particular corporation held by the Trust is generally
  taxable as ordinary income to the extent of such corporation's current and
  accumulated "earnings and profits." A
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  Unitholder's pro rata portion of dividends paid on such Stock that exceed
  such corporation's current and accumulated earnings and profits will first
  reduce a Unitholder's tax basis in such Stock, and, to the extent that such
  dividends also exceed a Unitholder's tax basis in such Stock, the excess
  will generally be treated as capital gain, except in the case of a
  Unitholder which is a dealer or a financial institution (such as a bank).
  Any such capital gain will be short-term unless a Unitholder has held his
  Units for more than one year.
 
    3. A Unitholder's portion of gain, if any, upon the sale or redemption of
  Units or the disposition of any of the Securities held by the Trust will
  generally be considered a capital gain except in the case of a Unitholder
  which is a dealer or a financial institution and will be long-term if the
  Unitholder has held his Units for more than one year. A Unitholder's
  portion of loss, if any, upon the sale or redemption of Units or the
  disposition of any of the Securities held by the Trust will generally be
  considered a capital loss except in the case of a Unitholder which is a
  dealer or a financial institution and will be long-term if the Unitholder
  has held his Units for more than one year. Unitholders should consult their
  tax advisers regarding the recognition of such capital gains and losses for
  federal, state and local income tax purposes.
 
    4. The Code provides that "miscellaneous itemized deductions" of an
  individual taxpayer, a trust or an estate are allowable only to the extent
  that, in the aggregate, they exceed two percent of the adjusted gross
  income of the taxpayer and that miscellaneous itemized deductions of
  individuals are, like most other itemized deductions of individuals,
  subject to reduction for taxpayers with adjusted gross income above certain
  levels. Miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation under
  present law include a Unitholder's pro rata share of expenses paid by the
  Trust, including fees paid to the Trustee and the Sponsor.
 
  Dividends Received Deduction. A corporation that owns Units generally will
be entitled to a 70% dividends received deduction with respect to such
Unitholder's pro rata portion of dividends received by the Trust (to the
extent such dividends are taxable as ordinary income, as discussed above) in
the same manner as if such corporation directly owned the Stocks paying such
dividends. 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 on which the dividend is paid (and therefore Units)
must generally be held at least 46 days (as determined under Section 246(c) of
the Code) to qualify for the deduction. Moreover, the allowable percentage of
the deduction will be reduced from 70% if a corporate Unitholder owns certain
stock (or Units) the financing of which is directly attributable to
indebtedness incurred by such corporation. Unitholders should consult their
tax advisers regarding the availability of the dividends received deduction.
 
  Disposition of Securities or Disposition of Units. As discussed above, a
Unitholder may recognize taxable gain (or loss) when any of the Securities are
disposed of by the Trust or if the Unitholder disposes of a Unit. Such gain
(or loss) will generally be considered capital gain (or loss) except in the
case of a Unitholder which is a dealer or financial institution. However,
certain financial transactions that are treated as "conversion transactions"
under the Code will result in the recharacterization of capital gains as
ordinary income. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
effect of this provision on their investment in Units. In the case of
corporations, under current law long-term capital gains are taxed at the same
rate as ordinary income. For individual taxpayers, trusts and estates,
however, the maximum rate of tax on long-term capital gains is 28%.
 
  "In Kind" Distributions. A Unitholder may request an "in kind" distribution
upon the termination of the Trust. In addition, with respect to redemption
requests during the term of the Trust of $100,000 or more, a Unitholder may be
required to take an "in kind" distribution if the Sponsor, in its sole
discretion, directs the Trustee to redeem Units "in kind". Treasury
Obligations held by the Trust will not be distributed to a Unitholder as part
of an "in kind" distribution. As
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
previously discussed, a Unitholder is considered to own a pro rata portion of
each of the Trust assets for federal income tax purposes. The receipt of an
"in kind" distribution would be deemed an exchange of such Unitholder's pro
rata portion of each of the shares of Stock and other assets held by the Trust
in exchange for a number of whole shares of Stock plus, possibly, cash.
 
  There generally are three different potential tax consequences which may
result from an "in kind" distribution with respect to each Stock owned by the
Trust. If the Unitholder receives only whole shares of a Stock in exchange for
his pro rata portion of each share of such Stock held by the Trust, there is,
pursuant to Section 1036 of the Code, no taxable gain or loss recognized upon
such deemed exchange. If the Unitholder receives whole shares of a particular
Stock, plus cash in lieu of a fractional share of such Stock, and if the fair
market value of the Unitholder's pro rata portion of the shares of such Stock
exceeds his tax basis in his pro rata portion of such Stock, taxable gain
would, pursuant to Section 1031(b) of the Code, be recognized in an amount not
to exceed the amount of such cash received. Pursuant to Section 1031(c) of the
Code, no taxable loss would be recognized upon such an exchange, whether or
not cash is received in lieu of a fractional share. Under either of these
circumstances, special rules will be applied under Section 1031(d) of the Code
to determine the Unitholder's tax basis in the shares of such particular Stock
which he receives as part of the "in kind" distribution. If a Unitholder's pro
rata interest in a Stock does not equal a whole share, however, he will
receive entirely cash in exchange for his pro rata portion of such Stock. In
such case, taxable gain or loss is measured by comparing the amount of cash
received by the Unitholder with his tax basis in such Stock.
 
  Because the Trust will own several Stocks and since no partial "in kind"
distributions will be made, a Unitholder who receives an "in kind"
distribution will have to analyze the tax consequences with respect to each
Stock owned by the Trust. A Unitholder who requests an "in kind" distribution
will receive shares of each of the Stocks held by the Trust, plus an amount of
cash representing his pro rata share of any other assets of the Trust and cash
in lieu of fractional shares, if any. The total amount of taxable gain (or
loss) recognized upon such a distribution will generally equal the sum of the
respective gains (or losses) recognized under the rules described above by
such Unitholder with respect to each Stock owned by the Trust. Unitholders who
request or receive "in kind" distributions are advised to consult their tax
advisers in this regard.
 
  General. Each Unitholder will be requested to provide the Unitholder's
taxpayer identification number to the Trustee and to certify that the
Unitholder has not been notified that payments to the Unitholder 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 Unitholder (including amounts received upon the redemption
of Units) will be subject to back-up withholding tax imposed at a 31% rate.
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.
 
  Each Unitholder will be notified annually of the amounts of interest income
and dividend income includable in the Unitholder's gross income and the amount
of Trust expenses which may be claimed as deductions.
 
  Dividend income, capital gains and interest income realized through the
Trust may also be subject to state and local taxes. Investors should consult
their tax advisers for specific information on the tax consequences of
particular types of income and distributions. The foregoing discussion is a
general summary relating only to certain aspects of the federal income tax
treatment of holding Units, of distributions by the Trust and of dispositions
of Units. Such holding, distributions and dispositions may also be subject to
state and local taxation. Future legislative, judicial or administrative
changes could require modification of the conclusions expressed above and
could affect the tax consequences to Unitholders.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Special Counsel to the Trust for
Missouri tax matters, under the existing tax laws of the State of Missouri,
the Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unitholders thereof.
 
  The foregoing discussion is a general summary relating only to certain
aspects of the federal income tax treatment of holding Units, of distributions
by the Trust and of disposition of Units. Such holding, distributions and
dispositions may also be subject to state and local taxation. Future
legislative, judicial or administrative changes could require modification of
the conclusions expressed above and could affect the tax consequences to
Unitholders. Accordingly, Unitholders are advised to consult their tax
advisers concerning the effect of an investment in Units.
 
                           PUBLIC OFFERING OF UNITS
 
  Public Offering Price. The initial Public Offering Price per Unit on the
Initial Date of Deposit is based on the pro rata share of the aggregate value
of the Stocks in the Trust based on the closing prices at the offer side of
the market on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, plus the
sales charge of 5.000% (5.263% of the net amount invested). Thereafter, during
the initial public offering period, the Public Offering Price per Unit is the
Net Asset Value per Unit, which is based on the aggregate market value of the
Securities valued at the closing prices at the offer side of the market, plus
the 5.000% sales charge. See "Valuation of Units."
 
  The Sponsor intends to permit a reduced sales charge with respect to Units
purchased by its employees and affiliates of the Sponsor and certain of their
relatives who may purchase Units of the Trust (individually or for their
retirement programs) at a reduced sales charge of 1.554% (1.579% of the net
amount invested.)
 
  Distribution of Units. The minimum purchase in the initial public offering
is 100 Units, or approximately $1,500. Only whole Units may be purchased.
 
  The Sponsor will be the sole underwriter of the Units. Sales may, however,
be made to dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") at prices which include a concession of $     per Unit
at the highest sales charge, subject to change from time to time. The
difference between the sales charge and the dealer concession will be retained
by the Sponsor. In the event that the dealer concession is 90% or more of the
sales charge per Unit, dealers taking advantage of such concession may be
deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
  The Sponsor reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any order for
the purchase of Units. The Sponsor intends to qualify the Units for sale in
the State of Illinois as well as in selected other states. Units will be sold
only to individuals and other investors resident in such states and to
institutional and other investors in other states to the extent there are
available exemptions from applicable state securities registration
requirements.
 
  The Net Asset Value per Unit at the time of sale or transfer or upon
redemption may be less than the price at which the Unit was purchased.
 
  Profits to the Sponsor. In addition to the applicable sales charges, the
Sponsor realizes a profit (or sustains a loss) in the amount of any difference
between the cost of the Stocks to the Sponsor and the price at which it
deposits the Stocks in the Trust in exchange for Units. For purposes of any
deposit, the Stocks will be valued at the closing prices at the offer side of
the market on the business day prior to the related date of deposit. The
spread between the cost of the Stocks to the Sponsor and the price at which
the Stocks were deposited in the Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit is set
forth in footnote (2) to the "Schedule of Investments." The cost of Stocks to
the
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
Sponsor includes the amount paid by the Sponsor, if any, for brokerage
commissions. These amounts are not an expense of the Trust.
 
  Cash, if any, received from Unitholders prior to the settlement date for the
purchase of Units or prior to the payment for Stocks upon their delivery may
be used in the Sponsor's business subject to the limitations of Rule 15c3-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may be of benefit
to the Sponsor.
 
  In selling Units in the initial public offering, the Sponsor may realize
profits or sustain losses to the extent there are any fluctuations in the
Public Offering Price of the Units after a date of deposit before completion
of the sale of the Units in the initial public offering.
 
  Maintenance of a Secondary Market. The Sponsor is not obligated, and
currently does not intend, to maintain a secondary market for the Units;
though the Sponsor may, however, decide to do so during the life of the Trust.
Accordingly, a Unitholder may currently only purchase Units in the initial
public offering and only dispose of his Units through redemption. With respect
to redemption requests of $100,000 or more, the Sponsor may, in its sole
discretion, direct the Trustee to redeem Units "in kind" by distributing
stocks to the redeeming Unitholder. See "Redemption of Units." If the Sponsor
decides to maintain a secondary market for the Units, the Public Offering
Price per Unit in the secondary market will be the Net Asset Value per Unit,
which will be based on the aggregate market value at the Securities valued at
the closing prices at the bid side of the market, plus the 5.000% sales
charge. See "Valuation of Units."
 
                              REDEMPTION OF UNITS
 
  Units held in uncertificated form may be redeemed by delivering a written
request for redemption to the Trustee at its office. Units held in
certificated form may be tendered to the Trustee at its office (currently
located at the address indicated on the back cover), must be properly endorsed
or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, and must be executed by the Unitholder or his authorized attorney. In
either case the Unitholder must pay any transfer or similar tax which must be
paid to effect redemption and, Unitholders of uncertificated Units must sign
such written request and Unitholders of certificated Units must sign such
certificate transfer instrument, exactly as their name appears on the records
of the Trustee and on any certificate representing the Units to be redeemed.
Such signature(s) must be guaranteed by a participant in the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other signature guarantee
program in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, as may be accepted by
the Trustee. A Unitholder may tender his Units for redemption at any time
after the settlement date or purchase. The Unitholder upon redemption will
receive the Net Asset Value per Unit determined as of the close of business on
the day of tender. There is no sales charge incurred when a Unitholder tenders
his Units to the Trustee for redemption. The amount received by a Unitholder
upon redemption may be more or less than the amount paid by the Unitholder
depending on the value of the Stocks in the portfolio at the time of
redemption. The redemption price per Unit on the Initial Date of Deposit will
be less than the initial Public Offering Price per Unit both because the sales
charge in included in the offering price and because the redemption price is
based on valuations of the Stocks at the bid side of the market rather than
the closing prices at the offer side of the market. See "Essential Information
Regarding the Trust." Prior to redeeming such Units from the Trust, the
Trustee shall offer such Units for sale to the Sponsor at the Net Asset Value
per Unit. Subject to payment of applicable tax or governmental charges, if
any, the Net Asset Value of Units tendered for redemption will be paid to the
redeeming Unitholder on the seventh calendar day following the day of tender.
If such day of payment is not a Trust Business Day (as hereinafter defined),
payment will be made on the next following Trust Business Day. See "Valuation
of Units."
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  With respect to cash redemptions, amounts representing income received shall
be withdrawn from the Income Account, and, to the extent the Income Account is
insufficient and for remaining amounts, from the Capital Account. The Trustee
is empowered, to the extent necessary, to sell Stocks to meet redemptions.
Treasury Obligations, if any, held by the Trust must be held to maturity and
cannot be disposed of by the Trustee. The Trustee will sell Stocks in such
manner as is directed by the Sponsor. With respect to redemption requests of
$100,000 or more, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, direct the Trustee
to redeem Units "in kind" by distributing Stocks to the redeeming Unitholder.
When Stocks are so distributed, the Unitholder will receive that number of
whole shares of each Stock representing the aggregate of his interest in each
of the Stocks, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares. Securities will be
valued for this purpose as set forth under "Valuation of Units." A Unitholder
receiving a redemption "in kind" may incur brokerage or other transaction
costs in converting the Stocks distributed into cash. For information on the
tax effects of receiving a redemption "in kind", see "Tax Considerations."
 
  To the extent that shares of Stocks are distributed pursuant to redemption
"in kind" or sold, the size of the Trust will, and the diversity of the Trust
may, be reduced. Sales may be required at a time when Stocks would not
otherwise be sold and may result in lower proceeds than might otherwise be
realized. In addition, because of the minimum amounts in which Stocks are
required to be sold, the proceeds of sale may exceed the amount required at
the time to redeem Units; these excess proceeds will be distributed to the
remaining Unitholders on the next Distribution Date.
 
  The Trustee may, in its discretion, and will, when so directed by the
Sponsor, suspend the right of redemption, or postpone the date of payment for
Units tendered for redemption to a date more than seven calendar days
following the day of tender, (i) for any period during which the New York
Stock Exchange is closed other than for weekend and holiday closings; (ii) for
any period during which the Securities and Exchange Commission determines that
trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; (iii) for any period
during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or evaluation
of the Stocks is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) for such other period as
the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection
of Unitholders. The Trustee is not liable to any person in any way for any
loss or damages which may result from any such suspension or postponement, or
any failure to suspend or postpone, when done in the Trustee's discretion.
 
  On the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, the initial Public
Offering Price per Unit (which figure includes the sales charge) exceeds the
Net Asset Value per Unit. See "Essential Information Regarding the Trust." The
initial Public Offering Price per Unit is determined by dividing the aggregate
value of the Stocks based on the closing prices at the offer side of the
market on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, by the number
of Units being sold, plus the applicable sales charge. The prices of the
Stocks will generally vary. For these reasons and others, including the fact
that the Public Offering Price includes the sales charge, the amount realized
by a Unitholder upon redemption of Units may be less than the price paid by
the Unitholder for such Units.
 
                              VALUATION OF UNITS
 
  The Trustee will calculate the Trust's value (the "Net Asset Value") at the
Evaluation Time set forth under "Essential Information Regarding the Trust"
(i) on each Trust Business Day (as hereinafter defined) until completion of
the initial public offering, (ii) on the Trust Business Day on which any Unit
is tendered for redemption, (iii) on any other day desired by the Sponsor or
the Trustee and (iv) upon termination, by adding:
 
    (a) The aggregate value of Securities in the Trust (including the value
  of Stocks subject to purchase contracts, if any, deposited with the Trustee
  on the Deposit Date), as determined by the Trustee in its capacity as
  Evaluator of the Trust; and
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
    (b) The sum of (i) cash on hand in the Trust other than cash deposited to
  purchase Stocks or cash credited to any reserve account established under
  the Indenture and (ii) dividends receivable on Stocks trading ex-dividend.
 
  The Trustee will deduct from the resulting figure: amounts representing any
applicable taxes or governmental charges payable by the Trust for the purpose
of making an addition to any reserve account established under the Indenture;
amounts representing estimated accrued fees and expenses of the Trust,
including amounts representing unpaid fees of the Trustee and the Sponsor; and
cash or Securities held to redeem tendered Units and for distribution to
Unitholders of record as of a Trust Business Day prior to the evaluation being
made on the days or dates set forth above.
 
  For the purpose of the redemption of Units, the Net Asset Value per Unit is
computed by the Trustee by dividing the result of the above computation by the
total number of Units outstanding on the date of such evaluation. A Trust
Business Day is a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open, other than
federal or Missouri state bank holidays.
 
  For the purpose of the redemption of Units, the value of Stocks shall be
determined in good faith by the Trustee acting in its capacity as Evaluator of
the Trust in the following manner: (i) if the Stocks are listed on one or more
national securities exchanges such evaluation shall be based on the closing
sale price on that day (unless the Sponsor deems such price inappropriate as a
basis for evaluation) on the exchange which is the principal market thereof
(deemed to be the New York Stock Exchange if the Stocks are listed thereon),
(ii) if the Stocks are listed but there is no such appropriate closing sales
price on such exchange, and for Stocks that are not so listed but are quoted
on the Nasdaq National Market, at the closing bid prices on such exchange or
system (unless the Sponsor deems such price inappropriate as a basis for
evaluation), (iii) if the Stocks are not listed or quoted or, if so listed or
quoted and the principal market therefor is other than on such exchange or
system or there are no such appropriate closing bid prices available, such
evaluation shall be made by the Sponsor in good faith based on the closing
sales price in the over-the-counter market (unless the Sponsor deems such
price inappropriate as a basis for evaluation) or (iv) if there is no such
appropriate closing price, then (a) on the basis of current bid prices
obtained from dealers or brokers (which may include the Sponsor), (b) if bid
prices are not available, on the basis of current bid prices for comparable
securities, (c) by the Sponsor's appraising the value of the Stocks in good
faith on the bid side of the market or (d) by any combination thereof. The
tender of a Stock pursuant to a tender offer will not affect the method of
valuing such Stock.
 
  The Treasury Obligations, if any, are valued on the basis of bid prices. The
aggregate bid prices of the Treasury Obligations are the prices obtained from
dealers or brokers (which may include the Sponsor) who customarily deal in
Treasury Obligations; or, if there is no market for the Treasury Obligations,
and bid prices are not available, on the basis of current bid prices for
comparable securities; or by appraisal; or by any combination of the above.
 
                             EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
  The Sponsor will receive a fee, which is earned for portfolio supervisory
services, based upon the largest number of Units outstanding during the
calendar year. The portfolio supervisory services include providing certain
bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Trust, monitoring the
market prices of portfolio securities to confirm Net Asset Value calculations
of the Evaluator and handling Unitholder inquiries and services. The Sponsor's
fee is that amount set forth under "Essential Information Regarding the
Trust." Such fee may exceed the actual costs of providing portfolio
supervisory services for this particular series of the Trust, but at no time
will the total amount it receives for such services rendered to all series of
the Trust in any calendar
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
year exceed the aggregate cost to it of supplying such services in such year.
Thus, the Sponsor will not profit from fees received from the Trust for
portfolio supervisory services.
 
  For its services as Trustee and Evaluator, the Trustee will be paid that
amount set forth under "Essential Information Regarding the Trust." The
Trustee will also benefit to the extent that it holds funds in non-interest
bearing accounts. In addition, the regular and recurring annual expenses of
the Trust, including without limitation certain mailing, printing, and other
miscellaneous expenses, are currently estimated to be that amount set forth
under "Essential Information Regarding the Trust." Actual miscellaneous
expenses payable by the Trust may be more or less than this estimate.
 
  If Units are redeemed, per Unit annual expenses of the Trust will increase.
The Trustee's fee and the Sponsor's supervisory fee are payable monthly, from
the Income Account, to the extent funds are available, and then from the
Capital Account. Either of such fees may be increased without approval of the
Unitholders by an amount not exceeding a proportionate increase in the
category entitled "All Services Less Rent" in the Consumer Price Index
published by the United States Department of Labor.
 
  Expenses incurred in establishing the Trust, including the cost of the
initial preparation of documents relating to the Trust (including the
prospectus, trust agreement and certificates), federal and state registration
fees, the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee, legal and accounting
expenses, payment of closing fees and any other out-of-pocket expenses, will
be paid by the Trust and amortized over three years or over the life of the
Trust if less than three years. In addition to the above, the following
charges are or may be incurred by the Trust and paid from the Income Account,
or, to the extent funds are not available in such Account, from the Capital
Account: (i) fees for the Trustee for extraordinary services; (ii)
reimbursable expenses of the Trustee (including legal and auditing expenses,
but not including any fees and expenses charged by any agent for custody and
safekeeping of Securities); (iii) various governmental charges; (iv) expenses
and costs of any action taken by the Trustee to protect the Trust and the
rights and interests of the Unitholders; (v) indemnification of the Trustee
for any loss, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
incurred by it in the administration of the Trust without gross negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct on its part; (vi) indemnification of the
Sponsor for any loss, liability or expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees) incurred in acting in such capacity other than by reason of its own
gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; (vii) brokerage commissions
in connection with the sale of Stocks; and (viii) expenses incurred upon
termination of the Trust. See "Administration of the Trust--Accounts."
 
  The fees and expenses set forth above are payable out of the Trust and when
unpaid will be secured by a lien on the Trust. Based upon the last dividends
paid prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, dividends on the Stocks are
expected to be sufficient to pay the estimated expenses of the Trust. To the
extent that dividends paid with respect to the Stocks are not sufficient to
meet the expenses of the Trust, the Trustee is authorized to sell Stocks to
meet the expenses of the Trust.
 
                             RIGHTS OF UNITHOLDERS
 
  Each Unit represents a pro rata fractional undivided interest in each of the
Stocks and other assets held in the Trust.
 
  Ownership of Units is evidenced by recordation on the books of the Trustee.
In order to avoid additional operating costs and for investor convenience,
certificates will not be issued unless a request, in writing with signature
guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program ("STAMP") or such other signature guarantee program in addition to, or
in substitution for, STAMP, as may be accepted by the Trustee, is delivered by
the Unitholder to the
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
Sponsor. Issued certificates are transferable by presentation and surrender to
the Trustee at its office (currently located at the address on the back cover)
properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. Uncertificated Units are transferable by presentation to the Trustee
of a written instrument of transfer.
 
  Certificates may be issued in denominations of one Unit or any integral
multiple thereof as deemed appropriate by the Trustee. A Unitholder may be
required to pay a reasonable fee (currently $25.00 per certificate) for each
certificate issued, reissued or transferred, and shall be required to pay any
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with each such transfer
or interchange. For new certificates to be issued to replace destroyed,
mutilated, stolen or lost certificates, the Unitholder must furnish indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee and must pay such expenses as the Trustee may
incur. Mutilated certificates must be surrendered to the Trustee for
replacement.
 
  Unitholders will have no voting rights, except in the unlikely event of
resignation or removal of the Sponsor as provided under "Termination of the
Trust" and in the event of an amendment to the Indenture as provided under
"Amendment of the Indenture." As the holder of the Stocks, 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. The rights the
Unitholders have in distributions from the Income and Capital Accounts are set
forth below under "Distributions to Unitholders."
 
                         DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
 
  The Trustee will make distributions from the Income Account, if any, on the
quarterly Distribution Date to Unitholders of record on the preceding Record
Date. Distributions from the Capital Account will be made on each quarterly
Distribution Date to Unitholders of record on the preceding Record Date. See
"Essential Information Regarding the Trust." Whenever required for regulatory
or tax purposes, the Trustee will make special distributions on special
distribution dates to Unitholders of record on special record dates when and
as declared by the Trustee.
 
  Upon termination of the Trust, each Unitholder of record on such date will
receive his pro rata share of the amounts realized upon disposition of the
Securities plus any other assets of the Trust, less liabilities of the Trust.
See "Termination of the Trust."
 
                          ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST
 
  Accounts. All dividends received on Stocks, proceeds from the sale of Stocks
or other moneys received by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust will be held in
trust in non-interest bearing accounts except that proceeds of sale may be
reinvested in Treasury Obligations until required to be disbursed. See
"Administration of the Trust--Reinvestment."
 
  The Trustee will credit on its books to an Income Account dividends and
interest, if any, on Securities in the Trust. All other receipts (i.e., return
of principal and capital gains) are credited on its books to a Capital
Account. The pro rata share of the Income Account and the pro rata share of
the Capital Account represented by each Unit will be computed by the Trustee
as set forth under "Valuation of Units."
 
  The Trustee will deduct from the Income Account and, to the extent funds are
not sufficient therein, from the Capital Account, amounts necessary to pay
expenses incurred by the Trust. See "Expenses of the Trust." In addition, the
Trustee may withdraw from the Income Account and the Capital Account such
amounts as may be necessary to cover redemption of Units by the Trustee. See
"Redemption of Units."
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
  The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the Trust
for state and local taxes, if any, and any other governmental charges payable
out of the Trust.
 
  Reports and Records. With any distributions from the Trust, the Trustee will
furnish each Unitholder a statement setting forth the amount being distributed
from each account. In addition, the Trustee shall notify the Unitholders
within five days of substitute stocks, if any, which are acquired for the
portfolio. See "The Trust."
 
  The Trustee keeps records and accounts of the Trust at its office (currently
located at the address on the back cover), including records of the names and
addresses of Unitholders, a current list of underlying Stocks in the portfolio
and a copy of the Indenture. Records pertaining to a Unitholder or to the
Trust (but not to other Unitholders) are available to the Unitholder for
inspection at reasonable times during business hours.
 
  Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year, the
Trustee will furnish each person who was a Unitholder at any time during the
calendar year a report containing the following information, expressed in
reasonable detail both as a dollar amount and as a dollar amount per Unit: (i)
a summary of transactions for the Trust in the Income and Capital Accounts and
any Reserve Account; (ii) Securities sold or purchased, if any; (iii) the Net
Asset Value per Unit, based upon the last computation thereof made during the
year; and (iv) amounts distributed to Unitholders during the year.
 
  Portfolio Supervision. 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. Traditional methods of investment
management for a managed fund typically involve frequent changes in a
portfolio of securities on the basis of economic, financial and market
analyses. The Trust, however, will not be managed. The Indenture provides that
the Sponsor may (but need not) direct the Trustee to dispose of a Stock in
certain events such as the issuer having defaulted on the payment on any of
its outstanding obligations or the price of a Stock has declined to such an
extent or other such credit factors exist so that in the opinion of the
Sponsor, the retention of such Stocks would be detrimental to the Trust.
Pursuant to the Indenture, the Sponsor is not authorized to direct the
reinvestment of the proceeds of the sale of Stocks in replacement securities
except in the event the sale is the direct result of serious adverse credit
factors affecting the issuer of the Stock which, in the opinion of the
Sponsor, would make the retention of such Stock detrimental to the Trust.
Pursuant to the Indenture and with limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell
any securities or other properties acquired in exchange for Stocks 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. Therefore, except as stated under "The Trust" for failed
securities and as provided in this paragraph, the acquisition by the Trust of
any securities other than the Stocks is prohibited. Proceeds from the sale of
Stocks (or any securities or other property received by the Trust in exchange
for Stocks), unless held for reinvestment as herein provided, are credited to
the Capital Account for distribution to Unitholders, to meet redemptions or to
pay charges and expenses of the Trust.
 
  Stock may also be sold in the manner described under "The Trust." The
Trustee may dispose of Stocks where necessary to pay Trust expenses or to
satisfy redemption requests as directed by the Sponsor and the proceeds of
such sale may not be reinvested.
 
  Reinvestment. Cash received upon the sale of Stocks (except for proceeds
used to meet redemption requests) may, if and to the extent there is no legal
impediment, be reinvested in Treasury Obligations which mature on or prior to
the next scheduled Distribution Date. The Sponsor anticipates that, where
permitted, such proceeds will be reinvested in Treasury
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
Obligations unless factors exist such that such reinvestment would not be in
the best interests of Unitholders or would be impractical. Such factors may
include, among others, (i) short reinvestment periods which would make
reinvestment in Treasury Obligations undesirable or infeasible and (ii)
amounts not sufficiently large so as to make a reinvestment economical or
feasible. Any moneys held and not reinvested will be held in a non-interest
bearing account until distribution on the next Distribution Date to
Unitholders of record.
 
                          AMENDMENT OF THE INDENTURE
 
  The Indenture may be amended by the Trustee and the Sponsor without the
consent of any of the Unitholders to cure any ambiguity, to correct or
supplement any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or to
make such other provisions as will not materially adversely affect the
interest of the Unitholders or as required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, so long as the Trustee provides the Unitholders with notice as
required by the Indenture.
 
  The Indenture may be amended in any respect by the Sponsor and the Trustee
with the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Units then outstanding;
provided that no such amendment shall (i) permit the acquisition of any stocks
other than those specified in Schedule A of the Indenture or (ii) reduce the
percentage of Unitholders required to consent to any such amendment, without
the consent of all Unitholders.
 
  The Trustee will promptly notify Unitholders of the substance of any
amendment affecting Unitholders' rights or their interest in the Trust.
 
                           TERMINATION OF THE TRUST
 
  The Indenture provides that the Trust will terminate upon the following
circumstances: (i) occurrence of the Mandatory Termination Date (as defined in
"Essential Information Regarding the Trust"); or (ii) written consent to
termination by 66 2/3% of the Units then outstanding. In addition, the Trust
may terminate if the value of the Trust as shown by any evaluation is less
than 40% of the market value, based on closing bid prices, of the Stocks at
the time they were deposited in the Trust. In no event will the Trust continue
beyond the Mandatory Termination Date.
 
  Unless advised to the contrary by the Sponsor, approximately 30 days prior
to the termination of the Trust. The Trustee will begin to sell the Stocks
held in the Trust other than those Stocks to be distributed "in kind" as
discussed below. Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustee will sell any
Stocks then remaining in the Trust (other than those distributed "in kind")
and will then, after deduction of any fees and expenses of the Trust and
payment into the Reserve Account of any amount required for taxes or other
governmental charges that may be payable by the Trust, distribute to each
Unitholder, after due notice of such termination, such Unitholder's pro rata
share in the Income and Capital Accounts. Cash held upon the sale of Stocks
may be held in non-interest bearing accounts created by the Indenture until
distributed and will be of benefit to the Trustee. The sale of Stocks in the
Trust in the period prior to the termination and upon termination may result
in a lower amount than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not
required at such time due to impending or actual termination of the Trust. For
this reason, among others, the amount realized by a Unitholder upon
termination may be less than the amount paid by such Unitholder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sponsor reserves the right to direct the
Trustee to make an "in kind" distribution of the Stocks to all Unitholders
upon termination in lieu of a cash distribution.
 
  Prior to termination of the Trust, and in no event less than 75 days prior
to the Mandatory Termination Date, the Trustee shall furnish to Unitholders
written notice of the date of
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
termination and election forms pursuant to which Unitholders will be permitted
to receive an "in kind" distribution upon termination in lieu of cash in the
event the Sponsor does not elect to direct the Trustee to distribute all
Stocks "in kind" as described above. Any Unitholders who make appropriate
elections no less than 30 days prior to the date of termination shall be
entitled to receive distribution "in kind" of all of their Units. Upon the
distribution following termination of the Trust, such Unitholders will receive
that number of whole shares of each Stock representing the aggregate of their
respective interests in each of the Stocks, plus cash representing their pro
rata shares of other Trust assets and cash in lieu of fractional shares, if
any. No partial "in kind" distributions will be made. See "Tax Considerations"
for information concerning the tax consequences to a Unitholder of a
distribution "in kind."
 
                                    SPONSOR
 
  The Sponsor, Howe Barnes Investments, Inc., is an investment services firm
which since 1915 has served a wide range of institutional and individual
investors, corporations and fiduciaries, as well as other securities dealers.
The Sponsor, a Delaware corporation, is registered as a broker/dealer and
through its subsidiary, Marshall Capital Management, Inc., is registered as an
investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Sponsor is
also a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, the New York
Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. Services offered by the Sponsor
include investment research and trade execution services for listed and over-
the-counter equity and fixed-income securities and options; execution and
clearing services for small brokers and dealers; investment banking services
for corporations; and underwriting services for the equity and fixed income
markets, including municipal and corporate bonds. Among other specialities,
the Sponsor is recognized for its concentrated focus on research and
securities analysis with respect to midwestern regional and subregional
banking institutions and thrift institutions. The Sponsor may, but need not,
make a principal market as dealer in one or more of the Stocks in the Trust.
In addition, the Sponsor may act as an investment advisor for one or more of
the banking or thrift institutions with Stocks in the Trust.
 
  The Indenture provides that the Sponsor will not be liable to the Trust, the
Trustee or to the Unitholders for taking any action or for refraining from
taking any action made in good faith or for errors in judgment, but will be
liable only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful malfeasance in
the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligation and duties. The Sponsor will not be liable or responsible in any
way for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale of any Stocks in
the Trust.
 
  The Indenture further provides that the Sponsor shall be indemnified by the
Trust and held harmless from and against any loss, liability or expense
incurred in acting as Sponsor of the Trust other than by reason of its own
gross negligence, bad faith or willful malfeasance in the performance of its
obligations or by reason of its own reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties.
 
  The Indenture is binding upon any successor to the business of the Sponsor.
The Sponsor may transfer all or substantially all of its assets to a
corporation which carries on the business of the Sponsor and duly assumes all
the obligations of the Sponsor under the Indenture. In such event the Sponsor
shall be relieved of all further liability under the Indenture.
 
  The Indenture provides that the Sponsor may resign its position as Sponsor
by delivering to the Trustee an instrument of resignation. This resignation
will only be effective if prior to or concurrent with the delivery of the
instrument the Trustee has either (i) appointed a successor Sponsor or (ii)
agrees to act as Sponsor thereby succeeding to all the rights and duties of
the resigning Sponsor. The Trustee must notify the Unitholders of any such
resignation or appointment of a successor Sponsor.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
  If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture,
becomes incapable of acting, becomes bankrupt, or has its affairs taken over
by public authorities, the Trustee may appoint a successor Sponsor or Sponsors
to serve at rates of compensation determined as provided in the Indenture.
 
                                    TRUSTEE
 
  The Trustee, Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, is a limited purpose trust
company specializing in investment related services, organized and existing
under the laws of Missouri, having its trust office at 127 West 10th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64105. The Trustee is subject to supervision and
examination by the Division of Finance of the State of Missouri and the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
   The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall be indemnified by the Trust
and held harmless from and against any loss, liability or expense incurred
without gross negligence, bad faith or willful malfeasance in the performance
of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of the duties of the
Trustee arising out of or in connection with the administration of this Trust.
 
  The Trustee may resign and be discharged of its duties with respect to the
Trust pursuant to the Indenture by delivering an instrument of resignation to
the Sponsor and mailing such instrument to the Unitholders then of record not
less than 60 days before the resignation date. The Trustee shall not, however,
resign until either (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the
proceeds distributed to the Unitholders, or (ii) a successor Trustee, having
the qualifications prescribed in the governing securities laws, has been
designated and has accepted the duties as Trustee.
 
  The Sponsor may remove the Trustee, upon the occurrence of certain events as
set forth in the Indenture. In addition, the Unitholders may remove the
Trustee upon the vote or written consent of 66 2/3% of the Units then of
record. Upon the resignation or removal of the Trustee as set forth above and
in the Indenture, the Sponsor shall use its best efforts promptly to appoint a
successor Trustee. The Indenture is binding upon any successor to the business
of the Trustee. The Trustee may transfer all or substantially all of its
assets to a corporation which carries on the business of the Trustee and duly
assumes all the obligations of the Trustee under the Indenture. In such event
the Trustee shall be relieved of all further liability under the Indenture.
 
                                LEGAL OPINIONS
 
  The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, Chicago, Illinois, as counsel for the Sponsor.
 
                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
  The statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, as of
the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit appearing in this
prospectus and in the 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.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
HBI
EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3
A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST
 
                 A PORTFOLIO OF MIDWEST BANK AND THRIFT STOCKS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                       <C>
   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUST................................   2
   HBI EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 3...............................................   3
   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS...........................................   5
   STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS..................................................   5
   SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS..................................................   6
   THE TRUST................................................................   7
   TAX CONSIDERATIONS.......................................................  10
   PUBLIC OFFERING OF UNITS.................................................  13
   REDEMPTION OF UNITS......................................................  14
   VALUATION OF UNITS.......................................................  15
   EXPENSES OF THE TRUST....................................................  16
   RIGHTS OF UNITHOLDERS....................................................  17
   DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS.............................................  18
   ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST..............................................  18
   AMENDMENT OF THE INDENTURE...............................................  20
   TERMINATION OF THE TRUST.................................................  20
   SPONSOR..................................................................  21
   TRUSTEE..................................................................  22
   LEGAL OPINIONS...........................................................  22
   INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.....................................................  22
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SPONSOR:
 
                                  TRUSTEE:
 
HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.     INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
135 SOUTH LASALLE STREET          127 WEST 10TH STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603           KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64105
 
                                ---------------
 
  This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
registration statements and exhibits relating thereto, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to
which reference is made.
 
  No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representations not contained in this Prospectus and any information or
representation not contained herein must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Trust, the Trustee, or the Sponsor. The Trust is registered
as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Such
registration does not imply that the Trust or the Units have been guaranteed,
sponsored, recommended or approved by the United States or any state or any
agency or officer thereof.
 
  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell securities to, or a
solicitation of an offer to buy securities from, any person in any state to
whom it is not lawful to make such offer or solicitation in such state.
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                          UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS

     Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic
information, documents and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or
regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to
authority conferred in that section.


                      CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

This Registration Statement comprises the following papers and documents:

     The facing sheet
     The Prospectus
     The undertaking to file reports
     The signatures

The following exhibits:

Exhibit 1.1*      -  Form of Trust Agreement.
 
Exhibit 1.1.1     -  Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust. Reference
                     is made to Exhibit 1.1.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the
                     Registration Statement on Form S-6 for HBI Equity Trust,
                     Series 1 (File No. 33-72314) as filed on March 16, 1994.
 
Exhibit 2.1       -  Form of Certificate of Beneficial Interest. Reference is
                     made to pages 3 and 4 of Exhibit 1.1.1.
 
Exhibit 3.1*      -  Opinion and consent of Chapman and Cutler as to the
                     legality of securities being registered.
 
Exhibit 3.2*      -  Opinion and consent of Chapman and Cutler as to federal and
                     Missouri income tax status of securities being registered.
 
Exhibit 6.1*      -  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

Exhibit 6.2       -  Power of Attorney. Reference is made to Exhibit 6.2 to the
                     Registration Statement for the HBI Equity Trust, Series 2
                     (File No. 333-11315) as filed on September 3, 1996.

Exhibit 27*       -  Financial Data Schedule.

* To be filed by amendment.

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant, HBI Equity Trust, Series 3, has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on the 13th day of
March, 1997.


                                     HBI Equity Trust, Series 3

                                     By Howe Barnes Investments, Inc.,
                                        Depositor


                                     By
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       George H. Shelton
                                       President

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed on March 13, 1997 by the following 
persons in the capacities indicated.


  Signature                      Title

ALEX S. RUDOLPH            Director and Chairman
- -----------------------
Alex S. Rudolph


GEORGE H. SHELTON          Director and President
- -----------------------
George H. Shelton          (Principal Executive Officer)


PHILIP C. ALLEN            Director
- -----------------------
Philip C. Allen


THEODORE M. PERKOWSKI      Director
- -----------------------
Theodore M. Perkowski

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
  Signature                      Title


BRADLEY W. YOUNG           Director
- -----------------------
Bradley W. Young


MICHAEL E. SAMMON          Director
- -----------------------
Michael E. Sammon


MICHAEL R. OCHOA           Director
- -----------------------
Michael R. Ochoa


MARK PAUL SHELSON          Director and Treasurer
- -----------------------
Mark Paul Shelson          (Principal Financial and
                           Accounting Officer)

RICHARD S. GRIFFIN         Director
- -----------------------
Richard S. Griffin


MARIO G. BERNARDI          Director
- -----------------------
Mario G. Bernardi


CHARLES V. DOHERTY         Director
- -----------------------
Charles V. Doherty


RICHARD P. JAMES           Director
- -----------------------
Richard P. James

                                     --------------------------------------- 
                                     Michael E. Sammon
                                     (Attorney-in-fact*)

_______________
*  An executed copy of the power of attorney incorporated herein by reference.

                                      S-3


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