<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 10, 1999
SECURITIES ACT FILE NO. 333-
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
(check appropriate box or boxes)
------------------------
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
------------------------
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD, PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY 08536
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (609) 282-2800
------------------------
TERRY K. GLENN
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD,
PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY 08536
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
08543-9011
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
------------------------
COPIES TO:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MICHAEL J. HENNEWINKEL, ESQ. FRANK P. BRUNO, ESQ.
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P. BROWN & WOOD LLP
P.O. BOX 9011 ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048-0557
</TABLE>
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Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.
------------------------
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), other than securities offered only in
connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following
box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434
under the Securities Act, please check the following box. [ ]
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PROPOSED MAXIMUM
PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE
TITLE OF AMOUNT BEING OFFERING PRICE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) PER SHARE(1) PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE(2)
<CAPTION>
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($.10 par
value).......................................... 66,667 shares $15.00 $1,000,005 $278
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</TABLE>
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2) Transmitted to the designated lockbox at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, PA.
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 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on
such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may
determine.
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<PAGE> 2
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 10, 1999
PROSPECTUS
SHARES
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
COMMON SHARES
------------------------
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V (the "Fund") is a newly organized,
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide
shareholders with current income exempt from Federal income tax and the
opportunity to own shares whose value is exempt from Florida intangible personal
property tax. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in
a portfolio of long-term, investment grade municipal obligations the interest on
which, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal
income tax and which enable shares of the Fund to be exempt from Florida
intangible personal property tax. The Fund intends to invest in municipal
obligations that are rated investment grade, or if unrated, are considered by
the Fund's investment adviser to be of comparable quality. Under normal
circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in municipal
obligations with remaining maturities of one year or more that are covered by
insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal at maturity and interest.
Because the Fund is newly organized, its shares have no history of public
trading. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a
discount from their net asset value. This risk may be greater for investors
expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period after completion of
the public offering. The Fund plans to apply to list its shares on the New York
Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange under the symbol "FDM."
Trading of the Fund's common shares on the exchange is expected to begin within
two weeks of the date of this prospectus. Before it begins trading, the
underwriter does not intend to make a market in the Fund's shares. Thus,
investors may not be able to buy and sell shares of the Fund during that time.
Within approximately three months after completion of this offering of
common shares, the Fund intends to offer preferred shares representing
approximately 40% of the Fund's capital immediately after the issuance of such
preferred shares. There can be no assurance, however, that preferred shares
representing such percentage of the Fund's capital will actually be issued. The
use of preferred shares to leverage the common shares can create special risks.
------------------------
This prospectus contains information you should know before investing,
including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it
for future reference.
------------------------
INVESTING IN THE COMMON SHARES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS, WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN
THE "RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 OF
THIS PROSPECTUS.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER SHARE TOTAL
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<S> <C> <C>
Public Offering Price............................. $ $
Sales Load........................................ None None
Proceeds, before expenses, to Fund................ $ $
</TABLE>
The Fund's investment adviser or an affiliate will pay the underwriter a
commission in the amount of % of the public offering price per share in
connection with the sale of the common shares.
The underwriter may also purchase up to an additional shares at the
public offering price within 45 days from the date of this prospectus to cover
over-allotments.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
We expect that the common shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New
York on or about June , 1999.
------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
------------------------
The date of this prospectus is June , 1999.
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
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<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary.......................................... 3
Risk Factors and Special Considerations..................... 8
Fee Table................................................... 10
The Fund.................................................... 11
Use of Proceeds............................................. 11
Investment Objective and Policies........................... 11
Risks and Special Considerations of Leverage................ 23
Investment Restrictions..................................... 26
Trustees and Officers....................................... 28
Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements............. 29
Portfolio Transactions...................................... 31
Dividends and Distributions................................. 32
Taxes....................................................... 33
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan........................ 38
Mutual Fund Investment Option............................... 40
Net Asset Value............................................. 40
Description of Capital Shares............................... 41
Custodian................................................... 45
Underwriting................................................ 45
Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar..... 46
Legal Opinions.............................................. 46
Experts..................................................... 46
Additional Information...................................... 47
Report of Independent Auditors.............................. 48
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital................ 49
Appendix I -- Economic and Other Conditions in Florida...... 50
Appendix II -- Ratings of Municipal Bonds................... 54
Appendix III -- Portfolio Insurance......................... 61
Appendix IV -- Taxable Equivalent Yields for 1999........... 63
</TABLE>
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND CAN BE REVIEWED AND COPIED AT THE SEC'S PUBLIC
REFERENCE ROOM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. CALL 1-800-SEC-0330 FOR INFORMATION ON THE
OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM. THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON
THE SEC'S INTERNET SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV AND COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED UPON
PAYMENT OF A DUPLICATING FEE BY WRITING THE PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION OF THE SEC,
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-6009.
------------------
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We
have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized any other person to provide
you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the
underwriter is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information
appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of
this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects may have changed since that date.
2
<PAGE> 4
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed
information included in this prospectus.
THE FUND MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V (the "Fund") is a newly
organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company.
THE OFFERING The Fund is offering common shares at an initial offering
price of $ per share. The common shares are being offered by
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as
underwriter. The underwriter may also purchase up to an additional
common shares within 45 days of the date of this prospectus
to cover over-allotments.
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND
POLICIES The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders
with current income exempt from Federal income tax and the
opportunity to own shares whose value is exempt from Florida
intangible personal property tax. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term,
investment grade municipal obligations the interest on which, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal
income tax and which enable shares of the Fund to be exempt from
Florida intangible personal property tax.
Investment Grade Municipal Bonds. The Fund intends to invest in
municipal bonds that are rated investment grade by one or more
nationally recognized statistical rating agencies or, if unrated,
are considered by the investment adviser to be of comparable
quality.
Florida Municipal Bonds. The Fund will generally invest
substantially all (at least 80%) of its assets in Florida
municipal bonds. However, when the Fund's investment adviser
believes that investment grade Florida municipal bonds are not
available in sufficient amounts at an appropriate price, the Fund
may invest a lesser amount of its assets in these securities. At
all times, except during periods when the Fund is in the process
of investing its proceeds from a public offering or during
temporary defensive periods, the Fund intends to invest at least
65% of its assets in Florida municipal bonds and at least 80% of
its assets in Florida municipal bonds and other long-term
municipal bonds. These other long-term municipal bonds that the
Fund may buy will be exempt from Federal income tax but their
value will not be exempt from Florida intangible personal property
tax.
The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its assets in
insured municipal obligations with remaining maturities of one
year or more. Insured municipal obligations are covered by
insurance that guarantees timely interest payments and the
repayment of principal on maturity.
In general, the Fund does not intend its investments to earn a
large amount of interest income that is not exempt from Federal
income tax or to hold substantial assets which would subject
shares of the Fund to Florida intangible personal property tax.
3
<PAGE> 5
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest
in securities whose potential returns are directly related to
changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed
securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the
underlying index or interest rate rises and fall when the index or
interest rate falls. The Fund may also invest in securities whose
return is inversely related to changes in an interest rate
(inverse floaters). In general, income on inverse floaters will
decrease when short term interest rates increase and increase when
short term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse
floaters may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or
eliminated interest payments and losses of principal. In addition,
certain indexed securities and inverse floaters may increase or
decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest
rate, which effectively leverages the Fund's investment. As a
result, the market value of such securities will generally be more
volatile than that of fixed rate, tax exempt securities. Both
indexed securities and inverse floaters are derivative securities
and can be considered speculative.
Options and Futures Transactions. The Fund may seek to hedge its
portfolio against changes in interest rates using options and
financial futures contracts. The Fund's hedging transactions are
designed to reduce volatility, but come at some cost. For example,
the Fund may try to limit its risk of loss from a decline in price
of a portfolio security by purchasing a put option. However, the
Fund must pay for the option, and the price of the security may
not in fact drop. In large part, the success of the Fund's hedging
activities depends on its ability to forecast movements in
securities prices and interest rates. The Fund does not, however,
intend to enter into options and futures transactions for
speculative purposes. The Fund is not required to hedge its
portfolio and may choose not to do so. The Fund cannot guarantee
that any hedging strategies it uses will work.
LEVERAGE Issuance of Preferred Shares. The Fund intends to offer preferred
shares within three months after completion of this offering. The
preferred shares will represent approximately 40% of the Fund's
capital, including the capital raised by issuing the preferred
shares. There can be no assurance, however, that preferred shares
will actually be issued. Issuing preferred shares will result in
the leveraging of the common shares. Although the Board of
Trustees has not yet determined the terms of the preferred shares
offering, the Fund expects that the preferred shares will pay
dividends that will be adjusted over either relatively short-term
periods (generally seven to 28 days) or medium-term periods (up to
five years). The preferred shares dividend rate will be based upon
prevailing interest rates for debt obligations of comparable
maturity. The money raised by the preferred shares offering will
be invested in longer-term obligations in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective. The expenses of the preferred shares,
which will be borne by the Fund, will reduce the net asset value
of the common shares. In addition, at times when the Fund is
required to allocate taxable income to preferred shareholders, the
terms of the preferred shares may require the Fund to make an
additional distribution to them. The amount of this additional
distribution approximately equals the tax liability resulting from
the allocation (an "Additional Distribution"). During periods
4
<PAGE> 6
when the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, the Fund will pay
fees to the investment adviser for its services that are higher
than if the Fund did not issue preferred shares because the fees
will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's average weekly net
assets, including proceeds from the sale of preferred shares.
Potential Benefits of Leverage. Under normal market conditions,
longer term obligations produce higher yields than short and
medium term obligations. The Fund's investment adviser believes
that the interest income the Fund receives from its long term
investments will exceed the amount of interest the Fund must pay
to the preferred shareholders. Thus, the Fund's use of preferred
shares should provide common shareholders with a higher yield than
they would receive if the Fund were not leveraged.
Risks. The use of leverage creates certain risks for common
shareholders, including higher volatility of both the net asset
value and the market value of the common shares. Since any decline
in the value of the Fund's investments will affect only the common
shareholders, in a declining market the use of leverage will cause
the Fund's net asset value to decrease more than it would if the
Fund were not leveraged. This decrease in net asset value will
likely also cause a decline in the market price for common shares.
In addition, fluctuations in the dividend rates paid on, and the
amount of taxable income allocable to, the preferred shares will
affect the yield to common shareholders. There can be no assurance
that the Fund will earn a higher net return on its investments
than the then current dividend rate (and any Additional
Distribution) it pays on the preferred shares. Under certain
conditions, the benefits of leverage to common shareholders will
be reduced, and the Fund's leveraged capital structure could
result in a lower rate of return to common shareholders than if
the Fund were not leveraged.
Distributions. When the Fund issues preferred shares, common
shareholders will receive all of the Fund's net income that
remains after it pays dividends (and any Additional Distribution)
on the preferred shares and generally will be entitled to a pro
rata share of net realized capital gains. If the Fund is
liquidated, preferred shareholders will be entitled to receive
liquidating distributions before any distribution is made to
common shareholders. These liquidating distributions are expected
to equal the original purchase price per share of the preferred
shares plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends and Additional
Distributions.
Redemption of Preferred Shares. The Fund may redeem the preferred
shares for any reason. For example, the Fund may redeem all or
part of the preferred shares if it believes that the Fund's
leveraged capital structure will cause common shareholders to
obtain a lower return than they would if the common shares were
unleveraged for any significant amount of time.
Voting Rights. Preferred shareholders, voting as a separate
class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund's Trustees.
Common and preferred shareholders, voting together as a single
class, will be entitled to elect the remaining Trustees. If the
5
<PAGE> 7
Fund fails to pay dividends to the preferred shareholders for two
full years, the holders of all outstanding shares of preferred
shares, voting as a separate class, would then be entitled to
elect a majority of the Fund's Trustees. The preferred
shareholders also will vote separately on certain other matters as
required under the Fund's Declaration of Trust, the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Massachusetts law. Otherwise,
common and preferred shareholders will have equal voting rights
(one vote per share) and will vote together as a single class.
Ratings. Before it offers the preferred shares, the Fund intends
to apply to one or more nationally recognized statistical ratings
organizations for ratings on the preferred shares. The Fund
believes that a rating for the preferred shares will make it
easier to market the shares, which should reduce the dividend
rate.
LISTING Currently, there is no public market for the Fund's common shares.
However, the Fund plans to apply to list its common shares on the
New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange.
Trading of the Fund's common shares is expected to begin within
two weeks of the date of this prospectus. Before it begins
trading, the underwriter does not intend to make a market in the
Fund's common shares. Thus, investors may not be able to buy and
sell shares of the Fund during that period.
INVESTMENT Fund Asset Management, L.P. is the Fund's investment adviser and
ADVISER provides investment advisory and management services to the Fund.
For its services, the Fund pays the investment adviser a fee at
the annual rate of % of the Fund's average weekly net assets,
including assets acquired from the sale of preferred shares.
DIVIDENDS The Fund intends to distribute dividends of all or a portion of
AND its net investment income to common shareholders each month. Once
DISTRIBUTIONS the Fund issues preferred shares, the monthly dividends to common
shareholders will consist of all or a portion of net investment
income that remains after the Fund pays dividends (and any
Additional Distribution) on the preferred shares. At times, in
order to maintain a stable level of monthly dividends to common
shareholders, the Fund may pay out less than all of its net
investment income or pay out accumulated undistributed income in
addition to net investment income. The Fund expects to begin
paying dividends to common shareholders within approximately 90
days from the date of this prospectus. The Fund will distribute
net capital gains, if any, at least annually to common
shareholders and, after it issues the preferred shares, on a pro
rata basis to common and preferred shareholders. When the Fund
allocates capital gains or other taxable income to preferred
shareholders, under certain circumstances, the terms of the
preferred shares may require the Fund to make an Additional
Distribution. The Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other
distribution on its common shares unless the preferred shares have
asset coverage of at least 200%. If the Fund issues preferred
shares representing 40% of its total capital, the preferred
shares' asset coverage will be approximately 250%. If the Fund's
ability to make distributions on its common shares is limited, the
Fund may not be able to
6
<PAGE> 8
qualify for taxation as a regulated investment company. This would
have adverse tax consequences for common shareholders.
AUTOMATIC
DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT
PLAN Dividend and capital gains distributions generally are used to
purchase additional common shares. However, an investor can choose
to receive distributions in cash. Since not all investors can
participate in the automatic dividend reinvestment plan, you
should call your broker or nominee to confirm that you are
eligible to participate in the plan.
MUTUAL FUND
INVESTMENT
OPTION Investors who purchase shares in this offering through the
underwriter and later sell their shares have the option, subject
to certain conditions, to purchase Class D shares of certain
Merrill Lynch funds with the proceeds from the sale.
7
<PAGE> 9
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Liquidity and Market Price of Shares. The Fund is newly organized and has
no operating history or history of public trading. Before the Fund's common
shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, an investment in the Fund may
be illiquid.
Shares of closed-end funds that trade in a secondary market frequently
trade at a market price that is below their net asset value. This is commonly
referred to as "trading at a discount." Investors who sell their shares within a
relatively short period after completion of the public offering are more likely
to be exposed to this risk. The Fund is designed primarily for long-term
investors and should not be considered a vehicle for trading purposes.
Florida Municipal Bonds. The Fund intends to invest the majority of its
portfolio in Florida municipal bonds. As a result, the Fund is more exposed to
risks affecting issuers of Florida municipal bonds than is a municipal bond fund
that invests more widely.
Interest Rate and Credit Risk. The Fund invests in municipal bonds, that
are subject to interest rate and credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk
that prices of municipal bonds generally increase when interest rates decline
and decrease when interest rates increase. Prices of longer term securities
generally change more in response to interest rate changes than prices of
shorter term securities. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will be unable
to pay the interest or principal when due. The degree of credit risk depends on
both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
Non-diversification. The Fund is registered as a "non-diversified"
investment company. This means that the Fund may invest a greater percentage of
its assets in a single issuer than a diversified investment company. Even as a
non-diversified fund, the Fund must still meet the diversification requirements
of applicable Federal income tax laws. Since the Fund may invest a relatively
high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be
more exposed to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a
more widely-diversified fund.
Rating Categories. The Fund intends to invest in municipal bonds that are
rated investment grade by Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Fitch IBCA, Inc. It may also invest in unrated municipal bonds that the Fund's
investment adviser believes are of comparable quality. Obligations rated in the
lowest investment grade category may have certain speculative characteristics.
Private Activity Bonds. The Fund may invest in certain tax-exempt
securities classified as "private activity bonds." These bonds may subject
certain investors in the Fund to the alternative minimum tax.
Taxes. It is possible that the Fund may not be able to fully dispose of
all of its assets subject to Florida intangible personal property tax by the
last business day of the calendar year. This would subject shares of the Fund to
Florida intangible personal property tax.
Portfolio Insurance and Rating Agencies. The Fund will be subject to
certain investment restrictions imposed by guidelines of the insurance companies
that issue portfolio insurance and to
8
<PAGE> 10
guidelines of one or more nationally recognized statistical ratings
organizations that may issue ratings for the preferred shares. These guidelines
may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more
stringent than those imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Fund does not expect these requirements or guidelines to prevent the
investment adviser from managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective and policies.
Leverage. The Fund plans to offer preferred shares. The preferred stock
will represent approximately 40% of the Fund's capital, including capital raised
by issuing the preferred shares. Leverage creates certain risks for common
shareholders, including higher volatility of both the net asset value and the
market value of the common shares. Leverage also creates the risk that the
investment return on the Fund's common shares will be reduced to the extent the
dividends paid on preferred shares and other expenses of the preferred shares
exceed the income earned by the Fund on its investments. If the Fund is
liquidated, preferred shareholders will be entitled to receive liquidating
distributions before any distribution is made to common shareholders.
Inverse Floating Obligations. The Fund's investments in "inverse floating
obligations" or "residual interest bonds" provide investment leverage because
their market value increases or decreases in response to market changes at a
greater rate than fixed rate, long term tax exempt securities. The market values
of such securities are more volatile than the market values of fixed rate, tax
exempt securities.
Options and Futures Transactions. The Fund may engage in certain options
and futures transactions to reduce its exposure to interest rate movements. If
the Fund incorrectly forecasts market values, interest rates or other factors,
the Fund's performance could suffer. The Fund also may suffer a loss if the
other party to the transaction fails to meet its obligations. The Fund is not
required to use hedging and may not do so.
Antitakeover Provisions. The Fund's Declaration of Trust includes
provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire
control of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Trustees. Such
provisions could limit the ability of shareholders to sell their shares at a
premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking
to obtain control of the Fund.
9
<PAGE> 11
FEE TABLE
<TABLE>
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
Maximum Sales Load (as a percentage of offering
price)................................................ None
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees........................ None
ANNUAL EXPENSES (as a percentage of net assets attributable
to Common Stock):
Investment Advisory Fees(a)(b)......................... %
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds.................... None
Other Expenses(a)(b)................................... %
----
Total Annual Expenses(a)(b)....................... %
====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
EXAMPLE ------ ------- ------- --------
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An investor would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming (1) total annual
expenses of % (assuming leverage of 40% of the
Fund's total assets) and (2) a 5% annual return
throughout the periods:............................. $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
- ------------
(a) Assumes leverage by issuing preferred shares in an amount of approximately
40% of the Fund's capital at a dividend rate of %. The Fund intends to use
leverage only if the Investment Adviser believes that it would result in
higher income to shareholders over time. See "Risks and Special
Considerations of Leverage". If the Fund does not use leverage, it is
estimated that, as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares,
the Investment Advisory Fees would be %, Other Expenses would be % and
Total Annual Expenses would be %.
(b) See "Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements" -- page .
The Fee Table is intended to assist investors in understanding the costs
and expenses that a shareholder in the Fund will bear directly or indirectly.
The expenses set forth under "Other Expenses" are based on estimated amounts
through the end of the Fund's first fiscal year on an annualized basis. The
Example set forth above assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and uses a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
FUTURE EXPENSES OR ANNUAL RATES OF RETURN, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES OR ANNUAL RATES
OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE ASSUMED FOR PURPOSES OF THE EXAMPLE.
10
<PAGE> 12
THE FUND
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V (the "Fund") is a newly organized,
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 10, 1999,
and has registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund's principal office is located at
800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, and its telephone number
is (609) 282-2800.
The Fund has been organized as a closed-end investment company. Closed-end
investment companies differ from open-end investment companies (commonly
referred to as "mutual funds") in that closed-end investment companies do not
generally make a continuous offering of their shares or redeem their securities
at the option of the shareholder, whereas open-end companies issue securities
redeemable at net asset value at any time at the option of the shareholder and
typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Accordingly, open-end
investment companies are subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that
can complicate portfolio management. Shares of closed-end investment companies,
however, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk
may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively
short period after completion of the public offering.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $ (or
approximately $ assuming the Underwriter exercises the over-allotment
option in full) after payment of offering expenses estimated to be approximately
$ .
The net proceeds of the offering will be invested in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective and policies within approximately three months after
completion of the offering of common shares, depending on market conditions and
the availability of appropriate securities. Pending such investment, it is
anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in short-term, tax-exempt
securities. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with current
income exempt from Federal income tax and the opportunity to own shares whose
value is exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax. The Fund will
seek to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of
long-term, investment grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of the
State of Florida, its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities,
and other qualifying issuers, each of which pays interest that, in the opinion
of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal income tax and which
enables shares of the Fund to be exempt from Florida intangible personal
property tax ("Florida Municipal Bonds"). The Fund intends to invest
substantially all (at least 80%) of its assets in Florida Municipal Bonds,
except at times when the Fund's investment adviser, Fund Asset Management, L.P.
(the "Investment Adviser"), considers that Florida Municipal Bonds of sufficient
quality and quantity are unavailable for investment at suitable prices by the
Fund. To the extent the Investment Adviser considers that suitable Florida
Municipal Bonds are not available for investment, the Fund may purchase other
long-term municipal obligations the interest on which is exempt from Federal
income taxes but the value of which is not
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exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxes ("Municipal Bonds"). The
Fund will maintain at least 65% of its assets in Florida Municipal Bonds and at
least 80% of its assets in Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds, except
during interim periods pending investment of the net proceeds of public
offerings of the Fund's securities and during temporary defensive periods. Under
normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in
municipal obligations with remaining maturities of one year or more that are
covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal at maturity
and interest. The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy that may
not be changed without a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities, as defined below under "Investment Restrictions." There can be no
assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be realized. At times
the Fund may seek to hedge its portfolio through the use of futures transactions
and options to reduce volatility in the net asset value of its common shares.
The Fund ordinarily does not intend to realize significant interest income
that is subject to Federal income tax or have significant assets subject to
Florida intangible personal property tax. The Fund may invest all or a portion
of its assets in certain tax-exempt securities classified as "private activity
bonds" (in general, bonds that benefit non-governmental entities) that may
subject certain investors in the Fund to an alternative minimum tax.
The Fund also may invest in securities not issued by or on behalf of a
state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if the Fund
nevertheless believes such securities pay interest or distributions that are
exempt from Federal income taxation ("Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities").
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities may include securities issued by other
investment companies that invest in Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds,
to the extent such investments are permitted by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). Other Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities
could include trust certificates or other instruments evidencing interests in
one or more long-term Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds. Certain
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities may be characterized as derivative
instruments. Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities are considered "Florida
Municipal Bonds" or "Municipal Bonds" for purposes of the Fund's investment
objective and policies.
Investment in common shares of the Fund offers several potential benefits.
The Fund offers investors the opportunity to receive income exempt from Federal
income tax and to hold Fund shares exempt from Florida intangible personal
property tax by investing in a professionally managed portfolio comprised
primarily of investment grade insured Florida Municipal Bonds. Investment in the
Fund also relieves the investor of the burdensome administrative details
involved in managing a portfolio of Florida Municipal Bonds. Additionally, the
Investment Adviser will seek to enhance the yield on the common shares by
leveraging the Fund's capital structure through the issuance of preferred
shares. The benefits are at least partially offset by the expenses involved in
operating an investment company. Such expenses primarily consist of the advisory
fee and operational costs. Additionally, the use of leverage involves certain
expenses and special risk considerations. See "Risks and Special Considerations
of Leverage."
The investment grade Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which
the Fund will primarily invest are those Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds rated at the date of purchase in the four highest rating categories of
Standard & Poor's ("S&P"), Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or Fitch
IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch"), or, if unrated, are considered to be of comparable quality
by the Investment
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<PAGE> 14
Adviser. In the case of long-term debt, the investment grade rating categories
are AAA through BBB for S&P, Aaa through Baa for Moody's and AAA through BBB for
Fitch. In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating categories
are SP-1+ through SP-3 for S&P, MIG-1 through MIG-3 for Moody's and F-1+ through
F-3 for Fitch. In the case of tax-exempt commercial paper, the investment grade
rating categories are A-1+ through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-3 for
Moody's and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. Obligations ranked in the lowest
investment grade rating category (BBB, SP-3 and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG-3 and
Prime-3 for Moody's; and BBB and F-3 for Fitch), while considered "investment
grade," may have certain speculative characteristics. There may be
sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within the rating
categories set forth above. See Appendix II to this Prospectus for a description
of S&P's, Moody's and Fitch's ratings of Municipal Bonds. In assessing the
quality of Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds with respect to the
foregoing requirements, the Investment Adviser will take into account the
portfolio insurance as well as the nature of any letters of credit or similar
credit enhancements to which particular Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds are entitled and the creditworthiness of the insurance company or
financial institution that provided such insurance or credit enhancement.
Consequently, if Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds are covered by
insurance policies issued by insurers whose claims-paying ability is rated AAA
by S&P or Fitch or Aaa by Moody's, the Investment Adviser may consider such
municipal obligations to be equivalent to AAA- or Aaa- rated securities, as the
case may be, even though such Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds would
generally be assigned a lower rating if the rating were based primarily upon the
credit characteristics of the issuers without regard to the insurance feature.
The insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds must also comply with
the standards applied by the insurance carriers in determining eligibility for
portfolio insurance.
The Fund's investments may also include variable rate demand obligations
("VRDOs") and VRDOs in the form of participation interests ("Participating
VRDOs") in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution,
typically a commercial bank. The VRDOs in which the Fund will invest are
tax-exempt obligations, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer, that contain a
floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and a right of demand on
the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal
balance plus accrued interest on a short notice period not to exceed seven days.
Participating VRDOs provide the Fund with a specified undivided interest (up to
100%) in the underlying obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid
principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the
financial institution on a specified number of days' notice, not to exceed seven
days. There is, however, the possibility that because of default or insolvency,
the demand feature of VRDOs or Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The Fund
has been advised by its counsel that the Fund should be entitled to treat the
income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations
for Federal income tax purposes.
The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio securities will vary based
upon the Investment Adviser's assessment of economic and market conditions. The
net asset value of the common shares of a closed-end investment company, such as
the Fund, which invests primarily in fixed-income securities, changes as the
general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the
value of a fixed-income portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when
interest rates rise, the value of a fixed-income portfolio can be expected to
decline. Prices of longer-term securities generally fluctuate more in response
to interest rate changes than do short-term or medium-term securities. These
changes in net asset value are likely to be
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greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure, as proposed
for the Fund. See "Risks and Special Considerations of Leverage."
The Fund intends to invest primarily in long-term Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds with a maturity of more than ten years. Also, the Fund may
invest in intermediate-term Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds with a
maturity of between three years and ten years. The Fund may invest in
short-term, tax-exempt securities, short-term U.S. Government securities,
repurchase agreements or cash. Such short-term securities or cash will not
exceed 20% of its total assets except during interim periods pending investment
of the net proceeds of public offerings of the Fund's securities or in
anticipation of the repurchase or redemption of the Fund's securities and
temporary periods when, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, prevailing
market or economic conditions warrant. The Fund does not ordinarily intend to
realize significant interest income that is subject to Federal income tax or to
hold assets which would subject Fund shares to Florida intangible personal
property taxes.
The Fund is classified as non-diversified within the meaning of the 1940
Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion
of its assets that it may invest in securities of a single issuer. However, the
Fund's investments will be limited so as to qualify the Fund for special tax
treatment afforded regulated investment companies under the Federal tax laws.
See "Taxes." To qualify, among other requirements, the Fund will limit its
investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not
more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
the securities (other than U.S. Government securities) of a single issuer, and
(ii) with respect to 50% of the market value of its total assets, not more than
5% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the securities
(other than U.S. Government securities) of a single issuer. A fund that elects
to be classified as "diversified" under the 1940 Act must satisfy the foregoing
5% requirement with respect to 75% of its total assets. To the extent that the
Fund assumes large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, the
Fund's yield may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified
company as a result of changes in the financial condition or in the market's
assessment of the issuers.
PORTFOLIO INSURANCE
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be
invested in Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds either (i) insured under
an insurance policy purchased by the Fund or (ii) insured under an insurance
policy obtained by the issuer thereof or any other party. The Fund will seek to
limit its investments to municipal bonds insured under insurance policies issued
by insurance carriers that have total admitted assets (unaudited) of at least
$75,000,000 and capital and surplus (unaudited) of at least $50,000,000 and
insurance claims-paying ability ratings of AAA from S&P or Fitch or Aaa from
Moody's. There can be no assurance that insurance from insurance carriers
meeting these criteria will be at all times available. See Appendix III to this
Prospectus for a brief description of S&P's, Fitch's and Moody's insurance
claims-paying ability ratings. Currently, it is anticipated that a majority of
the insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the Fund's portfolio
will be insured by the following insurance companies that satisfy the foregoing
criteria: AMBAC Indemnity Corporation, Financial Guaranty Insurance Company,
Financial Security Assurance and Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation.
The Fund also may purchase Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds covered
by insurance issued by any other insurance company that satisfies the foregoing
criteria. It
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<PAGE> 16
is anticipated that initially a majority of insured Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds held by the Fund will be insured under policies obtained by
parties other than the Fund.
The Fund may purchase, but has no obligation to purchase, separate
insurance policies (the "Policies") from insurance companies meeting the
criteria set forth above that guarantee the payment of principal and interest on
specified eligible Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds purchased by the
Fund. A Florida Municipal Bond and a Municipal Bond will be eligible for
coverage if it meets certain requirements of the insurance company set forth in
a Policy. In the event interest or principal on an insured Florida Municipal
Bond and Municipal Bond is not paid when due, the insurer will be obligated
under its Policy to make such payment not later than 30 days after it has been
notified by, and provided with documentation from, the Fund that such nonpayment
has occurred.
The Policies will be effective only as to insured Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds beneficially owned by the Fund. In the event of a sale of
any Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held by the Fund, the issuer of
the relevant Policy will be liable only for those payments of interest and
principal that are then due and owing. The Policies will not guarantee the
market value of the insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds or the
value of the shares of the Fund.
The insurer will not have the right to withdraw coverage on securities
insured by their Policies and held by the Fund so long as such securities remain
in the Fund's portfolio. In addition, the insurer may not cancel its Policies
for any reason except failure to pay premiums when due. The Board of Trustees of
the Fund will reserve the right to terminate any of the Policies if it
determines that the benefits to the Fund of having its portfolio insured under
such policy are not justified by the expense involved.
The premiums for the Policies are paid by the Fund and the yield on the
Fund's portfolio is reduced thereby. The Investment Adviser estimates that the
cost of the annual premiums for the Policies currently ranges from approximately
.02 of 1% to .15 of 1% of the principal amount of the Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds covered by such Policies. The estimate is based on the
expected composition of the Fund's portfolio of Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds. Additional information regarding the Policies is set forth in
Appendix III to this Prospectus. In instances in which the Fund purchases
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds insured under policies obtained by
parties other than the Fund, the Fund does not pay the premiums for such
policies; rather, the cost of such policies may be reflected in the purchase
price of the Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
It is the intention of the Investment Adviser to retain any insured
securities that are in default or in significant risk of default and to place a
value on the insurance, which ordinarily will be the difference between the
market value of the defaulted security and the market value of similar
securities that are not in default. In certain circumstances, however, the
Investment Adviser may determine that an alternate value for the insurance, such
as the difference between the market value of the defaulted security and its par
value, is more appropriate. The Investment Adviser's ability to manage the
portfolio may be limited to the extent the Fund holds defaulted securities,
which may limit its ability in certain circumstances to purchase other Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds. See "Net Asset Value" below for a more
complete description of the Fund's method of valuing defaulted securities and
securities that have a significant risk of default.
There can be no assurance that insurance with the terms and issued by
insurance carriers meeting the criteria described above will continue to be
available to the Fund. In the event the Board of Trustees
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<PAGE> 17
determines that such insurance is unavailable or that the cost of such insurance
outweighs the benefits to the Fund, the Fund may modify the criteria for
insurance carriers or the terms of the insurance, or discontinue its policy of
maintaining insurance for all or any of the Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds held in the Fund's portfolio. Although the Investment Adviser
periodically reviews the financial condition of each insurer, there can be no
assurance that the insurers will be able to honor their obligations under all
circumstances.
The portfolio insurance reduces financial or credit risk (i.e., the
possibility that the owners of the insured Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds will not receive timely scheduled payments of principal or interest).
However, the insured Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds are subject to
market risk (i.e., fluctuations in market value as a result of changes in
prevailing interest rates or other market conditions).
DESCRIPTION OF FLORIDA MUNICIPAL BONDS AND MUNICIPAL BONDS
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued
to obtain funds for various public purposes, including construction of a wide
range of public facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations and obtaining
funds for general operating expenses and loans to other public institutions and
facilities. In addition, certain types of private activity bonds ("PABs") are
issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately
operated facilities, including airports, public ports, mass commuting
facilities, multifamily housing projects, as well as facilities for water
supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal. For purposes of this
prospectus, such obligations are Municipal Bonds if the interest paid thereon is
exempt from Federal income tax and are Florida Municipal Bonds if the interest
thereon is exempt from Federal income tax and the obligation is exempt from
Florida intangible personal property tax, even though such bonds may be PABs as
discussed below. Also, for purposes of this prospectus, Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt
securities as discussed above will be considered Florida Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds.
The two principal classifications of Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds are "general obligation" bonds and "revenue" bonds, which latter category
includes PABs and, for bonds issued on or before August 15, 1986, industrial
development bonds or "IDBs". General obligation bonds are typically secured by
the issuer's pledge of faith, credit and taxing power for the repayment of
principal and the payment of interest. Revenue or special obligation bonds are
typically payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or
class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax
or other specific revenue source such as from the user of the facility being
financed. PABs are in most cases revenue bonds and do not generally constitute
the pledge of the credit or taxing power of the issuer of such bonds. The
repayment of principal and the payment of interest on revenue bonds, including
IDBs, depends solely on the ability of the user of the facility financed by the
bonds to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and
personal property so financed as security for such payment. Florida Municipal
Bonds and Municipal Bonds may also include "moral obligation" bonds, which are
normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral
obligation bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds
becomes a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or
municipality in question.
The Fund may purchase Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
classified as PABs. Interest received on certain PABs is treated as an item of
"tax preference" for purposes of the Federal alternative
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<PAGE> 18
minimum tax and may impact the overall tax liability of investors in the Fund.
There is no limitation on the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be
invested in Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds the interest on which is
treated as an item of "tax preference" for purposes of the alternative minimum
tax. See "Taxes -- General."
Also included within the general category of Florida Municipal Bonds and/or
Municipal Bonds are certificates of participation ("COPs") executed and
delivered for the benefit of government authorities or entities to finance the
acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities. COPs represent
participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract or a conditional
sales contract (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lease obligations")
relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Although lease obligations
typically do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the
issuer's unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation frequently is
backed by the issuer's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments
due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain
"non-appropriation" clauses, which provide that the issuer has no obligation to
make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is
appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation"
lease obligations are secured by the lease property, disposition of the property
in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult.
Federal tax legislation has limited and may continue to limit the types and
volume of such bonds the interest on which qualifies for a Federal income tax
exemption. Legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the
availability of Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds for investment by
the Fund.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO FLORIDA MUNICIPAL BONDS
The Fund ordinarily will invest at least 80% of its total assets in Florida
Municipal Bonds, and therefore it is more susceptible to factors adversely
affecting issuers of Florida Municipal Bonds than is a municipal bond mutual
fund that is not concentrated in issuers of Florida Municipal Bonds to this
degree. Many different social, environmental and economic factors may affect the
financial condition of Florida and its political subdivisions. From time to time
Florida and its political subdivisions have encountered financial difficulties.
Florida is highly dependent upon sales and uses taxes, which account for the
majority of its General Fund revenues. The Florida Constitution does not permit
a state or local personal income tax. The structure of personal income in
Florida is also different from the rest of the nation in that the State has a
proportionally greater retirement age population that is dependent upon transfer
payments (social security, pension benefits, etc.). Such transfer payments can
be affected by Federal legislation. Florida's economic growth is also highly
dependent upon other factors such as changes in population growth, tourism,
interest rates and hurricane activity. In combination, the two amendments to the
Florida Constitution may limit the State's ability to raise revenues and may
have an adverse effect on the finances of Florida and its political
subdivisions. The Investment Adviser does not believe that the current economic
conditions in Florida will have a significant adverse effect on the Fund's
ability to invest in investment grade Florida Municipal Bonds. As of December 2,
1998, the State had a high bond rating from Moody's (Aa2), S&P (AA+) and Fitch
IBCA, Inc. (AA) on all of its general obligation bonds. For a discussion of
economic and other conditions in the State of Florida, see Appendix I, "Economic
and Other Conditions in Florida."
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OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund has adopted certain other policies as set forth below:
Borrowings. The Fund is authorized to borrow money in amounts of up to 5%
of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings; provided,
however, that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in amounts of up to
33 1/3% of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings to
finance the repurchase of its own common shares pursuant to tender offers or
otherwise to redeem or repurchase preferred shares or for temporary,
extraordinary or emergency purposes. Borrowings by the Fund (commonly known, as
with the issuance of preferred shares, as "leveraging") create an opportunity
for greater total return since the Fund will not be required to sell portfolio
securities to repurchase or redeem shares but, at the same time, increase
exposure to capital risk. In addition, borrowed funds are subject to interest
costs that may offset or exceed the return earned on the borrowed funds.
When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may
purchase or sell Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds on a delayed
delivery basis or on a when-issued basis at fixed purchase or sale terms. These
transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with
payment and delivery taking place in the future. The purchase will be recorded
on the date the Fund enters into the commitment, and the value of the obligation
will thereafter be reflected in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value.
The value of the obligation on the delivery day may be more or less than its
purchase price. A separate account of the Fund will be established with its
custodian consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities having a
market value at all times at least equal to the amount of the commitment.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Obligations. The Fund may invest in Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds yielding a return based on a particular
index of value or interest rates. For example, the Fund may invest in Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds that pay interest based on an index of
Municipal Bond interest rates. The principal amount payable upon maturity of
certain Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds also may be based on the
value of an index. To the extent the Fund invests in these types of Municipal
Bonds, the Fund's return on such Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. Also,
the Fund may invest in so-called "inverse floating obligations" or "residual
interest bonds" on which the interest rates typically vary inversely with a
short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically by a dutch auction, a
remarketing agent, or by reference to a short-term tax-exempt interest rate
index). The Fund may purchase synthetically-created inverse floating rate bonds
evidenced by custodial or trust receipts. Generally, income on inverse floating
rate bonds will decrease when short-term interest rates increase, and will
increase when short-term interest rates decrease. Such securities have the
effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or
decrease in value in response to changes in market interest rates at a rate that
is a multiple (typically two) of the rate at which fixed-rate, long-term,
tax-exempt securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As a
result, the market values of such securities generally will be more volatile
than the market values of fixed-rate tax-exempt securities. To seek to limit the
volatility of these securities, the Fund may purchase inverse floating
obligations with shorter-term maturities or limitations on the extent to which
the interest rate may vary. The Investment Adviser believes that indexed and
inverse floating obligations represent a flexible portfolio management
instrument for the Fund that allows the Investment Adviser to vary the degree of
investment leverage relatively efficiently under different market conditions.
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Call Rights. The Fund may purchase a Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal
Bond issuer's right to call all or a portion of such Florida Municipal Bond or
Municipal Bond for mandatory tender for purchase (a "Call Right"). A holder of a
Call Right may exercise such right to require a mandatory tender for the
purchase of related Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds, subject to
certain conditions. A Call Right that is not exercised prior to the maturity of
the related Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond will expire without value.
The economic effect of holding both the Call Right and the related Florida
Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond is identical to holding a Florida Municipal
Bond or Municipal Bond as a non-callable security.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in securities pursuant to
repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer in U.S. Government
securities or an affiliate thereof. Under such agreements, the seller agrees,
upon entering into the contract, to repurchase the security at a mutually
agreed-upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the term of the
agreement. The Fund may not invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days if such investments, together with all other illiquid
investments, would exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets. In the event of default
by the seller under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may suffer time delays and
incur costs or possible losses in connection with the disposition of the
underlying securities.
In general, for Federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are
treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities "sold." Therefore,
amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt interest.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may hedge all or a portion of its portfolio investments against
fluctuations in interest rates through the use of options and certain financial
futures contracts ("financial futures contracts") and options thereon. While the
Fund's use of hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net
asset value of the common shares, the net asset value of the common shares will
fluctuate. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging transactions will
be effective. In addition, because of the anticipated leveraged nature of the
common shares, hedging transactions will result in a larger impact on the net
asset value of the common shares than would be the case if the common shares
were not leveraged. Furthermore, the Fund may only engage in hedging activities
from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when
movements in interest rates occur. The Fund has no obligation to enter into
hedging transactions and may not do so.
Certain Federal income tax requirements may limit the Fund's ability to
engage in hedging transactions. Gains from transactions in options and futures
contracts distributed to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary income or, in
certain circumstances, as long-term capital gains to shareholders. See
"Taxes -- Tax Treatment of Options and Futures Transactions." In addition, in
order to obtain ratings of the preferred shares from one or more nationally
recognized statistical ratings organizations ("NRSROs"), the Fund may be
required to limit its use of hedging techniques in accordance with the specified
guidelines of such organizations.
The following is a description of the options and futures transactions in
which the Fund may engage, limitations on the Fund's use of such transactions
and risks associated with these transactions. The
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investment policies with respect to the hedging transactions of the Fund are not
fundamental policies and may be modified by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
without the approval of the Fund's shareholders.
Writing Covered Call Options. The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered call
options with respect to Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds it owns,
thereby giving the holder of the option the right to buy the underlying security
covered by the option from the Fund at the stated exercise price until the
option expires. The Fund writes only covered call options, which means that so
long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the
underlying securities subject to the option. The Fund may not write covered call
options on underlying securities in an amount exceeding 15% of the market value
of its total assets.
The Fund will receive a premium from writing a call option, which increases
the Fund's return on the underlying security in the event the option expires
unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, the Fund limits its
opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying
security above the exercise price of the option for as long as the Fund's
obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options may serve as a partial
hedge against a decline in the price of the underlying security. The Fund may
engage in closing transactions in order to terminate outstanding options that it
has written.
Purchase of Options. The Fund may purchase put options in connection with
its hedging activities. By buying a put the Fund has a right to sell the
underlying security at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund's risk of loss
through a decline in the market value of the security until the put expires. The
amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying security will be
partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and any
related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put option may be sold in
a closing sale transaction; profit or loss from the sale will depend on whether
the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for the put option
plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale transaction cancels out the
Fund's position as the purchaser of an option by means of an offsetting sale of
an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has purchased. In
certain circumstances, the Fund may purchase call options on securities held in
its portfolio on which it has written call options or on securities that it
intends to purchase. The Fund will not purchase options on securities if, as a
result of such purchase, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options on
securities held by the Fund would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's
total assets.
Financial Futures Contracts and Options. The Fund is authorized to
purchase and sell certain financial futures contracts and options thereon solely
for the purpose of hedging its investments in Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds against declines in value and to hedge against increases in the
cost of securities it intends to purchase. A financial futures contract
obligates the seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to
take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract or, in
the case of index-based futures contracts, to make and accept a cash settlement,
at a specific future time for a specified price. A sale of financial futures
contracts may provide a hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio
securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an
increase in the value of the position in the financial futures contracts. A
purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against an increase
in the cost of securities intended to be purchased because such appreciation may
be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in
the futures contracts.
20
<PAGE> 22
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or
sale of a security in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an
amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker equal to approximately 5%
of the contract amount must be deposited with the broker. This amount is known
as initial margin. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called variation
margin, are made on a daily basis as the price of the financial futures contract
fluctuates making the long and short positions in the financial futures contract
more or less valuable.
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts based on The
Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, a price-weighted measure of the market value of
40 large tax-exempt issues, and purchase and sell put and call options on such
financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds that the Fund holds or anticipates purchasing against
adverse changes in interest rates. The Fund also may purchase and sell financial
futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and purchase and sell put and
call options on such financial futures contracts for such hedging purposes. With
respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there are financial futures
contracts based on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, GNMA
Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills.
Subject to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Fund also may
engage in transactions in other financial futures contracts, such as financial
futures contracts on other municipal bond indices that may become available, if
the Investment Adviser should determine that there is normally sufficient
correlation between the prices of such financial futures contracts and the
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests to make
such hedging appropriate.
Over-The-Counter Options. The Fund may engage in options and futures
transactions on exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets ("OTC options").
In general, exchange-traded contracts are third-party contracts (i.e.,
performance of the parties' obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or clearing
corporation) with standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options
transactions are two-party contracts with prices and terms negotiated by the
buyer and seller. See "Restrictions on OTC Options" below for information as to
restrictions on the use of OTC options.
Restrictions on OTC Options. The Fund will engage in transactions in OTC
options only with banks or dealers that have capital of at least $50 million or
whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least $50
million. Certain OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written by the
Fund may be considered to be illiquid. The illiquidity of such options or assets
may prevent a successful sale of such options or assets, result in a delay of
sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that might otherwise be realized.
Risk Factors in Options and Futures Transactions. Use of futures
transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the
price of financial futures contracts and movements in the price of the security
that is the subject of the hedge. If the price of the financial futures contract
moves more or less than the price of the security that is the subject of the
hedge, the Fund will experience a gain or loss that will not be completely
offset by movements in the price of such security. There is a risk of imperfect
correlation where the securities underlying financial futures contracts have
different maturities, ratings, geographic compositions or other characteristics
than the security being hedged. In addition, the correlation may be affected by
additions to or deletions from the index that serves as a basis for a financial
futures contract. Finally, in the case of financial futures contracts on U.S.
Government securities and
21
<PAGE> 23
options on such financial futures contracts, the anticipated correlation of
price movements between the U.S. Government securities underlying the futures or
options and Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds may be adversely
affected by economic, political, legislative or other developments that have a
disparate impact on the respective markets for such securities.
Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), the
futures trading activities described herein will not result in the Fund being
deemed a "commodity pool," as defined under such regulations, provided that the
Fund adheres to certain restrictions. In particular, the Fund may purchase and
sell financial futures contracts and options thereon (i) for bona fide hedging
purposes, without regard to the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to
margin and option premiums, and (ii) for non-hedging purposes if, immediately
thereafter, the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund's
existing futures positions and option premiums entered into for non-hedging
purposes does not exceed 5% of the market value of the liquidation value of the
Fund's portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on any such transactions. Margin deposits may consist of cash or
securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market.
When the Fund purchases a financial futures contract, or writes a put
option or purchases a call option thereon, it will maintain an amount of cash,
cash equivalents (e.g., commercial paper and daily tender adjustable notes) or
liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian so that the
amount so segregated plus the amount of initial and variation margin held in the
account of its broker equals the market value of the financial futures contract,
thereby ensuring that the use of such financial futures contract is unleveraged.
Certain risks are involved in options and futures transactions. The
Investment Adviser believes, however, that, because the Fund will engage in
options and futures transactions only for hedging purposes, the Fund's options
and futures portfolio strategies will not subject the Fund to those risks
associated with speculation in options and futures transactions.
The volume of trading in the exchange markets with respect to Florida
Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond options may be limited, and it is impossible to
predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in such options. In
addition, there can be no assurance that viable exchange markets will continue
to be available.
The Fund intends to enter into options and futures transactions, on an
exchange or in the over-the-counter market, only if there appears to be a liquid
secondary market for such options or futures. There can be no assurance,
however, that a liquid secondary market will exist at any specific time. Thus,
it may not be possible to close an options or futures transaction. The inability
to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the
Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio. There is also the risk of
loss by the Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the event of bankruptcy of
a broker with which the Fund has an open position in an option or financial
futures contract.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a financial futures contract may be
adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits" established by commodity
exchanges that limit the amount of fluctuation in a financial futures contract
price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the
contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus
preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. Prices have in the past
moved beyond the daily limit on a number of consecutive trading days.
22
<PAGE> 24
If it is not possible to close a financial futures position entered into by
the Fund, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of
variation margin in the event of adverse price movements. In such a situation,
if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to
meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
The successful use of these transactions also depends on the ability of the
Investment Adviser to forecast correctly the direction and extent of interest
rate movements within a given time frame. To the extent these rates remain
stable during the period in which a financial futures contract is held by the
Fund or move in a direction opposite to that anticipated, the Fund may realize a
loss on the hedging transaction that is not fully or partially offset by an
increase in the value of portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund's total
return for such period may be less than if it had not engaged in the hedging
transaction. Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging transactions from
time to time and may not necessarily be engaged in hedging transactions when
movements in interest rates occur.
RISKS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS OF LEVERAGE
EFFECTS OF LEVERAGE
Within approximately three months after the completion of this offering,
the Fund intends to offer shares of preferred shares representing approximately
40% of the Fund's capital immediately after the issuance of such preferred
shares. There can be no assurance, however, that preferred shares representing
such percentage of the Fund's capital will actually be issued. Issuing the
preferred shares will result in the leveraging of the common shares. Although
the Fund's Board of Trustees has not yet determined the terms of the preferred
shares offering, the Fund anticipates that the preferred shares will pay
dividends that will be adjusted over either relatively short-term periods
(generally seven to 28 days) or medium-term periods (up to five years). The
dividend rate will be based upon prevailing interest rates for debt obligations
of comparable maturity. The proceeds of the preferred shares offering will be
invested in longer-term obligations in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective. The expenses of the preferred shares, which will be borne by the
Fund, will reduce the net asset value of the common shares. Additionally, under
certain circumstances, when the Fund is required to allocate taxable income to
holders of preferred shares, the Fund anticipates that the terms of the
preferred shares will require the Fund to make an additional distribution to
such holders in an amount approximately equal to the tax liability resulting
from such allocation (an "Additional Distribution"). Because under normal market
conditions, obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields than
short-term and medium-term obligations, the Investment Adviser believes that the
spread inherent in the difference between the short-term and medium-term rates
(and any Additional Distribution) paid by the Fund as dividends on the preferred
shares and the longer-term rates received by the Fund may provide holders of
common shares with a potentially higher yield.
The use of leverage, however, involves certain risks to the holders of
common shares. For example, issuance of the preferred shares may result in
higher volatility of the net asset value of the common shares and potentially
more volatility in the market value of the common shares. In addition, changes
in the short-term and medium-term dividend rates on, and the amount of taxable
income allocable to, the preferred shares will affect the yield to holders of
common shares. Leverage will allow holders of common shares to realize a higher
current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged as long as the Fund,
23
<PAGE> 25
while accounting for its costs and operating expenses, is able to realize a
higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then current dividend
rate (and any Additional Distribution) paid on the preferred shares. Similarly,
since a pro rata portion of the Fund's net realized capital gains are generally
payable to holders of common shares, the use of leverage will increase the
amount of such gains distributed to holders of common shares. However,
short-term, medium-term and long-term interest rates change from time to time as
do their relationships to each other (i.e., the slope of the yield curve)
depending upon such factors as supply and demand forces, monetary and tax
policies and investor expectations. Changes in any or all of such factors could
cause the relationship between short-term, medium-term and long-term rates to
change (i.e., to flatten or to invert the slope of the yield curve) so that
short-term and medium-term rates may substantially increase relative to the
long-term obligations in which the Fund may be invested. To the extent that the
current dividend rate (and any Additional Distribution) on the preferred shares
approaches the net return on the Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of
leverage to holders of common shares will be decreased. If the current dividend
rate (and any Additional Distribution) on the preferred shares were to exceed
the net return on the Fund's portfolio, holders of common shares would receive a
lower rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. Similarly, since both
the cost of issuing the preferred shares and any decline in the value of the
Fund's investments (including investments purchased with the proceeds from any
preferred share offering) will be borne entirely by holders of common shares,
the effect of leverage in a declining market would result in a greater decrease
in net asset value to holders of common shares than if the Fund were not
leveraged. If the Fund is liquidated, holders of preferred shares will be
entitled to receive liquidating distributions before any distribution is made to
holders of common shares.
In an extreme case, a decline in net asset value could affect the Fund's
ability to pay dividends on the common shares. Failure to make such dividend
payments could adversely affect the Fund's qualification as a regulated
investment company under Federal tax laws. See "Taxes." However, the Fund
intends to take all measures necessary to make dividend payments on the common
shares. If the Fund's current investment income is ever insufficient to meet
dividend payments on either the common shares or the preferred shares, the Fund
may have to liquidate certain of its investments. In addition, the Fund will
have the authority to redeem the preferred shares for any reason and may redeem
all or part of the preferred shares under the following circumstances:
- if the Fund anticipates that the leveraged capital structure will result
in a lower rate of return for any significant amount of time to holders
of the common shares than it can obtain if the common shares were not
leveraged,
- if the asset coverage for the preferred shares declines below 200% either
as a result of a decline in the value of the Fund's portfolio investments
or as a result of the repurchase of common shares in tender offers, or
- in order to maintain the asset coverage guidelines established by the
NRSROs that have rated the preferred shares.
Redemption of the preferred shares or insufficient investment income to
make dividend payments, may reduce the net asset value of the common shares and
require the Fund to liquidate a portion of its investments at a time when it may
be disadvantageous to do so.
24
<PAGE> 26
As discussed under "Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements,"
during periods when the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, the fees paid the
Investment Adviser for investment advisory and management services will be
higher than if the Fund did not issue preferred shares because the fees paid
will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's average weekly net assets,
including proceeds from the sale of preferred shares.
Assuming the use of leverage by issuing preferred shares (paying dividends
at a rate that generally will be adjusted every 28 days) in an amount
representing approximately 40% of the Fund's capital at an annual dividend rate
of % payable on such preferred shares based on market rates as of the date
of this prospectus, the annual return that the Fund's portfolio must experience
(net of expenses) in order to cover such dividend payments would be %.
The following table is designed to illustrate the effect on the return to a
holder of the Fund's common shares of the leverage obtained by the issuance of
preferred shares representing approximately 40% of the Fund's capital, assuming
hypothetical annual returns on the Fund's portfolio of minus 10% to plus 10%. As
the table shows, leverage generally increases the return to shareholders when
portfolio return is positive and decreases the return when portfolio return is
negative. The figures appearing in the table are hypothetical and actual returns
may be greater or less than those appearing in the table.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assumed Portfolio Return (net of expenses).... (10)% (5)% 0% 5% 10%
Corresponding Common Shares Return............ ( )% ( )% ( )% % %
</TABLE>
Leveraging the common shares cannot be fully achieved until preferred
shares are issued and the proceeds of such offering have been invested in
long-term Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
If short-term or medium-term rates increase or other changes in market
conditions occur to the point where the Fund's leverage could adversely affect
holders of common shares as noted above (or in anticipation of such changes),
the Fund may attempt to shorten the average maturity of its investment portfolio
in order to offset the negative impact of leverage. The Fund also may attempt to
reduce the degree to which it is leveraged by redeeming preferred shares
pursuant to the Fund's Certificate of Designation, which establishes the rights
and preferences of the preferred shares, or otherwise by purchasing preferred
shares. Purchases and redemptions of preferred shares, whether on the open
market or in negotiated transactions, are subject to limitations under the 1940
Act. In determining whether or not it is in the best interest of the Fund and
its shareholders to redeem or repurchase outstanding preferred shares, the
Trustees will take into account a variety of factors, including the following:
- market conditions,
- the ratio of preferred shares to common shares, and
- the expenses associated with such redemption or repurchase.
If market conditions subsequently change, the Fund may sell previously unissued
preferred shares or preferred shares that the Fund had issued but later
repurchased or redeemed.
25
<PAGE> 27
The Fund intends to apply for ratings of the preferred shares from one or
more NRSROs. In order to obtain these ratings, the Fund may be required to
maintain portfolio holdings that meet the specified guidelines of such
organizations. These guidelines may impose asset coverage requirements that are
more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The Fund does not anticipate
that these guidelines will impede the Investment Adviser from managing the
Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and
policies. Ratings on the preferred shares issued by the Fund should not be
confused with ratings on the obligations held by the Fund.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares
unless, immediately after such issuance, the net asset value of the Fund's
portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred
shares (expected to equal the original purchase price of the outstanding
preferred shares plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon and any
accumulated and unpaid Additional Distribution). In addition, the Fund is not
permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its common
shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the
Fund's portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or
distribution) is at least 200% of such liquidation value. Under the Fund's
proposed capital structure, assuming the sale of preferred shares representing
approximately 40% of the Fund's capital, the net asset value of the Fund's
portfolio is expected to be approximately 250% of the liquidation value of the
Fund's preferred shares. To the extent possible, the Fund intends to purchase or
redeem preferred shares from time to time to maintain coverage of preferred
shares of at least 200%.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and,
prior to issuance of the preferred shares, may not be changed without the
approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding common shares
(which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of
the common shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding common shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares). Subsequent to the issuance of the preferred shares, the
following investment restrictions may not be changed without the approval of a
majority of the outstanding common shares and of the outstanding preferred
shares, voting together as a class, and the approval of a majority of the
outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class. The Fund may not:
1. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or
management.
2. Purchase or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts;
provided that the Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or
interests therein or issued by entities that invest in real estate or
interest therein, and the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures
contracts and options thereon.
3. Issue senior securities or borrow money except as permitted by
Section 18 of the 1940 Act.
4. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund
may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
in selling portfolio securities.
26
<PAGE> 28
5. Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase
Florida Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds and other debt securities and
enter into repurchase agreements in accordance with its investment
objective, policies and limitations.
6. Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at
the time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states, municipalities and
their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
Additional investment restrictions adopted by the Fund, which may be changed by
the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, provide that the Fund may
not:
a. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the
extent that such purchases are permitted by applicable law. Applicable law
currently prohibits the Fund from purchasing the securities of other
investment companies except if immediately thereafter not more than (i) 3%
of the total outstanding voting shares of such company is owned by the
Fund, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets, taken at market value, would be
invested in any one such company, (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets,
taken at market value, would be invested in such securities, and (iv) the
Fund, together with other investment companies having the same investment
adviser and companies controlled by such companies, owns not more than 10%
of the total outstanding shares of any one closed-end investment company.
b. Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as
security for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except
as may be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment
restriction (3) above or except as may be necessary in connection with
transactions in financial futures contracts and options thereon.
c. Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of
initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts
and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on
margin).
d. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or
invest in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may
write, purchase and sell options and futures on Florida Municipal Bonds,
Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or
otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities and may purchase
and sell Call Rights to require mandatory tender for the purchase of
related Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
If a percentage restriction on investment policies or the investment or use
of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected,
later changes in percentages resulting from changing values will not be
considered a violation.
The Investment Adviser of the Fund and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") are owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch &
Co. ("ML&Co."). Because of the affiliation of Merrill Lynch with the Investment
Adviser, the Fund is prohibited from engaging in certain transactions involving
Merrill Lynch except pursuant to an exemptive order or otherwise in compliance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Included among such restricted transactions will be purchases from or sales to
Merrill Lynch of securities in transactions in which it acts as principal. An
exemptive order has been obtained that permits the Fund to effect principal
27
<PAGE> 29
transactions with Merrill Lynch in high quality, short-term, tax-exempt
securities subject to conditions set forth in such order. The Fund may consider
in the future requesting an order permitting other principal transactions with
Merrill Lynch, but there can be no assurance that such application will be made
and, if made, that such order would be granted.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Information about the Trustees, executive officers and the portfolio
managers of the Fund, including their ages and their principal occupations
during the last five years is set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the
address of each Trustee, executive officer and portfolio manager is 800 Scudders
Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
[To be provided by amendment]
- ------------
(1) Interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund.
(2) Such Trustee or officer is a director, trustee or officer of one or more
additional investment companies for which the Investment Adviser or its
affiliate, MLAM, acts as investment adviser or manager.
In the event that the Fund issues preferred shares, in connection with the
election of the Fund's Trustees, holders of shares of preferred shares, voting
as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund's Trustees, and
the remaining Trustees will be elected by all holders of capital shares, voting
as a single class. See "Description of Capital Shares."
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund, the Investment
Adviser pays all compensation of officers and employees of the Fund as well as
the fees of all Trustees who are affiliated persons of ML&Co. or its
subsidiaries.
The Fund pays each Trustee not affiliated with the Investment Adviser
(each, a "non-affiliated Trustee") a fee of $ per year plus $ per
meeting attended, and pays all Trustee's out-of-pocket expenses relating to
attendance at meetings. The Fund also compensates members of the Board's audit
and nominating committee (the "Committee"), which consists of all of the
non-affiliated Trustees, an annual fee of $ . The Chairman of the
Committee receives an additional annual fee of $ .
The following table sets forth compensation to be paid by the Fund to the
non-affiliated Trustees projected through the end of the Fund's first full
fiscal year, and for the calendar year ended December 31,
28
<PAGE> 30
1998 the aggregate compensation paid by all investment companies advised by the
Investment Adviser and its affiliate, MLAM ("FAM/MLAM Advised Funds"), to the
non-affiliated Trustees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
PENSION OR COMPENSATION
RETIREMENT FROM FUND AND
AGGREGATE BENEFITS FAM/MLAM
COMPENSATION ACCRUED AS PART OF ADVISED FUNDS PAID
NAME OF TRUSTEE FROM FUND FUND EXPENSE TO TRUSTEES
--------------- ------------ ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(1).......................................... $ None $
(1).......................................... $ None $
(1).......................................... $ None $
(1).......................................... $ None $
(1).......................................... $ None $
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) The Trustees serve on the boards of MLAM/FAM Advised Funds as follows: (
registered investment companies consisting of portfolios); ( registered
investment companies consisting of portfolios); ( registered investment
companies consisting of portfolios); ( registered investment companies
consisting of portfolios); and ( registered investment companies
consisting of portfolios).
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Investment Adviser, which is owned and controlled by ML&Co., a
financial services holding company and the parent of Merrill Lynch, provides the
Fund with investment advisory and management services. The Merrill Lynch Asset
Management Group (which includes the Investment Adviser) acts as the investment
adviser to more than 100 registered investment companies and offers investment
advisory services to individuals and institutional accounts. As of
1999, the Asset Management Group had a total of approximately $ billion in
investment company and other portfolio assets under management (approximately
$ billion of which was invested in municipal securities). This amount includes
assets managed for certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser. The Investment
Adviser is a limited partnership, the partners of which are ML&Co. and Princeton
Services, Inc. The principal business address of the Investment Adviser is 800
Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, subject to the supervision
of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for
the actual management of the Fund's portfolio. The responsibility for making
decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Investment
Adviser, subject to review by the Board of Trustees.
The Investment Adviser provides the portfolio management for the Fund. Such
portfolio management will consider analyses from various sources (including
brokerage firms with which the Fund does business), make the necessary
investment decisions, and place orders for transactions accordingly. The
Investment Adviser will also be responsible for the performance of certain
administrative and management services for the Fund. and
are the portfolio managers of the Fund and are primarily responsible
for the Fund's day-to-day management.
For the services provided by the Investment Adviser under the Investment
Advisory Agreement, the Fund will pay a monthly fee at an annual rate of of
1% of the Fund's average weekly net assets (i.e., the average weekly value of
the total assets of the Fund, including proceeds from the issuance of preferred
29
<PAGE> 31
shares, minus the sum of accrued liabilities of the Fund and accumulated
dividends on the preferred shares). For purposes of this calculation, average
weekly net assets are determined at the end of each month on the basis of the
average net assets of the Fund for each week during the month. The assets for
each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at the last
business day of a week with the net assets at the last business day of the prior
week.
The Investment Advisory Agreement obligates the Investment Adviser to
provide investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and furnish
office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with investment
and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, as well as
the compensation of all Trustees of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the
Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates. The Fund pays all other expenses
incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, among other things, expenses
for legal and auditing services, taxes, costs of printing proxies, listing fees,
if any, share certificates and shareholder reports, charges of the custodian and
the transfer and dividend disbursing agent and registrar, fees and expenses with
respect to the issuance of preferred shares, Securities and Exchange Commission
fees, fees and expenses of non-affiliated Trustees, accounting and pricing
costs, insurance, interest, brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary
or non-recurring expenses, mailing and other expenses properly payable by the
Fund. Accounting services are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser,
and the Fund reimburses the Investment Adviser for its costs in connection with
such services.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory
Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date of
execution and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved
annually (a) by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to such contract or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
any such party. Such contract is not assignable and may be terminated without
penalty on 60 days' written notice at the option of either party thereto or by
the vote of the shareholders of the Fund.
Securities held by the Fund may also be held by, or be appropriate
investments for, other funds or investment advisory clients for which the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates act as an adviser. Because of different
objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for an advisory
client when other clients are selling the same security. If purchases or sales
of securities by the Investment Adviser for the Fund or other funds for which it
acts as investment adviser or for advisory clients arise for consideration at or
about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as
feasible, for the respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable to
all. Transactions effected by the Investment Adviser (or its affiliates) on
behalf of more than one of its clients during the same period may increase the
demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold,
causing an adverse effect on price.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to
Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that incorporates the Code of Ethics of the
Investment Adviser (together, the "Codes"). The Codes significantly restrict the
personal investing activities of all employees of the Investment Adviser and, as
described below, impose additional, more onerous, restrictions on Fund
investment personnel.
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The Codes require that all employees of the Investment Adviser preclear any
personal securities investment (with limited exceptions, such as U.S. Government
securities). The preclearance requirement and associated procedures are designed
to identify any substantive prohibition or limitation applicable to the proposed
investment. The substantive restrictions applicable to all employees of the
Investment Adviser include a ban on acquiring any securities in a "hot" initial
public offering and a prohibition from profiting on short-term trading
securities. In addition, no employee may purchase or sell any security that at
the time is being purchased or sold (as the case may be), or to the knowledge of
the employee is being considered for purchase or sale, by any fund advised by
the Investment Adviser. Furthermore, the Codes provide for trading "blackout
periods" that prohibit trading by investment personnel of the Fund within
periods of trading by the Fund in the same (or equivalent) security (15 or 30
days depending upon the transaction).
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the
Investment Adviser is primarily responsible for the execution of the Fund's
portfolio transactions. In executing such transactions, the Investment Adviser
seeks to obtain the best results for the Fund, taking into account such factors
as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size
of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm
involved and the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities. While the
Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the
Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission or spread available.
The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the
execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to providing the best
price and execution, securities firms that provide supplemental investment
research to the Investment Adviser, including Merrill Lynch, may receive orders
for transactions by the Fund. Research information provided to the Investment
Adviser by securities firms is supplemental. It does not replace or reduce the
level of services performed by the Investment Adviser and the expenses of the
Investment Adviser will not be reduced because it receives supplemental research
information.
The Fund invests in securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, and
the Fund intends to deal directly with dealers who make markets in the
securities involved, except in those circumstances where better prices and
execution are available elsewhere. Under the 1940 Act, except as permitted by
exemptive order, persons affiliated with the Fund, including Merrill Lynch, are
prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of
securities. Since transactions in the over-the-counter market usually involve
transactions with dealers acting as principals for their own accounts, the Fund
does not deal with Merrill Lynch and its affiliates in connection with such
transactions except that, pursuant to exemptive orders obtained by the
Investment Adviser, the Fund may engage in principal transactions with Merrill
Lynch in high quality, short-term, tax-exempt securities. See "Investment
Restrictions." However, affiliated persons of the Fund, including Merrill Lynch,
serve as its brokers in certain over-the-counter transactions conducted on an
agency basis.
The Fund also may purchase tax-exempt debt instruments in individually
negotiated transactions with the issuers. Because an active trading market may
not exist for such securities, the prices that the Fund
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may pay for these securities or receive on their resale may be lower than that
for similar securities with a more liquid market.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund may dispose of securities without regard to the time they have
been held when such action, for defensive or other reasons, if it appears
advisable to the Investment Adviser. While it is not possible to predict
turnover rates with any certainty, presently it is anticipated that the Fund's
annual portfolio turnover rate, under normal circumstances, should be less than
100%. (The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular fiscal year by the
monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund
during the particular fiscal year. For purposes of determining this rate, all
securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one year or less are
excluded.) A high portfolio turnover rate has certain tax consequences and
results in greater transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to distribute dividends of all or a portion of its net
investment income monthly to holders of common shares. It is expected that the
Fund will commence paying dividends to holders of common shares within
approximately 90 days of the date of this prospectus. From and after issuance of
the preferred shares, monthly dividends to holders of common shares normally
will consist of all or a portion of its net investment income remaining after
the payment of dividends (and any Additional Distribution) on the preferred
shares. The Fund may at times pay out less than the entire amount of net
investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such
accumulated undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in
other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more stable level of
dividends to holders of common shares. As a result, the dividend paid by the
Fund to holders of common shares for any particular period may be more or less
than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such period.
For Federal tax purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially all
of its net investment income for each calendar year. All net realized capital
gains, if any, will be distributed pro rata at least annually to holders of
common shares and any preferred shares. While any preferred shares are
outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on
its common shares, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accumulated
preferred share dividends, including any Additional Distribution, have been
paid, and (ii) the net asset value of the Fund's portfolio (determined after
deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of
the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the
original purchase price of the outstanding preferred shares plus any accumulated
and unpaid dividends thereon and any accumulated but unpaid Additional
Distribution). If the Fund's ability to make distributions on its common shares
is limited, such limitation could under certain circumstances impair the ability
of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment
company, which would have adverse tax consequences for holders of common shares.
See "Taxes."
See "Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan" for information concerning the
manner in which dividends and distributions to holders of common shares may be
automatically reinvested in common
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shares of the Fund. Dividends and distributions may be taxable to shareholders
under certain circumstances as discussed below, whether they are reinvested in
shares of the Fund or received in cash.
TAXES
GENERAL
The Fund intends to elect and to qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As long as it so qualifies, in any taxable
year in which it distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income and 90% of
its tax-exempt net income (see below), the Fund (but not its shareholders) will
not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its net
investment income and net realized capital gains. The Fund intends to distribute
substantially all of such income.
The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent
the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary
income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains,
determined, in general, on an October 31 year-end, plus certain undistributed
amounts from previous years. The required distributions, however, are based only
on the taxable income of a RIC. The excise tax, therefore, generally will not
apply to the tax-exempt income of a RIC, such as the Fund, that pays
exempt-interest dividends.
The Fund intends to qualify to pay "exempt-interest dividends" as defined
in Section 852(b)(5) of the Code. Under such section if, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets
consists of obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income
for Federal income tax purposes ("tax-exempt obligations") under Section 103(a)
of the Code (relating generally to obligations of a state or local governmental
unit), the Fund shall be qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends to its
shareholders. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any part thereof paid
by the Fund that are attributable to interest on tax-exempt obligations and
designated by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends in a written notice mailed
to the Fund's shareholders within 60 days after the close of its taxable year.
To the extent that the dividends distributed to the Fund's shareholders are
derived from interest income excludable from gross income for Federal income tax
purposes under Code Section 103(a) and are properly designated as
exempt-interest dividends, they will be excludable from a shareholder's gross
income for Federal income tax purposes. Exempt-interest dividends are included,
however, in determining the portion, if any, of a person's social security and
railroad retirement benefits subject to Federal income taxes. Each shareholder
is advised to consult a tax adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest
dividends retain the exclusion under Code Section 103(a) if such shareholder
would be treated as a "substantial user" or "related person" under Code Section
147(a) with respect to property financed with the proceeds of an issue of PABs
or IDBs, if any, held by the Fund.
The Fund has applied for a ruling from the Florida Department of Revenue
that shares of the Fund will be exempt from Florida intangible personal property
tax in the following year, if, on the last business day of any calendar year,
the Fund's assets consist solely of assets exempt from Florida intangible
personal property tax ("asset requirement"). Although there is no assurance that
the Florida Department of Revenue will issue a favorable ruling on this issue,
the Florida Department of Revenue has previously issued similar rulings. The
Florida Department of Revenue has the authority to revoke or modify a
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<PAGE> 35
previously issued ruling; however, if a ruling is revoked or modified, the
revocation or modification is prospective only. Prior to receipt of the ruling
from the Florida Department of Revenue, the Fund will rely on an opinion of
Florida counsel for the Fund, Holland & Knight LLP, stating that Fund shares
will be exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax if the asset
requirement is met. This opinion is based on existing Florida law and
interpretive authority which could be changed at any time retroactively. While
the opinion represents the best judgment of Holland & Knight LLP, the legal
conclusions reached therein are not binding on the Florida Department of
Revenue, and there is no assurance that the legal conclusions will not be
challenged by the Department of Revenue or in judicial or administrative
proceedings. Thus, under Florida counsel's opinion or if a favorable ruling is
issued, and if the asset requirement is met, shares of the Fund owned by Florida
residents will be exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax. Assets
exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax include Florida Municipal
Bonds, obligations of the United States Government or its agencies, and cash.
The Fund may from time to time hold assets that are not exempt from Florida
intangible personal property tax. It is possible that the Fund may not be able
to fully dispose of all of its assets subject to Florida intangible personal
property tax by the last business day of the calendar year. This would subject
shares of the Fund to Florida intangible personal property tax. If shares of the
Fund are subject to Florida intangible personal property tax because the asset
requirement is not met, only that portion of the value of Fund shares equal to
the portion of the net asset value of the Fund that is attributable to
obligations of the United States Government will be exempt from taxation. The
Fund will attempt to monitor its portfolio so that on the last business day of
each calendar year the Fund's assets consist solely of assets exempt from
Florida intangible personal property tax.
Dividends paid by the Fund to individuals who are Florida residents are not
subject to personal income taxation by Florida, because Florida does not impose
a personal income tax. Distributions of investment income and capital gains by
the Fund will be subject to Florida corporate income taxes, state taxes in
states other than Florida and local taxes in cities other than those in Florida.
Shareholders not subject to taxation by Florida do not benefit from the fact
that shares of the Fund will be exempt from the Florida intangible personal
property tax. Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or
carry Fund shares is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes to the
extent attributable to exempt-interest dividends.
To the extent that the Fund's distributions are derived from interest on
its taxable investments or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over
net long-term capital losses ("ordinary income dividends"), such distributions
will be considered taxable ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes.
Distributions, if any, from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses derived from the sale of securities or from certain
transactions in futures or options ("capital gain dividends") are taxable as
long-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes, regardless of the
length of time the shareholder has owned Fund shares. Certain categories of
capital gains are taxable at different rates. Generally not later than 60 days
after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide its shareholders with
a written notice designating the amounts of any exempt-interest dividends and
capital gain dividends, as well as any amount of capital gain dividends in the
different categories of capital gain referred to above. Distributions by the
Fund, whether from exempt-income, ordinary income or capital gains, are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the
Code.
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All or a portion of the Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of
tax-exempt obligations purchased at a market discount will be treated for
Federal income tax purposes as ordinary income rather than capital gain. This
rule may increase the amount of ordinary income dividends received by
shareholders. Distributions in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits will
first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after such
adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such
holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). Any loss upon the sale
or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the
extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder. In
addition, any such loss that is not disallowed under the rule stated above will
be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends
received by the shareholder. If the Fund pays a dividend in January that was
declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record
on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated
for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by its shareholders on
December 31 of the year in which such dividend was declared.
The Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") has taken the position in a
revenue ruling that if a RIC has more than one class of shares, it may designate
distributions made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than such
class's proportionate share of particular types of income, including
exempt-interest income and net long-term capital gains. A class's proportionate
share of a particular type of income is determined according to the percentage
of total dividends paid by the RIC during such year that was paid to such class.
Consequently, when common shares and one or more series of preferred shares are
outstanding, the Fund intends to designate distributions made to the classes as
consisting of particular types of income in accordance with the classes'
proportionate shares of such income. Thus, the Fund will designate dividends
paid as exempt-interest dividends in a manner that allocates such dividends
among the holders of common shares and series of preferred shares in proportion
to the total dividends paid to each class during the taxable year, or otherwise
as required by applicable law. Capital gain dividends will similarly be
allocated among the classes in proportion to the total dividends paid to each
class during the taxable year, or otherwise as required by applicable law. When
capital gain or other taxable income is allocated to holders of preferred shares
pursuant to the allocation rules described above, the terms of the preferred
shares may require the Fund to make an additional distribution to or otherwise
compensate such holders for the tax liability resulting from such allocation.
The Code subjects interest received on certain otherwise tax-exempt
securities to an alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax applies to
interest received on certain "private activity bonds" issued after August 7,
1986. Private activity bonds are bonds that, although tax-exempt, are used for
purposes other than those performed by governmental units and that benefit
non-governmental entities (e.g., bonds used for industrial development or
housing purposes). Income received on such bonds is classified as an item of
"tax preference" which could subject certain investors in such bonds, including
shareholders of the Fund, to an increased alternative minimum tax. The Fund
intends to purchase such "private activity bonds" and will report to
shareholders within 60 days after calendar year-end the portion of its dividends
declared during the year that constitutes an item of tax preference for
alternative minimum tax purposes. The Code further provides that corporations
are subject to an alternative minimum tax based, in part, on certain differences
between taxable income as adjusted for other tax preferences and the
corporation's "adjusted current earnings," which more closely reflect a
corporation's economic income. Because an exempt-interest dividend paid by the
Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a
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corporate shareholder may be required to pay an alternative minimum tax on
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in instruments the return on which includes
nontraditional features such as indexed principal or interest payments
("nontraditional instruments"). These instruments may be subject to special tax
rules under which the Fund may be required to accrue and distribute income
before amounts due under the obligations are paid. In addition, it is possible
that all or a portion of the interest payments on such nontraditional
instruments could be recharacterized as taxable ordinary income.
If at any time when preferred shares are outstanding the Fund does not meet
the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund will be required to
suspend distributions to holders of common shares until the asset coverage is
restored. See "Dividends and Distributions." This may prevent the Fund from
distributing at least 90% of its net investment income and may, therefore,
jeopardize the Fund's qualification for taxation as a RIC. If the Fund were to
fail to qualify as a RIC, some or all of the distributions paid by the Fund
would be fully taxable for Federal income tax purposes. Upon any failure to meet
the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, in its sole
discretion, may redeem preferred shares in order to maintain or restore the
requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its
shareholders of failing to qualify as a RIC. There can be no assurance, however,
that any such action would achieve such objectives.
As noted above, the Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of its net
taxable and tax-exempt interest income. A distribution will only be counted for
this purpose if it qualifies for the dividends paid deduction under the Code.
Some types of preferred shares that the Fund currently contemplates issuing may
raise an issue as to whether distributions on such preferred shares are
"preferential" under the Code and, therefore, not eligible for the dividends
paid deduction. The Fund intends to issue preferred shares that counsel advises
will not result in the payment of a preferential dividend and may seek a private
letter ruling from the Service to that effect. If the Fund ultimately relies
solely on a legal opinion when it issues such preferred shares, there is no
assurance that the Service would agree that dividends on the preferred shares
are not preferential. If the Service successfully disallowed the dividends paid
deduction for dividends on the preferred shares, the Fund could be disqualified
as a RIC. In this case, dividends on the common shares would not be exempt from
Federal income taxes. Additionally, the Fund would be subject to the alternative
minimum tax.
The value of shares acquired pursuant to the Fund's dividend reinvestment
plan will generally be excluded from gross income to the extent that the cash
amount reinvested would be excluded from gross income. If, when the Fund's
shares are trading at a premium over net asset value, the Fund issues shares
pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan that have a greater fair market value
than the amount of cash reinvested, it is possible that all or a portion of such
discount (which may not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's shares)
could be viewed as a taxable distribution. If the discount is viewed as a
taxable distribution, it is also possible that the taxable character of this
discount would be allocable to all of the shareholders, including shareholders
who do not participate in the dividend reinvestment plan. Thus, shareholders who
do not participate in the dividend reinvestment plan, as well as dividend
reinvestment plan participants, might be required to report as ordinary income a
portion of their distributions equal to their allocable share of the discount.
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Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens
or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under
existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities
unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided
under applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their
own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the United States withholding
tax.
Under certain Code provisions, some taxpayers may be subject to 31%
withholding tax on certain ordinary income dividends and on capital gain
dividends and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally,
shareholders subject to backup withholding are those for whom no certified
taxpayer identification number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund's
knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an
investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and
that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.
The Code provides that every shareholder required to file a tax return must
include for information purposes on such return the amount of exempt-interest
dividends received from all sources (including the Fund) during the taxable
year.
TAX TREATMENT OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase or sell municipal bond index financial futures
contracts and interest rate financial futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities. The Fund may also purchase and write call and put options on such
financial futures contracts. In general, unless an election is available to the
Fund or an exception applies, such options and financial futures contracts that
are "Section 1256 contracts" will be "marked to market" for Federal income tax
purposes at the end of each taxable year, i.e., each such option or financial
futures contract will be treated as sold for its fair market value on the last
day of the taxable year, and any gain or loss attributable to Section 1256
contracts will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss.
Application of these rules to Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund may alter
the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The mark-to-market
rules outlined above, however, will not apply to certain transactions entered
into by the Fund solely to reduce the risk of changes in price or interest rates
with respect to its investments.
Code Section 1092, which applies to certain "straddles," may affect the
taxation of the Fund's sales of securities and transactions in financial futures
contracts and related options. Under Section 1092, the Fund may be required to
postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain sales of
securities and certain closing transactions in financial futures contracts or
the related options.
FLORIDA TAXATION OF THE FUND
If the Fund does not have a taxable nexus to Florida, such as through the
location within the state of the Fund's activities or those of the Investment
Adviser, under present Florida law, the Fund is not subject to Florida corporate
income taxation. Additionally, if the Fund's assets do not have a taxable situs
in Florida on January 1 of each calendar year, the Fund will not be subject to
Florida intangible personal property tax. If the Fund has a taxable nexus to
Florida or the Fund's assets have a taxable situs in Florida on January 1 of any
year, the Fund will be subject to Florida taxation.
------------------------
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The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations and Florida tax laws presently
in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the
pertinent Code sections, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and
Florida tax laws. The Code and the Treasury Regulations, as well as the Florida
tax laws, are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative
action either prospectively or retroactively.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to Federal, state, local or foreign taxes.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
Pursuant to the Fund's Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan"),
unless a holder of common shares otherwise elects, all dividend and capital
gains distributions will be automatically reinvested by ,
as agent for shareholders in administering the Plan (the "Plan Agent"), in
additional common shares of the Fund. Holders of common shares who elect not to
participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check
mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in
street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by , as
dividend paying agent. Such participants may elect not to participate in the
Plan and to receive all distributions of dividends and capital gains in cash by
sending written instructions to , as dividend paying agent,
at the address set forth below. Participation in the Plan is completely
voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by
written notice if received by the Plan Agent not less than ten days prior to any
dividend record date; otherwise, such termination or resumption will be
effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or distribution.
Whenever the Fund declares an income dividend or a capital gains
distribution (collectively, referred to as "dividends") payable either in shares
or in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash, and participants in
the Plan will receive the equivalent in common shares. The shares will be
acquired by the Plan Agent for the participant's account, depending upon the
circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued
but authorized common shares from the Fund ("newly issued shares") or (ii) by
purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market ("open-market
purchases") on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") or elsewhere. If on the
payment date for the dividend, the net asset value per share of the common
shares is equal to or less than the market price per common shares plus
estimated brokerage commissions (such condition being referred to herein as
"market premium"), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly
issued shares on behalf of the participant. The number of newly issued shares of
common shares to be credited to the participant's account will be determined by
dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on
the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then
current market price per share on the date of issuance may not exceed 5%. If on
the dividend payment date the net asset value per share is greater than the
market value (such condition being referred to herein as "market discount"), the
Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the
participant in open-market purchases. Prior to the time the common shares
commence trading on the NYSE, participants in the Plan will receive any
dividends in newly issued shares.
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In the event of a market discount on the dividend payment date, the Plan
Agent will have until the last business day before the next date on which the
shares trade on an "ex-dividend" basis or in no event more than 30 days after
the dividend payment date (the "last purchase date") to invest the dividend
amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases. It is contemplated that the
Fund will pay monthly income dividends. Therefore, the period during which
open-market purchases can be made will exist only from the payment date on the
dividend through the date before the next "ex-dividend" date, which typically
will be approximately ten days. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its
open-market purchases, the market price of a common share exceeds the net asset
value per share, the average per share purchase prices paid by the Plan Agent
may exceed the net asset value of the Fund's shares, resulting in the
acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend had been paid in newly issued
shares on the dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with
respect to open-market purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is
unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the
purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the
purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will
invest the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued shares at
the close of business on the last purchase date.
The Plan Agent maintains all shareholders' accounts in the Plan and
furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the account, including
information needed by shareholders for tax records. Shares in the account of
each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in
the name of the participant and each shareholder's proxy will include those
shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward
all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares
held pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the
participants.
In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold
shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer
the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the
record shareholders as representing the total amount registered in the record
shareholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to
participate in the Plan.
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly
by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable
either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share
of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open-market
purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve
participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or
required to be withheld) on such dividends. See "Taxes."
Shareholders participating in the Plan may receive benefits not available
to shareholders not participating in the Plan. If the market price plus
commissions of the Fund's shares is above the net asset value, participants in
the Plan will receive shares of the Fund at less than they could otherwise
purchase them and will have shares with a cash value greater than the value of
any cash distribution they would have received on their shares. If the market
price plus commissions is below the net asset value, participants will receive
distributions in shares with a net asset value greater than the value of any
cash distribution they would have received on their shares. However, there may
be insufficient shares available in the market to make distributions in shares
at prices below the net asset value. Also, since the Fund does
39
<PAGE> 41
not redeem its shares, the price on resale may be more or less than the net
asset value. See "Taxes" for a discussion of tax consequences of the Plan.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable.
Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There
is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund
reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the
participants.
All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent
at .
MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENT OPTION
Purchasers of common shares of the Fund through Merrill Lynch in this
offering will have an investment option consisting of the right to reinvest the
net proceeds from a sale of such shares (the "Original Shares") in Class D
initial sales charge shares of certain Merrill Lynch-sponsored open-end mutual
funds ("Eligible Class D Shares") at their net asset value, without the
imposition of the initial sales charge, if the conditions set forth below are
satisfied. First, the sale of the Original Shares must be made through Merrill
Lynch, and the net proceeds therefrom must be immediately reinvested in Eligible
Class D Shares. Second, the Original Shares must have been either acquired in
this offering or be shares representing reinvested dividends from common shares
acquired in this offering. Third, the Original Shares must have been
continuously maintained in a Merrill Lynch securities account. Fourth, there
must be a minimum purchase of $250 to be eligible for the investment option.
Class D shares of the mutual funds are subject to an account maintenance fee at
an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of such
mutual fund. The Eligible Class D Shares may be redeemed at any time at the next
determined net asset value, subject in certain cases to a redemption fee. Prior
to the time the common shares commence trading on the NYSE, the distributor for
the mutual funds will advise Merrill Lynch Financial Consultants as to those
mutual funds that offer the investment option described above.
NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value per common share is determined as of 15 minutes after the
close of business on the NYSE (generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m., Eastern
time) on the last business day in each week. For purposes of determining the net
asset value of a common share, the value of the securities held by the Fund plus
any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but not yet received) minus
all liabilities (including accrued expenses) and the aggregate liquidation value
of the outstanding preferred shares is divided by the total number of common
shares outstanding at such time. Expenses, including the fees payable to the
Investment Adviser, are accrued daily.
The Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests
are traded primarily in the over-the-counter markets. In determining net asset
value, the Fund utilizes the valuations of portfolio securities furnished by a
pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees. The pricing service typically
values portfolio securities at the bid price or the yield equivalent when
quotations are readily available. Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
for which quotations are not readily available are valued at fair market value
on a consistent basis as determined by the pricing service using a matrix system
to determine valuations. The procedures of the pricing service and its
valuations are reviewed by the officers
40
<PAGE> 42
of the Fund under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. The Board of
Trustees has determined in good faith that the use of a pricing service is a
fair method of determining the valuation of portfolio securities. Positions in
futures contracts are valued at closing prices for such contracts established by
the exchange on which they are traded, or if market quotations are not readily
available, are valued at fair value on a consistent basis using methods
determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
The Fund determines and makes available for publication the net asset value
of its common shares weekly. Currently, the net asset values of shares of
publicly traded closed-end investment companies investing in debt securities are
published in Barron's, the Monday edition of The Wall Street Journal, and the
Monday and Saturday editions of The New York Times.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest, par value $.10 per share. The Board of Trustees may authorize separate
classes of shares together with such designations and powers, preferences and
rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as may be determined from
time to time by the Trustees. Pursuant to such authority, the Trustees have
authorized the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares together with
1,000,000 preferred shares. Within approximately three months after completion
of the offering of the common shares described herein, the Fund intends to offer
preferred shares representing approximately 40% of the Fund's capital
immediately after the issuance of such preferred shares. There is no assurance
that such preferred shares will be issued.
The Fund is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust of the Fund contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's
property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would
be unable to meet its obligations. Given the nature of the Fund's assets and
operations, the possibility of the Fund being unable to meet its obligations is
remote and, in the opinion of Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to
Fund shareholders is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to any shareholder, nor
is any Trustee, officer, employee of agent liable to any third persons in
connection with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from
his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of their duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look
solely to the Fund property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection
with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of
Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be
indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
41
<PAGE> 43
COMMON SHARES
Common shares, when issued and outstanding, will be fully paid and
non-assessable. Shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of
the Fund available for distribution to shareholders upon liquidation of the
Fund. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held.
So long as any shares of the Fund's preferred shares are outstanding,
holders of common shares will not be entitled to receive any net income of or
other distributions from the Fund unless all accumulated dividends on preferred
shares have been paid and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act)
with respect to preferred shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to
such distributions. See "Preferred Shares" below.
The Fund will send unaudited reports at least semi-annually and audited
annual financial statements to all of its shareholders.
The Investment Adviser provided the initial capital for the Fund by
purchasing 6,667 common shares of the Fund for $100,005. As of the date of this
prospectus, the Investment Adviser owned 100% of the outstanding common shares
of the Fund. The Investment Adviser may be deemed to control the Fund until such
time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
PREFERRED SHARES
It is anticipated that the Fund's preferred shares will be issued in one or
more series, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by action of
the Board of Trustees without the approval of the holders of common shares.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to have outstanding more than one
series of preferred stock so long as no single series has a priority over
another series as to the distribution of assets of the Fund or the payment of
dividends. Holders of common shares have no preemptive right to purchase any
preferred shares that might be issued. It is anticipated that the net asset
value per the preferred shares will equal its original purchase price per share
plus accumulated dividends per share.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has declared its intention to authorize an
offering of preferred shares (representing approximately 40% of the Fund's
capital immediately after the issuance of such preferred shares) within
approximately three months after completion of the offering of common shares,
subject to market conditions and to the Board's continuing to believe that
leveraging the Fund's capital structure through the issuance of preferred shares
is likely to achieve the benefits to the holders of common shares described in
the prospectus. Although the terms of the preferred shares, including its
dividend rate, voting rights, liquidation preference and redemption provisions
will be determined by the Board of Trustees (subject to applicable law and the
Fund's Declaration of Trust), the initial series of preferred shares will be
structured to carry either a relatively short-term dividend rate, in which case
periodic redetermination of the dividend rate will be made at relatively short
intervals (generally seven or 28 days), or a medium-term dividend rate, in which
case periodic redetermination of the dividend rate will be made at intervals of
up to five years. In either case, such redetermination of the dividend rate will
be made through an auction or remarketing procedure. Additionally, under certain
circumstances, when the Fund is required to allocate taxable income to holders
of the preferred shares, it is anticipated that the terms of the preferred
shares will require the Fund to make an Additional Distribution (as defined in
"Risks and Special Considerations of Leverage -- Effects of Leverage") to such
holders. The Board also has indicated that it is likely that the liquidation
preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the preferred
42
<PAGE> 44
shares will be as stated below. The Fund's Declaration of Trust, as amended,
together with any Certificate of Designation, is referred to below as the
"Charter."
Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred
shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution
(expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus an amount equal to
accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not earned or declared and any
accumulated and unpaid Additional Distribution) before any distribution of
assets is made to holders of common shares. After payment of the full amount of
the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the preferred
shareholders will not be entitled to any further participation in any
distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation or merger of the Fund with
or into any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Fund will not be deemed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Fund.
Voting Rights. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus and except
as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares will have
equal voting rights with holders of common shares (one vote per share) and will
vote together with holders of common shares as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Fund's trustees, holders of
preferred shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of
the Fund's trustees, and the remaining trustees will be elected by all holders
of capital shares, voting as a single class. So long as any preferred shares are
outstanding, the Fund will have not less than five trustees. If at any time
dividends on the Fund's preferred shares shall be unpaid in an amount equal to
two full years' dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding preferred
shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect a majority of the
Fund's trustees until all dividends in default have been paid or declared and
set apart for payment.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
preferred shares, voting as a separate class, will be required to (i) authorize,
create or issue any class or series of shares ranking prior to any series of
preferred shares with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of
assets on liquidation or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the
Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely
affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of holders
of preferred shares.
Redemption Provisions. It is anticipated that preferred shares will
generally be redeemable at the option of the Fund at a price equal to their
liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends to the date of
redemption plus, under certain circumstances, a redemption premium. Preferred
shares will also be subject to mandatory redemption at a price equal to their
liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends to the date of
redemption upon the occurrence of certain specified events, such as the failure
of the Fund to maintain asset coverage requirements for the preferred shares
specified by the rating agencies that issue ratings on the preferred shares.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Fund's Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the
effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Trustees and could have
the effect of depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a
premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking
to obtain control of the Fund. A trustee may be removed from office with or
without cause, but only by vote of the holders of at
43
<PAGE> 45
least 66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be voted on the matter. A trustee elected
by all the holders of capital shares may be removed only by action of such
holders, and a trustee elected by the holders of preferred shares may be removed
only by action of such holders.
In addition, the Declaration of Trust requires the favorable vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Fund's capital shares then entitled to be
voted, voting as a single class, to approve, adopt or authorize the following:
- a merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with
other entities,
- a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund's assets (other than in
the regular course of the Fund's investment activities), or
- a liquidation or dissolution of the Fund, unless such action has been
approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with the by-laws, in
which case the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's capital
shares is required. Following the proposed issuance of the preferred
shares, it is anticipated that the approval, adoption or authorization of
the foregoing would also require the favorable vote of a majority of the
Fund's preferred shares then entitled to be voted, voting as a separate
class.
In addition, conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company would
require an amendment to the Fund's Declaration of Trust. The amendment would
have to be declared advisable by the Board of Trustees prior to its submission
to shareholders. Such an amendment would require the favorable vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Fund's outstanding capital shares (including
any preferred shares) entitled to be voted on the matter, voting as a single
class (or a majority of such shares if the amendment was previously approved,
adopted or authorized by two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in
accordance with the by-laws), and, assuming preferred shares are issued, the
affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding preferred shares of the Fund,
voting as a separate class. Such a vote also would satisfy a separate
requirement in the 1940 Act that the change be approved by the shareholders.
Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem
their common shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized
by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge,
if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. All redemptions will
be made in cash. If the Fund is converted to an open-end investment company, it
could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to meet requests for
redemption, and the common shares would no longer be listed on a stock exchange.
Conversion to an open-end investment company would also require redemption
of all outstanding preferred shares and would require changes in certain of the
Fund's investment policies and restrictions, such as those relating to the
issuance of senior securities, the borrowing of money and the purchase of
illiquid securities.
The Board of Trustees has determined that the 66 2/3% voting requirements
described above, which are greater than the minimum requirements under
Massachusetts law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of shareholders
generally. Reference should be made to the Charter on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for the full text of these provisions.
44
<PAGE> 46
CUSTODIAN
The Fund's securities and cash are held under a custodial agreement with
.
UNDERWRITING
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter") has
agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of a Purchase Agreement with the
Fund and the Investment Adviser, to purchase common shares from the Fund. The
Underwriter is committed to purchase all of such shares if any are purchased.
The Underwriter has advised the Fund that it proposes initially to offer
the common shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus. There is no sales charge or underwriting discount
charged to investors on purchases of common shares in the offering. The
Investment Adviser or an affiliate has agreed to pay the Underwriter from its
own assets a commission in connection with the sale of common shares in the
offering in the amount of $ per share. Such payment is equal to % of the
initial public offering price per share. The Underwriter also has advised the
Fund that from this amount the Underwriter may pay a concession to certain
dealers not in excess of $ per share on sales by such dealers. After the
initial public offering, the public offering price and other selling terms may
be changed. Investors must pay for common shares purchased in the offering on or
before June , 1999.
The Fund has granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable for 45 days
after the date hereof, to purchase up to additional common shares
to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial offering price.
The Underwriter may engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price
of the common shares. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the
purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the common shares.
If the Underwriter creates a short position in the common shares in
connection with the offering, i.e., if it sells more common shares than are set
forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the Underwriter may reduce that
short position by purchasing common shares in the open market. The Underwriter
also may elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the
over-allotment option described above.
The Underwriter also may impose a penalty bid on certain selling group
members. This means that if the Underwriter purchases common shares in the open
market to reduce the Underwriter's short position or to stabilize the price of
the common shares, it may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the
selling group members who sold those common shares as part of the offering.
In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than
it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid
might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were
to discourage resales of the security.
Neither the Fund nor the Underwriter makes any representation or prediction
as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described
above may have on the price of the shares of
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<PAGE> 47
common stock. In addition, neither the Fund nor the Underwriter makes any
representation that the Underwriter will engage in such transactions or that
such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common
shares. The Fund plans to apply to list its common shares on the NYSE or another
national securities exchange. However, during an initial period which is not
expected to exceed two weeks from the date of this prospectus, the Fund's common
shares will not be listed on any securities exchange. Additionally, before it
begins trading, the Underwriter does not intend to make a market in the Fund's
common shares, although a limited market may develop. Thus, it is anticipated
that investors may not be able to buy and sell shares of the Fund during such
period. In order to meet the requirements for listing, the Underwriter has
undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more shares to a minimum of 2,000 beneficial
owners.
The Fund anticipates that the Underwriter may from time to time act as a
broker in connection with the execution of its portfolio transactions. The Fund
has obtained an exemptive order permitting it to engage in certain principal
transactions with the Underwriter involving high quality, short-term, tax-exempt
securities subject to certain conditions. See "Investment Restrictions" and
"Portfolio Transactions."
The Underwriter is an affiliate of the Investment Adviser of the Fund.
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933.
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the common
shares of the Fund is .
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain legal matters in connection with the common shares offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Fund and the Underwriter by Brown & Wood LLP, New
York, New York. Brown & Wood LLP will rely as to matters of Massachusetts law on
the opinion of Bingham Dana LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Certain information
under the caption "Taxes" relating to matters of Florida law will be passed upon
for the Fund and the Underwriter by Holland & Knight LLP, Tampa, Florida.
EXPERTS
The statement of assets, liabilities and capital of the Fund as of
, 1999 included in this prospectus and Registration Statement has been
audited by , independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon such
report given upon authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The selection of independent auditors is subject to ratification by shareholders
of the Fund.
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<PAGE> 48
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith is required to
file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Any such reports, proxy statements and
other information can be inspected and copies at the public reference facilities
of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission:
Regional Office, at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048; Pacific Regional Office, at 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor, Los
Angeles, California 90036; and Midwest Regional Office, at Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511.
Copies of such materials can be obtained from the public reference section of
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the Commission.
Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Fund can also be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.
Additional information regarding the Fund is contained in the Registration
Statement on Form N-2, including amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto,
relating to such shares filed by the Fund with the Commission in Washington,
D.C. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, including any amendments, exhibits and schedules
thereto. For further information with respect to the fund and the shares offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained in
this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to
are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy
of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference. A copy of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge
at the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or
any part thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain
fees prescribed by the Commission.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
Many computer systems were designed using only two digits to designate
years. These systems may not be able to distinguish the Year 2000 from the Year
1900 (commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem"). The Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the Investment Adviser or other Fund
service providers do not properly address this problem before January 1, 2000.
The Investment Adviser expects to have addressed this problem before then, and
does not anticipate that the services it provides will be adversely affected.
The Fund's other service providers have told the Investment Adviser that they
also expect to resolve the Year 2000 Problem, and the Investment Adviser will
continue to monitor the situation as the Year 2000 approaches. However, if the
problem has not been fully addressed, the Fund could be negatively affected. The
Year 2000 Problem could also have a negative impact on the issuers of securities
in which the Fund invests, and this could hurt the Fund's investment returns.
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<PAGE> 49
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholder of
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
capital of MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V as of , 1999. This
statement of assets, liabilities and capital is the responsibility of the Fund's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this statement of
assets, liabilities and capital based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the statement of assets, liabilities and
capital is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement of
assets, liabilities and capital. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall statement of assets, liabilities and capital
presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of assets, liabilities and capital referred
to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V at , 1999, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
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<PAGE> 50
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
JUNE , 1999
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Cash................................................... $100,005
Offering costs (Note 1)................................
--------
Total assets......................................
--------
LIABILITIES
Liabilities and accrued expenses (Note 1)..............
--------
NET ASSETS.................................................. $100,005
========
CAPITAL
Common Shares, par value $.10 per share; unlimited
number of shares authorized; 6,667 shares issued and
outstanding (Note 1).................................. $ 667
Paid-in Capital in excess of par....................... 99,338
--------
Total Capital-Equivalent to $15.00 net asset value per
Common Share (Note 1)................................. $100,005
========
</TABLE>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
The Fund was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
on as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company and has
had no operations other than the sale to Fund Asset Management, L.P. (the
"Investment Adviser") of an aggregate of 6,667 Common Shares for $100,005 on
, 1999. The General Partner of the Investment Adviser is an indirectly
wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
The Investment Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, will incur organization
costs estimated at $ . Direct costs relating to the public offering of the
Fund's shares will be charged to capital at the time of issuance of shares.
NOTE 2. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Fund has engaged the Investment Adviser to provide investment advisory
and management services to the Fund. The Investment Adviser will receive a
monthly fee for advisory services at an annual rate of of 1% of the Fund's
average weekly net assets, including any proceeds from the issuance of Preferred
Shares. The Investment Adviser or an affiliate will pay Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated a commission in the amount of % of the price to
the public in connection with the initial public offering of the Fund's Common
Shares.
NOTE 3. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" and as such
(and by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended) will not be subject to Federal income tax on taxable income
(including realized capital gains) that is distributed to shareholders.
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<PAGE> 51
APPENDIX I
ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS IN FLORIDA
The following information is a brief summary of factors affecting the
economy of the State of Florida (the "State") and does not purport to be a
complete description of such factors. Other factors will affect issuers. The
summary is based upon one or more publicly available offering statements
relating to debt offerings of the State. The Fund has not independently verified
the information.
Throughout the 1980s, the State's unemployment rate has, generally, tracked
below that of the nation. In the nineties, the trend was reversed, until 1995
and 1996, when the State's unemployment rate again tracked below the national
average. The State's unemployment rate is projected to be 4.7% in 1997-98 and
5.0 in 1998-99. The average rate of unemployment for the State was 4.8% while
the nation's was 4.9%. (The projections set forth in this Appendix were obtained
from a report, prepared by the Revenue and Economic Analysis Unit of the
Executive Office of the Governor for the State of Florida, contained within a
recent official statement, dated August 18, 1998, for a State of Florida debt
offering.)
Personal income in the State has grown at a strong pace and has generally
outperformed both the nation as a whole and the Southeast in particular. From
1992 through 1997, the State's per capita income expanded approximately 25.9%,
while the national per capita income increased by 24.1%. Real personal income in
Florida is estimated to increase 5.2% in 1997-98 and 3.7% in 1998-99 while real
personal income per capita is projected to grow at 3.2% in 1997-98 and 1.8% in
1998-99.
The structure of Florida's income differs from that of the nation and the
southeast. Because Florida has a proportionally greater retirement age
population, property income (dividends, interest, and rent) and transfer
payments (social security and pension benefits, among other sources of income)
are a relatively more important source of income. For example, Florida's
employment income in 1997 represented 59.8% of total personal income, while the
nation's share of total personal income in the form of wages and salaries and
other labor benefits was 70.4%. Florida's income is dependent upon transfer
payments controlled by the federal government.
The State's strong population growth is one fundamental reason why its
economy has typically performed better than the nation as a whole. In 1980, the
State was ranked seventh among the 50 states with a population of 9.7 million
people. The State has grown dramatically since then and as of April 1, 1997
ranked fourth with an estimated population of 14.7 million. Since 1990, the
State's average annual rate of population increase has been approximately 1.8%
as compared to an approximately 1.0% for the nation as a whole. While annual
growth in the State's population is expected to decline somewhat, it is still
expected to grow close to 230,000 new residents per year throughout the 1990s.
Tourism is one of the State's most important industries. 47 million people
visited the State in 1997, according to the Florida Department of Commerce.
Tourism arrivals are expected to increase by 2.1% this fiscal year and 4.7% next
year. By the end of the fiscal year, 43.8 million domestic and international
tourists are expected to have visited the State. In 1998-99, tourist arrivals
should approximate 45.6 million. Florida tourism appears to be recovering from
the effects of negative publicity regarding crime against tourists in the state.
Factors such as "product maturity" of a Florida vacation package, higher prices,
and more aggressive marketing by competing vacation destinations, could
contribute to a tourism slowdown.
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<PAGE> 52
Florida's dependency on the highly cyclical construction and
construction-related manufacturing sectors has declined. For example, total
contract construction employment as a share of total non-farm employment was a
little over 5.7% in 1997. Florida, nevertheless, has had a dynamic construction
industry, with single and multi-family housing starts accounting for
approximately 9.2% of total U.S. housing starts, while the State's population
was 5.5% of the nation's population. Total housing starts were 132,813 in 1997.
A driving force behind Florida's construction industry is its rapid growth in
population. In Florida, single and multi-family housing starts in 1997-98 are
projected to reach a combined level of 129,500, while increasing 131,300 next
year. Multi-family starts have been slow to recover, but are showing stronger
growth now and should maintain a level of nearly 38,200 in 1997-98 and 37,200 in
1998-99. Total construction expenditures are forecasted to increase 13.2% in
this year and increase 6.5% next year.
Financial operations of the State covering all receipts and expenditures
are maintained through the use of four funds-the General Revenue Fund, Trust
Funds, the Working Capital Fund, and beginning in fiscal year 1994-95, the
Budget Stabilization Fund. In fiscal year 1996-97, the State derived
approximately 67% of its total direct revenues to these funds from State taxes
and fees. Federal funds and other special revenues accounted for the remaining
revenues. Major sources of tax revenues to the General Revenue Fund are the
sales and use tax, corporate income tax, intangible personal property tax,
beverage tax, and estate tax which amounted to 68%, 8%, 4% and 3%, respectively,
of total General Revenue Funds available. State expenditures are categorized for
budget and appropriation purposes by type of fund and spending unit, which are
further subdivided by line item. In fiscal year 1996-97, expenditures from the
General Revenue Fund for education, health and welfare, and public safety
amounted to approximately 53%, 26% and 14%, respectively, of total General
Revenues.
The Sales and Use Tax is the greatest single source of tax receipts in the
State. For the State fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, receipts from this source
were $12,089 million, an increase of 5.5% from fiscal year 1995-96. The second
largest source of State tax receipts is the Motor Fuel Tax. The collections from
this source during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, were $2,012 million.
Alcoholic beverage tax revenues totalled $447.2 million for the State fiscal
year ending June 30, 1997, an increase of $5.7 million from the previous year.
The receipts of corporate income tax for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997
were $1,362.3 million, an increase of 17.2% from fiscal year 1995-96. Gross
Receipt tax collections for fiscal year 1996-97 totalled $575.7 million, an
increase of 6.0% over the previous fiscal year. Documentary stamp tax
collections totalled $844.2 million during fiscal year 1996-97, posting an 8.9%
increase from the previous fiscal year. The intangible personal property tax is
a tax on stocks, bonds, notes, governmental leaseholds, certain limited
partnership interests, mortgages and other obligations secured by liens on
Florida realty, and other intangible personal property. Total collections from
intangible personal property taxes were $952.4 million during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1997, a 6.3% increase from the previous fiscal year. Severance
taxes totalled $39.2 million during fiscal year 1995-96, up 26.1% from the
previous fiscal year. In November 1986, the voters of the State approved a
constitutional amendment to allow the State to operate a lottery. Fiscal year
1996-97 produced ticket sales of $2.09 billion of which education received
approximately $792.3 million.
For fiscal year 1998-99 the estimated General Revenue plus Working Capital
and Budget Stabilization funds available total $19,113.2 million, a 2.6%
increase over 1997-98. The $16,887.6 million in estimated revenues represent a
7.2% increase over the analogous figure in 1997. With combined General
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Revenue, Working Capital Fund and Budget Stabilization Fund appropriations at
$17,207.0 million, unencumbered reserves at the end of 1998-99 are estimated at
$1,414.8 million.
The State Constitution does not permit a state or local personal income
tax. An amendment to the State Constitution by the electors of the State would
be required in order to impose a personal income tax in the State.
Property valuations for homestead property are subject to a growth cap.
Growth in the just (market) value of property qualifying for the homestead
exemption is limited to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever
is less. If the property changes ownership or homestead status, it is to be
re-valued at full just value on the next tax roll. Although the impact of the
growth cap cannot be determined, it may have the effect of causing local
government units in the State to rely more on non-ad valorem tax revenues to
meet operating expenses and other requirements normally funded with ad valorem
tax revenues.
An amendment to the State Constitution was approved by statewide ballot in
the November 8, 1994 general election which is commonly referred to as the
"Limitation on State Revenues Amendment." This amendment provides that State
revenues collected for any fiscal year shall be limited to State revenues
allowed under the amendment for the prior fiscal year plus an adjustment for
growth. Growth is defined as an amount equal to the average annual rate of
growth in State personal income over the most recent twenty quarters times the
State revenues allowed under the amendment for the prior fiscal year. State
revenues collected for any fiscal year in excess of this limitation are required
to be transferred to the Budget Stabilization Fund until the fund reaches the
maximum balance specified in Section 19(g) of Article III of the State
Constitution, and thereafter is required to be refunded to taxpayers as provided
by general law. The limitation on State revenues imposed by the amendment may be
increased by the Legislature, by a two-thirds vote of each house.
The term "State revenues," as used in the amendment, means taxes, fees,
licenses, and charges for services imposed by the Legislature on individuals,
businesses, or agencies outside State government. However, the term "State
revenues" does not include: (i) revenues that are necessary to meet the
requirements set forth in documents authorizing the issuance of Bonds by the
State; (ii) revenues that are used to provide matching funds for the federal
Medicaid program with the exception of the revenues used to support the Public
Medical Assistance Trust Fund or its successor program and with the exception of
State matching funds used to fund elective expansions made after July 1, 1994;
(iii) proceeds from the State lottery returned as prizes; (iv) receipts of the
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund; (v) balances carried forward from prior
fiscal years; (vi) taxes, licenses, fees and charges for services imposed by
local, regional, or school district governing bodies; or (vii) revenue from
taxes, licenses, fees and charges for services required to be imposed by any
amendment or revision to the State Constitution after July 1, 1994. The
amendment took effect on January 1, 1995 and is applicable to State fiscal year
1995-96.
It should be noted that many of the provisions of the amendment are
ambiguous, and likely will not be clarified until State courts have ruled on
their meanings. Further, it is unclear how the Legislature will implement the
language of the amendment and whether such implementing legislation will itself
be the subject of court interpretation.
The Fund cannot predict the impact of the amendment on State finances. To
the extent local governments traditionally receive revenues from the State which
are subject to, and limited by, the amendment, the future distribution of such
State revenues may be adversely affected by the amendment.
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Hurricanes continue to endanger the coastal and interior portions of
Florida. Substantial damage resulted from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. During the
1995 hurricane season, a record number of tropical storms and hurricanes also
caused substantial damages. The 1996 and 1997 hurricane seasons were uneventful
with considerably less damage than in 1992 and 1995. During the 1998 hurricane
season, which ended November 30, two hurricanes caused significant damage to
several coastal communities in Florida. The Fund cannot predict the economic
impact, if any, of future hurricanes and storms.
As of December 2, 1998, the State had a high bond rating from Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. (Aa2), Standard & Poor's (AA+) and Fitch IBCA, Inc. (AA)
on all of its general obligation bonds. Outstanding general obligation bonds at
June 30, 1997 totalled almost $7.9 billion and were issued to finance capital
outlay for educational projects of both local school districts, community
colleges and state universities, environmental protection and highway
construction. The State has issued over $1,340 billion of general obligation
bonds since July 1, 1997.
Due to investments in certain derivatives, Escambia County, Florida in 1994
sustained notable losses which may in the future affect their operations. As
reported in the local press, several lawsuits have resulted regarding such
investments.
In late October, 1996, the Florida Auditor General notified the Governor's
office that seventeen municipalities or special districts are in a state of
financial emergency (including the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority
and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) and that another twenty-five
municipalities or special districts might be in a state of financial emergency
(including the City of Miami). For these purposes, a state of emergency is
considered two consecutive years of budget deficits. Municipalities or special
districts that may be in a state of financial emergency are those that the
Auditor General was unable to conclude had sufficient revenues to cover their
deficits. The operations of all these entities mentioned in the Auditor
General's communication may be adversely affected by their financial condition.
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APPENDIX II
RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S ("MOODY'S") MUNICIPAL BOND
RATINGS
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of 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.
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 fluctuation 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.
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.
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.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and
bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes
bonds in this class.
B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal
payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over
any long period of time may be small.
Caa Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may
be in default or there may be present elements of danger with
respect to principal or interest.
Ca Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or
have other marked shortcomings.
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C Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and
issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor
prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's
believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the
symbols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1.
Short-term Notes: The three ratings of Moody's for short-term notes are
MIG 1/VMIG 1, MIG 2/VMIG 2, and MIG 3/VMIG 3; MIG 1/VMIG 1 denotes "best
quality, enjoying strong protection from established cash flows"; MIG 2/VMIG 2
denotes "high quality" with "ample margins of protection"; MIG 3/VMIG 3
instruments are of "favorable quality . . . but . . . lacking the undeniable
strength of the preceding grades".
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all
judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of
rated issuers:
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability
will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market
positions in well established industries; high rates of return on funds
employed; conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection; broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial
charges and high internal cash generation; and well established access to a
range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable
ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The effects of
industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes to the level of
debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage.
Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.
("STANDARD & POOR'S"), MUNICIPAL DEBT RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's municipal debt rating is a current opinion of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation,
a specific class of financial obligations or a specific program. It takes into
consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of
credit enhancement on the obligation.
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The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a
financial obligation, 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 obligors or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources Standard & Poor's 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 based on circumstances.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
I. Likelihood of payment -- 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 to, and relative position of, the obligation
in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the
laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
AAA Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. Capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated "AA" differs from the highest rated issues only in
small degree. The Obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A Debt rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
debt in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity
to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still
strong.
BBB Debt rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB
B
CCC
CC
C Debt rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least
degree of speculation and "C" the highest degree of speculation.
While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties
or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is
used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due
even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless
Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during
such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by
the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
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DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the
highest-quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as
follows:
A-1 This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess
extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus
sign (+) designation.
A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as
high as for issues designated "A-1."
A-3 Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for
timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the
higher designations.
B Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity
for timely payment.
C This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a
doubtful capacity for payment.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is
used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on
the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired
unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made
during such grace period.
A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a
security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard &
Poor's by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it
considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a
result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information.
A Standard & Poor's note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market
access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely
receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely
receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making
that assessment.
-- Amortization schedule -- the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
-- Source of payment -- the more dependent the issue is on the market for
its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue
determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service
is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some
vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the
term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
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DESCRIPTION OF FITCH IBCA, INC.'S ("FITCH") INVESTMENT GRADE BOND RATINGS
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The rating
represents Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of
a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength and credit quality.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by
insurance policies or financial guarantees unless otherwise indicated.
Bonds carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small
differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security.
Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any
security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of
payments made in respect of any security.
Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other
obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be
reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such
information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
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." Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and "AA" categories
are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future
developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated
"F-1+."
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.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol
to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
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NR Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
Conditional A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of
a project or the occurrence of a specific event.
Suspended A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information
available from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.
Withdrawn A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or
refinanced and, at Fitch's discretion, when an issuer fails to
furnish proper and timely information.
FitchAlert Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an
occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the
likely direction of such change. These are designated as
"Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for
potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be raised
or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and should be
resolved within 12 months.
Ratings Outlook: An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction
of any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive"
or "Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH'S SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND RATINGS
Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings
("BB" to "C") represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment
of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond
issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD" to "D") is an
assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength.
Bonds that have the rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in
degrees of credit risk.
BB Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse
economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives
can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying
its debt service requirements.
B Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this
class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the
probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest
reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for
reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of
the issue.
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CCC Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not
remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations
requires an advantageous business and economic environment.
CC Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest
and/or principal seems probable over time.
C Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or
principal.
DDD
DD
D Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis
of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization
of the obligor. "DDD" represents the highest potential for
recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents the lowest potential
for recovery.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol
to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "DDD," "DD," or "D" categories.
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH'S SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on
demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.
The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on
the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a
timely manner.
Fitch short-term ratings are as follows:
F-1+ Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating
are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for
timely payment.
F-1 Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect
an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than
issues rated "F-1+."
F-2 Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a
satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the
margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned "F-1+"
and "F-1" ratings.
F-3 Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have
characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for
timely payment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes
could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.
F-S Weak Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have
characteristics suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for
timely payment and are vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in
financial and economic conditions.
D Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent
payment default.
LOC The symbol "LOC" indicates that the rating is based on a letter
of credit issued by a commercial bank.
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APPENDIX III
PORTFOLIO INSURANCE
Set forth below is further information with respect to the insurance
policies (the "Policies") that the Fund may obtain from several insurance
companies with respect to insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
held by the Fund. The Fund has no obligation to obtain any such Policies, and
the terms of any Policies actually obtained may vary significantly from the
terms discussed below.
In determining eligibility for insurance, insurance companies will apply
their own standards. These standards correspond generally to the standards such
companies normally use in establishing the insurability of new issues of Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds and are not necessarily the criteria that
would be used in regard to the purchase of such bonds by the Fund. The Policies
do not insure (i) municipal securities ineligible for insurance and (ii)
municipal securities no longer owned by the Fund.
The Policies do not guarantee the market value of the insured Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds or the value of the shares of the Fund. In
addition, if the provider of an original issuance insurance policy is unable to
meet is obligations under such policy or if the rating assigned to the insurance
claims-paying ability of any such insurer deteriorates, the insurance company
will not have any obligation to insure any issue held by the Fund that is
adversely affected by either of the above described events. In addition to the
payment of premiums, the Policies may require that the Fund notify the insurance
company as to all Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the Fund's
portfolio and permit the insurance company to audit their records. The insurance
premiums will be payable monthly by the Fund in accordance with a premium
schedule to be furnished by the insurance company at the time the Policies are
issued. Premiums are based upon the amounts covered and the composition of the
portfolio.
The insurance companies used by the Fund will have insurance claims-paying
ability ratings of AAA from Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Fitch IBCA, Inc.
("Fitch") or Aaa from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's").
An S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating is an assessment of an
operating insurance company's financial capacity to meet obligations under an
insurance policy in accordance with the terms. An insurer with an insurance
claims-paying ability rating of AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P or
Fitch. Capacity to honor insurance contracts is considered by S&P and Fitch to
be extremely strong and highly likely to remain so over a long period of time. A
Moody's insurance claims-paying ability rating is an opinion of the ability of
an insurance company to repay punctually senior policyholder obligations and
claims. An insurer with an insurance claims-paying ability rating of Aaa is
considered by Moody's to be of the best quality. In the opinion of Moody's, the
policy obligations of an insurance company with an insurance claims-paying
ability rating of Aaa carry the smallest degree of credit risk and, while the
financial strength of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can
be visualized are most unlikely to impair the company's fundamentally strong
position. A Fitch insurance claims-paying ability rating provides an assessment
of an insurance company's financial strength and, therefore, its ability to pay
policy and contract claims under the terms indicated. An insurer with an
insurance claims-paying ability rating of AAA has the highest rating assigned by
Fitch. The ability to pay claims is adjudged by Fitch to be extremely strong for
insurance companies with this highest rating. In the opinion of Fitch,
foreseeable
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business and economic risk factors should not have any material adverse impact
on the ability of these insurers to pay claims. In Fitch's opinion,
profitability, overall balance sheet strength, capitalization and liquidity are
all at very secure levels and are unlikely to be affected by potential adverse
underwriting, investment or cyclical events.
An insurance claims-paying ability rating of S&P, Fitch or Moody's does not
constitute an opinion on any specific contract in that such an opinion can only
be rendered upon the review of the specific insurance contract. Furthermore, an
insurance claims-paying ability rating does not take into account deductibles,
surrender or cancellation penalties or the timeliness of payment; nor does it
address the ability of a company to meet nonpolicy obligations (i.e., debt
contracts).
The assignment of ratings by S&P, Fitch or Moody's to debt issues that are
fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts or guarantees is a
separate process from the determination of claims-paying ability ratings. The
likelihood of a timely flow of funds from the insurer to the trustee for the
bondholders is a key element in the rating determination for such debt issues.
62
<PAGE> 64
APPENDIX IV
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT YIELDS FOR 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE INCOME* A TAX-FREE YIELD OF
- ------------------------------------ 1999 FEDERAL ---------------------------------------------
TAX BRACKET SINGLE RETURN JOINT RETURN 5.00% 5.50% 6.00% 6.50% 7.00% 7.50%
- ----------------- ----------------- ------------ ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
IS EQUAL TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 25,751-$ 62,450 $ 43,051-$104,050 28.00% 6.94% 7.64% 8.33% 9.03% 9.72% 10.42%
$ 62,451-$130,250 $104,051-$158,550 31.00% 7.25% 7.97% 8.70% 9.42% 10.14% 10.87%
$130,251-$283,150 $158,551-$283,150 36.00% 7.81% 8.59% 9.38% 10.16% 10.94% 11.72%
Over $283,150 Over $283,150 39.60% 8.28% 9.11% 9.93% 10.76% 11.59% 12.42%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Because Florida does not impose a personal income tax, this table reflects
only the effect of exemption from Federal income tax. An investor's marginal
tax rate may exceed the rates shown in the above table due to the reduction,
or possible elimination, of the personal exemption deduction for high-income
taxpayers and an overall limit on itemized deductions. Income also may be
subject to certain state and local taxes. For investors who pay alternative
minimum tax, tax-exempt yields may be equivalent to lower taxable yields than
those shown above. The tax rates shown above do not apply to corporate
taxpayers. The tax characteristics of the Fund are described more fully
elsewhere in this prospectus. Consult your tax adviser for further details.
This chart is for illustrative purposes only and cannot be taken as an
indication of anticipated Fund performance.
63
<PAGE> 65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Through and including September , 1999 (the 90th day after the date of
this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities,
whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a
prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a
prospectus when acting underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments
or subscriptions.
SHARES
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
COMMON SHARES
---------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
JUNE , 1999
CODE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 66
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(1) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Auditors
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital as of , 1999
(2) Exhibits:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
(a) -- Declaration of Trust(a)
(b) -- By-Laws(a)
(c) -- Not applicable
(d)(1) -- Portions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the
Registrant defining the rights of holders of shares of the
Registrant*
(d)(2) -- Form of specimen certificate for Common Shares of the
Registrant*
(e) -- Form of Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan*
(f) -- Not applicable
(g) -- Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and
Fund Asset Management, L.P.*
(h)(1) -- Form of Purchase Agreement between the Fund and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*
(h)(2) -- Merrill Lynch Standard Dealer Agreement*
(i) -- Not applicable
(j) -- Form of Custodian Contract between the Fund and
*
(k) -- Form of Registrar, Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
between the Fund and *
(l) -- Opinion and Consent of Brown & Wood LLP*
(M) -- NOT APPLICABLE
(N)(1) -- OPINION AND CONSENT OF HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP*
(N)(2) -- CONSENT OF , INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR
THE FUND*
(O) -- NOT APPLICABLE
(P) -- CERTIFICATE OF FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.*
(Q) -- NOT APPLICABLE
(R) -- NOT APPLICABLE
</TABLE>
- ---------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(a) Reference is made to Section 3.4, Article V, Article VI
(sections 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7), Article VIII, Article IX and
Article X of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust, filed as
Exhibit (a) to this Registration Statement; and to Article
II, Article III (sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 17), Article VI,
Article VII, Article XII, Article XIII and Article XIV of
the Registrant's By-Laws, filed as Exhibit (b) to this
Registration Statement.
* To be provided by amendment.
</TABLE>
ITEM 25. MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS.
See Exhibits (h)(1) and (h)(2).
C-1
<PAGE> 67
ITEM 26. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in
connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Registration fees........................................... $ *
New York Stock Exchange listing fee......................... *
Printing (other than share certificates).................... *
Engraving and printing share certificates................... *
Legal fees and expenses..................................... *
Accounting fees and expenses................................ *
NASD fees................................................... *
Miscellaneous............................................... *
--------
Total............................................. $ *
========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* To be provided by amendment.
ITEM 27. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
The information in the prospectus under the captions "Investment Advisory
and Management Arrangements" and "Description of Capital Shares -- Common
Shares" and in Note 1 to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 28. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
There will be one record holder of the common shares, par value $0.10 per
share, as of the effective date of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 29. INDEMNIFICATION.
Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides as follows:
"The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees, officers, employees, and
agents (including persons who serve at its request as directors, officers or
trustees of another organization in which it has any interest as a shareholder,
creditor or otherwise) against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts
paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as
counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal,
in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while in office
or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a trustee, officer,
employee or agent, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have
been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of his duties; provided, however, that as to
any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a
consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for
any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a
written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the
effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of good faith and reasonable belief as
to the best interests of the Trust, had been adjudicated, it would have been
adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any person under
these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully
entitled; provided that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or
reimbursement granted herein or in Section 5.1 or to which he may be otherwise
entitled except out of the property of the Trust, and no Shareholder shall be
personally liable to any person with respect to any claim for indemnity or
reimbursement or otherwise. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection
with indemnification under this Section 5.3, provided that the indemnified
person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the
event it is subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such
indemnification."
C-2
<PAGE> 68
The Registrant's By-Laws provide that insofar as the conditional advancing
of indemnification moneys pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Declaration of Trust
for actions based upon the Investment Company Act of 1940 may be concerned, such
payments will be made only on the following conditions: (i) the advances must be
limited to amounts used, or to be used, for the preparation or presentation of a
defense to the action, including costs connected with the preparation of a
settlement; (ii) advances may be made only upon receipt of a written promise by,
or on behalf of, the recipient to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds
the amount to which it is ultimately determined he is entitled to receive from
the Registrant by reason of indemnification; and (iii)(a) such promise must be
secured by a surety bond, other suitable insurance or an equivalent form of
security which assures that any repayments may be obtained by the Registrant
without delay or litigation, which bond, insurance or other form of security
must be provided by the recipient of the advance, or (b) a majority of a quorum
of the Registrant's disinterested, non-party Trustees, or an independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based upon a review of readily
available facts, that the recipient of the advance ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
In Section 8 of the Distribution Agreement relating to the securities being
offered hereby, the Registrant agrees to indemnify the Distributor and each
person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"), against certain types of civil
liabilities arising in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") may be provided to trustees, officers and
controlling persons of the Fund, pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of
expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the
Fund in connection with any successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Fund will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Reference is made to Section Six of the Purchase Agreement, a form of which
will be filed as Exhibit (h)(1) hereto, for provisions relating to the
indemnification of the underwriter.
ITEM 30. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER.
Fund Asset Management, L.P. (the "Investment Adviser") acts as investment
adviser for the following open-end registered investment companies: CBA Money
Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal
Series Trust, CMA Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund
Accumulation Program, Inc., Financial Institutions Series Trust, Merrill Lynch
Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, Merrill
Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Emerging Tigers Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Federal Securities
Trust, Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series, Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal
Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Phoenix
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch World Income
Fund, Inc., and The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., and for the
following closed-end registered investment companies: Apex Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund II, Inc., Corporate
High Yield Fund III, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund II,
Inc., Debt Strategies Fund III, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 1999, Inc.,
Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund,
Inc., MuniAssets Fund, Inc., MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Fund, Inc.,
MuniHoldings Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniHoldings California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured
Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund IV, Inc., MuniHoldings
Florida Insured Fund, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund II, MuniHolding Florida
Insured Fund III, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund IV, MuniHoldings Insured
Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings
C-3
<PAGE> 69
Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured
Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured
Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New York
Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniInsured
Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund II, Inc., MuniVest Florida Fund,
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniVest New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniVest
Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc., MuniYield California
Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield California
Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Florida Fund, MuniYield Florida Insured Fund,
MuniYield Fund, Inc., MuniYield Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield Michigan Fund,
Inc., MuniYield Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.,
MuniYield New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Pennsylvania Fund, MuniYield
Quality Fund, Inc., MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc., Senior High Income
Portfolio, Inc. and Worldwide DollarVest Fund, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM"), an affiliate of the
Investment Adviser, acts as the investment adviser for the following open-end
registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch Adjustable Rate Securities Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Americas Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Builder
Program, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Income
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Convertible Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Dragon
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch EuroFund, Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund for Investment and Retirement, Merrill Lynch
Global Allocation Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Global Holdings, Merrill Lynch Global Resources Trust, Merrill Lynch
Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Global Utility Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Value Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Growth Fund, Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Index
Funds, Inc., Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch
International Equity Fund, Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Middle East/Africa Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Series Trust, Merrill
Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, Merrill Lynch Real
Estate Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Series
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Strategic Dividend Fund, Merrill Lynch Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch U.S.
Treasury Money Fund, Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves, Merrill Lynch
Utility Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc. and
Hotchkis and Wiley Funds (advised by Hotchkis and Wiley, a division of MLAM);
and for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch
High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate
Fund, Inc. MLAM also acts as sub-adviser to Merrill Lynch World Strategy
Portfolio and Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Portfolio, two investment
portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust.
The address of each of these investment companies is P.O. Box 9011,
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011, except that the address of Merrill Lynch Funds
for Institutions Series and Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund is
One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2646. The address
of the Investment Adviser, FAM, Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services")
and Princeton Administrators, L.P. is also P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey
08543-9011. The address of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD") and of
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor ("MLFD") is P.O. Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey
08543-9081. The address of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
("Merrill Lynch") and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co.") is World Financial
Center, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281. The address of Financial
Data Services, Inc. ("FDS") is 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida
32246-6484.
Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and partner of the
Investment Adviser indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment
of a substantial nature in which each such person or entity has been engaged for
the past two years for his or her or its own account or in the capacity of
director, officer, employee, partner or trustee. In addition, Mr. Glenn is
President and Mr. Burke is Vice President and Treasurer of all or substantially
all of the investment companies described in the preceding paragraphs and also
hold the same positions with all or substantially all of the investment
companies advised by MLAM as
C-4
<PAGE> 70
they do with those advised by the Investment Adviser. Messrs. Giordano and
Monagle are officers of one or more of such companies.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION(S) WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
NAME THE MANAGER PROFESSION, VOCATION OR EMPLOYMENT
---- ------------------------ ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ML&Co. .......................... Limited Partner Financial Services Holding
Company; Limited Partner of MLAM
Princeton Services............... General Partner General Partner of MLAM
Jeffrey M. Peek.................. President President of MLAM; President and
Director of Princeton Services;
Executive Vice President of
ML&Co.; Managing Director and
Co-Head of the Investment Banking
Division of Merrill Lynch in 1997;
Senior Vice President and Director
of the Global Securities and
Economics Division of Merrill
Lynch from 1995 to 1997
Terry K. Glenn................... Executive Vice President Executive Vice President of MLAM;
Executive Vice President and
Director of Princeton Services;
President and Director of PFD;
Director of FDS; President of
Princeton Administrators, L.P.
Donald C. Burke.................. Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President and
Treasurer and Director Treasurer of FAM; Senior Vice
of Taxation President and Treasurer of
Princeton Services; Vice President
of PFD; First Vice President of
the Investment Adviser from 1997
to 1999; Vice President of the
Investment Adviser from 1990
to 1997
Michael G. Clark................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services; Treasurer and Director
of PFD; First Vice President of
the Investment Adviser from 1997
to 1999; Vice President of the
Investment Adviser from 1996
to 1997
Linda L. Federici................ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Vincent R. Giordano.............. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Michael J. Hennewinkel........... Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President, General
General Counsel and Counsel and Secretary of MLAM;
Secretary Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
</TABLE>
C-5
<PAGE> 71
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION(S) WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
NAME THE MANAGER PROFESSION, VOCATION OR EMPLOYMENT
---- ------------------------ ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Philip L. Kirstein............... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel, Director and Secretary of
Princeton Services
Ronald M. Kloss.................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Debra W. Landsman-Yaros.......... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services; Vice President of PFD
Stephen M. M. Miller............. Senior Vice President Executive Vice President of
Princeton Administrators, L.P.;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Joseph T. Monagle, Jr............ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Brian A. Murdock................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Gregory D. Upah.................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of MLAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
</TABLE>
ITEM 31. LOCATION OF ACCOUNT AND RECORDS.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules
promulgated thereunder are maintained at the offices of the registrant (800
Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536), its investment adviser (800
Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536), and its custodian and
transfer agent.
ITEM 32. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 33. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the common shares
covered hereby until it amends its prospectus contained herein if (1) subsequent
to the effective date of this Registration Statement, its net asset value per
common share declines more than 10% from its net asset value per common share as
of the effective date of this Registration Statement, or (2) its net asset value
per common share increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated
in the prospectus contained herein.
(b) Registrant undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form
of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the
1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of
the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C-6
<PAGE> 72
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, and State of New Jersey, on the 10th
day of
May 1999.
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
(Registrant)
By: /s/ ALICE A. PELLEGRINO
------------------------------------
(Alice A. Pellegrino, President)
Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Alice A.
Pellegrino, William E. Zitelli, Jr. or Lori A. Martin, or any of them, as
attorney-in-fact, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in each
capacity stated below, any amendment to this Registration Statement (including
post-effective amendments) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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>
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
---------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ ALICE A. PELLEGRINO President and Trustee May 10, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
(Alice A. Pellegrino)
/s/ WILLIAM E. ZITELLI, JR. Treasurer and Trustee May 10, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
(William E. Zitelli, Jr.)
/s/ LORI A. MARTIN Secretary and Trustee May 10, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------
(Lori A. Martin)
</TABLE>
C-7
<PAGE> 73
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT NAME
- ------- ------------
<C> <S> <C>
(a)(1) -- Declaration of Trust
(b) -- By-Laws
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT (a)(1)
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
THE DECLARATION OF TRUST of MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V is made
this 10th day of May, 1999, by the parties signatory hereto, as trustees (such
persons, so long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms
of this Declaration of Trust, and all other persons who at the time in question
have been duly elected or appointed as trustees in accordance with the
provisions of this Declaration of Trust and are then in office, being
hereinafter called the "Trustees").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to form a trust fund under the law of
Massachusetts for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed thereto;
and
WHEREAS, it is proposed that the beneficial interest in the trust assets
be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest as hereinafter
provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold in trust
all money and property contributed to the trust fund to manage and dispose of
the same for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the shares of
beneficial interest issued hereunder and subject to the provisions hereof, to
wit:
ARTICLE I.
1.1 Name. The name of the trust created hereby (the "Trust") shall be
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V and so far as may be practicable the
Trustees shall conduct the Trust's activities, execute all documents and sue or
be sued under that name, which name (and the word "Trust" wherever hereinafter
used) shall refer to the Trustees as Trustees, and not individually, and shall
not refer to the officers, agents, employees or Shareholders of the Trust.
However, should the Trustees determine that the use of such name is not
advisable, they may select such other name for the Trust as they deem proper and
the Trust may hold its property and conduct its activities under such other
name. Any name change shall become effective upon the execution by a majority of
the then Trustees of an instrument setting forth the new name. Any such
instrument shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration.
1.2 Definitions. As used in this Declaration, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
The terms "Affiliated Person", "Assignment", "Commission", "Interested
Person", "Majority Shareholder Vote" (the 67% or more than 50% requirement of
the third sentence of Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, whichever may be
applicable) and "Principal Underwriter" shall have the meanings given them in
the 1940 Act.
<PAGE> 2
"By-Laws" means the By-laws referred to in Section 2.7 hereof, as from
time to time amended.
"Certificate of Designation" means a certificate signed by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust setting forth the resolution or
resolutions providing for the issuance of Preferred Shares as described in
Article VI hereof.
"Common Shareholders" means the record owners of outstanding Common
Shares.
"Common Shares" means the common shares of beneficial interest in the
Trust as described in Article VI hereof and includes fractions of Common Shares
as well as whole Common Shares.
"Declaration" shall mean this Declaration as amended from time to time.
References in this Declaration to "Declaration", "hereof" "herein" and
"hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to the Declaration rather than the article
or section in which such words appear.
"Fundamental Policies" shall mean the investment restrictions set forth in
the Prospectus and designated as fundamental policies therein.
The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
from time to time, and shall include the rules and regulations and any relevant
order of exemption promulgated thereunder by the Commission.
"Person" shall mean and include individuals, corporations, partnerships,
trusts, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal
entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.
"Preferred Shareholders" means a record owner of outstanding Preferred
Shares.
"Preferred Shares" means the preferred shares of beneficial interest in
the Trust as described in Article VI hereof and includes fractions of Preferred
Shares as well as whole Preferred Shares.
"Prospectus" shall mean the currently effective Prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
"Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement of the Trust
under the Securities Act of 1933 as such Registration Statement may be amended
and filed with the Commission from time to time.
"Shareholders" shall mean as of any particular time all holders of record
of outstanding Shares at such time.
"Shares" shall mean the transferable units of interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes
fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares. As provided in Article VI hereof,
the Trust may issue separate classes of Shares; all
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references to Shares shall be deemed to be Shares of a single class or all
classes as the context may require.
"Trust Property" shall mean as of any particular time any and all
property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which at such time is owned
or held by or for the account of the Trust or the Trustees.
"Trustees" shall mean the signatories to this Declaration, so long as they
shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other
persons who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed and have
qualified as trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof and are then in
office, are herein referred to as the "Trustees", and reference in this
Declaration to a Trustee or Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in
their capacity as trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE II.
Trustees
2.1 Number and Qualification. The number of Trustees shall be fixed from
time to time by a majority of the Trustees then in office, provided, however,
that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than three or more than
fifteen (except prior to the first public offering of Shares of the Trust). Any
vacancy created by an increase in Trustees may, to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act, be filled by the appointment of an individual having the
qualifications described in this Article made by a majority of the Trustees then
in office. Any such appointment shall not become effective, however, until the
individual named in the written instrument of appointment shall have accepted in
writing such appointment and agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of this
Declaration. No reduction in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of
removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term. Whenever a
vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as
provided in Section 2.3 hereof, the Trustees in office, regardless of their
number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge
all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration. A Trustee shall be
an individual at least 21 years of age who is not under legal disability.
Trustees may, but need not, own Shares.
2.2 Term of Office of Trustees. The term of office of each of the Trustees
named herein, or elected or appointed prior to the first annual meeting of
Shareholders, shall expire on the date of the first annual meeting of
Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof. Beginning with the Trustees
elected at the first annual meeting of Shareholders, the term of each Trustee
shall expire at the next annual meeting of Shareholders following the election
or appointment of such Trustee and upon the election and qualification of his
successor. The Trustees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the Shares present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting
of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof called for that purpose,
except as provided in Section 2.3 of this Article; provided, however, that the
Preferred Shareholders voting as a class at an annual meeting of the
Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof called for such purpose, shall
elect at least two (2) Trustees at all times, and, provided, further, that the
Preferred Shareholders voting as a class shall elect at least a majority of the
Trustees, which number of Trustees shall be increased appropriately in order to
effectuate such
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rights after giving effect to resignations of Trustees, (i) if at any time the
dividends on the Preferred Shares shall be unpaid in an amount equal to two (2)
full years' dividends on the Preferred Shares, with such representation to
continue until all dividends in arrears shall have been paid or otherwise
provided for, or (ii) pursuant to the designations and powers, preferences and
rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Preferred
Shares as determined in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof. Each Trustee elected
shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and shall have
qualified or until such time as may otherwise be provided in the By-Laws adopted
or amended pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof; except that (a) any Trustee may
resign his trust (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an
instrument in writing signed by him or her and delivered to the other Trustees,
which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is
specified therein; (b) any Trustee may be removed (provided the aggregate number
of Trustees after such removal shall not be less than the number required by
Section 2.1 hereof) with cause, at any time by written instrument, signed by at
least two-thirds of the remaining Trustees, specifying the date when such
removal shall become effective, provided, however, that the Trustees elected by
one class of Shares shall have no power to so remove any Trustee elected by
another class of Shares; (c) any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired
or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written
instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of
his retirement; and (d) a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of Shareholders
by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote of the class
or classes of Shares of beneficial interest that elected such Trustee. Upon the
resignation or removal of a Trustee, or his otherwise ceasing to be Trustee, he
shall execute and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require
for the purpose of conveying to the Trust or the remaining Trustees any Trust
property held in the name of the resigning or removed Trustee. Upon the
incapacity or death of any Trustee, his legal representative shall execute and
deliver on his behalf such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as
provided in the preceding sentence.
2.3 Resignation and Appointment of Trustees. In case of the declination,
death, resignation, retirement, removal or inability of any of the Trustees, or
in case a vacancy shall, by reason of an increase in number, or for any other
reason, exist, the remaining Trustees or, prior to the public offering of Shares
of the Trust, if only one Trustee shall then remain in office, the remaining
Trustee, shall fill such vacancy by appointing such other person as they or he,
in their or his discretion, shall see fit. Such appointment shall be evidenced
by a written instrument signed by a majority of the remaining Trustees or by the
remaining Trustee, as the case may be. Any such appointment shall not become
effective, however, until the person named in the written instrument of
appointment shall have accepted in writing such appointment and agreed in
writing to be bound by the terms of the Declaration. Within twelve months of
such appointment, the Trustees shall cause notice of such appointment to be
mailed to each Shareholder at his address as recorded on the books of the Trust.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office and
notice thereof mailed to Shareholders aforesaid in anticipation of a vacancy to
occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees
effective at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective
only at or after the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase
in number of Trustees. The power of appointment is subject to the provisions of
section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
2.4 Vacancies. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal or
incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the
Trust or to revoke any existing
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agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in
the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided in
Section 2.3, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all
the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed
upon the Trustees by the Declaration subject to the rights of the holders of the
Preferred Shares to elect a Trustee to fill such vacancy in accordance with the
terms and provisions hereof. A written instrument certifying the existence of
such vacancy signed by a majority of the Trustees shall be conclusive evidence
of the existence of such vacancy.
2.5 Delegation of Power to Other Trustees. Any Trustee may, by power of
attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any one
time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in no case shall fewer than
two Trustees personally exercise the powers granted to the Trustees under the
Declaration except as herein otherwise expressly provided.
2.6 Officers. The Trustees may elect a Chairman, a President, a Secretary
and a Treasurer. The Trustees may elect or appoint or authorize the Chairman, if
any, or President to appoint such other officers or agents with such powers as
the Trustees may deem to be advisable. The Chairman shall be a Trustee.
2.7 By-Laws. The Trustees may adopt and from time to time amend or repeal
the By-Laws for the conduct of the business of the Trust.
ARTICLE III.
Powers of Trustees
3.1 General. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over
the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if
the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their
own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this
Declaration. The Trustees may perform such acts as in their sole discretion are
proper for conducting the business of the Trust. The enumeration of any specific
power herein shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. Such powers
of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
3.2 Investments. The Trustees shall have power, subject to the Fundamental
Policies, to:
(1) conduct, operate and carry on the business of a closed-end,
management investment company under the 1940 Act;
(2) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise
acquire, hold, pledge, sell, lend, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute
or otherwise deal in or dispose of negotiable or non-negotiable
instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of
deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, reverse
repurchase agreements, options, futures contracts, options on futures
contracts and other investments, including, without limitation, those
issued, guaranteed or sponsored by any state, territory or possession of
the United Sates and the District of Columbia and their political
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, or by the United States
Government
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or its agencies or instrumentalities, or international instrumentalities,
or by any bank, savings institution, corporation or other business entity
organized under the laws of the United States or any state, territory or
possession of the United States and organized under foreign laws; and to
exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges of ownership or
interest in respect of any and all such investments of every kind and
description, including, without limitation, the right to consent and
otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate one or more
persons, firms, associations or corporations to exercise any of said
rights, powers and privileges in respect of any of said instruments; and
the Trustees shall be deemed to have the foregoing powers with respect to
any additional securities in which the Trust may invest should the
investment policies set forth in the Prospectus and Registration Statement
or the Fundamental Policies be amended; and
(3) to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental
to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, proper or
desirable for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any
object or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore set forth, and to do
every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or connected with
the aforesaid purposes, objects or powers.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing
before the possible termination of the Trust, nor shall the Trustees be limited
by any law limiting the investments which may be made by fiduciaries.
3.3 Legal Title. Legal title to all the Trust Property shall be vested in
the Trustees as joint tenants except that the Trustees shall have power to cause
legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name of one or more of
the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any other Person as
nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine, provided that the interest
of the Trust therein is appropriately protected.
The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust Property shall
vest automatically in each person who may hereafter become a Trustee upon his
due election and qualification. Upon the resignation, removal or death of a
Trustee he shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any
of the Trust Property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the
Trust Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting
and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents
have been executed and delivered.
3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Securities. The Trustees shall have the
power to issue, sell, repurchase, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell,
reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in, Shares, including shares
in fractional denominations, and, subject to the more detailed provisions set
forth in Articles VI, VIII and X, to apply to any such repurchase, retirement,
cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust whether
capital or surplus or otherwise.
3.5 Borrow Money. Subject to the Fundamental Policies, the Trustees shall
have power to borrow money or otherwise obtain credit and to secure the same by
mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the
Trust, including the lending of
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portfolio securities, and to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of
any obligation, contract or engagement of any other Person.
3.6 Delegation; Committees. The Trustees shall have power, consistent with
their continuing exclusive authority over the management of the Trust and the
Trust Property, to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to
officers, employees or agents of the Trust the doing of such things and the
execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of
the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient.
3.7 Collection and Payment. The Trustees shall have power to collect all
property due to the Trust; to pay all claims including taxes, against the Trust
Property; to prosecute, defend, compromise or abandon any claim relating to the
Trust Property; to foreclose any security interest securing any obligation, by
virtue of which any property is owed to the Trust; and to enter into releases,
agreements and other instruments.
3.8 Expenses. The Trustees shall have power to incur and pay any expenses
which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out
any of the purposes of this Declaration, and to pay reasonable compensation from
the funds of the Trust to themselves as Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the
compensation of all officers, employees and Trustees. The Trustees may pay
themselves such compensation for special services, including legal,
underwriting, syndicating and brokerage services, as they in good faith may deem
reasonable and reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred by themselves on
behalf of the Trust.
3.9 Miscellaneous Powers. The Trustees shall have the power to: (a) employ
or contract with such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the
transaction of the business of the Trust; (b) enter into joint ventures,
partnerships and any other combinations or associations; (c) purchase, and pay
for out of Trust Property, insurance policies insuring the Shareholders,
Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, distributors,
selected dealers or independent contractors of the Trust against all claims
arising by reason of holding any such position or by reason of any action taken
or omitted by any such Person in such capacity, whether or not constituting
negligence, or whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such
Person against such liability; (d) establish pension, profit-sharing, share
purchase, and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees,
officers, employees and agents of the Trust; (e) make donations, irrespective of
benefit to the Trust, for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, civic
or similar purposes; (f) to the extent permitted by law, indemnify any Person
with whom the Trust has dealings, including any advisor, administrator, manager,
distributor and selected dealers, to such extent as the Trustees shall
determine; (g) guarantee indebtedness or contractual obligations of others; (h)
determine and change the fiscal year of the Trust and the method by which its
accounts shall be kept; and (i) adopt a seal for the Trust, but the absence of
such seal shall not impair the validity of any instrument executed on behalf of
the Trust.
3.10 Further Powers. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business
of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and
maintain offices both within and without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in
any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia,
and in any and all commonwealths, territories,
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dependencies, colonies, possessions, agencies or instrumentalities of the United
States of America and of foreign governments, and to do all such other things
and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in
order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things are not herein
specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the
Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the
provisions of this Declaration, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of
power to the Trustees. The Trustees will not be required to obtain any court
order to deal with the Trust Property.
ARTICLE IV.
Management and Distribution Arrangements
4.1 Management Arrangements. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into advisory, subadvisory, management or submanagement
contracts whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish
the Trustees such advisory and management services as the Trustees shall from
time to time consider desirable and all upon such terms and conditions as the
Trustees may in their discretion determine. Notwithstanding any provisions of
this Declaration, the Trustees may authorize any adviser, subadviser, manager or
submanager (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may
from time to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales, loans or exchanges of
portfolio securities of the Trust on behalf of the Trustees or may authorize any
officer, employee or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, loans or exchanges
pursuant to recommendations of any such adviser, subadviser, manager or
submanager (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases,
sales, loans and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of the
Trustees. Such services may be provided by one or more Persons.
4.2 Distribution Arrangements. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into a contract, providing for the sale of the Shares of the
Trust to net the Trust not less than the par value per share, whereby the Trust
may either agree to sell the Shares to the other party to the contract or
appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the
contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV or
the By-Laws; and such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of
Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust and may provide
that such other party may enter into selected dealer agreements with registered
securities dealers to further the purpose of the distribution or repurchase of
the Shares. Such services may be provided by one or more Persons.
4.3 Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described in
Section 4.1 and 4.2 of this Article IV or in Article VII hereof may be entered
into with any Person, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the
Trust may be an officer, director, Trustee, shareholder, or member of such other
party to the contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered
voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any
Person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship
for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or
accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided
that the contract when entered into was reasonable and fair and not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Article IV or the By-Laws. The same Person may be
the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 above
or Article VII, and
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any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with
persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section
4.3.
4.4 Provisions and Amendments. Any contract entered into pursuant to
Section 4.1 and 4.2 of this Article IV shall be consistent with and subject to
the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act with respect to its continuance
in effect, its termination, and the method of authorization and approval of such
contract or renewal thereof, and no amendment to any contract, entered into
pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be effective unless assented to by a Majority
Shareholder Vote.
ARTICLE V.
Limitations of Liability of Shareholders Trustees and Others
5.1 No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No Shareholder
shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person in
connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust.
No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be subject to any
personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the Trust or its
Shareholders, in connection with Trust Property or the affairs of the Trust,
save only that arising from his bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of his duty to such Person; and all such Persons shall
look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature
arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder,
Trustee, officer, employee, or agent, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to
any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, he shall not on account
thereof, be held to any personal liability. The Trust shall indemnify and hold
each Shareholder harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, to which
such Shareholder may become subject by reason of his being or having been a
Shareholder, and shall reimburse such Shareholder for all legal and other
expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such claim or
liability. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section 5.1 shall not
exclude any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully entitled, nor
shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust to indemnify or
reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not
specifically provided herein.
5.2 Non-Liability of Trustees, etc. No Trustee, officer employee or agent
of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust, its Shareholders, or to any
shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, or agent thereof for any action or
failure to act (including without limitation the failure to compel in any way
any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust) except for his own
bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his
duties.
5.3 Mandatory Indemnification. The Trust shall indemnify each of its
Trustees, officers, employees, and agents (including persons who serve at its
requests as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which it
has any interest, as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) against all
liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments,
in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred
by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or
other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with
which he may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of his
being or having been such a Trustee, officer, employee or
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agent, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been
adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his duties; provided, however, that as to any matter
disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree
or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other
expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written
opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect
that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of duty, or the matter of good faith and reasonable belief as to the
best interests of the Trust, had been adjudicated, it would have been
adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any Person under
these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully
entitled; provided that no Person may satisfy any right of indemnity or
reimbursement granted herein or in Section 5.l or to which he may be otherwise
entitled except out of the property of the Trust, and no Shareholder shall be
personally liable to any Person with respect to any claim for indemnity or
reimbursement or otherwise. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection
with indemnification under this Section 5.3, provided that the indemnified
person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the
event it is subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such
indemnification.
5.4 No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall, as such, be obligated
to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his
duties hereunder.
5.5 No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. No
purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or
any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any inquiry
concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees
or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application of money
or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of
said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract, instrument,
certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking, and every other
act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be
conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only
in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as
officers, employees or agents of the Trust. Every written obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking made
or issued by the Trustees or by any officers, employees or agents of the Trust,
in their capacity as such, shall contain an appropriate recital to the effect
that the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust
shall not personally be bound by or liable thereunder, nor shall resort be had
to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim
thereunder and appropriate references shall be made therein to the Declaration,
and may contain any further recital which they may deem appropriate, but the
omission of such recital shall not operate to impose personal liability on any
of the Trustees, Shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Trust. The
Trustees may maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its
Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the
Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other
insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable.
5.6 Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the
Trust shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully and completely justified
and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from
reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust,
upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by any
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of its officers or employees or by any investment adviser, distributor, selected
dealers, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants elected with
reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless
of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.
ARTICLE VI.
Shares of Beneficial Interest
6.1 Beneficial Interest. The interest of the beneficiaries hereunder shall
be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest of $0.10 par value.
The Trustees of the Trust may authorize separate classes of shares together with
such designations and powers, preferences and rights, qualifications,
limitations and restrictions as may be determined from time to time by the
Trustees. The number of such shares of beneficial interest authorized hereunder
is unlimited. All Shares issued hereunder including, without limitation, Shares
issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split in shares, shall be
fully paid and nonassessable.
Pursuant to the powers vested in the Trustees by this Section 6.1, the
Trustees hereby authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares
of beneficial interest, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Shares"),
together with 1,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value of
$0.10 per share (the "Preferred Shares").
The designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Common Shares are as set
forth in this Declaration of Trust.
The designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Preferred Shares are as
follows:
The Preferred Shares shall be issued from time to time in one or more
series with such distinctive serial designations and (i) may have such voting
powers, full or limited; (ii) may be subject to redemption at such time or times
and at such price or prices; (iii) may be entitled to receive dividends (which
may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions,
and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the
dividends payable on any other class or classes of shares; (iv) may have such
preferences or other rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of
the assets of, the Trust; (v) may be made convertible into, or exchangeable for,
shares of any other class or classes of shares of the Trust, at such price or
prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments; (vi) shall have
such other relative, participating, optional or other special rights,
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, all as shall hereafter be
stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of
such Preferred Shares from time to time adopted by the Trustees pursuant to
authority so to do which is hereby expressly vested in the Board; and are as
further set out in this Declaration of Trust. A certificate signed by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust setting forth the resolution or
resolutions providing for such issuance of Preferred Shares and reciting that
such resolution was or such resolutions were duly adopted by the Trustees (the
"Certificate of Designation") shall be conclusive evidence of the action
providing for the issuance of such Preferred Shares when lodged among the
records of the Trust.
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6.2 Rights of Shareholders. The ownership of the Trust Property of every
description and the right to conduct any business hereinbefore described are
vested exclusively in the Trustees, and the Shareholders shall have no interest
therein other than the beneficial interest conferred by their Shares, and they
shall have no right to call for any partition or division of any property,
profits, rights or interests of the Trust nor can they be called upon to share
or assume any losses of the Trust or suffer an assessment of any kind by virtue
of their ownership of Shares. The Shares shall be personal property giving only
the rights in this Declaration specifically set forth. The Shares shall not
entitle the holder to preference, preemptive, conversion or exchange rights,
except as the Trustees may determine with respect to any class or series of
Shares.
6.3 Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create only the
relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and each
Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create
a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association,
corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other than a trust.
Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either
by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock
association.
6.4 Issuance of Shares. The Trustees, in their discretion, may from time
to time without a vote of the Shareholders issue Shares, in addition to the then
issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held in the treasury, to such party or
parties and for such amount not less than par value and type of consideration,
including cash or property, at such time or times, and on such terms as the
Trustees may deem best, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including
the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with the assumption of,
liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the
Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees may from time to time divide
or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing
the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust
may be accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or
1/1,000ths of a Share or multiples thereof.
6.5 Register of Shares. A register or registers shall be kept at the Trust
or a transfer agent duly appointed by the Trustees under the direction of the
Trustees which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the
number of Shares held by them respectively and a record of all transfers
thereof. Such register or registers shall be conclusive as to who are the
holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled to receive dividends or
distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No
Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein provided, until he has
given his address to a transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the
Trustees as shall keep the said register for entry thereon. It is not
contemplated that certificates will be issued for the Shares; however, the
Trustees, in their discretion, may authorize the issuance of share certificates
and promulgate appropriate rules and regulations as to their use.
6.6 Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trustee shall have power to employ a
transfer agent or transfer agents, and a registrar or registrars. The transfer
agent or transfer agents may keep the said register and record therein the
original issues and transfers, if any, of the said Shares.
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6.7 Transfer of Shares. Shares shall be transferable on the records of the
Trust only by the record holder thereof or by his agent thereto duly authorized
in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or a transfer agent of the Trust of a
duly executed instrument of transfer, together with such evidence of the
genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of other matters as may
reasonably be required. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the
register of the Trust. Until such record is made, the Shareholder of record
shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereof and
neither the Trustees nor any transfer agent or registrar nor any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of the proposed
transfer.
Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death,
bankruptcy, or incompetence of any Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of
law, shall be recorded on the register of Shares as the holder of such Shares
upon production of the proper evidence thereof to the Trustees or a transfer
agent of the Trust, but until such record is made, the Shareholder of record
shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereof and
neither the Trustees nor any transfer agent or registrar nor any officer or
agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of such death, bankruptcy or
incompetence, or other operation of law.
6.8 Notices. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder hereunder may be
entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly served or given if
mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any Shareholder of record at his last
known address as recorded on the register of the Trust.
ARTICLE VII.
Custodian
7.1 Appointment and Duties. The Trustees shall at all times employ a
custodian or custodians, meeting the qualifications for custodians for portfolio
securities of investment companies contained in the 1940 Act, as custodian with
authority as its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other
requirements, if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust and the
1940 Act:
(1) to hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver the same
upon written order;
(2) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and
deposit the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the
Trustees may direct;
(3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;
(4) if authorized by the Trustees, to keep the books and accounts of
the Trust and furnish clerical and accounting services; and
(5) if authorized to do so by the Trustees, to compute the net
income of the Trust;
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all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the
Trustees and the custodian.
The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the
custodian and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the
custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in
every case such sub-custodian shall meet the qualifications for custodians
contained in the 1940 Act.
7.2 Central Certificate System. Subject to such rules, regulations and
orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to
deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a system for the
central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or
a national securities association registered with the Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other person as may be permitted by the
Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which
system all securities of any particular class or series of any issuer deposited
within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by
bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities, provided that
all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the
Trust.
ARTICLE VIII.
Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income and Distributions
8.1 Net Asset Value. The net asset value of each outstanding Share of the
Trust shall be determined at such time or times on such days as the Trustees may
determine, in accordance with the 1940 Act. The method of determination of net
asset value of Shares of each class shall be determined by the Trustees and
shall be as set forth in the Prospectus and Registration Statement with any
expenses being borne solely by a class of Shares being reflected in the net
asset value of such Shares. The power and duty to make the daily calculations
may be delegated by the Trustees to the adviser, administrator, manager,
custodian, transfer agent or such other person as the Trustees may determine.
The Trustees may suspend the daily determination of net asset value to the
extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
8.2 Distributions to Shareholders. The Trustees shall from time to time
distribute ratably among the Shareholders such proportion of the net profits,
surplus (including paid-in surplus), capital, or assets held by the Trustees as
they deem proper with any expenses being borne solely by a class of Shares being
reflected in the net profits or other assets being distributed to such class.
Such distribution may be made in cash or property (including without limitation
any type of obligations of the Trust or any assets thereof), and the Trustees
may distribute ratably among the Shareholders additional Shares issuable
hereunder in such manner, at such times, and on such terms as the Trustees may
deem proper. Such distributions may be among the Shareholders of record at the
time of declaring a distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such
later date as the Trustees shall determine. The Trustees may always retain from
the net profits such amounts as they may deem necessary to pay the debts or
expenses of the Trust or to meet obligations of the Trust, or as they deem
desirable to use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for future
requirements or extensions of the business. The
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<PAGE> 15
Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans,
cash dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees shall deem
appropriate.
Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for federal income tax
purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the books, the above
provisions shall be interpreted to give the Trustees the power in their
discretion to distribute for any fiscal year as ordinary dividends and as
capital gains distributions, respectively, additional amounts sufficient to
enable the Trust to avoid or reduce liability for taxes.
8.3 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing provisions of this Article VIII, the Trustees may prescribe, in their
absolute discretion, such other bases and times for determining the per share
net asset value of the Trust's Shares or net income, or the declaration and
payment of dividends and distributions as they deem necessary or desirable or to
enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act, including any
rule or regulation adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, all
as in effect now or hereafter amended or modified.
ARTICLE IX.
Shareholders
9.1 Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for
the election of Trustees as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, (ii) for the removal
of Trustees as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, (iii) with respect to the
termination of the Trust as provided in Section 10.2, (iv) with respect to any
amendment of the Declaration to the extent and as provided in Section 10.3, (v)
with respect to any merger, consolidation or sale of assets as provided in
Section 10.4, (vi) with respect to any conversion to an "open-end" company as
provided in Section 10.5, (vii) with respect to incorporation or reorganization
of the Trust to the extent and as provided in Section 10.6, (viii) to the same
extent as the stockholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether
or not a court action, proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or
maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the
Shareholders, (ix) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust
as may be required by law, the Declaration, the By-Laws or any registration of
the Trust with the Commission (or any successor agency) or any state, or as and
when the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable, and (x) with respect to
those matters set forth in the designations and powers, preferences and rights
and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Preferred Shares, as
determined in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof. Each whole Share shall be
entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each
fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, except
that Shares held in the treasury of the Trust as of the record date, as
determined in accordance with the By-Laws, shall not be voted. There shall be no
cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Until Shares are issued, the
Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action
required by law, the Declaration or the By-Laws to be taken by Shareholders. The
By-Laws may include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and
related matters.
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9.2 Reports. The Trustees shall cause to be prepared at least annually a
report of operations containing a balance sheet and statement of income and
undistributed income of the Trust prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and an opinion of an independent public accountant on such
financial statements. Copies of such reports shall be mailed to all Shareholders
of record within the time required by the 1940 Act, and in any event within a
reasonable period preceding the annual meeting of Shareholders. The Trustees
shall, in addition, furnish to the Shareholders at least semi-annually interim
reports containing an unaudited balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such
period and an unaudited statement of income and surplus for the period from the
beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such period.
9.3 Shareholder Communications. Whenever 10 or more Shareholders of record
who have been such for at least six months preceding the date of application,
and who hold in the aggregate either Shares having a net asset value of at least
$25,000 or at least 1% of the Shares outstanding, whichever is less, shall apply
to the Trustees in writing, stating that they wish to communicate with other
Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a meeting of
Shareholders for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees pursuant to
Section 2.2 hereof and accompany such application with a form of communication
and request which they wish to transmit, the Trustees shall within five business
days after receipt of such application either (a) afford to such applicants
access to a list of the names and addresses of all Shareholders as recorded on
the books of the Trust; or (b) inform such applicants as to the approximate
number of Shareholders of record, and the approximate cost of mailing to them
the proposed communication and form of request. If the Trustees elect to follow
the course specified in (b) above, the Trustees, upon the written request of
such applicants, accompanied by a tender of the material to be mailed and of the
reasonable expenses of mailing, shall, with reasonable promptness, mail such
material to all Shareholders of record, unless within five business days after
such tender the Trustees mail to such applicants and file with the Commission,
together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement signed by
at least a majority of the Trustees to the effect that in their opinion either
such material contains untrue statements of fact or omits to state facts
necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading, or would be
in violation of applicable law, and specifying the basis of such opinion.
ARTICLE X.
Duration; Termination of Trust; Amendment; Mergers, etc.
10.1 Duration. Subject to possible termination in accordance with the
provisions of Section 10.2 hereof, the Trust created hereby shall continue
without limitation of time.
10.2 Termination of Trust.
(a) The Trust may be terminated by (i) the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the Shares at any meeting of
Shareholders, or (ii) if such termination has been approved by the affirmative
vote of at least two-thirds of the Trustees, the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than a majority of such Shares. Upon the termination of the Trust:
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<PAGE> 17
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of
winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust
and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration shall
continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have been wound up,
including the power to fulfill or discharge the contracts of the Trust,
collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer or otherwise
dispose of all or any part of the remaining Trust Property to one or more
Persons at public or private sale for consideration which may consist in
whole or in part of cash, securities or other property of any kind,
discharge or pay its liabilities, and do all other acts appropriate to
liquidate its business.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all
liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding
agreements, as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may
distribute the remaining Trust Property, in cash or in kind or partly
each, among the Shareholders of each class, according to their respective
rights taking into account the proper allocation of expenses being borne
solely by any class of Shares.
(b) After termination of the Trust and distribution to the
Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and
lodge among the records of the Trust an instrument in writing setting forth the
fact of such termination, and the Trustees shall thereupon be discharged from
all further liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests of
all Shareholders shall thereupon cease.
10.3 Amendment Procedure.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 10.3, this
Declaration may be amended by a vote of a majority of the Shares at a meeting of
Shareholders, or by an instrument in writing, without a meeting signed by a
majority of the Trustees and consented to by the holders of not less than a
majority of the Shares of the Trust. The Trustees may also amend this
Declaration without the vote or consent of Shareholders (i) to change the name
of the Trust, (ii) to supply any omission, or cure, correct or supplement any
ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, (iii) if they deem it
necessary to conform this Declaration to the requirements of applicable federal
or state laws or regulations or the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code,
or to eliminate or reduce any federal, state or local taxes which are or may be
payable by the Trust or the Shareholders, but the Trustees shall not be liable
for failing to do so, (iv) to make any changes deemed necessary to effectuate
the designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions adopted by the Trustees with respect to the
Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, (v) to designate a successor
resident agent pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof, or (vi) for any other purpose
which does not adversely affect the rights of any Shareholder with respect to
which the amendment is or purports to be applicable.
(b) No amendment may be made, under Section 10.3 (a) above, which
would change any rights with respect to any Shares of the Trust by reducing the
amount payable thereon upon liquidation of the Trust or by eliminating any
voting rights pertaining thereto,
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except with a Majority Shareholder Vote of the Shares of the Trust so affected
outstanding and entitled to vote. Nothing contained in this Declaration shall
permit the amendment of this Declaration to impair the exemption from personal
liability of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Trust or to permit assessments upon Shareholders.
(c) A certification in recordable form signed by a majority of the
Trustees or by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Trust setting
forth an amendment and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or
by the Trustees as aforesaid or a copy of the Declaration, as amended, in
recordable form, and executed by a majority of the Trustees or certified by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence
of such amendment when lodged among the records of the Trust.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, until such time as a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering
the first public offering of Shares of the Trust shall have become effective,
this Declaration may be terminated or amended in any respect by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Trustees or by an instrument signed by a majority of
the Trustees.
10.4 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Declaration or the By-Laws of the Trust, a favorable vote of
the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of the Trust
entitled to be voted on the matter shall be required to approve, adopt or
authorize (i) a merger or consolidation or share exchange of the Trust with any
other entity, or (ii) a sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Trust (other than in the regular course of its investment
activities or in connection with the termination of the Trust in accordance with
Section 10.2 hereof), unless such action has previously been approved, adopted
or authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total number
of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration, in which case the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of the
Trust entitled to vote thereon shall be required. Nothing herein shall be
construed as requiring approval of Shareholders in connection with a
reorganization where the Trust acquires the assets (which may be subject to
liabilities) of another entity in exchange for Shares of the Trust.
10.5 Conversion to Open-End Company. Notwithstanding any other provisions
of this Declaration or the By-Laws of the Trust, a favorable vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of the Trust entitled to be voted on the
matter shall be required to approve, adopt or authorize any amendment to this
Declaration that makes the Common Shares a "redeemable security" as that term is
defined in section 2(a)(32) the 1940 Act) unless such action has previously been
approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds
of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration, in
which case the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
Shares of the Trust entitled to vote thereon shall be required.
10.6 Incorporation. With the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Shares, the Trustees may cause to be organized or assist in organizing a
corporation or corporations under the laws of any jurisdiction or any other
trust, partnership, association or other organization to take over all of the
Trust Property or to carry on any business in which the Trust shall directly or
indirectly have any interest, and to sell, convey and transfer the Trust
Property to any such
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corporation, trust, association or organization in exchange for the Shares or
securities thereof or otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the Shares
or securities of, and enter into any contracts with any such corporation, trust,
partnership, association or organization, or any corporation, partnership,
trust, association or organization in which the Trust holds or is about to
acquire shares or any other interest. The Trustees may also cause merger or
consolidation between the Trust or any successor thereto and any such
corporation, trust, partnership, association or other organization if and to the
extent permitted by law, as provided under the law then in effect. Nothing
contained herein shall be construed as requiring approval of Shareholders for
the Trustees to organize or assist in organizing one or more corporations,
trusts, partnerships, associations or other organizations and selling, conveying
or transferring a portion of the Trust Property to such organizations or
entities.
ARTICLE XI.
Miscellaneous
11.1 Filing. This Declaration, any amendment hereto or any Certificate of
Designation shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and in such other places as may be required under the laws of
Massachusetts and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the
Trustees deem appropriate, but failure to file shall not invalidate this
instrument or any properly authorized amendment hereto. Each amendment so filed
shall be accompanied by a certificate signed and acknowledged by a Trustee or
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary stating that such action was duly taken
in a manner provided herein. A restated Declaration, containing the original
Declaration and all amendments theretofore made, may be executed from time to
time by a majority of the Trustees and shall, upon filing with the Secretary of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, be conclusive evidence of all amendments
contained therein and may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original
Declaration and the various amendments thereto.
11.2 Resident Agent. The Trust shall maintain a resident agent in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which agent shall initially be CT Corporation
System, 2 Oliver Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The Trustees may designate
a successor resident agent, provided, however, that such appointment shall not
become effective until written notice thereof is delivered to the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
11.3 Governing Law. This Declaration is executed by the Trustees and
delivered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with reference to the laws
thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity and construction of
every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws
of said Commonwealth.
11.4 Counterparts. This Declaration may be simultaneously executed in
several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and such
counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which
shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original counterpart.
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11.5 Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate executed by an individual
who, according to the records of the Trust, or of any recording office in which
this Declaration may be recorded, appears to be a Trustee hereunder, or
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Trust, certifying to: (a) the number or
identity of Trustees or Shareholders, (b) the due authorization of the execution
of any instrument or writing, (c) the form of any vote passed at a meeting of
Trustees or Shareholders, (d) the fact that the number of Trustees or
Shareholders present at any meeting or executing any written instrument
satisfies the requirements of this Declaration, (e) the form of any By-Laws
adopted by or the identity of any officers elected by the Trustees, or (f) the
existence of any fact or facts which in any manner relate to the affairs of the
Trust, shall be conclusive evidence as to the matters so certified in favor of
any person dealing with the Trustees and their successors.
11.6 Provisions in Conflict With Law or Regulations.
(a) The provisions of this Declaration are severable, and if the
Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such
provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable laws and
regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted
a part of this Declaration; provided, however, that such determination shall not
affect any of the remaining provisions of this Declaration or render invalid or
improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination.
(b) If any provision of this Declaration shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner
affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this
Declaration in any jurisdiction.
The principal office of the Trust is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro,
NJ 08536.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Alice A. Pellegrino
-----------------------------
Alice A. Pellegrino
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
/s/ William E. Zitelli, Jr.
-----------------------------
William E. Zitelli, Jr.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
/s/ Lori A. Martin
-----------------------------
Lori A. Martin
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
21
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT (b)
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V
BY-LAWS
These By-laws are made and adopted pursuant to Section 2.7 of the
Declaration of Trust establishing MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND V, dated May
10, 1999, as from time to time amended (hereinafter called the "Declaration").
All words and terms capitalized in these By-laws shall have the meaning or
meanings set forth for such words or terms in the Declaration.
ARTICLE I
Shareholder Meetings
Section 1.1. Meetings of Shareholders.
(a) Annual Meetings. Annual meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at
such place within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on such day and
at such time as the Trustees shall designate.
(b) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Shareholders may be called
at any time by a majority of the Trustees and shall be called by any Trustee
upon written request of Shareholders holding in the aggregate not less than 10%
of the outstanding Shares having voting rights, such request specifying the
purpose or purposes for which such meeting is to be called. Any such meeting
shall be held within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on such day
and at such time as the Trustees shall designate.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares present in person or
by proxy shall constitute a quorum at any annual or special meeting for the
transaction of any business, except as may otherwise be required by the 1940
Act, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
<PAGE> 2
or other applicable law or by the Declaration or these By-laws. If a quorum is
present at a meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares
represented at the meeting constitutes the action of the Shareholders, unless
the 1940 Act, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or other applicable
law, the Declaration or the By-laws requires a greater number of affirmative
votes. If the Shares shall be divided into classes with a class having exclusive
voting rights with respect to certain matters, the aforesaid quorum and voting
requirements with respect to action to be taken by the Shareholders of the class
on such matters shall be applicable only to the Shares of such class.
Section 1.2. Closing of Transfer Books and Fixing Record Dates. For the
purpose of determining the Shareholders who are entitled to notice of and to
vote at any meeting, or to participate in any distribution, or for the purposes
of any other action, the Trustees may from time to time close the transfer books
for such period, not exceeding 30 days, as the Trustees may determine; or
without closing the transfer books the Trustees may fix a date not more than 60
days prior to the date of any meeting of Shareholders or daily dividends or
other action as a record date for the determination of the Persons to be treated
as Shareholders of record for such purposes, except for dividend payments which
shall be governed by Section 8.2 of the Declaration. If the Trustees do not
prior to any meeting of Shareholders so fix a record date or close the transfer
books, then the date of mailing notice of the meeting or the date upon which the
dividend resolution is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date.
Section 1.3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings of the
Shareholders, stating the time, place and purposes of the meeting, shall be
given by the Trustees by mail to each Shareholder at his registered address,
mailed at least 10 days and not more than 60 days before
<PAGE> 3
the meeting. Only the business stated in the notice of the meeting shall be
considered at such meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned
without further notice.
Section 1.4. Chairman. The Chairman, if any, shall act as chairman at all
meetings of the Shareholders; in his absence, the President shall act as
chairman; and in the absence of the Chairman and President, the Trustee or
Trustees present at each meeting may elect a temporary chairman for the meeting,
who may be one of themselves.
Section 1.5. Proxies; Voting. At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder
of Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote either in person or by duly executed
proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have
been placed on file with the Secretary, or with such other officer or agent of
the Trust as the Secretary may direct, for verification prior to the time at
which such vote shall be taken. Pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the
Trustees, proxies may be solicited in the name of one or more Trustees or one or
more of the officers of the Trust.
Only Shareholders of record shall be entitled to vote. Each full Share
shall be entitled to one vote and fractional Shares shall be entitled to a vote
of such fraction, all as provided in Article IX of the Declaration. When any
Share is held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any
meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Share, but if more than one of
them shall be present at such meeting in person by proxy, and such joint owners
or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall
not be received in respect of such Share. A proxy purporting to be executed by
or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or
prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the
challenger. If the holder of any such Share is a minor or a person of unsound
mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any other person as
regards the charge or
<PAGE> 4
management of such Share, he may vote by his guardian or such other person
appointed or having such control, and such vote may be given in person or by
proxy. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its
execution, unless a longer period is expressly stated in such proxy.
Any Shareholder may give authorization through telephonic, telegraphic,
internet or other electronic methods of communication for another person to
execute his or her proxy. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other
reliable reproduction of a proxy may be substituted for or used in lieu of the
original proxy for any and all purposes for which the original proxy could be
used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction
shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original proxy or the portion
thereof to be returned by the Shareholder. Unless otherwise specifically limited
by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any
adjournment of a meeting.
Section 1.6. Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of
Shareholders, the Trustees may appoint Inspectors of Election to act at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof. If Inspectors of Election are not so
appointed, the Chairman, if any, of any meeting of Shareholders may, and on the
request of any Shareholder or his proxy shall, appoint Inspectors of Election of
the meeting. The number of Inspectors shall be either one or three. If appointed
at the meeting on the request of one or more Shareholders or proxies, a majority
of Shares present shall determine whether one or three Inspectors are to be
appointed, but failure to allow such determination by the Shareholders shall not
affect the validity of the appointment of Inspectors of Election. In case any
person appointed as Inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the
vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Trustees in advance of the
convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the person acting as chairman. The
Inspectors of Election shall
<PAGE> 5
determine the number of Shares outstanding, the Shares represented at the
meeting, the existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of
proxies, shall receive votes, ballots or consents, shall hear and determine all
challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to
vote, shall count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine the results, and
do such other acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with
fairness to all Shareholders. If there are three Inspectors of Election, the
decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the
decision, act or certificate of all. On request of the Chairman, if any, of the
meeting, or of any Shareholder or his proxy, the Inspectors of Election shall
make a report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by
them and shall execute a certificate of any facts found by them.
Section 1.7. Records at Shareholder Meetings. At each meeting of the
Shareholders there shall be open for inspection the minutes of the last previous
Shareholder Meeting of the Trust and a list of the Shareholders of the Trust,
certified to be true and correct by the Secretary or other proper agent of the
Trust, as of the record date of the meeting or the date of closing of transfer
books, as the case may be. Such list of Shareholders shall contain the name of
each Shareholder in alphabetical order and the address of and number of Shares
owned by such Shareholder. Shareholders shall have such other rights and
procedures of inspection of the books and records of the Trust as are granted to
shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation.
ARTICLE II
Trustees
Section 2.1. Meetings. Special Meetings of the Trustees shall be held
upon the call of the Chairman, if any, the President, the Secretary or
any two Trustees, at such time, on such day, and at such place, as shall be
designated in the notice of the meeting. The Trustees shall hold an
<PAGE> 6
annual meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of other
business which may come before such meeting, on such date as shall be fixed by
the Trustees from time to time. The Trustees may act with or without a meeting.
A quorum for all meetings of the Trustees shall be one-third of the Trustees.
Unless provided otherwise in the Declaration, these By-laws, the Registration
Statement or the rules and regulations of the Commission, any action of the
Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Trustees present
(a quorum being present) or without a meeting by written consents of a majority
of the Trustees.
Any committee of the Trustees, including an executive committee, if any,
may act with or without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of any such
committee shall be one-third of the members thereof. Unless provided otherwise
in the Declaration or these By-laws, any action of any such committee may be
taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the members present (a quorum being
present) or without a meeting by written consents of a majority of the members.
With respect to actions of the Trustees and any committee of the Trustees,
Trustees who are Interested Persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section
1.2 of the Declaration or otherwise interested in any action to be taken may be
counted for quorum purposes under this Section and shall be entitled to vote to
the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. All or any one or more Trustees may
participate in a meeting of the Trustees or any committee thereof by means of a
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in a
meeting pursuant to such communication systems shall constitute presence in
person at such meeting.
Section 2.2. Notice. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without
call or notice at such place or places and times as the Trustees may by
resolution provide from time to time. Notice of Special meetings shall be given
by mail or by telegram (which term shall include
<PAGE> 7
a cablegram) or delivered personally. If notice is given by mail, it shall be
mailed not later than 48 hours preceding the meeting and if given by telegram or
personally, such telegram shall be sent or delivery made not later than 48 hours
preceding the meeting. Notice by telephone shall constitute personal delivery
for these purposes. Notice of a meeting of Trustees may be waived before or
after any meeting by signed written waiver. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Trustees need be
stated in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, and no notice need be
given of action proposed to be taken by unanimous written consent. The
attendance of a Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting except where a Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has
not been lawfully called or convened.
Section 2.3. Chairman; Records. The Chairman, if any, shall act as
chairman at all meetings of the Trustees; in his absence, the President shall
act as chairman; and, in the absence of the Chairman and the President, the
Trustees present shall elect one of their number to act as temporary chairman.
The results of all actions taken at a meeting of the Trustees, or by unanimous
written consent of the Trustees, shall be recorded by the Secretary.
Section 2.4. Retirement. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article II,
Section 2.2 of the Declaration, each Trustee's term of office shall expire as of
December 31 of the year in which such Trustee reaches seventy-two years of age.
ARTICLE III
Officers
Section 3.1. Officers of the Trust. The officers of the Trust shall
consist of a Chairman, if any, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such
other officers or assistant
<PAGE> 8
officers, including Vice Presidents, as may be elected by the Trustees. Any two
or more of the offices may be held by the same person, except that the same
person may not be both President and Secretary. The Trustees may designate a
Vice President as an Executive Vice President and may designate the order in
which the other Vice Presidents may act. The Chairman shall be a Trustee, but no
other officer of the Trust need be a Trustee.
Section 3.2. Election and Tenure. At the initial organizational meeting
and thereafter at each annual meeting of the Trustees, the Trustees shall elect
the Chairman, if any, President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as
the Trustees shall deem necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the
business of the Trust. Such officers shall hold office until the next annual
meeting of the Trustees and until their successors have been duly elected and
qualified. The Trustees may fill any vacancy in office or add any additional
officers at any time.
Section 3.3. Removal of Officer. Any officer may be removed at any time,
with or without cause, by action of a majority of the Trustees. This provision
shall not prevent the making of a contract of employment for a definite term
with any officer and shall have no effect upon any cause of action which any
officer may have as a result of removal in breach of a contract of employment.
Any officer may resign at any time by notice in writing signed by such officer
and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, if any, President, or Secretary, and
such resignation shall take effect immediately upon receipt by the Chairman, if
any, President, or Secretary, or at a later date according to the terms of such
notice in writing.
Section 3.4. Bonds and Surety. Any officer may be required by the
Trustees to be bonded for the faithful performance of his duties in
such amount and with such sureties as the Trustees may determine.
<PAGE> 9
Section 3.5. Chairman, President, and Vice Presidents. The Chairman, if
any, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and of the
Trustees and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from
time to time be assigned to him by the Trustees. Subject to such supervisory
powers, if any, as may be given by the Trustees to the Chairman, if any, the
President shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust and, subject to the
control of the Trustees, shall have general supervision, direction and control
of the business of the Trust and of its employees and shall exercise such
general powers of management as are usually vested in the office of President of
a corporation. In the absence of the Chairman, if any, the President shall
preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and the Trustees. The President
shall be, ex-officio, a member of all standing committees, except as otherwise
provided in the resolutions or instruments creating any such committees. Subject
to direction of the Trustees, the Chairman, if any, and the President shall each
have power in the name and on behalf of the Trust to execute any and all loan
documents, contracts, agreements, deeds, mortgages, and other instruments in
writing, and to employ and discharge employees and agents of the Trust. Unless
otherwise directed by the Trustees, the Chairman, if any, and the President
shall each have full authority and power, on behalf of all of the Trustees, to
attend and to act and to vote, on behalf of the Trust at any meetings of
business organizations in which the Trust holds an interest, or to confer such
powers upon any other persons, by executing any proxies duly authorizing such
persons. The Chairman, if any, and the President shall have such further
authorities and duties as the Trustees shall from time to time determine. In the
absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents in order of their
rank as fixed by the Trustees or, if more than one and not ranked, the Vice
President designated by the Trustees, shall perform all of the duties of the
President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all
of the restrictions
<PAGE> 10
upon the President. Subject to the direction of the Trustees, and of the
President, each Vice President shall have the power in the name and on behalf of
the Trust to execute any and all loan documents, contracts, agreements, deeds,
mortgages and other instruments in writing, and, in addition, shall have such
other duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the Trustees
or by the President.
Section 3.6. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all
meetings of, and record all votes of, Shareholders, Trustees and the Executive
Committee, if any. He shall be custodian of the seal of the Trust, if any, and
he (and any other person so authorized by the Trustees) shall affix the seal or,
if permitted, a facsimile thereof, to any instrument executed by the Trust which
would be sealed by a Massachusetts corporation executing the same or a similar
instrument and shall attest the seal and the signature or signatures of the
officer or officers executing such instrument on behalf of the Trust. The
Secretary shall also perform any other duties commonly incident to such office
in a Massachusetts business corporation, and shall have such other authorities
and duties as the Trustees shall from time to time determine.
Section 3.7. Treasurer. Except as otherwise directed by the Trustees, the
Treasurer shall have the general supervision of the monies, funds, securities,
notes receivable and other valuable papers and documents of the Trust, and shall
have and exercise under the supervision of the Trustees and of the President all
powers and duties normally incident to his office. He may endorse for deposit or
collection all notes, checks and other instruments payable to the Trust or to
its order. He shall deposit all funds of the Trust in such depositories as the
Trustees shall designate. He shall be responsible for such disbursement of the
funds of the Trust as may be ordered by the Trustees or the President. He shall
keep accurate account of the books of the Trust's transactions which shall be
the property of the Trust, and which together with all other
<PAGE> 11
property of the Trust in his possession, shall be subject at all times to the
inspection and control of the Trustees. Unless the Trustees shall otherwise
determine, the Treasurer shall be the principal accounting officer of the Trust
and shall also be the principal financial officer of the Trust. He shall have
such other duties and authorities as the Trustees shall from time to time
determine. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the
Trustees may authorize any adviser, administrator, manager or transfer agent to
maintain bank accounts and deposit and disburse funds of the Trust.
Section 3.8. Other Officers and Duties. The Trustees may elect such other
officers and assistant officers as they shall from time to time determine to be
necessary or desirable in order to conduct the business of the Trust. Assistant
officers shall act generally in the absence of the officer whom they assist and
shall assist that officer in the duties of his office. Each officer, employee
and agent of the Trust shall have such other duties and authority as may be
conferred upon him by the Trustees or delegated to him by the President.
ARTICLE IV
Miscellaneous
Section 4.1. Custodians. In accordance with Section 7.1 of the
Declaration, the funds of the Trust shall be deposited with such custodian or
custodians as the Trustees shall designate and shall be drawn out on checks,
drafts or other orders signed by such officer, officers, agent or agents
(including any adviser, administrator or manager), as the Trustees may from time
to time authorize.
Section 4.2. Signatures. All contracts and other instruments shall be
executed on behalf of the Trust by such officer, officers, agent or agents, as
provided in these By-laws or as the Trustees may from time to time by resolution
provide.
<PAGE> 12
Section 4.3. Seal. The seal of the Trust, if any, may be affixed to any
document, and the seal and its attestation may be lithographed, engraved or
otherwise printed on any document with the same force and effect as if it had
been imprinted and attested manually in the same manner and with the same effect
as if done by a Massachusetts business corporation.
ARTICLE V
Share Certificates and Share Transfers
Section 5.1. Share Certificates. Each holder of Shares of the Trust shall
be entitled upon request to have a certificate or certificates, in such form as
shall be approved by the Trustees, representing the number of Shares owned by
him, provided, however, that certificates for fractional shares shall not be
delivered in any case. The certificates representing Shares shall be signed by
or in the name of the Trust by the President or a Vice President and by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer
and sealed with the seal of the Trust. Any or all of the signatures on the seal
on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar
before such certificate shall be issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the
same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still in office
at the date of issue.
Section 5.2. Transfer Agents, Registrars and the Like. As provided in
Section 6.6 of the Declaration, the Trustees shall have authority to employ and
compensate such transfer agents and registrars with respect to the Shares of the
Trust as the Trustees shall deem necessary or desirable. In addition, the
Trustees shall have power to employ and compensate such dividend disbursing
agents, warrant agents and agents for the reinvestment of dividends as they
shall deem
<PAGE> 13
necessary or desirable. Any of such agents shall have such power and
authority as is delegated to any of them by the Trustees.
Section 5.3. Transfer of Shares. The Shares of the Trust shall be
transferable on the books of the Trust only upon delivery to the Trustees or a
transfer agent of the Trust of proper documentation as provided in Section 6.7
of the Declaration, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, if
issued, for such Shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed
stock transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. The Trust, or its
transfer agents, shall be authorized to refuse any transfer unless and until
presentation of such evidence as may be reasonably required to show that the
requested transfer is proper.
Section 5.4. Registered Shareholders. The Trust may deem and treat the
holder of record of any Share as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes and
shall not be required to take any notice of any right or claim of right of any
other person.
Section 5.5. Regulations. The Trustees may make such additional rules and
regulations, not inconsistent with these By-laws, as it may deem expedient
concerning the issue, transfer and registration of Shares of the Trust.
Section 5.6. Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any
certificate representing Shares of the Trust shall immediately notify the Trust
of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the Trust may
issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it
which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost or destroyed or which
shall have been mutilated, and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require
such owner or his legal representatives to give the Trust a bond in such sum,
limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties, as the
Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Trust
against any claim that may be made against it
<PAGE> 14
on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or
issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Trustees in their absolute discretion, may refuse to issue any such new
certificates, except pursuant to legal proceedings under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ARTICLE VI
Advancement of Indemnification Moneys
Section 6.1. Conditions to Advancement. Insofar as the conditional
advancing of indemnification moneys to Trustees, officers, employees or agents
of the Trust pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Declaration for actions based upon
the Investment Company Act of 1940 may be concerned, such payments will be made
only on the following conditions: (i) the advances must be limited to amounts
used, or to be used, for the preparation or presentation of a defense to the
action, including costs connected with the preparation of a settlement; (ii)
advances may be made only upon receipt of a written promise by, or on behalf of,
the recipient to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds the amount to
which it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to receive from the Trust
by reason of indemnification; and (iii) (a) such promise must be secured by a
surety bond, other suitable insurance or an equivalent form of security which
assures that any repayments may be obtained by the Trust without delay or
litigation, which bond, insurance or other form of security must be provided by
the recipient of the advance, or (b) a majority of a quorum of the Trust's
disinterested, non-party Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, shall determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that
the recipient of the advance ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
<PAGE> 15
ARTICLE VII
Amendment of By-laws
Section 7.1. Amendment and Repeal of By-laws. In accordance with Section
2.7 of the Declaration, the Trustees shall have the power to alter, amend or
repeal the By-laws or adopt new By-laws at any time. Action by the Trustees with
respect to the By-laws shall be taken by an affirmative vote of a majority of
the Trustees. The Trustees shall in no event adopt By-laws which are in conflict
with the Declaration, and any apparent inconsistency shall be construed in favor
of the related provisions in the Declaration.
The Declaration establishing MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V, a copy
of which, together with all amendments thereto, is on file in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name
"MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V" refers to the Trustees under the
Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and
no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of MuniHoldings Florida
Insured Fund V shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had
to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or
otherwise in connection with the affairs of said MuniHoldings Florida Insured
Fund V but the "Trust Property" only shall be liable.
