Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Prospectus dated February 1, 1995
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), is a series
of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Trust"). The Fund has the
investment objective of seeking as high a level of current income exempt
from Federal income tax as is consistent with the assurance of the
scheduled receipt of interest and principal through insurance and with
preservation of capital. See "Investment Objective and Policies." While
payments of principal and interest on the securities in which the Fund
invests are insured (other than securities purchased for temporary or
liquidity purposes), neither the principal value of those securities nor
the net asset value of shares of the Fund is guaranteed, and therefore the
Fund's net asset value per share is subject to fluctuations due to changes
in the value of its portfolio investments. For more details on the
insurance of the Fund's portfolio, see page 9.
The Fund offers two classes of shares: (1) Class A shares, which are
sold at a public offering price that includes a front-end sales charge,
and (2) Class B shares, which are sold without a front-end sales charge,
although you may pay a sales charge when you redeem your shares, depending
on how long you hold them. Class B shares are also subject to an annual
"asset-based sales charge." Each class of shares bears different
expenses. In deciding which class of shares to buy, you should consider
how much you plan to purchase, how long you plan to keep your shares, and
other factors discussed in "How to Buy Shares" starting on page 15.
This Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before
investing in the Fund. Please read this Prospectus carefully and keep it
for future reference. You can find more detailed information about the
Fund in the February 1, 1995 Statement of Additional Information. For
a free copy, call Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, the Fund's Transfer
Agent, at 1-800-525-7048, or write to the Transfer Agent at the address
on the back cover. The Statement of Additional Information has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference (which means that it is legally part of this
Prospectus).
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not
guaranteed by any bank, and are not insured by the F.D.I.C. or any other
agency, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of the
principal amount invested.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
Contents
Page
About the Fund
2 Expenses
4 Overview of the Fund
5 Financial Highlights
6 Objective and Policies
12 How the Fund is Managed
13 Performance of the Fund
About Your Account
15 How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
21 Special Investor Services
AccountLink
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans
Reinvestment Privilege
22 How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
Checkwriting
24 How to Exchange Shares
25 Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
26 Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
The Fund pays a variety of expenses directly for management of its
assets, administration, distribution of its shares and other services, and
those expenses are subtracted from the Fund's assets to calculate the
Fund's net asset value per share. All shareholders therefore pay those
expenses indirectly. Shareholders pay other expenses directly, such as
sales charges and account transaction charges. The following tables are
provided to help you understand your direct expenses of investing in the
Fund and your share of the Fund's business operating expenses that you
will bear indirectly. The numbers below are based on the Fund's expenses
during its last fiscal year ended September 30, 1994.
- Shareholder Transaction Expenses are charges you pay when you buy
or sell shares of the Fund. Please refer to "About Your Account," from
pages 15 through 25, for an explanation of how and when these charges
apply.
Class A Shares Class B Shares
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases
(as a % of offering price) 4.75% None
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends None None
Deferred Sales Charge
(as a % of the lower of the original
purchase price or redemption proceeds) None(1) 5% in the first year,
declining to 1% in the
sixth year and eliminated
thereafter
Redemption Fee None(1) None(2)
Exchange Fee $5.00(3) $5.00(3)
(1) If you invest more than $1 million in Class A shares, you may have
to pay a sales charge of up to 1% if you sell your shares within 18
calendar months from the end of the calendar month during which you
purchased those shares. See "How to Buy Shares - Class A Shares,"
below.
(2) There is a $15 transaction fee for redemptions paid by Federal
Funds wire, but not for redemptions paid by check or by Automated
Clearing House ("ACH") wire through AccountLink, or for which check
writing privileges are used (see "How To Redeem Shares").
(3) Fee is waived for automated exchanges, as described in "How to
Exchange Shares."
- Annual Fund Operating Expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets
and represent the Fund's expenses in operating its business. For example,
the Fund pays management fees to its investment adviser, Oppenheimer
Management Corporation (which is referred to in this Prospectus as the
"Manager"). The rates of the Manager's fees are set forth in "How the
Fund is Managed," below. The Fund has other regular expenses for
services, such as transfer agent fees, custodial fees paid to the bank
that holds its portfolio securities, audit fees and legal expenses. Those
expenses are detailed in the Fund's Financial Statements in the Statement
of Additional Information.
The numbers in the chart below are projections of the Fund's
business expenses based on the Fund's expenses in its last fiscal year.
These amounts are shown as a percentage of the average net assets of each
class of the Fund's shares for that year. The 12b-1 Distribution Plan
Fees for Class A shares are Service Plan Fees. For Class B shares, the
12b-1 Fees are the Distribution and Service Plan Fees. The service fee
is a maximum of 0.25% of average annual net assets of the class and the
asset-based sales charge is 0.75%. These plans are described in greater
detail in "How to Buy Shares."
The actual expenses for each class of shares in future years may be
more or less than the numbers in the chart, depending on a number of
factors, including the actual value of the Fund's assets represented by
each class of shares.
Class A Shares Class B Shares
Management Fees .45% .45%
12b-1 Distribution Plan Fees .25% 1.00%
Other Expenses .35% .37%
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.05% 1.82%
- Examples. To try to show the effect of these expenses on an
investment over time, we have created the hypothetical examples shown
below. Assume that you make a $1,000 investment in each class of shares
of the Fund, and the Fund's annual return is 5%, and that its operating
expenses for each class are the ones shown in the Annual Fund Operating
Expenses chart above. If you were to redeem your shares at the end of
each period shown below, your investment would incur the following
expenses by the end of 1, 3, 5 and 10 years:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years*
Class A Shares $58 $79 $103 $170
Class B Shares $68 $87 $119 $175
If you did not redeem your investment, it would incur the following
expenses:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years*
Class A Shares $58 $79 $103 $170
Class B Shares $18 $57 $99 $175
*The Class B expenses in years 7 through 10 are based on the Class A
expenses shown above, because the Fund automatically converts your Class
B shares into Class A shares after 6 years. Long term Class B
shareholders could pay the economic equivalent of more than the maximum
front-end sales charge allowed under applicable regulations, because of
the effect of the asset-based sales charge and contingent deferred sales
charge. The automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A Shares is
designed to minimize the likelihood that this will occur. Please refer
to "How to Buy Shares - Class B Shares" for more information.
These examples show the effect of expenses on an investment, but are
not meant to state or predict actual or expected costs or investment
returns of the Fund, all of which will vary.
A Brief Overview of the Fund
Some of the important facts about the Fund are summarized below,
with references to the section of this Prospectus where more complete
information can be found. You should carefully read the entire Prospectus
before making a decision about investing. Keep the Prospectus for
reference after you invest, particularly for information about your
account, such as how to sell or exchange shares.
- What Is The Fund's Investment Objective? The Fund's investment
objective is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from Federal
income tax as is consistent with the assurance of the scheduled receipt
of interest and principal through insurance and with preservation of
capital.
- What Does the Fund Invest In? To seek its objective, the Fund
primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of municipal securities. The
Fund invests 65% of its total assets in municipal bonds that are insured.
The Fund may also use some derivative investments to try to manage
investment risks. These investments are more fully explained in
"Investment Objective and Policies," starting on page 6.
- Who Manages the Fund? The Fund's investment advisor is
Oppenheimer Management Corporation, which (including a subsidiary) advises
investment company portfolios having over $28 billion in assets. The
Fund's portfolio manager, who is primarily responsible for the selection
of the Fund's securities, is Robert Patterson. The Manager is paid an
advisory fee by the Fund, based on its assets. The Fund's Board of
Trustees, elected by shareholders, oversees the investment advisor and the
portfolio manager. Please refer to "How the Fund is Managed," starting
on page 12 for more information about the Manager and its fees.
- How Risky is the Fund? All investments carry risks to some
degree. The risk of issuer default is minimized by the Fund's policy of
investing in insured municipal bonds. However, the Fund's investments in
municipal bonds are subject to changes in their value from a number of
factors such as changes in general bond market movements, the change in
value of particular bonds because of an event affecting the issuer, or
changes in interest rates. These changes affect the value of the Fund's
investments and its price per share. In the OppenheimerFunds spectrum,
the Fund is more conservative than high yield bond funds, but more
aggressive than money market funds. While the Manager tries to reduce
risks by diversifying investments, by carefully researching securities
before they are purchased for the portfolio, and by focusing on insured
municipal bonds, there is no guarantee of success in achieving the Fund's
objectives and your shares may be worth more or less than their original
cost when you redeem them. Please refer to "Investment Objective and
Policies" starting on page 6 for a more complete discussion.
- How Can I Buy Shares? You can buy shares through your dealer or
financial institution, or you can purchase shares directly through the
Distributor by completing an Application or by using an Automatic
Investment Plan under AccountLink. Please refer to "How To Buy Shares"
on page 15 for more details.
- Will I Pay a Sales Charge to Buy Shares? The Fund has two
classes of shares. Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales
charge, starting at 4.75%, and reduced for larger purchases. Class B
shares are offered without a front-end sales charge, but may be subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (starting at 5% and declining as
shares are held longer) if redeemed within 6 years of purchase. There is
also an annual asset-based sales charge on Class B shares. Please review
"How To Buy Shares" starting on page 15 for more details, including a
discussion about which class may be appropriate for you.
- How Can I Sell My Shares? Shares can be redeemed by mail or by
telephone call to the Transfer Agent on any business day, or through your
dealer. Please refer to "How To Sell Shares" on page 22.
- How Has the Fund Performed? The Fund measures its performance
by quoting its total return and yield, which measure historical
performance. Those returns and yields can be compared to the returns and
yields (over similar periods) of other funds. Of course, other funds may
have different objectives, investments, and levels of risk. The Fund's
performance can also be compared to broad market indices, which we have
done on page 14. Please remember that past performance does not guarantee
future results.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table on this page presents selected financial information about
the Fund, including per share data and expense ratios and other data based
on the Fund's average net assets. The information for the fiscal years
ended September 30. 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, has been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's independent auditors, whose report on
the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1994, is included in the Statement of Additional Information. The
information in the table below (except for total return) for the fiscal
periods ended September 30, 1987 (from the commencement of operations on
November 11, 1986), 1988, and 1989 was audited by the Fund's prior
independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
-------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990(3) 1989
==========================================================
=====================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning
of period $18.06 $16.92 $16.17 $15.16 $15.27 $14.96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from
investment operations:
Net investment income .89 .93 .96 .92 .98 1.06
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (1.84) 1.35 .73 1.01 (.11) .31
------ ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total income (loss) from
investment
operations (.95) 2.28 1.69 1.93 .87 1.37
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and
distributions to
shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (.86) (.96) (.91) (.92) (.98) (1.06)
Dividends in excess
of net investment
income (.03) -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from net
realized gain on
investments (.08) (.18) (.03) -- -- --
------ ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total dividends and
distributions to
shareholders (.97) (1.14) (.94) (.92) (.98) (1.06)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $16.14 $18.06 $16.92 $16.17 $15.16 $15.27
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
==========================================================
=====================================
TOTAL RETURN, AT
NET ASSET VALUE(4) (5.46)% 14.02% 10.74% 13.08% 5.81% 9.37%
==========================================================
=====================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $67,793 $62,158 $33,751 $23,791 $16,863 $13,105
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets
(in thousands) $66,953 $45,949 $27,811 $19,936 $15,145 $11,200
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares
outstanding
at end of period
(in thousands) 4,201 3,442 1,995 1,471 1,113 858
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net
assets:
Net investment income 5.23% 5.40% 5.81% 5.83% 6.43% 6.87%
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by
the Manager 1.05% 1.18% 1.35% 1.60% 1.62% 2.04%
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager N/A 1.10% .95% .91% .62% .42%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 99% 7% 47% 67% 62% 142%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B
------------------- ------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1988 1987(2) 1994 1993(1)
==========================================================
====================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning
of period $13.79 $16.00 $18.07 $17.33
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from
investment operations:
Net investment income 1.07 .92 .77 .30
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments 1.17 (2.21) (1.86) .74
----- ----- ----- -----
Total income (loss) from
investment
operations 2.24 (1.29) (1.09) 1.04
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and
distributions to
shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (1.07) (.92) (.73) (.30)
Dividends in excess
of net
investment
income -- -- (.02) --
Distributions from net
realized gain on
investments -- -- (.08) --
----- ----- ----- -----
Total dividends and
distributions to
shareholders (1.07) (.92) (.83) (.30)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $14.96 $13.79 $16.15 $18.07
====== ====== ====== ======
==========================================================
====================
TOTAL RETURN, AT
NET ASSET VALUE(4) 16.67% (8.36)% (6.20)% 6.04%
==========================================================
====================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $8,483 $5,449 $11,571 $5,104
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets
(in thousands) $6,936 $5,435 $ 9,209 $2,298
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares
outstanding
at end of period
(in thousands) 567 395 717 282
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net
assets:
Net investment income 7.34% 6.69%(5) 4.43% 3.99%(5)
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by
the Manager 2.50% 2.98%(5) 1.82% 1.96%(5)
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager .13% .34%(5) N/A N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 141% 112% 99% 7%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period from May 3, 1993 (inception of offering) to September
30, 1993.
(2) For the period from November 11, 1986 (commencement of operations) to
September 30, 1987.
(3) On April 7, 1990, Oppenheimer Management Corporation became the
investment advisor to the Fund.
(4) Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before
the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions
reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption
at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal
period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns.
(5) Annualized.
(6) The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities
owned during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at
the time of acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the
calculation. Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding
short-term securities) for the year ended September 30, 1994 were
$97,142,573 and $74,122,758, respectively.
<PAGE>
Investment Objective and Policies
Objective. The Fund's investment objective is to provide as high a level
of current income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent with the
assurance of the scheduled receipt of interest income and principal
through insurance and with preservation of capital.
Investment Policies and Strategies. As a matter of fundamental policy,
the Fund will seek to attain its investment objective by investing at
least 80% of its total assets in a portfolio of Municipal Securities and
at least 65% of its total assets in Municipal Bonds (as each is defined
below), all of which are insured as to scheduled payments of both interest
and principal, except as described below. Although each insurer's quality
standards may vary from time to time, generally such insurers insure only
those Municipal Securities that are rated, at the date of purchase: (1)
in the case of long-term debt, "AAA" through "BBB" by Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") or "Aaa" through "Baa" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's"); (2) in the case of short-term securities, "SP-1+"
through "SP-2" by S&P or "MIG 1" through "MIG 4" by Moody's; or (3) in the
case of tax-exempt commercial paper, "A-1+" through "A-2" by S&P or
"Prime-1" through "Prime-2" by Moody's. An insurer may also insure lower-
rated or unrated Municipal Securities if they meet its insurance
standards.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may invest, without any
limitation as to rating category, in any securities for which it obtains
insurance coverage. Although the cost of insurance on the Fund's portfolio
will reduce the Fund's yield, one of the objectives of obtaining such
insurance is to achieve a higher yield than would be available if all
securities in the Fund's portfolio were rated "AAA" by S&P without the
benefit of any insurance. If the Fund invests in insured Municipal
Securities that are below investment grade in the opinion of the Manager,
such insurance will make the risks of owning such securities comparable
to those of investment grade Municipal Securities.
As a matter of fundamental policy, pending investment of its assets
in longer term Municipal Securities, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its
total assets in short-term Municipal Securities without obtaining
insurance on them, provided that such securities carry an "A-1+" or "SP-
1+" short-term rating, or "AAA" long-term rating by S&P. Although the
Fund intends to invest in insured Municipal Securities (or temporarily in
uninsured short-term Municipal Securities). As a matter of fundamental
policy, the Fund may invest temporarily up to 20% of its assets in
uninsured taxable securities for liquidity purposes and may invest more
than 20% of its total assets in uninsured taxable securities for temporary
defensive purposes, as described below. In addition, the Fund normally
will not invest more than 20% of its total assets in Municipal Securities
issued to benefit a private user ("Private Activity Municipal
Securities"), the interest from which may be subject to Federal
alternative minimum tax to which certain shareholders may be subject (see
"Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes," below and "Private Activity
Municipal Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information for a
more detailed discussion of the tax treatment of the Fund's dividends).
No independent investigation has been made by the Manager as to the users
of proceeds of bond offerings or the application of such proceeds.
- Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The
Fund has an investment objective, described above, as well as investment
policies it follows to try to achieve its objective. Additionally, the
Fund uses certain investment techniques and strategies in carrying out
those investment policies. The Fund's investment policies and techniques
are not "fundamental" unless this Prospectus or the Statement of
Additional Information says that a particular policy is "fundamental."
The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy.
The Fund's Board of Trustees may change non-fundamental policies
without shareholder approval, although significant changes will be
described in amendments to this Prospectus. Fundamental policies are those
that cannot be changed without the approval of a "majority" of the Fund's
outstanding voting shares. The term "majority" is defined in the
Investment Company Act to be a particular percentage of outstanding voting
shares (and this term is explained in the Statement of Additional
Information).
- Municipal Securities. "Municipal Securities" are municipal
bonds, municipal notes, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes and other short-term
loans, tax-exempt commercial paper and other debt obligations issued by
or on behalf of states, the District of Columbia, any commonwealths,
territories or possessions of the United States, or their respective
political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, the
interest from which is not subject to Federal individual income tax in the
opinion of bond counsel to the respective issuer at the time of issue.
"Municipal Bonds" are Municipal Securities that have a maturity when
issued of one year or more, and "Municipal Notes" are Municipal Securities
that have a maturity when issued of less than one year. The two principal
classifications of Municipal Securities are "general obligations" (secured
by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the
payment of principal and interest) and "revenue obligations" (payable only
from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or a specific excise tax or other revenue source). The Fund
may invest in Municipal Securities of both classifications, subject to
particular restrictions described below.
Yields on Municipal Securities vary depending on a variety of
factors, including the general condition of the financial markets and of
the Municipal Securities market in particular, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the security and the credit rating of the issue.
Generally, Municipal Securities of longer maturities produce higher
current yields but are subject to greater price fluctuation due to changes
in interest rates (discussed below), tax laws and other general market
factors than are Municipal Securities with shorter maturities. Similarly,
lower-rated Municipal Securities generally produce a greater yield than
higher-rated Municipal Securities due to the perception of a greater
degree of risk as to the ability of the issuer to meet principal and
interest obligations. "Investment Objective and Policies" in the
Statement of Additional Information contains more information about
Municipal Securities.
- Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations. Some of the Municipal
Securities the Fund may purchase may have variable or floating interest
rates. Variable rates are adjusted at stated periodic intervals.
Floating rates are automatically adjusted according to a specified market
rate for such investments, such as the percentage of the prime rate of a
bank, or the 91-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate. Such obligations may be
secured by bank letters of credit or other credit support arrangements.
See "Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
- Inverse Floaters and Derivative Investments. The Fund may
invest in variable rate bonds known as "inverse floaters." These bonds
pay interest at a rate that varies as the yields generally available on
short-term tax-exempt bonds change. However, the yields on inverse
floaters move in the opposite direction of yields on short-term bonds in
response to market changes. When the yields on short-term tax-exempt
bonds go up, the interest rate on the inverse floater goes down. When the
yields on short-term tax-exempt bonds go down, the interest rate on the
inverse floater goes up. As interest rates rise, inverse floaters produce
less current income. Inverse floaters are a type of "derivative
security," which is a specially designed investment whose performance is
linked to the performance of another security or investment. Some inverse
floaters have a "cap" whereby if interest rates rise above the "cap," the
security pays additional interest income. If rates do not rise above the
"cap," the Fund will have paid an additional amount for a feature that
proves worthless. The Fund may also invest in municipal derivative
securities that pay interest that depends on an external pricing
mechanism. Examples are interest rate swaps or caps and municipal bond
or swap indices. The Fund anticipates that it would invest no more than
10% of its total assets in inverse floaters.
The risks of investing in derivative investments include not only
the ability of the issuer of the derivative investment to pay the amount
due on the maturity of the investment, but also the risk that the
underlying security or investment might not perform the way the Manager
expected it to perform. That can mean that the Fund will realize less
income than expected. Another risk of investing in derivative investments
is that their market value could be expected to vary to a much greater
extent than the market value of municipal securities that are not
derivative investment but have similar credit quality, redemption
provisions and maturities.
- Municipal Lease Obligations. The Fund may invest in certificates of
participation, which are tax-exempt obligations that evidence the holder's
right to share in lease, installment loan or other financing payments by
a public entity. Projects financed with certificates of participation
generally are not subject to state constitutional debt limitations or
other statutory requirements that may be applicable to Municipal
Securities. Payments by the public entity on the obligation underlying
the certificates are derived from available revenue sources; such revenue
may be diverted to the funding of other municipal service projects.
Payments of interest and/or principal with respect to the certificates are
not guaranteed and do not constitute an obligation of the states or any
of its political subdivisions. While some municipal lease securities may
be deemed to be "illiquid" securities (the purchase of which would be
limited as described below in "Illiquid and Restricted Securities"), from
time to time the Fund may invest more than 5% of its net assets in
municipal lease obligations that the Manager has determined to be liquid
under guidelines set by the Fund's Board of Trustees. See "Investment
Objective and Policies - Municipal Securities - Municipal Lease
Obligations" in the Statement of Additional Information for more details.
- Investments in Taxable Securities and Temporary Defensive
Investment Strategy. Under certain conditions and subject to certain
restrictions, described above, as a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund
may hold certain taxable investments in any of the following
circumstances: (a) pending investment of the proceeds of sales of shares
of the Fund or sales of portfolio securities; (b) pending settlement of
purchases of portfolio securities; or (c) to maintain liquidity for the
purpose of meeting anticipated redemptions or exchanges.
In times of unstable market or economic conditions, as a matter of
fundamental policy, the Fund may invest more than 20% of its assets in
taxable securities for temporary defensive purposes when, in the opinion
of the Manager, it is advisable to do so because of market conditions.
While dividends paid by the Fund from income derived from interest
attributable to Municipal Securities will be exempt from Federal
individual income taxes, any net interest income derived from taxable
securities and distributed by the Fund will be taxable as ordinary income
when distributed. To the extent that the Fund distributes taxable income,
it will not be meeting its investment objective.
The types of taxable securities in which the Fund may invest are
limited as a matter of fundamental policy, to the following short-term
fixed-income securities (maturing in one year or less from the time of
purchase): (i) obligations issued by, or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by, the U.S. Government, or by its agencies or instrumentalities
if such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States; (ii) commercial paper rated "A-1" or better by S&P and issued by
companies whose long-term unsecured debt is rated "AAA" by S&P; (iii)
certificates of deposit of any bank whose long-term debt obligations have
been rated "AAA" by S&P (or, in the case of the principal bank in a bank
holding company, the long-term unsecured debt obligations of the bank
holding company); and (iv) repurchase agreements (described below in
"Other Investment Techniques and Strategies") with respect to any of the
foregoing types of securities; provided, however, that such commercial
paper, certificates of deposit and repurchase agreements may not exceed
25% of the total assets of the Fund.
- Interest Rate Risk. The values of Municipal Securities will vary
as a result of changing evaluations by rating services and investors of
the ability of the issuers of such securities to meet their principal and
interest payments. Such values will also change in response to changes
in interest rates: should interest rates rise, the values of outstanding
Municipal Securities will probably decline and (if purchased at principal
amount) would sell at a discount; should interest rates fall, the values
of outstanding Municipal Securities will probably increase and (if
purchased at principal amount) would sell at a premium. Changes in the
value of Municipal Securities held in the Fund's portfolio arising from
these or other factors will not affect interest income derived from those
securities but will affect the Fund's net asset value per share.
Insurance on the Municipal Securities of the Fund does not insure against
fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund's shares, and the net
asset value will be affected by increases or decreases in prevailing
interest rates.
As a matter of fundamental policy, there are no restrictions on the
maturities of the Municipal Securities in which the Fund may invest. The
Fund will seek to invest in Municipal Securities that, in the judgment of
the Manager, will provide a high level of current income consistent with
the Fund's liquidity requirements, conditions affecting the Municipal
Securities market and the cost of the insurance obtainable on such bonds.
- Insurance. To the extent that Municipal Securities in the Fund's
portfolio are insured, they will at all times be fully insured as to the
scheduled payment of all installments of interest and principal except,
as noted above, for investments made for temporary liquidity and defensive
purposes and pending investment in longer term Municipal Securities. This
insurance minimizes the risks to the Fund and its shareholders from
defaults in the portfolio securities owned by it. Each Municipal Security
in the Fund's portfolio will be covered by either a mutual fund "Portfolio
Insurance Policy" issued by Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
("Financial Guaranty"), a "Secondary Market Insurance Policy" or a "New
Issue Insurance Policy" obtained by the issuer or the underwriter of the
security at the time of its original issuance. If a Municipal Security
is already covered by a New Issue Insurance Policy or Secondary Market
Insurance Policy, then such security is not required to be additionally
insured under a Portfolio Insurance Policy issued by Financial Guaranty.
Such New Issue Insurance Policy or Secondary Market Insurance Policy may
have been issued by Financial Guaranty or by other insurers.
Based upon the current composition of the Fund's portfolio, the
Manager estimates that the premiums for a Portfolio Insurance Policy will
range from 0.2% to 0.4% per annum of average daily net assets. Premiums
are paid from the Fund's assets, and will reduce the current yield on its
portfolio by the amount thereof. When the Fund purchases a Secondary
Market Insurance Policy (see below), the single premium is added to the
cost basis of the Municipal Security and is not considered an item of
expense for the Fund.
Any of the policies discussed above insure the scheduled payment of
all principal and interest on the Municipal Securities as they fall due.
The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Municipal
Securities or the value of the shares of the Fund and, except as described
below, has no effect on the net asset value or redemption price of the
shares of the Fund. The insurance of principal refers to the face or par
value of the security, and is not affected by the price paid therefor by
the Fund or the market value thereof. Payment of a claim under an
insurance policy depends on the claims-paying ability of the insurer and
no representation is made by the Fund as to the ability of any insurer to
meet its commitments.
The New Issue Insurance Policies, if any, on the Fund's securities
have been obtained by the respective issuers or underwriters of those
securities, and all premiums with respect to such securities have been
paid in advance by such issuers or underwriters. Such policies are non-
cancelable and will continue in force so long as the securities are
outstanding and the respective insurers remain in business. Since New
Issue Insurance remains in effect as long as the securities insured
thereby are outstanding, the insurance may have an effect on the resale
value of securities in the Fund's portfolio. Therefore, New Issue
Insurance may be considered to represent an element of market value in
regard to securities thus insured, but the exact effect, if any, of this
insurance on such market value cannot be estimated. The Fund will acquire
Municipal Securities subject to New Issue Insurance Policies only if the
claims-paying ability of the insurer thereof is rated "AAA" by S&P at the
date of purchase.
The Portfolio Insurance Policy obtained by the Fund from Financial
Guaranty will be effective only so long as the Fund is in existence,
Financial Guaranty is in business, and the Municipal Securities described
in the policy continue to be held by the Fund. In the event of a sale of
any Municipal Security by the Fund or payment thereof prior to maturity
because such Municipal Security is called or redeemed, the Portfolio
Insurance Policy terminates as to such security.
The Portfolio Insurance Policy obtained by the Fund is non-
cancelable except for failure to pay the premium. Nonpayment of premiums
on the Portfolio Insurance Policy obtained by the Fund will, under certain
circumstances, result in the cancellation of the Portfolio Insurance
Policy and also will permit Financial Guaranty to take action against the
Fund to recover premium payments due it. The premium rate for each
security covered by the Portfolio Insurance Policy is fixed for the life
of the Fund at the time of purchase. The insurance premiums are payable
monthly by the Fund and are adjusted for purchases, sales and payments
prior to maturity of covered securities during the month. Financial
Guaranty cannot cancel coverage already in force with respect to Municipal
Securities owned by the Fund and covered by the Portfolio Insurance Policy
except for non-payment of premiums. If any insurance for a Municipal
Security is canceled, the Manager will determine as promptly thereafter
as possible whether that security should be sold by the Fund.
In determining whether to insure any Municipal Security, Financial
Guaranty applies its own standards, which are not necessarily the same as
the criteria used in regard to the selection of securities by the Manager.
That decision is made prior to the Fund's purchase of such securities.
Contracts to purchase securities are not covered by the Portfolio
Insurance Policy although securities underlying such contracts are covered
by such insurance upon physical delivery of the securities to the Fund or
the Fund's Custodian.
- Secondary Market Insurance. The Fund may at any time purchase
from Financial Guaranty a Secondary Market Insurance Policy on any
Municipal Security purchased by the Fund that is covered by a Portfolio
Insurance Policy. The right of the Fund to obtain a Secondary Market
Insurance Policy with respect to a security is in addition to the
Portfolio Insurance Policy. However, the coverage and obligation to pay
monthly premiums under a Portfolio Insurance Policy with respect to a
security would cease with the purchase by the Fund of a Secondary Market
Insurance Policy on such security.
By purchasing a Secondary Market Insurance Policy, the Fund would,
upon payment of a single pre-determined premium, obtain insurance against
non-payment of scheduled principal and interest for the remaining term of
the security, regardless of whether the Fund then owned the security.
Such insurance coverage will be noncancellable and will continue in force
so long as the security so insured is outstanding. The purpose of
acquiring such a policy would be to enable the Fund to sell the Municipal
Security to a third party as an "AAA" rated insured security at a market
price higher than what otherwise might be obtainable if the security were
sold without the insurance coverage. Such rating is not automatic,
however, and must specifically be requested from S&P for each security.
Such policy likely would be purchased if, in the opinion of the Manager,
the market value or net proceeds of a sale of the security so insured
would exceed the current value of the security (without insurance) plus
the cost of the policy. Any difference between a security's market value
as an "AAA" rated security and its market value without such rating,
including the single premium cost thereof, would inure to the Fund in
determining the net capital gain or loss realized by the Fund upon the
sale of the portfolio security. The Fund may purchase insurance under a
Secondary Market Insurance Policy in lieu of a Portfolio Insurance Policy
at any time, regardless of the effect on market value of the underlying
Municipal Security, if the Manager believes such insurance would best
serve the Fund's interests in meeting its objectives and policies. The
Secondary Market Insurance Policy allows the Fund to purchase a Secondary
Market Insurance Policy on a security which is currently in default as to
payments by the issuer and to sell such security on an insured basis
rather than be obligated to hold the defaulted security in its portfolio
in order to continue in force the applicable Portfolio Insurance Policy.
- Financial Guaranty Insurance Company. Financial Guaranty is a New
York stock insurance company, with principal offices at 115 Broadway, New
York, New York, 10006. "Investment Objective and Policies" in the
Statement of Additional Information contains more information on Financial
Guaranty.
- Portfolio Turnover. A change in the securities held by the Fund
is known as "portfolio turnover." The Fund generally does not engage in
the trading of securities for the purpose of realizing short-term gains,
but the Fund may sell securities as the Manager deems advisable to take
advantage of differentials in yield to accomplish the Fund's investment
objective. While short-term trading increases portfolio turnover, the
Fund incurs little or no brokerage costs. Portfolio turnover affects the
Fund's ability to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code for tax deductions for dividends and capital gains
distributions the Fund pays to shareholders. The Fund qualified in its
last fiscal year and intends to do so in the coming year, although it
reserves the right not to qualify. The "Financial Highlights," above,
shows the Fund's portfolio turnover rate during the past fiscal years.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies. The Fund may also use the
investment techniques and strategies described below, which involve
certain risks. The Statement of Additional Information contains more
information about these practices, including limitations designed to
reduce some of the risks.
- Loans of Portfolio Securities. To attempt to increase its income,
the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other
financial institutions. These loans are limited to not more than 5% of
the value of the Fund's total assets and are subject to other conditions
described in the Statement of Additional Information. The income from
such loans, when distributed by the Fund, will be taxable as ordinary
income.
- Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and
procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager
determines the liquidity of certain of the Fund's investments. Investments
may be illiquid because of the absence of an active trading market, making
it difficult to value them or dispose of them promptly at an acceptable
price. A restricted security is one that has a contractual restriction on
its resale or which cannot be sold publicly until it is registered under
the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its
net assets in illiquid or restricted securities (that limit may increase
to 15% if certain state laws are changed or the Fund's shares are no
longer sold in those states). The Fund's percentage limitation on these
investments does not apply to certain restricted securities that are
eligible for resale to qualified institutional purchasers.
- "When-Issued" and Delayed Delivery Transactions. As a matter of
fundamental policy, the Fund may purchase Municipal Securities on a "when-
issued" basis and may purchase or sell Municipal Securities on a "delayed
delivery" basis. These terms refer to securities that have been created
and for which a market exists, but which are not available for immediate
delivery. When the Fund engages in these transactions, it will do so for
the purpose of acquiring portfolio securities consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of investment
leverage. Under the fundamental policy allowing these transactions, when
the Fund is the buyer, it will maintain (in a segregated account with its
custodian) cash or high-grade Municipal Securities having a total value
equal to the amount of the Fund's purchase commitments until payment is
made. The Fund will make commitments to buy Municipal Securities on this
basis, as a fundamental policy, only with the intention of actually
acquiring these securities, but the Fund may sell the securities prior to
the settlement date if the sale is considered to be advisable. There may
be a risk of loss to the Fund if the value of the security declines prior
to the settlement date.
- Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements. In a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security and
simultaneously sells it to the vendor for delivery at a future date.
There is no limit on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may be
subject to repurchase agreements of seven days or less. Repurchase
agreements must be fully collateralized. However, if the vendor fails to
pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in
disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any
delay in its ability to do so. The Fund will not enter into repurchase
transactions that will cause more than 25% of its net assets to be subject
to repurchase agreements, and will not enter into a repurchase agreement
that causes more than 10% of its net assets to be subject to repurchase
agreements having a maturity beyond seven days.
Other Investment Restrictions. The Fund has other investment restrictions
which are fundamental policies. Under these fundamental policies, the
Fund cannot do any of the following: (1) borrow money, except from banks
for temporary purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of the
Fund's assets; no assets of the Fund may be pledged, mortgaged or
hypothecated other than to secure a borrowing, and then in amounts not
exceeding 10% of the Fund's total assets; borrowings may not be made for
leverage, but only for liquidity purposes to satisfy redemption requests
when the liquidation of portfolio securities is considered inconvenient
or disadvantageous; however, the Fund may enter into when-issued and
delayed delivery transactions as described herein; (2) purchase
certificates of deposit or taxable commercial paper that will cause more
than 25% of the Fund's total assets to be so invested; (3) make loans,
except that the Fund may purchase or hold debt obligations in accordance
with its other investment restrictions that are fundamental policies (and
may enter into repurchase transactions; it may also lend its portfolio
securities in amounts not exceeding 5% of the total assets of the Fund if
such loans are collateralized by cash or U.S. Government Securities in
amounts equal at all times to at least 100% of the value of the securities
loaned, including accrued interest); (4) buy securities issued or
guaranteed by any one issuer (except the U.S. Government or any of its
agencies or instrumentalities) if with respect to 75% of its total assets,
more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities
of that issuer or the Fund would then own more than 10% of that issuer's
voting securities; or (5) invest more than 25% of its total assets in a
single industry (although the Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets
in a particular segment of the municipal bond market, but will not invest
more than 25% of its total assets in industrial development bonds in a
single industry).
All of the percentage restrictions described above and elsewhere in
this Prospectus apply only at the time the Fund purchases a security and
the Fund need not dispose of a security merely because the size of the
Fund's assets has changed or the security has increased in value relative
to the size of the Fund. There are other fundamental policies discussed
in the Statement of Additional Information.
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund is one of two diversified investment
portfolios or "series" of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Trust"),
an open-end, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts
business trust in 1986.
The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible
under Massachusetts law for protecting the interests of shareholders. The
Trustees meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Fund's
activities, review its performance, and review the actions of the Manager.
"Trustees and Officers of the Trust" in the Statement of Additional
Information names the Trustees and provides more information about them
and the officers of the Trust. Although the Fund is not required by law
to hold annual meetings, it may hold shareholder meetings from time to
time on important matters, and shareholders have the right to call a
meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action described in the
Declaration of Trust.
The Board of Trustees has the power, without shareholder approval,
to divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more classes. The Board
has done so, and the Fund currently has two classes of shares, Class A and
Class B. Each class has its own dividends and distributions and pays
certain expenses which may be different for the different classes. Each
class may have a different net asset value. Each share has one vote at
shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally. Only
shares of a particular class vote together on matters that affect that
class alone. Shares are freely transferrable.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Fund is managed by the Manager, which
chooses the Fund's investments and handles its day-to-day business. The
Manager carries out its duties, subject to the policies established by the
Board of Trustees, under an Investment Advisory Agreement which states the
Manager's responsibilities and its fees, and describes the expenses that
the Fund pays to conduct its business.
The Manager has operated as an investment adviser since 1959. The
Manager and its affiliates currently manage investment companies,
including other OppenheimerFunds, with assets of more than $28 billion as
of September 30, 1994, and with more than 1.8 million shareholder
accounts. The Manager is owned by Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a
holding company that is owned in part by senior officers of the Manager
and controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, a mutual
life insurance company.
- Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is Robert
E. Patterson, a Senior Vice President of the Manager. He has been the
person principally responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's
portfolio since February, 1992. During the past five years, Mr. Patterson
has also served as an officer and portfolio manager for other
OppenheimerFunds.
- Fees and Expenses. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the
Fund pays the Manager the following annual fees: 0.450% of the first $100
million of aggregate net assets, 0.400% of the next $150 million, 0.375%
of the next $250 million, and 0.350% of net assets in excess of $500
million. The Fund's management fee for its last fiscal year was 0.450%
of average annual net assets for both its Class A and Class B shares,
which may be higher than the rate paid by some other mutual funds.
The Fund pays expenses related to its daily operations, such as
custodian fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal and auditing
costs. Those expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and are not paid
directly by shareholders. However, those expenses reduce the net asset
value of shares, and therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders
through their investment. More information about the investment advisory
agreement and the other expenses paid by the Fund is contained in the
Statement of Additional Information.
There is also information about the Fund's brokerage policies and
practices in "Brokerage Policies of the Fund" in the Statement of
Additional Information. Because the Fund purchases most of its portfolio
securities directly from the sellers and not through brokers, it therefore
incurs relatively little expense for brokerage. From time to time, it may
use brokers when buying portfolio securities. When deciding which brokers
to use, the Manager is permitted by the investment advisory agreement to
consider whether brokers have sold shares of the Fund or any other funds
for which the Manager serves as investment adviser.
- The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers and
brokers that have a sales agreement with Oppenheimer Funds Distributor,
Inc., a subsidiary of the Manager that acts as the Fund's Distributor.
The Distributor also distributes the shares of other mutual funds managed
by the Manager (the "OppenheimerFunds") and is sub-distributor for funds
managed by a subsidiary of the Manager.
- The Transfer Agent. The Fund's transfer agent is Oppenheimer
Shareholder Services, a division of the Manager, which acts as the
shareholder servicing agent for the Fund and the other OppenheimerFunds
on an "at-cost" basis. Shareholders should direct inquiries about their
accounts to the Transfer Agent at the address and toll-free numbers shown
below in this Prospectus and on the back cover.
Performance of the Fund
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses certain terms to
illustrate its performance: "total return" and "yield." These terms are
used to show the performance of each class of shares separately, because
the performance of each class of shares will usually be different, as a
result of the different kinds of expenses each class bears. This
performance information may be useful to help you see how well your
investment has done and to compare it to other funds or market indices,
as we have done below.
It is important to understand that the Fund's yields and total
returns represent past performance and should not be considered to be
predictions of future returns or performance. This performance data is
described below, but more detailed information about how total returns and
yields are calculated is contained in the Statement of Additional
Information, which also contains information about other ways to measure
and compare the Fund's performance. From time to time, the Manager may
voluntarily assume a portion of the Fund's expenses (which may include the
management fee), thereby lowering the overall expense ratio per share and
increasing the yield and total return of that class during the time such
expenses were assumed. The Fund's investment performance will vary,
depending on market conditions, the composition of the portfolio, expenses
and which class of shares you purchase.
- Total Returns. There are different types of total returns used to
measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in value of
a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period, assuming that
all dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional
shares. The cumulative total return measures the change in value over the
entire period (for example, ten years). An average annual total return
shows the average rate of return for each year in a period that would
produce the cumulative total return over the entire period. However,
average annual total returns do not show the Fund's actual year-by-year
performance.
When total returns are quoted for Class A shares, they reflect the
payment of the maximum initial sales charge. Total returns may also be
quoted "at net asset value," without considering the effect of the sales
charge, and those returns would be reduced if sales charges were deducted.
When total returns are shown for Class B shares, they reflect the effect
of the contingent deferred sales charge. They may also be shown based on
the change in net asset value, without considering the effect of the
contingent deferred sales charge.
- Yield. Each Class of shares calculates its yield by dividing the
annualized net investment income per share on the portfolio during a
30-day period by the maximum offering price on the last day of the period.
Tax-equivalent yield is the equivalent yield that would be earned in the
absence of income taxes. It is calculated by dividing that portion of the
yield that is tax-exempt by a factor equal to one minus the applicable tax
rate. The yield of each Class will differ because of the different
expenses of each Class of shares. The yield data represents a hypothetical
investment return on the portfolio, and does not measure an investment
return based on dividends actually paid to shareholders. To show that
return, a dividend yield may be calculated. Dividend yield is calculated
by dividing the dividends of a Class derived from net investment income
during a stated period by the maximum offering price on the last day of
the period. Yields and dividend yields for Class A shares reflect the
deduction of the maximum initial sales charge, but may also be shown based
on the Fund's net asset value per share. Yields for Class B shares do not
reflect the deduction of the contingent deferred sales charge.
How Has the Fund Performed? Below is a discussion by the Manager of the
Fund's performance during its last fiscal year ended September 30, 1994,
followed by a graphical comparison of the Fund's performance to an
appropriate broad-based market index.
- Management's Discussion of Performance. During the past fiscal
year, the Fund's performance was affected by aggressive increases in
short-term interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board, which caused a
decline in the overall price of municipal securities. The Manager
emphasized high quality essential service issues, diversified by market
sector and by state, as well as bonds offering significant call
protection, which prevents the issuer of the bond from calling or
redeeming it before maturity.
- Comparing the Fund's Performance to the Market. The chart below
shows the performance of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each class
of shares of the Fund held until September 30, 1994; in the case of Class
A shares, from the commencement of operations on November 11, 1986, and
in the case of Class B shares, from the inception of the class on May 3,
1993, with all dividends and capital gains distributions reinvested in
additional shares. The graph reflects the deduction of the 4.75% maximum
initial sales charge on Class A shares and the maximum 5.0% contingent
deferred sales charge on Class B shares.
The Fund's performance is compared to the performance of the Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index. The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index
is an unmanaged index of a broad range of investment grade municipal
bonds, widely regarded as a measure of the performance of the general
municipal bond market. Index performance reflects the reinvestment of
dividends but does not consider the effect of capital gains or transaction
costs, and none of the data below shows the effect of taxes. Also, the
Fund's performance reflects the effect of Fund business and operating
expenses. While index comparisons may be useful to provide a benchmark
for the Fund's performance, it must be noted that the index data does not
take into account the same portfolio quality standards, nor does it
reflect any assessment of the risk of the investments included in the
index.
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Comparison of Change in Value
of $10,000 Hypothetical Investment to the
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index
(Graph)
Past performance is not predictive of future performance.
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Average Annual Total Returns at 9/30/94
1-Year 5-Year Life
Class A:* -9.93% 6.36% 6.07%
Class B:** -10.64% N/A -3.03%
_________________________________________
* The inception date of the Fund (Class A shares) was 11/11/86.
**Class B shares of the Fund were first publicly
offered on 5/3/93.
A B O U T Y O U R A C C O U N T
How to Buy Shares
Classes of Shares. The Fund offers investors two different classes of
shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same
portfolio of securities but are subject to different expenses and will
likely have different share prices.
- Class A Shares. If you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial
sales charge (on investments up to $1 million). If you purchase Class A
shares as part of an investment of at least $1 million in shares of one
or more OppenheimerFunds, and you sell any of those shares within 18
months after your purchase, you may pay a contingent deferred sales
charge, which dollar value will vary depending on the amount you invested.
- Class B Shares. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge
at the time of purchase, but if you sell your shares within 6 years, you
will normally pay a contingent deferred sales charge that varies depending
on how long you own your shares.
Which Class of Shares Should You Choose? Once you decide that the Fund
is an appropriate investment for you, deciding which class of shares is
best suited to your needs depends on a number of factors which you should
discuss with your financial advisor. Because the Fund's operating costs
that apply to a class of shares and the effect of the different types of
sales charges on your investment will vary your investment results over
time, the most important factors to consider are how much you plan to
invest, how long you plan to hold your investment, and whether you
anticipate exchanging your shares for shares of other OppenheimerFunds
(not all of which offer Class A and/or Class B shares). If your goals and
objectives change over time and you plan to purchase additional shares,
you should re-evaluate those factors to see if you should consider another
class of shares.
In the following discussion, to help provide you and your financial
advisor with a framework in which to choose a class, we have made some
assumptions using a hypothetical investment in the Fund, based on the
sales charge rates that apply to each class, and considering the effect
of the asset-based sales charge on Class B expenses (which will affect
your investment return), and, for the sake of comparison, we have assumed
that there is a 10% rate of appreciation in your investment each year. Of
course, the actual performance of your investment cannot be predicted and
will vary, based on the Fund's actual investment returns, and the
operating expenses borne by each class of shares, and which class of
shares you invest in. The factors discussed below are not intended to be
investment advice or recommendations, because each investor's financial
considerations are different.
- How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? The Fund is
designed for long-term investment. While future financial needs cannot
be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold your
investment will assist you in selecting the appropriate class of shares.
The effect of the sales charge over time, using our assumptions, will
generally depend on the amount invested. Because of the effect of class-
based expenses, your choice will also depend on how much you invest.
- How Much Do You Plan to Invest? If you plan to invest a
substantial amount over the long term, the reduced sales charges available
for larger purchases of Class A shares may offset the effect of paying an
initial sales charge on your investment (which reduces the amount of your
investment dollars used to buy shares for your account), compared to the
effect over time of higher expenses on Class B, for which no initial sales
charge is paid. Additionally, dividends payable to Class B shareholders
will be reduced by the additional expenses borne solely by Class B, such
as the asset-based sales charge described below.
In general, if you plan to invest less than $100,000, Class B shares
may be more advantageous than Class A shares, using the assumptions in our
hypothetical example. However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000
(not only in the Fund, but possibly in other OppenheimerFunds as well),
then Class A shares generally will be more advantageous than Class B,
because of the effect of the reduction of initial sales charges on larger
purchases of Class A shares (described in "Reduced Sales Charges for Class
A Share Purchases," below). That is also the case because the annual
asset-based sales charge on Class B shares will have a greater impact on
larger investments than the initial sales charge on Class A shares because
of the reductions of initial sales charge available for larger purchases.
And for investors who invest $1 million or more, in most cases Class
A shares will be the most advantageous choice, no matter how long you
intend to hold your shares. For that reason, the Distributor normally
will not accept purchase orders of $1 million or more of Class B shares
from a single investor.
Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect
of current sales charges and expenses on a hypothetical investment over
time, using the assumptions stated above. Therefore, these examples
should not be relied on as rigid guidelines.
- Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter To You?
Because some features (such as Checkwriting) may not be available to Class
B shareholders, or other features (such as Automatic Withdrawal Plans) may
not be advisable (because of the effect of the contingent deferred sales
charge) for Class B shareholders, you should carefully review how you plan
to use your investment account before deciding which class of shares to
buy. Additionally, dividends payable to Class B shareholders will be
reduced by the additional expenses borne by that class that are not borne
by Class A, such as the Class B asset-based sales charge described below
and in the Statement of Additional Information.
Also, because not all of the OppenheimerFunds currently offer Class
B shares, and because exchanges are permitted only to the same class of
shares in another of the OppenheimerFunds, you should consider how
important the exchange privilege is likely to be for you.
- How Does It Affect Payments to My Broker? A salesperson, such as
a broker, or any other person who is entitled to receive compensation for
selling Fund shares may receive different compensation for selling or
servicing one class of shares than another class. It is important that
investors understand that the purpose of the Class B contingent deferred
sales charge is the same as the purpose of the front-end sales charge on
Class A shares: to compensate the Distributor for commissions it pays to
dealers and financial institutions for sales of shares.
How Much Must You Invest? You can open a Fund account with a minimum
initial investment of $1,000 and make additional investments at any time
with as little as $25. There are reduced minimum investments under special
investment plans:
With Asset Builder Plans, Automatic Exchange Plans and military
allotment plans, you can make initial and subsequent investments of as
little as $25; and subsequent purchases of at least $25 can be made by
telephone through AccountLink.
There is no minimum investment requirement if you are buying shares
by reinvesting dividends from the Fund or other OppenheimerFunds (a list
of them appears in the Statement of Additional Information, or you can ask
your dealer or call the Transfer Agent), or by reinvesting distributions
from unit investment trusts that have made arrangements with the
Distributor.
- How Are Shares Purchased? You can buy shares several ways --
through any dealer, broker or financial institution that has a sales
agreement with the Distributor, or directly through the Distributor, or
automatically through an Asset Builder Plan under the OppenheimerFunds
AccountLink service. When you buy shares, be sure to specify Class A or
Class B shares. If you do not choose, your investment will be made in
Class A shares.
- Buying Shares Through Your Dealer. Your dealer will place your
order with the Distributor on your behalf.
- Buying Shares Through the Distributor. Complete an OppenheimerFunds
New Account Application and return it with a check payable to "Oppenheimer
Funds Distributor, Inc." Mail it to P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217.
If you don't list a dealer on the application, the Distributor will act
as your agent in buying the shares.
- Payment by Federal Funds Wire. Shares may be purchased by Federal
Funds wire. The minimum investment is $2,500. You must first call the
Distributor's Wire Department at 1-800-525-7041 to notify the Distributor
of the wire, and to receive further instructions.
- Buying Shares Through OppenheimerFunds AccountLink. You can use
AccountLink to link your Fund account with an account at a U.S. bank or
other financial institution that is an Automated Clearing House (ACH)
member, to transmit funds electronically to purchase shares, to send
redemption proceeds, and to transmit dividends and distributions. Shares
are purchased for your account on the regular business day the Distributor
is instructed by you to initiate the ACH transfer to buy shares. You can
provide those instructions automatically, under an Asset Builder Plan,
described below, or by telephone instructions using OppenheimerFunds
PhoneLink, also described below. The Distributor and the Fund are not
responsible for any delays in purchasing shares resulting from days in ACH
transmissions. You must request AccountLink privileges on the application
or dealer settlement instructions used to establish your account. Please
refer to "AccountLink" below for more details.
- Asset Builder Plans. You may purchase shares of the Fund (and up
to four other OppenheimerFunds) automatically each month from your account
at a bank or other financial institution under an Asset Builder Plan with
AccountLink. Details are on the Application and in the Statement of
Additional Information.
- At What Price Are Shares Sold? Shares are sold at the public
offering price based on the net asset value (and any initial sales charge
that applies) that is next determined after the Distributor receives the
purchase order in Denver. In most cases, to enable you to receive that
day's offering price, the Distributor must receive your order by the time
of day The New York Stock Exchange closes, which is normally 4:00 P.M.,
New York time but may be earlier on some days (all references to time in
this Prospectus mean "New York time"). The net asset value of each class
of shares is determined as of that time on each day The New York Stock
Exchange is open (which is a "regular business day").
If you buy shares through a dealer, the dealer must receive your
order by the close of The New York Stock Exchange on a regular business
day and transmit it to the Distributor so that it is received before the
Distributor's close of business that day, which is normally 5:00 P.M. The
Distributor may reject any purchase order for the Fund's shares, in its
sole discretion.
Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold at their offering price, which
is normally net asset value plus an initial sales charge. However, in
some cases, described below, where purchases are not subject to an initial
sales charge, the offering price may be net asset value. In some cases,
reduced sales charges may be available, as described below. Out of the
amount you invest, the Fund receives the net asset value to invest for
your account. The sales charge varies depending on the amount of your
purchase. A portion of the sales charge may be retained by the
Distributor and allocated to your dealer. The current sales charge rates
and commissions paid to dealers and brokers are as follows:
Front-End Sales Charge Commission as
As a Percentage of: Percentage of
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Amount Invested Offering Price
_______________________________________________________________________
Less than $50,000 4.75% 4.98% 4.00%
$50,000 or more but
less than $100,000 4.50% 4.71% 4.00%
$100,000 or more but
less than $250,000 3.50% 3.63% 3.00%
$250,000 or more but
less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.25%
$500,000 or more but
less than $1 million 2.00% 2.04% 1.80%
The Distributor reserves the right to reallow the entire commission to
dealers. If that occurs, the dealer may be considered an "underwriter"
under Federal securities laws.
- Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no initial
sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of any one or more
OppenheimerFunds aggregating $1 million or more. However, the Distributor
pays dealers of record commissions on such purchases in an amount equal
to the sum of 1.0% of the first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next $2.5
million, plus 0.25% of share purchases over $5 million. That commission
will be paid only on the amount of those purchases in excess of $1 million
that were not previously subject to a front-end sales charge and dealer
commission.
If you redeem any of those shares within 18 months of the end of the
calendar month of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge
(called the "Class A contingent deferred sales charge") will be deducted
from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge will be equal to 1.0% of
the aggregate net asset value of either (1) the redeemed shares (not
including shares purchased by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain
distributions) or (2) the original cost of the shares, whichever is less.
However, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed the
aggregate commissions the Distributor paid to your dealer on all Class A
shares of all OppenheimerFunds you purchased subject to the Class A
contingent deferred sales charge. In determining whether a contingent
deferred sales charge is payable, the Fund will first redeem shares that
are not subject to the sales charge, including shares purchased by
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and then will redeem other
shares in the order that you purchased them. The Class A contingent
deferred sales charge is waived in certain cases described in "Waivers of
Class A Sales Charges" below.
No Class A contingent deferred sales charge is charged on exchanges
of shares under the Fund's Exchange Privilege (described below). However,
if the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the
end of the calendar month of the purchase of the exchanged shares, the
sales charge will apply.
- Special Arrangements With Dealers. The Distributor may advance up
to 13 months' commissions to dealers that have established special
arrangements with the Distributor for Asset Builder Plans for their
clients.
Reduced Sales Charges for Class A Share Purchases. You may be eligible
to buy Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates in one or more of the
following ways:
- Right of Accumulation. You and your spouse can cumulate Class A
shares you purchase for your own accounts, or jointly, or on behalf of
your children who are minors, under trust or custodial accounts. A
fiduciary can cumulate shares purchased for a trust, estate or other
fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the
same employer) that has multiple accounts.
Additionally, you can cumulate current purchases of Class A shares
of the Fund and other OppenheimerFunds with Class A shares of
OppenheimerFunds you previously purchased subject to a sales charge,
provided that you still hold your investment in one of the
OppenheimerFunds. The value of those shares will be based on the greater
of the amount you paid for the shares or their current value (at offering
price). The OppenheimerFunds are listed in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the
Statement of Additional Information, or a list can be obtained from the
Transfer Agent. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current
purchases and must be requested when you buy your shares.
- Letter of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, you may purchase Class
A shares of the Fund and other OppenheimerFunds during a 13-month period
at the reduced sales charge rate that applies to the aggregate amount of
the intended purchases, including purchases made up to 90 days before the
date of the Letter. More information is contained in the Application and
in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.
- Waivers of Class A Sales Charges. No sales charge is imposed on
sales of Class A shares to the following investors: (1) the Manager or its
affiliates; (2) present or former officers, directors, trustees and
employees (and their "immediate families" as defined in "Reduced Sales
Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information) of the Fund, the
Manager and its affiliates, and retirement plans established by them for
their employees; (3) registered management investment companies, or
separate accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the
Manager or the Distributor for that purpose; (4) dealers or brokers that
have a sales agreement with the Distributor, if they purchase shares for
their own accounts or for retirement plans for their employees; (5)
employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of dealers
or brokers described above or financial institutions that have entered
into sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and are identified
to the Distributor) or with the Distributor; the purchaser must certify
to the Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchase is for the
purchaser's own account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or
minor children); (6) dealers, brokers or registered investment advisers
that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor providing
specifically for the use of shares of the Fund in particular investment
products made available to their clients.
Additionally, no sales charge is imposed on shares that are (a)
issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and
exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party, or (b) purchased by the
reinvestment of loan repayments by a participant in a retirement plan for
which the Manager or its affiliates act as sponsor, or (c) purchased by
the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions reinvested from the
Fund or other OppenheimerFunds (other than Oppenheimer Cash Reserves) or
unit investment trusts for which reinvestment arrangements have been made
with the Distributor. There is a further discussion of this policy in
"Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is also waived if shares
are redeemed in the following cases: (1) Automatic Withdrawal Plan
payments that are limited to no more than 12% of the original account
value annually, (2) involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law
or under the procedures set forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust or
adopted by the Board of Trustees, and (3) if, at any time, an order is
placed for Class A shares that would otherwise be subject to Class A
contingent deferred sales charge, the dealer agrees to accept the dealer's
portion of the commission payable on the sale in installments of 1/18th
of the commission per month (with no further commission payable if the
shares are redeemed within 18 months of purchase).
- Service Plan for Class A Shares. The Fund has adopted a Service
Plan for Class A shares to reimburse the Distributor for a portion of its
costs incurred in connection with the personal service and maintenance of
accounts that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement is made quarterly at an
annual rate that may not exceed 0.25% of the average annual net assets of
Class A shares of the Fund. The Distributor uses all of those fees to
compensate dealers, brokers, banks and other financial institutions
quarterly for providing personal service and maintenance of accounts of
their customers that hold Class A shares and to reimburse itself (if the
Fund's Board of Trustees authorizes such reimbursements, which it has not
yet done) for its other expenditures under the Plan.
Services to be provided include, among others, answering customer
inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining
accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and
providing other services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor.
Payments are made by the Distributor quarterly at an annual rate not to
exceed 0.25% of the average annual net assets of Class A shares held in
accounts of the dealer or its customers. The payments under the Plan
increase the annual expenses of Class A shares by up to .25% of its
average annual net assets. For more details, please refer to
"Distribution and Service Plans" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Class B Shares. Class B shares are sold at net asset value per share
without an initial sales charge. However, if Class B shares are redeemed
within 6 years of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge will
be deducted from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge will not
apply to shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital
gains distributions. The charge will be assessed on the lesser of the net
asset value of the shares at the time of redemption or the original
purchase price. The contingent deferred sales charge is not imposed on the
amount of your account value represented by the increase in net asset
value over the initial purchase price (including increases due to the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions). The Class B
contingent deferred sales charge is paid to the Distributor to reimburse
its expenses of providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of Class B shares.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies to
a redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order: (1) shares
acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, (2)
shares held for over 6 years, and (3) shares held the longest during the
6-year period.
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will depend on the
number of years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed,
according to the following schedule:
Years Since Beginning Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
of Month in which On Redemptions in That Year
Purchase Order Was Made (As % of Amount Subject to Charge)
0-1 5.0%
1-2 4.0%
2-3 3.0%
3-4 3.0%
4-5 2.0%
5-6 1.0%
6 and following None
In the table, a "year" is a 12-month period. All purchases are
considered to have been made on the first regular business day of the
month in which the purchase was made.
- Waivers of Class B Sales Charge. The Class B contingent deferred
sales charge will be waived if the shareholder requests it for a
redemption following the death or disability of the shareholder (you must
provide evidence of a determination of disability by the Social Security
Administration).
The contingent deferred sales charge is also waived on Class B shares
in the following cases: (i) shares sold to the Manager or its affiliates;
(ii) shares sold to registered management investment companies or separate
accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or
the Distributor for that purpose; (iii) shares issued in plans of
reorganization to which the Fund is a party; and (iv) shares redeemed in
involuntary redemptions as described below. Further details about this
policy are contained in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
- Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares. 72 months after you
purchase Class B shares, those shares will automatically convert to Class
A shares. This conversion feature relieves Class B shareholders of the
asset-based sales charge that applies to Class B shares under the Class
B Distribution and Service Plan, described below. The conversion is based
on the relative net asset value of the two classes, and no sales load or
other charge is imposed. When Class B shares convert, any other Class B
shares that were acquired by the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions on the converted shares will also convert to Class A shares.
The conversion feature is subject to the continued availability of a tax
ruling described in "Alternative Sales Arrangements - Class A and Class
B Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
- Distribution and Service Plan for Class B Shares. The Fund has
adopted a Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares to compensate
the Distributor for its services and costs in distributing Class B shares
and servicing accounts. Under the Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor an
annual "asset-based sales charge" of 0.75% per year on Class B shares that
are outstanding for 6 years or less. The Distributor also receives a
service fee of 0.25% per year. Both fees are computed on the average
annual net assets of Class B shares, determined as of the close of each
regular business day. The asset-based sales charge allows investors to buy
Class B shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing the
Distributor to compensate dealers that sell Class B shares.
The Distributor uses the service fee to compensate dealers for
providing personal service for accounts that hold Class B shares.
Services to be provided include, among others, answering customer
inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining
accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and
providing other services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor.
The asset-based sales charge and service fees increase Class B expenses
by up to 1.00% of average net assets per year.
The Distributor pays the 0.25% service fee to dealers in advance for
the first year after Class B shares have been sold by the dealer. After
the shares have been held for a year, the Distributor pays the fee on a
quarterly basis. The Distributor pays sales commissions of 3.75% of the
purchase price to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale. The
Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge to recoup the sales
commissions it pays, the advances of service fee payments it makes, and
its financing costs.
Because the Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class B shares
may be more than the payments it receives from contingent deferred sales
charges collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the
Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares, those expenses may be
carried over and paid in future years. If the Plan is terminated by the
Fund, the Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the
asset-based sales charge to the Distributor for certain expenses it
incurred before the Plan was terminated. At September 30, 1994, the end
of the Plan year, the Distributor had incurred unreimbursed expenses under
the Plan of $500,228 (equal to 4.32% of the Fund's net assets represented
by Class B shares on that date), which have been carried over into the
present Plan year.
Special Investor Services
AccountLink. OppenheimerFunds AccountLink links your Fund account to your
account at your bank or other financial institution to enable you to send
money electronically between those accounts to perform a number of types
of account transactions, including purchases of shares by telephone
(either through a service representative or by PhoneLink, described
below), automatic investments under Asset Builder Plans, and sending
dividends and distributions or Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments directly
to your bank account. Please refer to the Application for details or call
the Transfer Agent for more information.
AccountLink privileges must be requested on the Application you use
to buy shares, or on your dealer's settlement instructions if you buy your
shares through your dealer. After your account is established, you can
request AccountLink privileges on signature-guaranteed instructions to the
Transfer Agent. AccountLink privileges will apply to each shareholder
listed in the registration on your account as well as to your dealer
representative of record unless and until the Transfer Agent receives
written instructions terminating or changing those privileges. After you
establish AccountLink for your account, any change of bank account
information must be made by signature-guaranteed instructions to the
Transfer Agent signed by all shareholders who own the account.
- Using AccountLink to Buy Shares. Purchases may be made by
telephone only after your account has been established. To purchase shares
in amounts up to $250,000 through a telephone representative, call the
Distributor at 1-800-852-8457. The purchase payment will be debited from
your bank account.
- PhoneLink. PhoneLink is the OppenheimerFunds automated telephone
system that enables shareholders to perform a number of account
transactions automatically using a touch-tone phone. PhoneLink may be
used on already-established Fund accounts after you obtain a Personal
Identification Number (PIN), by calling the special PhoneLink number: 1-
800-533-3310.
- Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares in amounts up to
$100,000 by phone, by calling 1-800-533-3310. You must have established
AccountLink privileges to link your bank account with the Fund, to pay for
these purchases.
- Exchanging Shares. With the OppenheimerFunds Exchange Privilege,
described below, you can exchange shares automatically by phone from your
Fund account to another OppenheimerFunds account you have already
established by calling the special PhoneLink number. Please refer to "How
to Exchange Shares," below, for details.
- Selling Shares. You can redeem shares by telephone automatically
by calling the PhoneLink number and the Fund will send the proceeds
directly to your AccountLink bank account. Please refer to "How to Sell
Shares," below, for details.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. The Fund has several plans that
enable you to sell shares automatically or exchange them to another
OppenheimerFunds account on a regular basis:
- Automatic Withdrawal Plans. If your Fund account is $5,000 or more,
you can establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan to receive payments of at
least $50 on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The checks
may be sent to you or sent automatically to your bank account on
AccountLink. You may even set up certain types of withdrawals of up to
$1,500 per month by telephone. You should consult the Application and
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
- Automatic Exchange Plans. You can authorize the Transfer Agent to
exchange an amount you establish in advance automatically for shares of
up to five other OppenheimerFunds on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or
annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum purchase for
each other OppenheimerFunds account is $25. These exchanges are subject
to the terms of the Exchange Privilege, described below.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem some or all of your Fund shares,
you have up to 6 months to reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds
in Class A shares of the Fund or other OppenheimerFunds without paying a
sales charge. This privilege applies to Class A shares that you sell, and
Class B shares on which you paid a contingent deferred sales charge when
you redeemed them. You must be sure to ask the Distributor for this
privilege when you send your payment. A realized gain on the redemption
is taxable, and the reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax
payable on that gain. If there has been a loss on the redemption, some
or all of the loss may not be tax-deductible, depending on the timing and
amount reinvested in the Fund. Please consult the Statement of Additional
Information for more details.
How to Sell Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your account on any regular
business day by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Your
shares will be sold at the next net asset value calculated after your
order is received and accepted by the Transfer Agent. The Fund offers you
a number of ways to sell your shares: in writing or by telephone. You can
also set up Automatic Withdrawal Plans to redeem shares on a regular
basis, as described above. If you have questions about any of these
procedures, and especially if you are redeeming shares in a special
situation, such as due to the death of the owner, please call the Transfer
Agent first, at 1-800-525-7048, for assistance.
- Certain Requests Require a Signature Guarantee. To protect you and
the Fund from fraud, certain redemption requests must be in writing and
must include a signature guarantee in the following situations (there may
be other situations also requiring a signature guarantee):
- You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares and receive
a check
- A redemption is not payable to all shareholders listed on the
account statement
- A redemption is not sent to the address of record on your statement
- Shares are being transferred to a Fund account with a different
owner or name
- Shares are redeemed by someone other than the owners (such as an
Executor)
- Where Can I Have My Signature Guaranteed? The Transfer Agent will
accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial
institutions, including: a U.S. bank, trust company, credit union or
savings association, or by a foreign bank that has a U.S. correspondent
bank, or by a U.S. registered dealer or broker in securities, municipal
securities or government securities, or by a U.S. national securities
exchange, a registered securities association or a clearing agency. If
you are signing as a fiduciary or on behalf of a corporation, partnership
or other business, you must also include your title in the signature.
Selling Shares by Mail. Write a "letter of instructions" that includes:
- Your name
- The Fund's name
- Your Fund account number (from your statement)
- The dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed
- Any special payment instructions
- Any share certificates for the shares you are selling, and
- Any special requirements or documents requested by the Transfer
Agent to assure proper authorization of the person asking to sell shares.
Use the following address for requests by mail:
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217
Send courier or Express Mail requests to:
Oppenheimer Shareholders Services
10200 E. Girard Avenue, Building D
Denver, Colorado 80231
Selling Shares by Telephone. You and your dealer representative of record
may also sell your shares by telephone. To receive the redemption price
on a regular business day, your call must be received by the Transfer
Agent by the close of the New York Stock Exchange that day, which is
normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days. You may not redeem
shares held under a share certificate by telephone.
- To redeem shares through a service representative, call 1-800-852-
8457
- To redeem shares automatically on PhoneLink, call 1-800-533-3310
Whichever method you use, you may have a check sent to the address
on the account, or, if you have linked your Fund account to your bank
account on AccountLink, you may have the proceeds wired to that account.
- Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $50,000 may be redeemed
by telephone, once in each 7-day period. The check must be payable to all
owners of record of the shares and must be sent to the address on the
account. This service is not available within 30 days of changing the
address on an account.
- Telephone Redemptions Through AccountLink. There are no dollar
limits on telephone redemption proceeds sent to a bank account designated
when you establish AccountLink. Normally the ACH wire to your bank is
initiated on the business day after the redemption. You do not receive
dividends on the proceeds of the shares you redeemed while they are
waiting to be wired.
Selling Shares Through Your Dealer. The Distributor has made arrangements
to repurchase Fund shares from dealers and brokers on behalf of their
customers. Brokers or dealers may charge for that service. Please refer
to "Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and
Brokers" in the Statement of Additional Information for more details.
Selling Shares by Wire. You may request that redemption proceeds of
$2,500 or more be wired to a previously designated account at a commercial
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. The wire will
normally be transmitted on the next bank business day after the redemption
of shares. To place a wire redemption request, call the Transfer Agent
at 1-800-525-7048. There is a $15 fee for each wire.
Checkwriting. To be able to write checks against your Fund account, you
may request that privilege on your account Application or you can contact
the Transfer Agent for signature cards, which must be signed (with a
signature guarantee) by all owners of the account and returned to the
Transfer Agent so that checks can be sent to you to use. Shareholders with
joint accounts can elect in writing to have checks paid over the signature
of one owner.
- Checks can be written to the order of whomever you wish, but may
not be cashed at the Fund's bank or custodian.
- Checkwriting privileges are not available for accounts holding
Class B shares, or Class A shares that are subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge.
- Checks must be written for at least $100.
- Checks cannot be paid if they are written for more than your
account value.
Remember: your shares fluctuate in value and you should not write a
check close to the total account value.
- You may not write a check that would require the Fund to redeem
shares that were purchased by check or Asset Builder Plan payments within
the prior 10 days.
- Don't use your checks if you changed your Fund account number.
The Fund will charge a $10 fee for any check that is not paid because
(1) the owners of the account told the Fund not to pay the check, or (2)
the check was for more than the account balance, or (3) the check did not
have the proper signatures, or (4) the check was written for less than
$100.
How to Exchange Shares
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of certain
OppenheimerFunds at net asset value per share at the time of exchange,
without sales charge. A $5 service fee will be deducted from the fund
account you are exchanging into to help defray administrative costs. That
charge is waived for automated exchanges made by brokers on Fund/SERV and
for automated exchange between already established accounts on PhoneLink
described below. To exchange shares, you must meet several conditions:
- Shares of the fund selected for exchange must be available for sale
in your state of residence
- The prospectuses of this Fund and the fund whose shares you want
to buy must offer the exchange privilege
- You must hold the shares you buy when you establish your account
for at least 7 days before you can exchange them; after the account is
open 7 days, you can exchange shares every regular business day
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the fund you
purchase by exchange
- Before exchanging into a fund, you should obtain and read its
prospectus
Shares of a particular class may be exchanged only for shares of the
same class in the other OppenheimerFunds. For example, you can exchange
Class A shares of this Fund only for Class A shares of another fund. At
present, not all of the OppenheimerFunds offer the same classes of shares.
If a fund has only one class of shares that does not have a class
designation, they are "Class A" shares for exchange purposes. In some
cases, sales charges may be imposed on exchange transactions. Certain
OppenheimerFunds offer Class A shares and either Class B or Class C
shares, and a list can be obtained by calling the Distributor at 1-800-
525-7048. Please refer to "How to Exchange Shares" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
Exchanges may be requested in writing or by telephone:
- Written Exchange Requests. Submit an OppenheimerFunds Exchange
Request form, signed by all owners of the account. Send it to the
Transfer Agent at the addresses listed in "How to Sell Shares."
- Telephone Exchange Requests. Telephone exchange requests may be
made either by calling a service representative at 1-800-852-8457 or by
using PhoneLink for automated exchanges by calling 1-800-533-3310.
Telephone exchanges may be made only between accounts that are registered
with the same name(s) and address. Shares held under certificates may not
be exchanged by telephone.
You can find a list of OppenheimerFunds currently available for
exchanges in the Statement of Additional Information or by calling a
service representative at 1-800-525-7048. Exchanges of shares involve a
redemption of the shares of the fund you own and a purchase of shares of
the other fund.
There are certain exchange policies you should be aware of:
- Shares are normally redeemed from one fund and purchased from the
other fund in the exchange transaction on the same regular business day
on which the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request that is in proper
form by the close of the New York Stock Exchange that day, which is
normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days. However, either fund
may delay the purchase of shares of the fund you are exchanging into if
it determines it would be disadvantaged by a same-day transfer of the
proceeds to buy shares. For example, the receipt of multiple exchange
requests from a dealer in a "market-timing" strategy might require the
disposition of securities at a time or price disadvantageous to the Fund.
- Because excessive trading can hurt fund performance and harm
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange request
that will disadvantage it, or to refuse multiple exchange requests
submitted by a shareholder or dealer.
- The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege at
any time. Although the Fund will attempt to provide you notice whenever
it is reasonably able to do so, it may impose these changes at any time.
- If the Transfer Agent cannot exchange all the shares you request
because of a restriction cited above, only the shares eligible for
exchange will be exchanged.
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
- Net Asset Value Per Share is determined for each class of shares
as of the close of The New York Stock Exchange on each regular business
day by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets attributable to a class
by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The Trust's
Board of Trustees has established procedures to value the Fund's
securities to determine net asset value. In general, securities values
are based on market value. There are special procedures for valuing
illiquid and restricted securities, obligations for which market values
cannot be readily obtained. These procedures are described more
completely in the Statement of Additional Information.
- The offering of shares may be suspended during any period in which
the determination of net asset value is suspended, and the offering may
be suspended by the Board of Trustees at any time the Board believes it
is in the Fund's best interest to do so.
- Telephone Transaction Privileges for purchases, redemptions or
exchanges may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Fund at any
time. If an account has more than one owner, the Fund and the Transfer
Agent may rely on the instructions of any one owner. Telephone privileges
apply to each owner of the account and the dealer representative of record
for the account unless and until the Transfer Agent receives cancellation
instructions from an owner of the account.
- The Transfer Agent will record any telephone calls to verify data
concerning transactions and has adopted other procedures to confirm that
telephone instructions are genuine, by requiring callers to provide tax
identification numbers and other account data or by using PINs, and by
confirming such transactions in writing. If the Transfer Agent does not
use reasonable procedures it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized
transactions, but otherwise neither it nor the Fund will be liable for
losses or expenses arising out of telephone instructions reasonably
believed to be genuine. If you are unable to reach the Transfer Agent
during periods of unusual market activity, you may not be able to complete
a telephone transaction and should consider placing your order by mail.
- Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until the
Transfer Agent receives all required documents in proper form. From time
to time, the Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive certain of the
requirements for redemptions stated in this Prospectus.
- Dealers that can perform account transactions for their clients by
participating in NETWORKING through the National Securities Clearing
Corporation are responsible for obtaining their clients' permission to
perform those transactions and are responsible to their clients who are
shareholders of the Fund if the dealer performs any transaction
erroneously.
- The redemption price for shares will vary from day to day because
the value of the securities in the Fund's portfolio fluctuates, and the
redemption price, which is the net asset value per share, will normally
be different for Class A and Class B shares. Therefore, the redemption
value of your shares may be more or less than their original cost.
- Payment for redeemed shares is made ordinarily in cash and
forwarded by check or through AccountLink (as elected by the shareholder
under the redemption procedures described above) within 7 days after the
Transfer Agent receives redemption instructions in proper form, except
under unusual circumstances determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission delaying or suspending such payments. The Transfer Agent may
delay forwarding a check or processing a payment via AccountLink for
recently purchased shares, but only until the purchase payment has
cleared. That delay may be as much as 10 days from the date the shares
were purchased. That delay may be avoided if you purchase shares by
certified check or arrange with your bank to provide telephone or written
assurance to the Transfer Agent that your purchase payment has cleared.
- Involuntary redemptions of small accounts may be made by the Fund
if the account value has fallen below $1,000 for reasons other than the
fact that the market value of shares has dropped, and in some cases
involuntary redemptions may be made to repay the Distributor for losses
from the cancellation of share purchase orders.
- "Backup Withholding" of Federal income tax may be applied at the
rate of 31% from dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds
(including exchanges) if you fail to furnish the Fund a certified Social
Security or taxpayer identification number when you sign your application,
or if you violate Internal Revenue Service regulations on tax reporting
of dividends.
- The Fund does not charge a redemption fee, but if your dealer or
broker handles your redemption, they may charge a fee. That fee can be
avoided by redeeming your Fund shares directly through the Transfer Agent.
Under the circumstances described in "How To Buy Shares," you may be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charges when redeeming certain
Class A and Class B shares.
- To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, the
Fund will mail only one copy of each annual and semi-annual report and
updated prospectus to shareholders having the same surname and address on
the Fund's records. However, each shareholder may call the Transfer Agent
at 1-800-525-7048 to ask that copies of those materials be sent personally
to that shareholder.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends. The Fund declares dividends separately for Class A and Class
B shares from net investment income on each regular business day and pays
those dividends to shareholders monthly on a date selected by the Board
of Trustees. Daily dividends will not be declared or paid on newly
purchased shares until Federal Funds (funds credited to a member bank's
account at the Federal Reserve Bank) are available from the purchase
payment for such shares. Normally, purchase checks received from
investors are converted to Federal Funds on the next business day. Shares
purchased through dealers or brokers normally are paid for by the fifth
business day following the placement of the purchase order. Shares
redeemed through the regular redemption procedure will be paid dividends
through and including the day on which the redemption request is received
by the Transfer Agent in proper form. Dividends will be paid with respect
to shares repurchased by a dealer or broker for four business days
following the trade date (i.e., to and including the day prior to
settlement of the repurchase). If a shareholder redeems all shares in an
account, all dividends accrued on shares held in that account will be paid
together with the redemption proceeds. However, the amount of dividends
and distributions may vary from time to time, depending upon market
conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio, and expenses borne
by that class. It is expected that distributions paid with respect to
Class A shares will generally be higher than for Class B shares because
expenses allocable to Class B shares will generally be higher.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the Fund
sought to pay distributions to shareholders at a targeted level per Class
A share each month, to the extent that target was consistent with the
Fund's net investment income and other distributable income sources,
although the amount of distributions could vary from time to time,
depending on market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
and expenses borne by that Class. The Fund was able to pay dividends at
the targeted level from net investment income and other distributable
income, without any material impact on the Manager's portfolio management
practices or on the Fund's net asset value per share. The Board of
Trustees could change that targeted level at any time, and there is
otherwise no fixed dividend rate. There can be no assurance as to the
payment of any dividends or the realization of any capital gains.
Capital Gains. Although the Fund does not seek capital gains, the Fund
may realize capital gains on the sale of portfolio securities. If it
does, it may make distributions annually in December out of any net short-
term or long-term capital gains. The Fund may also make supplemental
distributions of dividends and capital gains following the end of its
fiscal year. If net capital losses are realized in any year, they are
charged against principal and not against net investment income, which is
distributed regardless of capital gains or losses. Long-term capital
gains will be separately identified in the tax information the Fund sends
you after the end of the calendar year. Short-term capital gains are
treated as taxable dividends for tax purposes.
Distribution Options. When you open your account, specify on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. You have four
options:
- Reinvest All Distributions in the Fund. You can elect to reinvest
all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions in additional
shares of the Fund.
- Reinvest Long-Term Capital Gains Only. You can elect to reinvest
long-term capital gains in the Fund while receiving dividends by check or
sent to your bank account on AccountLink.
- Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive a check
for all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions or have them
sent to your bank on AccountLink.
- Reinvest Your Distributions in Another OppenheimerFunds Account.
You can reinvest all distributions in another OppenheimerFunds account you
have established.
Taxes. Long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains
when distributed to shareholders. Dividends paid from short-term capital
gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends paid from net investment
income earned by the Fund on Municipal Securities will be excludable from
your gross income for federal income tax purposes. A portion of the
dividends paid by the Fund may be an item of tax preference if you are
subject to alternative minimum tax. Distributions are subject to federal
income tax and may be subject to state or local taxes. Whether you
reinvest your distributions in additional shares or take them in cash, the
tax treatment is the same. Every year the Fund will send you and the IRS
a statement showing the amount of any taxable distribution you received
in the previous year as well as the amount of your tax-exempt income.
- "Buying a Dividend": When a fund goes ex-dividend, its share price
is reduced by the amount of the distribution. If you buy shares on or
just before the ex-dividend date, or just before the Fund declares a
capital gains distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and
then receive a portion of the price back as a dividend or a taxable
capital gain.
- Taxes on Transactions: Even though the Fund seeks tax-exempt income
for distribution to shareholders, you may have a capital gain or loss when
you sell or exchange your shares. A capital gain or loss is the
difference between the price you paid for the shares and the price you
received when you sold them. Any capital gain is subject to capital gains
tax.
- Returns of Capital: In certain cases, distributions made by the
Fund may be considered a non-taxable return of capital to shareholders.
If that occurs, it will be identified in notices to shareholders. A non-
taxable return of capital may reduce your tax basis in your Fund shares.
This information is only a summary of certain federal tax information
about your investment. More information is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, and in addition you should consult with your tax
adviser about the effect of an investment in the Fund on your particular
tax situation.
APPENDIX TO PROSPECTUS OF
OPPENHEIMER INSURED TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND
Graphic material included in Prospectus of Oppenheimer Insured Tax-
Exempt Bond Fund: "Comparison of Total Return of Oppenheimer Insured Tax-
Exempt Bond Fund and the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index - Change in
Value of a $10,000 Hypothetical Investment"
A linear graph will be included in the Prospectus of Oppenheimer
Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund") depicting the initial account
value and subsequent account value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment
in the Fund. In the case of the Fund's class A shares, that graph will
cover the period from the commencement of the Fund's operations (11/11/86)
through 9/30/94 and in the case of the Fund's Class B shares will cover
the period from the inception of the class (May 3, 1993) through September
30, 1994. The graph will compare such values with hypothetical $10,000
investments over the same time periods in the Lehman Brothers Municipal
Bond Index. Set forth below are the relevant data points that will appear
on the linear graph. Additional information with respect to the
foregoing, including a description of the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond
Index, is set forth in the Prospectus under "How Has the Fund Performed -
Management's Discussion of Performance."
Fiscal Year Oppenheimer Insured Lehman Brothers
(Period) Ended Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A Municipal Bond Index
11/11/86 $ 9,525 $ 10,000
9/30/87 $ 8,729 $ 9,690
9/30/88 $ 10,184 $ 10,948
9/30/89 $ 11,138 $ 11,898
9/30/90 $ 11,785 $ 12,707
9/30/91 $ 13,326 $ 14,383
9/30/92 $ 14,757 $ 15,886
9/30/93 $ 16,826 $ 17,910
9/30/94 $ 15,912 $ 17,473
Fiscal Year Oppenheimer Insured Lehman Brothers
(Period) Ended Tax-Exempt Bond Fund B Municipal Bond Index
5/3/93 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
9/30/93 $ 10,578 $ 10,511
9/30/94 $ 9,576 $ 10,255
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
3410 South Galena Street
Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-7048
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048 O P P E N H E I M E R
Transfer Agent Insured Tax-Exempt
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services Bond Fund
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217 Prospectus
1-800-525-7048 Effective
February 1, 1995
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
1560 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202OppenheimerFunds
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to
give any information or to make any representations other than those
contained in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information
and, if given or made, such information and representations must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, Oppenheimer Management
Corporation, Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. or any affiliate thereof.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of
an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any state to any
person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer in such state.
PR866.0195.N Printed on recycled paper
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
3410 South Galena Street
Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-7048
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048 O P P E N H E I M E R
Transfer Agent Insured Tax-Exempt
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services Bond Fund
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217 Prospectus
1-800-525-7048 Effective
February 1, 1995
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
1560 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
OppenheimerFunds
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to
give any information or to make any representations other than those
contained in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information
and, if given or made, such information and representations must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, Oppenheimer Management
Corporation, Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. or any affiliate thereof.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of
an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any state to any
person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer in such state.
PR865.0195.N Printed on recycled paper
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Prospectus dated February 1, 1995
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), is a series
of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund. The Fund has the investment
objective of seeking a high level of current income exempt from Federal
income tax through the purchase of investment grade securities. See
"Investment Objective and Policies."
The Fund offers two classes of shares: (1) Class A shares, which are
sold at a public offering price that includes a front-end sales charge,
and (2) Class C shares,which are sold without a front-end sales charge,
although you may pay a sales charge when you redeem your shares, depending
on how long you hold them. A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed
on most Class C shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C
shares are also subject to an annual "asset-based sales charge." Each
class of shares bears different expenses. In deciding which class of
shares to buy, you should consider how much you plan to purchase, how long
you plan to keep your shares, and other factors discussed in "How to Buy
Shares" starting on page 16.
This Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before
investing in the Fund. Please read this Prospectus carefully and keep it
for future reference. You can find more detailed information about the
Fund in the February 1, 1995 Statement of Additional Information. For a
free copy, call Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, the Fund's Transfer
Agent, at 1-800-525-7048, or write to the Transfer Agent at the address
on the back cover. The Statement of Additional Information has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference (which means that it is legally part of this
Prospectus).
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not
guaranteed by any bank, and are not insured by the F.D.I.C. or any other
agency, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of
principal amount invested.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
Contents
Page
ABOUT THE FUND
3 Expenses
6 Financial Highlights
7 Investment Objective and Policies
12 How the Fund is Managed
14 Performance of the Fund
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
16 How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class C Shares
21 Special Investor Services
AccountLink
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans
Reinvestment Privilege
22 How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
Checkwriting
23 How to Exchange Shares
25 Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
26 Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
The Fund pays a variety of expenses directly for management of its
assets, administration, distribution of its shares and other services, and
those expenses are subtracted from the Fund's assets to calculate the
Fund's net asset value per share. All shareholders therefore pay those
expenses indirectly. Shareholders pay other expenses directly, such as
sales charges and account transaction charges. The following tables are
provided to help you understand your direct expenses of investing in the
Fund and your share of the Fund's business operating expenses that you
will expect to bear indirectly. The calculations are based on the Fund's
expenses during its fiscal year ended September 30, 1994.
- Shareholder Transaction Expenses are charges you pay when you buy
or sell shares of the Fund. Please refer to "About Your Account," from
pages 16 through 25, for an explanation of how and when these charges
apply.
Class A Shares Class C Shares
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases
(as a % of offering price) 3.50% None
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends None None
Deferred Sales Charge
(as a % of the lower of the original
purchase price or redemption proceeds) None(1) 1.0%(2)
Exchange Fee $5.00 $5.00(3)
___________________
(1) If you invest more than $1 million in Class A shares, you may have to
pay a sales charge of up to 1% if you sell your shares within 18 calendar
months from the end of the calendar month during which you purchased those
shares. See "How to Buy Shares," below.
(2) If you redeem Class C shares within 12 months of buying them, you may
have to pay a 1.0% contingent deferred sales charge. See "How to Buy
Shares," below.
(3) Fee is waived for automated exchanges, as described in "How to
Exchange Shares."
- Annual Fund Operating Expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets
and represent the Fund's expenses in operating its business. For example,
the Fund pays management fees to its investment adviser, Oppenheimer
Management Corporation (the "Manager"), and other regular expenses for
services, such as transfer agent fees, custodial fees paid to the bank
that holds the Fund's portfolio securities, audit fees and legal and other
expenses. The following numbers are projections of the Fund's business
expenses based on the Fund's expenses in its last fiscal year. These
amounts are shown as a percentage of the average net assets of each class
of the Fund's shares for that year. The "12b-1 Distribution Plan Fees" for
Class A shares are the Service Plan Fees (which are a maximum of 0.25% of
average annual net assets of that class), and for Class C shares are the
Distribution and Service Plan Fees (maximum of 0.25% for the service fee)
and the asset-based sales charge of 0.75%. The actual expenses for each
class of shares in future years may be more or less, depending on a number
of factors, including the actual amount of the assets represented by each
class of shares. Class C shares were not publicly sold before December
1, 1993. Therefore, the Annual Fund Operating Expenses shown for Class
C shares are based on expenses for the period from December 1, 1993
through September 30, 1994.
Class A Shares Class C Shares
Management Fees .50% .50%
12b-1 Distribution Plan Fees .25%* 1.00%**
Other Expenses .25% .74%
Total Fund Operating ----- -------
Expenses 1.00% 2.24%
_______________________________
*Service Plan fees only
**Includes Service Plan Fee and
asset-based sales charge
- Examples. To try to show the effect of these expenses on an
investment over time, we have created the hypothetical examples shown
below. Assume that you make a $1,000 investment in each class of shares
of the Fund, and that the Fund's annual return is 5%, and that its
operating expenses for each class are the ones shown in the chart above.
If you were to redeem your shares at the end of each period shown below,
your investment would incur the following expenses by the end of each
period shown:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years(1)
Class A Shares $45 $66 $88 $153
Class C Shares $33 $70 $120 $257
If you did not redeem your investment, it would incur the following
expenses:
Class A Shares $45 $66 $88 $153
Class C Shares $23 $70 $120 $257
_________________
(1) Because of the asset-based sales charge imposed on Class C shares
of the Fund, long-term shareholders of Class C shares could bear
expenses that would be the economic equivalent of an amount greater
than the maximum front-end sales charges permitted under applicable
regulatory requirements.
These examples show the effect of expenses on an investment, but are not
meant to state or predict actual or expected costs or investment returns
of the Fund, all of which will vary.
A Brief Overview of the Fund
Some of the important facts about the Fund are summarized below, with
references to the section of this Prospectus where more complete
information can be found. You should carefully read the entire Prospectus
before making a decision about investing. Keep the Prospectus for
reference after you invest, particularly for information about your
account, such as how to sell or exchange shares.
- What Is The Fund's Investment Objective? The Fund's investment
objective is to seek a high level of current income exempt from Federal
income tax through the purchase of investment grade securities.
- What Does the Fund Invest In? To seek its objective, the Fund
primarily invests in investment grade municipal securities. The Fund may
also use hedging instruments and some derivative investments to try to
manage investment risks. These investments are more fully explained in
"Investment Objective
and Policies," starting on page 7.
- Who Manages the Fund? The Fund's investment advisor is Oppenheimer
Management Corporation, which (including a subsidiary) advises investment
company portfolios having over $28 billion in assets. The Fund's
portfolio manager, who is primarily responsible for the selection of the
Fund's securities, is Robert Patterson. The Manager is paid an advisory
fee by the Fund, based on its assets. The Fund's Board of Trustees,
elected by shareholders, oversees the investment advisor and the portfolio
manager. Please refer to "How the Fund is Managed," starting on page 12
for more information about the Manager and its fees.
- How Risky is the Fund? All investments carry risks to some degree.
The Fund's investments in municipal bonds are subject to changes in their
value from a number of factors such as changes in general bond market
movements, the change in value of particular bonds because of an event
affecting the issuer, or changes in interest rates. These changes affect
the value of the Fund's investments and its price per share. In the
OppenheimerFunds spectrum, the Fund is generally more conservative than
high yield bond funds, but more aggressive than money market funds. While
the Manager tries to reduce risks by diversifying investments, by
carefully researching securities before they are purchased for the
portfolio, and in some cases by using hedging techniques, there is no
guarantee of success in achieving the Fund's objectives and your shares
may be worth more or less than their original cost when you redeem them.
Please refer to "Investment Objective and Policies" starting on page 7 for
a more complete discussion.
- How Can I Buy Shares? You can buy shares through your dealer or
financial institution, or you can purchase shares directly through the
Distributor by completing an Application or by using an Automatic
Investment Plan under AccountLink. Please refer to "How To Buy Shares"
on page 16 for more details.
- Will I Pay a Sales Charge to Buy Shares? The Fund has two classes
of shares. Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales charge,
starting at 3.50%, and reduced for larger purchases. Class C shares are
offered without a front-end sales charge, but may be subject to a 1.0%
contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
There is also an annual asset-based sales charge on Class C shares.
Please review "How To Buy Shares" starting on page 16 for more details,
including a discussion about which class may be appropriate for you.
- How Can I Sell My Shares? Shares can be redeemed by mail or by
telephone call to the Transfer Agent on any business day, or through your
dealer. Please refer to "How To Sell Shares" on page 22.
- How Has the Fund Performed? The Fund measures its performance by
quoting its total return and yield, which measure historical performance.
Those returns and yields can be compared to the returns and yields (over
similar periods) of other funds. Of course, other funds may have
different objectives, investments, and levels of risk. The Fund's
performance can also be compared to broad market indices, which we have
done on page 15. Please remember that past performance does not guarantee
future results.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
The table on this page presents selected financial information about the
Fund, including per share data based on the Fund's average net assets.
The information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors, whose report on the Fund's financial statements for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, is included in the Statement of
Additional Information. The information in the table below (except for
total return) for the fiscal periods ended September 30, 1987 (from the
commencement of operations on November 11, 1986), 1988, and 1989 was
audited by the Fund's prior independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
-------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990(3)
==========================================================
=================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $15.34 $15.09 $14.40 $13.51 $13.57
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .72 .77 .86 .83 .90
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (1.00) .70 .69 .91 (.08)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss) from
investment operations (.28) 1.47 1.55 1.74 .82
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (.67) (.75) (.86) (.85) (.88)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income (.09) -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- (.47) -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net
realized gain on investments (.07) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and
distributions to shareholders (.83) (1.22) (.86) (.85) (.88)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $14.23 $15.34 $15.09 $14.40 $13.51
======== ======== ======== ========
========
==========================================================
=================================================
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(4) (1.92)% 10.31% 11.10% 13.20% 6.14%
==========================================================
=================================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $83,456 $70,136 $29,724 $23,675 $20,287
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $79,076 $48,915 $25,153 $22,071 $20,576
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares outstanding
at end of period (in thousands) 5,865 4,571 1,970 1,644 1,502
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 5.05% 5.08% 5.87% 5.93% 6.56%
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager 1.00% 1.07% 1.25% 1.35% 1.41%
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager N/A 1.05% 1.16% 1.16% .66%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 51% 21% 93% 75% 102%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS C
---------------------------------- -------------
YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1989 1988 1987(2) 1994(1)
==========================================================
========================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $13.33 $12.56 $14.00 $15.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .98 1.05 .90 .46
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .24 .77 (1.44) (.83)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss) from
investment operations 1.22 1.82 (.54) (.37)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (.98) (1.05) (.90) (.46)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income -- -- -- (.06)
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net
realized gain on investments -- -- -- (.07)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and
distributions to shareholders (.98) (1.05) (.90) (.59)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $13.57 $13.33 $12.56 $14.18
======== ======== ======== ========
==========================================================
========================================
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(4) 9.54% 14.96% (4.11)% (2.54)%
==========================================================
========================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $19,350 $13,480 $10,228 $8,511
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $17,188 $12,220 $11,152 $4,686
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares outstanding
at end of period (in thousands) 1,426 1,011 814 600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 7.09% 8.01% 7.39%(5) 3.77%(5)
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager 1.56% 1.75% 1.95%(5) 2.24%(5)
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager .23% N/A .40%(5) N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 180% 148% 98% 51%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period from December 1, 1993 (inception of offering) to
September 30, 1994.
(2) For the period from November 11, 1986 (commencement of operations) to
September 30, 1987.
(3) On April 7, 1990, Oppenheimer Management Corporation became the
investment advisor to the Fund.
(4) Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before
the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions
reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption
at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal
period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns.
(5) Annualized.
(6) The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities
owned during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at
the time of acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the
calculation. Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding
short-term securities) for the year ended September 30, 1994 were
$68,359,263 and $41,537,773, respectively.
<PAGE>
Investment Objective and Policies
Objective. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level
of current income exempt from Federal income tax through the purchase of
investment grade securities.
Investment Policies and Strategies. As a matter of fundamental policy, the
Fund will seek to attain its investment objective by investing at least
80% of its total assets in a portfolio of "investment grade" (defined
below) Municipal Securities and at least 65% of its total assets in a
portfolio of investment grade municipal bonds under normal market
conditions. "Investment grade" securities include: (1) in the case of
long-term debt, those securities rated "AAA" through "BBB" by Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or "Aaa" through "Baa" by Moody's Investor
Services, Inc. ("Moody's"); (2) in the case of short-term securities, "SP-
1+" through "SP-2" by S&P or "MIG1" through "MIG4" by Moody's; or (3) in
the case of tax-exempt commercial paper, "A-1+" through "A-2" by S&P or
"Prime-1" through "Prime-2" by Moody's. As a fundamental policy, the Fund
may also invest in unrated securities but only if judged by the Manager
to be of comparable quality to Municipal Securities rated as investment
grade.
Municipal bonds are Municipal Securities that have a maturity of more
than one year when issued. Municipal bonds rated "Baa" and municipal
notes rated "MIG 2" by Moody's, and municipal bonds rated "BBB" and
municipal notes rated "SP-2" by S&P, although of investment grade, may be
subject to greater market fluctuations and risks of loss of income and
principal than higher-rated Municipal Securities, and may be considered
to have speculative characteristics. Although unrated securities are not
necessarily of lower quality, the market for them may not be as broad as
for rated securities. A reduction in the rating of a security after it
is purchased by the Fund will not require its disposition. To the extent
that the Fund holds securities that have fallen below investment grade,
there is a greater risk that the Fund's receipt of interest income will
be impaired and that its net asset value will be affected if the issuers
of such securities fail to meet their obligations. See Appendix A to the
Statement of Additional Information for a description of rating categories
of S&P and Moody's.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may invest temporarily up to 20% of
its total assets in taxable securities for liquidity purposes, as
described below. Under another fundamental policy, the Fund may invest
more than 20% of its assets in taxable securities for temporary defensive
purposes, as described below. In addition, the Fund will normally not
invest more than 20% of its total assets in municipal securities issued
to benefit a private user ("Private Activity Municipal Securities"), the
interest from which may be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax to
which certain shareholders may be subject (see "Dividends, Capital Gains
and Taxes," below and "Private Activity Municipal Securities" in the
Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed discussion of the
tax treatment of the Fund's dividends). Under normal circumstances, the
Fund will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of more
than three but not more than ten years. In calculating maturity, the Fund
will consider various factors, including anticipated payments of
principal. The Fund may hold securities with maturities of more than ten
years provided that under normal circumstances it maintains a dollar-
weighted average portfolio maturity as stated above.
- Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The Fund
has investment objectives, described above, as well as investment policies
it follows to try to achieve its objective. Additionally, the Fund uses
certain investment techniques and strategies in carrying out those
investment policies. The Fund's investment policies and techniques are not
"fundamental" unless this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional
Information says that a particular policy is "fundamental." The Fund's
investment objective is a fundamental policy.
The Fund's Board of Trustees may change non-fundamental policies without
shareholder approval, although significant changes will be described in
amendments to this Prospectus. Fundamental policies are those that cannot
be changed without the approval of a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding
voting shares. The term "majority" is defined in the Investment Company
Act to be a particular percentage of outstanding voting shares (and this
term is explained in the Statement of Additional Information).
- Municipal Securities. "Municipal Securities" are municipal bonds,
municipal notes, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue
anticipation notes, construction loan notes and other short-term loans,
tax-exempt commercial paper and other debt obligations issued by or on
behalf of states, the District of Columbia, any commonwealths, territories
or possessions of the United States, or their respective political
subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, the interest
from which is not subject to Federal individual income tax in the opinion
of bond counsel to the respective issuer at the time of issue. No
independent investigation has been made by the Manager as to the users of
proceeds of bond offerings or the application of such proceeds.
"Municipal Bonds" are Municipal Securities that have a maturity when
issued of one year or more, and "Municipal Notes" are Municipal Securities
that have a maturity when issued of less than one year.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Securities are "general
obligations" (secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest) and "revenue
obligations" (payable only from the revenues derived from a particular
facility or class of facilities, or a specific excise tax or other revenue
source). The Fund may invest in Municipal Securities of both
classifications, subject to particular restrictions described below.
Yields on Municipal Securities vary depending on a variety of factors,
including the general condition of the financial markets and of the
Municipal Securities market in particular, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the security and the credit rating of the issue.
Generally, Municipal Securities of longer maturities produce higher
current yields but are subject to greater price fluctuation due to changes
in interest rates (discussed below), tax laws and other general market
factors than are Municipal Securities with shorter maturities. Similarly,
lower-rated Municipal Securities generally produce a greater yield than
higher-rated Municipal Securities due to the perception of a greater
degree of risk as to the ability of the issuer to meet principal and
interest obligations. "Investment Objective and Policies" in the
Statement of Additional Information contains more information about
Municipal Securities.
- Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations. Some of the Municipal
Securities the Fund may purchase may have variable or floating interest
rates. Variable rates are adjusted at stated periodic intervals.
Floating rates are automatically adjusted according to a specified market
rate for such investments, such as the percentage of the prime rate of a
bank, or the 91-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate. Such obligations may be
secured by bank letters of credit or other credit support arrangements.
See "Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
- Inverse Floaters and Derivative Investments. The Fund may invest in
variable rate bonds known as "inverse floaters." These bonds pay interest
at a rate that varies as the yields generally available on short-term tax-
exempt bonds change. However, the yields on inverse floaters move in the
opposite direction of yields on short-term bonds in response to market
changes. When the yields on short-term tax-exempt bonds go up, the
interest rate on the inverse floater goes down. When the yields on short-
term tax-exempt bonds go down, the interest rate on the inverse floater
goes up. As interest rates rise, inverse floaters produce less current
income. Inverse floaters are a type of "derivative security," which is
a specially designed investment whose performance is linked to the
performance of another security or investment. Some inverse floaters have
a "cap" whereby if interest rates rise above the "cap," the security pays
additional interest income. If rates do not rise above the "cap," the
Fund will have paid an additional amount for a feature that proves
worthless. The Fund may also invest in municipal derivative securities
that pay interest that depends on an external pricing mechanism. Examples
are interest rate swaps or caps and municipal bond or swap indices. The
Fund anticipates that it would invest no more than 10% of its total assets
in inverse floaters.
The risks of investing in derivative investments include not only the
ability of the issuer of the derivative investment to pay the amount due
on the maturity of the investment, but also the risk that the underlying
security or investment might not perform the way the Manager expected it
to perform. That can mean that the Fund will realized less income than
expected. Another risk of investing in derivative investments is that
their market value could be expected to vary to a much greater extent than
the market value of municipal securities that are not derivative
investment but have similar credit quality, redemption provisions and
maturities.
- Municipal Lease Obligations. The Fund may invest in certificates of
participation, which are tax-exempt obligations that evidence the holder's
right to share in lease, installment loan or other financing payments by
a public entity. Projects financed with certificates of participation
generally are not subject to state constitutional debt limitations or
other statutory requirements that may be applicable to Municipal
Securities. Payments by the public entity on the obligation underlying
the certificates are derived from available revenue sources; such revenue
may be diverted to the funding of other municipal service projects.
Payments of interest and/or principal with respect to the certificates are
not guaranteed. While some municipal lease securities may be deemed to
be "illiquid" securities (the purchase of which would be limited as
described below in "Illiquid and Restricted Securities"), from time to
time the Fund may invest more than 5% of its net assets in municipal lease
obligations that the Manager has determined to be liquid under guidelines
set by the Fund's Board of Trustees. See "Investment Objective and
Policies -Municipal Securities - Municipal Lease Securities" in the
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
- Investments in Taxable Securities and Temporary Defensive Investment
Strategy. Under certain conditions and subject to certain restrictions,
described above, as a fundamental policy the Fund may hold certain taxable
investments in any of the following circumstances: (a) pending investment
of the proceeds of sales of shares of the Fund or sales of portfolio
securities; (b) pending settlement of purchases of portfolio securities;
or (c) to maintain liquidity for the purpose of meeting anticipated
redemptions or exchanges.
In times of unstable market or economic conditions, as a fundamental
policy the Fund may invest more than 20% of its assets in taxable
securities for temporary defensive purposes when, in the opinion of the
Manager, it is advisable to do so because of market conditions. While
dividends paid by the Fund from income derived from interest attributable
to Municipal Securities will be exempt from Federal individual income
taxes, any net interest income derived from taxable securities and
distributed by the Fund will be taxable as ordinary income when
distributed. To the extent that the Fund distributes taxable income, it
will not be meeting its investment objective.
The types of taxable securities in which the Fund may invest are limited
as a matter of fundamental policy to the following short-term fixed-income
securities (maturing in one year or less from the time of purchase): (i)
obligations issued by, or guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the
U.S. Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities if such
obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States;
(ii) commercial paper rated "A-1" or better by S&P and issued by companies
whose long-term unsecured debt is rated "AAA" by S&P; (iii) certificates
of deposit of any bank (or, in the case of the principal bank in a bank
holding company, the long-term unsecured debt obligations of the bank
holding company) whose long-term debt obligations have been rated "AAA"
by S&P; and (iv) repurchase agreements with respect to any of the
foregoing types of securities; provided, however, that such commercial
paper and certificates of deposit may not exceed 25% of the total assets
of the Fund.
- Interest Rate Risk. The values of Municipal Securities will vary as
a result of changing evaluations by rating services and investors of the
ability of the issuers of such securities to meet their principal and
interest payments. Such values will also change in response to changes
in interest rates: should interest rates rise, the values of outstanding
Municipal Securities will probably decline and (if purchased at principal
amount) would sell at a discount; should interest rates fall, the values
of outstanding Municipal Securities will probably increase and (if
purchased at principal amount) would sell at a premium. Changes in the
value of Municipal Securities held in the Fund's portfolio arising from
these or other factors) will not affect interest income derived from those
securities but will affect the Fund's net asset value per share.
As a matter of fundamental policy, there are no restrictions on the
maturities of the Municipal Securities in which the Fund may invest. The
Fund will seek to invest in Municipal Securities that, in the judgment of
the Manager, will provide a high level of current income consistent with
the Fund's liquidity requirements, and conditions affecting the Municipal
Securities market.
- Portfolio Turnover. A change in the securities held by the Fund is
known as "portfolio turnover." The Fund ordinarily does not engage in the
trading of securities for the purpose of realizing short-term gains, but
the Fund may sell securities as the Manager deems advisable to take
advantage of differentials in yield to accomplish the Fund's investment
objective. The "Financial Highlights" above, show the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate during the past fiscal years. While short-term trading
increases portfolio turnover, the Fund incurs little or no brokerage
costs. Portfolio turnover affects the Fund's ability to qualify as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code for tax
deductions for dividends and capital gains distributions the Fund pays
to shareholders. The Fund qualified in its last fiscal year and intends
to do so in the coming year, although it reserves the right not to
qualify.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies. The Fund may also use the
investment techniques and strategies described below, which involve
certain risks. The Statement of Additional Information contains more
information about these practices, including limitations designed to
reduce some of the risks.
- Hedging. As described below, the Fund may purchase and sell certain
kinds of futures contracts, put and call options, forward contracts, and
options on futures and municipal bond indices, or enter into interest rate
swap agreements. These are referred to as "hedging instruments." As a
fundamental policy, the Fund may invest in financial futures contracts and
related options on those contracts only as a hedge against anticipated
interest rate changes, and the Fund does not intend to use hedging
instruments for speculative purposes. The hedging instruments the Fund
may use are described below and in greater detail in "Other Investment
Techniques and Strategies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may buy and sell options, futures and forward contracts for a
number of purposes. It may do so to establish a position in the
securities market as a temporary substitute for purchasing individual
securities. One fundamental policy of the Fund permits the Fund to sell
a futures contract or a call option on a futures contract or purchase a
put option on such futures contract if the Manager anticipated that
interest rates will rise, as a hedge against a decrease in the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities. Under that fundamental policy, if the
Manager anticipates that interest rates will decline, the Fund may
purchase a futures contract or a call option on a futures contract, or
sell a put option on a futures contract, to protect against an increase
in the price of securities the Fund intends to buy.
Other hedging strategies, such as buying futures and call options, tend
to increase the Fund's exposure to the securities market. Writing covered
call options may also provide income to the Fund for liquidity purposes
or to raise cash to distribute to shareholders.
Futures. As a fundamental policy, the Fund may buy and sell financial
futures contracts that relate to (1) interest rates (these are referred
to as Interest Rate Futures); and (2) municipal bond indices (these are
referred to as Municipal Bond Index Futures). These types of Futures are
described in "Hedging With Options and Futures Contracts" in the Statement
of Additional Information. The Fund may concurrently buy and sell Futures
contracts in an attempt to benefit from any outperformance of the Future
purchased relative to the performance of the Future sold. Under other
fundamental policies, the Fund may not enter into futures contracts or
purchase related options on futures contracts if immediately after doing
so the amount the Fund committed to initial margin plus the amount paid
for unexpired options on futures contracts exceeds 5% of the Fund's total
assets. Under another fundamental policy, the Fund may not purchase or
sell futures contracts or related options on futures contracts if, on
doing so, more than one third of its assets would be needed.
Put and Call Options. The Fund may buy and sell certain kinds of put
options (puts) and call options (calls).
The Fund may buy calls only on debt securities, municipal bond indices,
Municipal Bond Index Futures and Interest Rate Futures, or to terminate
its obligation on a call the Fund previously wrote. The Fund may write
(that is, sell) covered call options. When the Fund writes a call, it
receives cash (called a premium). The call gives the buyer the ability
to buy the investment on which the call was written from the Fund at the
call price during the period in which the call may be exercised. If the
value of the investment does not rise above the call price, it is likely
that the call will lapse without being exercised, while the Fund keeps the
cash premium (and the investment).
The Fund may purchase put options. Buying a put on an investment gives
the Fund the right to sell the investment at a set price to a seller of
a put on that investment. The Fund can buy only those puts that relate
to (1) debt securities that the Fund owns, (2) Interest Rate Futures held
by it, and (3) Municipal Bond Index Futures held by it. The Fund may not
sell a put other than a put that it previously purchased.
The Fund may buy and sell puts and calls only if certain conditions are
met: (1) after the Fund writes a call, not more than 25% of the Fund's
total assets may be subject to calls; (2) calls the Fund buys or sells
must be listed on a securities or commodities exchange, or quoted on the
Automated Quotation System of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (NASDAQ) or in the case of calls on debt securities, traded
in the over-the-counter market; (3) each call the Fund writes must be
"covered" while it is outstanding: that means the Fund must own the
investment on which the call was written or it must own other securities
that are acceptable for the escrow arrangements required for calls; (4)
the Fund may write calls on Futures contracts it owns, but these calls
must be covered by securities or other liquid assets the Fund owns and
segregates to enable it to satisfy its obligations if the call is
exercised; and (5) a call or put option may not be purchased if the value
of all of the Fund's put and call options would exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets.
Interest Rate Swaps. In an interest rate swap, the Fund and another
party exchange their right to receive or their obligation to pay interest
on a security. For example, they may swap a right to receive floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments. The Fund enters into swaps only
on securities it owns. The Fund may not enter into swaps with respect to
more than 25% of its total assets. Also, the Fund will segregate liquid
assets (such as cash or U.S. Government securities) to cover any amounts
it could owe under swaps that exceed the amounts it is entitled to
receive, and it will adjust that amount daily, as needed. The credit risk
of an interest rate swap depends on the counterparty's ability to perform.
Hedging instruments can be volatile investments and may involve special
risks. If the Manager uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or
judges market conditions incorrectly, hedging strategies may reduce the
Fund's return. The Fund could also experience losses if the prices of its
futures and options positions were not correlated with its other
investments or if it could not close out a position because of an illiquid
market for the future or option.
Options trading involves the payment of premiums and has special tax
effects on the Fund. There are also special risks in particular hedging
strategies. For example, in writing puts, there is a risk that the Fund
may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price.
These risks and the hedging strategies the Fund may use are described in
greater detail in the Statement of Additional Information.
- Loans of Portfolio Securities. To attempt to increase its income, the
Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other
financial institutions. These loans are limited to not more than 5% of
the value of the Fund's total assets and are subject to other conditions
described in the Statement of Additional Information. The income from
such loans, when distributed by the Fund, will be taxable as ordinary
income.
- Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager determines the
liquidity of certain of the Fund's investments. Investments may be
illiquid because of the absence of an active trading market, (making it
difficult to value them or dispose of them promptly at an acceptable
price. A restricted security is one that has a contractual restriction
on its resale or which cannot be publicly sold until it is registered
under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund will not invest more than 10%
of its net assets in illiquid or restricted securities (that limit may
increase to 15% if certain state laws are changed or the Fund's shares are
no longer sold in those states). Such securities include: (i) repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days; (ii) securities for which
market quotations are not readily-available; and (iii) certain municipal
lease obligations that are considered illiquid securities. The Fund's
percentage limitation on these investments does not apply to certain
restricted securities that are eligible for resale to qualified
institutional buyers.
-"When-Issued" and Delayed Delivery Transactions. As a fundamental
policy, the Fund may purchase Municipal Securities on a "when-issued"
basis and may purchase or sell Municipal Securities on a "delayed
delivery" basis. When the Fund engages in these transactions, it will do
so for the purpose of acquiring portfolio securities consistent with the
Fund's investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of
investment leverage. These terms refer to securities that have been
created and for which a market exists, but which are not available for
immediate delivery. There may be a risk of loss to the Fund if the value
of the security declines prior to the settlement date. Under the
fundamental policy allowing these transactions, when the Fund is the
buyer, it will maintain (in a segregated account with its custodian) cash
or high-grade Municipal Securities having a total value equal to the
amount of the Fund's purchase commitments until payment is made. The Fund
will make commitments to buy Municipal Securities on this basis, as a
fundamental policy only with the intention of actually acquiring the
securities, but the Fund may sell the securities prior to the settlement
date if the sale is considered to be advisable.
-Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements.
In a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security and simultaneously
sells it to the vendor for delivery at a future date. There is no limit
on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may be subject to repurchase
agreements of seven days or less. Repurchase agreements must be fully
collateralized. However, if the vendor fails to pay the resale price on
the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral
and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.
The Fund will not enter into repurchase transactions that will cause more
than 25% of the Fund's total assets to be subject to repurchase agreements
and will not enter into a repurchase agreement that causes more than 10%
of its net assets to be subject to repurchase agreements having a maturity
beyond seven days.
Other Investment Restrictions. The Fund has other investment restrictions
which are fundamental policies. Under these fundamental policies, the Fund
cannot do any of the following: (1) borrow money, except from banks for
temporary purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of the
Fund's assets; no assets of the Fund may be pledged, mortgaged or
hypothecated other than to secure a borrowing, and then in amounts not
exceeding 10% of the Fund's total assets; borrowings may not be made for
leverage, but only for liquidity purposes to satisfy redemption requests
when liquidation of portfolio securities is considered inconvenient or
disadvantageous; however, the Fund may enter into when-issued and delayed
delivery transactions as described herein; (2) purchase certificates of
deposit or taxable commercial paper that will cause more than 25% of the
Fund's total assets to be so invested; (3) make loans, except that the
Fund may purchase or hold debt obligations in accordance with its other
investment restrictions that are fundamental policies (and may enter into
repurchase transactions and may lend its portfolio securities in amounts
not exceeding 5% of the total assets of the Fund if such loans are
collateralized by cash or U.S. Government Securities in amounts equal at
all times to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned,
including accrued interest); (4) buy securities issued or guaranteed by
any one issuer (except the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities), if with respect to 75% of its total assets, more than
5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of that
issuer or the Fund would own more than 10% of that issuer's voting
securities; or (5) invest more than 25% of its total assets in a single
industry (although the Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in a
particular segment of the municipal bond market, but will not invest more
than 25% of its total assets in industrial revenue bonds in a single
industry).
All of the percentage restrictions described above and elsewhere in the
Prospectus apply only at the time the Fund purchases a security and the
Fund need not dispose of a security merely because the size of the Fund's
assets has changed or the security has increased in value relative to the
size of the Fund. There are other fundamental policies discussed in the
Statement of Additional Information.
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund is one of two diversified investment
portfolios or "series" of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Trust"),
an open-end, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts
business trust in 1986.
The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders under Massachusetts law. The
Trustees meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Fund's
activities, review its performance, and review the actions of the Manager.
"Trustees and Officers of the Trust" in the Statement of Additional
Information names the Trustees and provides more information about them
and the officers of the Trust. Although the Fund is not required by law
to hold annual meetings, it may hold shareholder meetings from time to
time on important matters, and shareholders have the right to call a
meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action described in the
Declaration of Trust.
The Board of Trustees has the power, without shareholder approval, to
divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more classes. The Board
has done so, and the Fund currently has two classes of shares, Class A and
Class C. Each class has its own dividends and distributions and pays
certain expenses which may be different for the different classes. Each
class may have a different net asset value. Each share has one vote at
shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally. Only
shares of a particular class vote together on matters that affect that
class alone. Shares are freely transferrable.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Fund is managed by the Manager, which
chooses the Fund's investments and handles its day-to-day business. The
Manager carries out its duties, subject to the policies established by the
Board of Trustees, under an Investment Advisory Agreement which states the
Manager's responsibilities and its fees, and describes the expenses that
the Fund pays to conduct its business.
The Manager has operated as an investment adviser since 1959. The
Manager and its affiliates currently manage investment companies,
including other OppenheimerFunds, with assets of more than $28 billion as
of September 30, 1994, and with more than 1.8 million shareholder
accounts. The Manager is owned by Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a
holding company that is owned in part by senior officers of the Manager
and controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, a mutual
life insurance company.
- Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is Robert E.
Patterson, a Senior Vice President of the Manager. He has been the person
principally responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's
portfolio since February, 1992. During the past five years, Mr. Patterson
has also served as an officer and portfolio manager for other
OppenheimerFunds.
- Fees and Expenses. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund
pays the Manager the following annual fees, which decline on additional
assets as the Fund grows: 0.500% of the first $100 million of aggregate
net assets, 0.450% of the next $150 million, 0.425% of the next $250
million, and 0.400% of aggregate net assets over $500 million. The Fund's
management fee for its last fiscal year was 0.500% of average annual net
assets for both its Class A and Class C shares, which may be higher than
the rate paid by some other mutual funds.
The Fund pays expenses related to its daily operations, such as
custodian fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal and auditing
costs. Those expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and are not paid
directly by shareholders. However, those expenses reduce the net asset
value of shares, and therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders
through their investment. More information about the investment advisory
agreement and the other expenses paid by the Fund is contained in the
Statement of Additional Information.
There is also information about the Fund's brokerage policies and
practices in "Brokerage Policies of the Fund" in the Statement of
Additional Information. Because the Fund purchases most of its portfolio
securities directly from the sellers and not through brokers, it therefore
incurs relatively little expense for brokerage. From time to time, it may
use brokers when buying portfolio securities. As the Fund purchases most
of its portfolio securities directly from the sellers and not through
brokers, it incurs relatively little expense for brokerage. From time to
time it may use brokers when buying portfolio securities. When deciding
which brokers to use, the Manager is permitted by the investment advisory
agreement to consider whether brokers have sold shares of the Fund or any
other funds for which the Manager serves as investment adviser.
- The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers and
brokers that have a sales agreement with Oppenheimer Funds Distributor,
Inc., a subsidiary of the Manager that acts as the Distributor. The
Distributor also distributes the shares of other mutual funds managed by
the Manager (the "OppenheimerFunds") and is sub-distributor for funds
managed by a subsidiary of the Manager.
- The Transfer Agent. The Fund's transfer agent is Oppenheimer
Shareholder Services, a division of the Manager, which acts as the
shareholder servicing agent for the Fund and the other OppenheimerFunds
on an "at-cost" basis. Shareholders should direct inquiries about their
account to the Transfer Agent at the address and toll-free number shown
below in this Prospectus and on the back cover.
Performance of the Fund
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses certain terms to
illustrate its performance: "total return" and "yield." These terms are
used to show the performance of each class of shares separately, because
the performance of each class of shares will usually be different, as a
result of the different kinds of expenses each class bears. This
performance information may be useful to help you see how well your
investment has done and to compare it to other funds or market indices,
as we have done below.
It is important to understand that the fund's total returns and yields
represent past performance and should not be considered to be predictions
of future returns or performance. This performance data is described
below, but more detailed information about how total returns and yields
are calculated is contained in the Statement of Additional Information,
which also contains information about other ways to measure and compare
the Fund's performance. The Fund's investment performance will vary,
depending on market conditions, the composition of the portfolio, expenses
and which class of shares you purchase.
- Total Returns. There are different types of "total returns" used to
measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in value of
a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period, assuming that
all dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional
shares. The cumulative total return measures the change in value over the
entire period (for example, ten years). An average annual total return
shows the average rate of return for each year in a period that would
produce the cumulative total return over the entire period. However,
average annual total returns do not show the Fund's actual year-by-year
performance.
When total returns are quoted for Class A shares, they reflect the
payment of the maximum initial sales charge. Total returns may also be
quoted "at net asset value," without considering the effect of the sales
charge, and those returns would be reduced if sales charges were deducted.
When total returns are shown for a one-year period for Class C shares,
they reflect the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge. They may
also be shown based on the change in net asset value, without considering
the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
- Yield. Each Class of shares calculates its yield by dividing the
annualized net investment income per share on the portfolio during a 30-
day period by the maximum offering price on the last day of the period.
Tax-equivalent yield is the equivalent yield that would be earned in the
absence of income taxes. It is calculated by dividing that portion of the
yield that is tax-exempt by a factor equal to one minus the applicable tax
rate. The yield of each Class will differ because of the different
expenses of each Class of shares. The yield data represents a hypothetical
investment return on the portfolio, and does not measure an investment
return based on dividends actually paid to shareholders. To show that
return, a dividend yield may be calculated. Dividend yield is calculated
by dividing the dividends of a Class derived from net investment income
during a stated period by the maximum offering price on the last day of
the period. Yields and dividend yields for Class A shares reflect the
deduction of the maximum initial sales charge, but may also be shown based
on the Fund's net asset value per share. Yields for Class C shares do not
reflect the deduction of the contingent deferred sales charge.
How Has the Fund Performed? Below is a discussion by the Manager of the
Fund's performance during its last fiscal year ended September 30, 1994,
followed by a graphical comparison of the Fund's performance to an
appropriate broad-based market index.
- Management's Discussion of Performance. During the past fiscal
year, the Fund's performance was affected by aggressive increases in
short-term interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board, which caused a
decline in the overall price of municipal bonds. The Manager emphasized
essential service issues, diversified by market sector and by state, as
well as on bonds offering significant call protection, which prevents the
issuer of the bond from calling or redeeming it before maturity.
- Comparing the Fund's Performance of the Market. The chart below
shows the performance of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each class
of shares of the Fund held until September 30, 1994; in the case of Class
A shares, from the commencement of operation on November 11, 1986, and in
the case of Class C shares, from the inception of the class on December
1, 1993, with all dividends and capital gains distributions reinvested in
additional shares. The graph reflects the deduction of the 3.50% maximum
initial sales charge on Class A shares and the maximum 1.0% contingent
deferred sales charge on Class C shares.
The Fund's performance is compared to the performance of the Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index. The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index
is an unmanaged index of a broad range of investment grade municipal
bonds, widely regarded as a measure of the performance of the general
municipal bond market. Index performance reflects the reinvestment of
dividends but does not consider the effect of capital gains or transaction
costs, and none of the data below shows the effect of taxes. Also, the
Fund's performance reflects the effect of fund business and operating
expenses. While index comparisons may be useful to provide a benchmark
for the Fund's performance, it must be noted that the index data does not
take into account portfolio maturity, nor does it reflect any assessment
of the risk of the investments included in the index.
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Comparison of Change in Value
of $10,000 Hypothetical Investment to the
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index
(Graph)
Past performance is not predictive of future performance.
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Average Annual Total Returns at 9/30/94
1-Year 5-Year Life
Class A:* -5.32% 6.87% 6.83%
Class C:** N/A N/A -3.46%
_________________________________________
* The inception date of the Fund (Class A shares) was 11/11/86.
** Class C shares were first publicly offered on 12/1/93.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Classes of Shares. The Fund offers investors two different classes of
shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same
portfolio of securities but are subject to different expenses and may
likely have different share prices.
- Class A Shares. When you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial
sales charge (on investments up to $1 million). If you purchase Class A
shares as part of an investment of at least $1 million in shares of one
or more OppenheimerFunds, you will not pay any initial sales charge, but
if you sell any of those shares within 18 months after your purchase, you
may pay a contingent deferred sales charge, which will vary depending on
the amount you invested.
- Class C Shares. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales charge
at the time of purchase, but if you sell your shares within 12 months of
buying them, you will normally pay a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.0%.
Which Class of Shares Should You Choose? Once you decide that the Fund
is an appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of
shares is better suited to your needs depends on a number of factors which
you should discuss with your financial advisors.
- How Much Do You Plan to Invest? If you plan to invest a
substantial amount over the long term, the reduced sales charges available
for larger purchases of Class A shares may be more beneficial to you than
purchasing Class C shares, because of the higher annual expenses Class C
shares will likely bear. For purchases over $1 million, the contingent
deferred sales charge on Class A shares may be more beneficial. The
Distributor will not accept any order for $1 million or more for Class C
shares on behalf of a single investor for that reason.
- How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? While future
financial needs cannot be predicted with certainty, investors who prefer
not to pay an initial sales charge and who plan to hold their shares for
more than one year might consider Class C shares. Investors who plan to
redeem shares within a year might consider whether the front-end sales
charge on Class A shares would result in higher net expenses after
redemption.
- Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter to You?
Because some account features may not be available for Class C
shareholders, you should carefully review how you plan to use your
investment account before deciding which class of shares is better for
you. Additionally, the dividends payable to Class C shareholders will be
reduced by the additional expenses borne solely by that class, such as the
asset-based sales charge to which Class C shares are subject, as described
below and in the Statement of Additional Information.
- How Does It Affect Payments to My Broker? A salesperson or any
other person who is entitled to receive compensation for selling Fund
shares may receive different compensation for selling one class than for
selling another class. It is important that investors understand that the
purpose of the contingent deferred sales charge and asset-based sales
charge for Class C shares is the same as the purpose of the front-end
sales charge on sales of Class A shares.
How Much Must You Invest? You can open a Fund account with a minimum
initial investment of $1,000 and make additional investments at any time
with as little as $25. There are reduced minimum investments under special
investment plans:
With Asset Builder Plans, Automatic Exchange Plans and military
allotment plans, you can make initial and subsequent investments of as
little as $25; and subsequent purchases of at least $25 can be made by
telephone through AccountLink.
There is no minimum investment requirement if you are buying shares
by reinvesting dividends from the Fund or other OppenheimerFunds (a list
of them appears in the Statement of Additional Information, or you can ask
your dealer or call the Transfer Agent), or by reinvesting distributions
from unit investment trusts that have made arrangements with the
Distributor.
- How Are Shares Purchased? You can buy shares several ways -- through
any dealer, broker or financial institution that has a sales agreement
with the Distributor, or directly through the Distributor, or
automatically through an Asset Builder Plan under the OppenheimerFunds
AccountLink service. When you buy shares, be sure to specify Class A or
Class C shares. If you do not choose, your investment will be made in
Class A shares.
- Buying Shares Through Your Dealer. Your dealer will place your order
with the Distributor on your behalf.
- Buying Shares Through the Distributor. Complete an OppenheimerFunds
New Account Application and return it with a check payable to "Oppenheimer
Funds Distributor, Inc." Mail it to P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217.
If you don't list a dealer on the application, the Distributor will act
as your agent in buying the shares.
- Payment by Federal Funds Wire. Shares may be purchased by Federal
Funds wire. The minimum investment is $2,500. You must first call the
Distributor's Wire Department at 1-800-525-7041 to notify the Distributor
of the wire, and to receive further instructions.
- Buying Shares Through OppenheimerFunds AccountLink. You can use
AccountLink to link your Fund account with an account at a U.S. bank or
other financial institution that is an Automated Clearing House (ACH)
member, to transmit funds electronically to purchase shares, to send
redemption proceeds, and to transmit dividends and distributions. Shares
are purchased for your account on the regular business day the Distributor
is instructed by you to initiate the ACH transfer to buy shares. You can
provide those instructions automatically, under an Asset Builder Plan,
described below, or by telephone instructions using OppenheimerFunds
PhoneLink, also described below. The Distributor and the Fund are not
responsible for any delays in purchasing shares resulting from days in ACH
transmissions. You must request AccountLink privileges on the application
or dealer settlement instructions used to establish your account. Please
refer to "AccountLink" below for more details.
- Asset Builder Plans. You may purchase shares of the Fund (and up to
four other OppenheimerFunds) automatically each month from your account
at a bank or other financial institution under an Asset Builder Plan with
AccountLink. Details are on the Application and in the Statement of
Additional Information.
- At What Price Are Shares Sold? Shares are sold at the public
offering price based on the net asset value (and any initial sales charge
that applies) that is next determined after the Distributor receives the
purchase order in Denver. In most cases, to enable you to receive that
day's offering price, the Distributor must receive your order by the time
of day The New York Stock Exchange closes, which is normally 4:00 P.M.,
New York time, but may be earlier on some days (all references to time in
this Prospectus mean "New York time"). The net asset value of each class
of shares is determined as of that time on each day The New York Stock
Exchange is open (which is a "regular business day").
If you buy shares through a dealer, the dealer must receive your order
by the close of The New York Stock Exchange on a regular business day and
transmit it to the Distributor so that it is received before the
Distributor's close of business that day, which is normally 5:00 P.M. The
Distributor may reject any purchase order for the Fund's shares, in its
sole discretion.
Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold at their offering price, which
is normally net asset value plus an initial sales charge. However, in
some cases, described below, where purchases are not subject to an initial
sales charge, the offering price may be net asset value. In some cases,
reduced sales charges may be available, as described below. Out of the
amount you invest, the Fund receives the net asset value to invest for
your account. The sales charge varies depending on the amount of your
purchase. A portion of the sales charge may be retained by the
Distributor and allocated to your dealer. The current sales charge rates
and commissions paid to dealers and brokers are as follows:
Front-End Sales Charge Commission as
As a Percentage of: Percentage of
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Amount Invested Offering Price
Less than $100,000 3.50% 3.63% 3.00%
$100,000 or more but
less than $250,000 3.00% 3.09% 2.50%
$250,000 or more but
less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000 or more but
less than $1 million 2.00% 2.04% 1.50%
The Distributor reserves the right to reallow the entire commission to
dealers. If that occurs, the dealer may be considered an "underwriter"
under Federal securities laws.
- Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no initial sales
charge on purchases of Class A shares of any one or more OppenheimerFunds
aggregating $1 million or more. However, the Distributor pays dealers of
record commissions on such purchases in an amount equal to the sum of 1.0%
of the first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next $2.5 million, plus 0.25%
of share purchases over $5 million. That commission will be paid only on
the amount of those purchases in excess of $1 million that were not
previously subject to a front-end sales charge and dealer commission.
If you redeem any of those shares within 18 months of the end of the
calendar month of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge
(called the "Class A contingent deferred sales charge") will be deducted
from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge will be equal to 1.0% of
the aggregate net asset value of either (1) the redeemed shares (not
including shares purchased by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain
distributions) or (2) the original cost of the shares, whichever is less.
However, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed the
aggregate commissions the Distributor paid to your dealer on all Class A
shares of all OppenheimerFunds you purchased subject to the Class A
contingent deferred sales charge. In determining whether a contingent
deferred sales charge is payable, the Fund will first redeem shares that
are not subject to the sales charge, including shares purchased by
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and then will redeem other
shares in the order that you purchased them. The Class A contingent
deferred sales charge is waived in certain cases described in "Waivers of
Class A Sales Charges" below.
No Class A contingent deferred sales charge is charged on exchanges of
shares under the Fund's Exchange Privilege (described below). However,
if the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the
end of the calendar month of the purchase of the exchanged shares, the
sales charge will apply.
- Special Arrangements With Dealers. The Distributor may advance up
to 13 months' commissions to dealers that have established special
arrangements with the Distributor for Asset Builder Plans for their
clients.
Reduced Sales Charges for Class A Share Purchases. You may be eligible
to buy Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates in one or more of the
following ways:
- Right of Accumulation. You and your spouse can cumulate Class A
shares you purchase for your own accounts, or jointly, or on behalf of
your children who are minors, under trust or custodial accounts. A
fiduciary can cumulate shares purchased for a trust, estate or other
fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the
same employer) that has multiple accounts.
Additionally, you can cumulate current purchases of Class A shares of
the Fund and other OppenheimerFunds with Class A shares of
OppenheimerFunds you previously purchased subject to a sales charge,
provided that you still hold your investment in one of the
OppenheimerFunds. The value of those shares will be based on the greater
of the amount you paid for the shares or their current value (at offering
price). The OppenheimerFunds are listed in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the
Statement of Additional Information, or a list can be obtained from the
Transfer Agent. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current
purchases and must be requested when you buy your shares.
- Letter of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, you may purchase Class
A shares of the Fund and other OppenheimerFunds during a 13-month period
at the reduced sales charge rate that applies to the aggregate amount of
the intended purchases, including purchases made up to 90 days before the
date of the Letter. More information is contained in the Application and
in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.
- Waivers of Class A Sales Charges. No sales charge is imposed on
sales of Class A shares to the following investors: (1) the Manager or its
affiliates; (2) present or former officers, directors, trustees and
employees (and their "immediate families" as defined in "Reduced Sales
Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information) of the Fund, the
Manager and its affiliates, and retirement plans established by them for
their employees; (3) registered management investment companies, or
separate accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the
Manager or the Distributor for that purpose; (4) dealers or brokers that
have a sales agreement with the Distributor, if they purchase shares for
their own accounts or for retirement plans for their employees; (5)
employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of dealers
or brokers described above or financial institutions that have entered
into sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and are identified
to the Distributor) or with the Distributor; the purchaser must certify
to the Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchase is for the
purchaser's own account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or
minor children); and (6) dealers, brokers or registered investment
advisers that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor
providing specifically for the use of shares of the Fund in particular
investment products made available to their clients.
Additionally, no sales charge is imposed on shares that are (a) issued
in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and
exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party, or (b) purchased by the
reinvestment of loan repayments by a participant in a retirement plan for
which the Manager or its affiliates acts as sponsor, or (c) purchased by
the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions reinvested from the
Fund or other OppenheimerFunds (other than the Oppenheimer Cash Reserves)
or unit investment trusts for which reinvestment arrangements have been
made with the Distributor. There is a further discussion of this policy
in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge does not apply to purchases
of Class A shares at net asset value described above and is also waived
if shares are redeemed in the following cases: (1) Automatic Withdrawal
Plan payments that are limited to no more than 12% of the original account
value annually, (2) involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law
or under the procedures set forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust or
adopted by the Board of Trustees and (3) if, at the time an order is
placed for Class A shares that would otherwise be subject to the Class A
contingent deferred sales charge, the dealer agrees to accept the dealer's
portion of the commission payable on the sale in installments of 1/18th
of the commission per month (with no further commission payable if the
shares are redeemed within 18 months of purchase).
- Service Plan for Class A Shares. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan
for Class A shares to reimburse the Distributor for a portion of its costs
incurred in connection with the personal service and maintenance of
accounts that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement is made quarterly at an
annual rate that may not exceed 0.25% of the average annual net assets of
Class A shares of the Fund. The Distributor uses all of those fees to
compensate dealers, brokers, banks and other financial institutions
quarterly for providing personal service and maintenance of accounts of
their customers that hold Class A shares and to reimburse itself (if the
Fund's Board of Trustees authorizes such reimbursements, which it has not
yet done) for its other expenditures under the Plan.
Services to be provided include, among others, answering customer
inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining
accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and
providing other services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor.
Payments are made by the Distributor quarterly at an annual rate not to
exceed 0.25% of the average annual net assets of Class A shares held in
accounts of the dealer or its customers. The payments under the Plan
increase the annual expenses of Class A shares. For more details, please
refer to "Distribution and Service Plans" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Class C Shares. Class C shares are sold at net asset value per share
without an initial sales charge. However, if Class C shares are redeemed
within 12 months of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.0% will be deducted from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge
will not apply to shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or
capital gains distributions. The charge will be assessed on the lesser of
the net asset value of the shares at the time of redemption or the
original purchase price. The contingent deferred sales charge is not
imposed on the amount of your account value represented by the increase
in net asset value over the initial purchase price (including increases
due to the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions). The
Class C contingent deferred sales charge is paid to the Distributor to
reimburse its expenses of providing distribution-related services to the
Fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order: (1) shares
acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, (2)
shares held for over 12 months, and (3) shares held the longest during the
12-month period.
- Waivers of Class C Sales Charge. The Class C contingent deferred
sales charge will be waived if the shareholder requests it for redemptions
following the: (1) death or (2) disability of the shareholder (you must
provide evidence of a determination of disability by the Social Security
Administration). The contingent deferred sales charge is also waived on
Class C shares in the following cases: (i) shares sold to the Manager or
its affiliates; (ii) shares sold to registered management investment
companies or separate accounts of insurance companies having an agreement
with the Manager or the Distributor for that purpose; (iii) shares issued
in plans of reorganization to which the Fund is a party; and (iv) shares
redeemed in involuntary redemptions as described above. Further details
about this policy are contained in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
- Distribution and Service Plan for Class C Shares. The Fund has
adopted a Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares to compensate
the Distributor for its services and costs in distributing Class C shares
and servicing accounts. Under the Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor an
annual "asset-based sales charge" of 0.75% per year on Class C shares.
The Distributor also receives a service fee of 0.25% per year. Both fees
are computed on the average annual net assets of Class C shares,
determined as of the close of each regular business day. The asset-based
sales charge allows investors to buy Class C shares without a front-end
sales charge while allowing the Distributor to compensate dealers that
sell Class C shares.
The Distributor uses the service fee to compensate dealers for providing
personal services for accounts that hold Class C shares. Those services
are similar to those provided under the Class A Service Plan, described
above. The asset-based sales charge and service fees increase Class C
expenses by up to 1.00% of average net assets per year.
The Distributor pays the 0.25% service fee to dealers in advance for the
first year after Class C shares have been sold by the dealer. After the
shares have been held for a year, the Distributor pays the fee on a
quarterly basis. The Distributor pays sales commissions of 0.75% of the
purchase price to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale. The
Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge during the first year
shares are outstanding to recoup the sales commissions it pays, the
advances of service fee payments it makes, and its financing costs. The
Distributor plans to pay the asset-based sales charge as an ongoing
commission to the dealer on Class C shares that have been outstanding for
a year or more.
Because the Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class C shares may
be more than the payments it receives from contingent deferred sales
charges collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the
Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares, those expenses may be
carried over and paid in future years. At September 30, 1994, the end of
the Plan year, the Distributor had incurred unreimbursed expenses under
the Plan of $78,979 (equal to 13.16% of the Fund's net assets represented
by Class C shares on that date), which have been carried over into the
present Plan year. If the Plan is terminated by the Fund, the Board of
Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the asset-based sales
charge to the Distributor for certain expenses it incurred before the plan
was terminated.
Special Investor Services
AccountLink. OppenheimerFunds AccountLink links your Fund account to your
account at your bank or other financial institution to enable you to send
money electronically between those accounts to perform a number of types
of account transactions, including purchases of shares by telephone
(either through a service representative or by PhoneLink, described
below), automatic investments under Asset Builder Plans, and sending
dividends and distributions or Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments directly
to your bank account. Please refer to the Application for details or call
the Transfer Agent for more information.
AccountLink privileges must be requested on the Application you use to
buy shares, or on your dealer's settlement instructions if you buy your
shares through your dealer. After your account is established, you can
request AccountLink privileges on signature-guaranteed instructions to the
Transfer Agent. AccountLink privileges will apply to each shareholder
listed in the registration on your account as well as to your dealer
representative of record unless and until the Transfer Agent receives
written instructions terminating or changing those privileges. After you
establish AccountLink for your account, any change of bank account
information must be made by signature-guaranteed instructions to the
Transfer Agent signed by all shareholders who own the account.
- Using AccountLink to Buy Shares. Purchases may be made by telephone
only after your account has been established. To purchase shares in
amounts up to $250,000 through a telephone representative, call the
Distributor at 1-800-852-8457. The purchase payment will be debited from
your bank account.
- PhoneLink. PhoneLink is the OppenheimerFunds automated telephone
system that enables shareholders to perform a number of account
transactions automatically using a touch-tone phone. PhoneLink may be used
on already-established Fund accounts after you obtain a Personal
Identification Number (PIN), by calling the special PhoneLink number: 1-
800-533-3310.
- Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares in amounts up to $100,000
by phone, by calling 1-800-533-3310. You must have established
AccountLink privileges to link your bank account with the Fund, to pay for
these purchases.
- Exchanging Shares. With the OppenheimerFunds Exchange Privilege,
described below, you can exchange shares automatically by phone from your
Fund account to another OppenheimerFunds account you have already
established by calling the special PhoneLink number. Please refer to "How
to Exchange Shares," below, for details.
- Selling Shares. You can redeem shares by telephone automatically by
calling the PhoneLink number and the Fund will send the proceeds directly
to your AccountLink bank account. Please refer to "How to Sell Shares,"
below, for details.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. The Fund has several plans that
enable you to sell shares automatically or exchange them to another
OppenheimerFunds account on a regular basis:
- Automatic Withdrawal Plans. If your Fund account is $5,000 or more,
you can establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan to receive payments of at
least $50 on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The checks
may be sent to you or sent automatically to your bank account on
AccountLink. You may even set up certain types of withdrawals of up to
$1,500 per month by telephone. You should consult the Application and
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
- Automatic Exchange Plans. You can authorize the Transfer Agent to
exchange an amount you establish in advance automatically for shares of
up to five other OppenheimerFunds on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or
annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum purchase for
each other OppenheimerFunds account is $25. These exchanges are subject
to the terms of the Exchange Privilege, described below.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem some or all of your Fund shares,
you have up to 6 months to reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds
in Class A shares of the Fund or other OppenheimerFunds without paying
sales charge. This privilege applies to Fund shares that you purchased
with an initial sales charge or on which you paid a contingent deferred
sales charge when you redeemed them. You must be sure to ask the
Distributor for this privilege when you send your payment. A realized gain
on the redemption is taxable, and the reinvestment will not alter any
capital gains tax payable on that gain. If there has been a loss on the
redemption, some or all of the loss may not be tax deductible, depending
on the timing and amount reinvested in the Fund. Please consult the
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
How to Sell Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your account on any regular
business day by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Your
shares will be sold at the next net asset value calculated after your
order is received and accepted by the Transfer Agent. The Fund offers you
a number of ways to sell your shares: in writing, by using the Fund's
Checkwriting privilege or by telephone. You can also set up Automatic
Withdrawal Plans to redeem shares on a regular basis, as described above.
If you have questions about any of these procedures, and especially if you
are redeeming shares in a special situation, such as due to the death of
the owner, please call the Transfer Agent first, at 1-800-525-7048, for
assistance.
- Certain Requests Require a Signature Guarantee. To protect you and
the Fund from fraud, certain redemption requests must be in writing and
must include a signature guarantee in the following situations (there may
be other situations also requiring a signature guarantee):
- You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares and receive a
check
- The check is not payable to all shareholders listed on the account
statement
- The check is not sent to the address of record on your statement
- Shares are being transferred to a Fund account with a different
owner or name
- Shares are redeemed by someone other than the owners (such as an
Executor)
- Where Can I Have My Signature Guaranteed? The Transfer Agent will
accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial
institutions, including: a U.S. bank, trust company, credit union or
savings association, or by a foreign bank that has a U.S. correspondent
bank, or by a U.S. registered dealer or broker in securities, municipal
securities or government securities, or by a U.S. national securities
exchange, a registered securities association or a clearing agency. If you
are signing as a fiduciary or on behalf of a corporation, partnership or
other business, you must also include your title in the signature.
Selling Shares by Mail. Write a "letter of instructions" that includes:
- Your name
- The Fund's name
- Your Fund account number (from your statement)
- The dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed
- Any special payment instructions
- Any share certificates for the shares you are selling, and
- Any special requirements or documents requested by the Transfer
Agent to assure proper authorization of the person asking to sell shares.
Use the following address for requests by mail:
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217
Send courier or Express Mail requests to:
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
10200 E. Girard Avenue, Building D
Denver, Colorado 80231
Selling Shares by Telephone. You and your dealer representative of record
may also sell your shares by telephone. To receive the redemption price
on a regular business day, your call must be received by the Transfer
Agent by the close of The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is
normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days. You may not redeem
shares held under a share certificate by telephone.
- To redeem shares through a service representative, call 1-800-852-8457
- To redeem shares automatically on PhoneLink, call 1-800-533-3310
Whichever method you use, you may have a check sent to the address on
the account, or, if you have linked your Fund account to your bank account
on AccountLink, you may have the proceeds wired to that account.
- Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $50,000 may be redeemed
by telephone, once in each 7-day period. The check must be payable to all
owners of record of the shares and must be sent to the address on the
account. This service is not available within 30 days of changing the
address on an account.
- Telephone Redemptions Through AccountLink. There are no dollar
limits on telephone redemption proceeds sent to a bank account designated
when you establish AccountLink. Normally the ACH wire to your bank is
initiated on the business day after the redemption. You do not receive
dividends on the proceeds of the shares you redeemed while they are
waiting to be wired.
Selling Shares by Wire. You may request that redemption proceeds of
$2,500 or more be wired to a previously designated account at a commercial
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. The wire will
normally be transmitted on the next bank business day after the redemption
of shares. To place a wire redemption request, call the Transfer Agent
at 1-800-525-7048. There is a $15 fee for each wire.
Check Writing. To be able to write checks against your Fund account, you
may request that privilege on your account Application or you can contact
the Transfer Agent for signature cards, which must be signed (with a
signature guarantee) by all owners of the account and returned to the
Transfer Agent so that checks can be sent to you to use. Shareholders with
joint accounts can elect in writing to have checks paid over the signature
of one owner.
- Checks can be written to the order of whomever you wish, but may not
be cashed at the Fund's bank or custodian.
- Checkwriting privileges are not available for accounts holding Class
C shares or Class A shares that are subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge.
- Checks must be written for at least $100.
- Checks cannot be paid if they are written for more than your account
value. Remember: your shares fluctuate in value and you should not write
a check close to the total account value.
- You may not write a check that would require the Fund to redeem shares
that were purchased by check or Asset Builder Plan payments within the
prior 10 days.
- Don't use your checks if you changed your Fund account number.
The Fund will charge a $10 fee for any check that is not paid because
(1) the owners of the account told the Fund not to pay the check, or (2)
the check was for more than the account balance, or (3) the check did not
have the proper signatures or (4) the check was written for less than
$100.
How to Exchange Shares
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of certain
OppenheimerFunds at net asset value per share at the time of exchange,
without sales charge. A $5 service fee will be deducted from the fund
account you are exchanging into to help defray administrative costs. That
charge is waived for automated exchanges made by brokers on Fund/SERV and
for automated exchanges between already established accounts on PhoneLink
described below. To exchange shares, you must meet several conditions:
- Shares of the fund selected for exchange must be available for sale
in your state of residence
- The prospectuses of this Fund and the fund whose shares you want to
buy must offer the exchange privilege
- You must hold the shares you buy when you establish your account for
at least 7 days before you can exchange them; after the account is open
7 days, you can exchange shares every regular business day
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the fund you
purchase by exchange
- Before exchanging into a fund, you should obtain and read its
prospectus
Shares of a particular class may be exchanged only for shares of the
same class in the other OppenheimerFunds. For example, you can exchange
Class A shares of this Fund only for Class A shares of another fund. At
present, not all of the OppenheimerFunds offer the same classes of shares.
If a fund has only one class of shares that does not have a class
designation, they are "Class A" shares for exchange purposes. In some
cases, sales charges may be imposed on exchange transactions. Certain
OppenheimerFunds offer Class A shares and either Class B or Class C
shares, and a list can be obtained by calling the Distributor at 1-800-
525-7048. Please refer to "How to Exchange Shares" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
Exchanges may be requested in writing or by telephone:
- Written Exchange Requests. Submit an OppenheimerFunds Exchange
Request form, signed by all owners of the account. Send it to the
Transfer Agent at the addresses listed in "How to Sell Shares."
- Telephone Exchange Requests. Telephone exchange requests may be made
either by calling a service representative at 1-800-852-8457 or by using
PhoneLink for automated exchanges, by calling 1-800-533-3310. Telephone
exchanges may be made only between accounts that are registered with the
same name(s) and address. Shares held under certificates may not be
exchanged by telephone.
You can find a list of OppenheimerFunds currently available for
exchanges in the Statement of Additional Information or by calling a
service representative at 1-800-525-7048. Exchanges of shares involve a
redemption of the shares of the fund you own and a purchase of shares of
the other fund.
There are certain exchange policies you should be aware of:
- Shares are normally redeemed from one fund and purchased from
the other fund in the exchange transaction on the same regular business day
on which the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request that is in proper
form by the close of The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is
normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days. However, either fund
may delay the purchase of shares of the fund you are exchanging into if
it determines it would be disadvantaged by a same-day transfer of the
proceeds to buy shares. For example, the receipt of multiple exchange
requests from a dealer in a "market-timing" strategy might require the
disposition of securities at a time or price disadvantageous to the Fund.
- Because excessive trading can hurt fund performance and harm
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange request
that will disadvantage it, or to refuse multiple exchange requests
submitted by a shareholder or dealer.
- The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege at
any time. Although the Fund will attempt to provide you notice whenever
it is reasonably able to do so, it may impose these changes at any time.
- If the Transfer Agent cannot exchange all the shares you request
because of a restriction cited above, only the shares eligible for
exchange will be exchanged.
The Distributor has entered into agreements with certain dealers and
investment advisers permitting them to exchange their clients' shares by
telephone. These privileges are limited under those agreements and the
Distributor has the right to reject or suspend those privileges. As a
result, those exchanges may be subject to notice requirements, delays and
other limitations that do not apply to shareholders who exchange their
shares directly by calling or writing to the Transfer Agent.
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
- Net Asset Value Per Share is determined for each class of shares as
of the close of The New York Stock Exchange on each regular business day
The New York Stock Exchange is open by dividing the value of the Fund's
net assets attributable to a class by the number of shares of that class
that are outstanding. The Trust's Board of Trustees has established
procedures to value the Fund's securities to determine net asset value.
In general, securities values are based on market value. There are
special procedures for valuing illiquid and restricted securities,
obligations for which market values cannot be readily obtained, and call
options and hedging instruments. These procedures are described more
completely in the Statement of Additional Information.
- The offering of shares may be suspended during any period in which
the determination of net asset value is suspended, and the offering may
be suspended by the Board of Trustees at any time the Board believes it
is in the Fund's best interest to do so.
- Telephone Transaction Privileges for purchases, redemptions or
exchanges may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Fund at any
time. If an account has more than one owner, the Fund and the Transfer
Agent may rely on the instructions of any one owner. Telephone privileges
apply to each owner of the account and the dealer representative of record
for the account unless and until the Transfer Agent receives cancellation
instructions from an owner of the account.
- The Transfer Agent will record any telephone calls to verify data
concerning transactions and has adopted other procedures to confirm that
telephone instructions are genuine, by requiring callers to provide tax
identification numbers and other account data or by using PINs, and by
confirming such transactions in writing. If the Transfer Agent does not
use reasonable procedures it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized
transactions, but otherwise it will not be liable for losses or expenses
arising out of telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine.
If you are unable to reach the Transfer Agent during periods of unusual
market activity, you may not be able to complete a telephone transaction
and should consider placing your order by mail.
- Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until the
Transfer Agent receives all required documents in proper form. From time
to time, the Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive certain of the
requirements for redemptions stated in this Prospectus.
- Dealers that can perform account transactions for their clients by
participating in NETWORKING through the National Securities Clearing
Corporation are responsible for obtaining their clients' permission to
perform those transactions and are responsible to their clients who are
shareholders of the Fund if the dealer performs any transaction
erroneously.
- The redemption price for shares will vary from day to day because the
value of the securities in the Fund's portfolio fluctuates, and the
redemption price, which is the net asset value per share, will normally
be different for Class A and Class C shares. Therefore, the redemption
value of your shares may be more or less than their original cost.
- Payment for redeemed shares is made ordinarily in cash and forwarded
by check or through AccountLink (as elected by the shareholder under the
redemption procedures described above) within 7 days after the Transfer
Agent receives redemption instructions in proper form, except under
unusual circumstances determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission
delaying or suspending such payments. The Transfer Agent may delay
forwarding a check or processing a payment via AccountLink for recently
purchased shares, but only until the purchase payment has cleared. That
delay may be as much as 10 days from the date the shares were purchased.
That delay may be avoided if you purchase shares by certified check or
arrange with your bank to provide telephone or written assurance to the
Transfer Agent that your purchase payment has cleared.
- Involuntary redemptions may be made if the account value has fallen
below $1,000 for reasons other than the fact that the market value of
shares has dropped, and in some cases, involuntary redemptions may be made
to repay the Distributor for losses from the cancellation of share
purchase orders.
- "Backup Withholding" of Federal income tax may be applied at the rate
of 31% from dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds (including
exchanges) if you fail to furnish the Fund a certified Social Security or
taxpayer identification number when you sign your application, or if you
violate Internal Revenue Service regulations on tax reporting of
dividends.
- The Fund does not charge a redemption fee, but if your dealer or
broker handles your redemption, they may charge a fee. That fee can be
avoided by redeeming your Fund shares directly through the Transfer Agent.
Under the circumstances described in "How To Buy Shares," you may be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charges when redeeming certain
Class A and Class C shares.
- To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, the
Fund will mail only one copy of each annual and semi-annual report and
updated prospectus to shareholders having the same surname and address on
the Fund's records. However, each shareholder may call the Transfer Agent
at 1-800-525-7048 to ask that copies of those materials be sent personally
to that shareholder.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends. The Fund declares dividends separately for Class A and Class
C shares from net investment income each regular business day and pays
those dividends to shareholders monthly on a date selected by the Board
of Trustees. The Board may also cause the Fund to declare dividends after
the close of the Fund's fiscal year (which ends September 30th). Also,
dividends paid on Class A shares generally are expected to be higher than
for Class C shares because expenses allocable to Class C shares will
generally be higher. Daily dividends will not be declared or paid on
newly-purchased shares until Federal Funds (funds credited to a member
bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank) are available from the
purchase payment for such shares. Normally, purchase checks received from
investors are converted to Federal Funds on the next business day. Shares
purchased through dealers or brokers normally are paid for by the fifth
business day following the placement of the purchase order. Shares
redeemed through the regular redemption procedure will be paid dividends
through and including the day on which the redemption request is received
by the Transfer Agent in proper form. Dividends will be paid with respect
to shares repurchased by a dealer or broker for four business days
following the trade date (i.e., to and including the day prior to
settlement of the repurchase). If a shareholder redeems all shares in an
account, all dividends accrued on shares held in that account will be paid
together with the redemption proceeds. The Fund does not have a fixed
dividend rate and there can be no assurance as to the payment of any
dividends or the realization of any capital gains.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the Fund sought
to pay distributions to shareholders at a targeted level per Class A share
each month, to the extent that target was consistent with the Fund's net
investment income and other distributable income sources, although the
amount of distributions could vary from time to time, depending on market
conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio, and expenses borne
by that Class. The Board of Trustees could change that targeted level at
any time, and there is otherwise no fixed dividend rate. The Fund was
able to pay dividends at the targeted level from net investment income and
other distributable income, without any material impact on the Manager's
portfolio management practices or on the Fund's net asset value per share.
There can be no assurance as to the payment of any dividends or the
realization of any capital gains.
Capital Gains. Although the Fund does not seek capital gains, the Fund may
realize capital gains on the sale of portfolio securities. If it does,
it may make distributions annually in December out of any net short-term
or long-term capital gains. The Fund may also make supplemental
distributions of dividends and capital gains following the end of its
fiscal year. If net capital losses are realized in any year, they are
charged against the principal and not against net investment income, which
is distributed regardless of capital gains or losses. Long-term capital
gains will be separately identified in the tax information the Fund sends
you after the end of the year. Short-term capital gains are treated as
dividends for tax purposes.
Distribution Options. When you open your account, specify on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. You have four
options:
- Reinvest All Distributions in the Fund. You can elect to reinvest
all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions in additional
shares of the Fund.
- Reinvest Capital Gains Only. You can elect to reinvest long-term
capital gains in the Fund while receiving dividends by check or sent to
your bank account on AccountLink.
- Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive a check
for all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions or have them
sent to your bank on AccountLink.
- Reinvest Your Distributions in Another OppenheimerFunds Account. You
can reinvest all distributions in another OppenheimerFunds account you
have established.
Taxes. Long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains
when distributed to shareholders. Dividends paid from short-term capital
gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends paid from net investment
income earned by the Fund on Municipal Securities will be excludable from
your gross income for federal income tax purposes. A portion of the
dividends paid by the Fund may be an item of tax preference if you are
subject to alternative minimum tax. Distributions are subject to federal
income tax and may be subject to state or local taxes. Whether you
reinvest your distributions in additional shares or take them in cash, the
tax treatment is the same. Every year the Fund will send you and the IRS
a statement showing the amount of any taxable distribution you received
in the previous year as well as the amount of your tax-exempt income.
- "Buying a Dividend": When a fund goes ex-dividend, its share price is
reduced by the amount of the distribution. If you buy shares on or just
before the ex-dividend date, or just before the Fund declares a capital
gains distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and then
receive a portion of the price back as a dividend or a taxable capital
gain.
- Taxes on Transactions: Even though the Fund seeks tax-exempt income
for distribution to shareholders, you may have a capital gain or loss when
you sell or exchange your shares. A capital gain or loss is the
difference between the price you paid for the shares and the price you
received when you sold them. Any capital gain is subject to capital gains
tax.
- Returns of Capital: In certain cases, distributions made by the Fund
may be considered a non-taxable return of capital to shareholders. If
that occurs, it will be identified in notices to shareholders. A non-
taxable return of capital may reduce your tax basis in your Fund shares.
This information is only a summary of certain federal tax information
about your investment. More information is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, and in addition you should consult with your tax
adviser about the effect of an investment in the Fund on your particular
tax situation.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX TO PROSPECTUS OF
OPPENHEIMER INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND
Graphic material included in Prospectus of Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-
Exempt Bond Fund: "Comparison of Total Return of Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund and the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index - Change
in Value of a $10,000 Hypothetical Investment"
A linear graph will be included in the Prospectus of Oppenheimer
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund") depicting the initial
account value and subsequent account value of a hypothetical $10,000
investment in the Fund. In the case of the Fund's class A shares, that
graph will cover the period from the commencement of the Fund's operations
(11/11/86) through 9/30/94 and in the case of the Fund's Class C shares
will cover the period from the inception of the class (December 1, 1993)
through September 30, 1994. The graph will compare such values with
hypothetical $10,000 investments over the same time periods in the Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index. Set forth below are the relevant data
points that will appear on the linear graph. Additional information with
respect to the foregoing, including a description of the Lehman Brothers
Municipal Bond Index, is set forth in the Prospectus under "How Has the
Fund Performed - Management's Discussion of Performance."
Fiscal Year Oppenheimer Intermediate Lehman Brothers
(Period) Ended Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A Municipal Bond
Index
11/11/86 $9,650 $10,000
9/30/87 $9,253 $9,690
9/30/88 $10,638 $10,948
9/30/89 $11,652 $11,898
9/30/90 $12,368 $12,707
9/30/91 $14,000 $14,383
9/30/92 $15,553 $15,886
9/30/93 $17,111 $16,698
9/30/94 $16,831 $16,291
Fiscal Oppenheimer Intermediate Lehman Brothers
Period Ended Tax-Exempt Bond Fund C Municipal Bond
Index
12/1/93 $10,000 $10,000
9/30/94 $9,655 $9,824
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
3410 South Galena Street
Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-7048
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer Agent O P P E N H E I M E R
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services Intermediate
P.O. Box 5270 Tax-Exempt
Denver, Colorado 80217 Bond Fund
1-800-525-7048
Prospectus and New
Custodian of Portfolio Securities Account Application
Citibank, N.A. Effective February 1, 1995
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
1560 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to
give any information or to make any representations other than those
contained in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information,
and if given or made, such information and representation must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Corporation, Oppenheimer
Management Corporation, Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc., or any
affiliate thereof. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby
in any state to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in
such state.
PR860.0195.N Printed on recycled paper
OppenheimerFunds
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
3410 South Galena Street
Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-7048
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer Agent O P P E N H E I M E R
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services Intermediate
P.O. Box 5270 Tax-Exempt
Denver, Colorado 80217 Bond Fund
1-800-525-7048
Prospectus
Custodian of Portfolio Securities Effective February 1, 1995
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
1560 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to
give any information or to make any representations other than those
contained in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information,
and if given or made, such information and representation must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Corporation, Oppenheimer
Management Corporation, Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc., or any
affiliate thereof. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby
in any state to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in
such state.
PR860.0195.N Printed on recycled paper
OppenheimerFunds
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated February 1, 1995
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), is a series of
Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Trust"). This Statement of
Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This document contains
additional information about the Fund and supplements information in the
Prospectus dated February 1, 1995. It should be read together with the
Prospectus, which may be obtained by writing to the Fund's Transfer Agent,
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, at P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217
or by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
About the Fund
Investment Objectives and Policies 2
Investment Policies and Strategies. 2
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies 7
Other Investment Restrictions 8
How the Fund is Managed 9
Organization and History 9
Trustees and Officers of the Trust 9
The Manager and Its Affiliates 13
Brokerage Policies of the Fund 14
Performance of the Fund 16
Distribution and Service Plans 19
About Your Account 21
How To Buy Shares 21
How To Sell Shares 27
How To Exchange Shares 30
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes 32
Additional Information About the Fund 34
Financial Information About the Fund 35
Independent Auditors' Report 35
Financial Statements 36
Appendix A (Description of Ratings) A-1
Appendix B (Tax-Equivalent Yield Chart) B-1
Appendix C (Industry Classifications) C-1
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Policies and Strategies. The investment objectives and
policies of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. Supplemental
information about those policies is set forth below. Certain capitalized
terms used in this Statement of Additional Information have the same
meaning as those terms have in the Prospectus.
Municipal Securities. There are variations in the security of Municipal
Securities, both within a particular classification and between
classifications, depending on numerous factors. The yields of Municipal
Securities depend on, among other things, general conditions of the
Municipal Securities market, size of a particular offering, the maturity
of the obligation and rating of the issue. The market value of Municipal
Securities will vary as a result of changing evaluations of the ability
of their issuers to meet interest and principal payments, as well as
changes in the interest rates payable on new issues of Municipal
Securities.
-- Municipal Bonds. The principal classifications of long-term
municipal bonds are "general obligation" and "revenue" or "industrial
development" bonds.
-- General Obligation Bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds
include states, counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The
proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public
projects, including construction or improvement of schools, highways and
roads, and water and sewer systems. The basic security behind general
obligation bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that
can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited
as to the rate or amount of special assessments.
-- Revenue Bonds. The principal security for a revenue bond is
generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of
facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide
variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer
systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities;
colleges and universities; and hospitals. Although the principal security
behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form
of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal
and interest payments on the issuer's obligations. Housing finance
authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully
insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or
the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities
provide further security in the form of a state's ability (without
obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
-- Industrial Development Bonds. Industrial development bonds,
which are considered municipal bonds if the interest paid is exempt from
federal income tax, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to
raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business
and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds
are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit
systems, ports, and parking. The payment of the principal and interest
on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user
to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and
personal property so financed as security for such payment.
-- Municipal Notes. Municipal Securities having a maturity when issued
of less than one year are generally known as municipal notes. Municipal
notes generally are used to provide for short-term working capital needs
and include:
-- Tax Anticipation Notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to
finance working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are
issued in anticipation of various seasonal tax revenue, such as income,
sales, use or business taxes, and are payable from these specific future
taxes.
-- Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are
issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as
Federal revenues available under the Federal revenue sharing programs.
-- Bond Anticipation Notes. Bond anticipation notes are issued to
provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. In
most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment
of the notes.
-- Construction Loan Notes. Construction loan notes are sold to
provide construction financing. After successful completion and
acceptance, many projects receive permanent financing through the Federal
Housing Administration.
-- Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. Tax-exempt commercial paper is a
short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is
issued by state and local governments or their agencies to finance
seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation
of longer-term financing.
-- Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations. Floating rate and
variable rate demand notes are tax-exempt obligations which may have a
stated maturity in excess of one year, but may include features that
permit the holder to recover the principal amount of the underlying
security at specified intervals not exceeding one year and upon no more
than 30 days' notice. The issuer of such notes normally has a
corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the
outstanding principal amount of the note plus accrued interest upon a
specified number of days notice to the holder. The interest rate on a
floating rate demand note is based on a stated prevailing market rate,
such as a bank's prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate, or some
other standard, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is
adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is also based
on a stated prevailing market rate but is adjusted automatically at
specified intervals of no more than one year. Generally, the changes in
the interest rate on such securities reduce the fluctuation in their
market value. As interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for
capital appreciation or depreciation is less than that for fixed-rate
obligations of the same maturity. The Trust's investment adviser,
Oppenheimer Management Corporation (the "Manager"), may determine that an
unrated floating rate or variable rate demand obligation meets the Fund's
quality standards by reason of being backed by a letter of credit or
guarantee issued by a bank that meets the Fund's quality standards.
-- Inverse Floaters and Other Derivative Investments. Some inverse
floaters have a feature known as an interest rate "cap" as part of the
terms of the investment. Investing in inverse floaters that have interest
rate caps might be part of a portfolio strategy to try to maintain a high
current yield for the Fund when the Fund has invested in inverse floaters
that expose the Fund to the risk of short-term interest rate fluctuation.
Embedded caps hedge a portion of the Fund's exposure to rising interest
rates. When interest rates exceed the pre-determined rate, the cap
generates additional cash flows that offset the decline in interest rates
on the inverse floater, and the hedge is successful. However, the Fund
bears the risk that if interest rates do not rise above the pre-determined
rate, the cap (which is purchased for additional cost) will not provide
additional cash flows and will expire worthless.
-- Municipal Lease Obligations. From time to time the Fund may invest
more than 5% of its net assets in municipal lease obligations, generally
through the acquisition of certificates of participation, that the Manager
has determined to be liquid under guidelines set by the Board of Trustees.
Those guidelines require the Manager to evaluate: (1) the frequency of
trades and price quotations for such securities; (2) the number of dealers
or other potential buyers willing to purchase or sell such securities; (3)
the availability of market-makers; and (4) the nature of the trades for
such securities. The Manager will also evaluate the likelihood of a
continuing market for such securities throughout the time they are held
by the Fund and the credit quality of the instrument. Municipal leases
may take the form of a lease or an installment purchase contract issued
by a state or local government authority to obtain funds to acquire a wide
variety of equipment and facilities. Although lease obligations do not
constitute general obligations of the municipality for which the
municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is ordinarily
backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make
the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease
obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the
municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase
payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on
a yearly basis. Projects financed with certificates of participation
generally are not subject to state constitutional debt limitations or
other statutory requirements that may be applicable to Municipal
Securities. Payments by the public entity on the obligation underlying
the certificates are derived from available revenue sources; such revenue
may be diverted to the funding of other municipal service projects.
Payments of interest and/or principal with respect to the certificates are
not guaranteed and do not constitute an obligation of issuing municipality
or any of its political subdivisions.
In addition to the risk of "non-appropriation," municipal lease
securities do not yet have a highly developed market to provide the degree
of liquidity of conventional municipal bonds. Municipal leases, like
other municipal debt obligations, are subject to the risk of non-payment.
The ability of issuers of municipal leases to make timely lease payments
may be adversely affected in general economic downturns and as relative
governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local
governmental units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of
income to the Fund, and could result in a reduction in the value of the
municipal lease experiencing non-payment and a potential decrease in the
net asset value of the Fund.
-- Private Activity Municipal Securities. The Tax Reform Act of 1986
(the "Tax Reform Act") reorganized, as well as amended, the rules
governing tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities. The Tax
Reform Act generally did not change the tax treatment of bonds issued in
order to finance governmental operations. Thus, interest on obligations
issued by or on behalf of a state or local government, the proceeds of
which are used to finance the operations of such governments (e.g.,
general obligation bonds) continues to be tax-exempt. However, the Tax
Reform Act further limited the use of tax-exempt bonds for non-
governmental (private) purposes. More stringent restrictions were placed
on the use of proceeds of such bonds. Interest on certain private
activity bonds (other than those specified as "qualified" tax-exempt
private activity bonds, e.g., exempt facility bonds including certain
industrial development bonds, qualified mortgage bonds, qualified Section
501(c)(3) bonds, qualified student loan bonds, etc.) is taxable under the
revised rules.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986,
which continues to be tax-exempt will be treated as a tax preference item
subject to the alternative minimum tax (discussed below) to which certain
taxpayers are subject. Further, a private activity bond which would
otherwise be a qualified tax-exempt private activity bond will not, under
Internal Revenue Code Section 147(a), be a qualified bond for any period
during which it is held by a person who is a "substantial user" of the
facilities or by a "related person" of such a substantial user. This
"substantial user" provision is applicable primarily to exempt facility
bonds, including industrial development bonds. The Fund may not be an
appropriate investment for entities which are "substantial users" (or
persons related thereto) of such exempt facilities, and such persons
should consult their own tax advisers before purchasing shares. A
"substantial user" of such facilities is defined generally as a "non-
exempt person who regularly uses part of a facility" financed from the
proceeds of exempt facility bonds. Generally, an individual will not be
a "related person" under the Internal Revenue Code unless such investor
or the investor's immediate family (spouse, brothers, sisters and
immediate descendants) own directly or indirectly in the aggregate more
than 50% in value of the equity of a corporation or partnership which is
a "substantial user" of a facility financed from the proceeds of exempt
facility bonds. In addition, limitations as to the amount of private
activity bonds which each state may issue were revised downward by the Tax
Reform Act, which will reduce the supply of such bonds. The value of the
Fund's portfolio could be affected if there is a reduction in the
availability of such bonds. That value may also be affected by a 1988
U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the
imposition of a Federal tax on the interest earned on Municipal Securities
issued in bearer form.
A Municipal Security is treated as a taxable private activity bond
under a test for: (a) a trade or business use and security interest, or
(b) a private loan restriction. Under the trade or business use and
security interest test, an obligation is a private activity bond if: (i)
more than 10% of bond proceeds are used for private business purposes and
(ii) 10% or more of the payment of principal or interest on the issue is
directly or indirectly derived from such private use or is secured by the
privately used property or the payments related to the use of the
property. For certain types of uses, a 5% threshold is substituted for
this 10% threshold. (The term "private business use" means any direct or
indirect use in a trade or business carried on by an individual or entity
other than a governmental unit.) Under the private loan restriction, the
amount of bond proceeds which may be used to make private loans is limited
to the lesser of 5% or $5.0 million of the proceeds. Thus, certain issues
of Municipal Securities could lose their tax-exempt status retroactively
if the issuer fails to meet certain requirements as to the expenditure of
the proceeds of that issue or use of the bond-financed facility. The Fund
makes no independent investigation of the users of such bonds or their use
of proceeds. Should the Fund hold a bond that loses its tax-exempt status
retroactively, there might be an adjustment to the tax-exempt income
previously paid to shareholders.
The Federal alternative minimum tax is designed to ensure that all
taxpayers pay some tax, even if their regular tax is zero. This is
accomplished in part by including in taxable income certain tax preference
items in arriving at alternative minimum taxable income. The Tax Reform
Act, which makes tax-exempt interest from certain private activity bonds
a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax on
individuals and corporations specifically states that any exempt-interest
dividend paid by a regulated investment company will be treated as
interest on a specific private activity bond to the extent of its
proportionate share of the interest on such bonds received by the
regulated investment company. The Treasury is authorized to issue
regulations implementing the provision. The Fund may hold Municipal
Securities the interest on which (and thus a proportionate share of the
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund) will be subject to the Federal
alternative minimum tax on individuals and corporations. The Fund
anticipates that under normal circumstances it will not purchase any such
securities in an amount greater than 20% of the Fund's total assets.
-- Ratings of Municipal Securities. Moody's and S&P's ratings (see
Appendix A) represent their respective opinions of the quality of the
Municipal Securities they undertake to rate. However, such ratings are
general and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality.
Consequently, Municipal Securities with the same maturity, coupon and
rating may have different yields, while Municipal Securities of the same
maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
Investment in lower-quality securities may produce a higher yield than
securities rated in the higher rating categories described in the
Prospectus (or judged by the Manager to be of comparable quality).
However, the added risk of lower quality securities might not be
consistent with a policy of preservation of capital.
-- Financial Guaranty Insurance Company. The portfolio insurance policy
obtained by the Fund was issued by Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
("Financial Guaranty"). Financial Guaranty is a subsidiary of FGIC
Corporation (the "Corporation"), a Delaware holding company. Financial
Guaranty, domiciled in the State of New York, commenced its business of
providing insurance and financial guaranties for a variety of investment
instruments in January, 1984. The Corporation is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of General Electric Capital Corporation. Neither the
Corporation nor General Electric Capital Corporation are obligated to pay
the debts of or the claims against Financial Guaranty.
Financial Guaranty, in addition to providing insurance for the payment
of interest on and principal of municipal bonds and notes held in unit
investment trust and mutual fund portfolios, provides insurance for new
issues and secondary market issues of municipal bonds and notes and for
portions of new issues and secondary market issues of municipal bonds and
notes. Financial Guaranty also provides credit enhancements for asset-
backed securities, and mortgage-backed securities.
Financial Guaranty is currently authorized to write insurance in 50
states and the District of Columbia, files reports with state insurance
regulatory agencies and is subject to audit and review by such
authorities. Financial Guaranty is also subject to regulation by the
State of New York Insurance Department. Such regulation, however, is no
guarantee that Financial Guaranty will be able to perform on its
commitments or contracts of insurance in the event a claim should be made
thereunder at some time in the future.
The policy of insurance obtained by the Fund from Financial Guaranty
and the agreement and negotiations in respect thereof represent the only
relationship between Financial Guaranty and the Fund. Otherwise, neither
Financial Guaranty nor its parent, FGIC Corporation, or any affiliate
thereof has any significant relationship, direct or indirect, with the
Fund.
Under the provisions of the Portfolio Insurance Policy, Financial
Guaranty unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay to State Street
Bank and Trust Company, N.A. or its successor, as its agent (the "Fiscal
Agent") that portion of the principal of and interest on the securities
which shall become due for payment but shall be unpaid by reason of
nonpayment by the issuer. Financial Guaranty will make such payments to
the Fiscal Agent on the date such principal or interest becomes due for
payment or on the business day next following the day on which Financial
Guaranty shall have received notice of nonpayment, whichever is later.
The Fiscal Agent will disburse to the Fund the face amount of principal
and interest which is then due for payment but is unpaid by reason of
nonpayment by the issuer but only upon receipt by the Fiscal Agent of (i)
evidence of the Fund's right to receive payment of the principal or
interest due for payment and (ii) evidence, including any appropriate
instruments of assignment, that all of the rights to payment of such
principal or interest due for payment thereupon shall vest in Financial
Guaranty. (The proceeds attributable to interest payments will be tax-
exempt.) Upon such a payment by the Fiscal Agent, Financial Guaranty will
be fully subrogated to all of the Fund's rights under the defaulted
obligation which includes the right of Financial Guaranty to obtain
payment from the issuer to the extent of amounts paid by Financial
Guaranty to the Fund.
-- Additional Information About Municipal Securities. From time to
time, proposals have been introduced before Congress to restrict or
eliminate the Federal income tax exemption for interest on Municipal
Securities. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future. If such
a proposal were enacted, the availability of Municipal Securities for
investment by the Fund and the value of the portfolio of the Fund would
be affected. At such time, the Board of Trustees of the Trust would re-
evaluate the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and possibly
submit to shareholders proposals for changes in the structure of the Fund.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies.
-- When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. As stated in the
Prospectus, the Fund may invest in Municipal Securities on a "when-issued"
or "delayed delivery" basis. Payment for and delivery of the securities
generally settles within 45 days of the date the offer is accepted. The
purchase price and yield are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the
commitment. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment
is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund from
this investment. However, the Fund intends to be as fully invested as
possible and will not invest in when-issued securities if its income or
net asset value will be materially adversely affected. At the time the
Fund makes the commitment to purchase a Municipal Security on a when-
issued basis, it will record the transaction on its books and reflect the
value of the security in determining its net asset value. It will also
segregate cash or other high quality liquid Municipal Securities equal in
value to the commitment for the when-issued securities. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to settlement date, the Fund intends to
acquire the securities upon settlement unless a prior sale appears
desirable for investment reasons. There is a risk that the yield
available in the market when delivery occurs may be higher than the yield
on the security acquired.
-- Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements for liquidity purposes to meet anticipated
redemptions, or pending the investment of the proceeds from sales of Fund
shares, or pending the settlement of purchases of portfolio securities.
In a repurchase transaction, the Fund acquires a security from, and
simultaneously resells it to, an approved vendor. An "approved vendor"
is a U.S. commercial bank or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank or a
broker-dealer which has been designated a primary dealer in government
securities, which must meet credit requirements set by the Trust's Board
of Trustees from time to time. The resale price exceeds the purchase
price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective
for the period during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. The
majority of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery pursuant
to the resale typically will occur within one to five days of the
purchase. Repurchase agreements are considered "loans" under the
Investment Company Act, collateralized by the underlying security. The
Fund's repurchase agreements require that at all times while the
repurchase agreement is in effect, the value of the collateral must equal
or exceed the repurchase price to fully collateralize the repayment
obligation. Additionally, the Manager will impose creditworthiness
requirements to confirm that the vendor is financially sound and will
continuously monitor the collateral's value.
-- Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio
securities subject to the restrictions stated in the Prospectus. Under
applicable regulatory requirements (which are subject to change), the loan
collateral on each business day must at least equal the value of the
loaned securities and must consist of cash, bank letters of credit or
securities of the U.S. Government (or its agencies or instrumentalities).
To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must obligate a bank to
pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the terms of the
letter. Such terms and the issuing bank must be satisfactory to the Fund.
When it lends securities, the Fund receives amounts equal to the dividends
or interest on loaned securities and also receives one or more of (a)
negotiated loan fees, (b) interest on securities used as collateral, and
(c) interest on short-term debt securities purchased with such loan
collateral. Either type of interest may be shared with the borrower. The
Fund may also pay reasonable finder's, custodian and administrative fees.
The terms of the Fund's loans must meet applicable tests under the
Internal Revenue Code and must permit the Fund to reacquire loaned
securities on five days' notice or in time to vote on any important
matter.
Other Investment Restrictions
The Fund's most significant investment restrictions are set forth in
the Prospectus. There are additional investment restrictions that the Fund
must follow that are also fundamental policies. Fundamental policies and
the Fund's investment objective cannot be changed by the Fund without the
vote of a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Under
the Investment Company Act, such a "majority" vote of the Fund is defined
as the vote of the holders of the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of the shares
present or represented by proxy at such meeting, if the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding shares are present, or (ii) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund.
Under these additional restrictions, the Fund cannot: (1) purchase or
sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts; except to the extent
that Municipal Securities the Fund may invest in are considered to be
interests in real estate; (2) invest in interests in oil, gas, or other
mineral exploration or development programs; (3) purchase securities on
margin; (4) make short sales of securities; (5) underwrite securities
except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in
connection with the sale of securities held in its portfolio; (6) invest
in securities of other investment companies, except as they may be
acquired as part of a merger, consolidation or other acquisition; (7)
purchase or sell puts, calls or combinations thereof, or purchase or sell
interest rate futures contracts or related options; (8) make investments
for the purpose of exercising control of management; (9) purchase
securities of any issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund, its officers
and trustees and officers and directors of the Manager or who individually
own more than .5% of the securities of such issuer together own
beneficially more than 5% of such issuer's outstanding securities; (10)
purchase or retain securities if as a result the Fund would have more than
5% of its total assets invested in securities of private issuers having
a record of less than three years' continuous operation (such period may
include the operation of predecessor companies or enterprises) or in
industrial development bonds if the private entity on whose credit the
security is based, directly or indirectly, is less than three years old
(including predecessors), unless the security is rated by a nationally-
recognized rating service; (11) invest more than 25% of its assets in a
single industry (as described in the Prospectus, the Fund may, from time
to time, invest more than 25% of its assets in a particular segment of the
Municipal Securities market, however, the Fund will not invest more than
25% of its assets in industrial revenue bonds in a single industry); or
(12) invest in common stock or any warrants related thereto.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate described under
investment restriction number five in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted
the industry classifications set forth in Appendix C to this Statement of
Additional Information.
How the Fund Is Managed
Organization and History. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund is
not required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings
of shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law, or when a shareholder
meeting is called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the
shareholders. Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in
writing or vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to
remove a Trustee. The Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to
vote on the removal of a Trustee upon the written request of the record
holders of 10% of its outstanding shares. In addition, if the Trustees
receive a request from at least 10 shareholders (who have been
shareholders for at least six months) holding shares of the Fund valued
at $25,000 or more or holding at least 1% of the Fund's outstanding
shares, whichever is less, stating that they wish to communicate with
other shareholders to request a meeting to remove a Trustee, the Trustees
will then either make the Fund's shareholder list available to the
applicants or mail their communication to all other shareholders at the
applicants' expense, or the Trustees may take such other action as set
forth under Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act.
The Fund's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder or Trustee liability for the Fund's obligations, and provides
for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of its property for
any shareholder held personally liable for its obligations. The
Declaration of Trust also provides that the Fund shall, upon request,
assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act
or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, while
Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a business trust (such as the
Fund) to be held personally liable as a "partner" under certain
circumstances, the risk of a Fund shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations
described above. Any person doing business with the Trust, and any
shareholder of the Trust, agrees under the Trust's Declaration of Trust
to look solely to the assets of the Trust for satisfaction of any claim
or demand which may arise out of any dealings with the Trust, and the
Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to the
extent permitted by law.
Trustees And Officers of the Trust. The Trust's Trustees and officers and
their principal occupations and business affiliations during the past five
years are listed below. All of the Trustees are also trustees, directors
or managing general partners of Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.,
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund, Oppenheimer High Yield Fund, Oppenheimer
Integrity Funds, Oppenheimer Cash Reserves, Oppenheimer Limited-Term
Government Fund, The New York Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer
Champion High Yield Fund, Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc., Oppenheimer
Strategic Funds Trust, Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic
Short-Term Income Fund and Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds; as well as
the following "Centennial Funds": Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.,
Centennial America Fund, L.P., Centennial Money Market Trust, Centennial
Government Trust, Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Tax
Exempt Trust and Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, (all of the
foregoing funds are collectively referred to as the "Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds"). Mr. Fossel is President and Mr. Swain is Chairman of
the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds.
As of December 30, 1994, the Trustees and officers of the Fund as a
group owned of record or beneficially less than 1% of each class of shares
of the Fund or the Trust. The foregoing statement does not reflect
ownership of shares held of record by an employee benefit plan for
employees of the Manager (for which plan two of the officers listed above,
Messrs. Fossel and Donohue, are trustees), other than the shares
beneficially owned under the Plan by the officers of the Fund listed
above.
Robert G. Avis, Trustee; Age 63. *
One North Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Vice Chairman of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer) and A.G.
Edwards, Inc. (its parent holding company); Chairman of A.G.E. Asset
Management and A.G. Edwards Trust Company (its affiliated investment
adviser and trust company, respectively).
William A. Baker, Trustee; Age 80.
197 Desert Lakes Drive, Palm Springs, California 92264
Management Consultant.
Charles Conrad, Jr., Trustee; Age 64.
19411 Merion Circle, Huntington Beach, California 92468
Vice President of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co.; formerly associated
with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Jon S. Fossel, President and Trustee; Age 52.*
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Manager; President
and a director of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), the Manager's
parent holding company; President and a director of HarbourView Asset
Management Corporation ("HarbourView"), a subsidiary of the Manager; a
director of Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI") and Shareholder Financial
Services, Inc. ("SFSI"), transfer agent subsidiaries of the Manager;
formerly President of the Manager.
__________________
*A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
Raymond J. Kalinowski, Trustee; Age 65.
44 Portland Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Director of Wave Technologies International, Inc.; formerly Vice Chairman
and a director of A.G. Edwards, Inc., parent holding company of A.G.
Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer), of which he was a Senior Vice
President.
C. Howard Kast, Trustee; Age 73.
2552 East Alameda, Denver, Colorado 80209
Formerly the Managing Partner of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (an accounting
firm).
Robert M. Kirchner, Trustee; Age 73.
7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Englewood, Colorado 80112
President of The Kirchner Company (management consultants).
Ned M. Steel, Trustee; Age 79.
3416 S. Race Street, Englewood, Colorado 80110
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter; Director of Visiting Nurse
Corporation of Colorado; formerly Senior Vice President and a director of
Van Gilder Insurance Corp. (insurance brokers).
James C. Swain, Chairman and Trustee; Age 61.*
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Vice Chairman and a Director of the Manager; President and Director of
Centennial Asset Management Corporation, an investment adviser subsidiary
of the Manager ("Centennial"); formerly Chairman of the Board of SSI.
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President; Age 44.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Manager and
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"); an officer of
other OppenheimerFunds; formerly Senior Vice President and Associate
General Counsel of the Manager and the Distributor; formerly a Partner in
Kraft & McManimon (a law firm), prior to which he was an officer of First
Investors Corporation (a broker-dealer) and First Investors Management
Company, Inc. (broker-dealer and investment adviser) and a director and
an officer of the First Investors Family of Funds and First Investors Life
Insurance Company.
George C. Bowen, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; Age 58.
3410 South Galena Street Denver, Colorado 80231
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager; Vice President and
Treasurer of the Distributor and HarbourView; Senior Vice President,
Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and a director of Centennial; Vice
President, Treasurer and Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Robert E. Patterson, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 51.
Two World Trade Center, New York, N.Y. 10048-0203
Senior Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
__________________
*A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
Caryn Halbrecht, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 38.
Two World Trade Center, New York, N.Y. 10048-0203
Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly a Vice President of Fixed-Income portfolio management at Bankers
Trust.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age 46.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Manager;
Assistant Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds.
Robert J. Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age 36.
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Assistant Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; previously a Fund Controller of the Manager,
prior to which he was an
Accountant for Resolution Trust Corporation and previously an Accountant
and Commissions Supervisor for Stuart James Company Inc., a broker-dealer.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer; Age 29.
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Assistant Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting, an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; previously a Fund Controller for the Manager,
prior to which he was an International Mutual Fund Supervisor for Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co. (a bank) and previously a Senior Fund Accountant
for State Street Bank & Trust Company.
-- Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund are
affiliated with the Manager; they and the Trustees of the Fund who are
affiliated with the Manager (Messrs. Fossel and Swain, who are both
officers and Trustees) receive no salary or fee from the Fund. The
Trustees of the Fund (excluding Messrs. Fossel and Swain) received the
total amounts shown below from all 22 of the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds
(including the Fund) listed in the first paragraph of this section, for
services in the positions shown:
Total Compensation
From All Denver-based
Name Position OppenheimerFunds 1
Robert G. Avis Trustee $53,000.00
William A. Baker Study and Audit Committee $73,257.01
Chairman and Trustee
Charles Conrad, Jr. Study and Audit Committee $68,293.67
Member and Trustee
Raymond J. Kalinowski Trustee $53,000.00
C. Howard Kast Trustee $53,000.00
Robert M. Kirchner Study and Audit Committee $68,293.67
Member and Trustee
Ned M. Steel Trustee $53,000.00
______________
1 For the 1994 calendar year.
-- Major Shareholders. As of December 30, 1994, no person
owned of record or was known by the Trust to own beneficially 5% or more
of the shares of the Trust as a whole or either class of the Fund's
outstanding shares.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Manager is wholly-owned by
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), a holding company controlled by
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. OAC is also owned in part
by certain of the Manager's directors and officers, some of whom also
serve as officers of the Trust, and two of whom (Mr. Fossel and Mr. Swain)
serve as Trustees of the Trust.
-- The Investment Advisory Agreement. The investment advisory
agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of the Fund requires
the Manager, at its expense, to provide the Fund with adequate office
space, facilities and equipment and to provide and supervise the
activities of all administrative and clerical personnel required to
provide effective corporate administration for the Fund, including the
compilation and maintenance of records with respect to its operations, the
preparation and filing of specified reports, and composition of proxy
materials and registration statements for continuous public sale of shares
of the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the advisory
agreement or by the Distributor under the General Distributors Agreement
are paid by the Fund. Expenses with respect to the Trust's two series,
including the Fund, are allocated in proportion to the net assets of the
respective funds except where allocations of direct expenses could be
made. Certain expenses are further allocated to certain classes of shares
of a series as explained in the Prospectus and under "How to Buy Shares"
below. The advisory agreement lists examples of expenses paid by the
Fund, the major categories of which relate to interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses, transfer
agent and custodian expenses, share issuance costs, certain printing and
registration expenses and non-recurring expenses, including litigation
costs.
The advisory agreement contains no provision limiting the Fund's
expenses. However, independently of the advisory agreement, the Manager
has voluntarily undertaken that the total expenses of the Fund in any
fiscal year (including the management fee, but excluding taxes, interest,
brokerage commissions, distribution assistance payments and extraordinary
expenses such as litigation costs) shall not exceed the most stringent
expense limitation imposed under state law applicable to the Fund.
Pursuant to the undertaking, the Manager's fee will be reduced at the end
of a month so that there will not be any accrued but unpaid liability
under this undertaking. Currently, the most stringent state expense
limitation is imposed by California, and limits expenses (with specified
exclusions) to 2.5% of the first $30 million of average annual net assets,
2.0% of the next $70 million, and 1.5% of the average annual net assets
in excess of $100 million. Any assumption of the Fund's expenses under
this limitation lowers the Fund's overall expense ratio and increases its
total return during the time such expenses are limited. The Manager
reserves the right to terminate or amend the undertaking at any time.
The advisory agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties, or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under the
advisory agreement, the Manager is not liable for any loss resulting from
a good faith error or omission on its part with respect to any of its
duties thereunder. The advisory agreement permits the Manager to act as
investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and to use
the name "Oppenheimer" in connection with its other investment activities.
If the Manager shall no longer act as investment adviser to the Fund, the
right of the Fund to use the name "Oppenheimer" as part of its corporate
name may be withdrawn.
The Manager became the Fund's investment adviser on April 7, 1990.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the management
fees were $342,465. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the
management fees payable by the Fund were $210,570, of which $36,479 was
assumed by the Manager. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992,
the management fees payable by the Fund were $124,996, of which $13,415
was paid to the Manager due to its assumption of $111,581 of the Fund's
expenses.
From April 7, 1990 until January 31, 1992, Clayton Brown
Investment Management, Inc. ("CBIM"), an affiliate of Clayton Brown &
Associates, Inc., which was the Fund's general distributor until
January 31, 1992, was the sub-advisor for the Fund, pursuant to
Subadvisory Agreement with the Manager. The Manager paid subadvisory fees
to CBIM at the annual rate of .15% of the average daily net assets of the
Fund. Because of the expense assumption undertaking by the Manager at
that time, the Manager did not receive any management fee from the Fund
with which to pay CBIM its Subadvisory fee, and thus absorbed that
expense.
-- The Distributor. Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (the
"Distributor"), formerly named "Oppenheimer Fund Management, Inc.," became
the Fund's Distributor on January 31, 1992. Prior to that date, Clayton
Brown & Associates, Inc. ("Clayton Brown") was the Fund's general
distributor. Under the General Distributor's Agreement between the Fund
and the Distributor, the Distributor acts as the Fund's principal
underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Fund's Class A and
Class B shares but is not obligated to sell a specific number of shares.
Expenses normally attributable to sales (other than those paid under the
12b-1 Plans), including advertising and the cost of printing and mailing
prospectus (other than those furnished to existing shareholders) are borne
by the Distributor.
From October 1, 1991 through January 31, 1992, the Distributor,
which served as sub-distributor during those periods, received no
reallowance of commissions from Clayton Brown. During the period February
1, 1992 through September 30, 1992, and during the fiscal years ended
September 30, 1993 and 1994, the aggregate sales charges in the Fund's
Class A shares was $49,301, $582,215 and $376,541, respectively of which
the Distributor and an affiliated broker-dealer retained in the aggregate
$8,531, $151,408 and $92,979, in those respective years. During the
Fund's fiscal years ended September 30, 1993 and 1994, the contingent
deferred sales charges collected on the Fund's Class B shares totalled
$19,475, all of which the Distributor retained. For additional
information about distribution of the Fund's shares and the expenses
connected with such activities, please refer to "Distribution and Service
Plans," below.
-- The Transfer Agent. Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, the
Fund's Transfer Agent, is responsible for maintaining the Fund's
shareholder registry and shareholder accounting records, and for
shareholder servicing and administrative functions.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement. One of the
duties of the Manager under the advisory agreement is to arrange the
portfolio transactions of the Fund. The advisory agreement contains
provisions relating to the employment of broker-dealers ("brokers") to
effect the Fund's portfolio transactions. In doing so, the Manager is
authorized by the advisory agreement to employ broker-dealers, including
"affiliated" brokers, as that term is defined in the Investment Company
Act, as may, in its best judgment based on all relevant factors, implement
the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the "best
execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable price
obtainable) of such transactions. The Manager need not seek competitive
commission bidding, but is expected to minimize the commissions paid to
the extent consistent with the interests and policies of the Fund as
established by the Board of Trustees. Purchases of securities from
underwriters include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the
underwriter and purchases from dealers include a spread between the bid
and the asked price.
Under the advisory agreement, the Manager is authorized to select
brokers other than affiliates that provide brokerage and/or research
services for the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Manager or
its affiliates have investment discretion. The commissions paid to such
brokers may be higher than another qualified broker would have charged if
a good faith determination is made by the Manager that the commission is
fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided. Subject to the
foregoing considerations, the Manager may also consider sales of shares
of the Fund and other investment companies managed by the Manager and its
affiliates as a factor in the selection of brokers for the Fund's
portfolio transactions.
Description of Brokerage Practices Followed by the Manager. Subject to
the provisions of the advisory agreement, the procedures and rules
described above, allocations of brokerage are generally made by the
Manager's portfolio traders based upon recommendations from the Manger's
portfolio managers. In certain instances, portfolio managers may directly
place traders and allocate brokerage, also subject to the provisions of
the advisory agreement and the procedures and rules described above.
Regardless, brokerage is allocated under the supervision of the Manager's
executive officers. As most purchases made by the Fund are principal
transactions at net prices, the Fund incurs little or no brokerage costs.
The Fund usually deals directly with the selling or purchasing principal
or market makers without incurring charges for the services of a broker
on its behalf unless it is determined that better price or execution can
be obtained by utilizing the services of a broker. Purchases of
securities from underwriters include a commission or concession paid by
the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers include a spread
between the bid and asked price. The Fund seeks to obtain prompt
execution of orders at the most favorable net pace. When possible,
concurrent orders to purchase or sell the same security by more than one
of the accounts managed by the Manager or it affiliates are combined.
Transactions effected pursuant to such combined orders are averaged as to
price and allocated in accordance with the purchase or sale orders
actually placed for each account. Option commissions may be relatively
higher than those which would apply to direct purchases and sales of
portfolio securities.
The research services provided by a particular broker may be
useful only to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager and its
affiliates, and investment research received for the commissions of those
other accounts may be useful both to the Fund and one or more of such
other accounts. Such research, which may be supplied by a third party at
the instance of a broker, includes information and analyses on particular
companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and
portfolio strategy, receipt of market quotations for portfolio
evaluations, information systems, computer hardware and similar products
and services. If a research service also assists the Manager in a non-
research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions),
then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to the
Manager in the investment decision-making process may be paid for in
commission dollars. The Board of Trustees has permitted the Manager to
use concessions on fixed-price offerings to obtain research, in the same
manner as is permitted for agency transactions.
The research services provided by brokers broaden the scope and
supplement the research activities of the Manager, by making available
additional views for consideration and comparisons, and enabling the
Manager to obtain market information for the valuation of securities held
in the Fund's portfolios or being considered for purchase. The Board,
including the "Independent Trustees" (those Trustees who are not
"interested persons" as defined in the Investment Company Act, and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the
advisory agreement or the Distribution Plans described below) annually
reviews information furnished by the Manager as to the commissions paid
to brokers furnishing such services so that the Board may ascertain
whether the amount of such commissions was reasonably related to the value
or the benefit of such services.
Performance of the Fund
As described in the Prospectus, from time to time the "standardized
yield," "tax-equivalent yield," "dividend yield," "average annual total
return," "total return" and "total return at net asset value" of an
investment in each class of Fund shares may be advertised. An explanation
of how standardized yield, tax-equivalent yield, dividend yield, average
annual total return and total return are calculated for each class and the
components of those calculations is set forth below. Class B shares were
first publicly offered on May 3, 1993.
-- Standardized Yields.
-- Yield. The Fund's "yield" (referred to as "standardized
yield") for a given 30-day period for a class of shares is calculated
using the following formula set forth in rules adopted by the Securities
and Exchange Commission that apply to all funds that quote yields:
a-b 6
Standardized Yield = 2 ((------ + 1) - 1)
cd
The symbols above represent the following factors:
a = dividends and interest earned during the 30-day period.
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of any expense
reimbursements).
c = the average daily number of shares of that class
outstanding during the 30-day period that were entitled to
receive dividends.
d = the maximum offering price per share of that class on the
last day of the period, adjusted for undistributed net
investment income.
The standardized yield of a class of shares for a 30-day period may
differ from its yield for any other period. The SEC formula assumes that
the yield for a 30-day period occurs at a constant rate for a six-month
period and is annualized at the end of the six-month period. This
standardized yield is not based on actual distributions paid by the Fund
to shareholders in the 30-day period, but is a hypothetical yield based
on the net investment income from the Fund's portfolio investments
calculated for that period. The standardized yield may differ from the
"dividend yield" of that class, described below. Additionally, because
each class of shares is subject to different expenses, it is likely that
the standardized yields of the Fund's classes of shares will differ. For
the 30-day period ended September 30, 1994, the standardized yields for
the Fund's Class A and Class B shares were 5.00% and 4.47%, respectively.
-- Tax-Equivalent Yield. The Fund's "tax-equivalent yield" adjusts
the Fund's current yield, as calculated above, by a stated combined
Federal and state tax rate. The tax equivalent yield is based on a 30-day
period, and is computed by dividing the tax-exempt portion of the Fund's
current yield (as calculated above) by one minus a stated income tax rate
and adding the result to the portion (if any) of the Fund's current yield
that is not tax-exempt. The tax-equivalent yield may be used to compare
the tax effects of income derived from the Fund with income from taxable
investments at the tax rates stated. Appendix B includes a tax equivalent
yield table, based on various effective tax brackets for individual
taxpayers. Such tax brackets are determined by a taxpayer's Federal
taxable income (the net amount subject to Federal income tax after
deductions and exemptions). The tax-equivalent yield tables assume that
the investor is taxed at the highest bracket, regardless of whether a
switch to non-taxable investments would cause a lower bracket to apply.
For taxpayers with income above certain levels, otherwise allowable
itemized deductions are limited. The Fund's tax-equivalent yield for its
Class A and Class B shares for the 30-day period ended September 30, 1994
were 8.28% and 7.40%, respectively, for an individual in the 36% Federal
income tax bracket.
-- Dividend Yield and Distribution Return. From time to time the
Fund may quote a "dividend yield" or a "distribution return" for each
class. Dividend yield is based on the Class A or Class B share dividends
derived from net investment income during a stated period. Distribution
return includes dividends derived from net investment income and from
realized capital gains declared during a stated period. Under those
calculations, the dividends and/or distributions for that class declared
during a stated period of one year or less (for example, 30 days) are
added together, and the sum is divided by the maximum offering price per
share of that class on the last day of the period. When the result is
annualized for a period of less than one year, the "dividend yield" is
calculated as follows:
Dividend Yield of the Class =
Dividends of the Class
- ----------------------------------------------------
Max Offering Price of the Class (last day of period)
Divided by number of days (accrual period) x 365
The maximum offering price for Class A shares includes the maximum front-
end sales charge. For Class B shares, the maximum offering price is the
net asset value per share, without considering the effect of contingent
deferred sales charges.
From time to time, similar calculations may also be made using the
Class A net asset value (instead of its respective maximum offering price)
at the end of the period. The dividend yields on Class A shares for the
30-day period ended September 30, 1994 were 5.16% and 5.41% when
calculated at maximum offering price and net asset value, respectively.
The dividend yield on Class B shares for the 30-day period ended September
30, 1994 was 4.64% when calculated at net asset value.
-- Total Return Information.
-- Average Annual Total Returns. The "average annual total return"
of each class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year
in a specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the
change in value of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the
formula below) held for a number of years ("n") to achieve an Ending
Redeemable Value ("ERV") of that investment, according to the following
formula:
( ERV ) 1/n
(-----) -1 = Average Annual Total Return
( P )
The "average annual total return" on an investment in Class A shares
of the Fund for the one and five year periods ended September 30, 1994 was
(9.95)% and 6.35%, respectively and for the period from inception of the
Fund on November 11, 1986 through September 30, 1994 was 6.06%. The
"average annual total return" on an investment in Class B shares of the
Fund for the one year ended September 30, 1994 was (10.67)%. For the
period from inception of Class B shares on May 3, 1993 through September
30, 1994, the average annual total return was (3.05)%.
-- Cumulative Total Return. The "cumulative total return"
calculation measures the change in the value of a hypothetical investment
of $1,000 over an entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of
the same factors as average annual total return, but it does not average
the rate of return on an annual basis. Cumulative total return is
determined as follows:
ERV - P
- ------- = Total Return
P
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum
sales charge of 4.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted
from the initial investment ("P") (unless the return is shown at net asset
value, as described below). For Class B shares, the payment of the
contingent deferred sales charge of 5.0% in the first year, 4.0% in the
second year, 3.0% in the third and fourth years, 2.0% in the fifth year,
1.0% in the sixth year and none thereafter is applied, as described in the
Prospectus. Total returns also assume that all dividends and capital
gains distributions during the period are reinvested to buy additional
shares at net asset value per share, and that the investment is redeemed
at the end of the period. The "total return" on an investment in Class
A shares of the Fund (using the method described above) for the period
from November 11, 1986 (inception of the Fund) through September 30, 1994,
was 59.07%. The cumulative total return on Class B shares for the period
from May 3, 1993 (inception of the class) through September 30, 1994 was
(4.26)%.
-- Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may
also quote an average annual total return at net asset value or a
cumulative total return at net asset value for Class A or Class B shares.
Each is based on the difference in net asset value per share at the
beginning and the end of the period for a hypothetical investment in that
class of shares (without considering front-end or contingent deferred
sales charges) and takes into consideration the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions. The "total return at net asset value"
on the Fund's Class A shares for the one-year period ended September 30,
1994 was (5.46)%. The total return at net asset value for the Fund's
Class B shares for the year ended September 30, 1994 was (6.20)%.
-- Other Performance Comparisons. From time to time, the Fund may
publish the ranking of the performance of its Class A or Class B shares
by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), a widely-recognized
independent service. Lipper monitors the performance of regulated
investment companies, including the Fund, and ranks their performance for
various periods based on categories relating to investment objectives.
The performance of the Fund is ranked against (i) all other funds, other
than money market funds, and (ii) all other insured municipal debt funds.
The Lipper performance analysis includes the reinvestment of capital gain
distributions and income dividends but does not take sales charge or taxes
into consideration. From time to time the Fund may include in its
advertisement and sales literature performance information about the Fund
cited in other newspapers and periodicals such as The New York Times,
which may include performance quotations from other sources, including
Lipper and Morningstar.
From time to time the Fund may publish the ranking of its performance
by Morningstar, Inc., an independent mutual fund monitoring service that
ranks mutual funds, including the Fund, monthly in broad investment
categories (equity, taxable bond, municipal bond and hybrid) based on
risk-adjusted investment return. Investment return measures a fund's
three, five and ten-year average annual total returns (when available) in
excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns after considering sales
charges and expenses. Risk reflects fund performance below 90-day U.S.
Treasury bill monthly returns. Risk and return are combined to produce
star rankings reflecting performance relative to the average fund in a
fund's category. Five stars is the "highest" ranking (top 10%), four
stars is "above average" (next 22.5%), three stars is "average" (next
35%), two stars is "below average" (next 22.5%) and one star is "lowest"
(bottom 10%). Morningstar ranks the Fund in relation to other municipal
bond funds. Rankings are subject to change.
Investors may also wish to compare the Fund's Class A or Class B
return to the returns on fixed income investments available from banks and
thrift institutions, such as certificates of deposit, ordinary interest-
paying checking and savings accounts, and other forms of fixed or variable
time deposits, and various other instruments such as Treasury bills.
However, the Fund's returns and share price are not guaranteed and will
fluctuate daily, while bank depository obligations may be insured by the
FDIC and may provide fixed rates of return, and Treasury bills are
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government. In order
to compare the Fund's dividends to the rate of the return on taxable
investments, Federal income taxes on such investments should be
considered.
When redeemed, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than
their original cost. Returns for any given past period will not be a
predication or representation by the Fund of future returns. The returns
of the Class A and Class B shares of the Fund are affected by portfolio
quality, the type of investments the Fund holds and its operating expenses
allocated to a particular class.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A shares and a
Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares under Rule 12b-1 of the
Investment Company Act pursuant to which the Fund will reimburse the
Distributor quarterly for all or a portion of its costs incurred in
connection with the distribution and/or servicing of the shares of that
class, as described in the Prospectus. Each Plan has been approved by a
vote of (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of
the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on that Plan, and (ii) the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares of each class. For
the Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares, that vote was cast
by the Manager as the sole initial holder of Class B shares of the Fund.
In addition, under the Plans the Manager and the Distributor, in
their sole discretion, from time to time may use their own resources
(which, in the case of the Manager, may include profits from the advisory
fee it receives from the Fund) to make payments to brokers, dealers or
other financial institutions (each is referred to as a "Recipient" under
the Plans) for distribution and administrative services they perform. The
Distributor and the Manager may, in their sole discretion, increase or
decrease the amount of payments they make from their own resources to
Recipients.
Unless terminated as described below, each Plan continues in effect
from year to year but only as long as its continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees and its
Independent Trustees by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such continuance. Either Plan may be terminated at
any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the
vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) of the outstanding shares of that class. Neither Plan may be amended
to increase materially the amount of payments to be made unless such
amendment is approved by shareholders of the class affected by the
amendment. All material amendments must be approved by the Independent
Trustees.
While the Plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide separate written reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees at least
quarterly on the amount of all payments made pursuant to each Plan, the
purpose for which each payment was made and the identity of each Recipient
that received any payment. The report for the Class B Plan shall also
include the distribution costs for that quarter, and such costs for
previous fiscal periods that have been carried forward, as explained in
the Prospectus and below. Those reports, including the allocations on
which they are based, will be subject to the review and approval of the
Independent Trustees in the exercise of their fiduciary duty. Each Plan
further provides that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination
of those Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the
Trust is committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This
does not prevent the involvement of others in such selection and
nomination if the final decision on selection or nomination is approved
by a majority of the Independent Trustees.
Under the Plans, no payment will be made to any Recipient in any
quarter if the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares held by the
Recipient for itself and its customers, did not exceed a minimum amount,
if any, that may be determined from time to time by a majority of the
Fund's Independent Trustees. Initially, the Board of Trustees has set the
fees at the maximum rate and set no requirement for a minimum amount of
the assets.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, payments under the
Class A Plan totalled $162,106, all of which was paid by the Distributor
to Recipients, including $5,920 paid to MML Investor Services, Inc., an
affiliate of the Distributor. Any unreimbursed expenses incurred by the
Distributor with respect to Class A shares for any fiscal year may not be
recovered in subsequent years. Payments received by the Distributor under
the Plan for Class A shares will not be used to pay any interest expense,
carrying charge, or other financial costs, or allocation of overhead by
the Distributor.
The Class B Plan allows the service fee payment to be paid by the
Distributor to Recipients in advance for the first year Class B shares are
outstanding, and thereafter on a quarterly basis, as described in the
Prospectus. Service fee payments by the Distributor to Recipients will
be made (i) in advance for the first year Class B shares are outstanding,
following the purchase of shares, in an amount equal to 0.25% of the net
asset value of the shares purchased by the Recipient or its customers and
(ii) thereafter, on a quarterly basis, computed as of the close of
business each day at an annual rate of .25% of the average daily net asset
value of Class B shares held in accounts of the Recipient or its
customers. An exchange of shares does not entitle the Recipient to an
advance service fee payment. In the event Class B shares are redeemed
during the first year that the shares are outstanding, the Recipient will
be obligated to repay a pro rata portion of the advance payment for those
shares to the Distributor. Payments made under the Class B Plan during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1994 totalled $92,013, all paid by the
Distributor to Recipients, including $125 paid to a dealer affiliated with
the Distributor.
Although the Class B Plan permits the Distributor to retain both the
asset-based sales charges and the service fee on Class B shares, or to pay
Recipients the service fee on a quarterly basis, without payment in
advance, the Distributor intends to pay the service fee to Recipients in
the manner described above. A minimum holding period may be established
from time to time under the Class B Plan by the Board. Initially, the
Board has set no minimum holding period. All payments under the Class B
Plan are subject to the limitations imposed by the Rules of Fair Practice
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of
asset-based sales charges and service fees. The Distributor anticipates
that it will take a number of years for it to recoup (from the Fund's
payments to the Distributor under the Class B Plan and recoveries of the
contingent deferred sales charge) the sales commissions paid to authorized
brokers or dealers.
Asset-based sales charge payments are designed to permit an investor
to purchase shares of the Fund without the assessment of a front-end sales
load and at the same time permit the Distributor to compensate brokers and
dealers in connection with the sale of Class B shares of the Fund. The
Distributor's actual distribution expenses for any given year may exceed
the aggregate of payments received pursuant to the Class B Plan and from
contingent deferred sales charges, and such expenses will be carried
forward and paid in future years. The Fund will be charged only for
interest expenses, carrying charges or other financial costs that are
directly related to the carry-forward of actual distribution expenses.
For example, if the Distributor incurred distribution expenses of $4
million in a given fiscal year, of which $2,000,000 was recovered in the
form of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors and $1,600,000
was reimbursed in the form of payments made by the Fund to the Distributor
under the Class B Plan, the balance of $400,000 (plus interest) would be
subject to recovery in future fiscal years from such sources.
The Class B Plan allows for the carry-forward of distribution
expenses, to be recovered from asset-based sales charges in subsequent
fiscal periods, as described in the Prospectus. The asset-based sales
charge paid to the Distributor by the Fund under the Class B Plan is
intended to allow the Distributor to recoup the cost of sales commissions
paid to authorized brokers and dealers at the time of sale, plus financing
costs, as described in the Prospectus. Such payments may also be used to
pay for the following expenses in connection with the distribution of
Class B shares: (i) financing the advance of the service fee payment to
Recipients under the Class B Plan, (ii) compensation and expenses of
personnel employed by the Distributor to support distribution of Class B
shares, and (iii) costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses
(other than those furnished to current shareholders) and state "blue sky"
registration fees.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How To Buy Shares
Alternative Sales Arrangements - Class A and Class B Shares. The
availability of two classes of shares permits an investor to choose the
method of purchasing shares that is more beneficial to the investor
depending on the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor
expects to hold shares and other relevant circumstances. Investors should
understand that the purpose and function of the deferred sales charge and
asset-based sales charge with respect to Class B shares are the same as
those of the initial sales charge with respect to Class A shares. Any
salesperson or other person entitled to receive compensation for selling
Fund shares may receive different compensation with respect to one class
of shares than the other. The Distributor will not accept any order for
$1 million or more of Class B shares on behalf of a single investor (not
including dealer "street name" or omnibus accounts) because generally it
will be more advantageous for that investor to purchase Class A shares of
the Fund instead.
The two classes of shares each represent an interest in the same
portfolio investments of the Fund. However, each class has different
shareholder privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class
B shares and the dividends payable on Class B shares will be reduced by
incremental expenses borne solely by that class, including the asset-based
sales charge to which Class B shares are subject.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after six years
is subject to the continuing availability of a private letter ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel or tax adviser, to
the effect that the conversion of B shares does not constitute a taxable
event for the holder under Federal income tax law. If such a revenue
ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic conversion feature
may be suspended, in which event no further conversions of Class B shares
would occur while such suspension remained in effect. Although Class B
shares could then be exchanged for Class A shares on the basis of relative
net asset value of the two classes, without the imposition of a sales
charge or fee, such exchange could constitute a taxable event for the
holder, and absent such exchange, Class B shares might continue to be
subject to the asset-based sales charge for longer than six years.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's Class A and Class B shares recognizes two
types of expenses. General expenses that do not pertain specifically to
either class are allocated pro rata to the shares of each class, based on
the percentage of the net assets of such class to the Fund's total assets,
and then equally to each outstanding share within a given class. Such
general expenses include (i) management fees, (ii) legal, bookkeeping and
audit fees, (iii) printing and mailing costs of shareholder reports,
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and other materials for
current shareholders, (iv) fees to Independent Trustees, (v) custodian
expenses, (vi) share issuance costs, (vii) organization and start-up
costs, (viii) interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and (ix) non-
recurring expenses, such as litigation costs. Other expenses that are
directly attributable to a class are allocated equally to each outstanding
share within that class. Such expenses include (i) Distribution Plan
fees, (ii) incremental transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees and
expenses, (iii) registration fees and (iv) shareholder meeting expenses,
to the extent that such expenses pertain to a specific class rather than
to the Fund as a whole.
Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share. The net asset values per
share of Class A and Class B shares of the Fund are determined of the
close of The New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on each day that the
Exchange is open by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets
attributable to that class by the number of shares of that class
outstanding. The NYSE normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time, but
may close earlier on some days (for example, in case of weather
emergencies or on days before a holiday). The NYSE's most recent annual
announcement (which is subject to change) states that it will close on New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It may also close on other
days. Dealers in debt securities may conduct trading on certain days on
which the NYSE is closed (i.e. weekends or holidays, such as Good Friday).
Because the Fund's net asset value and offering prices will not be
calculated on those days, if securities of the same type held by the Fund
are traded on those days, the Fund's net asset values of Class A and Class
B shares of the Fund may be significantly affected on such days, when
shareholders will not have the ability to purchase or redeem shares.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has established procedures for the
valuation of the Fund's securities, generally as follows: (i) long-term
debt securities, and short-term debt securities having a maturity in
excess of 60 days are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices
determined by a portfolio pricing service approved by the Board or
obtained from active market makers on the basis of reasonable inquiry;
(ii) short-term debt securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or
less are valued at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and
accretion of discounts; and (iii) securities (including restricted
securities) not having readily-available market quotations are valued at
fair value under the Board's procedures.
In the case of Municipal Securities, when last sale information is
not generally available, such pricing procedures may include "matrix"
comparisons to the prices for comparable instruments on the basis of
quality, yield, maturity, and other special factors involved (such as the
tax-exempt status of the interest paid by Municipal Securities). With the
approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Manager may employ a
pricing service, bank or broker/dealer experienced in such matters to
price any of the types of securities described above. The Board has
authorized the Manager to employ a pricing service to price many of the
Fund's securities. The Trustees will monitor the accuracy of such pricing
services by comparing prices used for portfolio evaluation to actual sales
prices of selected securities.
With respect to valuation of securities which are in default in
payment of principal or interest or, as determined by the Manager, in
significant risk of such default (the "Defaulted Securities") and which
are covered by insurance obtained by the Fund, the value of the insurance
guaranteeing interest and principal payments will be an element of the net
asset value per share for the Fund. The value of the insurance will be
equal to the difference between (i) the market value of the Defaulted
Securities assuming the exercise of the right to obtain a Secondary Market
Insurance Policy (less the insurance premium attributable to the purchase
of such policy) and (ii) the market value of such Defaulted Securities not
covered by a Secondary Market Insurance Policy. In addition, the ability
of Financial Guaranty to meet its commitments under the Fund's insurance
policy, including the commitments to issue Secondary Market Insurance
Policies, will be considered. If an occurrence were to take place after
the value of a security in a portfolio was so established but before the
net asset value per share is determined which was likely to materially
change the net asset value, then such security would be valued under
procedures adopted by the Trustees to make such fair value determination.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each purchase must
be at least $25.00. Shares
will be purchased on the regular business day the Distributor
is instructed to initiate the Automated Clearing
House transfer to buy the shares. Dividends will begin
to accrue on shares purchased by the proceeds of ACH
transfers on the business day the Fund receives
Federal Funds for such purchase through the ACH system
before the close of The New York Stock Exchange.
The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., but may
close earlier on certain days. If the Federal Funds
are received on a business day after the close of the
Exchange, the shares will be purchased and
dividends will begin to accrue on the next regular business day.
The proceeds of ACH transfers are normally
received by the Fund three days after the transfers are initiated.
The Distributor and the Fund are not responsible
for any delays in purchasing shares resulting from delays in
ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus,
a reduced sales charge rate may be obtained for
Class A shares under Right of Accumulation and
Letters of Intent because of the economies of sales efforts
and reduction in expenses realized by the Distributor,
dealers and brokers making such sales. No sales charge
is imposed in certain other circumstances described
in the Prospectus because the Distributor incurs little or
no selling expenses. The term "immediate family"
refers to one's spouse, children, grandchildren,
grandparents, parents, parents-in-law,
brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, a sibling's spouse and
a spouse's siblings.
-- The OppenheimerFunds. The OppenheimerFunds are those mutual funds
for which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the sub-distributor
and include the following:
Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund
Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Florida Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer New Jersey Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Time Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer Value Stock Fund
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund
and the following "Money Market Funds":
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares
of each of the OppenheimerFunds except Money Market Funds (under certain
circumstances described herein, redemption proceeds of Money Market Fund
shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge).
-- Letters of Intent. A Letter of Intent ("Letter") is the
investor's statement of intention to purchase Class A shares of the Fund
(and other eligible OppenheimerFunds) sold with a front-end sales charge
during the 13-month period from the investor's first purchase pursuant to
the Letter (the "Letter of Intent period"), which may, at the investor's
request, include purchases made up to 90 days prior to the date of the
Letter. The Letter states the investor's intention to make the aggregate
amount of purchases (excluding any purchases made by reinvestments of
dividends or distributions or purchases made at net asset value without
sales charge), which together with the investor's holdings of such funds
(calculated at their respective public offering prices calculated on the
date of the Letter) will equal or exceed the amount specified in the
Letter. This enables the investor to obtain the reduced sales charge rate
(as set forth in the Prospectus) applicable to purchases of shares in that
amount (the "intended purchase amount"). Each purchase under the Letter
will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single lump-sum
purchase of shares in the intended purchase amount, as described in the
Prospectus.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares, but if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of
Intent period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the
investor's holdings of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal
or exceed the intended purchase amount, the investor agrees to pay the
additional amount of sales charge applicable to such purchases, as set
forth in "Terms of Escrow," below (as those terms may be amended from time
to time). The investor agrees that shares equal in value to 5% of the
intended purchase amount will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent
subject to the Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor agrees to be bound by
the terms of the Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and
the Application used for such Letter of Intent, and if such terms are
amended, as they may be from time to time by the Fund, that those
amendments will apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent
period do not equal or exceed the intended purchase amount, the
commissions previously paid to the dealer of record for the account and
the amount of sales charge retained by the Distributor will be adjusted
to the rates applicable to actual purchases. If total eligible purchases
during the Letter of Intent period exceed the intended purchase amount and
exceed the amount needed to qualify for the next sales charge rate
reduction set forth in the applicable prospectus, the sales charges paid
will be adjusted to the lower rate, but only if and when the dealer
returns to the Distributor the excess of the amount of commissions allowed
or paid to the dealer over the amount of commissions that apply to the
actual amount of purchases. The excess commissions returned to the
Distributor will be used to purchase additional shares for the investor's
account at the net asset value per share in effect on the date of such
purchase, promptly after the Distributor's receipt thereof.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter,
shares redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of
Intent period will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer
of record and/or the investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter
in placing any purchase orders for the investor during the Letter of
Intent period. All of such purchases must be made through the
Distributor.
-- Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if
necessary) made pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value
to 5% of the intended purchase amount specified in the Letter shall be
held in escrow by the Transfer Agent. For example, if the intended
purchase amount is $50,000, the escrow shall be shares valued in the
amount of $2,500 (computed at the public offering price adjusted for a
$50,000 purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions on the
escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the intended purchase amount specified under the Letter is
completed within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed
shares will be promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period
the total purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended purchase
amount specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor
an amount equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales
charges actually paid and the amount of sales charges which would have
been paid if the total amount purchased had been made at a single time.
Such sales charge adjustment will apply to any shares redeemed prior to
the completion of the Letter. If such difference in sales charges is not
paid within twenty days after a request from the Distributor or the
dealer, the Distributor will, within sixty days of the expiration of the
Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to realize such
difference in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining after
such redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received
to redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales
charge, the sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes
and appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for
redemption any or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the holding
of which may be counted toward completion of the Letter) do not include
any shares sold without a front-end sales charge or without being subject
to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge unless (for the purpose of
determining completion of the obligation to purchase shares under the
Letter) the shares were acquired in exchange for shares of one of the
OppenheimerFunds whose shares were acquired by payment of a sales charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged
for shares of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described
in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Exchange Privilege," and the
escrow will be transferred to that other fund.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan from a bank
account, a check (minimum $25) for the initial purchase must accompany the
application. Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments from bank
accounts are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent purchases
described in "How To Sell Shares," in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans
also enable shareholders of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves to use those
accounts for monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to four other
OppenheimerFunds.
There is a front-end sales charge on the purchase of certain
OppenheimerFunds, or a contingent deferred sales charge may apply to
shares purchased by Asset Builder payments. An application should be
obtained from the Distributor, completed and returned, and a prospectus
of the selected fund(s) should be obtained from the Distributor or your
financial advisor before initiating Asset Builder payments. The amount
of the Asset Builder investment may be changed or the automatic
investments may be terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer
Agent. A reasonable period (approximately 15 days) is required after the
Transfer Agent's receipt of such instructions to implement them. The Fund
reserves the right to amend, suspend, or discontinue offering such plans
at any time without prior notice.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the
Fund's shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund
unpaid) causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the
Fund's shares on the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date.
That loss is equal to the amount of the decline in the net asset value per
share multiplied by the number of shares in the purchase order. The
investor is responsible for that loss. If the investor fails to
compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor will do so. The Fund
may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming shares from any
account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the Distributor
may seek other redress.
Checkwriting. When a check is presented to the Bank for clearance, the
Bank will ask the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of full and
fractional shares in the shareholder's account to cover the amount of the
check. This enables the shareholder to continue receiving dividends on
those shares until the check is presented to the Fund. Checks may not be
presented for payment at the offices of the Bank or the Fund's Custodian.
This limitation does not affect the use of checks for the payment of bills
or to obtain cash at other banks. The Fund reserves the right to amend,
suspend, or discontinue offering checkwriting privileges at any time
without prior notice.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the
Prospectus. The information below supplements the terms and conditions for
redemptions set forth in the Prospectus.
-- Selling Shares by Wire. The wire of redemptions proceeds may be
delayed if the Fund's custodian bank is not open for business on a day
when the Fund would normally authorize the wire to be made, which is
usually the Fund's next regular business day following the redemption.
In those circumstances, the wire will not be transmitted until the next
bank business day on which the Fund is open for business. No dividends
will be paid on the proceeds of redeemed shares awaiting transfer by wire.
-- Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the
right to cause the involuntary redemption of the shares held in any
account if the aggregate net asset value of those shares is less than
$1,000 or such lesser amount as the Board may fix. The Board of Trustees
will not cause the involuntary redemption of shares in an account if the
aggregate net asset value of the shares has fallen below the stated
minimum solely as a result of market fluctuations. Should the Board elect
to exercise this right, it may also fix, in accordance with the Investment
Company Act, the requirements for any notice to be given to the
shareholders in question (not less than 30 days), or the Board may set
requirements for granting permission to the Shareholder to increase the
investment, and set other terms and conditions so that the shares would
not be involuntarily redeemed.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a shareholder
may reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of (i) Class A shares,
or (ii) Class B shares that were subject to the Class B contingent
deferred sales charge when redeemed. The reinvestment may be made without
sales charge only in Class A shares of the Fund or any of the other
OppenheimerFunds into which shares of the Fund are exchangeable as
described below, at the net asset value next computed after the Transfer
Agent receives the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the
Distributor for that privilege at the time of reinvestment. Any capital
gain that was realized when the shares were redeemed is taxable, and
reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that gain.
If there has been a capital loss on the redemption, some or all of the
loss may not be tax deductible, depending on the timing and amount of the
reinvestment. Under the Internal Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds
of Fund shares on which a sales charge was paid are reinvested in shares
of the Fund or another of the OppenheimerFunds within 90 days of payment
of the sales charge, the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund
that were redeemed may not include the amount of the sales charge paid.
That would reduce the loss or increase the gain recognized from the
redemption. However, in that case the sales charge would be added to the
basis of the shares acquired by the reinvestment of the redemption
proceeds. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this reinvestment
privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such
amendment, suspension or cessation.
Transfers of Shares. Shares are not subject to the payment of a
contingent deferred sales charge of either class at the time of transfer
to the name of another person or entity (whether the transfer occurs by
absolute assignment, gift or bequest, not involving, directly or
indirectly, a public sale). The transferred shares will remain subject
to the contingent deferred sales charge, calculated as if the transferee
shareholder had acquired the transferred shares in the same manner and at
the same time as the transferring shareholder. If less than all shares
held in an account are transferred, and some but not all shares in the
account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed
at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the Prospectus under
"How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class B contingent deferred
sales charge will be followed in determining the order in which shares are
transferred.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and Brokers.
The Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares from
authorized dealers or brokers. The repurchase price per share will be the
net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives the order
placed by the dealer or broker, except that if the Distributor receives
a repurchase order from a dealer or broker after the close of the New York
Stock Exchange on a regular business day, it will be processed at that
day's net asset value if the order was received by the dealer or broker
from its customer prior to the time the Exchange closes (normally 4:00
P.M., but may be earlier on some days) and the order was transmitted to
and received by the Distributor prior to its close of business that day
(normally 5:00 P.M.). Payment ordinarily will be made within seven days
after the Distributor's receipt of the required redemption documents, with
signature(s) guaranteed as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the
Fund valued at $5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem
shares (minimum $50) automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual
or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be
redeemed three business days prior to the date requested by the
shareholder for receipt of the payment. Automatic withdrawals of up to
$1,500 per month may be requested by telephone if payments are to be made
by check payable to all shareholders of record and sent to the address of
record for the account (and if the address has not been changed within the
prior 30 days). Payments are normally made by check, but shareholders
having AccountLink privileges (see "How To Buy Shares") may arrange to
have Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments transferred to the bank account
designated on the OppenheimerFunds New Account Application or signature-
guaranteed instructions. The Fund cannot guarantee receipt of a payment
on the date requested and reserves the right to amend, suspend or
discontinue offering such plans at any time without prior notice. Because
of the sales charge assessed on Class A share purchases, shareholders
should not make regular additional Class A share purchases while
participating in an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Class B shareholders
should not establish withdrawal plans that would require the redemption
of shares purchased subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and held
less than 6 years, because of the imposition of the Class B contingent
deferred sales charge on such withdrawals (except where the Class B
contingent deferred sales charge is waived as described in the Prospectus
under "Class B Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the
shareholder agrees to the terms and conditions applicable to such plans,
as stated below and in the provisions of the OppenheimerFunds Application
relating to such Plans, as well as the Prospectus. These provisions may
be amended from time to time by the Fund and/or the Distributor. When
adopted, such amendments will automatically apply to existing Plans.
-- Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the
Transfer Agent (on the OppenheimerFunds Application or signature-
guaranteed instructions) to exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of
the Fund for shares (of the same class) of other OppenheimerFunds
automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under
an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum amount that may be exchanged to
each other fund account is $25. Exchanges made under these plans are
subject to the restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth in "How
to Exchange Shares" in the Prospectus and below in this Statement of
Additional Information.
-- Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as
necessary to meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales
charge will be redeemed first and shares acquired with reinvested
dividends and capital gains distributions will be redeemed next, followed
by shares acquired with a sales charge, to the extent necessary to make
withdrawal payments. Depending upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's
principal may be depleted. Payments made under withdrawal plans should
not be considered as a yield or income on your investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic
Withdrawal Plan (the "Plan") as agent for the investor (the "Planholder")
who executed the Plan authorization and application submitted to the
Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall incur no liability to the
Planholder for any action taken or omitted by the Transfer Agent in good
faith to administer the Plan. Certificates will not be issued for shares
of the Fund purchased for and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent
will credit all such shares to the account of the Planholder on the
records of the Fund. Any share certificates held by a Planholder may be
surrendered unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with the Plan application so
that the shares represented by the certificate may be held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done
at net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in
the account may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Redemptions of shares needed to make withdrawal payments will be made
at the net asset value per share determined on the redemption date.
Checks or AccountLink payments of the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will
normally be transmitted three business days prior to the date selected for
receipt of the payment (receipt of payment on the date selected cannot be
guaranteed), according to the choice specified in writing by the
Planholder.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address
to which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent
may be changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer
Agent. The Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time in mailing
such notification for the requested change to be put in effect. The
Planholder may, at any time, instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice
(in proper form in accordance with the requirements of the then-current
Prospectus of the Fund) to redeem all, or any part of, the shares held
under the Plan. In that case, the Transfer Agent will redeem the number
of shares requested at the net asset value per share in effect in
accordance with the Fund's usual redemption procedures and will mail a
check for the proceeds to the Planholder.
The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Planholder by writing
to the Transfer Agent. A Plan may also be terminated at any time by the
Transfer Agent upon receiving directions to that effect from the Fund.
The Transfer Agent will also terminate a Plan upon receipt of evidence
satisfactory to it of the death or legal incapacity of the Planholder.
Upon termination of a Plan by the Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that
have not been redeemed from the account will be held in uncertificated
form in the name of the Planholder, and the account will continue as a
dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated account unless and until proper
instructions are received from the Planholder or his or her executor or
guardian, or other authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the
Planholder may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated
form. Upon written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will
determine the number of shares for which a certificate may be issued
without causing the withdrawal checks to stop because of exhaustion of
uncertificated shares needed to continue payments. However, should such
uncertificated shares become exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund,
the Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer
agent to act as agent in administering the Plan.
How To Exchange Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of
OppenheimerFunds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged
only for shares of the same class of other OppenheimerFunds. Shares of
the OppenheimerFunds that have a single class without a class designation
are deemed "Class A" shares for this purpose. All OppenheimerFunds offer
Class A
shares (except for Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund), but
only the following other
OppenheimerFunds currently offer Class B shares:
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income Fund
Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Florida Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer New Jersey Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Value Stock Fund
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves (Class B shares are only
available by exchange)
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Class A shares of OppenheimerFunds may be exchanged at net asset
value for shares of any Money Market Fund. Shares of any Money Market
Fund purchased without a sales charge may be exchanged for shares of
OppenheimerFunds offered with a sales charge upon payment of the sales
charge (or, if applicable, may be used to purchase shares of
OppenheimerFunds subject to a contingent deferred sales charge). Shares
of this Fund acquired by reinvestment of dividends or distributions from
any other of the OppenheimerFunds or from any unit investment trust for
which reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor may
be exchanged at net asset value for shares of any of the OppenheimerFunds.
No contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of
either class purchased subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
However, when Class A shares acquired by exchange of Class A shares of
other OppenheimerFunds purchased subject to a Class A contingent deferred
sales charge are redeemed within 18 months of the end of the calendar
month of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class A shares, the Class
A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on the redeemed shares (see
"Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus). The Class
B contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on Class B shares acquired
by exchange if they are redeemed within 6 years of the initial purchase
of the exchanged Class B shares.
When Class B shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the
priorities described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the
imposition of the Class B contingent deferred sales charge will be
followed in determining the order in which the shares are exchanged.
Shareholders should take into account the effect of any exchange on the
applicability and rate of any contingent deferred sales charge that might
be imposed in the subsequent redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders
owning shares of both classes must specify whether they intend to exchange
Class A or Class B shares.
The Fund reserves the right to reject telephone or written exchange
requests submitted in bulk by anyone on behalf of 10 or more accounts. The
Fund may accept requests for exchanges of up to 50 accounts per day from
representatives of authorized dealers that qualify for this privilege. In
connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged may
be less than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested
would include shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or
this Statement of Additional Information or would include shares covered
by a share certificate that is not tendered with the request. In those
cases, only the shares available for exchange without restriction will be
exchanged.
When exchanging shares by telephone, a shareholder must either have
an existing account in, or obtain and acknowledge receipt of a prospectus
of, the fund to which the exchange is to be made. For full or partial
exchanges of an account made by telephone, any special account features
such as Asset Builder Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans will be
switched to the new account unless the Transfer Agent is instructed
otherwise. If all telephone lines are busy (which might occur, for
example, during periods of substantial market fluctuations), shareholders
might not be able to request exchanges by telephone and would have to
submit written exchange requests.
Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on the regular business day the
Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in proper form (the
"Redemption Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired are
purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by
either fund up to five business days if it determines that it would be
disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The
Fund reserves the right, in its discretion, to refuse any exchange request
that may disadvantage it (for example, if the receipt of multiple exchange
requests from a dealer might require the disposition of portfolio
securities at a time or at a price that might be disadvantageous to the
Fund).
The different OppenheimerFunds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks, and a shareholder should assure
that the Fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should
be aware of the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal income tax
purposes, an exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of
one fund and a purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege,"
above, discusses some of the tax consequences of reinvestment of
redemption proceeds in such cases. The Fund, the Distributor, and the
Transfer Agent are unable to provide investment, tax or legal advice to
a shareholder in connection with an exchange request or any other
investment transaction.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Tax Status of the Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Fund
intends to qualify under the Internal Revenue Code during each fiscal year
to pay "exempt-interest dividends" to its shareholders. Exempt-interest
dividends which are derived from net investment income earned by the Fund
on Municipal Securities will be excludable from gross income of
shareholders for Federal income tax purposes. Net investment income
includes the allocation of amounts of income from the Municipal Securities
in the Fund's portfolio which are free from Federal income taxes. This
allocation will be made by the use of one designated percentage applied
uniformly to all income dividends made during the Fund's tax year. Such
designation will normally be made following the end of each fiscal year
as to income dividends paid in the prior year. The percentage of income
designated as tax-exempt may substantially differ from the percentage of
the Fund's income that was tax-exempt for a given period. A portion of
the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund may be an item of tax
preference for shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax. All
of the Fund's dividends (excluding capital gains distributions) paid
during 1994 were exempt from Federal personal income taxes. The amount
of any dividends attributable to tax preference items for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax will be identified when tax information is
distributed by the Fund. Corporate shareholders and "substantial users"
of facilities financed by Private Activity Municipal Securities should see
"Private Activity Municipal Securities."
A shareholder receiving a dividend from income earned by the Fund
from one or more of: (1) certain taxable temporary investments (such as
certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and
obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities);
(2) income from securities loans; or (3) an excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss from the Fund, treats the
dividend as a receipt of either ordinary income or long-term capital gain
in the computation of gross income, regardless of whether the dividend is
reinvested. The Fund's dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-
received deduction for corporations. Shareholders receiving Social
Security benefits should be aware that exempt-interest dividends are a
factor in determining whether such benefits are subject to Federal income
tax. Losses realized by shareholders on the redemption of Fund shares
within six months of purchase (which period may be shortened by
regulation) will be disallowed for Federal income tax purposes to the
extent of exempt-interest dividends received on such shares.
Dividends, distributions and the proceeds of the redemption of Fund
shares represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal
Service as undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money
Market Fund, Inc. as promptly as possible after the return of such checks
to the Transfer Agent to enable the investor to earn a return on otherwise
idle funds.
Long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable as long-
term capital gains whether received in cash or reinvested and regardless
of how long Fund shares have been held. Dividends paid by the Fund
derived from net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income, whether received in cash or reinvested. For information
on "backup withholding" on taxable dividends, see "How To Sell Shares."
Interest on loans used to purchase shares of the Fund may not be deducted
for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by the Internal Revenue
Service to determine when borrowed funds are deemed used for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of Fund shares
may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though the
borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on
amounts paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund qualified as
a regulated investment company in its last fiscal year and intends to
qualify in future years, but reserves the right not to qualify. The
Internal Revenue Code contains a number of complex tests to determine
whether the Fund will qualify, and the Fund might not meet those tests in
a particular year. For example, if the Fund derives 30% or more of its
gross income from the sale of securities held less than three months, it
may fail to qualify (see "Tax Aspects of Covered Calls and Hedging
Instruments," above). If it does not qualify, the Fund will be treated for
tax purposes as an ordinary corporation, will receive no tax deduction for
payments of dividends and distributions made to shareholders and would be
unable to pay "exempt-interest" dividends as discussed above.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year the Fund
must distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January
1 through December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized
in the period from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the
current year, or else the Fund must pay an excise tax on the amounts not
distributed. The Manager might determine in a particular year that it
might be in the best interest of shareholders for the Fund not to make
distributions at the required levels and to pay the excise tax on the
undistributed amounts. That would reduce the amount of income or capital
gains available for distribution to shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect
to reinvest all dividends and/or distributions in shares of the same class
of any of the other OppenheimerFunds listed in "Reduced Sales Charges,"
above, at net asset value without sales charge. Class B shareholders
should be aware that as of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, not all of the OppenheimerFunds offer Class B shares. To
elect this option, a shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing
and either must have an existing account in the fund selected for
investment or must obtain a prospectus for that fund and an application
from the Distributor to establish an account. The investment will be made
at the net asset value per share in effect at the close of business on
the payable date of the dividend or distribution. Dividends and
distributions from other Eligible Funds may be invested in shares of this
Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About the Fund
The Custodian. Citibank, N.A. is the custodian of the Fund's assets. The
Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the
Fund's portfolio securities and handling the delivery of portfolio
securities to and from the Fund. The Manager has represented to the Fund
that its banking relationships with the Custodian have been and will
continue to be unrelated to and unaffected by the relationship between the
Fund and the Custodian. It will be the practice of the Fund to deal with
the Custodian in a manner uninfluenced by any banking relationship the
Custodian may have with the Manager and its affiliates.
Independent Auditors. The independent auditors of the Fund audit the
Manager's and the Fund's financial statements and perform other related
audit services. They also act as auditors for certain other funds advised
by the Manager and its affiliates.
<PAGE>
Appendix A
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Municipal Bond Ratings.
Moody's Investor Services, Inc. The four highest ratings of Moody's
for Municipal Securities are "Aaa," "Aa," "A" and "Baa." Moody's basis
of such ratings is as follows. Municipal Securities rated "Aaa" are
judged to be of the "best quality." The rating "Aa" is assigned to bonds
which are of "high quality by all standards," but as to which margins of
protection or other elements make long-term risks appear somewhat larger
than "Aaa" rated Municipal Securities. The "Aaa" and "Aa" rated bonds
comprise what are generally known as "high grade bonds." Municipal
Securities which are rated "A" by Moody's possess many favorable
investment attributes and are considered "upper medium grade obligations."
Factors giving security to principal and interest of bonds rated "A" are
considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment at some time in the future. Municipal
Securities rated "Baa" are considered "medium grade" obligations. 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. Those bonds in the "Aa," "A" and "Baa" groups which
Moody's believes possess the strongest attributes are designated "Aa1,"
"A1" and "Baa1."
In addition to the alphabetical rating system described above,
Municipal Securities rated by Moody's which have a demand feature that
provides the holder with the ability periodically to tender (put) the
portion of the debt covered by the demand feature, may also have a short-
term rating assigned to such demand feature. The short-term rating uses
the symbol VMIG to distinguish characteristics which include payment upon
periodic demand rather than fund or scheduled maturity dates and potential
reliance upon external liquidity, as well as other factors. The highest
investment quality is designated by the VMIG 1 rating and the lowest by
VMIG 4.
Standard & Poor's Corporation. The four highest ratings of S&P for
Municipal Securities are AAA (Prime), AA (High Grade), A (Good Grade), and
BBB (Medium Grade). Standard & Poor's basis of such ratings is as
follows. Municipal Securities rated AAA are "obligations of the highest
quality." The rating AA is accorded issues with investment
characteristics "only slightly less marked than those of the prime quality
issues." The rating A describes "the third strongest capacity for payment
of debt service." Principal and interest payments on bonds in this
category are regarded as safe. It differs from the two higher ratings
because, with respect to general obligation bonds, there is some weakness,
either in the local economic base, in debt burden, in the balance between
revenues and expenditures, or in quality of management. Under certain
adverse circumstances, any one such weakness might impair the ability of
the issuer to meet debt obligations at some future date. With respect to
revenue bonds rated A, debt service coverage is good, but not exceptional.
Stability of the pledged revenues could show some variations because of
increased competition or economic influences on revenues. Basic security
provisions, while satisfactory, are less stringent. Management
performance appears adequate.
The BBB rating is the lowest "investment grade" security rating. The
difference between A and BBB ratings is that the latter shows more than
one fundamental weakness, or one very substantial fundamental weakness,
whereas the former shows only one deficiency among the factors considered.
With respect to revenue bonds, debt coverage is only fair. Stability of
the pledged revenues could show variations, with the revenue flow possibly
being subject to erosion over time. Basic security provisions are no more
than adequate. Management performance could be stronger. The ratings AA,
A, and BBB may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show
relative standing within the major rating categories.
Municipal Note Ratings.
Moody's. Moody's ratings for state and Municipal Notes and other
short-term loans are designated "Moody's Investment Grade" ("MIG"). Notes
bearing the designation "MIG 1" are of the best quality, enjoying strong
protection from established cash flows of funds for their servicing or
from established and broad-based access to the market for financing.
Notes bearing the designation "MIG 2" are of high quality, with ample
margins of protection, although not so large as notes rated "MIG 1." Such
short-term notes which have demand features may also carry a rating using
the symbol "VMIG" as described above, with the designation "MIG 1/VMIG 1"
denoting best quality, with superior liquidity support in addition to
those characteristics attributable to the designation "MIG 1."
Standard & Poor's. Standard & Poor's ratings for Municipal Notes due
in three years or less are "SP1" and "SP2." "SP1" describes issues with
a very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest and
compares with bonds rated "A" by Standard & Poor's; if modified by a plus
sign, it compares with bonds rated "AA" or "AAA" by Standard & Poor's.
"SP2" describes issues with a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
interest, and compares with bonds rated "BBB" by Standard & Poor's.
In addition to the alphabetical rating system described above,
Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's which have a demand feature that provides
the holder with the ability periodically to tender (put) the portion of
the debt covered by the demand feature, may also have a short-term rating
assigned to such demand feature. The short-term rating uses the symbol
"VMIG" to distinguish characteristics which include payment upon periodic
demand rather than fund or scheduled maturity dates and potential reliance
upon external liquidity, as well as other factors. The highest investment
quality is designated by the "VMIG 1" rating and the lowest by "VMIG 4."
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the statement of investments, of Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund as of September 30, 1994, the related statement of operations
for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for the
years ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 and the financial highlights for
the period October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1994. These financial
statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial
highlights (except for total return) for the period November 11, 1986
(commencement of operations) to September 30, 1989 were audited by other
auditors, whose report dated November 2, 1989 expressed an unqualified
opinion on those financial highlights.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures
included confirmation of securities owned at September 30, 1994 by
correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial
highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund at September 30,
1994, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and
the financial highlights for the respective stated periods, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
October 21, 1994
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS September 30, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
==========================================================
==========================================================
===========
MUNICIPAL BONDS AND NOTES--97.9%
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALABAMA--1.4% Pelham, Alabama General Obligation Warrants,
AMBAC Insured, 7.10%, 8/1/15 Aaa/AAA/AAA $1,000,000 $1,112,331
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALASKA--4.9% Alaska Energy Authority Power Revenue Bonds,
Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project, Series 2,
MBIA Insured, 7.25%, 7/1/21 Aaa/AAA 500,000 532,496
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Slope Boro, Alaska General Obligation
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series G, FSA Insured,
8.35%, 6/30/98 Aaa/AAA/A- 3,000,000 3,337,251
------------
3,869,747
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALIFORNIA--5.5% California Public Capital Improvements
Financing Authority Revenue Bonds, Pooled
Project, Series B, BIG Insured, 8.10%, 3/1/18 Aaa/AAA 240,000 261,624
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loma Linda, California Revenue Bonds,
City Hall & Public Improvement Projects,
AMBAC Insured, 5.40%, 1/1/16 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 1,746,162
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles County, California Metropolitan
Transportation Authority Sales Tax Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series A, MBIA Insured,
5.625%, 7/1/18 Aaa/AAA/A+ 1,500,000 1,341,198
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sacramento, California Municipal Electric
Utility District Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series G, MBIA Insured, 6.50%, 9/1/13 Aaa/AAA/A- 1,000,000 1,022,974
-----------
4,371,958
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLORADO--2.1% Colorado Health Facilities Authority
Revenue Bonds:
PSL Health System Project,
Series A, FSA Insured, 7.25%, 2/15/16 Aaa/AAA 500,000 539,242
Rose Medical Center, Prerefunded,
MBIA Insured, 7%, 8/15/21 Aaa/AAA 500,000 553,548
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poudre Valley, Colorado Hospital District
Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded, AMBAC Insured,
6.625%, 12/1/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 540,468
-----------
1,633,258
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DELAWARE--2.8% Delaware Transportation System Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, 7.75%, 7/1/04 Aaa/AAA 2,000,000 2,210,050
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLORIDA--1.2% Orange County, Florida Tourist Development
Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
MBIA Insured, 5.90%, 10/1/10 Aaa/AAA/A 1,000,000 974,767
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEORGIA--1.2% Fulton De Kalb, Georgia Hospital Authority
Revenue Certificates, Prerefunded, Series A,
AMBAC Insured, 7.25%, 1/1/20 Aaa/AAA/AAA 900,000 994,873
</TABLE>
4 Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ILLINOIS--7.6% Chicago, Illinois Midway Airport Revenue
Bonds, Series A, MBIA Insured, 6.25%, 1/1/14 Aaa/AAA $ 500,000 $ 482,071
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cook County, Illinois Community College District
No. 508 Certificates of Participation:
FGIC Insured, 8.75%, 1/1/05 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 612,288
Lease Certificates, Series C,
MBIA Insured, 7.70%, 12/1/07 Aaa/AAA 2,500,000 2,863,110
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds,
Memorial Medical Center Project, MBIA Insured,
6.75%, 10/1/11 Aaa/AAA 2,000,000 2,069,036
-----------
6,026,505
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDIANA--5.8% Fort Wayne, Indiana Hospital Authority Revenue
Bonds, Parkview Memorial Hospital Project,
Series A, FGIC Insured, 7.50%, 11/15/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 250,000 270,579
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton Southeastern, Indiana Consolidated
School Building Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Fst. Mtg., AMBAC Insured, 7%, 7/1/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 535,303
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority
Hospital Revenue Bonds, Community
Hospital of Indiana, MBIA Insured, 7%, 7/1/21 Aaa/AAA 500,000 528,717
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana State Office Building Revenue
Bonds, Commission Capital Complex,
Series B, MBIA Insured, 7.40%, 7/1/15 Aaa/AAA 2,500,000 2,757,040
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whitko, Indiana Middle School Building Corp.
Revenue Bonds, Fst. Mtg., AMBAC Insured,
6.75%, 7/15/12 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 513,624
-----------
4,605,263
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KANSAS--1.3% Burlington, Kansas Pollution Control Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Kansas Gas and Electric Co.
Project, MBIA Insured, 7%, 6/1/31 Aaa/AAA 1,000,000 1,055,228
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASSACHUSETTS--6.8% Massachusetts State General Obligation Bonds,
FGIC Insured, 7.875%, 6/1/97 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,500,000 1,615,891
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts State Health & Educational
Facilities Revenue Bonds, Lahey Clinic Medical
Center, Series B, MBIA Insured, 5.625%, 7/1/15 Aaa/AAA 2,000,000 1,802,900
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts State Housing Finance
Revenue Bonds, Series A, AMBAC Insured,
6.60%, 7/1/14 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 1,990,998
-----------
5,409,789
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHIGAN--3.5% Detroit, Michigan Sewage Disposal System Revenue
Refunding Bonds, FGIC Insured, 7.72%, 7/1/23(1) Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 1,529,110
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lansing, Michigan Sewer Disposal Revenue
Refunding Bonds, FGIC Insured, 5.85%, 5/1/14 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,000,000 946,479
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan Municipal Board Authority Revenue
Bonds, Local Government, Group 19, AMBAC
Insured, 7.50%, 11/1/09 Aaa/AAA/AAA 250,000 272,448
-----------
2,748,037
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NEBRASKA--0.7% Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Hospital
Revenue Bonds, Nebraska Methodist Health System,
MBIA Insured, 7%, 3/1/06 Aaa/AAA $ 500,000 $ 532,776
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEVADA--4.1% Clark County, Nevada School District General
Obligation Bonds, Series B, MBIA Insured, 6.75%,
3/1/08 Aaa/AAA 2,000,000 2,080,590
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Humboldt County, Nevada Pollution Control
Revenue Bonds, Idaho Power Co. Project,
AMBAC Insured, 8.30%, 12/20/14 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,000,000 1,159,136
-----------
3,239,726
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW HAMPSHIRE--0.6% New Hampshire Turnpike System Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series A, FGIC Insured,
6.75%, 11/1/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 523,153
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY--4.0% Bergen County, New Jersey Utilities Authority
Water Pollution Control Revenue Bonds, Series A,
FGIC Insured, 6.50%, 12/15/12 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 509,664
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East Orange, New Jersey General Obligation Bonds,
FSA Insured, 8.40%, 8/1/06 Aaa/AAA 1,000,000 1,216,439
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union City, New Jersey General Obligation Bonds,
FSA Insured, 6.375%, 11/1/10 Aaa/AAA 1,435,000 1,471,293
-----------
3,197,396
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK--16.3% New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Water and Sewer
System Project:
Series B, AMBAC Insured, 5.375%, 6/15/19 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,805,000 1,559,581
Series B, MBIA Insured, 5.375%, 6/15/19 Aaa/AAA/A 1,000,000 861,840
Series F, AMBAC Insured, 5.50%, 6/15/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 4,000,000 3,699,052
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance
Agency Revenue Bonds, Mental Health Services
Facilities Improvement Project:
Prerefunded, Series A, MBIA Insured, 7.75%,
8/15/10 Aaa/AAA 235,000 267,402
Prerefunded, Series B, CGIC Insured, 7.875%,
8/15/15 Baa1/AAA/AAA 500,000 560,836
Unrefunded Balance, MBIA Insured, 7.75%, 8/15/10 Aaa/AAA 370,000 408,317
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Correctional Facilities Capital
Project, Series A, FSA Insured, 5.25%, 1/1/14 Aaa/AAA/A 4,115,000 3,570,433
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suffolk County, New York Industrial Development
Authority Revenue Bonds, Southwest Sewer
System, FGIC Insured, 6%, 2/1/07 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 2,018,908
-----------
12,946,369
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OHIO--1.8% Ohio Municipal Electric Generation Agency
Revenue Bonds, Joint Venture No. 5, AMBAC
Insured, 5.625%, 2/15/16 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,000,000 909,746
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Streetsboro, Ohio City School District General
Obligation Bonds, AMBAC Insured, 7.125%, 12/1/10 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 546,489
-----------
1,456,235
</TABLE>
6 Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OKLAHOMA--3.0% Grove, Oklahoma Municipal Services Authority
Utility and Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 1991,
CGIC Insured, 7%, 2/1/16 Aaa/AAA $1,115,000 $1,157,569
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norman, Oklahoma Regional Hospital Authority
Revenue Bonds, MBIA Insured, 6.90%, 9/1/21 Aaa/AAA 500,000 516,755
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oklahoma Baptist University Authority Revenue
Bonds, FGIC Insured, 7.10%, 8/1/09 Aaa/AAA/AAA 150,000 159,075
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tulsa, Oklahoma Airports Improvement Trust
Consolidated General Revenue Bonds, MBIA
Insured, 7.50%, 6/1/08 Aaa/AAA 500,000 537,216
-----------
2,370,615
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENNSYLVANIA--8.9% Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Hospital
Development Authority Revenue Bonds,
Presbyterian University Hospital, Prerefunded,
Series A, MBIA Insured, 7.60%, 3/1/08 Aaa/AAA 1,400,000 1,492,442
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berks County, Pennsylvania General
Obligation Bonds, FGIC Insured, 6.30%, 11/10/20 Aaa/AAA 2,000,000 2,060,100
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Butler County, Pennsylvania Hospital Authority
Revenue Bonds, North Hills Passavant Hospital,
Series A, CGIC Insured, 7%, 6/1/22 Aaa/AAA 200,000 212,511
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania State Higher Education
Assistance Agency Student Loan Residual
Interest Revenue Bonds, Series 1992B,
AMBAC Insured, 8.77%, 3/1/22(1) Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,250,000 1,075,997
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Regional
Port Authority Lease Revenue Bonds,
MBIA Insured, 8.87%, 9/1/20(1) Aaa/AAA 1,900,000 1,735,538
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania School
District General Obligation Bonds,
Series A, MBIA Insured, 5.75%, 7/1/07 Aaa/AAA 500,000 489,787
-----------
7,066,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH CAROLINA--1.1% Florence County, South Carolina School District
No. 003 Certificates of Participation, Series B,
CGIC Insured, 7%, 1/1/11 Aaa/AAA 310,000 321,890
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sumter County, South Carolina School District
No. 017, Certificates of Participation, Series A,
CGIC Insured, 7.125%, 1/1/11 Aaa/AAA 500,000 530,758
-----------
852,648
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXAS--6.8% Austin, Texas Combined Utility Systems Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series A, MBIA Insured, 0%,
11/15/09 Aaa/AAA 3,615,000 1,408,490
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Regional Airport Revenue
Bonds, FGIC Insured, 6.50%, 11/1/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,600,000 1,620,928
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston, Texas Certificates of Participation,
Water Conveyance System Project, Series J, AMBAC
Insured, 6.125%, 12/15/08 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,345,000 2,366,923
-----------
5,396,341
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
VIRGINIA--1.8% Norfolk, Virginia Water Revenue Bonds,
AMBAC Insured, 5.25%, 11/1/13 Aaa/AAA/AAA $1,000,000 $ 869,283
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roanoke, Virginia Industrial Development
Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Roanoke
Memorial Hospital Project-Carilion Health,
Prerefunded, MBIA Insured, 7.25%, 7/1/10 Aaa/AAA 500,000 556,202
-----------
1,425,485
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON--1.0% Washington State Public Power Supply
System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
FGIC Insured, 0%, 7/1/09 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 770,642
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WISCONSIN--1.3% Wisconsin State Health & Educational
Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds:
Novus Health Group, Series B,
MBIA Insured, 6.75%, 12/15/20 Aaa/AAA 500,000 504,704
SSM Healthcare Projects, Prerefunded,
Series B, MBIA Insured, 7%, 6/1/20 Aaa/AAA 500,000 549,574
-----------
1,054,278
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. POSSESSIONS--2.4% Puerto Rico Commonwealth Linked Revenue
Bonds, MBIA/FSA Insured, 5.831%, 7/1/20 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 1,890,478
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS, AT VALUE (COST $80,017,715) 97.9%
77,734,323
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER ASSETS NET OF LIABILITIES 2.1 1,629,144
--------- -----------
NET ASSETS 100.0% $79,363,467
========= ===========
</TABLE>
(1) Represents the current interest rate for a variable rate bond.
Variable rate bonds known as "inverse floaters" pay interest at a rate
that varies inversely with short-term interest rates. As interest
rates rise, inverse floaters produce less current
income. Their price may be more volatile than the
price of a comparable fixed-rate security. See
acompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE> 9
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES September 30, 1994
<TABLE>
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS Investments, at value (cost $80,017,715)--see accompanying statement $77,734,323
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 16,208
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivables:
Interest 1,218,784
Shares of beneficial interest sold 898,539
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 6,071
------------
Total assets 79,873,925
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
LIABILITIES Payables and other liabilities:
Dividends 234,852
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 164,218
Distribution and service plan fees--Note 4 48,163
Other 63,225
------------
Total liabilities 510,458
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
NET ASSETS $79,363,467
============
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
COMPOSITION OF Paid-in capital $82,436,070
NET ASSETS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income 20,250
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss from investment transactions (809,461)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation on investments--Note 3 (2,283,392)
------------
Net assets $79,363,467
============
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
NET ASSET VALUE Class A Shares:
PER SHARE Net asset value and redemption price per share (based on net assets
of $67,792,867 and 4,201,168 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $16.14
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value plus sales charge
of 4.75% of offering price) $16.94
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price per share (based on
net assets of $11,570,600 and 716,638 shares of beneficial interest
outstanding) $16.15
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
9 Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE> 10
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended September 30, 1994
<TABLE>
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME Interest $ 4,780,017
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
EXPENSES Management fees--Note 4 342,465
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service plan fees:
Class A--Note 4 162,106
Class B--Note 4 92,013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration and filing fees:
Class A 81,961
Class B 13,464
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees--Note 4 85,934
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder reports 55,261
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal and auditing fees 12,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian fees and expenses 5,321
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustees' fees and expenses 1,877
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 21,271
-----------
Total expenses 873,673
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
NET INVESTMENT INCOME 3,906,344
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED Net realized loss on investments (811,863)
LOSS ON INVESTMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments (7,639,229)
-----------
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments (8,451,092)
==========================================================
==========================================================
=====
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$(4,544,748)
===========
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1993
==========================================================
==========================================================
===============
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS Net investment income $ 3,906,344 $ 2,520,182
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (811,863) 242,996
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments (7,639,229) 3,653,486
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (4,544,748) 6,416,664
==========================================================
==========================================================
===============
DIVIDENDS AND Dividends from net investment income:
DISTRIBUTIONS TO Class A ($.8620 and $.96 per share, respectively) (3,348,993)
(2,518,298)
SHAREHOLDERS Class B ($.7310 and $.30 per share, respectively) (388,291) (38,890)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends in excess of net investment income:
Class A ($.0282 per share) (109,723) --
Class B ($.0240 per share) (12,722) --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain on investments:
Class A ($.0763 and $.18 per share, respectively) (279,752) (387,637)
Class B ($.0763 per share) (27,180) --
==========================================================
==========================================================
===============
BENEFICIAL INTEREST Net increase in net assets resulting from Class A
TRANSACTIONS beneficial interest transactions--Note 2 13,295,652 25,043,911
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from Class B
beneficial interest transactions--Note 2 7,516,981 4,995,749
==========================================================
==========================================================
===============
NET ASSETS Total increase 12,101,224 33,511,499
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of year 67,262,243 33,750,744
------------ ------------
End of year (including undistributed net investment
income of $20,250 and $64,446, respectively) $79,363,467 $67,262,243
============
============
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
11 Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE> 12
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
-------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990(3) 1989
==========================================================
=====================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning
of period $18.06 $16.92 $16.17 $15.16 $15.27 $14.96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from
investment operations:
Net investment income .89 .93 .96 .92 .98 1.06
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (1.84) 1.35 .73 1.01 (.11) .31
------ ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total income (loss) from
investment
operations (.95) 2.28 1.69 1.93 .87 1.37
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and
distributions to
shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (.86) (.96) (.91) (.92) (.98) (1.06)
Dividends in excess
of net investment
income (.03) -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from net
realized gain on
investments (.08) (.18) (.03) -- -- --
------ ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total dividends and
distributions to
shareholders (.97) (1.14) (.94) (.92) (.98) (1.06)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $16.14 $18.06 $16.92 $16.17 $15.16 $15.27
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
==========================================================
=====================================
TOTAL RETURN, AT
NET ASSET VALUE(4) (5.46)% 14.02% 10.74% 13.08% 5.81% 9.37%
==========================================================
=====================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $67,793 $62,158 $33,751 $23,791 $16,863 $13,105
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets
(in thousands) $66,953 $45,949 $27,811 $19,936 $15,145 $11,200
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares
outstanding
at end of period
(in thousands) 4,201 3,442 1,995 1,471 1,113 858
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net
assets:
Net investment income 5.23% 5.40% 5.81% 5.83% 6.43% 6.87%
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by
the Manager 1.05% 1.18% 1.35% 1.60% 1.62% 2.04%
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager N/A 1.10% .95% .91% .62% .42%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 99% 7% 47% 67% 62% 142%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B
------------------- ------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1988 1987(2) 1994 1993(1)
==========================================================
====================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning
of period $13.79 $16.00 $18.07 $17.33
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from
investment operations:
Net investment income 1.07 .92 .77 .30
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments 1.17 (2.21) (1.86) .74
----- ----- ----- -----
Total income (loss) from
investment
operations 2.24 (1.29) (1.09) 1.04
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and
distributions to
shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (1.07) (.92) (.73) (.30)
Dividends in excess
of net
investment
income -- -- (.02) --
Distributions from net
realized gain on
investments -- -- (.08) --
----- ----- ----- -----
Total dividends and
distributions to
shareholders (1.07) (.92) (.83) (.30)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $14.96 $13.79 $16.15 $18.07
====== ====== ====== ======
==========================================================
====================
TOTAL RETURN, AT
NET ASSET VALUE(4) 16.67% (8.36)% (6.20)% 6.04%
==========================================================
====================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $8,483 $5,449 $11,571 $5,104
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets
(in thousands) $6,936 $5,435 $ 9,209 $2,298
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares
outstanding
at end of period
(in thousands) 567 395 717 282
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net
assets:
Net investment income 7.34% 6.69%(5) 4.43% 3.99%(5)
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by
the Manager 2.50% 2.98%(5) 1.82% 1.96%(5)
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager .13% .34%(5) N/A N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 141% 112% 99% 7%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period from May 3, 1993 (inception of offering) to September
30, 1993.
(2) For the period from November 11, 1986 (commencement of operations) to
September 30, 1987.
(3) On April 7, 1990, Oppenheimer Management Corporation became the
investment advisor to the Fund.
(4) Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before
the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions
reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption
at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal
period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns.
(5) Annualized.
(6) The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities
owned during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at
the
time of acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the calculation.
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term
securities)
for the year ended September 30, 1994 were $97,142,573 and $74,122,758,
respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the Fund) is a separate series
of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, a diversified, open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended. The Fund's investment advisor is Oppenheimer Management
Corporation (the Manager). The Fund offers both Class A and Class B
shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B
shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Both classes
of shares have identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges,
except that each class has its own distribution and/or service plan,
expenses directly attributable to a particular class and exlusive voting
rights with respect to matters affecting a single class. Class B shares
will automatically convert to Class A shares six years after the date of
purchase. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the Fund.
INVESTMENT VALUATION. Portfolio securities are valued at 4:00 p.m. (New
York time) on each trading day. Long-term debt securities are valued by
a portfolio pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees. Long-term
debt securities which cannot be valued by the approved portfolio pricing
service are valued by averaging the mean between the bid and asked prices
obtained from two active market makers in such securities. Short-term debt
securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at
cost (or last determined market value) adjusted for amortization to
maturity of any premium or discount. Securities for which market quotes
are not readily available are valued under procedures established by the
Board of Trustees to determine fair value in good faith.
ALLOCATION OF INCOME, EXPENSES AND GAINS AND LOSSES. Income, expenses
(other than those attributable to a specific class) and gains and losses
are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative
proportion of net assets represented by such class. Operating expenses
directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the
operations of that class.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. The Fund intends to continue to comply with
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net
realized gain on investments not offset by loss carryovers, to
shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund intends to declare dividends
separately for Class A and Class B shares from net investment income each
day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business and pay such
dividends monthly. Distributions from net realized gains on investments,
if any, will be declared at least once each year.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING FOR DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Effective October
1, 1993, the Fund adopted Statement of Position 93-2: Determination,
Disclosure, and Financial Statement Presentation of Income, Capital Gain,
and Return of Capital Distributions by Investment Companies. As a result,
the Fund changed the classification of distributions to shareholders to
better disclose the differences between financial statement amounts and
distributions determined in accordance with income tax regulations.
Accordingly, subsequent to September 30, 1993, amounts have been
reclassified to reflect a decrease in paid-in capital of $2,641, a
decrease in undistributed net investment income of $55,349, and a decrease
in undistributed capital loss on investments of $57,990. During the year
ended September 30, 1994, in accordance with Statement of Position 93-2,
paid-in capital was increased by $2,432, undistributed net investment
income was decreased by $35,462 and undistributed capital loss was
decreased by $33,030.
OTHER. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the
investments are purchased or sold trade date). Original issue discount on
securities purchased is amortized over the life of the respective
securities, in accordance with federal income tax requirements. Realized
gains and losses on investments and unrealized appreciation and
depreciation are determined on an identified cost basis, which is the same
basis used for federal income tax purposes. For bonds acquired after April
30, 1993, accrued market discount is recognized at maturity or disposition
as taxable ordinary income. Taxable ordinary income is realized to the
extent of the lesser of gain or accrued market
discount.
2. SHARES OF
BENEFICAL INTEREST
The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of no par value shares of
beneficial interest of each class. Transactions in shares of beneficial
interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1993(1)
----------------------------- --------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A:
Sold 1,358,474 $23,400,749 1,716,581 $29,729,902
Dividends and
distributions
reinvested 164,884 2,823,809 122,875 2,119,692
Redeemed (763,948) (12,928,906) (392,790) (6,805,683)
--------- ----------- --------- -----------
Net increase 759,410 $13,295,652 1,446,666 $25,043,911
========= =========== =========
===========
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B:
Sold 503,586 $ 8,682,918 281,944 $ 4,987,254
Dividends and
distributions
reinvested 15,806 267,832 1,056 18,887
Redeemed (85,174) (1,433,769) (580) (10,392)
--------- ----------- --------- -----------
Net increase 434,218 $ 7,516,981 282,420 $ 4,995,749
========= =========== =========
===========
</TABLE>
(1) For the year ended September 30, 1993 for Class A shares and for the
period from May 3, 1993
(inception of offering) to September 30, 1993 for Class B shares.
3. UNREALIZED GAINS AND At September 30, 1994, net unrealized
depreciation on LOSSES investments of $2,283,392 was composed of gross
appreciation of $987,289, and gross depreciation of $3,270,681.
4. MANAGEMENT FEES
AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
WITH AFFILIATES
Management fees paid to the Manager were in accordance with the investment
advisory agreement with the Fund, which provides for an annual fee of .45%
on the first $100 million of net assets, .40% on the next $150 million,
.375% on the next $250 million and .35% on net assets in excess of $500
million. The Manager has agreed to assume Fund expenses (with specified
exceptions) in excess of the most stringent applicable regulatory limit
on Fund expenses.
The Manager acts as the accounting agent for the Fund at an annual fee of
$12,000, plus out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred.
For the year ended September 30, 1994, commissions (sales charges paid by
investors) on sales of Class A shares totaled $376,541, of which $92,979
was retained by Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (OFDI), a subsidiary
of the Manager, as general distributor, and by an affiliated
broker/dealer. During the year ended September 30, 1994, OFDI received
contingent deferred sales charges of $19,475 upon redemption of Class B
shares, as reimbursement for sales commissions advanced by OFDI at the
time of sale of such shares. Oppenheimer Shareholder Services (OSS), a
division of the Manager, is the transfer and shareholder servicing agent
for the Fund, and for other registered investment companies.
OSS's total costs of providing such services are allocated ratably to
these companies.
Under separate approved plans, each class may expend up to .25% of its net
assets annually to reimburse OFDI for costs incurred in connection with
the personal service and maintenance of accounts that hold shares of the
Fund, including amounts paid to brokers, dealers, banks and other
financial institutions. In addition, Class B shares are subject
to an asset-based sales charge of .75% of net assets annually, to
reimburse OFDI for sales commissions paid from its own resources at the
time of sale and associated financing costs. In the event of termination
or discontinuance of the Class B plan, the Board of Trustees may
allow the Fund to continue payment of the asset-based sales charge to OFDI
for distribution expenses incurred on Class B shares sold prior to
termination or discontinuance of the plan. During the year ended September
30, 1994, OFDI paid $5,920 and $125, respectively, to an affiliated
broker/dealer as reimbursement for Class A and Class B personal service
and maintenance expenses and retained $89,853 as reimbursement for Class
B sales commissions and service fee advances, as well as financing costs.
APPENDIX B
TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD TABLES
The equivalent yield tables below compare tax-free income with taxable
income under Federal income tax rates effective January 1, 1995. Federal
taxable income refers to the net amount subject to Federal income tax
after deductions and exemptions. The tables assume that an investor's
highest tax bracket applies to the change in taxable income resulting from
a switch between taxable and non-taxable investments, that the investor
is not subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax, and that state income tax
payments are fully deductible for Federal income tax purposes. The income
tax brackets are subject to indexing in future years to reflect changes
in the Consumer Price Index. The brackets do not reflect the phaseout of
itemized deductions and personal exemptions at higher income levels,
resulting in higher effective tax rates and tax equivalent yields.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Insured
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Joint Return Bracket 3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 39,000 15.00% 4.12% 4.71% 5.29% 5.88%
$ 39,000 $ 94,250 28.00% 4.86% 5.56% 6.25% 6.94%
$ 94,250 $143,600 31.00% 5.07% 5.80% 6.52% 7.25%
$143,600 $256,500 36.00% 5.47% 6.25% 7.03% 7.81%
$256,500 and above 39.60% 5.79% 6.62% 7.45% 8.28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Insured
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Joint Return Bracket 5.5% 6.0% 6.5%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 39,000 15.00% 6.47% 7.06% 7.65%
$ 39,000 $ 94,250 28.00% 7.64% 8.33% 9.03%
$ 94,250 $143,600 31.00% 7.97% 8.70% 9.42%
$143,600 $260,500 36.00% 8.59% 9.38% 10.16%
$260,500 and above 39.60% 9.11% 9.93% 10.76%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Insured
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Single Return Bracket 3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 23,350 15.00% 4.12% 4.71% 5.29% 5.88%
$ 23,350 $ 55,550 28.00% 4.86% 5.56% 6.25% 6.94%
$ 55,550 $117,950 31.00% 5.07% 5.80% 6.52% 7.25%
$117,950 $256,500 36.00% 5.47% 6.25% 7.03% 7.81%
$256,500 and over 39.60% 5.79% 6.62% 7.45% 8.28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Insured
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Single Return Bracket 5.5% 6.0% 6.5%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 23,350 15.00% 6.47% 7.06% 7.65%
$ 23,350 $ 56,550 28.00% 7.64% 8.33% 9.03%
$ 56,550 $117,950 31.00% 7.97% 8.70% 9.42%
$117,950 $256,500 36.00% 8.59% 9.38% 10.16%
$255,500 and over 39.60% 9.11% 9.93% 10.76%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Appendix C
Industry Classifications
Aerospace/Defense
Air Transportation
Auto Parts Distribution
Automotive
Bank Holding Companies
Banks
Beverages
Broadcasting
Broker-Dealers
Building Materials
Cable Television
Chemicals
Commercial Finance
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Conglomerates
Consumer Finance
Containers
Convenience Stores
Department Stores
Diversified Financial
Diversified Media
Drug Stores
Drug Wholesalers
Durable Household Goods
Education
Electric Utilities
Electrical Equipment
Electronics
Energy Services & Producers
Entertainment/Film
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<PAGE>
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
1560 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
865SAI
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated February 1, 1995
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), is a
series of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Trust"). This Statement
of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This document contains
additional information about the Fund and supplements information in the
Prospectus dated February 1, 1995. It should be read together with the
Fund's Prospectus, which may be obtained by writing to the Fund's Transfer
Agent, Oppenheimer Shareholder Services , at P.O. Box 5270, Denver,
Colorado 80217 or by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number
shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
About the Fund
Investment Objective and Policies 2
Investment Policies and Strategies 2
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies 6
Other Investment Restrictions 13
How the Fund is Managed 14
Organization and History 14
Trustees and Officers of the Trust 14
The Manager and Its Affiliates 18
Brokerage Policies of the Fund 20
Performance of the Fund 21
Distribution and Service Plans 25
About Your Account 27
How To Buy Shares 27
How To Sell Shares 33
How To Exchange Shares 36
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes 38
Additional Information About the Fund 39
Financial Information About the Fund 41
Independent Auditors' Report 41
Financial Statements 42
Appendix A (Ratings of Investments) A-1
Appendix B (Tax-Equivalent Yield Chart) B-1
Appendix C (Industry Classifications) C-1
ABOUT THE FUND
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Policies and Strategies. The investment objectives and policies
of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. Supplemental information
about those policies is set forth below. Certain capitalized terms used
in this Statement of Additional Information have the same meaning as those
terms have in the Prospectus.
Municipal Securities. There are variations in the security of Municipal
Securities, both within a particular classification and between
classifications, depending on numerous factors. The yields of Municipal
Securities depend on, among other things, general conditions of the
Municipal Securities market, size of a particular offering, the maturity
of the obligation and rating of the issue. The market value of Municipal
Securities will vary as a result of changing evaluations of the ability
of their issuers to meet interest and principal payments, as well as
changes in the interest rates payable on new issues of Municipal
Securities.
- Municipal Bonds. The principal classifications of long-term
municipal bonds are "general obligation" and "revenue" or "industrial
development" bonds.
- General Obligation Bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds
include states, counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The
proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public
projects, including construction or improvement of schools, highways and
roads, and water and sewer systems. The basic security behind general
obligation bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that
can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited
as to the rate or amount of special assessments.
- Revenue Bonds. The principal security for a revenue bond is
generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of
facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide
variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer
systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities;
colleges and universities; and hospitals. Although the principal security
behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form
of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal
and interest payments on the issuer's obligations. Housing finance
authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully
insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or
the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities
provide further security in the form of a state's ability (without
obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
- Industrial Development Bonds. Industrial development bonds,
which are considered municipal bonds if the interest paid is exempt from
federal income tax, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to
raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business
and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds
are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit
systems, ports, and parking. The payment of the principal and interest
on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user
to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and
personal property so financed as security for such payment.
- Municipal Notes. Municipal Securities having a maturity when
issued of less than one year are generally known as municipal notes.
Municipal notes generally are used to provide for short-term working
capital needs and include:
- Tax Anticipation Notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to
finance working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are
issued in anticipation of various seasonal tax revenue, such as income,
sales, use or business taxes, and are payable from these specific future
taxes.
- Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are
issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as
Federal revenues available under the Federal revenue sharing programs.
- Bond Anticipation Notes. Bond anticipation notes are issued
to provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged.
In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the money for the
repayment of the notes.
- Construction Loan Notes. Construction loan notes are sold to
provide construction financing. After successful completion and
acceptance, many projects receive permanent financing through the Federal
Housing Administration.
- Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. Tax-exempt commercial paper is a
short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is
issued by state and local governments or their agencies to finance
seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation
of longer-term financing.
- Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations. Floating rate and
variable rate demand notes are tax-exempt obligations which may have a
stated maturity in excess of one year, but may include features that
permit the holder to recover the principal amount of the underlying
security at specified intervals not exceeding one year and upon no more
than 30 days' notice. The issuer of such notes normally has a
corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the
outstanding principal amount of the note plus accrued interest upon a
specified number of days notice to the holder. The interest rate on a
floating rate demand note is based on a stated prevailing market rate,
such as a bank's prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate, or some
other standard, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is
adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is also based
on a stated prevailing market rate but is adjusted automatically at
specified intervals of no more than one year. Generally, the changes in
the interest rate on such securities reduce the fluctuation in their
market value. As interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for
capital appreciation or depreciation is less than that for fixed-rate
obligations of the same maturity. The Trust's investment adviser,
Oppenheimer Management Corporation (the "Manager"), may determine that an
unrated floating rate or variable rate demand obligation meets the Fund's
quality standards by reason of being backed by a letter of credit or
guarantee issued by a bank that meets the Fund's quality standards.
- Inverse Floaters and Other Derivative Investments. Some inverse
floaters have a feature known as an interest rate "cap" as part of the
terms of the investment. Investing in inverse floaters that have interest
rate caps might be part of a portfolio strategy to try to maintain a high
current yield for the Fund when the Fund has invested in inverse floaters
that expose the Fund to the risk of short-term interest rate fluctuation.
Embedded caps hedge a portion of the Fund's exposure to rising interest
rates. When interest rates exceed the pre-determined rate, the cap
generates additional cash flows that offset the decline in interest rates
on the inverse floater, and the hedge is successful. However, the Fund
bears the risk that if interest rates do not rise above the pre-determined
rate, the cap (which is purchased for additional cost) will not provide
additional cash flows and will expire worthless.
- Municipal Lease Obligations. From time to time the Fund may invest
more than 5% of its net assets in municipal lease obligations, generally
through the acquisition of certificates of participation, that the Manager
has determined to be liquid under guidelines set by the Board of Trustees.
Those guidelines require the Manager to evaluate: (1) the frequency of
trades and price quotations for such securities; (2) the number of dealers
or other potential buyers willing to purchase or sell such securities; (3)
the availability of market-makers; and (4) the nature of the trades for
such securities. The Manager will also evaluate the likelihood of a
continuing market for such securities throughout the time they are held
by the Fund and the credit quality of the instrument. Municipal leases
may take the form of a lease or an installment purchase contract issued
by a state or local government authority to obtain funds to acquire a wide
variety of equipment and facilities. Although lease obligations do not
constitute general obligations of the municipality for which the
municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is ordinarily
backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make
the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease
obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the
municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase
payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on
a yearly basis. Projects financed with certificates of participation
generally are not subject to state constitutional debt limitations or
other statutory requirements that may be applicable to Municipal
Securities. Payments by the public entity on the obligation underlying
the certificates are derived from available revenue sources; such revenue
may be diverted to the funding of other municipal service projects.
Payments of interest and/or principal with respect to the certificates are
not guaranteed and do not constitute an obligation of the issuing
municipality or any of its political subdivisions.
In addition to the risk of "non-appropriation," municipal lease
securities do not yet have a highly developed market to provide the degree
of liquidity of conventional municipal bonds. Municipal leases, like
other municipal debt obligations, are subject to the risk of non-payment.
The ability of issuers of municipal leases to make timely lease payments
may be adversely affected in general economic downturns and as relative
governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local
governmental units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of
income to the Fund, and could result in a reduction in the value of the
municipal lease experiencing non-payment and a potential decrease in the
net asset value of the Fund.
- Private Activity Municipal Securities. The Tax Reform Act of 1986
(the "Tax Reform Act") reorganized, as well as amended, the rules
governing tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities. The Tax
Reform Act generally did not change the tax treatment of bonds issued in
order to finance governmental operations. Thus, interest on obligations
issued by or on behalf of a state or local government, the proceeds of
which are used to finance the operations of such governments (e.g.,
general obligation bonds) continues to be tax-exempt. However, the Tax
Reform Act further limited the use of tax-exempt bonds for non-
governmental (private) purposes. More stringent restrictions were placed
on the use of proceeds of such bonds. Interest on certain private
activity bonds (other than those specified as "qualified" tax-exempt
private activity bonds, e.g., exempt facility bonds including certain
industrial development bonds, qualified mortgage bonds, qualified Section
501(c)(3) bonds, qualified student loan bonds, etc.) is taxable under the
revised rules.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7,
1986, which continues to be tax-exempt will be treated as a tax preference
item subject to the alternative minimum tax (discussed below) to which
certain taxpayers are subject. Further, a private activity bond which
would otherwise be a qualified tax-exempt private activity bond will not,
under Internal Revenue Code Section 147(a), be a qualified bond for any
period during which it is held by a person who is a "substantial user" of
the facilities or by a "related person" of such a substantial user. This
"substantial user" provision is applicable primarily to exempt facility
bonds, including industrial development bonds. The Fund may not be an
appropriate investment for entities which are "substantial users" (or
persons related thereto) of such exempt facilities, and such persons
should consult their own tax advisers before purchasing shares. A
"substantial user" of such facilities is defined generally as a "non-
exempt person who regularly uses part of a facility" financed from the
proceeds of exempt facility bonds. Generally, an individual will not be
a "related person" under the Internal Revenue Code unless such investor
or the investor's immediate family (spouse, brothers, sisters and
immediate descendants) own directly or indirectly in the aggregate more
than 50% in value of the equity of a corporation or partnership which is
a "substantial user" of a facility financed from the proceeds of exempt
facility bonds. In addition, limitations as to the amount of private
activity bonds which each state may issue were revised downward by the
Tax Reform Act, which will reduce the supply of such bonds. The value of
the Fund's portfolio could be affected if there is a reduction in the
availability of such bonds. That value may also be affected by a 1988
U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the
imposition of a Federal tax on the interest earned on Municipal Securities
issued in bearer form.
A Municipal Security is treated as a taxable private activity bond
under a test for: (a) a trade or business use and security interest, or
(b) a private loan restriction. Under the trade or business use and
security interest test, an obligation is a private activity bond if: (i)
more than 10% of bond proceeds are used for private business purposes and
(ii) 10% or more of the payment of principal or interest on the issue is
directly or indirectly derived from such private use or is secured by the
privately used property or the payments related to the use of the
property. For certain types of uses, a 5% threshold is substituted for
this 10% threshold. (The term "private business use" means any direct or
indirect use in a trade or business carried on by an individual or entity
other than a governmental unit.) Under the private loan restriction, the
amount of bond proceeds which may be used to make private loans is limited
to the lesser of 5% or $5.0 million of the proceeds. Thus, certain issues
of Municipal Securities could lose their tax-exempt status retroactively
if the issuer fails to meet certain requirements as to the expenditure of
the proceeds of that issue or use of the bond-financed facility. The Fund
makes no independent investigation of the users of such bonds or their use
of proceeds. Should the Fund hold a bond that loses its tax-exempt status
retroactively, there might be an adjustment to the tax-exempt income
previously paid to shareholders.
The Federal alternative minimum tax is designed to ensure that all
taxpayers pay some tax, even if their regular tax is zero. This is
accomplished in part by including in taxable income certain tax preference
items in arriving at alternative minimum taxable income. The Tax Reform
Act, which makes tax-exempt interest from certain private activity bonds
a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax on
individuals and corporations, specifically states that any exempt-interest
dividend paid by a regulated investment company will be treated as
interest on a specific private activity bond to the extent of its
proportionate share of the interest on such bonds received by the
regulated investment company. The Treasury is authorized to issue
regulations implementing the provision. The Fund may hold Municipal
Securities the interest on which (and thus a proportionate share of the
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund) will be subject to the Federal
alternative minimum tax on individuals and corporations. The Fund
anticipates that under normal circumstances it will not purchase any such
securities in an amount greater than 20% of the Fund's total assets.
- Ratings of Municipal Securities. Moody's and S&P's ratings (See
Appendix A) represent their respective opinions of the quality of the
Municipal Securities they undertake to rate. However, such ratings are
general and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality.
Consequently, Municipal Securities with the same maturity, coupon and
rating may have different yields, while Municipal Securities of the same
maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
Investment in lower-quality securities may produce a higher yield than
securities rated in the higher rating categories described in the
Prospectus (or judged by the Manager to be of comparable quality).
However, the added risk of lower quality securities might not be
consistent with a policy of preservation of capital.
- Additional Information About Municipal Securities. From time to
time, proposals have been introduced before Congress to restrict or
eliminate the Federal income tax exemption for interest on Municipal
Securities. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future. If such
a proposal were enacted, the availability of Municipal Securities for
investment by the Fund and the value of the portfolio of the Fund would
be affected. At such time, the Board of Trustees of the Trust would re-
evaluate the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and possibly
submit to shareholders proposals for changes in the structure of the Fund.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies
- Hedging With Options and Futures Contracts. The Fund may use
hedging instruments for the purposes described in the Prospectus. When
hedging to attempt to protect against declines in the market value of the
Fund's portfolio, or to permit the Fund to retain unrealized gains in the
value of portfolio securities which have appreciated, or to facilitate
selling securities for investment reasons, the Fund may: (i) sell Interest
Rate Futures or Municipal Bond Index Futures, (ii) buy puts on such
Futures or securities, or (iii) write covered calls on securities held by
it, Interest Rate Futures, or Municipal Bond Index Futures. When hedging
to establish a position in the debt securities markets as a temporary
substitute for the purchase of individual debt securities the Fund may:
(i) buy Interest Rate Futures or Municipal Bond Index Futures, or (ii) buy
calls on such Futures or debt securities. Normally, the Fund would then
purchase the equity securities and terminate the hedging position.
The Fund's strategy of hedging with Futures and options on Futures
will be incidental to the Fund's investment activities in the underlying
cash market. In the future, the Fund may employ hedging instruments and
strategies that are not presently contemplated but which may be developed,
to the extent such investment methods are consistent with the Fund's
investment objective, and are legally permissible and disclosed in the
Prospectus. Additional information about the hedging instruments the Fund
may use is provided below.
- Writing Covered Calls. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund
may write covered calls. When the Fund writes a call on an investment, it
receives a premium and agrees to sell the callable investment to a
purchaser of a corresponding call during the call period (usually not more
than 9 months) at a fixed exercise price (which may differ from the market
price of the underlying investment) regardless of market price changes
during the call period. To terminate its obligation on a call it has
written, the Fund may purchase a corresponding call in a "closing
purchase transaction." A profit or loss will be realized, depending upon
whether the net of the amount of option transaction costs and the premium
received on the call the Fund has written is more or less than the price
of the call the Fund subsequently purchased. A profit may also be
realized if the call lapses unexercised, because the Fund retains the
underlying investment and the premium received. Those profits are
considered short-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes, as
are premiums on lapsed calls, and when distributed by the Fund are taxable
as ordinary income. If the Fund could not effect a closing purchase
transaction due to the lack of a market, it would have to hold the
callable investment until the call lapsed or was exercised. The Fund will
not write covered call options in an amount exceeding 20% of the value of
its total assets.
The Fund may also write calls on Futures without owning a futures
contract or deliverable securities, provided that at the time the call is
written, the Fund covers the call by segregating in escrow an equivalent
dollar value of deliverable securities or liquid assets. The Fund will
segregate additional liquid assets if the value of the escrowed assets
drops below 100% of the current value of the Future. In no circumstances
would an exercise notice as to a Future put the Fund in a short futures
position.
The Fund's Custodian, or a securities depository acting for the
Custodian, will act as the Fund's escrow agent, through the facilities of
the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), as to the investments on which
the Fund has written options that are traded on exchanges, or as to other
acceptable escrow securities, so that no margin will be required from the
Fund for such option transactions. OCC will release the securities
covering a call on the expiration of the call or when the Fund enters into
a closing purchase transaction. Call writing affects the Fund's turnover
rate and the brokerage commissions it pays. Commissions, normally higher
than on general securities transactions, are payable on writing or
purchasing a call.
- Interest Rate Futures. The Fund may buy and sell futures
contracts relating to interest rates ("Interest Rate Futures") and
municipal bond indices ("Municipal Bond Index Futures"). An Interest Rate
Future obligates the seller to deliver and the purchaser to take a
specific type of debt security at a specific future date for a fixed price
to settle the futures transaction, or to enter into an offsetting
contract. No monetary amount is paid or received by the Fund on the
purchase of an Interest Rate Future. The Fund may concurrently buy and
sell Futures contracts in an attempt to benefit from any outperformance
of the Future purchased relative to the performance of the Future sold.
For example, the Fund might buy Municipal Bond Futures and sell U.S.
Treasury Bond Futures (a type of Interest Rate Future). This type of
transaction would generally be profitable to the Fund if municipal bonds
outperform U.S. Treasury bonds after duration has been considered.
Duration is a volatility measure that refers to the expected percentage
change in the value of a bond resulting from a change in general interest
rates (measured by each 1% change in the rates on U.S. Treasury
securities). For example, if a bond has an effective duration of three
years, a 1% increase in general interest rates would be expected to cause
the bond to decline about 3%. Risks of this type of Futures transaction,
using the example above, would include (1) outperformance of U.S.
Treasuries relative to municipal bonds, on a duration-adjusted basis, and
(2) duration mismatch, with duration of municipal bonds relative to U.S.
Treasuries being greater than anticipated.
Upon entering into a Futures transaction, the Fund will be required
to deposit an initial margin payment, in cash or U.S. Treasury bills, with
the futures commission merchant (the "futures broker"). Initial margin
payments will be deposited with the Fund's Custodian in an account
registered in the futures broker's name; however, the futures broker can
gain access to that account only under certain specified conditions. As
the Future is marked to market (that is, its value on the Fund's books is
changed) to reflect changes in its market value, subsequent margin
payments, called variation margin, will be paid to or by the futures
broker on a daily basis.
At any time prior to the expiration of the Future, the Fund may elect
to close out its position by taking an opposite position, at which time
a final determination of variation margin is made and additional cash is
required to be paid by or released to the Fund. Any gain or loss is then
realized by the Fund on the Future for tax purposes. Although Interest
Rate Futures call for the delivery of a specific debt security, in most
cases the settlement obligation is fulfilled without such delivery by
entering into an offsetting transaction. All Futures transactions are
effected through a clearing house associated with the exchange on which
the contracts are traded.
The Fund's option activities may affect its portfolio turnover rate
and brokerage commissions. The exercise of calls written by the Fund may
cause the Fund to sell related portfolio securities, thus increasing its
turnover rate. The exercise by the Fund of puts on securities will cause
the sale of underlying investments, increasing portfolio turnover.
Although the decision whether to exercise a put it holds is within the
Fund's control, holding a put might cause the Fund to sell the related
investments for reasons that would not exist in the absence of the put.
The Fund will pay a brokerage commission each time it buys or sells a
call, put or an underlying investment in connection with the exercise of
a put or call. Those commissions may be higher than the commissions for
direct purchases or sales of the underlying investments.
Premiums paid for options are small in relation to the market value
of the underlying investments and, consequently, put and call options
offer large amounts of leverage. The leverage offered by trading in
options could result in the Fund's net asset value being more sensitive
to changes in the value of the underlying investments.
- Municipal Bond Index Futures. A "municipal bond index"
assigns relative values to the municipal bonds included in that index, and
is used to serve as the basis for trading long-term municipal bond Futures
contracts. Municipal Bond Index Futures are similar to Interest Rate
Futures except that settlement is made in cash. The obligation under such
contracts may also be satisfied by entering into an offsetting contract
to close out the futures position. Net gain or loss on options on such
Municipal Bond Index Futures depends on the price movements of the
securities included in the index. The strategies which the Fund employs
regarding Municipal Bond Index Futures are similar to those described
above with regard to Interest Rate Futures.
- Interest Rate Swap Transactions. Swap agreements entail both
interest rate risk and credit risk. There is a risk that, based on
movements of interest rates in the future, the payments made by the Fund
under a swap agreement will have been greater than those received by it.
Credit risk arises from the possibility that the counterparty will
default. If the counterparty to an interest rate swap defaults, the
Fund's loss will consist of the net amount of contractual interest
payments that the Fund has not yet received. The Manager will monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties to the Fund's interest rate swap
transactions on an ongoing basis. The Fund will enter into swap
transactions with appropriate counterparties pursuant to master netting
agreements.
A master netting agreement provides that all swaps done between the
Fund and that counterparty under the master agreement shall be regarded
as parts of an integral agreement. If on any date amounts are payable in
the same currency in respect of one or more swap transactions, the net
amount payable on that date in that currency shall be paid. In addition,
the master netting agreement may provide that if one party defaults
generally or on one swap, the counterparty may terminate the swaps with
that party. Under such agreements, if there is a default resulting in a
loss to one part, the measure of that part's damages is calculated by
reference to the average cost of a replacement swap with respect to each
swap (i.e., the mark-to-market value at the time of the termination of
each swap). The gains and losses on all swaps are then netted, and the
result is the counterparty's gain or loss on termination. The termination
of all swaps and the netting of gains and losses on termination is
generally referred to as "aggregation." The Fund will not invest more
than 25% of its assets in interest rate swap transactions.
- Purchasing Puts and Calls. The Fund may purchase calls to
protect against the possibility that the Fund's portfolio will not
participate in an anticipated rise in the securities market. When the Fund
purchases a call (other than in a closing purchase transaction), it pays
a premium and, except as to calls on Municipal Bond Index Futures, has the
right to buy the underlying investment from a seller of a corresponding
call on the same investment during the call period at a fixed exercise
price. In purchasing a call, the Fund benefits only if the call is sold
at a profit or if, during the call period, the market price of the
underlying investment is above the sum of the call price, transaction
costs, and the premium paid, and the call is exercised. If the call is
not exercised or sold (whether or not at a profit), it will become
worthless at its expiration date and the Fund will lose its premium
payment and the right to purchase the underlying investment. When the
Fund purchases a call on a municipal bond index, Municipal Bond Index
Future or Interest Rate Future, it pays a premium, but settlement is in
cash rather than by delivery of the underlying investment to the Fund.
When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium and, except as to
puts on municipal bond indices, has the right to sell the underlying
investment to a seller of a corresponding put on the same investment
during the put period at a fixed exercise price. Buying a put on a debt
security, Interest Rate Future or Municipal Bond Index Future the Fund
owns (a "protective put") enables the Fund to attempt to protect itself
during the put period against a decline in the value of the underlying
investment below the exercise price by selling the underlying investment
at the exercise price to a seller of a corresponding put. If the market
price of the underlying investment is equal to or above the exercise price
and as a result the put is not exercised or resold, the put will become
worthless at its expiration and the Fund will lose the premium payment and
the right to sell the underlying investment. However, the put may be sold
prior to expiration (whether or not at a profit).
An option position may be closed out only on a market which provides
trading for options of the same series, and there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. The Fund's
option activities may affect its portfolio turnover rate and brokerage
commissions. The exercise of calls written by the Fund may cause the Fund
to sell related portfolio securities, thus increasing its turnover rate.
The exercise by the Fund of puts on securities will cause the sale of
underlying investments, increasing portfolio turnover. Although the
decision whether to exercise a put it holds is within the Fund's control,
holding a put might cause the Fund to sell the related investments for
reasons that would not exist in the absence of the put. The Fund will pay
a brokerage commission each time it buys or sells a call, put or an
underlying investment in connection with the exercise of a put or call.
Those commissions may be higher than the commissions for direct purchases
or sales of the underlying investments.
Premiums paid for options are small in relation to the market value
of the underlying investments and, consequently, put and call options
offer large amounts of leverage. The leverage offered by trading in
options could result in the Fund's net asset value being more sensitive
to changes in the value of the underlying investments.
- Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. The Fund is required
to operate within certain guidelines and restrictions with respect to its
use of Futures and options on Futures established by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC"). In particular the Fund is exempted from
registration with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" if the Fund
complies with the requirements of Rule 4.5 adopted by the CFTC. The Rule
does not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be used for
Futures margin and related options premiums for a bona fide hedging
position. However, under the Rule the Fund must limit its aggregate
initial futures margin and related option premiums to no more than 5% of
the Fund's net assets for hedging strategies that are not considered bona
fide hedging strategies under the Rule. Under the Rule, the Fund also
must use short Futures and Futures options positions solely for "bona fide
hedging purposes" within the meaning and intent of the applicable
provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations
established by option exchanges governing the maximum number of options
that may be written or held by a single investor or group of investors
acting in concert, regardless of whether the options were written or
purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one or more
accounts or through one or more different exchanges or through one or more
brokers. Thus the number of options which the Fund may write or hold may
be affected by options written or held by other entities, including other
investment companies having the same adviser as the Fund (or an adviser
that is an affiliate of the Fund's adviser). The exchanges also impose
position limits on Futures transactions. An exchange may order the
liquidation of positions found to be in violation of those limits and may
impose certain other sanctions.
Due to requirements under the Investment Company Act, when the Fund
purchases an Interest Rate Future or Municipal Bond Index Future, the Fund
will maintain, in a segregated account or accounts with its Custodian,
cash or readily-marketable, short-term (maturing in one year or less) debt
instruments in an amount equal to the market value of the securities
underlying such Future, less the margin deposit applicable to it.
-- Tax Aspects of Covered Calls and Hedging Instruments. The Fund
intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal
Revenue Code (although it reserves the right not to qualify). That
qualification enables the Fund to "pass through" its income and realized
capital gains to shareholders without having to pay tax on them. This
avoids a "double tax" on that income and capital gains, since shareholders
normally will be taxed on the dividends and capital gains they receive
from the Fund (unless the Fund's shares are held in a retirement account
or the shareholder is otherwise exempt from tax). One of the tests for
the Fund's qualification as a regulated investment company is that less
than 30% of its gross income must be derived from gains realized on the
sale of securities held for less than three months. To comply with this
30% cap, the Fund will limit the extent to which it engages in the
following activities, but will not be precluded from them: (i) selling
investments, including Interest Rate Futures and Municipal Bond Index
Futures, held for less than three months, whether or not they were
purchased on the exercise of a call held by the Fund; (ii) purchasing
options which expire in less than three months; (iii) effecting closing
transactions with respect to calls or puts written or purchased less than
three months previously; (iv) exercising puts or calls held by the Fund
for less than three months; or (v) writing calls on investments held less
than three months.
- Risks of Hedging With Options and Futures. An option position
may be closed out only on a market that provides secondary trading for
options of the same series, and there is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for any particular option. In addition to the
risks associated with hedging that are discussed in the Prospectus and
above, there is a risk in using short hedging by selling Interest Rate
Futures or Municipal Bond Index Futures. The risk is that the prices of
such Futures or the applicable index will correlate imperfectly with the
behavior of the cash (i.e., market value) prices of the Fund's securities.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets are
subject to distortions, due to differences in the natures of those
markets. First, all participants in the futures markets are subject to
margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting
additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close out futures
contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal
relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity
of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting
transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent
participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures
markets could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the
point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures
markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities
markets. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures
markets may cause temporary price distortions.
The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the
Fund's portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable
index. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the
price of the equity securities being hedged and movements in the price of
the hedging instruments, the Fund may use hedging instruments in a greater
dollar amount than the dollar amount of equity securities being hedged if
the historical volatility of the prices of the debt securities being
hedged is more than the historical volatility of the applicable index.
It is also possible that if the Fund has used hedging instruments in a
short hedge, the market may advance and the value of debt securities held
in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If that occurred, the Fund would lose
money on the hedging instruments and also experience a decline in value
in its portfolio securities. However, while this could occur for a very
brief period or to a very small degree, over time the value of a
diversified portfolio of debt securities will tend to move in the same
direction as the indices upon which the hedging instruments are based.
If the Fund uses hedging instruments to establish a position in the
debt markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual debt
securities (long hedging) by buying Interest Rate Futures or Municipal
Bond Futures and/or calls on such Futures, on securities or on stock
indices, it is possible that the market may decline. If the Fund then
concludes not to invest in such securities at that time because of
concerns as to a possible further market decline or for other reasons, the
Fund will realize a loss on the hedging instruments that is not offset by
a reduction in the price of the debt securities purchased.
- When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. As stated in the
Prospectus, the Fund may invest in Municipal Securities on a "when-issued"
or "delayed delivery" basis. Payment for and delivery of the securities
generally settles within 45 days of the date the offer is accepted. The
purchase price and yield are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the
commitment. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment
is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund from
this investment. However, the Fund intends to be as fully invested as
possible and will not invest in when-issued securities if its income or
net asset value will be materially adversely affected. At the time the
Fund makes the commitment to purchase a Municipal Security on a when-
issued basis, it will record the transaction on its books and reflect the
value of the security in determining its net asset value. It will also
segregate cash or other high quality liquid Municipal Securities equal in
value to the commitment for the when-issued securities. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to settlement date, the Fund intends to
acquire the securities upon settlement unless a prior sale appears
desirable for investment reasons. There is a risk that the yield
available in the market when delivery occurs may be higher than the yield
on the security acquired.
- Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements for liquidity purposes to meet anticipated
redemptions, or pending the investment of the proceeds from sales of Fund
shares, or pending the settlement of purchases of portfolio securities.
In a repurchase transaction, the Fund acquires a security from, and
simultaneously resells it to, an approved vendor. An "approved vendor"
is a U.S. commercial bank or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank or a
broker-dealer which has been designated a primary dealer in government
securities, which must meet credit requirements set by the Trust's Board
of Trustees from time to time. The resale price exceeds the purchase
price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective
for the period during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. The
majority of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery pursuant
to the resale typically will occur within one to five days of the
purchase. Repurchase agreements are considered "loans" under the
Investment Company Act, collateralized by the underlying security. The
Fund's repurchase agreements require that at all times while the
repurchase agreement is in effect, the value of the collateral must equal
or exceed the repurchase price to fully collateralize the repayment
obligation. Additionally, the Manager will impose creditworthiness
requirements to confirm that the vendor is financially sound and will
continuously monitor the collateral's value.
- Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio
securities subject to the restrictions stated in the Prospectus. Under
applicable regulatory requirements (which are subject to change), the loan
collateral on each business day must at least equal the value of the
loaned securities and must consist of cash, bank letters of credit or
securities of the U.S. Government (or its agencies or instrumentalities).
To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must obligate a bank to
pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the terms of the
letter. Such terms and the issuing bank must be satisfactory to the Fund.
When it lends securities, the Fund receives amounts equal to the dividends
or interest on loaned securities and also receives one or more of (a)
negotiated loan fees, (b) interest on securities used as collateral, and
(c) interest on short-term debt securities purchased with such loan
collateral. Either type of interest may be shared with the borrower. The
Fund may also pay reasonable finder's, custodian and administrative fees.
The terms of the Fund's loans must meet applicable tests under the
Internal Revenue Code and must permit the Fund to reacquire loaned
securities on five days' notice or in time to vote on any important
matter.
Other Investment Restrictions
The Fund's most significant investment restrictions are set forth in
the Prospectus. There are additional investment restrictions that the Fund
must follow that are also fundamental policies. Fundamental policies and
the Fund's investment objective cannot be changed without the vote of a
"majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Under the
Investment Company Act, such a "majority" vote of the Fund is defined as
the vote of the holders of the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of the shares
present or represented by proxy at such meeting, if the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding shares are present, or (ii) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares.
Under these additional restrictions, the Fund cannot: (1) purchase
or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts except to the
extent that the Municipal Securities the Fund may invest in are considered
to be interests in real estate, and except to the extent that the options
and Futures contracts the Fund may trade are considered to be commodities
or commodity contracts; (2) invest in interests in oil, gas, or other
mineral exploration or development programs; (3) purchase securities on
margin; however, the deposit of initial or variation margin by the Fund
in connection with Futures contracts or related options transactions is
not considered the purchase of a security on margin; (4) make short sales
of securities; (5) underwrite securities except to the extent the Fund
may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of
securities held in its portfolio; (6) invest in securities of other
investment companies, except as they may be acquired as part of a merger,
consolidation or other acquisition; (7) make investments for the purpose
of exercising control of management; (8) purchase securities of any issuer
if, to the knowledge of the Fund, its officers and trustees and officers
and directors of the Manager or who individually own more than .5% of the
securities of such issuer together own beneficially more than 5% of such
issuer's outstanding securities; (9) purchase or retain securities if as
a result the Fund would have more than 5% of its total assets invested in
securities of private issuers having a record of less than three years'
continuous operation (such period may include the operation of predecessor
companies or enterprises) or in industrial development bonds if the
private entity on whose credit the security is based, directly or
indirectly, is less than three years old (including predecessors), unless
the security is rated by a nationally-recognized rating service; (10)
invest more than 25% of its assets in a single industry (as described in
the Prospectus, the Fund may, from time to time, invest more than 25% of
its assets in a particular segment of the Municipal Securities market,
however, the Fund will not invest more than 25% of its assets in
industrial revenue bonds in a single industry); or (11) invest in common
stock or any warrants related thereto.
In connection with the qualification of its shares in certain states,
the Fund has undertaken that in addition to the above, it will not: (i)
invest in real estate limited partnerships, or (ii) invest in oil, gas or
other mineral leases. In the event the Fund's shares cease to be
qualified under such laws or if such undertaking otherwise ceases to be
operative, the Fund would not be subject to such restriction. The
percentage restrictions described above and in the Prospectus apply only
at the time of investment and require no action by the Fund as a result
of subsequent changes in relative values.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate described under
investment restriction number five in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted
the industry classifications set forth in Appendix C to this Statement of
Additional Information.
How the Fund Is Managed
Organization and History. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund is
not required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings
of shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law, or when a shareholder
meeting is called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the
shareholders. Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in
writing or vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to
remove a Trustee. The Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to
vote on the removal of a Trustee upon the written request of the record
holders of 10% of its outstanding shares. In addition, if the Trustees
receive a request from at least 10 shareholders (who have been
shareholders for at least six months) holding shares of the Fund valued
at $25,000 or more or holding at least 1% of the Fund's outstanding
shares, whichever is less, stating that they wish to communicate with
other shareholders to request a meeting to remove a Trustee, the Trustees
will then either make the Fund's shareholder list available to the
applicants or mail their communication to all other shareholders at the
applicants' expense, or the Trustees may take such other action as set
forth under Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act.
The Fund's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder or Trustee liability for the Fund's obligations, and provides
for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of its property for
any shareholder held personally liable for its obligations. The
Declaration of Trust also provides that the Fund shall, upon request,
assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act
or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, while
Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a business trust (such as the
Fund) to be held personally liable as a "partner" under certain
circumstances, the risk of a Fund shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations
described above. Any person doing business with the Trust, and any
shareholder of the Trust, agrees under the Trust's Declaration of Trust
to look solely to the assets of the Trust for satisfaction of any claim
or demand which may arise out of any dealings with the Trust, and the
Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to the
extent permitted by law.
Trustees And Officers of the Trust. The Trust's Trustees and officers and
their principal occupations and business affiliations during the past five
years are listed below. All of the Trustees are also trustees, directors
or managing general partners of Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.,
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund, Oppenheimer High Yield Fund, Oppenheimer
Integrity Funds, Oppenheimer Cash Reserves, Oppenheimer Limited-Term
Government Fund, The New York Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer
Champion High Yield Fund, Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc., Oppenheimer
Strategic Funds Trust, Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic
Short-Term Income Fund and Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds; as well as
the following "Centennial Funds": Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.,
Centennial America Fund, L.P., Centennial Money Market Trust, Centennial
Government Trust, Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Tax
Exempt Trust and Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, (all of the
foregoing funds are collectively referred to as the "Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds"). Mr. Fossel is President and Mr. Swain is Chairman of
the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds. As of December 30, 1994, the Trustees
and officers of the Fund as a group owned of record or beneficially less
than 1% of each class of shares of the Fund or the Trust. The foregoing
statement does not reflect ownership of shares held of record by an
employee benefit plan for employees of the Manager (for which plan two of
the officers listed above, Messrs. Fossel and Donohue, are trustees),
other than the shares beneficially owned under the Plan by the officers
of the Fund listed above.
Robert G. Avis, Trustee; Age 63.*
One North Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Vice Chairman of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer) and A.G.
Edwards, Inc. (its parent holding company); Chairman of A.G.E. Asset
Management and A.G. Edwards Trust Company (its affiliated investment
adviser and trust company, respectively).
William A. Baker, Trustee; Age 80.
197 Desert Lakes Drive, Palm Springs, California 92264
Management Consultant.
Charles Conrad, Jr., Trustee; Age 64.
19411 Merion Circle, Huntington Beach, California, 92648
Vice President of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems, Co.; formerly
associated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Jon S. Fossel, President and Trustee; Age 52.*
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Manager; President
and a director of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), the Manager's
parent holding company; President and a director of HarbourView Asset
Management Corporation ("HarbourView"), a subsidiary of the Manager; a
director of Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI") and Shareholder Financial
Services, Inc. ("SFSI"), transfer agent subsidiaries of the Manager;
formerly President of the Manager.
__________________
*A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
Raymond J. Kalinowski, Trustee; Age 65.
44 Portland Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Director of Wave Technologies International, Inc.; formerly Vice Chairman
and a director of A.G. Edwards, Inc., parent holding company of A.G.
Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer), of which he was a Senior Vice
President.
C. Howard Kast, Trustee; Age 73.
2552 East Alameda, Denver, Colorado 80209
Formerly the Managing Partner of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (an accounting
firm).
Robert M. Kirchner, Trustee; Age 73.
7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Englewood, Colorado 80112
President of The Kirchner Company (management consultants).
Ned M. Steel, Trustee; Age 79.
3416 S. Race Street, Englewood, Colorado 80110
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter; Director of Visiting Nurse
Corporation of Colorado; formerly Senior Vice President and a director of
Van Gilder Insurance Corp. (insurance brokers).
James C. Swain, Chairman and Trustee; Age 61.*
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Vice Chairman and a Director of the Manager; President and Director of
Centennial Asset Management Corporation, an investment adviser subsidiary
of the Manager ("Centennial"); formerly Chairman of the Board of SSI.
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President; Age 44.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Manager and
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"); an officer of
other OppenheimerFunds; formerly Senior Vice President and Associate
General Counsel of the Manager and the Distributor; formerly a Partner in
Kraft & McManimon (a law firm), prior to which he was an officer of First
Investors Corporation (a broker-dealer) and First Investors Management
Company, Inc. (broker-dealer and investment adviser) and a director and
an officer of the First Investors Family of Funds and First Investors Life
Insurance Company.
George C. Bowen, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; Age 58.
3410 South Galena Street Denver, Colorado 80231
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager; Vice President and
Treasurer of the Distributor and HarbourView; Senior Vice President,
Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and a director of Centennial; Vice
President, Treasurer and Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
__________________
*A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
Robert E. Patterson, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 51.
Two World Trade Center, New York, N.Y. 10048-0203
Senior Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Caryn Halbrecht, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 38.
Two World Trade Center, New York, N.Y. 10048-0203
Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly a Vice President of Fixed-Income portfolio management at Bankers
Trust.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age 46.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Manager;
Assistant Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds.
Robert J. Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age 36.
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Assistant Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; previously a Fund Controller of the Manager,
prior to which he was an
Accountant for Resolution Trust Corporation and previously an Accountant
and Commissions Supervisor for Stuart James Company Inc., a broker-dealer.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer; Age 29.
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Assistant Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting, an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; previously a Fund Controller for the Manager,
prior to which he was an International Mutual Fund Supervisor for Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co. (a bank) and previously a Senior Fund Accountant
for State Street Bank & Trust Company.
- Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund are
affiliated with the Manager; they and the Trustees of the Fund who are
affiliated with the Manager (Messrs. Fossel and Swain, who are both
officers and Trustees) receive no salary or fee from the Fund. The
Trustees of the Fund (excluding Messrs. Fossel and Swain) received the
total amounts shown below from all 22 of the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds
(including the Fund) listed in the first paragraph of this section, for
services in the positions shown:
Total Compensation
From All
Name Position Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds 1
Robert G. Avis Trustee $53,000.00
William A. Baker Study and Audit Committee $73,257.01
Chairman and Trustee
Charles Conrad, Jr. Study and Audit Committee $68,293.67
Member and Trustee
Raymond J. Kalinowski Trustee $53,000.00
C. Howard Kast Trustee $53,000.00
Robert M. Kirchner Study and Audit Committee $68,293.67
Member and Trustee
Ned M. Steel Trustee $53,000.00
______________
1 For the 1994 calendar year.
- -Major Shareholders. As of December 30, 1994, (i) Merrill Lynch Pierce
Fenner & Smith, 4800 Deer Lake Drive EFL3, Jacksonville, Florida, 32246,
owned 280,314.000 (5.10%) Class A shares of the Fund, and (ii) Michael and
Mary Melnarik, 59 Hickory Ridge Circle, Cicero, Indiana 46034,
beneficially owned 33,397.627 (6.11 %) Class C shares of the Fund. No
other person owned of record or was known by the Trust to own beneficially
5% or more of the shares of the Trust as a whole or either class of the
Fund's outstanding shares as of that date.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Manager is wholly-owned by
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), a holding company controlled by
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. OAC is also owned in part
by certain of the Manager's directors and officers, some of whom also
serve as officers of the Fund, and two of whom (Mr. Fossel and Mr. Swain)
serve as Trustees of the Fund.
- The Investment Advisory Agreement. The investment advisory
agreement between the Manager and the Trust requires the Manager, at its
expense, to provide the Fund with adequate office space, facilities and
equipment, and to provide and supervise the activities of all
administrative and clerical personnel required to provide effective
corporate administration for the Fund, including the compilation and
maintenance of records with respect to its operations, the preparation and
filing of specified reports, and composition of proxy materials and
registration statements for continuous public sale of shares of the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the advisory
agreement or by the Distributor under the General Distributors Agreement
are paid by the Fund. The advisory agreement lists examples of expenses
paid by the Fund, the major categories of which relate to interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions, fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses,
custodian and transfer agent expenses, share issuance costs, certain
printing and registration costs and non-recurring expenses, including
litigation costs. For the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1994,
the management fees paid by the Fund to the Manager were $413,576. For
the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the management fees
payable by the Fund to the Manager were $243,742, of which $236,149 was
paid to the Manager due to its assumption of $7,593 of the Fund's
expenses. During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1992, the
management fees payable by the Fund were $125,755, of which $102,141 was
paid to the Manager, due to its assumption of $23,614 of the Fund's
expenses.
The advisory agreement contains no provision limiting the Fund's
expenses. However, independently of the advisory agreement, the Manager
has undertaken that the total expenses of the Fund in any fiscal year
(including the management fee but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage
commissions, distribution assistance payments and extraordinary expenses
such as litigation costs) shall not exceed the most stringent expense
limitation imposed under state law applicable to the Fund. Pursuant to the
undertaking, the Manager's fee will be reduced at the end of a month so
that there will not be any accrued but unpaid liability under this
undertaking. Currently, the most stringent state expense limitation is
imposed by California, and limits the Fund's expenses (with specified
exclusions) to 2.5% of the first $30 million of average annual net assets,
2% of the next $70 million of average annual net assets, and 1.5% of
average annual net assets in excess of $100 million. The Manager reserves
the right to terminate or amend the undertaking at any time. Any
assumption of the Fund's expenses under this limitation would lower the
Fund's overall expense ratio and increase its total return during any
period in which expenses are limited.
Prior to January 1, 1993, the Manager had, independently of the
advisory agreement, voluntarily undertaken to assume the expenses
(excluding extraordinary non-recurring expenses such as litigation) of the
Fund in the amount up to .10% of the Fund's average annual net assets.
The assumption of expenses under this undertaking lowered the Fund's
overall expense ratio and increased its yield and total return during the
time such expenses were assumed. Effective January 1, 1993, the Manager
eliminated the voluntary expense limitation.
From April 7, 1990 until January 31, 1992, Clayton Brown
Investment Management, Inc. ("CBIM"), an affiliate of Clayton Brown &
Associates, Inc., which was the Fund's general distributor until
January 31, 1992, was the sub-advisor for the Fund, pursuant to a Sub-
advisory Agreement with the Manager. The Manager paid subadvisory fees
to CBIM at the annual rates of .20% of the average daily net assets of the
Fund. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992, the Manager paid
fees of $15,928 to CBIM.
The advisory agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties, or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under the
advisory agreement, the Manager is not liable for any loss resulting from
a good faith error or omission on its part with respect to any of its
duties thereunder. The advisory agreement permits the Manager to act as
investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and to use
the name "Oppenheimer" in connection with its other investment activities.
If the Manager shall no longer act as investment adviser to the Fund, the
right of the Fund to use the name "Oppenheimer" as part of its corporate
name may be withdrawn.
- The Distributor. Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (the
"Distributor"), formerly named "Oppenheimer Fund Management, Inc.," became
the Fund's Distributor on January 31, 1992. Prior to that date, Clayton
Brown & Associates, Inc. ("Clayton Brown") was the Fund's general
distributor. Under the General Distributor's Agreement between the Fund
and the Distributor, the Distributor acts as the Fund's principal
underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Fund's Class A and
Class C shares, but is not obligated to sell a specific number of shares.
Expenses normally attributable to sales (other than those paid under the
Distribution Plan), including advertising and the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses (other than those furnished to existing shareholders)
are borne by the Distributor.
During the period October 1, 1991 through January 31, 1992,
Clayton Brown retained commissions in the amount of $19 and reallowed
$16,464 to other dealers. From October 1, 1991 through January 1992, the
Distributor, which served as sub-distributor during that period, received
no reallowance of commissions from Clayton Brown. During the period
February 1, 1992 through September 30, 1992, and during the fiscal years
ended September 30, 1993 and 1994, the aggregate sales charges on the
Fund's Class A shares were $38,332 and $642,694 and $369,458 respectively,
of which the Distributor and an affiliated broker-dealer retained in the
aggregate $10,204, $221,619 and $140,136 in these respective years.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the contingent
deferred sales charges collected on the Fund's Class C shares totalled
$4,641, all of which the Distibutor retained. For additional information
about distribution of the Fund's shares and the expenses connected with
such activities, please refer to "Distribution and Service Plans," below.
- The Transfer Agent. Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, the Fund's
Transfer Agent, is responsible for maintaining the Fund's shareholder
registry and shareholder accounting records, and for shareholder servicing
and administrative functions.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement. One of the
duties of the Manager under the advisory agreement is to arrange the
portfolio transactions for the Fund. The advisory agreement contains
provisions relating to the employment of broker-dealers ("brokers") to
effect the Fund's portfolio transactions. In doing so, the Manager is
authorized by the advisory agreement to employ broker-dealers, including
"affiliated" brokers, as that term is defined in the Investment Company
Act, as may, in its best judgment based on all relevant factors,
implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the
"best execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable
price obtainable) of such transactions. The Manager need not seek
competitive commission bidding but is expected to minimize the commissions
paid to the extent consistent with the interest and policies of the Fund
as established by its Board of Trustees. Purchases of securities from
underwriters include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the
underwriter, and purchases from dealers include a spread between the bid
and asked price.
Under the advisory agreement, the Manager is authorized to select
brokers that provide brokerage and/or research services for the Fund
and/or the other accounts over which the Manager or its affiliates have
investment discretion. The commissions paid to such brokers may be higher
than another qualified broker would have charged if a good faith
determination is made by the Manager that the commission is fair and
reasonable in relation to the services provided. Subject to the foregoing
considerations, the Manager may also consider sales of shares of the Fund
and other investment companies managed by the Manager or its affiliates
as a factor in the selection of brokers for the Fund's portfolio
transactions.
Description of Brokerage Practices Followed by the Manager. Subject to
the provisions of the advisory agreement, the procedures and rules
described above, allocations of brokerage are generally made by the
Manager's portfolio traders based upon recommendations from the Manger's
portfolio managers. In certain instances, portfolio managers may directly
place traders and allocate brokerage, also subject to the provisions of
the advisory agreement and the procedures and rules described above.
Regardless, brokerage is allocated under the supervision of the Manager's
executive officers. As most purchases made by the Fund are principal
transactions at net prices, the Fund incurs little or no brokerage costs.
The Fund usually deals directly with the selling or purchasing principal
or market makers without incurring charges for the services of a broker
on its behalf unless it is determined that better price or execution can
be obtained by utilizing the services of a broker. Purchases of
securities from underwriters include a commission or concession paid by
the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers include a spread
between the bid and asked price. The Fund seeks to obtain prompt
execution of orders at the most favorable net pace. When possible,
concurrent orders to purchase or sell the same security by more than one
of the accounts managed by the Manager or it affiliates are combined.
Transactions effected pursuant to such combined orders are averaged as to
price and allocated in accordance with the purchase or sale orders
actually placed for each account. Option commissions may be relatively
higher than those which would apply to direct purchases and sales of
portfolio securities.
The research services provided by a particular broker may be
useful only to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager and its
affiliates, and investment research received for the commissions of those
other accounts may be useful both to the Fund and one or more of such
other accounts. Such research, which may be supplied by a third party at
the instance of a broker, includes information and analyses on particular
companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and
portfolio strategy, receipt of market quotations for portfolio
evaluations, information systems, computer hardware and similar products
and services. If a research service also assists the Manager in a non-
research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions),
then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to the
Manager in the investment decision-making process may be paid in
commission dollars.
The research services provided by brokers broaden the scope and
supplement the research activities of the Manager, by making available
additional views for consideration and comparisons, and by enabling the
Manager to obtain market information for the valuation of securities held
in the Fund's portfolio or being considered for purchase. The Board of
Trustees, including the "independent" Trustees of the Fund (those Trustees
of the Fund who are not "interested persons" as defined in the Investment
Company Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the advisory agreement or the Distribution Plans described
below) annually reviews information furnished by the Manager as to the
commissions paid to brokers furnishing such services so that the Board may
ascertain whether the amount of such commissions was reasonably related
to the value or benefit of such services.
Performance of the Fund
As described in the Prospectus, from time to time the "standardized
yield," "tax-equivalent yield," "dividend yield," "average annual total
return," "total return" and "total return at net asset value" of an
investment in each class of Fund shares may be advertised. An explanation
of how standardized yield, tax-equivalent yield, dividend yield, average
annual total return and total return are calculated for each class and the
components of those calculations is set forth below. Class C shares were
first publicly offered on December 1, 1993.
- Standardized Yields.
- Yield. The Fund's "yield" (referred to as "standardized yield")
for a given 30-day period for a class of shares is calculated using the
following formula set forth in rules adopted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission that apply to all funds that quote yields:
a-b 6
Standardized Yield = 2 ((------ + 1) - 1)
cd
The symbols above represent the following factors:
a = dividends and interest earned during the 30-day period.
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of any expense
reimbursements).
c = the average daily number of shares of that class
outstanding during the 30-day period that were entitled to
receive dividends.
d = the maximum offering price per share of that class on the
last day of the period, adjusted for undistributed net
investment income.
The standardized yield of a class of shares for a 30-day period may
differ from its yield for any other period. The SEC formula assumes that
the yield for a 30-day period occurs at a constant rate for a six-month
period and is annualized at the end of the six-month period. This
standardized yield is not based on actual distributions paid by the Fund
to shareholders in the 30-day period, but is a hypothetical yield based
on the net investment income from the Fund's portfolio investments
calculated for that period. The standardized yield may differ from the
"dividend yield" of that class, described below. Additionally, because
each class of shares is subject to different expenses, it is likely that
the standardized yields of the Fund's classes of shares will differ. For
the 30-day period ended September 30, 1994, the standardized yields for
the Fund's Class A and Class C shares were 4.58% and 3.68%, respectively.
- Tax-Equivalent Yield. The Fund's "tax-equivalent yield" adjusts
the Fund's current yield, as calculated above, by a stated combined
Federal and state tax rate. The tax equivalent yield is based on a 30-day
period, and is computed by dividing the tax-exempt portion of the Fund's
current yield (as calculated above) by one minus a stated income tax rate
and adding the result to the portion (if any) of the Fund's current yield
that is not tax-exempt. The tax-equivalent yield may be used to compare
the tax effects of income derived from the Fund with income from taxable
investments at the tax rates stated. Appendix B includes a tax equivalent
yield table, based on various effective tax brackets for individual
taxpayers. Such tax brackets are determined by a taxpayer's Federal and
state taxable income (the net amount subject to Federal and state income
tax after deductions and exemptions). The tax-equivalent yield tables
assume that the investor is taxed at the highest bracket, regardless of
whether a switch to non-taxable investments would cause a lower bracket
to apply. For taxpayers with income above certain levels, otherwise
allowable itemized deductions are limited. The Fund's tax-equivalent
yield for its Class A and Class C shares for the 30-day period ended
September 30, 1994 were 7.58% and 6.09%, respectively, for an individual
in the 36% Federal tax bracket.
- Dividend Yield and Distribution Return. From time to time the Fund
may quote a "dividend yield" or a "distribution return" for each class.
Dividend yield is based on the Class A or Class C share dividends derived
from net investment income during a stated period. Distribution return
includes dividends derived from net investment income and from realized
capital gains declared during a stated period. Under those calculations,
the dividends and/or distributions for that class declared during a stated
period of one year or less (for example, 30 days) are added together, and
the sum is divided by the maximum offering price per share of that class
on the last day of the period. When the result is annualized for a period
of less than one year, the "dividend yield" is calculated as follows:
Dividend Yield of the Class =
Dividends of the Class
- ----------------------------------------------------
Max Offering Price of the Class (last day of period)
Divided by number of days (accrual period) x 365
The maximum offering price for Class A shares includes the maximum front-
end sales charge. For Class C shares, the maximum offering price is the
net asset value per share, without considering the effect of contingent
deferred sales charges.
From time to time, similar calculations may also be made using the
Class A net asset value (instead of its respective maximum offering price)
at the end of the period. The dividend yields on Class A shares for the
30-day period ended September 30, 1994 were 5.15% and 5.34% when
calculated at maximum offering price and net asset value, respectively.
The dividend yield on Class C shares for the 30-day period ended September
30, 1994 was 4.57% when calculated at net asset value.
- Total Return Information.
- Average Annual Total Returns. The "average annual total return"
of each class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year
in a specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the
change in value of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the
formula below) held for a number of years ("n") to achieve an Ending
Redeemable Value ("ERV") of that investment, according to the following
formula:
( ERV ) 1/n
(-----) -1 = Average Annual Total Return
( P )
The "average annual total return" on an investment in Class A shares
of the Fund for the one and five year periods ended September 30, 1994
were (5.35)% and 6.86%, respectively, and for the period from the
inception of the Fund on November 11, 1986 through September 30, 1994 was
6.82%. The "average annual total return" on an investment in Class C
shares for the year ended September 30, 1994 was (4.18)%.
- Cumulative Total Return. The "cumulative total return" calculation
measures the change in the value of a hypothetical investment of $1,000
over an entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of the same
factors as average annual total return, but it does not average the rate
of return on an annual basis. Cumulative total return is determined as
follows:
ERV - P
- ------- = Total Return
P
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum
sales charge of 3.50% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted
from the initial investment ("P") (unless the return is shown at net asset
value, as described below). For Class C shares, the payment of the
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.0% in the first year is applied, as
described in the Prospectus. Total returns also assume that all dividends
and capital gains distributions during the period are reinvested to buy
additional shares at net asset value per share, and that the investment
is redeemed at the end of the period. The "total return" on an investment
in Class A shares of the Fund (using the method described above) for the
period from November 11, 1986 (inception of the Fund) through September
30, 1994, was 68.26%. The cumulative total return on Class C shares for
the period from December 1, 1993 (the inception of the class) through
September 30, 1994 was (3.48)%. During a portion of the periods for which
total returns are shown, the Fund's maximum sales charge rate was higher;
as a result, performance returns on actual investments during those
periods may be lower than the results shown.
- Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may
also quote an average annual total return at net asset value or a
cumulative total return at net asset value for Class A or Class C shares.
Each is based on the difference in net asset value per share at the
beginning and the end of the period for a hypothetical investment in that
class of shares (without considering front-end or contingent deferred
sales charges) and takes into consideration the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions. The "total return at net asset value"
on the Fund's Class A shares for the one-year period ended September 30,
1994 was (1.92)%. The total return at net asset value for the Fund's
Class C shares year ended September 30, 1994 was (2.54)%.
- Other Performance Comparisons. From time to time, the Fund may
publish the ranking of the performance of its Class A or Class B shares
by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), a widely-recognized
independent service. Lipper monitors the performance of regulated
investment companies, including the Fund, and ranks their performance for
various periods based on categories relating to investment objectives.
The performance of the Fund is ranked against (i) all other funds, other
than money market funds, and (ii) all other intermediate municipal debt
funds. The Lipper performance analysis includes the reinvestment of
capital gain distributions and income dividends but does not take sales
charge or taxes into consideration. From time to time the Fund may
include in its advertisement and sales literature performance information
about the Fund cited in other newspapers and periodicals such as The New
York Times, which may include performance quotations from other sources,
including Lipper and Morningstar.
From time to time the Fund may publish the ranking of its performance
by Morningstar, Inc., an independent mutual fund monitoring service that
ranks mutual funds, including the Fund, monthly in broad investment
categories (equity, taxable bond, municipal bond and hybrid) based on
risk-adjusted investment return. Investment return measures a fund's
three, five and ten-year average annual total returns (when available) in
excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns after considering sales
charges and expenses. Risk reflects fund performance below 90-day U.S.
Treasury bill monthly returns. Risk and return are combined to produce
star rankings reflecting performance relative to the average fund in a
fund's category. Five stars is the "highest" ranking (top 10%), four
stars is "above average" (next 22.5%), three stars is "average" (next
35%), two stars is "below average" (next 22.5%) and one star is "lowest"
(bottom 10%). Morningstar ranks the Fund in relation to other municipal
bond funds. Rankings are subject to change.
Investors may also wish to compare the Fund's Class A or Class C
return to the returns on fixed income investments available from banks and
thrift institutions, such as certificates of deposit, ordinary interest-
paying checking and savings accounts, and other forms of fixed or variable
time deposits, and various other instruments such as Treasury bills.
However, the Fund's returns and share price are not guaranteed and will
fluctuate daily, while bank depository obligations may be insured by the
FDIC and may provide fixed rates of return, and Treasury bills are
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government. In order
to compare the Fund's dividends to the rate of return on taxable
investments, Federal income taxes on such investments should be
considered.
When redeemed, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than
their original cost. Returns for any given past period will not be a
predication or representation by the Fund of future returns. The returns
of the Class A and Class C shares of the Fund are affected by portfolio
quality, the type of investments the Fund holds and its operating expenses
allocated to a particular class.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A shares and a
Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares under Rule 12b-1 of the
Investment Company Act pursuant to which the Fund will reimburse the
Distributor quarterly for all or a portion of its costs incurred in
connection with the distribution and/or servicing of the shares of that
class, as described in the Prospectus. Each Plan has been approved by a
vote of (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of
the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on that Plan, and (ii) the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares of each class. For
the Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares, that vote was cast
by the Manager as the sole initial holder of Class C shares of the Fund.
In addition, under the Plans the Manager and the Distributor, in
their sole discretion, from time to time may use their own resources
(which, in the case of the Manager, may include profits from the advisory
fee it receives from the Fund) to make payments to brokers, dealers or
other financial institutions (each is referred to as a "Recipient" under
the Plans) for distribution and administrative services they perform. The
Distributor and the Manager may, in their sole discretion, increase or
decrease the amount of payments they make from their own resources to
Recipients.
Unless terminated as described below, each Plan continues in effect
from year to year but only as long as its continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees and its
Independent Trustees by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such continuance. Either Plan may be terminated at
any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the
vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) of the outstanding shares of that class. Neither Plan may be amended
to increase materially the amount of payments to be made unless such
amendment is approved by shareholders of the class affected by the
amendment. All material amendments must be approved by the Independent
Trustees.
While the Plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide separate written reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees at least
quarterly on the amount of all payments made pursuant to each Plan, the
purpose for which each payment was made and the identity of each Recipient
that received any payment. The report for the Class C Plan shall also
include the distribution costs for that quarter, and such costs for
previous fiscal periods that have been carried forward, as explained in
the Prospectus and below. Those reports, including the allocations on
which they are based, will be subject to the review and approval of the
Independent Trustees in the exercise of their fiduciary duty. Each Plan
further provides that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination
of those Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the
Trust is committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This
does not prevent the involvement of others in such selection and
nomination if the final decision on selection or nomination is approved
by a majority of the Independent Trustees.
Under the Plans, no payment will be made to any Recipient in any
quarter if the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares held by the
Recipient for itself and its customers, did not exceed a minimum amount,
if any, that may be determined from time to time by a majority of the
Fund's Independent Trustees. Initially, the Board of Trustees has set the
fee at the maximum rate and set no minimum amount. For the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1994, payments under the Class A Plan totalled
$188,179, of which $171,382 was paid by the Distributor to Recipients,
including $16,797 paid to MML Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of the
Distributor.
Any unreimbursed expenses incurred by the Distributor with respect
to Class A shares for any fiscal year may not be recovered in subsequent
years. Payments received by the Distributor under the Plan for Class A
shares will not be used to pay any interest expense, carrying charge, or
other financial costs, or allocation of overhead by the Distributor.
The Class C Plan allows the service fee payment to be paid by the
Distributor to Recipients in advance for the first year Class C shares are
outstanding, and thereafter on a quarterly basis, as described in the
Prospectus. The advance payment is based on the net asset value of the
Class C shares sold. An exchange of shares does not entitle the Recipient
to an advance service fee payment. In the event Class C shares are
redeemed during the first year that the shares are outstanding, the
Recipient will be obligated to repay a pro rata portion of the advance
payment for those shares to the Distributor. For the year ended September
30, 1994, payments made under the Class C Plan totalled $39,120, all of
which was retained by the Distributor as reimbursement for Class C
Distribution-related expenses and sales commissions.
Although the Class C Plan permits the Distributor to retain both the
asset-based sales charges and the service fee on Class C shares, or to pay
Recipients the service fee on a quarterly basis, without payment in
advance, the Distributor intends to pay the service fee to Recipients in
the manner described above. A minimum holding period may be established
from time to time under the Class C Plan by the Board. Initially, the
Board has set no minimum holding period. All payments under the Class C
Plan are subject to the limitations imposed by the Rules of Fair Practice
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of
asset-based sales charges and service fees.
The Class C Plan allows for the carry-forward of distribution
expenses, to be recovered from asset-based sales charges in subsequent
fiscal periods, as described in the Prospectus. The asset-based sales
charge paid to the Distributor by the Fund under the Class C Plan is
intended to allow the Distributor to recoup the cost of sales commissions
paid to authorized brokers and dealers at the time of sale, plus financing
costs, as described in the Prospectus. Such payments may also be used to
pay for the following expenses in connection with the distribution of
Class C shares: (i) financing the advance of the service fee payment to
Recipients under the Class C Plan, (ii) compensation and expenses of
personnel employed by the Distributor to support distribution of Class C
shares, and (iii) costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses
(other than those furnished to current shareholders) and state "blue sky"
registration fees.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How To Buy Shares
Alternative Sales Arrangements - Class A and Class C Shares. The
availability of two classes of shares permits an investor to choose the
method of purchasing shares that is more beneficial to the investor
depending on the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor
expects to hold shares and other relevant circumstances. Investors should
understand that the purpose and function of the deferred sales charge and
asset-based sales charge with respect to Class C shares are the same as
those of the initial sales charge with respect to Class A shares. Any
salesperson or other person entitled to receive compensation for selling
Fund shares may receive different compensation with respect to one class
of shares than the other. The Distributor will not accept any order for
$1 million or more of Class C shares on behalf of a single investor (not
including dealer "street name" or omnibus accounts) because generally it
will be more advantageous for that investor to purchase Class A shares of
the Fund instead.
The two classes of shares each represent an interest in the same
portfolio investments of the Fund. However, each class has different
shareholder privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class
C shares and the dividends payable on Class C shares will be reduced by
incremental expenses borne solely by that class, including the asset-based
sales charge to which Class C shares are subject.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares recognizes two
types of expenses. General expenses that do not pertain specifically to
either class are allocated pro rata to the shares of each class, based on
the percentage of the net assets of such class to the Fund's total assets,
and then equally to each outstanding share within a given class. Such
general expenses include (i) management fees, (ii) legal, bookkeeping and
audit fees, (iii) printing and mailing costs of shareholder reports,
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and other materials for
current shareholders, (iv) fees to Independent Trustees, (v) custodian
expenses, (vi) share issuance costs, (vii) organization and start-up
costs, (viii) interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and (ix) non-
recurring expenses, such as litigation costs. Other expenses that are
directly attributable to a class are allocated equally to each outstanding
share within that class. Such expenses include (i) Distribution Plan
fees, (ii) incremental transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees and
expenses, (iii) registration fees and (iv) shareholder meeting expenses,
to the extent that such expenses pertain to a specific class rather than
to the Fund as a whole.
Determination of Net Asset Value Per Share. The net asset values per share
of Class A and Class C shares of the Fund are determined as of the close
of business of The New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on each day that
the Exchange is open by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets
attributable to that class by the number of Fund shares of that class
outstanding. The NYSE normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time, but
may close earlier on some days (for example, in case of weather
emergencies or on days falling before a holiday). The NYSE's most recent
annual holiday schedule (which is subject to change) states that it will
close on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It may
also close on other days. Dealers may conduct trading at times when the
NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays) so that debt securities
of the same type held by the Fund may be traded. Because the net asset
values of the Fund will not be calculated at such times, if debt
securities held in the Fund's portfolio are traded at such times, the net
asset values per share of Class A and Class C shares of the Fund may be
significantly affected at times when shareholders do not have the ability
to purchase or redeem shares.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has established procedures for the
valuation of the Fund's securities, generally, as follows: (i) securities
(including restricted securities) not having readily-available market
quotations are valued at fair value under the Board's procedures; (ii)
long-term debt securities, and short-term debt securities having a
remaining maturity in excess of 60 days, are valued at the mean between
the asked and bid prices determined by a portfolio pricing service
appointed by the Fund's Board of Trustees or obtained from active market
makers in the security; and (iii) short-term debt securities having a
remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at cost, adjusted for
amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. In the case of
Municipal Securities, where last sale information is not generally
available, such pricing procedures may include "matrix" comparisons to the
prices for comparable instruments on the basis of quality, yield, maturity
and other special factors involved (such as the tax-exempt status of the
interest paid by Municipal Securities). The Trustees will monitor the
accuracy of pricing services by comparing prices used for portfolio
evaluation to actual sales prices of selected securities.
Puts, calls, Interest Rate Futures and Municipal Bond Index Futures
are valued at the last sales prices on the principal exchanges on which
they are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable. If there were no sales on
the principal exchange, the last sale on any exchange is used. In the
absence of any sales that day, value shall be the last reported sales
price on the prior trading day or closing bid or asked prices on the
principal exchange closest to the last reported sales price. When the
Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund
is included in its Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset and
an equivalent deferred credit is included in the liability section. The
deferred credit is adjusted ("marked-to-market") to reflect the current
market value of the option.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each purchase
must be at least $25.00. Shares will be purchased on the regular business
day the Distributor is instructed to initiate the Automated Clearing House
transfer to buy the shares. Dividends will begin to accrue on shares
purchased by the proceeds or ACH transfers on the business day the Fund
receives Federal Funds for the purchase through the ACH system before the
close of The New York Stock Exchange. The Exchange normally closes at 4:00
P.M., but may close earlier on some days. If the Federal Funds are
received after on a business day after the close of the Exchange, the
shares will be purchased and dividends will begin to accrue on the next
regular business day. The proceeds of ACH transfers are normally received
by the Fund three days after the transfers are initiated. The Distributor
and the Fund are not responsible for any delays in purchasing shares
resulting from delays in ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus, a reduced sales
charge rate may be obtained for Class A shares under Rights of
Accumulation and Letters of Intent because of the economies of sales
efforts and expenses realized by the Distributor, dealers and brokers
making such sales. No sales charge is imposed in certain circumstances
described in the Prospectus because the Distributor or dealer or broker
incurs little or no selling expenses. The term "immediate family" refers
to one's spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, parents-
in-law, brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, siblings, and
a sibling's spouse and a spouse's siblings.
- - The OppenheimerFunds. The OppenheimerFunds are those mutual funds for
which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the sub-distributor and
include the following:
Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund
Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Florida Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer New Jersey Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Time Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer Value Stock Fund
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund
and the following "Money Market Funds":
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares
of each of the OppenheimerFunds except Money Market Funds (under certain
circumstances described herein, redemption proceeds of Money Market Fund
shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge).
- Letters of Intent. A Letter of Intent ("Letter") is the investor's
statement of intention to purchase Class A shares of the Fund (and other
eligible OppenheimerFunds) sold with a front-end sales charge during the
13-month period from the investor's first purchase pursuant to the Letter
(the "Letter of Intent period"), which may, at the investor's request,
include purchases made up to 90 days prior to the date of the Letter. The
Letter states the investor's intention to make the aggregate amount of
purchases (excluding any purchases made by reinvestments of dividends or
distributions or purchases made at net asset value without sales charge),
which together with the investor's holdings of such funds (calculated at
their respective public offering prices calculated on the date of the
Letter) will equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter. This
enables the investor to obtain the reduced sales charge rate (as set forth
in the Prospectus) applicable to purchases of shares in that amount (the
"intended purchase amount"). Each purchase under the Letter will be made
at the public offering price applicable to a single lump-sum purchase of
shares in the intended purchase amount, as described in the Prospectus.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares, but if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of
Intent period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the
investor's holdings of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal
or exceed the intended purchase amount, the investor agrees to pay the
additional amount of sales charge applicable to such purchases, as set
forth in "Terms of Escrow," below (as those terms may be amended from time
to time). The investor agrees that shares equal in value to 5% of the
intended purchase amount will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent
subject to the Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor agrees to be bound by
the terms of the Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and
the Application used for such Letter of Intent, and if such terms are
amended, as they may be from time to time by the Fund, that those
amendments will apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent
period do not equal or exceed the intended purchase amount, the
commissions previously paid to the dealer of record for the account and
the amount of sales charge retained by the Distributor will be adjusted
to the rates applicable to actual purchases. If total eligible purchases
during the Letter of Intent period exceed the intended purchase amount and
exceed the amount needed to qualify for the next sales charge rate
reduction set forth in the applicable prospectus, the sales charges paid
will be adjusted to the lower rate, but only if and when the dealer
returns to the Distributor the excess of the amount of commissions allowed
or paid to the dealer over the amount of commissions that apply to the
actual amount of purchases. The excess commissions returned to the
Distributor will be used to purchase additional shares for the investor's
account at the net asset value per share in effect on the date of such
purchase, promptly after the Distributor's receipt thereof.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter,
shares redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of
Intent period will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer
of record and/or the investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter
in placing any purchase orders for the investor during the Letter of
Intent period. All of such purchases must be made through the
Distributor.
- Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if
necessary) made pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value
to 5% of the intended purchase amount specified in the Letter shall be
held in escrow by the Transfer Agent. For example, if the intended
purchase amount is $50,000, the escrow shall be shares valued in the
amount of $2,500 (computed at the public offering price adjusted for a
$50,000 purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions on the
escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the intended purchase amount specified under the Letter is
completed within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed
shares will be promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period the
total purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended purchase
amount specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor
an amount equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales
charges actually paid and the amount of sales charges which would have
been paid if the total amount purchased had been made at a single time.
Such sales charge adjustment will apply to any shares redeemed prior to
the completion of the Letter. If such difference in sales charges is not
paid within twenty days after a request from the Distributor or the
dealer, the Distributor will, within sixty days of the expiration of the
Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to realize such
difference in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining after
such redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received
to redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales
charge, the sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for
redemption any or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the
holding of which may be counted toward completion of the Letter) do not
include any shares sold without a front-end sales charge or without being
subject to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge unless (for the
purpose of determining completion of the obligation to purchase shares
under the Letter) the shares were acquired in exchange for shares of one
of the OppenheimerFunds whose shares were acquired by payment of a sales
charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged
for shares of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described
in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Exchange Privilege," and the
escrow will be transferred to that other fund.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan from a bank
account, a check (minimum $25) for the initial purchase must accompany the
application. Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments from bank
accounts are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent purchases
described in "How To Sell Shares," in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans
also enable shareholders of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves to use those
accounts for monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to four other
OppenheimerFunds.
There is a front-end sales charge on the purchase of certain
OppenheimerFunds, or a contingent deferred sales charge may apply to
shares purchased by Asset Builder payments. An application should be
obtained from the Distributor, completed and returned, and a prospectus
of the selected fund(s) should be obtained from the Distributor or your
financial advisor before initiating Asset Builder payments. The amount
of the Asset Builder investment may be changed or the automatic
investments may be terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer
Agent. A reasonable period (approximately 15 days) is required after the
Transfer Agent's receipt of such instructions to implement them. The Fund
reserves the right to amend, suspend, or discontinue offering such plans
at any time without prior notice.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the
Fund's shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund
unpaid) causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the
Fund's shares on the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date.
That loss is equal to the amount of the decline in the net asset value per
share multiplied by the number of shares in the purchase order. The
investor is responsible for that loss. If the investor fails to
compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor will do so. The Fund
may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming shares from any
account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the Distributor
may seek other redress.
Checkwriting. When a check is presented to the Bank for clearance, the
Bank will ask the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of full and
fractional shares in the shareholder's account to cover the amount of the
check. This enables the shareholder to continue receiving dividends on
those shares until the check is presented to the Fund. Checks may not be
presented for payment at the offices of the Bank or the Fund's Custodian.
This limitation does not affect the use of checks for the payment of bills
or to obtain cash at other banks. The Fund reserves the right to amend,
suspend or discontinue offering checkwriting privileges at any time
without prior notice.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the
Prospectus. The information below supplements the terms and conditions for
redemptions set forth in the Prospectus.
- Selling Shares by Wire. The wire of redemptions proceeds may be
delayed if the Fund's custodian bank is not open for business on a day
when the Fund would normally authorize the wire to be made, which is
usually the Fund's next regular business day following the redemption.
In those circumstances, the wire will not be transmitted until the next
bank business day on which the Fund is open for business. No dividends
will be paid on the proceeds of redeemed shares awaiting transfer by wire.
- Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the right
to cause the involuntary redemption of the shares held in any account if
the aggregate net asset value of those shares is less than $1,000 or such
lesser amount as the Board may fix. The Board of Trustees will not cause
the involuntary redemption of shares in an account if the aggregate net
asset value of the shares has fallen below the state minimum solely as a
result of market fluctuations. Should the Board elect to exercise the
right, it may also fix, in accordance with the Investment Company Act, the
requirements for any notice to be given to the shareholders in question
(not less than 30 days), or the Board may set requirements for granting
permission to the Shareholder to increase the investment, and set other
terms and conditions so that the shares would not be involuntarily
redeemed.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a shareholder
may reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of (i) Class A shares,
or (ii) Class C shares that were subject to the Class C contingent
deferred sales charge when redeemed. The reinvestment may be made without
sales charge only in Class A shares of the Fund or any of the other
OppenheimerFunds into which shares of the Fund are exchangeable as
described below, at the net asset value next computed after the Transfer
Agent receives the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the
Distributor for that privilege at the time of reinvestment. Any capital
gain that was realized when the shares were redeemed is taxable, and
reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that gain.
If there has been a capital loss on the redemption, some or all of the
loss may not be tax deductible, depending on the timing and amount of the
reinvestment. Under the Internal Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds
of Fund shares on which a sales charge was paid are reinvested in shares
of the Fund or another of the OppenheimerFunds within 90 days of payment
of the sales charge, the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund
that were redeemed may not include the amount of the sales charge paid.
That would reduce the loss or increase the gain recognized from the
redemption. However, in that case the sales charge would be added to the
basis of the shares acquired by the reinvestment of the redemption
proceeds. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this reinvestment
privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such
amendment, suspension or cessation.
Transfers of Shares. Shares are not subject to the payment of a
contingent deferred sales charge of either class at the time of transfer
to the name of another person or entity (whether the transfer occurs by
absolute assignment, gift or bequest, not involving, directly or
indirectly, a public sale). The transferred shares will remain subject
to the contingent deferred sales charge, calculated as if the transferee
shareholder had acquired the transferred shares in the same manner and at
the same time as the transferring shareholder. If less than all shares
held in an account are transferred, and some but not all shares in the
account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed
at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the Prospectus under
"How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class C contingent deferred
sales charge will be followed in determining the order in which shares are
transferred.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and Brokers.
The Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares from
authorized dealers or brokers. The repurchase price per share will be the
net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives the order
placed by the dealer or broker, except that if the Distributor receives
a repurchase order from a dealer or broker after the close of The New York
Stock Exchange on a regular business day, it will be processed at that
day's net asset value if the order was received by the dealer or broker
from its customers prior to the time the Exchange closes (normally 4:00
P.M., but it may close earlier on some days) and the order was transmitted
to and received by the Distributor prior to its close of business that day
(normally 5:00 P.M.). Payment ordinarily will be made within seven days
after the Distributor's receipt of the required redemption documents, with
signature(s) guaranteed as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the
Fund valued at $5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem
shares (minimum $50) automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual
or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be
redeemed three business days prior to the date requested by the
shareholder for receipt of the payment. Automatic withdrawals of up to
$1,500 per month may be requested by telephone if payments are to be made
by check payable to all shareholders of record and sent to the address of
record for the account (and if the address has not been changed within the
prior 30 days). Payments are normally made by check, but shareholders
having AccountLink privileges (see "How To Buy Shares") may arrange to
have Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments transferred to the bank account
designated on the OppenheimerFunds New Account Application or signature-
guaranteed instructions. The Fund cannot guarantee receipt of a payment
on the date requested and reserves the right to amend, suspend or
discontinue offering such plans at any time without prior notice. Because
of the sales charge assessed on Class A share purchases, shareholders
should not make regular additional Class A share purchases while
participating in an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Class C shareholders
should not establish withdrawal plans that would require the redemption
of shares held less than 12 months, because of the imposition of the Class
C contingent deferred sales charge on such withdrawals (except where the
Class C contingent deferred sales charge is waived as described in the
Prospectus under "Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the shareholder
agrees to the terms and conditions applicable to such plans, as stated
below and in the provisions of the OppenheimerFunds Application relating
to such Plans, as well as the Prospectus. These provisions may be amended
from time to time by the Fund and/or the Distributor. When adopted, such
amendments will automatically apply to existing Plans.
- Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the Transfer
Agent (on the OppenheimerFunds Application or signature-guaranteed
instructions) to exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of the Fund
for shares (of the same class) of other OppenheimerFunds automatically on
a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic
Exchange Plan. The minimum amount that may be exchanged to each other
fund account is $25. Exchanges made under these plans are subject to the
restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth in "How to Exchange
Shares" in the Prospectus and below in this Statement of Additional
Information.
- Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as
necessary to meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales
charge will be redeemed first and shares acquired with reinvested
dividends and capital gains distributions will be redeemed next, followed
by shares acquired with a sales charge, to the extent necessary to make
withdrawal payments. Depending upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's
principal may be depleted. Payments made under withdrawal plans should
not be considered as a yield or income on your investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan (the "Plan") as agent for the investor (the "Planholder") who
executed the Plan authorization and application submitted to the Transfer
Agent. The Transfer Agent shall incur no liability to the Planholder for
any action taken or omitted by the Transfer Agent in good faith to
administer the Plan. Certificates will not be issued for shares of the
Fund purchased for and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent will
credit all such shares to the account of the Planholder on the records of
the Fund. Any share certificates held by a Planholder may be surrendered
unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with the Plan application so that the
shares represented by the certificate may be held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done
at net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in
the account may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Redemptions of shares needed to make withdrawal payments will be made
at the net asset value per share determined on the redemption date.
Checks or AccountLink payments of the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will
normally be transmitted three business days prior to the date selected for
receipt of the payment (receipt of payment on the date selected cannot be
guaranteed), according to the choice specified in writing by the
Planholder.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address
to which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent
may be changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer
Agent. The Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time in mailing
such notification for the requested change to be put in effect. The
Planholder may, at any time, instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice
(in proper form in accordance with the requirements of the then-current
Prospectus of the Fund) to redeem all, or any part of, the shares held
under the Plan. In that case, the Transfer Agent will redeem the number
of shares requested at the net asset value per share in effect in
accordance with the Fund's usual redemption procedures and will mail a
check for the proceeds to the Planholder.
The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Planholder by writing to
the Transfer Agent. A Plan may also be terminated at any time by the
Transfer Agent upon receiving directions to that effect from the Fund.
The Transfer Agent will also terminate a Plan upon receipt of evidence
satisfactory to it of the death or legal incapacity of the Planholder.
Upon termination of a Plan by the Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that
have not been redeemed from the account will be held in uncertificated
form in the name of the Planholder, and the account will continue as a
dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated account unless and until proper
instructions are received from the Planholder or his or her executor or
guardian, or other authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the
Planholder may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated
form. Upon written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will
determine the number of shares for which a certificate may be issued
without causing the withdrawal checks to stop because of exhaustion of
uncertificated shares needed to continue payments. However, should such
uncertificated shares become exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund, the
Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer agent
to act as agent in administering the Plan.
How To Exchange Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of
OppenheimerFunds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged
only for shares of the same class of other OppenheimerFunds. Shares of
OppenheimerFunds that have a single class designation are deemed "Class
A" shares for this purpose. All of the OppenheimerFunds offer Class A
shares (except for Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund), but
only the following other OppenheimerFunds offer Class C shares:
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves (Class C and B shares are available only
by exchange)
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Class A shares of OppenheimerFunds may be exchanged at net asset value
for shares of any Money Market Fund. Shares of any Money Market Fund
purchased without a sales charge may be exchanged for shares of
OppenheimerFunds offered with a sales charge upon payment of the sales
charge (or, if applicable, may be used to purchase shares of
OppenheimerFunds subject to a contingent deferred sales charge). Shares
of this Fund acquired by reinvestment of dividends or distributions from
any other of the OppenheimerFunds or from any unit investment trust for
which reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor may
be exchanged at net asset value for shares of any of the OppenheimerFunds.
No contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of
either class purchased subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
However, when Class A shares acquired by exchange of Class A shares of
other OppenheimerFunds purchased subject to a Class A contingent deferred
sales charge are redeemed within 18 months of the end of the calendar
month of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class A shares, the Class
A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on the redeemed shares (see
"Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus). The Class
C contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C shares acquired
by exchange if they are redeemed within 12 months of the initial purchase
of the exchanged Class C shares.
When Class C shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the priorities
described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the imposition of
the Class C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed in
determining the order in which the shares are exchanged. Shareholders
should take into account the effect of any exchange on the applicability
and rate of any contingent deferred sales charge that might be imposed in
the subsequent redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders owning shares
of both classes must specify whether they intend to exchange Class A or
Class C shares.
The Fund reserves the right to reject telephone or written exchange
requests submitted in bulk by anyone on behalf of 10 or more accounts. The
Fund may accept requests for exchanges of up to 50 accounts per day from
representatives of authorized dealers that qualify for this privilege. In
connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged may
be less than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested
would include shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or
this Statement of Additional Information or would include shares covered
by a share certificate that is not tendered with the request. In those
cases, only the shares available for exchange without restriction will be
exchanged.
When exchanging shares by telephone, a shareholder must either have an
existing account in, or obtain and acknowledge receipt of a prospectus of,
the fund to which the exchange is to be made. For full or partial
exchanges of an account made by telephone, any special account features
such as Asset Builder Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans will be
switched to the new account unless the Transfer Agent is instructed
otherwise. If all telephone lines are busy (which might occur, for
example, during periods of substantial market fluctuations), shareholders
might not be able to request exchanges by telephone and would have to
submit written exchange requests.
Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on the regular business day the
Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in proper form (the
"Redemption Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired are
purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by
either fund up to five business days if it determines that it would be
disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The
Fund reserves the right, in its discretion, to refuse any exchange request
that may disadvantage it (for example, if the receipt of multiple exchange
requests from a dealer might require the disposition of portfolio
securities at a time or at a price that might be disadvantageous to the
Fund).
The different OppenheimerFunds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks, and a shareholder should assure
that the Fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should
be aware of the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal income tax
purposes, an exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of
one fund and a purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege,"
above, discusses some of the tax consequences of reinvestment of
redemption proceeds in such cases. The Fund, the Distributor, and the
Transfer Agent are unable to provide investment, tax or legal advice to
a shareholder in connection with an exchange request or any other
investment transaction.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Tax Status of the Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Fund intends
to qualify under the Internal Revenue Code during each fiscal year to pay
"exempt-interest dividends" to its shareholders. Exempt-interest
dividends which are derived from net investment income earned by the Fund
on Municipal Securities will be excludable from gross income of
shareholders for Federal income tax purposes. Net investment income
includes the allocation of amounts of income from the Municipal Securities
in the Fund's portfolio which are free from Federal income taxes. This
allocation will be made by the use of one designated percentage applied
uniformly to all income dividends made during the Fund's tax year. Such
designation will normally be made following the end of each fiscal year
as to income dividends paid in the prior year. The percentage of income
designated as tax-exempt may substantially differ from the percentage of
the Fund's income that was tax-exempt for a given period. A portion of
the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund may be an item of tax
preference for shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax. All
of the Fund's dividends (excluding capital gains distributions) paid
during 1994 were exempt from Federal personal income taxes. The amount
of any dividends attributable to tax preference items for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax will be identified when tax information is
distributed by the Fund. Corporate shareholders and "substantial users"
of facilities financed by Private Activity Municipal Securities should see
"Private Activity Municipal Securities."
A shareholder receiving a dividend from income earned by the Fund from
one or more of: (1) certain taxable temporary investments (such as
certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and
obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities);
(2) income from securities loans; or (3) an excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss from the Fund, treats the
dividend as a receipt of either ordinary income or long-term capital gain
in the computation of gross income, regardless of whether the dividend is
reinvested. The Fund's dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-
received deduction for corporations. Shareholders receiving Social
Security benefits should be aware that exempt-interest dividends are a
factor in determining whether such benefits are subject to Federal income
tax. Losses realized by shareholders on the redemption of Fund shares
within six months of purchase (which period may be shortened by
regulation) will be disallowed for Federal income tax purposes to the
extent of exempt-interest dividends received on such shares.
Dividends, distributions and the proceeds of the redemption of Fund
shares represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal
Service as undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money
Market Fund, Inc. as promptly as possible after the return of such checks
to the Transfer Agent to enable the investor to earn a return on otherwise
idle funds.
Long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable as long-term
capital gains whether received in cash or reinvested and regardless of how
long Fund shares have been held. Dividends paid by the Fund derived from
net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income, whether received in cash or reinvested. For information on
"backup withholding" on taxable dividends, see "How To Redeem Shares."
Interest on loans used to purchase shares of the Fund may not be deducted
for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by the Internal Revenue
Service to determine when borrowed funds are deemed used for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of Fund shares
may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though the
borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on
amounts paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund qualified as
a regulated investment company in its last fiscal year and intends to
qualify in future years, but reserves the right not to qualify. The
Internal Revenue Code contains a number of complex tests to determine
whether the Fund will qualify, and the Fund might not meet those tests in
a particular year. For example, if the Fund derives 30% or more of its
gross income from the sale of securities held less than three months, it
may fail to qualify (see "Tax Aspects of Covered Calls and Hedging
Instruments," above). If it does not qualify, the Fund will be treated for
tax purposes as an ordinary corporation, will receive no tax deduction for
payments of dividends and distributions made to shareholders and would be
unable to pay "exempt-interest" dividends as discussed above.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year the Fund must
distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January 1
through December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized in
the period from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the
current year, or else the Fund must pay an excise tax on the amounts not
distributed. The Manager might determine in a particular year that it
might be in the best interest of shareholders for the Fund not to make
distributions at the required levels and to pay the excise tax on the
undistributed amounts. That would reduce the amount of income or capital
gains available for distribution to shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect
to reinvest all dividends and/or distributions in shares of the same class
of any of the other OppenheimerFunds listed in "Reduced Sales Charges,"
above, at net asset value without sales charge. Class C shareholders
should be aware that as of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, not all of the OppenheimerFunds offer Class C shares. To
elect this option, a shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing
and either must have an existing account in the fund selected for
investment or must obtain a prospectus for that fund and an application
from the Distributor to establish an account. The investment will be made
at the net asset value per share in effect at the close of business on
the payable date of the dividend or distribution. Dividends and
distributions from other Eligible Funds may be invested in shares of this
Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About the Fund
The Custodian. Citibank, N.A. is the custodian of the Fund's assets. The
Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the
Fund's portfolio securities and handling the delivery of portfolio
securities to and from the Fund. The Manager has represented to the Fund
that its banking relationships with the Custodian have been and will
continue to be unrelated to and unaffected by the relationship between the
Fund and the Custodian. It will be the practice of the Fund to deal with
the Custodian in a manner uninfluenced by any banking relationship the
Custodian may have with the Manager and its affiliates.
Independent Auditors. The independent auditors of the Fund audit the
Manager's and the Fund's financial statements and perform other related
audit services. They also act as auditors for certain other funds advised
by the Manager and its affiliates.
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the statement of investments, of Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund as of September 30, 1994, the related statement of
operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net
assets for the years ended September 30, 1994 and 1993, and the financial
highlights for the period October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1994. These
financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of
the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits. The financial highlights (except for total return) for the period
November 11, 1986 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 1989 were
audited by other auditors whose report dated November 2, 1989, expressed
an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures
included confirmation of securities owned at September 30, 1994 by
correspondence with the custodian and brokers; and where confirmations
were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial
highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund at September 30,
1994, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and
the financial highlights for the respective stated periods, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
October 21, 1994
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS September 30, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
==========================================================
==========================================================
============
MUNICIPAL BONDS AND NOTES--97.2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CALIFORNIA--3.1% Corona, California Certificates of Participation,
Prerefunded, Series B, 10%, 11/1/20 Aaa/AAA $1,000,000 $1,313,422
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palomar Pomerado, California Health System
Revenue Bonds, Capital Appreciation Project,
MBIA Insured, 0%, 11/1/04 Aaa/AAA 1,000,000 556,742
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Bernardino County, California Certificates of
Participation, Medical Center Financing Project,
6%, 8/1/09 Baa1/A- 1,000,000 941,874
----------
2,812,038
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLORADO--0.6% Meridian Metropolitan District, Colorado General
Obligation Refunding Bonds, 7.50%, 12/1/11 A3/NR 500,000 545,381
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONNECTICUT--2.4% Connecticut State Special Tax Revenue Bonds,
Transportation Infrastructure Project,
Prerefunded, Series A, 7.125%, 6/1/07 NR/AAA 2,000,000 2,209,062
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLORIDA--1.8% Florida State Board of Education General
Obligation Bonds, Public Education Capital
Outlay, Prerefunded, Series B, 7.625%, 6/1/09 Aaa/AAA 1,500,000 1,628,721
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEORGIA--0.3% Georgia State Residential Finance Authority
Home Ownership Mtg. Revenue Bonds,
Series A-1, FHA Insured, 7.50%, 6/1/17 Aa/AA+ 245,000 253,152
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAWAII--1.1% Hawaii State General Obligation Bonds,
Series BT, 6%, 2/1/02 Aa/AA 1,000,000 1,040,158
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLINOIS--7.7% Chicago, Illinois General Obligation Refunding
Bonds, Prerefunded, Series B, 9.25%, 1/1/13 A/A- 500,000 564,616
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Du Page County, Illinois First Preservation
District General Obligation Bonds, Prerefunded,
7.70%, 11/1/00 NR/AAA 1,000,000 1,097,666
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Du Page, Illinois Water Commission Revenue
Bonds, Prerefunded, 6.875%, 5/1/14 NR/AAA 1,000,000 1,065,904
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois Development Finance Authority Pollution
Control Revenue Refunding Bonds, Central Illinois
Public Service Co., Series A, 7.60%, 3/1/14 Aa2/AA 250,000 271,886
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Lutheran Health Systems,
Prerefunded, Series C, MBIA Insured, 7.50%, 4/1/18 A/A+ 400,000 443,883
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwestern Illinois Development Authority
Hospital Revenue Bonds, Saint Elizabeth
Medical Center, 8%, 6/1/10 NR/A- 500,000 548,976
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waukegan, Illinois General Obligation Bonds,
MBIA Insured, 7.50%, 12/30/03 Aaa/AAA 1,000,000 1,119,830
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wheeling, Illinois Multi-Family Housing
Revenue Bonds, Arlington Club Project,
Series A, FHA Insured, 6.20%, 2/1/14 NR/AAA 2,000,000 1,927,886
------------
7,040,647
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INDIANA--0.2% Indiana University Revenue Bonds, Hospital
Facilities Project, 7%, 1/1/09 A1/A+ $ 215,000 $ 221,199
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IOWA--0.2% Des Moines, Iowa Hospital Revenue Bonds,
Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 7.875%, 8/15/15 A1/A+ 150,000 164,231
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOUISIANA--1.2% Louisiana State Revenue Bonds, Series A,
AMBAC Insured, 8%, 5/1/99 Aaa/AAA/AAA 1,000,000 1,120,228
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAINE--1.4% Maine Educational Loan Marketing Corp.
Student Loan Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series A, 6.05%, 11/1/04 Aaa/NR 750,000 744,931
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maine State Housing Authority Revenue Bonds,
Mtg. Purchase Project, Series A, 7.50%, 11/15/22 A1/AA 500,000 522,168
1,267,099
----------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARYLAND--4.7% Howard County, Maryland Certificates of
Participation, Series A, 8.05%, 2/15/21 NR/AA+ 350,000 414,967
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration
Revenue Bonds, Revolving Loan Fund, Series A:
0%, 9/1/04 Aa/AA/AA- 900,000 520,872
0%, 9/1/05 Aa/AA/AA- 1,575,000 853,519
0%, 9/1/06 Aa2/AA/AA- 1,575,000 797,654
0%, 9/1/07 Aa/AA/AA- 1,575,000 744,003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington Suburban Sanitation District,
Maryland Revenue Bonds, Sewage Disposal
Project, 5.60%, 6/1/01 Aa1/AA 1,000,000 1,019,964
----------
4,350,979
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASSACHUSETTS--8.5% Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Revenue Bonds, General Transportation Systems
Project, Series A, 6.25%, 3/1/12 A+/A/A+ 2,000,000 1,993,570
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co.
Revenue Bonds, Power Supply Systems, Series E,
5.70%, 7/1/01 A/BBB+/A- 1,000,000 1,012,183
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts State Dedicated Income Tax Bonds,
Series A, 7.875%, 6/1/97 A/A+/A+ 665,000 714,997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts State General Obligation Bonds,
FGIC Insured, 7.875%, 6/1/97 Aaa/AAA/AAA 500,000 538,630
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts State Housing Finance Revenue
Bonds, Series A, AMBAC Insured, 6.35%, 1/1/08 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 1,990,906
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts State Special Obligation Revenue
Bonds, Series A, AMBAC Insured, 6.25%, 6/1/05 Aa/AA/A+ 1,500,000 1,562,179
----------
7,812,465
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHIGAN--0.5% Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority
Revenue Bonds, McLaren Obligated Group,
Prerefunded, Series A, 7.50%, 9/15/21 Aaa/NR 435,000 495,028
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEVADA--2.4% Clark County, Nevada School District General
Obligation Bonds, Series A, MBIA Insured,
9.75%, 6/1/01 Aaa/AAA 1,800,000 2,224,316
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NEW JERSEY--7.1% New Jersey State General Obligation Bonds,
5.80%, 8/1/01 Aa1/AA+/AA+ $2,000,000 $ 2,068,138
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Housing and Mtg. Finance
Agency Revenue Bonds, Series A, 6.50%, 11/1/03 NR/A+ 1,860,000 1,917,732
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Revenue
Bonds, Series A, 5.80%, 1/1/02 A/A/A 1,000,000 1,023,045
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocean County, New Jersey General Obligation
Bonds, 7.40%, 10/15/00 Aa/AA-/AA 1,400,000 1,557,896
-----------
6,566,811
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW MEXICO--0.6% New Mexico State Hospital Equipment Loan
Council Revenue Bonds, San Juan Regional
Medical Center, Inc. Project, 7.90%, 6/1/11 A/NR 500,000 546,701
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK--13.3% City of New York General Obligation Bonds,
Series B, 6.75%, 10/1/06 Baa1/A-/NA 5,000,000 5,142,685
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of New York Industrial Development Agency
Revenue Bonds, Terminal One Group Assn.
Project, 6%, 1/1/08 A/A/A- 2,000,000 1,974,630
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State General Obligation Refunding
Bonds, 7.80%, 11/15/99 A/A- 1,000,000 1,122,252
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance
Agency:
Revenue Bonds, Mental Health Services Facilities,
Series B, AMBAC Insured, 5.85%, 2/15/02 Aaa/AAA/AAA 955,000 974,971
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Mental Health
Services Facilities, Series F, 6%, 2/15/03 Baa1/BBB+ 1,000,000 1,027,047
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Urban Development Corp.
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Correctional
Facilities Project 5.25%, 1/1/02 Baa1/BBB/A 2,035,000 1,969,304
-----------
12,210,889
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OKLAHOMA--0.1% Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Home Finance
Authority Revenue Bonds, GNMA Collateral Mtg.
Program, 7.65%, 1/1/23 NR/AA+ 125,000 131,818
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENNSYLVANIA--10.0% Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperative
Authority Special Tax Revenue Bonds, City of
Philadelphia Funding Program, FGIC Insured,
5.25%, 6/15/06 Aaa/AAA/AAA 3,020,000 2,850,554
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania State Industrial Development
Authority Revenue Bonds, Economic
Development Project:
AMBAC Insured, 6%, 1/1/99 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 2,068,626
Series A, 6.80%, 7/1/01 A/A-/AAA 3,000,000 3,250,569
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania School District
Revenue Bonds, Series A, MBIA Insured,
5.45%, 7/1/04 Aaa/AAA 1,000,000 979,934
----------
9,149,683
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SOUTH CAROLINA--4.2% Richland County, South Carolina Hospital
Facilities Revenue Bonds, Community Provider
Pooled Loan Program, CGIC Insured, Series A,
7.125%, 7/1/17 Aaa/AAA $ 250,000 $ ,267,589
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Carolina State Education Assistance
Authority Revenue Bonds, Insured Student Loan,
6.30%, 9/1/01 NR/AA 1,400,000 1,434,545
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Carolina State Public Service Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Prerefunded,
8%, 7/1/04 Aaa/AA-/A+ 2,000,000 2,169,862
----------
3,871,996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH DAKOTA--1.6% South Dakota Student Loan Finance Revenue
Bonds, Series A, 5.95%, 8/1/01 NR/A+ 1,500,000 1,489,077
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXAS--4.5% Harris County, Texas Flood Control Bonds,
Series A, 7.125%, 10/1/98 Aa/AA+ 1,315,000 1,408,612
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harris County, Texas Revenue Bonds, Toll Road
Project, Prerefunded, 10.375%, 8/1/14 Aaa/NR 1,500,000 1,743,996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas National Research Laboratory Commission
Financing Corp. Lease Revenue Bonds,
Superconducting Super Collider, 6.25%, 12/1/00 NR/A-/A 1,000,000 1,007,514
----------
4,160,122
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VERMONT--1.0% Vermont State Student Assistance Corp.
Educational Loan Revenue Bonds, Finance
Program, Series A-3, FSA Insured, 6.25%, 6/15/03 Aaa/AAA 900,000 933,514
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIRGINIA--4.7% Chesapeake, Virginia Public Improvement
General Obligation Bonds, 7%, 5/1/99 Aa/AA 2,155,000 2,336,908
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia State Housing and Development
Commonwealth Authority Revenue Bonds,
Series G, 5.95%, 1/1/03 Aa/AA+ 2,000,000 1,992,062
----------
4,328,970
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON--2.3% Port of Seattle, Washington Revenue Bonds,
Series B, 6.30%, 11/1/02 A1/AA-/AA- 1,000,000 1,034,455
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington State Public Power Supply System
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Nuclear Project No. 2,
Series B, 7%, 7/1/12 Aa/AA/AA 1,000,000 1,039,799
----------
2,074,254
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST VIRGINIA--0.9% West Virginia School Building Authority Revenue
Bonds, Prerefunded, MBIA Insured, 7.25%, 7/1/15 Aaa/AAA 750,000 834,304
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON D.C.--1.5% District of Columbia General Obligation Bonds,
MBIA Insured, Series A-1, 4.85%, 6/1/04 AAA/Aaa/A- 1,500,000 1,347,166
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. POSSESSIONS--9.3% Puerto Rico Commonwealth General Obligation
Revenue Refunding Bonds, 6.60%, 7/1/97 Baa1/A $3,000,000 $ 3,133,482
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway and
Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds,
Series X, 6.51%, 7/1/04(1) Baa1/A 1,500,000 1,316,931
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Revenue
Bonds, Series P, 6.75%, 7/1/03 Baa1/A- 2,000,000 2,134,396
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Telephone Authority Revenue Bonds,
AMBAC Insured, 4.77%, 1/1/03(1) AAA/AAA/AAA 2,350,000 1,974,258
-----------
8,559,067
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS, AT VALUE (COST $91,219,540) 97.2%
89,389,076
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER ASSETS NET OF LIABILITIES 2.8 2,577,706
------ -----------
NET ASSETS 100.0% $91,966,782
====== ===========
</TABLE>
(1) Represents the current interest rate for a
variable rate bond. Variable rate bonds known as
"inverse floaters" pay interest at a rate that varies
inversely with short term interest rates. As interest
rates rise, inverse floaters produce less current
income. Their price may be more volatile than
the price of a comparable fixed-rate security.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES September 30, 1994
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
==========================================================
============================================================
ASSETS Investments, at value (cost $91,219,540)--see accompanying statement $89,389,076
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivables:
Interest 1,662,897
Investments sold 958,588
Shares of beneficial interest sold 623,163
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 1,651
-----------
Total assets 92,635,375
==========================================================
============================================================
LIABILITIES Bank overdraft 6,997
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payables and other liabilities:
Dividends 269,869
Distribution and service plan fees--Note 4 56,559
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 295,757
Other 39,411
-----------
Total liabilities 668,593
==========================================================
============================================================
NET ASSETS $91,966,782
-----------
==========================================================
============================================================
COMPOSITION OF Paid-in capital $94,769,631
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS Overdistributed net investment income (142,634)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss from investment transactions (829,751)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation on investments--Note 3 (1,830,464)
-----------
Net assets $91,966,782
-----------
==========================================================
============================================================
NET ASSET VALUE Class A Shares:
PER SHARE Net asset value and redemption price per share (based on net assets
of $83,456,110 and 5,865,458 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $14.23
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value plus sales charge
of 3.50% of offering price) $14.75
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price per share (based on
net assets of $8,510,672 and 600,180 shares of beneficial interest
outstanding) $14.18
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended September 30, 1994
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
==========================================================
==========================================================
===========
INVESTMENT INCOME INTEREST $ 5,014,430
==========================================================
==========================================================
===========
EXPENSES Management fees--Note 4 413,576
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service plan fees:
Class A--Note 4 188,179
Class C--Note 4 39,120
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees--Note 4 72,812
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration and filing fees:
Class A 36,173
Class C 23,389
Shareholder reports 47,583
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian fees and expenses 17,334
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal and auditing fees 12,303
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustees' fees and expenses 2,294
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 22,418
------------
Total expenses 875,181
==========================================================
==========================================================
===========
NET INVESTMENT INCOME 4,139,249
==========================================================
==========================================================
===========
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED Net realized loss on investments (1,005,299)
LOSS ON INVESTMENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments (4,866,867)
------------
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments (5,872,166)
==========================================================
==========================================================
===========
NET DECREASE IN NET
ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $(1,732,917)
============
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1993
==========================================================
==========================================================
==============
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS Net investment income $ 4,139,249 $ 2,482,836
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (1,005,299) 295,937
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments (4,866,867) 2,171,010
----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (1,732,917) 4,949,783
==========================================================
==========================================================
==============
DIVIDENDS AND Dividends from net investment income:
DISTRIBUTIONS TO Class A ($.6658 and $.75 per share, respectively) (3,542,656)
(2,380,648)
SHAREHOLDERS Class C ($.4535 per share) (144,854) --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends in excess of net investment income:
Class A ($.0914 per share) (486,109) --
Class C ($.0622 per share) (19,877) --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain on investments:
Class A ($.47 per share) -- (1,090,058)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions in excess of net realized gain on investments:
Class A ($.0698 per share) (340,993) --
Class C ($.0698 per share) (271) --
==========================================================
==========================================================
==============
BENEFICIAL INTEREST Net increase in net assets resulting from Class A
TRANSACTIONS beneficial interest transactions--Note 2 19,304,315 38,932,453
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from Class C
beneficial interest transactions--Note 2 8,794,633 --
==========================================================
==========================================================
==============
NET ASSETS Total increase 21,831,271 40,411,530
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of year 70,135,511 29,723,981
----------- -----------
End of year [including undistributed (overdistributed)
net investment income of ($142,634) and $102,188, respectively] $91,966,782 $70,135,511
===========
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
-------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990(3)
==========================================================
=================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $15.34 $15.09 $14.40 $13.51 $13.57
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .72 .77 .86 .83 .90
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (1.00) .70 .69 .91 (.08)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss) from
investment operations (.28) 1.47 1.55 1.74 .82
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (.67) (.75) (.86) (.85) (.88)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income (.09) -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- (.47) -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net
realized gain on investments (.07) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and
distributions to shareholders (.83) (1.22) (.86) (.85) (.88)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $14.23 $15.34 $15.09 $14.40 $13.51
======== ======== ======== ========
========
==========================================================
=================================================
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(4) (1.92)% 10.31% 11.10% 13.20% 6.14%
==========================================================
=================================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $83,456 $70,136 $29,724 $23,675 $20,287
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $79,076 $48,915 $25,153 $22,071 $20,576
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares outstanding
at end of period (in thousands) 5,865 4,571 1,970 1,644 1,502
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 5.05% 5.08% 5.87% 5.93% 6.56%
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager 1.00% 1.07% 1.25% 1.35% 1.41%
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager N/A 1.05% 1.16% 1.16% .66%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 51% 21% 93% 75% 102%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS C
---------------------------------- -------------
YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1989 1988 1987(2) 1994(1)
==========================================================
========================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $13.33 $12.56 $14.00 $15.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .98 1.05 .90 .46
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .24 .77 (1.44) (.83)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss) from
investment operations 1.22 1.82 (.54) (.37)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net
investment income (.98) (1.05) (.90) (.46)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income -- -- -- (.06)
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net
realized gain on investments -- -- -- (.07)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and
distributions to shareholders (.98) (1.05) (.90) (.59)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $13.57 $13.33 $12.56 $14.18
======== ======== ======== ========
==========================================================
========================================
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(4) 9.54% 14.96% (4.11)% (2.54)%
==========================================================
========================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $19,350 $13,480 $10,228 $8,511
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $17,188 $12,220 $11,152 $4,686
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares outstanding
at end of period (in thousands) 1,426 1,011 814 600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 7.09% 8.01% 7.39%(5) 3.77%(5)
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager 1.56% 1.75% 1.95%(5) 2.24%(5)
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager .23% N/A .40%(5) N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(6) 180% 148% 98% 51%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period from December 1, 1993 (inception of offering) to
September 30, 1994.
(2) For the period from November 11, 1986 (commencement of operations) to
September 30, 1987.
(3) On April 7, 1990, Oppenheimer Management Corporation became the
investment advisor to the Fund.
(4) Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before
the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions
reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption
at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal
period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns.
(5) Annualized.
(6) The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities
owned during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at
the time of acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the
calculation. Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding
short-term securities) for the year ended September 30, 1994 were
$68,359,263 and $41,537,773, respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the Fund) is a separate
series of Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, a diversified, open-end
management investment company registered under The Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended. The Fund's investment advisor is Oppenheimer
Management Corporation (the Manager). The Fund offers both Class A and
Class C shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge.
Class C shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
Both classes of shares have identical rights to earnings, assets and
voting privileges, except that
each class has its own distribution and/or service plan, expenses directly
attributable to a particular class and exclusive voting rights with
respect to matters affecting a single class. The
following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Fund.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------
INVESTMENT VALUATION. Portfolio securities are valued at 4:00 p.m. (New
York time) on each trading DAy. Long-term debt securities are valued by
a portfolio pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees. Long-term
debt securities which cannot be valued by the approved portfolio pricing
service are valued by averaging the mean between the bid and asked prices
obtained from two active market makers in such securities. Short-term debt
securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at
cost (or last determined market value) adjusted for amortization to
maturity of any Premium or discount. Securities for which market quotes
are not readily available are valued under procedures established by the
Board of Trustees to determine fair value in good faith.
ALLOCATION OF INCOME, EXPENSES AND GAINS AND LOSSES. Income, expenses
(other than those attributable to a specific class) and gains and losses
are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative
proportion of net assets represented by such class. Operating expenses
directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the
operations of that class.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. The Fund intends to continue to comply with
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net
realized gain on investments not offset by loss carryovers, to
shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund intends to declare dividends
separately for Class A and Class C from net investment income each day the
New York Stock Exchange is open for business and pay such dividends
monthly. Distributions from net realized gains on investments, if any,
will be declared at least once each year.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING FOR DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Effective October
1, 1993, the Fund adopted Statement of Position 93-2: Determination,
Disclosure, and Financial Statement Presentation of Income, Capital Gain,
and Return of Capital Distributions by Investment Companies. As a result,
the Fund changed the classification of distributions to shareholders to
better disclose the differences between financial statement amounts and
distributions determined in accordance with income tax regulations.
Accordingly, subsequent to September 30, 1993, amounts have been
reclassified to reflect a decrease in paid-in capital of $33, a decrease
in undistributed net investment income of $7,341, and a decrease in
undistributed capital loss on investments of $7,374. During the year ended
September 30, 1994, in accordance with Statement of Position 93-2,
undistributed net investment income was decreased by $183,234 and
undistributed capital loss was decreased by $183,234.
OTHER. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the
investments are purchased or sold (trade date). Original issue discount
on securities purchased is amortized over the life of the respective
securities, in accordance with federal income tax requirements. Realized
gains and losses on investments and unrealized appreciation and
depreciation are determined on an identified cost basis, which is the same
basis used for federal income tax purposes. For bonds acquired after April
30, 1993, accrued market discount is recognized at maturity or disposition
as taxable ordinary income. Taxable ordinary income is realized to the
extent of the lesser of gain or accrued market discount.
2. SHARES OF
BENEFICAL INTEREST
the Fund has authorized an unlimited number of no par value shares of
beneficial interest of each class. Transactions in shares of beneficial
interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994(1) YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1993
------------------------------- -------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A:
Sold 2,161,013 $32,133,399 3,115,937 $46,722,666
Dividends and
distributions
reinvested 201,137 2,968,987 160,105 2,381,702
Redeemed (1,067,987) (15,798,071) (674,670) (10,171,915)
---------- ----------- --------- -----------
Net increase 1,294,163 $19,304,315 2,601,372 $38,932,453
========== =========== =========
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C:
Sold 664,985 $ 9,719,514 -- $ --
Dividends and
distributions
reinvested 8,536 122,637 -- --
Redeemed (73,341) (1,047,518) -- --
---------- ----------- -------- -----------
Net increase 600,180 $ 8,794,633 -- $ --
========== =========== =========
===========
</TABLE>
(1) For the year ended September 30, 1994 for
Class A shares and for the period from December
1, 1993 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1994 for Class C shares.
3. UNREALIZED GAINS AND
LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS
At September 30, 1994, net unrealized depreciation on investments of
$1,830,464 was composed of gross appreciation of $497,536, and gross
depreciation of $2,328,000.
4. MANAGEMENT FEES
AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
WITH AFFILIATES
Management fees paid to the Manager were in accordance with the investment
advisory agreement with the Fund which provides for an annual fee of .50%
on the first $100 million of net assets, .45% on the next $150 million,
.425% on the next $250 million and .40% on net assets in excess of $500
million.
The Manager has agreed to assume Fund expenses (with specified exceptions)
in excess of the most stringent applicable regulatory limit on Fund
expenses.
The Manager acts as the accounting agent for the Fund at an annual fee of
$12,000, plus out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred.
For the year ended September 30, 1994, commissions (sales charges paid by
investors) on sales of Class A shares totaled $369,458, of which $140,136
was retained by Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (OFDI), a subsidiary
of the Manager, as general distributor, and by an affiliated
broker/dealer. During the year ended September 30, 1994,
OFDI received contingent deferred sales charges of $4,641 upon redemption
of Class C shares, as reimbursement for sales commissions advanced by OFDI
at the time of sale of such shares. Oppenheimer Shareholder Service (OSS),
a division of the Manager, is the transfer and shareholder servicing agent
for the Fund, and for other registered investment companies.
OSS's total costs of providing such services are allocated ratably to
these companies.
Under separate approved plans, each class may expend up to .25% of its net
assets annually to reimburse OFDI for costs incurred in connection with
the personal service and maintenance of accounts that hold shares of the
Fund, including amounts paid to brokers, dealers, banks and other
financial institutions. In addition, Class C shares are subject
to an asset-based sales charge of .75% of net assets annually, to
reimburse OFDI for sales commissions paid from its own resources at the
time of sale and associated financing costs. In the event of termination
or discontinuance of the Class C plan, the Board of Trustees
may allow the Fund to continue payment of the asset-based sales charge to
OFDI for distribution expenses incurred on Class C shares sold prior to
termination or discontinuance of the plan. During the year ended September
30, 1994, OFDI paid $16,797 to an affiliated broker/dealer as
reimbursement for Class A personal service and maintenance expenses and
retained $39,120 as reimbursement for Class C sales commissions and
service fee advances, as well as financing costs.
<PAGE>
Appendix A
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Municipal Bond Ratings.
Moody's Investor Services, Inc. The four highest ratings of Moody's
for Municipal Securities are "Aaa," "Aa," "A" and "Baa." Moody's basis
of such ratings is as follows. Municipal Securities rated "Aaa" are
judged to be of the "best quality." The rating "Aa" is assigned to bonds
which are of "high quality by all standards," but as to which margins of
protection or other elements make long-term risks appear somewhat larger
than "Aaa" rated Municipal Securities. The "Aaa" and "Aa" rated bonds
comprise what are generally known as "high grade bonds." Municipal
Securities which are rated "A" by Moody's possess many favorable
investment attributes and are considered "upper medium grade obligations."
Factors giving security to principal and interest of bonds rated "A" are
considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment at some time in the future. Municipal
Securities rated "Baa" are considered "medium grade" obligations. 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. Those bonds in the "Aa," "A" and "Baa" groups which
Moody's believes possess the strongest attributes are designated "Aa1,"
"A1" and "Baa1."
In addition to the alphabetical rating system described above,
Municipal Securities rated by Moody's which have a demand feature that
provides the holder with the ability periodically to tender (put) the
portion of the debt covered by the demand feature, may also have a short-
term rating assigned to such demand feature. The short-term rating uses
the symbol VMIG to distinguish characteristics which include payment upon
periodic demand rather than fund or scheduled maturity dates and potential
reliance upon external liquidity, as well as other factors. The highest
investment quality is designated by the VMIG 1 rating and the lowest by
VMIG 4.
Standard & Poor's Corporation. The four highest ratings of S&P for
Municipal Securities are AAA (Prime), AA (High Grade), A (Good Grade), and
BBB (Medium Grade). Standard & Poor's basis of such ratings is as
follows. Municipal Securities rated AAA are "obligations of the highest
quality." The rating AA is accorded issues with investment
characteristics "only slightly less marked than those of the prime quality
issues." The rating A describes "the third strongest capacity for payment
of debt service." Principal and interest payments on bonds in this
category are regarded as safe. It differs from the two higher ratings
because, with respect to general obligation bonds, there is some weakness,
either in the local economic base, in debt burden, in the balance between
revenues and expenditures, or in quality of management. Under certain
adverse circumstances, any one such weakness might impair the ability of
the issuer to meet debt obligations at some future date. With respect to
revenue bonds rated A, debt service coverage is good, but not exceptional.
Stability of the pledged revenues could show some variations because of
increased competition or economic influences on revenues. Basic security
provisions, while satisfactory, are less stringent. Management
performance appears adequate.
The BBB rating is the lowest "investment grade" security rating. The
difference between A and BBB ratings is that the latter shows more than
one fundamental weakness, or one very substantial fundamental weakness,
whereas the former shows only one deficiency among the factors considered.
With respect to revenue bonds, debt coverage is only fair. Stability of
the pledged revenues could show variations, with the revenue flow possibly
being subject to erosion over time. Basic security provisions are no more
than adequate. Management performance could be stronger. The ratings AA,
A, and BBB may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show
relative standing within the major rating categories.
Municipal Note Ratings.
Moody's. Moody's ratings for state and Municipal Notes and other
short-term loans are designated "Moody's Investment Grade" ("MIG"). Notes
bearing the designation "MIG 1" are of the best quality, enjoying strong
protection from established cash flows of funds for their servicing or
from established and broad-based access to the market for financing.
Notes bearing the designation "MIG 2" are of high quality, with ample
margins of protection, although not so large as notes rated "MIG 1." Such
short-term notes which have demand features may also carry a rating using
the symbol "VMIG" as described above, with the designation "MIG 1/VMIG 1"
denoting best quality, with superior liquidity support in addition to
those characteristics attributable to the designation "MIG 1."
Standard & Poor's. Standard & Poor's ratings for Municipal Notes due
in three years or less are "SP1" and "SP2." "SP1" describes issues with
a very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest and
compares with bonds rated "A" by Standard & Poor's; if modified by a plus
sign, it compares with bonds rated "AA" or "AAA" by Standard & Poor's.
"SP2" describes issues with a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
interest, and compares with bonds rated "BBB" by Standard & Poor's.
In addition to the alphabetical rating system described above,
Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's which have a demand feature that provides
the holder with the ability periodically to tender (put) the portion of
the debt covered by the demand feature, may also have a short-term rating
assigned to such demand feature. The short-term rating uses the symbol
"VMIG" to distinguish characteristics which include payment upon periodic
demand rather than fund or scheduled maturity dates and potential reliance
upon external liquidity, as well as other factors. The highest investment
quality is designated by the "VMIG 1" rating and the lowest by "VMIG 4."
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD TABLES
The equivalent yield tables below compare tax-free income with taxable
income under Federal income tax rates effective in 1994. The tables assume
that an investor's highest tax bracket applies to the change in taxable
income resulting from a switch between taxable and non-taxable
investments, that the investor is not subject to the Alternative Minimum
Tax, and that state income tax payments are fully deductible for Federal
income tax purposes. The income tax brackets are subject to indexing in
future years to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Example: Assuming a 4.0% tax-free yield, the equivalent taxable yield
would be 6.25% for a person in the 30% tax bracket.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Joint Return Bracket 3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 38,000 15.00% 4.12% 4.71% 5.29% 5.88%
$ 38,000 $ 91,850 28.00% 4.86% 5.56% 6.25% 6.94%
$ 91,850 $140,000 31.00% 5.07% 5.80% 6.52% 7.25%
$140,000 $250,000 36.00% 5.47% 6.25% 7.03% 7.81%
$250,000 and above 39.60% 5.79% 6.62% 7.45% 8.28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Joint Return Bracket 5.5% 6.0% 6.5%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 38,000 15.00% 6.47% 7.06% 7.65%
$ 38,000 $ 91,850 28.00% 7.64% 8.33% 9.03%
$ 91,850 $140,000 31.00% 7.97% 8.70% 9.42%
$140,000 $250,000 36.00% 8.59% 9.38% 10.16%
$250,000 and above 39.60% 9.11% 9.93% 10.76%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Single Return Bracket 3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 22,750 15.00% 4.12% 4.71% 5.29% 5.88%
$ 22,750 $ 55,100 28.00% 4.86% 5.56% 6.25% 6.94%
$ 55,100 $115,000 31.00% 5.07% 5.80% 6.52% 7.25%
$115,000 $250,000 36.00% 5.47% 6.25% 7.03% 7.81%
$250,000 and over 39.60% 5.79% 6.62% 7.45% 8.28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Federal
Taxable Income: Effective A Oppenheimer Intermediate
Tax Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Yield of
Single Return Bracket 5.5% 6.0% 6.5%
Is Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
Over Not Over
- ----- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 $ 22,750 15.00% 6.47% 7.06% 7.65%
$ 22,750 $ 55,100 28.00% 7.64% 8.33% 9.03%
$ 55,100 $115,000 31.00% 7.97% 8.70% 9.42%
$115,000 $250,000 36.00% 8.59% 9.38% 10.16%
$250,000 and over 39.60% 9.11% 9.93% 10.76%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Appendix C
Industry Classifications
Aerospace/Defense
Air Transportation
Auto Parts Distribution
Automotive
Bank Holding Companies
Banks
Beverages
Broadcasting
Broker-Dealers
Building Materials
Cable Television
Chemicals
Commercial Finance
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Conglomerates
Consumer Finance
Containers
Convenience Stores
Department Stores
Diversified Financial
Diversified Media
Drug Stores
Drug Wholesalers
Durable Household Goods
Education
Electric Utilities
Electrical Equipment
Electronics
Energy Services & Producers
Entertainment/Film
Environmental
<PAGE>
Food
Gas Utilities
Gold
Health Care/Drugs
Health Care/Supplies & Services
Homebuilders/Real Estate
Hotel/Gaming
Industrial Services
Insurance
Leasing & Factoring
Leisure
Manufacturing
Metals/Mining
Nondurable Household Goods
Oil - Integrated
Paper
Publishing/Printing
Railroads
Restaurants
Savings & Loans
Shipping
Special Purpose Financial
Specialty Retailing
Steel
Supermarkets
Telecommunications - Technology
Telephone - Utility
Textile/Apparel
Tobacco
Toys
Trucking
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
1560 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
