======================================================
SEC FILE NOS. 33-5270
811-4653
======================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 14
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 13
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
1101 VERMONT AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:
(202) 842-5665
HARRY J. LISTER
WASHINGTON MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
1101 VERMONT AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES TO:
J. JUDE O'DONNELL, ESQ.
THOMPSON, O'DONNELL, MARKHAM, NORTON & HANNON
805 FIFTEENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
(COUNSEL FOR THE REGISTRANT)
THE REGISTRANT FILED ITS 24F-2 NOTICE FOR FISCAL 1997 ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1997.
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
|X| IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON NOVEMBER 15,
1997,
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF RULE 485.
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NUMBER CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS (PART "A")
OF PART "A"
OF FORM N-1A
<S> <C>
1. Cover Page............................................... Cover Page
2. Synopsis .................................................. Summary of Expenses
3. Condensed Financial Information ................... Financial Highlights
4. General Description of Registrant ................... Investment Policies and Risks;
Securities and Investment Techniques;
Fund Organization and Management
5. Management of the Fund ............................. Financial Highlights; Securities
and Investment Techniques; Multiple
Portfolio Counselor System; Fund
Organization and Management
6. Capital Stock and Other Securities .................. Investment Policies and Risks; Securities
and Investment Techniques; Fund Organization and Management; Dividends, Distributions
and Taxes
7. Purchase of Securities Being Offered ............... Purchasing Shares
8. Redemption or Repurchase ........................... Selling Shares
9. Legal Proceedings ...................................... N/A
</TABLE>
__________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NUMBER CAPTIONS IN STATEMENT OF
OF PART "B" ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (PART "B")
OF FORM N-1A
<S> <C>
10. Cover Page ............................................. Cover
11. Table of Contents ..................................... Table of Contents
12. General Information and History .................. Fund Organization and Management
(Part "A")
13. Investment Objectives and Policies ............... Investment Restrictions
14. Management of the Registrant ..................... Trust Officers and Trustees, including
Trustee Compensation; Management
15. Control Persons and Principal Trust Officers and Trustees
Holders of Securities .........................
16. Investment Advisory and Other Management
Services .................................... 17. Brokerage Allocation and
Other Practices ............................ Execution of Portfolio Transactions
18. Capital Stock and Other Securities .............. None
19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing Purchase of Shares; Shareholder Account
of Securities Being Offered .................... Services and Privileges; Redeeming Shares
20. Tax Status .............................................. Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
21. Underwriters ........................................... Management -- Principal Underwriter
22. Calculation of Performance Data ................. Investment Results
23. Financial Statements .................................. Financial Statements
</TABLE>
_____________
ITEM IN PART "C"
OF FORM N-1-A
24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
26. Number of Holders of Securities
27. Indemnification
28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
29. Principal Underwriters
30. Location of Accounts and Records
31. Management Services
32. Undertakings
Signature Page
<PAGE>
LOGO
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland(R)
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia(R)
Prospectus
NOVEMBER 15, 1997
<PAGE>
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF MARYLAND(R)
THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF VIRGINIA(R)
1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Expenses 3
Investment Results 10
............................... ...............................
Financial Highlights 4
Dividends,
Distributions and
Taxes 13
...............................
Investment Policies and
Risks 5 ...............................
...............................
Fund Organization
and Management 14
Securities and Investment
Techniques 7
............................... ...............................
Shareholder
Services 17
Multiple Portfolio
Counselor System 9
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I (the "Trust") is a fully managed,
diversified, open-end investment company consisting of two separate series, The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland (the "Maryland Fund") and The Tax-Exempt Fund of
Virginia (the "Virginia Fund"). Except where the context indicates otherwise,
references to the "fund" apply to each of these two tax-exempt bond funds.
The fund's investment objective is to provide investors with a high level of
current income exempt from federal and the respective state (Maryland or
Virginia) income taxes. Consistent with this primary objective is the
additional objective of preservation of capital. It seeks to achieve its
objectives by investing primarily in investment grade tax-exempt securities
issued by the respective state (Maryland or Virginia), its political
subdivisions, municipalities and public authorities.
This prospectus presents information you should know before investing in the
fund. You should keep it on file for future reference.
YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS IS GREATER
IF YOU INVEST FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME. YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT
A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, OR INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY, ANY ENTITY OR PERSON
INCLUDING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
24/25-010-1197
2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
The effect of the expenses described below is reflected in the fund's share
price and return.
You may pay certain shareholder transaction expenses when you buy or sell
shares of the fund. Fund operating expenses are paid out of the fund's assets
and are factored into its share price.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARYLAND VIRGINIA
FUND FUND
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Maximum sales charge on purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) 4.75% 4.75%
................................................................................
SALES CHARGES ARE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED FOR LARGER PURCHASES. There is no sales
charge on reinvested dividends, and no deferred sales charge or redemption or
exchange fees. A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies on certain
redemptions made within 12 months following purchases without a sales charge.
FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
MARYLAND VIRGINIA
FUND FUND
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Management fees 0.45% 0.44%
................................................................................
12b-1 expenses 0.24%/1/ 0.25%/1/
................................................................................
Other expenses 0.13% 0.12%
................................................................................
Total fund operating expenses 0.82% 0.81%
</TABLE>
/1/ 12b-1 expenses may not exceed 0.25% of the fund's average net assets
annually. Due to these distribution expenses, long-term shareholders may pay
more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge
permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
EXAMPLES
Assuming a hypothetical annual return of 5% and shareholder transaction and
operating expenses as described above, for every $1,000 you invested you would
pay the following total expenses over the following periods:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARYLAND VIRGINIA
FUND FUND
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
One year $ 55 $ 55
................................................................................
Three years $ 72 $ 72
................................................................................
Five years $ 91 $ 90
................................................................................
Ten years $144 $143
</TABLE>
THESE EXAMPLES ARE NOT MEANT TO REPRESENT YOUR ACTUAL INVESTMENT RESULTS OR
EXPENSES, WHICH MAY VARY. YOUR EXPENSES WILL BE LESS IF YOU QUALIFY TO PURCHASE
SHARES AT A REDUCED OR NO SALES CHARGE.
3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following information has been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants. These tables should be read together with the financial statements
which are included in the statement of additional information and annual
report.
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA--THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF MARYLAND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED JULY 31
..........
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of year $15.39 $15.29 $15.00 $15.53 $15.22 $14.29 $14.12 $14.22 $13.53 $13.46
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment
income .79 .80 .80 .76 .79 .83 .85 .83 .85 .85
................................................................................
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments .63 .10 .29 (.53) .31 .93 .17 (.10) .69 .07
................................................................................
Total income from
investment
operations 1.42 .90 1.09 .23 1.10 1.76 1.02 .73 1.54 .92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
investment income (.79) (.80) (.80) (.76) (.79) (.83) (.85) (.83) (.85) (.85)
................................................................................
Distribution from
net realized gains -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.0015)
................................................................................
Total distributions (.7900) (.8000) (.8000) (.7600) (.7900) (.8300) (.8500) (.8300) (.8500) (.8515)
................................................................................
Net asset value, end of
year $16.02 $15.39 $15.29 $15.00 $15.53 $15.22 $14.29 $14.12 $14.22 $13.53
................................................................................
Total return /1/ 9.52% 5.95% 7.58% 1.42% 7.44% 12.72% 7.44% 5.35% 11.76% 7.18%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA:
Net assets, end of
year (in millions) $87 $80 $75 $75 $64 $48 $35 $31 $29 $26
................................................................................
Ratio of expenses
to average net assets .82% .81% .78% .75% .83% .91% .94% .99% .98% /2/ .61% /2/
................................................................................
Ratio of net income
to average net assets 5.08% 5.14% 5.38% 4.90% 5.12% 5.60% 5.98% 5.89% 6.12% /2/ 6.35% /2/
................................................................................
Portfolio
turnover rate 15.27% 16.01% 20.91% 10.01% 9.05% 8.11% 0.88% 21.75% 7.82% 22.89%
</TABLE>
/1/ Excludes maximum sales charge of 4.75%.
/2/ Net of fees waived where expenses were borne by the Business Manager and the
Investment Adviser.
4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA--THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF VIRGINIA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED JULY 31
..........
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of year $15.77 $15.79 $15.49 $16.01 $15.72 $14.75 $14.50 $14.55 $13.86 $13.91
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment
income .80 .81 .83 .80 .82 .85 .87 .87 .87 .87
................................................................................
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments .60 .03 .30 (.52) .29 .97 .25 (.05) .69 (.05)
................................................................................
Total income from
investment
operations 1.40 .84 1.13 .28 1.11 1.82 1.12 .82 1.56 .82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
investment income (.80) (.81) (.83) (.80) (.82) (.85) (.87) (.87) (.87) (.87)
................................................................................
Distribution from
net realized gains -- (.05) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.0016)
................................................................................
Total distributions (.8000) (.8600) (.8300) (.8000) (.8200) (.8500) (.8700) (.8700) (.8700) (.8716)
................................................................................
Net asset value, end of
year $16.37 $15.77 $15.79 $15.49 $16.01 $15.72 $14.75 $14.50 $14.55 $13.86
................................................................................
Total return /1/ 9.10% 5.46% 7.56% 1.74% 7.29% 12.80% 8.01% 5.87% 11.60% 6.26%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA:
Net assets, end of
year (in millions) $101 $90 $92 $93 $80 $57 $39 $34 $29 $24
................................................................................
Ratio of expenses
to average net assets .81% .79% .79% .78% .84% .93% .97% .99% .98%/2/ .61%/2/
................................................................................
Ratio of net income
to average net assets 4.99% 5.11% 5.37% 5.04% 5.18% 5.61% 6.00% 6.04% 6.10%/2/ 6.38%/2/
................................................................................
Portfolio
turnover rate 18.41% 27.34% 32.18% 2.36% 4.96% 6.84% 13.60% 35.37% 9.90% 18.50%
</TABLE>
/1/ Excludes maximum sales charge of 4.75%.
/2/ Net of fees waived where expenses were borne by the Business Manager and the
Investment Adviser.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS
The fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with a high level of
current income exempt from federal and the respective state (Maryland or
Virginia) income taxes. Consistent with this primary objective is the
additional objective of preserving the fund's capital.
Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80% of its assets
in securities that are exempt from both federal and the respective state
5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
(Maryland or Virginia) income taxes (excluding any securities subject to
alternative minimum taxes). The assets of the fund will be invested primarily
in securities rated at the time of purchase within the four highest categories
for bonds and the two highest categories for notes and commercial paper by
either Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") or in securities that are unrated but determined to be of
comparable quality by Capital Research and Management Company, the fund's
investment adviser. Up to 20% of the fund's assets may be invested in tax-
exempt bonds rated Ba and BB or below (or in comparable unrated tax-exempt
securities). The fund may invest up to 20% of assets in certain tax-exempt
securities believed to pay interest constituting an item of tax preference
subject to alternative minimum taxes; therefore, while the fund's distributions
are not subject to regular federal income tax, a portion may be included in
determining a shareholder's federal alternative minimum tax. Investment
limitations are considered at the time securities are purchased. These limits
are based on the fund's net assets, unless otherwise stated. The fund's
fundamental investment restrictions (described in the statement of additional
information) and objectives may not be changed without shareholder approval.
Because the fund will invest primarily in securities issued by the State of
Maryland or Virginia, their political subdivisions, municipalities and public
authorities, the fund is more susceptible to factors adversely affecting
issuers of Maryland or Virginia securities than would be a comparable municipal
bond mutual fund which has not concentrated in issuers in a single state. Both
Maryland and Virginia are affected by changes in levels of federal funding and
financial support of certain industries, as well as by federal spending
cutbacks due to the large number of residents that are employed by the federal
government. In addition, each state is dependent on certain economic sectors.
Maryland's economy is based largely on manufacturing, the service trade, and
financial, real estate and insurance entities. Virginia's economy is most
dependent on the government sector, manufacturing and financial services. To
the extent there are changes to any of these sectors the fund may be adversely
impacted.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S INVESTMENT POLICIES IS CONTAINED IN ITS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
THE FUND MAY NOT ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE DUE TO MARKET CONDITIONS AND
OTHER FACTORS. IN ADDITION, THE FUND MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY LIQUIDATING
CERTAIN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES DURING SIGNIFICANT MARKET DECLINES OR PERIODS OF
HEAVY REDEMPTIONS.
6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
DEBT SECURITIES
Bonds and other debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. Issuers
pay investors interest, and generally must repay the amount borrowed at
maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current
interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values. The prices of
debt securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit
quality and maturity. In general, their prices decline when interest rates rise
and vice versa.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in debt securities rated Ba and BB
or below by Moody's or S&P or in unrated securities that are determined to be
of equivalent quality. These securities are commonly known as "high-yield,
high-risk" or "junk" bonds. High-yield, high-risk bonds are described by the
rating agencies as speculative and involve greater risk of default or price
changes due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness than higher rated
bonds, or they may already be in default. It may be more difficult to dispose
of, or to determine the value of, high-yield, high-risk bonds. The fund's high-
yield, high-risk securities may be rated as low as Ca by Moody's or CC by S&P
which are described by the rating agencies as "speculative in a high degree;
often in default or [having] other marked shortcomings." See the statement of
additional information for a complete description of the bond ratings.
Capital Research and Management Company attempts to reduce the risks described
above through diversification of the portfolio and by credit analysis of each
issuer as well as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate and
legislative developments.
MUNICIPAL BONDS
Municipal bonds are debt obligations generally issued to obtain funds for
various public purposes, including the construction of public facilities. The
interest on these obligations is generally not included in gross income for
federal income tax purposes.
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are general obligation and
limited obligation, or revenue, bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by
the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit including, if available, its
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Issuers of general
obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and various regional
or special districts. Limited obligation or revenue bonds are secured by the
net revenue
7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
derived from a particular facility or class of facilities financed thereby or,
in some cases, from the proceeds of a special tax or other special revenues.
Although the security behind these bonds varies widely, many provide additional
security in the form of a debt service reserve fund which may also be used to
make principal and interest payments on the issuer's obligations.
There are, in addition, a variety of hybrid and special types of municipal
obligations, such as zero coupon and pre-refunded bonds, as well as numerous
differences in the security of municipal bonds, both within and between the two
primary classifications described above.
The amount of information about the financial condition of an issuer of
municipal bonds may not be as extensive as that which is made available by
corporations whose equity securities are publicly traded.
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
The average monthly composition of the fund's portfolio based on the higher of
Moody's or S&P ratings for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARYLAND VIRGINIA
FUND FUND
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Aaa/AAA 37.73% 37.97%
................................................................................
Aa/AA 19.58% 36.89%
................................................................................
A/A 16.09% 9.10%
................................................................................
Baa/BBB 10.42% 8.12%
................................................................................
Non-rated 12.53% 2.81%
Some or all of these non-rated securities were determined to be equivalent to
securities rated by Moody's or S&P as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baa/BBB 3.04% --
................................................................................
Ba/BB 5.17% 2.81%
................................................................................
B/B 4.32% --
</TABLE>
Money market instruments and cash made up an average of 3.65% and 5.11% of the
Maryland and Virginia portfolios, respectively.
MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
The fund may invest in municipal lease revenue obligations, some of which may
be considered illiquid. In determining whether these securities are liquid,
Capital
8
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
Research and Management Company will consider, among other things, the credit
quality and support, including strengths and weaknesses of the issuers and
lessees, the terms of the lease, the frequency and volume of trading and the
number of dealers trading the securities.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS
The fund may enter into commitments to purchase or sell securities at a future
date. When the fund agrees to purchase such securities, it assumes the risk of
any decline in value of the securities beginning on the date of the agreement.
When the fund agrees to sell such securities, it does not participate in
further gains or losses with respect to the securities beginning on the date of
the agreement. If the other party to such a transaction fails to deliver or pay
for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity,
or could experience a loss.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS
The fund may invest in variable and floating rate obligations which have
interest rates that are adjusted at designated intervals, or whenever interest
rates change. The rate adjustment feature tends to limit the extent to which
the market value of the obligation will fluctuate.
MATURITY
There are no restrictions on the maturity composition of the portfolio,
although it is anticipated that the fund normally will be invested
substantially in securities with maturities in excess of three years.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR SYSTEM
The basic investment philosophy of Capital Research and Management Company is
to seek fundamental values at reasonable prices, using a system of multiple
portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets. Under this system the
portfolio of the fund is divided into segments which are managed by individual
counselors. Counselors decide how their respective segments will be invested
(within the limits provided by the fund's objective and policies and by Capital
Research and Management Company's investment committee). In addition, Capital
Research and Management Company's research professionals may make investment
decisions with respect to a portion of the fund's portfolio. The primary
individual portfolio counselors for the fund are listed on the following page.
9
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS
INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL
(APPROXIMATE)
...................................
PORTFOLIO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS WITH CAPITAL
COUNSELORS FOR PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR RESEARCH AND
THE AMERICAN FOR MANAGEMENT
FUNDS TAX- THE AMERICAN FUNDS COMPANY OR
EXEMPT SERIES I PRIMARY TITLE(S) TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I ITS AFFILIATES TOTAL YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MARK R. Vice 3 years 4 years* 12 years
MACDONALD President--
Investment
Management
Group, Capital
Research and
Management
Company
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVID A. Vice President, 4 years 6 years 9 years
HOAG Capital
(MARYLAND Research
ONLY) Company**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRENDA S. Vice President, 4 years 6 years 8 years
ELLERIN Capital
(VIRGINIA Research
ONLY) Company**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Prior to joining Capital Research and Management Company, Mr. Macdonald had
been an Assistant Vice President & Director of Fixed Income with Farmers
Insurance Group since 1988.
<R/>
** A wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Research and Management Company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The fund may compare investment results on a taxable and tax-equivalent basis
to various indices or other mutual funds. Fund results may be calculated on a
total return, yield, and/or distribution rate basis. Results calculated without
a sales charge will be higher.
- - TOTAL RETURN is the change in value of an investment in the fund over a given
period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gain
distributions.
- - YIELD is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned by
the fund over a given period of time by the maximum offering price per share
on the last day of the period, according to a formula mandated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. A yield calculated using this formula may
be different than the income actually paid to shareholders.
- - DISTRIBUTION RATE reflects dividends that were paid by the fund. The
distribution rate is calculated by annualizing the current month's dividend
and dividing by the average price for the month.
10
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
INVESTMENT RESULTS - THE MARYLAND FUND
(FOR PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE
ANNUAL THE FUND THE FUND AT
TOTAL AT NET MAXIMUM LEHMAN
RETURNS: ASSET VALUE/1/ SALES CHARGE/1/,/2/ INDEX/3/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
One year 8.51% 3.36% 9.02%
................................................................................
Five years 6.65% 5.62% 7.17%
................................................................................
Ten years 8.02% 7.50% 8.77%
................................................................................
Lifetime/4/ 6.75% 6.28% 8.35%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Yield1,2: 4.25%
Distribution Rate/2/: 4.74%
/1/ These fund results were calculated according to a standard formula that is
required for all stock and bond funds.
/2/ Includes the maximum sales charge.
/3/ Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index represents the long-term investment
grade municipal bond market. This index is unmanaged and does not reflect
sales charges, commissions or expenses.
/4/ The fund began investment operations on August 14, 1986.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Here are the fund's annual total returns calculated without a sales charge.
This information is being supplied on a calendar year basis.
1987 -1.20
1988 9.02
1989 10.38
1990 5.86
1991 9.97
1992 8.37
1993 10.31
1994 -4.77
1995 16.45
1996 3.74
11
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
INVESTMENT RESULTS - THE VIRGINIA FUND
(FOR PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE
ANNUAL THE FUND THE FUND AT
TOTAL AT NET MAXIMUM LEHMAN
RETURNS: ASSET VALUE/1/ SALES CHARGE/1/,/2/ INDEX/3/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
One year 8.13% 2.98% 9.02%
................................................................................
Five years 6.46% 5.43% 7.17%
................................................................................
Ten years 7.91% 7.39% 8.77%
................................................................................
Lifetime/4/ 7.02% 6.55% 8.35%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Yield1,2: 3.99%
Distribution Rate/2/: 4.63%
/1/ These fund results were calculated according to a standard formula that is
required for all stock and bond funds.
/2/ Includes the maximum sales charge.
/3/ Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index represents the long-term investment
grade municipal bond market. This index is unmanaged and does not reflect
sales charges, commissions or expenses.
/4/ The fund began investment operations on August 14, 1986.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Here are the fund's annual total returns calculated without a sales charge.
This information is being supplied on a calendar year basis.
1987 -0.07
1988 8.80
1989 9.00
1990 5.71
1991 11.26
1992 7.84
1993 11.29
1994 -4.78
1995 15.85
1996 3.49
12
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund declares dividends from its net investment income daily and
distributes the accrued dividends to shareholders each month. Dividends begin
accruing one day after payment for shares is received by the fund or American
Funds Service Company. Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in
November or December. When a capital gain is distributed, the net asset value
per share is reduced by the amount of the payment.
If a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain
distributions in cash, and the postal or other delivery service is unable to
deliver checks to the shareholder's address of record, or the shareholder does
not respond to mailings from Americian Funds Service Company with regard to
uncashed distribution checks, the shareholder's distribution option will
automatically be converted to having all dividends and other distributions
reinvested in additional shares.
TAXES
In any fiscal year in which the fund qualifies as a regulated investment
company and distributes to shareholders substantially all of its net investment
income and net capital gains, the fund itself is relieved of federal income
tax. The fund is permitted to pass through to its shareholders federally tax-
exempt income subject to certain requirements. However, the fund may invest in
obligations which pay interest that is subject to state and local taxes when
distributed by the fund. Dividends derived from taxable interest income,
distributions of capital gains and dividends on gains from the disposition of
certain market discount bonds will not be exempt from federal, state or local
income tax.
Capital gains are taxable whether they are reinvested or received in cash --
unless you are exempt from taxation or entitled to tax deferral. Early each
year, you will be notified as to the amount and tax status of all income
distributions paid during the prior year. You are required by the Internal
Revenue Code to report to the federal government all fund exempt-interest
dividends (and all other tax-exempt interest).
It is anticipated that federal exempt interest dividends paid by the fund and
derived from interest on bonds exempt from Maryland or Virginia income taxation
under state law will also be exempt from the respective state corporate and
personal income tax. To the extent the fund's dividends are derived from
interest on debt obligations other than Maryland or Virginia municipal
securities, such dividends may be subject to state income tax even though the
dividends may be exempt from federal income tax.
Any fund dividends derived from taxable interest income and any distributions
of capital gains will not be exempt from federal or state income tax. With
respect to states other than Maryland or Virginia, distributions of net
13
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
investment income may be taxable to investors under state or local law as
dividend income even though all or a portion of such distributions may be
derived from interest on otherwise tax-exempt obligations which, if realized
directly, would be exempt from such income taxes. For example, a state may
require that a fund hold a specified percentage of its bonds in order for the
fund to pass through interest paid on these bonds to its shareholders on a
state tax-exempt basis, whereas if the bonds were held directly by shareholders
the interest would be exempt from state tax.
YOU MUST PROVIDE THE FUND WITH A CERTIFIED CORRECT TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (GENERALLY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER) AND CERTIFY THAT YOU ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING. IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO THE IRS CAN REQUIRE THE
FUND TO WITHHOLD 31% OF YOUR TAXABLE DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS. Federal law
also requires the fund to withhold 30% or the applicable tax treaty rate from
dividends paid to certain nonresident alien, non-U.S. partnership and non-U.S.
corporation shareholder accounts.
This is a brief summary of some of the tax laws that affect your investment in
the fund. Please see the statement of additional information and your tax
adviser for further information.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
FUND ORGANIZATION AND VOTING RIGHTS
The Trust, an open-end, diversified management investment company, was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1986. All fund operations are
supervised by the fund's board of trustees who meet periodically and perform
duties required by applicable state and federal laws. Members of the board who
are not affiliated with the business manager or investment adviser or their
affiliates are paid certain fees for services rendered to the fund as described
in the statement of additional information. They may elect to defer all or a
portion of these fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the
fund. The Trust does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. However,
significant matters which require shareholder approval, such as certain
elections of board members or a change in a fundamental investment policy, will
be presented to shareholders at a meeting called for such purpose. Shareholders
have one vote per share owned. At the request of the holders of at least 10% of
the shares, the Trust will hold a meeting at which any member of the board
could be removed by a majority vote. Since the funds use a combined prospectus,
each fund may be liable for misstatements, inaccuracies, or incomplete
disclosure concerning any other fund contained in this prospectus.
THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Washington Management Corporation, 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20005, is the business manager and provides all services
14
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
required to carry on the fund's general administrative and corporate affairs.
These services include all executive personnel, clerical staff, office space
and equipment, arrangements for and supervision of all shareholder services,
federal and state regulatory compliance and responsibility for accounting and
recordkeeping facilities. Washington Management Corporation provides similar
services to other mutual funds. The fee paid by the fund to Washington
Management Corporation is composed of a management fee, which may not exceed
0.135% of the fund's average net assets annually and declines at certain asset
levels, plus 1.35% of the fund's annual gross income.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
Capital Research and Management Company, a large and experienced investment
management organization founded in 1931, is the investment adviser to the fund
and other funds, including those in The American Funds Group. Capital Research
and Management Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group
Companies, Inc., is headquartered at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA
90071. Capital Research and Management Company manages the investment portfolio
of the fund. The fee paid by the fund to Capital Research and Management
Company is composed of an advisory fee, which may not exceed 0.165% of the
fund's average net assets annually and declines at certain asset levels, plus
1.65% of the fund's annual gross income. The total management fees paid by the
fund, to the business manager and investment adviser combined, as a percentage
of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year are discussed earlier under
"Expenses."
Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies have
adopted a personal investing policy that is consistent with the recommendations
contained in the May 9, 1994 report issued by the Investment Company
Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The fund has a Plan of Distribution or "12b-1 Plan" under which it may finance
activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided the categories of
expenses are approved in advance by the board. The 12b-1 fee paid by the fund,
as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year is
discussed earlier under "Expenses."
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Orders for the fund's portfolio securities transactions are placed by Capital
Research and Management Company, which strives to obtain the best available
prices, taking into account the costs and quality of executions. Fixed-income
securities are generally traded on a "net" basis with a dealer acting as
principal for its own account without a stated commission, although the price
of the
15
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings,
securities are usually purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of
compensation to the dealer, generally referred to as a concession or discount.
On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case
no commissions or discounts are paid. In the over-the-counter market, purchases
and sales are transacted directly with principal market-makers except in those
circumstances where it appears better prices and executions are available
elsewhere.
Subject to the above policy, when two or more brokers (either directly or
through their correspondent clearing agents) are in a position to offer
comparable prices and executions, preference may be given to brokers who have
sold shares of the fund or have provided investment research, statistical, and
other related services for the benefit of the fund and/or other funds served by
Capital Research and Management Company.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND TRANSFER AGENT
American Funds Distributors, Inc. and American Funds Service Company serve as
the principal underwriter and transfer agent for the fund, respectively. They
are headquartered at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 and 135 South
State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821, respectively.
AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY SERVICE AREAS
LOGO
16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The fund offers you a valuable array of services you can use to alter your
investment program as your needs and circumstances change. These services,
which are summarized below, are available only in states where they may be
legally offered and may be terminated or modified at any time upon 60 days'
written notice. A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND ACCOUNT
POLICIES IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. In
addition, an easy-to-read guide to owning a fund in The American Funds Group
titled "Welcome to the Family" is sent to new shareholders and is available by
writing or calling American Funds Service Company.
THE SERVICES DESCRIBED MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE THROUGH SOME RETIREMENT PLANS OR
ACCOUNTS HELD BY INVESTMENT DEALERS. IF YOU ARE INVESTING IN SUCH A MANNER, YOU
SHOULD CONTACT YOUR PLAN ADMINISTRATOR/TRUSTEE OR DEALER ABOUT WHAT SERVICES
ARE AVAILABLE AND WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASING SHARES
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Generally, you may open an account by contacting any investment dealer
authorized to sell the fund's shares. You may add to your account through your
dealer or directly through American Funds Service Company by mail, computer,
wire, or bank debit. You may also establish or add to your account by
exchanging shares from any of your other accounts in The American Funds Group.
The fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to reject any
purchase order for any reason. This includes exchange purchase orders that may
place an unfair burden on other shareholders due to their frequency.
Various purchase options are available as described below subject to certain
investment minimums and limitations described in the statement of additional
information and "Welcome to the Family."
+Automatic Investment Plan
You may invest monthly or quarterly through automatic withdrawals from your
bank account.
+Automatic Reinvestment
You may reinvest your dividends and capital gain distributions into the fund
(with no sales charge). This will be done automatically unless you elect to
have the dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid to you in cash.
17
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
+Cross-Reinvestment
You may invest your dividends and capital gain distributions into any other
fund in The American Funds Group.
+Exchange Privilege
You may exchange your shares into other funds in The American Funds Group
generally with no sales charge. Exchanges of shares from the money market
funds that were initially purchased with no sales charge will generally be
subject to the appropriate sales charge. You may also elect to automatically
exchange shares among any of the funds in The American Funds Group. Exchange
requests may be made in writing, by telephone, including American
FundsLine(R), by computer using American FundsLine OnLineSM (see below), or
by fax. EXCHANGES HAVE THE SAME TAX CONSEQUENCES AS ORDINARY SALES AND
PURCHASES.
+Retirement Plans
Tax-exempt funds should not serve as retirement plan investments.
SHARE PRICE
The fund's share price, also called net asset value, is determined as of the
close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) every day the New York
Stock Exchange is open. The fund calculates its net asset value per share,
generally using market prices, by dividing the total value of its assets after
subtracting liabilities by the number of its shares outstanding. Shares are
purchased at the offering price next determined after your investment is
received and accepted by American Funds Service Company. The offering price is
the net asset value plus a sales charge, if applicable.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
Shares are credited to your account and certificates are not issued unless you
request them by writing to American Funds Service Company.
INVESTMENT MINIMUMS
<TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
To establish an account................................................. $1,000
To add to an account.................................................... $ 50
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
SALES CHARGES
A sales charge may apply, as described below, when purchasing shares. Sales
charges may be reduced for larger purchases as indicated below.
SALES CHARGE AS A
PERCENTAGE OF
.................
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
DEALER
NET CONCESSION AS
OFFERING AMOUNT % OF OFFERING
INVESTMENT PRICE INVESTED PRICE
................................................................................
$25,000 but less than $50,000 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
................................................................................
$50,000 but less than $100,000 4.00% 4.17% 3.25%
................................................................................
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50% 3.63% 2.75%
................................................................................
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
................................................................................
$500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
................................................................................
$1 million or more and certain
other investments described below see below see below see below
</TABLE>
PURCHASES NOT SUBJECT TO SALES CHARGES
Investments of $1 million or more and investments made by employer-sponsored
defined contribution-type plans with 100 or more eligible employees are sold
with no initial sales charge. A 1% CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE MAY BE
IMPOSED ON CERTAIN REDEMPTIONS MADE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE BY THESE
ACCOUNTS. Investments by retirement plans, foundations or endowments with $50
million or more in assets may be made with no sales charge and are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge. A dealer concession of up to 1% may be
paid by the fund from its Plan of Distribution and/or by American Funds
Distributors on investments made with no inital sales charge described above.
Investments by certain individuals and entities including employees and other
associated persons of dealers authorized to sell shares of the fund, Washington
Management Corporation and Capital Research and Management Company and its
affiliated companies are not subject to a sales charge.
ADDITIONAL DEALER COMPENSATION
In addition to the concessions listed, up to 0.25% of average net assets is
paid annually to qualified dealers for providing certain services (including
services to retirement plans) pursuant to the fund's Plan of Distribution.
American Funds Distributors currently provides additional compensation to the
top one
19
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
hundred dealers who have sold shares of funds in The American Funds Group based
on the pro rata share of a qualifying dealer's sales.
REDUCING YOUR SALES CHARGE
You and your immediate family may combine investments to reduce your costs. You
must let your investment dealer or American Funds Service Company know if you
qualify for a reduction in your sales charge using one or any combination of
the methods described below.
+ Aggregation
Investments that may be aggregated include those made by you, your spouse
and your children under the age of 21, if all parties are purchasing shares
for their own account(s), including any business account solely "controlled
by," as well as any retirement plan or trust account solely for the benefit
of, these individuals. Investments made for multiple employee benefit plans
of a single employer or "affiliated" employers may be aggregated provided
they are not also aggregated with individual accounts. Finally, investments
made by a common trust fund or other diversified pooled account not
specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares may be
aggregated.
Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts will generally not be
aggregated with those made for other accounts unless qualified as described
above.
+Concurrent Purchases
You may combine concurrent purchases of two or more funds in The American
Funds Group, except direct purchases of the money market funds. Shares of
the money market funds purchased through an exchange, reinvestment or cross-
reinvestment from a fund having a sales charge do qualify.
+ Right of Accumulation
You may take into account the current value of your existing holdings in The
American Funds Group to determine your sales charge. Direct purchases of the
money market funds are excluded.
+ Statement of Intention
You may enter into a non-binding commitment to invest a certain amount
(which, at your request, may include purchases made during the previous 90
days) in non-money market fund shares over a 13-month period. A portion of
your account may be held in escrow to cover additional sales charges which
may be due if your total investments over the statement period are
insufficient to qualify for the applicable sales charge reduction.
20
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING SHARES
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may sell (redeem) shares in your account by contacting your investment
dealer or American Funds Service Company. You may also use American
FundsLine(R) or American FundsLine OnLineSM (see below). In addition, you may
sell shares in amounts of $50 or more automatically. If you sell shares through
your investment dealer you may be charged for this service. Shares held for you
in your dealer's street name must be sold through the dealer.
Shares are sold at the net asset value next determined after your request is
received in good order by American Funds Service Company. Sale requests may be
made in writing, by telephone, including American FundsLine(R), by computer
using American FundsLine OnLineSM, or by fax. Sales by telephone, computer or
fax are limited to $50,000 in accounts registered to individual(s) (including
non-retirement trust accounts). In addition, checks must be made payable to the
registered shareholder(s) and mailed to an address of record that has been used
with the account for at least 10 days.
Proceeds will not be mailed until sufficient time has passed to provide
reasonable assurance that checks or drafts (including certified or cashier's
checks) for shares purchased have cleared (which may take up to 15 calendar
days from the purchase date). Except for delays relating to clearance of checks
for share purchases or in extraordinary circumstances (and as permissible under
the Investment Company Act of 1940), sale proceeds will be paid on or before
the seventh day following receipt and acceptance of an order. Interest will not
accrue or be paid on amounts that represent uncashed distribution or redemption
checks.
The fund may, with 60 days' written notice, close your account if due to a sale
of shares the account has a value of less than the minimum required initial
investment.
Generally, written requests to sell shares must be signed by you and must
include any shares you wish to sell that are in certificate form. Your
signature must be guaranteed by a bank, savings association, credit union, or
member firm of a domestic stock exchange or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., that is an eligible guarantor institution. A
signature guarantee is not currently required for any sale of $50,000 or less
provided the check is made payable to the registered shareholder(s) and is
mailed to the address of record on the account, and provided the address has
been used with the account for at least 10 days. Additional documentation may
be required for sales of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary
accounts.
21
<PAGE>
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THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
You may reinvest proceeds from a redemption or a dividend or capital gain
distribution without a sales charge (any contingent deferred sales charge paid
will be credited to your account) in any fund in The American Funds Group
within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution. Redemption
proceeds of shares representing direct purchases in the money market funds are
excluded. Reinvestment will be at the next calculated net asset value after
receipt and acceptance by American Funds Service Company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
AMERICAN FUNDSLINE(R) AND AMERICAN FUNDSLINE ONLINESM
You may check your share balance, the price of your shares, or your most recent
account transactions, sell shares (up to $50,000 per shareholder each day), or
exchange shares around the clock with American FundsLine(R) or American
FundsLine OnLineSM. To use these services, call 800/325-3590 from a
TouchTone(TM) telephone or access The American Fund's Web site on the Internet
at www.americanfunds.com.
TELEPHONE AND COMPUTER PURCHASES, SALES AND EXCHANGES
Unless you opt out of the telephone, computer (including American FundsLine(R)
or American FundsLine OnLineSM) or fax purchase, sale and/or exchange options
(see below), you agree to hold the fund, American Funds Service Company, any of
its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, the fund's business
manager and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees
and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including
attorney fees) which may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these
privileges provided American Funds Service Company employs reasonable
procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with
appropriate account information are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not
employed, it and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions.
Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these options.
However, you may elect to opt out of these options by writing American Funds
Service Company. (You may also reinstate them at any time by writing to
American Funds Service Company.)
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
You will receive regular confirmation statements reflecting transactions in
your account. Dividend and capital gain reinvestments and purchases through
automatic investment plans and certain retirement plans will be confirmed at
least quarterly.
22
<PAGE>
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
NOTES
23
<PAGE>
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I / PROSPECTUS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FOR DEALER SERVICES
<C> <S>
American Funds American Funds
Service Company Distributors
800/421-0180 ext. 1 800/421-9900 ext. 11
FOR 24-HOUR INFORMATION
American American Funds
FundsLine(R) Internet Web site
800/325-3590 http://www.americanfunds.com
</TABLE>
Telephone conversations may be recorded or monitored for
verification, recordkeeping and quality assurance purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER FUND INFORMATION
ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
Includes financial statements, detailed performance
information, portfolio holdings, a statement from portfolio
management and the independent accountants' report (in the
annual report).
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
Contains more detailed information on all aspects of the
fund, including the fund's financial statements.
A current SAI has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"). It is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and is available along with
other related materials on the SEC's Internet Web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
CODE OF ETHICS
Includes a description of the investment adviser's personal
investing policy.
To request a free copy of any of the documents above:
Call American Funds or Write to the Secretary
Service Company of the fund
800/421-0180 ext. 1 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
This prospectus has been printed on recycled paper.
LOGO
24
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF MARYLAND
THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF VIRGINIA
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 15, 1997
This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the
current Prospectus dated November 15, 1997 of The American Funds Tax-Exempt
Series I (the "Trust"). The Trust currently consists of two series, The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland (the "Maryland Fund" or "fund") and The Tax-Exempt
Fund of Virginia (the "Virginia Fund" or "fund"). Except where the context
indicates otherwise, all references herein to the "fund" apply to each of the
two funds. The Prospectus may be obtained from your securities dealer or
financial planner or by writing to the Trust at the following address:
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
Attention: Secretary
1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 842-5665
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM PAGE NO.
<S> <C>
Description of Certain Securities and Investment Techniques B-1
Investment Restrictions B-5
Trust Officers and Trustees, including Trustee Compensation B-7
Management B-10
Dividends and Distributions B-12
Additional Information Concerning Taxes B-12
Purchase of Shares B-14
Shareholder Account Services and Privileges B-21
Execution of Portfolio Transactions B-22
General Information B-23
Investment Results B-25
Description of Ratings for Debt Securities B-28
Financial Statements Attached
</TABLE>
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The descriptions below are intended to supplement the material in the
prospectus under "Investment Policies and Risks."
INVESTMENT POLICIES - Up to 20% of the fund's total assets may be invested in
tax-exempt securities that are rated below the four highest categories by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") (or equivalent securities that are not rated). These bonds are
commonly known as "junk bonds" or high-yield, high-risk bonds. See
"Description of Ratings for Debt Securities" below.
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS RELATING TO HIGH-YIELD, HIGH-RISK BONDS
SENSITIVITY TO INTEREST RATE AND ECONOMIC CHANGES - High-yield, high-risk bonds
can be very sensitive to adverse economic changes and corporate developments.
During an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates,
highly leveraged issuers or issuers whose revenue is very sensitive to economic
conditions may experience financial stress that would adversely affect their
ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet
projected business goals, and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of
a bond defaulted on its obligations to pay interest or principal or entered
into bankruptcy proceedings, the fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking
recovery of amounts owed to it. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty
and changes can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices
and yields of high-yield, high-risk bonds.
PAYMENT EXPECTATIONS - High-yield, high-risk bonds may contain redemption or
call provisions. If an issuer exercised these provisions in a declining
interest rate market, the fund would have to replace the security with a lower
yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Conversely,
a high-yield, high-risk bond's value will decrease in a rising interest market,
as will the value of the fund's assets.
LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION - There may be little trading in the secondary market
for particular bonds, which may affect adversely the fund's ability to value
accurately or dispose of such bonds. Adverse publicity and investor
perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the
values and liquidity of high-yield, high-risk bonds, especially in a thin
market.
Subsequent to its purchase by the fund, an issue of municipal bonds or notes
may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating
required for its purchase. Neither event requires the elimination of such
obligation from a fund's portfolio, but the Investment Adviser will consider
such an event in its determination of whether a fund should continue to hold
such obligation in its portfolio. If, however, as a result of downgrades or
otherwise, the fund holds more than 20% of its net assets in high-yield,
high-risk bonds, the fund will dispose of the excess as expeditiously as
possible.
MUNICIPAL BONDS - Municipal bonds are generally debt obligations issued to
obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of public
facilities. Opinions relating to the validity of municipal bonds and to the
exclusion from gross income for federal income tax purposes and, where
applicable, the exemption from state and local income tax are rendered by bond
counsel to the respective issuing authorities at the time of issuance.
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are general obligation and
limited obligation (revenue) bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by
the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit including, if available, its
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Issuers of general
obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and various regional
or special districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a
wide range of public facilities such as the construction or improvement of
schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and facilities for a
variety of other public purposes. Lease revenue bonds or certificates of
participation in leases are payable from annual lease rental payments from a
state or locality and may be considered a general obligation of the entity
making annual rental payments to the extent such rental payments are
appropriated annually.
The principal security for a limited obligation or revenue bond is generally
the net revenue derived from a particular facility or class of facilities
financed thereby or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special tax or other
special revenues. Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of
revenue-producing public capital projects including: electric, gas, water and
sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities;
colleges and universities; hospitals; and convention, recreational and housing
facilities. Although the principal security behind these bonds varies widely,
many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund
which may also be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer's
obligations.
Revenue bonds also include, for example, pollution control, health care and
housing bonds, which, although nominally issued by municipal authorities, are
generally not secured by the taxing power of the municipality but are secured
by the revenues of the authority derived from payments by the private entity
which owns or operates the facility financed with the proceeds of the bonds.
Obligations of housing finance authorities have a wide range of security
features including reserve funds and insured or subsidized mortgages, as well
as the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Most of these bonds
do not generally constitute the pledge of the credit of the issuer of such
bonds. The credit quality of such revenue bonds is usually directly related to
the credit standing of the user of the facility being financed or of an
institution which provides a guarantee, letter of credit or other credit
enhancement for the bond issue.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS - The fund may invest in short-term municipal obligations
with a maturity of one year or less during periods of temporary defensive
strategy or when such investments are considered advisable for liquidity.
Generally, the income from all such securities is exempt from federal income
tax. See "Additional Information Concerning Taxes" below. Further, a portion
of the fund's assets, which normally will be less than 20% of assets, may be
held in cash or invested in high quality taxable short-term securities with a
maturity of one year or less. Such temporary investments may include: (1)
obligations of the U.S. Treasury; (2) obligations of agencies and
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government; (3) money market instruments, such as
certificates of deposit issued by domestic banks, corporate commercial paper,
and bankers' acceptances; and (4) repurchase agreements (which are described
below).
MUNICPAL INFLATION-INDEXED BONDS - The fund may invest in inflation-indexed
bonds issued by municipalities. Interest payments are made to bondholders
semi-annually and are made up of two components; a fixed "real coupon" or
spread, and a variable coupon linked to an inflation index. Accordingly,
payments will increase or decrease each period as a result of changes in the
inflation index. In a period of deflation payments may decrease to zero, but
in any event will not be less than zero.
ZERO COUPON BONDS - Municpalities may issue zero coupon securities which are
debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of
interest prior to maturity or a specified date when the security begins to pay
interest. They are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or
par value, which discount varies depending on the time remaining until cash
payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the
perceived credit quality of the issuer.
PRE-REFUNDED BONDS - From time to time, a municipality may refund a bond that
it has already issued prior to the orginal bond's call date by issuing a second
bond, the proceeds of which are used to purchase securities. The securities
are placed in an escrow account pursuant to an agreement between the
municipality and an independent escrow agent. The principal and interest
payments on the securities are then used to pay off the original bondholders.
For the purpose of diversification, pre-refunded bonds will be treated as
governmental issues.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS - The fund may enter into commitments to purchase or sell
securities at a future date. When the fund purchases such securities, it
assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security beginning on the date
of the agreement. When the fund agrees to sell such securities, it does not
participate in further gains or losses with respect to the securities beginning
on the date of the agreement. If the other party to such a transaction fails
to deliver or pay for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or
yield opportunity, or could experience a loss.
As the fund's aggregate commitments under these transactions increase, the
opportunity for leverage similarly may increases. The fund will not use these
transactions for the purpose of leveraging and will segregate liquid assets
which will be marked to market daily in amounts sufficient to meet its payment
obligations in these transactions. Although these transactions will not be
entered into for leveraging purposes, to the extent the fund's aggregate
commitments under these transactions exceed its segregated assets, the fund
temporarily would be in a leveraged position (because it will have an amount
greater than its net assets subject to market risk). Should market values of
the fund's portfolio securities decline while the fund is in a leveraged
position, greater depreciation of its net assets will likely occur than were it
not in such a position. The fund will not borrow money to settle these
transactions and, therefore, will liquidate other portfolio securities in
advance of settlement if necessary to generate additional cash to meet its
obligations thereunder.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - Although the fund currently does not anticipate doing
so during the next 12 months, it may enter on a temporary basis into repurchase
agreements, under which the fund buys a security and obtains a simultaneous
commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at a specified time and
price. Repurchase agreements permit the fund to maintain liquidity and earn
income over periods of time as short as overnight. The seller must maintain
with the fund's custodian bank collateral equal to at least 100% of the
repurchase price including accrued interest, as monitored daily by the
Investment Adviser. The fund will only enter into repurchase agreements
involving securities in which it could otherwise invest and with selected banks
and securities dealers whose financial condition is monitored by the Investment
Adviser. If the seller under the repurchase agreement defaults, the fund may
incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement
has declined and may incur disposition costs in connection with liquidating the
collateral. If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the
seller, realization upon the collateral by a fund may be delayed or limited.
ADJUSTMENT OF MATURITIES - The Investment Adviser seeks to anticipate movements
in interest rates and adjusts the maturity distribution of the portfolio
accordingly. Longer term securities ordinarily yield more than shorter term
securities but are subject to greater and more rapid price fluctuation.
Keeping in mind the fund's objective of producing a high level of current
income, the Investment Adviser will increase the fund's exposure to this price
volatility only when it appears likely to increase current income without undue
risk to capital.
ISSUE CLASSIFICATION - Securities with the same general quality rating and
maturity characteristics, but which vary according to the purpose for which
they were issued, often tend to trade at different yields. These yield
differentials tend to fluctuate in response to political and economic
developments, as well as temporary imbalances in normal supply/demand
relationships. The Investment Adviser monitors these fluctuations closely, and
will attempt to adjust portfolio concentrations in various issue
classifications according to the value disparities brought about by these yield
relationship fluctuations.
QUALITY - Securities issued for similar purposes and with the same general
maturity characteristics, but which vary according to the creditworthiness of
their respective issuers, tend to trade at different yields. These yield
differentials also tend to fluctuate in response to political, economic and
supply/demand factors. The Investment Adviser will attempt to take advantage
of these fluctuations by adjusting the concentration of portfolio securities in
any given quality category according to the value disparities produced by these
yield relationship fluctuations.
The Investment Adviser believes that, in general, the market for municipal
bonds is less liquid than that for taxable fixed-income securities.
Accordingly, the ability of the fund to make purchases and sales of securities
in the foregoing manner may, at any particular time and with respect to any
particular securities, be limited or non-existent.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER - Portfolio changes will be made without regard to the
length of time particular investments may have been held. High portfolio
turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of
dealer spreads or brokerage commissions, and may result in the realization of
net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to shareholders.
Fixed-income securities are generally traded on a net basis and usually neither
brokerage commissions nor transfer taxes are involved. The fund does not
anticipate its portfolio turnover to exceed 100% annually. The fund's
portfolio turnover rate would exceed 100% if each security in the fund's
portfolio was replaced once every year. See "Financial Highlights" in the
Prospectus for the fund's portfolio turnover for each of the last ten years.
RISK OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS - The Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, imposes limitations on the use and investment of the
proceeds of state and local governmental bonds and of other funds of the
issuers of such bonds. These limitations must be satisfied on a continuing
basis to maintain the exclusion from gross income of interest on such bonds.
The provisions of the Code generally apply to bonds issued after August 15,
1986. Bond counsel qualify their opinions as to the federal tax status of new
issues of bonds by making such opinions contingent on the issuer's future
compliance with these limitations. Any failure on the part of an issuer to
comply could cause the interest on its bonds to become taxable to investors
retroactive to the date the bonds were issued. These restrictions in the Code
also may affect the availability of certain municipal securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The fund has adopted certain investment restrictions which may not be changed
without a majority vote of its outstanding shares. Such majority is defined by
the Investment Company Act of 1940, (the "1940 Act"), as the vote of the lesser
of (i) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities present at a meeting,
if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are
present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting
securities. Investment limitations expressed in the following restrictions are
considered at the time securities are purchased and are based on the fund's net
assets unless otherwise indicated. These restrictions provide that the fund
may not:
1. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in the securities of
any one issuer or hold more than 10% of any class of securities of any one
issuer (for this purpose all indebtedness of an issuer shall be deemed a single
class), provided that this limitation shall apply only to 75% of the value of
the fund's total assets and, provided further, that the limitation shall not
apply to obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities;
2. Enter into any repurchase agreement maturing in more than seven days
(unless subject to a demand feature of seven days or less) if any such
investment, together with any illiquid securities held by the fund, exceeds 10%
of the value of its total assets;
3. Buy or sell real estate in the ordinary course of its business; however,
the fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein;
4. Acquire securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
disposition;
5. Make loans to others, except for the purchase of debt securities or
entering into repurchase agreements;
6. Sell securities short, except to the extent that the fund contemporaneously
owns or has the right to acquire at no additional cost securities identical to
those sold short;
7. Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of purchases or sales;
8. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, not in
excess of 5% of the value of the fund's total assets, excluding the amount
borrowed. This borrowing provision is intended to facilitate the orderly sale
of portfolio securities to accommodate unusually heavy redemption requests, if
they should occur; it is not intended for investment purposes;
9. Mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate its assets, except in an amount up to 10%
of the value of its total assets, but only to secure borrowings for temporary
or emergency purposes;
10. Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
of municipal bonds directly from the issuer in accordance with the fund's
investment objective, policies and restrictions, and later resale may be deemed
to be an underwriting;
11. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management;
12. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in connection
with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or reorganization;
13. Buy or sell commodities or commodity contracts or oil, gas or other
mineral exploration or development programs;
14. Write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any combination
thereof;
15. Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer, if, to the knowledge
of the fund, those individual officers and Trustees of the Trust, its
Investment Adviser, or principal underwriter, each owning beneficially more
than $ of 1% of the securities of such issuer, together own more than 5% of the
securities of such issuer;
16. Invest more than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets in securities
of any issuer with a record of less than three years continuous operation,
including predecessors, except those issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, or municipal bonds rated at
least "A" by either Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's
Corporation; or
17. Invest more than 25% of its assets in securities of any industry although,
for purposes of this limitation, the issuers of municipal securities and U. S.
Government obligations are not considered to be part of any industry.
Notwithstanding Investment Restriction #12, the fund may invest in securities
of other investment companies if deemed advisable by its officers in connection
with the administration of a deferred compensation plan adopted by the Trustees
pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
For the purpose of the fund's investment restrictions, the identification of
the "issuer" of municipal bonds which are not general obligation bonds is made
by the Investment Adviser on the basis of the characteristics of the obligation
as described, the most significant of which is the ultimate source of funds for
the payment of principal of and interest on such bonds.
For purposes of investment restriction number 13, the term "oil, gas or other
mineral exploration or development programs" includes oil, gas or other mineral
exploration or development leases.
Another policy of the fund which is not deemed a fundamental policy, and thus
may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, is that
the fund may not invest 25% or more of its assets in securities the interest on
which is paid from revenues of similar type projects (such as hospitals and
health facilities; turnpikes and toll roads; ports and airports; or colleges
and universities). The fund may, however, invest more than an aggregate of 25%
of its total assets in industrial development bonds.
TRUST OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
(WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)#
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE POSITION WITH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION TOTAL
NUMBER
REGISTRANT DURING PAST 5 YEARS# (INCLUDING VOLUNTARILY DEFERRED FROM ALL FUNDS OF
AFFILIATED
COMPENSATION/1/) FROM FUNDS AFFILIATED WITH THE FUND
BOARDS
DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDED AMERICAN FUNDS ON WHICH
7/31/97 GROUP FOR THE YEAR TRUSTEE
ENDED 7/31/97 SERVES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cyrus A. Ansary Trustee Investment Services $2,700 $53,100 3
1725 K Street, N.W., Suite 410 International Co.,
Washington, D.C. 20006 President
Age: 63
Stephen Hartwell*{ Chairman Emeritus Washington Management none/3/ none/3/ 3
Age: 82 and Trustee Corporation, Chairman of
the Board
James H. Lemon, Jr.*{ Chairman of the The Johnston-Lemon none/3/ none/3/ 3
Age: 61 Trust Group, Incorporated,
Chairman of the Board
and
Chief Executive Officer
Harry J. Lister*{ President and Trustee Washington Management none/3/ none/3/ 3
Age: 61 Corporation, President
and
Director
Jean Head Sisco Trustee Sisco Associates, $3,500 $55,000 3
2517 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Partner
Washington, D.C. 20008
Age: 72
T. Eugene Smith Trustee T. Eugene Smith, Inc., $3,700 $53,900 3
666 Tintagel Lane President
McLean, VA 22101
Age: 67
Stephen G. Yeonas Trustee Stephen G. Yeonas $3,500/2/ $55,000 3
1355 Beverly Road, Suite 102 Company,
McLean, VA 22101 Chief Executive Officer
Age: 72
</TABLE>
OTHER OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
LOIS A. ERHARD{ HOWARD L. KITZMILLER{ MICHAEL W. STOCKTON{
Vice President Senior Vice President, Secretary Assistant Vice President, Assistant
Washington Management Corporation, and Treasurer Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
Vice President (Age: 45) Washington Management Corporation, Washington Management
Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and Corporation, Assistant
Assistant Treasurer (Age: 67) Vice President and Assistant
Treasurer (Age: 30)
</TABLE>
# Positions within the organizations listed may have changed during this
period.
* Trustees who are considered "interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act,
on the basis of their affiliation with the fund's Business Manager, Washington
Management Corporation.
{ Address is 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
/1/Amounts may be deferred by eligible trustees under a non-qualified deferred
compensation plan adopted by the fund in 1993. Deferred amounts accumulate at
an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more funds in The
American Funds Group as designated by the Trustee.
/2/Since the plan's adoption, the total amount of deferred compensation accrued
by the funds (plus earnings thereon) through 9/30/97, the latest calendar
quarter, for participants is as follows: Trustee Stephen G. Yeonas ($20,471).
Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not funded and are
general unsecured liabilities of the funds until paid to the Trustee.
/3/Stephen Hartwell, James H. Lemon, Jr. and Harry J. Lister are affiliated
with the Business Manager and, accordingly, receive no compensation from the
funds.
All of the officers listed are officers of the Business Manager. All of the
Trustees and officers are also officers and/or directors of one or more of the
other funds for which Washington Management Corporation serves as Business
Manager. No Trustee compensation is paid by the funds to any officer or
Trustee who is a director, officer or employee of the Business Manager, the
Investment Adviser or affiliated companies. Each fund pays an annual retainer
fee of $750, an attendance fee of $200 per meeting and $100 per Committee
meeting to unaffiliated Trustees. The Trustees may elect, on a voluntary
basis, to defer all or a portion of those fees through a deferred compensation
plan in effect for the funds. Each fund also reimburses certain
meeting-related expenses of the Trustees.
As of November 1, 1997, the officers and Trustees and their families as a
group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares
of the Trust.
MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS MANAGER - Since its inception, the Trust has operated under a
Business Management Agreement with Washington Management Corporation (the
"Business Manager"), 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
The Business Manager provides all services required to carry on the fund's
general administrative and corporate affairs. These services include all
executive personnel, clerical staff, office space and equipment, arrangements
for and supervision of all shareholder services, Federal and state regulatory
compliance and responsibility for accounting and record keeping facilities. The
Business Manager provides similar services to other mutual funds.
The Business Manager receives a fee at the annual rate of 0.135% of the first
$60 million of the fund's net assets plus 0.09% of the fund's net assets in
excess of $60 million plus 1.35% of gross investment income. For the fiscal
years ended July 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 the Business Manager's fees were
$165,000, $160,000 and $153,000 for the Maryland Fund and $184,000, $183,000,
and $183,000 for the Virginia Fund, respectively. For the fiscal year ended
July 31, 1997, the Business Manager's fees for the Maryland Fund amounted to
0.203% of average net assets and for the Virginia Fund amounted to 0.197%
average net assets.
INVESTMENT ADVISER - The Investment Adviser, founded in 1931, maintains
research facilities in the U.S. and abroad (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New
York, Washington, D.C., London, Geneva, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo), with a
staff of professionals, many of whom have a number of years of investment
experience. The Investment Adviser is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los
Angeles, CA 90071, and at 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92521.
The Investment Adviser's research professionals travel several million miles a
year, making more than 5,000 research visits in more than 50 countries around
the world. The Investment Adviser believes that it is able to attract and
retain quality personnel.
The Investment Adviser is responsible for more than $175 billion of stocks,
bonds and money market instruments and serves over eight million investors of
all types. These investors include privately owned businesses and large
corporations as well as schools, colleges, foundations and other non-profit and
tax-exempt organizations.
The Investment Adviser receives a fee at the annual rate of 0.165% of the
first $60 million of the fund's net assets plus 0.12% of the fund's net assets
in excess of $60 million plus 1.65% of gross investment income. For the fiscal
years ended July 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 the Investment Adviser's fees were
$203,000, $197,000, and $188,000, for the Maryland Fund and $229,000, $227,000,
and $227,000 for the Virginia Fund, respectively. For the fiscal year ended
July 31, 1997, the Investment Adviser's fees for the Maryland Fund amounted to
0.250% of average net assets and for the Virginia Fund amounted to 0.244% of
average net assets.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT - The Business
Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement, unless sooner
terminated, will continue in effect until July 31, 1998 and may be renewed from
year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically
approved at least annually as to the fund by (i) the Board of Trustees, or by
the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting
securities of the fund, and (ii) the vote of a majority of Trustees who are not
parties to the Agreements or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval. The Agreements also provide that either party has the right
to terminate them, without penalty, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the
other party and that the Agreements automatically terminate in the event of
their assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The fund pays all expenses not specifically assumed by the Business Manager or
the Investment Adviser, including, but not limited to, registration and filing
fees with federal and state agencies; blue sky expenses; expenses of
shareholders' meetings; the expense of reports to existing shareholders;
expenses of printing proxies and prospectuses; insurance premiums; legal and
auditing fees; dividend disbursement expenses; the expense of the issuance,
transfer and redemption of its shares; custodian fees; printing and preparation
of registration statements; taxes; the fund's distribution expenses pursuant to
the Plan of Distribution; compensation, fees and expenses paid to Trustees who
are not "interested persons" of the Trust; association dues; and costs of
stationery, forms and certificates prepared exclusively for the fund.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER - American Funds Distributors, Inc. is the Trust's
principal underwriter of the fund's shares. The Trust has adopted a Plan of
Distribution (the "Plan"), pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (see
"Principal Underwriter" in the Prospectus). The Principal Underwriter receives
amounts payable pursuant to the Plan (see below) and commissions consisting of
that portion of the sales charge remaining after the discounts which it allows
to investment dealers. For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1997, 1996, and
1995 the commissions on Maryland Fund shares totaled $170,000, $246,000 and
$222,000 of which the Principal Underwriter retained $32,000, $47,000 and
$42,000, respectively, while the commissions on the Virginia Fund shares
totaled $265,000, $300,000 and $236,000 of which the Principal Underwriter
retained $52,000, $58,000 and $46,000, respectively.
Johnston, Lemon & Co. Incorporated ("Johnston, Lemon"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the business manager's parent company, The Johnston Lemon Group,
Inc. ("JLG"), received commission amounts of $27,000, $43,000 and $50,000, and
$35,000, $31,000 and $27,000, respectively, for the fiscal years ended July 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, on its retail sales of the Maryland and Virginia Funds and
the Distribution Plan of the funds, but received no net brokerage commissions
resulting from purchases and sales of securities for the investment account of
the funds.
As required by rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act, the Plan (together with the
Principal Underwriting Agreement) has been approved by the full Board of
Trustees and separately by a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested
persons" of the fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or the Principal Underwriting Agreement, and the Plan
has been approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Trust. The officers and Trustees who are "interested
persons" of the Trust may be considered to have a direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan due to present or past affiliations with
the Business Manager. Potential benefits of the Plan to the fund are improved
shareholder services, savings to the fund in transfer agency costs, savings to
the fund in advisory fees and other expenses, benefits to the investment
process from growth or stability of assets and maintenance of a financially
healthy management organization. The selection and nomination of Trustees who
are not "interested persons" of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion
of the Trustees who are not interested persons during the existence of the
Plan. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be
spent for distribution without shareholder approval. The Board of Trustees
reviews quarterly a written report of amounts expended under the Plan or any
related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made and
approves annually any continuance of the Plan.
Under the Plan the fund may expend up to 0.25% of its average net assets
annually to finance any activity which is primarily intended to result in the
sale of fund shares, provided the Board of Trustees has approved the category
of expenses for which payment is being made. These primarily include service
fees for qualified dealers and dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation
on sales of shares exceeding $1 million including purchases by any
employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or purchases by any defined contribution plan
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a
"401(k)" plan with 100 or more eligible employees. During the Trust's fiscal
year ended July 31, 1997, distribution expenses under the Plan paid or payable
to the Principal Underwriter were $198,000 for the Maryland Fund and $234,000
for the Virginia Fund, all of which was used as compensation to dealers and
wholesalers. As of July 31, 1997, accrued and unpaid distribution expenses
were $43,000 and $38,000, respectively.
All officers of the fund and three of its Directors, who are "interested
persons" of the fund, are officers or directors of Washington Management
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JLG. Johnston, Lemon participates
in receiving dealer service fee payments from the Plan. Some of the fund's
officers and three Directors who are "interested persons" of the fund are also
registered representatives with Johnston, Lemon and, as such, to the extent
they have sold shares of the fund, receive a portion of the service fee
payments in the same manner as all other Johnston, Lemon registered
representatives.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS - For the purpose of calculating dividends, daily
net investment income of the fund consists of: (a) all interest income accrued
on the fund's investments including any discount or premium ratably amortized
to the date of maturity or determined in such other manner as may be deemed
appropriate; minus (b) all liabilities accrued, including interest, taxes and
other expense items, amounts determined and declared as dividends or
distributions and reserves for contingent or undetermined liabilities, all
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES
The following is only a summary of certain additional federal, state and
local tax considerations generally affecting the fund and its shareholders. No
attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the
fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in such fund's Prospectus
is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Investors are urged
to consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax
situations.
GENERAL - The fund is not intended to constitute a balanced investment program
and is not designed for investors seeking capital appreciation or maximum
tax-exempt income irrespective of fluctuations in principal. Shares of the
fund generally would not be suitable for tax-exempt institutions or
tax-deferred retirement plans (E.G., plans qualified under Section 401 of the
Internal Revenue Code, Keogh-type plans and individual retirement accounts).
Such retirement plans would not gain any additional benefit from the tax-exempt
nature of the fund's dividends because such dividends would be ultimately
taxable to the beneficiaries when distributed to them. In addition, the fund
may not be an appropriate investment for entities which are "substantial users"
of facilities financed by industrial development bonds or "related persons"
thereof. "Substantial user" is defined under U.S. Treasury Regulations to
include a non-exempt person who regularly uses a part of such facilities in
their trade or business and whose gross revenues derived with respect to the
facilities financed by the issuance of bonds are more than 5% of the total
revenues derived by all users of such facilities, or who occupies more than 5%
of the usable area of such facilities or for whom such facilities or a part
thereof were specifically constructed, reconstructed or acquired. "Related
persons" include certain related natural persons, affiliated corporations, a
partnership and its partners and an S Corporation and its shareholders.
The fund intends to meet all the requirements and to elect the tax status of a
"regulated investment company" under the provisions of Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As such, the fund will
not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent it distributes its net
investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. The
fund must distribute 90% of the aggregate interest excludable from gross income
and 90% of the investment company taxable income earned by it during the
taxable year.
The percentage of total dividends paid by the fund with respect to any taxable
year which qualify for exclusion from gross income ("exempt-interest
dividends") for Federal tax purposes will be the same for all shareholders
receiving dividends during such year. In order for the fund to pay
exempt-interest dividends during any taxable year, at the close of each fiscal
quarter at least 50% of the aggregate value of the Trust's and fund's assets
must consist of tax-exempt obligations. Not later than 60 days after the close
of its taxable year, the fund will notify each shareholder of the portion of
the dividends paid by the Fund to the shareholder with respect to such taxable
year which constitutes exempt-interest dividends. The aggregate amount of
dividends so designated cannot, however, exceed the excess of the amount of
interest excludable from gross income from tax under Section 103 of the Code
received by the Fund during the taxable year over any amounts disallowed as
deductions under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry Fund
shares is not deductible for federal income tax purposes if the Fund
distributes exempt-interest dividends during the shareholder's taxable year.
If a shareholder receives an exempt-interest dividend with respect to any share
and such share is held for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange
of such share will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of such
exempt-interest dividend.
While the Fund does not expect to realize substantial long-term capital gains,
any net realized long-term capital gains will be distributed annually. The
fund will have no tax liability with respect to such gains, and the
distributions will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains,
regardless of how long a shareholder has held the fund's shares. Such
distributions will be designated as a capital gains dividend in a written
notice mailed by the fund to shareholders not later than 60 days after the
close of the fund's taxable year. The fund may also make a distribution of net
realized long-term capital gains near the end of the calendar year to comply
with certain requirements of the Code. Gain recognized on the disposition of a
debt obligation (including tax-exempt obligations purchased after April 30,
1993) purchased by the fund at a market discount (generally at a price less
than the principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of
the portion of the market discount which accrued during the period of time the
fund held the debt obligation. Similarly, while the fund does not expect to
earn any taxable income, any taxable income earned by the fund will be
distributed and will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (whether
distributed in cash or additional shares).
If for any taxable year the fund does not qualify for the special tax
treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income
will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for
distributions to its shareholders). In such event, dividend distributions
would be taxable to shareholders to the extent of earnings and profits, and may
be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
Under the Code, if, within 90 days after fund shares are purchased, such
shares are redeemed and either reinstated in the same fund or exchanged for
shares of any other fund in The American Funds Group and the otherwise
applicable sales charge is waived, then the amount of the sales charge
previously incurred in purchasing fund shares shall not be taken into account
for purposes of determining the amount of any gain or loss on the redemption,
but will be treated as having been incurred in the purchase of the fund shares
acquired in the reinstatement or exchange.
The tax status of a gain realized on a redemption will not be affected by
exercise of the reinstatement privilege, but a loss may be nullified if you
reinvest in the same fund within 30 days.
As of the date of this statement of additional information, the maximum
federal individual stated tax rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%
(effective tax rates may be higher for some individuals due to phase out of
exemptions and elimination of deductions); the maximum individual tax rate
applicable to net capital gains on securities held more than 18 months is 20%
and on securities held more than one year and not more than 18 months is 28%;
and the maximum corporate tax applicable to ordinary income and net capital
gain is 35%. Naturally, the amount of tax payable by a shareholder with
respect to either distributions from the fund or disposition of fund shares
will be affected by a combination of tax rules covering E.G., deductions,
credits, deferrals, exemptions, sources of income and other matters.
FEDERAL TAXES - Under the Code, a nondeductible excise tax of 4% is imposed on
the excess of a regulated investment company's "required distribution" for the
calendar year ending within the regulated investment company's taxable year
over the "distributed amount" for such calendar year. The term "required
distribution" means the sum of (i) 98 percent of ordinary income (generally net
investment income) for the calendar year, (ii) 98 percent of capital gain net
income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending on
October 31 (as though the one-year period ending on October 31 were the
regulated investment company's taxable year), and (iii) the sum of any untaxed,
undistributed net investment income and net capital gains of the regulated
investment company for prior periods. The term "distributed amount" generally
means the sum of (i) amounts actually distributed by each fund from its current
year's ordinary income and capital gain net income and (ii) any amount on which
such fund pays income tax for the year. Each fund intends to meet these
distribution requirements to avoid the excise tax liability.
Individuals and corporations may be subject to alternative minimum tax. The
Code treats interest on private activity bonds, as defined therein, as an item
of tax preference for alternative minimum tax purposes. Also, shareholders
will not be permitted to deduct any of their share of fund expenses in
computing alternative minimum taxable income. Further, under the Code federal
exempt-interest dividends are includable in adjusted current earnings in
calculating corporate alternative minimum taxable income.
Fund shareholders are required by the Code to report to the federal government
all exempt-interest dividends, and all other tax-exempt interest received
during tax years beginning on or after January 1, 1987.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
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METHOD INITIAL INVESTMENT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
See "Investment Minimums and Fund Numbers" for initial investment minimums. $50 minimum (except where a lower
minimum is noted under "Investment Minimums and Fund Numbers").
By contacting Visit any investment dealer who is registered in the state where the purchase is made and who has a sales agreement
with American Funds Distributors. Mail directly to your investment
your dealer's address printed on your
investment account statement.
dealer
By mail Make your check payable to the fund and mail to the address indicated on the account application. Please indicate
an investment dealer on the account application. Fill out the account additions form at the bottom of a recent account statement,
make your check payable to the fund, write your account number on your check, and mail the check and form in the envelope provided
with your account statement.
By telephone Please contact your investment dealer to open account, then follow the procedures for additional investments.
Complete the "Investments by Phone" section on the account application or American FundsLink Authorization Form. Once you establish
the privilege, you, your financial advisor or any person with your account information can call American FundsLineR and make
investments by telephone (subject to conditions noted in "Telephone and Computer
Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges" below).
By computer Please contact your investment dealer to open account, then follow the procedures for additional investments.
Complete the American FundsLink Authorization Form. Once you establish the privilege, you, your financial advisor or any person
with your account information may access American FundsLine OnLine$ on the Internet and make investments by computer (subject to
conditions noted in "Telephone and Computer Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges"
below).
By wire Call 800/421-0180 to obtain your account number(s), if necessary. Please indicate an investment dealer on the
account. Instruct your bank to wire funds to: Your bank should wire your additional investments in the same manner as described
under "Initial Investment."
Wells Fargo Bank
155 Fifth Street
Sixth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94106
(ABA #121000248)
For credit to the account of:
American Funds Service Company
a/c #4600-076178
(fund name)
(your fund acct. no.)
THE FUNDS AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY PURCHASE ORDER.
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INVESTMENT MINIMUMS AND FUND NUMBERS - Here are the minimum initial
investments required by the funds in The American Funds Group along with fund
numbers for use with our automated phone line, American FundsLineR (see
description below):
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FUND MINIMUM FUND
INITIAL NUMBER
INVESTMENT
STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS
AMCAP FundR 02
$1,000
American Balanced FundR 11
500
American Mutual FundR 03
250
Capital Income BuilderR 12
1,000
Capital World Growth and Income Fund$ 33
1,000
EuroPacific Growth FundR 16
250
Fundamental Investors$ 10
250
The Growth Fund of AmericaR 05
1,000
The Income Fund of AmericaR 06
1,000
The Investment Company of AmericaR 04
250
The New Economy FundR 14
1,000
New Perspective FundR 07
250
SMALLCAP World FundR 35
1,000
Washington Mutual Investors Fund$ 01
250
BOND FUNDS
American High-Income Municipal Bond FundR 40
1,000
American High-Income Trust$ 21
1,000
The Bond Fund of America$ 08
1,000
Capital World Bond FundR 31
1,000
Intermediate Bond Fund of America$ 23
1,000
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America$ 43
1,000
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of AmericaR 19
1,000
The Tax-Exempt Fund of CaliforniaR* 20
1,000
The Tax-Exempt Fund of MarylandR* 24
1,000
The Tax-Exempt Fund of VirginiaR* 25
1,000
U.S. Government Securities Fund$ 22
1,000
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
The Cash Management Trust of AmericaR 09
2,500
The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America$ 39
2,500
The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America$ 49
2,500
___________
*Available only in certain states.
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For retirement plan investments, the minimum is $250, except that the money
market funds have a minimum of $1,000 for individual retirement accounts
(IRAs). Minimums are reduced to $50 for purchases through "Automatic
Investment Plans" (except for the money market funds) or to $25 for purchases
by retirement plans through payroll deductions and may be reduced or waived for
shareholders of other funds in The American Funds Group. TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
SHOULD NOT SERVE AS RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTMENTS. The minimum is $50 for
additional investments (except as noted above).
SALES CHARGES- The sales charges you pay when purchasing the stock, stock/bond,
and bond funds of The American Funds Group are set forth below. The money
market funds of The American Funds Group are offered at net asset value. (See
"Investment Minimums and Fund Numbers" for a listing of the funds.)
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AMOUNT OF PURCHASE SALES CHARGE AS DEALER
AT THE OFFERING PRICE PERCENTAGE OF THE: CONCESSION
AS PERCENTAGE
OF THE
OFFERING
PRICE
NET AMOUNT OFFERING
INVESTED PRICE
STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS
Less than $50,000........................................
6.10% 5.75% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000..................
4.71 4.50 3.75
BOND FUNDS
Less than $25,000.......................................
4.99 4.75 4.00
$25,000 but less than $50,000....................
4.71 4.50 3.75
$50,000 but less than $100,000..................
4.17 4.00 3.25
STOCK, STOCK/BOND, AND BOND FUNDS
$100,000 but less than $250,000...............
3.63 3.50 2.75
$250,000 but less than $500,000...............
2.56 2.50 2.00
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000............
2.04 2.00 1.60
$1,000,000 or more..................................... (see below)
none none Commissions of up to 1% will be paid to dealers who initiate and
are responsible for purchases of $1 million
or more, for purchases by any employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or
purchases by any defined contribution
plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
including a "401(k)" plan with 100 or more
eligible employees, and for purchases made at net asset value by
certain retirement plans of organizations
with collective retirement plan assets of $50 million or more:
1.00% on amounts of $1 million to $2 million,
0.80% on amounts over $2 million to $3 million, 0.50% on amounts
over $3 million to $50 million, 0.25% on
amounts over $50 million to $100 million, and 0.15% on amounts
over $100 million. The level of dealer
commissions will be determined based on sales made over a
12-month period commencing from the date of
the first sale at net asset value.
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American Funds Distributors, at its expense (from a designated percentage of
its income) currently provides additional compensation to dealers. These
payments are limited to the top one hundred dealers who have sold shares of the
fund or other funds in The American Funds Group. These payments will be based
on a pro rata share of a qualifying dealer's sales. American Funds Distributors
will, on an annual basis, determine the advisability of continuing these
payments.
Any employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or defined contribution plan qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a "401(k)" plan with 100
or more eligible employees or any other purchaser investing at least $1 million
in shares of the fund (or in combination with shares of other funds in The
American Funds Group other than the money market funds) may purchase shares at
net asset value; however, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% is imposed
on certain redemptions made within twelve months of the purchase. (See
"Redeeming Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.") Investments by
retirement plans, foundations or endowments with $50 million or more in assets
may be made with no sales charge and are not subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge.
Qualified dealers currently are paid a continuing service fee not to exceed
0.25% of average net assets (0.15% in the case of the money market funds)
annually in order to promote selling efforts and to compensate them for
providing certain services. These services include processing purchase and
redemption transactions, establishing shareholder accounts and providing
certain information and assistance with respect to the fund.
NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASES - The stock, stock/bond and bond funds may sell
shares at net asset value with no contingent deferred sales charge to: (1)
current or retired directors, trustees, officers and advisory board members of
the funds managed or advised by Capital Research and Management Company,
employees of Washington Management Corporation, employees and partners of The
Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies, certain family
members of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons;
(2) current registered representatives, retired registered representatives with
respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (and their
spouses, parents, and children) of dealers who have sales agreements with
American Funds Distributors (or who clear transactions through such dealers)
and plans for such persons or the dealers; (3) companies exchanging securities
with the fund through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer; (4) trustees or
other fiduciaries purchasing shares for certain retirement plans, foundations
or endowments with assets of $50 million or more; (5) insurance company
separate accounts; (6) accounts managed by subsidiaries of The Capital Group
Companies, Inc.; and (7) The Capital Group Companies, Inc., its affiliated
companies and Washington Management Corporation. Shares are offered at net
asset value to these persons and organizations due to anticipated economies in
sales effort and expense.
STATEMENT OF INTENTION - The reduced sales charges and offering prices set
forth in the Prospectus apply to purchases of $25,000 or more made within a
13-month period subject to a statement of intention (the "Statement"). The
Statement is not a binding obligation to purchase the indicated amount. When a
shareholder elects to utilize a Statement in order to qualify for a reduced
sales charge, shares equal to 5% of the dollar amount specified in the
Statement will be held in escrow in the shareholder's account out of the
initial purchase (or subsequent purchases, if necessary) by the Transfer Agent.
All dividends and any capital gain distributions on shares held in escrow will
be credited to the shareholder's account in shares (or paid in cash, if
requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified
13-month period, the purchaser will remit to the Principal Underwriter the
difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which
would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single
time. If the difference is not paid within 45 days after written request by
the Principal Underwriter or the securities dealer, the appropriate number of
shares held in escrow will be redeemed to pay such difference. If the proceeds
from this redemption are inadequate, the purchaser will be liable to the
Principal Underwriter for the balance still outstanding. The Statement may be
revised upward at any time during the 13-month period, and such a revision will
be treated as a new Statement, except that the 13-month period during which the
purchase must be made will remain unchanged and there will be no retroactive
reduction of the sales charges paid on prior purchases. Existing holdings
eligible for rights of accumulation (see the prospectus and account
application) may be credited toward satisfying the Statement. During the
Statement period reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions,
investments in money market funds, and investments made under a right of
reinstatement will not be credited toward satisfying the Statement.
In the case of purchase orders by the trustees of certain retirement plans by
payroll deduction, the sales charge for the investments made during the
13-month period will be handled as follows: The regular monthly payroll
deduction investment will be multiplied by 13 and then multiplied by 1.5. The
current value of existing American Funds investments (other than money market
fund investments) and any rollovers or transfers reasonably anticipated to be
invested in non-money market American Funds during the 13-month period are
added to the figure determined above. The sum is the Statement amount and
applicable breakpoint level. On the first investment and all other investments
made pursuant to the Statement, a sales charge will be assessed according to
the sales charge breakpoint thus determined. There will be no retroactive
adjustments in sales charges on investments previously made during the 13-month
period.
Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a Statement
indicate their acceptance of these terms with their first purchase.
AGGREGATION - Sales charge discounts are available for certain aggregated
investments. Qualifying investments include those by you, your spouse and your
children under the age of 21, if all parties are purchasing shares for their
own account(s), which may include purchases through employee benefit plan(s)
such as an IRA, individual-type 403(b) plan or single-participant Keogh-type
plan or by a business solely controlled by these individuals (for example, the
individuals own the entire business) or by a trust (or other fiduciary
arrangement) solely for the benefit of these individuals. Individual purchases
by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the
investments are (1) for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including
an employee benefit plan other than those described above, or (2) made for two
or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers
as defined in the 1940 Act, again excluding employee benefit plans described
above, or (3) for a diversified common trust fund or other diversified pooled
account not specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares.
Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name
of an investment dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department
instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other
accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts
unless otherwise qualified as described above.
PRICE OF SHARES - Purchases of shares are made at the offering price next
determined after the purchase order is received by the fund or American Funds
Service Company; this offering price is effective for orders received prior to
the time of determination of the net asset value and, in the case of orders
placed with dealers, accepted by the Principal Underwriter prior to its close
of business. In case of orders sent directly to the fund or American Funds
Service Company, an investment dealer MUST be indicated. The dealer is
responsible for promptly transmitting purchase orders to the Principal
Underwriter. Orders received by the investment dealer, the Transfer Agent, or
the fund after the time of the determination of the net asset value will be
entered at the next calculated offering price. Prices which appear in the
newspaper are not always indicative of prices at which you will be purchasing
and redeeming shares of the fund, since such prices generally reflect the
previous day's closing price whereas purchases and redemptions are made at the
next calculated price.
The price you pay for shares, the offering price, is based on the net asset
value per share which is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading
(currently 4:00 p.m., New York Time) each day the New York Stock Exchange is
open. The New York Stock Exchange is currently closed on weekends and on the
following holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day.
All portfolio securities of funds managed by Capital Research and Management
Company (other than money market funds) are valued, and the net asset value per
share is determined, as follows:
1. Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are valued at the last
reported sale price on the exchange or market on which such securities are
traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued
or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. In cases where equity
securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on
the exchange or market determined by the Investment Adviser to be the broadest
and most representative market, which may be either a securities exchange or
the over-the-counter market. Fixed-income securities are valued at prices
obtained from a pricing service, when such prices are available; however, in
circumstances where the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate to do so, such
securities will be valued at the mean quoted bid and asked prices or at prices
for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.
Securities with original maturities of one year or less having 60 days or less
to maturity are amortized to maturity based on their cost if acquired within 60
days of maturity or, if already held on the 60th day, based on the value
determined on the 61st day. Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean
of representative quoted bid and asked prices.
Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currencies are
translated prior to the next determination of the net asset value of the fund's
shares into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates.
Securities and assets for which representative market quotations are not
readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under
policies approved by the fund's Board; The fair value of all other assets is
added to the value of securities at the total assets;
2. Liabilities, including accruals of taxes and other expense items, are
deducted from total assets; and
3. Net assets so obtained are then divided by the total number of shares
outstanding, and the result, rounded to the nearer cent, is the net asset value
per share.
Any purchase order may be rejected by the Principal Underwriter or by the
Trust. The Trust will not knowingly sell fund shares (other than for the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions) directly or indirectly
or through a unit investment trust to any other investment company, person or
entity, where, after the sale, such investment company, person, or entity would
own beneficially directly, indirectly, or through a unit investment trust more
than 4.5% of the outstanding shares of the fund without the consent of a
majority of the Board of Trustees.
REDEEMING SHARES
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By writing to American Funds Send a letter of instruction specifying the name of the fund, the number of
Service Company (at the shares or dollar amount to be sold, your name and account number. You
appropriate address indicated should also enclose any share certificates you wish to redeem. For
under "Fund Organization and Management - Principal redemptions over $50,000 and for certain redemptions of $50,000 or less
Underwriter and Transfer Agent" (see below), your signature must be guaranteed by a bank, savings
in the prospectus) association, credit union, or member firm of a domestic stock exchange
or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that is an eligible
guarantor institution. You should verify with the institution that it is an
eligible guarantor prior to signing. Additional documentation may be
required for redemption of shares held in corporate, partnership or
fiduciary accounts. Notarization by a Notary Public is not an
acceptable signature guarantee.
By contacting your investment If you redeem shares through your investment dealer, you may be
dealer charged for this service. SHARES HELD FOR YOU IN YOUR INVESTMENT
DEALER'S STREET NAME MUST BE REDEEMED THROUGH THE DEALER.
You may have a redemption You may use this option, provided the account is registered in the name
check sent to you by using of an individual(s), a UGMA/UTMA custodian, or a non-retirement plan
American FundsLineR or trust. These redemptions may not exceed $50,000 per shareholder, each
American FundsLine OnLine/SM/ day account and the check must be made payable to the shareholder(s) of
or by telephoning, faxing, or record and be sent to the address of record provided the address has been
telegraphing American Funds used with the account for at least 10 days. See "Fund Organization and
Service Company (subject to the Management - Principal Underwriter and Transfer Agent" in the
conditions noted in this section prospectus and "Exchange Privilege" below for the appropriate telephone
and in "Telephone and Computer Purchases, Sales and Exchanges" or fax number.
in the prospectus)
In the case of the money Upon request (use the account application for the money market funds)
market funds, you may have you may establish telephone redemption privileges (which will enable you
redemptions wired to your to have a redemption sent to your bank account) and/or check writing
bank by telephoning American privileges. If you request check writing privileges, you will be provided
Funds Service Company ($1,000 with checks that you may use to draw against your account. These
or more) or by writing a check checks may be made payable to anyone you designate and must be signed
($250 or more) by the authorized number of registered shareholders exactly as indicated
on your checking account signature card.
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A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE IS NOT CURRENTLY REQUIRED FOR ANY REDEMPTION OF $50,000
OR LESS PROVIDED THE REDEMPTION CHECK IS MADE PAYABLE TO THE REGISTERED
SHAREHOLDER(S) AND IS MAILED TO THE ADDRESS OF RECORD, PROVIDED THE ADDRESS HAS
BEEN USED WITH THE ACCOUNT FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE - A contingent deferred sales charge of 1%
applies to certain redemptions made within twelve months of purchase on
investments of $1 million or more and on any investment made with no initial
sales charge by any employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or defined contribution plan
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a
"401(k)" plan with 100 or more eligible employees. The charge is 1% of the
lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividends
and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares. Shares held
for the longest period are assumed to be redeemed first for purposes of
calculating this charge. The charge is waived for exchanges (except if shares
acquired by exchange were then redeemed within 12 months of the initial
purchase); for distributions from qualified retirement plans and other employee
benefit plans; for redemptions resulting from participant-directed switches
among investment options within a participant-directed employer-sponsored
retirement plan; for distributions from 403(b) plans or IRAs due to death,
disability or attainment of age 59$; for tax-free returns of excess
contributions to IRAs; for redemptions through certain automatic withdrawals
not exceeding 10% of the amount that would otherwise be subject to the charge;
and for redemptions in connection with loans made by qualified retirement
plans.
SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN - The automatic investment plan enables you to make
regular investments monthly or quarterly in shares through automatic charges to
your bank accounts. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, the
Transfer Agent will automatically charge the bank account for the amount
specified ($50 minimum), which will be automatically invested in shares at the
offering price on or about the dates you select. Bank accounts will be
charged on the day or a few days before investments are credited, depending on
the bank's capabilities, and you will receive a confirmation statement at least
quarterly. Participation in the plan will begin within 30 days after receipt
of the account application. If your bank account cannot be charged due to
insufficient funds, a stop-payment order or closing of the account, the plan
may be terminated and the related investment reversed. You may change the
amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by writing to the
Transfer Agent.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT - Dividends and capital gain distributions are
reinvested in additional shares at no sales charge unless you indicate
otherwise on the account application. You also may elect to have dividends
and/or capital gain distributions paid in cash by informing the fund, American
Funds Service Company or your investment dealer.
CROSS-REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS - You may elect to
cross-reinvest dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions paid by
that fund (the paying fund) into any other fund in The American Funds Group
(the receiving fund) subject to the following conditions: (i) the aggregate
value of your account(s) in the paying fund(s) must equal or exceed $5,000
(this condition is waived if the value of the account in the receiving fund
equals or exceeds that fund's minimum initial investment requirement), (ii) as
long as the value of the account in the receiving fund is below that fund's
minimum initial investment requirement, dividends and capital gain
distributions paid by the receiving fund must be automatically reinvested in
the receiving fund, and (iii) if this privilege is discontinued with respect to
a particular receiving fund, the value of the account in that fund must equal
or exceed the fund's minimum initial investment requirement or the fund will
have the right, if you fail to increase the value of the account to such
minimum within 90 days after being notified of the deficiency, automatically to
redeem the account and send the proceeds to you. These cross-reinvestments of
dividends and capital gain distributions will be at net asset value (without
sales charge).
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE - You may exchange shares into other funds in The American
Funds Group. Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment
requirements of the fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies.
However, exchanges of shares from the money market funds are subject to
applicable sales charges on the fund being purchased, unless the money market
fund shares were acquired by an exchange from a fund having a sales charge, or
by reinvestment or cross-reinvestment of dividends or capital gain
distributions.
You may exchange shares by writing to American Funds Service Company (see
"Redeeming Shares"), by contacting your investment dealer, by using American
FundsLineR or American FundsLine OnLine/SM/(see "American FundsLineR and
American FundsLine OnLine/SM"/ below), or by telephoning 800/421-0180
toll-free, faxing (see "Principal Underwriter and Transfer Agent" in the
prospectus for the appropriate fax numbers) or telegraphing American Funds
Service Company. (See "Telephone and Computer Purchases, Redemptions and
Exchanges" below.) Shares held in corporate-type retirement plans for which
Capital Guardian Trust Company serves as trustee may not be exchanged by
telephone, fax or telegraph. Exchange redemptions and purchases are processed
simultaneously at the share prices next determined after the exchange order is
received. (See "Purchase of Shares--Price of Shares.") THESE TRANSACTIONS HAVE
THE SAME TAX CONSEQUENCES AS ORDINARY SALES AND PURCHASES.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES - You may automatically exchange shares (in amounts of $50
or more) among any of the funds in The American Funds Group on any day (or
preceding business day if the day falls on a non-business day) of each month
you designate. You must either meet the minimum initial investment requirement
for the receiving fund OR the originating fund's balance must be at least
$5,000 and the receiving fund's minimum must be met within one year.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWALS - Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as
dividends, yield or income. Automatic investments may not be made into a
shareholder account from which there are automatic withdrawals. Withdrawals of
amounts exceeding reinvested dividends and distributions and increases in share
value would reduce the aggregate value of the shareholder's account. The
Transfer Agent arranges for the redemption by the fund of sufficient shares,
deposited by the shareholder with the Transfer Agent, to provide the withdrawal
payment specified.
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS - Your account is opened in accordance with your
registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as additional
investments will be reflected on regular confirmation statements from American
Funds Service Company. Dividends and capital gain reinvestments and purchases
through automatic investment plans and certain retirement plans will be
confirmed at least quarterly.
AMERICAN FUNDSLINER AND AMERICAN FUNDSLINE ONLINE/SM/ - YOU MAY CHECK YOUR
SHARE BALANCE, THE PRICE OF YOUR SHARES, OR YOUR MOST RECENT ACCOUNT
TRANSACTION, REDEEM SHARES (UP TO $50,000 PER SHAREHOLDER, EACH DAY), OR
EXCHANGE SHARES AROUND THE CLOCK WITH AMERICAN FUNDSLINER and American
FundsLine OnLine/SM/. To use this service, call 800/325-3590 from a TouchTonet
telephone or access The American Funds Website on the Internet at
www.americanfunds.com. Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLineR
and American FundsLine OnLine/SM/ are subject to the conditions noted above and
in "Telephone and Computer Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges" below. You
will need your fund number (see the list of funds in The American Funds Group
under "Purchase of Shares--Investment Minimums and Fund Numbers"), personal
identification number (the last four digits of your Social Security number or
other tax identification number associated with your account) and account
number.
TELEPHONE AND COMPUTER PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES - By using the
telephone or computer (including American FundsLineR and American FundsLine
OnLine/SM/), fax or telegraph redemption and/or exchange options, you agree to
hold the fund, American Funds Service Company, any of its affiliates or mutual
funds advised or managed by such affiliates, the fund's Business Manager and
each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents
harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liability (including attorney
fees) which may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these
privileges. Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these
options. However, you may elect to opt out of these options by writing American
Funds Service Company (you may also reinstate them at any time by writing
American Funds Service Company). If American Funds Service Company does not
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any
person with appropriate account information are genuine, it and/or the fund may
be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In the
event that shareholders are unable to reach the fund by telephone because of
technical difficulties, market conditions, or a natural disaster, redemption a
and exchange requests may be made in writing only.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Orders for the fund's portfolio securities transactions are placed by the
Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser strives to obtain the best
available prices in its portfolio transactions taking into account the costs
and promptness of executions. When circumstances relating to a proposed
transaction indicate that a particular broker (either directly or through its
correspondent clearing agents) is in a position to obtain the best price and
execution, the order is placed with that broker. This may or not be a broker
who has provided investment research statistical, or other related services to
the Investment Adviser or has sold shares of the fund or other funds served by
the Investment Adviser. The fund does not consider that it has an obligation
to obtain the lowest available commission rate to the exclusion of price,
service and qualitative considerations.
There are occasions on which portfolio transactions for the Trust may be
executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for other funds served by the Investment Adviser, or for trusts or
other accounts served by affiliated companies of the Investment Adviser.
Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either
advantageous or disadvantageous to the Trust, they are effected only when the
Investment Adviser believes that to do so is in the interest of the Trust.
When such concurrent authorizations occur, the objective is to allocate the
executions in an equitable manner.
Substantially all portfolio transactions are effected on a principal basis and
ordinarily include a mark-up or mark-down, but no stated commission. Brokerage
commissions paid on portfolio transactions, including dealer concessions on
underwritings, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997 equaled $26,000 for the
Maryland Fund and $40,000 for the Virginia Fund, respectively.
Johnston, Lemon & Co. Incorporated, which together with the Business Manager is
wholly owned by The Johnston-Lemon Group, Incorporated, may serve as broker for
the fund in effecting certain portfolio transactions, and may retain
commissions, in accordance with certain regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS - Securities and cash owned by the fund, including proceeds
from the sale of shares of the fund and of securities in the Trust's portfolio,
are held by The Chase Manhattan Bank, Three Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY
11245, as Custodian.
TRANSFER AGENT - American Funds Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Investment Adviser, maintains the record of each shareholder's account,
processes purchases and redemptions of the fund's shares, acts as dividend and
capital gain distribution disbursing agent, and performs other related
shareholder service functions. American Funds Service Company was paid a fee
of $31,000 and $35,000, for the Maryland Fund and the Virginia Fund,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS - Price Waterhouse LLP, 400 South Hope Street, Los
Angeles, CA 90071, has served as the Trust's independent accountants since its
inception, providing audit services, preparation of tax returns and review of
certain documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Financial Statements included in this Statement of Additional Information have
been so included in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS - The Trust's fiscal year ends on July 31. Shareholders
are provided, at least semiannually, with reports showing the investment
portfolio and financial statements audited annually by the Trust's independent
accountants, Price Waterhouse LLP, whose selection is determined annually by
the Trustees.
PERSONAL INVESTING POLICY - Capital Research and Management Company and its
affiliated companies have adopted a personal investing policy consistent with
Investment Company Institute guidelines. This policy includes: a ban on
acquisitions of securities pursuant to an initial public offering; restrictions
on acquisitions of private placement securities; pre-clearance and reporting
requirements; review of duplicate confirmation statements; annual
recertification of compliance with codes of ethics; disclosure of personal
holdings by certain investment personnel prior to recommendation for purchase
for the fund; blackout periods for personal investing for certain investment
personnel; ban on short-term trading profits for investment personnel;
limitations on service as a director of publicly traded companies; and
disclosure of personal securities transactions. You may obtain a summary of
the personal investing policy of the fund's investment adviser by contacting
the Secretary of the fund.
The financial statements including the investment portfolio and the report of
Independent Accountants contained in the Annual Report are included in this
Statement of Additional Information. The following information is not included
in the Annual Report:
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, REDEMPTION PRICE AND
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE -- JULY 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF Maryland THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF VIRGINIA
<S> <C> <C>
Net asset value and redemption price per share $16.02 $16.37
(Net assets divided by shares outstanding)
Maximum Offering price per share (100/95.25 of $16.82 $17.19
net asset value per share, which takes into
account the fund's current maximum sales charge)
</TABLE>
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITY - Under the laws of certain states,
including Massachusetts, where the Trust was organized, shareholders of a
Massachusetts business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held
personally liable as partners for the obligations of the Trust. However, the
risk of a shareholder incurring any financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable
to meet its obligations. The Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and
provides that notice of the disclaimer may be given in any agreement,
obligation, or instrument which is entered into or executed by the Trust or
Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Trust
property of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust and also provides for the Trust to reimburse such shareholder for all
legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any such claim
or liability.
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees or officers are not liable for
actions or failure to act; however, they are not protected from liability by
reason of their willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office. The Trust
will provide indemnification to its Trustees and officers as authorized by its
By-Laws and by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
SHAREHOLDER VOTING RIGHTS - As permitted by Massachusetts law, there will
normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees
unless and until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding
office have been elected by shareholders. At that time, the Trustees then in
office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees. The
Trustees must call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the
question of removal of any Trustee when requested to do so by the record
holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. At such a meeting, a
Trustee may be removed after the holders of record of not less than a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Trust have declared that the Trustee be
removed either by declaration in writing or by votes cast in person or by
proxy. Except as set forth above, the Trustees will continue to hold office
and may appoint successor Trustees. The shares do not have cumulative voting
rights, which means that the holders of a majority of the shares of the Trust
voting for the election of Trustees can elect all the Trustees. No amendment
may be made to the Declaration of Trust without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust except that amendments to
change the name of the Trust, to correct any ambiguous, defective or
inconsistent provision of, or to supply any omission to, the Declaration of
Trust, to establish new funds, or to reduce or eliminate the payment of taxes
by the Trust may be made by the Trustees without the vote or consent of
Shareholders. If not terminated by the vote or written consent of a majority
of the outstanding shares, the Trust will continue indefinitely.
The fund currently issues shares in two series and the Board of Trustees may
establish additional series of shares in the future. Each "series" of shares
represents interests in a separate portfolio and has its own investment
objective and policies. When more than one series of shares is outstanding,
shares of all series will vote together for a single set of Trustees, and on
other matters affecting the entire Trust, with each share entitled to a single
vote. On matters affecting only one series, only the shareholders of that
series shall be entitled to vote. On matters relating to more than one series
but affecting the series differently, separate votes by series are required.
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The Maryland Fund yield was 4.20% and the Virginia Fund yield was 4.11% based
on a 30-day (or one month) period ended July 31, 1997, computed by dividing the
net investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum
offering price per share on the last day of the period, according to the
following formula:
YIELD = 2[((a-b/cd) + 1)/6/ -1]
Where:a =dividends and interest earned during the period.
b =expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).
c =the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period
that were entitled to receive dividends.
d =the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
period.
The fund may also calculate a tax equivalent yield based on a 30-day (or one
month) period ended no later than the date of the most recent balance sheet
included in the registration statement, computed by dividing that portion of
the yield (as computed by the formula stated above) which is tax-exempt by one
minus a stated income tax rate and adding the product to that portion, if any,
of the yield that is not tax-exempt. The Maryland Fund's tax-equivalent yield
based on the maximum combined effective federal/state/county tax rate of 44.1%
for the 30-day (or one month) period ended July 31, 1997 was 7.51%. For the
Virginia Fund investors with the maximum combined effective federal/state tax
rate of 43.1%, the tax-equivalent yield was 7.22% for the period ended July 31,
1997.
The Maryland Fund average annual total return for the one-year, five-year and
ten-year periods ending on July 31, 1997 was +4.30%, +5.32% and +7.07%,
respectively. The Virginia Fund average annual total return for the same time
periods was +3.90%, +5.18% and +7.01%, respectively. The average annual total
return ("T") is computed by equating the value at the end of the period ("ERV")
with a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P") over a period of years
("n") according to the following formula as required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission:
P(1+T)/n/ = ERV.
The following assumptions will be reflected in computations made in accordance
with the formula stated above: (1) deduction of the maximum sales load of
4.75% from the $1,000 initial investment; (2) reinvestment of dividends and
distributions at net asset value on the reinvestment date determined by the
Board; and (3) a complete redemption at the end of any period illustrated. The
fund will calculate total return for ten-year periods after such a period has
elapsed. In addition, the fund will provide lifetime average total return
figures.
The funds may also calculate distribution rates on a taxable and tax equivalent
basis. The distribution rates are computed by annualizing the current month's
dividend and dividing by the average net asset value or maximum
offering price for the month. The distribution rates may differ from the
yields.
SEE THE DIFFERENCE TIME CAN MAKE IN AN INVESTMENT PROGRAM
....and taken all
distributions in shares,
If you had invested your investment would
$10,000 in the fund have been worth this
this many years ago... much at July 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Years Periods Maryland Value** Virginia Value**
8/1-7/31
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1 1996-1997 $10,430 $10,390
2 1995-1997 11,055 10,958
3 1994-1997 11,889 11,790
4 1993-1997 12,063 11,992
5 1992-1997 12,956 12,870
6 1991-1997 14,608 14,510
7 1990-1997 15,696 15,680
8 1989-1997 16,530 16,592
9 1988-1997 18,482 18,525
10 1987-1997 19,804 19,688
11 8/14/86-1997 19,634 20,247
</TABLE>
ILLUSTRATION OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF MARYLAND
WITH DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
(For the lifetime of the fund August 14, 1986 - July 31, 1997)
COST OF SHARES
VALUE OF SHARES**
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Annual Dividends Total From From From Total
Year End Dividends (cumulative) Investment Initial Capital Dividends Value
July 31 Cost Investment Gains Reinvested
Reinvested
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1987* $ 493 $ 493 $ 10,493 $ 8,973 $0 $ 471 $ 9,444
1988 617 1,110 11,110 9,020 1 1,101 10,122
1989 653 1,763 11,763 9,480 1 1,832 11,313
1990 681 2,444 12,444 9,413 1 2,504 11,918
1991 736 3,180 13,180 9,527 1 3,276 12,804
1992 764 3,944 13,944 10,147 1 4,285 14,433
1993 765 4,709 14,709 10,353 1 5,154 15,508
1994 773 5,482 15,482 10,000 1 5,727 15,728
1995 860 6,342 16,342 10,193 1 6,726 16,920
1996 901 7,243 17,243 10,260 1 7,666 17,927
1997 945 8,188 18,188 10,680 1 8,953 19,634
</TABLE>
ILLUSTRATION OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE TAX-EXEMPT FUND OF VIRGINIA
WITH DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
(For the lifetime of the fund August 14, 1986 - July 31, 1997)
COST OF SHARES
VALUE OF SHARES**
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Annual Dividends Total From From Capital From Total
Year End Dividends (cumulative) Investment Initial Gains Dividends Value
July 31 Cost Investment Reinvested Reinvestment
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1987* $ 545 $ 545 $ 10,545 $ 9,273 $0 $ 525 $ 9,798
1988 640 1,185 11,185 9,240 1 1,171 10,412
1989 671 1,856 11,856 9,700 1 1,919 11,620
1990 716 2,572 12,572 9,667 1 2,634 12,302
1991 760 3,332 13,332 9,833 1 3,454 13,288
1992 791 4,123 14,123 10,480 1 4,508 14,989
1993 800 4,923 14,923 10,673 1 5,407 16,081
1994 826 5,749 15,749 10,327 1 6,032 16,360
1995 892 6,641 16,641 10,527 1 7,069 17,597
1996 928 7,569 17,569 10,513 63 7,982 18,558
1997 955 8,524 18,524 10,913 65 9,269 20,247
</TABLE>
* From inception on August 14, 1986.
** Results assume deduction of the maximum sales charge of 4.75% from the
initial purchase payment.
EXPERIENCE OF INVESTMENT ADVISER - Capital Research and Management Company
manages nine common stock funds that are at least 10 years old. In all of the
10-year periods during which those funds were managed by Capital Research and
Management Company since January 1, 1967 (127 in all), those funds have had
better total returns than the Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index in
91 of the 127 periods.
Note that past results are not an indication of future investment results.
Also, the fund has different investment policies than the funds mentioned
above. These results are included solely for the purpose of informing
investors about the experience and history of Capital Research and Management
Company, the fund's Investment Adviser.
The fund may also refer to results compiled by organizations such as CDA
Investment Services, Ibbotson Associates, Lipper Analytical Services,
Morningstar, Inc. and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Additionally, the fund
may, from time to time, refer to results published in various newspapers or
periodicals, including "Barrons", Forbes, Fortune, Institutional Investor,
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Money, U.S. News and World Report and
"The Wall Street Journal."
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS FOR DEBT SECURITIES
The ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's
Corporation represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal bonds
which they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings
are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal
bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields,
while municipal bonds of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings
may have the same yield.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rates the long-term debt securities issued
by various entities from "Aaa" to "C." Moody's applies the numerical modifiers
1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its
corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks
in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the
lower end of its generic rating category. Ratings are described as follows:
BONDS --
"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."
"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 the Aaa
securities."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or having other marked
shortcomings."
"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."
NOTES --
"The MIG 1 designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing."
"The MIG 2 designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not as large as in the preceding group."
COMMERCIAL PAPER --
"Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior
capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment
capacity will normally be evidenced by 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 earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
-- Well established access to a range of financial markets and assured
sources of alternate liquidity.
Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong
capacity 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, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while appropriate, maybe
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is
maintained."
Standard & Poor's Corporation rates the long-term securities debt of
various entities in categories ranging from "AAA" to "D" according to quality.
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.
Ratings are described as follows:
BONDS --
"Debt rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong."
"Debt rated 'AA' has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree."
"Debt rated 'A' has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories."
"Debt rated 'BBB' is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories."
"BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with
respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C
The highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions."
"The rating 'C1' is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid."
"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 S&P 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 if debt service payments are
jeopardized."
NOTES --
"The SP-1 rating denotes a very strong or strong capacity to pay principal
and interest. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety
characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation."
"The SP-2 rating denotes a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
interest."
COMMERCIAL PAPER --
"The A-1 designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus
(+)designation.
The A-2 designation indicates a capacity for timely payment on issues so
designated is strong; however, the relative degree of safety is not as high as
for issues designated A-1."
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland
Investment Portfolio, July 31, 1997
Principal
Amount Market
(000) Value
-------------- -------------
Tax-Exempt Securities Maturing in More than One Year - 95.43%
College & University Revenue - 4.17%
Frederick County, College Revenue Bonds (Hood College Project),
1990 Series:
7.05% 2004 $410 $442,238
7.05% 2005 455 494612
Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority,
Refunding Revenue Bonds, Johns Hopkins University Issue,
Series 1988, 7.375% 2008 500 525,030
University of Maryland System Auxiliary Facility and Tuition
Revenue Bonds:
1992 Series A, 6.30% 2009 1050 1139597
1993 Refunding Series C, 5.00% 2010 1000 1009950
-------------
3,611,427
-------------
General Obligations (Local) - 1.90%
Anne Arundel County, Consolidated Water and Sewer, 1993
Refunding Series, 5.30% 2016 500 505315
Baltimore County, Metropolitan District Bonds, 63rd Issue,
1992 Series, 6.10% 2006 250 273215
Frederick County, Public Facilities Bonds 1990, 8.875% 2002 250 302168
Harford County Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds,
Series 1992, 5.80% 2010 530 563183
-------------
1,643,881
-------------
Hospital & Health Facilities Revenue - 17.32%
Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority:
Good Samaritan Hospital Issue, Revenue Bonds, Series 1993,
5.70% 2009 1000 1093280
Howard County, General Hospital Issue, Series 1993:
5.50% 2013 2000 1995700
5.50% 2021 2000 1939380
Johns Hopkins Hospital Issue, Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series 1993:
5.60% 2009 850 893741
5.00% 2023 2000 1940560
Memorial Hospital of Cumberland Issue, Revenue Refunding
Bonds, Series 1992, 6.50% 2010 750 815370
Peninsula Regional Medical Center Issue, Project and Refunding
Revenue Bonds, Series 1993, 5.00% 2023 500 477615
Suburban Hospital Issue, Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series 1993, 5.125% 2021 3000 2953140
Prince George's County (Dimensions Health Corporation Issue):
Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series 1992, 7.20% 2006 215 245536
Project and Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 1994, 5.375% 2014 1600 1608928
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical and
Environmental Control Facilities Financing Authority,
Hospital Revenue Bonds (Mennonite General Hospital Project),
1996 Series A, 6.375% 2006 1000 1047470
-------------
15,010,720
-------------
Housing Finance Authority Revenue - 10.76%
Maryland Community Development Administration, Department of
Housing and Community Development, Single-Family Program Bonds:
1994 First Series, 5.80% 2009 2000 2095500
1994 First Series, 5.70% 2017 2,255 2,295,680
1994 Fifth Series, AMT, 5.875% 2017 1365 1399794
1990 First Series, 7.60% 2017 495 519270
1988 Third Series, 8.00% 2018 1,000 1,018,440
Montgomery County, Housing Opportunities Commission,
Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, 1997 Series A, 5.50% 2009 750 766,088
Prince George's County Housing Authority, GNMA/FNMA
Collateralized Single Family Mortgage Bonds,
Series 1994 A, AMT, 6.60% 2025 930 977486
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Housing Finance Corporation,
Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, 1st Portfolio:
1988 Series A, 7.80% 2021 10 10304
1988 Series B, 7.65% 2022 230 243395
-------------
9,325,957
-------------
Industrial Development Revenue - 2.50%
Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, Port Facilities Revenue
Bonds (Consolidation Coal Sales Company Project):
Series 1984 A, 6.50% 2011 500 547030
Series 1984 B, 6.50% 2011 500 547030
Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Special Facilities Revenue Bonds
(American Airlines, Inc. Project), 1996 Series A, 6.25% 2026 1000 1072761
-------------
2,166,821
-------------
Insured - 16.96%
City of Baltimore, Refunding Revenue Bonds, FGIC Insured,
1994, Series A:
6.00% 2015 1500 1691355
5.00% 2024 1220 1218780
Charles County, Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds of 1993,
Series A, FGIC Insured, 5.25% 2003 715 749599
City of Frederick, General Improvement Bonds, 1992 Refunding
Series, FGIC Insured, 6.125% 2008 890 968774
Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority:
Francis Scott Key Medical Center Issue, Refunding Revenue
Bonds, Series 1993, FGIC Insured, 5.00% 2013 500300
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Parking Facilities Issue,
Parking Revenue Bonds, Series 1996, AMBAC Insured, 5.50% 2011 1200 1262340
Memorial Hospital of Easton, Series 1989 B,
MBIA Insured, 7.00% 2012 1,200 1,283,364
Mercy Medical Center Issue Project and Refunding Revenue
Bonds, Series 1996, FSA Insured, 6.50% 2013 2000 2345860
Prince George's County, Solid Waste Management System
Revenue Bonds, Series 1993, 6.50% 2007 2,000 2,248,340
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico:
Electric & Power Authority, MBIA Insured, 7.00% 2007 1000 1,200,830
Highway and Transportation Authority, Highway Revenue Refunding
Bonds, Series Z, MBIA Insured, 6.25% 2014 1000 1,162,810
Public Improvement Bonds of 1987, MBIA Insured, 6.75% 2006 65 66482
-------------
14,698,834
-------------
Life Care Facilities Revenue - 8.36%
Calvert County, Economic Development Revenue Bonds
(Asbury-Solomons Island Facility), Series 1995, 8.625% 2024 2300 2586511
Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority,
First Mortgage Refunding Revenue Bonds, Roland Park Place Issue,
Series 1989, 7.75% 2012 2000 2110300
Prince George's County, Refunding Revenue Bonds, Collington
Episcopal Life Care Community, Inc., Series 1994 A, 6.00% 2013 2500 2546900
-------------
7,243,711
-------------
Multi-Family Housing - 6.21%
Montgomery County, Maryland Housing Opportunities Commission,
Multi-Family Revenue Bonds:
1995 Series A, 6.10% 2015 2,025 2,102,699
1994 Series A-2, 7.50% 2024 2000 2137760
Prince George's County, Mortgage Revenue Bonds
(GNMA Collateralized-Langley Gardens Apartments Project),
Series 1997 A, 5.60% 2017/1/ 1130 1136193
-------------
5376652
-------------
Pre-Refunded/2/ - 11.15%
Frederick County, Public Facilities Bonds:
1991, Series B, 6.30% 2011 (2002) 1370 1520495
1986 Series, 7.40% 2012 (2001) 310 354770
Harford County, Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds,
Series 1992, 5.80% 2010 (2002) 970 1057213
Howard County, Metropolitan District Refunding Bonds,
1991 Series A, 6.625% 2021 (2001) 500 546295
Maryland State Health and Higher Educational Facilities
Authority:
Junior Lien Revenue Bonds, Francis Scott Key Medical Center
Issue, 1990 Series A, 7.00% 2025 (2000) 250 274788
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore Issue, Revenue Bonds,
1990 Series, AMBAC Insured, 7.00% 2019 (2000) 700 769405
Suburban Hospital Issue Revenue Bonds, Series 1992,
6.50% 2017 (2002) 500 559330
University of Maryland Medical System Issue, Revenue Bonds,
Series 1991 A, FGIC Insured, 6.50% 2021 (2001) 1000 1086550
Prince George's County, Hospital Revenue Bonds (Dimensions
Health Corporation Issue), Series 1992, 7.20% 2006 (2002) 1,035 1188718
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico:
Housing Bank and Finance Agency, Single Family Mortgage Revenue
Bonds, Homeownership 5th Portfolio, 1986 Series, 7.50% 2015 (2000) 495 539758
Public Improvement Bonds of 1992, MBIA Insured, 6.50% 2009 (2002) 1,000 1,119,790
University of Maryland System Auxiliary Facility and Tuition
Revenue Bonds, 1989 Series B, 7.00% 2007 (1999) 600 648821
-------------
9,665,933
-------------
Resource Recovery - 7.15%
Maryland Energy Financing Administration, Limited Obligation Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (Wheelabrator Water Technologies
Baltimore L.L.C. Projects), 1996 Series, AMT, 6.30% 2010 2750 2966728
Montgomery County, Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority,
Solid Waste Revenue Bonds AMT:
6.00% 2006 1000 1082030
6.00% 2007 1000 1085130
Series 1993 A, 6.30% 2016 1000 1063919
-------------
6197807
-------------
Special Obligations - 2.82%
Montgomery County Revenue Authority, Golf Course System Revenue
Bonds, Series 1996 A, 6.00% 2014 2355 2441923
-------------
Tax Assessment Bonds - 2.38%
Prince George's County, Special Obligation Bonds '(Woodview Village
Infrastructure Improvements), Series 1997 A, 8.00% 2026 2000 2061779
-------------
Turnpikes & Toll Roads Revenue - 1.27%
Maryland Transportation Authority Facilities Project,
Transportation Facilities Projects Revenue Bonds,
Series 1992, 5.80% 2006 1000 1098430
-------------
Water & Sewer Revenue - 2.48%
Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration,
Revolving Loan Fund Revenue Bonds, Series 1991 B, 0.00% 2005 700 491225
Washington Suburban Sanitary District, Refunding Bonds of 1997,
5.75% 2017 1510 1657361
-------------
2148586
-------------
82692461
-------------
Tax-Exempt Securities Maturing in One Year or Less - 4.10%
Industrial Development Revenue - 2.88%
Anne Arundel County, Economic Development Revenue Bonds
(Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Project):
3.55% 1997 1000 1000000
3.80% 1997 500 500000
3.90% 1997 1000 1000000
-------------
2500000
-------------
Pre-Refunded/2/ - 1.22%
Suburban Hospital Issue Revenue Bonds, Series 1988,
7.50% 2008 (1998) 1000 1053050
-------------
3553050
-------------
TOTAL TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES (COST: $80,395,000) 86,245,511
Excess of cash and receivables over payables 411,150
-------------
NET ASSETS $86,656,661
==========
/1/Represents a when-issued security.
/2/Parenthetical year represents date of pre-refunding.
See Notes to Financial Statements
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia
Investment Portfolio, July 31, 1997
Principal
Amount Market
(000) Value
- -
Tax-Exempt Securities Maturing in More than One Year - 95.16%
College & University Revenue - 2.82%
Virginia College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue
Bonds (Marymount University Project), Series 1992, 6.875% 2007 $1,650 $1,782,875
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University Services
System and General Revenue Pledge Bonds, Series C 1996, 5.35% 2009 1,000 1,050,290
-
2833165
-
General Obligations (Local) - 11.44%
Arlington County:
Public Improvement Bonds, Series 1996, 6.00% 2011 1000 1135430
Refunding Bonds, Series 1993, 6.00% 2012 1000 1136510
Chesapeake:
Public Improvement Bonds, Series 1992, 6.00% 2006 1600 1739520
Refunding Bonds, Series 1993, 5.40% 2008 1000 1076390
Water and Sewer Bonds, Series 1995 A, 5.375% 2020 1500 1520670
Leesburg Refunding Bonds, Series 1993, 5.60% 2008 1195 1270620
Lynchburg Public Improvement Refunding Bonds,
Series 1993, 5.25% 2009 1000 1033050
Newport News General Obligation, Water Bonds,
Series A 1992, 6.125% 2009 1170 1258663
Norfolk Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds,
Series 1992 A, 6.00% 2011 500 528755
Roanoke Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds,
Series 1992 B:
6.375% 2009 250 270405
6.40% 2011 500 541429
-
11511442
-
General Obligations (State) - .80%
Commonwealth of Virginia, Public Facilities Bonds,
1993 Series A, 5.40% 2005 750 804705
-
Hospital & Health Facilities Revenue - 16.88%
Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority, Hospital
Revenue Refunding Bonds (INOVA Health Systems Hospital
Project), Series 1993 A:
5.00% 2007 750 774195
5.25% 2019 2500 2509700
5.00% 2023 500 483045
Hampton Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Revenue
Bonds (Sentara Hospitals), 5.125% 2016 1000 989660
Industrial Development Authority of Henry County, Hospital Revenue
Bonds (Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County),
Series 1997, 6.00% 2017 2000 2101180
Lynchburg Industrial Development Authority, Hospital
Facilities, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Centra
Health, Inc., Series 1988, 8.125% 2016 1000 1054970
Norfolk Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Revenue
Bonds (Sentara Hospitals-Norfolk Project),
Series A 1994, 5.00% 2020 2315 2243652
Peninsula Ports Authority:
Health Care Facilities Revenue and Refunding Bonds (Mary
Immaculate Project), 1994 Series, 6.875% 2010 1900 2213709
Health System Revenue and Refunding Bonds
(Riverside Health System Project),
Series 1992 A, 6.625% 2010 1300 1420341
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical and
Environmental Control Facilities Financing Authority,
Hospital Revenue Bonds (Mennonite General Hospital Project),
1996 Series A, 6.375% 2006 2000 2094940
Virginia Beach, Virginia Development Authority (Sentara Bayside
Hospital), 6.60% 2009 1000 1091990
-
16977382
-
Housing Finance Authority Revenue - 4.24%
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Housing Finance Corporation,
Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, 1st Portfolio:
1988 Series A, 7.80% 2021 10 10304
1988 Series B, 7.65% 2022 280 296307
Virginia Housing Development Authority, Commonwealth
Mortgage Bonds:
1994 Series H, Sub-Series H-1, 6.10% 2003 500 530735
1995 Series A-AMT, Sub-Series A-1, 6.60% 2004 1000 1087060
1994 Series I-AMT, Sub-Series I-1, 6.40% 2005 800 862144
1994 Series H, Sub-Series H-2, 6.55% 2017 1000 1069490
1992 Series A, 7.10% 2022 380 403203
-
4259243
-
Industrial Development Revenue - 3.11%
Industrial Development Authority of the County of Henrico,
Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (Browning-Ferris Industries of
South Atlantic, Inc. Project):
Series 1996 A AMT, 5.30% 2011 1,000 1,032,970
Series 1996 A AMT, 5.45% 2014 1,000 1,023,110
Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Special Facilities Revenue Bonds
(American Airlines, Inc. Project), 1996 Series A, 6.25% 2026 1000 1072761
-
3128841
-
Insured - 21.04%
Augusta, Hospital Revenue Bonds, AMBAC Insured, 5.125% 2021 1000 973650
Chesapeake Certificates of Participation,
MBIA Insured, 1993 Series, 5.40% 2005 1000 1057890
Danville, Virginia Industrial Development Authority, Hospital
Revenue Bonds, Danville Regional Medical Center,
Series 1994, FGIC Insured, 6.00% 2007 1000 1095640
Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority,
Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds (INOVA Health System
Hospitals Project), Series 1993 A, FSA Insured, 5.25% 2019 1000 1002570
Industrial Development Authority of the County of Hanover,
Hospital Revenue Bonds (Memorial Regional Medical Center
Project at Hanover Medical Park), Series 1995, MBIA Insured:
6.50% 2010 1375 1621593
6.375% 2018 1000 1167600
Loudoun County:
Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds,
FSA Insured, 6.00% 2005 1000 1098030
Sanitation Authority, Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds,
FGIC Insured:
Series 1992, 6.25% 2010 2000 2189820
Series 1996, 5.125% 2030 500 491820
Industrial Development Authority of the City of Norfolk, Health Care
Revenue Bonds (Bon Secours health System), Series 1997:
5.00% 2006/1/ 1190 1218227
5.00% 2007/1/ 1250 1281875
Pamunkey Regional Jail Authority, Jail Facility Revenue Bonds,
Series 1996, MBIA Insured, 5.70% 2010 1000 1074680
Richmond, FGIC Insured, 5.00% 2021 1000 974370
County of Roanoke, Water System Refunding Revenue Bonds,
Series 1993, 5.00% 2021 3100 2994972
Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority, Regional Sewerage System
Revenue Bonds, Series 1995 A, MBIA Insured, 5.00% 2025 1000 972099
City of Virginia Beach Development Authority, Hospital Revenue
Bonds (Virginia Beach General Hospital Project),
Series 1993, AMBAC Insured, 6.00% 2011 1000 1129110
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Airports Authority, Airport
System Revenue and Refunding Bonds, MBIA Insured AMT,
Series 1992 A, 6.625% 2019 750 824018
-
21167964
-
Lease Revenue (Local) - 2.34%
Industrial Development Authority of Arlington County, Headquarters
Facility Revenue Bonds (The Nature Conservancy),
Series 1997 A, 5.40% 2017 350 354592
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Lease Revenue
Bonds (Government Center Properties), Series 1994, 5.25% 2018 2000 2004020
-
2358612
-
Lease Revenue (State) - 1.50%
Virginia Public Building Authority, State Building Revenue
Bonds, Series 1995, 5.20% 2015 1500 1509540
-
Life Care Facilities Revenue- 3.08%
Industrial Development Authority of the County of James City,
Virginia, Residential Care Facility First Mortgage Revenue Bonds
(Williamsburg Landing, Inc.), Series 1996A, 6.625% 2019 3000 3094140
-
Local Appropriation - .53%
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Parking Revenue
Bonds (Huntington Metrorail Station Project),
Series 1990 A, 6.75% 2015 500 533545
-
Multi-Family Housing - 2.25%
Virginia Housing Development Authority, Multi-Family Housing Bonds:
1997 Series B-AMT, 5.80% 2010
1997 Series B, 5.95% 2016 1185 1223086
1000 1042520
-
2265606
-
Pre-Refunded/2/ - 14.90%
Fairfax County:
Industrial Development Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds
(Fairfax Hospital System Project), INOVA Health Systems,
Series 1991 C, 6.801% 2023 (2001) 1000 1118300
Water Authority Revenue, Series 1989, 7.30% 2021 (2000) 1250 1367238
Henry County Public Service Authority, Water and Sewer Revenue
Bonds, FGIC Insured, Series 1990, 7.20% 2019 (2000) 1250 1382388
Loudoun County Sanitation Authority, Water and Sewer System
Revenue Bonds, Series 1989, AMBAC Insured, 7.50% 2017 (1999) 375 400643
Norfolk Industrial Development Authority,
Hospital Revenue Bonds:
(Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Obligated
Group), Series 1991, AMBAC Insured, 7.00% 2011 (2001) 400 447656
(Sentara Hospitals-Norfolk Project), Series 1991, 7.00% 2020 (2000) 250 276495
Prince William County Service Authority, Water and Sewer
System Revenue Bonds, Series 1991, FGIC Insured, 6.50% 2021 (2001) 680 750720
Roanoke:
Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds,
Carilion Health System (Roanoke Memorial Hospital Projects),
Series 1990, MBIA Insured, 7.25% 2017 (2000) 750 829035
Water System Revenue Bonds,
Series 1991, FGIC Insured, 6.50% 2021 (2001) 750 828000
Southeastern Public Service Authority, Regional Solid Waste
System, Senior Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series 1989, BIG Insured:
7.00% 2006 (1999) 500 537380
7.00% 2013 (1999) 1000 1074760
Suffolk, Series 1989, 7.00% 2005 (1998) 1000 1054260
University of Virginia, Hospital Revenue Bonds,
1984 Series A, HIBI Insured, 9.875% 2001 (2001) 10 11160
Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority, Regional Sewerage System
Revenue Bonds, Series 1991, MBIA Insured, 6.00% 2021 (2001) 700 748300
Virginia Education Loan Authority, Student Loan Program Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Senior Series 1993 D AMT, 5.95% 2009 (2005) 790 858912
Virginia Public Building Authority, State Building Revenue Bonds,
Series 1991 A, 6.50% 2011 (2001) 1750 1933610
Virginia Resources Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal System Revenue Bonds,
1990 Series A, 7.30% 2015 (2000) 1000 1098330
Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds
Series 1990, 7.25% 2011 (2000) 250 277423
-
14994610
-
Resource Recovery - 2.07%
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Resource Recovery
Revenue Bonds, Series 1988 A AMT (Ogden Martin Systems of
Fairfax, Inc. Project), 7.55% 2003 500 535119
Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, Solid Waste System Revenue
Bonds, Series 1992, 5.75% 2012 1500 1546500
-
2081619
-
State Authority - 6.11%
Virginia Public School Authority, School Financing Bonds:
(1991 Resolution), Series 1995 C, 5.00% 2002 1000 1036200
(1987 Resolution), 1991 Refunding Series C, 6.25% 2007 1500 1637505
(1991 Resolution), Series 1994 A, 6.20% 2014 1500 1622745
Virginia Resources Authority:
Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds
(Pooled Loan Program), 1986 Series A, 7.50% 2017 50 50972
Water System Refunding Revenue Bonds,
1992 Series A, 6.45% 2013 750 801113
Water System Revenue Bonds (Appomattox River Water Authority Refunding),
1993 Series A, 5.25% 2013 1000 1005858
-
6154393
-
Water & Sewer Revenue - 2.05%
Chesterfield County Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series 1992, 6.375% 2009 1250 1366500
Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, Regional Water and Sewer
System Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 1991, 6.40% 2007 645 700831
-
2067331
-
95742138
-
Tax-Exempt Securities Maturing in One Year or Less - 5.27%
Hospital & Health Facilities Revenue - .99%
Industrial Development Authority of Fairfax County, Unit Priced Demand
Adjustable Hospital Revenue Bonds (INOVA Health Systems Project)
Series 1993 B, 3.65% 1997 1000 1000000
-
Industrial Development Revenue - .50%
Peninsula Ports Authority,
Refunding Port Facilities (Shell Oil Company),
1987 Series, 3.75% 2005/3/ 500 500000
Pre-Refunded/2/ - 3.78%
Chesapeake, Hospital Authority Facility for Chesapeake
General Hospital, First Mortgage Revenue, BIG Insured
Series 1988, 7.625% 2018 (1998) 1000 1053930
Portsmouth Improvement Bonds, Public Improvement Refunding
Bonds, Series 1987, 7.50% 2012 (1997) 500 517010
Richmond Public Utility Revenue Bonds,
Series 1988 A, 8.00% 2018 (1998) 750 779175
Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Board,
Transportation Contract Revenue Bonds, Route 28 Project,
Series 1988:
7.70% 2008 (1998) 890 927807
7.80% 2016 (1998) 500 521514
-
3799436
-
5299436
-
TOTAL TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES (cost: $93,987,000) 101041574
Excess of payables over cash and receivables -432125
-
NET ASSETS $100,609,449
=
/1/ Represents a when-issued security.
/2/ Parenthetical year represents date of pre-refunding.
/3/ Coupon rate changes periodically.
See Notes to Financial Statements
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities The The
July 31, 1997 Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt
(dollars in thousands) Fund of Fund of
Maryland Virginia
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Tax-exempt securities:
Maturing in more than one year
(cost: $76,918 and $88,827, respectively) $82,693 $95,742
Maturing in one year or less
(cost: $3,477 and $5,160, respectively) 3,553 5,299
Cash 766 386
Receivables for --
Sales of investments -- --
Sales of Funds' shares 243 584
Accrued interest 764 1,399
----------- -----------
Total Assets 88,019 103,410
----------- -----------
Liabilities:
Payables for --
Purchases of investments 1,130 2,510
Repurchases of Funds' shares 7 38
Dividends 137 166
Adviser and management services 32 36
Accrued expenses 56 51
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities 1,362 2,801
----------- -----------
Net Assets:
Net assets applicable to Funds' shares issued and outstand $86,657 $100,609
=========== =
Funds' shares outstanding/1/ 5,409,824 6,146,541
Net asset value per share $16.02 $16.37
/1/Shares of beneficial interest,
unlimited shares authorized.
See Notes to Financial Statements
Statement of Operations The The
For the year ended July 31, 1997 Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt
(dollars in thousands) Fund of Fund of
Maryland Virginia
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Income:
Income:
Interest on tax-exempt securities $4,801 $5,435
----------- -----------
Expenses:
Investment adviser fee 203 229
Business management fee 165 184
Distribution fee 198 234
Transfer agent fee 31 35
Reports to shareholders 15 18
Registration statement and prospectus 4 3
Postage, stationery and supplies 10 11
Trustees' fees 8 8
Custodian fee 4 4
Auditing and legal fees 23 23
Other expenses 5 6
----------- -----------
Total expenses 666 755
----------- -----------
Net investment income 4,135 4,680
----------- -----------
Realized Gain and Unrealized Appreciation
on Investments:
Net realized gain 561 118
----------- -----------
Net unrealized appreciation:
Beginning of year 3,039 3,552
End of year 5,851 7,054
----------- -----------
Net change in unrealized appreciation 2,812 3,502
----------- -----------
Net realized gain and change in unrealized
appreciation 3,373 3,620
----------- -----------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations $7,508 $8,300
=========== =
See Notes to Financial Statements
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
(dollars in thousands) Year Ended July 31,
1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland
Operations:
Net investment income $ 4,135 $ 4,008
Net realized gain on investments 561 81
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments 2,812 365
----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 7,508 4,454
----------- -----------
Dividends Paid to Shareholders from Net Investment Income (4,135) (4,008)
----------- -----------
Capital Share Transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold: 717,812 and 733,060 shares, re 11,169 11,338
Proceeds from shares issued in reinvestment of net investment
income dividends: 163,465 and 165,984 shares, respective 2,544 2,565
Cost of shares repurchased: 671,863 and 613,087 shares, r (10,456) (9,466)
----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share t 3,257 4,437
----------- -----------
Total Increase in Net Assets 6,630 4,883
Net Assets:
Beginning of year 80,027 75,144
----------- -----------
End of year $86,657 $80,027
=========== ========
*Unaudited
See Notes to Financial Statements
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
(dollars in thousands) Year Ended July 31,
1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia
Operations:
Net investment income $ 4,680 $ 4,705
Net realized gain on investments 118 131
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments 3502 74
----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 8,300 4,910
----------- -----------
Dividends and Distributions Paid to Shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (4,680) (4,705)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments - (320)
----------- -----------
Total dividends and distributions (4,680) (5,025)
----------- -----------
Capital Share Transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold: 1,037,170 and 65,816 shares, r 16,514 10,441
Proceeds from shares issued in reinvestment of net investment
dividends and distributions of net realized gain on investments:
168,347 and 190,123 shares, respectively 2,677 3,020
Cost of shares repurchased: 798,604 and 912,994 shares, r (12,694) (14,537)
----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital
share transactions 6,497 (1,076)
----------- -----------
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 10,117 (1,191)
Net Assets:
Beginning of year 90,492 91,683
----------- -----------
End of year $100,609 $90,492
=========== =
See Notes to Financial Statements
</TABLE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I (the "Trust") is registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management
investment company and has initially issued two series of shares, The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland and The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia (the "Funds").
The Funds seek a high level of current income exempt from Federal and their
respective state income taxes. Additionally, each Fund seeks to preserve
capital. The following paragraphs summarize the significant accounting
policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial
statements:
Tax-exempt securities with maturities in excess of 60 days are valued at
prices obtained from a national municipal bond pricing service. The pricing
service takes into account various factors such as quality, yield and maturity
of tax-exempt securities comparable to those held by the Trust, as well as
actual bid and asked prices on a particular day.
Other securities with maturities in excess of 60 days, including securities
for which pricing service values are not available, are valued at the mean of
their quoted bid and asked prices. All securities with 60 days or less to
maturity are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of
Trustees.
As is customary in the mutual fund industry, securities transactions are
accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. In the event
the Trust purchases securities on a delayed delivery or "when-issued" basis, it
will segregate with its custodian liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet
its payment obligations in these transactions. Realized gains and losses from
securities transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest
income is reported on the accrual basis. Premiums and original issue discounts
on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective
securities. Amortization of market discounts on securities is recognized upon
disposition, subject to applicable tax requirements. Dividends to shareholders
are declared daily from net investment income. Distributions paid to
shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the Funds receive credits against
their custodian fees for imputed interest on certain balances with the
custodian bank. The custodian fees of $4,000 for both the Maryland and
Virginia Funds was paid by these credits rather than in cash.
2. It is the Trust's policy to continue to comply with the requirements of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its net investment income, including any net realized gain on
investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision
is required.
As of July 31, 1997, net unrealized appreciation on investments for book and
federal income tax purposes for the Maryland and Virginia Funds aggregated
$5,851,000 and $7,054,000,respectively. There was no difference between book
and tax realized gains on securities transactions for the year ended July 31,
1997. The cost of portfolio securities for book and federal income tax
purposes was $80,395,000 and $93,987,000 for the Maryland and Virginia Funds,
respectively, at July 31, 1997.
3. Officers of the Trust received no remuneration from the Funds in such
capacities. Their remuneration was paid by Washington Management Corporation
(WMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Johnston-Lemon Group, Incorporated.
Fees of $165,000 and $184,000 were recognized by the Maryland and Virginia
Funds, respectively, and were paid or are payable to WMC for business
management services. The business management contract provides for monthly
fees, accrued daily, based on an annual rate of 0.135% of the first $60 million
of average net assets of each of the Funds; 0.09% of such assets in excess of
$60 million; plus 1.35% of the gross investment income (excluding any net
capital gains from transactions in portfolio securities). Johnston, Lemon &
Co. Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Johnston-Lemon Group,
Incorporated, has informed the Funds that it has earned $27,000 and $35,000 on
its retail sales of shares and under the distribution plan of the Maryland and
Virginia Funds, respectively, but received no net brokerage commissions
resulting from purchases and sales of securities for the investment account of
the Funds. All the officers of the Trust and three of its trustees are
affiliated with WMC.
Fees of $203,000 and $229,000 were recognized by the Maryland and Virginia
Funds, respectively, and were paid or are payable to Capital Research and
Management Company (CRMC) as Investment Adviser pursuant to an investment
advisory contract with the Trust. The investment advisory contract provides
for monthly fees, accrued daily, based on an annual rate of 0.165% of the first
$60 million of average net assets of each of the Funds; 0.12% of such assets in
excess of $60 million; plus 1.65% of the gross investment income (excluding any
net capital gains from transactions in portfolio securities).
Pursuant to a Plan of Distribution, the Funds may expend up to 0.25% of
their average net assets annually for any activities primarily intended to
result in sales of Fund shares, provided the categories of expenses for which
reimbursement is made are approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees. Fund
expenses under the Plan include payments to dealers to compensate them for
their selling and servicing efforts. During the year ended July 31, 1997,
distribution expenses under the Plan were $198,000 and $234,000, including
accrued and unpaid expenses of $43,000 and $38,000, for the Maryland and
Virginia Funds, respectively.
American Funds Service Company (AFS), the transfer agent for the Maryland
and Virginia Funds, was paid fees of $31,000 and $35,000, respectively.
American Funds Distributors, Inc. (AFD), the principal underwriter of the
Funds' shares, has informed the Funds that it has received $32,000 and $52,000
(after allowances to dealers) for the Maryland and Virginia Funds,
respectively, as its portion of the sales charges paid by purchasers of the
Funds' shares. Such sales charges are not an expense of the Funds and, hence,
are not reflected in the accompanying statement of operations.
Trustees who are unaffiliated with WMC may elect to defer part or all of
the fees earned for services as members of the Board. Amounts deferred are not
funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the Funds. As of July 31, 1997,
aggregate amounts deferred and earnings thereon were $10,000 each for the
Maryland and Virginia Funds.
CRMC is owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. AFS and AFD are both
wholly owned subsidiaries of CRMC.
4. As of July 31, 1997:
The Tax-Exempt The Tax-Exempt
Fund of Fund of
Maryland Virginia
Accumulated
undistributed net
realized gain
on investments $ 561,000 $ 114,000
Paid-in capital 80,245,000 93,441,000
Purchases and sales of
investment securities,
excluding short-term
securities, during
the year ended
July 31, 1997:
Purchases 14,795,000 24,672,000
Sales 12,012,000 16,753,000
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per-share
Data and Ratios
The Tax-Exempt
Fund of Maryland
Year En ded July 31
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period $15.39 $15.29 $15.00 $15.53 $15.22
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------
Income from Investment
Operations:
Net investment income .79 .80 .80 .76 .79
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on investments .63 .10 .29 (.53) .31
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------
Total income from
investment operations 1.42 .90 1.09 .23 1.10
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (.79) (.80) (.80) (.76) (.79)
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------
Net Asset Value,
End of Period $16.02 $15.39 $15.29 $15.00 $15.53
========== ========== ======== ======== =======
Total Return/1/ 9.52% 5.95% 7.58% 1.42% 7.44%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of
period (in millions) $87 $80 $75 $75 $64
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets .82% .81% .78% .75% .83%
Ratio of net income to
average net assets 5.08% 5.14% 5.38% 4.90% 5.12%
Portfolio turnover rate 15.27% 16.01% 20.91% 10.01% 9.05%
/1/This was calculated without deducting a sales charge. The maximum sales
charge is 4.75% of each Funds's offering price.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per-Share
Data and Ratios Year En ded Jul y 31
The Tax-Exempt -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Fund of Virginia 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Year $15.77 $15.79 $15.49 $16.01 $15.72
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------
Income from Investment
Operations:
Net investment income .80 .81 .83 .80 .82
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on investments .60 .03 .30 (.52) .29
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------
Total income from
investment operations 1.40 .84 1.13 .28 1.11
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (.80) (.81) (.83) (.80) (.82)
Distributions from
net realized gains - (.05) - - -
---------- - - - -
Total distributions (.80) (.86) (.83) (.80) (.82)
---------- - - - -
Net Asset Value,
End of Year $16.37 $15.77 $15.79 $15.49 $16.01
========== ========== ========== ======== =======
Total Return/1/ 9.10% 5.46% 7.56% 1.74% 7.29%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of
year (in millions) $101 $90 $92 $93 $80
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets .81% .79% .79% .78% .84%
Ratio of net income to
average net assets 4.99% 5.11% 5.37% 5.04% 5.18%
Portfolio turnover rate 18.41% 27.34% 32.18% 2.36% 4.96%
/1/ This was calculated without
deducting a sales charge. The
maximum sales charge is 4.75%
of each fund's offering price.
</TABLE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities,
including the investment portfolios, and the related statements of operations
and of changes in net assets and the per-share data and ratios present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of The Tax-Exempt Fund of
Maryland and The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia (constituting The American Funds
Tax-Exempt Series I, hereafter referred to as the "Trust") at July 31, 1997,
the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net
assets and each of their per-share data and ratios for the periods indicated,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements and per-share data and ratios (hereafter referred to as "financial
statements") are the responsibility of the Trust's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included
confirmation of securities at July 31, 1997 by correspondence with the
custodian and brokers and the application of alternative auditing procedures
where confirmations from brokers were not received, provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above.
Los Angeles, California
August 29, 1997
Shareholders may exclude from Federal taxable income any exempt-interest
dividends paid from net investment income. All of the dividends paid from net
investment income qualifies as exempt-interest dividends.
Since the amounts above are reported for the fiscal year and not a calendar
year, shareholders should refer to their Form 1099 DIV which will be mailed in
January 1998 to determine the CALENDAR YEAR amounts to be included on their
respective 1997 tax returns. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers.
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(A) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Included in Prospectus - Part A
Financial Highlights
Included in Statement of Additional Information - Part B
Investment Portfolio
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Notes to Financial Statements
Selected Per-Share Data and Ratios
Report of Independent Accountants
(B) EXHIBITS:
1. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
2. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
3. None.
4. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
5. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
6. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
7. None.
8. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
9. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
10. Not applicable to this filing.
11. Consent of Independent Accountants.
12. None.
13. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
14. None.
15. On file (see SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270)
16. Updates to previously filed schedule for computation of each performance
quotation provided in the Registration Statement in response to Item 22 (see
SEC file nos. 811-4653 and 33-5270).
17. EX-27 Financial Data Schedule
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
None.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
As of July 31, 1997.
Number of
Title of Class Record-Holders
Shares of Beneficial MD 1,922
Interest (no par value) VA 2,228
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Registrant is a joint-insured under an Investment Advisor/Mutual Fund Errors
and Omissions Policy written by American International Surplus Lines Insurance
Company, Chubb Custom Insurance Company, and ICI Mutual which insures its
officers and trustees against certain liabilities.
Article VI of the Trust's By-Laws states:
(a) The Trust shall indemnify any Trustee or officer of the Trust who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (other than action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason
of the fact that such person is or was such Trustee or officer or an employee
or agent of the Trust, or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such
person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that
the person reasonably believed to be opposed to the best interests of the
Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable
cause to believe that such person's conduct was unlawful.
(b) The Trust shall indemnify any Trustee or officer of the Trust who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment
in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was such Trustee or
officer or an employee or agent of the Trust, or is or was serving at the
request of the Trust as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of such person's duty to the Trust unless and
only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought, or
any other court having jurisdiction in the premises, shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
circumstances of the case,
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION (CONT.)
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which such court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a Trustee or officer of the Trust has been successful
on the merits in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
subparagraphs (a) or (b) above or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
therewith, without the necessity for the determination as to the standard of
conduct as provided in subparagraph (d).
(d) Any indemnification under subparagraph (a) or (b) (unless ordered by a
court) shall be made by the Trust only as authorized in the specific case upon
a determination that indemnification of the Trustee or officer is proper under
the standard of conduct set forth in subparagraph (a) or (b). Such
determination shall be made (i) by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
and are disinterested Trustees or (ii) if such a quorum of disinterested
Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(e) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit or proceeding, as authorized in the particular case, upon receipt
of an undertaking and security by or on behalf of the Trustee or officer to
repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that such person is
entitled to be indemnified by the Trust as authorized herein.
(f) Agents and employees of the Trust who are not Trustees or officers of the
Trust may be indemnified under the same standards and procedures set forth
above, in the discretion of the Board.
(g) Any indemnification pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled and shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be Trustee or officer and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
(h) Nothing in the Declaration of Trust or in these By-Laws shall be deemed to
protect any Trustee, officer, distributor, investment adviser or controlling
shareholder of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of such person's office.
(i) The Trust shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of
any person against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person,
whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against
such liability under the provisions of this Article. Nevertheless, insurance
will not be purchased or maintained by the Trust if the purchase or maintenance
of such insurance would result in the indemnification of any person in
contravention of any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit or proceeding, as authorized in the particular case, upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Trustee or officer to repay such
amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that such person is entitled to
be indemnified by the Trust as authorized herein. Such determination must be
made by disinterested Trustees or independent legal counsel.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
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 Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer of controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such Trustee, officer of controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant 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.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
None.
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) American Funds Distributors, Inc. is also the Principal Underwriter of
shares of: AMCAP Fund, Inc., American Balanced Fund, Inc., The American Funds
Income Series, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II, American High-Income
Municipal Bond Fund, American High-Income Trust, American Mutual Fund, Inc.,
The Bond Fund of America, Inc., Capital Income Builder, Inc., Capital World
Bond Fund, Inc., Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc., The Cash
Management Trust of America, EuroPacific Growth Fund, Fundamental Investors,
Inc., The Growth Fund of America, Inc., The Income Fund of America, Inc.,
Intermediate Bond Fund of America, The Investment Company of America, Limited
Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New Perspective
Fund, Inc., SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America,
Inc., The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America, The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of
America and Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(B) (1) (2) (3)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND OFFICES
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH UNDERWRITER WITH REGISTRANT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
David L. Abzug Regional Vice President None
27304 Park Vista Road
Van Nuys, CA 91301
John A. Agar Regional Vice President None
1501 N. University, Suite 227A
Little Rock AR 72207
Robert B. Aprison Vice President None
2983 Bryn Wood Drive
Madison, WI 53711
S Richard L. Armstrong Assistant Vice President None
L William W. Bagnard Vice President None
Steven L. Barnes Senior Vice President None
8000 Town Line Avenue South
Suite 204
Minneapolis, MN 55438
B Carl R. Bauer Assistant Vice President None
Michelle A. Bergeron Vice President None
4160 Gateswalk Drive
Smyrna, GA 30080
Joseph T. Blair Senior Vice President None
27 Drumlin Road
West Simsbury, CT 06092
John A. Blanchard Regional Vice President None
6421 Aberdeen Road
Mission Hills, KS 66208
Ian B. Bodell Senior Vice President None
P.O. Box 1665
Brentwood, TN 37024-1665
Michael L. Brethower Vice President None
2320 North Austin Avenue
Georgetown, TX 78626
C. Alan Brown Regional Vice President None
4129 Laclede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
L Daniel C. Brown Senior Vice President None
H J. Peter Burns Vice President None
Brian C. Casey Regional Vice President None
9508 Cable Drive
Kensington, MD 20895
Victor C. Cassato Senior Vice President None
609 W. Littleton Blvd., Suite 310
Littleton, CO 80121
Christopher J. Cassin Senior Vice President None
111 W. Chicago Avenue, Suite G3
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Denise M. Cassin Vice President None
1301 Stoney Creek Drive
San Ramon, CA 94538
L Larry P. Clemmensen Director None
L Kevin G. Clifford Director, Senior Vice President None
Ruth M. Collier Vice President None
145 West 67th St. Ste. 12K
New York, NY 10023
S David Coolbaugh Assistant Vice President None
Thomas E. Cournoyer Vice President None
2333 Granada Boulevard
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Douglas A. Critchell Senior Vice President None
4116 Woodbine Street
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
L Carl D. Cutting Vice President None
Daniel J. Delianedis Regional Vice President None
8689 Braxton Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Michael A. Dilella Vice President None
P. O. Box 661
Ramsey, NJ 07446
G. Michael Dill Senior Vice President None
505 E. Main Street
Jenks, OK 74037
Kirk D. Dodge Senior Vice President None
325 E. Eisenhower Parkway
Suite 106, #16
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Peter J. Doran Senior Vice President None
1205 Franklin Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
L Michael J. Downer Secretary None
Robert W. Durbin Vice President None
74 Sunny Lane
Tiffin, OH 44883
I Lloyd G. Edwards Vice President None
L Paul H. Fieberg Senior Vice President None
John Fodor Vice President None
15 Latisquama Road
Southborough, MA 01772
L Mark P. Freeman, Jr. Director, President None
Clyde E. Gardner Senior Vice President None
Route 2, Box 3162
Osage Beach, MO 65065
B Evelyn K. Glassford Vice President None
Jeffrey J. Greiner Vice President None
12210 Taylor Road
Plain City, OH 43064
L Paul G. Haaga, Jr. Director Senior Vice President
B Mariellen Hamann Assistant Vice President None
David E. Harper Senior Vice President None
R.D. 1, Box 210, Rte 519
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Ronald R. Hulsey Vice President None
6744 Avalon
Dallas, TX 75214
Robert S. Irish Regional Vice President None
1225 Vista Del Mar Drive
Delray Beach, FL 33483
L Robert L. Johansen Vice President, Controller None
Michael J. Johnston Chairman of the Board None
630 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor
New York, NY 10111
B Damien M. Jordan Vice President None
V. John Kriss Senior Vice President None
P. O. Box 274
Surfside, CA 90743
Arthur J. Levine Vice President None
12558 Highlands Place
Fishers, IN 46038
B Karl A. Lewis Assistant Vice President None
T. Blake Liberty Regional Vice President None
1940 Blake Street, #303
Denver, CO 80202
L Lorin E. Liesy Assistant Vice President None
L Susan G. Lindgren Vice President - Institutional None
Investment Services
S Stella Lopez Vice President None
LW Robert W. Lovelace Director None
Steve A. Malbasa Vice President None
13405 Lake Shore Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44110
Steven M. Markel Senior Vice President None
5241 South Race Street
Littleton, CO 80121
L J. Clifton Massar Director, Senior Vice President None
L E. Lee McClennahan Senior Vice President None
L Jamie R. McCrary Assistant Vice President None
S John V. McLaughlin Senior Vice President None
Terry W. McNabb Vice President None
2002 Barrett Station Road
St. Louis, MO 63131
L R. William Melinat Vice President - Institutional None
Investment Services
David R. Murray Vice President None
25701 S.E. 32nd Place
Issaquah, WA 98027
Stephen S. Nelson Vice President None
P. O. Box 470528
Charlotte, NC 28247-0528
William E. Noe Regional Vice President None
304 River Oaks Road
Brentwood, TN 37027
Peter A. Nyhus Regional Vice President None
3084 Wilds Ridge Court
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Eric P. Olson Regional Vice President None
62 Park Drive
Glenview, IL 60025
Fredric Phillips Vice President None
32 Ridge Avenue
Newton Centre, MA 02159
B Candance D. Pilgrim Assistant Vice President None
Carl S. Platou Regional Vice President None
4021 96th Avenue, S.E.
Mercer Island, WA 98040
L John O. Post, Jr. Vice President None
S Richard P. Prior Assistant Vice President None
Steven J. Reitman Vice President None
212 The Lane
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Brian A. Roberts Vice President None
12025 Delmahoy Drive
Charlotte, NC 28277
George S. Ross Senior Vice President None
55 Madison Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07962
L Julie D. Roth Vice President None
L James F. Rothenberg Director None
Douglas F. Rowe Regional Vice President None
30008 Oakland Hills Drive
Georgetown, TX 78628
Christopher Rowey Regional Vice President None
9417 Beverlywood Street
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Dean B. Rydquist Vice President None
1080 Bay Pointe Crossing
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Richard R. Samson Vice President None
4604 Glencoe Avenue, Ste. 4
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Joseph D. Scarpitti Regional Vice President None
31465 St. Andrews
Westlake, OH 44145
L Daniel B. Seivert Assistant Vice President None
L R. Michael Shanahan Director None
David W. Short Director, Senior Vice President None
1000 RIDC Plaza, Suite 212
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
William P. Simon, Jr. Senior Vice President None
554 Canterbury Lane
Berwyn, PA 19312
L John C. Smith Vice President - None
Institutional Investment Services
L Mary E. Smith Vice President - Institutional Investment Services None
Rodney G. Smith Vice President None
100 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1214
Richardson, TX 75080
Nicholas D. Spadaccini Regional Vice President None
855 Markley Woods Way
Cincinnati, OH 45230
L Kristen J. Spazafumo Assistant Vice President None
Daniel S. Spradling Senior Vice President None
4 West Fourth Avenue, Suite 406
San Mateo, CA 94402
B Max D. Stites Vice President None
Thomas A. Stout Regional Vice President None
12913 Kendale Lane
Bowie, MD 20715
Craig R. Strauser Regional Vice President None
3 Dover Way
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Francis N. Strazzeri Vice President None
31641 Saddletree Drive
Westlake Village, CA 91361
L Drew W. Taylor Assistant Vice President None
S James P. Toomey Vice President None
I Christopher E. Trede Vice President None
George F. Truesdail Vice President None
400 Abbotsford Court
Charlotte, NC 28270
Scott W. Ursin-Smith Regional Vice President None
60 Reedland Woods Way
Tiburon, CA 94920
H Andrew J. Ward Vice President None
L David M. Ward Vice President - Institutional None
$Investment Services
Thomas E. Warren Regional Vice President None
1701 Starling Drive
Sarasota, FL 34231
L J. Kelly Webb Senior Vice President, Treasurer None
Gregory J. Weimer Vice President None
125 Surrey Drive
Canonsburg, PA 15317
B Timothy W. Weiss Director None
N. Dexter Williams Senior Vice President None
25 Whitside Court
Danville, CA 94526
Timothy J. Wilson Regional Vice President None
113 Farmview Place
Venetia, PA 15367
B Laura L. Wimberly Vice President None
H Marshall D. Wingo Director, Senior Vice President None
L Robert L. Winston Director, Senior Vice President None
Laurie B. Wood Regional Vice President None
3500 W. Camino de Urania
Tucson, AZ 85741
William R. Yost Regional Vice President None
9320 Overlook Trail
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Janet M. Young Regional Vice President None
1616 Vermont
Houston, TX 77006
Scott D. Zambon Regional Vice President None
320 Robinson Drive
Tustin Ranch, CA 92782
</TABLE>
_______________________
L Business Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
LW Business Address, 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA
90025
SF Business Address, P.O. 7650, San Francisco, CA 94120
B Business Address, 135 South State College Blvd., Brea, CA 92821
S Business Address, 8000 IH-10 West, Suite 1400, San Antonio, TX 78230
H Business Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
I Business Address, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46240
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
Accounts, books and other records required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are maintained and kept in the
offices of the Trust, 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, and
its investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company (CRMC), 333
South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Certain accounting records are
maintained and kept in the offices of CRMC's fund accounting department, 5300
Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513.
Records covering shareholder accounts are maintained and kept by the transfer
agent, American Funds Service Company, 135 South State College Blvd., Brea, CA
92821.
Records covering portfolio transactions are also maintained and kept by the
custodian, The Chase Manhattan Bank, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New
York, 10081.
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
None.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
As reflected in the prospectus, the Funds undertake to provide each person to
whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy of the Funds' annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.
SIGNATURE OF REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule
485(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this amended
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, on the 14th
day of November, 1997.
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
By
Harry J. Lister, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
registration statement has been signed below on November 14, 1997, by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE
(1) Principal Executive Officer:
Harry J. Lister President
(2) Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer:
Howard L. Kitzmiller Senior Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
(3) Trustees:
James H. Lemon, Jr.* Chairman of the Board
Stephen Hartwell* Chairman Emeritus and Trustee
Harry J. Lister* President and Trustee
Cyrus A. Ansary* Trustee
Jean Head Sisco* Trustee
T. Eugene Smith* Trustee
Stephen G. Yeonas* Trustee
*By
Howard L. Kitzmiller, Attorney-in-Fact
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned trustee(s) of The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I, a
Massachusetts business trust, does hereby constitute and appoint James H.
Lemon, Jr., Harry J. Lister and Howard L. Kitzmiller, or any of them to act as
attorneys-in-fact for and in his or her name, place and stead (1) to sign his
or her name as a trustee of said Trust to any and all amendments to the
Registration Statement of The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I, File No.
33-5270 under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, said amendments to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to any and all reports,
applications or renewal of applications required by any State in the United
States of America in which this Trust is registered to sell shares, and (2) to
deliver any and all such amendments to such Registration Statement, so signed,
for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, granting to said attorneys-in-fact, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform every act and thing
whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as
fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said
attorneys-in-fact.
EXECUTED at Washington, D.C., this 18th day of January, 1996.
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
Cyrus A. Ansary Harry J. Lister
Frank M. Ewing (Retired) T. Eugene Smith
Stephen Hartwell Stephen G. Yeonas
James H. Lemon, Jr.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
August 29, 1997, relating to the financial statements and per share data and
ratios of The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I, which appears in such
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of
our report into the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the heading
"Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus and under the headings "Independent
Accountants" and "Reports to Shareholders" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Los Angeles, California
November 11, 1997
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
OF
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
WHEREAS, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I (the "Trust") is a
Massachusetts business trust which initially offers shares of beneficial
interest in two series designated The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland and The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia (the "Funds"), and may establish additional series
in the future;
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to employ American Funds Distributors, Inc.
("AFD") as distributor of the shares of beneficial interest of the Funds and of
all series which may be established in the future, and the Trust and AFD are
parties to a Principal Underwriting Agreement ("Agreement");
WHEREAS, the purpose of this Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") is to
authorize the Trust to bear expenses of distribution of its shares, including
reimbursement of AFD for its expenses in the promotion of the sale of shares of
the Fund, pursuant to the Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that there is
a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Trust and its
shareholders;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust adopts this Plan as follows:
1. The Trust may expend pursuant to this Plan amounts not to exceed .25
of 1% per annum of the average daily net assets of each of the Funds.
2. Subject to the limit in paragraph 1, the Trust shall pay, or
reimburse AFD for, amounts to finance any activity which is primarily intended
to result in the sale of shares of the Funds including, but not limited to,
commissions or other payments to dealers, and salaries and other expenses of
AFD relating to selling or servicing efforts; provided, (i) that the Board of
Trustees of the Trust shall have approved categories of expenses for which
payment or reimbursement shall be made pursuant to this paragraph 2 and (ii)
that reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
The Plan as adopted with respect to any additional series shall specify the fee
or other expenses payable by or with respect to such series.
3. This Plan was initially approved, along with the related Principal
Underwriting Agreement, by the Board of Trustees (as provided in paragraph 4)
on July 17, 1986 and by the Trust's initial shareholders on July 21, 1986. The
Plan, most recently approved in amended form on July 21, 1988, was approved by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")) on November 22,
1988.
4. All material amendments to, or renewal of, this Plan must be approved,
together with any related agreement, by votes of the majority of both (i) the
Board of Trustees of the Trust and (ii) those Trustees of the Trust who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any
agreement related to it (the "Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and/or such agreement.
Additionally, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to
be spent for distribution with respect to a series unless such amendment is
also approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
that series as defined in the 1940 Act.
5. At least quarterly, the Board of Trustees shall be provided by any
person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the
Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement, and the Board shall
review a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the
purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. This Plan may be terminated as to the Trust at any time by vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or such
series. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with this provision, this Plan
shall continue in effect until July 31, 1998. It may thereafter be renewed from
year to year in the manner provided for in paragraph 4 hereof.
7. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing, and shall
provide:
A. that such agreement may be terminated as to the Trust or any series
at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or such series, on not
more than sixty (60) days' written notice to any other party to the agreement;
and
B. that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment.
8. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Trust ( as
defined in the 1940 Act) shall be committed to the discretion of the
Independent Trustees.
9. This Plan may be adopted, amended, continued or renewed with respect
to a series as provided herein notwithstanding such adoption, amendment,
continuance or renewal has not been effected with respect to any one or more
other series of the Trust.
10. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related
agreement and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof for a period of
not less than six (6) years from the date of this Plan, or such agreement or
reports, as the case may be, the first two (2) years of which such records
shall be stored in an easily accessible place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused this Plan to be executed by its
officers thereunto duly authorized, as of October 16, 1997.
THE AMERICAN FUNDS TAX-EXEMPT SERIES I
By Harry J. Lister
(President)
By Howard L. Kitzmiller
(Senior Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer)
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