NUVEEN TAX FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES 969
S-6EL24, 1997-09-24
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<PAGE>
                                                    40 ACT FILE NO. 811-2271
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM S-6
 
For  Registration  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933  of  Securities  of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on
Form N-8B-2
 
<TABLE>
<S> <C>                 <C>
A.  Exact name of Trust: NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 969
 
B.  Name of Depositor:  JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
 
C.  Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:
 
                        333 West Wacker Drive
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
D.  Name and complete address of agents for service:
 
                        JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                        Attn: Gifford R. Zimmerman
                        333 West Wacker Drive
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
                        CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                        Attn: Eric F. Fess
                        111 West Monroe Street
                        Chicago, Illinois 60603
 
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
 
/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
/ / on September 24, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of rule 485
 
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
 
/ / on September 24, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485 or 486
 
E.  Title and  amount of  securities being  registered: An  indefinite number  of  Units
    pursuant  to Rule  24f-2 promulgated  under the investment  company act  of 1940, as
    amended.
 
F.  Proposed maximum offering price  to the public of  the securities being  registered:
    Indefinite.
 
G.  Amount of filing fee: $0
 
H.  Approximate  date of proposed sale  to the public: 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 (date)  at
    (time) pursuant to Rule 487.
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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>
                               SEPTEMBER 24, 1997
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                           A
   
NUVEEN                 NUVEEN NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 272
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS SERIES 964)
    
 
                                               CUSIP NUMBERS:
   
                                               Monthly:               67102K 671
                                               Quarterly:             67102K 689
                                               Semi-Annually:         67102K 697
    
                   PROSPECTUS--PART A (SPECIFIC TERMS) -- 964
 THIS PART A OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE
                                   PART B OF
  THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 8, 1997, TO WHICH SUCH
                                   REFERENCE
   HEREIN APPLIES. BOTH PARTS OF THE PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE
                                   REFERENCE.
 
   
    New  York  Insured  Trust  272  (the "Trust")  consists  of  a  portfolio of
interest-bearing obligations issued by  or on behalf of  the State of New  York,
certain  United  States Territories  or  authorities and  political subdivisions
thereof which,  in  the  opinion  of recognized  bond  counsel  to  the  issuing
authorities, provide income which is exempt from Federal income tax and New York
state and city income taxes, to the extent indicated below.
    
    The  objectives of the Trust are income exempt from Federal and state income
taxes, and conservation  of capital.  The objectives are,  of course,  dependent
upon  the continuing  ability of the  issuers, obligors and/or  insurers to meet
their respective obligations.
   
    The Portfolio of  the Trust  consists of  8 obligations  issued by  entities
located  in New York. The  Bonds in the Trust  are either general obligations of
the governmental entity issuing them and are backed by the taxing power  thereof
or  are  payable as  to principal  and interest  from the  income of  a specific
project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to levy  taxes.
The sources of payment for the Bonds are divided as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NUMBER OF                                              PORTFOLIO
      ISSUES                PURPOSE OF ISSUE                PERCENTAGE
  ---------------  ----------------------------------------------------
  <C>              <S>                                     <C>
         2         Education Revenue                            28.6   %
         2         Transportation                               21.4
         1         General Obligation                           14.3
         1         Utilities                                    14.3
         1         Water and/or Sewer Revenue                   14.3
         1         Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue               7.1
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Approximately  21.4% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 17.5% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds) are original issue discount obligations. Certain of these original  issue
discount  obligations, amounting to  7.1% of the  aggregate principal amount and
2.3% of  the aggregate  offering price  of the  Bonds in  the Trust,  are  "zero
coupon"  bonds. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus for a discussion
of  the  characteristics  of  such  obligations  and  of  the  risks  associated
therewith.
    
    All  of the Bonds in the Trust are covered by policies of insurance obtained
from the  MBIA  Insurance  Corporation guaranteeing  payment  of  principal  and
interest  when due. As a  result of such insurance, the  Bonds in the Trust have
received a rating of "Aaa" by Moody's, "AAA" by Fitch, and/or "AAA" by  Standard
& Poor's. Insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or of Trust
Units.
   
    The  Trust is  considered to be  concentrated in Bonds  of Education Revenue
Issuers whose  revenues  are subject  to  certain risks  including  declines  in
"college  age" individuals and the possible inability to raise tuition and fees.
For a  discussion of  the risks  associated  with investments  in the  bonds  of
various issuers, see "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
    
   
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
                REGARDING THE NUVEEN NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 272
      ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, SEPTEMBER 23, 1997
    
         Sponsor and Evaluator.......... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
         Trustee.............................. The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders  receiving  monthly,  quarterly  or  semi-annual   distribution
options.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $     1,750,000
Number of Units.....................................           17,500
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....         1/17,500
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $     1,691,909
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $         96.68
    Plus Sales Charge 4.9% (5.152% of the Aggregate
     Offering Price of the Bonds per Unit)..........  $          4.98
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        101.66
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $         96.20
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $         96.68
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $          5.46
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $          4.98
Average Maturity of Bonds in the Trust(2)...........       26.4 years
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
Information  contained  herein  is  subject   to  completion  or  amendment.   A
registration  statement relating  to these  securities has  been filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission. These securities  may not be  sold nor  may
offers  to buy be accepted prior to  the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This  Prospectus  shall  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or  the
solicitation  of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful  prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any State.
 
                                     1 of 7
<PAGE>
                         ESSENTIAL INFORMATION (CONT.)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  MONTHLY        QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
  <S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
  Calculation of Estimated Net Annual
    Interest Income Per Unit
      Annual Interest Income(3)............         $5.1804         $5.1804        $5.1804
      Less Estimated Annual Expense........          $.2642          $.2322         $.2132
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
      Estimated Net Annual Interest
        Income(4)..........................         $4.9162         $4.9482        $4.9672
  Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit...........         $.01365         $.01374        $.01379
  ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN(5)..............            4.84%           4.87%          4.89 %
  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN(5)............            4.79%           4.82%          4.84 %
  Trustee's Annual Fees(6).................         $1.5387         $1.2187        $1.0287
Date of Deposit.................................................................................September 24, 1997
Settlement Date.................................................................................September 29, 1997
Mandatory Termination Date....................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Minimum Value of Each Trust...................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.........................................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Estimated Annual Organizational Expenses(7).......................................................$.03085 per Unit
- ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
The  evaluation time for purpose  of sale, purchase or  redemption of Units is 4
p.m. Eastern time or as of  any earlier closing time on  a day on which the  New
York  Stock Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time. (See
"HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
   
(1) Units are offered at  the Public Offering Price  plus accrued interest  from
    the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not  including, the  date of settlement
    (normally three business days  after purchase). The Date  of Deposit of  the
    Fund  has  been  designated  as  the First  Record  Date  for  all  plans of
    distribution of the Trust and, accordingly, for Units purchased on the  Date
    of Deposit, $.07 of accrued interest to the Settlement Date will be added to
    the  Public Offering Price.  (See "WHAT IS  ACCRUED INTEREST?" in  Part B of
    this Prospectus.)
    
 
(2) The Average Maturity  of Bonds  in the Trust  is calculated  based upon  the
    stated  maturities of the Bonds in the  Trust (or, with respect to Bonds for
    which funds or securities have been placed in escrow to redeem such Bonds on
    a stated call  date, based  upon such call  date). The  Average Maturity  of
    Bonds  in the  Trust may  increase or  decrease from  time to  time as Bonds
    mature or are called or sold.
 
(3) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds.  (See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" appearing  in
    Part  B of this  Prospectus.) Interest income does  not include accretion of
    original issue  discount on  "zero coupon"  Bonds, Stripped  Obligations  or
    other  original issue discount Bonds. (See "RISK  FACTORS" in Part B of this
    Prospectus.)
 
(4) The amount and  timing of interest  distributions from the  Trust under  the
    various  plans of distribution  are set forth below.  It is anticipated that
    the amount of interest to  be distributed per Unit  in each year under  each
    plan  of distribution will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan. The amount of interest to
    be distributed  annually  per  Unit,  will generally  change  as  Bonds  are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
(5) Estimated  Long  Term Return  for the  Trust represents  the average  of the
    yields to  maturity  (or  call)  of  the  Bonds  in  the  Trust's  portfolio
    calculated  in  accordance  with  accepted bond  practices  and  adjusted to
    reflect a compounding factor, expenses and sales charges. Estimated  Current
    Return  is computed by dividing  the Net Annual Interest  Income per Unit by
    the Public Offering  Price, and in  contrast to Estimated  Long Term  Return
    does  not reflect the  amortization of premium or  accretion of discount, if
    any. For  more information  see "WHAT  ARE ESTIMATED  LONG TERM  RETURN  AND
    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6) Each  Trustee annual  fee is per  $1,000 principal amount  of the underlying
    Bonds in  the  Trust  for  that  portion of  the  Trust  that  represents  a
    particular plan of distribution.
 
(7) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    organizational  costs  (including  costs   of  preparing  the   registration
    statements,  the trust  indenture and  other closing  documents, registering
    Units with the Securities  and Exchange Commission  and states, the  initial
    audit  of the Trust  portfolio, initial evaluation fees,  legal fees and the
    initial fees and  expenses of  the Trustee  but not  including the  expenses
    incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and expenses
    incurred  in the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising
    materials and any  other selling expenses)  as is common  for mutual  funds.
    Total organizational expenses will be amortized over a five year period. See
    "WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?" in Part B of this Prospectus and
    "Statement  of  Condition." Historically,  the  sponsors of  unit investment
    trusts have paid all the costs of establishing such trusts.
 
                                     2 of 7
<PAGE>
                             INTEREST DISTRIBUTION
 
    Details of interest distributions  per Unit of the  Trust under the  various
plans  appear in  the following table  based upon estimated  Net Annual Interest
Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
                                          1997                             1998                          PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................       11/1            2/1            5/1            8/1
Distribution Date.....................      11/15           2/15           5/15           8/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5050(1)                                                  $  4.9162
                                                            --------$.4095 every month--------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5050(1)   $  1.2366(2)   $  1.2366      $  1.2366        $  4.9482
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5050(1)                  $  2.4822(3)                    $  4.9672
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Record Dates for  semi-annual distributions  are May  1 and  November 1;  for
   quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
   Record  Dates  for monthly  distributions are  the first  day of  each month.
   Distribution Dates under each distribution plan are the fifteenth day of  the
   month   in  which  the  respective   Record  Date  occurred.  For  additional
   information see "WHEN ARE  DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?"  in Part B  of
   this Prospectus.
 
(1) The  first distribution will  be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the
    distribution plan selected.  Such distribution may  be more or  less than  a
    regular monthly distribution.
 
(2) Regular 3-month distribution.
 
(3) Regular 6-month distribution.
 
                             NEW YORK RISK FACTORS
 
    The  financial condition  of the  State of New  York is  affected by various
national,  economic,   social  and   environmental  policies   and   conditions.
Additionally,  Constitutional and statutory limitations imposed on the State and
its local governments concerning taxes, bond indebtedness and other matters  may
constrain the revenue-generating capacity of the State and its local governments
and,  therefore,  the ability  of  the issuers  of  the Bonds  to  satisfy their
obligations. Historically, the State  has been one of  the wealthiest states  in
the  nation; however, for decades  the State economy has  grown more slowly than
that of the nation as a  whole, gradually eroding the State's relative  economic
affluence.
 
    The  economic vitality of the State  and its various regions and, therefore,
the ability of the  State and its  local governments to  satisfy the Bonds,  are
affected  by  numerous  factors.  The  economy  of  the  State  continues  to be
influenced by the financial health of the City of New York, which faces  greater
competition  as other major cities  develop financial and business capabilities.
The State has for many years had a very high state and local tax burden relative
to other states. The burden of State and local taxation, in combination with the
many other  causes of  regional  economic dislocation,  has contributed  to  the
decisions  of some businesses and individuals to relocate outside, or not locate
within, the State.
 
    The State is party to numerous  lawsuits in which an adverse final  decision
could materially affect the State's governmental operations and consequently its
ability  to pay debt service on its  obligations. On January 21, 1994, the State
entered into a  settlement with Delaware  with respect to  STATE OF DELAWARE  V.
STATE OF NEW YORK. The State made an immediate $35 million payment and agreed to
make  a $33 million  annual payment in each  of the next  five fiscal years. The
State has not settled with other parties to the litigation and will continue  to
incur litigation expenses as to those claims.
 
    All  outstanding general  obligation bonds  of the  State are  rated "A-" by
Standard and Poor's and "A" by Moody's.
 
    Further information concerning New  York risk factors  may be obtained  upon
written  or telephonic request to the Trustee as described in "OTHER INFORMATION
- -- Supplemental Information" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
                                   TAX STATUS
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Trust  Units,
see  "WHAT IS  THE TAX  STATUS OF  UNITHOLDERS?" in  Part B  of this Prospectus.
Investors should  be aware  that on  August 5,  1997, the  President signed  the
Taxpayer  Relief Act  of 1997  (the "Act"). The  Act reduces  the maximum stated
marginal tax rate for capital gains  for certain investments held for more  than
18  months to  20 percent (10  percent in the  case of certain  taxpayers in the
lowest tax bracket). The Act also  includes provisions that would treat  certain
transactions  designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and opportunities for
gain (e.g., short  sales, offsetting  notional principal  contracts, futures  or
forward  contracts, or similar transactions)  as constructive sales for purposes
of recognition  of gain  (and not  loss)  and for  purposes of  determining  the
holding  period.  Potential  investors  should consult  their  own  tax advisors
regarding the potential effect of the Act on their investment in Units.
 
    In the opinion of Edwards  & Angell, special counsel  for the Trust for  New
York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Interest   on  obligations  issued  by   New  York  State,  a  political
    subdivision thereof, Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands,  Guam, the  Northern
    Mariana  Islands,  or  other possessions  of  the United  States  within the
    meaning of Section 103(c) of
 
                                     3 of 7
<PAGE>
    the Internal  Revenue Code  of 1986,  as amended  ("New York  Obligations"),
    which  would be exempt from New York  State or New York City personal income
    tax if  directly  received  by  a Unitholder,  will  retain  its  status  as
    tax-exempt  interest  when received  by the  Trust  and distributed  to such
    Unitholder. Thus, interest  on bonds  received by Unitholders  which is  not
    subject  to New York  State tax is  also exempt from  New York City personal
    income tax.
 
        Interest (less amortizable premium, if any) derived from the Trust by  a
    resident  of New  York State  (or New York  City) in  respect of obligations
    issued by states other than New York (or their political subdivisions)  will
    be subject to New York State (or New York City) personal income tax.
 
        A Unitholder who is a resident of New York State (or New York City) will
    be  subject to New  York State (or  New York City)  personal income tax with
    respect to gains realized  when New York Obligations  held in the Trust  are
    sold,  redeemed or paid at maturity or  when the Unitholder's Units are sold
    or redeemed;  such gain  will  equal the  proceeds  of sale,  redemption  or
    payment  less the tax basis of the  New York Obligation or Unit (adjusted to
    reflect (a) the  amortization of premium  or discount, if  any, on New  York
    Obligations  held by  the Trust, (b)  accrued original  issue discount, with
    respect to  each  New  York Obligation  which,  at  the time  the  New  York
    Obligation  was issued, had original issue  discount, and (c) the deposit of
    New  York  Obligations  with  accrued  interest  in  the  Trust  after   the
    Unitholder's settlement date).
 
        Interest  or gain from  the Trust derived  by a Unitholder  who is not a
    resident of New York  State (or New  York City) will not  be subject to  New
    York  State (or  New York  City) personal income  tax, unless  the Units are
    property employed in a business, trade, profession or occupation carried  on
    in New York State (or New York City).
 
        In  the case  of the  Trust, amounts  paid under  the insurance policies
    representing maturing interest on defaulted New York Obligations held by the
    Trustee in the Trust  will be excludable  from New York  State and New  York
    City  income if, and  to the same  extent as, such  interest would have been
    excludable if paid by the respective issuer.
 
        For purposes of the New  York State and New  York City franchise tax  on
    corporations,  Unitholders which are subject to such tax will be required to
    include in their entire net income any interest or gains distributed to them
    even  though  distributed  in  respect  of  obligations  of  any  state   or
    subdivision thereof including New York.
 
        If borrowed funds are used to purchase Units in the Trust, all (or part)
    of  the interest on  such indebtedness will  not be deductible  for New York
    State and  New  York  City  tax  purposes. The  purchase  of  Units  may  be
    considered  to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are
    not directly traceable to the purchase of Units in the Trust.
 
                                     4 of 7
<PAGE>
                       NUVEEN NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 272
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES 964)
       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, SEPTEMBER 24, 1997
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
 Principal         by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's        Price
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   250,000      The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,      2007 at 101        AAA         Aaa     $       250,503
                   Consolidated Bonds, One Hundred Ninth Series,
                   5.375% Due 7/15/22.
    250,000      Dormitory Authority of the State of New York,       2007 at 101        AAA         Aaa             246,568
                   Rochester Institute of Technology, Insured
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1997, 5.25% Due 7/1/22.
    250,000      Dormitory Authority of the State of New York,       2007 at 102        AAA         Aaa             258,625
                   Siena College, Insured Revenue Bonds, Series
                   1997, 5.75% Due 7/1/26.
    250,000      New York State Energy Research and Development      2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             251,928
                   Authority, Gas Facilities Revenue Bonds, 1996
                   Series (The Brooklyn Union Gas Company
                   Project), 5.50% Due 1/1/21.
    250,000      Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, Orange     2006 at 102        AAA         Aaa             257,420
                   County, New York, School District Bonds,
                   1997, 5.70% Due 5/15/26. (General Obligation
                   Bonds.)
    125,000      Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New         2007 at 101.5       AAA         Aaa             130,888
                   York), Transit Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                   Series 1997A, 5.875% Due 7/1/27.
    250,000      New York City (New York), Municipal Water           2006 at 101        AAA         Aaa             257,483
                   Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                   Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 1996 Series B, 5.75%
                   Due 6/15/26. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about May 16, 1996 at a price
                   of 93.892% of principal amount.)
    125,000      Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City    No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa              38,494
                   of Troy (New York), General Resolution Bonds,
                   Series 1996B, 0.00% Due 1/15/20. (Original
                   issue discount bonds delivered on or about
                   November 26, 1996 at a price of 27.244% of
                   principal amount.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 1,750,000                                                                                                 $     1,691,909
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
    (1) The Sponsor's contracts to purchase Bonds were entered into on September
23, 1997. Other  information regarding the  Bonds in  the Trust on  the Date  of
Deposit is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ANNUAL
                                                           PROFIT      INTEREST
                                              COST TO     (OR LOSS)    INCOME TO    BID PRICE
                   TRUST                      SPONSOR    TO SPONSOR      TRUST      OF BONDS
  ----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  New York Insured Trust 272..............  $ 1,687,089  $    4,820   $   90,656   $ 1,683,471
</TABLE>
    
 
   
In  addition,  the difference  between the  Trustee's determination  of Offering
Price and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .48%. Neither  cost
to  Sponsor nor  profit (or  loss) to  Sponsor reflects  underwriting profits or
losses received  or  incurred  by  the  Sponsor  through  its  participation  in
underwriting  syndicates. The  Sponsor did  not participate  as either  the sole
underwriter or as a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the  original
underwriter of any of the Bonds.
    
 
    (2)  The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and at
the prices,  shown. Unless  otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except  for  Bonds
issued  at a  substantial original issue  discount, are  redeemable at declining
prices (but not below  par value) in subsequent  years. Original issue  discount
bonds,  including zero coupon bonds, are generally redeemable at prices based on
the issue  price  plus  the  amount  of  original  issue  discount  accreted  to
redemption  plus, if applicable, some premium,  the amount of which will decline
in subsequent years. The  Bonds may also be  subject to sinking fund  redemption
without  premium  prior to  the dates  shown.  Certain Bonds  may be  subject to
redemption without  premium prior  to  the date  shown  pursuant to  special  or
mandatory  call provisions specified in the  instruments setting forth the terms
and provisions of  such Bonds.  See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS", "WHAT  IS THE  TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
    (3)  All the  Bonds in the  Insured Trusts,  as insured by  the Insurer, are
rated AAA  by  Standard &  Poor's,  AAA by  Fitch  and/or Aaa  by  Moody's.  The
insurance obtained by the Trust guarantees the payment of interest and principal
on  the Bonds when due  but does not cover  certain market risks associated with
fixed income  securities  such  as accelerated  payments,  premiums  payable  on
mandatory  redemptions or interest rate  risks. (See "WHY AND  HOW ARE THE BONDS
INSURED?" in  Part B  of this  Prospectus and  "Description of  Ratings" in  the
Information Supplement.)
 
                                     5 of 7
<PAGE>
                             Statement of Condition
 
   
                       NUVEEN NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 272
    
 
                    (Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 964)
 
                            AS OF SEPTEMBER 24, 1997
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
    TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-Free Bonds,
  backed by an irrevocable letter of
  credit(1)(2)....................................  $    1,691,909
Accrued interest to September 24, 1997 on
  underlying Bonds(1).............................          24,389
Organizational costs(3)...........................           2,700
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    1,718,998
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
   LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to September 24, 1997 on
     underlying Bonds(4)..........................  $       24,389
    Accrued organizational costs(3)...............           2,700
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $       27,089
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest
     outstanding (17,500)
      Cost to investors(5)........................  $    1,779,076
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6)....         (87,167)
                                                    --------------
    Net amount applicable to investors............  $    1,691,909
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    1,718,998
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Represented  by contracts to  purchase Tax-Exempt Bonds  which include "when
    issued" or  "regular  way" or  "delayed  delivery" contracts  for  which  an
    irrevocable  letter of  credit issued  by a  major commercial  bank has been
    deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter
    of credit  and any  cash  deposited exceeds  the  amount necessary  for  the
    purchase  of the Bonds plus accrued interest  to the Date of Deposit. At the
    Date of Deposit, Bonds  may have been delivered  to the Sponsor pursuant  to
    certain  of these contracts; the Sponsor has  assigned to the Trustee all of
    its rights, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
(2) Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date of Deposit of the  Bonds
    listed  under "Schedule of Investments" herein,  and their aggregate cost to
    the Trust are the  same. Such offering prices  were determined by Kenny  S&P
    Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc., as of the close of
    business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See "HOW WAS THE
    PRICE  OF THE BONDS  DETERMINED AT THE DATE  OF DEPOSIT?" in  Part B of this
    Prospectus.) Insurance coverage providing for the timely payment, when  due,
    of  all principal of and interest on the  Bonds in an Insured Trust has been
    obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does
    not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units.  Both
    the bid and the offering prices of the underlying Bonds and of the Units may
    include value attributable to such policies of insurance.
 
(3) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    estimated organizational costs  which will  be deferred  and amortized  over
    five years from the Date of Deposit.
 
(4) Representing,  as set forth in "WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by  the Trustee of  an amount equal  to the  accrued
    Bond interest as of the Date of Deposit.
 
(5) Aggregate  Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B  of
    this Prospectus.
 
(6) The  gross underwriting commission of 4.90% of the Public Offering Price has
    been calculated on the assumption that the  Units sold are not subject to  a
    reduction  of sales  charge for  quantity purchases.  In single transactions
    involving 500 Units or more, the sales  charge is reduced. (See "HOW IS  THE
    PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     6 of 7
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
TO  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN  NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 272:
    
 
   
    We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the schedule  of
investments  at date of deposit  (included in Part A  of this Prospectus) of New
York Insured Trust 272 (contained in Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 964), as
of September 24, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of  the
Sponsor.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these financial
statements based on our audit.
    
 
    We conducted  our  audit  in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence  supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit arrangement for the purchase of
securities,   described  in  Note   (1)  to  the   statement  of  condition,  by
correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used  and significant  estimates  made by  the  Sponsor, as  well  as
evaluating  the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
    In our opinion, the statement of  condition and the schedule of  investments
at  date of deposit referred to above  present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of New York Insured  Trust 272 as of September 24,  1997,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois,
September 24, 1997.
 
                                     7 of 7
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                           B
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS -- PART B
            (GENERAL TERMS)
   
              JULY 8, 1997
    
 
THIS  PART B OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART
A. BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
   
FURTHER DETAIL REGARDING CERTAIN OF  THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE  PROSPECTUS
MAY  BE OBTAINED WITHIN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS OF WRITTEN  OR TELEPHONIC REQUEST TO
THE TRUSTEE AT 4 NEW YORK PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10004-2413 OR (800) 257-8787.
    
INTEREST INCOME TO A TRUST AND TO UNITHOLDERS, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,  UNDER
EXISTING  LAW IS  EXEMPT FROM  FEDERAL INCOME  TAX. CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
 
   
THIS NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES consists of the underlying separate  unit
investment  trusts set forth in Part A  to this Prospectus. Each Trust initially
consists of delivery  statements relating  to contracts to  purchase Bonds  and,
thereafter,  will consist of a diversified portfolio of obligations issued by or
on behalf of  states and territories  of the United  States and authorities  and
political  subdivisions thereof (see "Schedule of Investments" appearing in Part
A of this Prospectus). Except in specific  instances as noted in Part A of  this
Prospectus,  the information contained in this Part  B shall apply to each Trust
in its entirety.  All obligations  in each Traditional  Trust are  rated in  the
category  "A" or  better by  Standard &  Poor's, a  division of  The McGraw Hill
Companies ("Standard & Poor's"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")  or
Fitch  Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") on the Date of Deposit. All obligations
in each Insured  Trust are covered  by policies of  insurance obtained from  the
MBIA  Insurance Corporation guaranteeing payment  of principal and interest when
due. All such policies of insurance remain effective so long as the  obligations
are  outstanding. As a result of such  insurance, the Bonds in each portfolio of
the Insured Trusts have received  a rating of "Aaa"  by Moody's, "AAA" by  Fitch
and/  or "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. INSURANCE  RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS IN THE
INSURED TRUSTS AND NOT  TO THE UNITS  OFFERED HEREBY OR  TO THEIR MARKET  VALUE.
(See "WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?")
    
 
   
THE  OBJECTIVES of  a Trust  are tax-exempt  income and  conservation of capital
through a diversified investment  in tax-exempt Bonds.  The payment of  interest
and  the preservation of principal are, of course, dependent upon the continuing
ability of  the issuers  of  Bonds and  of any  insurer  thereof to  meet  their
obligations  thereunder. There is no guarantee that a Trust's objectives will be
achieved. (See "RISK FACTORS.")
    
 
DISTRIBUTIONS of interest received by a Trust will be made semi-annually  unless
the  Unitholder  elects to  receive them  monthly or  quarterly. (See  "WHEN ARE
DISTRIBUTIONS MADE  TO UNITHOLDERS?")  Distribution of  funds in  the  Principal
Account, if any, will ordinarily be made semi-annually.
 
   
FOR  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders on
the business day prior to the Date of Deposit, see Part A of this Prospectus and
"WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?"
    
 
   
THE PUBLIC OFFERING  PRICE per Unit  of each Trust  during the initial  offering
period  is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such
Trust's portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public  Offering
Price  (equivalent to 5.152%  of the net  amount invested); the  sales charge is
somewhat lower on Trusts with lesser average maturities. (See "HOW IS THE PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?") The Secondary Market Public Offering Price per Unit
for each Trust will be equal to a pro rata share of the sum of BID prices of the
Bonds in such Trust  plus the sales  charges determined based  on the number  of
years  remaining  to  the  maturity  of each  Bond.  Accrued  interest  from the
preceding Record Date to, but not including, the settlement date (normally three
business days after purchase) is added  to the Public Offering Price. The  sales
charge  is reduced on a graduated scale  for sales involving at least $50,000 or
500 Units  and will  be applied  on whichever  basis is  more favorable  to  the
purchaser. (See "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?")
    
 
   
A  UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee at prices based upon
the BID prices of the Bonds. The  price received upon redemption may be more  or
less  than the amount paid by Unitholders, depending upon the value of the Bonds
on the date of tender  for redemption. (See "HOW  UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED  WITHOUT
CHARGE.")  The  Sponsor, although  not  required to  do  so, intends  to  make a
secondary market for the Units of the Trusts at prices based upon the BID prices
of the Bonds in the respective Trusts. (See "MARKET FOR UNITS.")
    
 
RISK FACTORS. An investment in a Trust  should be made with an understanding  of
the risks associated therewith, including, among other factors, the inability of
the issuer or an insurer to pay the principal of or interest on a Bond when due,
volatile interest rates, early call provisions, and changes to the tax status of
the Bonds. See Part A of this Prospectus and "RISK FACTORS."
 
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY AND
INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
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.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      TABLE OF CONTENTS                                  PAGE
<C>   <S>                                                <C>
      WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST?            4
      WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?             4
      SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS                              4
      RISK FACTORS                                       5
      COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS                              6
      WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?                 8
      HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?       9
      MARKET FOR UNITS                                   11
      WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?                          12
      WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED
      CURRENT RETURN?                                    12
      HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE
      DATE
      OF DEPOSIT?                                        13
      WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?             13
      WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?          15
      WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?        16
      ACCUMULATION PLAN                                  17
      HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?           17
      UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION                          17
      HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE
      PUBLIC                                             18
      OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS                    19
      HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE           20
      HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR          21
      HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS           21
      INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE                      21
      INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR                      22
      OTHER INFORMATION                                  22
</TABLE>
    
 
                  2
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      TOPICAL INDEX                                              PAGE
<C>   <S>                                               <C>      <C>
      Accrued Interest                                           12
      Accumulation Plan                                          17
                                                           Information
      Bond Ratings, Description of                         Supplement
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price             13
      Bonds, How Selected                                        4
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                       7
      Bonds, Removal from a Trust                                21
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                         7
      Capital Gains Taxability                                   14
      Composition of Trusts                                      7
      Dealer Discounts                                           18
      Distributions to Unitholders                               16
                                                                 Part
      Distribution Payment Dates                                 A,16
      Distribution of Units to the Public                        18
                                                                 Part
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts                 A,12
                                                                 Part
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current Return    A,12
      Evaluation                                                 17
      Expenses for Normal Trust Operation                        15
      Indenture, Amendment of                                    22
      Indenture, Termination of                                  22
      Insurance on the Bonds                                     8
      Interest Account Distributions                             Part A
      Legal Opinion                                              23
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee          21
      Market for Units                                           11
      Minimum Transaction                                        18
      Objectives of the Trusts                                   4
      Optional Distribution Plan                                 16
      Other Information                                          22
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                            19
      Principal Account Distributions                            16
      Public Offering Price of Units                             9
      Purchase of Units by Sponsor                               21
      Quantity Purchases                                         9
                                                                 Part
      Record Dates                                               A,16
      Redemption of Units Without Charge                         20
      Report of Independent Public Accountants                   Part A
      Reports to Unitholders                                     17
      Risk Factors                                               5
      Sales Charge                                               10
      Schedules of Investments                                   Part A
      Sponsor, Information About                                 22
      State Tax Status                                           Part A
      Statements of Condition                                    Part A
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                            22
      Supplemental Information                                   23
      Tax Status of Unitholders                                  13
      Trustee, Information About                                 21
      Units, Description of                                      4
</TABLE>
    
 
                  3
<PAGE>
WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST?
 
   
This Nuveen Tax-Free  Unit Trust  is one  of a  series of  separate but  similar
investment  companies created by the  Sponsor, each of which  is designated by a
different Series number. The underlying unit investment trusts contained in this
Series  are  combined  under  one   Trust  Indenture  and  Agreement.   Specific
information  regarding this Trust is set forth in Part A of this Prospectus. The
various Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trusts are  collectively referred to herein as  the
"Trusts"; the trusts in which few or none of the Bonds are insured are sometimes
referred  to as the "Traditional  Trusts," the trusts in  which all of the Bonds
are insured  as described  herein  are sometimes  referred  to as  the  "Insured
Trusts,"  and  the state  trusts (both  Traditional  and Insured)  are sometimes
referred to as the "State Trusts." This Series was created under the laws of the
State of New York pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the Date  of
Deposit  (the "Indenture") between  John Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated ("Nuveen" or
the "Sponsor") and The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Trustee").
    
 
   
    The Sponsor has deposited with  the Trustee delivery statements relating  to
contracts  for the  purchase of municipal  debt obligations  together with funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or  the
obligations  themselves) (the "Bonds"). See "Schedule  of Investments" in Part A
of this Prospectus, for  a description of  the Bonds deposited  in a Trust.  See
"SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS" and "RISK FACTORS" for a discussion of zero coupon bonds
and  stripped obligations included in  the Trusts, if any.  Some of the delivery
statements may relate to  contracts for the purchase  of "when issued" or  other
Bonds  with delivery dates after  the date of settlement  for a purchase made on
the Date  of Deposit.  See  the "Schedule  of Investments"  in  Part A  of  this
Prospectus  and  "COMPOSITION  OF TRUSTS."  For  a discussion  of  the Sponsor's
obligations in the event of a failure of any contract for the purchase of any of
the Bonds and its limited right to substitute other bonds to replace any  failed
contract, see "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS."
    
 
   
    Payment  of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal at
maturity, is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the issuers of  the Bonds. (See "WHY  AND HOW ARE THE  BONDS INSURED?") AS A
GENERAL MATTER, NEITHER THE ISSUER NOR  THE SPONSOR HAS OBTAINED INSURANCE  WITH
RESPECT TO THE BONDS IN ANY TRADITIONAL TRUST.
    
 
    The  Trustee has delivered  to the Sponsor  registered Units which represent
ownership of  the  entire  Trust,  and  which  are  offered  for  sale  by  this
Prospectus.  Each Unit of a Trust  represents a fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net income of such Trust in the ratio set forth in  "Essential
Information"  in Part A of this Prospectus. Units  may only be sold in states in
which they  are registered.  To  the extent  that any  Units  of any  Trust  are
redeemed by the Trustee, the aggregate value of the Trust's assets will decrease
by  the amount  paid to the  redeeming Unitholder, but  the fractional undivided
interest of each unredeemed  Unit in such  Trust will increase  proportionately.
The  Sponsor will  initially, and  from time to  time thereafter,  hold Units in
connection with their offering.
 
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
   
The objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and,  in
the  case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles taxes,
and conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by  or
on  behalf of states  and territories of  the United States  and authorities and
political subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion  of
recognized  bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt from
Federal income tax under existing law  and for State Trusts, from certain  state
income  taxes  and intangibles  taxes,  if any,  for  purchasers who  qualify as
residents of that State  in which Bonds are  issued. Insurance guaranteeing  the
timely  payment, when due,  of all principal  and interest on  the Bonds in each
Insured Trust has been obtained by the  Sponsor or by the issuers of such  Bonds
from  MBIA Insurance Corporation, and as a result of such insurance the Bonds in
the Insured Trusts are rated  "Aaa" by Moody's, "AAA"  by Fitch and/or "AAA"  by
Standard & Poor's. (See "WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?") All obligations in
each  Traditional Trust are rated in the category  "A" or better (SP-1, MIG 2 or
F-2 or better, respectively, in the case of short term obligations included in a
Short Term  Traditional  Trust)  by  Standard &  Poor's,  Moody's  and/or  Fitch
(including  provisional or conditional  ratings). In addition,  certain Bonds in
certain Traditional Trusts may be  covered by insurance guaranteeing the  timely
payment,  when  due, of  all principal  and  interest. There  is, of  course, no
guarantee that the Trusts' objectives will be achieved. For a comparison of  net
after-tax return for various tax brackets, see the "TAXABLE EQUIVALENT ESTIMATED
CURRENT  RETURN TABLES" included in the Appendices to the Information Supplement
of this Prospectus.
    
 
SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
   
In selecting  Bonds for  the  respective Trusts,  the following  factors,  among
others, were considered: (i) the Standard & Poor's, Moody's and/or Fitch ratings
of  the Bonds (see "WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?" for a description of
minimum rating standards), (ii) the prices of the Bonds relative to other  bonds
of  comparable quality  and maturity, (iii)  the diversification of  Bonds as to
purpose of issue and location of issuer,  (iv) the maturity dates of the  Bonds,
and  (v)  in the  case  of the  Insured Trusts  only,  the availability  of MBIA
Insurance Corporation insurance on such Bonds.  (See "WHY AND HOW ARE THE  BONDS
INSURED?")
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
 
   
An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of the
risks that such  an investment  may entail.  Each Trust  consists of  fixed-rate
municipal  debt  obligations. As  such, the  value of  the debt  obligations and
therefore of  the  Units will  decline  with  increases in  interest  rates.  In
general,  the longer the period until the maturity of a Bond, the more sensitive
its value will be to fluctuations in interest rates. The Sponsor cannot  predict
the  extent or timing  of such fluctuations and,  accordingly, their effect upon
the value  of the  Bonds. Additional  risk factors  include the  ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when  due, "mandatory  put" features,  early call  provisions and  the
potential  for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As set forth in Part A of
this Prospectus, the Trusts may contain or be concentrated in one or more of the
types of bonds discussed below. The following paragraphs briefly discuss certain
circumstances which may adversely affect the ability of issuers of Bonds held in
the portfolio of a Trust to make payments of principal and interest thereon, and
which also  therefore may  adversely  affect the  ratings  of such  Bonds.  With
respect  to Insured  Trusts, however, because  of the insurance  obtained by the
Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds, such changes should not adversely affect
an Insured Trust's receipt  of principal and interest  or the Standard &  Poor's
"AAA",  the Moody's "Aaa" or the Fitch "AAA" ratings of the Bonds in the Insured
Trust portfolio.  The  Bonds  described  below may  be  subject  to  special  or
extraordinary   redemption  provisions.  For  economic  risks  specific  to  the
individual Trusts,  see Part  A of  this Prospectus  and the  Appendices to  the
Information Supplement of this Prospectus.
    
 
   
    ESCROW  SECURED OBLIGATIONS are  typically secured by  direct obligations of
the U.S.  Government  or  in  some cases  obligations  guaranteed  by  the  U.S.
Government  placed in  an escrow  account maintained  by an  independent trustee
until maturity  or  a  predetermined  redemption  date.  These  obligations  are
generally noncallable prior to maturity or the predetermined redemption date. In
a  few isolated instances, however,  bonds which were thought  to be escrowed to
maturity have been called for redemption prior to maturity.
    
 
   
    HEALTH CARE FACILITY OBLIGATIONS are  obligations of issuers whose  revenues
are derived from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities,
including  nursing  homes. The  ability  of such  issuers  to make  debt service
payments on  these  obligations  is  dependent  on  various  factors,  including
occupancy  levels  of the  facility, demand  for  services, wages  of employees,
overhead  expenses,  competition  from   other  similar  providers,   government
regulation,  the cost of  malpractice insurance, and  the degree of governmental
financial assistance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
    
 
    HOUSING OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose revenues are  primarily
derived  from mortgage loans on single family residences or housing projects for
low to moderate income families. Housing obligations are generally prepayable at
any time and  therefore their average  life will ordinarily  be less than  their
stated  maturities. The ability of such issuers to make debt service payments on
these obligations is dependent on  various factors, including occupancy  levels,
rental  income, mortgage default rates,  taxes, operating expenses, governmental
regulations and the appropriation of subsidies.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS  are  industrial  revenue  bonds  ("IRBs"),
including  pollution  control  revenue bonds,  which  are  tax-exempt securities
issued by  states, municipalities,  public authorities  or similar  entities  to
finance  the  cost of  acquiring, constructing  or improving  various industrial
projects. Debt  service  payment on  IRBs  is dependent  upon  various  factors,
including  the creditworthiness of the corporate operator of the project and, if
applicable, corporate guarantor, revenues  generated from the project,  expenses
associated with the project and regulatory and environmental restrictions.
 
   
    UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily
derived from the sale of several types of energy, including electric and natural
gas. The  ability  of  such issuers  to  make  debt service  payments  on  these
obligations is dependent on various factors, including the rates for electricity
and  natural gas,  the demand  for electricity  and natural  gas, the  degree of
competition, governmental regulation, overhead expenses and variable costs, such
as fuel.
    
 
    TRANSPORTATION FACILITY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers which
are payable  from  and  secured  by revenues  derived  from  the  ownership  and
operation  of airports, public transit systems and ports. The ability of issuers
to make  debt  service payments  on  airport  obligations is  dependent  on  the
capability  of airlines to  meet their obligations under  use agreements. Due to
increased competition,  deregulation, increased  fuel costs  and other  factors,
many  airlines may  have difficulty  meeting their  obligations under  these use
agreements. Bonds  that are  secured primarily  by the  revenue collected  by  a
public  transit system typically  are additionally secured by  a pledge of sales
tax receipts collected  at the state  or local level,  or of other  governmental
financial  assistance. The revenue of issuers of transit system obligations will
be affected by variations in utilization, which  in turn may be affected by  the
degree  of  local governmental  subsidization, competition  from other  forms of
transportation, and  increased costs.  Port  authorities derive  their  revenues
primarily  from fees imposed  on ships using the  facilities which may fluctuate
depending on  the local  economy  and on  competition  from competing  forms  of
transportation  such  as air,  rail and  trucks. The  revenues of  issuers which
derive their  payments  from bridge,  road  or  tunnel toll  revenues  could  be
adversely  affected  by  increases  in fuel  costs,  competition  from toll-free
vehicular bridges and roads and alternative modes of transportation.
 
   
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose  revenues
are  payable from user fees from the sale of water and/or sewerage services. The
problems  of  such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  rate  increases,
population  declines,  the limitations  on  operations and  increased  costs and
delays attributable to environmental considerations, the difficulties  obtaining
new supplies of fresh water, the effect of conservation programs and "no-growth"
zoning ordinances.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    UNIVERSITY  AND COLLEGE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose
revenues are  derived  mainly  from  tuition,  dormitory  revenues,  grants  and
endowments.  General  problems faced  by such  issuers  include declines  in the
number of "college" age  individuals, possible inability  to raise tuitions  and
fees,  the uncertainty of continued receipt of Federal grants and state funding,
and government  legislation  or  regulations  which  may  adversely  affect  the
revenues or costs of such issuers.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX  SUPPORTED OBLIGATIONS  are obligations  of issuers  which are
payable from  and  secured by  tax  revenues  from a  designated  source,  which
revenues  are pledged to secure the bonds.  The various types of Bonds described
below differ in structure and with respect  to the rights of the bondholders  to
the  underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax supported Bond has distinct
risks, only  some  of which  are  set forth  below.  One type  of  dedicated-tax
supported  Bond  is  secured by  the  incremental  tax received  on  either real
property or on sales within a  specifically defined geographical area; such  tax
generally will not provide bondholders with a lien on the underlying property or
revenues.  Another type of dedicated-tax supported  Bond is secured by a special
tax levied on real property within a defined geographical area in such a  manner
that  the  tax is  levied  on those  who benefit  from  the project;  such bonds
typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the underlying  property for  unpaid
taxes.  A third  type of dedicated-tax  supported Bond  may be secured  by a tax
levied upon the  manufacture, sale  or consumption  of commodities  or upon  the
license  to pursue  certain occupations  or upon  corporate privileges  within a
taxing jurisdiction. As  to any  of these  types of  Bonds, the  ability of  the
designated revenues to satisfy the interest and principal payments on such bonds
may  be affected by changes  in the local economy,  the financial success of the
enterprise responsible for the payment of  the taxes, the value of any  property
on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in a timely
fashion.  Each of these  factors will have  a different affect  on each distinct
type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE  OBLIGATIONS  are  obligations that  are  secured  by  lease
payments  of a  governmental entity  and are  normally subject  to annual budget
appropriations of the  leasing governmental entity.  A governmental entity  that
enters  into  such  a  lease agreement  cannot  obligate  future  governments to
appropriate for and make lease payments but covenants to take such action as  is
necessary  to include  any lease  payments due  in its  budgets and  to make the
appropriations therefor. A governmental entity's failure to appropriate for  and
to  make payments under its lease  obligation could result in insufficient funds
available for payment of the obligations secured thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT OBLIGATIONS AND STRIPPED OBLIGATIONS are bonds which
were issued with  nominal interest  rates less than  the rates  then offered  by
comparable  securities and as  a consequence were originally  sold at a discount
from their face,  or par,  values. In a  stable interest  rate environment,  the
market  value of  an original  issue discount bond  would tend  to increase more
slowly in early years and in greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain of the original  issue discount obligations in  a Trust may be  zero
coupon  bonds. Zero coupon bonds  do not provide for  the payment of any current
interest; the buyer receives only  the right to receive  a final payment of  the
face  amount  of the  bond at  its maturity.  Zero coupon  bonds are  subject to
substantially greater  price  fluctuations  during periods  of  changing  market
interest  rates  than are  securities of  comparable  quality that  pay interest
currently.
 
    Original issue discount  obligations, including  zero coupon  bonds, may  be
subject  to redemption  at prices based  on the  issue price plus  the amount of
original issue discount accreted to  redemption (the "accreted value") plus,  if
applicable,  some premium. Pursuant  to such call  provisions, an original issue
discount bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than  its
face  value.  See the  "Schedule of  Investments"  appearing in  Part A  of this
Prospectus for more information about the call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be stripped obligations, which represent
evidences of  ownership with  respect to  either the  principal amount  of or  a
payment  of interest on  a tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations"). Each
Stripped Obligation has been purchased at a discount from the amount payable  at
maturity.  A Stripped Obligation therefore  has economic characteristics similar
to zero coupon bonds, as described above.
 
    Unitholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the  state
and  local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or Stripped
Obligations. Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state  and
local  taxes,  interest  on  original  issue  discount  obligations  or Stripped
Obligations may be  deemed to be  received in  the year of  accrual even  though
there is no corresponding cash payment.
 
    Certain  bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a "mandatory
tender" or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of  such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior  to the maturity date unless such  holder affirmatively acts to retain the
bond. The Trustee does not have the  authority to act to retain Bonds with  such
features;  accordingly, it will receive payment  of the full principal amount of
any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is therefore treated as  the
maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for the respective Trusts and for
purposes of calculating the average maturity of the Bonds in any Trust.
 
COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each  Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedule of  Investments"
in  Part A of this Prospectus and, thereafter,  of such Bonds as may continue to
be held from time to time  (including certain securities deposited in the  Trust
in    substitution   for    Bonds   not   delivered    to   a    Trust   or   in
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
exchange or  substitution  for Bonds  upon  certain refundings),  together  with
accrued  and undistributed interest thereon and undistributed cash realized from
the disposition of Bonds.
 
   
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase  Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers or
dealers to deliver Bonds to  the Sponsor for deposit  in the Trusts. Certain  of
the  contracts relate  to Bonds  which have not  been issued  as of  the Date of
Deposit and which are commonly referred to as "when issued" or "when, as and  if
issued"  Bonds. Although  the Sponsor  believes it  unlikely, if  such Bonds, or
replacement bonds  described below,  are not  acquired by  a Trust  or if  their
delivery  is  delayed, the  Estimated Current  Returns  and Estimated  Long Term
Returns shown  in Part  A of  this Prospectus  may be  reduced. Certain  of  the
contracts for the purchase of Bonds provide for delivery dates after the date of
settlement  for purchases made  on the Date  of Deposit. Interest  on such "when
issued" and  "delayed delivery"  Bonds  accrues to  the benefit  of  Unitholders
commencing with the first settlement date for the Units. However, in the opinion
of  counsel, Unitholders who purchase  their Units prior to  the date such Bonds
are actually delivered to the Trustee must  reduce the tax basis of their  Units
for  interest accruing on such Bonds  during the interval between their purchase
of Units and the delivery of the Bonds because such amounts constitute a  return
of  principal. As a result of such adjustment, the Estimated Current Returns set
forth in Part A of this Prospectus (which are based on the Public Offering Price
as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit) may be slightly lower  than
that which Unitholders will receive after the first year, assuming the Portfolio
does  not change and estimated annual expense  does not vary from that set forth
under "Essential Information" in Part A of this Prospectus. Those Bonds in  each
Trust  purchased with delivery dates after  the date of settlement for purchases
made on the Date  of Deposit are  so noted in the  "Schedule of Investments"  in
Part A of this Prospectus.
    
 
    LIMITED  REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee
shall be liable in any  way for any default, failure  or defect in any Bond.  In
the  event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a Trust
under a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if  issued
basis  ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to direct
the Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make  up
the  original corpus of the Trust within 20 days after delivery of notice of the
failed contract and the  cost to the Trust  (exclusive of accrued interest)  may
not  exceed the amount of  funds reserved for the  purchase of the Failed Bonds.
The Replacement Bonds  must satisfy  the criteria previously  described for  the
Trusts  and shall be substantially identical to the Failed Bonds they replace in
terms of (i) the exemption from  federal and state taxation; (ii) maturity  and;
(iii)  cost to the Trust. In addition,  Replacement Bonds shall not be "when, as
and if issued" Bonds. Whenever a Replacement Bond has been acquired for a Trust,
the Trustee shall, within five days after the delivery thereof, mail or  deliver
a  notice of such acquisition to all Unitholders of the Trust involved. Once the
original corpus of the Trust is acquired, the Trustee will have no power to vary
the investment of the Trust.
 
    To the extent Replacement Bonds are  not acquired, the Sponsor shall  refund
to  all Unitholders of the Trust involved  the sales charge attributable to such
Failed Bonds not replaced, and  the principal and accrued interest  attributable
to such Bonds shall be distributed not more than 30 days after the determination
of  such failure or at  such earlier time as the  Trustee in its sole discretion
deems to be in the interest of  the Unitholders. Any such accrued interest  paid
to Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated
as  tax-exempt  income.  In the  event  Failed Bonds  in  a Trust  could  not be
replaced, the  Net Annual  Interest Income  per  Unit for  such Trust  would  be
reduced and the Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE,  MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from time
to time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature  in
accordance  with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to pay
for  Units  redeemed   or  distributed  to   Unitholders  and  not   reinvested;
accordingly,  no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any length
of time its present size and composition.
 
   
    All of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed  in
whole  or in  part prior  to their  stated maturities  pursuant to  the optional
redemption provisions described in  the "Schedule of Investments"  in Part A  of
this  Prospectus and  in most  cases pursuant  to a  sinking fund  or special or
extraordinary redemption provisions. See the discussion of the various types  of
bond  issues,  above, for  information  on the  call  provisions of  such bonds,
particularly single family mortgage revenue bonds.
    
 
   
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution of  principal  and may  result  in a  reduction  in the  amount  of
subsequent  interest distributions;  it may  also affect  the current  return on
Units of the Trust  involved. The exercise of  redemption or call provisions  is
more  likely  to occur  in  situations where  the  Bonds have  an  offering side
evaluation which represents a  premium over par (as  opposed to a discount  from
par).  (In  the  case  of  original issue  discount  bonds,  such  redemption is
generally to  be made  at the  issue price  plus the  amount of  original  issue
discount accreted to the date of redemption; such price is referred to herein as
"accreted  value"). Because Bonds may have been  valued at prices above or below
par value or the then current accreted  value at the time Units were  purchased,
Unitholders  may realize  gain or loss  upon the redemption  of portfolio Bonds.
(See "WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS  OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS  MADE
TO  UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B and the "Schedule  of Investments" in Part A of this
Prospectus.)
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.    Certain of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust's
portfolio  may be subject to continuing requirements regarding the actual use of
bond proceeds,  the  manner of  operation  of  the project  financed  from  bond
proceeds  or the rebate  of excess earnings  on bond proceeds,  any of which may
affect the exemption  of interest on  such Bonds from  Federal income  taxation.
Although  at the time of issuance of each  of the Bonds in each Trust an opinion
of bond counsel was rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations
from Federal income  taxation, and  the issuers  covenanted to  comply with  all
requirements  necessary to retain the tax-exempt  status of the Bonds, there can
be  no  assurance  that  the  respective  issuers  or  other  obligors  on  such
obligations  will fulfill  the various continuing  requirements established upon
issuance of the Bonds. A  failure to comply with  such requirements may cause  a
determination  that interest  on such obligations  is subject  to Federal income
taxation, perhaps even retroactively  from the date of  issuance of such  Bonds,
thereby   reducing  the  value  of  the  Bonds  and  subjecting  Unitholders  to
unanticipated tax liabilities.
    
 
    To the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as  of
the  Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be expected
to have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible  that
after  the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds in
any Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or  the
tax-exempt  nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of litigation
of such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel  to
the  issuer of  each Bond  on the date  of issuance  state that  such Bonds were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
   
Insurance guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal  and
interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor or
by the issuers or underwriters of the Bonds from the MBIA Insurance  Corporation
(the  "Insurer"). Certain of the  Bonds in an Insured Trust  may be covered by a
policy or policies of insurance obtained  by the issuers or underwriters of  the
Bonds  from  Municipal Bond  Insurance Association  (the "Association")  or Bond
Investors Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The claims-paying ability of  both
the  Insurer  and the  Association was  rated  "AAA Prime  Grade" by  Standard &
Poor's. Moody's  rates all  bond issues  insured by  either the  Insurer or  the
Association  "Aaa" and short-term loans "MIG  1." Fitch, upon request, rates all
bond issues insured by the Insurer or the Association "AAA" and short-term loans
"F-1." All such ratings designate the highest quality. The Insurer has issued  a
policy  or  policies of  insurance covering  each  of the  Bonds in  the Insured
Trusts, each policy to remain in force  until the payment in full of such  Bonds
and  whether or not  the Bonds continue to  be held by an  Insured Trust. By the
terms of each policy the Insurer  will unconditionally guarantee to the  holders
or  owners of  the Bonds the  payment, when due,  required of the  issuer of the
Bonds of an amount equal to the principal  of and interest on the Bonds as  such
payments  shall become  due but  not be paid  (except that  in the  event of any
acceleration of the  due date of  principal by reason  of mandatory or  optional
redemption,  default or otherwise, the payments  guaranteed will be made in such
amounts and  at  such times  as  would  have been  due  had there  not  been  an
acceleration).
    
 
   
    Insurance  guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal and
interest on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by  the
Sponsor,  issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by another
party. Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as  that
obtained  with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above, is
effective so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains  in
business.  Insurance relates only  to the particular  Bond and not  to the Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa" by  Moody's,  "AAA"  by  Fitch  and/or  "AAA"  by  Standard  &  Poor's  in
recognition of such insurance.
    
 
   
    If  a Bond in a Traditional Trust  is insured, the "Schedule of Investments"
appearing in Part A of this Prospectus  will identify the insurer. There can  be
no  assurance  that any  insurer  listed therein  will  be able  to  satisfy its
commitments in the  event claims  are made in  the future.  However, Standard  &
Poor's,  Fitch  and/or  Moody's have  rated  the claims-paying  ability  of each
insurer "AAA," "AAA" or "Aaa," respectively.
    
 
   
    The Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New  York
Stock  Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts of
or claims against the Insurer. The Insurer is domiciled in the State of New York
and licensed to do business in and  subject to regulation under the laws of  all
50  states,  the District  of  Columbia, the  Commonwealth  of Puerto  Rico, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,  the Virgin Islands of the  United
States  and the Territory of Guam. The Insurer has two European branches, one in
the Republic of France and the other in the Kingdom of Spain. New York has  laws
prescribing minimum capital requirements, limiting classes and concentrations of
investments  and requiring  the approval of  policy rates and  forms. State laws
also regulate the amount of both the aggregate and individual risks that may  be
insured,  the  payment  of dividends  by  the  insurer, changes  in  control and
transactions among affiliates. Additionally, the Insurer is required to maintain
contingency reserves  on its  liabilities  in certain  amounts and  for  certain
periods of time.
    
 
   
    As  of December  31, 1995  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.8 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $2.5 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $1.3  billion  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of September 30, 1996, the  Insurer had admitted assets of $4.3
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $2.9  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $1.4 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    The  Association is comprised  of the five insurance  companies set forth in
the following table, which provides certain unaudited financial information with
respect to each of the five insurance companies comprising the Association.
 
   
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
      FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS (UNAUDITED)
                             AS OF MARCH 31, 1995.
                                (000'S OMITTED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NEW YORK      NEW YORK       NEW YORK
                                                                              STATUTORY     STATUTORY    POLICYHOLDERS
                                                                                ASSETS     LIABILITIES      SURPLUS
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company........................................  $ 10,225,604  $  8,312,158  $   1,913,446
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company...........................................     7,126,217     5,116,059      2,010,158
The Travelers Indemnity Company............................................    10,461,356     8,654,130      1,807,226
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly Aetna Insurance Company).....     4,260,177     3,637,513        622,664
The Continental Insurance Company..........................................     3,060,583     2,380,723        679,860
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
        Total..............................................................  $ 35,133,937  $ 28,100,583  $   7,033,354
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Insurance companies  are subject  to  extensive regulation  and  supervision
where  they  do  business  by state  insurance  commissioners  who  regulate the
standards of solvency which must be maintained, the nature of and limitations on
investments, reports of financial condition, and requirements regarding reserves
for unearned premiums, losses  and other matters. A  significant portion of  the
assets  of insurance companies is required by  law to be held in reserve against
potential claims on policies and is not available to general creditors. Although
the federal  government does  not regulate  the business  of insurance,  federal
initiatives  including  pension  regulation,  controls  on  medical  care costs,
minimum standards for no-fault automobile insurance, national health  insurance,
tax  law changes affecting life insurance  companies and repeal of the antitrust
exemption for  the insurance  business can  significantly impact  the  insurance
business.
    
 
    The  above ratings are not  recommendations to buy, sell  or hold the Bonds,
and such ratings may  be subject to  revision or withdrawal at  any time by  the
rating  agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both ratings
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Bonds. See the Information
Supplement--for further information concerning insurance.
 
    Because the insurance on the Bonds, if any, will be effective so long as the
Bonds are outstanding, such insurance will be taken into account in  determining
the  market value  of the  Bonds and therefore  some value  attributable to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Insured Trusts.  The
insurance  does not, however, guarantee the market  value of the Bonds or of the
Units.
 
HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The Public Offering Price of the Units  of each Trust is equal to the  Trustee's
determination  of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited therein
(minus any  advancement  to the  principal  account of  the  Trust made  by  the
Trustee)  plus a sales charge set forth  in "Essential Information" in Part A of
this Prospectus, in  each case  adding to  the total  thereof cash  held by  the
Trust,  if  any,  and  dividing the  sum  so  obtained by  the  number  of Units
outstanding in the Trust. See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION."
 
   
    The sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a  graduated
scale  for sales to any purchaser  of at least $50,000 or  500 Units and will be
applied on whichever basis is more  favorable to the purchaser. For purposes  of
calculating  the applicable  sales charge,  purchasers who  have indicated their
intent to purchase a specified  amount of Units of any  Trust in the primary  or
secondary  offering period by executing and delivering a letter of intent to the
Sponsor, which letter of intent must be in a form acceptable to the Sponsor  and
shall  have a maximum duration of thirteen months, will be eligible to receive a
reduced sales charge according  to the following tables  based on the amount  of
intended  aggregate  purchases as  expressed  in the  letter  of intent.  Due to
administrative limitations and in  order to permit  adequate tracking, the  only
secondary  market  purchases that  will be  permitted to  be applied  toward the
intended specified amount and that will receive the corresponding reduced  sales
charge  are  those Units  that  are acquired  through  or from  the  Sponsor. By
establishing a letter of intent, a Unitholder agrees that the first purchase  of
Units  following the execution of  such letter of intent will  be at least 5% of
the  total  amount  of  the  intended  aggregate  purchases  expressed  in  such
Unitholder's  letter of intent. Further, through the establishment of the letter
of intent, such Unitholder agrees that Units representing 5% of the total amount
of the  intended  purchases  will be  held  in  escrow by  the  Trustee  pending
completion of these purchases. All distributions on Units held in escrow will be
credited  to  such  Unitholder's  account.  If  total  purchases  prior  to  the
expiration of the letter of intent  period equal or exceed the amount  specified
in a Unitholder's letter of intent, the Units held in escrow will be transferred
to such Unitholder's account. A Unitholder who purchases Units during the letter
of  intent period in excess  of the number of  Units specified in a Unitholder's
letter of intent, the amount of which would cause the Unitholder to be  eligible
to receive an additional sales charge reduction, will be allowed such additional
sales  charge reduction on the purchase of  Units which caused the Unitholder to
reach such  new  breakpoint level  and  on  all additional  purchases  of  Units
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
during  the letter of  intent period. If  the total purchases  are less than the
amount specified, the Unitholder involved must  pay the Sponsor an amount  equal
to  the difference between the amounts paid  for these purchases and the amounts
which would have  been paid if  the higher  sales charge had  been applied;  the
Unitholder  will, however, be entitled to any reduced sales charge qualified for
by reaching any  lower breakpoint  level. If such  Unitholder does  not pay  the
additional  amount within 20  days after written  request by the  Sponsor or the
Unitholder's securities representative, the Sponsor will instruct the Trustee to
redeem an appropriate number of the escrowed Units to meet the required payment.
By establishing  a  letter of  intent,  a Unitholder  irrevocably  appoints  the
Sponsor  as  attorney  to  give  instructions  to  redeem  any  or  all  of such
Unitholder's escrowed Units, with full power of substitution in the premises.  A
Unitholder  or his  securities representative  must notify  the Sponsor whenever
such Unitholder makes a purchase of Units  that he wishes to be counted  towards
the  intended amount.  Sales charges during  the primary offering  period are as
follows:
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              NATIONAL AND
                                                                                                                 STATE
                                          NATIONAL AND STATE LONG TERM                                        INTERMEDIATE
                                                     TRUSTS                   LONG INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS           TRUSTS
                                          -----------------------------     -----------------------------     ------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
                                            PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT
                                               OF             OF NET             OF             OF NET             OF
                                            OFFERING          AMOUNT          OFFERING          AMOUNT          OFFERING
            NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE           INVESTED          PRICE           INVESTED          PRICE
- ----------------------------------------  ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Less than 500...........................         4.90 %          5.152 %           4.25 %          4.439 %           3.90%
500 but less than 1,000.................         4.75            4.987             4.15            4.330             3.70
1,000 but less than 2,500...............         4.50            4.712             3.85            4.004             3.50
2,500 but less than 5,000...............         4.25            4.439             3.60            3.734             3.25
5,000 but less than 10,000..............         3.50            3.627             3.35            3.466             3.00
10,000 but less than 25,000.............         3.00            3.093             3.00            3.093             2.75
25,000 but less than 50,000.............         2.50            2.564             2.50            2.564             2.50
50,000 or more..........................         2.00            2.041             2.00            2.041             2.00
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                       <C>
                                            PERCENT
                                             OF NET
                                             AMOUNT
            NUMBER OF UNITS*                INVESTED
- ----------------------------------------  ------------
Less than 500...........................        4.058 %
500 but less than 1,000.................        3.842
1,000 but less than 2,500...............        3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000...............        3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000..............        3.093
10,000 but less than 25,000.............        2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000.............        2.564
50,000 or more..........................        2.041
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            NATIONAL AND STATE SHORT
                                               INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS                SHORT TERM TRUSTS
                                          -----------------------------     -----------------------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
                                            PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT
                                               OF             OF NET             OF             OF NET
                                            OFFERING          AMOUNT          OFFERING          AMOUNT
            NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE           INVESTED          PRICE           INVESTED
- ----------------------------------------  ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Less than 500...........................         3.00 %          3.093 %           2.50 %          2.564 %
500 but less than 1,000.................         2.80            2.881             2.30            2.354
1,000 but less than 2,500...............         2.60            2.670             2.10            2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000...............         2.35            2.407             1.85            1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000..............         2.10            2.145             1.60            1.626
10,000 but less than 25,000.............         1.85            1.885             1.35            1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000.............         1.80            1.833             1.25            1.266
50,000 or more..........................         1.50            1.523             1.15            1.163
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint sales charges are computed both on  a dollar basis and on the  basis
 of the number of Units purchased, using the equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500  Units to $250,000 etc., and will be  applied on that basis which is more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
    For "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of  each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each  Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such Bond. See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION."  The effect of this method of  sales
charge  calculation will be that different sales charge rates will be applied to
the various Bonds in a Trust portfolio based upon the maturities of such  Bonds.
As  shown, the sales charge  on Bonds in each  maturity range (and therefore the
aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to purchases  of
at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                            $50,000      $100,000     $250,000     $500,000    $1,000,000   $2,500,000
                                UNDER          TO           TO           TO           TO           TO           TO       $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY              $50,000      $99,999      $249,999     $499,999     $999,999    $2,499,999   $4,999,999    OR MORE
- ----------------------------------------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Less than 1...................         0           0            0            0            0            0            0            0
1 but less than 2.............     1.523 %     1.446 %      1.369 %      1.317 %      1.215 %      1.061 %       .900 %       .750 %
2 but less than 3.............     2.041       1.937        1.833        1.729        1.626        1.420        1.225        1.030
3 but less than 4.............     2.564       2.433        2.302        2.175        2.041        1.781        1.546        1.310
4 but less than 5.............     3.093       2.961        2.828        2.617        2.459        2.175        1.883        1.590
5 but less than 7.............     3.627       3.433        3.239        3.093        2.881        2.460        2.165        1.870
7 but less than 10............     4.167       3.951        3.734        3.520        3.239        2.828        2.489        2.150
10 but less than 13...........     4.712       4.467        4.221        4.004        3.788        3.253        2.842        2.430
13 but less than 16...........     5.263       4.988        4.712        4.439        4.167        3.627        3.169        2.710
16 or more....................     5.820       5.542        5.263        4.987        4.603        4.004        3.500        3.000
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the basis
  of the  number  of Units  purchased,  using the  equivalent  of 500  Units  to
  $50,000,  2,500 Units  to $250,000,  etc., and will  be applied  on that basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The secondary market sales charges above  are expressed as a percent of  the
net  amount invested; expressed as  a percent of the  Public Offering Price, the
maximum sales charge on a Trust,  for instance one consisting entirely of  Bonds
with  16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net amount
invested). The  actual secondary  market  sales charge  included in  the  Public
Offering  Price of  any particular  Trust will depend  on the  maturities of the
Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee may terminate a Trust if
the net asset value of such Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than  20%
of the original principal amount of the Trust.
 
   
    At  all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor will
appraise or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds  in
each  Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time, or as of any earlier closing time on a
day on  which the  New York  Stock  Exchange (the  "Exchange") is  scheduled  in
advance  to close at such earlier time and will adjust the Public Offering Price
of the Units commensurate with such  appraisal. Such Public Offering Price  will
be  effective for all orders received by a  dealer or the Sponsor at or prior to
4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such day  or as of any earlier closing time on  a
day on which the Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time.
Orders  received after that time, or on a  day when the Exchange is closed for a
scheduled holiday  or weekend,  will be  held until  the next  determination  of
price.
    
 
   
    Accrued  interest from the preceding Record  Date to, but not including, the
settlement date of the transaction (three business days after purchase) will  be
added to the Public Offering Price to determine the purchase price of Units. See
"WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?"
    
 
   
    The  graduated sales  charges set forth  above will apply  on all applicable
purchases of Nuveen  investment company securities  on any one  day by the  same
purchaser  in the amounts stated, and for  this purpose purchases of this Series
will be aggregated with concurrent purchases of any other Series or of shares of
any open-end management  investment company  of which the  Sponsor is  principal
underwriter and with respect to the purchase of which a sales charge is imposed.
Purchases  by  or for  the account  of individuals  and their  spouses, parents,
children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents-in-law, sons- and
daughters-in-law,  siblings,  a  sibling's   spouse  and  a  spouse's   siblings
("immediate  family  members") will  be aggregated  to determine  the applicable
sales charge. The graduated  sales charges are also  applicable to a trustee  or
other  fiduciary  purchasing  securities for  a  single trust  estate  or single
fiduciary account. Units may be purchased at the Public Offering Price without a
sales charge by officers or directors  and by bona fide, full-time employees  of
Nuveen,  Nuveen Advisory Corp., Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and The John
Nuveen Company, including  in each  case these individuals  and their  immediate
family members (as defined above).
    
 
   
    Units  may be purchased in the primary market with sales charges of 1.70% of
the Public Offering Price for National and State Long Term Trusts, 1.35% of  the
Public Offering Price for Long Intermediate Trusts, 1.20% of the Public Offering
Price  for National and  State Intermediate Trusts, 1.0%  of the Public Offering
Price for National and  State Short Intermediate Trusts  and 1.0% of the  Public
Offering Price for Short Term Trusts by (1) investors who purchase Units through
registered  investment  advisers,  certified financial  planners  and registered
broker-dealers who  in  each case  either  charge periodic  fees  for  financial
planning,  investment  advisory or  asset management  services, or  provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive  "wrap  fee"  charge  is imposed,  (2)  bank  trust  departments
investing  funds  over which  they  exercise exclusive  discretionary investment
authority and  that  are held  in  a  fiduciary, agency,  custodial  or  similar
capacity, (3) any person who for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director
or  bona fide employee of any firm offering Units for sale to investors or their
immediate family members (as  defined above) and (4)  officers and directors  of
bank   holding  companies  that   make  Units  available   directly  or  through
subsidiaries or bank affiliates  (collectively, the "Discounted Purchases").  In
addition,  such  investors may  purchase Units  in the  secondary market  at the
Public Offering  Price for  non-breakpoint purchases  minus the  concession  the
Sponsor  typically allows to  brokers and dealers  for non-breakpoint purchases.
Notwithstanding anything  to  the contrary  in  this Prospectus,  investors  who
purchase  Units as  described in  this paragraph  will not  receive sales charge
reductions for quantity purchases.
    
 
    The initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust  is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust  plus the  applicable sales charge.  The secondary  market Public Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average between 1/2% to 2% more than the BID
prices of such  Bonds. The difference  between the bid  side evaluation and  the
offering side evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust on the business day prior to
the Date of Deposit is shown in the discussion of each Trust portfolio.
 
    Whether  or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior thereto), (ii) on any day on  which a Unit is tendered for redemption  (or
the  next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business day)
and (iii) at such other times as may be necessary. For this purpose, a "business
day" shall be any day on which  the Exchange is normally open. (See "UNIT  VALUE
AND EVALUATION.")
 
MARKET FOR UNITS
 
   
During  the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer to
purchase Units of each  Trust at a  price equivalent to the  pro rata share  per
Unit  of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued interest).
Afterward, although  it  is not  obligated  to do  so,  the Sponsor  intends  to
maintain  a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense and
continuously to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject  to
change  at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in the
respective portfolios of the  Trusts. UNITHOLDERS WHO WISH  TO DISPOSE OF  THEIR
UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER AS TO THE CURRENT REDEMPTION
PRICE.  (See "HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE?") In connection with its
secondary marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter  into
secondary  market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement, the Sponsor will
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
purchase Units from the  broker or dealer  at the bid price  and will place  the
Units  into a joint account managed by  the Sponsor; sales from the account will
be made in accordance with the then  current prospectus and the Sponsor and  the
broker  or  dealer  will  share  profits and  losses  in  the  joint  account in
accordance with the terms of their joint account agreement.
 
   
    Certificates, if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as  promptly
after the date of settlement (three business days after purchase) as the Trustee
can  complete  the mechanics  of registration,  normally  within 48  hours after
registration instructions are received. Purchasers of Units to whom Certificates
are issued will be unable  to exercise any right  of redemption until they  have
received their Certificates, properly endorsed for transfer. (See "HOW UNITS MAY
BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE?")
    
 
WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued  interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the last
day on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust  is
accounted  for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price of
Units of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also  the
proportionate  share  of accrued  interest to  the  date of  settlement. Accrued
interest does not  include accrual  of original  issue discount  on zero  coupon
bonds,  Stripped Obligations  or other  original issue  discount bonds. Interest
accrues to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date  of
their purchase transaction.
 
    In  an effort to reduce the amount  of accrued interest that investors would
have to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed  to
advance  to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of the
Date of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all  plans
of  distribution). This  accrued interest  will be  paid to  the Sponsor  as the
holder of record of all Units on  the Date of Deposit. Consequently, the  amount
of  accrued interest  to be  added to  the Public  Offering Price  of Units will
include only accrued interest  from the Date of  Deposit to, but not  including,
the  date of  settlement of the  investor's purchase (three  business days after
purchase), less any distributions from the related Interest Account. The Trustee
will recover its  advancements (without interest  or other cost  to the  Trusts)
from interest received on the Bonds deposited in each Trust.
 
    The  Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it receives
interest payments on the Bonds in  the Trusts. Since municipal bond interest  is
accrued  daily but  paid only  semi-annually, during  the initial  months of the
Trusts, the Interest  Accounts, consisting of  accrued but uncollected  interest
and  collected interest  (cash), will  be predominantly  the uncollected accrued
interest that is not available for distribution. However, due to advances by the
Trustee, the Trustee will provide a first distribution between approximately  30
and  60 days after the Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust retains its original
size and composition  and expenses  and fees  remain the  same, annual  interest
collected  and distributed  will approximate  the estimated  Net Annual Interest
Income stated herein. However,  the amount of accrued  interest at any point  in
time  will  be greater  than  the amount  that  the Trustee  will  have actually
received and distributed to the Unitholders. Therefore, there will always remain
an item of  accrued interest  that is  included in  the Purchase  Price and  the
redemption price of the Units.
 
   
    Interest  is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued and
undistributed interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to  the
daily  valuation of each Unit of each Trust.  (See Part A of this Prospectus and
"WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?") As Bonds mature, or are  redeemed
or  sold,  the  accrued  interest  applicable to  such  bonds  is  collected and
subsequently distributed to Unitholders. Unitholders who sell or redeem all or a
portion of their Units will be  paid their proportionate share of the  remaining
accrued  interest to,  but not including,  the third business  day following the
date of sale or tender.
    
 
WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
   
The Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to  the
investor  expected  to be  earned  over the  estimated  life of  the  Trust. The
Estimated Long Term Return represents an  average of the yields to maturity  (or
call)  of  the Bonds  in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with
accepted bond practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under
accepted bond practice, tax-exempt bonds are customarily offered to investors on
a "yield price" basis, which involves computation of yield to maturity or to  an
earlier  call date  (whichever produces the  lower yield), and  which takes into
account not only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization  or
accretion  of  any premium  over,  or discount  from,  the par  (maturity) value
inherent in the bond's purchase price. In the calculation of Estimated Long Term
Return, the average yield for a  Trust's portfolio is derived by weighting  each
Bond's yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining
to  the date to  which the Bond is  priced. This weighted  average yield is then
adjusted to  reflect estimated  expenses, is  compounded, and  is reduced  by  a
factor  which represents the amortization of  the sales charge over the expected
average life of  a Trust. The  Estimated Long Term  Return calculation does  not
take  into account the effect  of a first distribution which  may be less than a
regular distribution or may  be paid at  some point after 30  days (or a  second
distribution  which may be  less than a normal  distribution for Unitholders who
choose quarterly or  semi-annual plans of  distribution), and it  also does  not
take into account the difference in timing of payments to Unitholders who choose
quarterly  or semi-annual plans  of distribution, each of  which will reduce the
return.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion  of discount, if any, on the  Bonds in a Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
a Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
    
 
   
    Net Annual Interest  Income per  Unit, used to  calculate Estimated  Current
Return,  will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and the
Evaluator and  with the  redemption,  maturity, exchange  or  sale of  Bonds.  A
Unitholder's  actual return may vary  significantly from the Estimated Long-Term
Return, based  on their  holding  period, market  interest rate  changes,  other
factors  affecting  the  prices  of  individual  bonds  in  the  portfolio,  and
differences between  the expected  remaining  life of  portfolio bonds  and  the
actual  length of time that they remain  in a Trust; such actual holding periods
may be reduced by termination of  a Trust, as described in "OTHER  INFORMATION."
Since  both  the Estimated  Current Return  and the  Estimated Long  Term Return
quoted herein are  based on  the market  value of  the underlying  Bonds on  the
business  day prior  to the  Date of  Deposit, subsequent  calculations of these
performance  measures  will  reflect  the  then  current  market  value  of  the
underlying  Bonds and may be higher or lower. The Sponsor will provide estimated
cash flow  information relating  to a  Trust without  charge to  each  potential
investor  in a Trust who  receives this prospectus and  makes an oral or written
request to the Sponsor for such information.
    
 
   
    A portion of the  monies received by  a Trust may be  treated, in the  first
year  only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust portfolio
of "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date  of
settlement  for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of this
treatment is that in the computation  of Estimated Current Return for the  first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment  to the Public Offering Price. (See "Essential Information" appearing
in Part A  of this  Prospectus, "COMPOSITION  OF TRUSTS"  and "WHAT  IS THE  TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?")
    
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials compare the then current estimated returns on  a
Trust  and returns  over specified periods  on other similar  Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the Trusts  are
described more fully elsewhere in the Prospectus.
 
HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
   
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the  public on the business day prior to  the Date of Deposit were determined by
the Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny  S&P
Evaluation  Services, a division of J. J.  Kenny Co., Inc. ("Kenny S&P"), a firm
regularly  engaged  in  the  business  of  evaluating,  quoting  or   appraising
comparable  bonds. With respect to Bonds in  Insured Trusts and insured Bonds in
Traditional Trusts, Kenny S&P evaluated the  Bonds as so insured. (See "WHY  AND
HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?")
    
 
    The  amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES of
the Bonds deposited  in the Trusts  was greater or  less than the  cost of  such
Bonds  to  the  Sponsor was  PROFIT  OR LOSS  to  the Sponsor  exclusive  of any
underwriting profit.  (See Part  A of  this Prospectus.)  The Sponsor  also  may
realize  FURTHER PROFIT OR SUSTAIN  FURTHER LOSS as a  result of fluctuations in
the Public Offering  Price of the  Units. Cash,  if any, made  available to  the
Sponsor  prior to the settlement  date for a purchase of  Units, or prior to the
acquisition of all Portfolio securities by a Trust, may be available for use  in
the Sponsor's business, and may be of benefit to the Sponsor.
 
WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
   
At  the respective  times of  issuance of  the Bonds,  opinions relating  to the
validity thereof and  to the exclusion  of interest thereon  from Federal  gross
income  were rendered by bond counsel  to the respective issuing authorities. In
addition, with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to  the
issuing  authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on such
Bonds, when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such  Bonds
are  located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles and
local income taxes. For a discussion of the tax status of State Trusts, see Part
A of this Prospectus. Neither  the Sponsor nor Chapman  and Cutler has made  any
special review for the Trusts of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the
Bonds  or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith. If the
interest on a Bond should be determined to be taxable, the Bond would  generally
have  to be  sold at  a substantial  discount. In  addition, investors  could be
required to pay  income tax  on interest  received prior  to the  date of  which
interest is determined to be taxable.
    
 
    Federally  tax-exempt income, including income on  Units of the Trusts, will
be taken into consideration in computing the portion, if any, of social security
benefits received that will be included in a taxpayer's gross income subject  to
the Federal income tax.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
    Gain  realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of a
Unit by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income  tax
purposes,  and may be includable  in gross income for  state tax purposes. (Such
gain does not  include any  amounts received  in respect  of tax-exempt  accrued
interest  or accrued original issue discount, if any.) Sections 1288 and 1272 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") provide a complex set
of rules governing the accrual of  original issue discount. These rules  provide
that  original issue discount accrues either on the basis of a constant compound
interest rate or ratably over  the term of the Bond,  depending on the date  the
Bond  was issued. In  addition, special rules  apply if the  purchase price of a
Bond exceeds the original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount
which would have previously  accrued based upon its  issue price (its  "adjusted
issue price") to prior owners. If a Bond is acquired with accrued interest, that
portion  of the price paid for the accrued interest is added to the tax basis of
the Bond. When this accrued interest is  received, it is treated as a return  of
capital  and reduces the  tax basis of  the Bond. If  a Bond is  purchased for a
premium, the amount of the premium is added  to the tax basis of the Bond.  Bond
premium  is amortized over the remaining term of  the Bond, and the tax basis of
the Bond is reduced each tax year by the amount of the premium amortized in that
tax year. The application of these rules  will also vary depending on the  value
of  the Bond  on the  date a  Unitholder acquires  his Units  and the  price the
Unitholder pays  for  his  Units.  Unitholders should  consult  with  their  tax
advisers regarding these rules and their application.
    
 
   
    The "Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds  to the market discount  rules of the Code,  effective for bonds purchased
after April 30,  1993. In general,  market discount  is the amount  (if any)  by
which  the stated  redemption price at  maturity exceeds  an investor's purchase
price (except to  the extent that  such difference, if  any, is attributable  to
original  issue discount  not yet  accrued), subject  to a  statutory DE MINIMIS
rule. Market discount can arise based on the price the Trust pays for the  Bonds
or  the  price a  Unitholder  pays for  his  or her  Units.  Under the  Tax Act,
accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary income; under prior law, the
accretion had been treated as capital gain. Market discount that accretes  while
the Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as ordinary income by the Unitholders
when  principal payments are  received on the  Bond, upon sale  or at redemption
(including early  redemption), or  upon the  sale or  redemption of  his or  her
Units,  unless a Unitholder elects to  include market discount in taxable income
as it accrues.  The market  discount rules  are complex  and Unitholders  should
consult their tax advisors regarding these rules and their application.
    
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
   
    (1) the  Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for Federal
        income tax purposes, and interest and accrued original issue discount on
        Bonds which is excludable from gross  income under the Code will  retain
        its  status when distributed  to the Unitholders;  however such interest
        may be taken into account in  computing the alternative minimum tax,  an
        additional tax on branches of foreign corporations and the environmental
        tax  (the  "Superfund  Tax").  See "CERTAIN  TAX  MATTERS  APPLICABLE TO
        CORPORATE UNITHOLDERS", below;
    
 
   
    (2) each Unitholder of a Trust is considered  to be the owner of a pro  rata
        portion  of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the
        Code and will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes of a Bond  or
        when  the Unitholder redeems or sells Units. Unitholders must reduce the
        tax basis of their Units for their share of accrued interest received by
        the Trust, if  any, on  Bonds delivered  after the  Unitholders pay  for
        their  Units  to the  extent that  such interest  accrued on  such Bonds
        before the  date the  Trust acquired  ownership of  the Bonds  (and  the
        amount  of this reduction may exceed the amount of accrued interest paid
        to the seller) during the period from the Unitholders settlement date to
        the date  such  Bonds  are  delivered  to  the  respective  Trusts  and,
        consequently,  such Unitholders may have an  increase in taxable gain or
        reduction in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Gain  or
        loss  upon the sale or redemption of  Units is measured by comparing the
        proceeds of  such sale  or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of  the
        Units.  If the  Trustee disposes of  Bonds (whether by  sale, payment at
        maturity, redemption or otherwise),  gain or loss  is recognized to  the
        Unitholder. The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing
        the  Unitholder's  pro  rata  share  of  the  total  proceeds  from such
        disposition with  the  Unitholder's  basis for  his  or  her  fractional
        interest  in the  asset disposed  of. In  the case  of a  Unitholder who
        purchases Units, such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue
        discount  and  amortized  bond  premium,   if  any)  is  determined   by
        apportioning  the  cost of  the  Units among  each  of the  Trust assets
        ratably according to value as of the valuation date nearest the date  of
        acquisition  of the Units. The tax  basis reduction requirements of said
        Code  relating  to  amortization  of   bond  premium  may,  under   some
        circumstances,  result in the  Unitholder realizing a  taxable gain when
        his or her Units are sold or  redeemed for an amount less than or  equal
        to their original cost; and
    
 
   
    (3) any  amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under policies
        of insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable  from
        Federal  gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
        have been so excludable if  paid in the normal  course by the issuer  of
        the  defaulted  Bonds  provided  that, at  the  time  such  policies are
        purchased, the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable,  customary
        and  consistent with the  reasonable expectation that  the issuer of the
        Bonds, rather than  the insurer,  will pay  debt service  on the  Bonds.
        Paragraph  (2)  of  this  opinion is  accordingly  applicable  to policy
        proceeds representing maturing interest.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series  for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under  the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each Trust
    is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each  Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For  a summary of  each opinion of  special counsel to  the respective State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Part A of this Prospectus.
 
   
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME  FOR
FEDERAL, STATE OR OTHER TAX PURPOSES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO
CONSTRUED.
    
 
   
    Counsel for the Sponsor has also advised that under Section 265 of the Code,
interest  on indebtedness incurred or continued to  purchase or carry Units of a
Trust is not deductible  for Federal income tax  purposes. The Internal  Revenue
Service  has  taken the  position that  such indebtedness  need not  be directly
traceable to the purchase or carrying  of Units (however, these rules  generally
do  not apply to interest paid on indebtedness incurred to purchase or improve a
personal residence).  Also, under  Section 265  of the  Code, certain  financial
institutions that acquire Units would generally not be able to deduct any of the
interest  expense attributable to ownership of  such Units. On December 7, 1995,
the U.S. Treasury  Department released  proposed legislation  that, if  enacted,
would  generally  extend the  financial institution  rules to  all corporations,
effective for obligations  acquired after  the date  of announcement.  Investors
with questions regarding this issue should consult with their tax advisers.
    
 
   
    In  the case  of certain  of the Bonds  in the  Trust, the  opinions of bond
counsel indicate that interest on such Bonds received by a "substantial user" of
the facilities  being financed  with the  proceeds of  these Bonds,  or  persons
related thereto, for periods while such Bonds are held by such a user or related
person,  will not be excludable from  Federal gross income, although interest on
such Bonds received  by others would  be excludable from  Federal gross  income.
"Substantial  user" and  "related person"  are defined  under the  Code and U.S.
Treasury Regulations.  Any  person  who  believes  that  he  or  she  may  be  a
"substantial user" or a "related person" as so defined should contact his or her
tax adviser.
    
 
    For  purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
   
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS APPLICABLE  TO CORPORATE  UNITHOLDERS. In  the case  of
certain  corporations, the alternative minimum tax  and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the  adjustment
items  used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC) is an amount equal to 75%  of the excess of such corporation's  "adjusted
current  earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item
and the  alternative  tax  net  operating  loss  deduction).  "Adjusted  current
earnings"  includes all tax-exempt interest, including  interest on all Bonds in
the Trust. Under current  Code provisions, the Superfund  Tax does not apply  to
tax  years beginning  on or  after January 1,  1996. However,  the Superfund Tax
could be extended  retroactively. Under  the provisions  of Section  884 of  the
Code,  a branch profits tax is levied on the "effectively connected earnings and
profits" of certain foreign corporations which include tax-exempt interest  such
as  interest on  the Bonds  in the Trust.  Unitholders should  consult their tax
advisors with respect to the particular  tax consequences to them including  the
corporate  alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and the branch profits tax
imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
    
 
   
    Ownership  of  the  Units  may  result  in  collateral  federal  income  tax
consequences  to certain taxpayers,  including, without limitation, corporations
subject to either  the environmental tax  or the branch  profits tax,  financial
institutions,  certain insurance  companies, certain  S corporations, individual
recipients of Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits and taxpayers  who
may  be deemed to have incurred (or continued) indebtedness to purchase or carry
tax-exempt obligations. Prospective investors should consult their tax  advisers
as to the applicability of any such collateral consequences.
    
 
   
    EXCEPT  AS NOTED ABOVE  AND IN PART  A OF THIS  PROSPECTUS, THE EXEMPTION OF
INTEREST ON  STATE  AND  LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS  FOR  FEDERAL  INCOME  TAX  PURPOSES
DISCUSSED  ABOVE DOES  NOT NECESSARILY RESULT  IN EXEMPTION UNDER  THE INCOME OR
OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY  STATE OR CITY. THE LAWS  OF THE SEVERAL STATES VARY  WITH
RESPECT TO THE TAXATION OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS.
    
 
WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No  annual advisory  fee is charged  to the  Trusts by the  Sponsor. The Sponsor
does, however, receive a fee as set  forth in "Essential Information" in Part  A
of  this  Prospectus  for regularly  evaluating  the Bonds  and  for maintaining
surveillance over the portfolio. (See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION.")
 
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for  each
plan  of distribution  for each  Trust as  set forth  in "Essential Information"
appearing in Part A of this Prospectus. Each annual fee is per $1,000  principal
amount  of the underlying  Bonds in a Trust  for that portion  of the Trust that
represents  a  particular  plan  of  distribution.  The  Trustee's  fee  may  be
periodically  adjusted in response to  fluctuations in short-term interest rates
(reflecting the  cost to  the Trustee  of advancing  funds to  a Trust  to  meet
scheduled  distributions) and  may be  further adjusted  in accordance  with the
cumulative percentage  increase  of  the United  States  Department  of  Labor's
Consumer  Price Index  entitled "All  Services Less  Rent of  Shelter" since the
establishment of the Trusts.  The Trustee has  the use of  funds, if any,  being
held in the Interest and
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
Principal  Accounts of each Trust for  future distributions, payment of expenses
and  redemptions.  These  Accounts  are  non-interest  bearing  to  Unitholders.
Pursuant  to normal  banking procedures,  the Trustee  benefits from  the use of
funds held therein. Part of the  Trustee's compensation for its services to  the
Trusts is expected to result from such use of these funds.
    
 
    Premiums  for the policies  of insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the  deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price  of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for such
insurance.
 
   
    All or  a portion  of  the expenses  incurred  in establishing  the  Trusts,
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 each  Trust portfolio, the  initial
evaluation,  legal fees, the  initial fees and  expenses of the  Trustee and any
other non-material  out-of-pocket  expenses, will  be  paid by  the  Trusts  and
amortized over the first five years of such Trusts. The following are additional
expenses of the Trusts and, when paid by or are owed to the Trustee, are secured
by  a lien  on the  assets of  the Trust  or Trusts  to which  such expenses are
allocable: (1) the expenses and costs of any action undertaken by the Trustee to
protect the Trusts  and the  rights and interests  of the  Unitholders; (2)  all
taxes  and other governmental charges  upon the Bonds or  any part of the Trusts
(no such taxes or charges are being levied  or made or, to the knowledge of  the
Sponsor,  contemplated); (3) amounts payable to the Trustee as fees for ordinary
recurring  services  and  for  extraordinary  non-recurring  services   rendered
pursuant to the Indenture, all disbursements and expenses including counsel fees
(including  fees  of bond  counsel which  the Trustee  may retain)  sustained or
incurred by  the  Trustee  in  connection  therewith;  and  (4)  any  losses  or
liabilities  accruing to  the Trustee without  negligence, bad  faith or willful
misconduct on its part. The Trustee is  empowered to sell Bonds in order to  pay
these  amounts if funds  are not otherwise available  in the applicable Interest
and Principal Accounts.
    
 
    The Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at  the
expense  of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the Sponsor.
The Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to  be
performed  if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual basis.
Unitholders of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the  audited
financial statements upon request.
 
WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of  the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued interest
and including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on  defaulted
Bonds,  shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all other
moneys received by the Trustee shall  be credited to the "Principal Account"  of
such Trust.
 
    The  pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date will be made on or shortly after the fifteenth day of the
month. Proceeds received from the disposition, including sale, call or maturity,
of any of the Bonds and all amounts  paid with respect to zero coupon bonds  and
Stripped  Obligations will be held  in the Principal Account  and either used to
pay for Units  redeemed or distributed  on the Distribution  Date following  the
next semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required to make a distribution
from  the  Principal  Account  of  any Trust  unless  the  amount  available for
distribution in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made  on
or  shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of distribution chosen. Persons who purchase  Units between a Record Date and  a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers  of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed  to
have  chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however, who
purchase Units during the  initial public offering period  and who hold them  of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month;  Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day of
February,  May,  August   and  November;  and   Record  Dates  for   semi-annual
distributions  will be  the first day  of May and  November. See Part  A of this
Prospectus for details of distributions per Unit of each Trust under the various
plans based upon estimated  Net Annual Interest Income  at the Date of  Deposit.
The  amount of  the regular distributions  will generally change  when Bonds are
redeemed, mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease. For
the purpose of minimizing  fluctuations in the  distributions from the  Interest
Account  of a Trust, the Trustee is authorized to advance such amounts as may be
necessary to provide for interest distributions of approximately equal  amounts.
The  Trustee shall be  reimbursed, without interest, for  any such advances from
funds in  the Interest  Account of  such  Trust. The  Trustee's fee  takes  into
account  the costs  attributable to  the outlay of  capital needed  to make such
advances.
 
    The plan of  distribution selected  by a  Unitholder will  remain in  effect
until  changed.  Unitholders  purchasing  Units  in  the  secondary  market will
initially receive distributions  in accordance  with the election  of the  prior
owner. Unitholders
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
desiring  to change their  plan of distribution  may do so  by sending a written
notice requesting the change, together with any Certificate(s), to the  Trustee.
The notice and any Certificate(s) must be received by the Trustee not later than
the  semi-annual Record Date to be  effective as of the semi-annual distribution
following the subsequent semi-annual Record  Date. Unitholders are requested  to
make  any  such changes  within 45  days  prior to  the applicable  Record Date.
Certificates should only be sent by registered or certified mail to minimize the
possibility of  their being  lost or  stolen. (See  "OWNERSHIP AND  TRANSFER  OF
UNITS.")
 
   
    As  of the first day of each month the Trustee will deduct from the Interest
Account of a Trust or, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from  the
Principal  Account of a  Trust, amounts needed  for payment of  expenses of such
Trust. The Trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amount, if any,  as
it  deems necessary to establish a  reserve for any governmental charges payable
out of such  Trust. Amounts so  withdrawn shall not  be considered a  part of  a
Trust's  assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part of
such amounts to the appropriate account. In addition, the Trustee shall withdraw
from the Interest Account and the Principal  Account of a Trust such amounts  as
may  be necessary to  cover redemptions of  Units of such  Trust by the Trustee.
Funds which are available for  future distributions, redemptions and payment  of
expenses  are held in accounts which are non-interest bearing to Unitholders and
are available for use by the Trustee pursuant to normal banking procedures.
    
 
ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
   
The Sponsor is also the principal  underwriter of several open-end mutual  funds
(the  "Accumulation Funds") into which Unitholders  may choose to reinvest Trust
distributions. Unitholders  may elect  to  reinvest principal  distributions  or
interest  and principal  distributions automatically, without  any sales charge.
Each Accumulation  Fund  has  investment  objectives  which  differ  in  certain
respects  from those of the Trusts and  may invest in securities which would not
be eligible  for  deposit in  the  Trusts. Further  information  concerning  the
Accumulation  Plan  and  a  list  of Accumulation  Funds  is  set  forth  in the
Information Supplement of this Prospectus,  which may be obtained by  contacting
the Trustee at the phone number listed on the back cover of this Prospectus.
    
 
Participants  may at any time, by so  notifying the Trustee in writing, elect to
change  the  Accumulation  Fund  into   which  their  distributions  are   being
reinvested,  to change from principal only  reinvestment to reinvestment of both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units  in
cash.  There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election or
termination. The character of Trust  distributions for income tax purposes  will
remain unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
   
The  Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with each
distribution, a statement of the amount of  interest, if any, and the amount  of
other  receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being distributed,
expressed in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share  of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid  on said Units.  Within a reasonable period  of time after  the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to each person, who at any time  during
the  calendar year  was a  registered Unitholder  of a  Trust, a  statement with
respect to  such  Trust  (i)  as to  the  Interest  Account:  interest  received
(including  amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition of
Bonds), and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest  by
states  in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total  dollar
amount  and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each Unit
outstanding on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to  the
Principal  Account: the dates of  disposition of any Bonds  and the net proceeds
received therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest),  the
amount  paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon redemption
of Units, deductions for  payment of applicable taxes  and fees and expenses  of
the  Trustee, and the balance remaining  after such distributions and deductions
expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing  the
pro  rata  share of  each  Unit outstanding  on the  last  business day  of such
calendar year;  (iii)  a  list  of  the Bonds  held  and  the  number  of  Units
outstanding  on the last business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Unit Value
based upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and  (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest Account
and  from  the Principal  Account, separately  stated,  expressed both  as total
dollar amounts and  as dollar amounts  representing the pro  rata share of  each
Unit  outstanding. Each annual  statement will reflect  pertinent information in
respect of  all  plans of  distribution  so  that Unitholders  may  be  informed
regarding the results of other plans of distribution.
    
 
UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
   
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing  taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust and (2) the
accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such computation is divided by  the
number  of Units of such  Trust outstanding as of  the date thereof to determine
the per Unit value ("Unit Value") of  such Trust. The Sponsor may determine  the
value  of the Bonds in each Trust (1) on  the basis of current BID prices of the
Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds  comparable
to  those held by a  Trust, (2) if bid  prices are not available  for any of the
Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds, (3) by causing the value
of the Bonds to be determined by others
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
engaged in the practice of evaluating, quoting or appraising comparable bonds or
(4) by any combination of  the above. Although the Unit  Value of each Trust  is
based on the BID prices of the Bonds, the Units are sold initially to the public
at the Public Offering Price based on the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
   
Nuveen, in addition to being the Sponsor, is the sole Underwriter of the  Units.
It  is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National, Long
Intermediate, Intermediate, Short  Intermediate and Short  Term Trusts for  sale
under  the  laws of  substantially all  of the  states of  the United  States of
America, and Units  of State Trusts  only in the  state for which  the Trust  is
named and selected other states.
    
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period  of  distribution of  the Units  to public  investors. To  facilitate the
handling of  transactions,  sales of  Units  shall be  limited  to  transactions
involving a minimum of either $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever is less. The Sponsor
reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any order for the purchase of
Units.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DISCOUNT PER UNIT
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 NATIONAL    LONG INTER-                  SHORT INTER-
                                AND STATE      MEDIATE     INTERMEDIATE      MEDIATE     SHORT TERM
NUMBER OF UNITS*                  TRUSTS       TRUSTS         TRUSTS         TRUSTS        TRUSTS
- ------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but less than 1,000.......     3.20         2.90           2.70           2.00          1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
 dollar basis and  on the  basis of  the number  of Units  purchased, using  the
 equivalent  of 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  "MARKET FOR  UNITS." The  amount of  the dealer  concession on
secondary market purchases of Trust Units  through the Sponsor will be  computed
based  upon the value of  the Bonds in the  Trust portfolio, including the sales
charge computed as described in "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE  DETERMINED?",
and  adjusted to reflect the  cash position of the  Trust principal account, and
will vary with the size of the purchase as shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              UNDER       TO         TO         TO         TO          TO          TO      $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   OR MORE
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .73%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using  the
  equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will be
  applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The  Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer concessions
from time to time.
 
   
    At the  discretion of  the Sponsor,  volume incentives  can be  earned as  a
marketing  allowance by  dealer firms who  reach cumulative firm  sales or sales
arrangement levels of a specified number of Units of an individual Trust  during
the primary
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
offering  period  as set  forth  in the  table below.  For  firms that  meet the
necessary volume level for a Trust, volume incentives may be given on all trades
involving that Trust originated from or by that firm during the primary offering
period.
    
 
   
Primary Market Volume Incentives
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   PER TRUST SALES LEVEL
AVERAGE MATURITY                     DURING THE PRIMARY      VOLUME INCENTIVE
OF TRUST                              OFFERING PERIOD            PER UNIT
- -------------------------------  --------------------------  -----------------
<S>                              <C>                         <C>
Less than 6 years                      At least 5,000 Units      $    0.05
6 but less than 15 years               At least 2,500 Units      $    0.10
15 years or more                       At least 2,500 Units      $    0.20
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    In addition, a volume  incentive of $2.50  per $1,000 of  Units sold can  be
earned by dealer firms as a marketing allowance for secondary market sales of at
least $1 million of Nuveen Unit Trust units per calendar quarter.
    
 
   
    Only sales through the Sponsor qualify for volume incentives and for meeting
minimum  requirements. The  Sponsor reserves the  right to modify  or change the
volume incentive schedule  at any time  and make the  determination as to  which
firms qualify for the marketing allowance and the amount paid.
    
 
   
    Registered  investment advisers, certified financial planners and registered
broker-dealers who  in  each case  either  charge periodic  fees  for  financial
planning,  investment  advisory or  asset management  services, or  provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive  "wrap  fee"  charge  is imposed,  and  bank  trust  departments
investing  funds  over which  they  exercise exclusive  discretionary investment
authority and  that  are held  in  a  fiduciary, agency,  custodial  or  similar
capacity,  are not entitled to receive any  dealer concession for any sales made
to investors which  qualified as  "Discounted Purchases" during  the primary  or
secondary market. (See "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?")
    
 
    Certain  commercial banks are making Units  of the Trusts available to their
customers on  an agency  basis. A  portion of  the sales  charge paid  by  these
customers  is retained by or  remitted to the banks in  the amounts shown in the
above table.  The Glass-Steagall  Act prohibits  banks from  underwriting  Trust
Units;  the Act  does, however, permit  certain agency  transactions and banking
regulators have not indicated that these particular agency transactions are  not
permitted  under the Act. In Texas and  in certain other states, any bank making
Units available must be registered as a broker-dealer under state law.
 
OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The ownership of  Units is  evidenced by book  entry positions  recorded on  the
books  and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests that
the purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is  authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that person who at the time is registered as such
on  the books of the Trustee. Any  Unitholder who holds a Certificate may change
to book entry ownership by submitting to the Trustee the Certificate along  with
a written request that the Units represented by such Certificate be held in book
entry form. Likewise, a Unitholder who holds Units in book entry form may obtain
a  Certificate for such  Units by written  request to the  Trustee. Units may be
held in denominations of one Unit or any multiple or fraction thereof. Fractions
of Units are computed to three  decimal places. Any Certificates issued will  be
numbered  serially for identification, and are  issued in fully registered form,
transferable only  on the  books of  the Trustee.  Book entry  Unitholders  will
receive a Book Entry Position Confirmation reflecting their ownership.
 
    For  Trusts allowing optional plans  of distribution, Certificates for Units
will bear  an  appropriate notation  on  their  face indicating  which  plan  of
distribution has been selected. When a change is made, the existing Certificates
must  be surrendered to the  Trustee and new Certificates  issued to reflect the
currently effective  plan of  distribution. There  will be  no charge  for  this
service.  Holders of book entry  Units can change their  plan of distribution by
making a written  request to  the Trustee,  which will  issue a  new Book  Entry
Position Confirmation to reflect such change.
 
    Units  are transferable by making  a written request to  the Trustee and, in
the case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and  surrendering
such  Certificate(s) to the Trustee, at its  address listed on the back cover of
this Part B  of the Prospectus,  properly endorsed or  accompanied by a  written
instrument  or  instruments  of  transfer.  The  Certificate(s)  should  be sent
registered or  certified  mail  for  the  protection  of  the  Unitholder.  Each
Unitholder  must sign such written request,  and such Certificate(s) or transfer
instrument, exactly as his  name appears on (a)  the face of the  Certificate(s)
representing  the  Units  to be  transferred,  or  (b) the  Book  Entry Position
Confirmation(s) relating to the Units to be transferred. Such signature(s)  must
be guaranteed by a guarantor acceptable to the Trustee. In certain instances the
Trustee  may require  additional documents  such as,  but not  limited to, trust
instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor or administrator or
certificates of corporate authority. Mutilated Certificates must be  surrendered
to  the Trustee in order for a replacement Certificate to be issued. Although at
the date hereof no charge is made and none is contemplated, a Unitholder may  be
required  to pay $2.00 to the Trustee  for each Certificate reissued or transfer
of Units requested and to  pay any governmental charge  which may be imposed  in
connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To  obtain a new  Certificate replacing one  that has been  lost, stolen, or
destroyed,  the   Unitholder   must   furnish  the   Trustee   with   sufficient
indemnification   and  pay  such  expenses  as   the  Trustee  may  incur.  This
indemnification must be in the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
form of  an  Open Penalty  Bond  of Indemnification.  The  premium for  such  an
indemnity  bond may vary, but currently amounts to 1% of the market value of the
Units represented by  the Certificate. In  the case  however, of a  Trust as  to
which  notice of  termination has been  given, the premium  currently amounts to
0.5% of the market value of the Units represented by such Certificate.
 
HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
   
Unitholders may redeem all or a portion  of their Units by (1) making a  written
request  for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its address  listed  on  the  back  cover of  this  Part  B  of  the  Prospectus
(redemptions  of 1,000 Units or more will require a signature guarantee), (2) in
the case of Units evidenced by a Certificate, by also tendering such Certificate
to the Trustee, duly endorsed or  accompanied by proper instruments of  transfer
with signatures guaranteed as explained above, or provide satisfactory indemnity
required  in  connection with  lost, stolen  or  destroyed Certificates  and (3)
payment of applicable governmental charges, if any. Certificates should be  sent
only  by registered or certified mail to minimize the possibility of their being
lost or stolen. (See "OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS.") No redemption fee  will
be   charged.  A  Unitholder  may  authorize  the  Trustee  to  honor  telephone
instructions for  the  redemption  of  Units held  in  book  entry  form.  Units
represented  by Certificates may  not be redeemed by  telephone. The proceeds of
Units redeemed by telephone will  be sent by check  either to the Unitholder  at
the  address specified on his account or to a financial institution specified by
the Unitholder for credit to the account of the Unitholder. A Unitholder wishing
to  use  this  method  of  redemption  must  complete  a  Telephone   Redemption
Authorization  Form and  furnish the Form  to the  Trustee. Telephone Redemption
Authorization  Forms   can   be   obtained  from   a   Unitholder's   registered
representative  or by calling the  Trustee. Once the completed  Form is on file,
the Trustee will honor telephone  redemption requests by any authorized  person.
The  time a  telephone redemption  request is  received determines  the "date of
tender" as discussed below. The redemption proceeds will be mailed within  three
business days following the telephone redemption request. Only Units held in the
name  of individuals may be redeemed by telephone; accounts registered in broker
name, or  accounts  of  corporations or  fiduciaries  (including  among  others,
trustees,  guardians, executors  and administrators)  may not  use the telephone
redemption privilege.
    
 
   
    On the third business day following the date of tender, the Unitholder  will
be  entitled to receive  in cash for each  Unit tendered an  amount equal to the
Unit Value of  such Trust determined  by the  Trustee, as of  4:00 p.m.  eastern
time,  or as  of any  earlier closing  time on  a day  on which  the Exchange is
scheduled in advance to  close at such  earlier time, on the  date of tender  as
defined  hereafter,  plus  accrued interest  to,  but not  including,  the third
business day after the date of  tender ("Redemption Price"). The price  received
upon  redemption may  be more  or less  than the  amount paid  by the Unitholder
depending on the value of  the Bonds on the  date of tender. Unitholders  should
check  with the Trustee or their broker to determine the Redemption Price before
tendering Units.
    
 
   
    The "date of  tender" is  deemed to  be the date  on which  the request  for
redemption  of Units is received  in proper form by  the Trustee, except that as
regards a redemption request received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, or as of any
earlier closing time on a day on  which the Exchange is scheduled in advance  to
close  at such  earlier time, or  on any day  on which the  Exchange is normally
closed, the date of tender  is the next day on  which such Exchange is  normally
open  for trading and such request will be  deemed to have been made on such day
and the redemption  will be effected  at the Redemption  Price computed on  that
day.
    
 
    Accrued  interest paid  on redemption shall  be withdrawn  from the Interest
Account of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is  insufficient,
from  the Principal Account of such Trust.  All other amounts paid on redemption
shall be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to  sell
underlying  Bonds of a  Trust in order  to make funds  available for redemption.
(See "HOW BONDS MAY  BE REMOVED FROM  THE TRUSTS.") Units  so redeemed shall  be
cancelled.  To  the  extent that  Bonds  are sold  from  a Trust,  the  size and
diversity of such Trust will  be reduced. Such sales may  be required at a  time
when  Bonds would not  otherwise be sold  and might result  in lower prices than
might otherwise be realized.
 
   
    The Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will be
determined on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00  p.m.
eastern  time on any day on which the  Exchange is normally open for trading, or
as of any earlier closing  time on a day on  which the Exchange is scheduled  in
advance to close at such earlier time, and such determination is made. As of any
given time, the difference between the bid and offering prices of such Bonds may
be  expected to average 1/2% to 2% of  principal amount. In the case of actively
traded Bonds, the difference may be  as little as 1/4 to  1/2 of 1%, and in  the
case of inactively traded Bonds such difference usually will not exceed 3%.
    
 
    The  right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for any
period during  which  the Securities  and  Exchange Commission  determines  that
trading  in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under  regulations issued by the Internal  Revenue Service, the Trustee will
be required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a Unit
redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unitholder's  tax
identification  number in the manner required by such regulations. Any amount so
withheld is transmitted to the Internal
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Revenue Service and may be recovered by  the Unitholder only when filing his  or
her  tax return. Under normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unitholder's
tax identification number from the selling broker at the time the Certificate or
Book Entry Return  Confirmation is  issued, and this  number is  printed on  the
Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation and on distribution statements. If
a  Unitholder's tax identification number does not appear as described above, or
if it is incorrect, the Unitholder  should contact the Trustee before  redeeming
Units  to determine  what action,  if any,  is required  to avoid  this "back-up
withholding."
 
HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption.  If
the  Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds the
Redemption Price it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before  the
close  of business on the  second succeeding business day  and by making payment
therefor to  the  Unitholder not  later  than the  day  on which  payment  would
otherwise have been made by the Trustee. (See "HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT
CHARGE.")  The Sponsor's current practice  is to bid at  the Redemption Price in
the secondary market. Units held by the  Sponsor may be tendered to the  Trustee
for redemption as any other Units.
 
HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof.  See Part A of  this Prospectus and "RISK  FACTORS" for a discussion of
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
   
    The Indenture also  empowers the Trustee  to sell Bonds  for the purpose  of
redeeming  Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses for
which income may not be available. Under the Indenture, the Sponsor is obligated
to provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold  in
such  circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor intends
to consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions;  (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount  of
underlying  Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in  the
sale  of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust. To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
    
 
    In addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to  liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or interest, an action of the issuer that will adversely affect
its  ability to continue payment of the  principal of and interest on its Bonds,
or an  adverse  change  in  market, revenue  or  credit  factors  affecting  the
investment  character of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the principal
of and/or interest  on any  of the  Bonds occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails  to
instruct  the Trustee whether to  sell or continue to  hold such Bonds within 30
days after  notification by  the Trustee  to the  Sponsor of  such default,  the
Indenture  provides that  the Trustee shall  liquidate said  Bonds forthwith and
shall not be liable for  any loss so incurred. The  Sponsor may also direct  the
Trustee  to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the Bonds in the Trust are the subject
of an advanced refunding,  generally considered to be  when refunding bonds  are
issued and the proceeds thereof are deposited in irrevocable trust to retire the
refunded Bonds on their redemption date.
 
    Except  as stated in "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" regarding the limited right of
substitution of Replacement  Bonds for  Failed Bonds, and  except for  refunding
securities that may be exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in
the  Indenture, the Indenture does not permit  either the Sponsor or the Trustee
to acquire or deposit bonds either in  addition to, or in substitution for,  any
of the Bonds initially deposited in a Trust.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
The  Trustee and its address are stated on the  back cover of this Part B of the
Prospectus. The Trustee is subject to supervision and examination by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation,  the Board  of Governors of  the Federal  Reserve
System and either the Comptroller of the Currency or state banking authorities.
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The  Sponsor and the Trustee shall be  under no liability to Unitholders for
taking any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant  to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence,  lack of good faith or willful  misconduct. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under  the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The  Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon  it
as  Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which the
Trustee may be required  to pay under  any present or future  law of the  United
States  of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction. In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The  Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a notice of resignation to all  Unitholders then of record. Upon receiving  such
notice,  the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver or other public officer shall  take charge of its property or  affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument. The resignation  or removal of  a trustee and  the appointment of  a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged or with which it may  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting  from
any  merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be the
successor trustee.
 
    If upon resignation  of a trustee  no successor has  been appointed and  has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may  apply  to  a court  of  competent  jurisdiction for  the  appointment  of a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event,  the
Trustee  may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
   
Since our founding  in 1898, Nuveen  has been synonymous  with investments  that
withstand  the  test of  time.  Today, we  offer  a broad  range  of investments
designed for mature investors whose portfolio  is the principal source of  their
ongoing  financial  security. More  than  1.3 million  investors  have entrusted
Nuveen to help them maintain the lifestyle they currently enjoy.
    
 
   
    A value investing  approach--purchasing securities of  strong companies  and
communities  that represent good long-term value--is the cornerstone of Nuveen's
investment philosophy.  It is  a  careful, long-term  strategy that  offers  the
potential for attractive returns with moderated risk. Successful value investing
begins  with in-depth research and a discerning eye for marketplace opportunity.
Nuveen's team of investment professionals is backed by the discipline, resources
and expertise of almost a century of investment experience, including one of the
most recognized research departments in the industry.
    
 
   
    To meet  the unique  circumstances and  financial planning  needs of  mature
investors,  Nuveen  offers  a  wide array  of  taxable  and  tax-free investment
products--including  equity  and   fixed-income  mutual   funds,  unit   trusts,
exchange-traded  funds, customized asset management services and cash management
products. Nuveen is a subsidiary of The  John Nuveen Company which, in turn,  is
approximately  78% owned by the St. Paul  Companies, Inc. ("ST. PAUL"). St. Paul
is located  in St.  Paul,  Minnesota and  is  principally engaged  in  providing
property-liability  insurance through  subsidiaries. Nuveen  is a  member of the
National Association of  Securities Dealers,  Inc. and  the Securities  Industry
Association  and has  its principal office  located in Chicago  (333 West Wacker
Drive). Nuveen maintains 11 regional offices.
    
 
   
    To help advisers and investors better understand and more efficiently use an
investment in  the Trusts  to  reach their  investment  goals, the  Sponsor  may
advertise and create specific investment programs and systems. For example, such
activities may include presenting information on how to use an investment in the
Trusts, alone or in combination with an investment in other mutual funds or unit
investment trusts sponsored by Nuveen, to accumulate assets for future education
needs  or periodic payments such as  insurance premiums. The Trusts' sponsor may
produce software or  additional sales  literature to promote  the advantages  of
using the Trusts to meet these and other specific investor needs.
    
 
OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The  Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without the
consent of any of  the Unitholders (1)  to cure any ambiguity  or to correct  or
supplement  any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or (2)
to make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the  Unitholders,
provided,  however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the number
of Units in any Trust or to permit the deposit or acquisition of bonds either in
addition to, or in substitution for any of the Bonds initially deposited in  any
Trust except as stated in "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" regarding the limited right of
substitution  of Replacement Bonds and except  for the substitution of refunding
bonds under certain circumstances. The  Trustee shall advise the Unitholders  of
any amendment promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each  Trust may be liquidated at any time  by written consent of 100% of the
Unitholders or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by  any
evaluation,  is less than 20% of the original principal amount of such Trust and
will be  liquidated  by  the Trustee  in  the  event that  Units  not  yet  sold
aggregating  more  than 60%  of the  Units originally  created are  tendered for
redemption by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to  less
than  40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information" appearing in Part A of this Prospectus.)
The sale of Bonds from the Trusts upon termination may result in realization  of
a  lesser amount than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not required
at such time. For this reason, among others, the amount realized by a Unitholder
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
upon termination  may be  less than  the principal  amount of  Bonds  originally
represented  by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year  preceding
the  fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts, beyond
the end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  its
execution  for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end of
the calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for  Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
   
    Written  notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at which
Unitholders may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall  be
given  by  the  Trustee to  each  Unitholder  at the  address  appearing  on the
registration books of  a Trust maintained  by the Trustee.  Within a  reasonable
time  thereafter, the Trustee shall  liquidate any Bonds in  the Trust then held
and shall deduct from  the assets of  the Trust any  accrued costs, expenses  or
indemnities  provided  by  the  Indenture which  are  allocable  to  such Trust,
including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any
amounts required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes  or
other  governmental charges. The Trustee shall then distribute to Unitholders of
such Trust their pro  rata share of  the balance of  the Interest and  Principal
Accounts.  With such  distribution, the Unitholders  shall be  furnished a final
distribution  statement,  in   substantially  the  same   form  as  the   annual
distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At such time as the Trustee
in  its sole discretion shall determine that  any amounts held in reserve are no
longer necessary, it shall make distribution thereof to Unitholders in the  same
manner.
    
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
appearing  in  Part A  of this  Prospectus.  Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn,  2 Wall
Street, New York,  New York 10005,  has acted  as counsel for  the Trustee  with
respect  to the Series, and, in the absence of a New York Trust from the Series,
as special New York tax counsel for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The "Statement  of  Condition" and  "Schedule  of Investments"  at  Date  of
Deposit  included  in Part  A of  this  Prospectus have  been audited  by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public  accountants, as indicated  in their report  in
Part  A  of  this Prospectus,  and  are  included herein  in  reliance  upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
    Upon written or telephonic request to the Trustee, investors will receive at
no cost to  the investor supplemental  information about this  Trust, which  has
been  filed  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  and is  intended to
supplement information contained in  Part A and Part  B of this Prospectus.  The
supplemental  information includes more  detailed information concerning certain
of the Bonds included in the Trusts contained in the applicable Series and  more
specific   risk  information  concerning  the   individual  state  Trusts.  This
supplement also includes  additional general information  about the Sponsor  and
the Trusts.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                          NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
 
   
                              PROSPECTUS -- PART B
                                  JULY 8, 1997
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>                       <S>        <C>
                 SPONSOR             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                                     333 West Wacker Drive
                                     Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                                     Telephone: 312.917.7700
 
                                     Swiss Bank Tower
                                     10 East 50th Street
                                     New York, NY 10022
                                     212.207.2000
 
                 TRUSTEE             The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                     4 New York Plaza
                                     New York, NY 10004-2413
                                     800.257.8787
 
           LEGAL COUNSEL             Chapman and Cutler
              TO SPONSOR             111 West Monroe Street
                                     Chicago, IL 60603
 
             INDEPENDENT             Arthur Andersen LLP
                  PUBLIC             33 West Monroe Street
             ACCOUNTANTS             Chicago, IL 60603
          FOR THE TRUSTS
</TABLE>
    
 
                                 --------------
 
           Except  as to  statements made herein  furnished by  the Trustee, the
Trustee  has  assumed   no  responsibility  for   the  accuracy,  adequacy   and
completeness of the information contained in this Prospectus.
 
           This  Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the registration  statement  and  exhibits  relating  thereto,  filed  with  the
Securities  and Exchange Commission, Washington,  D.C., under the Securities Act
of 1933, and to which reference is made.
 
   
           No  person  is  authorized  to  give  any  information  or  to   make
representations  not contained in this Prospectus or in supplemental information
or  sales  literature  prepared   by  the  Sponsor,   and  any  information   or
representation  not contained  therein must  not be  relied upon  as having been
authorized by either  the Trusts, the  Trustee or the  Sponsor. This  Prospectus
does  not constitute  an offer to  sell, or a  solicitation of an  offer to buy,
securities in any  State to any  person to whom  it is not  lawful to make  such
offer  in such state. The Trusts are  registered as Unit Investment Trusts under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Such registration does not imply
that the  Trusts  or  any  of  their  Units  have  been  guaranteed,  sponsored,
recommended  or approved by the United States  or any State or agency or officer
thereof.
    

<PAGE>
                          NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS
 
                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
 
                               NUVEEN SERIES 964
 
               This   Information   Supplement   provides  additional
           information concerning the structure, operations and risks
           of  a  Nuveen  Tax-Free  Unit  Trust  not  found  in   the
           prospectuses  for the Trusts.  This Information Supplement
           is not  a  prospectus and  does  not include  all  of  the
           information  that a  prospective investor  should consider
           before investing in a  Trust. This Information  Supplement
           should  be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the
           Trust  in  which  an  investor  is  considering  investing
           ("Prospectus").  Copies of the  Prospectus can be obtained
           by calling or writing the Trustee at the telephone  number
           and  address indicated in  Part B of  the Prospectus. This
           Information Supplement  has  been  created  to  supplement
           information contained in the Prospectus.
 
               This  Information  Supplement is  dated  September 24,
           1997.  Capitalized  terms   have  been   defined  in   the
           Prospectus.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 ----------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
GENERAL RISK DISCLOSURE..............................................           2
  Health Care Facility Revenue Obligations...........................           2
  Single Family and Multi-Family Housing Revenue Obligations.........           2
  Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds...............................           2
  Congregate Care Revenue Obligations................................           3
  Federally Enhanced Obligations.....................................           3
  Public Housing Authority Revenue Obligations.......................           3
  Industrial Revenue Obligations.....................................           3
  Power Revenue Obligations..........................................           4
  Utility Obligations................................................           4
  Transportation Bonds...............................................           4
  Water and/or Sewerage Revenue Obligations..........................           4
  Resource Recovery Revenue Obligations..............................           5
  Education Revenue Obligations......................................           5
  Bridge and Tollroad Revenue Obligations............................           5
  Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue Bonds..............................           5
  Municipal Lease Revenue Bonds......................................           5
  Special Obligation to Crossover....................................           5
  Civic Organization Obligations.....................................           5
  Original Issue Discount Bonds and Stripped Obligations.............           5
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?...................................           6
ACCUMULATION PLAN....................................................           8
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR........................................           9
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS...............................................          11
HOW THE TRUST COMPARES PERFORMANCE...................................          13
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME...............................          14
Appendix A -- New York Disclosure....................................         A-1
Appendix B -- Pennsylvania Disclosure................................         B-1
</TABLE>
    
 
<PAGE>
GENERAL RISK DISCLOSURE
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that such an investment may  entail. These include the ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when due, the  effects of changes in  interest rates generally,  early
call provisions and the potential for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As
set  forth in the portfolio  summaries in Part A  of this Prospectus, the Trusts
may contain or be concentrated  in one or more of  the types of bonds  discussed
below.   The  following  paragraphs  discuss  certain  circumstances  which  may
adversely affect the  ability of issuers  of Bonds  held in the  portfolio of  a
Trust  to make payment of principal and  interest thereon or which may adversely
affect the  ratings of  such Bonds;  with respect  to Insured  Trusts,  however,
because of the insurance obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds,
such changes should not adversely affect an Insured Trust's receipt of principal
and  interest, the Standard & Poor's AAA or  Moody's Aaa ratings of the Bonds in
the Insured Trust portfolio, or the Standard & Poor's AAA rating of the Units of
each such Insured Trust. For economic  risks specific to the individual  Trusts,
see "Risk Factors" for each Trust.
 
    HEALTH  CARE FACILITY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be obligations of issuers whose revenues  are derived from services provided  by
hospitals  or other health care facilities,  including nursing homes. Ratings of
bonds issued  for health  care  facilities are  sometimes based  on  feasibility
studies  that contain projections of occupancy  levels, revenues and expenses. A
facility's gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may  be
affected  by future events and conditions  including, among other things, demand
for services, the ability of the  facility to provide the services required,  an
increasing  shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments  in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar providers,
efforts by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates,  legislation
establishing  state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation, the
cost and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the  termination
or  restriction of governmental financial  assistance, including that associated
with Medicare, Medicaid and other  similar third party payor programs.  Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on  a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of  such
institutions  to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a default
upon a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses  for
such  facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the  damage,
destruction  or  condemnation of  the hospital  facilities  or in  other special
circumstances.
 
    SINGLE FAMILY AND  MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Some of  the
Bonds  in a  Trust may  be obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are primarily
derived from mortgage loans to  housing projects for the  elderly or for low  to
moderate  income families. Such issues  are generally characterized by mandatory
redemption at par  or, in the  case of original  issue discount bonds,  accreted
value  in the event  of economic defaults and  in the event of  a failure of the
operator of a project to  comply with certain covenants  as to the operation  of
the  project.  The failure  of such  operator to  comply with  certain covenants
related to the tax-exempt  status of interest on  the Bonds, such as  provisions
requiring that a specified percentage of units be rented or available for rental
to  low or  moderate income families,  potentially could cause  interest on such
Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from the date of issuance of  the
Bonds.  The  ability of  such  issuers to  make  debt service  payments  will be
affected by events and conditions affecting financed projects, including,  among
other things, the achievement and maintenance of sufficient occupancy levels and
adequate  rental income,  employment and  income conditions  prevailing in local
labor markets, increases in taxes,  utility costs and other operating  expenses,
the  managerial ability  of project managers,  changes in  laws and governmental
regulations, the  appropriation of  subsidies, and  social and  economic  trends
affecting  the localities in  which the projects are  located. Occupancy of such
housing projects  may be  adversely  affected by  high  rent levels  and  income
limitations imposed under Federal and state programs.
 
    SINGLE  FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some of  the Bonds in a Trust may be
single family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose  of
acquiring  from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate income. Mortgage  loans are generally  partially or completely  prepaid
prior  to their  final maturities  as a  result of  events such  as sale  of the
mortgaged premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these  bonds
are  subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their  ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from  the failure  of the  originating financial  institutions to  make mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of such  issues may  be more  or less  than the  offering price  of such  bonds.
Additionally,  unusually high rates of default  on the underlying mortgage loans
may reduce revenues  available for the  payment of principal  of or interest  on
such mortgage revenue
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
bonds.  Single family mortgage revenue bonds issued after December 31, 1980 were
issued under Section 103A of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1954, as amended,  or
Section 143 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which Sections contain certain
requirements  relating to the use of the proceeds of such bonds in order for the
interest on such bonds to retain its tax-exempt status. In each case, the issuer
of the bonds  has covenanted  to comply  with applicable  requirements and  bond
counsel  to such issuer has issued an opinion  that the interest on the bonds is
exempt from Federal income tax under existing laws and regulations. There can be
no assurance that such continuing requirements will be satisfied; the failure to
meet such  requirements could  cause interest  on  the Bonds  to be  subject  to
Federal income taxation, possibly from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    CONGREGATE  CARE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Some of the Bonds  in a Trust may be
obligations of  issuers  whose revenues  are  primarily derived  from  loans  to
finance  the  construction  and/or acquisition  of  congregate  care facilities,
including retirement  facilities  and nursing  care  units. A  facility's  gross
receipts  and net income  available for debt  service may be  affected by future
events and conditions, including, among  other things, demand for services,  the
ability   of  the  facility   to  provide  the   services  required,  management
capabilities, an increasing shortage of qualified  nurses or a dramatic rise  in
nursing  salaries, economic developments  in the service  area, competition from
other similar providers, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to  limit
rates,   legislation   establishing  state   rate-setting   agencies,  expenses,
government  regulation  and  the  termination  or  restriction  of  governmental
financial assistance.
 
    FEDERALLY  ENHANCED OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of the  mortgages which  secure the
various health care or housing projects which underlie the previously  discussed
Health  Care Facility Revenue,  Single Family and  Multi-Family Housing Revenue,
Single Family Mortgage  Revenue Obligations  and Congregate  Care Revenue  Bonds
(the   "Obligations")  in  a  Trust  may  be  insured  by  the  Federal  Housing
Administration ("FHA"). Under  FHA regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage
amount  cannot exceed 90% of  the FHA's estimated value  of the project. The FHA
mortgage insurance does  not constitute  a guarantee  of timely  payment of  the
principal  of and  interest on  the Obligations.  Payment of  mortgage insurance
benefits may be (1) less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or
(2) delayed if  disputes arise as  to the amount  of the payment  or if  certain
notices  are  not  given to  the  FHA  within the  prescribed  time  periods. In
addition, some  of  the  previously  discussed Obligations  may  be  secured  by
mortgage-backed  certificates  guaranteed  by the  Government  National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), a  wholly owned  corporate instrumentality  of the  United
States,  and/or  the  Federal  National Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie  Mae") a
federally chartered  and  stockholder-owed  corporation.  GNMA  and  Fannie  Mae
guarantee  timely  payment  of  principal and  interest  on  the mortgage-backed
certificates, even where the  underlying mortgage payments  are not made.  While
such  mortgage-backed  certificates  are  often  pledged  to  secure  payment of
principal and  interest  on the  Obligations,  timely payment  of  interest  and
principal  on the Obligations is not insured or guaranteed by the United States,
GNMA, Fannie Mae or any other  governmental agency or instrumentality. The  GNMA
mortgage-backed  certificates  constitute  a general  obligation  of  the United
States backed  by its  full faith  and credit.  The obligations  of Fannie  Mae,
including  its obligations under the  Fannie Mae mortgage-backed securities, are
obligations solely of Fannie Mae and are not backed by, or entitled to, the full
faith and credit of the United States.
 
    PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a  Trust
may be obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from loans to
finance  public  housing projects.  These bonds  are  guaranteed by  the federal
Department  of  Housing  and  Urban  Development.  Such  issues  are   generally
characterized  by mandatory redemption at par or,  in the case of original issue
discount bonds, accreted value in the event of economic defaults. The ability of
such issuers  to make  debt service  payments  will be  affected by  events  and
conditions  affecting  financed  projects, including,  among  other  things, the
achievement and  maintenance  of  sufficient occupancy  levels,  employment  and
income conditions prevailing in local labor markets, increases in taxes, utility
costs   and  other  operating   expenses,  changes  in   laws  and  governmental
regulations, and social and  economic trends affecting  the localities in  which
the  projects are  located. In addition,  the federal Department  of Housing and
Urban Development may impose  regulations and/or limitations  which may have  an
adverse impact on the Bonds in a Trust.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may be
industrial revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), which  are tax-exempt  securities issued  by
states,  municipalities, public authorities  or similar entities  to finance the
cost of acquiring, constructing or improving various industrial projects.  These
projects  are usually operated by corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only
to pay amounts due on the IRBs to  the extent that funds are available from  the
unexpended  proceeds of the IRBs or receipts  or revenues of the issuer under an
arrangement between the  issuer and  the corporate  operator of  a project.  The
arrangement  may  be  in  the  form  of  a  lease,  installment  sale agreement,
conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,  but in each case the payments  to
the  issuer are designed to be sufficient to meet the payments of amounts due on
the IRBs. Regardless of the structure, payment of IRBs is solely dependent  upon
the   creditworthiness  of  the  corporate  operator  of  the  project  and,  if
applicable, corporate  guarantor.  Corporate  operators  or  guarantors  may  be
affected  by many factors which may have an adverse impact on the credit quality
of the particular company or industry. These include cyclicality of revenues and
earnings, regulatory and environmental  restrictions, litigation resulting  from
accidents   or  environmentally-caused  illnesses,   extensive  competition  and
financial deterioration resulting from a  corporate restructuring pursuant to  a
leveraged   buy-out,   takeover   or  otherwise.   Such   a   restructuring  may
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
result in the operator of a project becoming highly leveraged which may have  an
impact  on such operator's creditworthiness which  in turn would have an adverse
impact on the rating and/or market value of such Bonds. Further, the possibility
of such  a restructuring  may  have an  adverse impact  on  the market  for  and
consequently  the value of such  Bonds, even though no  actual takeover or other
action is ever contemplated or effected. The  IRBs in a Trust may be subject  to
special  or extraordinary redemption provisions which may provide for redemption
at par or, in  the case of  original issue discount  bonds, accreted value.  The
Sponsor  cannot predict the causes or likelihood  of the redemption of IRBs in a
Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    POWER REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be  obligations
of  issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from pollution control bonds as
well as the sale of electric energy  and oil and gas. Some of these  obligations
are  backed by the credit of an investor owned utility (IOU). The problems faced
by such issuers  include the  difficulty in  obtaining approval  for timely  and
adequate  rate  increases from  the applicable  public utility  commissions, the
difficulty of  financing  large construction  programs,  increased  competition,
reductions in estimates of future demand for electricity in certain areas of the
country,   the  limitations  on  operations   and  increased  costs  and  delays
attributable to  environmental considerations,  the  difficulty of  the  capital
market in absorbing utility debt, the difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable
prices  and the  effect of  energy conservation. All  of such  issuers have been
experiencing certain of these problems in varying degrees. In addition, Federal,
state and  municipal  governmental authorities  may  from time  to  time  review
existing,   and   impose  additional,   regulations  governing   the  licensing,
construction and operation of nuclear  power plants, which may adversely  affect
the  ability of the issuers of certain of  the Bonds in a Trust to make payments
of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    UTILITY OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations  of
issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from the sale of natural gas or the
combined  net revenue of  two or more  municipal utility systems  operating as a
single entity. The  problems faced  by such  issuers include  the difficulty  in
obtaining  approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the applicable
public utility  commissions,  the  difficulty of  financing  large  construction
programs,  increased competition, reductions in  estimates of future demands for
natural gas in certain areas of  the country, the limitations on operations  and
increased  costs and  delays attributable  to environmental  considerations, the
difficulty of the capital  market in absorbing utility  debt, the difficulty  in
obtaining  fuel at reasonable  prices and the effect  of energy conservation. In
addition, Federal, state and municipal governmental authorities may from time to
time  review  existing,  and   impose  additional,  regulations  governing   the
licensing,  construction  and  operation  of  nuclear  power  plants,  which may
adversely affect the ability of the issuers  of certain of the Bonds in a  Trust
to make payments of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION  BONDS.  Some of  the Bonds in a  Trust may be obligations of
issuers which  are  payable  from  and secured  by  revenues  derived  from  the
ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and ports. The major
portion  of an airport's  gross operating income is  generally derived from fees
received from  airlines  pursuant to  use  agreements which  consist  of  annual
payments  for airport use, occupancy of certain terminal space, service fees and
leases. Airport operating income may therefore be affected by the ability of the
airlines to meet their obligations under  the use agreements. The air  transport
industry  is experiencing significant variations in earnings and traffic, due to
increased competition, excess capacity,  increased costs, deregulation,  traffic
constraints  and  other factors,  and several  airlines are  experiencing severe
financial difficulties. In particular, facilities with use agreements  involving
airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a reduction in revenue
due  to the  possible inability  of these airlines  to meet  their use agreement
obligations because of such financial difficulties and possible bankruptcy.  The
Sponsor cannot predict what effect these industry conditions may have on airport
revenues  which  are dependent  for payment  on the  financial condition  of the
airlines and their  usage of  the particular  airport facility.  Bonds that  are
secured  primarily by the revenue collected by a public transit system typically
are additionally secured  by a  pledge of sales  tax receipts  collected at  the
state  or local  level, or of  other governmental  financial assistance. Transit
system net revenues will be affected by variations in utilization, which in turn
may be affected by the  degree of local governmental subsidization,  demographic
and  population shifts, and competition from  other forms of transportation; and
by increased  costs,  including  costs  resulting  from  previous  deferrals  of
maintenance.  Port authorities derive their revenues primarily from fees imposed
on ships using the  facilities. The rate of  utilization of such facilities  may
fluctuate depending on the local economy and on competition from competing forms
of transportation such as air, rail and trucks.
 
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be  obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are derived  from the  sale of water
and/or sewerage services. Such Bonds are  generally payable from user fees.  The
problems  of such issuers include the ability to obtain timely and adequate rate
increases, population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the  difficulty
of  financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations and
increased costs  and delays  attributable to  environmental considerations,  the
increasing  difficulty of obtaining or discovering  new supplies of fresh water,
the effect  of  conservation  programs  and the  impact  of  "no-growth"  zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    RESOURCE  RECOVERY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be
obligations of issuers whose revenues are  derived from the sale of sewerage  or
solid  waste disposal services. Such bonds are generally payable from user fees.
The problems of such issuers include  the ability to obtain timely and  adequate
rate  increases,  population  decline  resulting  in  decreased  user  fees, the
difficulty  of  financing  large  construction  programs,  the  limitations   on
operations   and  increased  costs  and  delays  attributable  to  environmental
considerations,  the  effect  of  conservation   programs  and  the  impact   of
"no-growth"  zoning  ordinances.  All  of such  issuers  have  been experiencing
certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    EDUCATION REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.    Some of  the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations of issuers which are, or which govern the operation of, colleges and
universities  and  whose revenues  are  derived mainly  from  tuition, dormitory
revenues, grants and endowments.  General problems of  such issuers include  the
prospect of a declining percentage of the population consisting of "college" age
individuals, possible inability to raise tuitions and fees sufficiently to cover
increased  operating  costs, the  uncertainty  of continued  receipt  of Federal
grants and state funding,  and government legislation  or regulations which  may
adversely affect the revenues or costs of such issuers. All of such issuers have
been experiencing certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    BRIDGE  AND TOLLROAD REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds in a Trust may
be obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road  or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by  competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in the availability of fuel to  motorists or significant increases in the  costs
thereof.  Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of vehicles
in the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of  the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX  SUPPORTED REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The  various
types  of Bonds  described below  differ in  structure and  with respect  to the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below.  One
type  of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax received
on either real property or on  sales within a specifically defined  geographical
area;  such  tax generally  will  not provide  bondholders  with a  lien  on the
underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is
secured by a special tax levied  on real property within a defined  geographical
area  in such  a manner that  the tax  is levied on  those who  benefit from the
project; such bonds  typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the  underlying
property  for unpaid taxes. A third type  of dedicated-tax supported Bond may be
secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of commodities
or upon the license to pursue  certain occupations or upon corporate  privileges
within  a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the ability of
the designated revenues to satisfy the  interest and principal payments on  such
bonds  may be affected by changes in the local economy, the financial success of
the enterprise  responsible for  the payment  of  the taxes,  the value  of  any
property on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in
a  timely fashion. Each  of these factors  will have a  different affect on each
distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE  REVENUE  BONDS.   Some  of the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations  that are secured  by lease payments of  a governmental entity. Such
payments are normally  subject to  annual budget appropriations  of the  leasing
governmental  entity.  A  governmental  entity that  enters  into  such  a lease
agreement cannot obligate future governments  to appropriate for and make  lease
payments  but covenants to take such action as is necessary to include any lease
payments due  in  its  budgets  and  to  make  the  appropriations  therefor.  A
governmental  entity's failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its
lease obligation could result in insufficient funds available for payment of the
obligations secured thereby.
 
    SPECIAL OBLIGATION TO CROSSOVER.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be issued
with the intention of crossover refunding an outstanding issue at a future date.
These bonds are  secured to  the crossover  date by  U.S. Government  securities
purchased  with the  proceeds of  the refunding bonds.  The revenues  of such an
issuer could be adversely affected  by problems associated with the  outstanding
issue,  economic, social and environmental policies  and conditions that are not
within the  control of  the  issuer and  governmental policies  and  regulations
affecting the issuer.
 
    CIVIC  ORGANIZATION  OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may be
obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are  derived from  the pledge  of  civic
organizations,  including  their  assets.  The problems  faced  by  such issuers
include the ability  to collect  pledges made,  the unpredictable  nature of  an
organization's   composition  and  participation,  the   quality  and  skill  of
management, increased costs and delays attributable to organizations,  expenses,
and legislation regarding certain organizational purposes.
 
    ORIGINAL  ISSUE DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the
Bonds in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were  issued
with  nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by comparable
securities and as a  consequence were originally sold  at a discount from  their
face,  or par, values. This original  issue discount, the difference between the
initial purchase price and face value, is deemed under current law to accrue  on
a
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
daily basis and the accrued portion is treated as tax-exempt interest income for
federal  income tax purposes. On  sale or redemption, gain,  if any, realized in
excess of  the earned  portion of  original issue  discount will  be taxable  as
capital  gain. See "What is the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of
an original issue discount bond reflects the present value of its face amount at
maturity. In a stable interest rate environment, the market value of an original
issue discount bond would  tend to increase  more slowly in  early years and  in
greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain  of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face  amount
of  the bond at its maturity. The effect of  owning a zero coupon bond is that a
fixed yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in  effect,
on  all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit  yield,
but  at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at higher
rates in  the  future.  For  this  reason, zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject  to
substantially  greater  price  fluctuations during  periods  of  changing market
interest rates  than are  securities  of comparable  quality that  pay  interest
currently.
 
    Original  issue discount bonds, including zero  coupon bonds, may be subject
to redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of  original
issue   discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,  if
applicable, some premium.  Pursuant to  such call provisions  an original  issue
discount  bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than its
face value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about  the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences  of ownership  with respect  to either  the principal  amount of  or a
payment of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped"  by
depositing  it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in ownership
between the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable,  and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation  therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the  amount
payable  at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue Code
treats as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which  produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to  the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or the
yield to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's  Units
which  is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations.  (See
"WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
    Unitholders  should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the state
and local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or  Stripped
Obligations.  Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state and
local taxes, interest on original  issue discount bonds or Stripped  Obligations
may  be deemed to  be received in  the year of  accrual even though  there is no
corresponding cash payment.
 
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS
 
INSURED TRUSTS--The Insurer's policy unconditionally and irrevocably  guarantees
the  full and complete payment required to be made by or on behalf of the Issuer
to the Paying Agent or its successor of an amount equal to (i) the principal  of
(either  at the stated maturity  or by an advancement  of maturity pursuant to a
mandatory sinking fund  payment) and  interest on,  the Bonds  as such  payments
shall  become due  but shall not  be so  paid (except that  in the  event of any
acceleration of  the  due date  of  such principal  by  reason of  mandatory  or
optional  redemption or acceleration resulting  from default or otherwise, other
than any advancement of maturity pursuant  to a mandatory sinking fund  payment,
the  payments guaranteed by the  Insurer's policy shall be  made in such amounts
and at such times as  such payments of principal would  have been due had  there
not  been any such acceleration); and (ii) the reimbursement of any such payment
which is subsequently recovered from any owner of the Bonds pursuant to a  final
judgment  by a court of competent  jurisdiction that such payment constitutes an
avoidable preference  to  such  owner  within  the  meaning  of  any  applicable
bankruptcy law (a "Preference").
 
    The  Insurer's policy does not insure against loss of any prepayment premium
which may at any time be payable with respect to any Bond. The Insurer's  policy
does  not, under any circumstance, insure against loss relating to: (i) optional
or mandatory redemptions (other than  mandatory sinking fund redemptions);  (ii)
any  payments to be made on an accelerated basis; (iii) payments of the purchase
price of Bonds upon tender by an owner thereof; or (iv) any Preference  relating
to  (i) through (iii) above.  The Insurer's policy also  does not insure against
nonpayment of  principal  of  or  interest  on  the  Bonds  resulting  from  the
insolvency,  negligence or any other act or  omission of the Paying Agent or any
other paying agent for the Bonds.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Upon receipt of telephonic or  telegraphic notice, such notice  subsequently
confirmed in writing by registered or certified mail, or upon receipt of written
notice  by registered or certified mail, by the Insurer from the Paying Agent or
any owner of a Bond the payment of an insured amount for which is then due, that
such required payment has  not been made,  the Insurer on the  due date of  such
payment  or within one business day after  receipt of notice of such nonpayment,
whichever is later,  will make  a deposit  of funds,  in an  account with  State
Street  Bank and Trust Company,  N.A., in New York,  New York, or its successor,
sufficient for the payment of any such insured amounts which are then due.  Upon
presentment  and surrender of such  Bonds or presentment of  such other proof of
ownership of the Bonds, together with any appropriate instruments of  assignment
to  evidence the assignment of the insured amounts  due on the Bonds as are paid
by the Insurer,  and appropriate instruments  to effect the  appointment of  the
Insurer as agent for such owners of the Bonds in any legal proceeding related to
payment  of  insured amounts  on the  Bonds,  such instruments  being in  a form
satisfactory to State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., State Street Bank and
Trust Company, N.A. shall disperse to such owners or the Paying Agent payment of
the insured amounts due on such Bonds, less any amount held by the Paying  Agent
for the payment of such insured amounts and legally available therefor.
 
    The  Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New York
Stock Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts  of
or claims against the Insurer. The Insurer is domiciled in the State of New York
and  licensed to do business in and subject  to regulation under the laws of all
50 states,  the District  of  Columbia, the  Commonwealth  of Puerto  Rico,  the
Commonwealth  of the Northern Mariana Islands,  the Virgin Islands of the United
States and the Territory of Guam. The Insurer has two European branches, one  in
the  Republic of France and the other in the Kingdom of Spain. New York has laws
prescribing minimum capital requirements, limiting classes and concentrations of
investments and requiring  the approval of  policy rates and  forms. State  laws
also  regulate the amount of both the aggregate and individual risks that may be
insured, the  payment  of dividends  by  the  Insurer, changes  in  control  and
transactions among affiliates. Additionally, the Insurer is required to maintain
contingency  reserves  on its  liabilities in  certain  amounts and  for certain
periods of time.
 
    As of December  31, 1996  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $4.4  billion
(audited),  total liabilities of  $3.0 billion (audited),  and total capital and
surplus of  $1.4  billion  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with  statutory
accounting   practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance  regulatory
authorities. As  of June  30, 1997,  the  Insurer had  admitted assets  of  $4.8
billion  (unaudited), total liabilities  of $3.2 billion  (unaudited), and total
capital and surplus of  $1.6 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance  with
statutory  accounting practices prescribed or  permitted by insurance regulatory
authorities.
 
    Furthermore, copies of the Insurer's year end financial statements  prepared
in  accordance with statutory accounting  practices are available without charge
from the Insurer.  A copy of  the Annual Report  on Form 10-K  of MBIA, Inc.  is
available  from  the  Insurer or  the  Securities and  Exchange  Commission. The
address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504. The telephone
number of the Insurer is (914) 273-4545.
 
    Moody's Investors Service  rates the  claims paying ability  of the  Insurer
"Aaa".
 
    Standard  & Poor's Ratings Service, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies,
Inc., rates the claims paying ability of the Insurer "AAA".
 
    Fitch Investors  Service,  L.P., rates  the  claims paying  ability  of  the
Insurer "AAA".
 
    Each  rating of the  Insurer should be  evaluated independently. The ratings
reflect   the   respective   rating   agency's   current   assessment   of   the
creditworthiness of the Insurer and its ability to pay claims on its policies of
insurance.  Any further explanation as to  the significance of the above ratings
may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The above ratings are  not recommendations to buy,  sell or hold the  Bonds,
and  such ratings may  be subject to revision  or withdrawal at  any time by the
rating agencies. Any downward revision or withdrawal of any of the above ratings
may have an adverse effect  on the market price of  the Bonds. The Insurer  does
not guaranty the market price of the Bonds nor does it guaranty that the ratings
on the Bonds will not be revised or withdrawn.
 
TRADITIONAL  TRUSTS--Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of all
principal and interest  on certain Bonds  in a Traditional  Trust may have  been
obtained  by the Sponsor, issuer or underwriter of the particular Bonds involved
or by another party. Such  insurance, which provides coverage substantially  the
same  as that  obtained with  respect to  Bonds in  Insured Trusts  as described
above, is effective so long as the  insured Bond is outstanding and the  insurer
remains  in business. Insurance relates  only to the particular  Bond and not to
the Units offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a
rating of "Aaa" by  Moody's Investors Service, Inc.  and/or "AAA" by Standard  &
Poor's Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If  a Bond in a Traditional Trust is insured, the Schedule of Investments in
Part A of  this Prospectus  will identify the  insurer. Such  insurance will  be
provided  by  Financial  Guaranty Insurance  Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC Indemnity
Corporation ("AMBAC"), Bond Investors Guaranty  Insurance Company, now known  as
MBIA  Corp. of  Illinois ("BIG"),  Capital Guaranty  Insurance Company ("CGIC"),
Financial  Security   Assurance,   Inc.  ("FSA"),   Municipal   Bond   Insurance
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
Association  (the "Association"), MBIA Insurance  Corporation ("MBIA") or Connie
Lee Insurance  Company ("ConnieLee").  The  Sponsor to  date has  purchased  and
presently  intends  to  purchase  insurance  for  Bonds  in  Traditional  Trusts
exclusively from MBIA (see the  preceding disclosure regarding MBIA). There  can
be  no assurance  that any insurer  listed therein  will be able  to satisfy its
commitments in the  event claims  are made in  the future.  However, Standard  &
Poor's  Corporation has rated  the claims-paying ability  of each insurer "AAA,"
and Moody's Investors Service has rated all bonds insured by each such  insurer,
except  ConnieLee, "Aaa." Moody's Investor's Service  gives no ratings for bonds
insured by ConnieLee.
 
    Because any such insurance  will be effective so  long as the insured  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to  such
insurance  will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that includes
such Bonds. The insurance does not,  however, guarantee the market value of  the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The  Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal underwriter
of the Accumulation Funds listed in the following table. Each of these funds  is
an  open-end, diversified  management investment company  into which Unitholders
may choose  to reinvest  Trust distributions  automatically, without  any  sales
charge.  Unitholders may reinvest  both interest and  principal distributions or
principal distributions only. Each  Accumulation Fund has investment  objectives
which  differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser to each Accumulation Fund is  a wholly-owned subsidiary of the  Sponsor.
Unitholders  should contact their financial adviser  or the Sponsor to determine
which of  the Accumulation  Funds they  may reinvest  into, as  reinvestment  in
certain of the Accumulation Funds may be restricted to residents of a particular
state  or states. Unitholders may obtain a prospectus for each Accumulation Fund
through their financial adviser or through the Sponsor at (800) 621-7227. For  a
more  detailed  description,  Unitholders  should  read  the  prospectus  of the
Accumulation Fund in which they are interested.
 
The following is a complete list of the Accumulation Funds currently  available,
as  of  the  Date  of  Deposit of  this  Prospectus,  to  Unitholders  under the
Accumulation Plan. The list of available Accumulation Funds is subject to change
without the consent of any of the Unitholders.
 
ACCUMULATION FUNDS
 
MUTUAL FUNDS
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MUNICIPAL TRUST
 
      Nuveen Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Insured Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship All-American Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST I
 
      Nuveen Flagship Arizona Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Colorado Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Florida Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Virginia Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST II
 
      Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen California Insured Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Massachusetts Insured Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New York Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen New York Insured Municipal Bond Fund
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST III
 
      Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST IV
 
      Nuveen Flagship Kansas Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Kentucky Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Michigan Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Missouri Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Ohio Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund
 
Flagship Utility Income Fund
 
Nuveen Growth and Income Stock Fund
 
Nuveen Balanced Stock and Bond Fund
 
Nuveen Balanced Municipal and Stock Fund
 
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
 
Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
Nuveen New York Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
Nuveen Tax-Free Reserves, Inc.
 
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, Inc.
 
    Each person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in  the
Accumulation  Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of the
Trust invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds.  Reinvesting
Unitholders   may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,  each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal  only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest only
principal distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the  next
day  on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day") if
the distribution date is  not a business day,  automatically be received by  the
transfer agent for each of the Accumulation Funds, on behalf of such participant
and  applied  on that  date to  purchase  shares (or  fractions thereof)  of the
Accumulation Fund chosen at net asset value as computed as of 4:00 p.m.  eastern
time on each such date. All distributions will be reinvested in the Accumulation
Fund  chosen and no part  thereof will be retained  in a separate account. These
purchases will be made without a sales charge.
 
    The Transfer Agent of the Accumulation Fund will mail to each participant in
the  Accumulation  Plan  a  quarterly  statement  containing  a  record  of  all
transactions  involving  purchases  of Accumulation  Fund  shares  (or fractions
thereof) with Trust  interest distributions or  as a result  of reinvestment  of
Accumulation  Fund  dividends. Any  distribution of  principal used  to purchase
shares of an  Accumulation Fund  will be  separately confirmed  by the  Transfer
Agent.  Unitholders will also  receive distribution statements  from the Trustee
detailing the amounts transferred to their Accumulation Fund accounts.
 
    Participants may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in writing,  elect
to  change  the  Accumulation  Fund into  which  their  distributions  are being
reinvested, to change from principal  only reinvestment to reinvestment of  both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation  Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units in
cash. There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election  or
termination.  The character of Trust distributions  for income tax purposes will
remain unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
   
Since our founding  in 1898, Nuveen  has been synonymous  with investments  that
withstand  the  test of  time.  Today, we  offer  a broad  range  of investments
designed for mature investors whose portfolio  is the principal source of  their
ongoing
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
financial  security. More  than 1.3 million  investors have  entrusted Nuveen to
help them maintain the lifestyle they currently enjoy.
    
 
   
    A value investing  approach--purchasing securities of  strong companies  and
communities  that represent good long-term value--is the cornerstone of Nuveen's
investment philosophy.  It is  a  careful, long-term  strategy that  offers  the
potential for attractive returns with moderated risk. Successful value investing
begins  with in-depth research and a discerning eye for marketplace opportunity.
Nuveen's team of investment professionals is backed by the discipline, resources
and expertise of almost a century of investment experience, including one of the
most recognized research departments in the industry.
    
 
   
    To meet  the unique  circumstances and  financial planning  needs of  mature
investors,  Nuveen  offers  a  wide array  of  taxable  and  tax-free investment
products--including  equity  and   fixed-income  mutual   funds,  unit   trusts,
exchange-traded  funds, customized asset management services and cash management
products. Nuveen is a subsidiary of The  John Nuveen Company which, in turn,  is
approximately  78% owned by the St. Paul  Companies, Inc. ("ST. PAUL"). St. Paul
is located  in St.  Paul,  Minnesota and  is  principally engaged  in  providing
property-liability  insurance through  subsidiaries. Nuveen  is a  member of the
National Association of  Securities Dealers,  Inc. and  the Securities  Industry
Association  and has  its principal office  located in Chicago  (333 West Wacker
Drive). Nuveen maintains 11 regional offices.
    
 
   
    To help advisers and investors better understand and more efficiently use an
investment in  the Trusts  to  reach their  investment  goals, the  Sponsor  may
advertise and create specific investment programs and systems. For example, such
activities may include presenting information on how to use an investment in the
Trusts, alone or in combination with an investment in other mutual funds or unit
investment trusts sponsored by Nuveen, to accumulate assets for future education
needs  or periodic payments such as  insurance premiums. The Sponsor may produce
software or additional sales literature to  promote the advantages of using  the
Trusts to meet these and other specific investor needs.
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD  & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the  creditworthiness
of  an obligor with respect  to a specific debt  obligation. This assessment may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The rating is  not a recommendation  to purchase, sell  or hold a  security,
inasmuch  as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for a
particular investor.
 
    The ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer  or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
&  Poor's does not  perform an audit in  connection with any  rating and may, on
occasion, rely on unaudited financial  information. The ratings may be  changed,
suspended  or withdrawn as  a result of  changes in, or  unavailability of, such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood of default--capacity  and willingness of  the obligor as  to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection  afforded by, and  relative position of,  the obligation in
          the event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements  under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This  is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds rated AA  have a very  strong capacity to  pay interest and  repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds  rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions or  changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal  for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    PLUS  (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
    PROVISIONAL   RATINGS:  The  letter   "p"  indicates  that   the  rating  is
provisional. A  provisional  rating assumes  the  successful completion  of  the
project  being financed by the  issuance of the bonds  being rated and indicates
that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent  upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing  credit quality  subsequent to  completion of  the project,  makes no
comment on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of,  such
completion.  Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
    NOTE RATINGS:  A  Standard  &  Poor's note  rating  reflects  the  liquidity
concerns  and market access risks unique to notes.  Notes due in 3 years or less
will likely  receive a  note rating.  Notes maturing  beyond 3  years will  most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very  strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
    MOODY'S  INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.   A  brief  description of  the applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of  investment risk and are  generally referred to as  "gilt
edge."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair  the
fundamentally  strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute that,
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
with the  occasional  exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific  instances,
characteristically,  their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money market
fluctuations.
 
    Aa--Bonds which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by  all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high  grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins of
protection may  not  be  as  large  as in  Aaa  securities  or  fluctuations  of
protective  elements may be of greater amplitude  or there may be other elements
present which  make the  long-term  risks appear  somewhat  larger than  in  Aaa
securities.  Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money market
influences, with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds  which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving  security
to  principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The  market
value  of A-rated bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic performance
during a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but, during  periods
of  normalcy,  A-rated  bonds  frequently  move  in  parallel  with  Aaa  and Aa
obligations, with  the occasional  exception  of oversupply  in a  few  specific
instances.
 
    Moody's  bond rating  symbols may contain  numerical modifiers  of a generic
rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the  high
end  of its  category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa  are considered as medium grade  obligations,
i.e.,  they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear  adequate for the  present but certain  protective
elements  may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and  in
fact  have speculative  characteristics as well.  The market  value of Baa-rated
bonds is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside  from
occasional  speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa market
valuations move in  parallel with Aaa,  Aa and A  obligations during periods  of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con.  (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some
act or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These  are
bonds  secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin  when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches.  Parenthetical rating denotes probable  credit stature upon completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
NOTE RATINGS:
 
    MIG 1  This designation  denotes  best  quality.  There  is  present  strong
           protection  by established cash flows,  superior liquidity support or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2  This designation  denotes high  quality.  Margins of  protection  are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
    FITCH  INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.  A brief description  of the applicable Fitch
Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follow:
 
    AAA--Bonds considered  to be  investment  grade and  of the  highest  credit
quality.  The obligor  has an exceptionally  strong ability to  pay interest and
repay principal,  which is  unlikely to  be affected  by reasonably  foreseeable
events.
 
    AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The  obligor's  ability to  pay  interest and  repay  principal is  very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated  AAA. Bonds rated in the AAA and  AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments.
 
    A--Bonds  considered to be investment grade  and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability  to pay  interest  and repay  principal  is considered  to  be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
 
    BBB--Bonds  considered  to be  investment grade  and of  satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered
to be  adequate.  Adverse  changes in  economic  conditions  and  circumstances,
however,  are more likely to  have adverse impact on  these bonds, and therefore
impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will  fall
below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
 
    To  provide more detailed indications  of credit quality, the  AA, A and BBB
ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within these major rating categories.
 
NOTE RATINGS:
 
    FIN-1  Notes assigned  this  rating are  regarded  as having  the  strongest
           degree of assurance for timely payment.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    FIN-2  Notes  assigned this rating reflect a  degree of assurance for timely
           payment only slightly less in degree than the highest category.
 
HOW THE TRUST COMPARES PERFORMANCE
 
    The Sponsor may compare the estimated returns of the Trust with the  returns
or  yields  of  other  tax-free  and taxable  investments,  often  on  a taxable
equivalent basis. In addition, the Sponsor  from time to time may quote  various
performance  measures and  studies in  order to  compare the  historical returns
available from an investment  in municipal securities  with investments in  both
tax-free and taxable securities.
 
    Nuveen  Research prepared one such study  which compared the after-tax value
of $100,000  initially  invested in  1977  in various  asset  classes  including
municipal  bonds, treasury bonds and corporate  bonds. As indicated in the chart
provided below,  the  20-year study  shows  that municipal  bonds  significantly
outperformed  corporate  and  treasury  bonds once  the  effects  of  taxes were
factored in. In fact, over the 20-year period, municipal bond returns in dollars
were almost double those of treasury bonds.
 
                 AFTER-TAX VALUE OF $100,000 INVESTED IN 1977*
 
   
    The graph  appearing on  this page  of the  Information Supplement  compares
after-tax  total returns  of $100,000  initially in 1977  in each  of the Lehman
Brothers MuniBond Index, Long-Term Treasury Index and Long-Term Corporate Index.
As indicated in the  graph, such an investment  in the Lehman Brothers  MuniBond
Index,  Long-Term  Treasury  Index  and  Long-Term  Corporate  Index  would have
appreciated to  $511,039, $274,434,  and $298,682,  respectively at  the end  of
1996.  The  graph  assumes all  proceeds  of  investment are  reinvested  at the
respective index rates at the time of reinvestment and also assumes that 20%  of
the assets in each category are turned over annually and proceeds are reinvested
in the respective indexes. The tax rates assumed to generate the after-tax total
returns  were based upon the income and  capital gain rates applicable each year
from 1977-1996 for an investor who earned the inflation-adjusted equivalents  of
$500,000  in 1996. In addition, treasury returns were "grossed up" an assumed 5%
to take into account the Treasuries' exemption from state income tax. The  graph
is  for  illustrative  purposes  only,  and does  not  represent  the  return or
performance of any  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit  Trust and is  not intended to  predict
future results.
    
 
    *  The  graph compares  after-tax total  returns  using the  Lehman Brothers
MuniBond Index,  Long-Term Treasury  Index and  Long-Term Corporate  Index.  The
graph  assumes all proceeds of investment are reinvested at the respective index
rates at the time  of reinvestment and  also assumes that 20%  of the assets  in
each  category  are turned  over  annually and  proceeds  are reinvested  in the
respective indexes.  The  tax rates  assumed  to generate  the  after-tax  total
returns  were based upon the income and  capital gain rates applicable each year
from 1977-1996 for an investor who earned the inflation-adjusted equivalents  of
$100,000  in 1996. In addition, treasury returns were "grossed up" an assumed 5%
to take into account the Treasuries' exemption from state income tax. The  graph
is  for  illustrative  purposes  only,  and does  not  represent  the  return or
performance of any  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit  Trust and is  not intended to  predict
future results.
 
    A  comparison  of  the  estimated  returns of  the  Trust  and  the historic
performance  of  municipal  bonds  to  the  returns  and  performance  of  other
investments  is  one  element  to  consider  in  making  an  informed investment
decision. Taxable investments have  investment characteristics that differ  from
those  of the Trust.  U.S. Government bonds are  long-term investments backed by
the full faith  and credit of  the U.S.  Government and are  subject to  federal
income  tax  but are  exempt from  state  income taxes.  Bank CDs  are generally
short-term FDIC insured investments, which pay fixed principal and interest  but
are subject to fluctuating rollover rates. Both bank CDs and corporate bonds are
generally subject to both federal and state income taxes. Money market funds are
short  term investments  with stable  net asset  values, fluctuating  yields and
special features that enhance liquidity.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME
 
    The examples provided below illustrate how to calculate the estimated annual
income generated by a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each respective  Trust.
The  illustrations assume that the  investment was made on  the day prior to the
date of deposit by an investor  electing the monthly distribution plan and  that
the  portfolio contains  all the  securities described  in the  portfolio. These
hypothetical examples are  for illustrative  purposes only and  not intended  to
reflect  or predict the results of any  actual investment and do not contemplate
changes to the portfolio or expenses.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>        <C>                           <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 272
 
    $10,000                    DIVIDED  BY $101.73                     =          98.299
    Investment                           Offering price and                       # of units purchased
    (as of 09/23/97)                     accrued interest
 
    98.299                    X          $4.9162                       =          $483.26
    # of units purchased                 Annual income per unit                   annual income
                                         (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>        <C>                           <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 228
 
    $10,000                    DIVIDED  BY $101.71                     =          98.318
    Investment                           Offering price and                       # of units purchased
    (as of 09/23/97)                     accrued interest
 
    98.318                    X          $4.9094                       =          $482.68
    # of units purchased                 Annual income per unit                   annual income
                                         (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX A
                              NEW YORK DISCLOSURE
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--NEW YORK
 
    The  Portfolio of the New York  Insured Trust includes obligations issued by
New York State  (the "State"), by  its various public  bodies (the  "Agencies"),
and/or  by other entities  located within the  State, including the  City of New
York (the "City").
 
    Some of the more significant events and conditions relating to the financial
situation in New York are summarized  below. This section provides only a  brief
summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in New York and
is  derived  from  sources that  are  generally  available to  investors  and is
believed to  be  accurate.  It is  based  in  part on  Official  Statements  and
prospectuses issued by, and on other information reported by the State, the City
and the Agencies in connection with the issuance of their respective securities.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or regional
economic difficulties, and  the resulting  impact on State  or local  government
finances  generally,  will not  adversely affect  the market  value of  New York
Municipal Obligations  held in  the portfolio  of the  Trust or  the ability  of
particular  obligors to make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to)
those obligations.
 
    (1) THE STATE: The State has historically been one of the wealthiest  states
in  the nation. For  decades, however, the  State economy has  grown more slowly
than that  of the  nation as  a whole,  gradually eroding  the State's  relative
economic  affluence.  Statewide,  urban  centers  have  experienced  significant
changes involving migration of the more affluent to the suburbs and an influx of
generally less affluent residents. Regionally,  the older Northeast cities  have
suffered because of the relative success that the South and the West have had in
attracting  people  and  business.  The  City  has  also  had  to  face  greater
competition  as  other  major  cities  have  developed  financial  and  business
capabilities  which  make  them  less  dependent  on  the  specialized  services
traditionally available almost exclusively in the City.
 
    The State has  for many years  had a very  high state and  local tax  burden
relative to other states. The burden of State and local taxation, in combination
with  the many other causes of regional economic dislocation, has contributed to
the decisions of  some businesses and  individuals to relocate  outside, or  not
locate within, the State.
 
    SLOWDOWN  OF REGIONAL ECONOMY.  A national recession  commenced in mid-1990.
The downturn  continued  throughout the  State's  1990-91 fiscal  year  and  was
followed  by a period of weak economic growth during the 1991 calendar year. For
calendar year 1992,  the national economy  continued to recover,  although at  a
rate  below all  post-war recoveries. For  calendar year 1993,  the economy grew
faster than in 1992,  but still at  a very moderate rate,  as compared to  other
recoveries.  Moderate economic growth continued in calendar year 1994. The State
has projected the rate of economic growth  to slow within New York during  1995,
as  the expansion of  the national economy  moderates. Economic recovery started
considerably later in the State than in the nation as a whole due in part to the
significant retrenchment  in  the  banking and  financial  services  industries,
downsizing  by several major corporations, cutbacks  in defense spending, and an
oversupply of office buildings.  Many uncertainties exist  in forecasts of  both
the  national and State economies  and there can be  no assurance that the State
economy will perform at  a level sufficient to  meet the State's projections  of
receipts and disbursements.
 
    1995-96  FISCAL YEAR.   The Governor issued a  proposed Executive Budget for
the 1995-96  fiscal year  (the "Proposed  Budget") on  February 1,  1995,  which
projected  a  balanced  general fund  and  receipts and  disbursements  of $32.5
billion and  $32.4  billion,  respectively.  As  of  May  29,  1995,  the  State
legislature  had  not yet  enacted,  nor had  the  Governor and  the legislature
reached an agreement on, the budget for the 1995-96 fiscal year which  commenced
on April 1, 1995. The delay in the enactment of the budget may negatively affect
certain proposed actions and reduce projected savings.
 
    The  Proposed Budget and the 1995-96  Financial Plan provide for the closing
of  a  projected  $4.7  billion  budget  gap  in  the  1995-96  fiscal  year  by
cost-containment  savings in social welfare  programs, savings from State agency
restructurings, freezing  the level  of some  categories of  local aid  and  new
revenue measures.
 
    The  State's proposed budget and the 1995-96 Plan may be impacted negatively
by uncertainties relating to  the economy and  tax collections, although  recent
signs  of improvement in the national economy could lead to short-term increases
in State receipts.
 
    1994-1995 FISCAL YEAR.   The State Legislature  enacted the State's  1994-95
fiscal year budget on June 7, 1994, more than two months after the start of that
fiscal  year. As of February  1, 1995, the updated  1994-95 State Financial Plan
(the "Plan") projected total  general fund receipts  and disbursements of  $33.3
billion and $33.5 billion, respectively, representing reductions in receipts and
disbursements  of $1 billion and $743 million, respectively, from the amount set
forth in the 1994-95 budget.  The Plan projected for  a General Fund balance  of
approximately $157 million at the close of the 1994-95 fiscal year.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
    1993-94  FISCAL  YEAR.   The State  ended  the 1993-94  fiscal year  with an
operating surplus of approximately $1.0 billion.
 
    FUTURE FISCAL YEARS. There can be no assurance that the State will not  face
substantial  potential budget  gaps in the  future resulting  from a significant
disparity between tax revenues  projected from a  lower recurring receipts  base
and  the  spending required  to maintain  State programs  at current  levels. To
address  any  potential  budgetary  imbalance,  the  State  may  need  to   take
significant actions to align recurring receipts and disbursements.
 
    INDEBTEDNESS.  As of  March 31,  1994, the  total amount  of long-term State
general obligation debt authorized but unissued stood at $2.0 billion. As of the
same date, the State had approximately $5.4 billion in general obligation  bonds
including $224 million of Bond Anticipation Notes outstanding.
 
    The  State  originally projected  that its  borrowings for  capital purposes
during the State's 1994-95 fiscal year would consist of $374 million in  general
obligation  bonds  and  bond  anticipation notes  and  $140  million  in general
obligation commercial paper. The Legislature  has authorized the issuance of  up
to $69 million in certificates of participation in pools of leases for equipment
and  real property to be utilized by State agencies. Through March 15, 1995, the
State had  issued in  excess of  $590 million  of its  general obligation  bonds
(including  $430  million  of refunding  bonds).  The projections  of  the State
regarding its borrowings  for any fiscal  year are subject  to change if  actual
receipts fall short of State projections or if other circumstances require.
 
    In  June  1990,  legislation  was  enacted  creating  the  "New  York  Local
Government  Assistance  Corporation"  ("LGAC"),  a  public  benefit  corporation
empowered  to  issue long-term  obligations to  fund  certain payments  to local
governments traditionally funded through the State's annual seasonal  borrowing.
As  of March 31, 1994, LGAC has issued its bonds to provide net proceeds of $4.5
billion. The LGAC was authorized to provide net proceeds of $315 million, during
the State's 1994-95 fiscal year. The LGAC issued $347 million of bonds on  March
1, 1995 providing the authorized net proceeds.
 
    Financing  of capital programs  by other public authorities  of the State is
also  obtained   from   lease-purchase  and   contractual-obligation   financing
arrangements,  the debt service for which  is paid from State appropriations. As
of March 31, 1994, there were $16.6 billion of such other financing arrangements
outstanding and additional financings of  this nature by public authorities  are
projected  to total  $2.4 billion during  the 1994-95 fiscal  year. In addition,
certain agencies had issued and outstanding approximately $7.3 billion of "moral
obligation financings" as of March 31, 1994, which are to be repaid from project
revenues. While there has never been a  default on moral obligation debt of  the
State, the State would be required to make up any shortfall in debt service.
 
    RATINGS.   The $850 million in TRANS issued  by the State in April 1993 were
rated SP-1-Plus by S&P and MIG-1 by Moody's which represent the highest  ratings
given  by such agencies and the first time the State's TRANS have received these
ratings since  its May  1989 TRANS  issuance. Both  agencies cited  the  State's
improved  fiscal position as a significant factor  in the upgrading of the April
1993 TRANS.
 
    Moody's rating  of  the State's  general  obligation  bonds stood  at  A  on
February  28, 1994,  and S&P's  rating stood  at A-  with a  positive outlook on
February 28, 1994,  an improvement  from S&P's  stable outlook  from April  1993
through  February 1994  and negative  outlook prior  to April  1993. Previously,
Moody's lowered its rating to A on June 6, 1990, its rating having been A1 since
May 27, 1986. S&P  lowered its rating from  A to A- on  January 13, 1992.  S&P's
previous ratings were A from March 1990 to January 1992, AA- from August 1987 to
March 1990 and A+ from November 1982 to August 1987.
 
    Moody's  maintained  its  A  rating  and  S&P  continued  its  A-  rating in
connection with the State's issuance of  $537 million of its general  obligation
bonds in March 1995.
 
    (2)  THE CITY  AND THE  MUNICIPAL ASSISTANCE  CORPORATION ("MAC"):  The City
accounts for approximately 40%  of the State's  population and personal  income,
and the City's financial health affects the State in numerous ways.
 
    In  response to the City's fiscal crisis in 1975, the State took a number of
steps to assist the City in returning to fiscal stability. Among other  actions,
the State Legislature (i) created MAC to assist with long-term financing for the
City's  short-term debt and  other cash requirements and  (ii) created the State
Financial Control Board (the "Control Board")  to review and approve the  City's
budgets  and City four-year  financial plans (the financial  plans also apply to
certain City-related public agencies (the "Covered Organizations")).
 
    In  recent  years,  the  rate  of   economic  growth  in  the  City   slowed
substantially  as the City's economy entered a recession. While by some measures
the City's economy  may have begun  to recover, a  number of factors,  including
poor  performance  by the  City's financial  services  companies, may  prevent a
significant improvement in the City's economy and may in fact negatively  impact
upon  the City's  finances by  reducing tax  receipts. The  City Comptroller has
issued reports  concluding that  the  recession of  the  City's economy  may  be
ending,  but there is little prospect of any significant improvement in the near
term.
 
    FISCAL YEAR 1996 AND  THE 1995-1998 FINANCIAL PLAN.   On February 14,  1995,
the  Mayor released his  preliminary $30.5 billion budget  for fiscal year 1996,
which included $2.7 billion of deficit reduction measures. The Mayor is  seeking
a
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
$1.2  billion reduction in  mandated welfare and  Medicaid expenditures from the
State, a $569 million reduction in  expenditures by city agencies and the  Board
of  Education budget, $600  million in personnel  related savings partly through
the elimination of 15,000 jobs within 18 months, and other measures.
 
    The 1995-1998  Financial  Plan (the  "Plan"),  which was  submitted  to  the
Control  Board on February 23,  1995, projected budget gaps  of $3.2 billion and
$3.8 billion for fiscal years 1997 and 1998, respectively. The City  Comptroller
warned  on March 7, 1995 that the budget gap for fiscal year 1996 could increase
by $500 million to as much as $3.2 billion. The Control Board reported on  March
17,  1995 that the proposed budget for  fiscal year 1996 relies heavily on risky
assumptions such as $600  million in savings to  be negotiated with City  unions
and $1.4 billion in savings dependent on State legislative approval.
 
    The  City successfully  negotiated concessions  with a  number of  unions in
order to ensure that the fiscal year 1995 budget remained in balance. The  Mayor
has indicated that to avoid additional lay-offs, higher than the number referred
to above, reductions will be necessary in the benefit plans of City employees to
close the budget gaps for fiscal years 1996 and thereafter. Union leadership has
publicly opposed such "givebacks". With respect to fiscal year 1995 the City was
also  successful in obtaining additional funds  and relief from certain mandated
expenditures from the State for  various programs, including Medicaid.  However,
the  amount of gap closing measures requiring State action set forth in the Plan
is well in excess of proposed assistance to the City outlined in the  Governor's
Proposed Budget.
 
    The  Mayor has directed City agencies to identify an additional $300 million
in cuts for fiscal  year 1996 because  of anticipated shortfalls  of as much  as
$500  million in State aid and budgetary actions. An extended delay by the State
in adopting its  1995-96 fiscal  year budget  would negatively  impact upon  the
City's  financial condition  and ability to  close budget gaps  for fiscal years
1996 and thereafter.
 
    Given the foregoing factors,  there can be no  assurance that the City  will
continue  to maintain  a balanced  budget, or  that it  can maintain  a balanced
budget without additional tax or other  revenue increases or reductions in  City
services, which could adversely affect the City's economic base.
 
    Pursuant  to State law, the City prepares a four-year annual financial plan,
which is reviewed and revised on a quarterly basis and which includes the City's
capital, revenue and  expense projections. The  City is required  to submit  its
financial  plans to review bodies, including the Control Board. If the City were
to experience certain adverse financial circumstances, including the  occurrence
or  the  substantial likelihood  and imminence  of the  occurrence of  an annual
operating deficit of more than $100 million or the loss of access to the  public
credit   markets  to   satisfy  the   City's  capital   and  seasonal  financial
requirements, the  Control Board  would be  required by  State law  to  exercise
certain  powers,  including prior  approval  of City  financial  plans, proposed
borrowings and certain contracts.
 
    The City depends  on the  State for  State aid both  to enable  the City  to
balance  its budget and to meet its  cash requirements. If the State experiences
revenue shortfalls  or  spending increases  beyond  its projections  during  its
1995-96  fiscal  year or  subsequent years,  such  developments could  result in
reductions in projected  State aid to  the City.  In addition, there  can be  no
assurance  that State  budgets in  the 1996-97  or future  fiscal years  will be
adopted by the April  1 statutory deadline  and that there  will not be  adverse
effects  on the City's cash flow and additional City expenditures as a result of
such delays.
 
    The City projections set forth in the Plan are based on various  assumptions
and  contingencies which are uncertain and which may not materialize. Changes in
major assumptions could significantly affect  the City's ability to balance  its
budget  as required by State law and to  meet its annual cash flow and financing
requirements. Such  assumptions  and contingencies  include  the timing  of  any
regional and local economic recovery, the absence of wage increases in excess of
the  increases assumed  in its financial  plan, employment  growth, provision of
State and Federal aid and mandate  relief, State legislative approval of  future
State budgets, levels of education expenditures as may be required by State law,
adoption  of future City budgets  by the New York  City Council, and approval by
the Governor or the State Legislature and the cooperation of MAC with respect to
various other actions proposed in the Plan.
 
    The City's ability to maintain a  balanced operating budget is dependant  on
whether  it  can implement  necessary service  and personnel  reduction programs
successfully. As discussed above, the City must identify additional  expenditure
reductions  and revenue sources to achieve balanced operating budgets for fiscal
years 1996  and thereafter.  Any such  proposed expenditure  reductions will  be
difficult  to implement  because of their  size and  the substantial expenditure
reductions already imposed on City operations in the past two years.
 
    Attaining a balanced  budget is also  dependent upon the  City's ability  to
market  its securities  successfully in  the public  credit markets.  The City's
financing program  for  fiscal  years 1995  through  1998  contemplates  capital
spending  of $16.4  billion, which  will be  financed through  issuance of $10.7
billion of  general obligation  bonds and  the balance  through Water  Authority
Revenue  Bonds  and  Covered  Organization  obligations,  and  will  be utilized
primarily to reconstruct and rehabilitate the City's infrastructure and physical
assets and  to make  capital investments.  A significant  portion of  such  bond
financing  is used to reimburse the City's general fund for capital expenditures
already incurred. In addition, the City
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
issues revenue  and  tax anticipation  notes  to finance  its  seasonal  working
capital  requirements. The terms  and success of projected  public sales of City
general obligation  bonds  and  notes  will  be  subject  to  prevailing  market
conditions  at the  time of  the sale, and  no assurance  can be  given that the
credit markets will absorb the projected amounts of public bond and note  sales.
In  addition, future developments  concerning the City  and public discussion of
such developments, the City's future financial needs and other issues may affect
the market for outstanding City general obligation bonds and notes. If the  City
were  unable  to  sell its  general  obligation  bonds and  notes,  it  would be
prevented from meeting its planned operating and capital expenditures.
 
    FISCAL YEAR 1995.  New York City adopted its fiscal year 1995 budget on June
21, 1994, which provided for spending of  $31.6 billion and closed a budget  gap
of  $2.3 billion.  However, following adoption  of the fiscal  year 1995 budget,
additional unexpected  budget  gaps  totaling approximately  $2.0  billion  were
identified.  The widening of the  budget gap for fiscal  year 1995 resulted from
shortfalls in tax revenues  and State and  federal aid. The  Mayor and the  City
Council  were unable to reach agreement on additional cuts proposed by the Mayor
in October 1994. The City Council passed its own budget cut proposal in November
1994. The Mayor vetoed the City  Council version, the City Council overrode  his
veto and the Mayor implemented his original plan. A state court held in December
1994  that  neither budget  cut proposal  could be  implemented. The  Mayor then
elected not to spend certain funds in order to keep the budget in balance.
 
    FISCAL YEARS  1990  THROUGH 1994.    The City  achieved  balanced  operating
results  as reported in accordance  with GAAP for its  fiscal years 1990 through
1994. The City  was required to  close substantial budget  gaps in these  fiscal
years to maintain balanced operating results.
 
    The City is a defendant in a significant number of lawsuits. Such litigation
includes,  but is not limited to,  actions commenced and claims asserted against
the City arising out  of alleged constitutional  violations, torts, breaches  of
contracts,  and other violations of law  and condemnation proceedings. While the
ultimate outcome and fiscal  impact, if any, on  the proceedings and claims  are
not  currently predictable, adverse determinations in certain of them might have
a material adverse  effect upon the  City's ability to  carry out its  financial
plan.  As of June 30, 1994, the City estimated its potential future liability to
be $2.6 billion.
 
    On January  30, 1995,  Robert L.  Schulz and  other defendants  commenced  a
federal district court action seeking among other matters to cancel the issuance
on January 31, 1995 of $659 million of City bonds. While the federal courts have
rejected  requests for temporary  restraining orders and  expedited appeals, the
case is still pending. The City has indicated that it believes the action to  be
without merit as it relates to the City, but there can be no assurance as to the
outcome  of the litigation and an adverse  ruling or the granting of a permanent
injunction would have a  negative impact on the  City's financial condition  and
its ability to fund its operations.
 
    RATINGS.   As of the  date of this prospectus,  Moody's rating of the City's
general obligation  bonds stood  at Baa1  and  S&P's rating  stood at  BBB+.  On
February  11, 1991,  Moody's had  lowered its rating  from A.  S&P's lowered its
rating from A-  on July  10, 1995  after placing  the City  on "negative  credit
watch" in January 1995.
 
    On  March 13, 1995, Moody's  confirmed its Baa1 rating  in connection with a
scheduled March  1995 sale  of $795  million of  the City's  general  obligation
bonds.
 
    In  dropping  the City's  rating in  July 1995,  S&P's cited  the "sluggish"
economy and the poor  outlook for job  growth, as well as  the continued use  of
"one-time  measures" to close budget gaps. The lowered rating could increase the
City's borrowing costs by forcing it to offer higher interest rates on its bonds
thereby adding further pressures to the City's budget problems. In addition, the
lowered rating may prevent certain  institutional investors from purchasing  the
City's  bonds reducing demand  for future offerings, which  could also force the
City to increase interest rates on its bonds.
 
    On October 12, 1993, Moody's increased its rating of the City's issuance  of
$650  million of Tax Anticipation  Notes ("TANs") to MIG-1  from MIG-2. Prior to
that date, on May  9, 1990, Moody's revised  downward its rating on  outstanding
City  revenue anticipation notes from MIG-1 to  MIG-2 and rated the $900 million
Notes then  being  sold MIG-2.  S&P's  rating of  the  October 1993  TANS  issue
increased  to SP-1 from SP-2. Prior to that date, on April 29, 1991, S&P revised
downward its rating on City revenue anticipation notes from SP-1 to SP-2.
 
    As of December 31, 1994, the  City and MAC had, respectively, $22.5  billion
and $4.1 billion of outstanding net long-term indebtedness.
 
    (3) THE STATE AGENCIES: Certain Agencies of the State have faced substantial
financial difficulties which could adversely affect the ability of such Agencies
to  make payments  of interest  on, and  principal amounts  of, their respective
bonds. The  difficulties  have in  certain  instances caused  the  State  (under
so-called   "moral  obligation"  provisions   which  are  non-binding  statutory
provisions for State  appropriations to  maintain various  debt service  reserve
funds)  to appropriate funds on behalf of the Agencies. Moreover, it is expected
that the  problems  faced by  these  Agencies  will continue  and  will  require
increasing  amounts of State assistance in future years. Failure of the State to
appropriate necessary amounts or to take  other action to permit those  Agencies
having  financial  difficulties  to meet  their  obligations could  result  in a
default by one or more of the Agencies. Such default, if it were to occur, would
be likely to have a significant adverse effect on
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
investor confidence in, and  therefore the market price  of, obligations of  the
defaulting  Agencies.  In  addition,  any  default  in  payment  on  any general
obligation of any Agency whose bonds contain a moral obligation provision  could
constitute  a failure of certain conditions that must be satisfied in connection
with Federal guarantees of  City and MAC obligations  and could thus  jeopardize
the City's long-term financing plans.
 
    As  of  September 30,  1993,  the State  reported  that there  were eighteen
Agencies that each had outstanding debt of $100 million or more and an aggregate
of $63.5 billion of outstanding debt, some of which was state-supported,  state-
related debt.
 
    (4) STATE LITIGATION: The State is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings
pertaining  to  matters incidental  to the  performance of  routine governmental
operations. Such litigation  includes, but  is not limited  to, claims  asserted
against  the State  arising from alleged  torts, alleged  breaches of contracts,
condemnation proceedings and other alleged violations of State and Federal laws.
Included in the State's outstanding litigation are a number of cases challenging
the constitutionality  or  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  a  variety  of
significant  social  welfare  programs primarily  involving  the  State's mental
hygiene programs. Adverse judgments in  these matters generally could result  in
injunctive  relief coupled with prospective changes  in patient care which could
require substantial increased financing of the litigated programs in the future.
 
    The State  is  also engaged  in  a  variety of  claims  wherein  significant
monetary  damages are sought. Actions commenced  by several Indian nations claim
that significant amounts of land were unconstitutionally taken from the  Indians
in  violation  of  various treaties  and  agreements during  the  eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries. The claimants seek  recovery of approximately six  million
acres of land as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
 
    The   State  has  entered   into  a  settlement   agreement  with  Delaware,
Massachusetts and all other parties with  respect to STATE OF DELAWARE V.  STATE
OF  NEW  YORK, an  action  by Delaware  and  other states  to  recover unclaimed
property from New York-based brokers, which has escheated to the State  pursuant
to  its ABANDONED  PROPERTY LAW. Annual  payments under this  settlement will be
made through the  State's 2002-03  fiscal year  in amounts  not exceeding  $48.4
million in any fiscal year subsequent to the State's 1994-95 fiscal year.
 
    In  SCHULZ V.  STATE OF  NEW YORK, commenced  May 24,  1993 ("SCHULZ 1993"),
petitioners have challenged the constitutionality of mass transportation bonding
programs  of  the  New  York  State  Thruway  Authority  and  the   Metropolitan
Transportation  Authority. On  May 24, 1993,  the Supreme  Court, Albany County,
temporarily enjoined the State from implementing those bonding programs.
 
    Petitioners in SCHULZ asserted that issuance of bonds by the two Authorities
is subject to approval  by statewide referendum. By  decision dated October  21,
1993,  the  Appellate  Division, Third  Department,  affirmed the  order  of the
Supreme Court, Albany County, granting the State's motion for summary  judgment,
dismissing  the complaint and vacating the  temporary restraining order. On June
30, 1994, the Court of Appeals, the State's highest court, upheld the  decisions
of  the Supreme Court  and Appellate Division in  SCHULZ, Plaintiffs' motion for
reargument was denied by  the Court of  Appeals on September  1, 1994 and  their
writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied on January 23, 1995.
 
    Adverse  developments in the foregoing  proceedings or new proceedings could
adversely affect the financial condition of the State in the future.
 
    (5) OTHER MUNICIPALITIES: Certain  localities in addition  to New York  City
could   have  financial  problems  leading  to  requests  for  additional  State
assistance. The potential impact on the  State of such actions by localities  is
not  included in projections  of State receipts and  expenditures in the State's
1994-95 fiscal years.
 
    Fiscal difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers ("Yonkers")  resulted
in  the creation  of the Financial  Control Board  for the City  of Yonkers (the
"Yonkers Board")  by  the State  in  1984. The  Yonkers  Board is  charged  with
oversight of the fiscal affairs of Yonkers. Future actions taken by the Governor
or  the State Legislature to assist Yonkers  could result in allocation of State
resources in amounts that cannot yet be determined.
 
    Municipalities and school districts  have engaged in substantial  short-term
and  long-term borrowings. In 1992, the  total indebtedness of all localities in
the State was approximately  $35.2 billion, of which  $19.5 billion was debt  of
New  York City  (excluding $5.9  billion in  MAC debt).  State law  requires the
Comptroller to review and make  recommendations concerning the budgets of  those
local government units other than New York City authorized by State law to issue
debt  to  finance deficits  during  the period  that  such deficit  financing is
outstanding.  Seventeen  localities  had  outstanding  indebtedness  for   state
financing at the close of their fiscal year ending in 1992.
 
    Certain  proposed Federal  expenditure reductions  could reduce,  or in some
cases eliminate, Federal funding  of some local  programs and accordingly  might
impose substantial increased expenditure requirements on affected localities. If
the State, New York City or any of the Agencies were to suffer serious financial
difficulties  jeopardizing their respective access to the public credit markets,
the marketability of  notes and  bonds issued  by localities  within the  State,
including notes or
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
bonds  in the  New York Insured  Trust, could be  adversely affected. Localities
also face  anticipated and  potential problems  resulting from  certain  pending
litigation, judicial decisions, and long-range economic trends. The longer-range
potential  problems of declining urban  population, increasing expenditures, and
other economic trends could adversely  affect localities and require  increasing
State assistance in the future.
 
    (6)  OTHER ISSUERS OF NEW YORK MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS. There are a number of
other agencies, instrumentalities and political  subdivisions of the State  that
issue  Municipal Obligations, some  of which may  be conduit revenue obligations
payable from  payments from  private borrowers.  These entities  are subject  to
various  economic  risks  and  uncertainties,  and  the  credit  quality  of the
securities issued  by them  may vary  considerably from  the credit  quality  of
obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the State.
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
NEW YORK TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
   
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1997 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993.  The
tables  assume that  federal taxable  income is equal  to state  and city income
subject to tax and that federal adjusted gross income is equal to state and city
adjusted gross income, and  for cases in  which more than  one state rate  falls
within  a Federal  bracket, the state  rate corresponding to  the highest income
within that Federal bracket is used. The combined state and Federal tax brackets
shown reflect the  fact that  state tax  payments are  currently deductible  for
Federal  tax purposes. The tables do not reflect any local taxes, other than New
York City in Chart II, or any taxes other than personal income taxes. The tables
illustrate what  you would  have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the
tax-exempt  estimated current return  for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's
marginal tax rate is affected by both his taxable income and his adjusted  gross
income.  Locate  your adjusted  gross  and your  taxable  income (which  is your
adjusted gross income  reduced by  any deductions and  exemptions), then  locate
your  tax  bracket based  on  joint or  single tax  filing.  Read across  to the
equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free
income.
    
 
I.  COMBINED FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE INCOME TAXES
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 41.2 $    0-100.00      21.0   %     5.70    6.01    6.33    6.65    6.96    7.28    7.59    7.91
               100.00-121.20      22.0         5.77    6.09    6.41    6.73    7.05    7.37    7.69    8.01
    41.2- 99.6      0-100.00      33.0         6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33
               100.00-121.20      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
               121.20-150.00      35.0         6.92    7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62
                150.0-181.80      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
   99.6-151.75      0-100.00      35.5         6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30    9.69
                100.0-121.20      37.0         7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92
               121.20-150.00      38.0         7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08
               150.00-181.80      36.5         7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84
               181.80-304.30      39.0         7.38    7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25
 151.75-271.05 121.20-150.00      42.5         7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87
               150.00-181.80      41.5         7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68
               181.80-304.30      44.5         8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26
                 Over 304.30      41.5   2     7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68
   Over 271.05 181.80-304.30      48.0         8.65    9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02
                 Over 304.30      45.0   3     8.18    8.64    9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $    0- 24.65 $    0-100.00      21.0   %     5.70    6.01    6.33    6.65    6.96    7.28    7.59    7.91
               100.00-121.20      21.5         5.73    6.05    6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64    7.96
  24.65- 59.75      0-100.00      33.0         6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33
               100.00-121.20      33.5         6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40
  59.75-124.65      0-100.00      35.5         6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30    9.69
               100.00-121.20      36.5         7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84
               121.20-150.00      38.0         7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08
               150.00-243.70      37.5         7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00
 124.65-271.05 121.20-150.00      42.5         7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87
               150.00-243.70      42.0         7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78
                 Over 243.70      41.5   2     7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68
   Over 271.05   Over 243.70      45.0   3     8.18    8.64    9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
II. COMBINED FEDERAL, NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY INCOME TAXES
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL      COMBINED
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED       STATE,
    TAXABLE        GROSS         LOCAL                      TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME      AND FEDERAL     --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 41.2 $    0-100.00      24.5   %     5.96    6.29    6.62    6.95    7.28    7.62    7.95    8.28
               100.00-121.20      26.0         6.08    6.42    6.76    7.09    7.43    7.77    8.11    8.45
    41.2- 99.6      0-100.00      36.0         7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77
               100.00-121.20      37.5         7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00
               121.20-150.00      38.5         7.32    7.72    8.13    8.54    8.94    9.35    9.76   10.16
                150.0-181.80      37.0         7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92
   99.6-151.75      0-100.00      39.0         7.38    7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25
                100.0-121.20      40.0         7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42
               121.20-150.00      41.0         7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59
               150.00-181.80      40.0         7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42
               181.80-304.30      42.0         7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78
 151.75-271.05 121.20-150.00      45.5         8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47
               150.00-181.80      44.5         8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26
               181.80-304.30      47.0         8.49    8.96    9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79
                 Over 304.30      44.5   2     8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26
   Over 271.05 181.80-304.30      50.5         9.09    9.60   10.10   10.61   11.11   11.62   12.12   12.63
                 Over 304.30      47.5   3     8.57    9.05    9.52   10.00   10.48   10.95   11.43   11.90
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL      COMBINED
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED       STATE,
    TAXABLE        GROSS         LOCAL                      TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME      AND FEDERAL     --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $    0- 24.65 $    0-100.00      24.5   %     5.96    6.29    6.62    6.95    7.28    7.62    7.95    8.28
               100.00-121.20      25.0         6.00    6.33    6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33
  24.65- 59.75      0-100.00      36.0         7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77
               100.00-121.20      36.5         7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84
  59.75-124.65      0-100.00      39.0         7.38    7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25
               100.00-121.20      39.5         7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33
               121.20-150.00      41.0         7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59
               150.00-243.70      40.5         7.56    7.98    8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50
 124.65-271.05 121.20-150.00      45.5         8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47
               150.00-243.70      45.0         8.18    8.64    9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36
                 Over 243.70      44.5   2     8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26
   Over 271.05   Over 243.70      47.5   3     8.57    9.05    9.52   10.00   10.48   10.95   11.43   11.90
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
       1 The table reflects  the effect of the  federal limitations on  itemized
deductions  (and  the corresponding  state limitations)  and the  deductions for
personal exemptions. They were designed to  phase out certain benefits of  these
deductions  for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise the
marginal combined Federal and state tax rate to approximately 48.09 percent  for
taxpayers  filing a joint return and entitled to four personal exemptions and to
approximately 44.97 percent  for taxpayers  filing a single  return entitled  to
only  one personal exemption  and, in effect raise  the marginal combined State,
New York City and Federal tax rate to approximately 50.65 percent for  taxpayers
filing  a  joint  return  and  entitled  to  four  personal  exemptions  and  to
approximately 47.69 percent, for  taxpayers filing a  single return entitled  to
only  one personal exemption. These limitations are subject to certain maximums,
which depend on the  number of exemptions  claimed and the  total amount of  the
taxpayer's   itemized  deductions.  For  example,  the  limitation  on  itemized
deductions will not  cause a taxpayer  to lose  more than 80%  of his  allowable
Federal  or state itemized  deductions, with certain  exceptions. The table also
reflects the New York State supplemental income tax based upon a taxpayer's  New
York  State  taxable  income and  New  York  State adjusted  gross  income. This
supplemental tax results in an increased  marginal state income tax rate to  the
extent a taxpayer's New York State adjusted gross income ranges between $100,000
and $150,000. Although the table does reflect the effect of the state limitation
on  itemized deductions that corresponds to  the federal limitation, it does not
reflect additional limitations under which a New York taxpayer could lose up  to
an additional 50 percent of his otherwise allowable itemized deductions, because
the  affect of this limitation varies according  to the particular amount of his
itemized deductions. The application  of this limit may  result in a higher  tax
rate  than indicated in the  table for joint taxpayers  with a New York adjusted
gross income of $200,000 to $250,000 or $475,000 to $525,000 or single taxpayers
with a New York  adjusted gross income  of $100,000 to  $150,000 or $475,000  to
$525,000.  The table  assumes that a  taxpayer's New York  adjusted gross income
equals his  Federal  adjusted gross  income.  The  table does  not  reflect  the
treatment  of various state and city tax  credits that could affect the tax rate
of particular New York taxpayers.
 
       2 Combined Federal  and state tax  rate reverts to  40.38% after the  80%
caps  on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met. Combined state, New
York City  and Federal  tax rate  reverts to  43.24% after  the 80%  cap on  the
limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
       3  Combined Federal and  state tax rate  reverts to 43.74%  after the 80%
caps on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met. Combined state,  New
York  City and  Federal tax  rate reverts  to 46.43%  after the  80% cap  on the
limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
                                      A-8

<PAGE>
             -----------------------------------------------------
 
                PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 1997
                ------------------------------------------------
 
                           NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         100,000 UNITS                                       SERIES 969
                                                       (A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The attached final Prospectus for a prior Series is hereby used as a preliminary
Prospectus  for the above-stated Series. The narrative information and structure
of the attached final Prospectus will be  substantially the same as that of  the
final  Prospectus  for this  Series. Although  the attached  Prospectus includes
trusts as indicated therein,  the specific trusts included  in this Series  when
deposited  may differ from  such trusts. Information with  respect to the actual
trusts to  be  included,  pricing,  the  number  of  Units,  dates  and  summary
information  regarding the characteristics of securities to be deposited in this
Series is not now available and will be different since each Series has a unique
Portfolio. Accordingly  the  information contained  herein  with regard  to  the
previous  Series  should  be  considered  as  being  included  for informational
purposes only.  Ratings of  the securities  in this  Series are  expected to  be
comparable to those of the securities deposited in the previous Series. However,
the  Estimated Current Return for this Series  will depend on the interest rates
and offering prices  of the securities  in this Series  and may vary  materially
from that of the previous Series.
 
A  REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING  TO THE UNITS  OF THIS SERIES  HAS BEEN FILED
WITH THE SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION BUT HAS  NOT YET BECOME  EFFECTIVE.
INFORMATION  CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO  COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. SUCH UNITS
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 THE UNITS IN ANY STATE IN  WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD
BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS  OF
ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ELECTRONIC FILING AND PRINTED DOCUMENT.
 
    Pursuant  to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 20-11
under the Investment  Company Act  of 1940, Registrant  hereby identifies  those
differences  in the foregoing document between the electronic format in which it
is filed and the printed form in which it will be circulated:
 
    (1)  The printed and distributed prospectus may be paged differently because
the printed document may contain a different amount of information on each  page
from that contained in the electronic transmission.
 
    (2)   In the  printed document, footnote  symbols may include  a "dagger" or
multiple "dagger". The  "dagger" symbol is  represented as #  in the  electronic
document.
 
    (3)  The printed and distributed prospectus will not contain the preliminary
prospectus legend included at the beginning of the first prospectus page.
<PAGE>
                     NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 969
 
                             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 1 AS
                           TO PROSPECTUS ON FORM S-6)
 
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
FORM N-8B-2                                                FORM S-6
ITEM NUMBER                                                HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
          I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
 1.  (a)  Name of trust                                 )  Prospectus Part A -- Cover Page
     (b)  Title of securities issued                    )
 2.  Name and address of Depositor                      )  Information About the Sponsor
 3.  Name and address of Trustee                        )  Information About the Trustee
 4.  Name and address of principal Underwriter          )  Information About the Sponsor
 5.  Organization of trust                              )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
 6.  Execution and termination of Trust Agreement       )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
                                                        )  Information About The Trustee
                                                        )  Other Information
 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   )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Why and How are the Bonds Insured?
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made to Unitholders?
                                                        )  Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge?
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts?
                                                        )  Information About the Trustee
                                                        )  Information About the Sponsor
                                                        )  Other Information
                                                        )  What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders?
11.  Type of securities comprising units                )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
                                                        )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  What Are The Objectives Of The Trusts?
                                                        )  Why and How are the Bonds Insured?
12.  Certain information regarding                      )  *
     periodic payment certificates                      )
13.  (a)  Load, fees, expenses, etc.                    )  Part A -- Essential Information
                                                        )  How Is The Public Offering Price Determined?
                                                        )  Market For Units
                                                        )  What Is Accrued Interest?
                                                        )  What Are Estimated Long Term Return
                                                        )  And Estimated Current Return?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  Summary Of Portfolios
                                                        )  How Detailed Are Reports To Unitholders?
     (b)  Certain information regarding                 )  *
          periodic payment certificates                 )
     (c)  Certain percentages                           )  How Is The Public Offering Price Determined?
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
                                                        )  Market For Units
                                                        )  What Are Estimated Long Term Return
                                                        )  And Estimated Current Return?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date Of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Is Accrued Interest?
     (d)  Certain other fees, etc. payable by holders   )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds Determined
                                                        )  At The Date Of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
                                                        )  Ownership And Transfer Of Units
     (e)  Certain profits receivable by depositor,      )  Composition Of Trusts
          principal underwriter, trustee or             )
          affiliated persons                            )
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
 
     (f)  Ratio of annual charges to income             )  *
14.  Issuance of trust's securities                     )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
15.  Receipt and handling of payments                   )  *
     from purchasers                                    )
16.  Acquisition and Disposition of                     )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
     Underlying Securities                              )
                                                        )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  Why and How are the Bonds Insured?
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts
                                                        )  Other Information
17.  Withdrawal or redemption                           )  Market For Units
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
18.  (a)  Receipt and disposition of income             )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  How Detailed Are Reports To Unitholders?
     (b)  Reinvestment of distributions                 )  Accumulation Plan
     (c)  Reserves or special funds                     )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
     (d)  Schedule of distributions                     )  *
19.  Records, accounts and reports                      )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  How Detailed Are Reports To Unitholders?
20.  Certain miscellaneous provisions of                )  Information About the Trustee
     Trust Agreement                                    )
                                                        )  Information About the Sponsor
                                                        )  Other Information
21.  Loans to security holders                          )  *
22.  Limitations on liability                           )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  Information About The Trustee
23.  Bond arrangements                                  )  *
24.  Other material provisions of Trust Agreement.      )  *
 
          III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR
25.  Organization of Depositor                          )  Information About the Sponsor
26.  Fees received by Depositor                         )  *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
27.  Business of Depositor                              )  Information About the Sponsor
28.  Certain information as to officials                )  *
     and affiliated persons of Depositor                )
29.  Voting Securities of Depositor                     )  Information About the Sponsor
30.  Persons controlling Depositor                      )
31.  Payments by Depositor for certain                  )
     services rendered to trust                         )
32.  Payments by Depositor for certain                  )  *
     other services rendered to trust                   )
33.  Remuneration of employees of Depositor             )
     for certain services rendered to trust             )
34.  Remuneration of other persons for                  )
     certain services rendered to trust                 )
 
          IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
35.  Distribution of trust's securities by states       )  *
36.  Suspension of sales of trust's securities          )
37.  Revocation of authority to distribute              )
38.  (a)  Method of distribution                        )
     (b)  Underwriting agreements                       )  How Units of The Trusts Are
                                                        )  Distributed To The Public
     (c)  Selling agreement                             )
39.  (a)  Organization of principal underwriter         )  Information About The Sponsor
     (b)  NASD membership of principal underwriter      )
40.  Certain fees received by principal underwriter     )  *
41.  (a)  Business of principal underwriter             )
     (b)  Branch offices of principal underwriter       )  *
     (c)  Salesmen of principal underwriter             )
42.  Ownership of trust's securities by                 )  *
     certain persons                                    )
43.  Certain brokerage commissions received             )  *
     by principal underwriter                           )
44.  (a)  Method of valuation                           )  Part A -- Essential Information
                                                        )  How Is The Public Offering Price Determined?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
     (b)  Schedule as to offering price                 )  *
     (c)  Variation in offering price to                )  How Is the Public Offering Price
          certain persons                               )  Determined?
                                                        )  What Is Accrued Interest?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date of Deposit?
45.  Suspension of redemption rights                    )  *
46.  (a)  Redemption valuation                          )  Unit Value and Evaluation
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
     (b)  Schedule as to redemption price               )  *
47.  Maintenance of position in underlying              )  How Is the Public Offering Price
     securities                                         )  Determined?
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
 
          V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
48.  Organization and regulation of Trustee             )  Information About The Trustee
49.  Fees and expenses of Trustee                       )  Part A -- Essential Information
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
50.  Trustee's lien                                     )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
 
          VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
51.  Insurance of holders of trust's securities         )  *
 
          VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT
52.  (a)  Provisions of trust agreement with            )  What Are Normal Trust Operating
          respect to selection or elimination           )  Expenses?
          of underlying securities                      )
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts
     (b)  Transactions involving elimination            )  *
          of underlying securities                      )
     (c)  Policy regarding substitution or              )  Summary of Portfolios
          elimination of underlying securities          )
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts
     (d)  Fundamental policy not otherwise covered      )  *
53.  Tax status of trust                                )  What Is The Tax Status Of Unitholders?
 
          VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION
54.  Trust's securities during last ten years           )  *
55.                                                     )
56.  Certain information regarding                      )  *
     periodic payment certificate                       )
57.                                                     )
58.                                                     )
</TABLE>
 
- ---------
 
* Inapplicable, omitted, answer negative or not required.
<PAGE>
                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
A.  BONDING ARRANGEMENTS OF DEPOSITOR:
 
    The  Depositor has obtained the following Stockbrokers Blanket Bonds for its
officers, directors and employees:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                                      AMOUNT
    United Pacific Insurance Co.                                          $10,000,000
    Reliance Insurance Company
    B 74 92 20
    Aetna Casualty and Surety                                             $10,000,000
    08 F10618BCA
    St. Paul Insurance Co.                                                $ 6,000,000
    400 HC 1051
</TABLE>
 
B.  THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS:
 
                                The facing sheet
 
                                 The Prospectus
 
                                 The signatures
 
                              Consents of Counsel
 
                                    Exhibits
 
C.  EXPLANATORY NOTE:
 
    The Registration Statement will contain multiple separate prospectuses. Each
prospectus will relate to an individual  unit investment trust and will  consist
of  a Part A,  a Part B and  an Information Supplement.  Each prospectus will be
identical with the  exception of the  respective Part A  which will contain  the
financial information specific to such underlying unit investment trust.
 
D.  UNDERTAKINGS:
 
    1.   With the  exception of the  information included in  the state specific
appendices to the  Information Supplement,  which will vary  depending upon  the
make-up  of a  Fund or  updated to  reflect current  events, any  amendment to a
Fund's Information Supplement will be subject to the review of the staff of  the
Securities and Exchange Commission prior to distribution; and
 
    2.   The Information  Supplement to the  Trust will not  include third party
financial information.
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the  Registrant,
Nuveen  Tax-Free  Unit  Trust,  Series 969  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 September 24, 1997.
 
                                          NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 969
                                                             (Registrant)
 
                                          By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                                             (Depositor)
 
                                          By:  Larry Woods Martin
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                             Vice President
 
                                          Attest:  Karen L. Healy
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                             Assistant Secretary
 
    Pursuant   to  the  requirements  of  the   Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration Statement has  been signed below  by the following  persons in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                        TITLE*                 DATE
<S>                            <C>                              <C>        <C>
Timothy T. Schwertfeger        Chairman, Board of Directors         )
                               Chief Executive Officer and          )
                               Director                             )
                                                                    )
Anthony T. Dean                President, Chief Operating           )
                               Officer and Director                 )           Larry Woods Martin
                                                                    )           Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                                    )
John P. Amboian                Chief Financial Officer and          )           September 24, 1997
                               Executive Vice President             )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
O. Walter Renfftlen            Vice President and Controller        )
                               (Principal Accounting Officer)       )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
*  The  titles of  the  persons named  herein  represent their  capacity  in and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.
 
** The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Renfftlen, Dean  and
Schwertfeger  with the  Amendment to the  Registration Statement on  Form S-6 of
Nuveen Tax-Exempt  Unit Trust,  Series 671  (File No.  33-49175). The  Power  of
Attorney  for Messr.  Amboian was filed  with the Amendment  to the Registration
Statement on Form  S-6 of  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit  Trust, Series  823 (File  No.
33-62325).
<PAGE>
                         CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
 
    The  consent of Chapman and Cutler to the  use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
 
                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL
 
    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the use
of their names in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will  be
filed by amendment.
 
                         CONSENT OF STANDARD & POOR'S,
                    A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
 
    The  consent of Standard & Poor's,  a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,
to the use of its name in the Prospectus included in the Registration  Statement
will be filed by amendment.
 
                    CONSENT OF KENNY S&P EVALUATION SERVICES
 
    The  consent of Kenny S&P Evaluation Services to  the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
 
                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
 
    The consent of  Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn  to the use  of its  name in  the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
 
                         CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
    The  consent of  Arthur Andersen  LLP to the  use of  its report  and to the
reference to such firm in the Prospectus included in the Registration  Statement
will be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>
                                LIST OF EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>
1.1(a)      Copy  of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
            Depositor, and  The Chase  Manhattan Bank,  Trustee.  Filed as  Exhibit 1.1(A)  to  the
            Sponsor's  Registration Statement filed with respect  to Series 823 (File No. 33-62325)
            and is incorporated herein by reference.
1.1(b)      Trust Indenture and Agreement (to be supplied by amendment).
1.2*        Copy of Certificate of  Incorporation, as amended, of  John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated,
            Depositor.
1.3**       Copy  of amendment of Certificate  of Incorporation changing name  of Depositor to John
            Nuveen & Co. Incorporated.
2.1         Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1(A) and Incorporated herein by
            reference).
3.1         Opinion of counsel as  to legality of  securities being registered  (to be supplied  by
            amendment).
3.2         Opinion  of counsel as to Federal income  tax status of securities being registered (to
            be supplied by amendment).
3.3         Consents of special state  counsel to the Fund  for state tax matters  to use of  their
            names in the Prospectus (to be supplied by amendment).
4.1         Consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation (to be supplied by amendment).
4.2         Consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services (to be supplied by amendment).
4.3         Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn (to be supplied by amendment).
6.1         List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other related information (incorporated
            by  reference to Form S-6 [File  No. 33-62325] filed on September  7, 1995 on behalf of
            Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 823).
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
   * Incorporated  by reference  to Form  N-8B-2 (File  No. 811-1547)  filed  on
behalf of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 16.
 
   **  Incorporated by  reference to  Form N-8B-2  (File No.  811-2198) filed on
behalf of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 37.


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