Registration No. 33-23566
File No. 811-5586
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ___ / /
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 10 / X /
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 / X /
Amendment No. 11 / X /
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
212-323-0200
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
ANDREW J. DONOHUE, ESQ.
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
/ / Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ X / On April 25, 1995 pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / On , pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / On _______ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. A Rule 24f-2 Notice for the Registrant's
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, was filed on February 27, 1995.
<PAGE>
FORM N-1A
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Cross Reference Sheet
Part A of
Form N-1A
Item No. Prospectus Heading
1 Front Cover Page
2 Expenses; Brief Overview of the Fund
3 Financial Highlights; Performance of the Fund
4 Front Cover Page; How the Fund is Managed-- Organization and
History; Investment Objective and Policies
5 How the Fund is Managed; Expenses; Back Cover
5A Performance of the Fund
6 How the Fund is Managed--Organization and History; The
Transfer Agent; Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes;
Investment Objectives and Policies-Portfolio Turnover
7 Shareholder Account Rules and Policies; How to Buy Shares;
How to Exchange Shares; Special Investor Services; Service
Plan for Class A shares; Distribution and Service Plan for
Class B Shares; How to Sell Shares
8 How to Sell Shares; Special Investor Services
9 *
Part B of
Form N-1A
Item No. Heading in Statement of Additional Information or Prospectus
10 Cover Page
11 Cover Page
12 *
13 Investment Objective and Policies; Other Investment
Techniques and Strategies; Additional Investment Restrictions
14 How the Fund is Managed; Trustees and Officers of the Fund
15 How the Fund is Managed; Major Shareholders
16 How the Fund is Managed; Distribution and Service Plans
17 Brokerage Policies of the Fund
18 Additional Information about the Fund
19 Your Investment Account-How to Buy Shares; How to Sell
Shares; How to Exchange Shares
20 Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
21 How the Fund is Managed; Brokerage Policies of the Fund
22 Performance of the Fund
23 Financial Statements
_____________
* Not applicable or negative answer.
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Prospectus dated April 25, 1995
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund is a mutual fund that seeks as high
a level of current interest income exempt from Federal and California
income taxes for individual investors as is consistent with preservation
of capital. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80%
of its assets in Municipal Securities and at least 65% of its total assets
in California Municipal Securities. However, in times of unstable
economic or market conditions, the Fund's investment manager may deem it
advisable to temporarily invest an unlimited amount of the Fund's total
assets in certain taxable instruments. The Fund also uses "hedging"
instruments, to seek to reduce the risks of market fluctuations that
affect the value of the securities the Fund holds. You should carefully
review the risks associated with an investment in the Fund. Please refer
to "Investment Policies and Strategies" for more information about the
types of securities the Fund invests in and the risks of investing in the
Fund.
The Fund offers two classes of shares: (1) Class A shares 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 .
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 April 25, 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 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 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
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
Overview of the Fund
Financial Highlights
Investment Objective and Policies
How the Fund is Managed
Performance of the Fund
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Special Investor Services
AccountLink
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans
Reinvestment Privilege
How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
Checkwriting
How to Exchange Shares
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
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 bear indirectly. The numbers below are based on the Fund's expenses
during its last fiscal year ended December 31, 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
through for an explanation of how and when these charges apply.
Class A Class B
Shares Shares
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Maximum Sales 4.75% None
Charge on Purchases
(as a % of offering price)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Charge on None None
Reinvested Dividends
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Deferred Sales Charge None(1) 5% in the first year,
(as a % of the lower of the declining to 1% in
original purchase price or the sixth year and
redemption proceeds) eliminated thereafter
Exchange Fee None None
(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.
- 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 (which are a maximum of 0.25% of
average annual net assets of that class), and for Class B shares the 12b-1
Fees are the Distribution and Service Plan Fees. The service fee is a
maximum of 0.25% 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 number 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 Class B
Shares Shares
Management Fees 0.59 % 0.59%
12b-1 Service and/or 0.25% 1.00%
Distribution Plan Fees
Other Expenses 0.12% 0.14%
Total Fund Operating Expenses 0.96% 1.73%
- 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(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares $57 $77 $98 $160
Class B Shares $68 $84 $114 $165
If you did not redeem your investment, it would incur the following
expenses:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares $57 $77 $98 $160
Class B Shares $18 $54 $94 $165
(1) 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.
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 interest income exempt
from Federal and California income taxes for individual investors as is
consistent with preservation of capital.
- What Does the Fund Invest In? To seek its objective, the Fund
primarily invests in municipal securities the interest of which is exempt
from Federal and California individual income tax. The Fund may also use
hedging instruments and certain derivative investments to try to manage
investment risks. These investments are more fully explained in
"Investment Objective and Policies" starting on page __.
- Who Manages the Fund? The Fund's investment adviser (the
"Manager") is Oppenheimer Management Corporation, which (including a
subsidiary) advises investment company portfolios currently having over
$30 billion in assets. The Fund's portfolio manager is Robert E.
Patterson. He is primarily responsible for the selection of the Fund's
securities. 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 adviser and the portfolio manager. Please refer to "How
the Fund is Managed," starting on page ___ 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 that can affect
bond prices. These changes affect the value of the Fund's investments and
its price per share. The fact that the Fund concentrates it investments
in California Municipal Securities or the Fund's ability to invest in a
single issuer or limited number of issuers entails greater risk than an
investment in a diversified investment company. 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 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 ___ 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 ___ for more details, including a
discussion about factors you and your financial advisor should consider
in determining 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 ___.
- How Has the Fund Performed? The Fund measures its performance by
quoting its yield, average annual total return and cumulative total
return, which measure historical performance. Those yields and returns
can be compared to the yields and returns (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 ___. Please remember that past
performance does not guarantee future results.
Financial Highlights
The table on the following pages 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. This information
has been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, the Fund's independent
auditors, whose report on the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1994, is included in the Statement of Additional
Information.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
CLASS A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.97 $ 10.35 $ 10.22 $ 9.86 $ 9.94 $ 9.58
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .60 .62 .61 .66 .67 .71
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (1.51) .72 .20 .38 (.07) .37
------- ------- ------- ------- ------ -------
Total income (loss) from investment
operations (.91) 1.34 .81 1.04 .60 1.08
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.61) (.65) (.60) (.62) (.68) (.70)
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- (.07) (.08) (.06) -- (.02)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------ -------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (.61) (.72) (.68) (.68) (.68) (.72)
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.45 $ 10.97 $ 10.35 $ 10.22 $ 9.86 $ 9.94
======= ======= ======= =======
====== =======
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(3) (8.49)% 13.26% 8.28% 10.93% 6.38%
11.62%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $219,682 $266,490 $204,349 $145,163 $92,514 $52,342
Average net assets (in thousands) $248,850 $245,193 $174,055 $115,661 $72,879 $29,308
Number of shares outstanding at
end of period (in thousands) 23,256 24,290 19,738 14,200 9,386 5,268
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 5.99% 5.74% 6.07% 6.52% 6.80% 7.11%
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager .96% .97% 1.07% 1.05% 1.05% 1.09%
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager N/A N/A N/A .73% .53% .16%
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 21.9% 13.7% 26.8% 26.6% 14.5% 20.7%
</TABLE>
1. For the period from May 1, 1993 (inception of
offering) to December 31, 1993.
2. For the period from November 3, 1988 (commencement
of operations) to December 31, 1988.
3. 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.
4. Annualized.
5. 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 December 31,
1994 were $57,137,136 and $58,857,084, respectively.
<PAGE>
Investment Objective and Policies
Objective. The Fund's objective is to seek as high a level of current
interest income exempt from Federal and California income taxes for
individual investors as is available from investment in Municipal
Securities (defined below), consistent with preservation of capital. The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program, and there is no
assurance that it will achieve its objective.
Investment Policies and Strategies. Under normal market conditions, the
Fund attempts to invest 100% of its total assets, and, as a matter of
fundamental policy, to invest at least 80% of its total assets, in
Municipal Securities. In addition, under normal market conditions, the
Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in California Municipal
Securities.
Dividends paid by the Fund derived from interest attributable to
California Municipal Securities will be exempt from Federal individual
income taxes. Such dividends will also be exempt from California
individual income taxes provided that at the close of each quarter, at
least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets are invested in obligations
the interest of which is exempt from taxation under California law when
held by an individual. Dividends derived from interest on Municipal
Securities of other governmental issuers will be exempt from Federal
individual income tax, but will be subject to California individual income
taxes. Any net interest income on taxable investments and repurchase
agreements will be taxable as ordinary income when distributed to
shareholders.
- Municipal Securities. Municipal Securities are municipal bonds and
municipal notes and municipal commercial paper, certificates of
participation and other debt obligations issued by or on behalf of the
State of California, other states and the District of Columbia, their
political subdivisions or any commonwealth, territory or possession of the
United States, or their respective agencies, instrumentalities or
authorities, the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel
to the respective issuer at the time of issue, not subject to Federal
individual income tax. California Municipal Securities are obligations
of the State of California and its political subdivisions, and their
respective agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, the interest from
which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the respective issuer at the
time of issue, not subject to California individual income tax. No
independent investigation has been made by the Manager as to the users of
proceeds of bond offerings or the application of such proceeds. It is
anticipated that the Municipal Securities purchased for the Fund's
portfolio will normally be those having relatively longer maturities
(approximately 7 to 30 years), but the Fund may invest in Municipal
Securities having a broad range of maturities.
"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 specific excise tax or other revenue source). The Fund may
invest in municipal securities of both classifications.
- Special Considerations - California Municipal Securities. Because
the Fund concentrates its investments in California Municipal Securities,
the market value and marketability of such Municipal Securities and the
interest income to the Fund from them could be adversely affected by a
default or a financial crisis relating to any of such issuers. Investors
should consider these matters as well as economic trends in California,
summarized in the Statement of Additional Information under "Special
Investment Considerations - California Municipal Securities."
- Interest Rate Risks. In addition to credit risks, described
below, Municipal Securities are subject to changes in value due to changes
in prevailing interest rates. When prevailing interest rates fall, the
values of outstanding Municipal Securities generally rise and (if
purchased at principal amount) would sell at a premium. Conversely, when
interest rates rise, the values of outstanding Municipal Securities
generally decline and (if purchased at principal amount) would sell at a
discount. The magnitude of these fluctuations will be greater when the
average maturity of the portfolio is longer.
- Credit Risks. Municipal Securities are also subject to credit
risks. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer of a Municipal
Security to make interest or principal payments on the security as they
become due. The economic and other factors that can affect that ability
are summarized in the Statement of Additional Information under "Special
Investment Considerations-California Municipal Securities." While the
Manager may rely to some extent on credit ratings by nationally recognized
rating agencies, such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's, in evaluating the
credit risk of securities selected for the Fund's portfolio, it may also
use its own research and analysis. However, many factors affect an
issuer's ability to make timely payments, and there can be no assurance
that the credit risks of a particular security will not change over time.
- 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 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 normal market conditions, the Fund may invest
up to 20% of its assets in taxable investments, including (i) certain
"Temporary Investments" (described immediately below); (ii) covered call
options and Hedging Instruments (described in "Hedging" below); (iii)
repurchase agreements (explained below); and (iv) municipal securities
issued to benefit a private user ("Private Activity Municipal
Securities"), the interest from which may be subject to Federal
alternative minimum tax (see "Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes," below,
and "Private Activity Municipal Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information). </R.
For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of
its total assets in "Temporary Investments," including: (i) obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities; (ii) corporate debt securities rated within the three
highest grades by Moody's or Standard & Poor's; (iii) commercial paper
rated "A-1" by Standard & Poor's or "Prime-1" by Moody's; and (iv)
certificates of deposit of domestic banks with assets of $1 billion or
more. The Fund may hold Temporary Investments pending the investment of
proceeds from the sale of Fund shares or portfolio securities, or to meet
anticipated redemptions.
- 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 Other 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
investments but have similar credit quality, redemption provisions and
maturities.
- Ratings of Municipal Securities; Special Risks of Lower Rated
Municipal Securities. No more than 25% of the Fund's total assets will
be invested in Municipal Securities that at the time of purchase are not
"investment grade." Securities that are not investment grade are rated
below the four highest rating categories of Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Fitch Investors
Service, Inc. ("Fitch"). If the securities are not rated, the Manager will
determine the equivalent rating category for the purposes of this
limitation. (See Appendix A to the Statement of Additional Information
for a description of the rating categories of the three rating services.)
A reduction of the rating of a security after the Fund buys it will not
require the Fund to sell the security.
Municipal Securities that are below investment grade are sometimes
called "municipal junk bonds." They may be subject to greater market
fluctuations and are subject to greater risks of loss of income and
principal than higher-rated Municipal Securities. They may also be
considered to have some speculative characteristics. Securities that are
or that have fallen below investment grade entail a greater risk that the
issuers of those securities may not be able to meet their debt
obligations. There may be less of a market for lower-grade Municipal
Securities and therefore when the Fund wants to sell them, they may be
harder to sell at an acceptable price. These risks mean that the Fund may
not achieve the expected income from lower-grade Municipal Securities, and
that the Fund's income and net asset values per share may be affected by
declines in value of these securities. However, the Fund's limitations
on investing in Municipal Securities below investment grade may limit the
degree of those risks.
- 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
because most of the Fund's portfolio transactions are principal trades
without brokerage commissions.
- Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The Fund
has an investment objective, described above, as well as investment
policies that it follows to try to achieve its objective. Additionally,
the Fund uses certain investment techniques and strategies in carrying out
those 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 Board of Trustees may change non-fundamental policies
without shareholder approval, although significant changes will be
described in amendments to the 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). 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.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies. The Fund may also use the
investment techniques and strategies described below. These techniques
involve certain risks. The Statement of Additional Information contains
more information about these practices, including limitations on their use
that are 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, debt securities,
and options on futures and municipal bond indices, or enter into interest
rate swap agreements. These are referred to as "hedging instruments."
The Fund does not use hedging instruments for speculative purposes, and
has limits on the use of them, described below. 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 and futures 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. It may
do so to try to manage its exposure to changing interest rates. Some of
these strategies, such as selling futures, buying puts and writing covered
calls, hedge the Fund's portfolio against price fluctuations.
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. The Fund may buy and sell 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). The Fund may buy and sell Futures contracts in an attempt to
benefit from any performance of the Future purchased relative to the
performance of the Future sold. These types of Futures are described in
"Hedging" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Put and Call Options. The Fund may buy and sell certain kinds of put
options (puts) and call options (calls). </R.
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) securities that the Fund owns, (2) municipal bond indices, and (3)
Interest Rate Futures and Municipal Bond Index Futures whether or not the
Fund owns the particular Future in its portfolio. 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 domestic securities exchange or quoted on the
Automated Quotation System of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (NASDAQ); (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. These risks and the hedging strategies the Fund may use are
described in greater detail in the Statement of Additional Information.
- "When-Issued" and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may
purchase Municipal Securities on a "when-issued" basis, and may purchase
or sell such 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. The Fund does not intend
to make such purchases for speculative purposes. During the period
between the purchase and settlement, no payment is made for the security
and no interest accrues to the buyer from the investment. There may be
a risk of loss 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 of the
securities under a repurchase agreement 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 a repurchase agreement which causes more than
10% of its net assets to be subject to repurchase agreements having a
maturity beyond seven days.
- Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and
procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager
determines the liquidity 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%). The Fund's percentage limitation on these investments
does not apply to certain restricted securities that are eligible for
resale to qualified institutional buyers.
- Loans of Portfolio Securities. To raise cash for liquidity
purposes, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers
and other financial institutions. These loans are limited to not more
than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets and are subject to other
conditions described in the Statement of Additional Information. There
are some risks in connection with securities lending. The Fund might
experience a delay in receiving additional collateral to secure a loan,
or a delay in recovery of the loaned securities. The Fund presently does
not intend to engage in loans of securities that will exceed 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets in the coming year.
- Non-diversification. The Fund is classified as a "non-diversified"
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 so that the
proportion of the Fund's assets that may be invested in the securities of
a single issuer is not limited by the Investment Company Act. An
investment in the Fund therefore will entail greater risk than an
investment in a diversified investment company because a higher percentage
of investments among fewer issuers may result in greater fluctuation in
the total market value of the Fund's portfolio, and economic, political
or regulatory developments may have a greater impact on the value of the
Fund's portfolio than would be the case if the portfolio were diversified
among more issuers. However, the Fund intends to conduct its operations
so as to qualify as a "regulated investment company" for purposes of the
Internal Revenue Code, which will relieve the Fund from liability for
Federal income tax to the extent that more than 90% of its earnings are
distributed to shareholders. Among the requirements for such
qualification are that: (1) not more than 25% of the market value of the
Fund's total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer,
and (2) with respect to 50% of the market value of its total assets, not
more than 5% of the market value of its total assets may be invested in
the securities of a single issuer and the Fund must not own more than 10%
of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.
Other Investment Restrictions. The Fund has other investment restrictions
that are fundamental policies. Under these fundamental policies, the Fund
cannot do any of the following: (1) invest in securities or any other
investment other than Municipal Securities, the taxable securities and
Hedging Instruments described in "Investment Objective and Policies"
above; (2) make loans, except through the purchase of portfolio securities
subject to repurchase agreements or through loans of portfolio securities
as described under "Loans of Portfolio Securities"; (3) borrow money in
excess of 10% of the value of its total assets, or make any additional
investments whenever borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's assets; it may
borrow only from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or
emergency purposes (not for the purpose of leveraging its investments);
(4) pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer or assign any of its
assets to secure a debt; collateral arrangements for premium and margin
payments in connection with Hedging Instruments are not deemed to be a
pledge of assets; (5) concentrate investments to the extent of more than
25% of its total assets in any industry (see "Diversification" in the
Statement of Additional Information); however, there is no limitation as
to investment in Municipal Securities, U.S. Government obligations or
California Municipal Securities; or (6) buy or sell futures contracts
other than Interest Rate Futures or Municipal Bond Index Futures.
</R.
All of the percentage restrictions described above and elsewhere in
this Prospectus, other than those that apply to borrowing, apply only at
the time the Fund purchases a security, and the Fund need not dispose of
a security merely because the Fund's assets have 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 an open-end, non-diversified
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust
in July, 1988.
The Fund 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 Fund" in the Statement of Additional
Information names the Trustees and provides more information about them
and the officers of the Fund. 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
Fund's 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 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 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 (including a subsidiary) currently manages investment companies,
including other OppenheimerFunds, with assets of more than $30 billion as
of March 31, 1995, and with more than 2.4 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 (who is also
a Vice President of the Fund) is Robert E. Patterson, a Senior Vice
President of the Manager. He has been responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund's portfolio since November, 1988. He also serves
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: 0.60% of the first $200 million of
the Fund's average annual net assets, 0.55% of the next $100 million,
0.50% of the next $200 million, 0.45% of the next $250 million, 0.40% of
the next $250 million, and 0.35% of net assets in excess of $1 billion.
The Fund's management fee for its last fiscal year was 0.59% of average
annual net assets for Class A and 0.59% for Class B shares.
The Fund pays expenses related to its daily operations, such as
custodian 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
portfolio transactions 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 also serves as
investment adviser.
- The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers or
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
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," "average annual total return,"
and "yield." The performance of each class of shares is shown 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 indices and 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. When total returns are shown
for Class B shares, they reflect the effect of the contingent deferred
sales charge. Total returns may 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.
- 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 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 December 31, 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 fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994, the performance of the California municipal bond
market was affected by the broad decline in bond prices that followed
increases in short-term interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board. As
a result, the average maturity of the Fund's portfolio was reduced, in an
effort to decrease the portfolio's sensitivity to changing short-term
interest rates. The Fund also acquired insured and pre-refunded issues,
and California municipal bonds in the housing sector as well as
transportation issues.
- 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 from the inception of the Class held through
December 31, 1994. In both cases, 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% contingent deferred sales charge for Class B shares.
Because the Fund invests in a variety of Municipal Securities, 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 reinvestment of income 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 data
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 Fund's investments are not limited
to the securities in any one index and the index data does not reflect any
assessment of the risk of the investments included in the index.
Comparison of Change
In Value of $10,000
Hypothetical Investments in:
Oppenheimer California
Tax-Exempt Fund (Class A) and Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index
(Graph)(with Class A shares of the Fund)
Avg Annual Total Return of the Fund at 12/31/941
A Shares 1 Year 5 Year Life
-12.83% 4.75% 5.95%
Comparison of Change
In Value of $10,000
Hypothetical Investments in:
Oppenheimer California
Tax-Exempt Fund (Class B) and Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index
(Graph)(with Class B shares of the Fund)
Average Annual Total Return of the Fund at 12/31/942
B Shares 1 Year Life
-13.69% -4.19%
1. The inception date of the Fund (Class A shares) was 11/3/88. The
average annual total returns and the ending account value in the graphs
reflect reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions and
are shown net of the applicable 4.75% maximum sales charge.
2. Class B shares of the Fund were first publicly offered on 5/1/93. The
average annual total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gains distributions and are shown net of the applicable 5% and 4%
contingent deferred sales charges respectively for the 1-year period and
life-of-the-class. The ending account value in the graph is net of the
applicable 4% sales charge.
Past Performance is not predictive of future performance.
Graphs are not drawn to same scale.
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 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 of the end of the calendar month of your purchase, you may pay a
contingent deferred sales charge, which 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 six 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, 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. 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 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 currently offer 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. We used the
sales charge rates that apply to Classes A and B, considering the effect
of the annual asset-based sales charge on Class B expenses (which, like
all expenses, will affect your investment return). For the sake of
comparison, we have assumed that there is a 10% rate of appreciation in
the 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 you invest in. The results could differ if
different assumptions were used about rates of return, or if varying rates
are used.
The factors discussed below are not intended to be investment advice
or recommendations, because each investor's financial considerations are
different. The assumptions we have made in assessing the factors to
consider in purchasing a particular class of shares assume that you will
purchase only one class of shares, and not a combination of shares of
different classes.
- 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 A shares will have a greater impact on
larger investments than the initial sales charge on Class A shares,
because of the reduction of initial sales charge available for larger
purchases.
And for investors who invest $500,000 or more, in most cases Class
A shares will be the most advantageous choice, no matter how long you
intend to hold our shares. For that reason, the Distributor normally will
not accept purchase orders of $500,000 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 account features may not be available for Class B
shareholders, such as checkwriting, or other features (such as Automatic
Withdrawal Plans) might not be advisable (because of the effect of
contingent deferred sales charges for Class B shareholders) you should
carefully review how you plan to use your investment account before
deciding which class of shares to buy. Also, because not all
OppenheimerFunds currently offer Class B shares, and because exchanges are
permitted only to the same class of shares in other 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 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 B shares is the same as the purpose of
the front-end sales charge on sales of Class A shares: to compensate the
Distributor for commissions it pays to dealers and financial institutions
for selling 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 for as
little as $25. 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
from your bank account 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.
- 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. You can then transmit funds electronically to purchase shares,
or have the Transfer Agent send redemption proceeds or transmit dividends
and distributions to your bank account.
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. You should 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 Share 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 the close of The New York Stock Exchange on
each day the 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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front-End Sales Charge Commission as
As a Percentage of: Percentage of
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Amount Invested Offering Price
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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 (shares of other
OppenheimerFunds that offer only one class of shares that has no class
designation are considered "Class A shares" for this purpose). 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 amount of the 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. Dealers whose sales of Class A shares of OppenheimerFunds (other
than money market funds) under OppenheimerFunds-sponsored 403(b)(7)
custodial plans exceed $5 million per year (calculated per quarter), will
receive monthly one-half of the Distributor's retained commissions on
those sales, and if those sales exceed $10 million per year, those dealers
will receive the Distributor's entire retained commission on those sales.
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. To qualify for the lower sales charge rates
that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you and your spouse can
add together Class A shares you purchase for your individual 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 add together 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. This can include 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; or (7) dealers, brokers or
registered investment advisers that have entered into an agreement with
the Distributor to sell shares to defined contribution employee retirement
plans for which the dealer, broker or investment adviser provides
administrative services.
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 dividends or other distributions reinvested from the Fund
or other OppenheimerFunds (other than the Cash Reserves Funds) or unit
investment trusts for which reinvestment arrangements have been made with
the Distributor, or (c) purchased and paid for with the proceeds of shares
redeemed in the prior 12 months from a mutual fund on which an initial
sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge was paid (other than a
fund managed by the Manager or any of its affiliates); this waiver must
be requested when the purchase order is placed for your shares of the
Fund, and the Distributor may require evidence of your qualification for
this waiver. 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) Class A shares that would
otherwise be subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge are
redeemed, but at the time the purchase order for your shares was placed,
the dealer agreed to accept the dealer's portion of the commission payable
on the sale in installments of 1/18th of the commission per month (and
that no further commission would be payable if the shares were 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 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 of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Month in Which Purchase On Redemptions in that Year
Order Was Accepted (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 redemptions
following the death or disability of the shareholder (the disability must
have occurred after the account was established and 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 above. 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 asset value 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 services for accounts that hold Class B 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 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 (and the first year's
service fee) to recoup the sales commissions it pays, the advances of
service fee payments it makes, and its financing costs.
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. Therefore, those expenses may be carried
over and paid in future years. At December 31, 1994, the end of the Plan
year, the Distributor had incurred unreimbursed expenses under the Plan
of $915,997 (equal to 5.53% of the Fund's net assets represented by Class
B 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. These include 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 worth $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
automatically to exchange an amount you establish in advance 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 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. It also applies to 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.
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
- A redemption check is not payable to all shareholders listed on the
account statement
- A redemption 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 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,
- The signatures of all registered owners exactly as the account is
registered, 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 bank
account.
- Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $50,000 may be redeemed
by telephone, in any 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 statement. 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.
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.
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.
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. 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. Certain
OppenheimerFunds offer Class A, Class B and/or Class C shares, and a list
can be obtained by calling the Distributor at 1-800-525-7048. In some
cases, sales charges may be imposed on exchange transactions. 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 Fund'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 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. Effective June 7, 1995,
for accounts registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment will be
forwarded within 3 business days. 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 to
have your bank 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 $200 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.
- Under unusual circumstances, shares of the Fund may be redeemed "in
kind," which means that the redemption proceeds will be paid with
securities from the Fund's portfolio. Please refer to "How to Sell Shares"
in the Statement of Additional Information for more details.
- "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 Employer Identification Number when you sign your application,
or if you violate Internal Revenue Service regulations on tax reporting
of income.
- 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 to
shareholders having the same last name 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. Normally, dividends are paid on
or about the tenth business day every month, but the Board of Trustees can
change that date. 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. Also,
dividends paid on Class A shares generally are expected to be higher than
for Class B shares because expenses allocable to Class B shares will
generally be higher.
Capital Gains. Although the Fund does not seek capital gains, it 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 and the Fund may make supplemental
distributions of dividends and capital gains following the end of its
fiscal year. 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. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will pay any capital gains distributions in a
particular year.
Distribution Options. When you open your account, specify on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. For
OppenheimerFunds retirement accounts, all distributions are reinvested.
For other accounts, 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. It does not matter how long you held
your shares. 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 each 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 taxable dividend or a
capital gain.
- Taxes on Transactions: Share redemptions, including redemptions
for exchanges, are subject to capital gains tax. 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 CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Graphic material included in Prospectus of Oppenheimer California
Tax-Exempt Fund: "Comparison of Total Return of Oppenheimer California
Tax-Exempt 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
California Tax-Exempt 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 (11/3/88)
through 12/31/94 and in the case of the Fund's Class B shares will cover
the period from the inception of the class (May 1, 1993) through December
31, 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 California Lehman Brothers
(Period) Ended Tax-Exempt Fund A Municipal Bond Index
11/3/88 $9,525 $10,000
12/31/88 $9,661 $10,102
12/31/89 $10,783 $11,192
12/31/90 $11,468 $12,008
12/31/91 $12,719 $13,466
12/31/92 $13,768 $14,653
12/31/93 $15,557 $16,453
12/31/94 $14,279 $15,602
Fiscal Year Oppenheimer California Lehman Brothers
(Period) Ended Tax-Exempt Fund B Municipal Bond
Index
5/1/93 $10,000 $10,000
12/31/93 $10,638 $10,718
12/31/94 $9,312 $10,164
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
1-800-525-7048
Investment Advisor
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor O P P E N H E I M E R
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. California
Two World Trade Center Tax-Exempt
New York, New York 10048-0203 Fund
Transfer Agent
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services Prospectus
P.O. Box 5270 Effective April 25, 1995
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
One Citicorp Center
New York, New York 10154
Independent Auditors
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Gordon Altman Butowsky
Weitzen Shalov & Wein
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York 10036
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 offer in such
state.
(OppenheimerFunds logo)
PR0790.001.0495 Printed on recycled paper
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated April 25, 1995
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This
document contains additional information about the Fund and supplements
information in the Prospectus dated April 25, 1995. It should be read
together with the Prospectus which may be obtained by writing to the
Fund's Transfer Agent, Oppenheimer Shareholders Services at P.O. Box 5270,
Denver, Colorado 80217 or by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll free
number shown above.
Contents
Page
About the Fund 2
Investment Objective and Policies 2
Investment Policies and Strategies 2
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies 10
Other Investment Restrictions 15
How the Fund is Managed 16
Organization and History 16
Trustees and Officers of the Fund 17
The Manager and Its Affiliates 22
Brokerage Policies of the Fund 23
Performance of the Fund 25
Distribution and Service Plans 29
About Your Account 31
How To Buy Shares 31
How To Sell Shares 36
How To Exchange Shares 40
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes 42
Additional Information About the Fund 45
Financial Information About the Fund
Independent Auditors' Report 46
Financial Statements 47
Appendix A: Municipal Bond Ratings A-1
Appendix B: 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 objective and policies
of the Fund are discussed in the Prospectus. Set forth below is
supplemental information about those policies. Capitalized terms used in
this Statement of Additional Information have the same meanings as those
terms have in the Prospectus.
The Fund does not make investments with the objective of seeking
capital growth. However, the value of the securities held by the Fund may
be affected by changes in interest rates. Because the current value of
debt securities varies inversely with changes in prevailing interest
rates, if interest rates increase after a security is purchased, that
security would normally decline in value. Conversely, should interest
rates decrease after a security is purchased, normally its value would
rise. However, those fluctuations in value will not generally result in
realized gains or losses to the Fund since the Fund does not usually
intend to dispose of securities prior to their maturity. A debt security
held to maturity is redeemable by its issuer at full principal value plus
accrued interest. To a limited degree, the Fund may engage in short-term
trading to attempt to take advantage of short-term market variations, or
may dispose of a portfolio security prior to its maturity if, on the basis
of a revised credit evaluation of the issuer or other considerations, the
Fund believes such disposition advisable or it needs to generate cash to
satisfy redemptions. In such cases, the Fund may realize a capital gain
or loss. The annual rate of portfolio turnover is not expected to exceed
100%.
There are, of course, 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.
Municipal Securities. The types of Municipal Securities in which the Fund
may invest are described in the Prospectus under "Investment Objective and
Policies." A discussion of the general characteristics of types of
Municipal Securities follows below.
- Municipal Bonds. The principal classifications of long-term
municipal bonds are "general obligation" and "revenue" or "industrial
development" bonds. In California, municipal bonds may also be funded by
property taxes in specially created districts, (Mello-Roos or Special
Assessment Bonds), tax allocations based on increased property tax
assessments over a specified period (frequently for redevelopment
projects) or specified redevelopment area sales allocations.
- 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.
- Mello-Roos Bonds. Bonds issued pursuant to the California Mello-
Roos Community Facilities Act ("Mello-Roos bonds") are used to finance
infrastructure projects (such as roads or sewage treatment plants) and are
primarily secured by real estate taxes levied on property located in the
same community as that project. Mello-Roos bond financing arose in
response to limitations contained in California's statutory limitations
on real property taxes (see "Special Investment Considerations --
California Municipal Securities" below), and do not constitute obligations
of a municipality. Timely payment of such bonds depends on the developer
or other property owners' ability to pay their real estate taxes which
could be adversely affected by a declining economy and/or real estate
market.
- 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 of 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 less 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 Fund'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 those 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. While some municipal lease
obligations purchased by the Fund may be deemed to be illiquid securities
(the purchases of which will be limited as described in the Prospectus),
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 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 State of California 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.
- Puts and Standby Commitments. When the Fund buys Municipal
Securities, it may obtain a standby commitment to repurchase the
securities that entitles it to achieve same-day settlement from the
purchaser and to receive an exercise price equal to the amortized cost of
the underlying security plus accrued interest, if any, at the time of
exercise. A put purchased in conjunction with a Municipal Security
enables the Fund to sell the underlying security within a specified period
of time at a fixed exercise price. The Fund may pay for a standby
commitment or put either separately in cash or by paying a higher price
for the securities acquired subject to the standby commitment or put. The
Fund will enter into these transactions only with banks and dealers which,
in the Manager's opinion, present minimal credit risks. The Fund's
ability to exercise a put or standby commitment will depend on the ability
of the bank or dealer to pay for the securities if the put or standby
commitment is exercised. If the bank or dealer should default on its
obligation, the Fund might not be able to recover all or a portion of any
loss sustained from having to sell the security elsewhere. Puts and
standby commitments are not transferrable by the Fund, and therefore
terminate if the Fund sells the underlying security to a third party. The
Fund intends to enter into these arrangements to facilitate portfolio
liquidity, although such arrangements may enable the Fund to sell a
security at a pre-arranged price which may be higher than the prevailing
market price at the time the put or standby commitment is exercised.
However, the Fund might refrain from exercising a put or standby
commitment if the exercise price is significantly higher than the
prevailing market price, to avoid imposing a loss on the seller which
could jeopardize the Fund's business relationships with the seller. Any
consideration paid by the Fund for the put or standby commitment (which
increases the cost of the security and reduces the yield otherwise
available from the security) will be reflected on the Fund's books as
unrealized depreciation while the put or standby commitment is held, and
a realized gain or loss when the put or commitment is exercised or
expires. Interest income received by the Fund from Municipal Securities
subject to puts or stand-by commitments may not qualify as tax exempt in
its hands if the terms of the put or stand-by commitment cause the Fund
not to be treated as the tax owner of the underlying Municipal Securities.
- When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may
purchase Municipal Securities on a "when-issued" basis, and may buy or
sell such securities on a "delayed delivery" basis. Although the Fund
will enter into such transactions for the purpose of acquiring securities
for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has
entered into, the Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement.
"When-issued" or "delayed delivery" refers to securities whose terms and
indenture are available and for which a market exists, but which are not
available for immediate delivery. When such transactions are negotiated,
the price (which is generally expressed in yield terms) is fixed at the
time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities
take place at a later date. The Fund does not intend to make such
purchases for speculative purposes. The commitment to purchase a security
for which payment will be made on a future date may be deemed a separate
security and involve risk of loss if the value of the security declines
prior to the settlement date. During the period between commitment by the
Fund and settlement (generally within two months but not to exceed 120
days), no payment is made for the securities purchased by the purchaser,
and no interest accrues to the purchaser from the transaction. Such
securities are subject to market fluctuation; the value at delivery may
be less than the purchase price. The Fund will maintain a segregated
account with its Custodian, consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities
or other high grade debt obligations at least equal to the value of
purchase commitments until payment is made.
The Fund will engage in when-issued transactions in order to secure
what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of
entering into the obligation. When the Fund engages in when-issued or
delayed delivery transactions, it relies on the buyer or seller, as the
case may be, to consummate the transaction. Failure of the buyer or
seller to do so may result in the Fund losing the opportunity to obtain
a price and yield considered to be advantageous. At the time the Fund
makes a commitment to purchase or sell a security on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis, it records the transaction and reflects the
value of the security purchased, or if a sale, the proceeds to be
received, in determining its net asset value. If the Fund chooses to (i)
dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its
acquisition or (ii) dispose of its right to deliver or receive against a
forward commitment, it may incur a gain or loss.
To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed delivery
transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring or selling
securities consistent with its investment objective and policies and not
for the purposes of investment leverage. The Fund enters into such
transactions only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering
the securities, although (as noted above), when-issued securities and
forward commitments may be sold prior to settlement date. In addition,
changes in interest rates before settlement in a direction other than that
expected by the Manager will affect the value of such securities and may
cause a loss to the Fund.
When-issued transactions and forward commitments allow the Fund a
technique to use against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices.
For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, the
Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis
to attempt to limit its exposure to anticipated falling prices. In
periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might sell
portfolio securities and purchase the same or similar securities on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the benefit of
currently higher cash yields.
- 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 to
finance governmental operations. Thus, interest on obligations issued by
or on behalf of state or local governments, 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. Furthermore, 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 and 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, the limitations as to the amount of private
activity bonds which each state may issue were reduced, 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 users, a 5% threshold is substituted for the 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 state or municipal governmental unit.) Under the private loan
restriction, the amount of bond proceeds that may be used to make private
loans is limited to the lesser of 5% or $5 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. If the Fund should hold a bond that
loses the 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 made tax-exempt interest from certain private activity bonds a tax
preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax on individuals
and corporations. 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 U.S.Treasury
is authorized to issue regulations implementing this provision. In
addition, corporate taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax may,
under some circumstances, have to include exempt-interest dividends in
calculating their alternative minimum taxable income in situations where
the "adjusted current earnings" of the corporation exceeds its alternative
minimum taxable income. 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 its total assets.
- Ratings of Municipal Securities. Ratings by Moody's, S&P and Fitch
(see Appendix A) represent their respective opinions of the quality of the
Municipal Securities they undertake to rate. However, such ratings are
general 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.
Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, a Municipal Security may
cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required
for purchase by the Fund. Neither event requires the Fund to sell the
security, but the Manager will consider such events in determining whether
the Fund should continue to hold the security. To the extent that ratings
given by Moody's, Standard & Poor's, or Fitch change as a result of
changes in such organizations or their rating systems, the Fund will
attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for investments in
accordance with the Fund's investment policies.
Special Investment Considerations - California Municipal Securities. As
stated in the Prospectus, the values of the Fund's California Municipal
Securities are highly sensitive to the fiscal stability of California and
its subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, which issue
the Municipal Securities in which the Trust concentrates its investments.
Certain amendments to the California State constitution, legislative
measures, executive orders, civil actions and voter initiatives in recent
years that could adversely affect the ability of California issuers to pay
interest and principal on Municipal Securities are described below. The
following constitutes only a brief summary, and is based on information
drawn from the relevant statutes and certain other publicly available
information. The Fund has not independently verified such information.
Changes in California constitutional and other laws during the last
several years have caused concerns about the ability of California state
and municipal issuers to obtain sufficient revenue to pay their bond
obligations. In 1978, California voters approved an amendment to the
California Constitution known as Proposition 13, which added Article XIIIA
to the California Constitution. Article XIIIA limits ad valorem taxes on
real property and restricts the ability of taxing entities to increase
real property taxes. However, legislation passed subsequent to
Proposition 13 provided for the redistribution of California's General
Fund surplus to local agencies, the reallocation of revenues to local
agencies and the assumption of certain local obligations by the state so
as to help California municipal issuers raise revenue to pay their bond
obligations. It is unknown whether additional revenue redistribution
legislation will be enacted in the future and whether, if enacted, such
legislation will provide sufficient revenue for such California issuers
to pay their obligations.
The state is also subject to another constitutional amendment,
Article XIIIB, which may have an adverse impact on California state and
municipal issuers. Article XIIIB restricts the state from spending
certain appropriations in excess of an appropriations limit imposed for
each state and local government entity. If revenues exceed such
appropriations limit, such revenues must be returned either as revisions
in the tax rates or fee schedules. In 1988, California voters approved
an initiative known as Proposition 98, which in addition to amending
Article XIIIB, amended Article XVI to require a minimum level of funding
for public schools and community colleges. In 1992-93 and 1993-94, the
state budget met part of its commitment to education through $1.8 billion
in off-book loans. The legality of these loans was challenged in a
lawsuit by the California Teachers Association. A lower court in
California has ruled against the state, and under this decision the
schools would not be required to repay these loans. If upheld on appeal,
the ruling would increase the state's officially recognized 1994-95 year-
end deficit by $1.8 billion.
Because of the uncertain impact of the aforementioned legislation,
the possible inconsistencies in the respective terms of the statutes and
the impossibility of predicting the level of future appropriations and
applicability of related statutes to such questions, it is not currently
possible to assess the impact of such legislation and policies on the long
term ability of the State of California and California municipal issuers
to pay interest or repay principal on their obligations.
Although the national economic recovery is continuing at a strong
pace, California is still experiencing the effects of a recession.
Unemployment has remained above the national average since 1990.
Substantial contracting in California's defense related industries,
overbuilding in commercial real estate, and consolidation and decline in
the state's financial services industry will likely produce slower overall
growth in 1995 and 1996. The earthquake which struck Northridge,
California on January 17, 1994 is not expected to derail the state's
economic recovery, although it may carry long-term implications for the
City of Los Angeles.
These economic difficulties have exacerbated the budget imbalance
which has been evident since 1985-86. Since that time, the state has
recorded General Fund operating deficits in five of the past six fiscal
years. Many of these problems have been attributable to a great
population increase which has increased demand for educational and social
services at a pace far greater than the growth in revenues.
By June, 1994, the General Fund had an accumulated deficit, on a
budgeted basis, of approximately $2.4 billion. In addition, the deficit
over the previous three years had exhausted the state's available cash
reserves and resources. In July and August, 1994, the state was required
to issue a total of $7 billion of short-term revenue anticipation warrants
to fund, in part, the state's management flow it needs for the 1994-95
fiscal year.
On July 8, 1994, the Governor signed into law a new $57.5 billion
budget which includes General Fund spending of $40.9 billion, up 4.2% from
the level of spending during the 1993-94 fiscal year. The budget also
envisions General Fund spending climbing another 8.4% in the 1995-96
fiscal year. The budget forecasts levels of revenue and expenditures
which will result in operating surpluses in both 1994-95 and 1995-96,
leading to the elimination of the budget deficit by June 30, 1996.
Because of the State of California's continuing budget problems, the
state's General Obligation bonds were downgraded in July 1994 from Aa to
A1 by Moody's, from A+ to A by Standard & Poor's and from AA to A by
Fitch. All three rating agencies expressed uncertainty in the state's
ability to balance its budget by 1996.
On December 6, 1994, Orange County (California) became the largest
municipality in the United States to file for protection under the Federal
bankruptcy laws. The filing stemmed from approximately $1.7 billion in
losses suffered by the County's investment pool due to investments in high
risk "derivative" securities. Over 185 public agencies had funds invested
in the pool, and these funds may be accessed only with permission of the
bankruptcy court. It is unclear whether the state will lend financial or
other assistance to Orange County to prevent the County from defaulting
on its other obligations.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies
- Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase transaction, the Fund
purchases a security from, and simultaneously resells it to, an approved
vendor (a U.S. commercial bank, 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 the credit requirements set by the Fund's
Board of Trustees from time to time) for delivery on an agreed-on future
date. 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 must, on each business day at least equal the market value of
the loaned securities and must consist of cash, bank letters of credit or
U.S. Government securities, or other cash equivalents in which the Fund
is permitted to invest. 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. In a portfolio securities lending transaction,
the Fund receives from the borrower amounts equal to the dividends or
interest on loaned securities during the term of the loan as well as the
interest on the collateral securities, less any finders' or administrative
fees. The Fund pays in arranging the loan. The Fund may share the
interest it receives on the collateral securities with the borrower as
long as it realizes at least a minimum amount of interest required by the
lending guidelines established by its Board of Trustees. The Fund will
not lend its portfolio securities to any officer, trustee, employee or
affiliate of the Fund or its Manager. The terms of the Fund's loans must
meet certain tests under the Internal Revenue Code and permit the Fund to
reacquire loaned securities on five business days' notice or in time to
vote on any important matter.
- Hedging. 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, 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, or (iii) write covered calls on securities,
Interest Rate Futures or Municipal Bond Futures (as described in the
Prospectus). When hedging to establish a position in the debt securities
markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual debt
securities (which the Fund will normally purchase, and then terminate that
hedging position), the Fund may: (i) buy Interest Rate Futures or
Municipal Bond Index Futures, or (ii) buy calls on such Futures or on
securities.
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 nine 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. The Fund has retained the risk of loss
should the price of the underlying security decline during the call
period, which may be offset by the premium.
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 related investments and the
premium received. Any such profits are considered short-term capital
gains for Federal income tax purposes, and when distributed by the Fund
are taxable as ordinary income. An option position may be closed out only
on a market which 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. If the Fund could not effect a closing
purchase transaction due to a lack of a market, it would have to hold the
callable securities until the call lapsed or was exercised.
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 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
that Future put the Fund in a short futures position.
- Interest Rate Futures. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts
relating to debt securities ("Interest Rate Futures") and municipal bond
indices ("Municipal Bond Index Futures," discussed below). No price is
paid or received upon the purchase or sale of an Interest Rate Future.
An Interest Rate Future obligates the seller to deliver and the purchaser
to take a specific type of debt security or cash to settle the futures
transaction, or to enter into an offsetting contract. 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 to reflect changes in its market value, (that is, its value on
the Fund's books is changed) 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 by their terms call for settlement by the delivery of debt
securities, in most cases the 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.
- 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. No physical delivery is
made of the underlying bonds in the index. 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
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.
- Purchasing Calls and Puts. 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 plus the transaction costs
and premium paid for the call, 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 or put 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.
Gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question (and thus on
price movements in the debt securities market generally) rather than on
price movements in individual futures contracts.
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 enables the Fund to protect itself during the put period against a
decline in the value of the underlying investment below the exercise price
by selling such 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 date
and the Fund will lose its premium payment and the right to sell the
underlying investment. The put may, however, be sold prior to expiration
(whether or not at a profit).
- 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 party, the measure of that party'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.
- Additional Information About Hedging Instruments and Their Use.
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 traded on exchanges, or as to other acceptable escrow
securities, so that no margin will be required for such 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 are payable on writing or purchasing a call.
The Fund's option activities may affect its turnover rate and
brokerage commissions. The exercise of calls written by the Fund may
cause it to sell underlying investments, thus increasing its turnover rate
in a manner beyond its control. The exercise by the Fund of puts may also
cause the sale of underlying investments, also causing turnover, since the
underlying investment might be sold for reasons which would not exist in
the absence of the put. The Fund will pay a brokerage commission each
time it buys a call or a put or sells a call. Premiums paid for options
are small in relation to the market value of the related investments and,
consequently, put and call options offer large amounts of leverage. The
leverage offered by trading in options could cause the Fund's net asset
value to be more sensitive to changes in the value of the underlying
investments.
- Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. The use of Futures and
options thereon to attempt to protect against the market risk of a decline
in the value of portfolio securities is referred to as having a "short
futures position," and the use of such instruments to attempt to protect
against the market risk that portfolio securities are not fully included
in an increase in value of the market as a whole is referred to as having
a "long futures position." The Fund must operate within certain
restrictions as to its long and short positions in Futures and options
thereon under a rule ("CFTC Rule") adopted by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC") under the Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA"),
which excludes the Fund from registration with the CFTC as a "commodity
pool operator" (as defined under the CEA), if it complies with the CFTC
Rule. 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 not 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, as to its short positions, use Futures and options
thereon solely for bona fide hedging purposes within the meaning and
intent of the applicable provisions of the CEA.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations
established by each of the exchanges governing the maximum number of
options which 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 affiliated investment adviser. Position limits also apply to
Futures. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be
in violation of these 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 investments
underlying such Future, less the margin deposit applicable to it.
- Tax Aspects of Hedging Instruments and Covered Calls. The Fund
intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal
Revenue Code. One of the tests for such qualification 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. Due to this limitation,
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) writing calls on investments held less
than three months; (iii) purchasing calls or puts which expire in less
than three months; (iv) effecting closing transactions with respect to
calls or puts purchased less than three months previously; and (v)
exercising puts or calls held by the Fund for less than three months.
- Risks of Hedging with Options and Futures. In addition to the
risks with respect to hedging discussed in the Prospectus and above, there
is a risk in using short hedging by (i) selling Interest Rate Futures and
Municipal Bond Index Futures or (ii) purchasing puts on municipal bond
indices or Futures to attempt to protect against declines in the value of
the Fund's securities. The risk is that the prices of such Futures 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 market 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 market 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 market could be reduced, thus producing
distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit
requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin
requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation
by speculators in the futures market 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 debt 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 debt securities being hedged if
the historical volatility of the prices of such debt securities being
hedged is more than the historical volatility of the applicable index.
It is also possible that when the Fund has used Hedging Instruments in a
short hedge, the market may advance and the value of the debt securities
held in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund
would lose money on the Hedging Instruments and also experience a decline
in value of its debt 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 securities markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of
particular debt securities (long hedging) by buying Interest Rate Futures,
Municipal Bond Index Futures and/or calls on such Futures or debt
securities, 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 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.
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 is defined as the vote of
the holders of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the shares present or
represented by proxy at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares are present, or (2) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares.
Under these additional restrictions, the Fund cannot: (1) invest in
real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in
Municipal Securities or other permitted securities secured by real estate
or interests therein; (2) purchase securities other than Hedging
Instruments on margin; however, the Fund may obtain such short-term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
securities; (3) make short sales of securities; (4) underwrite securities
or invest in securities subject to restrictions on resale; (5) invest in
or hold securities of any "issuer" (see "Diversification," below) if
officers and Trustees or Directors of the Fund and the Manager
individually owning more than 1/2 of 1% of the securities of such issuer
together own more than 5% of the securities of such issuer; or (6) invest
in securities of any other investment company, except in connection with
a merger with another investment company.
- Diversification. For purposes of diversification under the
Investment Company Act and investment restriction (5) above, the
identification of the issuer of a Municipal Security depends on the terms
and conditions of the security. When the assets and revenues of an
agency, authority, instrumentality or other political subdivision are
separate from those of the government creating the subdivision and the
security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the subdivision,
such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly, in the
case of an industrial development bond, if that bond is backed only by the
assets and revenues of the nongovernmental user, then such nongovernmental
user would be deemed the sole issuer. However, if in either case the
creating government or some other entity guarantees a security, such a
guarantee would be considered a separate security and is to be treated as
an issue of such government or other agency.
In applying restriction (5) in the Prospectus, the Manager will
consider a nongovernmental user of facilities financed by industrial
development bonds as being in a particular industry, despite the fact that
such bonds are Municipal Securities as to which there is no industry
concentration limitation. Although this application of the restriction
is not technically a fundamental policy under the Investment Company Act,
it will not be changed without shareholder approval. The Manager has no
present intention of investing more than 25% of the total assets of the
Fund in securities the interest on which is paid from revenues of similar
types of projects or in industrial development bonds. Neither of these
are fundamental policies, and therefore either of them may be changed
without shareholder approval. Should any such change be made, the
Prospectus and/or this Additional Statement will be supplemented to
reflect the change.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate described under
investment restriction (5) in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted the
industry classifications set forth in Appendix C to the Statement of
Additional Information. This is not a fundamental policy.
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 Fund. The Fund's Trustees and officers and
their principal occupations and business affiliations during the past five
years are listed below. The address of each Trustee and officer is Two
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203, unless another address
is listed below. All of the Trustees are also trustees or directors of
Oppenheimer Fund, Oppenheimer Time Fund, Oppenheimer Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Global Fund, Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer
U.S. Government Trust, Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund,
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund, Oppenheimer Target Fund, Oppenheimer Asset
Allocation Fund, Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund, Oppenheimer Global
Emerging Growth Fund, Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund, Oppenheimer
Tax-Free Bond Fund, Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer
Pennsylvania Tax-Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust and
Oppenheimer Multi-Government Trust (collectively, the "New York-based
OppenheimerFunds). Messrs. Spiro, Donohue, Bowen, Zack, Bishop and Farrar
respectively, hold the same offices with the other New York-based
OppenheimerFunds as with the Fund. As of March 29, 1995, 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. 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 one of the officers listed below,
Mr. Donohue, is a trustee), other than the shares beneficially owned under
the plan by the officers of the Fund listed above.
Leon Levy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Age 69
General Partner of Odyssey Partners, L.P. (investment partnership) and
Chairman of Avatar Holdings Inc. (real estate development).
Leo Cherne, Trustee; Age 82
122 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10168
Chairman Emeritus of the International Rescue Committee (philanthropic
organization); formerly Executive Director of The Research Institute of
America.
Robert G. Galli, Trustee; Age 61*
Vice Chairman of the Manager and Vice President and Counsel of Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp. ("OAC") the Manager's parent holding company; formerly
he held the following positions: a director of the Manager and
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"), Vice President and
a director of HarbourView Asset Management Corporation ("HarbourView") and
Centennial Asset Management Corporation ("Centennial"), investment adviser
subsidiaries of the Manager, a director of Shareholder Financial Services,
Inc. ("SFSI") and Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI"), transfer agent
subsidiaries of the Manager, an officer of other OppenheimerFunds and
Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Manager and the
Distributor.
Benjamin Lipstein, Trustee; Age 71
591 Breezy Hill Road, Hillsdale, New York 12529
Professor Emeritus of Marketing, Stern Graduate School of Business
Administration, New York University; Director of Sussex Publishers, Inc.
(Publishers of Psychology Today and Mother Earth News) and Director of Spy
Magazine, L.P.
Elizabeth B. Moynihan, Trustee; Age 65
801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
Author and architectural historian; a trustee of the Freer Gallery of Art
(Smithsonian Institution), the Institute of Fine Arts (New York
University), National Building Museum; a member of the Trustees Council,
the Preservation League of New York State; a member of the Indo-U.S. Sub-
Commission on Education and Culture.
Kenneth A. Randall, Trustee; Age 67
6 Whittaker's Mill, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
A director of Dominion Resources, Inc. (electric utility holding company),
Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric power and oil and gas producer), Enron-
Dominion Cogen Corp. (cogeneration company), Kemper Corporation
(insurance and financial services company), Fidelity Life Association
(mutual life insurance company); formerly Chairman of the Board of ICL,
Inc. (information systems), and President and Chief Executive Officer of
The Conference Board, Inc. (international economic and business research).
Edward V. Regan, Trustee; Age 64
40 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016
President of Jerome Levy Economics Institute; a member of the U.S.
Competitiveness Policy Council; a director of GranCare, Inc. (health care
provider); formerly New York State Comptroller and a trustee, New York
State and Local Retirement Fund.
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., Trustee; Age 63
200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166
Founder Chairman of Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. (executive
recruiting); Chairman of Directors Publication, Inc. (consulting and
publishing); a trustee of Mystic Seaport Museum, International House,
Greenwich Historical Society and Greenwich Hospital.
Sidney M. Robbins, Trustee; Age 83
50 Overlook Road, Ossining, New York 10562
Chase Manhattan Professor Emeritus of Financial Institutions, Graduate
School of Business, Columbia University; Visiting Professor of Finance,
University of Hawaii; a director of The Korea Fund, Inc. and The Malaysia
Fund, Inc. (closed-end investment companies); a member of the Board of
Advisors, Olympus Private Placement Fund, L.P.; Professor Emeritus of
Finance, Adelphi University.
Donald W. Spiro, President and Trustee; Age 69*
Chairman Emeritus and a director of the Manager; formerly Chairman of the
Manager and Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
Pauline Trigere, Trustee; Age 82
498 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10018
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trigere, Inc. (design and sale of
women's fashions).
Clayton K. Yeutter, Trustee; Age 64
1325 Merrie Ridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22101
Of Counsel to Hogan & Hartson (a law firm); a director of B.A.T.
Industries, Ltd. (tobacco and financial services), Caterpillar, Inc.
(machinery), ConAgra, Inc. (food and agricultural products), Farmers
Insurance Company (insurance), FMC Corp. (chemicals and machinery),
Lindsay Manufacturing Co. (irrigation equipment), Texas Instruments, Inc.
(electronics) and the Vigoro Corporation (fertilizer manufacturer);
formerly (in descending chronological order) Counsellor to the President
(Bush) for Domestic Policy, Chairman of the Republican National Committee,
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Trade
Representative.
Robert E. Patterson, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 51
Senior Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary; Age 44
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Oppenheimer Management
Corporation ("OMC") (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, partner in Kraft & McManimon (a law firm), an officer of
First Investors Corporation (a broker-dealer) and First Investors
Management Company, Inc. (broker-dealer and investment adviser), director
and an officer of First Investors Family of Funds and First Investors Life
Insurance Company.
George C. Bowen, 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, Secretary and Treasurer of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age 46
Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Manager;
Assistant Secretary of SSI, SFSI; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds.
Robert Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age 46
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 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.
___________________
*A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
- 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. Galli and Spiro; Mr. Spiro is also an officer)
receive no salary or fee from the Fund. The Trustees of the Fund
(including Mr. Delaney, a former Trustee, but excluding Messrs. Galli and
Spiro) received the total amounts shown below (i) from the Fund, during
its fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and (ii) from all 19 of the New
York-based OppenheimerFunds (including the Fund) listed in the first
paragraph of this section (and from Oppenheimer Global Environment Fund,
a former New York-based OppenheimerFund), for services in the positions
shown:
Aggregate Total Compensation
Compensation From All
Name and from New York-based
Position Fund OppenheimerFunds1
Leon Levy $9,151 $141,000.00
Chairman and
Trustee
Leo Cherne $4,467 $ 68,800.00
Audit Committee
Member and
Trustee
Edmund T. Delaney $5,595 $ 86,200.00
Study Committee
Member and Trustee2
Benjamin Lipstein $5,595 $ 86,200.00
Study Committee
Member and Trustee
Elizabeth B. Moynihan $3,934 $ 60,625.00
Study Committee
Member3 and Trustee
Kenneth A. Randall $5,089 $ 78,400.00
Audit Committee
Member and Trustee
Edward V. Regan $3,650 $ 56,275.00
Audit Committee
Member and Trustee
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. $3,384 $ 52,100.00
Trustee
Sidney M. Robbins $7,929 $122,100.00
Study Committee
Chairman, Audit
Committee Vice-Chairman
and Trustee
Pauline Trigere $3,384 $ 52,100.00
Trustee
Clayton K. Yeutter $3,384 $ 52,100.00
Trustee
______________________
1 For the 1994 calendar year.
2 Board and committee positions held during a portion of the period
shown.
3 Committee position held during a portion of the period shown.
The Fund has adopted a retirement plan that provides for payment to
a retired Trustee of up to 80% of the average compensation paid during
that Trustee's five years of service in which the highest compensation was
received. A Trustee must serve in that capacity for any of the New York-
based OppenheimerFunds for at least 15 years to be eligible for the
maximum payment. Because each Trustee's retirement benefits will be depend
on the amount of the Trustee's future compensation and length of service,
the amount of those benefits cannot be determined at this time, nor can
we estimate the number of years of credited service that will be used to
determine those benefits. No provision was made during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994 for the Fund's projected retirement benefit
obligations. No payments have been made by the Fund under the plan as of
December 31, 1994.
- Major Shareholders. As of March 29, 1995, no person owned of
record or was known by the Fund to own beneficially 5% or more shares of
the Fund 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 may also
serve as officers of the Fund, and two of whom (Messrs. Galli and Spiro)
serve as Trustees of the Fund.
The Manager and the Fund have a Code of Ethics. It is designed to
detect and prevent improper personal trading by certain employees,
including portfolio managers, that would compete with or take advantage
of the Fund's portfolio transactions. Compliance with the Code of Ethics
is carefully monitored and strictly enforced.
- The Investment Advisory Agreement. The investment advisory
agreement between the Manager and 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 the 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 Distributor's 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,
fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses, custodian and transfer
agent expenses, share issuance costs, certain printing and registration
costs, brokerage commissions, and non-recurring expenses, such as
litigation.
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 plan payments and extraordinary
expenses such as litigation costs) shall not exceed the most stringent
expense limitation imposed under state law applicable to the Fund.
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, 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
November 1, 1993, independently of the Agreement, the Manager had
undertaken to assume the Fund's expenses (exclusive of any non-recurring
expenses, such as litigation) to the extent required to maintain the
Fund's dividend rate at $.0498 per share every 28 days. Effective
November 1, 1993, the Manager terminated this undertaking.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1992, 1993, and 1994 there
were no assumption of expenses, and the management fees were $1,044,275,
$1,467,574, and $1,560,360, respectively.
The advisory agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for its
obligations thereunder, the Manager is not liable for any loss sustained
by reason of any investment of Fund assets made with due care and in good
faith. 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 one or more additional companies for
which it may act as investment adviser or general distributor. 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 name may be
withdrawn.
- The Distributor. Under its General Distributor's Agreement with
the Fund, 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, (excluding payments under the Distribution and
Service Plan, but including advertising and the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses other than those furnished to existing shareholders),
are borne by the Distributor. During the fiscal years ended 1992, 1993,
and 1994 the aggregate sales charges on sales of the Fund's Class A shares
were $1,863,832, $1,831,469, and $999,822 respectively, of which the
Distributor and an affiliated broker-dealer retained $400,938, $368,898
and $193,221 in those respective years. During the Fund's fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994, the contingent deferred sales charge on the
Fund's Class B shares totaled $609,226, of which $10,619 was paid to an
affiliated broker-dealer. 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 the 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 and the procedures and rules
described above, allocations of brokerage are generally made by the
Manager's portfolio traders based upon recommendations from the Manager's
portfolio managers. In certain instances, portfolio managers may directly
place trades 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 maker without incurring charges for the services of a broker on
its behalf unless it is determined that better price or execution may be
obtained by utilizing the services of a broker. Purchases of portfolio
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 price. When the Fund
engages in an option transaction, ordinarily the same broker will be used
for the purchase or sale of the option and any transaction in the
securities to which the option relates. When possible, concurrent orders
to purchase or sell the same security by more than one of the accounts
managed by the Manager or its affiliates are combined. The 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.
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 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 broadens 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
Yield and Total Return Information. As described in the Prospectus,
from time to time the "standardized yield," "dividend yield," "average
annual total return", "cumulative total return," and "cumulative total
return at net asset value" of an investment in a class of shares of the
Fund may be advertised. An explanation of how yields and total returns
are calculated for each class and the components of those calculations is
set forth below.
The Fund's advertisements of its performance data must, under
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, include the
average annual total returns for each class of shares of the Fund for the
1, 5, and 10-year periods (or the life of the class, if less) ending as
of the most recently-ended calendar quarter prior to the publication of
the advertisement. This enables an investor to compare the Fund's
performance to the performance of other funds for the same periods.
However, a number of factors should be considered before using such
information as a basis for comparison with other investments. An
investment in the Fund is not insured; its returns and share prices are
not guaranteed and normally will fluctuate on a daily basis. When
redeemed, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than their
original cost. Returns for any given past period are not a prediction or
representation by the Fund of future returns. The returns of 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 the
particular class.
- 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:
The symbols above represent the following factors:
a-b 6
Standardized Yield = 2 ((------ + 1) - 1)
cd
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 standardized 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 upon 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 December 31, 1994, the standardized yields for the
Fund's Class A and Class B shares were 5.74% and 5.28%, 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 amounts subject to Federal and state income
taxes after deductions and exemptions). The tax equivalent yield table
assumes 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 (after expense assumptions by the Manager) for its Class A and Class
B shares for the 30-day period ended December 31, 1994, for an investor
in the California/Federal 46.24% effective tax bracket were 10.68% and
9.82%, respectively.
- 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 share dividends paid on shares of a class
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 yield or distribution return 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 December 31, 1994,
were 6.31% and 6.63% when calculated at maximum offering price and at net
asset value, respectively. The dividend yield on Class B shares for the
30-day period ended December 31, 1994, was 5.86% 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 )
- Cumulative Total Returns. The cumulative "total return" calculation
measures the change in 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, payment of contingent
deferred sales charge of 5.0% for the first year, 4.0% for the second
year, 3.0% for the third and fourth years, 2.0% for the fifth year, and
1.0% for 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 average annual total returns on an
investment in Class A shares of the Fund for the one and five year periods
ended December 31, 1994 and for the period from November 3, 1988
(commencement of operations) to December 31, 1994, were -12.83%, 4.75% and
5.95%, respectively. The cumulative "total return" on Class A shares for
the latter period was 42.79%. The average annual total return on an
investment in Class B shares for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994
and for the period May 1, 1993 (inception of class) to December 31, 1994
were -13.69% and -6.88%. For the fiscal period from May 1, 1993, through
December 31, 1994, the cumulative total return on an investment in Class
B shares of the Fund was -4.19%.
- 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 cumulative total returns at net
asset value on the Fund's Class A shares for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994 and for the period from November 3, 1988 (commencement
of operations) through December 31, 1994 were -8.49% and 49.92%,
respectively. The cumulative total return at net asset value on the
Fund's Class B shares for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and for
the period from May 3, 1993 (commencement of operations) through December
31, 1994 were -9.39% and -3.36%, respectively.
Total return information may be useful to investors in reviewing the
performance of the Fund's Class A or Class B shares. However, when
comparing total return of an investment in Class A or Class B shares of
the Fund, a number of factors should be considered before using such
information as a basis for comparison before using such information as a
basis for comparison with other investments.
- Other Performance Comparisons. From time to time the Fund may
publish the ranking 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 (1) all other funds, excluding money market funds,
and (ii) all other California municipal bond funds. The Lipper
performance rankings are based on total returns that include the
reinvestment of capital gains distributions and income dividends but do
not take sales charges or taxes into consideration.
From time to time the Fund may include in its advertisements 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 the performance
of its Class A or Class B shares 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 fund's three, five and ten-year average annual
total returns (when available). 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 rated
municipal bond funds.
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 by the FDIC
or any other agency 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. When redeemed, an investor's shares may be worth
more or less than their original cost. Returns for any given past period
are not a prediction or representation by the Fund of future returns. The
returns of 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 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 Fund, 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.
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 Fund'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 Distributor's 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 Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund 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 allowed under the Plans and set no minimum
amount. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, payments under the
Plan for Class A shares totaled $611,139, all of which was paid by the
Distributor to Recipients, including $19,407 paid to an affiliate of the
Distributor.
Any unreimbursed expenses by the Distributor incurred with respect
to Class A shares for any fiscal year by the Distributor may not be
recovered in subsequent fiscal years. Payments received by the
Distributor under the Plan for Class A shares will not be used to pay any
interest expense, carrying charges, 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. The advance payment is
based on the net assets of the Class B shares sold. 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 such shares are
outstanding, the Recipient will be obligated to repay a pro rata portion
of such advance payment to the Distributor. Payments made under the Class
B Plan for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, totalled $165,277, of
which $157,962 was retained by 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 and 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 expense of $4
million in a given fiscal year, of which $2,000,000 was reimbursed in the
form of payments made by the Fund to the Distributor under the Class B
Plan, the balance of $400,00 (plus interest) would be subject to recovery
in future 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 Class 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 unaffiliated 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 B shares of the Fund are determined as of the
close of business of the New York Stock Exchange on each day the Exchange
is open, by dividing the Fund's net assets attributable to a class by the
number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The Exchange
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 Exchange'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 may conduct trading in Municipal Securities at times when the
Exchange is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because the Fund's
net asset value will not be calculated on those days, the Fund's net asset
value per share may be significantly affected, on such days when
shareholders may not 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 remaining
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
Fund's Board or obtained from active market makers in the security on the
basis of reasonable inquiry; (ii) short-term debt securities having a
remaining maturity of 60 days or less when purchased or which currently
have maturities of 60 days or less are valued at cost, adjusted for
amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts; and (iii) securities
or assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued
at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the
Fund's Board of Trustees.
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). The
Fund's Board of Trustees has authorized the Manager to employ a pricing
service, bank or broker-dealer experienced in such matters to price any
of the types of securities described above. The Trustees will monitor the
accuracy of such 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 price on the principal exchange on which they
are traded. 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 is included in the Fund's 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 call.
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 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 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 certain days. If 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
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, grandparents, parents, parents-in-law,
sons-and daughters-in-law, siblings, a spouse's siblings and a sibling's
spouse.
- 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 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 New Jersey Tax-Exempt 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 amount and exceed
the purchase 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 "How to Exchange Shares," 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) (available from the Distributor) or your financial
adviser 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.
- Payments "In Kind". The Prospectus states that payment for shares
tendered for redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, if the Board
of Trustees of the Fund may determine that it would be detrimental to the
best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment
of a redemption order wholly or partly in cash. In that case, the Fund
may pay the redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution "in
kind" of securities from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in
conformity with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the
Investment Company Act, pursuant to which the Fund is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. If shares
are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or
other costs in selling the securities for cash. The method of valuing
securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same as the method
the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities described above under
"Determination of Net Asset Value Per Share" and that valuation will be
made as of the time the redemption price is determined.
- 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 these shares is less than $200 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 receipt of an order placed by such
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, that is 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). Required minimum distributions from OppenheimerFunds-
sponsored retirement plans may not be arranged on this basis. 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 "Waivers of Class B Sales
Charges").
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" int he 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 and the Fund 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 Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund) but
only the following other OppenheimerFunds currently offer Class B shares:
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 Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
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 Equity Income 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 six years of the initial purchase
of the exchanged 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 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 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.
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, Automatic Withdrawal Plans and retirement
plan contributions 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 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
Dividends and Distributions. Dividends will be payable on shares held of
record at the time of the previous determination of net asset value, or
as otherwise described in "How to Buy Shares." Daily dividends on newly
purchased shares will not be declared or paid until such time as 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. Dividends will be declared on 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 all shares in an account are redeemed, all dividends accrued on shares
of the same class in the account will be paid together with the redemption
proceeds.
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 in order to enable the investor to earn a return on
otherwise idle funds.
The amount of a class's distributions may vary from time to time
depending on market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
and expenses borne by the Fund or borne separately by a class, as
described in "Alternative Sales Arrangements -- Class A and Class B
Shares," above. Dividends are calculated in the same manner, at the same
time and on the same day for shares of each class. However, dividends on
Class B shares are expected to be lower as a result of the asset-based
sales charge on Class B shares, and Class B dividends will also differ in
amount as a consequence of any difference in net asset value between Class
A and Class B shares.
Distributions may be made annually in December out of any net short-
term or long-term capital gains realized from the sale of securities,
premiums from expired calls written by the Fund and net profits from
Hedging Instruments and closing purchase transactions realized in the
twelve months ending on October 31 of the current year. Any difference
between the net asset value of Class A and Class B shares will be
reflected in such distributions. Distributions from net short-term
capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and when paid
by the Fund are considered "dividends." The Fund may make a supplemental
distribution of capital gains and ordinary income following the end of its
fiscal year. 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. There is no fixed
dividend rate (although the Fund may have a targeted dividend rate for
Class A shares) and there can be no assurance as to the payment of any
dividends or the realization of any capital gains.
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 and California 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. 3.2% of the Fund's dividends (excluding
distributions) paid during 1994 were a tax preference item for
shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax.
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; (3) income or gains from options or
Futures; or (4) 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.
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 and will receive no tax deduction
for payments of dividends and distributions made to shareholders.
In any year in which the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment
company under the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from Federal income
tax, (1) the Fund will also be exempt from the California corporate income
and franchise taxes and (2) the Fund will be qualified under California
law to pay certain exempt interest dividends which will be exempt from the
California personal income tax. Individual shareholders of the Fund will
generally not be subject to California personal income tax on exempt-
interest dividends received from the Fund to the extent such distributions
are attributable to interest on California Municipal Securities (and
qualifying obligations of the United States Government), provided that at
least 50% of the Fund's assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable
year are invested in such obligations. Distributions from the Fund
attributable to sources other than California Municipal Securities will
generally be taxable to such shareholders as ordinary income. In
addition, certain distributions to corporate shareholders may be
includable in income subject to the California alternative minimum tax.
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. While it is presently anticipated that the Fund will meet
those requirements, the Fund's Board of Trustees and the Manager might
determine in a particular year that it would be in the best interest of
shareholders for the Fund not to make such 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.
Distributions by the Fund from investment income and long-term and
short-term capital gains will generally not be excludable from taxable
income in determining the California corporate franchise or income tax for
corporate shareholders of the Fund. Certain distributions may also be
includable in income subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax.
The Internal Revenue Code requires that a holder (such as the Fund)
of a zero coupon security accrue as income each year a portion of the
discount at which the security was purchased even though the Fund receives
no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. As an
investment company, the Fund must pay out substantially all of its net
investment income each year or be subject to excise taxes, as described
above. Accordingly, when the Fund holds zero coupon securities, it may
be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which
is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually
received during that year. Such distributions will be made from the cash
assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if
necessary. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the
event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its
shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they
would have had in the absence of such transactions.
The Fund had an unused capital loss carryover of approximately
$841,000 at December 31, 1994. It will expire in 2002.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect
to reinvest all dividends and/or capital gains 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 have an existing account in the fund selected
for reinvestment 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/or distributions from shares of other OppenheimerFunds 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, securities and handling the delivery of such
securities to and from the Fund. The Manager has represented to the Fund
that the 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
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.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Oppenheimer
California Tax-Exempt Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statements of investments and assets and
liabilities of Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund as of December 31,
1994, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the
statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year
period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in
the six-year period then ended and the period from November 3, 1988
(commencement of operations) to December 31, 1988. 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.
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 includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 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, the financial statements and financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund as of December 31, 1994, the
results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net
assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the
financial highlights for each of the years in the six-year period then
ended and the period from November 3, 1988 (commencement of operations)
to December 31, 1988, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 23, 1995
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
----------------- ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS AND NOTES--97.5%
CALIFORNIA--90.2% Anaheim, California Public Financing Authority
Tax Allocation Revenue Bonds, MBIA Insured,
8.37%, 12/28/18(1) Aaa/AAA $ 3,000,000 $ 2,725,323
California Educational Facilities Authority
Revenue Bonds, Stanford University Project,
Series J, 6%, 11/1/09 Aaa/AAA 2,205,000 2,110,915
California Health Facilities Financing Authority
Revenue Bonds, Children's Hospital of
Los Angeles, Prerefunded, Series A, 7.125%, 6/1/21 NR/A+ 1,000,000 1,086,512
California Health Facilities Financing Authority
Revenue Bonds, Henry Mayo Newhall Project,
Series A, OSHPD Insured, 8%, 10/1/18 NR/A 3,000,000 3,195,495
California Health Facilities Financing Authority
Revenue Bonds, La Palma Hospital Medical Center,
OSHPD Insured, 7.10%, 2/1/13 NR/A 1,875,000 1,839,345
California Health Facilities Financing Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Catholic Health
Facilities, Series A, MBIA Insured, 5%, 7/1/11 Aaa/AAA 7,500,000 6,238,372
California Housing Finance Agency Revenue Bonds,
Home Mtg., Series C, 6.75%, 2/1/25 Aa/AA-- 10,000,000 9,554,669
California Housing Finance Agency Revenue Bonds,
Home Mtg., Series C, FHA Insured, 7.60%, 8/1/30 Aa/AA-- 1,655,000 1,674,746
California Pollution Control Financing Authority
Revenue Bonds, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.,
Series B, 8.875%, 1/1/10 A1/A 2,275,000 2,485,587
California Pollution Control Financing Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Pacific Gas and
Electric Co., Series A, 7.50%, 5/1/16 A1/A 1,450,000 1,511,783
California State Franchise Tax Board Refunding
Certificates of Participation, 6.90%, 10/1/06 A/A-- 1,000,000 1,026,916
California State General Obligation Bonds,
FSA Insured, 5.50%, 4/1/19 Aaa/AAA/A 5,500,000 4,627,056
California State Public Works Board Lease
Revenue Bonds, Department of Corrections
California State Prison, Series B, MBIA Insured,
5.50%, 12/1/12 Aaa/AAA/A-- 4,600,000 4,024,424
California State Public Works Board Lease
Revenue Bonds, Regents of the University of
California, Prerefunded, Series A, 7%, 9/1/15 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,650,000 2,855,836
California State Public Works Board Lease
Revenue Bonds, University of California Project,
Series A, AMBAC Insured, 6.40%, 12/1/16 Aaa/AAA/AAA 5,000,000 4,795,374
Campbell, California Certificates of Participation,
Civic Center Project, 6.75%, 10/1/17 A/A-- 1,130,000 1,092,930
Campbell, California Certificates of Participation,
Civic Center Project, Prerefunded, 6.75%, 10/1/17 Aaa/NR 1,870,000 1,994,381
</TABLE>
6 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
---------------- ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CALIFORNIA (CONTINUED)
Capistrano, California University School District
Community Facilities Special Tax Bonds,
No. 87-1, 7.60%, 9/1/14 NR/NR $ 4,000,000 $ 3,785,467
Cathedral City, California Improvement Bond
Act of 1915 Bonds, Limited Obligation Assessment
District No. 88-3, 7.85%, 9/2/11 NR/NR 1,980,000 1,976,018
Contra Costa, California Water District Revenue
Bonds, Series E, AMBAC Insured, 5.75%, 10/1/18 Aaa/AAA/AAA 3,340,000
2,929,210
Corona, California Certificates of Participation,
Prerefunded, Series B, 10%, 11/1/20 Aaa/AAA 8,175,000 10,362,287
Escondido, California Joint Powers Financing Authority
Revenue Bonds, AMBAC Insured, 6.125%, 9/1/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 3,500,000
3,327,908
Fresno, California Water System Revenue Bonds,
Prerefunded, Series A, 7.30%, 6/1/20 NR/NR 1,500,000 1,610,379
Industry, California Improvement Bond Act of
1915 Bonds, Assessment District No. 91-1, 7.65%, 9/2/21 NR/NR 1,750,000 1,749,582
Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Joint
Power Authority California Revenue Refunding
Bonds, Southern Pacific Transportation Co.,
Series A, 7.70%, 11/1/14 NR/A+ 1,000,000 1,013,241
La Quinta, California Redevelopment Agency
Refunding Tax Allocation Bonds, La Quinta Project,
Prerefunded, 8.40%, 9/1/12 Aaa/AAA 1,000,000 1,144,185
Los Angeles County, California Certificates of
Participation, 6.50%, 3/1/10 A/A 1,500,000 1,445,295
Los Angeles County, California Certificates of
Participation, Correctional Facilities Project,
MBIA Insured, 6.50%, 9/1/13 Aaa/AAA 3,600,000 3,523,503
Los Angeles County, California Transportation
Revenue Bonds, Commission Sales Tax,
Prerefunded, Series A, 6.75%, 7/1/11 Aaa/AA-- 4,260,000 4,537,778
Los Angeles County, California Transportation
Revenue Bonds, Commission Sales Tax,
Prerefunded, Series A, FGIC Insured, 6.75%, 7/1/18 Aaa/AAA/AAA 4,000,000
4,263,068
Los Angeles, California Community Redevelopment
Agency Finance Revenue Bonds, Grand Century
Qualified Redevelopment, Series A, 5.90%, 12/1/26 A/A 2,600,000 2,100,665
Los Angeles, California Community Redevelopment
Agency Refunding Tax Allocation Bonds,
North Hollywood, Series C, MBIA Insured, 7%, 7/1/15 Aaa/AAA 2,000,000
2,037,116
Los Angeles, California Department of
Water & Power Electric Plant Revenue Bonds,
Second Issue 1991, 6%, 6/1/12 Aa/AA 2,500,000 2,309,447
Los Angeles, California Department of
Water & Power Electric Plant Revenue Bonds,
Second Issue 1991, 6%, 6/1/13 Aa/AA 3,200,000 2,948,909
</TABLE>
7 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<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>
CALIFORNIA (CONTINUED) M-S-R Public Power Agency of California Revenue
Bonds, San Juan Project, Series C, AMBAC Insured,
6.875%, 7/1/19 Aaa/AAA $2,000,000 $2,003,446
Metropolitan Water District Revenue Bonds,
Southern California Waterworks Project, 5%, 7/1/20 Aa/AA 7,750,000 5,956,293
Metropolitan Water District Revenue Bonds,
Southern California Waterworks Project, 6%, 7/1/21 Aa/AA 5,000,000 4,455,845
Metropolitan Water District Revenue Bonds, Southern
California Waterworks Project, 6.557%, 10/30/20(1) Aa/AA 4,700,000 3,226,827
Oakland, California Redevelopment Agency
Tax Allocation Refunding Bonds, MBIA Insured,
7.472%, 9/1/19(1) Aaa/AAA 4,300,000 3,308,729
Oakland, California Special Edition Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series A, FGIC Insured, 7.60%, 8/1/21 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000
2,117,466
Orange County, California Community Facilities
District No. 87-3 Special Tax Bonds, Mission Viejo,
Prerefunded, Series A, 8.05%, 8/15/08 A/NR 3,000,000 3,298,365
Orange County, California Community Facilities
District Special Tax Bonds, No. 88-1 Aliso Viejo,
Prerefunded, Series A, 7.10%, 8/15/05 NR/AAA 1,440,000 1,567,876
Orange County, California Community Facilities
District Special Tax Bonds, No. 88-1 Aliso Viejo,
Prerefunded, Series A, 7.35%, 8/15/18 NR/AAA 8,000,000 8,816,407
Paramount, California Redevelopment Agency
Tax Allocation Revenue Bonds, Redevelopment
Project No. 1, Prerefunded, Series A, 9.65%, 6/1/16 NR/AAA/BBB 6,000,000 6,240,240
Pittsburg, California Improvement Bond Act of 1915
Bonds, Assessment District 1990-01, 7.75%, 9/2/20 NR/NR 1,235,000 1,218,556
Rancho, California Water District Financing Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, AMBAC Insured, 5%, 8/15/14 Aaa/AAA/AAA 4,500,000
3,629,128
Redding, California Electric System Revenue Certificates
of Participation, FGIC Insured, 6.279%, 6/1/19(1) Aaa/AAA/AAA 4,000,000 2,912,375
Redding, California Electric System Revenue Certificates
of Participation, MBIA Insured, 8.264%, 7/8/22(1) Aaa/AAA 2,500,000 2,278,397
Riverside County, California Community Facilities
District Bonds, Special Tax No. 88-12, 7.55%, 9/1/17 NR/NR 3,000,000 2,868,294
Sacramento, California Municipal Utility District
Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,
FGIC Insured, 7.247%, 8/15/18(1) Aaa/AAA/AAA 5,500,000 4,814,678
Sacramento, California Municipal Utility District
Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D,
MBIA Insured, 5.25%, 11/15/20 Aaa/AAA/A-- 2,500,000 2,020,630
</TABLE>
8 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATINGS: MOODY'S/
S&P'S/FITCH'S FACE MARKET VALUE
(UNAUDITED) AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
---------------- ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CALIFORNIA (CONTINUED) Saddleback Community College District,
California Refunding Certificates of Participation,
BIG Insured, 7%, 8/1/19 Aaa/AAA $ 1,000,000 $ 1,018,614
San Bernardino County, California Certificates
of Participation, Medical Center Financing Project,
5.50%, 8/1/17 Baa1/A-- 7,500,000 5,946,885
San Diego County, California Certificates of
Participation, MBIA Insured, 7.321%, 11/18/19(1) Aaa/AAA 2,000,000 1,816,736
San Diego County, California Water Authority
Revenue Certificates of Participation, Series B,
MBIA Insured, 8.22%, 4/8/21(1) Aaa/AAA 3,000,000 2,642,967
San Francisco, California City & County Airport
Commission International Airport Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Second Series, Issue I,
AMBAC Insured, 6.30%, 5/1/11 Aaa/AAA/AAA 4,385,000 4,254,191
San Francisco, California City & County Sewer
Revenue Refunding Bonds, FGIC Insured,
5.375%, 10/1/16 Aaa/AAA/AAA 2,000,000 1,677,392
San Joaquin Hills, California Transportation Corridor
Agency Toll Road Revenue Bonds, Sr. Lien, 5%, 1/1/33 NR/NR/BBB 8,000,000
4,963,848
San Joaquin Hills, California Transportation Corridor
Agency Toll Road Revenue Bonds, Sr. Lien, 6.75%, 1/1/32 NR/NR/BBB 7,000,000
5,757,191
San Jose, California Redevelopment Agency Tax
Allocation Bonds, Merged Area Redevelopment
Project, MBIA Insured, 5%, 8/1/20 Aaa/AAA/A 2,000,000 1,546,236
South Orange County, California Public Financing
Authority Special Tax Revenue Bonds, Sr. Lien,
Series A, MBIA Insured, 6.20%, 9/1/13 Aaa/AAA/NR 3,000,000 2,781,072
Southern California Home Financing Authority
Single Family Mtg. Revenue Bonds, GNMA and
FNMA Mtg.-Backed Securities, Series A, 7.35%, 9/1/24 NR/AAA 1,670,000
1,684,004
Southern California Public Power Authority
Power Project Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded, 6%, 7/1/18 Aaa/AAA 5,500,000
5,576,994
Southern California Public Power Authority
Power Project Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series A, 5.50%, 7/1/12 Aa/AA 1,000,000 863,544
Southern California Public Power Authority
Revenue Bonds, San Juan Unit 3, Series A,
MBIA Insured, 5%, 1/1/20 Aaa/AAA 3,000,000 2,325,408
Southern California Public Power Authority
Revenue Refunding Bonds, 8.012%, 7/1/12(1) Aa/AA-- 5,500,000 4,613,531
University of California Revenue Bonds,
Multiple Purpose Projects, Prerefunded,
Series A, 6.875%, 9/1/16 NR/A-- 2,200,000 2,365,123
Victorville, California Special Tax Bonds,
Community Facilities District No. 90-1
(Western Addition), Series A, 8.30%, 9/1/16 NR/NR 2,250,000 2,016,508
------------
216,487,518
</TABLE>
9 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<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>
U.S. POSSESSIONS--7.3% Guam Power Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A,
6.625%, 10/1/14 NR/BBB $ 2,000,000 $ 1,914,920
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway &
Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds,
Prerefunded, Series T, 6.50%, 7/1/22 NR/AAA 2,250,000 2,372,316
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway &
Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds,
Prerefunded, Series T, 6.625%, 7/1/18 NR/AAA 995,000 1,056,283
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway &
Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds,
Series T, 6.625%, 7/1/18 Baa1/A 4,005,000 3,957,997
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Public
Improvement General Obligation Bonds,
YCNS, MBIA Insured, 7.384%, 7/1/08(1) Aaa/AAA 3,500,000 2,938,047
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Revenue
Bonds, Series P, 7%, 7/1/21 Baa1/A-- 4,000,000 4,058,727
Puerto Rico Housing Finance Corp.
Single Family Mtg. Revenue Bonds, Portfolio 1,
Series B, 7.65%, 10/15/22 Aaa/AAA 1,100,000 1,133,097
------------
17,431,387
------------ ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS, AT VALUE (COST $251,584,072) 97.5%
233,918,905
------------ ------------
OTHER ASSETS NET OF LIABILITIES 2.5 5,986,979
------------ ------------
NET ASSETS 100.0% $239,905,884
============
============
</TABLE>
1. Represents the current interest rate for a variable
rate bond. These 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. Inverse floaters amount
to $31,277,610 or 13% of the Fund's net assets, at
December 31, 1994.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES December 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS Investments, at value (cost $251,584,072)--see accompanying statement $ 233,918,905
Cash 337,526
Receivables:
Interest 5,314,901
Investments sold 2,137,060
Shares of beneficial interest sold 295,248
Other 45,415
-------------
Total assets 242,049,055
LIABILITIES Payables and other liabilities:
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 911,990
Dividends 901,768
Distribution and service plan fees--Note 4 158,414
Other 170,999
-------------
Total liabilities 2,143,171
NET ASSETS $ 239,905,884
=============
COMPOSITION OF Paid-in capital $ 258,829,341
NET ASSETS Undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income (170,011)
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions (1,088,278)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments--Note 3 (17,665,168)
-------------
Net assets $ 239,905,884
=============
NET ASSET VALUE Class A Shares:
PER SHARE Net asset value and redemption price per share
(based on net assets of $219,682,026 and 23,255,729
shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $9.45
Maximum offering price per share (net asset
value plus sales charge of 4.75% of offering price) $9.92
Class B Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price per share (based on net assets
of $20,223,858 and 2,141,617 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $9.44
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
11 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December
31, 1994
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME Interest $18,420,122
EXPENSES Management fees--Note 4 1,560,360
Distribution and service plan fees:
Class A--Note 4 611,139
Class B--Note 4 165,277
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees--Note 4 140,732
Trustees' fees and expenses 55,562
Shareholder reports 45,421
Legal and auditing fees 33,707
Custodian fees and expenses 23,145
Registration and filing fees--Class B 4,090
Other 32,365
------------
Total expenses 2,671,798
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) 15,748,324
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED Net realized gain (loss) on investments (999,410)
GAIN (LOSS) ON Net change in unrealized appreciation or d
depreciation on investments
(39,209,125)
INVESTMENTS ------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (40,208,535)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$(24,460,211)
============
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
12 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1994 1993
-----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS Net investment income (loss) $ 15,748,324 $ 14,239,272
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (999,410) 1,489,475
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
on investments (39,209,125) 14,305,322
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (24,460,211) 30,034,069
DIVIDENDS AND Dividends from net investment income:
DISTRIBUTIONS TO Class A ($.605 and $.648 per share, respectively) (14,920,148)
(14,653,931)
SHAREHOLDERS Class B ($.526 and $.361 per share, respectively) (857,567) (163,836)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments:
Class A ($.072 per share) -- (1,740,286)
Class B ($.072 per share) -- (60,371)
BENEFICIAL INTEREST Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from Class A
TRANSACTIONS beneficial interest transactions--Note 2 (8,912,194) 48,808,693
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from Class B
beneficial interest transactions--Note 2 12,644,856 9,837,578
NET ASSETS Total increase (decrease) (36,505,264) 72,061,916
Beginning of period 276,411,148 204,349,232
------------ ------------
End of period [including undistributed (overdistributed) net investment
income of $(170,011) and $275,259, respectively] $239,905,884 $276,411,148
============
============
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
13 Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
CLASS A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.97 $ 10.35 $ 10.22 $ 9.86 $ 9.94 $ 9.58
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .60 .62 .61 .66 .67 .71
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (1.51) .72 .20 .38 (.07) .37
------- ------- ------- ------- ------ -------
Total income (loss) from investment
operations (.91) 1.34 .81 1.04 .60 1.08
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.61) (.65) (.60) (.62) (.68) (.70)
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- (.07) (.08) (.06) -- (.02)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------ -------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (.61) (.72) (.68) (.68) (.68) (.72)
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.45 $ 10.97 $ 10.35 $ 10.22 $ 9.86 $ 9.94
======= ======= ======= =======
====== =======
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(3) (8.49)% 13.26% 8.28% 10.93% 6.38%
11.62%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $219,682 $266,490 $204,349 $145,163 $92,514 $52,342
Average net assets (in thousands) $248,850 $245,193 $174,055 $115,661 $72,879 $29,308
Number of shares outstanding at
end of period (in thousands) 23,256 24,290 19,738 14,200 9,386 5,268
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 5.99% 5.74% 6.07% 6.52% 6.80% 7.11%
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager .96% .97% 1.07% 1.05% 1.05% 1.09%
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager N/A N/A N/A .73% .53% .16%
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 21.9% 13.7% 26.8% 26.6% 14.5% 20.7%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
--------------------------
YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1988(2) 1994 1993(1)
------ ---- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.53 $10.98 $10.72
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .09 .54 .35
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments .05 (1.55) .34
------ ------- ------
Total income (loss) from investment
Operations .14 (1.01) .69
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.09) (.53) (.36)
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments -- -- (.07)
------ ------- ------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (.09) (.53) (.43)
Net asset value, end of period $9.58 $ 9.44 $10.98
====== ======= ======
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(3) 1.43% (9.39)% 6.66%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $5,825 $20,224 $9,921
Average net assets (in thousands) $2,377 $16,552 $5,218
Number of shares outstanding at
end of period (in thousands) 608 2,142 904
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 5.95%(4) 5.17% 4.57%(4)
Expenses, before voluntary
assumption by the Manager 2.25%(4) 1.73% 1.79%(4)
Expenses, net of voluntary
assumption by the Manager --(4) N/A N/A
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 0.0% 21.9% 13.7%
</TABLE>
1. For the period from May 1, 1993 (inception of
offering) to December 31, 1993.
2. For the period from November 3, 1988 (commencement
of operations) to December 31, 1988.
3. 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.
4. Annualized.
5. 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 December 31,
1994 were $57,137,136 and $58,857,084, respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund (the Fund) is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, as a non-diversified, open-end management
investment company. 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 exclusive 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.
Listed and unlisted securities for which such
information is regularly reported are valued at the
last sale price of the day or, in the absence of sales,
at values based on the closing bid or asked price or
the last sale price on the prior 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 using
dealer-supplied valuations provided the Manager is
satisfied that the firm rendering the quotes is
reliable and that the quotes reflect current market
value, or under consistently applied procedures
established by the Board of Trustees to determine fair
value in good faith. 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.
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. At December 31, 1994,
the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes
an unused capital loss carryover of approximately
$841,000 which will expire in 2002.
TRUSTEES' FEES AND EXPENSES. The Fund has adopted a
nonfunded retirement plan for the Fund's independent
trustees. Benefits are based on years of service and
fees paid to each trustee during the years of service.
During the year ended December 31, 1994, the Fund's
projected benefit obligations were reduced by $23,924,
resulting in an accumulated liability of $40,422. No
payments have been made under the plan.
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 CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO
SHAREHOLDERS. Net investment income (loss) and net
realized gain (loss) may differ for financial statement
and tax purposes primarily because of premium
amortization. The character of the distributions made
during the year from net investment income or net
realized gains may differ from their ultimate
characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also,
due to timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal
year in which amounts are distributed may differ from
the year that the income or realized gain (loss) was
recorded by the Fund. Effective January 1, 1994, 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 December 31, 1993, amounts
have been reclassified to reflect a decrease in
undistributed net investment income of $293,771 and an
increase in accumulated net realized gain on
investments of $293,771. During the year ended December
31, 1994, in accordance with Statement of Position
93-2, undistributed net investment income was decreased
by $122,108 and accumulated net realized loss on
investments was decreased by the same amount.
1. OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
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 BENEFICIAL 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 DECEMBER 31, 1994 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993(1)
---------------------------- ------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A:
Sold 4,682,338 $ 47,539,656 7,029,778 $ 75,603,080
Dividends and distributions reinvested 895,069 9,014,619 913,845 9,891,046
Redeemed (6,611,428) (65,466,469) (3,391,817) (36,685,433)
---------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) (1,034,021) $ (8,912,194) 4,551,806 $ 48,808,693
========== ============
========== ============
Class B:
Sold 1,595,370 $ 16,152,328 916,412 $ 9,977,857
Dividends and distributions reinvested 52,979 528,961 12,695 139,138
Redeemed (410,584) (4,036,433) (25,255) (279,417)
---------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net increase 1,237,765 $ 12,644,856 903,852 $ 9,837,578
========== ============
========== ============
</TABLE>
1. For the year ended December 31, 1993 for Class A
shares and for the period from May 1, 1993 (inception
of offering) to December 31, 1993 for Class B Shares.
3. UNREALIZED GAINS AND LOSSED ON INVESTMENTS
At December 31, 1994, net unrealized depreciation
on investments of $17,665,168 was composed of gross
appreciation of $2,660,707, and gross depreciation of
$20,325,875.
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 .60% on the first $200 million
of net assets, .55% on the next $100 million, .50% on the
next $200 million, .45% on the next $250 million, .40%
on the next $250 million and
35% on net assets in excess of $1 billion. The Manager
has agreed to assume Fund expenses (with specified
exceptions) in excess of the regulatory limitation of
the State of California.
For the year ended December 31, 1994,
commissions (sales charges paid by investors) on sales
of Class A shares totaled $999,822, of which $193,221
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 December 31, 1994, OFDI received
contingent deferred sales charges of $79,893 upon
redemption of Class B 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 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
December 31, 1994, OFDI paid $19,407 to an affiliated
broker/dealer as reimbursement for Class A personal
service and maintenance expenses and retained $157,962
as reimbursement for Class B sales commissions and
service fee advances, as well as financing costs.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
Description of Ratings Categories
Municipal Bonds
- - Moody's Investor Services, Inc. The ratings of Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") for Municipal Bonds are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba,
B, Caa, Ca and C. Municipal Bonds rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the
"best quality." The rating of 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 Bonds. The "Aaa" and "Aa" rated bonds comprise what are
generally known as "high grade bonds." Municipal Bonds 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 A rated bonds are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment at some time in
the future. Municipal Bonds 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. Such bonds
lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative
characteristics as well. Bonds which are rated "Ba" are judged to have
speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured.
Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times
over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this
class. Bonds which are rated "B" generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time
may be small. Bonds which are rated "Caa" are of poor standing. Such
issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with
respect to principal or interest. Bonds which are rated "Ca" represent
obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are
often in default or have other marked shortcomings. Bonds which are rated
"C" are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be
regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real
investment standing. Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups
which Moody's believes possess the strongest investment attributes are
designated Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1 respectively.
In addition to the alphabetic rating system described above, Municipal
Bonds rated by Moody's which have a demand feature that provides the
holder with the ability to periodically 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 ratings of Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") for Municipal Bonds are AAA (Prime), AA (High Grade),
A (Good Grade), BBB (Medium Grade), BB, B, CCC, CC, and C (speculative
grade). Bonds rated in the top four categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB) are
commonly referred to as "investment grade." Municipal Bonds rated AAA are
"obligations of the highest quality." The rating of AA is accorded
issues with investment characteristics "only slightly less marked than
those of the prime quality issues." The rating of 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 obligations 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, 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. Bonds rated "BB"
have less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative
issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which would lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. Bonds
rated "B" have a greater vulnerability to default, but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity
or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds rated "CCC"
have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent
upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely
payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds noted "CC" typically
are debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned on actual or
implied "CCC" debt rating. Bonds rated "C" typically are debt
subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC-"
debt rating. The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a
bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are
continued. Bonds rated "D" are in payment default. The "D" rating
category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made
on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired,
unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during the grace
period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy
petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
- - Fitch. The ratings of Fitch Investors Service, Inc. for Municipal Bonds
are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C, DDD, DD, and D. Municipal Bonds
rated AAA are judged to be of the "highest credit quality." The rating
of AA is assigned to bonds of "very high credit quality." Municipal Bonds
which are rated A by Fitch are considered to be of "high credit quality."
The rating of BBB is assigned to bonds of "satisfactory credit quality."
The A and BBB rated bonds are more vulnerable to adverse changes in
economic conditions than bonds with higher ratings. Bonds rated AAA, AA,
A and BBB are considered to be of investment grade quality. Bonds rated
below BBB are considered to be of speculative quality. The ratings of
"BB" is assigned to bonds considered by Fitch to be "speculative." The
rating of "B" is assigned to bonds considered by Fitch to be "highly
speculative." Bonds rated "CCC" have certain identifiable characteristics
which, if not remedied, may lead to default. Bonds rated "CC" are
minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal
seems probable over time. Bonds rated "C" are in imminent default in
payment of interest or principal. Bonds rated "DDD", "DD" and "D" are in
default on interest and/or principal payments. DDD represents the highest
potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents the lowest
potential for recovery.
Municipal Notes
- 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 as large as notes rated "MIG." 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.
- S&P's rating for Municipal Notes due in three years or less are SP-1,
SP-2, and SP-3. SP-1 describes issues with a very strong capacity to pay
principal and interest and compares with bonds rated A by S&P; if modified
by a plus sign, it compares with bonds rated AA or AAA by S&P. SP-2
describes issues with a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
interest, and compares with bonds rated BBB by S&P. SP-3 describes issues
that have a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
- Fitch's rating for Municipal Notes due in three years or less are F-
1+, F-1, F-2, F-3, F-S and D. F-1+ describes notes with an exceptionally
strong credit quality and the strongest degree of assurance for timely
payment. F-1 describes notes with a very strong credit quality and
assurance of timely payment is only slightly less in degree than issues
rated F-1+. F-2 describes notes with a good credit quality and a
satisfactory assurance of timely payment, but the margin of safety is not
as great for issues assigned F-1+ or F-1 ratings. F-3 describes notes
with a fair credit quality and an adequate assurance of timely payment,
but near-term adverse changes could cause such securities to be rated
below investment grade. F-S describes notes with weak credit quality.
Issues rated D are in actual or imminent payment default.
Corporate Debt
The "other debt securities" included in the definition of temporary
investments are corporate (as opposed to municipal) debt obligations. The
Moody's, S&P and Fitch corporate debt ratings shown do not differ
materially from those set forth above for Municipal Bonds.
Commercial Paper
- Moody's The ratings of commercial paper by Moody's are Prime-1,
Prime-2, Prime-3 and Not Prime. Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior
capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Issuers
rated Prime-2 have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-3 have an acceptable capacity
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Issuers rated Not
Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
- S&P The ratings of commercial paper by S&P are A-1, A-2, A-3, B, C,
and D. A-1 indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment
is strong.A-2 indicates capacity for timely payment is satisfactory.
However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated A-1. A-3 indicates an adequate capacity for timely payments.
They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations. B
indicates only speculative capacity for timely payment. C indicates a
doubtful capacity for payment. D is assigned to issues in default.
- Fitch The ratings of commercial paper by Fitch are similar to its
ratings of Municipal Notes, above.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELDS
The equivalent yield tables below compare tax-free income with taxable
income under Federal individual income tax rates, and California state
individual income tax rates effective January 1, 1995 (California tax
brackets are generally adjusted for inflation sometime between June 1 and
August 1 each year). "Combined Taxable Income" refers to the net amount
subject to Federal and California income taxes 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, and that state tax payments are
currently deductible for Federal tax purposes and that the investor is not
subject to Federal or state alternative minimum tax. 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>
Combined Taxable Income
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund Yield of:
Joint Return Effective Tax Bracket3.0%3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0% 5.5% 6.0%
But
Over Not Over Federal Cal. Combined Is Approximately Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 22,384$ 35,324 15.00% 4.00% 18.40% 3.68% 4.29% 4.90%5.51%
6.13% 6.74% 7.35%
$ 35,324$ 39,000 15.00% 6.00% 20.10% 3.75% 4.38% 5.01%5.63%
6.26% 6.88% 7.51%
$ 39,000$ 49,038 28.00% 6.00% 32.32% 4.43% 5.17% 5.91%6.65%
7.39% 8.13% 8.87%
$ 49,038$ 61,974 28.00% 8.00% 33.76% 4.53% 5.28% 6.04%6.79%
7.55% 8.30% 9.06%
$ 61,974$ 94,250 28.00% 9.30% 34.70% 4.59% 5.36% 6.13%6.89%
7.66% 8.42% 9.19%
$ 94,250$143,600 31.00% 9.30% 37.42% 4.79% 5.59% 6.39%7.19%
7.99% 8.79% 9.59%
$143,600$214,928 36.00% 9.30% 41.95% 5.17% 6.03% 6.89%7.75%
8.61% 8.47% 10.34%
$214,928$256,500 36.00% 10.00% 42.40% 5.21% 6.08% 6.94% 7.81%
8.68% 9.55% 10.42%
$256,500$429,858 39.60% 10.00% 45.64% 5.52% 6.44% 7.36% 8.28%
9.20% 10.12% 11.04%
$429,858 39.60% 11.00% 46.24% 5.58% 6.51% 7.44%8.37%
9.30% 10.23% 11.16%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Combined Taxable Income
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund Yield of:
Joint Return Effective Tax Bracket 6.5% 7.0%
But
Over Not Over Federal Cal. Combined Is Approximately Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 22,384$ 35,324 15.00% 4.00% 18.40% 7.97% 8.58%
$ 35,324$ 39,000 15.00% 6.00% 20.10% 8.14% 8.76%
$ 39,000$ 49,038 28.00% 6.00% 32.32% 9.60% 10.34%
$ 49,038$ 61,974 28.00% 8.00% 33.76% 9.81% 10.57%
$ 61,974$ 94,250 28.00% 9.30% 34.70% 9.95% 10.72%
$ 94,250$143,600 31.00% 9.30% 37.42% 10.39% 11.19%
$143,600$214,928 36.00% 9.30% 41.95% 11.20% 12.06%
$214,928$256,500 36.00% 10.00% 42.40% 11.28% 12.15%
$256,500$429,858 39.60% 10.00% 45.64% 11.96% 12.88%
$429,858 39.60% 11.00% 46.24% 12.09% 13.02%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Single Return:
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund Yield of:
Effective Tax Bracket3.0%3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0% 5.5% 6.0%
But
Over Not Over Federal Cal. Combined Is Approximately Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 17,662$ 23,350 15.00% 6.00% 20.10% 3.75% 4.38% 5.01%5.63%
6.26% 6.88% 7.51%
$ 23,350$ 24,519 28.00% 6.00% 32.32% 4.43% 5.17% 5.91%6.65%
7.39% 8.13% 8.87%
$ 24,519$ 30,987 28.00% 8.00% 33.76% 4.53% 5.28% 6.04%6.79%
7.55% 8.30% 9.06%
$ 30,987$ 56,550 28.00% 9.30% 34.70% 4.59% 5.36% 6.13%6.89%
7.66% 8.42% 9.19%
$ 56,550$107,464 31.00% 9.30% 37.42% 4.79% 5.59% 6.39%7.19%
7.99% 8.79% 9.59%
$107,464$117,950 31.00% 10.00% 37.90% 4.83% 5.64% 6.44%7.25%
8.05% 8.86% 9.66%
$117,950$214,929 36.00% 10.00% 42.40% 5.21% 6.08% 6.94%7.81%
8.68% 9.55% 10.42%
$214,929$256,500 36.00% 11.00% 43.04% 5.27% 6.14% 7.02%7.90%
8.78% 9.66% 10.53%
$256,500 39.60% 11.00% 46.24% 5.58% 6.51% 7.44%8.37%
9.30% 10.23% 11.16%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Single Return:
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund Yield of:
Effective Tax Bracket6.5%7.0%
But
Over Not Over Federal Cal. Combined Is Approximately Equivalent to a Taxable Yield of:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 17,662$ 23,350 15.00% 6.00% 20.10% 8.14% 8.76%
$ 23,350$ 24,519 28.00% 6.00% 32.32% 9.60% 10.34%
$ 24,519$ 30,987 28.00% 8.00% 33.76% 9.81% 10.57%
$ 30,987$ 56,550 28.00% 9.30% 34.70% 9.95% 10.72%
$ 56,550$107,464 31.00% 9.30% 37.42% 10.39% 11.19%
$107,464$117,950 31.00% 10.00% 37.90% 11.27% 11.27%
$117,950$214,929 36.00% 10.00% 42.40% 12.28% 12.15%
$214 929$256,500 36.00% 11.00% 43.04% 11.41% 12.29%
$256,500 39.60% 11.00% 46.24% 12.09% 13.02%
</TABLE>
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
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<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 Agent 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
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Counsel
Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen
Shalov & Wein
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York 10036
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements
(1) Financial Highlights See Part A (Prospectus): Filed
herewith.
(2) Independent Auditors' Report See Part B (Statement of
Additional Information): Filed herewith.
(3) Statement of Investments See Part B (Statement of
Additional Information): Filed herewith.
(4) Statement of Assets and Liabilities See Part B (Statement of
Additional Information): Filed herewith.
(5) Statement of Operations See Part B (Statement of Additional
Information): Filed herewith.
(6) Statements of Changes in Net Assets See Part B (Statement of
Additional Information): Filed herewith.
(7) Notes to Financial Statements See Part B (Statement of
Additional Information): Filed herewith.
(b) Exhibits
(1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 23, 1993:
Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant's
Registration Statement, 4/28/93, and refiled herewith pursuant to
Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(2) By-Laws of the Registrant: Previously filed with Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement, 10/7/88, and
refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(3) Not applicable
(4)(i) Specimen Class A Share Certificate: Previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant's Registration Statement, 4/28/93,
and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(ii) Specimen Class B Share Certificate: Previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant's Registration Statement,
4/28/93, and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(5) Investment Advisory Agreement dated 10/22/90 between the Registrant
and Oppenheimer Management Corporation: Previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant's Registration Statement,
2/28/91 and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(6)(a) General Distributor's Agreement dated 12/10/92 between the
Registrant and Oppenheimer Fund Management, Inc.: Previously filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant's Registration Statement,
4/28/93, and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(b) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Dealer Agreement: Filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement
of Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-17850), 9/30/94,
and incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Agency Agreement: Filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement
of Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-17850), 9/30/94,
and incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Broker Agreement between Oppenheimer Fund Management, Inc. and
Newbridge Securities dated 10/1/86: Previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 25 of Oppenheimer Growth Fund
(Reg. No. 2-45272), 11/1/86 and refiled with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 45 of Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272), 8/22/94,
pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T and incorporated herein by
reference.
(e) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Broker Agreement: Filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement
of Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-17850), 9/30/94,
and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Trustees or Directors (adopted
6/7/90): Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 of Oppenheimer
Fund (Reg. No. 2-14586), and incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Custodian Agreement dated 11/1/88: Filed with Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Registration Statement, 10/31/88, and
refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(9) Not applicable
(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated 10/6/88: Previously filed with
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement,
10/7/88, and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
(11) Independent Auditors' Consent: Filed herewith.
(12) Not applicable.
(13) Not applicable.
(14) Not applicable.
(15)(i) Service Plan and Agreement for Class A shares under Rule 12b-1 of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 dated 6/10/93: Filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registrant's Registration Statement, 4/29/94,
and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Revised Distribution Plan and Agreement for Class B shares under Rule
12b-1 dated 2/10/94: Filed herewith.
(16) Performance Computation Schedule: Filed herewith.
(17) Financial Data Schedules: Filed herewith.
-- Powers of Attorney, including certified Board resolutions: Filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registration Statement 3/1/94,
and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
None.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
Number of
Record Holders as
Title of Class of March 29, 1995
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 5,367
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 690
Item 27. Indemnification
Reference is made to paragraphs (c) through (f) of Section 12 of
Article SEVENTH of Registrant's Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit
24(b)(1)(i) to this Registration Statement and incorporated herein by
reference.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and
controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
trustee, officer or controlling person, Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
(a) Oppenheimer Management Corporation is the investment adviser of
the Registrant; it and certain subsidiaries and affiliates act in the same
capacity to other registered investment companies as described in Parts
A and B hereof and listed in Item 28(b) below.
(b) There is set forth below information as to any other business,
profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each
officer and director of Oppenheimer Management Corporation is, or at any
time during the past two fiscal years has been, engaged for his/her own
account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or
trustee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name & Current Position
with Oppenheimer Other Business and Connections
Management Corporation During the Past Two Years
- ----------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Lawrence Apolito, None.
Vice President
James C. Ayer, Jr., Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Assistant Vice President Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund and
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund.
Victor Babin, None.
Senior Vice President
Robert J. Bishop Assistant Treasurer of the OppenheimerFunds
Assistant Vice President (listed below); previously a Fund Controller
for Oppenheimer Management Corporation (the
"Manager").
George Bowen Treasurer of the New York-based
Senior Vice President OppenheimerFunds; Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer and Treasurer of the Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds. Vice President and
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor,
Inc. (the "Distributor") and HarbourView
Asset Management Corporation
("HarbourView"), an investment adviser
subsidiary of OMC; Senior Vice President,
Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and a
director of Centennial Asset Management
Corporation ("Centennial"), an investment
adviser subsidiary of the Manager; Vice
President, Treasurer and Secretary of
Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI") and
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.
("SFSI"), transfer agent subsidiaries of
OMC; President, Treasurer and Director of
Centennial Capital Corporation; Vice
President and Treasurer of Main Street
Advisers; formerly Senior Vice President/
Comptroller and Secretary of Oppenheimer
Asset Management Corporation ("OAMC"), an
investment adviser which was a subsidiary of
the OMC.
Michael A. Carbuto, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Cash Reserves,
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust,
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust and
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust; Vice President
of Centennial.
William Colbourne, Formerly, Director of Alternative Staffing
Assistant Vice President Resources, and Vice President of Human
Resources, American Cancer Society.
Lynn Coluccy, Vice President Formerly Vice President/Director of Internal
Audit of the Manager.
O. Leonard Darling, Formerly Co-Director of Fixed Income for
Executive Vice President State Street Research & Management Co.
Robert A. Densen, None.
Vice President
Robert Doll, Jr., Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Executive Vice President Oppenheimer Growth Fund and Oppenheimer
Target Fund; Senior Vice President and
Portfolio Manager of Strategic Income &
Growth Fund.
John Doney, Vice President Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund.
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary of the New York-based
Executive Vice President OppenheimerFunds; Vice President of the
& General Counsel Denver-based OppenheimerFunds; Executive
Vice President, Director and General Counsel
of the Distributor; formerly Senior Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of
the Manager and the Distributor.
Kenneth C. Eich, Treasurer of Oppenheimer Acquisition
Executive Vice President/ Corporation
Chief Financial Officer
George Evans, Vice President Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer of the OppenheimerFunds;
Assistant Vice President previously a Fund Controller for the
Manager.
Katherine P.Feld Vice President and Secretary of Oppenheimer
Vice President and Funds Distributor, Inc.; Secretary of
Secretary HarbourView, Main Street Advisers, Inc. and
Centennial; Secretary, Vice President and
Director of Centennial Capital Corp.
Jon S. Fossel, President and director of Oppenheimer
Chairman of the Board, Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), the Manager's
Chief Executive Officer parent holding company; President, CEO and
and Director a director of HarbourView; a director of SSI
and SFSI; President, Director, Trustee, and
Managing General Partner of the Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds; formerly President of the
Manager. President and Chairman of the Board
of Main Street Advisers, Inc.
Robert G. Galli, Trustee of the New York-based
Vice Chairman OppenheimerFunds; Vice President and Counsel
of OAC; formerly he held the following
positions: a director of the Distributor,
Vice President and a director of HarbourView
and Centennial, a director of SFSI and SSI,
an officer of other OppenheimerFunds and
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
of the Manager and the Distributor.
Linda Gardner, None.
Assistant Vice President
Ginger Gonzalez, Formerly 1st Vice President/Director of
Vice President Creative Services for Shearson Lehman
Brothers.
Dorothy Grunwager, None.
Assistant Vice President
Caryn Halbrecht, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund and
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax Exempt Bond
Fund; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly Vice President of Fixed Income
Portfolio Management at Bankers Trust.
Barbara Hennigar, President and Director of Shareholder
President and Chief Financial Service, Inc.
Executive Officer of
Oppenheimer Shareholder
Services, a division of OMC.
Alan Hoden, Vice President None.
Merryl Hoffman, None.
Vice President
Scott T. Huebl, None.
Assistant Vice President
Jane Ingalls, Formerly a Senior Associate with Robinson,
Assistant Vice President Lake/Sawyer Miller.
Stephen Jobe, None.
Vice President
Avram Kornberg, Formerly a Vice President with Bankers
Vice President Trust.
Paul LaRocco, Portfolio Manager of Oppenheimer Capital
Assistant Vice President Appreciation Fund; Associate Portfolio
Manager of Oppenheimer Discovery Fund and
Oppenheimer Time Fund. Formerly a
Securities Analyst for Columbus Circle
Investors.
Mitchell J. Lindauer, None.
Vice President
Loretta McCarthy, None.
Senior Vice President
Bridget Macaskill, Director of HarbourView; Director of Main
President and Director Street Advisers, Inc.; and Chairman of
Shareholder Services, Inc.
Sally Marzouk, None.
Vice President
Denis R. Molleur, None.
Vice President
Kenneth Nadler, None.
Vice President
David Negri, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Strategic Bond Fund, Oppenheimer
Multiple Strategies Fund, Oppenheimer
Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund,
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income
Fund, Oppenheimer High Income Fund and
Oppenheimer Bond Fund; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Barbara Niederbrach, None.
Assistant Vice President
Stuart Novek, Formerly a Director Account Supervisor for
Vice President J. Walter Thompson.
Robert A. Nowaczyk, None.
Vice President
Robert E. Patterson, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-
Exempt Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Florida Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer New Jersey Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer California Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt
Fund and Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund;
Vice President of the New York Tax-Exempt
Income Fund, Inc.; Vice President of
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust.
Tilghman G. Pitts III, Chairman and Director of the Distributor.
Executive Vice President
and Director
Jane Putnam, Associate Portfolio Manager of Oppenheimer
Assistant Vice President Growth Fund and Oppenheimer Target Fund and
Portfolio Manager for Oppenheimer Variable
Account Funds-Growth Fund; Senior Investment
Officer and Portfolio Manager with Chemical
Bank.
Russell Read, Formerly an International Finance Consultant
Assistant Vice President for Dow Chemical.
Thomas Reedy, Vice President of Oppenheimer Multi-Sector
Vice President Income Trust and Oppenheimer Multi-
Government Trust; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds; formerly a Securities
Analyst for the Manager.
David Rosenberg, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund and
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust. Formerly
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager
for Delaware Investment Advisors.
Richard H. Rubinstein, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund,
Oppenheimer Fund and Oppenheimer Multiple
Strategies Fund; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds; formerly Vice President
and Portfolio Manager/Security Analyst for
Oppenheimer Capital Corp., an investment
adviser.
Lawrence Rudnick, Formerly Vice President of Dollar Dry Dock
Assistant Vice President Bank.
Ellen Schoenfeld, None.
Assistant Vice President
Nancy Sperte, None.
Senior Vice President
Donald W. Spiro, President and Trustee of the New York-based
Chairman Emeritus OppenheimerFunds; formerly Chairman of the
and Director Manager and the Distributor.
Arthur Steinmetz, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term
Income Fund; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Ralph Stellmacher, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund and
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund; an officer of
other OppenheimerFunds.
John Stoma, Vice President Formerly Vice President of Pension Marketing
with Manulife Financial.
James C. Swain, Chairman, CEO and Trustee, Director or
Vice Chairman of the Managing Partner of the Denver-based
Board of Directors OppenheimerFunds; President and a Director
and Director of Centennial; formerly President and
Director of OAMC, and Chairman of the Board
of SSI.
James Tobin, Vice President None.
Jay Tracey, Vice President Vice President of the Manager; Vice
President and Portfolio Manager of
Oppenheimer Time Fund and Oppenheimer
Discovery Fund. Formerly Managing Director
of Buckingham Capital Management.
Gary Tyc, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer of the Distributor and
Assistant Secretary SFSI.
and Assistant Treasurer
Ashwin Vasan, Vice President of Oppenheimer Multi-Sector
Vice President Income Trust and Oppenheimer Multi-
Government Trust: an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Valerie Victorson, None.
Vice President
John Wallace, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, and
Oppenheimer Main Street Income and Growth
Fund; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly a Securities Analyst and Assistant
Portfolio Manager for the Manager.
Dorothy Warmack, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.,
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves, Centennial
America Fund, L.P., Centennial Government
Trust and Centennial Money Market Trust;
Vice President of Centennial.
Christine Wells, None.
Vice President
William L. Wilby, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Global Fund and Oppenheimer
Global Growth & Income Fund; Vice President
of HarbourView; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Susan Wilson-Perez, None.
Vice President
Carol Wolf, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.,
Centennial America Fund, L.P., Centennial
Government Trust, Centennial Money Market
Trust and Daily Cash Accumulation Fund,
Inc.; Vice President of Oppenheimer Multi-
Sector Income Trust; Vice President of
Centennial.
Robert G. Zack, Associate General Counsel of the Manager;
Senior Vice President Assistant Secretary of the OppenheimerFunds;
and Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of SSI, SFSI; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds.
Eva A. Zeff, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Assistant Vice President Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; formerly a
Securities Analyst for the Manager.
Arthur J. Zimmer, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Centennial America Fund, L.P., Oppenheimer
Money Fund, Centennial Government Trust,
Centennial Money Market Trust and Daily Cash
Accumulation Fund, Inc.; Vice President of
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust; Vice
President of Centennial; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
</TABLE>
The OppenheimerFunds include the New York-based OppenheimerFunds and the
Denver-based OppenheimerFunds set forth below:
New York-based OppenheimerFunds
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund
Oppenheimer Multi-Government Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-State Tax-Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Time Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Denver-based OppenheimerFunds
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.
The New York Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government 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
Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds
The address of Oppenheimer Management Corporation, the New York-
based OppenheimerFunds, Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc., Harbourview
Asset Management Corp., Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., and
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. is Two World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048-0203.
The address of the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds, Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc., Shareholder Services, Inc., Oppenheimer
Shareholder Services, Centennial Asset Management Corporation, Centennial
Capital Corp., and Main Street Advisers, Inc. is 3410 South Galena Street,
Denver, Colorado 80231.
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the Distributor of
Registrant's shares. It is also the Distributor of each of the other
registered open-end investment companies for which Oppenheimer Management
Corporation is the investment adviser, as described in Part A and B of
this Registration Statement and listed in Item 28(b) above.
(b) The directors and officers of the Registrant's principal
underwriter are:
Positions and
Name & Principal Positions & Offices Offices with
Business Address with Underwriter Registrant
- ---------------- ------------------- -------------
George Clarence Bowen+ Vice President & Treasurer Treasurer
Christopher Blunt Vice President None
6 Baker Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
Julie Bowers Vice President None
21 Dreamwold Road
Scituate, MA 02066
Peter W. Brennan Vice President None
1940 Cotswold Drive
Orlando, FL 32825
Mary Ann Bruce* Senior Vice President - None
Financial Institution Div.
Robert Coli Vice President None
12 Whitetail Lane
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Ronald T. Collins Vice President None
710-3 E. Ponce DeLeon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
Ronald Corlew Vice President None
1020 Montecito Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Mary Crooks+ Vice President None
Paul Della Bovi Vice President None
750 West Broadway
Apt. 5M
Long Beach, NY 11561
Andrew John Donohue* Executive Vice Secretary
President & Director
Wendy H. Ehrlich Vice President None
4 Craig Street
Jericho, NY 11753
Kent Elwell Vice President None
41 Craig Place
Cranford, NJ 07016
John Ewalt Vice President None
2301 Overview Dr. NE
Tacoma, WA 98422
Gregory Farley Vice President - None
1116 Westbury Circle Financial Institution Div.
Eagan, MN 55123
Katherine P. Feld* Vice President & Secretary None
Mark Ferro Vice President None
43 Market Street
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Wayne Flanagan Vice President - None
36 West Hill Road Financial Institution Div.
Brookline, NH 03033
Ronald R. Foster Vice President - None
11339 Avant Lane Eastern Division Manager
Cincinnati, OH 45249
Patricia Gadecki Vice President None
6026 First Ave. South,
Apt. 10
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
Luiggino Galleto Vice President None
10239 Rougemont Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277
Mark Giles Vice President - None
5506 Bryn Mawr Financial Institution Div.
Dallas, TX 75209
Ralph Grant* Vice President/National None
Sales Manager - Financial
Institution Div.
Sharon Hamilton Vice President None
720 N. Juanita Ave. - #1
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Carla Jiminez Vice President None
609 Chimney Bluff Drive
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Terry Lee Kelley Vice President - None
1431 Woodview Lane Financial Institution Div.
Commerce Township, MI 48382
Michael Keogh* Vice President None
Richard Klein Vice President None
4011 Queen Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55410
Hans Klehmet II Vice President None
26542 Love Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
Ilene Kutno* Assistant Vice President None
Wayne A. LeBlang Vice President - None
23 Fox Trail Director Eastern Div.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Dawn Lind Vice President - None
7 Maize Court Financial Institution Div.
Melville, NY 11747
James Loehle Vice President None
30 John Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
Laura Mulhall* Vice President - None
Director of Key Accounts
Charles Murray Vice President None
50 Deerwood Drive
Littleton, CO 80127
Patrick Palmer Vice President None
958 Blue Mountain Cr.
West Lake Village, CA 91362
Randall Payne Vice President - None
1307 Wandering Way Dr. Financial Institution Div.
Charlotte, NC 28226
Gayle Pereira Vice President None
2707 Via Arboleda
San Clemente, CA 92672
Charles K. Pettit Vice President None
1900 Eight Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116
Tilghman G. Pitts, III* Chairman & Director None
Elaine Puleo* Vice President - None
Financial Institution Div.
Minnie Ra Vice President - None
109 Peach Street Financial Institution Div.
Avenel, NJ 07001
David Robertson Vice President None
9 Hawks View
Hoeoye Falls, NY 14472
Ian Robertson Vice President None
4204 Summit Wa
Marietta, GA 30066
Robert Romano Vice President None
1512 Fallingbrook Drive
Fishers, IN 46038
James Ruff* President None
Timothy Schoeffler Vice President None
3118 N. Military Road
Arlington, VA 22207
Mark Schon Vice President None
10483 E. Corrine Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Michael Sciortino Vice President None
785 Beau Chene Dr.
Mandeville, LA 70448
James A. Shaw Vice President - None
5155 West Fair Place Financial Institution Div.
Littleton, CO 80123
Robert Shore Vice President - None
26 Baroness Lane Financial Institution Div.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Peggy Spilker Vice President - None
2017 N. Cleveland, #2 Financial Institution Div.
Chicago, IL 60614
Michael Stenger Vice President None
C/O America Building
30 East Central Pkwy
Suite 1008
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Paul Stickney Vice President None
1314 Log Cabin Lane
St. Louis, MO 63124
George Sweeney Vice President None
1855 O'Hara Lane
Middletown, PA 17057
Scott McGregor Tatum Vice President None
7123 Cornelia Lane
Dallas, TX 75214
Philip St. John Trimble Vice President None
2213 West Homer
Chicago, IL 60647
Gary Paul Tyc+ Assistant Treasurer None
Mark Stephen Vandehey+ Vice President None
Gregory K. Wilson Vice President None
2 Side Hill Road
Westport, CT 06880
Bernard J. Wolocko Vice President None
33915 Grand River
Farmington, MI 48335
William Harvey Young+ Vice President None
* Two World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048-0203
+ 3410 South Galena St., Denver, CO 80231
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained
Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act and
rules promulgated thereunder are in possession of Oppenheimer Management
Corporation, at its offices at 3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado
80231.
Item 31. Management Services
Inapplicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Registrant undertakes to call a meeting of shareholders for the
purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a Trustee or Trustees
when requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of Registrant's
outstanding shares and in connection with such meeting to in conformity
with the provisions of Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
relating to shareholder communications.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant
to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York
on the 24th day of April, 1995.
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
By: /s/ Donald W. Spiro*
--------------------------------------
Donald W. Spiro, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signatures Title Date
- ---------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Leon Levy* Chairman of the
- -------------- Board of Trustees April 24, 1995
Leon Levy
/s/ Donald W. Spiro* President, Principal
- -------------------- Executive Officer
Donald W. Spiro and Trustee April 24, 1995
/s/ George Bowen* Treasurer and
- ----------------- Principal Financial
George Bowen and Accounting
Officer April 24, 1995
/s/ Leo Cherne* Trustee April 24, 1995
- ---------------
Leo Cherne
/s/ Robert G. Galli* Trustee April 24, 1995
- -------------------
Robert G. Galli
/s/ Benjamin Lipstein* Trustee April 24, 1995
- ----------------------
Benjamin Lipstein
/s/ Elizabeth B. Moynihan* Trustee April 24, 1995
- --------------------------
Elizabeth B. Moynihan
/s/ Kenneth A. Randall* Trustee April 24, 1995
- -----------------------
Kenneth A. Randall
/s/ Edward V. Regan* Trustee April 24, 1995
- --------------------
Edward V. Regan
/s/ Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.* Trustee April 24, 1995
- -----------------------------
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
/s/ Sidney M. Robbins* Trustee April 24, 1995
- ----------------------
Sidney M. Robbins
/s/ Pauline Trigere* Trustee April 24, 1995
- --------------------
Pauline Trigere
/s/ Clayton K. Yeutter* Trustee April 24, 1995
- -----------------------
Clayton K. Yeutter
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Robert G. Zack
- --------------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Index to Exhibits
Exhibit No. Decription
24(b)(1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
dated April 23, 1993
24(b)(2) By-Laws of Registrant
24(b)(4)(i) Specimen Share Certificate - Class A Shares
24(b)(4)(ii) Specimen Share Certificate - Class B Shares
24(b)(5) Investment Advisory Agreement dated
10/22/90
24(b)(6)(a) General Distributor's Agreement dated
12/10/92
24(b)(8) Custodian Agreement dated 11/1/88
24(b)(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated
10/6/88
24(b)(11) Independent Auditors' Consent
24(b)(15)(iii) Revised Distribution Plan and Agreement for
Class B shares under Rule 12b-1 dated
2/10/94
24(b)(16) Performance Computation Schedule
24(b)(17) Financial Data Schedule
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
This AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST, made as of April 23,
1993, by and among the individuals executing this Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust as the Trustees.
WHEREAS, the Trustees established Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt
Fund (the "Fund") as a trust fund under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed
thereto, under a Declaration of Trust dated July 25, 1988;
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to make certain permitted changes to
said Declaration of Trust;
WHEREAS, such changes have been approved by the Fund's shareholders
at a meeting held April 23, 1993;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property
contributed to the trust fund hereunder shall henceforth be held and
managed under this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust IN TRUST as
herein set forth below.
FIRST: This Trust shall be known as OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-
EXEMPT FUND. The address of Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund is Two
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203. The Registered Agent
for Service is Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State
Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111, Attention: Stephen Kuhn, Esq.
SECOND: Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the
context or specifically provided:
1. All terms used in this Declaration of Trust that are defined in
the 1940 Act (defined below) shall have the meanings given to them in the
1940 Act.
2. "Board" or "Board of Trustees" or the "Trustees" means the Board
of Trustees of the Trust.
3. "By-Laws" means the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time
to time.
4. "Class" means a class of a series of Shares of the Trust
established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of
Article FOURTH.
5. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
6. "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust as it may be amended or restated from time to time.
7. The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as amended
from time to time.
8. "Series" refers to series of Shares of the Trust established and
designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article FOURTH.
9. "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares of the Trust.
10. "Shares" refers to the transferable units of interest into which
the beneficial interest in the Trust or any Series or Class of the Trust
(as the context may require) shall be divided from time to time and
includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares.
11. The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust created
by this Declaration of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time.
12. "Trustees" refers to the individual trustees in their capacity
as trustees hereunder of the Trust and their successor or successors for
the time being in office as such trustees.
THIRD: The purpose or purposes for which the Trust is formed and the
business or objects to be transacted, carried on and promoted by it are
as follows:
1. To hold, invest or reinvest its funds, and in connection
therewith to hold part or all of its funds in cash, and to purchase or
otherwise acquire, hold for investment or otherwise, sell, sell short,
assign, negotiate, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of or turn to
account or realize upon, securities (which term "securities" shall for the
purposes of this Declaration of Trust, without limitation of the
generality thereof, be deemed to include any stocks, shares, bonds,
financial futures contracts, indexes, debentures, notes, mortgages or
other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other
instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the
same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein,
or in any property or assets) created or issued by any issuer (which term
"issuer" shall for the purposes of this Declaration of Trust, without
limitation of the generality thereof be deemed to include any persons,
firms, associations, corporations, syndicates, business trusts,
partnerships, investment companies, combinations, organizations,
governments, or subdivisions thereof) and in financial instruments
(whether they are considered as securities or commodities); and to
exercise, as owner or holder of any securities or financial instruments,
all rights, powers and privileges in respect thereof; and to do any and
all acts and things for the preservation, protection, improvement and
enhancement in value of any or all such securities or financial
instruments.
2. To borrow money and pledge assets in connection with any of the
objects or purposes of the Trust, and to issue notes or other obligations
evidencing such borrowings, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and
by the Trust's fundamental investment policies under the 1940 Act.
3. To issue and sell its Shares in such Series and Classes and
amounts and on such terms and conditions, for such purposes and for such
amount or kind of consideration (including without limitation thereto,
securities) now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and by this Declaration of Trust, as the Trustees may
determine.
4. To purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, dispose of, resell,
transfer, reissue or cancel its Shares, or to classify or reclassify any
unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any
Series or Class into one or more Series or Classes that may have been
established and designated from time to time, all without the vote or
consent of the Shareholders of the Trust, in any manner and to the extent
now or hereafter permitted by this Declaration of Trust.
5. To conduct its business in all its branches at one or more
offices in New York, Colorado and elsewhere in any part of the world,
without restriction or limit as to extent.
6. To carry out all or any of the foregoing objects and purposes
as principal or agent, and alone or with associates or to the extent now
or hereafter permitted by the laws of Massachusetts, as a member of, or
as the owner or holder of any stock of, or share of interest in, any
issuer, and in connection therewith or make or enter into such deeds or
contracts with any issuers and to do such acts and things and to exercise
such powers, as a natural person could lawfully make, enter into, do or
exercise.
7. To do any and all such further acts and things and to exercise
any and all such further powers as may be necessary, incidental, relative,
conducive, appropriate or desirable for the accomplishment, carrying out
or attainment of all or any of the foregoing purposes or objects.
The foregoing objects and purposes shall, except as otherwise
expressly provided, be in no way limited or restricted by reference to,
or inference from, the terms of any other clause of this or any other
Article of this Declaration of Trust, and shall each be regarded as
independent and construed as powers as well as objects and purposes, and
the enumeration of specific purposes, objects and powers shall not be
construed to limit or restrict in any manner the meaning of general terms
or the general powers of the Trust now or hereafter conferred by the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts nor shall the expression of one thing
be deemed to exclude another, though it be of a similar or dissimilar
nature, not expressed; provided, however, that the Trust shall not carry
on any business, or exercise any powers, in any state, territory, district
or country except to the extent that the same may lawfully be carried on
or exercised under the laws thereof.
FOURTH:
1. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into
Shares, all without par value, but the Trustees shall have the authority
from time to time, without obtaining shareholder approval, to create one
or more Series of Shares in addition to the Series specifically
established and designated in part 3 of this Article FOURTH, and to divide
the shares of any Series into two or more Classes pursuant to Part 2 of
this Article FOURTH, all as they deem necessary or desirable, to establish
and designate such Series and Classes, and to fix and determine the
relative rights and preferences as between the different Series of Shares
or Classes as to right of redemption and the price, terms and manner of
redemption, liabilities and expenses to be borne by any Series or Class,
special and relative rights as to dividends and other distributions and
on liquidation, sinking or purchase fund provisions, conversion on
liquidation, conversion rights, and conditions under which the several
Series or Classes shall have individual voting rights or no voting rights.
Except as aforesaid, all Shares of the different Series shall be
identical.
(a) The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares
of each Series and each Class of a Series that may be issued is unlimited,
and the Trustees may issue Shares of any Series or Class of any Series for
such consideration and on such terms as they may determine (or for no
consideration if pursuant to a Share dividend or split-up), all without
action or approval of the Shareholders. All Shares when so issued on the
terms determined by the Trustees shall be fully paid and non-assessable.
The Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares
previously issued and reacquired of any Series into one or more Series or
Classes of Series that may be established and designated from time to
time. The Trustees may hold as treasury Shares (of the same or some other
Series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may
determine, or cancel, at their discretion from time to time, any Shares
of any Series reacquired by the Trust.
(b) The establishment and designation of any Series or any
Class of any Series in addition to that established and designated in part
3 of this Article FOURTH shall be effective upon the execution by a
majority of the Trustees of an instrument setting forth such establishment
and designation and the relative rights and preferences of such Series or
such Class of such Series or as otherwise provided in such instrument.
At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular Series
previously established and designated, the Trustees may by an instrument
executed by a majority of their number abolish that Series and the
establishment and designation thereof. Each instrument referred to in
this paragraph shall be an amendment to this Declaration of Trust, and the
Trustees may make any such amendment without shareholder approval.
(c) Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any
organization in which any such person is interested may acquire, own, hold
and dispose of Shares of any Series or Class of any Series of the Trust
to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other
agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued
and sold and may purchase Shares of any Series or Class of any Series from
any such person or any such organization subject only to the general
limitations, restrictions or other provisions applicable to the sale or
purchase of Shares of such Series or Class generally.
2. The Trustees shall have the authority from time to time, without
obtaining shareholder approval, to divide the Shares of any Series into
two or more Classes as they deem necessary or desirable, and to establish
and designate such Classes. In such event, each Class of a Series shall
represent interests in the designated Series of the Trust and have such
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights as may be established and
designated by the Trustees. Expenses related directly or indirectly to
the Shares of a Class of a Series may be borne solely by such Class (as
shall be determined by the Trustees) and, as provided in Article FIFTH,
a Class of a Series may have exclusive voting rights with respect to
matters relating solely to such Class. The bearing of expenses solely by
a Class of Shares of a Series shall be appropriately reflected (in the
manner determined by the Trustees) in the net asset value, dividend and
liquidation rights of the Shares of such Class of a Series. The division
of the Shares of a Series into Classes and the terms and conditions
pursuant to which the Shares of the Classes of a Series will be issued
must be made in compliance with the 1940 Act. No division of Shares of
a Series into Classes shall result in the creation of a Class of Shares
having a preference as to dividends or distributions or a preference in
the event of any liquidation, termination or winding up of the Trust, to
the extent such a preference is prohibited by Section 18 of the 1940 Act
as to the Trust.
The relative rights and preferences of shares of Class A shares and
Class B shares shall be the same in all respects except that, and unless
and until the Board of Trustees shall determine otherwise: (i) when a vote
of Shareholders is required under this Declaration of Trust or when a
meeting of Shareholders is called by the Board of Trustees, the Shares of
a Class shall vote exclusively on matters that affect that Class only;
(ii) the expenses related to a Class shall be borne solely by such Class
(as determined and allocated to such Class by the Trustees from time to
time in a manner consistent with parts 2 and 3 of Article FOURTH); and
(iii) pursuant to paragraph 10 of Article NINTH, the Shares of each Class
shall have such other rights and preferences as are set forth from time
to time in the then effective prospectus and/or statement of additional
information relating to the Shares. Dividends and distributions on the
Class A Shares may differ from the dividends and distributions on Class
B Shares, and the net asset value of Class A Shares may differ from the
net asset value of Class B Shares.
3. Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in part
1 of this Article FOURTH to establish and designate any further Series,
the Trustees hereby establish one Series of Shares having the same name
as the Trust, and said Shares shall be divided into two Classes, which
shall be designated Class A and Class B, as follows. The Shares of the
Class outstanding since the inception of the Trust are hereby designated
Class A Shares, and the Shares of the Class initially issued upon the
division of the Shares of that Series into two Classes are hereby
designated Class B Shares. The Shares of that Series and any Shares of
any further Series or Classes that may from time to time be established
and designated by the Trustees shall (unless the Trustees otherwise
determine with respect to some further Series or Classes at the time of
establishing and designating the same) have the following relative rights
and preferences:
(a) Assets Belonging to Series. All consideration received by
the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together
with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all
income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds
derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any
funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in
whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably belong to that Series
for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors, and shall be
so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration,
assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any
proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets,
and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds,
in whatever form the same may be, together with any General Items
allocated to that Series as provided in the following sentence, are
herein referred to as "assets belonging to" that Series. In the event
that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds
thereof, funds, or payments which are not readily identifiable as
belonging to any particular Series (collectively "General Items"), the
Trustees shall allocate such General Items to and among any one or more
of the Series established and designated from time to time in such manner
and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and
equitable; and any General Items so allocated to a particular Series shall
belong to that
Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and
binding upon the shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
(b) (1) Liabilities Belonging to Series. The liabilities,
expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to each Series shall
be charged and allocated to the assets belonging to each particular
Series. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves
of the Trust which are not identifiable as belong to any particular Series
shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or
more of the Series established and designated from time to time in such
manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem
fair and equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and
reserves allocated and so charged to each Series are herein referred to
as "liabilities belonging to" that Series. Each allocation of
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall
be conclusive and binding upon the shareholders of all Series for all
purposes.
(2) Liabilities Belonging to a Class. If a Series is
divided into more than one Class, the liabilities, expenses, costs,
charges and reserves attributable to a Class shall be charged and
allocated to the Class to which such liabilities, expenses, costs, charges
or reserves are attributable. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs,
charges or reserves belonging to the Series which are not identifiable as
belonging to any particular Class shall be allocated and charged by the
Trustees to and among any one or more of the Classes established and
designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as the
Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The
allocations in the two preceding sentences shall be subject to the 1940
Act or any release, rule, regulation, interpretation or order thereunder
relating to such allocations. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges
and reserves allocated and so charged to each Class are herein referred
to as "liabilities belonging to" that Class. Each allocation of
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall
be conclusive and binding upon the holders of all Classes for all
purposes.
(c) Dividends. Dividends and distributions on Shares of a
particular Series or Class may be paid to the holders of Shares of that
Series or Class, with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, which
may be daily or otherwise pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions
adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine,
from such of the income, capital gains accrued or realized, and capital
and surplus, from the assets belonging to that Series, as the Trustees may
determine, after providing for actual and accrued liabilities belonging
to such Series or Class. All dividends and distributions on Shares of a
particular Series or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the
Shareholders of such Series or Class in proportion to the number of Shares
of such Series or Class held by such Shareholders at the date and time of
record established for the payment of such dividends or distributions,
except that in connection with any dividend or distribution program or
procedure the Trustees may determine that no dividend or distribution
shall be payable on Shares as to which the Shareholder's purchase order
and/or payment have not been received by the time or times established by
the Trustees under such program or procedure. Such dividends and
distributions may be made in cash or Shares or a combination thereof as
determined by the Trustees or pursuant to any program that the Trustees
may have in effect at the time for the election by each Shareholder of the
mode of the making of such dividend or distribution to that Shareholder.
Any such dividend or distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net
asset value thereof as determined in accordance with paragraph 13 of
Article SEVENTH.
(d) Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation or
dissolution of the Trust, the Shareholders of each Series and all Classes
of each Series that has been established and designated shall be entitled
to receive, as a Series or Class, when and as declared by the Trustees,
the excess of the assets belonging to that Series over the liabilities
belonging to that Series or Class. The assets so distributable to the
Shareholders of any particular Class and Series shall be distributed among
such Shareholders in proportion to the number of Shares of such Class of
that Series held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust.
(e) Transfer. All Shares of each particular Series or Class
shall be transferable, but transfers of Shares of a particular Class and
Series will be recorded on the Share transfer records of the Trust
applicable to such Series or Class of that Series only at such times as
Shareholders shall have the right to require the Trust to redeem Shares
of such Series or Class of that Series and at such other times as may be
permitted by the Trustees.
(f) Equality. All Shares of each Series shall represent an
equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to that Series
(subject to the liabilities belonging to such Series or any Class of that
Series), and each Share of any particular Series shall be equal to each
other Share of that Series and shares of each Class of a Series shall be
equal to each other Share of such Class; but the provisions of this
sentence shall not restrict any distinctions permissible under this
Article FOURTH that may exist with respect to Shares of the different
Classes of a Series. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine
the Shares of any particular Class or Series into a greater or lesser
number of Shares of that Class or Series without thereby changing the
proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that Class
or Series or in any way affecting the rights of Shares of any other Class
or Series.
(g) Fractions. Any fractional Share of any Class and Series,
if any such fractional Share is outstanding, shall carry proportionately
all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of that Class and Series,
including those rights and obligations with respect to voting, receipt of
dividends and distributions, redemption of Shares, and liquidation of the
Trust.
(h) Conversion Rights. Subject to compliance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have the authority to
provide that (i) holders of Shares of any Series shall have the right to
exchange said Shares into Shares of one or more other Series of Shares,
(ii) holders of shares of any Class shall have the right to exchange said
Shares into Shares of one or more other Classes of the same or a different
Series, and/or (iii) the Trust shall have the right to carry out exchanges
of the aforesaid kind, in each case in accordance with such requirements
and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(i) Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be
recorded on the books of the Trust or of a transfer or similar agent for
the Trust, which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of
each Class and Series that has been established and designated. No
certification certifying the ownership of Shares need be issued except as
the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may
make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share
certificates, the use of facsimile signatures, the transfer of Shares and
similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or
any transfer or similar agent, as the
case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders and as to
the number of Shares of each Class and Series held from time to time by
each such Shareholder.
(j) Investments in the Trust. The Trustees may accept
investments in the Trust from such persons and on such terms and for such
consideration, not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, as
they from time to time authorize. The Trustees may authorize any
distributor, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent or other
person to accept orders for the purchase or sale of Shares that conform
to such authorized terms and to reject any purchase or sale orders for
Shares whether or not conforming to such authorized terms.
FIFTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted with respect to
voting Shares of the Trust and certain other rights:
1. The Shareholders shall have the power to vote (a) for the
election of Trustees when that issue is submitted to them, (b) with
respect to the amendment of this Declaration of Trust except where the
Trustees are given authority to amend the Declaration of Trust without
shareholder approval, (c) to the same extent as the shareholders of a
Massachusetts business corporation, as to whether or not a court action,
proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained derivatively or as a
class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders, and (d) with
respect to those matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the
1940 Act or required by law, by this Declaration of Trust, or the By-Laws
of the Trust or any registration statement of the Trust filed with the
Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider desirable.
2. The Trust will not hold shareholder meetings unless required by
the 1940 Act, the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, or any other
applicable law. The Trustees may call a meeting of shareholders.
3. At all meetings of Shareholders, each Shareholder shall be
entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the
Shareholders of the affected Series for each Share standing in his name
on the books of the Trust on the date, fixed in accordance with the By-
Laws, for determination of Shareholders of the affected Series entitled
to vote at such meeting (except, if the Board so determines, for Shares
redeemed prior to the meeting), and each such Series shall vote separately
("Individual Series Voting"); a Series shall be deemed to be affected when
a vote of the holders of that Series on a matter is required by the 1940
Act; provided, however, that as to any matter with respect to which a vote
of Shareholders is required by the 1940 Act or by any applicable law that
must be complied with, such requirements as to a vote by Shareholders
shall apply in lieu of Individual Series Voting as described above. If
the shares of a Series shall be divided into Classes as provided in
Article FOURTH, the shares of each Class shall have identical voting
rights except that the Trustees, in their discretion, may provide a Class
of a Series with exclusive voting rights with respect to matters which
relate solely to such Classes. If the Shares of any Series shall be
divided into Classes with a Class having exclusive voting rights with
respect to certain matters, the quorum and voting requirements described
below with respect to action to be taken by the Shareholders of the Class
of such Series on such matters shall be applicable only to the Shares of
such Class. Any fractional Share shall carry proportionately all the
rights of a whole Share, including the right to vote and the right to
receive dividends. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of
one-third of the Shares, or of the Shares of any Series or Class of any
Series, outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting of the Shareholders or of that Series or Class,
respectively; provided however, that if any action to be taken by the
Shareholders or by a Series or Class at a meeting requires an affirmative
vote of a majority, or more than a majority, of the shares outstanding and
entitled to vote, then in such event the presence in person or by proxy
of the holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to
vote at such a meeting shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. At a
meeting at which is a quorum is present, a vote of a majority of the
quorum shall be sufficient to transact all business at the meeting. If
at any meeting of the Shareholders there shall be less than a quorum
present, the Shareholders or the Trustees present at such meeting may,
without further notice, adjourn the same from time to time until a quorum
shall attend, but no business shall be transacted at any such adjourned
meeting except such as might have been lawfully transacted had the meeting
not been adjourned.
4. Each Shareholder, upon request to the Trust in proper form
determined by the Trust, shall be entitled to require the Trust to redeem
from the net assets of that Series and Class all or part of the Shares of
such Series and Class standing in the name of such Shareholder. The
method of computing such net asset value, the time at which such net asset
value shall be computed and the time within which the Trust shall make
payment therefor, shall be determined as hereinafter provided in Article
SEVENTH of this Declaration of Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Trustees, when permitted or required to do so by the 1940 Act, may suspend
the right of the Shareholders to require the Trust to redeem Shares.
5. No Shareholder shall, as such holder, have any right to purchase
or subscribe for any Shares of the Trust which it may issue or sell, other
than such right, if any, as the Trustees, in their discretion, may
determine.
6. All persons who shall acquire Shares shall acquire the same
subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust.
7. Cumulative voting for the election of Trustees shall not be
allowed.
SIXTH:
1. The persons who shall act as initial Trustees until the first
meeting or until their successors are duly chosen and qualify are the
initial trustees executing this Declaration of Trust or any counterpart
thereof. However, the By-Laws of the Trust may fix the number of Trustees
at a number greater or lesser than the number of initial Trustees and may
authorize the Trustees to increase or decrease the number of Trustees, to
fill any vacancies on the Board which may occur for any reason including
any vacancies created by any such increase in the number of Trustees, to
set and alter the terms of office of the Trustees and to lengthen or
lessen their own terms of office or make their terms of office of
indefinite duration, all subject to the 1940 Act. Unless otherwise
provided by the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees need not be
Shareholders.
2. A Trustee at any time may be removed either with or without
cause by resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares, present in person or by proxy at
any meeting of Shareholders called for such purpose; such a meeting shall
be called by the Trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record
holders of not less than ten per centum of the outstanding Shares. A
Trustee may also be removed by the Board of Trustees as provided in the
By-Laws of the Trust.
3. The Trustees shall make available a list of names and addresses
of all Shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust, upon receipt
of the request in writing signed by not less than ten Shareholders (who
have been shareholders for at least six months) holding in the aggregate
shares of the Trust valued at not less than $25,000 at current offering
price (as defined in the then effective Prospectus and/or Statement of
Additional Information relating to the Shares under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended from time to time) or holding not less than 1% in amount
of the entire amount of Shares issued and outstanding; such request must
state that such Shareholders wish to communicate with other Shareholders
with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a meeting to take
action pursuant to part 2 of this Article SIXTH and be accompanied by a
form of communication to the Shareholders. The Trustees may, in their
discretion, satisfy their obligation under this part 3 by either making
available the Shareholder list to such Shareholders at the principal
offices of the Trust, or at the offices of the Trust's transfer agent,
during regular business hours, or by mailing a copy of such communication
and form of request, at the expense of such requesting Shareholders, to
all other Shareholders, and the Trustees may also take such other action
as may be permitted under Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
4. The Trust may at any time or from time to time apply to the
Commission for one or more exemptions from all or part of said Section
16(c) of the 1940 Act, and, if an exemptive order or orders are issued by
the Commission, such order or orders shall be deemed part of said Section
16(c) for the purposes of parts 2 and 3 of this Article SIXTH.
SEVENTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose
of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Trust, the Trustees
and the Shareholders.
1. As soon as any Trustee is duly elected by the Shareholders or
the Trustees and shall have accepted this Trust, the Trust estate shall
vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the continuing
Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he or she shall be
deemed a Trustee hereunder.
2. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or
incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul
or terminate the Trust but the Trust shall continue in full force and
effect pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
3. The assets of the Trust shall be held separate and apart from
any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee
hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. All of the assets
of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees.
No Shareholder shall have, as a holder of beneficial interest in the
Trust, any authority, power or right whatsoever to transact business for
or on behalf of the Trust, or on behalf of the Trustees, in connection
with the property or assets of the Trust, or in any part thereof.
4. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are
and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees
shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and
execute, and to authorize the officers and agents of the Trust to make and
execute, any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider
necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust.
The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by present or future
laws or customs in regard to Trust investments, but shall have full
authority and power to make any and all investments which they, in their
uncontrolled discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of
this Trust. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Declaration of
Trust or by the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees shall have power and
authority:
(a) to adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of
Trust providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend
and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the
Shareholders;
(b) to elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate
such officers as they consider appropriate with or without cause, and to
appoint and designate from among the Trustees such committees as the
Trustees may determine, and to terminate any such committee and remove any
member of such committee;
(c) to employ as custodian of any assets of the Trust a bank
or trust company or any other entity qualified and eligible to act as a
custodian, subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of
Trust or in the By-Laws;
(d) To retain a transfer agent and shareholder servicing agent,
or both;
(e) To provide for the distribution of Shares either through
a principal underwriter or the Trust itself or both;
(f) To set record dates in the manner provided for in the By-
Laws of the Trust;
(g) to delegate such authority as they consider desirable to
any officers of the Trust and to any agent, custodian or underwriter;
(h) to vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of
ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property held in
Trust hereunder; and to execute and deliver powers of attorney to such
person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such
person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities
or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(i) to exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise
which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities held in trust
hereunder;
(j) to hold any security or property in a form not indicating
any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form,
either in its own name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or
nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards according to the
usual practice of Massachusetts business trusts or investment companies;
(k) to consent to or participate in any plan for the
reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any
security of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease,
mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or concern,
and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the
Trust;
(l) to compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in
favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but
not limited to, claims for taxes;
(m) to make, in the manner provided in the By-Laws,
distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders;
(n) to borrow money to the extent and in the manner permitted
by the 1940 Act and the Trust's fundamental policy thereunder as to
borrowing;
(o) to enter into investment advisory or management contracts,
subject to the 1940 Act, with any one or more corporations, partnerships,
trusts, associations or other persons;
(p) to change the name of the Trust or any Class or Series of
the Trust as they consider appropriate without prior shareholder approval;
and
(q) to establish officers' and Trustees' fees or compensation
and fees or compensation for committees of the Trustees to be paid by the
Trust or each Series thereof in such manner and amount as the Trustees may
determine.
5. No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation
to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see
to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the
Trustees or upon their order.
6. (a) The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder
personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of
money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at
any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription to any Shares or
otherwise. This paragraph shall not limit the right of the Trustees to
assert claims against any shareholder based upon the acts or omissions of
such shareholder or for any other reason. There is hereby expressly
disclaimed shareholder and Trustee liability for the acts and obligations
of the Trust. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued by
or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust shall
include a notice and provision limiting the obligation represented thereby
to the Trust and its assets (but the omission of such notice and provision
shall not operate to impose any liability or obligation on any
Shareholder).
(b) Whenever this Declaration of Trust calls for or permits any
action to be taken by the Trustees hereunder, such action shall mean that
taken by the Board of Trustees by vote of the majority of a quorum of
Trustees as set forth from time to time in the By-Laws of the Trust or as
required by the 1940 Act.
(c) The Trustees shall possess and exercise any and all such
additional powers as are reasonably implied from the powers herein
contained such as may be necessary or convenient in the conduct of any
business or enterprise of the Trust, to do and perform anything necessary,
suitable, or proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes, or the
attainment of any one or more of the objects, herein enumerated, or which
shall at any time appear conducive to or expedient for the protection or
benefit of the Trust, and to do and perform all other acts and things
necessary or incidental to the purposes herein before set forth, or that
may be deemed necessary by the Trustees.
(d) The Trustees shall have the power, to the extent not
inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine conclusively whether any
moneys, securities, or other properties of the Trust are, for the purposes
of this Trust, to be considered as capital or income and in what manner
any expenses or disbursements are to be borne as between capital and
income whether or not in the absence of this provision such moneys,
securities, or other properties would be regarded as capital or income and
whether or not in the absence of this provision such expenses or
disbursements would ordinarily be charged to capital or to income.
7. The By-Laws of the Trust may divide the Trustees into classes
and prescribe the tenure of office of the several classes, but no class
of Trustee shall be elected for a period shorter than that from the time
of the election following the division into classes until the next meeting
and thereafter for a period shorter than the interval between meetings or
for a period longer than five years, and the term of office of at least
one class shall expire each year.
8. The Shareholders shall have the right to inspect the records,
documents, accounts and books of the Trust, subject to reasonable
regulations of the Trustees, not contrary to Massachusetts law, as to
whether and to what extent, and at what times and places, and under what
conditions and regulations, such right shall be exercised.
9. Any officer elected or appointed by the Trustees or by the
Shareholders or otherwise, may be removed at any time, with or without
cause, in such lawful manner as may be provided in the By-Laws of the
Trust.
10. The Trustees shall have power to hold their meetings, to have
an office or offices and, subject to the provisions of the laws of
Massachusetts, to keep the books of the Trust outside of said Commonwealth
at such places as may from time to time be designated by them. Action may
be taken by the Trustees without a meeting by unanimous written consent
or by telephone or similar method of communication.
11. Securities held by the Trust shall be voted in person or by
proxy by the President or a Vice-President, or such officer or officers
of the Trust as the Trustees shall designate for the purpose, or by a
proxy or proxies thereunto duly authorized by the Trustees, except as
otherwise ordered by vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares
outstanding and entitled to vote in respect thereto.
12. (a) Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, any Trustee,
officer or employee, individually, or any partnership of which any
Trustee, officer or employee may be a member, or any corporation or
association of which any Trustee, officer or employee may be an officer,
partner, director, trustee, employee or stockholder, or otherwise may have
an interest, may be a party to, or may be pecuniarily or otherwise
interested in, any contract or transaction of the Trust, and in the
absence of fraud no contract or other transaction shall be thereby
affected or invalidated; provided that in such case a Trustee, officer or
employee or a partnership, corporation or association of which a Trustee,
officer or employee is a member, officer, director, trustee, employee or
stockholder is so interested, such fact shall be disclosed or shall have
been known to the Trustees including those Trustees who are not so
interested and who are neither "interested" nor "affiliated" persons as
those terms are defined in the 1940 Act, or a majority thereof; and any
Trustee who is so interested, or who is also a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee or stockholder of such other corporation or a member of
such partnership or association which is so interested, may be counted in
determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Trustees which
shall authorize any such contract or transaction, and may vote thereat to
authorize any such contract or transaction, with like force and effect as
if he were not so interested.
(b) Specifically, but without limitation of the foregoing, the
Trust may enter into a management or investment advisory contract or
underwriting contract and other contracts with, and may otherwise do
business with any manager or investment adviser for the Trust and/or
principal underwriter of the Shares of the Trust or any subsidiary or
affiliate of any such manager or investment adviser and/or principal
underwriter and may permit any such firm or corporation to enter into any
contracts or other arrangements with any other firm or corporation
relating to the Trust notwithstanding that the Trustees of the Trust may
be composed in part of partners, directors, officers or employees of any
such firm or corporation, and officers of the Trust may have been or may
be or become partners, directors, officers or employees of any such firm
or corporation, and in the absence of fraud the Trust and any such firm
or corporation may deal freely with each other, and no such contract or
transaction between the Trust and any such firm or corporation shall be
invalidated or in any way affected thereby, nor shall any Trustee or
officer of the Trust be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder or
creditor thereof or to any other person for any loss incurred by it or him
solely because of the existence of any such contract or transaction;
provided that nothing herein shall protect any director or officer of the
Trust against any liability to the trust or to its security holders to
which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office.
(c) As used in this paragraph the following terms shall have
the meanings set forth below:
(i) the term "indemnitee" shall mean any present or
former Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, any present or former
Trustee, partner, Director or officer of another trust, partnership,
corporation or association whose securities are or were owned by the Trust
or of which the Trust is or was a creditor and who served or serves in
such capacity at the request of the Trust, and the heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing; however,
whenever conduct by an indemnitee is referred to, the conduct shall be
that of the original indemnitee rather than that of the heir, executor,
administrator, successor or assignee;
(ii) the term "covered proceeding" shall mean any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, to which an indemnitee
is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the
fact or facts under which he or it is an indemnitee as defined above;
(iii) the term "disabling conduct" shall mean willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of the office in question;
(iv) the term "covered expenses" shall mean expenses
(including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnitee in connection
with a covered proceeding; and
(v) the term "adjudication of liability" shall mean,
as to any covered proceeding and as to any indemnitee, an adverse
determination as to the indemnitee whether by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent.
(d) The Trust shall not indemnify any indemnitee for any
covered expenses in any covered proceeding if there has been an
adjudication of liability against such indemnitee expressly based on a
finding of disabling conduct.
(e) Except as set forth in paragraph (d) above, the Trust
shall indemnify any indemnitee for covered expenses in any covered
proceeding, whether or not there is an adjudication of liability as to
such indemnitee, such indemnification by the Trust to be to the fullest
extent now or hereafter permitted by any applicable law unless the By-laws
limit or restrict the indemnification to which any indemnitee may be
entitled. The Board of Trustees may adopt bylaw provisions to implement
sub-paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) hereof.
(f) Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the right of
the Trust and/or any indemnitee to acquire and pay for any insurance
covering any or all indemnitees to the extent permitted by applicable law
or to affect any other indemnification rights to which any indemnitee may
be entitled to the extent permitted by applicable law. Such rights to
indemnification shall not, except as otherwise provided by law, be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which such indemnitee may be entitled
under any statute now or hereafter enacted, By-Law, contract or otherwise.
13. The Trustees are empowered, in their absolute discretion, to
establish bases or times, or both, for determining the net asset value per
Share of any Class and Series in accordance with the 1940 Act and to
authorize the voluntary purchase by any Class and Series, either directly
or through an agent, of Shares of any Class and Series upon such terms and
conditions and for such consideration as the Trustees shall deem advisable
in accordance with the 1940 Act.
14. Payment of the net asset value per Share of any Class and
Series properly surrendered to it for redemption shall be made by the
Trust within seven days, or as specified in any applicable law or
regulation, after tender of such stock or request for redemption to the
Trust for such purpose together with any additional documentation that may
be reasonably required by the Trust or its transfer agent to evidence the
authority of the tenderor to make such request, plus any period of time
during which the right of the holders of the shares of such Class of that
Series to require the Trust to redeem such shares has been suspended. Any
such payment may be made in portfolio securities of such Class of that
Series and/or in cash, as the Trustees shall deem advisable, and no
Shareholder shall have a right, other than as determined by the Trustees,
to have Shares redeemed in kind.
15. The Trust shall have the right, at any time and without prior
notice to the Shareholder, to redeem Shares of the Class and Series held
by such Shareholder held in any account registered in the name of such
Shareholder for its current net asset value, if and to the extent that
such redemption is necessary to reimburse either that Series or Class of
the Trust or the distributor (i.e., principal underwriter) of the Shares
for any loss either has sustained by reason of the failure of such
Shareholder to make timely and good payment for Shares purchased or
subscribed for by such Shareholder, regardless of whether such Shareholder
was a Shareholder at the time of such purchase or subscription, subject
to and upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may from time to
time prescribe.
EIGHTH: The name "Oppenheimer" included in the name of the Trust
and of any Series shall be used pursuant to a royalty-free, non-exclusive
license from Oppenheimer Management Corporation ("OMC"), incidental to and
as part of any one or more advisory, management or supervisory contracts
which may be entered into by the Trust with OMC. Such license shall allow
OMC to inspect and subject to the control of the Board of Trustees to
control the nature and quality of services offered by the Trust under such
name. The license may be terminated by OMC upon termination of such
advisory, management or supervisory contracts or without cause upon 60
days' written notice, in which case neither the Trust nor any Series or
Class shall have any further right to use the name "Oppenheimer" in its
name or otherwise and the Trust, the Shareholders and its officers and
Trustees shall promptly take whatever action may be necessary to change
its name and the names of any Series or Classes accordingly.
NINTH:
1. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held
to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a
Shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other
reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or the Shareholders, heirs,
executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case
of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general
successor) shall be entitled out of the Trust estate to be held harmless
from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such
liability. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the
defense of any such claim made against any Shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
2. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a
partnership is created hereby. No individual Trustee hereunder shall have
any power to bind the Trust, the Trust's officers or any Shareholder. All
persons extending credit to, doing business with, contracting with or
having or asserting any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look
only to the assets of the Trust for payment under any such credit,
transaction, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the
Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present or future, shall
be personally liable therefor; notice of such disclaimer shall be given
in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by
the Trust or the Trustees. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall
protect a Trustee
against any liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee
hereunder.
3. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion
hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances
then prevailing, shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to
the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article NINTH, the Trustees shall
not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The
Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the
meaning and operations of this Declaration of Trust, applicable laws,
contracts, obligations, transactions or any other business the Trust may
enter into, and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article
NINTH, shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance
with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall
not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is
required.
4. This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but
subject to the provisions of sub-sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this
paragraph 4.
(a) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940
Act, of any one or more Series entitled to vote, may sell and convey the
assets of that Series (which sale may be subject to the retention of
assets for the payment of liabilities and expenses) to another issuer for
a consideration which may be or include securities of such issuer. Upon
making provision for the payment of liabilities, by assumption by such
issuer or otherwise, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining proceeds
ratably among the holders of the outstanding Shares of the Series the
assets of which have been so transferred.
(b) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940
Act, of any one or more Series entitled to vote, may at any time sell and
convert into money all the assets of that Series. Upon making provisions
for the payment of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other
liabilities, accrued or contingent, of that Series, the Trustees shall
distribute the remaining assets of that Series ratably among the holders
of the outstanding Shares of that Series.
(c) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940
Act, of any one or more Series entitled to vote, may otherwise alter,
convert or transfer the assets of that Series or those Series.
(d) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining
proceeds or the remaining assets as provided in sub-sections (a) and (b),
and in subsection (c) where applicable, the Series the assets of which
have been so transferred shall terminate, and if all the assets of the
Trust have been so transferred, the Trust shall terminate and the Trustees
shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties
hereunder and the right, title and interest of all parties shall be
cancelled and discharged.
5. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each
restated declaration of trust or instrument supplemental hereto shall be
kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any
Shareholder. A copy of this instrument and of each supplemental or
restated declaration of trust shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as any other governmental office
where such filing may from time to time be required. Anyone dealing with
the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to
whether or not any such supplemental or restated declarations of trust
have been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust
hereunder, and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely
on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this
instrument or of any such supplemental or restated declaration of trust.
In this instrument or in any such supplemental or restated declaration of
trust, references to this instrument, and all expressions like "herein",
"hereof" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as
amended or affected by any such supplemental or restated declaration of
trust. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original.
6. The Trust set forth in this instrument is created under and
is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust shall be of the type
commonly called a Massachusetts business trust, and without limiting the
provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily
exercised by such a trust.
7. The Board of Trustees is empowered to cause the redemption
of the Shares held in any account if the aggregate net asset value of such
Shares has been reduced to $200 or less upon such notice to the
shareholder in question, with such permission to increase the investment
in question and upon such other terms and conditions as may be fixed by
the Board of Trustees in accordance with the 1940 Act.
8. In the event that any person advances the organizational
expenses of the Trust, such advances shall become an obligation of the
Trust subject to such terms and conditions as may be fixed by, and on a
date fixed by, or determined with criteria fixed by the Board of Trustees,
to be amortized over a period or periods to be fixed by the Board.
9. Whenever any action is taken under this Declaration of Trust
including action which is required or permitted by the 1940 Act or any
other applicable law, such action shall be deemed to have been properly
taken if such action is in accordance with the construction of the 1940
Act or such other applicable law then in effect as expressed in "no
action" letters of the staff of the Commission or any release, rule,
regulation or order under the 1940 Act or any decision of a court of
competent jurisdiction, notwithstanding that any of the foregoing shall
later be found to be invalid or otherwise reversed or modified by any of
the foregoing.
10. Any action which may be taken by the Board of Trustees under
this Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws may be taken by the description
thereof in the then effective prospectus and/or statement of additional
information relating to the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or in
any proxy statement of the Trust rather than by formal resolution of the
Board.
11. Whenever under this Declaration of Trust, the Board of
Trustees is permitted or required to place a value on assets of the Trust,
such action may be delegated by the Board, and/or determined in accordance
with a formula determined by the Board, to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act.
12. If authorized by vote of the Trustees and, if a vote of
Shareholders is required under this Declaration of Trust, the favorable
vote of the holders of a "majority" of the outstanding voting securities,
as defined in the 1940 Act, entitled to vote, or by any larger vote which
may be required by applicable law in any particular case, the Trustees may
amend or otherwise supplement this instrument, by making a Restated
Declaration of Trust or a Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto, which
thereafter shall form a part hereof; any such Supplemental or Restated
Declaration of Trust may be executed by and on behalf of the Trust and the
Trustees by an officer or officers of the Trust.
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Shareholders
(which terms as used herein shall, together with all other terms defined
in the Declaration of Trust, have the same meaning as in the Declaration
of Trust) shall be held at the principal office of the Trust or at such
other place as may from time to time be designated by the Board of
Trustees and stated in the notice of meting.
Section 2. Shareholder Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders for
any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees, if any, or by the President or by the Board of Trustees and
shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of the request in writing
signed by Shareholders holding not less than one third in amount of the
entire number of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote
thereat. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed
meeting. In addition, meetings of the Shareholders shall be called by the
Board of Trustees upon receipt of the request in writing signed by
Shareholders that have, for at least six months prior to making such
requests, held not less than ten percent in amount of the entire number
of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, stating
that the purpose of the proposed meeting is the removal of a Trustee.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings of Stockholders. Not less than ten
days' and not more than 120 days' written or printed notice of every
meeting of Shareholders, stating the time and place thereof (and the
general nature of the business proposed to be transacted at any special
or extraordinary meeting), shall be given to each Shareholder entitled to
vote thereat by leaving the same with him or at his residence or usual
place of business or by mailing it, postage prepaid and addressed to him
at his address as it appears upon the books of the Trust.
No notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of
Shareholders need be given to any Shareholder who attends in person or by
proxy or to any Shareholder who, in writing executed and filed with the
records of the meeting, either before or after the holding thereof, waives
such notice.
Section 4. Record Dates. The Board of Trustees may fix, in advance,
a date, not exceeding 120 days and not less than ten days preceding the
date of any meeting of Shareholders, and not exceeding 120 days preceding
any dividend payment date or any date for the allotment of rights, as a
record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to receive
such dividend or rights, as the case may be; and only Shareholders of
record on such date and entitled to receive such dividends or rights shall
be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting or to receive such
dividends or rights, as the case may be.
<PAGE>
Section 5. Access to Shareholder List. The Board of Trustees
shall make available a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders
as recorded on the books of the Trust, upon receipt of the request in
writing signed by not less than ten Shareholders holding Shares of the
Trust valued at $25,000 or more at current offering price (as defined in
the Trust's Prospectus) or holding not less than one percent in amount of
the entire number of shares of the Trust issued and outstanding; such
request must state that such Shareholders wish to communicate with other
Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a
meeting pursuant to Section 2 of Article II of these By-Laws and be
accompanied by a form of communication to the Shareholders. The Board of
Trustees may, in its discretion, satisfy its obligation under this Section
5 by either making available the Shareholder List to such Shareholders at
the principal offices of the Trust, or at the offices of the Trust's
transfer agent, during regular business hours, or by mailing a copy of
such Shareholders' proposed communication and form of request, at their
expense, to all other Shareholders.
Section 6. Quorum, Adjournment of Meetings. The presence in person
or by proxy of the holders of record of more than 50% of the Shares of the
Trust issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Shareholders. If at any
meeting of the Shareholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the
Shareholders present at such meeting may, without further notice, adjourn
the same from time to time until a quorum shall attend, but no business
shall be transacted at any such adjourned meeting except such as might
have been lawfully transacted had the meeting not been adjourned.
Section 7. Voting and Inspectors. At all meetings of Shareholders,
every Shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to
vote at such meeting either in person or by proxy appointed by instrument
in writing subscribed by such Shareholder or his duly authorized attorney-
in-fact.
All elections of Trustees shall be had by a plurality of the votes
cast and all questions shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast,
in each case at a duly constituted meeting, except as otherwise provided
in the Declaration of Trust or in these By-Laws or by specific statutory
provision superseding the restrictions and limitations contained in the
Declaration of Trust or in these By-Laws.
At any election of Trustees, the Board of Trustees prior thereto may,
or, if they have not so acted, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon
the request of the holders of ten percent (10%) of the Shares entitled to
vote at such election shall, appoint two inspectors of election who shall
first subscribe an oath or affirmation to execute faithfully the duties
of inspectors at such election with strict impartiality and according to
the best of their ability, and shall after the election make a certificate
of the result of the vote taken. No candidate for the office of Trustee
shall be appointed such Inspector.
The Chairman of the meeting may cause a vote by ballot to be taken
upon any election or matter, and such vote shall be taken upon the request
of the holders of ten percent (10%) of the Shares entitled to vote on such
election or matter.
Section 8. Conduct of Shareholders' Meetings. The meetings of the
Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees, if any, or if he shall not be present, by the President, or if
he shall not be present, by a Vice-President, or if none of the Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, the President nor any Vice-President is present,
by a chairman to be elected at the meeting. The Secretary of the Trust,
if present, shall act as Secretary of such meetings, or if he is not
present, an Assistant Secretary shall so act; if neither the Secretary nor
an Assistant Secretary is present, than the meeting shall elect its
secretary.
Section 9. Concerning Validity of Proxies, Ballots, Etc. At every
meeting of the Shareholders, all proxies shall be received and taken in
charge of and all ballots shall be received and canvassed by the secretary
of the meeting, who shall decide all questions touching the qualification
of voters, the validity of the proxies, and the acceptance or rejection
of votes, unless inspectors of election shall have been appointed as
provided in Section 7, in which event such inspectors of election shall
decide all such questions.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Number and Tenure of Office. The business and property
of the Trust shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Trustees
consisting of the number of initial Trustees, which number may be
increased or decreased as provided in Section 2 of this Article. Each
Trustee shall, except as otherwise provided herein, hold office until the
next meeting of Shareholders of the Trust following his election called
for the purpose of electing Trustees or until his successor is duly
elected and qualifies. Trustees need not be Shareholders.
Section 2. Increase or Decrease in Number of Trustees; Removal. The
Board of Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may
increase the number of Trustees to a number not exceeding fifteen, and may
elect Trustees to fill the vacancies created by any such increase in the
number of Trustees until the next meeting called for the purpose of
electing Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualify;
the Board of Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may
likewise decrease the number of Trustees to a number not less than three
but the tenure of office of any Trustee shall not be affected by any such
decrease. Vacancies occurring other than by reason of any such increase
shall be filled as provided for a Massachusetts business trust. In the
event that after the proxy material has been printed for a meeting of
Shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected and any one or more
nominees named in such proxy material dies or become incapacitated, the
authorized number of Trustees shall be automatically reduced by the number
of such nominees, unless the Board of Trustees prior to the meeting shall
otherwise determine. A Trustee at any time may be removed either with or
without cause by resolution duly adopted by the affirmative votes of the
holders of the majority of the Shares of the Trust, present in person or
by proxy at any meeting of Shareholders at which such vote may be taken,
provided that a quorum is present. Any Trustee at any time may be removed
for cause by resolution duly adopted at any meeting of the Board of
Trustees provided that notice thereof is contained in the notice of such
meeting and that such resolution is adopted by the vote of at least two
thirds of the Trustees whose removal is not proposed. As used herein,
"for cause" shall mean any cause which under Massachusetts law would
permit the removal of a Trustee of a business trust.
Section 3. Place of Meeting. The Trustees may hold their meetings,
have one or more offices, and keep the books of the Trust outside
Massachusetts, at any office or offices of the Trust or at any other place
as they may from time to time by resolution determine, or, in the case of
meetings, as they may from time to time by resolution determine or as
shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice
thereof.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of
Trustees shall be held at such time and on such notice, if any, as the
Trustees may from time to time determine.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of
Trustees may be held from time to time upon call of the Chairman of the
Board of Trustees, if any, the President or two or more of the Trustees,
by oral, telegraphic or written notice duly served on or sent or mailed
to each Trustee not less than one day before such meeting. No notice need
be given to any Trustee who attends in person or to any Trustee who in
writing executed and filed with the records of the meeting either before
or after the holding thereof, waives such notice. Such notice or waiver
of notice need not state the purpose or purposes of such meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. One-third of the Trustees then in office shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that a
quorum shall in no case be less than two Trustees. If at any meeeting of
the Board there shall be less than a quorum present (in person or by open
telephone line, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act")), a majority of those present may adjourn the
meeting from time to time until a quorum shall have been obtained. The
act of the majority of the Trustees present at any meeting at which there
is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise
specifically provided by statute, by the Declaration of Trust or by these
By-Laws.
Section 7. Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees may, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, elect from the
Trustees an Executive Committee to consist of such number of Trustees as
the Board may from time to time determine. The Board of Trustees by such
affirmative vote shall have power at any time to change the members of
such Committee and may fill vacancies in the Committee by election from
the Trustees. When the Board of Trustees is not in session, the Executive
Committee shall have and may exercise any or all of the powers of the
Board of Trustees in the management of the business and affairs of the
Trust (including the power to authorize the seal of the Trust to be
affixed to all papers which may require it) except as provided by law and
except the power to increase or decrease the size of, or fill vacancies
on, the Board. The Executive Committee may fix its own rules of
procedure, and may meet, when and as provided by such rules or by
resolution of the Board of Trustees, but in every case the presence of a
majority shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the absence of any
member of the Executive Committee, the members thereof present at any
meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a member of
the Board of Trustees to act in the place of such absent member.
Section 8. Other Committees. The Board of Trustees, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, may appoint other
committees which shall in each case consist of such number of members (not
less than two) and shall have and may exercise such powers as the Board
may determine in the resolution appointing them. A majority of all
members of any such committee may determine its action, and fix the time
and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Trustees shall otherwise
provide. The Board of Trustees shall have power at any time to change the
members and powers of any such committee, to fill vacancies, and to
discharge any such committee.
Section 9. Informal Action by, and Telephone Meetings of, Trustees
and Committees. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any
meeting of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof may be taken
without a meeting, if a written consent to such action is signed by all
members of the Board, or of such committee, as the case may be. Trustees
or members of a committee of the Board of Trustees may participate in a
meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment; such participation shall, except as otherwise required by the
1940 Act, have the same effect as presence in person.
Section 10. Compensation of Trustees. Trustees shall be entitled
to receive such compensation from the Trust for their services as may from
time to time be voted by the Board of Trustees.
Section 11. Dividends. Dividends or distributions payable on the
Shares of any Series may, but need not be, declared by specific resolution
of the Board as to each dividend or distribution; in lieu of such specific
resolutions, the Board may, by general resolution, determine the method
of computation thereof, the method of determining the Shareholders of the
Series to which they are payable and the methods of determining whether
and to which Shareholders they are to be paid in cash or in additional
Shares.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1. Executive Officers. The executive officers of the Trust
may include a Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and shall include a
President, one or more Vice-Presidents (the number thereof to be
determined by the Board of Trustees), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if any, and the President shall be
selected from among the Trustees. The Board of Trustees may also in its
discretion appoint Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and other
officers, agents and employees, who shall have authority and perform such
duties as the Board or the Executive Committee may determine. The Board
of Trustees may fill any vacancy which may occur in any office. Any two
offices, except those of President and Vice-President, may be held by the
same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any
instrument in more than one capacity, if such instrument is required by
law or these By-Laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or
more officers.
Section 2. Term of Office. The term of office of all officers shall
be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualify;
however, any officer may be removed from office at any time with or
without cause by the vote of a majority of the entire Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the Trust shall have
such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices,
as well as such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred
by the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV
SHARES
Section 1. Certificates of Shares. Each Shareholder of any Series
of the Trust may be issued a certificate or certificates for his Shares
of that Series, in such form as the Board of Trustees may from time to
time prescribe, but only if and to the extent and on the conditions
described by the Board.
Section 2. Transfer of Shares. Shares of any Series shall be
transferable on the books of the Trust by the holder thereof in person or
by his duly authorized attorney or legal representative, upon surrender
and cancellation of certificates, if any, for the same number of Shares
of that Series, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of
assignment and transfer, with such proof of the authenticity of the
signature as the Trust or its agent may reasonably require; in the case
of shares not represented by certificates, the same or similar
requirements may be imposed by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Share Ledgers. The share ledgers of the Trust,
containing the name and address of the Shareholders of each Series and the
number of shares of that Series, held by them respectively, shall be kept
at the principal offices of the Trust or, if the Trust employs a transfer
agent, at the offices of the transfer agent of the Trust.
Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of
Trustees may determine the conditions upon which a new certificate may be
issued in place of a certificate which is alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed; and may, in their discretion, require the owner of
such certificate or his legal representative to give bond, with sufficient
surety to the Trust and the transfer agent, if any, to indemnify it and
such transfer agent against any and all loss or claims which may arise by
reason of the issue of a new certificate in the place of the one so lost,
stolen or destroyed.
ARTICLE V
SEAL
The Board of Trustees shall provide a suitable seal of the Trust, in
such form and bearing such inscriptions as it may determine.
ARTICLE VI
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
The By-Laws of the Trust may be altered, amended, added to or
repealed by the Shareholders or by majority vote of the entire Board of
Trustees, but any such alteration, amendment, addition or repeal of the
By-Laws by action of the Board of Trustees may be altered or repealed by
the Shareholders.
Exhibit 24(b)(4)(ii)
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Class A Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within
decorative border)
(upper left) box with heading: (upper right) box with heading:
NUMBER (OF SHARES) CLASS A SHARES
(certificate number above)
(centered below boxes)
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
(at left) (at right)
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number)
CUSIP 683912 10 9
(at left)
is the owner of
(centered)
FULLY PAID CLASS A SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OF
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books
of the Fund by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.
This certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued
and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the holder by
acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its
duly authorized officers.
(at left of seal) (at right of seal)
(signature) Dated:
/s/ Andrew J. Donohue /s/ Donald W. Spiro
- --------------------- -------------------------
SECRETARY PRESIDENT
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER CALFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
SEAL
1988
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically)
Countersigned
OPPENHEIMER SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
(A DIVISION OF OPPENHEIMER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION)
Denver (Colo) Transfer Agent
By
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out
in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For Value Received __________________ hereby sell(s), and transfer(s) unto
(at right) PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE (box below)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------- Class A Shares of beneficial interest represented by the
within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint.
- --------------------- Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books
of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: ---------------------
Signed: __________________________
___________________________________
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) --------------------------
guaranteed Name of Guarantor
by --------------------------
Signature of Officer/Title
(text printed vertically to right of above paragraph)
NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the
name(s) as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular
without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
(text printed in box to left of signature guarantee)
Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial institution of the type
described in the current prospectus of the Fund.
(at left) (at right)
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains OppenheimerFunds
a watermark when viewed at an angle. logotype
It is invalid without this watermark.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
Exhibit 24(b)(4)(ii)
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Class B Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within
decorative border)
(upper left) box with heading: (upper right) box with heading:
NUMBER (OF SHARES) CLASS B SHARES
(certificate number above)
(centered below boxes)
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
(at left) (at right)
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number)
CUSIP 683912 20 8
(at left)
is the owner of
(centered)
FULLY PAID CLASS B SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OF
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books
of the Fund by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.
This certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued
and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the holder by
acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its
duly authorized officers.
(at left of seal) (at right of seal)
(signature) Dated:
/s/ Andrew J. Donohue /s/ Donald W. Spiro
- --------------------- -------------------------
SECRETARY PRESIDENT
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER CALFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
SEAL
1988
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically)
Countersigned
OPPENHEIMER SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
(A DIVISION OF OPPENHEIMER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION)
Denver (Colo) Transfer Agent
By
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out
in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For Value Received __________________ hereby sell(s), and transfer(s) unto
(at right) PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE (box below)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------- Class B Shares of beneficial interest represented by the
within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint.
- --------------------- Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books
of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: ---------------------
Signed: __________________________
___________________________________
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) --------------------------
guaranteed Name of Guarantor
by --------------------------
Signature of Officer/Title
(text printed vertically to right of above paragraph)
NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the
name(s) as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular
without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
(text printed in box to left of signature guarantee)
Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial institution of the type
described in the current prospectus of the Fund.
(at left) (at right)
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains OppenheimerFunds
a watermark when viewed at an angle. logotype
It is invalid without this watermark.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 22nd day of October, 1990, by and between
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND (hereinafter referred to as the
"Fund"), and OPPENHEIMER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (hereinafter referred to
as "OMC").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end, non-diversified series
investment company registered as such with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), and OMC is a registered investment
adviser;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties,
as follows:
1. General Provision.
The Fund hereby employs OMC and OMC hereby undertakes to act as
the investment adviser of the Fund and to perform for the Fund such other
duties and functions as are hereinafter set forth. OMC shall, in all
matters, give to the Fund and its Board of Trustees the benefit of its
best judgment, effort, advice and recommendations and shall, at all times
conform to, and use its best efforts to enable the Fund to conform to (i)
the provisions of the Investment Company Act and any rules or regulations
thereunder; (ii) any other applicable provisions of state or federal law;
(iii) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund
as amended from time to time; (iv) policies and determinations of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund; (v) the fundamental policies and investment
restrictions of the Fund as reflected in its registration statement under
the Investment Company Act or as such policies may, from time to time, be
amended by the Fund's shareholders; and (vi) the Prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information of the Fund in effect from time to time. The
appropriate officers and employees of OMC shall be available upon
reasonable notice for consultation with any of the Trustees and officers
of the Fund with respect to any matters dealing with the business and
affairs of the Fund including the valuation of portfolio securities of the
Fund which securities are either not registered for public sale or not
traded on any securities market.
2. Investment Management.
(a) OMC shall, subject to the direction and control by the Fund's
Board of Trustees, (i) regularly provide investment advice and
recommendations to the Fund with respect to its investments, investment
policies and the purchase and sale of securities; (ii) supervise
continuously the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its
portfolio and determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the
Fund; and (iii) arrange, subject to the provisions of paragraph 7 hereof,
for the purchase of securities and other investments for the Fund and the
sale of securities and other investments held in the Fund's portfolio.
(b) Provided that the Fund shall not be required to pay any
compensation other than as provided by the terms of this Agreement and
subject to the provisions of paragraph 7 hereof, OMC may obtain
investment information, research or assistance from any other person, firm
or corporation to supplement, update or otherwise improve its investment
management services.
(c) Provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect OMC
from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under
this Agreement, OMC shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason
of good faith errors or omissions in connection with any matters to which
this Agreement relates.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent OMC or any officer
thereof from acting as investment adviser for any other person, firm or
corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict OMC or any of its
directors, officers, stockholders or employees from buying, selling or
trading any securities for its or their own account or for the account of
others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such activities
will not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by OMC of
its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
3. Other Duties of OMC.
OMC shall, at its own expense, provide and supervise the
activities of all administrative and clerical personnel as shall be
required to provide effective corporate administration for the Fund,
including the compilation and maintenance of such records with respect to
its operations as may reasonably be required; the preparation and filing
of such reports with respect thereto as shall be required by the
Commission; composition of periodic reports with respect to operations of
the Fund for its shareholders; composition of proxy materials for meetings
of the Fund's shareholders, and the composition of such registration
statements as may be required by federal securities and state laws for
continuous public sale of shares of the Fund. OMC shall, at its own cost
and expense, also provide the Fund with adequate office space, facilities
and equipment. OMC shall, at its own expense, provide officers for the
Fund as the Fund's Board may request.
4. Allocation of Expenses.
All other costs and expenses of the Fund not expressly assumed by
OMC under this Agreement, or to be paid by the Distributor of the shares
of the Fund, shall be paid by the Fund, including, but not limited to (i)
interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions; (iii) insurance premiums
for fidelity and other coverage requisite to its operations; (iv)
compensation and expenses of its trustees other than those associated or
affiliated with OMC; (v) legal and audit expenses; (vi) custodian and
transfer agent fees and expenses; (vii) expenses incident to the
redemption of its shares; (viii) expenses incident to the issuance of its
shares against payment therefor by or on behalf of the subscribers
thereto; (ix) fees and expenses, other than as hereinabove provided,
incident to the registration under federal and state securities laws of
shares of the Fund for public sale; (x) expenses of printing and mailing
reports, notices and proxy materials to shareholders of the Fund; (xi)
except as noted above, all other expenses incidental to holding meetings
of the Fund's shareholders; and (xii) such extraordinary non-recurring
expenses as may arise, including litigation, affecting the Fund and any
legal obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify its officers and
trustees with respect thereto. Any officers or employees of OMC or any
entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with OMC, who
may also serve as officers, trustees or employees of the Fund shall not
receive any compensation from the Fund for their services.
5. Compensation of OMC.
The Fund agrees to pay OMC and OMC agrees to accept as full
compensation for the performance of all functions and duties on its part
to be performed pursuant to the provisions hereof, a fee computed on the
aggregate net asset value of the Fund as of the close of each business day
and payable monthly at the following annual rates:
.60% of the first $200 million of net assets;
.55% of the next $100 million;
.50% of the next $200 million;
.45% of the next $250 million;
.40% of the next $250 million; and
.35% of the net assets in excess of $1 billion.
6. Use of Name "Oppenheimer."
OMC hereby grants to the Fund a royalty-free, non-exclusive
license to use the name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund for the
duration of this Agreement and any extensions or renewals thereof. To the
extent necessary to protect OMC's rights to the name "Oppenheimer" under
applicable law, such license shall allow the Manager to inspect and,
subject to control by the Fund's Board, control the nature and quality of
services offered by the Fund under such name and may, upon termination of
this Agreement, be terminated by OMC, in which event the Fund shall
promptly take whatever action may be necessary to change its name and the
name of the Fund and discontinue any further use of the name "Oppenheimer"
in the name of the Fund or otherwise. The name "Oppenheimer" may be used
by OMC in connection with any of its activities, or licensed by OMC to any
other party.
7. Portfolio Transaction and Brokerage.
(a) OMC is authorized, in arranging the purchase and sale of the
Fund's portfolio securities, to employ or deal with such members of
securities or commodities exchanges, brokers or dealers (hereinafter
"broker-dealers"), including "affiliated" broker-dealers, as that term is
defined in the Investment Company Act, as may, in its best judgment,
implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the
"best execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable
security price obtainable) of the Fund's portfolio transactions as well
as to obtain, consistent with the provisions of subparagraph (c) of this
paragraph 7, the benefit of such investment information or research as
will be of significant assistance to the performance by OMC of its
investment management functions.
(b) OMC shall select broker-dealers to effect the Fund's portfolio
transactions on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain best
execution of particular and related portfolio transactions. The
abilities of a broker-dealer to obtain best execution of particular
portfolio transaction(s) will be judged by OMC on the basis of all
relevant factors and considerations including, insofar as feasible, the
execution capabilities required by the transaction or transactions; the
ability and willingness of the broker-dealer to facilitate the Fund's
portfolio transactions by participating therein for its own account; the
importance to the Fund of speed, efficiency or confidentiality; the
broker-dealer's apparent familiarity with sources from or to whom
particular securities might be purchased or sold; as well as any other
matters relevant to the selection of a broker-dealer for particular and
related transactions of the Fund.
(c) OMC shall have discretion, in the interest of the Fund, to
allocate brokerage on the Fund's portfolio transactions to broker-dealers,
other than affiliated broker-dealers, qualified to obtain best execution
of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services (as
such services are defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) for the Fund and/or other accounts for which OMC or its
affiliates exercise "investment discretion" (as that term is defined in
Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and to cause the
Fund to pay such broker-dealers a commission for effecting a portfolio
transaction for the Fund that is in excess of the amount of commission
another broker-dealer adequately qualified to effect such transaction
would have charged for effecting that transaction, if OMC determines, in
good faith, that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value
of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer,
viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall
responsibilities of OMC or its affiliates with respect to the accounts as
to which they exercise investment discretion. In reaching such
determination, OMC will not be required to place or attempt to place a
specific dollar value on the brokerage and/or research services provided
or being provided by such broker-dealer. In demonstrating that such
determinations were made in good faith, OMC shall be prepared to show that
all commissions were allocated for purposes contemplated by this Agreement
and that the total commissions paid by the Fund over a representative
period selected by the Fund's trustees were reasonable in relation to the
benefits to the Fund.
(d) OMC shall have no duty or obligation to seek advance competitive
bidding for the most favorable commission rate applicable to any
particular portfolio transactions or to select any broker-dealer on the
basis of its purported or "posted" commission rate but will, to the best
of its ability, endeavor to be aware of the current level of the charges
of eligible broker-dealers and to minimize the expense incurred by the
Fund for effecting its portfolio transactions to the extent consistent
with the interests and policies of the Fund as established by the
determinations of its Board of Trustees of the Fund and the provisions of
this paragraph 7.
(e) The Fund recognizes that an affiliated broker (i) may act as
one of the Fund's regular brokers so long as it is lawful for it so to
act; (ii) may be a major recipient of brokerage commissions paid by the
Fund; and (iii) may effect portfolio transactions for the Fund only if the
commissions, fees or other remuneration received or to be received by it
are determined in accordance with procedures contemplated by any rule,
regulation or order adopted under the Investment Company Act for
determining the permissible level of such commissions.
(f) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 7, OMC may
also consider the willingness of particular broker-dealers to sell shares
of the funds advised by OMC and its affiliates as a factor in the
selection of broker-dealers for its portfolio transactions.
8. Duration.
This Agreement will take effect on the date first set forth above.
Unless earlier terminated pursuant to paragraph 10 hereof, this Agreement
shall remain in effect until December 31, 1991, and thereafter will
continue in effect from year to year, so long as such continuance shall
be approved at least annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees, including
the vote of the majority of the trustees of the Fund who are not parties
to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval, or by the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund and by such a vote of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
9. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability.
OMC understands and agrees that the obligations of the Fund under
this Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund
personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's property; OMC represents
that it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the
Fund disclaiming shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Fund.
10. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated (i) by OMC at any time without
penalty upon giving the Fund sixty days' written notice (which notice may
be waived by the Fund); or (ii) by the Fund at any time without penalty
upon sixty days' written notice to OMC (which notice may be waived by OMC)
provided that such termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved
by the vote of a majority of all of the trustees of the Fund then in
office or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act).
11. Assignment or Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended or the rights of OMC hereunder
sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise in any manner encumbered without
the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of the "majority"
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This Agreement shall
automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its "assignment,"
as defined in the Investment Company Act.
12. Definitions.
The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted
and defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions of
the Investment Company Act.
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT
FUND
Attest:
By:
OPPENHEIMER MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION
Attest:
By:
GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR'S AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
AND
OPPENHEIMER FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
Date: December 10, 1992
OPPENHEIMER FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
Two World Trade Center, Suite 3400
New York, NY 10048
Dear Sirs:
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), is registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and an indefinite number
of one or more classes of its shares of beneficial interest ("Shares")
have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") to
be offered for sale to the public in a continuous public offering in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") included in the Fund's
Registration Statement as it may be amended from time to time (the
"current Prospectus and/or SAI").
In this connection, the Fund desires that your firm (the "General
Distributor") act in a principal capacity as General Distributor for the
sale and distribution of Shares which have been registered as described
above and of any additional Shares which may become registered during the
term of this Agreement. You have advised the Fund that you are willing
to act as such General Distributor, and it is accordingly agreed by and
between us as follows:
1. Appointment of the Distributor. The Fund hereby appoints you
as the sole General Distributor, pursuant to the aforesaid continuous
public offering of its Shares, and the Fund further agrees from and after
the date of this Agreement, that it will not, without your consent, sell
or agree to sell any Shares otherwise than through you, except (a) the
Fund may itself sell shares without sales charge as an investment to the
officers, trustees or directors and bona fide present and former full-time
employees of the Fund, the Fund's Investment Adviser and affiliates
thereof, and to other investors who are identified in the current
Prospectus and/or SAI as having the privilege to buy Shares at net asset
value; (b) the Fund may issue shares in connection with a merger,
consolidation or acquisition of assets on such basis as may be authorized
or permitted under the 1940 Act; (c) the Fund may issue shares for the
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions of the Fund or of any
other Fund if permitted by the current Prospectus and/or SAI; and (d) the
Fund may issue shares as underlying securities of a unit investment trust
if such unit investment trust has elected to use Shares as an underlying
investment; provided that in no event as to any of the foregoing
exceptions shall Shares be issued and sold at less than the then-existing
net asset value.
2. Sale of Shares. You hereby accept such appointment and agree
to use your best efforts to sell Shares, provided, however, that when
requested by the Fund at any time because of market or other economic
considerations or abnormal circumstances of any kind, or when agreed to
by mutual consent of the Fund and the General Distributor, you will
suspend such efforts. The Fund may also withdraw the offering of Shares
at any time when required by the provisions of any statute, order, rule
or regulation of any governmental body having jurisdiction. It is
understood that you do not undertake to sell all or any specific number
of Shares.
3. Sales Charge. Shares shall be sold by you at net asset value
plus a front-end sales charge not in excess of 8.5% of the offering price,
but which front-end sales charge shall be proportionately reduced or
eliminated for larger sales and under other circumstances, in each case
on the basis set forth in the current Prospectus and/or SAI. The
redemption proceeds of shares offered and sold at net asset value with or
without a front-end sales charge may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC") under the circumstances described in the current
Prospectus and\or SAI. You may reallow such portion of the front-end
sales charge to dealers or cause payment (which may exceed the front-end
sales charge, if any) of commissions to brokers through which sales are
made, as you may determine, and you may pay such amounts to dealers and
brokers on sales of shares from your own resources (such dealers and
brokers shall collectively include all domestic or foreign institutions
eligible to offer and sell the Shares), and in the event the Fund has more
than one class of Shares outstanding, then you may impose a front-end
sales charge and/or a CDSC on Shares of one class that is different from
the charges imposed on Shares of the Fund's other class(es), in each case
as set forth in the current Prospectus and/or SAI, provided the front-end
sales charge and CDSC to the ultimate purchaser do not exceed the
respective levels set forth for such category of purchaser in the current
Prospectus and/or SAI.
4. Purchase of Shares.
(a) As General Distributor, you shall have the right to
accept or reject orders for the purchase of Shares at your
discretion. Any consideration which you may receive in
connection with a rejected purchase order will be returned
promptly.
(b) You agree promptly to issue or to cause the duly appointed
transfer or shareholder servicing agent of the Fund to
issue as your agent confirmations of all accepted purchase
orders and to transmit a copy of such confirmations to the
Fund. The net asset value of all Shares which are the
subject of such confirmations, computed in accordance with
the applicable rules under the 1940 Act, shall be a
liability of the General Distributor to the Fund to be
paid promptly after receipt of payment from the
originating dealer or broker (or investor, in the case of
direct purchases) and not later than eleven business days
after such confirmation even if you have not actually
received payment from the originating dealer or broker, or
investor. In no event shall the General Distributor make
payment to the Fund later than permitted by applicable
rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
(c) If the originating dealer or broker shall fail to make
timely settlement of its purchase order in accordance with
applicable rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or if a direct purchaser shall fail to make
good payment for shares in a timely manner, you shall have
the right to cancel such purchase order and, at your
account and risk, to hold responsible the originating
dealer or broker, or investor. You agree promptly to
reimburse the Fund for losses suffered by it that are
attributable to any such cancellation, or to errors on
your part in relation to the effective date of accepted
purchase orders, limited to the amount that such losses
exceed contemporaneous gains realized by the Fund for
either of such reasons with respect to other purchase
orders.
(d) In the case of a canceled purchase for the account of a
directly purchasing shareholder, the Fund agrees that if
such investor fails to make you whole for any loss you pay
to the Fund on such canceled purchase order, the Fund will
reimburse you for such loss to the extent of the aggregate
redemption proceeds of any other shares of the Fund owned
by such investor, on your demand that the Fund exercise
its right to claim such redemption proceeds. The Fund
shall register or cause to be registered all Shares sold
to you pursuant to the provisions hereof in such names and
amounts as you may request from time to time and the Fund
shall issue or cause to be issued certificates evidencing
such Shares for delivery to you or pursuant to your
direction if and to the extent that the shareholder
account in question contemplates the issuance of such
certificates. All Shares, when so issued and paid for,
shall be fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund (which
shall not prevent the imposition of any CDSC that may
apply) to the extent set forth in the current Prospectus
and/or SAI.
5. Repurchase of Shares.
(a) In connection with the repurchase of Shares, you are
appointed and shall act as Agent of the Fund. You are
authorized, for so long as you act as General Distributor
of the Fund, to repurchase, from authorized dealers,
certificated or uncertificated shares of the Fund
("Shares") on the basis of orders received from each
dealer ("authorized dealer") with which you have a dealer
agreement for the sale of Shares and permitting resales of
Shares to you, provided that such authorized dealer, at
the time of placing such resale order, shall represent (i)
if such Shares are represented by certificate(s), that
certificate(s) for the Shares to be repurchased have been
delivered to it by the registered owner with a request for
the redemption of such Shares executed in the manner and
with the signature guarantee required by the then-
currently effective prospectus of the Fund, or (ii) if
such Shares are uncertificated, that the registered
owner(s) has delivered to the dealer a request for the
redemption of such Shares executed in the manner and with
the signature guarantee required by the then-currently
effective prospectus of the Fund.
(b) You shall (a) have the right in your discretion to accept
or reject orders for the repurchase of Shares; (b)
promptly transmit confirmations of all accepted
repurchase orders; and (c) transmit a copy of such
confirmation to the Fund, or, if so directed, to any duly
appointed transfer or shareholder servicing agent of the
Fund. In your discretion, you may accept repurchase
requests made by a financially responsible dealer which
provides you with indemnification in form satisfactory to
you in consideration of your acceptance of such dealer's
request in lieu of the written redemption request of the
owner of the account; you agree that the Fund shall be a
third party beneficiary of such indemnification.
(c) Upon receipt by the Fund or its duly appointed transfer or
shareholder servicing agent of any certificate(s) (if any
has been issued) for repurchased Shares and a written
redemption request of the registered owner(s) of such
Shares executed in the manner and bearing the signature
guarantee required by the then-currently effective
Prospectus or SAI of the Fund, the Fund will pay or cause
its duly appointed transfer or shareholder servicing agent
promptly to pay to the originating authorized dealer the
redemption price of the repurchased Shares (other than
repurchased Shares subject to the provisions of part (d)
of Section 5 of this Agreement) next determined after your
receipt of the dealer's repurchase order.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of part (c) of Section 5 of
this Agreement, repurchase orders received from an
authorized dealer after the determination of the Fund's
redemption price on a regular business day will receive
that day's redemption price if the request to the dealer
by its customer to arrange such repurchase prior to the
determination of the Fund's redemption price that day
complies with the requirements governing such requests as
stated in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
(e) You will make every reasonable effort and take all
reasonably available measures to assure the accurate
performance of all services to be performed by you
hereunder within the requirements of any statute, rule or
regulation pertaining to the redemption of shares of a
regulated investment company and any requirements set
forth in the then-current Prospectus and/or SAI of the
Fund. You shall correct any error or omission made by you
in the performance of your duties hereunder of which you
shall have received notice in writing and any necessary
substantiating data; and you shall hold the Fund harmless
from the effect of any errors or omissions which might
cause an over- or under-redemption of the Fund's Shares
and/or an excess or non-payment of dividends, capital
gains distributions, or other distributions.
(f) In the event an authorized dealer initiating a repurchase
order shall fail to make delivery or otherwise settle such
order in accordance with the rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., you shall have
the right to cancel such repurchase order and, at your
account and risk, to hold responsible the originating
dealer. In the event that any cancellation of a Share
repurchase order or any error in the timing of the
acceptance of a Share repurchase order shall result in a
gain or loss to the Fund, you agree promptly to reimburse
the Fund for any amount by which any losses shall exceed
then-existing gains so arising.
6. 1933 Act Registration. The Fund has delivered to you a copy of
its current Prospectus and SAI. The Fund agrees that it will use its best
efforts to continue the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under
the 1933 Act. The Fund further agrees to prepare and file any amendments
to its Registration Statement as may be necessary and any supplemental
data in order to comply with the 1933 Act. The Fund will furnish you at
your expense with a reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus and SAI
and any amendments thereto for use in connection with the sale of Shares.
7. 1940 Act Registration. The Fund has already registered under
the 1940 Act as an investment company, and it will use its best efforts
to maintain such registration and to comply with the requirements of the
1940 Act.
8. State Blue Sky Qualification. At your request, the Fund will
take such steps as may be necessary and feasible to qualify Shares for
sale in states, territories or dependencies of the United States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in foreign
countries, in accordance with the laws thereof, and to renew or extend any
such qualification; provided, however, that the Fund shall not be required
to qualify shares or to maintain the qualification of shares in any
jurisdiction where it shall deem such qualification disadvantageous to the
Fund.
9. Duties of Distributor. You agree that:
(a) Neither you nor any of your officers will take any long or
short position in the Shares, but this provision shall not
prevent you or your officers from acquiring Shares for
investment purposes only;
(b) You shall furnish to the Fund any pertinent information
required to be inserted with respect to you as General
Distributor within the purview of the Securities Act of
1933 in any reports or registration required to be filed
with any governmental authority; and
(c) You will not make any representations inconsistent with
the information contained in the current Prospectus and/or
SAI.
(d) You shall maintain such records as may be reasonably
required for the Fund or its transfer or shareholder
servicing agent to respond to shareholder requests or
complaints, and to permit the Fund to maintain proper
accounting records, and you shall make such records
available to the Fund and its transfer agent or
shareholder servicing agent upon request.
(e) In performing under this Agreement, you shall comply with
all requirements of the Fund's current Prospectus and/or
SAI and all applicable laws, rules and regulations with
respect to the purchase, sale and distribution of Shares.
10. Allocation of Costs. The Fund shall pay the cost of composition
and printing of sufficient copies of its Prospectus and SAI as shall be
required for periodic distribution to its shareholders and the expense of
registering Shares for sale under federal securities laws. You shall pay
the expenses normally attributable to the sale of Shares, other than as
paid under the Fund's Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act,
including the cost of printing and mailing of the Prospectus (other than
those furnished to existing shareholders) and any sales literature used
by you in the public sale of the Shares and for registering such shares
under state blue sky laws pursuant to paragraph 8.
11. Duration. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first
written above, and shall supersede any and all prior General Distributor's
Agreements by and among the Fund and you. Unless earlier terminated
pursuant to paragraph 12 hereof, this Agreement shall remain in effect
until September 30, 1994. This Agreement shall continue in effect from
year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance shall be
specifically approved at least annually: (a) by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the voting securities of the Fund;
and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, who are not parties to
this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any
such person, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
12. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated (a) by the
General Distributor at any time without penalty by giving sixty days'
written notice (which notice may be waived by the Fund); (b) by the Fund
at any time without penalty upon sixty days' written notice to the General
Distributor (which notice may be waived by the General Distributor); or
(c) by mutual consent of the Fund and the General Distributor, provided
that such termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. In the event this
Agreement is terminated by the Fund, the General Distributor shall be
entitled to be paid the CDSC under paragraph 3 hereof on the redemption
proceeds of Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
13. Assignment. This Agreement may not be amended or changed except
in writing and shall be binding upon and shall enure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors; however, this Agreement
shall not be assigned by either party and shall automatically terminate
upon assignment.
14. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability. The General Distributor
understands and agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this
Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund
personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's property; the General
Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder liability for
acts or obligations of the Fund.
15. Section Headings. The headings of each section is for
descriptive purposes only, and such headings are not to be construed or
interpreted as part of this Agreement.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, so
indicate by signing in the space provided below.
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
By: /s/ Robert G. Galli
---------------------------
Robert G. Galli, Secretary
Accepted:
OPPENHEIMER FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Andrew J. Donohue
---------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Senior Vice President
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
I. DESIGNATION OF CUSTODIAN
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND (the "Fund"), an open-end
series management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust having an office at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048, hereby designates Citibank, N.A. (the "Bank"), a National Banking
Corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America
and having an office at 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10043, as Custodian
of the Property (as defined in Section III) of the Fund. By its
acceptance, the Bank agrees to serve as such Custodian upon the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
II. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
(a) Documents delivered. The Fund delivers to the Bank herewith the
following documents:
(i) Resolutions authorizing the appointment of the Bank as the
custodian of the Fund and the execution by the Fund of
this Agreement;
(ii) copies, certified by the appropriate officer or officers,
of the charter and the by-laws of the Fund; and
(iii) incumbency and signature certificates identifying and
containing the signatures of the officers of the Fund
and/or other signatories authorized to sign
Instructions (as defined below) on behalf of the
Fund, specifying the number of signatures required
for Instructions and identifying the trustees and the
other officers, if any, of the Fund.
(b) Changes. In case of any change or changes affecting any of the
documents described in this Section II, the Fund shall deliver new
documents to the Bank, to the extent necessary to reflect such change or
changes. Unless and until such new documents are delivered and an
authorized signatory of the Bank has issued a receipt for the delivery
thereof, the Bank shall be under no obligation to act (or omit to act),
in accordance with any such change, nor shall the Bank be liable for
failure so to act (or omit to act), but the Bank shall act in accordance
with the documents which such new documents are to replace.
(c) Additional information. The Fund shall furnish to the Bank any
additional information and documentation relating to the Fund and the
Fund's management company (if any) which the Bank may reasonably request.
(d) "Resolutions" defined. The term "Resolutions," as used in this
Agreement, means (i) if the trustees of the Fund are authorized to
transact business of the Fund by signing an instrument setting forth such
business, resolutions signed by the number of trustees of the Fund so
authorized and (ii) in all other cases, copies of resolutions of the
trustees of the Fund, certified by the appropriate officer or officers of
the Fund.
(e) "Depository" defined. The term "Depository" as used in this
Agreement means any "system" or "person" contemplated by Section 17 (f)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 in which the Banks may, under that
Section and any rules, regulations or orders thereunder, deposit all or
part of the Fund's securities with the consent of the Fund, and to which
the Fund has consented.
(f) "Receipt" of payment defined. Whenever this Agreement
contemplates receipt of payment by the Bank, such receipt shall mean
receipt by the Bank of (i) cash or check of a national securities exchange
certified or issued by a bank (which term, as used in this Agreement,
shall include a trust company and a Federal Reserve Bank), or a
Depository; or (ii) written or telegraphic advice from a bank, registered
clearing agency or a Depository that funds have or will be credited to the
account of the Fund or the Bank at one or more of the foregoing; or (iii)
a bank wire from a correspondent bank of the Bank; or (iv) payment other
than the foregoing, if specified in Instructions relating to the
transaction in question.
III. THE PROPERTY
(a) Property delivered. The Fund shall deliver the Property, or
cause the Property to be delivered, to the Bank or a Depository, subject
to the provisions of this Agreement. Upon delivery, the securities at the
time included in the Property, unless held by a Depository, shall be in
bearer form or shall be registered in the name of a nominee of the Bank
(with or without indication of fiduciary status) or shall be properly
endorsed and in form for transfer satisfactory to the Bank.
(b) "Property" defined. The term "Property," as used in the
Agreement, means:
(i) any and all securities and other property which the Fund
may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited,
with the Bank or a Depository,
(ii) all income, including option premiums, in respect of any
of such securities or other property,
(iii) all proceeds of the sale of any such securities or
other property,
(iv) all proceeds, of the sale of securities issued by the
Fund, which are received by the Bank from time to time
from the Fund or its transfer agent, and
(v) any stocks, shares, bonds, financial futures contracts,
indexes, debentures, notes, mortgages and other
obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or
other financial instruments representing absolute or
conditional rights or options to receive, purchase,
subscribe for or sell the same or evidencing or
representing any other rights or interests therein, or any
other property or assets, irrespective of their form, the
name by which they may be described, whether considered as
securities or commodities, or the character or form of the
entities by which they are issued or created.
(c) Holding of Securities. The Bank shall hold in a separate
account, and physically segregate at all times from those of any other
persons, firms or corporations, pursuant to the provisions hereof, all
securities which are part of the Property, other than those held by a
Depository. All such securities are to be held or disposed of by the
Bank, or by a Depository, subject at all times to Instructions pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement. The Bank shall have no power or authority
to (or to cause a Depository to) assign, hypothecate, pledge, or otherwise
dispose of any such securities except pursuant to Instructions and only
for the account of the Fund, as set forth in Section VI of this Agreement.
The Bank will, upon receipt of proper Instructions, segregate
cash and/or securities of the Fund into escrow accounts in the name of a
designated broker or exchange clearing organization which is a party with
the Fund to an agreement relating to the financial futures contracts
described in paragraph (b) of this Section III. The Bank will confirm the
terms of such escrow to the broker or clearing organization and provide
a copy of such confirmation to the Fund. The Bank will not, however, make
any payment or transfer from any such escrow account except to the named
broker or clearing organization upon receipt of written notice by such
broker or clearing organization representing that the Fund is in default
of a specified obligation for which the escrow was established and setting
forth the amount represented to be due by the Fund to such broker or
clearing organization.
IV. REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES:
COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS; OVERDRAFTS; RECEIPT OF SECURITIES
(a) Registration of securities. The securities included in the
Property shall, unless held by a Depository, be held in bearer form or in
the name of one or more nominees of the Bank.
(b) Commercial accounts. The Bank shall open and maintain a
commercial account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to
the Bank's draft or order after receipt of Instructions, and the Bank
shall deposit in such account or accounts all cash constituting, or which
is to become, part of the Property. The Bank shall make payments of cash
to or for the account, of the Fund from such cash accounts only pursuant
to Section VI of this Agreement or as otherwise specifically provided in
this Agreement.
(c) Overdrafts. At the sole discretion of the Bank, the Bank will
permit the incurrence of cash overdrafts in any account of the Fund with
the Bank (i) in aid of the timely and orderly clearance of securities
transactions in the course of the Fund's normal business, trading and
investment operations or (ii) in connection with payments to Shareholders
all or a portion of whose shares in the Fund have been or are being
Redeemed, but only upon receipt by the Bank of Instructions to do so. The
Bank shall not be obligated to incur or permit the incurrence of any such
overdraft and the Bank shall not be liable to the Fund or any third party
for any refusal, failure or neglect on the part of the Bank to incur or
permit the incurrence of any such overdraft. As used in this Agreement,
the terms "Redeem" and "Redemption" refer to redemptions, purchases and
other acquisitions by the Fund of shares in the Fund from Shareholders,
and the term "Shareholder" means a shareholder or former shareholder of
the Fund.
(d) Payment of overdrafts; interest. The Fund shall pay to the
Bank, and the Bank may deduct from the Property, the amount of each
overdraft referred to in Section IV (c), together with interest thereon
at such rate as the Bank may from time to time notify to the Fund (such
rate not to exceed the rate at such time charged by the Bank to its prime
commercial borrowers by more than 1-1/2 percentage points), upon the
Bank's demand therefore.
(e) "Receipt" of securities defined. Whenever this Agreement
contemplates receipt of securities by the Bank, such receipt shall mean
receipt by the Bank of (i) securities in bearer form or in form of
transfer satisfactory to the Bank; or (ii) written or telegraphic advice
from a Depository that securities have been credited to the account of the
Fund or the Bank at the Depository; or (iii) written or telegraphic advice
from any bank or responsible commercial agent doing business in the United
States or any foreign country and designated by the Bank as its agent for
this purpose that such securities have been deposited with it.
V. INSTRUCTIONS
(a) "Instructions" defined. As used in this Agreement, the term
"Instructions" means instructions, with respect to any specified
transaction (except as otherwise indicated in this Agreement), in writing
or by telecopier, tested telegram, cable or Telex or by facsimile sending
device, signed in the name of the Fund by the requisite number of Fund
officers or authorized signatories of the Fund as the Board of Trustees
or executive committee of the Fund has authorized to give the particular
class of Instructions in question. Different persons may be authorized
to give Instructions for different purposes. Instructions may be general
or specific in terms.
(b) Instructions consistent with charter, etc. Although the Bank
may take cognizance of the provisions of the charter and by-laws of the
Fund as from time to time amended, the Bank may assume that any
Instructions received hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with any
provision of such charter or by-laws or any vote, resolution or proceeding
of the shareholders or the trustees, or of any committee of either
thereof, of the Fund.
(c) Authority of Fund's signatories. The incumbency and signature
certificates most recently delivered to the Bank pursuant to Section II
(a) (iii) shall constitute evidence of the authority of the signatories
designated therein to act on behalf of the Fund.
VI. TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS
(a) Payments of cash. The Bank shall make payments of cash to or
for the account of the Fund only as follows or as otherwise specifically
provided in this Agreement:
(i) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall make
payment for and receive all securities purchased for the
account of the Fund (insofar as cash is available, or
insofar as the Bank is willing to permit an overdraft or
overdrafts in the Fund's account or accounts with the
Bank, for such purpose), payment to be made only upon
receipt of the securities, provided that, if any such
securities (or any securities to be received free for the
Fund's account) are not received by the Bank on or before
the thirtieth day following the date of the Bank's receipt
of the Instructions to receive such securities, the Bank
may, but need not, consider such Instructions cancelled
unless and until the Bank received further Instructions
reinstating such original Instructions;
(ii) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall make
payment to a bank of principal of or interest on bank
loans made to the Fund;
(iii) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall
make payments for the Redemption of shares of the
Fund (subject to the provisions of Section VIII (a)
of this Agreement);
(iv) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall make
payments for the payment of dividends, taxes, management
or supervisory fees or operating expenses (including,
without limitation thereto, fees for legal, accounting and
auditing services);
(v) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall make
payments in connection with conversion, exchange or
surrender of securities owned or subscribed to by the Fund
held by or to be received by the Bank;
(vi) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank will make
payments pursuant to a specified agreement for loaning the
Fund's securities (which Instructions shall identify the
loan agreement under which the payment is to be made, the
date of payment, the name of the borrower and the
securities to be received, if any in exchange for the
payment); and
(vii) upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall
make payment for other proper corporate purposes, but
only on receipt of a Resolution certified as set
forth in the definition of that term and
countersigned by another officer of the Fund
specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth
the purpose for which such payment is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
such payment is to be made.
(b) Transfer, Exchange or Delivery of Securities. The bank shall
transfer, exchange or deliver securities which are part of the Property
only as follows: upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank shall
deliver (or cause a Depository to deliver) securities against such payment
or other consideration or written receipt therefor as shall be specified
in such Instructions, in the following cases: (i) upon sales of such
securities for the account of the Fund and receipt by the Bank of payment
therefor; (ii) for examination by a broker selling for the account of the
Fund in accordance with street delivery custom; (iii) for payment when
such Property has been called, redeemed or retired, or has otherwise
become payable at the option of the holder thereof; (iv) in exchange for,
or for conversion into, other securities and/or cash pursuant to any plan
of merger, consolidation or reorganization, recapitalization, readjustment
or other rearrangement of the issuer; (v) for deposit with a
reorganization committee or protective committee pursuant to a deposit
agreement; (vi) for conversion into or exchange for other securities, or
into or for other securities and cash, in accordance with any conversion
or exchange right or option relating thereto; (vii) in the case of
warrants, rights or other similar securities, upon the exercise thereof;
(viii) in the case of interim receipts or temporary securities, upon the
surrender thereof for definitive securities; (ix) upon the exercise of
a call written by the Fund for which the Bank (or a Depository) has
written an escrow receipt (which term, as used in this Agreement, shall
include an option guarantee letter), subject to the provisions of Section
VI(e); (x) for the deposit of securities in a Depository; (xi) for the
purpose of Redemption in kind of shares of the Fund (subject to Section
VIII(a) of this Agreement); (xii) for the purpose of loaning securities
against receipt by the Bank of collateral therefor (the Instructions as
to which shall specify the securities to be delivered, the loan agreement
under which the delivery is to be made, the date of delivery, the name of
the borrower and the amount of collateral to be received in connection
therewith); and (xiii) for other proper corporate purposes. The Bank
shall make a delivery described in Section VI(c)(xiii) only on receipt of
a Resolution certified as set forth in the definition of that term and
countersigned by another officer of the Fund specifying the securities,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose and naming the person or
persons to whom said delivery is to be made.
(c) Exercise of rights, etc. The Bank shall deal with rights,
warrants and similar securities received by it hereunder only in the
manner and to the extent ordered by Instructions received by the Bank.
(d) Voting. Neither the Bank nor its nominees shall vote any of the
securities included in the Property or authorize the voting of any such
securities or give any consent, approval or waiver with respect thereto,
except as directed by Instructions received by the Bank. The Bank shall
promptly deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Fund all
notices, proxies and proxy soliciting materials with relation to such
securities, such proxies to be executed by the registered holder of such
securities (if registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund) but
without indicating the manner in which such proxies are to be voted.
(e) Escrow receipts. In accordance with mutually agreed-upon
arrangements and upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank will
execute, or cause a Depository to execute, an escrow receipt relating to
a call written by the Fund upon receipt of payment for the premium
therefor. Such Instructions shall contain all information necessary for
the issuance of such receipts and will authorize the deposit of the
securities named in such Instructions into an escrow account of the Fund.
Securities so deposited into an escrow account will be held by the Bank
or Depository subject to the terms of such escrow receipt. However, the
Bank agrees that it will not deliver, or cause a Depository to deliver,
any securities deposited in an escrow account pursuant to an exercise
notice unless the Bank has received Instructions to do so or (i) the Bank
has duly requested the issuance of such Instructions, (ii)
at least two business days have elapsed since the receipt of such request
by the Fund, and (iii) the Fund has not advised the Bank by Instructions
that it has purchased securities that are to be delivered by the Bank or
a Depository pursuant to the exercise notice. The Fund agrees that it
will not issue any Instructions to the Bank with respect to the Property
which shall conflict with the terms of any escrow receipt executed by the
Bank or any Depository in relation to the Fund and which is then in
effect. The parties understand that the Fund may write calls on
securities ("underlying securities") which are not part of the Property
and issue Instructions to the Bank to execute, or cause a Depository to
execute, an escrow receipt on securities ("convertible securities") which
are, or are to be, part of the Property and are convertible into the
underlying securities. In such event, the Fund agrees that (i) any
Instructions by it as to the execution of the escrow receipt will relate
only to such convertible securities, and (ii) any Instructions by it as
to the delivery of securities relating to such call will relate only to
such convertible securities without responsibility on the part of the Bank
to effect any conversion thereof.
VII. TRANSACTIONS NOT REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS
(a) Collection of income and other payments. In the absence of
contrary instructions, the Bank shall:
(i) collect and receive, for the account of the Fund, all
income and other payments and distributions, including
(without limitation) stock dividends, rights, warrants and
similar items, included or to be included in the Property,
and promptly advise the Fund of such receipt;
(ii) take any action which may be necessary and proper in
connection with the collection and receipt of such income
and other payments and distributions, including (without
limitation) the execution of ownership and exemption
certificates, the presentation of coupons and other
interest items, the presentation for payment of securities
which have become payable as a result of their being
called, redeemed or retired, or otherwise becoming
payable, otherwise than at the option of the holder
thereof, and the endorsement for collection of checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
(iii) receive and hold for the account of the Fund all
securities received as a distribution on securities
held by the Fund as a result of a stock dividend,
share split-up or reorganization, recapitalization,
readjustment or other rearrangement or distribution
of rights or similar securities issued with respect
to any securities of the Fund held by the Bank
hereunder, provided that the Bank shall not be
required to transact any item of business referred to
in this Section VII(a) with respect to a security
which is not covered by a published securities manual
reasonably available to the Custodian Services
Department of the Bank (or the successor to such
Department in the event of any administrative
rearrangement of the Bank) unless and until such
Custodian Services Department (or its successor) has
received a notice specifying (x) the item of business
in question and (y) such additional information as
will permit the Bank to transact such item of
business properly and without unreasonable
inconvenience to such Custodian Services Department
(or its successor).
(b) Cash disbursements. In the absence of contrary Instructions,
the Bank may make cash disbursements for minor expenses in handling
securities and for similar items in connection with the Bank's duties
under this Agreement. The Bank shall promptly advise the Fund of
disbursements so made.
(c) Delivery of information and documents. The Bank shall promptly
deliver to the Fund all information and documents received by the Bank and
relating to the Property including (without limitation) pendency of calls
and maturities of securities and expiration of rights in connection
therewith received by the Bank from issuers of securities being held for
the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Bank shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received from
issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is being sought and
from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer.
VIII TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
(a) Redemptions. Upon receipt of Instructions to do so, the Bank
shall deliver Property in connection with Redemptions (insofar as monies
or, in a case referred to in clause (iii) below, other Property is
available, or insofar as the Bank is willing to permit an overdraft or
overdrafts in the Fund's account or accounts with the Bank for such
purpose), provided that the Instructions covering each Redemption shall
contain (i) the number of shares Redeemed, (ii) the net asset value
(determined pursuant to the regulations of the Fund, as from time to time
amended, which govern determination of net asset value) of such shares on
the effective date of such Redemption and (iii) specification of any
Property other than cash which the Bank is to deliver pursuant thereto.
(b) Extraordinary transactions. In the case of any of the following
transactions, not in the ordinary course of the business of the Fund:
(i) the merger or consolidation of the Fund and another
investment company,
(ii) the sale by the Fund of all or substantially all of its
assets, or
(iii) liquidation of the Fund or dissolution of the Fund
and distribution of its assets,
the Bank shall deliver Property only upon receipt of Instructions and
advice of counsel satisfactory to the Bank (who may be counsel for the
Fund, at the option of the Bank) to the effect that all necessary
corporate action therefor has been taken, or will be taken concurrently
with the Bank's action.
IX. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE
(a) Advice of Fund. If the Bank shall be in doubt as to any action
to be taken or omitted by it, it may request, and shall receive, from the
Fund directions or advice, including Instructions where appropriate.
(b) Advice of counsel. If the Bank shall be in doubt as to any
questions of law involved in any action to be taken or omitted by the
Bank, it may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be
counsel for the Fund, at the option of the Bank).
(c) Conflicting advice. In case of conflict between directions,
advice or Instructions received by the Bank pursuant to Section IX(a) and
advice received by the Bank pursuant to Section IX(b), the Bank shall be
entitled to rely on and follow the advice received pursuant to Section
IX(b) alone.
(d) Absolute protection to Bank. The Bank shall be absolutely
protected in any action or inaction which it takes in reliance on any
directions, advice or Instructions received pursuant to Section IX(a) or
(b) or which the Bank, after receipt of any such directions, advice or
Instructions, in good faith believes to be consistent with such
directions, advice or Instructions, as the case may be. However, nothing
in this Section IX shall be construed as imposing upon the Bank any
obligation (i) to seek such directions, advice or Instructions, or (ii)
to act in accordance with such directions or advice when received, unless,
under the terms of another provision of this Agreement, the same is a
condition to the Bank's properly taking or omitting to take such action.
X. STATEMENTS
The Bank shall render to the Fund statements of the transactions in
the accounts of the Fund at the following times: the Bank shall furnish
the Fund both on a daily and a monthly basis with a statement summarizing
all transactions and entries for the account of the Fund. The Bank shall
furnish the Fund at the end of every month with a list of the portfolio
securities held by it or a Depository as custodian for the Fund, adjusted
for all commitments confirmed by the Fund as of such time, certified by
a duly authorized officer of the Bank. The books and records of the Bank
pertaining to its actions under this Agreement shall be open to inspection
and audit at all times by officers of the Fund, its auditors and officers
of its investment adviser.
XI. COMPENSATION
(a) Ordinary services. The Fund shall pay to the Bank, and the Bank
may deduct from the Property, for its services under this Agreement (other
than the services referred to in Section XI(c)) compensation based on a
schedule of charges to be agreed from time to time.
(b) Expenses. The Fund shall reimburse the Bank for all expenses,
taxes and other charges (including, without limitation, interest and other
items charged by brokers in respect of debit balances and delayed
deliveries) paid by the Bank with respect to the property of the Fund, or
incurred by the Bank on behalf of the Fund in the performance of the
Bank's duties hereunder, provided that the Bank shall be entitled to
reimbursement with respect to the fees and disbursements of counsel only
(i) as set forth in Sections XI(c) and XII or (ii) when the Fund breaches
or threatens to breach, or the Fund's management company (if any)
threatens to cause a breach, of this Agreement or when it would reasonably
appear to a man untrained in the law that such a breach exists or is
threatened, to the extent that the fees and disbursements of such counsel
relate to such actual or apparent breach or threatened breach. If the
Bank submits to the Fund a bill for such reimbursement and the Fund does
not, within 15 days after such submission, notify the Bank that the bill
is disapproved and make a reasonable counter-offer in writing, the bill
shall be deemed approved and the Bank may deduct such reimbursement from
the Property.
(c) Extraordinary services. The Fund shall pay to the Bank, and the
Bank may deduct from the Property, for its services as the Fund's agent
in paying a Shareholder consideration, consisting wholly or partially of
property other than cash, in connection with the Redemption of all or any
part of such Shareholder's shares in the Fund compensation equal to 1/10
of 1% of the amount computed by subtracting from the aggregate Redemption
price of such shares the cash, if any, paid to such Shareholder in respect
of such Redemption. Without limiting the generality of the provisions of
Section XI(b),
the Fund shall reimburse to the Bank, and the Bank may deduct from the
Property reimbursement for, the fees and disbursements of the Bank's
counsel attributable to such counsel's services in respect of each such
Redemption.
XII. INDEMNIFICATION
The Fund, as sole owner of the Property, will indemnify the Bank and
each of the Bank's nominees, and hold the Bank and such nominees harmless,
and the Bank may deduct from the Property indemnification, against all
costs, liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and any state and foreign securities and
blue sky laws, all as from time to time amended) and expenses, including
(without limitation) attorney's fees and disbursements, arising directly
or indirectly (i) from the fact that securities included in the Property
are registered in the name of any such nominee, or (ii) without limiting
the generality of the foregoing clause (i), from any action or thing which
the Bank takes or does or omits to take or do, (A) at the request or on
the directions or in reliance on the advice of the Fund, or of the Fund's
management company (if any), or (B) upon Instructions, provided that
neither the Bank nor any of its nominees shall be indemnified against any
liability to the Fund or to its Shareholders (or any expense incident to
such liability) arising out of (x) the Bank's or such nominee's own
willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its
duties under this Agreement or (y) the Bank's own negligent failure to
perform its duties under Section VII(a)(ii).
XIII. RESPONSIBILITY: COLLECTIONS
(a) Responsibility of Bank. The Bank shall be under no duty to take
any action on behalf of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein
or as may be specifically agreed to by the Bank in writing. In the
performance of the Bank's duties hereunder, the Bank shall be obligated
to exercise care and diligence, but the Bank shall not be liable for any
act or omission which does not constitute gross negligence, willful
misfeasance or bad faith on the part of the Bank or reckless disregard by
the Bank of its duties under this Agreement, provided that the Bank shall
be responsible for its own negligent failure to perform any of its duties
under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
or of any other provisions of this Agreement, the Bank shall not be under
any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not be liable for or in
respect of (i) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of
any Instruction, notice or other instrument which conforms to the
applicable requirements of this Agreement, if any, and which the Bank
reasonably believes to be genuine, or (ii) the validity or invalidity of
the issuance of any securities included or to be included in the Property,
the legality or illegality of the purchase of such securities, or the
propriety or impropriety of the amount paid therefor, or (iii) the
legality or illegality of the sale (or exchange) of any Property or the
propriety or impropriety of the amount for which such Property is sold (or
exchanged), nor shall the Bank be under any duty or obligation to
ascertain whether any property at any time delivered to or held by the
Bank may properly be held by or for the Fund.
(b) Collections. All collections of monies or other property in
respect, or which are to become part, of the Property shall be at the sole
risk of the Fund.
(c) Depositories. In using the facilities of a Depository, the Bank
undertakes to comply with the requirements of Rule 17f-4(d) insofar as the
same apply to a custodian, and shall be responsible for the prompt and
effective enforcement of its rights against the Depository in respect of
the property including the proper replacement of any certificated security
which has been lost, destroyed, wrongfully taken, mislaid or erroneously
delivered while in the custody of the Depository.
XIV. ADVERTISING
No printed or other matter in any language which mentions the Bank's
name other than in the context of the Bank's rights, powers or duties as
the custodian of the Fund shall be issued by the Fund or on the Fund's
behalf unless the Bank shall first have been given notice thereof.
XV. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION; SUCCESSOR; DISSOLUTION
(a) Effective date. This Agreement shall become effective as of the
date entered in the final paragraph of this Agreement and shall continue
in effect until terminated in the manner set forth below.
(b) Termination. Either party to this Agreement may terminate this
Agreement, without penalty, upon at least two weeks' prior written notice
to the other. The effective date of such notice shall be specified in
such notice, except that, at the option of the party receiving the notice
of termination, the effective date of termination may be postponed, by
notice (given prior to the effective date specified in the termination
notice) to the other party, to a date not more than sixty days from the
date of the notice of termination, provided that the Fund shall have no
right so to postpone the effective date of termination if the Fund is at
the time in default under the provisions of Section XIV.
(c) Successor custodian. The Bank shall, in the event of such
termination, deliver the Property, or cause it to be delivered, to any new
custodian which may be designated in Instructions received by the Bank.
(d) Successor custodian not available. In the event that no new
custodian can be found by the Fund at the time of termination of this
Agreement, the Fund shall, before authorizing the delivery of the Property
to anyone other than a successor custodian, submit to its shareholders the
question of whether the Fund shall be liquidated or shall function without
a custodian. The Bank shall, pending the finding of such a new custodian,
the dissolution of the Fund or the decision of the Fund's shareholders
that the Fund shall function without a custodian, continue to hold the
Property in safekeeping subject to the terms of this Agreement, but the
Bank will not carry out any transaction requiring Instructions, the
Instructions with respect to which are received by the Bank subsequent to
the effective date of the termination of this Agreement, or issue any
advice provided for by Section VII or any statement provided for by
Section X, provided that, upon its receipt of Instructions to do so, the
Bank will deliver the Property to a new custodian (which shall be a
person, firm or corporation having aggregate capital, surplus and
undivided profits of at least $2,000,000 as shown by its last published
report, and meeting such other requirements as may be imposed by
applicable law), distribute the Property (after liquidating any part of
the Property which does not consist of cash, if such Instructions so
order) upon dissolution of the Fund or deliver the Property to any other
person if the Fund's shareholders have decided that the Fund shall
function without a custodian. The Bank shall not be liable to the Fund
or any third party on account of any incidents or omissions occurring
during such period of safekeeping except those arising through the Bank's
own willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) Dissolution; no successor custodian. Upon its receipt of
Instructions to do so, the Bank shall distribute the Property (after
liquidating any part of the Property which does not consist of cash, if
such Instructions so order) upon dissolution of the Fund or deliver the
Property to any person who is to take the place of the Fund's custodian
if the Fund's shareholders have decided that the Fund shall function
without a custodian, provided, in either case, that such Instructions
shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the minutes of the meeting of
the Fund's shareholders at which the same was approved.
XVI. NOTICES
All notices and other communications, including Instructions
(collectively referred to as "Notices" in this Section XVI), hereunder
shall be in writing or by tested telegram, cable or Telex. Notices shall
be addressed (i) if to the Bank, at the Bank's address set forth at the
head of this Agreement, marked for the attention of the Custodian Services
Department (or its successor, referred to in Section VII(a)), (ii) if to
the Fund, at the address of the Fund set forth at the head of this
Agreement, or (iii) if to either of the foregoing, at such other address
as shall have been notified to the sender of any such Notice or other
communication. If the location of the sender of a Notice and the address
of the addressee thereof are, at the time of sending, more than 100 miles
apart, the Notice shall be sent by airmail, in which case it shall be
deemed given three days after it is sent, or by tested telegram, cable or
Telex, in which case it shall be deemed given immediately, and, if the
location of the sender of a Notice and the address of the addressee
thereof are, at time of sending, not more than 100 miles apart, the Notice
may be sent by first-class mail, in which case it shall be deemed given
two days after it is sent, or by messenger, in which case it shall be
deemed given on the day it is delivered, or by tested telegram or Telex,
in which case it shall be deemed given immediately, provided that the Bank
shall in no event be liable in respect of any delay in its actual receipt
of any Notice. All postage, cable, telegraph and Telex charges arising
from the Sending of a Notice hereunder shall be paid by the sender.
XVII. DEPOSITORIES; ASTRA
The Fund authorizes the Bank, for any securities held hereunder, to
use the services of any United States central securities depository
permitted to perform such services for registered investment companies and
their custodians under Rule 17f-4 under the Act ("System"), the use of
which is subject to the terms and conditions of this Section XVII.
The terms of the use of any System under this Agreement shall be
governed by the terms and conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, to which terms and conditions the parties hereto
agree as if set forth in full in this Agreement. The parties also agree
that such terms and conditions shall supersede any conflicting provisions
of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require that the
Custodian ascertain, as a condition to the use of any System, that any
required action has been taken by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
If and to the extent that a System permits the withdrawal of a
security from that System in certificate form and the Fund requires a
certificate for making a loan or otherwise, the Bank shall take all
necessary and appropriate action to obtain such certificate upon receipt
of an officer's certificate requesting the same.
The liability of the Bank to the Fund in connection with the use of
any System shall be subject to the provisions of Section XIII of this
Agreement.
The Bank agrees that it will effectively enforce such rights as it
may have against any System and will use its best efforts, and will
enforce any such rights as it may have against any System, to require that
such System shall take all appropriate and necessary steps to obtain
replacement of any certificated security in such System which has been
lost, apparently destroyed, wrongfully taken, mislaid or erroneously
delivered while in the custody of the System.
The Fund can have dial-up access to its own custodian account in the
Bank's computerized accounting system (the "ASTRA System") in order to:
(i) accept or reject executed securities transactions (other than in
foreign securities) as submitted for confirmation by brokers and dealers
through the Institutional Delivery ("ID") System of Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") in which the Bank is a participant; and (ii) issue
instructions for the settlement of accepted transactions by the Bank
(through the ID System of DTC or otherwise) pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
1. The Bank will provide such current instructions and password as
may be necessary for the Fund to have dial-up access to its own custody
account in the ASTRA System, which instructions and password, including
any changed instructions or password, will be delivered personally or by
certified mail, return receipt requested, to such officer(s) of the Fund
as may, from time to time, be designated in a written instruction given
by the Fund in accordance with Article V of this Agreement and signed by
the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Treasurer of the Fund.
2. The Bank will change such instructions or password as frequently
as may reasonably be requested by the Fund for security reasons.
3. The Bank is obligated and authorized to act and rely upon any
instructions received by it through the ASTRA System, as fully as in the
case of instructions given pursuant to Article V of this Agreement,
regardless of whether such instructions have been authorized by the Fund,
provided that such instructions are accompanied by the code password and
account identification information furnished, from time to time, by the
Bank to the Fund as hereinabove provided. Any such instructions received
by the Bank through the ASTRA System will be considered "Instructions" for
all purposes under this Agreement, including without limitation the
indemnification provisions of Article XII hereof.
4. Both the Fund and the Bank will keep for at least five years and
produce on request, in machine readable form, copies of any instructions
sent or received pursuant to the provisions hereof.
XVIII. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Amendments, etc. This Agreement or any part hereof may be
changed or waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against which enforcement of such change or waiver is sought. The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not
a part of this Agreement and shall be disregarded in connection with any
interpretation of all or any part of this Agreement.
(b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, relating to the subject matter hereof,
provided that the parties hereto may embody in one or more separate
documents their agreement, if any, with respect to delegated and/or oral
Instructions.
(c) Successors and assigns; assignment. All terms of this Agreement
shall be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties
hereto, the Fund's management company (if any) and the Fund's shareholders
and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns, provided that this Agreement
shall not be assignable in whole or in part by either party hereto without
the written consent of the other party hereto.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in
several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all
of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
(e) Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability. The Bank understands that
the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any
trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and
the Fund's property. The Bank represents that it has notice of the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
(f) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by the hands of their signatories thereunto duly authorized
as of the 1st day of November, 1988.
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________
(Name and Title)
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
By:/s/ Robert G. Galli
---------------------------
Robert G. Galli, Secretary
GORDON HURWITZ BUTOWSKY WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
101 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10178
October 6, 1988
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048-0669
Dear Sirs:
In connection with the proposed public offering of shares of
beneficial interest in Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund (the
"Fund"), we have examined such records and documents and have made such
further investigations and examinations as we have deemed necessary for
the purposes of this opinion.
It is our opinion that the Fund is a business trust duly organized
and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and that an indefinite number of shares of the Fund covered by the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (SEC Reg. No. 33-23566) (the
"Registration Statement"), when issued and paid for in accordance with the
terms of the offering, as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information forming a part of the Registration Statement, will
be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund to the extent
set forth in the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information forming a part thereof. We also
consent to the filing of this opinion with the authorities administering
the "Blue Sky" or securities law of any jurisdiction in connection with
the registration or qualification under such law of the Fund's shares.
Very truly yours,
Gordon Hurwitz Butowsky
Weitzen Shalov & Wein
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Trustees
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund:
We consent to the use of our report dated January 23, 1995 included herein
and to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Financial Highlights"
in Part A of the registration statement.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
-------------------------
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Denver, Colorado
April 21, 1995
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
WITH
OPPENHEIMER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
FOR CLASS B SHARES OF
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
REVISED DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT (the "Plan") dated the
10th day of February, 1994 by and between OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-
EXEMPT FUND (the "Fund") and OPPENHEIMER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. (the
"Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written distribution and service
plan for Class B shares of the Fund (the "Shares"), contemplated by Rule
12b-1 (the "Rule") under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act"), pursuant to which the Fund will compensate the Distributor for a
portion of its costs incurred in connection with the distribution of
Shares, and the personal service and maintenance of shareholder accounts
that hold Shares ("Accounts"). The Fund may act as distributor of
securities of which it is the issuer, pursuant to the Rule, according to
the terms of this Plan. The Distributor is authorized under the Plan to
pay "Recipients," as hereinafter defined, for rendering (1) distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares and/or (2) administrative
support services with respect to Accounts. Such Recipients are intended
to have certain rights as third-party beneficiaries under this Plan. The
terms and provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted and defined in a
manner consistent with the provisions and definitions contained in (i) the
1940 Act, (ii) the Rule, (iii) Article III, Section 26, of the Rules of
Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or
its successor (the "NASD Rules of Fair Practice") and (iv) any conditions
pertaining either to distribution-related expenses or to a plan of
distribution, to which the Fund is subject under any order on which the
Fund relies, issued at any time by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other
institution which: (i) has rendered assistance (whether direct,
administrative or both) in the distribution of Shares or has provided
administrative support services with respect to Shares held by
Customers (defined below) of the Recipient; (ii) shall furnish the
Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such information as the
Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions as may
arise concerning the sale of Shares; and (iii) has been selected by
the Distributor to receive payments under the Plan. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a majority of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the
"Board") who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act)
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation
of this Plan or in any agreements relating to this Plan (the
"Independent Trustees") may remove any broker, dealer, bank or other
institution as a Recipient, whereupon such entity's rights as a third-
party beneficiary hereof shall terminate.
(b) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares
owned beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such
customers, clients and/or accounts as to which such Recipient is a
fiduciary or custodian or co-fiduciary or co-custodian (collectively,
the "Customers"), but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed
owned by more than one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the
event that two entities would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to
the same Shares, the Recipient which is the dealer of record on the
Fund's books shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for
purposes of this Plan.
3. Payments for Distribution Assistance and Administrative Support
Services.
(a) The Fund will make payments to the Distributor, (i) within forty-
five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, in the aggregate
amount of 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during the
calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares
computed as of the close of each business day (the "Service Fee"),
plus (ii) within ten (10) days of the end of each month, in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the average
during the month of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed
as of the close of each business day (the "Asset-Based Sales Charge")
outstanding for six years or less (the "Maximum Holding Period").
Such Service Fee payments received from the Fund will compensate the
Distributor and Recipients for providing administrative support
services of the type approved by the Board with respect to Accounts.
Such Asset-Based Sales Charge payments received from the Fund will
compensate the Distributor and Recipients for providing distribution
assistance in connection with the sales of Shares.
The administrative support services in connection with the Accounts
to be rendered by Recipients may include, but shall not be limited to,
the following: answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund,
assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-
accounts in the Fund and processing Share redemption transactions,
making the Fund's investment plans and dividend payment options
available, and providing such other information and services in
connection with the rendering of personal services and/or the
maintenance of Accounts, as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably
request.
The distribution assistance in connection with the sale of Shares
to be rendered by the Distributor and Recipients may include, but
shall not be limited to, the following: distributing sales literature
and prospectuses other than those furnished to current holders of the
Fund's Shares ("Shareholders"), and providing such other information
and services in connection with the distribution of Shares as the
Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
It may be presumed that a Recipient has provided distribution
assistance or administrative support services qualifying for payment
under the Plan if it has Qualified Holdings of Shares to entitle it to
payments under the Plan. In the event that either the Distributor or
the Board should have reason to believe that, notwithstanding the
level of Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not be rendering
appropriate distribution assistance in connection with the sale of
Shares or administrative support services for Accounts, then the
Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall require the Recipient
to provide a written report or other information to verify that said
Recipient is providing appropriate distribution assistance and/or
services in this regard. If the Distributor still is not satisfied,
it may take appropriate steps to terminate the Recipient's status as
such under the Plan, whereupon such entity's rights as a third-party
beneficiary hereunder shall terminate.
(b) The Distributor shall make service fee payments to any Recipient
quarterly, within forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar
quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of
the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset
value of Shares computed as of the close of each business day,
constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the
Recipient or by its Customers for a period of more than the minimum
period (the "Minimum Holding Period"), if any, to be set from time to
time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. Alternatively, the
Distributor may, at its sole option, make service fee payments
("Advance Service Fee Payments") to any Recipient quarterly, within
forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate
not to exceed (i) 0.25% of the average during the calendar quarter of
the aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of
business on the day such Shares are sold, constituting Qualified
Holdings sold by the Recipient during that quarter and owned
beneficially or of record by the Recipient or by its Customers, plus
(ii) 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during the
calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed
as of the close of each business day, constituting Qualified Holdings
owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient or by its Customers
for a period of more than one (1) year, subject to reduction or
chargeback so that the Advance Service Fee Payments do not exceed the
limits on payments to Recipients that are, or may be, imposed by
Article III, Section 26, of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice. In the
event Shares are redeemed less than one year after the date such
Shares were sold, the Recipient is obligated and will repay to the
Distributor on demand a pro rata portion of such Advance Service Fee
Payments, based on the ratio of the time such shares were held to one
(1) year. The Advance Service Fee Payments described in part (i) of
the preceding sentence may, at the Distributor's sole option, be made
more often than quarterly, and sooner than the end of the calendar
quarter. However, no such payments shall be made to any Recipient for
any such quarter in which its Qualified Holdings do not equal or
exceed, at the end of such quarter, the minimum amount ("Minimum
Qualified Holdings"), if any, to be set from time to time by a
majority of the Independent Trustees. A majority of the Independent
Trustees may at any time or from time to time decrease and thereafter
adjust the rate of fees to be paid to the Distributor or to any
Recipient, but not to exceed the rate set forth above, and/or direct
the Distributor to increase or decrease the Maximum Holding Period,
the Minimum Holding Period or the Minimum Qualified Holdings. The
Distributor shall notify all Recipients of the Minimum Qualified
Holdings, Maximum Holding Period or Minimum Holding Period, if any,
and the rate of payments hereunder applicable to Recipients, and shall
provide each Recipient with written notice within thirty (30) days
after any change in these provisions. Inclusion of such provisions or
a change in such provisions in a revised current prospectus shall
constitute sufficient notice. The Distributor may make Plan payments
to any "affiliated person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Distributor if such affiliated person qualifies as a Recipient.
(c) The Distributor is entitled to retain from the payments described
in Section 3(a) the aggregate amount of (i) the Service Fee on Shares
outstanding for less than the Minimum Holding Period plus (ii) the
Asset-Based Sales Charge on Shares outstanding for not more than the
Maximum Holding Period, in each case computed as of the close of each
business day during that period and subject to reduction or
elimination of such amounts under the limits to which the Distributor
is, or may become, subject under Article III, Section 26, of the NASD
Rules of Fair Practice. Such amount is collectively referred to as
the "Quarterly Limitation." The distribution assistance and
administrative support services in connection with the sale of Shares
to be rendered by the Distributor may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following: (i) paying sales commissions to any broker,
dealer, bank or other institution that sells Shares, and\or paying
such persons Advance Service Fee Payments in advance of, and\or
greater than, the amount provided for in Section 3(a) of this
Agreement; (ii) paying compensation to and expenses of personnel of
the Distributor who support distribution of Shares by Recipients;
(iii) paying of or reimbursing the Distributor for interest and other
borrowing costs on unreimbursed Carry Forward Expenses (as hereafter
defined) at the rate paid by the Distributor or, if such amounts are
financed by the Distributor from its own resources or by an affiliate,
at the rate of 1% per annum above the prime rate (which shall mean the
most preferential interest rate on corporate loans at large U.S. money
center commercial banks) then being reported in the Eastern edition of
the Wall Street Journal (or if such prime rate is no longer so
reported, such other rate as may be designated from time to time by
the Distributor with the approval of the Independent Trustees); (iv)
other direct distribution costs of the type approved by the Board,
including without limitation the costs of sales literature,
advertising and prospectuses (other than those furnished to current
Shareholders) and state "blue sky" registration expenses; and (v) any
service rendered by the Distributor that a Recipient may render
pursuant to part (a) of this Section 3. The Distributor's costs of
providing the above-mentioned services are hereinafter collectively
referred to as "Distribution and Service Costs." "Carry Forward
Expenses" are Distribution and Service Costs that are not paid in the
fiscal quarter in which they arise because they exceed the Quarterly
Limitation. In the event that the Board should have reason to believe
that the Distributor may not be rendering appropriate distribution
assistance or administrative support services in connection with the
sale of Shares, then the Distributor, at the request of the Board,
shall provide the Board with a written report or other information to
verify that the Distributor is providing appropriate services in this
regard.
(d) The excess in any fiscal quarter of (i) the Quarterly Limitation
plus any contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") payments recovered
by the Distributor on the proceeds of redemption of Shares over (ii)
Distribution and Service Costs during that quarter, shall be applied
in the following order of priority: first, to interest on unreimbursed
Carry Forward Expenses, second, to reduce any unreimbursed Carry
Forward Expenses, third, to reduce Distribution and Service Costs
during that quarter, and fourth, to reduce the Asset-Based Sales
Charge payments by the Fund to the Distributor in that quarter. Carry
Forward Expenses shall be carried forward by the Fund until payment
can be made under the Quarterly Limitation.
(e) Under the Plan, payments may be made to Recipients: (i) by
Oppenheimer Management Corporation ("OMC") from its own resources
(which may include profits derived from the advisory fee it receives
from the Fund), or (ii) by the Distributor (a subsidiary of OMC), from
its own resources, from Asset-Based Sales Charge payments or from its
borrowings.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect,
the selection and nomination of those persons to be Trustees of the Fund
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund ("Disinterested Trustees")
shall be committed to the discretion of such Disinterested Trustees.
Nothing herein shall prevent the Disinterested Trustees from soliciting
the views or the involvement of others in such selection or nomination if
the final decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a
majority of the incumbent Disinterested Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund
shall provide at least quarterly a written report to the Fund's Board for
its review, detailing distribution expenditures properly attributable to
the Shares, including the amount of all payments made pursuant to this
Plan, the identity of the Recipient of each such payment, the amount paid
to the Distributor and the Distribution and Service Costs and Carry
Forward Expenses for that period. The report shall state whether all
provisions of Section 3 of this Plan have been complied with. The
Distributor shall annually certify to the Board the amount of its total
expenses incurred that year and its total expenses incurred in prior years
and not previously recovered with respect to the distribution of Shares
in conjunction with the Board's annual review of the continuation of the
Plan.
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in
writing and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at
any time, without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities of
the Class, on not more than sixty days written notice to any other party
to the agreement; (ii) such agreement shall automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iii) it shall go
into effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such agreement; and (iv) it shall, unless terminated as herein provided,
continue in effect from year to year only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board and its
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has
been approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called on February 10, 1994 for the purpose of voting
on this Plan, and replaces the Fund's Distribution and Service Plan and
Agreement dated June 10, 1993. Unless terminated as hereinafter provided,
it shall continue in effect until December 31, 1994 and from year to year
thereafter or as the Board may otherwise determine only so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the
Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such continuance. This Plan may not be amended
to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without approval
of the Class B Shareholders, in the manner described above, and all
material amendments must be approved by a vote of the Board and of the
Independent Trustees. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of
a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of
a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities of the Class. In the event of such termination, the Board and
its Independent Trustees shall determine whether the Distributor is
entitled to payment from the Fund of any Carry Forward Expenses and
related costs properly incurred in respect of Shares sold prior to the
effective date of such termination, and whether the Fund shall continue
to make payment to the Distributor in the amount the Distributor is
entitled to retain under part (c) of Section 3 hereof, until such time as
the Distributor has been reimbursed for all or part of such amounts by the
Fund and by retaining CDSC payments.
8. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability. The Distributor understands that
the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon any
Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and
the Fund's property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
and Trustee liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
By: /s/ Andrew J. Donohue
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
OPPENHEIMER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
By: /s/ Katherine P. Feld
----------------------------
Katherine P. Feld
Vice President & Secretary
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Exhibit 24(b)(16) to Form N-1A
Performance Data Computation Schedule
The Fund's average annual total returns and total returns are
calculated as described below, on the basis of the Fund's distributions,
for the past 10 years which are as follows:
Distribution Amount From Amount From
Reinvestment Investment Long or Short-Term Reinvestment
(Ex)Date Income Capital Gains Price
Class A Shares
12/30/88 0.0857557 0.0000 9.580
01/27/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.690
02/24/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.550
03/23/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.450
04/21/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.600
05/19/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.790
06/16/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.840
07/14/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.920
08/11/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.840
09/08/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.800
10/06/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.810
11/03/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.800
12/01/89 0.0545000 0.0000 9.940
12/29/89 0.0420000 0.0190 9.940
01/26/90 0.0545000 0.0000 9.730
02/23/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.790
03/23/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.800
04/20/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.710
05/18/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.750
06/15/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.820
07/13/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.860
08/10/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.800
09/07/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.650
10/05/90 0.0522000 0.0000 9.600
11/02/90 0.0559286 0.0000 9.780
11/30/90 0.0520778 0.0000 9.860
12/28/90 0.0505008 0.0000 9.850
01/25/91 0.0505000 0.0000 9.860
02/22/91 0.0505000 0.0000 9.920
03/22/91 0.0505000 0.0000 9.840
04/19/91 0.0505000 0.0000 9.910
05/17/91 0.0505000 0.0000 9.920
06/14/91 0.0505008 0.0000 9.820
07/12/91 0.0505008 0.0000 9.930
08/09/91 0.0505000 0.0000 10.020
09/06/91 0.0505000 0.0000 10.050
10/04/91 0.0505000 0.0000 10.140
11/01/91 0.0505000 0.0000 10.150
11/29/91 0.0504388 0.0000 10.070
12/27/91 0.0145400 0.0574 10.190
01/24/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.190
02/21/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.060
03/20/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.050
04/16/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.160
05/15/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.160
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
April 25, 1995
Page 2
Distribution Amount From Amount From
Reinvestment Investment Long or Short-Term Reinvestment
(Ex)Date Income Capital Gains Price
Class A Shares (Continued)
06/12/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.200
07/10/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.440
08/07/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.530
09/04/92 0.0061778 0.0740 10.400
10/02/92 0.0480222 0.0000 10.330
10/30/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.120
11/27/92 0.0498000 0.0000 10.300
12/24/92 0.0498008 0.0088 10.350
01/22/93 0.0498008 0.0000 10.390
02/19/93 0.0498008 0.0000 10.610
03/19/93 0.0498008 0.0000 10.730
04/16/93 0.0498008 0.0000 10.710
05/14/93 0.0498008 0.0000 10.720
06/10/93 0.0541000 0.0000 10.720
07/09/93 0.0541000 0.0000 10.840
08/10/93 0.0541000 0.0000 10.840
09/10/93 0.0541000 0.0000 11.080
10/08/93 0.0541000 0.0000 11.090
11/10/93 0.0520800 0.0000 10.900
12/10/93 0.0504000 0.0721 10.940
01/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.970
02/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.950
03/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.410
04/08/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.060
05/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.000
06/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.270
07/08/94 0.0504000 0.0000 9.980
08/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.070
09/09/94 0.0504000 0.0000 10.030
10/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 9.770
11/10/94 0.0504000 0.0000 9.310
12/09/94 0.0504000 0.0000 9.320
Class B Share
05/14/93 0.0185529 0.0000 10.720
06/10/93 0.0453813 0.0000 10.730
07/09/93 0.0437429 0.0000 10.850
08/10/93 0.0459302 0.0000 10.850
09/10/93 0.0458056 0.0000 11.090
10/08/93 0.0470754 0.0000 11.100
11/10/93 0.0441107 0.0000 10.910
12/10/93 0.0424506 0.0721 10.950
01/10/94 0.0433856 0.0000 10.970
02/10/94 0.0430518 0.0000 10.960
03/10/94 0.0437232 0.0000 10.420
04/08/94 0.0430415 0.0000 10.070
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
April 25, 1995
Page 3
Distribution Amount From Amount From
Reinvestment Investment Long or Short-Term Reinvestment
(Ex)Date Income Capital Gains Price
Class B Shares (Continued)
05/10/94 0.0437753 0.0000 10.010
06/10/94 0.0430383 0.0000 10.280
07/08/94 0.0443040 0.0000 9.990
08/10/94 0.0437390 0.0000 10.080
09/09/94 0.0435645 0.0000 10.040
10/10/94 0.0443283 0.0000 9.770
11/10/94 0.0441458 0.0000 9.310
12/09/94 0.0443163 0.0000 9.320
1. Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended 12/31/94:
The formula for calculating average annual total return is as follows:
1 ERV n
--------------- = n (---) - 1 = average annual total return
number of years P
Where: ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment
made at the beginning of the period
P = hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
Class A Shares
Examples, assuming a maximum sales charge of 4.75%:
One Year Five Year
$ 871.66 1 $1,261.37 .2
(---------) - 1 = -12.83% (---------) - 1 = 4.75%
$1,000 $1,000
Inception
$1,427.95 .1622
(---------) - 1 = 5.95%
$1,000
Class B Shares
Examples, assuming a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 5.00%
for the first year, and 4.00% for the second year:
One Year Inception
$ 863.10 1 $ 931.18 .6000
(---------) - 1 = -13.69% (---------) - 1 = -4.19%
$1,000 $1,000
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Page 4
April 25, 1995
1. Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended 12/31/94 (Continued):
Examples at NAV:
Class A Shares
One Year Five Year
$ 915.12 1 $1,324.27 .2
(---------) - 1 = -8.49% (---------) - 1 = 5.78%
$1,000 $1,000
Inception
$1,499.16 .1622
(---------) - 1 = 6.79%
$1,000
Class B Shares
One Year Inception
$ 906.09 1 $ 966.44 .6000
(---------) - 1 = -9.39% (---------) - 1 = -2.03%
$1,000 $1,000
2. Cumulative Total Returns for the Periods Ended 12/31/94:
The formula for calculating cumulative total return is as follows:
(ERV - P) / P = Cumulative Total Return
Class A Shares
Examples, assuming a maximum sales charge of 4.75%:
One Year Five Year
$ 871.66 - $1,000 $1,261.37 - $1,000
------------------ = -12.83% ------------------ = 26.14%
$1,000 $1,000
Inception
$1,427.95 - $1,000
------------------ = 42.79%
$1,000
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Page 5
April 25, 1995
2. Cumulative Total Returns for the Periods Ended 12/31/94 (Continued):
Class B Shares
Examples, assuming a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 5.00% for
the first year, and 4.00% for the second year:
One Year Inception
$ 863.10 - $1,000 $ 931.18 - $1,000
------------------ = -13.69% ------------------ = -6.88%
$1,000 $1,000
Examples at NAV:
Class A Shares
One Year Five Year
$ 915.12 - $1,000 $1,324.27 - $1,000
------------------ = -8.49% ------------------ = 32.43%
$1,000 $1,000
Inception
$1,499.16 - $1,000
------------------ = 49.92%
$1,000
Class B Shares
One Year Inception
$ 906.09 - $1,000 $ 966.44 - $1,000
------------------ = -9.39% ------------------ = -3.36%
$1,000 $1,000
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Page 6
April 25, 1995
3. Standardized Yield for the 30-Day Period Ended 12/31/94:
The Fund's standardized yields are calculated using the following formula
set forth in the SEC rules:
a - b 6
Yield = 2 { (-------- + 1 ) - 1 }
cd or ce
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 Fund shares outstanding during
the 30-day period that were entitled to receive dividends.
d = The Fund's maximum offering price (including sales charge)
per share on the last day of the period.
e = The Fund's net asset value (excluding contingent deferred
sales charge) per share on the last day of the period.
Class A Shares
Example, assuming a maximum sales charge of 4.75%:
$1,288,752.81 - $176,147.24 6
2{(--------------------------- + 1) - 1} = 5.74%
23,720,760 x $ 9.92
Class B Shares
Example at NAV:
$ 113,501.65 - $ 27,622.97 6
2{(--------------------------- + 1) - 1} = 5.28%
2,089,403 x $ 9.44
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Page 7
April 25, 1995
4. DIVIDEND YIELDS FOR THE 30-DAY PERIOD ENDED 12/31/94:
The Fund's dividend yields are calculated using the following formula:
Dividend Yield = { (a / 30) x 365 } / b or c
The symbols above represent the following factors:
a = The accrual dividend earned during the period.
b = The Fund's maximum offering price (including sales charge)
per share on the last day of the period.
c = The Fund's net asset value (excluding sales charge) per share
on the last day of the period.
Examples:
Class A Shares
Dividend Yield
at Maximum Offering $.0514840/30 x 365
------------------ = 6.31%
$ 9.92
Dividend Yield
at Net Asset Value $.0514840/30 x 365
------------------ = 6.63%
$ 9.45
Class B Shares
Dividend Yield
at Net Asset Value $.0454583/30 x 365
------------------ = 5.86%
$ 9.44
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Page 8
April 25, 1995
4. TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELDS FOR THE 30-DAY PERIOD ENDED 12/31/94:
The Fund's tax-equivalent yields are calculated using the following formula:
a
----- + b = Tax-Equivalent Yield
1 - c
The symbols above represent the following factors:
a = 30-day SEC yield of tax-exempt security positions in the portfolio.
b = 30-day SEC yield of taxable security positions in the portfolio.
c = Combined stated tax rate (e.g., federal and state income tax rates
for an individual in the 39.6% federal tax bracket filing singly).
Examples:
Class A Shares
.0574
----------- + 0 = 10.68%
1 - .4624
Class B Shares
.0528
----------- + 0 = 9.82%
1 - .4624
Combined Stated Tax Rate Formula
1 - {(1-d)(1-e)} = Combined Stated Tax Rate
The symbols above represent the following factors:
d = Stated federal tax rate (e.g., federal income tax rate for an
individual in the 39.6% federal tax bracket filing singly).
e = Stated California State tax rate (e.g., for an individual in the
39.6% federal and 11.00% state tax bracket filing singly).
Example: 1 - {(1 - .3960)(1 - 0.1100)} = 46.24%
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
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<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000837441
<NAME> OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1994
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 251584072
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 233918905
<RECEIVABLES> 7747209
<ASSETS-OTHER> 45415
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 337526
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 242049055
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2143171
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2143171
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 258829341
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 23255729
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 24289750
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 170011
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (1088278)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (17665168)
<NET-ASSETS> 219682026
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 18420122
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2671798
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 15748324
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (999410)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (39209125)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (24460211)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 14920148
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 4682338
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 6611428
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 895069
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (36505264)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 275259
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2671798
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 248850000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.97
<PER-SHARE-NII> .60
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (1.51)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .61
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.45
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .96
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000837441
<NAME> OPPENHEIMER CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1994
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2141617
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 903852
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 20223858
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 857567
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1595370
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 410584
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 52979
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 16552000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.98
<PER-SHARE-NII> .54
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (1.55)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .53
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.44
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.73
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
