MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND INC
N-14 8C/A, 1999-11-09
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<PAGE>


 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 1999

                                         Securities Act File No. 333-88423
                                       Investment Company Act File No. 811-6500

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                ---------------

                                   FORM N-14
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                ---------------

                                               POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [_]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 [X]
                       (check appropriate box or boxes)

                                ---------------

                     MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
            (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                ---------------

                                (609) 282-2800
                       (Area Code and Telephone Number)

                                ---------------

                            800 Scudders Mill Road
                         Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
   (Address of Principal Executive Offices: Number, Street, City, State, Zip
                                     Code)

                                ---------------

                                Terry K. Glenn
                     MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
             800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
       Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                ---------------

                                  Copies to:  Michael J. Hennewinkel, Esq.
          Frank P. Bruno, Esq.            MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
            BROWN & WOOD LLP                     800 Scudders Mill Road
         One World Trade Center                   Plainsboro, NJ 08536
         New York, NY 10048-0557

                                ---------------

  Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after
the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                ---------------


       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
<TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                       Proposed        Proposed
                                                       Maximum          Maximum
                                      Amount Being  Offering Price     Aggregate          Amount of
Title of Securities Being Registered  Registered(1)  Per Unit(1)   Offering Price(1) Registration Fee(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>               <C>
Common Stock ($.10 par
 value)................                29,831,900    $13.60          $405,713,840         $112,789
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction Market Preferred
 Stock, Series C.......                   2,800      $ 25,000(2)     $ 70,000,000         $ 19,460
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction Market Preferred
 Stock, Series D.......                   1,960      $ 25,000(2)     $ 49,000,000         $ 13,622
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction Market Preferred
 Stock, Series E.......                   2,200      $ 25,000(2)     $ 55,000,000         $ 15,290
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the filing fee.
(2) Represents the liquidation preference of a share of preferred stock after
    the reorganization.

(3) Previously paid by wire transfer to the designated lockbox of the
    Securities and Exchange Commission in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.
                                 P.O. Box 9011
                       Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
                               ---------------
                 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                                      AND
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.
                               ---------------
                        TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 1999

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
 MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
 MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the special meetings of the stockholders (the
"Meetings") of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. ("New York Insured") and
MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. ("New York Insured II") will be held
at the offices of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P., 800 Scudders Mill
Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey on Wednesday, December 15, 1999 at 3:45 p.m.
Eastern time (for New York Insured) and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (for New York
Insured II) for the following purposes:

    (1) To approve or disapprove an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the
  "Agreement and Plan of Reorganization") contemplating (i) the acquisition
  of substantially all of the assets and the assumption of substantially all
  of the liabilities of New York Insured II by New York Insured, in exchange
  solely for an equal aggregate value of newly-issued shares of Common Stock
  of New York Insured ("New York Insured Common Stock"), shares of three
  newly-created series of Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") of New York
  Insured to be designated Series C ("New York Insured Series C AMPS"),
  Series D ("New York Insured Series D AMPS") and Series E ("New York Insured
  Series E AMPS"); (ii) the issuance of three new series of AMPS of MuniYield
  New York to be designated Series C, Series D and Series E; and (iii) the
  distribution by New York Insured II of the New York Insured Common Stock to
  the holders of Common Stock of New York Insured II, such New York Insured
  Series C AMPS to the holders of Series A AMPS of New York Insured II, the
  New York Insured Series D AMPS to the holders of Series B AMPS of New York
  Insured II and the New York Insured Series E AMPS to the holders of Series
  C and Series D AMPS of New York Insured II. A vote in favor of this
  proposal also will constitute a vote in favor of the liquidation and
  dissolution of New York Insured II and the termination of its registration
  under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

    (2) To transact such other business as properly may come before the
  Meetings or any adjournment thereof.

  The Boards of Directors of New York Insured and New York Insured II have
fixed the close of business on October 20, 1999 as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Meetings or any adjournment thereof.

  A complete list of the stockholders of New York Insured and New York Insured
II entitled to vote at the Meetings will be available and open to the
examination of any stockholder of New York Insured or New York Insured II,
respectively, for any purpose germane to the Meetings during ordinary business
hours from and after December 1, 1999, at the offices of New York Insured, 800
Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey.

  You are cordially invited to attend the Meetings. Stockholders who do not
expect to attend the Meetings in person are requested to complete, date and
sign the enclosed form of proxy applicable to their fund and return it
promptly in the envelope provided for that purpose. The enclosed proxy is
being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of New York Insured or New
York Insured II, as applicable.

                                       By Order of the Boards of Directors

                                       Alice A. Pellegrino
                                       Secretary of MuniYield New York
                                        Insured Fund, Inc. and MuniYield New
                                        York Insured Fund II, Inc.
Plainsboro, New Jersey

Dated: November 9, 1999
<PAGE>

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+                                                                              +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                         PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS
                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.
                P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
                                 (609) 282-2800

                                  -----------

                      SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                                      AND
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                                  -----------

                               DECEMBER 15, 1999

  This Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus is furnished to you as a
stockholder of one of the funds listed above. A Special Meeting of the
stockholders of each of these funds will be held on December 15, 1999 (the
"Meetings") to consider the items that are listed below and discussed in
greater detail elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and Prospectus. The Board of
Directors of each fund is requesting its stockholders to submit a proxy to be
used at the Meetings to vote the shares held by the stockholder submitting the
proxy.

  The proposals to be considered at the Meetings are:

  1.To approve or disapprove an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between
  the funds; and

  2.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meetings
  or any adjournment thereof.

  The Agreement and Plan of Reorganization that you are being asked to consider
involves a transaction that will be referred to in this Proxy Statement and
Prospectus as the Reorganization. The Reorganization involves the combination
of the two funds into one. The two funds are:

    MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. ("New York Insured"), which will be
  the surviving fund; and

    MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. ("New York Insured II")

  New York Insured and New York Insured II are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "Funds" and individually as a "Fund," each as applicable
and each as the context requires.

                                                        (continued on next page)

  THE  SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION  HAS NOT  APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED
     THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON  THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT
       AND PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION  TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
          OFFENSE.

  This Proxy Statement and Prospectus serves as a prospectus of New York
Insured in connection with the issuance of New York Insured Common Stock and
three newly-created series of New York Insured AMPS in the Reorganization.

  The Proxy Statement and Prospectus sets forth information about New York
Insured and New York Insured II that stockholders of the Funds should know
before considering the Reorganization and should be retained for future
reference. Each of the Funds has authorized the solicitation of proxies in
connection with the Reorganization solely on the basis of this Proxy Statement
and Prospectus and the accompanying documents.

  The address of the principal executive offices of New York Insured and New
York Insured II is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, and
the telephone number is (609) 282-2800.

   The date of this Proxy Statement and Prospectus is November 9, 1999.
<PAGE>


  In the Reorganization, New York Insured will acquire substantially all of
the assets and assume substantially all of the liabilities of New York Insured
II solely in exchange for shares of its common stock, par value $.10 per share
("New York Insured Common Stock"), and shares of three newly-created series of
its Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS"), with a par value of $.10 per
share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share to be designated
Series C ("New York Insured Series C"), Series D ("New York Insured Series D")
and Series E ("New York Insured Series E") sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "New York Insured AMPS." New York Insured II will
distribute New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured AMPS received in
the Reorganization to its stockholders and will then liquidate and dissolve
and terminate its registration under the Investment Company Act. New York
Insured will continue to operate as a registered closed-end investment company
with the investment objective and policies described in this Proxy Statement
and Prospectus.

  In the Reorganization, New York Insured will issue shares of its common
stock and AMPS to New York Insured II based on the value of the assets
transferred to New York Insured by New York Insured II. These shares will then
be distributed by New York Insured II to its stockholders based on the value
of the shares held by each stockholder just prior to the Reorganization. A
holder of Common Stock of New York Insured II will receive New York Insured
Common Stock and a holder of AMPS of New York Insured II will receive shares
of one of the newly-created series of AMPS of New York Insured. Approval of
the Reorganization by stockholders will also constitute approval of the
issuance by New York Insured of the New York Insured Series C, Series D and
Series E AMPS.

  The common stock of each of the Funds ("Common Stock") is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbols "MYT" (New York Insured)
and "MYY" (New York Insured II). Subsequent to the Reorganization, shares of
New York Insured Common Stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE under the
symbol "MYT." Reports, proxy materials and other information concerning any of
the Funds may be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
INTRODUCTION..............................................................   5
ITEM 1: THE REORGANIZATION................................................   5
  SUMMARY.................................................................   5
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.................................  14
    New York Municipal Bonds..............................................  14
    Interest Rate and Credit Risk.........................................  14
    Non-diversification...................................................  14
    Rating Categories.....................................................  14
    Private Activity Bonds................................................  14
    Portfolio Insurance...................................................  14
    Leverage..............................................................  14
    Portfolio Management..................................................  15
    Inverse Floating Obligations..........................................  16
    Options and Futures Transactions......................................  16
    Antitakeover Provisions...............................................  16
    Ratings Considerations................................................  16
  COMPARISON OF THE FUNDS.................................................  17
    Financial Highlights..................................................  17
    Investment Objective and Policies.....................................  21
    Portfolio Insurance...................................................  24
    Description of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds...........  25
    Special Considerations Relating to New York Municipal Bonds...........  26
    Other Investment Policies.............................................  26
    Information Regarding Options and Futures Transactions................  28
    Investment Restrictions...............................................  31
    AMPS Rating Agency Guidelines.........................................  32
    Portfolio Composition.................................................  33
    Portfolio Transactions................................................  34
    Portfolio Turnover....................................................  35
    Net Asset Value.......................................................  35
    Capital Stock.........................................................  36
    Management of the Funds...............................................  38
    Code of Ethics........................................................  39
    Voting Rights.........................................................  40
    Stockholder Inquiries.................................................  41
    Dividends and Distributions...........................................  41
    Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan..................................  42
    Mutual Fund Investment Option.........................................  44
    Liquidation Rights of Holders of AMPS.................................  44
    Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their Stockholders..............  44
  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION....................................  49
    General...............................................................  49
    Procedure.............................................................  50
    Terms of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.....................  51
    Potential Benefits to Common Stockholders of the Funds as a Result of
     the Reorganization...................................................  53
    Surrender and Exchange of Stock Certificates..........................  54
    Tax Consequences of the Reorganization................................  55
    Capitalization........................................................  57
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           -----
<S>                                                                        <C>
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETINGS...............................    58
    Date, Time and Place of Meetings......................................    58
    Solicitation, Revocation and Use of Proxies...........................    58
    Record Date and Outstanding Shares....................................    58
    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management........    58
    Voting Rights and Required Vote.......................................    58
    Appraisal Rights......................................................    59
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION....................................................    60
    Year 2000 Issues......................................................    61
CUSTODIAN.................................................................    61
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR...................    61
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.........................................................    61
LEGAL OPINIONS............................................................    61
EXPERTS...................................................................    62
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................   F-1
EXHIBIT I--INFORMATION PERTAINING TO EACH FUND............................   I-1
EXHIBIT II--AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION..........................  II-1
EXHIBIT III--ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS IN NEW YORK.................... III-1
EXHIBIT IV--RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS AND COMMERCIAL PAPER...............  IV-1
EXHIBIT V--PORTFOLIO INSURANCE............................................   V-1
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                 INTRODUCTION

  This Proxy Statement and Prospectus is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Boards of Directors of New York
Insured and New York Insured II for use at the Meetings to be held at the
offices of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM"), 800 Scudders Mill
Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey on December 15, 1999, at the time specified for
each Fund in Exhibit I to this Proxy Statement and Prospectus. The mailing
address for each of the Funds is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-
9011. The approximate mailing date of this Proxy Statement and Prospectus is
November 12, 1999.

  Any person giving a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its exercise by
executing a superseding proxy, by giving written notice of the revocation to
the Secretary of New York Insured or New York Insured II, as applicable, at
the address indicated above or by voting in person at the appropriate Meeting.
All properly executed proxies received prior to the Meetings will be voted at
the Meetings in accordance with the instructions marked thereon or otherwise
as provided therein. Unless instructions to the contrary are marked, proxies
will be voted "FOR" the proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization between New York Insured and New York Insured II (the
"Agreement and Plan of Reorganization").

  With respect to Item 1, assuming a quorum is present at the Meetings,
approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization will require the
affirmative vote of stockholders representing (i) a majority of the
outstanding shares of New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured AMPS,
voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding shares of
New York Insured AMPS, Series A and B, voting together as a single class, (ii)
a majority of the outstanding shares of New York Insured II Common Stock and
New York Insured II AMPS, voting together as a single class, and a majority of
the outstanding shares of New York Insured II AMPS, Series A, B, C and D,
voting together as a single class. Because of the requirement that the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization be approved by stockholders of both
Funds, the Reorganization will not take place if stockholders of either Fund
do not approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.

  The Board of Directors of each of the Funds has fixed the close of business
on October 20, 1999 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Meetings or any adjournment thereof. Stockholders on the Record Date will be
entitled to one vote for each share held, with no shares having cumulative
voting rights. At the Record Date, each Fund had outstanding the number of
shares of Common Stock and AMPS indicated in Exhibit I. To the knowledge of
the management of each of the Funds, no person owned beneficially more than 5%
of the respective outstanding shares of either class of capital stock of any
Fund at the Record Date.

  The Boards of Directors of the Funds know of no business other than that
discussed in Item 1 above that will be presented for consideration at the
Meetings. If any other matter is properly presented, it is the intention of
the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote in accordance with their best
judgment.

                          ITEM 1: THE REORGANIZATION

SUMMARY

  The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in
this Proxy Statement and Prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the more complete information contained in this Proxy Statement
and Prospectus and in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization attached hereto
as Exhibit II.

  In this Proxy Statement and Prospectus, the term "Reorganization" refers
collectively to (i) the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and the
assumption of substantially all of the liabilities of New York Insured II by
New York Insured and the subsequent distribution of New York Insured Common
Stock to the holders of New York Insured II Common Stock, of New York Insured
Series C AMPS to the holders of New York Insured II AMPS, Series A, of New
York Insured Series D AMPS to the holders of New York Insured II AMPS, Series
B and of New York Insured Series E AMPS to the holders of New York Insured II
AMPS, Series C and D, respectively; (ii) the issuance by New York Insured of
three new series of AMPS to be designated Series C,Series D and Series E; and
(iii) the subsequent deregistration and dissolution of New York Insured II.

                                       5
<PAGE>


  At meetings of the Boards of Directors of each of the Funds, the Board of
Directors of each of the Funds unanimously approved the Reorganization.
Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the stockholders of both
Funds, the Board of Directors of New York Insured II also deemed advisable the
deregistration of the New York Insured II under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and its dissolution under the
laws of the State of Maryland. The Reorganization requires approval of the
stockholders of both Funds. The Reorganization will not take place if the
stockholders of either Fund do not approve the Agreement and the Plan of
Reorganization.

  Each of the Funds seeks to provide stockholders with current income exempt
from Federal income tax and New York State and New York City personal income
taxes. Each of the Funds seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term, investment grade municipal
obligations, the interest on which, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer, is exempt from Federal income tax and New York State and New York City
personal income taxes. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of each Fund's
total assets will be invested in municipal obligations with remaining
maturities of one year or more that are covered by insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment of principal at maturity and interest.

  Each of the Funds is a non-diversified, leveraged, closed-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act. If the
stockholders of the Funds approve the Reorganization, (i) New York Insured
Common Stock and New York Insured Series C, D and E AMPS will be issued to New
York Insured II in exchange for the assets of New York Insured II; and (ii)
New York Insured II will distribute these shares to its stockholders as
provided in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. After the
Reorganization, New York Insured II will terminate its registration under the
Investment Company Act and its incorporation under Maryland law.

  Based upon their evaluation of all relevant information, the Directors of
each Fund have determined that the Reorganization will potentially benefit the
holders of Common Stock of that Fund. Specifically, after the Reorganization,
stockholders of the New York Insured II will remain invested in a closed-end
fund that has an investment objective and policies substantially similar to
New York Insured II's investment objective and policies and that uses
substantially the same management personnel. In addition, it is anticipated
that common stockholders of each of the Funds will be subject to a reduced
overall operating expense ratio based on the anticipated pro forma combined
total operating expenses and the combined assets of the surviving fund after
the Reorganization. The Boards also considered the relative tax positions of
the Funds' portfolios. It is not anticipated that the Reorganization will
directly benefit the holders of shares of AMPS of either Fund; however, the
Reorganization will not adversely affect the holders of shares of any series
of AMPS of either Fund and the expenses of the Reorganization will not be
borne by the holders of shares of AMPS of either Fund.

  If all of the requisite approvals are obtained, it is anticipated that the
Reorganization will occur as soon as practicable after such approval, provided
that the Funds have obtained prior to that time a favorable private letter
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") concerning the tax
consequences of the Reorganization as set forth in the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization or an opinion of counsel to the same effect. Under the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, however, the Board of Directors of
either Fund may cause the Reorganization to be postponed or abandoned should
such Board determine that it is in the best interests of the stockholders of
that Fund to do so. The Agreement and Plan of Reorganization may be
terminated, and the Reorganization abandoned, whether before or after approval
by the Funds' stockholders, at any time prior to the Exchange Date (as defined
below), (i) by mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of both Funds or (ii)
by the Board of Directors of either Fund if any condition to that Fund's
obligations has not been fulfilled or waived by such Fund's Board of
Directors.

                                       6
<PAGE>

       Pro Forma Fee Table for Common Stockholders of New York Insured,

            New York Insured II and Pro Forma New York Insured
                      as of June 30, 1999 (Unaudited)(a)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Actual
                                                 -------------------- Pro Forma
                                                 New York   New York  New York
                                                 Insured   Insured II  Insured
                                                 --------  ---------- ---------
<S>                                              <C>       <C>        <C>
Common Stockholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load (as a percentage of offering
 price).........................................   None(b)    None(b)   None(c)
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees.................   None       None      None
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets
 attributable to Common Stock at June 30,
 1999)(d).......................................
Investment Advisory Fees(e).....................   0.73%      0.72%     0.73%
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds.............   None       None      None
Other Expenses..................................   0.29%      0.23%     0.20%
                                                   ----       ----      ----
Total Annual Expenses...........................   1.02%      0.95%     0.93%
                                                   ====       ====      ====
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) No information is presented with respect to AMPS because no Fund's
    operating expenses or expenses of the Reorganization will be borne by the
    holders of AMPS of any of the Funds. Generally, AMPS are sold at a fixed
    liquidation preference of $25,000 per share and investment return is set
    at an auction.
(b) Shares of Common Stock purchased in the secondary market may be subject to
    brokerage commissions or other charges.
(c) No sales load will be charged on the issuance of shares in the
    Reorganization. Shares of Common Stock are not available for purchase from
    the Funds but may be purchased through a broker-dealer subject to
    individually negotiated commission rates.

(d) The annual operating expenses for pro forma New York Insured are
    projections for a 12-month period.

(e) Based on the net assets of each Fund and pro forma New York Insured,
    excluding assets attributable to AMPS. If assets attributable to AMPS are
    included, the Investment Advisory Fees for each Fund and pro forma New
    York Insured would be 0.50% and the Total Annual Expenses would be 0.70%,
    0.66% and 0.64%.

Example:

              Cumulative Expenses Paid on Shares of Common Stock
                          for the Periods Indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
                                               ------ ------- ------- --------
<S>                                            <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
An investor would pay the following expenses
 on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) the
 operating expense ratio for each Fund (as a
 percentage of net assets attributable to
 Common Stock) set forth in the table above
 and (2) a 5% annual return throughout the
 period:
New York Insured..............................  $10     $32     $56     $125
New York Insured II...........................  $10     $30     $53     $117
Pro Forma New York Insured*...................  $ 9     $30     $51     $114
</TABLE>
- --------
* Assumes that the Reorganization had taken place on June 30, 1999.

                                       7
<PAGE>

  The foregoing Fee Table is intended to assist investors in understanding the
costs and expenses that a common stockholder of each of the Funds will bear
directly or indirectly as compared to the costs and expenses that would be
borne by such investors taking into account the Reorganization. The Example
set forth above assumes that shares of Common Stock were purchased in the
initial offerings and the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and
uses a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") regulations. The Example should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses or annual rates of return. Actual
expenses or annual rates of return may be more or less than those assumed for
purposes of the Example. See "Comparison of the Funds" and "The
Reorganization--Potential Benefits to Common Stockholders of the Funds as a
Result of the Reorganization."

Business of New York Insured...
                                 New York Insured was incorporated under the
                                 laws of the State of Maryland on December 17,
                                 1991 and commenced operations on February 21,
                                 1992. New York Insured is a non-diversified,
                                 leveraged, closed-end management investment
                                 company whose investment objective is to
                                 provide stockholders with current income
                                 exempt from Federal income tax and New York
                                 State and New York City personal income
                                 taxes. New York Insured seeks to achieve its
                                 investment objective by investing primarily
                                 in a portfolio of long-term investment grade
                                 municipal obligations, the interest on which,
                                 in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer,
                                 is exempt from Federal income taxes and New
                                 York State and New York City personal income
                                 taxes ("New York Municipal Bonds"). Under
                                 normal circumstances, at least 80% of New
                                 York Insured's total assets will be invested
                                 in municipal obligations with remaining
                                 maturities of one year or more that are
                                 covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely
                                 payment of principal at maturity and
                                 interest. The Fund intends to invest
                                 primarily in long-term New York Municipal
                                 Bonds and other long-term municipal
                                 obligations exempt from Federal income taxes
                                 but not from New York State or New York City
                                 personal income taxes ("Municipal Bonds")
                                 with a maturity of more than ten years. The
                                 weighted average maturity of the Fund's
                                 portfolio was 22.68 years as of September 30,
                                 1999. The average maturity of the Fund's
                                 portfolio securities, and therefore the
                                 Fund's portfolio as a whole, will vary based
                                 upon the assessment of Fund Asset Management,
                                 L.P. ("FAM"), the Fund's investment adviser,
                                 of economic and market conditions. See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds--Investment
                                 Objectives and Policies."

                                 New York Insured has outstanding Common Stock
                                 and two series of AMPS, designated Series A
                                 and Series B, which shall be referred to
                                 herein collectively as "New York Insured
                                 AMPS." As of September 30, 1999, New York
                                 Insured had net assets of $255,860,778.

Business of New York Insured     New York Insured II was incorporated under
II.............................  the laws of the State of Maryland on May 5,
                                 1992 and commenced operations on June 19,
                                 1992. New York Insured II is a non-
                                 diversified, leveraged, closed-end management
                                 investment company whose investment objective
                                 is to provide stockholders with current
                                 income exempt from Federal income taxes and
                                 New York State and New York City personal
                                 income taxes. New York Insured II seeks to
                                 achieve

                                       8
<PAGE>


                                 its investment objective by investing
                                 primarily in a portfolio of New York
                                 Municipal Bonds. Under normal circumstances,
                                 at least 80% of New York Insured II's total
                                 assets will be invested in municipal
                                 obligations with remaining maturities of one
                                 year or more that are covered by insurance
                                 guaranteeing the timely payment of principal
                                 at maturity and interest. The Fund intends to
                                 invest primarily in long-term New York
                                 Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds with a
                                 maturity of more than ten years. The weighted
                                 average maturity of the Fund's portfolio was
                                 22.47 years as of September 30, 1999. The
                                 average maturity of the Fund's portfolio
                                 securities, and therefore the Fund's
                                 portfolio as a whole, will vary based upon
                                 FAM's assessment of economic and market
                                 conditions. See "Comparison of the Funds--
                                 Investment Objectives and Policies."

                                 New York Insured II has outstanding Common
                                 Stock and four series of AMPS, designated
                                 Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D,
                                 which shall be referred to herein
                                 collectively as "New York Insured II AMPS."
                                 As of September 30, 1999, New York Insured II
                                 had net assets of $540,196,446.

Comparison of the Funds........
                                 Investment Objectives and Policies. The Funds
                                 have substantially similar investment
                                 objectives and policies. Both Funds seek to
                                 provide stockholders (including holders of
                                 AMPS) with current income exempt from Federal
                                 income tax and New York State and New York
                                 City personal income taxes and seek to
                                 maintain as much of their respective
                                 portfolios invested in New York Municipal
                                 Bonds as possible. Each Fund at all times
                                 will invest at least 65% of its total assets
                                 in New York Municipal Bonds and at least 80%
                                 of its total assets in New York Municipal
                                 Bonds and Municipal Bonds, except during
                                 interim periods pending investment of the net
                                 proceeds of public offerings of such Fund's
                                 securities and during temporary defensive
                                 periods. Each Fund is subject to the
                                 requirement that at least 80% of its assets
                                 be invested in New York Municipal Bonds with
                                 remaining maturities of one year or more that
                                 are covered by insurance guaranteeing the
                                 timely payment of principal at maturity and
                                 interest. See "Comparison of the Funds--
                                 Investment Objectives and Policies."

                                 Capital Stock. Each Fund has outstanding both
                                 Common Stock and AMPS. The Common Stock of
                                 each of the Funds is traded on the NYSE. As
                                 of September 30, 1999 (i) the net asset value
                                 per share of New York Insured Common Stock
                                 was $13.58 and the market price per share was
                                 $13.4375; and (ii) the net asset value per
                                 share of New York Insured II Common Stock was
                                 $13.73 and the market price per share was
                                 $13.00. The AMPS of each Fund have a
                                 liquidation preference of $25,000 per share
                                 and are sold principally at auction. See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds--Capital Stock."

                                 Auctions generally have been held and will be
                                 held every seven days in the case of the New
                                 York Insured AMPS, Series B and the New York
                                 Insured II AMPS, Series A and B and every 28

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                 days in the case of the New York Insured
                                 AMPS, Series A and the New York Insured II
                                 AMPS, Series C and D, unless the applicable
                                 Fund elects, subject to certain limitations
                                 to have a special dividend period. In
                                 connection with the Reorganization, it is
                                 anticipated that a holder of AMPS of New York
                                 Insured II may receive New York Insured AMPS
                                 with a dividend payment date and an auction
                                 date that fall on a day of the week that is
                                 different from the schedule of the AMPS of
                                 New York Insured II that he or she holds. See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds--Capital Stock." The
                                 following table provides information about
                                 the dividend rates for each series of AMPS of
                                 each of the Funds as of a recent auction.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Dividend
                    Auction Date                    Fund         Series   Rate
                    ------------                    ----         ------ --------
                    <S>                      <C>                 <C>    <C>
                    October 25, 1999........ New York Insured       A    3.01%
                    October 25, 1999........ New York Insured       B    3.50%
                    October 22, 1999........ New York Insured II    A    3.40%
                    October 26, 1999........ New York Insured II    B    3.45%
                    November 3, 1999........ New York Insured II    C    3.70%
                    October 26, 1999........ New York Insured II    D    2.99%
</TABLE>

                                 Advisory Fees. The investment adviser for
                                 each of the Funds is Fund Asset Management,
                                 L.P. ("FAM"). The principal business address
                                 of FAM is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro,
                                 New Jersey 08536. FAM was organized as an
                                 investment adviser in 1977 and offers
                                 investment advisory services to more than 50
                                 registered investment companies. Companies in
                                 the Asset Management Group of Merrill Lynch &
                                 Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") (which includes FAM)
                                 act as investment advisers for over 100
                                 registered investment companies and also
                                 offer portfolio management and portfolio
                                 analysis services to individuals and
                                 institutional accounts.

                                 FAM is responsible for the management of each
                                 Fund's investment portfolio and for providing
                                 administrative services to each Fund. Walter
                                 C. O'Connor serves as the portfolio manager
                                 for New York Insured; Roberto W. Roffo serves
                                 as the portfolio manager for New York Insured
                                 II. After the Reorganization, Mr. O'Connor
                                 will serve as portfolio manager of the
                                 combined fund.

                                 Pursuant to separate investment advisory
                                 agreements between each Fund and FAM, each
                                 Fund pays FAM a monthly fee at the annual
                                 rate of 0.50% of such Fund's average weekly
                                 net assets, including assets acquired from
                                 the sale of AMPS. Subsequent to the
                                 Reorganization, FAM will continue to receive
                                 compensation at the rate of 0.50% of the
                                 average weekly net assets, including assets
                                 acquired from the sale of AMPS, of the
                                 combined fund. See "Comparison of the Funds--
                                 Management of the Funds."

                                 Other Significant Fees. The Bank of New York
                                 is the custodian, transfer agent, dividend
                                 disbursing agent and registrar for the Common
                                 Stock of New York Insured, and receives a fee
                                 for such

                                      10
<PAGE>


                                 service. State Street Bank and Trust Company
                                 is the custodian, transfer agent, dividend
                                 disbursing agent and registrar for the Common
                                 Stock of New York Insured II. The Bank of New
                                 York is the transfer agent, dividend
                                 disbursing agent, registrar and auction agent
                                 for each Fund's AMPS. The principal business
                                 addresses are as follows: The Bank of New
                                 York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New
                                 York 10286 (for its custodial services) and
                                 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286
                                 (for its transfer agency and auction agency
                                 services); State Street Bank and Trust
                                 Company, One Heritage Drive, P2N North Quincy
                                 Massachusetts 02171 (for its custodial
                                 services), 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
                                 Massachusetts 02110 for its (transfer agency
                                 services). See "Comparison of the Funds--
                                 Management of the Funds."

                                 Overall Expense Ratio. As of June 30, 1999,
                                 the overall annualized operating expense
                                 ratio for New York Insured was 1.02%, based
                                 on net assets of approximately $182.2 million
                                 excluding AMPS, and 0.70%, based on net
                                 assets of approximately $267.2 million
                                 including AMPS; and the overall annualized
                                 operating expense ratio for New York Insured
                                 II was 0.95%, based on net assets of
                                 approximately $387.9 million excluding AMPS,
                                 and 0.66%, based on net assets of
                                 approximately $561.9 million including AMPS.
                                 If the Reorganization had taken place on June
                                 30, 1999, the overall operating expense ratio
                                 for pro forma New York Insured would have
                                 been 0.93%, based on net assets of
                                 approximately $570.1 million excluding AMPS,
                                 and 0.64%, based on net assets of
                                 approximately $829.1million including AMPS.

                                 Purchases and Sales of Common Stock and
                                 AMPS. Purchase and sale procedures for the
                                 Common Stock of both New York Insured and New
                                 York Insured II are identical, and investors
                                 typically purchase and sell shares of Common
                                 Stock of such Funds through a registered
                                 broker-dealer on the NYSE, thereby incurring
                                 a brokerage commission set by the broker-
                                 dealer. Alternatively, investors may purchase
                                 or sell shares of Common Stock of such Funds
                                 through privately negotiated transactions
                                 with existing stockholders.

                                 Purchase and sale procedures for the New York
                                 Insured AMPS and the New York Insured II AMPS
                                 also are identical. Such AMPS generally are
                                 purchased and sold at separate auctions
                                 conducted on a regular basis by The Bank of
                                 New York, as the auction agent for each
                                 Fund's AMPS (the "Auction Agent"). Unless
                                 otherwise permitted by the Funds, existing
                                 and potential holders of AMPS may only
                                 participate in auctions through their broker-
                                 dealers. Broker-dealers submit the orders of
                                 their respective customers who are existing
                                 and potential holders of AMPS to the Auction
                                 Agent. On or prior to each auction date for
                                 the AMPS (the business day next preceding the
                                 first day of each dividend period), each
                                 holder may submit orders to buy, sell or hold
                                 AMPS to its broker-dealer. Outside of these
                                 auctions, shares

                                      11
<PAGE>

                                 of AMPS may be purchased or sold through
                                 broker-dealers for the AMPS in a secondary
                                 trading market maintained by the broker-
                                 dealers. However, there can be no assurance
                                 that a secondary market will develop or if it
                                 does develop, that it will provide holders
                                 with a liquid trading market for the AMPS of
                                 either of the Funds.

                                 Ratings of AMPS. The New York Insured AMPS
                                 and the New York Insured II AMPS have each
                                 been assigned a rating of AAA from Standard &
                                 Poor's ("S&P") and "aaa" from Moody's
                                 Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds--Rating Agency
                                 Guidelines."

                                 Portfolio Insurance. Each of the Funds has a
                                 similar policy with respect to obtaining
                                 insurance for portfolio securities. Under
                                 normal circumstances, at least 80% of each
                                 Fund's assets will be invested in municipal
                                 obligations either (i) insured under an
                                 insurance policy purchased by the Fund or
                                 (ii) insured under an insurance policy
                                 obtained by the issuer thereof or any other
                                 party. See "Comparison of the Funds--
                                 Investment Objectives and Policies--Portfolio
                                 Insurance."

                                 Ratings of Municipal Obligations. New York
                                 Insured and New York Insured II will invest
                                 only in municipal obligations that at the
                                 time of purchase are considered investment
                                 grade.

                                 Portfolio Transactions. The portfolio
                                 transactions in which New York Insured and
                                 New York Insured II may engage are similar,
                                 as are the procedures for such transactions.
                                 See "Comparison of the Funds--Portfolio
                                 Transactions."

                                 Dividends and Distributions. The methods of
                                 dividend payment and distributions are
                                 similar for New York Insured and New York
                                 Insured II, both with respect to the Common
                                 Stock and the AMPS of each Fund. See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds-- Dividends and
                                 Distributions."

                                 Net Asset Value. The net asset value per
                                 share of Common Stock of each Fund is
                                 determined after the close of business on the
                                 NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on
                                 the last business day of each week. For
                                 purposes of determining the net asset value
                                 of a share of Common Stock of each Fund, the
                                 value of the securities held by the Fund plus
                                 any cash or other assets (including interest
                                 accrued but not yet received) minus all
                                 liabilities (including accrued expenses) and
                                 the aggregate liquidation value of the
                                 outstanding shares of AMPS of the Fund is
                                 divided by the total number of shares of
                                 Common Stock of the Fund outstanding at such
                                 time. Expenses, including fees payable to
                                 FAM, are accrued daily. See "Comparison of
                                 the Funds--Net Asset Value."

                                 Voting Rights. The corresponding voting
                                 rights of the holders of shares of New York
                                 Insured and New York Insured II Common Stock
                                 are virtually identical. Similarly, the

                                      12
<PAGE>

                                 corresponding voting rights of the holders of
                                 shares of New York Insured AMPS and New York
                                 Insured II AMPS are virtually identical. See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds--Capital Stock."

                                 Stockholder Services. An automatic dividend
                                 reinvestment plan is available to holders of
                                 shares of each Fund's Common Stock. The plans
                                 are identical for the two Funds. See
                                 "Comparison of the Funds--Automatic Dividend
                                 Reinvestment Plan." Other stockholder
                                 services, including the provision of annual
                                 and semi-annual reports, are the same for the
                                 two Funds.

            Outstanding Securities of New York Insured and New York

                   Insured II as of September 30, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Amount Outstanding
                                              Amount Held By Exclusive of Amount
                                    Amount     Fund for its       Shown in
         Title of Class           Authorized   Own Account     Previous Column
         --------------           ----------- -------------- -------------------
<S>                               <C>         <C>            <C>
New York Insured
  Common Stock................... 199,996,000        0           12,585,427
  AMPS
    Series A.....................       1,700        0                1,700
    Series B.....................       1,700        0                1,700
New York Insured II
  Common Stock................... 199,993,040        0           26,668,886
  AMPS
    Series A.....................       2,800        0                2,800
    Series B.....................       1,960        0                1,960
    Series C.....................       1,000        0                1,000
    Series D.....................       1,200        0                1,200
</TABLE>

Tax Considerations.............  The Funds have jointly requested a private
                                 letter ruling from the IRS with respect to
                                 the Reorganization to the effect that, among
                                 other things, neither Fund will recognize
                                 gain or loss on the transaction and the
                                 stockholders of New York Insured II will not
                                 recognize gain or loss on the exchange of
                                 their shares for New York Insured Common
                                 Stock (except to the extent that a common
                                 stockholder of New York Insured II receives
                                 cash representing an interest in less than a
                                 full share of New York Insured Common Stock
                                 in the Reorganization) or New York Insured
                                 AMPS. The consummation of the Reorganization
                                 is subject to the receipt of such ruling or
                                 of an opinion of counsel to the same effect.
                                 The Reorganization will not affect the status
                                 of New York Insured as a regulated investment
                                 company (a "RIC") under the Internal Revenue
                                 Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). New
                                 York Insured II will liquidate pursuant to
                                 the Reorganization. See "Agreement and Plan
                                 of Reorganization--Tax Consequences of the
                                 Reorganization."

                                      13
<PAGE>

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  Since both Funds invest primarily in a portfolio of New York Municipal
Bonds, any risks inherent in such investments apply equally to both Funds and
will also be similarly pertinent to the combined fund after the
Reorganization. It is expected that the Reorganization itself will not
adversely affect the rights of holders of shares of Common Stock or of any
series of AMPS of either Fund or create additional risks.

New York Municipal Bonds

  New York Insured and New York Insured II invest a substantial portion of
their assets in New York Municipal Bonds. As a result, each Fund is more
exposed to risks affecting issuers of New York Municipal Bonds than is a
municipal bond fund that invests more widely. See "Comparison of the Funds--
Special Considerations Relating to New York Municipal Bonds" and Exhibit III--
"Economic and Other Conditions in New York."

Interest Rate and Credit Risk

  Each Fund invests in municipal bonds, which are subject to interest rate and
credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of municipal bonds
generally increase when interest rates decline and decrease when interest
rates increase. Prices of longer-term securities generally change more in
response to interest rate changes than prices of shorter-term securities.
Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will be unable to pay the interest or
principal when due. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial
condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

Non-diversification

  Each Fund is registered as a "non-diversified" investment company. This
means that each Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single
issuer than a diversified investment company. Since a Fund may invest a
relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, the
Fund may be more exposed to the effects of any single economic, political or
regulatory occurrence than a more widely-diversified fund. Even as non-
diversified funds, each Fund must still meet the diversification requirements
of applicable Federal income tax laws.

Rating Categories

  The Funds invest primarily in municipal bonds that are rated investment
grade by S&P, Moody's or Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") or are considered by FAM
to be of comparable quality. Each Fund may also invest in unrated municipal
bonds that FAM believes are of comparable quality. Obligations rated in the
lowest investment grade category may have certain speculative characteristics.

Private Activity Bonds

  Each Fund may invest all or a portion of its assets in certain tax-exempt
securities classified as "private activity bonds." These bonds may subject
certain investors in a Fund to a Federal alternative minimum tax.

Portfolio Insurance

  Each of the Funds is subject to certain investment restrictions imposed by
guidelines of the insurance companies that issue portfolio insurance. The
Funds do not believe these guidelines prevent FAM from managing the Funds'
portfolios in accordance with the Funds' investment objective and policies.

Leverage

  Use of leverage, through the issuance of AMPS, involves certain risks to
holders of Common Stock of each of the Funds. For example, each Fund's
issuance of AMPS may result in higher volatility of the net asset value of its
Common Stock and potentially more volatility in the market value of its Common
Stock. In addition,

                                      14
<PAGE>

changes in the short-term and medium-term dividend rates on, and the amount of
taxable income allocable to, the AMPS will affect the yield to holders of
Common Stock. Under certain circumstances, when a Fund is required to allocate
taxable income to holders of AMPS, the Fund may be required to make an
additional distribution to such holders in an amount approximately equal to
the tax liability resulting from the allocation (an "Additional
Distribution"). Leverage will allow holders of the Fund's Common Stock to
realize a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged as
long as each Fund, while accounting for its costs and operating expenses, is
able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-
current dividend rate (and any Additional Distribution) paid on the AMPS.
Similarly, since a pro rata portion of each Fund's net realized capital gains
is generally payable to holders of the Fund's Common Stock, the use of
leverage will increase the amount of such gains distributed to holders of the
Fund's Common Stock. However, short-term, medium-term and long-term interest
rates change from time to time as do their relationships to each other (i.e.,
the slope of the yield curve) depending upon such factors as supply and demand
forces, monetary and tax policies and investor expectations. Changes in any or
all of such factors could cause the relationship between short-term, medium-
term and long-term rates to change (i.e., to flatten or to invert the slope of
the yield curve) so that short-term and medium-term rates may substantially
increase relative to the long-term obligations in which each Fund may be
invested. To the extent that the current dividend rate (and any Additional
Distribution) on the AMPS approaches the net return on a Fund's investment
portfolio, the benefit of leverage to holders of Common Stock will be
decreased. If the current dividend rate (and any Additional Distribution) on
the AMPS were to exceed the net return on a Fund's portfolio, holders of
Common Stock would receive a lower rate of return than if the Fund were not
leveraged. Similarly, since both the costs of issuing AMPS and any decline in
the value of a Fund's investments (including investments purchased with the
proceeds from any AMPS offering) will be borne entirely by holders of the
Fund's Common Stock, the effect of leverage in a declining market would result
in a greater decrease in net asset value to holders of Common Stock than if
the Fund were not leveraged. If a Fund is liquidated, holders of that Fund's
AMPS will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions before any
distribution is made to holders of Common Stock of that Fund.

  In an extreme case, a decline in net asset value could affect each Fund's
ability to pay dividends on its Common Stock. Failure to make such dividend
payments could adversely affect the Fund's qualification as a RIC under the
Federal tax laws. See "Comparison of the Funds--Tax Rules Applicable to the
Funds and their Stockholders." However, each Fund intends to take all measures
necessary to make Common Stock dividend payments. If a Fund's current
investment income is ever insufficient to meet dividend payments on either the
Common Stock or the AMPS, the Fund may have to liquidate certain of its
investments. In addition, each Fund has the authority to redeem its AMPS for
any reason and may redeem all or part of its AMPS under the following
circumstances:

  .  if the Fund anticipates that its leveraged capital structure will result
     in a lower rate of return for any significant amount of time to holders
     of the Common Stock than the Fund can obtain if the Common Stock were
     not leveraged,

  .  if the asset coverage for the AMPS declines below 200%, either as a
     result of a decline in the value of the Fund's portfolio investments or
     as a result of the repurchase of Common Stock in tender offers, or

  .  in order to maintain the asset coverage established by the guidelines of
     the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs")
     that have rated the AMPS.

Redemption of the AMPS or insufficient investment income to make dividend
payments, may reduce the net asset value of the Common Stock and require the
Fund to liquidate a portion of its investments at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.

Portfolio Management

  The portfolio management strategies of both Funds are the same. In the event
of an increase in short-term or medium-term rates or other change in market
conditions to the point where a Fund's leverage could adversely affect holders
of Common Stock as noted above, or in anticipation of such changes, each Fund
may attempt to

                                      15
<PAGE>

shorten the average maturity of its investment portfolio, which would tend to
offset the negative impact of leverage on holders of its Common Stock. Each
Fund also may attempt to reduce the degree to which it is leveraged by
redeeming AMPS pursuant to the provisions of the Fund's Articles Supplementary
establishing the rights and preferences of the AMPS or otherwise purchasing
shares of AMPS. Purchases and sales or redemptions of AMPS, whether on the
open market or in negotiated transactions, are subject to limitations under
the Investment Company Act. If market conditions subsequently change, each
Fund may sell previously unissued shares of AMPS or shares of AMPS that the
Fund previously issued but later repurchased or redeemed.

Inverse Floating Obligations

  A Fund's investments in "inverse floating obligations" or "residual interest
bonds" provide investment leverage because their market value increases or
decreases in response to market changes at a greater rate than fixed rate,
long term tax exempt securities. The market values of such securities are more
volatile than the market values of fixed rate, tax exempt securities.

Options and Futures Transactions

  Each Fund may engage in certain options and futures transactions to reduce
its exposure to interest rate movements. If a Fund incorrectly forecasts
market values, interest rates or other factors, that Fund's performance could
suffer. Each Fund also may suffer a loss if the other party to the transaction
fails to meet its obligations. The Funds are not required to use hedging and
may choose not to do so.

Antitakeover Provisions

  The Articles of Incorporation of each of the Funds (in each case the
"Charter") include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities
or persons to acquire control of that Fund or to change the composition of its
Board of Directors. Such provisions could limit the ability of stockholders to
sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a
third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund.

Ratings Considerations

  The Funds have received ratings of their AMPS of AAA from S&P and "aaa" from
Moody's. In order to maintain these ratings, the Funds are required to
maintain portfolio holdings meeting specified guidelines of such rating
agencies. These guidelines may impose asset coverage requirements that are
more stringent than those imposed by the Investment Company Act.

  As described by Moody's and S&P, a preferred stock rating is an assessment
of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock
obligations. The ratings of the AMPS are not recommendations to purchase, hold
or sell shares of AMPS, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market
price or suitability for a particular investor, nor do the rating agency
guidelines address the likelihood that a holder of shares of AMPS will be able
to sell such shares in an auction. The ratings are based on current
information furnished to Moody's and S&P by the Funds and FAM and information
obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or
withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such
information. The Common Stock of the Funds has not been rated by a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization.

  The Board of Directors of each of the Funds, without stockholder approval,
may amend, alter or repeal certain definitions or restrictions which have been
adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines, in the event the
Fund receives confirmation from the rating agencies that any such amendment,
alteration or repeal would not impair the ratings then assigned to shares of
AMPS.

                                      16
<PAGE>

COMPARISON OF THE FUNDS
Financial Highlights
 New York Insured
  The financial information in the table below, except for the six month
period ended April 30, 1999, which is unaudited and has been provided by FAM,
has been audited in conjunction with the annual audits of the financial
statements of the Fund by Deloitte & Touche LLP ("D&T"), independent auditors.
The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information
provided in the financial statements of the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   For the
                           For the                                                                  Period
                          Six Months                                                               Feb. 28,
                            Ended                For the Year Ended October 31,                    1992+ to
                          April 30,   -----------------------------------------------------------  Oct. 31,
                             1999       1998      1997      1996      1995      1994       1993      1992
                          ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
<S>                       <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Increase (Decrease) in
 Net Asset Value:
Per Share Operating
 Performance:
Net asset value,
 beginning of period....   $  16.26   $  15.89  $  15.49  $  15.64  $  14.17  $  16.85   $  14.45  $  14.18
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Investment income--net..        .51       1.12      1.15      1.15      1.19      1.20       1.23       .75
Realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on
 investments--net.......       (.15)       .61       .48      (.03)     1.58     (2.67)      2.34       .36
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Total from investment
 operations.............        .36       1.73      1.63      1.12      2.77     (1.47)      3.57      1.11
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Less dividends and
 distributions to Common
 Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net..       (.46)      (.90)     (.91)     (.91)     (.92)     (.97)      (.99)     (.55)
Realized gain on
 investments--net.......       (.65)      (.19)     (.07)      --       (.10)     (.05)       --        --
In excess of realized
 gain of investments--
 net....................        --         --        --       (.10)      --        --         --        --
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Total dividends and
 distributions to Common
 Stock shareholders.....      (1.11)     (1.09)     (.98)    (1.01)    (1.02)    (1.02)      (.99)     (.55)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Capital charge resulting
 from the issuance of
 Common Stock...........        --         --        --        --        --        --         --       (.02)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Effect of Preferred
 Stock activity++:
 Dividends and
  distributions to
  Preferred Stock
  shareholders:
 Investment income--net.       (.04)      (.19)     (.23)     (.23)     (.26)     (.18)      (.18)     (.12)
 Realized gain on
  investments--net......       (.10)      (.08)     (.02)      --       (.02)     (.01)       --        --
 In excess of realized
  gain on investments--
  net...................        --         --        --       (.03)      --        --         --        --
Capital charge resulting
 from the issuance of
 Preferred Stock........        --         --        --        --        --        --         --       (.15)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Total effect of
 Preferred Stock
 activity...............       (.14)      (.27)     (.25)     (.26)     (.28)     (.19)      (.18)     (.27)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------
Net asset value, end of
 period.................   $  15.37   $  16.26  $  15.89  $  15.49  $  15.64  $  14.17   $  16.85  $  14.45
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Market price per share,
 end of period..........   $15.9375   $16.3125  $ 15.875  $ 14.875  $ 14.375  $  12.25   $  16.50  $  14.75
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Total Investment
 Return:**
Based on market price
 per share..............       4.77%#     9.99%    13.79%    10.79%    26.40%   (20.49%)    19.04%     2.05%#
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Based on net asset value
 per share..............       1.36%#     9.53%     9.37%     6.04%    18.89%    (9.94%)    24.09%     5.76%#
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Ratios to Average Net
 Assets:***
Expenses, net of
 reimbursement..........        .69%*      .68%      .70%      .70%      .71%      .70%       .69%      .54%*
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Expenses................        .69%*      .68%      .70%      .70%      .71%      .70%       .69%      .71%*
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Investment income--net..       4.65%*     4.91%     5.09%     5.11%     5.42%     5.28%      5.36%     5.56%*
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, net of
 Preferred Stock, end of
 period (in thousands)..   $193,011   $199,582  $192,107  $186,611  $188,354  $170,670   $202,998  $171,587
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Preferred Stock
 outstanding, end of
 period (in thousands)..   $ 85,000   $ 85,000  $ 85,000  $ 85,000  $ 85,000  $ 85,000   $ 85,000  $ 85,000
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Portfolio turnover......      43.75%     89.76%    81.73%    80.59%    88.17%    41.26%      1.63%    18.10%
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Leverage:
Asset coverage per
 $1,000.................   $  3,271   $  3,348  $  3,260  $  3,195  $  3,216  $  3,008   $  3,388  $  3,019
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Dividends Per Share on
 Preferred Stock
 Outstanding+++:........
Series A--Investment
 income--net............   $    160   $    695  $    826  $    819  $    935  $    673   $    638       442
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
Series B--Investment
 income--net............   $    171   $    689  $    837  $    807  $    904  $    593   $    651       426
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========   ========  ========
</TABLE>
                                                  (footnotes on following page)

                                      17
<PAGE>

- --------
  * Annualized.

 ** Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly
    greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially
    different returns. Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales
    charges.
*** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders.

  # Aggregate total investment return.

  + Commencement of Operations.

 ++ The Fund's Preferred Stock was issued on September 16, 1992.

+++ Dividends per share have been adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock
    split that occurred on December 1, 1994.

                                      18
<PAGE>

 New York Insured II

  The financial information in the table below, except for the six month
period ended April 30, 1999, which is unaudited and has been provided by FAM,
has been audited in conjunction with the annual audits of the financial
statements of the Fund by Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y"), independent auditors for
each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 1998 and by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, for each of the years in the four year
period ended October 31, 1996 and for the period June 26, 1992 (commencement
of operations) to October 31, 1992. The following per share data and ratios
have been derived from information provided in the financial statements of the
Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      For the
                           For the                                                                    Period
                          Six Months                                                                 June 26,
                            Ended                For the Year Ended October 31,                      1992+ to
                          April 30,   ------------------------------------------------------------  October 31,
                             1999       1998      1997      1996      1995      1994        1993       1992
                          ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------  -----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>
Increase (Decrease) in
 Net Asset Value:
Per Share Operating
 Performance:
Net asset value,
 beginning of period....   $  15.82   $  15.18  $  14.53  $  14.63  $  13.13  $  15.89    $  13.43   $  14.18
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Investment income--net..        .51       1.05      1.08      1.04      1.07      1.07        1.11        .27
Realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on
 investments--net.......       (.25)       .66       .66      (.09)     1.50     (2.76)       2.46       (.66)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Total from investment
 operations.............        .26       1.71      1.74       .95      2.57     (1.69)       3.57       (.39)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Less dividends and
 distributions to Common
 Stock shareholders:
 Investment income--net.       (.42)      (.84)     (.84)     (.82)     (.84)     (.87)       (.91)      (.18)
 Realized gain on
  investments--net......       (.11)       -- +      --        --        --       (.01)        --         --
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Total dividends and
 distributions to Common
 Stock shareholders.....       (.53)      (.84)     (.84)     (.82)     (.84)     (.88)       (.91)      (.18)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Capital charge resulting
 from issuance of Common
 Stock..................        --        (.01)     (.02)      --        --        --          --        (.03)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Effect of Preferred
 Stock activity:++
 Dividends and
  distributions to
  Preferred Stock
  shareholders:
 Investment income--net.       (.08)      (.22)     (.23)     (.23)     (.23)     (.19)       (.20)      (.02)
 Realized gain on
  investments--net......       (.03)       -- +      --        --        --       (.00)##      --         --
Capital charge resulting
 from issuance of
 Preferred Stock........        --         --        --        --        --        --          --        (.13)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Total effect of
 Preferred Stock
 activity...............       (.11)      (.22)     (.23)     (.23)     (.23)     (.19)       (.20)      (.15)
                           --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------   --------
Net asset value, end of
 period.................   $  15.44   $  15.82  $  15.18  $  14.53  $  14.63  $  13.13    $  15.89   $  13.43
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Market price per share,
 end of period..........   $15.3125   $15.4375  $  14.25  $ 13.375  $  13.25  $  11.00    $  15.25   $  13.75
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Total Investment
 Return:**
Based on market price
 per share..............       2.63%#    14.60%    13.15%     7.28%    28.61%   (22.96%)     17.90%     (7.17%)#
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Based on net asset value
 per share..............        .98%#    10.24%    10.95%     5.55%    18.96%   (11.75%)     25.77%     (4.09%)#
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Ratios to Average Net
 Assets:***
Expenses, net of
 reimbersement..........        .65%*      .64%      .68%      .71%      .74%      .74%        .62%       .13%*
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Expenses................        .65%*      .64%      .68%      .71%      .74%      .74%        .70%       .68%*
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Investment income--net..       4.61%*     4.81%     5.04%     5.00%     5.27%     5.09%       5.25%      5.05%*
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, net of
 Preferred Stock, end of
 period (in thousands)..   $411,790   $420,658  $321,752  $161,472  $162,655  $145,977    $176,595   $146,633
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Preferred Stock
 outstanding, end of
 period (in thousands)..   $174,000   $174,000  $144,000  $ 70,000  $ 70,000  $ 70,000    $ 70,000   $ 70,000
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Portfolio turnover......      43.55%    136.43%   121.49%   118.28%   110.76%    36.79%       3.33%     19.40%
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Leverage:
Asset coverage per
 $1,000.................   $  3,367   $  3,418  $  3,234  $  3,307  $  3,324  $  3,085    $  3,523   $  3,095
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Dividends Per Share on
 Preferred Stock
 Outstanding+++:
Series A--Investment
 income--net............   $    313   $    849  $    865  $    913  $    910  $    759    $    809   $     92
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Series B--Investment
 income--net............   $    312   $    825  $    643  $    --   $    --   $    --     $    --    $    --
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Series C--Investment
 income--net............   $    335   $    785  $    667  $    --   $    --   $    --     $    --    $    --
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
Series D--Investment
 income--net............   $    296   $    628  $    --   $    --   $    --   $    --     $    --    $    --
                           ========   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========   ========
</TABLE>

                                                  (footnotes on following page)

                                      19
<PAGE>

- --------
  *  Annualized.

 **  Total investment returns based on market value, which can be
     significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in
     substantially different returns. Total investment returns exclude the
     effects of sales charges.
***  Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders.

  #  Aggregate total investment return.

 ##  Amount is less than $.01 per share.

  +  Commencement of Operations.

 ++  The Fund's Preferred Stock was issued on September 16, 1992 (Series A);
     January 27, 1997 (Series B and Series C) and February 9, 1998 (Series D).

+++  Dividends per share have been adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock
     split that occurred on December 1, 1994.

                                      20
<PAGE>

                       Per Share Data for Common Stock*
               Traded on the New York Stock Exchange (unaudited)

New York Insured

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Premium
                                                                (Discount) to
                                                                     Net
                                Market Price**  Net Asset Value  Asset Value
                                --------------- --------------- ---------------
        Quarter Ended*           High     Low    High     Low    High     Low
        --------------          ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
<S>                             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
January 31, 1997............... 14.875  14.625    15.45   15.22  (3.16)   (5.39)
April 30, 1997................. 14.875  14.125    15.16   14.93  (1.55)   (5.77)
July 31, 1997.................. 16.0625 15.375    16.07   15.55  (0.19)   (4.85)
October 31, 1997............... 16.625  15.5625   15.97   15.67   4.03    (0.71)
January 31, 1998............... 16.6875 16.125    16.24   15.96   2.54    (3.72)
April 30, 1998................. 16.0625 15.625    16.08   15.49   3.06    (5.53)
July 31, 1998.................. 15.875  15.1875   15.99   15.90   0.18    (3.54)
October 31, 1998............... 16.5625 16.0625   16.69   16.21   0.33    (2.05)
January 31, 1999............... 16.4375 16.00     15.66   15.45   7.32     2.29
April 30, 1999................. 16.125  15.75     15.49   15.37   5.31     2.09
July 31, 1999.................. 14.75   14.375    14.65   14.39   4.37    (0.48)
October 31, 1999............... 14.375  12.3125   14.37   12.73   1.58    (4.47)

New York Insured II

<CAPTION>
                                                                   Premium
                                                                (Discount) to
                                                                     Net
                                Market Price**  Net Asset Value  Asset Value
                                --------------- --------------- ---------------
        Quarter Ended*           High     Low    High     Low    High     Low
        --------------          ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
<S>                             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
January 31, 1997............... 13.00   12.625    14.60   14.31  (8.87)  (12.97)
April 30, 1997................. 13.625  13.00     14.32   14.07  (3.37)  (12.46)
July 31, 1997.................. 14.75   14.3125   15.28   14.72  (2.42)   (6.12)
October 31, 1997............... 15.25   14.1875   15.22   14.83   0.66    (6.13)
January 31, 1998............... 16.125  15.00     15.84   15.50  (1.62)   (6.11)
April 30, 1998................. 14.9375 14.25     15.61   14.98  (1.08)   (8.17)
July 31, 1998.................. 14.875  14.50     15.54   15.42  (1.47)   (5.91)
October 31, 1998............... 16.00   15.3125   16.27   15.77  (2.12)   (5.24)
January 31, 1999............... 15.75   15.25     15.83   15.52   1.22    (3.45)
April 30, 1999................. 15.4375 14.875    15.59   15.44  (0.83)   (4.22)
July 31, 1999.................. 13.9375 13.25     14.75   14.46  (2.79)   (7.23)
October 31, 1999............... 13.25   12.00     14.43   12.98  (5.15)   (9.63)
</TABLE>
- --------
 *Calculations are based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding at the end of
  each quarter.
**As reported in the consolidated transaction operating system.

  As indicated in the tables above, for the periods shown the Common Stock of
the Funds generally has traded at prices close to net asset value, with small
premiums or discounts to net asset value of generally less than 10% being
reflected in the market value of the shares from time to time. Although there
is no reason to believe that this pattern should be affected by the
Reorganization, it is not possible to predict whether shares of the surviving
fund will trade at a premium or discount to net asset value following the
Reorganization, or what the extent of any such premium or discount might be.

Investment Objective and Policies

  The structure, organization and investment policies of both Funds are
substantially similar, with the differences between the two Funds set forth
below. Each Fund seeks as a fundamental investment objective

                                      21
<PAGE>

current income exempt from Federal income tax and New York State and New York
City personal income taxes. The investment objective of each Fund is a
fundamental policy that may not be changed without a vote of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities.

  Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily
in a portfolio of New York Municipal Bonds. At all times, at least 65% of each
Fund's total assets will be invested in New York Municipal Bonds and at least
80% of each Fund's total assets will be invested in New York Municipal Bonds
and in other long-term municipal obligations exempt from Federal income tax
but not New York State and New York City personal income taxes ("Municipal
Bonds"), except during interim periods pending investment of the net proceeds
of public offerings of its securities and during temporary defensive periods.
At times, each Fund may seek to hedge its portfolio through the use of futures
and options transactions to reduce volatility in the net asset value of its
shares of Common Stock.

  Ordinarily, neither Fund intends to realize significant investment income
subject to Federal income tax and New York State and New York City personal
income taxes. To the extent FAM considers that suitable New York Municipal
Bonds are not available for investment, the Funds may purchase Municipal
Bonds. Each Fund may invest all or a portion of its assets in certain tax-
exempt securities classified as "private activity bonds" (in general, bonds
that benefit non-governmental entities) that may subject certain investors in
the Fund to a Federal alternative minimum tax.

  Each Fund also may invest in securities not issued by or on behalf of a
state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if the Fund
nevertheless believes such securities pay interest or distributions that are
exempt from Federal income taxation ("Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities").
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities may include securities issued by other
investment companies that invest in New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds, to the extent such investments are permitted by the Investment Company
Act. Other Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities could include trust
certificates or other instruments evidencing interests in one or more long-
term New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds. Certain Non-Municipal Tax-
Exempt Securities may be characterized as derivative instruments. For purposes
of a Fund's investment objective and policies, Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt
Securities that pay interest that is exempt from Federal income taxes and New
York State and New York City personal income taxes will be considered "New
York Municipal Bonds" and Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities that pay
interest that is exempt from Federal income taxes will be considered
"Municipal Bonds."

  The investment grade New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which
each Fund invests are those New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds that
are rated at the date of purchase in the four highest rating categories of
S&P, Moody's or Fitch or, if unrated, are considered to be of comparable
quality by FAM. In the case of long-term debt, the investment grade rating
categories are AAA through BBB for S&P and Fitch and Aaa through Baa for
Moody's. In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating
categories are SP-1 through SP-2 for S&P, MIG-1 through MIG-3 for Moody's and
F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. In the case of tax-exempt commercial paper, the
investment grade rating categories are A-1+ through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1
through Prime-2 for Moody's and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. Obligations ranked
in the lowest investment grade rating category (BBB, SP-3 and A-3 for S&P;
Baa, MIG-3 and Prime-3 for Moody's; and BBB and F-3 for Fitch), while
considered "investment grade," may have certain speculative characteristics.
There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within
the rating categories set forth above.

  In assessing the quality of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
with respect to the foregoing requirements, FAM takes into account the
portfolio insurance as well as the nature of any letters of credit or similar
credit enhancement to which particular New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds are entitled and the creditworthiness of the insurance company or
financial institution that provided such insurance or credit enhancements.
Consequently, if New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds are covered by
insurance policies issued by insurers whose claims-paying ability is rated AAA
by S&P or Fitch or Aaa by Moody's, FAM may consider such municipal obligations
to be equivalent to AAA- or Aaa- rated securities, as the case may

                                      22
<PAGE>

be, even though such New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds would
generally be assigned a lower rating if the rating were based primarily upon
the credit characteristics of the issuers without regard to the insurance
feature. The insured New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds must also
comply with the standards applied by the insurance carriers in determining
eligibility for portfolio insurance. See Exhibit IV--"Ratings of Municipal
Bonds and Commercial Paper" and Exhibit V--"Portfolio Insurance."

  Each of the Funds may invest in variable rate demand obligations ("VRDOs")
and VRDOs in the form of participation interests ("Participating VRDOs") in
variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution,
typically a commercial bank. The VRDOs in which each Fund may invest are tax-
exempt obligations, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer, that contain a
floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and a right of demand on
the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal
balance plus accrued interest on a short notice period not to exceed seven
days. Participating VRDOs provide each Fund with a specified undivided
interest (up to 100%) in the underlying obligation and the right to demand
payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on the
Participating VRDOs from the financial institution on a specified number of
days' notice, not to exceed seven days. There is, however, the possibility
that because of default or insolvency, the demand feature of VRDOs or
Participating VRDOs may not be honored. Each Fund has been advised by its
counsel that the Fund should be entitled to treat the income received on
Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations for Federal income
tax purposes.

  The average maturity of each Fund's portfolio securities varies based upon
FAM's assessment of economic and market conditions. The net asset value of the
shares of common stock of a closed-end investment company, such as each Fund,
which invests primarily in fixed-income securities, changes as the general
levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of
a fixed income portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest
rates rise, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to decline.
Prices of longer-term securities generally fluctuate more in response to
interest rate changes than do short-term or medium-term securities. These
changes in net asset value are likely to be greater in the case of a fund
having a leveraged capital structure, such as that used by the Funds. See
"Risk Factors and Special Considerations--Leverage."

  Each Fund intends to invest primarily in long-term New York Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds with a maturity of more than ten years. However, each Fund
may also invest in intermediate-term New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds with a maturity of between three years and ten years. Each Fund may also
invest in short-term tax-exempt securities, short-term U.S. Government
securities, repurchase agreements or cash. Such short-term securities or cash
will not exceed 20% of each Fund's total assets except during interim periods
pending investment of the net proceeds from public offerings of the Fund's
securities or in anticipation of the repurchase or redemption of the Fund's
securities and temporary periods when, in the opinion of FAM, prevailing
market or economic conditions warrant.

  Each Fund is classified as non-diversified within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by such Act
in the proportion of its total assets that it may invest in securities of a
single issuer. However, each Fund's investments are limited so as to qualify
the Fund for the special tax treatment afforded RICs under the Federal tax
laws. To qualify, among other requirements, each Fund limits its investments
so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not more than
25% of the market value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the
securities (other than U.S. Government securities) of a single issuer, and
(ii) with respect to 50% of the market value of its total assets, not more
than 5% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the
securities (other than U.S. Government securities) of a single issuer. A fund
that elects to be classified as "diversified" under the Investment Company Act
must satisfy the foregoing 5% requirement with respect to 75% of its total
assets. To the extent that any Fund assumes large positions in the securities
of a small number of issuers, the Fund's yield may fluctuate to a greater
extent than that of a diversified company as a result of changes in the
financial condition or in the market's assessment of the issuers.

                                      23
<PAGE>

Portfolio Insurance

  Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the assets of New York Insured
and New York Insured II will be invested in New York Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds either (i) insured under an insurance policy purchased by the
Fund, or (ii) insured under an insurance policy obtained by the issuer thereof
or any other party. The Funds will seek to limit their investments to
municipal obligations insured under insurance policies issued by insurance
carriers that have total admitted assets (unaudited) of at least $75,000,000
and capital and surplus (unaudited) of at least $50,000,000 and insurance
claims-paying ability ratings of AAA from S&P or Fitch, or Aaa from Moody's.
There can be no assurance that insurance from insurance carriers meeting these
criteria will be available. See Exhibit V to this Proxy Statement and
Prospectus for a brief description of insurance claims-paying ability ratings
of S&P, Moody's and Fitch. Currently, it is anticipated that a majority of the
insured New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the Fund's portfolio
will be insured by the following insurance companies which satisfy the
foregoing criteria: AMBAC Assurance Corporation, Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company, Financial Security Assurance and Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation. Each Fund also may purchase New York Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds covered by insurance issued by any other insurance company
that satisfies the foregoing criteria. A majority of insured New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held by each Fund will be insured under
policies obtained by parties other than the Fund.

  Each Fund may purchase, but has no obligation to purchase, separate
insurance policies (the "Policies") from insurance companies meeting the
criteria set forth above that guarantee payment of principal and interest on
specified eligible New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds purchased by
the Funds. A New York Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond will be eligible for
coverage if it meets certain requirements of the insurance company set forth
in a Policy. In the event interest or principal of an insured New York
Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond is not paid when due, the insurer will be
obligated under its Policy to make such payment not later than 30 days after
it has been notified by, and provided with documentation from, the Fund that
such nonpayment has occurred.

  The Policies will be effective only as to insured New York Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds beneficially owned by a Fund. In the event of a sale of
any New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held by a Fund, the issuer of
the relevant Policy will be liable only for those payments of interest and
principal that are then due and owing. The Policies will not guarantee the
market value of an insured New York Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond or the
value of the shares of a Fund.

  The insurer will not have the right to withdraw coverage on securities
insured by its Policies and held by a Fund so long as such securities remain
in the Fund's portfolio. In addition, the insurer may not cancel its Policies
for any reason except failure to pay premiums when due. The Board of Directors
of each Fund reserves the right to terminate any of the Policies if it
determines that the benefits to the Fund of having its portfolio insured under
such Policy are not justified by the expense involved.

  The premiums for the Policies are paid by the Fund and the yield on its
portfolio is reduced thereby. FAM estimates that the cost of the annual
premiums for the Policies of each Fund currently range from approximately .02
of 1% to .15 of 1% of the principal amount of the New York Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds covered by such Policies. The estimate is based on the
expected composition of each Fund's portfolio of New York Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds. Additional information regarding the Policies is set forth in
Exhibit V to this Proxy Statement and Prospectus. In instances in which a Fund
purchases New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds insured under policies
obtained by parties other than the Fund, the Fund does not pay the premiums
for such policies; rather, the cost of such policies may be reflected in the
purchase price of the New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.

  It is the intention of FAM to retain any insured securities that are in
default or in significant risk of default and to place a value on the
insurance, which ordinarily will be the difference between the market value of
the defaulted security and the market value of similar securities which are
not in default. In certain circumstances, however, FAM may determine that an
alternate value for the insurance, such as the difference between the

                                      24
<PAGE>


market value of the defaulted security and its par value, is more appropriate.
FAM's ability to manage the portfolio of a Fund may be limited to the extent
it holds defaulted securities, which may limit its ability in certain
circumstances to purchase other New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
See "Net Asset Value" below for a more complete description of each Fund's
method of valuing securities for which market quotations are not readily
available.

  There can be no assurance that insurance with the terms and issued by
insurance carriers meeting the criteria described above will continue to be
available to each Fund. In the event the Board of Directors of a Fund
determines that such insurance is unavailable or that the cost of such
insurance outweighs the benefits to the Fund, the Fund may modify the criteria
for insurance carriers or the terms of the insurance, or may discontinue its
policy of maintaining insurance for all or any of the New York Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds held in the Fund's portfolio. Although FAM periodically
reviews the financial condition of each insurer, there can be no assurance
that the insurers will be able to honor their obligations under all
circumstances.

  The portfolio insurance reduces financial or credit risk (i.e., the
possibility that the owners of the insured New York Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds will not receive timely scheduled payments of principal or
interest). However, the insured New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds
are subject to market risk (i.e., fluctuations in market value as a result of
changes in prevailing interest rates).

Description of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds

  New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued
to obtain funds for various public purposes, including construction of a wide
range of public facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations and obtaining
funds for general operating expenses and loans to other public institutions
and facilities. In addition, certain types of private activity bonds ("PABs")
are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately
operated facilities, including, among other things, airports, public ports,
mass commuting facilities, multi-family housing projects as well as facilities
for water supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal. For
purposes of this Proxy Statement and Prospectus, such obligations are
Municipal Bonds if the interest paid thereon is exempt from Federal income tax
and are New York Municipal Bonds if the interest thereon is exempt from
Federal income tax and from New York State and New York City personal income
tax, even though such bonds may be industrial development bonds or PABs as
discussed below. Also, for purposes of this Proxy Statement and Prospectus,
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities as discussed above will be considered New
York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds.

  The two principal classifications of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds are "general obligation" bonds and "revenue" bonds, which latter
category includes PABs and, for bonds issued on or before August 15, 1986,
industrial development bonds or "IDBs". General obligation bonds are typically
secured by the issuer's pledge of faith, credit and taxing power for the
repayment of principal and the payment of interest. Revenue or special
obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular
facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a
special excise tax or other specific revenue source such as from the user of
the facility being financed. PABs are in most cases revenue bonds and do not
generally constitute the pledge of the credit or taxing power of the issuer of
such bonds. The repayment of principal and the payment of interest on such
industrial development bonds depends solely on the ability of the user of the
facility financed by the bonds to meet its financial obligations and the
pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such
payment. New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds may also include "moral
obligation" bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public
authorities. If an issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its
obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a moral commitment but not a
legal obligation of the state or municipality in question.

  Each Fund may purchase New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
classified as PABs or IDBs. Interest received on certain PABs is treated as an
item of "tax preference" for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax
and may impact the overall tax liability of certain investors in the Fund.
There is no limitation on

                                      25
<PAGE>


the percentage of a Fund's assets that may be invested in New York Municipal
Bonds and Municipal Bonds the interest on which is treated as an item of "tax
preference" for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. See
"Comparison of Funds--Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their
Stockholders."

  Also included within the general category of New York Municipal Bonds and/or
Municipal Bonds are certificates of participation ("COPs") executed and
delivered for the benefit of government authorities or entities to finance the
acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities. COPs
represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract or a
conditional sales contract (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lease
obligations") relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Although lease
obligations typically do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for
which the issuer's unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation
frequently is backed by the issuer's covenant to budget for, appropriate and
make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease
obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the issuer
has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future
years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis.
Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations are secured by the lease
property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove
difficult.

  Federal tax legislation has limited and may continue to limit the types and
volume of such bonds the interest on which is excludable from income for
Federal income tax purposes. Such legislation may affect the availability of
New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds for investment by the Fund.

Special Considerations Relating to New York Municipal Bonds

  Each Fund ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its total assets in New
York Municipal Bonds and, therefore, it is more susceptible to factors
adversely affecting issuers of New York Municipal Bonds than is a municipal
bond fund that is not concentrated in issuers of New York Municipal Bonds to
this degree. Because each Fund's portfolio will comprise investment grade
securities, each Fund is expected to be insulated from the market and credit
risks that may exist in connection with investments in non-investment grade
New York Municipal Bonds. There is no assurance that a particular rating will
continue for any given period of time or that such rating will not be revised
downward or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of the agency originally
establishing the rating, circumstances so warrant. The value of New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds generally may be affected by uncertainties
in the municipal markets as a result of legislation or litigation changing the
taxation of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds or the rights of New
York Municipal Bond and Municipal Bond holders in the event of a bankruptcy.
Municipal bankruptcies are rare, and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code governing such bankruptcies are unclear. Further, the application of
state law to Municipal Bond issuers could produce varying results among the
states or among Municipal Bond issuers within a state. These uncertainties
could have a significant impact on the prices of the New York Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds in which the Funds invest. FAM does not believe that
current economic conditions in New York or other factors described above will
have a significant adverse effect on the Fund's ability to invest in high
quality New York Municipal Bonds. As of October 26, 1999, Moody's, S&P and
Fitch rated New York City's general obligation bonds A3, A-, and A,
respectively. As of June 15, 1999, Moody's and S&P rated New York State's
outstanding general obligation bonds A2 and A, respectively. See Exhibit III--
"Economic and Other Conditions in New York," and Exhibit IV--"Ratings of
Municipal Bonds."

Other Investment Policies

  The Funds have adopted certain other policies as set forth below:

    Borrowings. Each Fund is authorized to borrow amounts of up to 5% of the
  value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings; provided,
  however, that each Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in amounts of up to
  33 1/3% of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings to
  finance the repurchase of its own common stock pursuant to tender offers or
  otherwise to redeem or repurchase shares of preferred stock or for
  temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes. Borrowings by each Fund

                                      26
<PAGE>

  (commonly known, as with the issuance of preferred stock, as "leveraging")
  create an opportunity for greater total return since the Fund will not be
  required to sell portfolio securities to repurchase or redeem shares but,
  at the same time, increase exposure to capital risk. In addition, borrowed
  funds are subject to interest costs that may offset or exceed the return
  earned on the borrowed funds.

    When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions. Each Fund may
  purchase or sell New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds on a delayed
  delivery basis or on a when-issued basis at fixed purchase or sale terms.
  These transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by a Fund
  with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The purchase will be
  recorded on the date that the Fund enters into the commitment, and the
  value of the obligation thereafter will be reflected in the calculation of
  the Fund's net asset value. The value of the obligation on the delivery day
  may be more or less than its purchase price. A separate account of the Fund
  will be established with its custodian consisting of cash, cash equivalents
  or liquid securities having a market value at all times at least equal to
  the amount of the commitment.

    Indexed and Inverse Floating Obligations. Each Fund may invest in New
  York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds yielding a return based on a
  particular index of value or interest rates. For example, each Fund may
  invest in New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds that pay interest
  based on an index of Municipal Bond interest rates. The principal amount
  payable upon maturity of certain New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
  Bonds also may be based on the value of an index. To the extent a Fund
  invests in these types of Municipal Bonds, the Fund's return on such New
  York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds will be subject to risk with
  respect to the value of the particular index. Also, a Fund may invest in
  so-called "inverse floating obligations" or "residual interest bonds" on
  which the interest rates typically vary inversely with a short-term
  floating rate (which may be reset periodically by a dutch auction, a
  remarketing agent, or by reference to a short-term tax-exempt interest rate
  index). Each Fund may purchase synthetically-created inverse floating
  obligations evidenced by custodial or trust receipts. Generally, income on
  inverse floating bonds will decrease when short-term rates increase, and
  will increase when short-term rates decrease. Such securities have the
  effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may
  increase or decrease in value in response to changes, as an illustration,
  in market interest rates at a rate that is a multiple (typically two) of
  the rate at which fixed-rate, long-term, tax-exempt securities increase or
  decrease in response to such changes. As a result, the market values of
  such securities generally will be more volatile than the market values of
  fixed-rate tax-exempt securities. To seek to limit the volatility of these
  securities, a Fund may purchase inverse floating obligations with shorter-
  term maturities or limitations on the extent to which the interest rate may
  vary. FAM believes that indexed and inverse floating obligations represent
  a flexible portfolio management instrument for the Funds that allows FAM to
  vary the degree of investment leverage relatively efficiently under
  different market conditions.

    Call Rights. Each of the Funds may purchase a New York Municipal Bond or
  Municipal Bond issuer's rights to call all or a portion of such New York
  Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond for mandatory tender for purchase (a "Call
  Right"). A holder of a Call Right may exercise such right to require a
  mandatory tender for the purchase of related New York Municipal Bonds or
  Municipal Bonds, subject to certain conditions. A Call Right that is not
  exercised prior to the maturity of the related New York Municipal Bond or
  Municipal Bond will expire without value. The economic effect of holding
  both the Call Right and the related New York Municipal Bond or Municipal
  Bond is identical to holding a New York Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond as
  a non-callable security.

    Repurchase Agreements. The Funds may invest in securities pursuant to
  repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with
  a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer in U.S.
  Government securities or an affiliate thereof. Under such agreements, the
  seller agrees, upon entering into the contract, to repurchase the security
  at a mutually agreed-upon time and price, thereby determining the yield
  during the term of the agreement. The Funds may not invest in repurchase
  agreements maturing in more than seven days if such investments, together
  with all other illiquid

                                      27
<PAGE>

  investments, would exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets. In the event of
  default by the seller under a repurchase agreement, the Funds may suffer
  time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection with the
  disposition of the underlying securities.

  In general, for Federal income tax and New York State and New York City
personal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as
collateralized loans secured by the securities "sold." Therefore, amounts
earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt interest.

Information Regarding Options and Futures Transactions

  Each Fund may hedge all or a portion of its portfolio investments against
fluctuations in interest rates through the use of options and certain
financial futures contracts and options thereon. While each Fund's use of
hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value
of the common stock, the net asset value of the common stock will fluctuate.
There can be no assurance that a Fund's hedging transactions will be
effective. In addition, because of the leveraged nature of the Common Stock,
hedging transactions will result in a larger impact on the net asset value of
the Common Stock than would be the case if the Common Stock were not
leveraged. Furthermore, a Fund may only engage in hedging activities from time
to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when
movements in interest rates occur. Neither Fund has an obligation to enter
into hedging transactions and each may choose not to do so.

  Certain Federal income tax requirements may limit a Fund's ability to engage
in hedging transactions. Gains from transactions in options and futures
contracts distributed to stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income or,
in certain circumstances, as long-term capital gains to stockholders. See
"Comparison of the Funds--Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their
Stockholders--Tax Treatment of Options and Futures Transactions." In addition,
in order to obtain ratings of the AMPS from one or more NRSROs, a Fund may be
required to limit its use of hedging techniques in accordance with the
specified guidelines of such rating organizations. See "Rating Agency
Guidelines" below.

  The following is a description of the options and futures transactions in
which each Fund may engage, limitations on the Fund's use of such transactions
and risks associated with these transactions. The investment policies with
respect to the hedging transactions of a Fund are not fundamental policies and
may be modified by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of
the Fund's stockholders.

  Writing Covered Call Options. Each Fund is authorized to write (i.e., sell)
covered call options with respect to New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds it owns, thereby giving the holder of the option the right to buy the
underlying security covered by the option from the Fund at the stated exercise
price until the option expires. Each Fund writes only covered call options,
which means that so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call
option, it will own the underlying securities subject to the option. The Fund
may not write covered call options on underlying securities in an amount
exceeding 15% of the market value of its total assets.

  Each Fund receives a premium from writing a call option, which increases the
Fund's return on the underlying security in the event the option expires
unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, a Fund limits its
opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying
security above the exercise price of the option for as long as the Fund's
obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options serve as a partial
hedge against a decline in the price of the underlying security. Each Fund may
engage in closing transactions in order to terminate outstanding options that
it has written.

  Purchase of Options. Each Fund may purchase put options in connection with
its hedging activities. By buying a put, the Fund has a right to sell the
underlying security at the exercise price, thus limiting its risk of loss
through a decline in the market value of the security until the put expires.
The amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying security will be
partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and any
related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put option may be sold
in a closing sale transaction; profit or loss from the sale will depend on
whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for the put
option plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale transaction cancels
out the Fund's position as the purchaser of an option by means of an
offsetting sale of an identical option prior to the

                                      28
<PAGE>

expiration of the option it has purchased. In certain circumstances, the Fund
may purchase call options on securities held in its portfolio on which it has
written call options, or on securities which it intends to purchase. A Fund
will not purchase options on securities if, as a result of such purchase, the
aggregate cost of all outstanding options on securities held by the Fund would
exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets.

  Financial Futures Contracts and Options.  Each Fund is authorized to
purchase and sell certain financial futures contracts and options thereon
solely for the purposes of hedging its investments in New York Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds against declines in value and hedging against increases in
the cost of securities it intends to purchase. A financial futures contract
obligates the seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract
to take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract
or, in the case of index-based financial futures contracts, to make and accept
a cash settlement, at a specific future time for a specified price. A sale of
financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against a decline in the value
of portfolio securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or
in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the financial futures
contracts or options. A purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a
hedge against an increase in the cost of securities intended to be purchased,
because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase
in the value of the position in the financial futures contracts.

  The purchase or sale of a financial futures contract differs from the
purchase or sale of a security in that no price or premium is paid or
received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker
equal to approximately 5% of the contract amount must be deposited with the
broker. This amount is known as initial margin. Subsequent payments to and
from the broker, called variation margin, are made on a daily basis as the
price of the financial futures contract fluctuates making the long and short
positions in the financial futures contract more or less valuable.

  Each Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts based on The
Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, a price-weighted measure of the market value
of 40 large tax-exempt issues, and purchase and sell put and call options on
such financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging New York Municipal
Bonds and Municipal Bonds that the Fund holds or anticipates purchasing
against adverse changes in interest rates. Each Fund also may purchase and
sell financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and purchase
and sell put and call options on such financial futures contracts for such
hedging purposes. With respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there
are financial futures contracts based on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S.
Treasury notes, GNMA Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills.

  Subject to policies adopted by its Board of Directors, each Fund also may
engage in transactions in other financial futures contracts, such as financial
futures contracts on other municipal bond indices that may become available,
if FAM should determine that there is normally sufficient correlation between
the prices of such financial futures contracts and the New York Municipal
Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests to make such hedging
appropriate.

  Over-The-Counter Options. Each Fund may engage in options and futures
transactions on exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets ("OTC options").
In general, exchange-traded contracts are third-party contracts (i.e.,
performance of the parties' obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or
clearing corporation) with standardized strike prices and expiration dates.
OTC option transactions are two-party contracts with price and terms
negotiated by the buyer and seller.

  Restrictions on OTC Options. Each Fund will engage in transactions in OTC
options only with banks or dealers that have capital of at least $50 million
or whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least
$50 million. Certain OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written
by the Funds are considered to be illiquid. The illiquidity of such options or
assets may prevent a successful sale of such options or assets, result in a
delay of sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that otherwise might be
realized.

                                      29
<PAGE>

  Risk Factors in Financial Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Use of
futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements
in the price of financial futures contracts and movements in the price of the
security that is the subject of the hedge. If the price of the financial
futures contract moves more or less than the price of the security that is the
subject of the hedge, a Fund will experience a gain or loss that will not be
completely offset by movements in the price of such security. There is a risk
of imperfect correlation where the securities underlying financial futures
contracts have different maturities, ratings, geographic compositions or other
characteristics different from those of the security being hedged. In
addition, the correlation may be affected by additions to or deletions from
the index that serves as a basis for a financial futures contract. Finally, in
the case of financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and
options on such financial futures contracts, the anticipated correlation of
price movements between the U.S. Government securities underlying the futures
or options and New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds may be adversely
affected by economic, political, legislative or other developments which have
a disparate impact on the respective markets for such securities.

  Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the futures
trading activities described herein will not result in a Fund being deemed a
"commodity pool," as defined under such regulations, provided that the Fund
adheres to certain restrictions. In particular, the Fund may purchase and sell
financial futures contracts and options thereon (i) for bona fide hedging
purposes, without regard to the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to
margin and option premiums, and (ii) for non-hedging purposes, if, immediately
thereafter the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund's
existing futures positions and option premiums entered into for non-hedging
purposes do not exceed 5% of the market value of the liquidation value of the
Fund's portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on any such transactions. Margin deposits may consist of cash or
securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market.

  When a Fund purchases a financial futures contract, or writes a put option
or purchases a call option thereon, it will maintain an amount of cash, cash
equivalents (e.g., commercial paper and daily tender adjustable notes) or
liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian, so that
the amount so segregated plus the amount of initial and variation margin held
in the account of its broker equals the market value of the financial futures
contract, thereby ensuring that the use of such financial futures contract is
unleveraged.

  Although certain risks are involved in options and futures transactions, FAM
believes that, because each Fund will engage in options and futures
transactions only for hedging purposes, the options and futures portfolio
strategies of a Fund will not subject the Fund to the risks associated with
speculation in options and futures transactions.

  The volume of trading in the exchange markets with respect to New York
Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bond options may be limited, and it is impossible
to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in such options. In
addition, there can be no assurance that viable exchange markets will continue
to be available.

  Each Fund intends to enter into options and futures transactions, on an
exchange or in the over-the-counter market, only if there appears to be a
liquid secondary market for such options or futures. There can be no
assurance, however, that a liquid secondary market will exist at any specific
time. Thus, it may not be possible to close an option or futures transaction.
The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an
adverse impact on a Fund's ability to hedge effectively its portfolio. There
is also the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the
event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Fund has an open position in an
option or financial futures contract.

  The liquidity of a secondary market in a financial futures contract may be
adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits" established by
commodity exchanges that limit the amount of fluctuation in a financial
futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has
been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond
the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. Prices
have in the past reached or exceeded the daily limit on a number of
consecutive trading days.

                                      30
<PAGE>

  If it is not possible to close a financial futures position entered into by
a Fund, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of
variation margin in the event of adverse price movements. In such a situation,
if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to
meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.

  The successful use of these transactions also depends on the ability of FAM
to forecast correctly the direction and extent of interest rate movements
within a given time frame. To the extent these rates remain stable during the
period in which a financial futures contract is held by a Fund or move in a
direction opposite to that anticipated, the Fund may realize a loss on the
hedging transaction that is not fully or partially offset by an increase in
the value of portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund's total return for
such period may be less than if it had not engaged in the hedging transaction.
Furthermore, each Fund will only engage in hedging transactions from time to
time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging transactions when
movements in interest rates occur.

Investment Restrictions

  The Funds have identical investment restrictions. The following are
fundamental investment restrictions of each Fund and may not be changed
without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock and the outstanding shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock,
voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding shares of
AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting separately as a class. (For this
purpose and under the Investment Company Act, for the Common Stock and AMPS
voting together, as a single class "majority" means the lesser of (i) 67% of
the shares of each class of capital stock represented at a meeting at which
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock are
represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of
capital stock, but for the AMPS voting separately as a class "majority" means
more than 50% of the outstanding AMPS.) Neither Fund may:

    1. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.

    2. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
  connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization, or
  by purchase in the open market of securities of closed-end investment
  companies and only if immediately thereafter not more than 10% of the
  Fund's total assets would be invested in such securities.

    3. Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnerships,
  commodities or commodity contracts; provided, that the Fund may invest in
  securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by
  companies that invest in real estate or interests therein, and the Fund may
  purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon.

    4. Issue senior securities other than preferred stock or borrow amounts
  in excess of 5% of its total assets taken at market value; provided,
  however, that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in excess of 5% of
  the value of its total assets for the purpose of repurchasing shares of
  Common Stock or redeeming shares of preferred stock.

    5. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may
  be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
  Act") in selling portfolio securities.

    6. Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase New
  York Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds and other debt securities and enter
  into repurchase agreements in accordance with its investment objective,
  policies and limitations.

    7. Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
  such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
  and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of
  initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts
  and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on
  margin).

    8. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest
  in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may write,
  purchase and sell options and futures on New York Municipal

                                      31
<PAGE>

  Bonds, Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or
  otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities.

    9. Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the
  time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
  provided, that for purposes of this restriction, states, municipalities and
  their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.

For purposes of restriction (9), the exception for states, municipalities or
their political subdivisions applies only to tax-exempt securities issued by
such entities.

  Additional investment restrictions adopted by each Fund, which may be
changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval, provide that
neither Fund may:

    a. Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security
  for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may be
  necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction
  (3) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in
  financial futures contracts and options thereon.

    b. Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
  such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
  and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of
  initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts
  and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on
  margin).

    c. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest
  in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may write,
  purchase and sell options and futures on New York Municipal Bonds,
  Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or
  otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities and may purchase
  and sell Call Rights to require mandatory tender for the purchase of
  related New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.

  If a percentage restriction on the investment or use of assets set forth
above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in
percentages resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.

  For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, neither Fund will change
these additional investment restrictions unless it receives written
confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such transactions would not impair
the rating then assigned to the shares of AMPS by Moody's.

  FAM and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch")
are owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."). Because of
the affiliation of Merrill Lynch with FAM, each Fund is prohibited from
engaging in certain transactions involving Merrill Lynch except pursuant to an
exemptive order or otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the
Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Included
among such restricted transactions will be purchases from or sales to Merrill
Lynch of securities in transactions in which it acts as principal. An
exemptive order has been obtained that permits the Funds to effect principal
transactions with Merrill Lynch in high quality, short-term, tax-exempt
securities subject to conditions set forth in such order. The Funds may
consider in the future requesting an order permitting other principal
transactions with Merrill Lynch, but there can be no assurance that such
application will be made and, if made, that such order would be granted.

AMPS Rating Agency Guidelines

  Each Fund intends that, so long as shares of its AMPS are outstanding, the
composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by Moody's
and S&P in connection with the Fund's receipt of a rating for such shares on
or prior to their date of original issue of at least "aaa" from Moody's and
AAA from S&P. Moody's and S&P, which are nationally recognized statistical
rating organizations, issue ratings for various securities reflecting the
perceived creditworthiness of such securities. The guidelines for rating AMPS
have been developed by Moody's and S&P in connection with issuances of asset-
backed and similar securities, including debt obligations and variable rate
preferred stock, generally on a case-by-case basis through discussions with
the

                                      32
<PAGE>

issuers of these securities. The guidelines are designed to ensure that assets
underlying outstanding debt or preferred stock will be varied sufficiently and
will be of sufficient quality and amount to justify investment-grade ratings.
The guidelines do not have the force of law but have been adopted by each Fund
in order to satisfy current requirements necessary for Moody's and S&P to
issue the above-described ratings for shares of AMPS, which ratings generally
are relied upon by institutional investors in purchasing such securities. The
guidelines provide a set of tests for portfolio composition and asset coverage
that supplement (and in some cases are more restrictive than) the applicable
requirements under the Investment Company Act.

  Each Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to these
guidelines that hereafter may be established by Moody's or S&P. Failure to
adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the ratings
described above or a withdrawal of the ratings altogether. In addition, any
rating agency providing a rating for the shares of AMPS, at any time, may
change or withdraw any such rating. As set forth in the Articles Supplementary
of each Fund, the Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, may modify
certain definitions or restrictions that have been adopted by the Fund
pursuant to the rating agency guidelines, provided the Board of Directors has
obtained written confirmation from Moody's and S&P that any such change would
not impair the ratings then assigned by Moody's and S&P to the AMPS. See "The
Reorganization--Risk Factors and Special Considerations--Ratings
Considerations."

  For so long as any shares of a Fund's AMPS are rated by Moody's or S&P, as
the case may be, a Fund's use of options and financial futures contracts and
options thereon will be subject to certain limitations mandated by the rating
agencies.

Portfolio Composition

  There are small differences in concentration among the categories of issuers
of the New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held in the portfolios of
the Funds. For New York Insured, as of August 31, 1999, the highest
concentration of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds was in
Hospitals/Healthcare, Transportation and Education, accounting for 23%, 17%,
and 13% of the Fund's portfolio, respectively; and for New York Insured II,
the highest concentration was in Transportation, Education and
Hospitals/Healthcare, accounting for 21%, 19% and 16% of the Fund's portfolio,
respectively.

  Although the investment portfolios of both Funds must satisfy the same
standards of credit quality, the actual securities owned by each Fund are
different, as a result of which there are certain differences in the
composition of the two investment portfolios. The tables below set forth
ratings information for the New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held
by each Fund, as of a certain date.

 New York Insured

  As of August 31, 1999, approximately 95% of the market value of New York
Insured's portfolio was invested in long-term municipal obligations and
approximately 5% of the market value of New York Insured's portfolio was
invested in short-term municipal obligations. The following table sets forth
certain information with respect to the composition of New York Insured's
long-term municipal obligation investment portfolio as of August 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Number of               Value
      S&P*        Moody's*            Issues             (in thousands)           Percent
      ----        --------           ---------           --------------           -------
      <S>         <C>                <C>                 <C>                      <C>
      AAA           Aaa                  39                 $240,767                98.3%
      A             A                     1                    4,105                 1.7
                                        ---                 --------               -----
                                         40                 $244,872               100.0%
                                        ===                 ========               =====
</TABLE>
- --------

* Ratings: Using the higher of S&P's or Moody's rating on the Fund's municipal
  obligations, S&P's rating categories may be modified further by a plus (+)
  or minus (-) in AA, A and BBB ratings. Moody's rating categories may be
  modified further by a 1, 2 or 3 in Aa, A and Baa ratings. See Exhibit IV--
  "Ratings of Municipal Bonds."

                                      33
<PAGE>

 New York Insured II

  As of August 31, 1999 approximately 98% of the market value of New York
Insured II's portfolio was invested in long-term municipal obligations and
approximately 2% of the market value of New York Insured II's portfolio was
invested in short-term municipal obligations. The following table sets forth
certain information with respect to the composition of New York Insured II's
long-term municipal obligation investment portfolio as of August 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Number of               Value
      S&P*        Moody's*            Issues             (in thousands)           Percent
      ----        --------           ---------           --------------           -------
      <S>         <C>                <C>                 <C>                      <C>
      AAA           Aaa                 107                 $448,979                84.9%
      AA            Aa                    8                   39,027                 7.4
      A             A                     7                   26,832                 5.1
      BBB           Baa                   1                    4,499                 0.8
      NR            NR                    1                    9,776                 1.8
                                        ---                 --------               -----
                                        124                 $529,113               100.0%
                                        ===                 ========               =====
</TABLE>
- --------

* Ratings: Using the higher of S&P's or Moody's rating on the Fund's municipal
  obligations, S&P's rating categories may be modified further by a plus (+)
  or minus (-) in AA, A and BBB ratings. Moody's rating categories may be
  modified further by a 1, 2 or 3 in Aa, A and Baa ratings. See Exhibit IV--
  "Ratings of Municipal Bonds."

Portfolio Transactions

  The procedures for engaging in portfolio transactions are the same for both
New York Insured and New York Insured II. Subject to policies established by
the Board of Directors of each Fund, FAM is primarily responsible for the
execution of each Fund's portfolio transactions. In executing such
transactions, FAM seeks to obtain the best results for each Fund, taking into
account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission
or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and operational
facilities of the firm involved and the firm's risk in positioning a block of
securities. While FAM generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates,
New York Insured and New York Insured II do not necessarily pay the lowest
commission or spread available.

  Neither Fund has any obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the
execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to obtaining the
best price and execution, securities firms that provide supplemental
investment research to FAM, including Merrill Lynch, may receive orders for
transactions by a Fund. Information so received will be in addition to, and
not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by FAM under its
investment advisory agreements with the Funds, and the expenses of FAM will
not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental
information.

  Each Fund invests in securities that are primarily traded in the over-the-
counter markets, and each Fund normally deals directly with the dealers who
make markets in the securities involved, except in those circumstances where
better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Under the Investment
Company Act, except as permitted by exemptive order, persons affiliated with a
Fund are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principals in the purchase
and sale of securities. Since transactions in the over-the-counter markets
usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principals for their own
account, the Funds do not deal with affiliated persons, including Merrill
Lynch and its affiliates, in connection with such transactions, except that,
pursuant to an exemptive order obtained by FAM, a Fund may engage in principal
transactions with Merrill Lynch in high quality, short-term, tax-exempt
securities. An affiliated person of a Fund may serve as its broker in over-
the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis.

  New York Insured and New York Insured II also may purchase tax-exempt debt
instruments in individually negotiated transactions with the issuers. Because
an active trading market may not exist for such securities, the prices that
the Funds may pay for these securities or receive on their resale may be lower
than that for similar securities with a more liquid market.

                                      34
<PAGE>

  The Board of Directors of each Fund has considered the possibility of
recapturing for the benefit of the Fund's brokerage commissions, dealer
spreads and other expenses of possible portfolio transactions, such as
underwriting commissions, by conducting portfolio transactions through
affiliated entities, including Merrill Lynch. For example, brokerage
commissions received by Merrill Lynch could be offset against the investment
advisory fees paid by the Fund to FAM. After considering all factors deemed
relevant, the Directors of each Fund made a determination not to seek such
recapture. The Directors will reconsider this matter from time to time.

  Periodic auctions are conducted for the New York Insured AMPS and New York
Insured II AMPS by the Auction Agent for the Funds. The auctions require the
participation of one or more broker-dealers, each of whom enters into an
agreement with the Auction Agent. After each auction, the Auction Agent pays a
service charge, from funds provided by the issuing Fund, to each broker-dealer
at the annual rate of .25%, calculated on the basis of the purchase price of
shares of the relevant AMPS placed by such broker-dealer at such auction.

Portfolio Turnover

  Generally, neither Fund purchases securities for short-term trading profits.
However, either Fund may dispose of securities without regard to the time that
they have been held when such action, for defensive or other reasons, appears
advisable to FAM. (The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the
lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular fiscal
year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by
a Fund during the particular fiscal year. For purposes of determining this
rate, all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one year
or less are excluded.) A high portfolio turnover rate results in greater
transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund, and also has certain
tax consequences for stockholders. The portfolio turnover rate for each of the
Funds for the periods indicated is set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Six Months ended
                                                     Year ended     4/30/99
                                                      10/31/98    (unaudited)
                                                     ---------- ----------------
      <S>                                            <C>        <C>
      New York Insured..............................    89.76%       43.75%
      New York Insured II...........................   136.43%       43.55%
</TABLE>

Net Asset Value

  The net asset value per share of Common Stock of each Fund is determined
after the close of business on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time)
on the last business day in each week. For purposes of determining the net
asset value of a share of Common Stock of each Fund, the value of the
securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest
accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued
expenses) and the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding shares of
AMPS is divided by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at
such time. Expenses, including the fees payable to FAM, are accrued daily.

  The New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which each Fund invests
are traded primarily in the over-the-counter markets. In determining net asset
value, each Fund uses the valuations of portfolio securities furnished by a
pricing service approved by its Board of Directors. The pricing service
typically values portfolio securities at the bid price or the yield equivalent
when quotations are readily available. New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds for which quotations are not readily available are valued at fair market
value on a consistent basis as determined by the pricing service using a
matrix system to determine valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of each Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund. The Board of Directors of
each Fund has determined in good faith that the use of a pricing service is a
fair method of determining the valuation of portfolio securities. Positions in
futures contracts are valued at closing prices for such contracts established
by the exchange on which they are traded, or if market quotations are not
readily available, are valued at fair value on a consistent basis using
methods determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of each Fund.

                                      35
<PAGE>

  Each Fund determines and makes available for publication the net asset value
of its Common Stock weekly. Currently, the net asset values of shares of
publicly traded closed-end investment companies investing in debt securities
are published in Barron's, the Monday edition of The Wall Street Journal, and
the Monday and Saturday editions of The New York Times.

Capital Stock

  New York Insured and New York Insured II have outstanding both Common Stock
and AMPS. New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured II Common Stock
are traded on the NYSE. The shares of New York Insured Common Stock commenced
trading on the NYSE on March 16, 1992. As of September 30, 1999, the net asset
value per share of New York Insured Common Stock was $13.58 and the market
price per share was $13.4375. The shares of New York Insured II Common Stock
commenced trading on the NYSE on July 20, 1992. As of September 30, 1999, the
net asset value per share of New York Insured II Common Stock was $13.73 and
the market price per share was $13.00.

  Each Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, all of
which shares initially were classified as Common Stock. The Board of Directors
of each Fund is authorized to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of
capital stock by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption. In connection with each
respective Fund's offering of shares of AMPS, New York Insured reclassified
3,400 shares of unissued capital stock as AMPS and New York Insured II
reclassified 6,960 shares of unissued capital stock as AMPS.

 Common Stock

  Holders of each Fund's Common Stock are entitled to share equally in
dividends declared by the Fund's Board of Directors payable to holders of the
Common Stock and in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to
holders of the Common Stock after payment of the preferential amounts payable
to holders of any outstanding preferred stock. See "Voting Rights" and
"Liquidation Rights of Holders of AMPS" below. Holders of a Fund's Common
Stock do not have preemptive or conversion rights and shares of a Fund's
Common Stock are not redeemable. The outstanding shares of Common Stock of
each Fund are fully paid and nonassessable.

  So long as any shares of a Fund's AMPS or any other preferred stock are
outstanding, holders of the Fund's Common Stock will not be entitled to
receive any dividends of or other distributions from the Fund unless all
accumulated dividends on outstanding shares of the Fund's AMPS and any other
preferred stock have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) with respect to such AMPS and any other preferred
stock would be at least 200% after giving effect to such distributions.

 Preferred Stock

  New York Insured AMPS are structured identically to New York Insured II
AMPS. The AMPS of both Funds have a similar structure. The AMPS of each Fund
are shares of preferred stock of the Fund that entitle their holders to
receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of
funds legally available therefor, at a rate per annum that may vary for the
successive dividend periods. New York Insured AMPS and New York Insured II
AMPS both have liquidation preferences of $25,000 per share; neither Fund's
AMPS are traded on any stock exchange or over-the-counter. Each Fund's AMPS
can be purchased at an auction or through broker-dealers who maintain a
secondary market in the AMPS.

  Auctions generally have been held and will be held every seven days for the
AMPS of each of the Funds, unless the applicable Fund elects, subject to
certain limitations, to declare a special dividend period. The following table
provides information about the dividend rates for each series of AMPS of each
of the Funds as of a recent auction.

                                      36
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Dividend
     Auction Date                                   Fund         Series   Rate
     ------------                            ------------------- ------ --------
     <S>                                     <C>                 <C>    <C>
     October 25, 1999....................... New York Insured       A    3.01%
     October 25, 1999....................... New York Insured       B    3.50%
     October 22, 1999....................... New York Insured II    A    3.40%
     October 26, 1999....................... New York Insured II    B    3.45%
     November 3, 1999....................... New York Insured II    C    3.70%
     October 26, 1999....................... New York Insured II    D    2.99%
</TABLE>

  Under the Investment Company Act, each Fund is permitted to have outstanding
more than one series of preferred stock as long as no single series has
priority over another series as to the distribution of assets of the Fund or
the payment of dividends. Holders of a Fund's preferred stock do not have
preemptive rights to purchase any shares of AMPS or any other preferred stock
that might be issued. The net asset value per share of a Fund's AMPS equals
its liquidation preference plus accumulated dividends per share.

 Redemption Provisions

  The redemption provisions pertaining to New York Insured AMPS are identical
to those pertaining to New York Insured II AMPS. It is anticipated that shares
of AMPS of each Fund will generally be redeemable at the option of the Fund at
a price equal to their liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid
dividends to the date of redemption plus, under certain circumstances, a
redemption premium. Shares of AMPS will also be subject to mandatory
redemption at a price equal to their liquidation preference plus accumulated
but unpaid dividends to the date of redemption upon the occurrence of certain
specified events, such as the failure of the Fund to maintain the asset
coverage for the AMPS specified by Moody's and S&P in connection with their
issuance of ratings on the AMPS.

 Certain Provisions of the Charter

  Each Fund's Charter includes provisions that could have the effect of
limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the
Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Directors and could have the
effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a
premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from
seeking to obtain control of the Fund. A Director may be removed from office
with or without cause by vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the votes
entitled to be voted on the matter. A Director elected by all of the holders
of capital stock may be removed only by action of such holders, and a Director
elected by the holders of AMPS and any other preferred stock may be removed
only by action of the holders of AMPS and any other preferred stock.

  In addition, the Charter of each Fund requires the favorable vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of all of the Fund's shares of capital stock, then
entitled to be voted, voting as a single class, to approve, adopt or authorize
the following:

  .a merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with any
     other corporation or entity,

  . a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund's assets (other than in
    the regular course of the Fund's investment activities), or

  .a liquidation or dissolution of the Fund,

unless such action has been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative
vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of Directors fixed in
accordance with the by-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of a majority
of all of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders of the Fund, voting as
a single class, is required. Such approval, adoption or authorization of the
foregoing also would require the favorable vote of at least a majority of the
Fund's shares of preferred stock then entitled to be voted thereon, including
the AMPS, voting as a separate class.

                                      37
<PAGE>

  In addition, conversion of a Fund to an open-end investment company would
require an amendment to the Fund's Charter. The amendment would have to be
declared advisable by the Board of Directors prior to its submission to
stockholders. Such an amendment would require the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Fund's outstanding shares of capital stock
(including the AMPS and any other preferred stock) entitled to be voted on the
matter, voting as a single class (or a majority of such shares if the
amendment was previously approved, adopted or authorized by at least two-
thirds of the total number of Directors fixed in accordance with the by-laws),
and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of outstanding shares of
preferred stock of a Fund (including the AMPS), voting as a separate class.
Such a vote also would satisfy a separate requirement in the Investment
Company Act that the change be approved by the stockholders. Stockholders of
an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares
of common stock at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by
or under the Investment Company Act) at their net asset value, less such
redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption.
All redemptions will be made in cash. If the Fund is converted to an open-end
investment company, it could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to
meet requests for redemption and the Common Stock no longer would be listed on
a stock exchange. Conversion to an open-end investment company would also
require redemption of all outstanding shares of preferred stock (including the
AMPS) and would require changes in certain of the Fund's investment policies
and restrictions, such as those relating to the issuance of senior securities,
the borrowing of money and the purchase of illiquid securities.

  The Board of Directors of each Fund has determined that the 66 2/3% voting
requirements described above, which are greater than the minimum requirements
under Maryland law or the Investment Company Act, are in the best interests of
stockholders generally. Reference should be made to the Charter of each Fund
on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.

Management of the Funds

  Directors and Officers. The Boards of Directors of New York Insured and New
York Insured II currently consist of the same seven persons, five of whom are
not "interested persons," as defined in the Investment Company Act, of any of
those Funds. Terry K. Glenn serves as a Director and President of both Funds,
and Arthur Zeikel serves as a Director of both Funds. The Directors of each
Fund are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund
and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment
companies by the Investment Company Act and under applicable Maryland law. New
York Insured and New York Insured II have substantially the same slate of
officers.

  Walter C. O'Connor serves as the portfolio manager for New York Insured.
Roberto W. Roffo serves as portfolio manager for New York Insured II. Mr.
O'Connor will serve as the portfolio manager of the combined fund after the
Reorganization. The portfolio managers are primarily responsible for the
management of each Fund's portfolio.

  Management and Advisory Arrangements. FAM, which is owned and controlled by
ML & Co., serves as the investment adviser for each of the Funds pursuant to
separate investment advisory agreements that, except for their termination
dates, are identical. FAM provides each Fund with the same investment advisory
and management services. The Asset Management Group of ML & Co. (which
includes FAM) acts as the investment adviser to more than 100 registered
investment companies and offers services to individuals and institutional
accounts. As of September 1999, the Asset Management Group had a total of
approximately $514 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets
under management (approximately $38.5 billion of which were invested in
municipal securities). This amount includes assets managed for certain
affiliates of FAM. FAM is a limited partnership, the partners of which are ML
& Co. and Princeton Services, Inc. FAM was organized as an investment adviser
in 1977 and offers investment advisory services to more than 50 registered
investment companies. The principal business address of FAM is 800 Scudders
Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.

  Each Fund's investment advisory agreement with FAM provides that, subject to
the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund, FAM is responsible for
the actual management of the Fund's portfolio. The

                                      38
<PAGE>

responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security
for each Fund rests with FAM, subject to review by the Board of Directors of
the Fund.

  FAM provides the portfolio management for each of the Funds. Such portfolio
management considers analyses from various sources (including brokerage firms
with which each Fund does business), makes the necessary investment decisions,
and places orders for transactions accordingly. FAM also is responsible for
the performance of certain administrative and management services for each
Fund.

  For the services provided by FAM under each Fund's investment advisory
agreement, each Fund pays a monthly fee at an annual rate of .50 of 1% of the
Fund's average weekly net assets (i.e., the average weekly value of the total
assets of the Fund, including assets acquired from the sale of preferred
stock, minus the sum of accrued liabilities of the Fund and accumulated
dividends on its shares of preferred stock). For purposes of this calculation,
average weekly net assets are determined at the end of each month on the basis
of the average net assets of the Fund for each week during the month. The
assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at
the last business day of a week with the net assets at the last business day
of the prior week.

  Each Fund's investment advisory agreement obligates FAM to provide
investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and furnish office
space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with investment and
economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, as well as
the compensation of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of
FAM or any of its affiliates. Each Fund pays all other expenses incurred in
the operation of the Fund, including, among other things, expenses for legal
and auditing services, taxes, costs of printing proxies, listing fees, stock
certificates and stockholder reports, charges of the custodian and the
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar, fees and expenses
with respect to the issuance of AMPS, SEC fees, fees and expenses of
unaffiliated Directors, accounting and pricing costs, insurance, interest,
brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses,
mailing and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. FAM provides
accounting services to each Fund, and each Fund reimburses FAM for its
respective costs in connection with such services.

  Unless earlier terminated as described below, the investment advisory
agreement between each Fund and FAM will continue from year to year if
approved annually (a) by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Fund's Common Stock and AMPS, voting together
as a single class, and (b) by a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are
not parties to such contract or "interested persons," as defined in the
Investment Company Act, of any such party. The contract is not assignable and
it may be terminated without penalty on 60 days' written notice at the option
of either party thereto or by the vote of the stockholders of the Fund.

  Securities held by a Fund may also be held by, or be appropriate investments
for, other funds or investment advisory clients for which FAM or its
affiliates act as an adviser. Because of different objectives or other
factors, a particular security may be bought for an advisory client when other
clients are selling the same security. If purchases or sales of securities by
FAM for a Fund or other funds for which it acts as investment adviser or for
advisory clients arise for consideration at or about the same time,
transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the
respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. Transactions
effected by FAM (or its affiliates) on behalf of more than one of its clients
during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased
or the supply of securities being sold, causing an adverse effect on price.

Code of Ethics

  The Board of Directors of each of the Funds has adopted a Code of Ethics
pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act that incorporates the
Code of Ethics of FAM (together, the "Codes"). The Codes significantly
restrict the personal investing activities of all employees of FAM and, as
described below, impose additional, more onerous, restrictions on Fund
investment personnel.

                                      39
<PAGE>

  The Codes require that all employees of FAM preclear any personal securities
investment (with limited exceptions, such as U.S. Government securities). The
preclearance requirement and associated procedures are designed to identify
any substantive prohibition or limitation applicable to the proposed
investment. The substantive restrictions applicable to all employees of FAM
include a ban on acquiring any securities in a "hot" initial public offering
and a prohibition from profiting on short-term trading securities. In
addition, no employee may purchase or sell any security that at the time is
being purchased or sold (as the case may be), or to the knowledge of the
employee is being considered for purchase or sale, by any fund advised by FAM.
Furthermore, the Codes provide for trading "blackout periods" that prohibit
trading by investment personnel of each of the Funds within periods of trading
by the Fund in the same (or equivalent) security (15 or 30 days depending upon
the transaction).

Voting Rights

  Voting rights are identical for the holders of shares of New York Insured
Common Stock and the holders of New York Insured II Common Stock. Holders of
each Fund's Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held and will
vote with the holders of any outstanding shares of the Fund's AMPS or other
preferred stock on each matter submitted to a vote of holders of Common Stock,
except as set forth below.

  Voting rights of the holders of each Fund's AMPS are identical. Except as
otherwise indicated below, and except as otherwise required by applicable law,
holders of shares of a Fund's AMPS will be entitled to one vote per share on
each matter submitted to a vote of the Fund's stockholders and will vote
together with the holders of shares of the Fund's Common Stock as a single
class.

  The shares of each Fund's Common Stock, AMPS and any other preferred stock
do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more
than 50% of the shares of a Fund's Common Stock, AMPS and any other preferred
stock voting for the election of Directors can elect all of the Directors
standing for election by such holders, and, in such event, the holders of the
remaining shares of a Fund's Common Stock, AMPS and any other preferred stock
will not be able to elect any of such Directors.

  In connection with the election of a Fund's Directors, holders of shares of
a Fund's AMPS, voting separately as a class, shall be entitled at all times to
elect two of the Fund's Directors, and the remaining Directors will be elected
by holders of shares of the Fund's Common Stock and shares of the Fund's AMPS
and any other preferred stock, voting together as a single class. In addition,
if at any time dividends on outstanding shares of a Fund's AMPS shall be
unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years' dividends thereon or if
at any time holders of any shares of a Fund's preferred stock are entitled,
together with the holders of shares of the Fund's AMPS, to elect a majority of
the Directors of the Fund under the Investment Company Act, then the number of
Directors constituting the Board of Directors automatically shall be increased
by the smallest number that, when added to the two Directors elected
exclusively by the holders of shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock as
described above, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so
increased by such smallest number, and at a special meeting of stockholders
which will be called and held as soon as practicable, and at all subsequent
meetings at which Directors are to be elected, the holders of shares of the
Fund's AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting separately as a class, will
be entitled to elect the smallest number of additional Directors that,
together with the two Directors which such holders in any event will be
entitled to elect, constitutes a majority of the total number of Directors of
the Fund as so increased. The terms of office of the persons who are Directors
at the time of that election will continue. If the Fund thereafter shall pay,
or declare and set apart for payment in full, all dividends payable on all
outstanding shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock for all past dividend
periods, the additional voting rights of the holders of shares of AMPS and any
other preferred stock as described above shall cease, and the terms of office
of all of the additional Directors elected by the holders of shares of AMPS
and any other preferred stock (but not of the Directors with respect to whose
election the holders of shares of Common Stock were entitled to vote or the
two Directors the holders of shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock have
the right to elect in any event) will terminate automatically.

                                      40
<PAGE>


  The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of a Fund's AMPS, voting as a separate class, will be required to (i)
authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or issued amount of any
class or series of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with any series of
preferred stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of
assets on liquidation, (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the
Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely
affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of
holders of preferred stock, (iii) approve any plan of reorganization adversely
affecting such AMPS or (iv) take any action to change a Fund's investment
policies requiring a vote of stockholders under Section 13(a) of the
Investment Company Act.

Stockholder Inquiries

  Stockholder inquiries with respect to New York Insured and New York Insured
II may be addressed to either Fund by telephone at (609) 282-2800 or at the
address set forth on the cover page of this Proxy Statement and Prospectus.

Dividends and Distributions

  New York Insured's current policy with respect to dividends and
distributions relating to shares of New York Insured Common Stock is identical
to New York Insured II's policy with respect to shares of New York Insured II
Common Stock. Each Fund intends to distribute all or a portion of its net
investment income monthly to holders of a Fund's Common Stock. Monthly
distributions to holders of a Fund's Common Stock normally consist of all or a
portion of net investment income remaining after the payment of dividends (and
any Additional Distribution) on the Fund's AMPS. A Fund may at times pay out
less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular
period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income in
addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit
the Fund to maintain a more stable level of dividends to holders of Common
Stock. As a result, the dividend paid by a Fund to holders of its Common Stock
for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net
investment income earned by the Funds during such period. For Federal tax
purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net
investment income for each year. All net realized long-term or short-term
capital gains, if any, are distributed pro rata at least annually, to holders
of shares of a Fund's Common Stock and AMPS. While any shares of a Fund's AMPS
are outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other
distribution on the Fund's Common Stock, unless at the time of such
declaration (1) all accumulated dividends on the Fund's AMPS including any
Additional Distribution have been paid, and (2) the net asset value of the
Fund's portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or
other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the Fund's
outstanding shares of AMPS. If a Fund's ability to make distributions on its
Common Stock is limited, such limitation could under certain circumstances
impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a
regulated investment company, which would have adverse tax consequences for a
Fund's stockholders. See "Comparison of the Funds--Tax Rules Applicable to the
Fund's and their Stockholders."

  Similarly, New York Insured's current policy with respect to dividends and
distributions on shares of New York Insured AMPS is identical to New York
Insured II's policy with respect to shares of New York Insured II AMPS. The
holders of shares of a Fund's AMPS are entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of the Fund, out of funds legally available
therefor, cumulative cash dividends on their shares. Dividends on a Fund's
shares of AMPS so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and
in priority over any dividends so declared and payable on the Fund's Common
Stock, and (ii) to the extent permitted under the Code and to the extent
available, out of net tax-exempt income earned on the Fund's investments.
Dividends for each Fund's AMPS are paid through The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") (or a successor securities depository) on each dividend payment date.
DTC's normal procedures now provide for it to distribute dividends in same-day
funds to agent members, who in turn are expected to distribute such dividends
to the person for whom they are acting as agent in accordance with the
instructions of such person. Prior to each dividend payment date, the relevant
Fund is required to deposit with the Auction Agent sufficient funds for the
payment of such declared dividends. Neither of the Funds intends to establish
any reserves for the payment of dividends, and no

                                      41
<PAGE>

interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payment on the
shares of a Fund's AMPS which
may be in arrears.

  Dividends paid by each Fund, to the extent paid from tax-exempt income
earned on New York Municipal Bonds, are exempt from Federal income tax and New
York State and New York City personal income taxes, subject to the possible
application of the Federal alternative minimum tax. However, each Fund is
required to allocate net capital gains and other income subject to regular
Federal income tax and New York State and New York City personal income taxes,
if any, proportionately between shares of its Common Stock and shares of its
AMPS in accordance with the current position of the IRS described herein. See
"Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their Stockholders" below. Each Fund
notifies the Auction Agent of the amount of any net capital gains or other
taxable income to be included in any dividend on shares of AMPS prior to the
auction establishing the applicable rate for such dividend. The Auction Agent
in turn notifies each broker-dealer whenever it receives any such notice from
a Fund, and each broker-dealer then notifies its customers who are holders of
the Fund's AMPS. Each Fund also may include such income in a dividend on
shares of its AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the
dividend by an additional amount to offset the tax effect thereof. The amount
of taxable income allocable to shares of a Fund's AMPS will depend upon the
amount of such income realized by the Fund and other factors, but generally is
not expected to be significant.

  For information concerning the manner in which dividends and distributions
to holders of each Fund's Common Stock may be reinvested automatically in
shares of the Fund's Common Stock, see "Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan"
below. Dividends and distributions will be subject to the tax treatment
discussed below, whether they are reinvested in shares of a Fund or received
in cash.

  If any Fund, New York Insured or New York Insured II, as the case may be,
retroactively allocates any net capital gains or other income subject to
regular Federal income tax and New York State and New York City personal
income taxes to shares of its AMPS without having given advance notice thereof
as described above, which only may happen when such allocation is made as a
result of the redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of its
AMPS or the liquidation of the Fund, the Fund will make certain payments to
holders of shares of its AMPS to which such allocation was made to offset
substantially the tax effect thereof. In no other instances will the Fund be
required to make payments to holders of shares of its AMPS to offset the tax
effect of any reallocation of net capital gains or other taxable income.

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

  Pursuant to each Fund's Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (each, a
"Plan"), unless a holder of a Fund's Common Stock elects otherwise, all
dividend and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested by
either The Bank of New York or State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
applicable, as agent for stockholders in administering the Plan (as
applicable, the "Plan Agent"), in additional shares of the Fund's Common
Stock. The Bank of New York is the Plan Agent for New York Insured and will be
the Plan Agent following the Reorganization. Holders of a Fund's Common Stock
who elect not to participate in the Plan receive all distributions in cash
paid by check mailed directly to the stockholder of record (or, if the shares
are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by The Bank of
New York or State Street Bank and Trust Company, as applicable, as dividend
paying agent. Such stockholders may elect not to participate in the Plan and
to receive all distributions of dividends and capital gains in cash by sending
written instructions to The Bank of New York or State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as applicable, as dividend paying agent, at the address set forth
below. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated
or resumed at any time without penalty by written notice if received by the
Plan Agent not less than ten days prior to any dividend record date;
otherwise, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to
any subsequently declared dividend or capital gains distribution.

  Whenever a Fund declares an ordinary income dividend or a capital gain
dividend (collectively referred to as "dividends") payable either in shares or
in cash, non-participants in the Plan receive cash, and participants in the
Plan receive the equivalent in shares of the Fund's Common Stock. The shares
are acquired by the Plan Agent

                                      42
<PAGE>

for the participant's account, depending upon the circumstances described
below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized shares
of the Fund's Common Stock from the Fund ("newly-issued shares") or (ii) by
purchase of outstanding shares of the Fund's Common Stock on the open market
("open-market purchases"), on the NYSE or elsewhere. If on the payment date
for the dividend, the net asset value per share of the Fund's Common Stock is
equal to or less than the market price per share of the Fund's Common Stock
plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition being referred to herein
as "market premium"), the Plan Agent invests the dividend amount in newly-
issued shares on behalf of the participant. The number of newly-issued shares
of the Fund's Common Stock to be credited to the participant's account is
determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset
value per share on the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum
discount from the then-current market price per share on the date of issuance
may not exceed 5%. If on the dividend payment date, the net asset value per
share is greater than the market value (such condition being referred to
herein as "market discount"), the Plan Agent invests the dividend amount in
shares acquired on behalf of the participant in open-market purchases.

  In the event of a market discount on the dividend payment date, the Plan
Agent has until the last business day before the next date on which the shares
trade on an "ex-dividend" basis or in no event more than 30 days after the
dividend payment date (the "last purchase date") to invest the dividend amount
in shares acquired in open-market purchases. Each Fund intends to pay monthly
income dividends. Therefore, the period during which open-market purchases can
be made exists only from the payment date on the dividend through the date
before the next "ex-dividend" date, which typically is approximately ten days.
If, before the Plan Agent has completed its open-market purchases, the market
price of a share of a Fund's Common Stock exceeds the net asset value per
share, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed
the net asset value of the Fund's shares, resulting in the acquisition of
fewer shares than if the dividend had been paid in newly-issued shares on the
dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to
open-market purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is unable to
invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase
period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the
purchase period, the Plan Agent ceases making open-market purchases and
invests the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly-issued shares
at the close of business on the last purchase date.

  The Plan Agent maintains all stockholders' accounts in the Plan and
furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the account, including
information needed by stockholders for tax records. Shares in the account of
each Plan participant are held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in
the name of the participant, and each stockholder's proxy includes those
shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward
all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares
held pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the
participants.

  In the case of stockholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold
shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will
administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time
to time by the record stockholders as representing the total amount registered
in the record stockholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners
who are to participate in the Plan.

  There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by
either Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable
either in shares or in cash. However, each participant pays a pro rata share
of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open-market
purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends.

  The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions does not relieve
participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or
required to be withheld) on such dividends. See "Comparison of the Funds--Tax
Rules Applicable to the Funds and their Stockholders."

  Stockholders participating in the Plan may receive benefits not available to
stockholders not participating in the Plan. If the market price (plus
commissions) of a Fund's shares of Common Stock is higher than net asset
value, participants in the Plan receive shares of the Fund's Common Stock at
less than they otherwise could purchase them and have shares with a cash value
greater than the value of any cash distribution they would have

                                      43
<PAGE>

received on their shares. If the market price plus commissions is less than
net asset value, participants receive distributions of shares with a net asset
value greater than the value of any cash distribution they would have received
on their shares. However, there may be insufficient shares available in the
market to make distributions of shares at prices below the net asset value.
Also, since the Funds normally do not redeem their shares, the price on resale
may be more or less than the net asset value. See "Comparison of the Funds--
Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their Stockholders" for a discussion of
the tax consequences of the Plan.

  Each Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan. There is no
direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, each Fund reserves
the right to amend its Plan to include a service charge payable by the
participants.

  After the Reorganization, a holder of shares of New York Insured II who has
elected to receive dividends in cash will continue to receive dividends in
cash; all other holders will have their dividends automatically reinvested in
shares of the combined fund. However, if a stockholder owns shares in both New
York Insured II and New York Insured, after the Reorganization, the
stockholder's election with respect to the dividends of New York Insured will
control unless the stockholder specifically elects a different option at that
time. All correspondence should be directed to the Plan Agent, The Bank of New
York, at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

Mutual Fund Investment Option

  A holder of New York Insured Common Stock or New York Insured II Common
Stock, who purchased his or her shares through Merrill Lynch in the Fund's
initial public offering, has the right to reinvest the net proceeds from a
sale of such shares in Class A shares of certain Merrill Lynch-sponsored open-
end funds without the imposition of an initial sales charge, if certain
conditions are satisfied. A holder of New York Insured II Common Stock who
qualifies for this option will have the same option with respect to the shares
of New York Insured Common Stock received in the Reorganization.

Liquidation Rights of Holders of AMPS

  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of New York Insured or New
York Insured II, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of
the Fund's AMPS will be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Fund
available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment
is made upon any shares of the Fund's Common Stock or any other capital stock
of the Fund ranking junior in right of payment upon liquidation to AMPS,
$25,000 per share together with the amount of any dividends accumulated but
unpaid (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to the date of
distribution, and after such payment the holders of AMPS will be entitled to
no other payments except for any additional dividends. If such assets of the
Fund shall be insufficient to make the full liquidation payment on the AMPS
and liquidation payments on any other outstanding class or series of preferred
stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with the AMPS as to payment upon
liquidation, then such assets will be distributed among the holders of shares
of AMPS and the holders of shares of such other class or series ratably in
proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled.
After payment of the full amount of liquidation distribution to which they are
entitled, the holders of shares of a Fund's AMPS will not be entitled to any
further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund except for any
additional dividends. A consolidation, merger or share exchange of a Fund with
or into any other entity or entities or a sale, whether for cash, shares of
stock, securities or properties, of all or substantially all or any part of
the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed or construed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Fund for this purpose.

Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their Stockholders

  The tax consequences of investing in shares of Common Stock or AMPS of each
of the Funds are identical. New York Insured and New York Insured II have
elected and qualified for the special tax treatment afforded RICs under the
Code. As a result, in any taxable year in which they distribute an amount
equal to at least 90% of taxable net income and 90% of tax-exempt net income
(see below), the Funds (but not their stockholders) are

                                      44
<PAGE>

not subject to Federal income tax to the extent that they distribute their net
investment income and net realized capital gains. In all taxable years through
the taxable year of the Reorganization, each Fund has distributed
substantially all of its income. New York Insured intends to continue to
distribute substantially all of its income following the Reorganization.

  Each Fund is qualified to pay "exempt-interest dividends" as defined in
Section 852(b)(5) of the Code. Under such section, if, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of a Fund's total
assets consists of obligations, the interest on which is excludable from gross
income for Federal income tax purposes ("tax-exempt obligations") under
Section 103(a) of the Code (relating generally to obligations of a state or
local governmental unit), the Fund is qualified to pay exempt-interest
dividends to its stockholders. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any
part thereof paid by a Fund which are attributable to interest on tax-exempt
obligations and designated by a Fund as exempt-interest dividends in a written
notice mailed to stockholders within 60 days after the close of its taxable
year. To the extent that the dividends distributed to a Fund's stockholders
are derived from interest income exempt from Federal income tax under Code
Section 103(a) and are properly designated as exempt-interest dividends, they
are excludable from a stockholder's gross income for Federal income tax
purposes. Exempt-interest dividends are included, however, in determining the
portion, if any, of a person's social security benefits and railroad
retirement benefits subject to Federal income taxes. A tax adviser should be
consulted with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain the
exclusion under Code Section 103(a) if a stockholder would be treated as a
"substantial user" or "related person" under Code Section 147(a) with respect
to property financed with the proceeds from an issue of PABs or IDBs if any,
held by a Fund.

  The portion of exempt-interest dividends paid from interest received by a
Fund from New York Municipal Bonds also is exempt from New York State and New
York City personal income taxes. However, exempt-interest dividends paid to a
corporate stockholder are subject to New York State corporation franchise tax
and New York City general corporation tax. Stockholders subject to income
taxation by states other than New York and cities other than New York City
realize a lower after-tax rate of return than New York State and City
stockholders since the dividends distributed by a Fund generally are not
exempt, to any significant degree, from income taxation by such other states
or cities. Each Fund will inform its stockholders annually as to the portion
of the Fund's distributions that constitutes exempt-interest dividends and the
portion that is exempt from New York State and New York City personal income
taxes. To the extent attributable to exempt interest dividends, interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry a Fund's shares is not
deductible for Federal income tax or New York State or New York City personal
income tax purposes.

  The IRS, in a revenue ruling, held that certain AMPS would be treated as
stock for Federal income tax purposes. The terms of the currently outstanding
AMPS of New York Insured and New York Insured II, as well as the Series C, D
and E AMPS to be issued by New York Insured Fund, are substantially similar,
but not identical, to the AMPS discussed in the revenue ruling. In the opinion
of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to both Funds, the shares of each Fund's
currently outstanding AMPS, as well as the Series C, D and E AMPS to be issued
by New York Insured, constitute stock, and distributions with respect to
shares of such AMPS (other than distributions in redemption of shares of AMPS
subject to Section 302(b) of the Code) will constitute dividends to the extent
of current and accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for Federal
income tax purposes. Nevertheless, the IRS could take a contrary position,
asserting, for example, that the shares of AMPS constitute debt. If this
position were upheld, the discussion of the treatment of distributions below
would not apply to holders of shares of AMPS. Instead, distributions by each
Fund to holders of shares of its AMPS would constitute interest, whether or
not they exceed the earnings and profits of the Fund, would be included in
full in the income of the recipient and taxed as ordinary income. Counsel
believes that such a position, if asserted by the IRS, would be unlikely to
prevail.

  To the extent that a Fund's distributions are derived from interest on its
taxable investments or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses ("ordinary income dividends"), such distributions are
considered taxable ordinary income for Federal income tax and New York State
and New York City personal income tax purposes. Distributions, if any, from an
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses
derived from the sale of securities or from certain transactions in futures or
options

                                      45
<PAGE>

("capital gain dividends") are taxable as long-term capital gains for Federal
income tax purposes, regardless of the length of time the stockholder has
owned Fund shares, and for New York State and New York City personal income
tax purposes will be treated as capital gains which are taxed at ordinary
income rates. Certain categories of capital gains are taxable at different
rates for Federal income tax purposes. Generally not later than 60 days after
the close of its taxable year, a Fund provides its stockholders with a written
notice designating the amounts of any exempt-interest dividends and capital
gain dividends, as well as any amount of capital gain dividends in the
different categories of capital gain referred to above. Distributions by a
Fund, whether from exempt-interest income, ordinary income or capital gains,
are not eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations under
the Code.

  A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund is disallowed if
other Fund shares are acquired (whether under the Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment Plan or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.

  All or a portion of a Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of tax-exempt
obligations purchased at a market discount will be treated as ordinary income
rather than capital gain. This rule may increase the amount of ordinary income
dividends received by stockholders. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund
shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the
extent of exempt-interest dividends received by the stockholder. In addition,
such loss is disallowed to the extent of any capital gain dividends received
by the stockholder. Distributions in excess of a Fund's earnings and profits
first will reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after such
adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such
holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). If a Fund pays a
dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or
December to stockholders of record on a specified date in one of such months,
then such dividend is treated for tax purposes as paid by the Fund and
received by its stockholders on December 31 of the year in which such dividend
was declared.

  The IRS has taken the position in a revenue ruling that if a RIC has two or
more classes of shares it may designate distributions made to each class in
any year as consisting of no more than such class' proportionate share of
particular types of income, including exempt-interest dividends and capital
gain dividends. A class's proportionate share of a particular type of income
is determined according to the percentage of total dividends paid by the RIC
during such year that was paid to such class. Consequently, when Common Stock
and one or more series of AMPS are outstanding, each Fund intends to designate
distributions made to the classes as consisting of particular types of income
in accordance with each class's proportionate share of such income. After the
Reorganization, New York Insured will, likewise, so designate distributions
with respect to its Common Stock and its AMPS, Series A, B, C, D and E. Each
Fund may notify the Auction Agent of the amount of any net capital gains and
other taxable income to be included in any dividend on shares of its AMPS
prior to the auction establishing the applicable rate for such dividend.
Except for the portion of any dividend that a Fund informs the Auction Agent
will be treated as capital gains or other taxable income, the dividends paid
on the shares of AMPS constitute exempt-interest dividends. Alternatively,
each Fund may include such income in a dividend on shares of its AMPS without
giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional
amount to offset the tax effect thereof. The amount of net capital gains and
ordinary income allocable to shares of a Fund's AMPS (the "taxable
distribution") depends upon the amount of such gains and income realized by
the Fund and the total dividends paid by the Fund on shares of its Common
Stock and shares of its AMPS during a taxable year, but the taxable
distribution generally is not significant.

  In the opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to both Funds, under current law
the manner in which each Fund allocates, and New York Insured Fund will
allocate, items of tax-exempt income, net capital gains, and other taxable
income, if any, among shares of Common Stock and outstanding AMPS (including,
for New York Insured, Series A and B AMPS and the newly issued Series C,
Series D and Series E AMPS) will be respected for Federal income tax purposes.
However, the tax treatment of additional dividends may affect a Fund's
calculation of each class' allocable share of capital gains and other taxable
income. In addition, there is currently no direct guidance from the IRS or
other sources specifically addressing whether a Fund's method for allocating

                                      46
<PAGE>

tax-exempt income, net capital gains and other taxable income among shares of
Common Stock and the series of AMPS will be respected for Federal income tax
purposes, and it is possible that the IRS could disagree with counsel's
opinion and attempt to reallocate a Fund's net capital gains or other taxable
income. In the event of a reallocation, some of the dividends identified by a
Fund as exempt-interest dividends to holders of shares of its AMPS could be
recharacterized as additional capital gains or other taxable income. In the
event of such recharacterization, a Fund is not required to make payments to
such stockholders to offset the tax effect of such reallocation. In addition,
a reallocation could cause a Fund to be liable for income tax and excise tax
on all reallocated taxable income. Brown & Wood LLP has advised each Fund
that, in its opinion, if the IRS were to challenge in court a Fund's
allocations of income and gain, the IRS would be unlikely to prevail. The
opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, however, represents only its best legal judgment
and is not binding on the IRS or the courts.

  The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent
it does not distribute during each calendar year 98% of its ordinary income,
determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains, determined
in general, on an October 31 year-end, plus certain undistributed amounts from
previous years. The required distributions, however, are based only on the
taxable income of a RIC. The excise tax, therefore, generally does not apply
to the tax-exempt income of RICs, such as the Funds, that pay exempt-interest
dividends.

  The Code subjects interest received on certain otherwise tax-exempt
securities to a Federal alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax
applies to interest received on "private activity bonds" issued after August
7, 1986. "Private activity bonds" are bonds which, although tax-exempt, are
used for purposes other than those generally performed by governmental units
and which benefit non-governmental entities (e.g., bonds used for industrial
development or housing purposes). Income received on such bonds is classified
as an item of "tax preference" which could subject investors in such bonds,
including stockholders of the Funds, to an increased Federal alternative
minimum tax. Each Fund purchases such "private activity bonds" and reports to
stockholders within 60 days after calendar year-end the portion of its
dividends declared during the year which constitutes an item of tax preference
for alternative minimum tax purposes. The Code further provides that
corporations are subject to a Federal alternative minimum tax based, in part,
on certain differences between taxable income as adjusted for other tax
preferences and the corporation's "adjusted current earnings" which more
closely reflect a corporation's economic income. Because an exempt-interest
dividend paid by a Fund is included in adjusted current earnings, a corporate
stockholder may be required to pay a Federal alternative minimum tax on
exempt-interest dividends paid by such Fund.

  The Funds may invest in instruments the return on which includes
nontraditional features such as indexed principal or interest payments
("nontraditional instruments"). These instruments may be subject to special
tax rules under which a Fund may be required to accrue and distribute income
before amounts due under the obligations are paid. In addition, it is possible
that all or a portion of the interest payments on such nontraditional
instruments could be recharacterized as taxable ordinary income.

  If at any time when shares of AMPS are outstanding a Fund does not meet the
asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Fund will be
required to suspend distributions to holders of Common Stock until the asset
coverage is restored. See "Dividends and Distributions." This may prevent such
Fund from distributing at least 90% of its net investment income and may,
therefore, jeopardize the Fund's qualification for taxation as a RIC. If a
Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC, some or all of the distributions paid
by the Fund would be fully taxable for Federal income tax and New York State
and New York City personal income tax purposes. Upon any failure to meet the
asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act, a Fund, in its sole
discretion, may redeem shares of AMPS in order to maintain or restore the
requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and
its stockholders of failing to qualify as a RIC. There can be no assurance,
however, that any such action would achieve such objectives.

  As noted above, a Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of its net
taxable and tax-exempt interest income. A distribution will only be counted
for this purpose if it qualifies for the dividends paid deduction under the
Code. Some types of preferred stock that New York Insured contemplates issuing
may raise a question as to whether distributions on such preferred stock are
"preferential" under the Code and, therefore, not eligible for

                                      47
<PAGE>


the dividends paid deduction. Counsel has advised the Funds that the
outstanding preferred stock and the preferred stock to be issued by New York
Insured will not result in the payment of a preferential dividend. If a Fund
ultimately relies solely on a legal opinion when it issues such preferred
stock, there is no assurance that the IRS would agree that dividends on the
preferred stock are not preferential. If the IRS successfully disallowed the
dividends paid deduction for dividends on the preferred stock, the Funds could
be disqualified as RICs. In this case, dividends paid by the Funds on the
Common Stock and the AMPS would not be exempt from Federal income taxes.
Additionally, the Funds would be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax.

  Under certain circumstances, when a Fund is required to allocate taxable
income to the AMPS, it will pay Additional Distributions to holders of shares
of AMPS. The Federal income tax consequences of Additional Distributions under
existing law are uncertain. The Funds treat and New York Insured Fund intends
to continue to treat a holder as receiving a dividend distribution in the
amount of any Additional Distribution only as and when such Additional
Distribution is paid. An Additional Distribution generally is designated by a
Fund as an exempt-interest dividend except as otherwise required by applicable
law. However, the IRS may assert that all or part of an Additional
Distribution is a taxable dividend either in the taxable year for which the
allocation of taxable income is made or in the taxable year in which the
Additional Distribution is paid.

  The value of shares acquired pursuant to a Fund's dividend reinvestment plan
is generally excluded from gross income to the extent that the cash amount
reinvested would be excluded from gross income. If, when a Fund's shares are
trading at a premium over net asset value, the Fund issues shares pursuant to
the dividend reinvestment plan that have a greater fair market value than the
amount of cash reinvested, it is possible that all or a portion of such
discount (which may not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's
shares) could be viewed as a taxable distribution. If the discount is viewed
as a taxable distribution, it is also possible that the taxable character of
this discount would be allocable to all of the stockholders, including
stockholders who do not participate in the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.
Thus, stockholders who do not participate in the dividend reinvestment plan,
as well as dividend reinvestment plan participants, might be required to
report as ordinary income a portion of their distributions equal to the
allocable share of the discount.

  Under certain provisions of the Code, some stockholders may be subject to a
31% withholding tax on certain ordinary income dividends and on capital gain
dividends and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally,
stockholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no taxpayer
identification number is on file with a Fund or who, to the Fund's knowledge,
have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor
must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that
such stockholder is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.

  Ordinary income dividends paid to stockholders who are nonresident aliens or
foreign entities are subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under
existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities
unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided
under applicable treaty law. Nonresident stockholders are urged to consult
their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the United States
withholding tax.

  The Code provides that every stockholder required to file a tax return must
include for information purposes on such return the amount of exempt-interest
dividends received from all sources (including the Funds) during the taxable
year.

  Each Fund may purchase or sell municipal bond index financial futures
contracts and interest rate financial futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities. Each Fund may also purchase and write call and put options on such
financial futures contracts. In general, unless an election is available to a
Fund or an exception applies, such options and financial futures contracts
that are "Section 1256 contracts" will be "marked to market" for Federal
income tax purposes at the end of each taxable year, i.e., each such option or
financial futures contract will be treated as sold for its fair market value
on the last day of the taxable year, and any gain or loss attributable to
Section 1256 contracts will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain
or loss. Application of these rules to Section 1256 contracts held by a Fund
may alter the timing and character of distributions to stockholders.

                                      48
<PAGE>

The mark-to-market rules outlined above, however, will not apply to certain
transactions entered into by a Fund solely to reduce the risk of changes in
price or interest rates with respect to its investments.

  Code Section 1092, which applies to certain "straddles," may affect the
taxation of a Fund's sales of securities and transactions in financial futures
contracts and related options. Under Section 1092, a Fund may be required to
postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain sales of
securities and certain closing transactions in financial futures contracts or
the related options.

  The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations and New York State and New
York City tax laws presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference
should be made to the pertinent Code sections, the Treasury Regulations
promulgated thereunder and the applicable tax laws. The Code and the Treasury
Regulations, as well as the New York State and New York City tax laws, are
subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action either
prospectively or retroactively.

  Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to Federal, foreign, state or local tax consequences of an
investment in a Fund.

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

General

  Under the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (attached hereto as Exhibit
II), (i) New York Insured will acquire substantially all of the assets, and
will assume substantially all of the liabilities, of New York Insured II, in
exchange solely for shares of an equal aggregate value of New York Insured
Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS
and New York Insured Series E AMPS to be issued by New York Insured. The
number of shares of New York Insured Common Stock issued to New York Insured
II will have an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset
value of the shares of New York Insured II Common Stock (except that cash will
be paid in lieu of any fractional shares), and the number of shares of New
York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York
Insured Series E AMPS issued to New York Insured II will have an aggregate
liquidation preference and value equal to the aggregate liquidation preference
and value of New York Insured II's AMPS. Upon receipt by New York Insured II
of such shares, New York Insured II will (i) distribute the shares of New York
Insured Common Stock to the holders of New York Insured II Common Stock in
exchange for their shares of Common Stock in New York Insured II and (ii)
distribute the shares of New York Insured Series C AMPS to the holders of New
York Insured II Series A AMPS, the shares of New York Insured Series D AMPS to
the holders of New York Insured II Series B AMPS and the shares of New York
Insured Series E AMPS to the holders of New York Insured II Series C and
Series D AMPS, in exchange for their shares of AMPS of New York Insured II.
New York Insured will file Articles Supplementary establishing the powers,
rights and preferences of the New York Insured Series C AMPS, the New York
Insured Series D AMPS and the New York Insured Series E AMPS with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "Maryland Department")
prior to the closing of the Reorganization. As soon as practicable after the
date that the Reorganization takes place (the "Exchange Date"), New York
Insured II will file Articles of Dissolution with the Maryland Department to
effect the formal dissolution of such Fund, and will dissolve.

  New York Insured II will distribute the shares of New York Insured Common
Stock and the shares of New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured
Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E AMPS received by it pro rata to its
holders of record of Common Stock and AMPS, as applicable, in exchange for
such stockholders' shares in New York Insured II. Such distribution would be
accomplished by opening new accounts on the books of New York Insured in the
names of the common and preferred stockholders of New York Insured II and
transferring to those stockholder accounts the New York Insured Common Stock
or New York Insured AMPS previously credited on those books to the accounts of
New York Insured II. Each newly-opened account on the books of New York
Insured for the previous holders of New York Insured II would represent the
respective pro rata number of shares of New York Insured Common Stock (rounded
down, in the case of

                                      49
<PAGE>

fractional shares, to the next largest number of whole shares) due such holder
of Common Stock. No fractional shares of New York Insured Common Stock will be
issued. In lieu thereof, New York Insured's transfer agent, The Bank of New
York, will aggregate all fractional shares of New York Insured Common Stock
and sell the resulting whole shares on the NYSE for the account of all holders
of fractional interests, and each such holder will be entitled to the pro rata
share of the proceeds from such sale upon surrender of the New York Insured II
Common Stock certificates. Similarly, each newly-opened account on the books
of New York Insured for the previous holders of New York Insured II AMPS would
represent the respective pro rata number of shares of New York Insured Series
C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E AMPS due
such holder of AMPS. See "Surrender and Exchange of Stock Certificates" below
for a description of the procedures to be followed by the stockholders of New
York Insured II to obtain their New York Insured Common Stock (and cash in
lieu of fractional shares, if any). Because AMPS are held in "street name" by
the Depository Trust Company, all transfers are accomplished by book entry and
no surrender of share certificates representing AMPS is necessary.

  Accordingly, as a result of the Reorganization, every holder of New York
Insured II Common Stock would own shares of New York Insured Common Stock that
(except for cash payments received in lieu of fractional shares) would have an
aggregate net asset value immediately after the Exchange Date equal to the
aggregate net asset value of that stockholder's Common Stock immediately prior
to the Exchange Date. Since the New York Insured Common Stock would be issued
at net asset value and the shares of Common Stock of New York Insured II would
be valued at net asset value for the purposes of the exchange, the holders of
Common Stock of neither Fund will be diluted as a result of the
Reorganization. Similarly, since the New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York
Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS would be issued at a
liquidation preference and value per share equal to the liquidation preference
and value per share of New York Insured II AMPS, holders of AMPS of neither
Fund will be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. However, as a result
of the Reorganization, a stockholder of either Fund likely will hold a reduced
percentage of ownership in the larger combined entity than he or she did in
either of the constituent Funds.

Procedure

  At meetings of the Board of Directors of each of the Funds, the Board of
Directors of each of the Funds, including all of the Directors who are not
"interested persons," as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the
applicable Fund, unanimously approved the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
and the submission of such Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to the
stockholders of each of the Funds for approval.

  Also, the Board of Directors of New York Insured approved the filing of
Articles Supplementary establishing the powers, rights and preferences of the
New York Insured Series C AMPS, the New York Insured Series D AMPS and the New
York Insured Series E AMPS in order that they may be distributed to holders of
New York Insured II AMPS.

  As a result of such Board approvals, the Funds have jointly filed this proxy
statement with the SEC soliciting a vote of the stockholders of each of the
Funds to approve the Reorganization. The costs of such solicitation are to be
paid by New York Insured after the Reorganization so as to be borne equally
and exclusively on a per share basis by the holders of Common Stock of each of
the Funds. It is anticipated that special meetings of stockholders of the
Funds will be held on December 15, 1999. If the stockholders of both Funds
approve the Reorganization, the Reorganization will take place as soon as
practicable after such approval, provided that the Funds have obtained prior
to that time a favorable private letter rulings from the IRS concerning the
tax consequences of the Reorganization as set forth in the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization or an opinion of counsel to the same effect.

  The Boards of Directors of New York Insured and New York Insured II
recommend that the stockholders of the respective Funds approve the Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization.

                                      50
<PAGE>

Terms of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

  The following is a summary of the significant terms of the Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, attached hereto as Exhibit II.

  Valuation of Assets and Liabilities. The respective assets of each of the
Funds will be valued on the business day prior to the Exchange Date (the
"Valuation Date"). The valuation procedures are the same for both Funds: net
asset value per share of the Common Stock of each Fund will be determined
after the close of business on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time)
on the Valuation Date. For the purpose of determining the net asset value of a
share of Common Stock of each Fund, the value of the securities held by the
issuing Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but not
yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) and the
aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding shares of AMPS of the issuing
Fund is divided by the total number of shares of Common Stock of the issuing
Fund outstanding at such time. Daily expenses, including the fees payable to
FAM, will accrue on the Valuation Date.

  The New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which each Fund invests
are traded primarily in the over-the-counter markets. In determining net asset
value on the Valuation Date, each Fund will use the valuations of portfolio
securities furnished by a pricing service approved by the Boards of Directors
of the Funds. The pricing service typically values portfolio securities at the
bid price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. New
York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds for which quotations are not readily
available will be valued at fair market value on a consistent basis as
determined by the pricing service using a matrix system to determine
valuations. The Boards of Directors of the Funds have determined in good faith
that the use of a pricing service is a fair method of determining the
valuation of portfolio securities. Positions in financial futures contracts
will be valued on the Valuation Date at closing prices for such contracts
established by the exchange on which they are traded, or if market quotations
are not readily available, will be valued at fair value on a consistent basis
using methods determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

  Distribution of New York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series C
AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS. On
the Exchange Date, New York Insured will issue to New York Insured II a number
of shares of New York Insured Common Stock the aggregate net asset value of
which will equal the respective aggregate net asset value of shares of New
York Insured II Common Stock on the Valuation Date. Each holder of New York
Insured II Common Stock will receive the number of shares of New York Insured
Common Stock corresponding to his or her proportionate interest in the
respective aggregate net asset value of the New York Insured II Common Stock,
as applicable.

  On the Exchange Date, New York Insured also will issue to New York Insured
II (i) a number of shares of New York Insured Series C AMPS, the aggregate
liquidation preference and value of which will equal the aggregate liquidation
preference and value of New York Insured II Series A AMPS on the Valuation
Date, (ii) a number of shares of New York Insured Series D AMPS, the aggregate
liquidation preference and value of which will equal the aggregate liquidation
preference and value of New York Insured II Series B AMPS on the Valuation
Date and (iii) a number of shares of New York Insured Series E AMPS, the
aggregate liquidation preference and value of which will equal the aggregate
liquidation preference and value of New York Insured II Series C and Series D
AMPS on the Valuation Date. Each holder of AMPS of New York Insured II will
receive the number of shares of New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York
Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E AMPS corresponding to his
or her proportionate interest in the aggregate liquidation preference and
value of the AMPS of New York Insured II. No sales charge or fee of any kind
will be charged to stockholders of New York Insured II in connection with
their receipt of New York Insured Common Stock or AMPS in the Reorganization.
Holders of certain series of AMPS of New York Insured II may find that the
auction date and dividend payment date for the New York Insured AMPS received
in the Reorganization fall on different days of the week than the auction date
or dividend payment date of the AMPS currently held. Any such change in the
auction date and dividend payment date will not adversely affect the value of
a holder's AMPS. It is anticipated that (i) the auction for New York Insured
Series C AMPS will be held on Friday; New York

                                      51
<PAGE>

Insured II Series A AMPS are auctioned on Friday; (ii) the auction for New
York Insured Series D AMPS will be held on Tuesday; New York Insured II Series
B AMPS are auctioned on Tuesday; and (iii) the auction for New York Insured
Series E AMPS will be held on Wednesday; the New York Insured II Series C AMPS
are auctioned on Wednesday and the New York Insured II Series D AMPS are
auctioned on Tuesday. The auction procedures for all of the AMPS are
substantially the same. As a result of the Reorganization, the last dividend
period for the AMPS of New York Insured II prior to the Exchange Date may be
shorter than the dividend period for such AMPS determined as set forth in the
applicable Articles Supplementary.

  Expenses. New York Insured shall pay, subsequent to the Exchange Date, all
expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization, including, but not
limited to, all costs related to the preparation and distribution of materials
distributed to each Fund's Board of Directors, expenses incurred in connection
with the preparation of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, a
registration statement on Form N-14 and a private letter ruling request
submitted to the IRS, SEC and state securities commission filing fees and
legal and audit fees in connection with the Reorganization, costs of printing
and distributing this Proxy Statement and Prospectus, legal fees incurred
preparing each Fund's board materials, attending each Fund's board meetings
and preparing the minutes, accounting fees associated with each Fund's
financial statements, stock exchange fees, rating agency fees, portfolio
transfer taxes (if any) and any similar expenses incurred in connection with
the Reorganization. In this regard, expenses of the Reorganization will be
deducted from the assets of the combined fund so as to be borne equally and
exclusively on a per share basis by the holders of Common Stock of each of the
Funds. Both Funds shall pay any expenses of their stockholders arising out of
or in connection with the Reorganization.

  Required Approvals. Under Articles of Incorporation of each Fund (as amended
to date and including Articles Supplementary establishing the powers, rights
and preferences of the AMPS of each Fund), relevant Maryland law and the rules
of the NYSE, stockholder approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
requires the affirmative vote of stockholders representing more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock and AMPS, voting together as a single
class, and more than 50% of the AMPS, voting separately as a single class.
Because of the requirement that the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization be
approved by the stockholders of both Funds, the Reorganization will not take
place if the stockholders of either Fund do not approve the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization.

  Deregistration and Dissolution. Following the transfer of the assets and
liabilities of New York Insured II and the distribution of shares of New York
Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series
D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS to stockholders of the Fund, in
accordance with the foregoing, New York Insured II will terminate its
registration under the Investment Company Act and its incorporation under
Maryland law and will withdraw its authority to do business in any state where
it is required to do so.

  Amendments and Conditions. The Agreement and Plan of Reorganization may be
amended at any time prior to the Exchange Date with respect to any of the
terms therein. The obligations of each Fund pursuant to the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization are subject to various conditions, including a registration
statement on Form N-14 being declared effective by the SEC, approval by the
stockholders of each of the Funds, a favorable IRS ruling or an opinion of
counsel being received as to tax matters, an opinion of counsel as to
securities matters being received and the continuing accuracy of various
representations and warranties of the Funds being confirmed by the respective
parties.

  Postponement, Termination. Under the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization,
the Board of Directors of either Fund may cause the Reorganization to be
postponed or abandoned should such Board determine that it is in the best
interests of the stockholders of its respective Fund to do so. The Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization may be terminated, and the Reorganization abandoned
at any time (whether before or after adoption thereof by the stockholders of
either Fund) prior to the Exchange Date, or the Exchange Date may be
postponed: (i) by mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of both Funds or
(ii) by the Board of Directors of

                                      52
<PAGE>

either Fund if any condition to that Fund's obligations set forth in the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization has not been fulfilled or waived by such
Board.

Potential Benefits to Common Stockholders of the Funds as a Result of the
Reorganization

  In approving the Reorganization, the Board of Directors of each Fund
identified certain benefits that are likely to result from the Reorganization,
including lower aggregate operating expenses per share of Common Stock,
greater efficiency and flexibility in portfolio management and a more liquid
trading market for the shares of Common Stock of the combined fund. With
respect to the New York Insured II, following the Reorganization its
stockholders will remain invested in a closed-end fund that has investment
objectives and policies substantially similar to those of the New York Insured
II. The Boards also considered the possible risks and costs of combining the
Funds, and examined the relative credit strength, maturity characteristics,
mix of type and purpose, and yield of the Funds' portfolios of New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds and the costs involved in a transaction
such as the Reorganization. The Boards noted the many similarities between the
Funds, including their substantially similar investment objectives and
investment policies, their use of substantially the same management personnel
and their similar portfolios of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
The Boards also considered the relative tax positions of both Funds'
portfolios. Based on these factors, the Boards concluded that the
Reorganization will potentially benefit the stockholders of each Fund in that
it (i) presents no significant risks that would outweigh the benefits
discussed above and (ii) involves minimal costs (including relatively minor
legal, accounting and administrative costs).

  The surviving fund that would result from the Reorganization would have a
larger asset base than either of the Funds has currently. Based on data
presented by FAM, the Board of each Fund believes that administrative expenses
for a larger combined fund would be less than the aggregate expenses for the
individual Funds, resulting in a lower expense ratio for common stockholders
of the combined fund and higher earnings per common share. In particular,
certain fixed costs, such as costs of printing stockholder reports and proxy
statements, legal expenses, audit fees, mailing costs and other expenses will
be spread across a larger asset base, thereby lowering the expense ratio for
the combined fund. To illustrate the potential economies of scale, the table
below shows the total annualized operating expense ratio of each Fund and pro
forma New York Insured based on net assets both excluding and including assets
attributable to AMPS as of June 30, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Total annualized        Net        Total annualized        Net
                            operating     assets, excluding    operating     assets, including
                          expense ratio,        AMPS         expense ratio,        AMPS
          Fund            excluding AMPS    (in millions)    including AMPS    (in millions)
          ----           ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S>                      <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
New York Insured........      1.02%            $182.2            0.70%            $267.2
New York Insured II.....      0.95%            $387.9            0.66%            $561.9
Pro Forma New York
 Insured(1).............      0.93%            $570.1            0.64%            $829.1
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Assumes Reorganization had taken place on June 30, 1999.

  Management projections estimate that New York Insured will have net assets
in excess of $829.1 million including assets attributable to AMPS upon
completion of the Reorganization. A larger asset base should provide benefits
in portfolio management. After the Reorganization, New York Insured should be
able to purchase larger amounts of New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds at more favorable prices than either of the Funds separately and, with
this greater purchasing power, request improvements in the terms of the New
York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds (e.g., added indenture provisions
covering call protection, sinking funds and audits for the benefit of large
holders) prior to purchase.

  Based on the foregoing, each Fund's Board concluded that the Reorganization
is in the best interests of that Fund because the Reorganization presents no
significant risks or costs (including legal, accounting and administrative
costs) that would outweigh the benefits discussed above.

  In approving the Reorganization, the Board of Directors of each Fund
determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of that Fund and,
with respect to net asset value and liquidation preference, that the interests

                                      53
<PAGE>


of existing stockholders of that Fund would not be diluted as a result of the
Reorganization. Although the Reorganization is expected to result in a
reduction in net asset value per share of the combined fund after the
Reorganization of approximately $.01 as a result of the estimated costs of the
Reorganization, management of each Fund advised its Board that it expects that
such costs would be recovered within approximately six months to 2 1/2 years
after the Exchange Date due to a decrease in the operating expense ratio.

  It is not anticipated that the Reorganization directly would benefit the
holders of shares of AMPS of either Fund; however, the Reorganization will not
adversely affect the holders of shares of AMPS of either Fund and the expenses
of the Reorganization will not be borne by the holders of shares of AMPS of
either Fund.

Surrender and Exchange of Stock Certificates

  After the Exchange Date, each holder of an outstanding certificate or
certificates formerly representing shares of New York Insured II Common Stock
will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of his or her certificate or
certificates, a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares
of New York Insured Common Stock distributable with respect to such holder's
shares of New York Insured II Common Stock, together with cash in lieu of any
fractional shares of Common Stock. Promptly after the Exchange Date, the
transfer agent for the New York Insured Common Stock will mail to each holder
of certificates formerly representing shares of New York Insured II Common
Stock, a letter of transmittal for use in surrendering his or her certificates
for certificates representing shares of New York Insured Common Stock and cash
in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock.

  Shares of AMPS are held in "street name" by the Depository Trust Company,
and all transfers will be accomplished by book entry. Surrender of physical
certificates for AMPS is not required.

                                               After the Reorganization, you
 If prior to the Reorganization you held:      will hold:
 ------------------------------                ------------------------------


 New York Insured Common Stock                  New York Insured Common Stock


 New York Insured Series A AMPS                 New York Insured Series A AMPS


 New York Insured Series B AMPS                 New York Insured Series B AMPS


 New York Insured II Common Stock               New York Insured Common Stock


 New York Insured II Series A AMPS              New York Insured Series C AMPS


 New York Insured II Series B AMPS              New York Insured Series D AMPS


 New York Insured II Series C AMPS              New York Insured Series E AMPS


 New York Insured II Series D AMPS              New York Insured Series E AMPS

  Please do not send in any stock certificates at this time. Upon consummation
of the Reorganization, common stockholders of New York Insured II will be
furnished with instructions for exchanging their stock certificates for New
York Insured stock certificates and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional
shares.

  From and after the Exchange Date, certificates formerly representing shares
of New York Insured II Common Stock will be deemed for all purposes to
evidence ownership of the number of full shares of New York Insured Common
Stock distributable with respect to the shares of New York Insured II held
before the Reorganization as described above and as shown in the table above,
provided that, until such stock certificates have been so surrendered, no
dividends payable to the holders of record of New York Insured II Common Stock
as of any date subsequent to the Exchange Date will be paid to the holders of
such outstanding stock certificates. Dividends payable to holders of record of
shares of New York Insured Common Stock, as of any date after the Exchange
Date and prior to the exchange of certificates by any stockholder of New York
Insured II, will be paid to such stockholder, without interest, at the time
such stockholder surrenders his or her stock certificates for exchange.

                                      54
<PAGE>


  From and after the Exchange Date, there will be no transfers on the stock
transfer books of New York Insured II. If, after the Exchange Date,
certificates representing shares of New York Insured II Common Stock are
presented to New York Insured, they will be canceled and exchanged for
certificates representing New York Insured Common Stock, and cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Common Stock, if any, distributable with respect to such
Common Stock in the Reorganization.

Tax Consequences of the Reorganization

  General. The Reorganization has been structured with the intention that it
qualify for Federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under
Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Each of the Funds has elected and qualified
for the special tax treatment afforded RICs under the Code, and New York
Insured intends to continue to so qualify after the Reorganization. The Funds
have jointly requested a private letter ruling from the IRS that for Federal
income tax purposes: (i) the exchange of assets by New York Insured II for New
York Insured stock, as described, will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and New York Insured and New York
Insured II will each be deemed a "party" to a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; (ii) in accordance with Section 361(a)
of the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized to New York Insured II as a
result of the Reorganization or on the distribution of New York Insured Common
Stock and New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or
New York Insured Series E AMPS to the respective stockholders of New York
Insured II under Section 361(c)(1) of the Code; (iii) under Section 1032 of
the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized to New York Insured as a result
of the Reorganization; (iv) in accordance with Section 354(a)(1) of the Code,
no gain or loss will be recognized to the stockholders of New York Insured II
on the receipt of New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured Series C
AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E AMPS in
exchange for their corresponding shares of Common Stock or AMPS of New York
Insured II (except to the extent that common stockholders receive cash
representing an interest in fractional shares of New York Insured Common Stock
in the Reorganization); (v) in accordance with Section 362(b) of the Code, the
tax basis of the assets of New York Insured II in the hands of New York
Insured will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of New
York Insured II immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization;
(vi) in accordance with Section 358 of the Code, immediately after the
Reorganization, the tax basis of the New York Insured Common Stock, New York
Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured
Series E AMPS received by the stockholders of New York Insured II in the
Reorganization will be equal to the tax basis of the Common Stock or AMPS of
New York Insured II surrendered in exchange; (vii) in accordance with Section
1223 of the Code, a stockholder's holding period for the New York Insured
Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS
or New York Insured Series E AMPS will be determined by including the period
for which such stockholder held the Common Stock or AMPS of New York Insured
II exchanged therefor, provided that such shares were held as a capital asset;
(viii) in accordance with Section 1223 of the Code, New York Insured's holding
period with respect to the assets of New York Insured II transferred will
include the period for which such assets were held by New York Insured II;
(ix) the payment of cash to common stockholders of New York Insured II in lieu
of fractional shares of New York Insured Common Stock will be treated as
though the fractional shares were distributed as part of the Reorganization
and then redeemed, with the result that such stockholders will have short-or
long-term capital gain or loss to the extent that the cash distribution
differs from the stockholder's basis allocable to the New York Insured
fractional shares; and (x) the taxable year of New York Insured II will end on
the effective date of the Reorganization and pursuant to Section 381(a) of the
Code and regulations thereunder, New York Insured will succeed to and take
into account certain tax attributes of New York Insured II, such as earnings
and profits, capital loss carryovers and method of accounting.

  As noted in the discussion under "Comparison of the Funds--Tax Rules
Applicable to the Funds and Their Stockholders," a Fund must distribute
annually at least 90% of its net taxable and tax-exempt income. A

                                      55
<PAGE>

distribution only will be counted for this purpose if it qualifies for the
dividends paid deduction under the Code. In the opinion of Brown & Wood LLP,
the issuance of New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS
and New York Insured Series E AMPS pursuant to the Reorganization in addition
to the already existing New York Insured Series A AMPS and New York Insured
Series B AMPS will not cause distributions on any series of New York Insured
AMPS to be treated as preferential dividends ineligible for the dividends paid
deduction. It is possible, however, that the IRS may assert that, because
there are several series of AMPS, distributions on such shares are
preferential under the Code and therefore not eligible for the dividends paid
deduction. If the IRS successfully disallowed the dividends paid deduction for
dividends on the AMPS, New York Insured could lose the special tax treatment
afforded RICs. In this case, dividends on the shares of New York Insured
Common Stock and AMPS would not be exempt from Federal income tax.
Additionally, New York Insured would be subject to the Federal alternative
minimum tax.

  Under Section 381(a) of the Code, New York Insured will succeed to and take
into account certain tax attributes of New York Insured II, including, but not
limited to, earnings and profits, any net operating loss carryovers, any
capital loss carryovers and method of accounting. The Code, however, contains
special limitations with regard to the use of net operating losses, capital
losses and other similar items in the context of certain reorganizations,
including tax-free reorganizations pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the
Code, which could reduce the benefit of these attributes to New York Insured.

  Stockholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effect of the
Reorganization in light of their individual circumstances. As the foregoing
relates only to Federal income tax consequences, stockholders also should
consult their tax advisers as to the foreign, state and local tax consequences
of the Reorganization.

  Regulated Investment Company Status. The Funds have elected and qualified
for taxation as RICs under Sections 851-855 of the Code, and after the
Reorganization New York Insured intends to continue to so qualify.

                                      56
<PAGE>

Capitalization

  The following table sets forth as of April 30, 1999 (i) the capitalization
of New York Insured, (ii) the capitalization of New York Insured II, and (iii)
the capitalization of pro forma New York Insured adjusted to give effect to
the Reorganization.

       Pro Forma Capitalization of New York Insured, New York Insured II

     and Pro Forma New York Insured as of April 30, 1999 (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Pro Forma New
                           New York     New York     Pro Forma   York Insured as
                           Insured     Insured II  Adjustment(a) adjusted (b)(c)
                         ------------ ------------ ------------- ---------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Net Assets
  Net Assets
   Attributable to
   Common Stock......... $193,011,092 $411,790,011  $(6,364,631)  $598,436,472
  Net Assets
   Attributable to AMPS.   85,000,000  174,000,000          --     259,000,000
Shares Outstanding:
  Common Stock..........   12,560,647   26,668,886      502,949     39,732,482(b)
  AMPS..................
    Series A............        1,700        2,800       (2,800)         1,700
    Series B............        1,700        1,960       (1,960)         1,700
    Series C............          N/A        1,000        1,800          2,800(b)
    Series D............          N/A        1,200          760          1,960(b)
    Series E............          N/A          N/A        2,200          2,200(b)
Net Asset Value Per
 Share:
  Common Stock..........       $15.37       $15.44          --          $15.06(c)
  AMPS..................      $25,000      $25,000          --         $25,000
</TABLE>
- --------

(a) The adjusted balances are presented as if the Reorganization had been
    consummated on April 30, 1999 and are for informational purposes only.
    Assumes distribution of undistributed net investment income, undistributed
    realized capital gains and accrual of estimated Reorganization expenses of
    $310,000. No assurance can be given as to how many shares of New York
    Insured Common Stock that stockholders of New York Insured II will receive
    on the Exchange Date, and the foregoing should not be relied upon to
    reflect the number of shares of New York Insured Common Stock that
    actually will be received on or after such date.

(b) Assumes the issuance of 27,171,835 shares of New York Insured Common Stock
    and three newly-created series of AMPS consisting of 2,800 Series C
    shares, 1,960 Series D shares and 2,200 Series E shares, respectively, in
    exchange for the net assets of New York Insured II. The estimated number
    of shares issued was based on the net asset value of each Fund, net of
    distributions, on April 30, 1999.

(c) Net Asset Value Per Share of Common Stock net of Reorganization-related
    expenses and distribution of undistributed net investment income of
    $3,215,494 for New York Insured and $2,325,604 for New York Insured II,
    and undistributed realized capital gains of $513,533 for New York Insured.

                                      57
<PAGE>

                  INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETINGS

Date, Time and Place of Meetings

  The Meetings will be held on December 15, 1999 at the offices of MLAM, 800
Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey at the times listed on Exhibit I.

Solicitation, Revocation and Use of Proxies

  A stockholder executing and returning a proxy has the power to revoke it at
any time prior to its exercise by executing a superseding proxy, by giving
written notice of the revocation to the Secretary of the appropriate Fund or
by voting in person at the Meeting. Although mere attendance at the Meetings
will not revoke a proxy, a stockholder present at the Meetings may withdraw
his or her proxy and vote in person.

  All shares represented by properly executed proxies, unless such proxies
previously have been revoked, will be voted at the Meetings in accordance with
the directions on the proxies; if no direction is indicated, the shares will
be voted "FOR" the approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. It is
not anticipated that any other matters will be brought before the Meetings.
If, however, any other business properly is brought before the Meetings,
proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons
designated on such proxies.

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

  Only holders of record of shares of Common Stock or AMPS of either Fund at
the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Meetings
or any adjournment thereof. At the close of business on the Record Date, the
Funds had the number of shares outstanding indicated in Exhibit I.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

  To the knowledge of the Funds, at the date hereof, no person or entity owns
beneficially 5% or more of the shares of the Common Stock or AMPS of either
Fund.

  As of the Record Date, the Directors and officers of New York Insured as a
group (12 persons) owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of New York Insured Common Stock and owned no New York Insured AMPS.

  As of the Record Date, the Directors and officers of New York Insured II as
a group (12 persons) owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of New York Insured II Common Stock and owned no New York Insured II
AMPS.

  On the Record Date, Mr. Glenn, a Director and an officer of each of the
Funds, Mr. Zeikel, a Director of each of the Funds, and the other Directors
and officers of each Fund owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of ML & Co.

Voting Rights and Required Vote

  For purposes of this Proxy Statement and Prospectus, each share of Common
Stock and AMPS of each of the Funds is entitled to one vote. Approval of the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization requires the approval of each Fund. With
respect to each Fund, approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
requires the affirmative vote of stockholders representing (i) a majority of
the outstanding shares of the Fund's Common Stock and AMPS, voting together as
a single class, and (ii) a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund's
AMPS, voting separately as a single class.

                                      58
<PAGE>


  For purposes of each Meeting, a quorum consists of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote at the Meeting, present in person or by proxy. If, by the
time scheduled for each Meeting, a quorum of the applicable Fund's
stockholders is not present, or if a quorum is present but sufficient votes in
favor of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization are not received from the
stockholders of the applicable Fund, the persons named as proxies may propose
one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of
proxies from stockholders. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of the applicable Fund present in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote at the session of the Meeting to be adjourned.
The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of any such adjournment if
they determine that adjournment and additional solicitation are reasonable and
in the interests of the applicable Fund's stockholders.

Appraisal Rights

  Under Maryland law, stockholders of company whose shares are traded publicly
on a national securities exchange, such as New York Insured II, are not
entitled to demand the fair value of their shares upon a transfer of assets;
therefore, the common stockholders of New York Insured II will be bound by the
terms of the Reorganization, if approved at the Meetings. However, any common
stockholder of New York Insured II may sell his or her shares of Common Stock
at any time on the NYSE. Conversely, since the AMPS are not traded publicly on
a national securities exchange, holders of AMPS issued by New York Insured II
will be entitled to appraisal rights upon the consummation of the
Reorganization. As stockholders of the corporation acquiring the assets of New
York Insured II, neither holders of New York Insured Common Stock nor holders
of New York Insured AMPS are entitled to appraisal rights under Maryland law.

  Under Maryland law, a holder of New York Insured II AMPS desiring to receive
payment of the fair value of his or her stock (an "objecting stockholder") (i)
must file with New York Insured II a written objection to the Reorganization
at or before the Meeting, (ii) must not vote in favor of the Reorganization
(although a vote against the Reorganization is not required), and (iii) must
make written demand on New York Insured for payment of his or her stock,
stating the number and class of shares for which he or she demands payment,
within 20 days after the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
accepts for filing the Articles of Transfer with respect to the Reorganization
(New York Insured is required promptly to give written notice to all objecting
stockholders of the date that the Articles of Transfer are accepted for
record). A vote against the Reorganization will not be sufficient to satisfy
the requirement of a written demand described in (iii). An objecting
stockholder who fails to adhere to this procedure will be bound by the terms
of the Reorganization. An objecting stockholder ceases to have any rights of a
stockholder except the right to receive fair value for his or her shares and
has no right to receive any dividends or distribution payable to such holders
on a record date after the close of business on the date on which fair value
is to be determined, which, for these purposes, will be the date of the
Meeting. A demand for payment of fair market value may not be withdrawn,
except upon the consent of New York Insured. Within 50 days after the Articles
of Transfer have been accepted for filing, an objecting stockholder who has
not received payment for his or her shares may petition a court located in
Baltimore, Maryland for an appraisal to determine the fair market value of his
or her stock.

                                      59
<PAGE>

                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  The expenses of preparation, printing and mailing of the enclosed form of
proxy, the accompanying Notice and this Proxy Statement and Prospectus will be
borne by New York Insured, the surviving fund after the Reorganization, so as
to be borne equally and exclusively on a per share basis by the holders of New
York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured II Common Stock. If the
Reorganization is not approved, these expenses will be allocated between the
Funds according to the net asset value of the Common Stock of each Fund on the
Meeting date.

  The Funds likewise will reimburse banks, brokers and others for their
reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy solicitation materials to the
beneficial owners of shares of each of the Funds and certain persons that the
Funds may employ for their reasonable expenses in assisting in the
solicitation of proxies from such beneficial owners of shares of capital stock
of the Funds.

  In order to obtain the necessary quorum at the Meetings, supplementary
solicitation may be made by mail, telephone, telegraph or personal interview
by officers of the Funds. Each of the Funds has retained Shareholder
Communications Corporation, 17 State Street, New York, New York 10004 to aid
in the solicitation of proxies, at a cost to be borne by each of the Funds of
approximately $7,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses.

  Broker-dealer firms, including Merrill Lynch, holding Fund shares in "street
name" for the benefit of their customers and clients will request the
instructions of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares on the
Reorganization before the Meetings. With respect to shares of Common Stock of
each Fund, broker-dealer firms, including Merrill Lynch, will not be permitted
to grant voting authority without instructions with respect to the approval of
the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. Shares of AMPS held in "street
name," however, may be voted without instructions under certain conditions by
broker-dealer firms with respect to the Reorganization and counted for
purposes of establishing a quorum if no instructions are received one business
day before the Meeting or, if adjourned, one business day before the day to
which the Meeting is adjourned. These conditions include, among others, that
(i) at least 30% of the AMPS outstanding have voted on the Reorganization,
(ii) less than 10% of the AMPS outstanding have voted against the
Reorganization and (iii) holders of Common Stock have voted to approve the
Reorganization. In such instances, the broker-dealer firm will vote those
shares of AMPS on Item 1 in the same proportion as the votes cast by all
holders of AMPS who voted on the Reorganization. The Funds will include shares
held of record by broker-dealers as to which such authority has been granted
in its tabulation of the total number of shares present for purposes of
determining whether the necessary quorum of stockholders of each Fund exists.
Proxies that are returned to a Fund but that are marked "abstain" or on which
a broker-dealer has declined to vote on any proposal ("broker non-votes") will
be counted as present for the purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the Reorganization.

  This Proxy Statement and Prospectus does not contain all of the information
set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits relating thereto
which New York Insured has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act
and the Investment Company Act, to which reference is hereby made.

  The Funds are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and the Investment Company Act and in accordance therewith are required to
file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Any such
reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at
the public reference facilities of the SEC at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional
offices of the SEC: Regional Office, at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300,
New York, New York 10048; Pacific Regional Office, at 5670 Wilshire Boulevard,
11th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90036; and Midwest Regional Office, at
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such materials can be obtained from the public
reference section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The SEC maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov
containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding

                                      60
<PAGE>

registrants, including the Funds, that file electronically with the SEC.
Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Funds can also
be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005.

Year 2000 Issues

  Many computer systems were designed using only two digits to designate
years. These systems may not be able to distinguish the Year 2000 from the
Year 1900 (commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem"). The Funds could be
adversely affected if the computer systems used by FAM or other Fund service
providers do not properly address this problem before January 1, 2000. FAM
expects to have addressed this problem before then, and does not anticipate
that the services it provides will be adversely affected. The Fund's other
service providers have told FAM that they also expect to resolve the Year 2000
Problem, and FAM will continue to monitor the situation as the Year 2000
approaches. However, if the problem has not been fully addressed, the Funds
could be negatively affected. The Year 2000 Problem could also have a negative
impact on the issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, and this could
hurt the Funds' investment returns.

                                   CUSTODIAN

  The Bank of New York acts as the custodian for cash and securities of New
York Insured and will act as custodian for the combined fund after the
Reorganization. The principal business address of The Bank of New York in such
capacity is 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286. State Street Bank
and Trust Company acts as the custodian for cash and securities of New York
Insured II. The principal business address of State Street Bank and Trust
Company in such capacity is One Heritage Drive, P2N, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171.

            TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

  The Bank of New York serves as the transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent
and registrar with respect to the Common Stock of New York Insured, pursuant
to a registrar, transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency and service
agreement with New York Insured and will act as transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent with respect to the Common Stock of the combined fund after
the Reorganization. The principal business address of The Bank of New York in
such capacity is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

  State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent and registrar with respect to the Common Stock of New York
Insured II, pursuant to a registrar, transfer agency and service agreement
with the Fund. The principal business address of State Street Bank and Trust
Company in such capacity is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

  The Bank of New York serves as the transfer agent, dividend disbursing
agent, registrar and auction agent to New York Insured and New York Insured II
in connection with their respective AMPS. The principal business address of
The Bank of New York is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

                               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

  There are no material legal proceedings to which either Fund is a party.

                                LEGAL OPINIONS

  Certain legal matters in connection with the Reorganization will be passed
upon for the Funds by Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.

                                      61
<PAGE>

                                    EXPERTS

  The financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, and the
financial highlights for each of the years in the six-year period then ended
and for the period February 28, 1992 to October 31, 1992 for New York Insured
and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period
ended October 31, 1996 and for the period June 26, 1992 to October 31, 1992
for New York Insured II included in this Proxy Statement and Prospectus have
been so included in reliance on the reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP ("D&T"),
independent auditors, given on their authority as experts in auditing and
accounting. The principal business address of D&T is 117 Campus Drive,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540. D&T will serve as the independent auditors for
the combined fund after the Reorganization.

  Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited the financial
statements and financial highlights of New York Insured II for each of the two
years in the period ended October 31, 1998, as set forth in their report which
appears in this Proxy Statement and Prospectus. The financial statements and
financial highlights of New York Insured II are included in reliance upon
their report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The principal business address of Ernst & Young LLP is 99 Wood Avenue South,
Iselin, New Jersey 08830.

                                          By Order of the Boards of Directors

                                          Alice A. Pellegrino
                                          Secretary of MuniYield New York
                                           Insured Fund, Inc. and MuniYield
                                           New York Insured Fund II, Inc.

                                      62
<PAGE>

                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Audited Financial Statements for MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
   for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 .............................  F-2

Unaudited Financial Statements for MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
   for the Six-Month Period Ended April 30, 1999 .......................... F-13

Audited Financial Statements for MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.
   for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 ............................. F-23

Unaudited Financial Statements for MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.
   for the Six-Month Period Ended April 30, 1999 .......................... F-35

Unaudited Financial Statements for Pro Forma New York Insured
   as of April 30, 1999 ................................................... F-46


                                      F-1
<PAGE>

                        Audited Financial Statements for
                      MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
                  for the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 1998


                                      F-2
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and capital,
including the schedule of investments, of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.,
as of October 31, 1998, the related statements of operations for the year then
ended and 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 five-year
period then ended. These financial statements and the financial highlights are
the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and the 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 the 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 at October
31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MuniYield New York
Insured Fund, Inc. as of October 31, 1998, the results of its operations, the
changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective
stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
December 4, 1998


                                      F-3
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS                                           (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York--99.6%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <C>     <C>       <S>                                                                                              <C>
AAA      Aaa     $ 6,095   Albany County, New York, Airport Authority, Airport Revenue Bonds, RITR, AMT,
                           Series RI-97-7, 8.17% due 12/15/2023 (d)(e)                                                      $  7,199
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       8,200   Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, Public Bridge Authority, Toll Bridge
                           System Revenue Bonds, 5.75% due 1/01/2025 (b)                                                       8,805
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Long Island, New York, Power Authority, Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds,
                           Series A:
AAA      Aaa      10,000     5.25% due 12/01/2026 (a)                                                                         10,235
A-       Baa1      4,400     5.50% due 12/01/2029                                                                              4,544
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,500   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           Series C-1, 5.375% due 7/01/2027 (f)                                                                2,591
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      11,000   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           Series J, 6.50% due 7/01/2002 (f)(g)                                                               12,243
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,000   Nassau County, New York, IDA, Civic Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds (Hofstra University
                           Project), 5% due 7/01/2023 (b)                                                                      2,966
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+    2,325   New York City, New York, Cultural Resources Trust, Revenue Bonds (Carnegie Hall), VRDN,
                           2.70% due 12/01/2015 (c)                                                                            2,325
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+    2,500   New York City, New York, GO, VRDN, UT, Series B, Sub-Series B-6, 3.70% due 8/15/2005 (b)(c)         2,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer
                           System Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       1,000     Refunding, Fiscal 1997-Series A, 5.375% due 6/15/2026 (e)                                         1,031
AAA      Aaa      10,000     Series A, 4.75% due 6/15/2031 (f)                                                                 9,522
AAA      Aaa      22,500     Series B, 5.75% due 6/15/2026 (b)                                                                24,189
AAA      Aaa       5,000     Series B, 5.50% due 6/15/2027 (b)                                                                 5,279
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,000   New York City, New York, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue Bonds (Future Tax
                           Secured), Series A, 5% due 8/15/2027 (b)                                                            4,932
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      10,000   New York, New York, RITR, Series 33, 6.94% due 8/01/2027 (b)(d)                                    10,700
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York, New York, Refunding, GO, UT:
A-       A3        3,870     Series B, 6.375% due 8/15/2012                                                                    4,321
AAA      Aaa       5,000     Series G, 5% due 8/01/2006 (b)                                                                    5,292
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To simplify the listings of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.'s portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many
of the securities according to the list below and at right.

AMT      Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP      Certificates of Participation
DATES    Daily Adjustable Tax-Exempt Securities
GO       General Obligation Bonds
IDA      Industrial Development Authority
PCR      Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RITR     Residual Interest Trust Receipts
UT       Unlimited Tax
VRDN     Variable Rate Demand Notes


                                      F-4
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <C>     <C>       <S>                                                                                              <C>
                           New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa     $ 4,400     (City University System), Series C, 7.50% due 7/01/2010 (f)                                    $  5,639
AAA      Aaa       2,365     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.25% due 7/01/2004 (a)(g)                  2,684
AAA      Aaa       4,000     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.25% due 7/01/2004 (a)(g)                  4,540
A1+      VMIG1+    1,200     (Cornell University), VRDN, Series B, 3.70% due 7/01/2025 (c)                                     1,200
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (Ithaca College), 5.25% due 7/01/2026 (a)                                                         2,044
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (New School Social Research), 5.75% due 7/01/2026 (b)                                             2,177
AAA      Aaa       4,980     Refunding (City University System), Series C, 7% due 7/01/2014 (f)                                5,327
AAA      Aaa       3,500     Refunding (City University System), Third Generation Resources, Series 2,
                             5% due 7/01/2023 (a)                                                                              3,461
AAA      Aaa       4,250     Refunding (Hospital Mortgage--United Health Services Hospitals), 5.375%
                             due 8/01/2027 (a)                                                                                 4,367
AAA      Aaa       3,100     Refunding (Montefiore Medical Center), 5.25% due 2/01/2015 (a)                                    3,194
AAA      Aaa      10,000     Refunding (North Shore University Hospital), 5.25% due 11/01/2019 (b)                            10,242
AAA      Aaa       6,000     Refunding (Siena College), 5.75% due 7/01/2026 (b)                                                6,530
AAA      Aaa       5,850     Refunding (St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center), 5.25% due 7/01/2018 (b)                          5,960
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      10,250   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Gas Facilities Revenue Bonds
                           (Brooklyn Union Gas Company), AMT, Series B, 6.75% due 2/01/2024 (b)                               11,263
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR (Niagara Mohawk
                           Power Corp. Project), Series A (c):
A1+      NR*       4,300     DATES, 3.70% due 7/01/2015                                                                        4,300
A1+      NR*       3,700     VRDN, 3.75% due 12/01/2023                                                                        3,700
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,975   New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, Special Obligation Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds (Riverbank State Park), 5.50% due 4/01/2016 (a)                                               3,162
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A        A2        7,715   New York State, GO, Series B, 5% due 3/01/2015                                                      7,801
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       2,790     (Health Center Project--Second Mortgage), Series A, 6.375% due 11/15/2019 (a)                     3,200
AAA      Aaa       1,000     (Long-Term Health Care Insured Program), Series D, 6.50% due 11/01/2015 (e)                       1,105
AAA      Aaa       1,865     (Long-Term Health Care), Series B, 6.45% due 11/01/2014 (e)                                       2,042
AAA      Aaa       8,335     (Mental Health Services Facilities), Series A, 6.375% due 8/15/2017 (f)                           9,099
AAA      Aaa       1,000     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.75% due 2/15/2005 (a)(g)(h)                             1,168
AAA      Aaa       7,250     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.80% due 2/15/2005 (a)(g)(h)                             8,485
AAA      Aaa      10,000     Refunding (Hospital and Nursing Home), Series C, 6.375% due 8/15/2029 (b)                        10,981
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aaa       7,900   New York State Mortgage Agency Revenue Bonds, RITR, AMT, Series 24,
                           7.72% due 10/01/2028 (d)                                                                            8,837
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund, Series B (f)(g):
AAA      Aaa       8,000     6.25% due 4/01/2004                                                                               9,044
AAA      Aaa       3,000     UT, 6% due 4/01/2004                                                                              3,355
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      VMIG1+    2,500   New York State Thruway Authority Revenue Bonds, VRDN, 3.70% due 1/01/2024 (c)(f)                    2,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds (f):
AAA      Aaa       5,000     116th Series, 4.25% due 10/01/2026                                                                4,453
AAA      Aaa       2,180     AMT, 97th Series, 6.50% due 7/15/2019                                                             2,443
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,700   Syracuse, New York, COP (Syracuse Hancock International Airport), AMT,
                           6.50% due 1/01/2017 (f)                                                                             6,195
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-5
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (concluded)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <C>      <C>      <S>                                                                                              <C>
A1+      VMIG1+   $  500   Syracuse, New York, IDA, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, Multi-Modal (Syracuse University
                           Project), VRDN, 3.70% due 3/01/2023 (c)                                                          $    500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,000   Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Special Obligation Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds, Series A, 4.75% due 1/01/2024 (b)                                                            3,841
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (Cost--$267,022)--99.6%                                                                                    283,513

Other Assets Less Liabilities--0.4%                                                                                            1,069
                                                                                                                            --------
Net Assets--100.0%                                                                                                          $284,582
                                                                                                                            ========
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) AMBAC Insured.
(b) MBIA Insured.
(c) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
    market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at October 31,
    1998.
(d) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based upon
    prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at
    October 31, 1998.
(e) FSA Insured.
(f) FGIC Insured.
(g) Prerefunded.
(h) FHA Insured.
+   Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
*   Not Rated.

Ratings of issues shown have not been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUALITY PROFILE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The quality ratings of securities in the Fund as of October 31, 1998 were as
follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Percent of
S&P Rating/Moody's Rating                                             Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA/Aaa.............................................................      87.8%
A/A.................................................................       5.8
Other*..............................................................       6.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*   Temporary investments in short-term municipal securities.


                                      F-6
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital as of October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<C>           <S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
Assets:       Investments, at value (identified cost--$267,022,066) (Note 1a) .........                  $283,512,835
              Cash ....................................................................                        86,175
              Receivables:
                Interest ..............................................................   $  4,236,184
                Securities sold .......................................................        521,970      4,758,154
                                                                                          ------------
              Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................                        14,053
                                                                                                         ------------
              Total assets ............................................................                   288,371,217
                                                                                                         ------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:  Payables:
                Securities purchased ..................................................      3,519,444
                Investment adviser (Note 2) ...........................................        125,435
                Dividends to shareholders (Note 1e) ...................................         50,734      3,695,613
                                                                                          ------------
              Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................................                        93,154
                                                                                                         ------------
              Total liabilities .......................................................                     3,788,767
                                                                                                         ------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:   Net assets ..............................................................                  $284,582,450
                                                                                                         ============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital:      Capital Stock (200,000,000 shares authorized) (Note 4):
                Preferred Stock, par value $.05 per share (3,400 shares of AMPS*
                issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation preference) ...                  $ 85,000,000
                Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (12,274,294 shares issued
                and outstanding) ......................................................   $  1,227,429
              Paid-in capital in excess of par ........................................    171,600,056
              Undistributed investment income--net ....................................      3,010,351
              Undistributed realized capital gains on investments--net ................      7,253,845
              Unrealized appreciation on investments--net .............................     16,490,769
                                                                                          ------------
              Total--Equivalent to $16.26 net asset value per share of Common Stock
              (market price--$16.3125) ................................................                   199,582,450
                                                                                                         ------------
              Total capital ...........................................................                  $284,582,450
                                                                                                         ============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

            * Auction Market Preferred Stock.

              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-7
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 For the Year Ended
                                                                                                   October 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>                                                                  <C>           <C>
Investment Income    Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned ........                  $15,635,016
(Note 1d):
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:            Investment advisory fees (Note 2) ...............................    $1,399,829
                     Commission fees (Note 4) ........................................       215,237
                     Professional fees ...............................................        73,296
                     Accounting services (Note 2) ....................................        54,413
                     Transfer agent fees .............................................        31,764
                     Listing fees ....................................................        24,441
                     Directors' fees and expenses ....................................        23,033
                     Custodian fees ..................................................        21,413
                     Printing and shareholder reports ................................        20,946
                     Pricing fees ....................................................         8,042
                     Other ...........................................................        25,943
                                                                                          ----------
                     Total expenses ..................................................                    1,898,357
                                                                                                        -----------
                     Investment income--net ...........................................                  13,736,659
                                                                                                        -----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized &           Realized gain on investments--net ...............................                    9,533,983
Unrealized Gain      Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ...........                   (2,168,441)
(Loss) on                                                                                               -----------
Investments--Net     Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations ............                  $21,102,201
(Notes 1b, 1d & 3):                                                                                     ===========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                     See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-8
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  For the Year Ended October 31,
                                                                                                  ------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:                                                                     1998             1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                   <S>                                                                         <C>              <C>
Operations:           Investment income--net ..................................................   $  13,736,659    $  13,937,912
                      Realized gain on investments--net .......................................       9,533,983        4,164,812
                      Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ...................      (2,168,441)       1,553,036
                                                                                                  -------------    -------------
                      Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ....................      21,102,201       19,655,760
                                                                                                  -------------    -------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends &           Investment income--net:
Distributions to        Common Stock ..........................................................     (10,960,993)     (10,993,544)
Shareholders            Preferred Stock .......................................................      (2,353,599)      (2,826,998)
(Note 1e):            Realized gain on investments--net:
                        Common Stock ..........................................................      (2,282,779)        (799,349)
                        Preferred Stock .......................................................        (986,221)        (198,679)
                                                                                                  -------------    -------------
                      Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions
                      to shareholders .........................................................     (16,583,592)     (14,818,570)
                                                                                                  -------------    -------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Stock         Value of shares issued to Common Stock shareholders in reinvestment
Transactions          of dividends and distributions ..........................................       2,957,094          658,515
(Note 4):                                                                                         -------------    -------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:           Total increase in net assets ............................................       7,475,703        5,495,705
                      Beginning of year .......................................................     277,106,747      271,611,042
                                                                                                  -------------    -------------
                      End of year* ............................................................   $ 284,582,450    $ 277,106,747
                                                                                                  =============    =============
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *Undistributed investment income--net (Note 1f) ..........................   $   3,010,351    $   2,576,708
                                                                                                  =============    =============
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-9
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived
from information provided in the financial statements.                                   For the Year Ended October 31,
                                                                              ----------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value:                                         1998       1997       1996       1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share            Net asset value, beginning of year ...................   $  15.89   $  15.49   $  15.64   $  14.17   $  16.85
Operating                                                                     --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Performance:         Investment income--net ...............................       1.12       1.15       1.15       1.19       1.20
                     Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
                     investments--net .....................................        .61        .48       (.03)      1.58      (2.67)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total from investment operations .....................       1.73       1.63       1.12       2.77      (1.47)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Less dividends and distributions to Common Stock
                     shareholders:
                       Investment income--net .............................       (.90)      (.91)      (.91)      (.92)      (.97)
                       Realized gain on investments--net ..................       (.19)      (.07)        --       (.10)      (.05)
                       In excess of realized gain on investments--net .....         --         --       (.10)        --         --
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total dividends and distributions to
                       Common Stock shareholders ..........................      (1.09)      (.98)     (1.01)     (1.02)     (1.02)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Effect of Preferred Stock activity:
                       Dividends and distributions to Preferred
                       Stock shareholders:
                         Investment income--net ...........................       (.19)      (.23)      (.23)      (.26)      (.18)
                         Realized gain on investments--net ................       (.08)      (.02)        --       (.02)      (.01)
                         In excess of realized gain on investments--net ...         --         --       (.03)        --         --
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total effect of Preferred Stock activity .............       (.27)      (.25)      (.26)      (.28)      (.19)
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Net asset value, end of year .........................   $  16.26   $  15.89   $  15.49   $  15.64   $  14.17
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Market price per share, end of year ..................   $16.3125   $ 15.875   $ 14.875   $ 14.375   $  12.25
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investment     Based on market price per share ......................       9.99%     13.79%     10.79%     26.40%    (20.49%)
Return:*                                                                      ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Based on net asset value per share ...................       9.53%      9.37%      6.04%     18.89%     (9.94%)
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average    Expenses .............................................        .68%       .70%       .70%       .71%       .70%
Net Assets:**                                                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Investment income--net ...............................       4.91%      5.09%      5.11%      5.42%      5.28%
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental         Net assets, net of Preferred Stock, end of year
Data:                (in thousands) .......................................   $199,582   $192,107   $186,611   $188,354   $170,670
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Preferred Stock outstanding, end of year
                     (in thousands) .......................................   $ 85,000   $ 85,000   $ 85,000   $ 85,000   $ 85,000
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Portfolio turnover ...................................      89.76%     81.73%     80.59%     88.17%     41.26%
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leverage:            Asset coverage per $1,000 ............................   $  3,348   $  3,260   $  3,195   $  3,216   $  3,008
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Per Share  Series A--Investment income--net .....................   $    695   $    826   $    819   $    935   $    673
On Preferred Stock                                                            ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Outstanding:+        Series B--Investment income--net .....................   $    689   $    837   $    807   $    904   $    593
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                *   Total investment returns based on market value, which can be
                    significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value,
                    may result in substantially different returns. Total
                    investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
                **  Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock
                    shareholders.
                +   Dividends per share have been adjusted to reflect a
                    two-for-one stock split that occurred on December 1, 1994.

                    See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-10
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. The Fund determines and makes available for publication the
net asset value of its Common Stock on a weekly basis. The Fund's Common Stock
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MYN. The following is
a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.

(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options written or purchased are valued at the last
sale price in the case of exchange-traded options. In the case of options traded
in the over-the-counter market, valuation is the last asked price (options
written) or the last bid price (options purchased). Securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are
not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including
valuations furnished by a pricing service retained by the Fund, which may
utilize a matrix system for valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors.

(b) Derivative financial instruments--The Fund may engage in various portfolio
strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio against
adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes in the
value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.

 . Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell financial futures
contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
market risk on existing securities or the intended purchase of securities.
Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of securities at a specific
future date and at a specific price or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the
Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the
exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the
Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the
daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and
the value at the time it was closed.

 . Options--The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and purchase put
options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received
by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of
the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market
value of the option written.

When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the
related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of
the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the
security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing
transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of
the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the
closing transaction exceeds the premium paid or received).

Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.

(c) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Discounts and market
premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.

(e) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid


                                      F-11
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                           October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend dates.

(f) Reclassification--Generally accepted accounting principles require that
certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences
between financial and tax reporting. Accordingly, current year's permanent
book/tax differences of $11,576 have been reclassified between undistributed net
realized capital gains and undistributed net investment income. These
reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc.
("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML &
Co."), which is the limited partner.

FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at
an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock.

Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.

Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.

3. Investments:

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the
year ended October 31, 1998 were $242,922,560 and $240,943,452, respectively.

Net realized gains for the year ended October 31, 1998 and net unrealized gains
as of October 31, 1998 were as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Realized      Unrealized
                                                         Gains          Gains
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term investments ...........................     $9,372,121     $16,490,769
Financial futures contracts .....................        161,862              --
                                                      ----------     -----------
Total ...........................................     $9,533,983     $16,490,769
                                                      ==========     ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of October 31, 1998, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $16,490,769, of which $16,905,881 related to appreciated
securities and $415,112 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost of
investments at October 31, 1998 for Federal income tax purposes was
$267,022,066.

4. Capital Stock Transactions:

The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, including
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which were initially
classified as Common Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to
reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock without approval of the holders
of Common Stock.

Common Stock

Shares issued and outstanding during the years ended October 31, 1998 and
October 31, 1997 increased by 185,859 and 41,692, respectively, as a result of
dividend reinvestment.

Preferred Stock

Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") are shares of Preferred Stock of the
Fund, with a par value of $.05 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000
per share, that entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at an annual
rate that may vary for the successive dividend periods. The yields in effect at
October 31, 1998 were: Series A, 3.23% and Series B, 3.25%.

Shares issued and outstanding during the years ended October 31, 1998 and
October 31, 1997 remained constant.

The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.375%, calculated on the proceeds of
each auction. For the year ended October 31, 1998, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Inc., an affiliate of FAM, earned $85,619 as commissions.

5. Subsequent Event:

On November 5, 1998, the Fund's Board of Directors declared an ordinary income
dividend to Common Stock shareholders in the amount of $.080966 per share,
payable on November 27, 1998 to shareholders of record as of November 20, 1998.


                                      F-12
<PAGE>

                       Unaudited Financial Statements for
                      MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
                            for the Six-Month Period
                              Ended April 30, 1999


                                      F-13
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS                                           (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York--100.1%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <C>     <C>       <S>                                                                                              <C>
                           Albany County, New York, Airport Authority, Airport Revenue Bonds:
NR*      Aaa     $ 6,095     RITR, Series RI-7, 7.52% due 12/15/2023 (d)(e)                                                 $  7,188
AAA      Aaa       4,565     Series B, 4.75% due 12/15/2018 (e)                                                                4,368
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       8,200   Buffalo and Fort Erie, New York, Public Bridge Authority, Toll Bridge System Revenue Bonds,
                           5.75% due 1/01/2025 (b)                                                                             8,725
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      10,000   Long Island Power Authority, New York, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Series A,
                           5.25% due 12/01/2026 (a)                                                                           10,142
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+      850   Long Island Power Authority, New York, Electric System Revenue Bonds, VRDN, Sub-Series 7,
                           4.10% due 4/01/2025 (b)(c)                                                                            850
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,500   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           Series C-1, 5.375% due 7/01/2027 (f)                                                                2,576
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,680   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue
                           Refunding Bonds, Series B, 4.75% due 7/01/2026 (f)                                                  4,401
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       7,370   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Facilities Revenue
                           Refunding Bonds, Series A, 4.75% due 7/01/2024 (b)                                                  6,946
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,000   Nassau County, New York, GO (General Improvement), Series V, 5.25% due 3/01/2011 (a)                5,250
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, GO, Refunding:
A-       A3        3,870     Series B, 6.375% due 8/15/2012                                                                    4,281
AAA      Aaa       2,500     Series D, 5.25% due 8/01/2021 (b)                                                                 2,533
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+      400   New York City, New York, GO, VRDN, Series B-2, Sub-Series B-5, 4.10% due 8/15/2011 (b)(c)             400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                           Revenue Bonds, Series B (b):
AAA      Aaa      22,500     5.75% due 6/15/2026                                                                              24,161
AAA      Aaa       5,000     5.50% due 6/15/2027                                                                               5,222
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                           Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       1,000     Series A, 5.375% due 6/15/2026 (e)                                                                1,025
AAA      Aaa      10,000     Series B, 5.25% due 6/15/2029 (a)                                                                10,122
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aaa      14,585   New York City, New York, RITR, Series 33, 6.24% due 8/01/2027 (b)(d)                               15,442
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To simplify the listings of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.'s portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many
of the securities according to the list below and at right.

AMT      Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP      Certificates of Participation
FLOATS   Floating Rate Securities
GO       General Obligation Bonds
IDA      Industrial Development Authority
PCR      Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RITR     Residual Interest Trust Receipts
VRDN     Variable Rate Demand Notes


                                      F-14
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <C>     <C>       <S>                                                                                              <C>
AAA      Aaa     $10,385   New York City, New York, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Future Tax
                           Secured, Series B, 4.75% due 11/15/2023 (f)                                                      $  9,810
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       8,750   New York State Dormitory Authority, Lease Revenue Bonds (Municipal Health Facilities
                           Improvement Program), Series 1, 4.75% due 1/15/2029 (e)                                             8,195
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       4,000     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.25% due 7/01/2004 (a)(g)                  4,510
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (Ithaca College), 5.25% due 7/01/2026 (a)                                                         2,027
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (New School Social Research), 5.75% due 7/01/2026 (b)                                             2,153
AAA      Aaa       6,000     (Siena College), 5.75% due 7/01/2026 (b)                                                          6,460
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       4,400     (City University System), Series C, 7.50% due 7/01/2010 (f)                                       5,408
AAA      Aaa       4,980     (City University System), Series C, 7% due 7/01/2014 (f)                                          5,271
AAA      NR*       4,250     (Hospital Mortgage--United Health Services Hospitals), 5.375% due 8/01/2027 (a)(h)                4,356
AAA      Aaa      10,000     (North Shore University Hospital), 5.25% due 11/01/2019 (b)                                      10,095
AAA      Aaa       5,850     (Saint Joseph's Hospital Health Center), 5.25% due 7/01/2018 (b)                                  5,909
AAA      Aaa      13,360     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 4.75% due 5/15/2025 (b)                     12,580
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      10,250   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Gas Facilities Revenue Bonds
                           (Brooklyn Union Gas Company), AMT, Series B, 6.75% due 2/01/2024 (b)                               11,159
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR, Refunding (c):
A1+      VMIG1+    1,200     (New York State Electric and Gas), VRDN, Series D, 4.20% due 10/01/2029                           1,200
NR*      P1        4,900     (Niagara Mohawk Corporation Project), FLOATS, Series A, 4.20% due 3/01/2027                       4,900
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,975   New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, Special Obligation Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds (Riverbank State Park), 5.50% due 4/01/2016 (a)                                               3,130
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       2,680     (Health Center Project--Second Mortgage), Series A, 6.375% due 11/15/2019 (a)                     3,053
AAA      Aaa       1,865     (Long-Term Health Care), Series B, 6.45% due 11/01/2014 (e)                                       2,024
AAA      Aaa       1,000     (Long-Term Health Care--Insured Program), Series D, 6.50% due 11/01/2015 (e)                      1,096
AAA      Aaa       1,000     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.75% due 2/15/2005 (a)(g)(h)                             1,156
AAA      Aaa       7,250     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.80% due 2/15/2005 (a)(g)(h)                             8,397
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      10,000   New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Hospital and Nursing Home), Series C, 6.375% due 8/15/2029 (b)                                    10,891
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      NR*       7,900   New York State Mortgage Agency Revenue Bonds, RITR, Series 24, 7.07% due 10/01/2028 (d)             8,895
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+      800   New York State Thruway Authority, General Revenue Bonds, VRDN, 4.20% due 1/01/2024 (c)(f)             800
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Revenue Bonds,
                           Series B (f)(g):
AAA      Aaa       3,000     6% due 4/01/2004                                                                                  3,335
AAA      Aaa       8,000     6.25% due 4/01/2004                                                                               8,982
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       6,500   New York State Urban Development Corporation, Revenue Refunding Bonds (Correctional
                           Capital Project), Series A, 5.25% due 1/01/2021 (e)                                                 6,561
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,180   Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds, AMT, 97th Series,
                           6.50% due 7/15/2019 (f)                                                                             2,414
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,700   Syracuse, New York, COP (Syracuse Hancock International Airport), AMT, 6.50%
                           due 1/01/2017 (f)                                                                                   6,140
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-15
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                     Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                      (Note 1a)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (concluded)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <C>     <C>       <S>                                                                                             <C>
AAA      Aaa     $ 3,000   Syracuse, New York, GO, Refunding, Series B, 5.25% due 10/01/2014 (e)                           $  3,115
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+      500   Syracuse, New York, IDA, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds (Multi-Modal-Syracuse University
                           Project), VRDN, 4.20% due 3/01/2023 (c)                                                              500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (Cost--$266,195)--100.1%                                                                                  278,154

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets--(0.1%)                                                                                  (143)
                                                                                                                           --------
Net Assets--100.0%                                                                                                         $278,011
                                                                                                                           ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) AMBAC Insured.
(b) MBIA Insured.
(c) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
    market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at April 30,
    1999.
(d) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based upon
    prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at
    April 30, 1999.
(e) FSA Insured.
(f) FGIC Insured.
(g) Prerefunded.
(h) FHA Insured.
+   Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
*   Not Rated.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-16
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital as of April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<C>            <S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
Assets:        Investments, at value (identified cost--$266,194,870) (Note 1a) .........                  $278,154,486
               Cash ....................................................................                        23,465
               Interest receivable .....................................................                     4,933,029
               Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................                        14,053
                                                                                                          ------------
               Total assets ............................................................                   283,125,033
                                                                                                          ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:   Payables:
                 Securities purchased ..................................................   $  4,949,109
                 Investment adviser (Note 2) ...........................................        122,104
                 Dividends to shareholders (Note 1e) ...................................         26,656      5,097,869
                                                                                           ------------
               Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................................                        16,072
                                                                                                          ------------

               Total liabilities .......................................................                     5,113,941
                                                                                                          ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:    Net assets ..............................................................                  $278,011,092
                                                                                                          ============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital:       Capital Stock (200,000,000 shares authorized) (Note 4):
                 Preferred Stock, par value $.05 per share (3,400 shares of AMPS*
                 issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation preference) ...                  $ 85,000,000
                 Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (12,560,647 shares issued
                 and outstanding) ......................................................   $  1,256,065
               Paid-in capital in excess of par ........................................    176,066,384
               Undistributed investment income--net ....................................      3,215,494
               Undistributed realized capital gains on investments--net ................        513,533
               Unrealized appreciation on investments--net .............................     11,959,616
                                                                                           ------------
               Total--Equivalent to $15.37 net asset value per share of Common Stock
               (market price--$15.9375) ................................................                   193,011,092
                                                                                                          ------------
               Total capital ...........................................................                  $278,011,092
                                                                                                          ============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

              *Auction Market Preferred Stock.

               See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-17
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      For the Six Months Ended
                                                                                                April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>                                                            <C>            <C>
Investment Income    Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned ...                  $ 7,480,963
(Note 1d):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:            Investment advisory fees (Note 2) ..........................   $   699,084
                     Commission fees (Note 4) ...................................       103,126
                     Accounting services (Note 2) ...............................        38,210
                     Professional fees ..........................................        34,807
                     Transfer agent fees ........................................        29,056
                     Printing and shareholder reports ...........................        12,103
                     Listing fees ...............................................        11,951
                     Custodian fees .............................................        11,336
                     Directors' fees and expenses ...............................        11,131
                     Pricing fees ...............................................         3,868
                     Other ......................................................        16,656
                                                                                    -----------
                     Total expenses .............................................                      971,328
                                                                                                   -----------
                     Investment income--net .....................................                    6,509,635
                                                                                                   -----------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized &           Realized gain on investments--net ..........................                    2,518,058
Unrealized Gain      Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ......                   (4,531,153)
(Loss) on                                                                                          -----------
Investments--Net     Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations .......                  $ 4,496,540
(Notes 1b, 1d & 3):                                                                                ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                     See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-18
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 For the Six         For the
                                                                                                 Months Ended       Year Ended
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:                                                              April 30, 1999    Oct. 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>                                                                         <C>              <C>
Operations:          Investment income--net ..................................................   $   6,509,635    $  13,736,659
                     Realized gain on investments--net .......................................       2,518,058        9,533,983
                     Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ...................      (4,531,153)      (2,168,441)
                                                                                                 -------------    -------------
                     Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ....................       4,496,540       21,102,201
                                                                                                 -------------    -------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends &          Investment income--net:
Distributions to       Common Stock ..........................................................      (5,742,676)     (10,960,993)
Shareholders           Preferred Stock .......................................................        (561,816)      (2,353,599)
(Note 1e):           Realized gain on investments--net:
                       Common Stock ..........................................................      (8,008,462)      (2,282,779)
                       Preferred Stock .......................................................      (1,249,908)        (986,221)
                                                                                                 -------------    -------------
                     Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions
                     to shareholders .........................................................     (15,562,862)     (16,583,592)
                                                                                                 -------------    -------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Stock        Value of shares issued to Common Stock shareholders in reinvestment
Transactions         of dividends and distributions ..........................................       4,494,964        2,957,094
(Note 4):                                                                                        -------------    -------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:          Total increase (decrease) in net assets .................................      (6,571,358)       7,475,703
                     Beginning of period .....................................................     284,582,450      277,106,747
                                                                                                 -------------    -------------
                     End of period* ..........................................................   $ 278,011,092    $ 284,582,450
                                                                                                 =============    =============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *Undistributed investment income--net ....................................   $   3,215,494    $   3,010,351
                                                                                                 =============    =============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                     See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-19
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived                   For the Six
from information provided in the financial statements.                      Months Ended        For the Year Ended October 31,
                                                                              April 30,   -----------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value:                                         1999        1998       1997       1996       1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                  <S>                                                      <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share            Net asset value, beginning of period .................   $  16.26    $  15.89   $  15.49   $  15.64   $  14.17
Operating                                                                     --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
Performance:         Investment income--net ...............................        .51        1.12       1.15       1.15       1.19
                     Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
                     investments--net .....................................       (.15)        .61        .48       (.03)      1.58
                                                                              --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total from investment operations .....................        .36        1.73       1.63       1.12       2.77
                                                                              --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Less dividends and distributions to Common Stock
                     shareholders:
                       Investment income--net .............................       (.46)       (.90)      (.91)      (.91)      (.92)
                       Realized gain on investments--net ..................       (.65)       (.19)      (.07)        --       (.10)
                       In excess of realized gain on investments--net .....         --          --         --       (.10)        --
                                                                              --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total dividends and distributions to
                     Common Stock shareholders ............................      (1.11)      (1.09)      (.98)     (1.01)     (1.02)
                                                                              --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Effect of Preferred Stock activity:
                       Dividends and distributions to Preferred
                       Stock shareholders:
                         Investment income--net ...........................       (.04)       (.19)      (.23)      (.23)      (.26)
                         Realized gain on investments--net ................       (.10)       (.08)      (.02)        --       (.02)
                         In excess of realized gain on investments--net ...         --          --         --       (.03)        --
                                                                              --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total effect of Preferred Stock activity .............       (.14)       (.27)      (.25)      (.26)      (.28)
                                                                              --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Net asset value, end of period .......................   $  15.37    $  16.26   $  15.89   $  15.49   $  15.64
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Market price per share, end of period ................   $15.9375    $16.3125   $ 15.875   $ 14.875   $ 14.375
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investment     Based on market price per share ......................       4.77%+      9.99%     13.79%     10.79%     26.40%
Return:**                                                                     ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Based on net asset value per share ...................       1.36%+      9.53%      9.37%      6.04%     18.89%
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average    Expenses .............................................        .69%*       .68%       .70%       .70%       .71%
Net Assets:***                                                                ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Investment income--net ...............................       4.65%*      4.91%      5.09%      5.11%      5.42%
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental         Net assets, net of Preferred Stock, end of period
Data:                (in thousands) .......................................   $193,011    $199,582   $192,107   $186,611   $188,354
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Preferred Stock outstanding, end of period
                     (in thousands) .......................................   $ 85,000    $ 85,000   $ 85,000   $ 85,000   $ 85,000
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Portfolio turnover ...................................      43.75%      89.76%     81.73%     80.59%     88.17%
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leverage:            Asset coverage per $1,000 ............................   $  3,271    $  3,348   $  3,260   $  3,195   $  3,216
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Per Share  Series A--Investment income--net .....................   $    160    $    695   $    826   $    819   $    935
On Preferred Stock                                                            ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
Outstanding:         Series B--Investment income--net .....................   $    171    $    689   $    837   $    807   $    904
                                                                              ========    ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                *   Annualized.
                **  Total investment returns based on market value, which can be
                    significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value,
                    may result in substantially different returns. Total
                    investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
                *** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock
                    shareholders.
                +   Aggregate total investment return.

                    See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-20
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles which may require the use of
management accruals and estimates. These unaudited financial statements reflect
all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair
statement of the results for the interim period presented. All such adjustments
are of a normal recurring nature. The Fund determines and makes available for
publication the net asset value of its Common Stock on a weekly basis. The
Fund's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
MYN. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Fund.

(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options written or purchased are valued at the last
sale price in the case of exchange-traded options. In the case of options traded
in the over-the-counter market, valuation is the last asked price (options
written) or the last bid price (options purchased). Securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are
not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including
valuations furnished by a pricing service retained by the Fund, which may
utilize a matrix system for valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors.

(b) Derivative financial instruments--The Fund may engage in various portfolio
strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio against
adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes in the
value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.

 . Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell financial futures
contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
market risk on existing securities or the intended purchase of securities.
Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of securities at a specific
future date and at a specific price or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the
Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the
exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the
Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the
daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and
the value at the time it was closed.

 . Options--The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and purchase put
options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received
by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of
the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market
value of the option written.

When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the
related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of
the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the
security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing
transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of
the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the
closing transaction exceeds the premium paid or received).

Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.

(c) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis.


                                      F-21
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.                             April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discounts and market premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains
and losses on security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.

(e) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.

2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc.
("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML &
Co."), which is the limited partner.

FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at
an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock.

Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.

Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.

3. Investments:

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six
months ended April 30, 1999 were $121,958,493 and $116,833,422, respectively.

Net realized gains for the six months ended April 30, 1999 and net unrealized
gains as of April 30, 1999 were as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Realized       Unrealized
                                                         Gains          Gains
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term investments ...........................     $2,485,868     $11,959,616
Financial futures contracts .....................         32,190              --
                                                      ----------     -----------
Total ...........................................     $2,518,058     $11,959,616
                                                      ==========     ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of April 30, 1999, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $11,959,616, of which $12,507,082 related to appreciated
securities and $547,466 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost of
investments at April 30, 1999 for Federal income tax purposes was $266,194,870.

4. Capital Stock Transactions:

The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, including
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which were initially
classified as Common Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to
reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock without approval of the holders
of Common Stock.

Common Stock

Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended April 30, 1999 and the
year ended October 31, 1998 increased by 286,353 and 185,859, respectively, as a
result of dividend reinvestment.

Preferred Stock

Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") are shares of Preferred Stock of the
Fund, with a par value of $.05 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000
per share, that entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at an annual
rate that may vary for the successive dividend periods. The yields in effect at
April 30, 1999 were: Series A, 3.25% and Series B, 3.27%.

Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended April 30, 1999 and the
year ended October 31, 1998 remained constant.

The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.375%, calculated on the proceeds of
each auction. For the six months ended April 30, 1999, Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, an affiliate of FAM, earned $38,964 as commissions.

5. Subsequent Event:

On May 6, 1999, the Fund's Board of Directors declared an ordinary income
dividend to Common Stock shareholders in the amount of $.071989 per share,
payable on May 27, 1999 to shareholders of record as of May 21, 1999.


                                      F-22
<PAGE>

                        Audited Financial Statements for
                    MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.
                   for the Fiscal Year ended October 31, 1998


                                      F-23
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors,
MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and capital of
MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc., including the schedule of investments,
as of October 31, 1998, and the related statement of operations for the year
then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights
for each of the two years in the period then ended. These financial statements
and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of
the three years in the period ended October 31, 1996 of MuniYield New York
Insured Fund II, Inc., were audited by other auditors whose report dated
December 3, 1996, expressed an unqualified opinion on such financial highlights.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements 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 and
financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned
as of October 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. 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 and audited by us present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. at October 31, 1998, the
results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net
assets and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then
ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
December 1, 1998


                                      F-24
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS                                           (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York--98.6%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
AAA      Aaa     $ 4,095   Albany County, New York, Airport Authority, Airport Revenue Bonds, RITR, AMT,
                           Series RI-97-7, 8.17% due 12/15/2023 (c)(f)                                                      $  4,837
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aaa       3,000   Allegany County, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (Alfred
                           University), 5% due 8/01/2028 (d)                                                                   2,954
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A        A2        3,000   Allegany County, New York, IDA, Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue Bonds (Atlantic
                           Richfield Company), AMT, 6.625% due 9/01/2016                                                       3,267
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A        A2        1,275   Battery Park City Authority, New York, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Junior--Series A, 5.80%
                           due 11/01/2022                                                                                      1,364
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,300   Buffalo, New York, Sewer Authority Revenue Bonds, Series F, 6% due 7/01/2013 (b)                    4,957
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Huntington, New York, Refunding, GO, UT (a):
NR*      Aaa         715     5.50% due 4/15/2010                                                                                 789
NR*      Aaa         485     5.50% due 4/15/2011                                                                                 534
NR*      Aaa         460     5.50% due 4/15/2012                                                                                 507
NR*      Aaa         455     5.50% due 4/15/2013                                                                                 500
NR*      Aaa         450     5.50% due 4/15/2014                                                                                 492
NR*      Aaa         450     5.50% due 4/15/2015                                                                                 489
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      10,800   Long Island Power Authority, New York, Electric Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds,
                           Series A, 5.50% due 12/01/2029 (d)                                                                 11,312
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       9,570   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           Series A, 6.375% due 7/01/2004 (d)(e)                                                              10,884
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,000   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds, Series B, 4.75% due 7/01/2026 (b)                                                            4,792
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue Bonds,
                           Series A (b):
AAA      Aaa       5,250     5% due 4/01/2023                                                                                  5,191
AAA      Aaa       7,100     4.75% due 4/01/2028                                                                               6,796
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transit Facilities Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series A, 6.10% due 7/01/2006 (c)(e)                                                              2,302
AAA      Aaa       2,500     Series C-1, 5.50% due 7/01/2022 (b)                                                               2,645
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transit Facilities Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds, Series A (d):
AAA      Aaa       3,555     4.75% due 7/01/2021                                                                               3,421
AAA      Aaa       5,325     4.75% due 7/01/2024                                                                               5,111
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB+     Baa1      3,000   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transit Facilities, Service Contract,
                           Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 5, 7% due 7/01/2012                                                 3,281
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Facilities
                           Revenue Bonds (e):
AAA      Aaa       2,400     Series A, 6.10% due 7/01/2006 (c)                                                                 2,762
AAA      Aaa      30,690     Series O, 6.375% due 7/01/2004 (d)                                                               34,905
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,005   Mount Sinai, New York, Union Free School District, Refunding, GO, UT, 6.20%
                           due 2/15/2019 (a)                                                                                   1,180
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Nassau County, New York, GO, UT, Series P (b)(e):
AAA      Aaa       3,250     6.50% due 11/01/2004                                                                              3,778
AAA      Aaa       3,685     6.50% due 11/01/2004                                                                              4,283
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,000   New York City, New York, Cultural Resources Trust, Revenue Refunding Bonds (Museum of
                           Modern Art), Series A, 5.50% due 1/01/2021 (a)                                                      3,175
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-25
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
                           New York City, New York, GO, UT:
A-       A3      $ 3,625     7.50% due 2/01/2006                                                                            $  4,055
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series B, Fiscal 92, 7% due 2/01/2017 (a)                                                         2,208
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series B, Fiscal 92, 7% due 2/01/2018 (a)                                                         2,208
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, IDA, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds:
NR*      Aaa         885     (Anti-Defamation League Foundation), Series A, 5.50% due 6/01/2022 (d)                              938
AAA      Aaa      12,500     (USTA National Tennis Center Project), 6.375% due 11/15/2014 (c)                                 14,060
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A        A         7,485   New York City, New York, IDA, Special Facility Revenue Bonds, RITR,
                           AMT, Series RI-5, 8.195% due 1/01/2024 (f)                                                          8,516
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                           Revenue Bonds:
A-       A2       13,000     RITR, Series 21, 7.62% due 6/15/2029 (f)                                                         15,049
A        A1        1,290     Series A, 6.75% due 6/15/2017                                                                     1,390
AAA      Aaa       7,500     Series A, 4.75% due 6/15/2031 (b)                                                                 7,142
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series A-1994, 7% due 6/15/2015 (b)                                                               2,173
AAA      Aaa       1,500     Series F, 5.50% due 6/15/2023 (d)                                                                 1,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                           Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       5,000     Series A, 6% due 6/15/2005 (d)(e)                                                                 5,631
AAA      Aaa       5,000     Series D, 4.75% due 6/15/2025 (b)                                                                 4,795
A1+      VMIG1+    1,500     VRDN, Series A, 3.70% due 6/15/2025 (b)(g)                                                        1,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Future Tax
                           Secured, Series B (b):
AAA      Aaa       7,500     4.75% due 11/15/2023                                                                              7,203
AAA      Aaa      10,000     4.50% due 11/15/2027                                                                              9,224
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+      300   New York, New York, GO, UT, VRDN, Series B, 3.60% due 10/01/2022 (b)(g)                               300
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-       A3        3,400   New York, New York, Refunding, GO, UT, Series J, 5% due 8/01/2023                                   3,324
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa      11,165     (City University System), Third Generation Reserves, Series 2, 6.875% due 7/01/2004 (d)(e)       13,022
AAA      Aaa       3,000     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.25% due 7/01/2004 (a)(e)                  3,405
AAA      Aaa       3,640     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.25% due 7/01/2004 (a)(e)                  4,132
AAA      Aaa       6,290     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.30% due 7/01/2024 (a)                     7,049
AAA      Aaa       1,375     (Consolidated City University System), Second Generation, Series A, 5.75% due 7/01/2018 (c)       1,532
A-       A3        2,340     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), 6% due 8/15/2016                                 2,637
AAA      Aaa       4,350     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series F, 4.50% due 8/15/2028 (a)                4,008
AAA      Aaa       6,000     (Mount Sinai School of Medicine), Series A, 5.15% due 7/01/2024 (d)                               6,244
AAA      Aaa       1,105     (New School of Social Research), 5.75% due 7/01/2026 (d)                                          1,202
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (New York University), Series A, 5.75% due 7/01/2027 (d)                                          2,267
NR*      Aaa       8,125     RITR, Series 1, 7.885% due 7/01/2027 (f)                                                         10,293
AAA      Aaa       3,500     (Saint Barnabas Hospital), 5.45% due 8/01/2035 (a)(h)                                             3,617
AAA      Aaa       1,050     (Saint John's University), 6.875% due 7/01/2011 (a)                                               1,149
AAA      Aaa      12,000     (Sloan Kettering Cancer Memorial), 5.50% due 7/01/2023 (d)                                       13,078
BBB+     Baa1      1,000     (State University Athletic Facilities), 7.25% due 7/01/2021                                       1,089
AAA      Aaa      12,230     (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 6.25% due 5/15/2004 (d)(e)                  13,854
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 5.75% due 5/15/2004 (b)(e)                   2,184
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-26
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
                           New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa     $10,000     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series D, 4.75% due 2/15/2025 (d)             $  9,593
AAA      Aaa       1,500     (New York & Presbyterian Hospital), Series A, 4.75% due 8/01/2027 (a)                             1,432
AAA      Aaa       4,000     (North Shore University Hospital), 5.25% due 11/01/2019 (d)                                       4,097
AAA      Aaa       5,000     (Rockefeller University), 4.75% due 7/01/2037                                                     4,770
AAA      Aaa       4,500     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 5.875% due 5/15/2011 (b)                     5,139
A-       A3        1,500     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 5.50% due 5/15/2019                          1,608
A-       A3        2,000     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 5.25% due 5/15/2021                          2,081
AAA      Aaa      13,660     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 4.75% due 5/15/2025 (d)                     13,103
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Facilities Revenue Bonds
                           (Consolidated Edison Company Inc.), AMT, Series A:
AAA      Aaa       2,000     6.75% due 1/15/2027 (d)                                                                           2,128
AAA      Aaa       3,785     6.75% due 1/15/2027 (a)                                                                           4,030
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,200   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           RITR, Series 19, 8.47% due 8/15/2020 (f)                                                            5,142
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Gas Facilities Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa      12,000     (Brooklyn Union Gas Company), AMT, Series A, 6.75% due 2/01/2024 (d)                             13,181
AAA      Aaa       6,255     (Brooklyn Union Gas Company), AMT, Series B, 6.75% due 2/01/2024 (d)                              6,873
AAA      Aaa      14,355     RITR, Series 9, 7.27% due 1/01/2021 (d)(f)                                                       15,893
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,600   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR, Refunding (Rochester
                           Gas and Electric Project), AMT, Series B, 6.50% due 5/15/2032 (d)                                   3,926
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      NR*       4,900   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Various PCR
                           (Niagara Power Corporation Project), VRDN, AMT, Series B, 3.75% due 7/01/2027 (g)                   4,900
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-       Aa        5,000   New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, PCR, RITR, Series RI-1, 7.895%
                           due 6/15/2014 (f)                                                                                   5,930
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,040   New York State HFA, M/F Housing Revenue Bonds, AMT, Series A, 7.75% due 11/01/2020 (a)              1,112
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       6,575   New York State Local Government Assistance Corporation, RITR, Series 22, 8.27%
                           due 4/01/2024 (a)(f)                                                                                8,015
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       5,535     (Brookdale Hospital Medical Center), Series A, 6.85% due 2/15/2005 (e)                            6,493
AAA      Aaa       2,790     (Health Center Project--Second Mortgage), Series A, 6.375% due 11/15/2019 (a)                     3,200
AAA      Aaa       3,000     (Mental Health), Series E, 6.50% due 8/15/2015 (c)                                                3,398
AAA      Aaa       1,500     (Mental Health Services Facilities), Series A, 6% due 2/15/2025 (d)                               1,662
AAA      Aaa      12,250     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.50% due 2/15/2005 (a)(e)(h)                            14,136
AAA      Aaa      12,850     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.80% due 2/15/2005 (a)(e)(h)                            15,040
AAA      Aaa       3,700     Series F, 6.50% due 8/15/2002 (c)(e)                                                              4,126
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,200   New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Hospital and Nursing Home), Series C, 6.375% due 8/15/2029 (d)                                     5,710
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Mortgage Agency, Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds:
NR*      Aa2       3,270     AMT, Series 44, 7.50% due 4/01/2026                                                               3,579
AAA      Aaa       1,000     Series 43, 6.45% due 10/01/2017 (d)                                                               1,088
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aaa       4,000   New York State Mortgage Agency Revenue Bonds, RITR, AMT, Series 24, 7.72%
                           due 10/01/2028 (f)                                                                                  4,474
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-27
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
AAA      Aaa     $ 2,050   New York State Power Authority, Revenue Refunding and General Purpose Bonds, Series CC,
                           5% due 1/01/2003 (d)(e)                                                                          $  2,180
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,400   New York State Thruway Authority, General Revenue Bonds, Series C, 6% due 1/01/2005 (b)(e)          3,830
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa      11,000   New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund, Series B, 6.25%
                           due 4/01/2004 (b)(e)                                                                               12,436
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Thruway Authority, Service Contract Revenue Bonds (Local Highway and
                           Bridge), Series A-2 (d):
AAA      Aaa       7,000     5.375% due 4/01/2016                                                                              7,325
AAA      Aaa       5,000     5% due 4/01/2018                                                                                  4,994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,295   New York State Urban Development Corporation, Revenue Refunding Bonds (Correctional
                           Capital Facilities), Series A, 5.25% due 1/01/2014 (c)                                              2,438
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,725   Niagara Falls, New York, Bridge Commission Toll Revenue Bonds, 6.125% due 10/01/2002 (b)(e)         5,222
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,000   Niagara Falls, New York, Water Treatment Plant, UT, AMT, 7.25% due 11/01/2010 (d)                   1,251
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,260   North Country, New York, Development Authority, Solid Waste Management System,
                           Revenue Refunding Bonds, 6% due 5/15/2015 (c)                                                       1,434
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           North Hempstead, New York, GO, UT, Refunding, Series B (b):
AAA      Aaa       1,745     6.40% due 4/01/2013                                                                               2,086
AAA      Aaa         555     6.40% due 4/01/2017                                                                                 662
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,665   Oneida County, New York, IDA Revenue Bonds, Civic Facility (Mohawk Valley Network Inc.),
                           Series A, 5.20% due 2/01/2013 (c)                                                                   1,719
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,080   Oneida County, New York, Refunding, GO, UT, 5.50% due 3/15/2009 (b)                                 1,187
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds:
AA-      A1        3,000     71st Series, 6.50% due 1/15/2026                                                                  3,205
AAA      Aaa       2,000     71st Series, 6.50% due 1/15/2026 (b)                                                              2,136
AAA      Aaa       3,200     104th Series, 4.75% due 1/15/2026 (a)                                                             3,086
AAA      Aaa       6,300     116th Series, 4.50% due 10/01/2018                                                                5,974
AAA      Aaa      10,000     116th Series, 4.25% due 10/01/2026 (b)                                                            8,905
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,000   Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, RITR, AMT, 108th Series, 7.885%
                           due 1/15/2017 (c)(f)                                                                                4,693
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Special Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Versatile Structure Obligation), VRDN (g):
A1       VMIG1+    2,000     AMT, Series 1R, 3.85% due 8/01/2028                                                               2,000
A1+      VMIG1+    1,100     Series 2, 3.70% due 5/01/2019                                                                     1,100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,500   St. Lawrence County, New York, Industrial Development Civic Facility Revenue Bonds
                           (St. Lawrence University Project), Series A, 5.375% due 7/01/2018 (d)                               2,593
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Syracuse, New York, COP (Syracuse Hancock International Airport), AMT (b):
AAA      Aaa       3,650     6.625% due 1/01/2012                                                                              3,989
AAA      Aaa       3,120     6.50% due 1/01/2017                                                                               3,391
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB+     Baa1      4,000   Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York (Convention Center Project), Series E,
                           7.25% due 1/01/2010                                                                                 4,813
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, General Purpose Revenue Refunding Bonds:
A+       Aa3       1,000     Series B, 5% due 1/01/2020                                                                        1,009
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series Y, 6.125% due 1/01/2021 (i)                                                                2,338
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-28
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (concluded)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
                           Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Special Obligation Revenue
                           Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa     $ 1,030     6.25% due 1/01/2012 (a)                                                                        $  1,111
AAA      Aaa       2,265     Series A, 5.125% due 1/01/2011 (d)                                                                2,401
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series B, 6.875% due 1/01/2015 (a)                                                                2,160
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (Cost--$548,168)--98.6%                                                                                    586,087

Other Assets Less Liabilities--1.4%                                                                                            8,571
                                                                                                                            --------
Net Assets--100.0%                                                                                                          $594,658
                                                                                                                            ========
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) AMBAC Insured.
(b) FGIC Insured.
(c) FSA Insured.
(d) MBIA Insured.
(e) Prerefunded.
(f) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based upon
    prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at
    October 31, 1998.
(g) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
    market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at October 31,
    1998.
(h) FHA Insured.
(i) CAPMAC Insured.
+   Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
*   Not Rated.
Ratings of issues shown have not been audited by Ernst & Young LLP.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUALITY PROFILE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The quality ratings of securities in the Fund as of October 31, 1998 were as
follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Percent of
S&P Rating/Moody's Rating                                             Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA/Aaa................................................................  85.8%
AA/Aa..................................................................   2.3
A/A....................................................................   7.3
BBB/Baa................................................................   1.5
Other*.................................................................   1.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Temporary investments in short-term municipal securities.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To simplify the listings of MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.'s portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many
of the securities according to the list below and at right.

AMT      Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP      Certificates of Participation
GO       General Obligation Bonds
HFA      Housing Finance Agency
IDA      Industrial Development Authority
M/F      Multi-Family
PCR      Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RITR     Residual Interest Trust Receipts
UT       Unlimited Tax
VRDN     Variable Rate Demand Notes


                                      F-29
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital as of October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<S>           <C>                                                                         <C>              <C>
Assets:       Investments, at value (identified cost--$548,168,254) (Note 1a) .........                    $586,087,459
              Cash ....................................................................                          34,400
              Receivables:
                Interest ..............................................................   $ 10,249,453
                Securities sold .......................................................      9,184,466       19,433,919
                                                                                          ------------
              Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................                          19,427
                                                                                                           ------------
              Total assets ............................................................                     605,575,205
                                                                                                           ------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:  Payables:
                Securities purchased ..................................................     10,000,265
                Dividends to shareholders (Note 1f) ...................................        480,741
                Investment adviser (Note 2) ...........................................        262,440       10,743,446
                                                                                          ------------
              Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................................                         173,974
                                                                                                           ------------
              Total liabilities .......................................................                      10,917,420
                                                                                                           ------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:   Net assets ..............................................................                    $594,657,785
                                                                                                           ============
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital:      Capital Stock (200,000,000 shares authorized) (Note 4):
                Preferred Stock, par value $.05 per share (6,960 shares of AMPS*
                issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation preference) ...                    $174,000,000
                Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (26,592,191 shares issued
                and outstanding) ......................................................   $  2,659,219
              Paid-in capital in excess of par ........................................    380,433,873
              Undistributed investment income--net ....................................      2,000,229
              Accumulated realized capital losses on investments--net .................     (2,354,741)
              Unrealized appreciation on investments--net .............................     37,919,205
                                                                                          ------------
              Total--Equivalent to $15.82 net asset value per share of Common Stock
              (market price--$15.4375) ................................................                     420,657,785
                                                                                                           ------------
              Total capital ...........................................................                    $594,657,785
                                                                                                           ============
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

              * Auction Market Preferred Stock.

              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-30
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            For the Year Ended
                                                                                              October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                            <C>            <C>
Investment Income    Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned ...                  $30,186,750
(Note 1d):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:            Investment advisory fees (Note 2) ..........................   $ 2,775,072
                     Commission fees (Note 4) ...................................       416,534
                     Professional fees ..........................................       105,251
                     Transfer agent fees ........................................        73,492
                     Accounting services (Note 2) ...............................        51,834
                     Custodian fees .............................................        32,293
                     Listing fees ...............................................        24,390
                     Directors' fees and expenses ...............................        23,221
                     Pricing fees ...............................................        19,696
                     Other ......................................................        11,830
                                                                                    -----------
                     Total expenses .............................................                    3,533,613
                                                                                                   -----------
                     Investment income--net .....................................                   26,653,137
                                                                                                   -----------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized & Unreal-   Realized gain on investments--net ..........................                   15,690,747
ized Gain (Loss) on  Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ......                     (667,130)
Investments--Net                                                                                   -----------
(Notes 1b, 1d & 3):  Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations .......                  $41,676,754
                                                                                                   ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     For the Year Ended October 31,
                                                                                                     ------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:                                                                        1998            1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                                              <C>             <C>
Operations:          Investment income--net .......................................................   $ 26,653,137    $ 20,346,467
                     Realized gain on investments--net ............................................     15,690,747       5,879,051
                     Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ........................       (667,130)      9,153,298
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
                     Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .........................     41,676,754      35,378,816
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends &          Investment income--net:
Distributions to       Common Stock ...............................................................    (20,787,847)    (15,161,332)
Shareholders           Preferred Stock ............................................................     (5,533,891)     (4,351,319)
(Note 1f):           Realized gain on investments--net:
                       Common Stock ...............................................................        (66,383)             --
                       Preferred Stock ............................................................        (18,055)             --
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
                     Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions
                     to shareholders ..............................................................    (26,406,176)    (19,512,651)
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Stock        Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock resulting from reorganization .........     83,897,738     144,780,654
Transactions         Offering costs from issuance of Common Stock resulting from reorganization ...       (262,206)       (366,791)
(Notes 1e & 4):      Proceeds from issuance of Preferred Stock resulting from reorganization ......     30,000,000      74,000,000
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
                     Net increase in net assets derived from capital stock transactions ...........    113,635,532     218,413,863
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:          Total increase in net assets .................................................    128,906,110     234,280,028
                     Beginning of year ............................................................    465,751,675     231,471,647
                                                                                                      ------------    ------------
                     End of year* .................................................................   $594,657,785    $465,751,675
                                                                                                      ============    ============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *Undistributed investment income--net (Note 1g) ...............................   $  2,000,229    $  1,657,552
                                                                                                      ============    ============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                     See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-31
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived
from information provided in the financial statements.                                   For the Year Ended October 31,
                                                                              ----------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value:                                         1998       1997       1996       1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share            Net asset value, beginning of year ...................   $  15.18   $  14.53   $  14.63   $  13.13   $  15.89
Operating                                                                     --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Performance:         Investment income--net ...............................       1.05       1.08       1.04       1.07       1.07
                     Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
                     investments--net .....................................        .66        .66       (.09)      1.50      (2.76)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total from investment operations .....................       1.71       1.74        .95       2.57      (1.69)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Less dividends and distributions to Common Stock
                     shareholders:
                       Investment income--net .............................       (.84)      (.84)      (.82)      (.84)      (.87)
                       Realized gain on investments--net ..................         --+        --         --         --       (.01)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total dividends and distributions to
                     Common Stock shareholders ............................       (.84)      (.84)      (.82)      (.84)      (.88)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Capital charge resulting from issuance of
                     Common Stock .........................................       (.01)      (.02)        --         --         --
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Effect of Preferred Stock activity:++
                       Dividends and distributions to Preferred
                       Stock shareholders:
                         Investment income--net ...........................       (.22)      (.23)      (.23)      (.23)      (.19)
                         Realized gain on investments--net ................         --+        --         --         --         --+
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total effect of Preferred Stock activity .............       (.22)      (.23)      (.23)      (.23)      (.19)
                                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Net asset value, end of year .........................   $  15.82   $  15.18   $  14.53   $  14.63   $  13.13
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Market price per share, end of year ..................   $15.4375   $  14.25   $ 13.375   $  13.25   $  11.00
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investment     Based on market price per share ......................      14.60%     13.15%      7.28%     28.61%    (22.96%)
Return:*                                                                      ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Based on net asset value per share ...................      10.24%     10.95%      5.55%     18.96%    (11.75%)
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average    Expenses .............................................        .64%       .68%       .71%       .74%       .74%
Net Assets:**                                                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Investment income--net ...............................       4.81%      5.04%      5.00%      5.27%      5.09%
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental         Net assets, net of Preferred Stock, end of year
Data:                (in thousands) .......................................   $420,658   $321,752   $161,472   $162,655   $145,977
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Preferred Stock outstanding, end of year
                     (in thousands) .......................................   $174,000   $144,000   $ 70,000   $ 70,000   $ 70,000
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Portfolio turnover ...................................     136.43%    121.49%    118.28%    110.76%     36.79%
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leverage:            Asset coverage per $1,000 ............................   $  3,418   $  3,234   $  3,307   $  3,324   $  3,085
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Per Share  Series A--Investment income--net .....................   $    849   $    865   $    913   $    910   $    759
On Preferred Stock                                                            ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Outstanding:+++      Series B--Investment income--net .....................   $    825   $    643         --         --         --
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Series C--Investment income--net .....................   $    785   $    667         --         --         --
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Series D--Investment income--net .....................   $    628         --         --         --         --
                                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                *   Total investment returns based on market value, which can be
                    significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value,
                    may result in substantially different returns. Total
                    investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
                **  Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock
                    shareholders.
                +   Amount is less than $.01 per share.
                ++  The Fund's Preferred Stock was issued on September 16, 1992
                    (Series A), January 27, 1997 (Series B and Series C) and
                    February 9, 1998 (Series D).
                +++ Dividends per share have been adjusted to reflect a
                    two-for-one stock split that occurred on December 1, 1994.

                    See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-32
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. The Fund determines and makes available for publication the
net asset value of its Common Stock on a weekly basis. The Fund's Common Stock
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MYT. The following is
a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.

(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options written or purchased are valued at the last
sale price in the case of exchange-traded options. In the case of options traded
in the over-the-counter market, valuation is the last asked price (options
written) or the last bid price (options purchased). Securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are
not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including
valuations furnished by a pricing service retained by the Fund, which may
utilize a matrix system for valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors.

(b) Derivative financial instruments--The Fund may engage in various portfolio
strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio against
adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes in the
value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.

 . Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell financial futures
contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
market risk on existing securities or the intended purchase of securities.
Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of securities at a specific
future date and at a specific price or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the
Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the
exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the
Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the
daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and
the value at the time it was closed.

 . Options--The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and purchase put
options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received
by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of
the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market
value of the option written.

When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the
related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of
the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the
security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing
transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of
the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the
closing transaction exceeds the premium paid or received).

Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.

(c) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Discounts and market
premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.

(e) Offering costs--Direct expenses relating to the issuance of Common Stock
resulting from reorganization were charged to capital.

(f) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.

(g) Reclassification--Generally accepted accounting principles require that
certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences
between financial and tax reporting. Accordingly, current year's permanent
book/tax differences of $11,278 have been reclassified between accumulated net
realized capital


                                      F-33
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                        October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

losses and undistributed net investment income. These reclassifications have no
effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc.
("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML &
Co."), which is the limited partner.

FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at
an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock.

Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.

Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.

3. Investments:

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and
securities acquired through the reorganization, for the year ended October 31,
1998 were $731,759,870 and $717,353,053, respectively.

Net realized gains (losses) for the year ended October 31, 1998 and net
unrealized gains as of October 31, 1998 were as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Realized       Unrealized
                                                   Gains (Losses)       Gains
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term investments .........................     $16,304,054      $37,919,205
Financial futures contracts ...................        (613,307)              --
                                                    -----------      -----------
Total .........................................     $15,690,747      $37,919,205
                                                    ===========      ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of October 31, 1998, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $37,822,133, of which $38,434,217 related to appreciated
securities and $612,084 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost of
investments at October 31, 1998 for Federal income tax purposes was
$548,265,326.

4. Capital Stock Transactions:

The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, including
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which were initially
classified as Common Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to
reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock without approval of the holders
of Common Stock.

Common Stock

Shares issued and outstanding during the years ended October 31, 1998 and
October 31, 1997 increased by 5,397,154 and 10,080,205, respectively, pursuant
to a plan of reorganization.

Preferred Stock

Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") are shares of Preferred Stock of the
Fund, with a par value of $.05 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000
per share, that entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at an annual
rate that may vary for the successive dividend periods. The yields in effect at
October 31, 1998 were as follows: Series A, 3.25%; Series B, 3.30%; Series C,
3.45%; and Series D, 3.35%.

Shares issued and outstanding during the years ended October 31, 1998 and
October 31, 1997 increased by 1,200 and 2,960, respectively, pursuant to a plan
of reorganization.

The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.375%, calculated on the proceeds of
each auction. For the year ended October 31, 1998, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Inc., an affiliate of FAM, earned $191,084 as commissions.

5. Acquisition of Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc.:

On February 9, 1998, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of Taurus MuniNew
York Holdings, Inc. pursuant to a plan of reorganization. The acquisition was
accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 6,782,117 Common Stock shares and 1,200
AMPS shares of Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc. for 5,397,154 Common Stock
shares and 1,200 AMPS shares of the Fund. Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc.'s
net assets on that date of $113,898,593, including $9,119,231 of unrealized
appreciation and $458,687 of accumulated net realized capital losses, were
combined with those of the Fund. The aggregate net assets of the Fund
immediately after the acquisition amounted to $587,371,200.

6. Subsequent Event:

On November 5, 1998, the Fund's Board of Directors declared an ordinary income
dividend to Common Stock shareholders in the amount of $.069006 per share,
payable on November 27, 1998 to shareholders of record as of November 20, 1998.


                                      F-34
<PAGE>

                       Unaudited Financial Statements for
                    MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.
                            for the Six-Month Period
                              Ended April 30, 1999


                                      F-35
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS                                           (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York--98.4%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
NR*      Aaa     $ 4,095   Albany County, New York, Airport Authority, Airport Revenue Bonds, RITR, Series RI-97-7,
                           7.52% due 12/15/2023 (c)(f)                                                                      $  4,829
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A        A2        1,275   Battery Park City Authority, New York, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Junior Series A,
                           5.80% due 11/01/2022                                                                                1,355
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Buffalo, New York, GO (General Improvement), Series A (a):
AAA      Aaa       3,020     4.50% due 2/01/2007                                                                               3,071
AAA      Aaa       1,555     4.50% due 2/01/2008                                                                               1,579
AAA      Aaa       1,605     4.75% due 2/01/2009                                                                               1,650
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,065   Buffalo, New York, GO, Refunding, Series C, 4.25% due 12/01/2007 (a)                                1,067
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Buffalo, New York, GO (School), Series B (c):
AAA      Aaa       1,160     4.50% due 2/01/2007                                                                               1,180
AAA      Aaa         605     4.50% due 2/01/2008                                                                                 614
AAA      Aaa         635     4.75% due 2/01/2009                                                                                 653
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       4,300   Buffalo, New York, Sewer Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series F,
                           6% due 7/01/2013 (b)                                                                                4,897
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Huntington, New York, GO, Refunding (a):
NR*      Aaa         715     5.50% due 4/15/2010                                                                                 776
NR*      Aaa         485     5.50% due 4/15/2011                                                                                 526
NR*      Aaa         460     5.50% due 4/15/2012                                                                                 499
NR*      Aaa         455     5.50% due 4/15/2013                                                                                 494
NR*      Aaa         450     5.50% due 4/15/2014                                                                                 489
NR*      Aaa         450     5.50% due 4/15/2015                                                                                 489
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Long Island Power Authority, New York, Electric System Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa      10,000     Series A, 5.50% due 12/01/2023 (d)                                                               10,507
A-       Baa1      5,000     Series A, 5.50% due 12/01/2029                                                                    5,134
AAA      Aaa      14,300     Series A, 5.50% due 12/01/2029 (d)                                                               14,747
A1+      VMIG1+    2,600     VRDN, Sub-Series 5, 4.25% due 5/01/2033 (g)                                                       2,600
A1+      VMIG1+    2,800     VRDN, Sub-Series 7, 4.10% due 4/01/2025 (d)(g)                                                    2,800
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       9,570     Series A, 6.375% due 7/01/2004 (d)(e)                                                            10,805
AAA      Aaa      15,770     Series C-1, 5.375% due 7/01/2027 (b)                                                             16,248
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,680   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds, Series B, 4.75% due 7/01/2026 (b)                                                            1,580
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To simplify the listings of MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.'s portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many
of the securities according to the list below and at right.

AMT      Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP      Certificates of Participation
DATES    Daily Adjustable Tax-Exempt Securities
GO       General Obligation Bonds
IDA      Industrial Development Authority
PCR      Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RIB      Residual Interest Bonds
RITR     Residual Interest Trust Receipts
VRDN     Variable Rate Demand Notes


                                      F-36
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
                           Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transit Facilities Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa     $ 2,000     Series A, 6.10% due 7/01/2006 (c)(e)                                                           $  2,281
AAA      Aaa       2,400     Series A, 6.10% due 7/01/2006 (c)(e)                                                              2,738
AAA      Aaa       2,500     Series C-1, 5.50% due 7/01/2022 (b)                                                               2,618
AAA      Aaa      20,000     Series O, 6.375% due 7/01/2004 (d)(e)                                                            22,582
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,555   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transit Facilities Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds, Series A, 4.75% due 7/01/2021 (d)                                                            3,377
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,005   Mount Sinai, New York, Union Free School District, GO, Refunding, 6.20% due 2/15/2019 (a)           1,169
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Nassau County, New York, GO, Series P (b)(e):
AAA      Aaa       3,250     6.50% due 11/01/2004                                                                              3,751
AAA      Aaa       3,685     6.50% due 11/01/2004                                                                              4,253
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,000   New York City, New York, Cultural Resources Trust, Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Museum of Modern Art), Series A, 5.50% due 1/01/2021 (a)                                           3,139
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, GO, Refunding:
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series B, 7% due 2/01/2017 (a)                                                                    2,183
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series B, 7% due 2/01/2018 (a)                                                                    2,183
AAA      NR*      15,000     Series F, 5.375% due 8/01/2019 (d)                                                               15,412
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+      333   New York City, New York, GO, VRDN, Series B, Sub-Series B-5, 4.10% due 8/15/2022 (d)(g)               333
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,950   New York City, New York, Health and Hospital Corporation, Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Health System), Series A, 5.125% due 2/15/2014 (a)                                                 6,116
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, IDA, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds:
NR*      Aaa         885     (Anti-Defamation League Foundation), Series A, 5.50% due 6/01/2022 (d)                              928
AAA      Aaa      12,500     (USTA National Tennis Center Project), 6.375% due 11/15/2014 (c)                                 13,958
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      A         7,485   New York City, New York, IDA, Special Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           RITR, Series RI-6, 7.545% due 1/01/2024 (f)                                                         8,381
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                           Revenue Bonds:
NR*      A1       11,000     RITR, Series 21, 6.97% due 6/15/2029 (f)                                                         12,611
AA       Aaa       1,050     Series A, 5% due 6/15/2027 (b)                                                                    1,024
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                           Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       6,000     Series B, 5.25% due 6/15/2029 (a)                                                                 6,073
AAA      NR*      15,000     Series B, 5.25% due 6/15/2029 (c)                                                                15,183
AAA      Aaa       1,750     Series D, 4.75% due 6/15/2025 (d)                                                                 1,648
AAA      Aaa       1,500     Series F, 5.50% due 6/15/2023 (d)                                                                 1,553
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York City, New York, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue Bonds
                           (Future Tax Secured):
AA       Aa3       7,650     Series B, 5.125% due 11/01/2015                                                                   7,806
AAA      Aaa       1,250     Series B, 4.75% due 11/15/2023 (b)                                                                1,181
AAA      Aaa      10,000     Series B, 4.50% due 11/15/2027 (b)                                                                9,020
NR*      VMIG1+    6,400     VRDN, Series C, 4.20% due 5/01/2028 (g)                                                           6,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-37
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
                           New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
NR*      Aaa     $ 1,000     (Brooklyn Hospital Center), 5.10% due 2/01/2019 (a)(h)                                         $    991
AAA      NR*       2,460     (Champlain Valley Physicians), 5% due 7/01/2017(j)                                                2,454
AAA      Aaa       6,290     (City University), Third Generation Reserves, Series 1, 6.30% due 7/01/2004 (a)(e)                7,074
AAA      Aaa      11,165     (City University), Third Generation Reserves, Series 2, 6.875% due 7/01/2004 (d)(e)              12,911
AAA      Aaa       3,000     (City University System), Third Resolution, Series 1, 6.25% due 7/01/2004 (a)(e)                  3,382
AAA      Aaa      12,000     (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), 5.50% due 7/01/2023 (d)                                12,835
A-       A3        2,340     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series B, 6% due 8/15/2016                       2,620
AAA      Aaa       4,350     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series F, 4.50% due 8/15/2028 (a)                3,912
AAA      Aaa       6,000     (Mount Sinai School of Medicine), Series A, 5.15% due 7/01/2024 (d)                               6,119
AAA      Aaa       1,105     (New School of Social Research), 5.75% due 7/01/2026 (d)                                          1,190
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (New York University), Series A, 5.75% due 7/01/2027 (d)                                          2,219
NR*      Aaa       8,125     RIB, Series 1, 7.165% due 7/01/2027 (d)(f)                                                        9,921
BBB-     Baa1      1,000     (State University Athletic Facilities), 7.25% due 7/01/2001 (e)                                   1,092
AAA      Aaa       2,000     (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 5.75% due 5/15/2004 (b)(e)                   2,172
AAA      Aaa       5,000     (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 4.75% due 5/15/2028 (d)                      4,693
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       1,375     (Consolidated City University System), Second Generation, Series A, 5.75%
                             due 7/01/2018 (c)                                                                                 1,517
AAA      Aaa       2,875     (Hamilton College), 4.75% due 7/01/2018 (d)                                                       2,766
AAA      NR*       6,270     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series C, 5.125% due 2/15/2011 (d)               6,520
AAA      NR*       4,480     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series C, 5.125% due 8/15/2011 (d)               4,659
AAA      NR*       4,710     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series C, 5.125% due 8/15/2012 (d)               4,863
AAA      Aaa      10,000     (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement), Series D, 4.75% due 2/15/2025 (d)                9,418
AAA      Aaa       1,500     (New York and Presbyterian Hospitals), 4.75% due 8/01/2027 (a)(h)                                 1,409
AAA      Aaa       4,500     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 5.875% due 5/15/2011 (b)                     5,048
A-       A3        1,500     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 5.50% due 5/15/2019                          1,584
A-       A3        2,000     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 5.25% due 5/15/2021                          2,045
AAA      Aaa      16,160     (State University Educational Facilities), Series A, 4.75% due 5/15/2025 (d)                     15,216
AAA      Aaa       1,000     (Wyckoff), Series H, 5.125% due 2/15/2008 (d)                                                     1,054
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aaa       4,200   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Facilities Revenue Bonds,
                           RITR, Series 19, 7.77% due 8/15/2020 (f)                                                            5,019
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Gas Facilities
                           Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa      12,000     (Brooklyn Union Gas Company), AMT, Series A, 6.75% due 2/01/2024 (d)                             13,060
AAA      Aaa       6,255     (Brooklyn Union Gas Company), AMT, Series B, 6.75% due 2/01/2024 (d)                              6,810
NR*      NR*      14,355     RITR, Series 9, 6.57% due 1/01/2021 (f)                                                          15,577
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR (Niagara Mohawk
                           Power Corporation Project) (g):
A1+      NR*         500     DATES, Series A, 4.20% due 7/01/2015                                                                500
A1+      NR*         100     VRDN, AMT, Series B, 4.25% due 7/01/2027                                                            100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,600   New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR, Refunding (Rochester
                           Gas and Electric Project), AMT, Series B, 6.50% due 5/15/2032 (d)                                   3,894
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aa1       5,000   New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, PCR, RITR, Series RI-1,
                           7.195% due 6/15/2014 (f)                                                                            5,795
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-38
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
NR*      Aaa     $ 6,575   New York State Local Government Assistance Corporation, RITR, Series 22,
                           7.57% due 4/01/2024 (f)                                                                          $  7,739
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       5,535     (Brookdale Hospital Medical Center), Series A, 6.85% due 2/15/2005 (e)                            6,425
AAA      Aaa       2,695     (Health Center Project--Second Mortgage), Series A, 6.375% due 11/15/2019 (a)                     3,070
AAA      Aaa       1,475     (Mental Health Services), Series A, 6% due 2/15/2005 (d)(e)                                       1,648
AAA      Aaa          25     (Mental Health Services), Series A, 6% due 2/15/2025 (d)                                             27
AAA      NR*       2,945     (Mental Health Services), Series E, 6.50% due 8/15/2004 (c)(e)                                    3,356
AAA      Aaa          55     (Mental Health Services), Series E, 6.50% due 8/15/2015 (c)                                          62
AAA      Aaa      12,250     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.50% due 2/15/2005 (a)(e)(h)                            13,999
AAA      Aaa      12,850     (New York Hospital Mortgage), Series A, 6.80% due 2/15/2005 (a)(e)(h)                            14,883
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       5,200   New York State Medical Care Facilities, Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Hospital and Nursing Home), Series C, 6.375% due 8/15/2029 (d)(h)                                  5,663
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      Aa2       3,270   New York State Mortgage Agency, Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds, AMT, Series 44,
                           7.50% due 4/01/2026                                                                                 3,552
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,000   New York State Mortgage Agency, Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds,
                           Series 43, 6.45% due 10/01/2017 (d)(h)                                                              1,081
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR*      NR*       2,000   New York State Mortgage Agency Revenue Bonds, RITR, AMT, Series 24,
                           7.07% due 10/01/2028 (f)                                                                            2,252
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       3,400   New York State Thruway Authority, General Revenue Bonds, Series C,
                           6% due 1/01/2005 (b)(e)                                                                             3,792
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,775   New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Revenue Bonds,
                           Series A, 5% due 4/01/2009 (b)                                                                      2,908
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,000   New York State Thruway Authority, Service Contract Revenue Bonds (Local Highway
                           and Bridge), Series A-2, 5.375% due 4/01/2016 (d)                                                   2,083
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           New York State Urban Development Corporation Revenue Bonds (Correctional Facilities
                           Service Contract), Series B (a):
AAA      Aaa       6,520     4.75% due 1/01/2018                                                                               6,277
AAA      Aaa       7,135     4.75% due 1/01/2028                                                                               6,699
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,000   Niagara Falls, New York, GO (Water Treatment Plant), AMT, 7.25% due 11/01/2010 (d)                  1,227
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,260   North Country, New York, Development Authority, Solid Waste Management System,
                           Revenue Refunding Bonds, 6% due 5/15/2015 (c)                                                       1,419
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           North Hempstead, New York, GO, Refunding, Series B (b):
AAA      Aaa       1,745     6.40% due 4/01/2013                                                                               2,059
AAA      Aaa         555     6.40% due 4/01/2017                                                                                 656
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,080   Oneida County, New York, GO, Refunding, 5.50% due 3/15/2009 (b)                                     1,171
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       1,665   Oneida County, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds (Mohawk Valley), Series A,
                           5.20% due 2/01/2013 (c)                                                                             1,712
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       2,200     104th Series, 4.75% due 1/15/2026 (a)                                                             2,082
AAA      Aaa       6,200     116th Series, 4.50% due 10/01/2018 (b)                                                            5,788
AAA      Aaa      10,000     116th Series, 4.25% due 10/01/2026 (b)                                                            8,712
AAA      Aaa       4,740     AMT, 117th Series, Second Installment, 4.75% due 11/15/2016 (b)                                   4,586
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      F-39
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)                               (in Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P      Moody's   Face                                                                                                      Value
Ratings  Ratings  Amount                                       Issue                                                       (Note 1a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York (concluded)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>     <C>       <C>                                                                                              <C>
NR*      Aaa     $ 4,000   Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, RITR, AMT, 108th Series,
                           7.235% due 1/15/2017 (c)(f)                                                                      $  4,597
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+      VMIG1+    8,700   Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Special Obligation Revenue Refunding
                           Bonds, Versatile Structure Obligation, VRDN, Series 2, 4.20% due 5/01/2019 (g)                      8,700
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA      Aaa       2,500   Saint Lawrence County, New York, Industrial Development Civic Facility Revenue Bonds
                           (Saint Lawrence University Project), Series A, 5.375% due 7/01/2018 (d)                             2,571
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Syracuse, New York, COP (Syracuse Hancock International Airport), AMT (b):
AAA      Aaa       3,650     6.625% due 1/01/2012                                                                              3,943
AAA      Aaa       3,120     6.50% due 1/01/2017                                                                               3,361
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, General Purpose Revenue
                           Refunding Bonds:
A+       Aa3       1,000     Series B, 5% due 1/01/2020                                                                          997
AAA      Aaa       2,000     Series Y, 6.125% due 1/01/2021 (i)                                                                2,301
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB+     Baa1      4,000   Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Revenue Refunding Bonds
                           (Convention Center Project), Series E, 7.25% due 1/01/2010                                          4,696
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Special Obligation Revenue
                           Refunding Bonds:
AAA      Aaa       1,030     6.25% due 1/01/2012 (a)                                                                           1,101
AAA      Aaa       2,265     Series A, 5.125% due 1/01/2011 (d)                                                                2,373
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (Cost--$551,169)--98.4%                                                                                    576,497

Other Assets Less Liabilities--1.6%                                                                                            9,293
                                                                                                                            --------
Net Assets--100.0%                                                                                                          $585,790
                                                                                                                            ========
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) AMBAC Insured.
(b) FGIC Insured.
(c) FSA Insured.
(d) MBIA Insured.
(e) Prerefunded.
(f) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based upon
    prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at
    April 30, 1999.
(g) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
    market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at April 30,
    1999.
(h) FHA Insured.
(i) CAPMAC Insured.
(j) Connie Lee Insured.
*   Not Rated.
+   Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUALITY PROFILE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The quality ratings of securities in the Fund as of April 30, 1999 were as
follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Percent of
S&P Rating/Moody's Rating                                             Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA/Aaa.............................................................     81.9%
AA/Aa...............................................................      3.1
A/A.................................................................      5.7
BBB/Baa.............................................................      1.0
NR (Not Rated)......................................................      3.0
Other+..............................................................      3.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Temporary investments in short-term municipal securities.


                                      F-40
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital as of April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                                         <C>             <C>
Assets:         Investments, at value (identified cost--$551,168,935) (Note 1a) .........                   $576,496,907
                Cash ....................................................................                         24,372
                Interest receivable .....................................................                     10,012,841
                Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................                         57,051
                                                                                                            ------------
                Total assets ............................................................                    586,591,171
                                                                                                            ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:    Payables:
                  Dividends to shareholders (Note 1f) ...................................   $    502,502
                  Investment adviser (Note 2) ...........................................        257,652         760,154
                                                                                            ------------
                Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................................                         41,006
                                                                                                            ------------
                Total liabilities .......................................................                        801,160
                                                                                                            ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:     Net assets ..............................................................                   $585,790,011
                                                                                                            ============
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital:        Capital Stock (200,000,000 shares authorized) (Note 4):
                  Preferred Stock, par value $.05 per share (6,960 shares of AMPS*
                  issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation preference) ...                   $174,000,000
                  Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (26,668,886 shares issued
                  and outstanding) ......................................................   $  2,666,889
                Paid-in capital in excess of par ........................................    381,622,646
                Undistributed investment income--net ....................................      2,325,604
                Accumulated realized capital losses on investments--net .................       (153,100)
                Unrealized appreciation on investments--net .............................     25,327,972
                                                                                            ------------
                Total--Equivalent to $15.44 net asset value per share of Common Stock
                (market price--$15.3125) ................................................                    411,790,011
                                                                                                            ------------
                Total capital ...........................................................                   $585,790,011
                                                                                                            ============
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                * Auction Market Preferred Stock.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        For the Six Months Ended
                                                                                                  April 30, 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                            <C>             <C>
Investment Income    Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned ...                   $ 15,530,179
(Note 1d):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:            Investment advisory fees (Note 2) ..........................   $  1,473,593
                     Commission fees (Note 4) ...................................        211,241
                     Transfer agent fees ........................................         65,815
                     Accounting services (Note 2) ...............................         59,474
                     Professional fees ..........................................         38,592
                     Custodian fees .............................................         16,396
                     Listing fees ...............................................         15,492
                     Printing and shareholder reports ...........................         12,651
                     Directors' fees and expenses ...............................         11,060
                     Pricing fees ...............................................          8,153
                     Other ......................................................         16,733
                                                                                    ------------
                     Total expenses .............................................                      1,929,200
                                                                                                    ------------
                     Investment income--net .....................................                     13,600,979
                                                                                                    ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized & Unreal-   Realized gain on investments--net ..........................                      5,978,844
ized Gain (Loss) on  Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ......                    (12,591,233)
Investments--Net                                                                                    ------------
(Notes 1b, 1d & 3):  Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations .......                   $  6,988,590
                                                                                                    ============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                     See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-41
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     For the Six         For the
                                                                                                     Months Ended      Year Ended
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:                                                                  April 30, 1999   Oct. 31, 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>                                                                              <C>              <C>
Operations:        Investment income--net .......................................................   $  13,600,979    $  26,653,137
                   Realized gain on investments--net ............................................       5,978,844       15,690,747
                   Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net ........................     (12,591,233)        (667,130)
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
                   Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .........................       6,988,590       41,676,754
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends &        Investment income--net:
Distributions to     Common Stock ...............................................................     (11,096,459)     (20,787,847)
Shareholders         Preferred Stock ............................................................      (2,179,145)      (5,533,891)
(Note 1f):         Realized gain on investments--net:
                     Common Stock ...............................................................      (2,992,978)         (66,383)
                     Preferred Stock ............................................................        (784,225)         (18,055)
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
                   Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions
                   to shareholders ..............................................................     (17,052,807)     (26,406,176)
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Stock      Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock resulting from reorganization .........              --       83,897,738
Transactions       Offering costs from issuance of Common Stock resulting from reorganization ...              --         (262,206)
(Notes 1e & 4):    Proceeds from issuance of Preferred Stock resulting from reorganization ......              --       30,000,000
                   Value of shares issued to Common Stock shareholders in reinvestment of
                   dividends and distributions ..................................................       1,196,443               --
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
                   Net increase in net assets derived from capital stock transactions ...........       1,196,443      113,635,532
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:        Total increase (decrease) in net assets ......................................      (8,867,774)     128,906,110
                   Beginning of period ..........................................................     594,657,785      465,751,675
                                                                                                    -------------    -------------
                   End of period* ...............................................................   $ 585,790,011    $ 594,657,785
                                                                                                    =============    =============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *Undistributed investment income--net .........................................   $   2,325,604    $   2,000,229
                                                                                                    =============    =============
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                   See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-42
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived                  For the Six
from information provided in the financial statements.                     Months Ended         For the Year Ended October 31,
                                                                             April 30,    -----------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value:                                        1999         1998       1997       1996       1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                     <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share            Net asset value, beginning of period ................   $  15.82     $  15.18   $  14.53   $  14.63   $  13.13
Operating                                                                    --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
Performance:         Investment income--net ..............................        .51         1.05       1.08       1.04       1.07
                     Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
                     investments--net ....................................       (.25)         .66        .66       (.09)      1.50
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total from investment operations ....................        .26         1.71       1.74        .95       2.57
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Less dividends and distributions to Common Stock
                     shareholders:
                       Investment income--net ............................       (.42)        (.84)      (.84)      (.82)      (.84)
                       Realized gain on investments--net .................       (.11)         --+         --         --         --
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total dividends and distributions to
                     Common Stock shareholders ...........................       (.53)        (.84)      (.84)      (.82)      (.84)
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Capital charge resulting from issuance of
                     Common Stock ........................................         --         (.01)      (.02)        --         --
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Effect of Preferred Stock activity:++
                       Dividends and distributions to Preferred
                       Stock shareholders:
                         Investment income--net ..........................       (.08)        (.22)      (.23)      (.23)      (.23)
                         Realized gain on investments--net ...............       (.03)          --+        --         --         --
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Total effect of Preferred Stock activity ............       (.11)        (.22)      (.23)      (.23)      (.23)
                                                                             --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
                     Net asset value, end of period ......................   $  15.44     $  15.82   $  15.18   $  14.53   $  14.63
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Market price per share, end of period ...............   $15.3125     $15.4375   $  14.25   $ 13.375   $  13.25
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investment     Based on market price per share .....................       2.63%+++    14.60%     13.15%      7.28%     28.61%
Return:**                                                                    ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Based on net asset value per share ..................        .98%+++    10.24%     10.95%      5.55%     18.96%
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average    Expenses ............................................        .65%*        .64%       .68%       .71%       .74%
Net Assets:***                                                               ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Investment income--net ..............................       4.61%*       4.81%      5.04%      5.00%      5.27%
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental         Net assets, net of Preferred Stock, end of period
Data:                (in thousands) ......................................   $411,790     $420,658   $321,752   $161,472   $162,655
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Preferred Stock outstanding, end of period
                     (in thousands) ......................................   $174,000     $174,000   $144,000   $ 70,000   $ 70,000
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Portfolio turnover ..................................      43.55%      136.43%    121.49%    118.28%    110.76%
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leverage:            Asset coverage per $1,000 ...........................   $  3,367     $  3,418   $  3,234   $  3,307   $  3,324
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Per Share  Series A--Investment income--net ....................   $    313     $    849   $    865   $    913   $    910
On Preferred Stock                                                           ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
Outstanding:         Series B--Investment income--net ....................   $    312     $    825   $    643         --         --
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Series C--Investment income--net ....................   $    335     $    785   $    667         --         --
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
                     Series D--Investment income--net ....................   $    296     $    628         --         --         --
                                                                             ========     ========   ========   ========   ========
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                *   Annualized.
                **  Total investment returns based on market value, which can be
                    significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value,
                    may result in substantially different returns. Total
                    investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
                *** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock
                    shareholders.
                +   Amount is less than $.01 per share.
                ++  The Fund's Preferred Stock was issued on September 16, 1992
                    (Series A), January 27, 1997 (Series B and Series C) and
                    February 9, 1998 (Series D).
                +++ Aggregate total investment return.

                    See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      F-43
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles which may require the use of
management accruals and estimates. These unaudited financial statements reflect
all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair
statement of the results for the interim period presented. All such adjustments
are of a normal recurring nature. The Fund determines and makes available for
publication the net asset value of its Common Stock on a weekly basis. The
Fund's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
MYT. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Fund.

(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options written or purchased are valued at the last
sale price in the case of exchange-traded options. In the case of options traded
in the over-the-counter market, valuation is the last asked price (options
written) or the last bid price (options purchased). Securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are
not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including
valuations furnished by a pricing service retained by the Fund, which may
utilize a matrix system for valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors.

(b) Derivative financial instruments--The Fund may engage in various portfolio
strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio against
adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes in the
value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.

 . Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell financial futures
contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
market risk on existing securities or the intended purchase of securities.
Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of securities at a specific
future date and at a specific price or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the
Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the
exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the
Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the
daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and
the value at the time it was closed.

 . Options--The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and purchase put
options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received
by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of
the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market
value of the option written.

When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the
related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of
the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the
security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing
transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of
the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the
closing transaction exceeds the premium paid or received).

Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.

(c) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Discounts and market
premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.

(e) Offering costs--Direct expenses relating to the issuance of Common Stock
resulting from reorganization were charged to capital.


                                      F-44
<PAGE>

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.                          April 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(f) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.

2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc.
("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML &
Co."), which is the limited partner.

FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at
an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock.

Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.

Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.

3. Investments:

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six
months ended April 30, 1999 were $245,808,461 and $259,873,073, respectively.

Net realized gains for the six months ended April 30, 1999 and net unrealized
gains as of April 30, 1999 were as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Realized       Unrealized
                                                         Gains          Gains
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term investments ...........................     $5,978,844     $25,327,972
                                                      ----------     -----------
Total ...........................................     $5,978,844     $25,327,972
                                                      ==========     ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of April 30, 1999, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $25,327,972, of which $26,755,159 related to appreciated
securities and $1,427,187 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost
of investments at April 30, 1999 for Federal income tax purposes was
$551,168,935.

4. Capital Stock Transactions:

The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, including
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which were initially
classified as Common Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to
reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock without approval of the holders
of Common Stock.

Common Stock

Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended April 30, 1999
increased by 76,695 as a result of dividend reinvestment and during the year
ended October 31, 1998 increased by 5,397,154 pursuant to a plan of
reorganization.

Preferred Stock

Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") are shares of Preferred Stock of the
Fund, with a par value of $.05 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000
per share, that entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at an annual
rate that may vary for the successive dividend periods. The yields in effect at
April 30, 1999 were as follows: Series A, 3.40%; Series B, 3.50%; Series C,
3.07%; and Series D, 3.00%.

Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended April 30, 1999
remained constant and during the year ended October 31, 1998 increased by 1,200
pursuant to a plan of reorganization.

The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.375%, calculated on the proceeds of
each auction. For the six months ended April 30, 1999, Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, an affiliate of FAM, earned $95,069 as commissions.

5. Acquisition of Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc.:

On February 9, 1998, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of Taurus MuniNew
York Holdings, Inc. pursuant to a plan of reorganization. The acquisition was
accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 6,782,117 Common Stock shares and 1,200
AMPS shares of Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc. for 5,397,154 Common Stock
shares and 1,200 AMPS shares of the Fund. Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc.'s
net assets on that date of $113,898,593, including $9,119,231 of unrealized
appreciation and $458,687 of accumulated net realized capital losses, were
combined with those of the Fund. The aggregate net assets of the Fund
immediately after the acquisition amounted to $587,371,200.

6. Subsequent Event:

On May 6, 1999, the Fund's Board of Directors declared an ordinary income
dividend to Common Stock shareholders in the amount of $.068090 per share,
payable on May 27, 1999 to shareholders of record as of May 21, 1999.


                                      F-45
<PAGE>

                       Unaudited Financial Statements for
                          Pro Forma New York Insured
                              as of April 30, 1999


                                      F-46
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                           APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

                                 (in Thousands)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 New York--99.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Pro Forma
   S&P   Moody's  Face                              New York    New York   New York
 Ratings Ratings Amount            Issue            Insured++ Insured II++ Insured++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>     <C>     <C>     <S>                        <C>       <C>          <C>
                         Albany County, New York,
                          Airport Authority,
                          Airport Revenue Bonds:
 NR*     Aaa     $10,190 RITR, Series RI-7, 7.52%
                         due 12/15/2023(d).......    $ 7,188    $ 4,829     $12,017
 AAA     Aaa       4,565 Series B, 4.75% due
                         12/15/2018(e)...........      4,368        --        4,368
 A       A2        1,275 Battery Park City
                          Authority, New York,
                          Revenue Refunding
                          Bonds, Junior Series A,
                          5.80% due 11/01/2022...        --       1,355       1,355
 AAA     Aaa       8,200 Buffalo and Fort Erie,
                          New York, Public Bridge
                          Authority, Toll Bridge
                          System Revenue Bonds,
                          5.75% due 1/01/2025(b).      8,725        --        8,725
                         Buffalo, New York, GO
                          (General Improvement),
                          Series A(a):
 AAA     Aaa       3,020 4.50% due 2/01/2007.....        --       3,071       3,071
 AAA     Aaa       1,555 4.50% due 2/01/2008.....        --       1,579       1,579
 AAA     Aaa       1,605 4.75% due 2/01/2009.....        --       1,650       1,650
 AAA     Aaa       1,065 Buffalo, New York, GO,
                          Refunding, Series C,
                          4.25% due
                          12/01/2007(a)..........        --       1,067       1,067
                         Buffalo, New York, GO
                          (School), Series B(e):
 AAA     Aaa       1,160 4.50% due 2/01/2007.....        --       1,180       1,180
 AAA     Aaa         605 4.50% due 2/01/2008.....        --         614         614
 AAA     Aaa         635 4.75% due 2/01/2009.....        --         653         653
 AAA     Aaa       4,300 Buffalo, New York, Sewer
                          Authority Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds, Series
                          F, 6% due 7/01/2013(f).        --       4,897       4,897
                         Huntington, New York,
                          Refunding, GO(a):
 NR*     Aaa         715 5.50% due 4/15/2010.....        --         776         776
 NR*     Aaa         485 5.50% due 4/15/2011.....        --         526         526
 NR*     Aaa         460 5.50% due 4/15/2012.....        --         499         499
 NR*     Aaa         455 5.50% due 4/15/2013.....        --         494         494
 NR*     Aaa         450 5.50% due 4/15/2014.....        --         489         489
 NR*     Aaa         450 5.50% due 4/15/2015.....        --         489         489
                         Long Island Power
                          Authority, New York,
                          Electric System Revenue
                          Bonds:
 NR*     NR*      10,000 Series A, 5.50% due
                         12/01/2023(b)...........        --      10,507      10,507
 AAA     Aaa      10,000 Series A, 5.25% due
                         12/01/2026(a)...........     10,142        --       10,142
 A-      Baa1      5,000 Series A, 5.50% due
                         12/01/2029..............        --       5,134       5,134
 AAA     Aaa      14,300 Series A, 5.50% due
                         12/01/2029(b)...........        --      14,747      14,747
 A1+     VMIG1+    2,600 VRDN, Sub-Series 5,
                         4.25% due 5/01/2033(c)..        --       2,600       2,600
 A1+     VMIG1+    3,650 VRDN, Sub-Series 7,
                         4.10% due
                         4/01/2025(b)(c).........        850      2,800       3,650
                         Metropolitan
                          Transportation
                          Authority, New York,
                          Commuter Facilities
                          Revenue Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       9,570 Series A, 6.375% due
                         7/01/2004(b)(g).........        --      10,805      10,805
 AAA     Aaa      18,270 Series C-1, 5.375% due
                         7/01/2027(f)............      2,576     16,249      18,825
 AAA-    Aaa       6,360 Metropolitan
                          Transportation
                          Authority, New York,
                          Commuter Facilities
                          Revenue Refunding
                          Bonds, Series B, 4.75%
                          due 7/01/2026(f).......      4,401      1,580       5,981
                         Metropolitan
                          Transportation
                          Authority, New York,
                          Transit Facilities
                          Revenue Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 Series A, 6.10% due
                         7/01/2006(e)(g).........        --       2,282       2,282
 AAA     Aaa       2,500 Series C-1, 5.50% due
                         7/01/2022(f)............        --       2,618       2,618
</TABLE>

                                      F-47
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                  APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited) (continued)

                                 (in Thousands)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 New York (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Pro Forma
   S&P   Moody's  Face                              New York    New York    New York
 Ratings Ratings Amount            Issue            Insured++ Insured II++ Insured ++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>     <C>     <C>     <S>                        <C>       <C>          <C>
 AAA     Aaa     $ 3,555 Metropolitan
                          Transportation
                          Authority, New York,
                          Transit Facilities
                          Revenue Refunding
                          Bonds, Series A, 4.75%
                          due 7/01/2021(b).......    $   --     $ 3,377     $ 3,377
                         Metropolitan
                          Transportation
                          Authority, New York,
                          Transportation
                          Facilities Revenue
                          Bonds(g):
 AAA     Aaa       2,400 Series A, 6.10% due
                         7/01/2006(e)............        --       2,738       2,738
 AAA     Aaa      20,000 Series O, 6.375% due
                         7/01/2004(b)............        --      22,582      22,582
 AAA     Aaa       7,370 Metropolitan
                          Transportation
                          Authority, New York,
                          Transportation
                          Facilities Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds, Series
                          A, 4.75% due
                          7/01/2024(b)...........      6,946        --        6,946
 AAA     Aaa       1,005 Mount Sinai, New York,
                          Union Free School
                          District, GO,
                          Refunding, 6.20% due
                          2/15/2019(a)...........        --       1,169       1,169
                         Nassau County, New York,
                          GO:
 AAA     Aaa       3,250 Series P, 6.50% due
                         11/01/2004(f)(g)........        --       3,751       3,751
 AAA     Aaa       3,685 Series P, 6.50% due
                         11/01/2004(f)(g)........        --       4,253       4,253
 AAA     Aaa       5,000 Series V, 5.25% due
                         3/01/2011(a)............      5,250        --        5,250
 AAA     Aaa       3,000 New York City, New York,
                          Cultural Resources             --
                          Trust Revenue Refunding
                          Bonds (Museum of Modern
                          Art), Series A, 5.50%
                          due 1/01/2021(a).......                 3,139       3,139
                         New York City, New York,
                          GO, Refunding:
 A-      A3        3,870 Series B, 6.375% due
                         8/15/2012...............      4,281        --        4,281
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 Series B, 7% due
                         2/01/2017(a)............        --       2,183       2,183
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 Series B, 7% due
                         2/01/2018(a)............        --       2,183       2,183
 AAA     Aaa       2,500 Series D, 5.25% due
                         8/01/2021(b)............      2,533        --        2,533
 AAA     Aaa      15,000 Series F, 5.375% due
                         8/01/2019(b)............        --      15,412      15,412
                         New York City, New York,
                          GO, VRDN, Series B-2,
                          Sub-Series B-5(b)(c):
 AAA     VMIG1+      400 4.10% due 8/15/2011.....        400        --          400
 A-1+    VMIG1+      333 4.10% due 8/15/2022.....        --         333         333
 AAA     Aaa       5,950 New York City, New York,
                          Health and Hospital
                          Corporation Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds (Health
                          System), Series A,
                          5.125% due
                          2/15/2014(a)...........        --       6,116       6,116
                         New York City, New York,
                          IDA, Civic Facility
                          Revenue Bonds:
 NR*     Aaa         885 (Anti-Defamation League
                         Foundation), Series A,
                         5.50% due 6/01/2022(b)..        --         928         928
 AAA     Aaa      12,500 (USTA National Tennis
                         Center Project), 6.375%
                         due 11/15/2014(e).......        --      13,958      13,958
 NR*     A         7,485 New York City, New York,
                          IDA, Special Facilities
                          Revenue Bonds, RITR,
                          Series RI-6, 7.545% due
                          1/01/2024(d)...........        --       8,381       8,381
                         New York City, New York,
                          Municipal Water Finance
                          Authority, Water and
                          Sewer System Revenue
                          Bonds:
 NR*     A-1      11,000 RITR, Series 21, 6.97%
                         due 6/15/2029(d)........        --      12,611      12,611
 AAA     Aaa       1,050 Series A, 5% due
                         6/15/2027(f)............        --       1,024       1,024
 AAA     Aaa      22,500 Series B, 5.75% due
                         6/15/2026(b)............     24,161        --       24,161
 AAA     Aaa       5,000 Series B, 5.50% due
                         6/15/2027(b)............      5,222        --        5,222
                         New York City, New York,
                          Municipal Water Finance
                          Authority, Water and
                          Sewer System Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       1,000 Series A, 5.375% due
                         6/15/2026(e)............      1,025        --        1,025
 AAA     Aaa      16,000 Series B, 5.25% due
                         6/15/2029(a)............     10,122      6,073      16,195
</TABLE>

                                      F-48
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                 AND MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND III, INC.

                  APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited) (continued)
                                 (in Thousands)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 New York (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Pro Forma
   S&P   Moody's  Face                                                         New York    New York    New York
 Ratings Ratings Amount                         Issue                          Insured++ Insured II++ Insured ++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>     <C>     <C>     <S>                                                   <C>       <C>          <C>
 AAA     NR*     $15,000 Series B, 5.25% due 6/15/2029(e)...................    $          $15,183     $15,183
 AAA     Aaa       1,750 Series D, 4.75% due 6/15/2025(b)...................        --       1,648       1,648
 AAA     Aaa       1,500 Series F, 5.50% due 6/15/2023(b)...................        --       1,553       1,553
 NR*     Aaa      14,585 New York City, New York, RITR, Series 33, 6.24% due
                          8/01/2027(b)(d)...................................     15,442        --       15,442
                         New York City, New
                          York, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue Bonds
                          (Future Tax Secured):
 AA      Aa3       7,650 Series B, 5.125% due 11/01/2015....................        --       7,806       7,806
 AAA     Aaa      11,635 Series B, 4.75% due 11/15/2023(f)..................      9,810      1,181      10,991
 AAA     Aaa      10,000 Series B, 4.50% due 11/15/2027(f)..................        --       9,020       9,020
 NR*     VMIG1+    6,400 VRDN, Series C, 4.20% due 5/01/2028(c).............        --       6,400       6,400
 AAA     Aaa       8,750 New York State Dormitory Authority, Lease Revenue
                          Bonds (Municipal Health Facilities Improvement
                          Program), Series 1, 4.75% due 1/15/2029(e)........      8,195        --        8,195
                         New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
 NR*     Aaa       1,000 (Brooklyn Hospital Center), 5.10% due                      --         991         991
                         2/01/2019(a)(h)....................................
 AAA     NR*       2,460 (Champlain Valley Physicians), 5% due 7/01/2017(j).        --       2,454       2,454
 AAA     Aaa       6,290 (City University), Third Generation Reserves,
                         Series 1,
                         6.30% due 7/01/2004(a)(g)..........................        --       7,074       7,074
 AAA     Aaa      11,165 (City University), Third Generation Reserves,
                         Series 2,
                         6.875% due 7/01/2004(b)(g).........................        --      12,911      12,911
 AAA     Aaa       7,000 (City University System), Third Resolution, Series
                         1,
                         6.25% due 7/01/2004(a)(g)..........................      4,510      3,382       7,892
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 (Ithaca College), 5.25% due 7/01/2026(a)...........      2,027        --        2,027
 AAA     Aaa      12,000 (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), 5.50% due
                         7/01/2023(b).......................................        --      12,835      12,835
 AAA     Aaa       4,350 (Mental Health Services Facilities Improvement),
                         Series F,
                         4.50% due 8/15/2028(a).............................        --       3,912       3,912
 A-      A3        2,340 (Mental Health Services Improvement), Series B, 6%
                         due 8/15/2016......................................        --       2,620       2,620
 AAA     Aaa       6,000 (Mount Sinai School of Medicine), Series A, 5.15%
                         due 7/01/2024(b)...................................        --       6,119       6,119
 AAA     Aaa       3,105 (New School Social Research), 5.75% due
                         7/01/2026(b).......................................      2,153      1,190       3,343
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 (New York University), Series A, 5.75% due
                         7/01/2027(b).......................................        --       2,219       2,219
 NR*     Aaa       8,125 RIB, Series 1, 7.165% due 7/01/2027(b)(d)..........        --       9,921       9,921
 AAA     Aaa       6,000 (Siena College), 5.75% due 7/01/2026(b)............      6,460        --        6,460
 BBB-    Baa1      1,000 (State University Athletic Facilities), 7.25% due
                         7/01/2001(g).......................................        --       1,092       1,092
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 (State University Educational Facilities), Series
                         B,
                         5.75% due 5/15/2004(f)(g)..........................        --       2,172       2,172
 AAA     Aaa       5,000 (State University Educational Facilities), Series
                         B, 4.75% due 5/15/2028(b).........................         --       4,693       4,693
                         New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       4,400 (City University System), Series C, 7.50% due
                         7/01/2010(f).......................................      5,408        --        5,408
 AAA     Aaa       4,980 (City University System), Series C, 7% due
                         7/01/2014(f).......................................      5,271        --        5,271
 AAA     Aaa       1,375 (Consolidated City University System), Second
                         Generation, Series A,
                         5.75% due 7/01/2018(e).............................        --       1,517       1,517
 AAA     Aaa       2,875 (Hamilton College), 4.75% due 7/01/2018(b).........        --       2,766       2,766
 AAA     NR*       4,250 (Hospital Mortgage-United Health Services
                         Hospitals),
                         5.375% due 8/01/2027(h)............................      4,356        --        4,356
</TABLE>

                                      F-49
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                  APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited) (continued)
                                 (in Thousands)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 New York (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Pro Forma
   S&P   Moody's  Face                              New York    New York   New York
 Ratings Ratings Amount            Issue            Insured++ Insured II++ Insured++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>     <C>     <C>     <S>                        <C>       <C>          <C>
 AAA     NR*     $ 6,270 (Mental Health Services
                         Facilities Improvement),
                         Series C,
                         5.125% due 2/15/2011(b).    $   --     $ 6,520     $ 6,520
 AAA     Aaa       4,480 (Mental Health Services
                         Facilities Improvement),
                         Series C,
                         5.125% due 8/15/2011(b).        --       4,659       4,659
 AAA     Aaa       4,710 (Mental Health Services
                         Facilities Improvement),
                         Series C,
                         5.125% due 8/15/2012(b).        --       4,863       4,863
 AAA     Aaa      10,000 (Mental Health Services
                         Facilities Improvement),
                         Series D,
                         4.75% due 2/15/2025(b)..                 9,418       9,418
 AAA     Aaa       1,500 (New York and
                         Presbyterian Hospitals),
                         4.75% due
                         8/01/2027(a)(h).........        --       1,409       1,409
 AAA     Aaa      10,000 (North Shore University
                         Hospital), 5.25% due
                         11/01/2019(b)...........     10,095        --       10,095
 AAA     Aaa       5,850 (St. Joseph's Hospital
                         Health Center), 5.25%
                         due 7/01/2018(b)........      5,909        --        5,909
 AAA     Aaa       4,500 (State University
                         Educational Facilities),
                         Series A, 5.875% due
                         5/15/2011(f)............        --       5,048       5,048
 A-      A3        1,500 (State University
                         Educational Facilities),
                         Series A, 5.50% due
                         5/15/2019(f)............        --       1,584       1,584
 A-      A3        2,000 (State University
                         Educational Facilities),
                         Series A, 5.25% due
                         5/15/2021...............        --       2,045       2,045
 AAA     Aaa      29,520 (State University
                          Educational
                          Facilities), Series A,
                          4.75% due 5/15/2025(b).     12,580     15,216      27,796
 AAA     Aaa       1,000 (Wyckoff), Series H,
                          5.125% due
                          2/15/2008(b)...........        --       1,054       1,054
 NR*     Aaa       4,200 New York State Energy
                          Research and
                          Development Authority,
                          Facilities Revenue
                          Bonds, RITR, Series 19,
                          7.77% due 8/15/2020(d).        --       5,019       5,019
                         New York State Energy
                          Research and
                          Development Authority,
                          Gas Facilities Revenue
                          Bonds(b):
 AAA     Aaa      12,000 (Brooklyn Union Gas
                          Company), AMT, Series
                          A, 6.75% due 2/01/2024.        --      13,059      13,059
 AAA     Aaa      16,505 (Brooklyn Union Gas
                          Company), AMT, Series
                          B, 6.75% due 2/01/2024.     11,159      6,810      17,969
 NR*     NR*      14,355 RITR, Series 9, 6.57%
                          due 1/01/2021(d).......        --      15,577      15,577
                         New York State Energy
                          Research and
                          Development Authority,
                          PCR (Niagara Mohawk
                          Power Corporation
                          Project)(c):
 A-1+    NR*         500 DATES, Series A, 4.20%
                          due 7/01/2015..........        --         500         500
 A-1+    NR*         100 VRDN, AMT, Series B,
                          4.25% due 7/01/2027....        --         100         100
                         New York State Energy
                          Research and
                          Development Authority,
                          PCR, Refunding:
 AA-     VMIG1+    1,200 (New York State Electric
                         & Gas), VRDN, Series D,
                         4.20% due
                         10/01/2029(c)...........      1,200        --        1,200
 NR*     P1        4,900 (Niagara Mohawk
                         Corporation Project),
                         FLOATS, Series A, 4.20%
                         due 3/01/2027(c)........      4,900        --        4,900
 AAA     Aaa       3,600 (Rochester Gas and
                         Electric Project), AMT,
                         Series B, 6.50% due
                         5/15/2032(b)............        --       3,894       3,894
 NR*     Aa1       5,000 New York State
                          Environmental
                          Facilities Corporation,
                          PCR, RITR, Series RI-1,
                          7.195% due
                          6/15/2014(d)...........        --       5,795       5,795
 AAA     Aaa       2,975 New York State
                          Environmental
                          Facilities Corporation,
                          Special Obligation
                          Revenue Refunding Bonds
                          (Riverbank State Park),
                          5.50% due 4/01/2016(a).      3,131        --        3,131
 NR*     Aaa       6,575 New York State Local
                          Government Assistance
                          Corporation, RITR,
                          Series 22, 7.57% due
                          4/01/2024(a)(d)........        --       7,739       7,739
                         New York State Medical
                          Care Facilities Finance
                          Agency Revenue Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       5,535 (Brookdale Hospital
                          Medical Center), Series
                          A, 6.85% due
                          2/15/2005(g)...........        --       6,425       6,425
 AAA     Aaa       5,375 (Health Center Project-
                         Second Mortgage), Series
                         A, 6.375% due
                         11/15/2019(a)...........      3,053      3,070       6,123
</TABLE>

                                      F-50
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                  APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited) (continued)
                                 (in Thousands)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 New York (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Pro Forma
   S&P   Moody's  Face                              New York    New York    New York
 Ratings Ratings Amount            Issue            Insured++ Insured II++ Insured ++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>     <C>     <C>     <S>                        <C>       <C>          <C>
 AAA     Aaa     $ 1,865 (Long-Term Health Care),
                          Series B, 6.45% due
                          11/01/2014(e)..........    $ 2,024    $   --      $ 2,024
 AAA     Aaa       1,000 (Long-Term Health Care
                         Insured Program), Series
                         D, 6.50% due
                         11/01/2015(e)...........      1,096        --        1,096
 AAA     Aaa       1,475 (Mental Health
                          Services), Series A, 6%
                          due 2/15/2005(b)(g)....        --       1,648       1,648
 AAA     Aaa          25 (Mental Health
                          Services), Series A, 6%
                          due 2/15/2025(b).......        --          27          27
 AAA     Aaa       2,945 (Mental Health
                          Services), Series E,
                          6.50% due
                          8/15/2004(e)(g)........        --       3,356       3,356
 AAA     Aaa          55 (Mental Health
                          Services), Series E,
                          6.50% due 8/15/2015(e).        --          62          62
 AAA     Aaa       1,000 (New York Hospital
                          Mortgage), Series A,
                          6.75% due
                          2/15/2005(a)(g)(h).....      1,156        --        1,156
 AAA     Aaa      12,850 (New York Hospital
                          Mortgage), Series A,
                          6.80% due
                          2/15/2005(a)(g)(h).....        --      14,882      14,882
 AAA     Aaa      19,500 (New York Hospital
                          Mortgage), Series A,
                          6.50% due
                          2/15/2005(a)(g)(h).....      8,397     13,999      22,396
 AAA     Aaa      15,200 New York State Medical
                          Care Facilities Finance
                          Agency Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds
                          (Hospital and Nursing
                          Home), Series C, 6.375%
                          due 8/15/2029(b)(h)....     10,891      5,663      16,554
 NR*     Aa2       3,270 New York State Mortgage
                          Agency, Homeowner
                          Mortgage Revenue Bonds,
                          AMT, Series 44, 7.50%
                          due 4/01/2026..........        --       3,552       3,552
 AAA     Aaa       1,000 New York State Mortgage
                          Agency, Homeowner
                          Mortgage Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds, Series
                          43, 6.45% due
                          10/01/2017(b)(h).......        --       1,081       1,081
 NR*     Aaa       9,900 New York State Mortgage
                          Agency Revenue Bonds,
                          RITR, AMT, Series 24,
                          7.07% due
                          10/01/2028(d)..........      8,895      2,252      11,147
 AAA     Aaa       3,400 New York State Thruway
                          Authority, General
                          Revenue Bonds, Series
                          C, 6% due
                          1/01/2005(f)(g)........        --       3,792       3,792
 A-1+    VMIG1+      800 New York State Thruway
                          Authority, General
                          Revenue Bonds, VRDN,
                          4.20% due
                          1/01/2024(c)(f)........        800        --          800
                         New York State Thruway
                          Authority, Highway and
                          Bridge Trust Fund
                          Revenue Bonds(f):
 AAA     Aaa       2,775 Series A, 5% due
                         4/01/2009...............        --       2,908       2,908
 AAA     Aaa       3,000 Series B, 6% due
                         4/01/2004(g)............      3,335        --        3,335
 AAA     Aaa       8,000 Series B, 6.25% due
                          4/01/2004(g)...........      8,981        --        8,981
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 New York State Thruway
                          Authority, Service
                          Contract Revenue Bonds
                          (Local Highway and
                          Bridge), Series A-2,
                          5.375% due
                          4/01/2016(b)...........        --       2,083       2,083
                         New York State Urban
                          Development Corporation
                          Revenue Bonds
                          (Correctional
                          Facilities Service
                          Contract), Series B(a):
 AAA     Aaa       6,520 4.75% due 1/01/2018.....        --       6,277       6,277
 AAA     Aaa       7,135 4.75% due 1/01/2028.....        --       6,699       6,699
 AAA     Aaa       6,500 New York State Urban
                          Development Corporation
                          Revenue Refunding Bonds
                          (Correctional Capital
                          Project), Series A,
                          5.25% due 1/01/2021(e).      6,561        --        6,561
 AAA     Aaa       1,000 Niagara Falls, New York,
                          GO (Water Treatment
                          Plant), AMT, 7.25% due
                          11/01/2010(b)..........        --       1,227       1,227
 AAA     Aaa       1,260 North Country, New York,
                          Development Authority,
                          Solid Waste Management
                          System Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds, 6% due
                          5/15/2015(e)...........        --       1,419       1,419
                         North Hempstead, New
                         York, GO, Refunding,
                         Series B(f):
 AAA     Aaa       1,745 6.40% due 4/01/2013.....        --       2,059       2,059
 AAA     Aaa         555 6.40% due 4/01/2017.....        --         656         656
 AAA     Aaa       1,080 Oneida County, New York,
                          GO, Refunding, 5.50%
                          due 3/15/2009(f).......        --       1,171       1,171
</TABLE>

                                      F-51
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                  APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited) (continued)
                                 (in Thousands)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 New York (concluded)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Pro Forma
   S&P   Moody's  Face                              New York     New York    New York
 Ratings Ratings Amount            Issue            Insured++  Insured II++ Insured ++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>     <C>     <C>     <S>                        <C>        <C>          <C>
 AAA     Aaa     $ 1,665 Oneida County, New York,
                          IDA, Civic Facilities
                          Revenue Bonds (Mohawk
                          Valley), Series A,
                          5.20% due 2/01/2013(e).   $    --      $  1,712    $  1,712
                         Port Authority of New
                         York and New Jersey,
                         Consolidated Revenue
                         Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       2,200 104th Series, 4.75% due
                         1/15/2026(a)............        --         2,082       2,082
 AAA     Aaa       6,200 116th Series, 4.50% due
                         10/01/2018(f)...........        --         5,788       5,788
 AAA     Aaa      10,000 116th Series, 4.25% due
                         10/01/2026(f)...........        --         8,712       8,712
 AAA     Aaa       2,180 AMT, 97th Series, 6.50%
                         due 7/15/2019(f)........      2,414          --        2,414
 AAA     Aaa       4,740 AMT, 117th Series,
                         Second Installment,
                         4.75% due 11/15/2016(f).        --         4,586       4,586
 NR*     Aaa       4,000 Port Authority of New                      4,597       4,597
                          York and New Jersey,
                          RITR, AMT, 108th
                          Series, 7.235% due
                          1/15/2017(d)(e)........        --
 A-1+    VMIG1+    8,700 Port Authority of New
                          York and New Jersey,
                          Special Obligation
                          Revenue Refunding Bonds
                          (Versatile Structure
                          Obligation), VRDN,
                          Series 2, 4.20% due
                          5/01/2019(g)(c)........        --         8,700       8,700
 AAA     Aaa       2,500 St. Lawrence County, New                   2,571       2,571
                          York, Industrial
                          Development Civic
                          Facility Revenue Bond
                          (St. Lawrence
                          University Project)
                          Series A, 5.375% due
                          7/01/2018(b)...........        --
                         Syracuse, New York, COP
                         (Syracuse Hancock
                         International Airport),
                         AMT(f):
 AAA     Aaa       3,650 6.625% due 1/01/2012....        --         3,943       3,943
 AAA     Aaa       8,820 6.50% due 1/01/2017.....      6,140        3,361       9,501
 AAA     Aaa       3,000 Syracuse, New York, GO                       --        3,115
                          Refunding, Series B,
                          5.25% due 10/01/2014...      3,115
 Total Investments (Cost -- $817,364) -- 99.7%....   278,154      576,497     854,651
 Other Assets Less Liabilities (Liabilities in Ex-
  cess of Other Assets) -- 0.3%...................      (143)       9,293       2,785
                                                    --------     --------    --------
 Net Assets -- 100.0%.............................  $278,011     $585,790    $857,436
                                                    ========     ========    ========

 AA+     VMIG1+      500 Syracuse, New York, IDA,
                          Civic Facility Revenue
                          Bonds (Multi-Modal-
                          Syracuse University
                          Project), VRDN, 4.20%
                          due 3/01/2023(c).......        500          --          500
                         Triborough Bridge and
                          Tunnel Authority, New
                          York, General Purpose
                          Revenue Refunding
                          Bonds:
 A+      Aa3       1,000 Series B, 5% due
                         1/01/2020...............        --           997         997
 AAA     Aaa       2,000 Series Y, 6.125% due
                         1/01/2021(i)............        --         2,301       2,301
 BBB+    Baa1      4,000 Triborough Bridge and                      4,696       4,696
                          Tunnel Authority, New
                          York, Revenue Refunding
                          Bonds (Convention
                          Center Project), Series
                          E, 7.25% due 1/01/2010.        --
                         Triborough Bridge and
                          Tunnel Authority, New
                          York, Special
                          Obligation Revenue
                          Refunding Bonds:
 AAA     Aaa       1,030 6.25% due 1/01/2012(a)..        --         1,101       1,101
 AAA     Aaa       2,265 Series A, 5.125% due
                         1/01/2011(b)............        --         2,373       2,373
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                      F-52
<PAGE>

                      COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS FOR
                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

               AND MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                  APRIL 30, 1999 (Unaudited) (concluded)

                                 (in Thousands)


<TABLE>
 <C>  <S>
  (a) AMBAC Insured.
  (b) MBIA Insured.
  (c) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
      market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at April 30,
      1999.
  (d) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based
      upon prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in
      effect at April 30, 1999.
  (e) FSA Insured.
  (f) FGIC Insured.
  (g) Prerefunded.
  (h) FHA Insured.
  (i) CAPMAC Insured.
  (j) Connie Lee Insured.
  +   Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
  ++  Value as discussed in the Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
  *   Not Rated.
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

To simplify the listings of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.'s portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many
of the securities according to the list below.

<TABLE>
 <C>    <S>
 AMT    Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
 COP    Certificates of Participation
 DATES  Daily Adjustable Tax-Exempt Securities
 FLOATS Floating Rate Securities
 GO     General Obligation Bonds
 IDA    Industrial Development Authority
 PCR    Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
 RIB    Residual Interest Bonds
 RITR   Residual Interest Trust Receipts
 VRDN   Variable Rate Demand Notes
</TABLE>

                                      F-53
<PAGE>


  The following unaudited pro forma Combined Statement of Assets, Liabilities
and Capital, has been derived from the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and
Capital of the respective Funds at April 30, 1999 and such information has
been adjusted to give effect to the Reorganization as if the Reorganization
had occurred at April 30, 1999. The pro forma Combined Statement of Assets,
Liabilities and Capital is presented for informational purposes only and does
not purport to be indicative of the financial condition that actually would
have resulted if the Reorganization had been consummated at April 30, 1999.
The pro forma Combined Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital should be
read in conjunction with the Funds' financial statements and related notes
thereto which are included in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus.

        PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.
                       As of April 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            New York     New York                      Pro Forma
                            Insured     Insured II   Adjustments    New York Insured
                          ------------ ------------  -----------    ----------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
Assets:
Investments, at value*
 (Note 1a)..............  $278,154,486 $576,496,907                   $854,651,393
Cash....................        23,465       24,372                         47,837
Interest receivable.....     4,933,029   10,012,841                     14,945,870
Prepaid expenses and
 other assets                   14,053       57,051                         71,104
                          ------------ ------------  -----------      ------------
Total assets............   283,125,033  586,591,171                    869,716,204
                          ------------ ------------  -----------      ------------
Liabilities:
Payables:
 Securities purchased...     4,949,109                                   4,949,109
 Dividends to
  shareholders (Note
  1e)...................        26,656      502,502    6,054,631(1)      6,583,789
 Investment adviser
  (Note 2)..............       122,104      257,652                        379,756
Accrued expenses and
 other liabilities......        16,072       41,006      310,000(2)        367,078
                          ------------ ------------  -----------      ------------
Total liabilities.......     5,113,941      801,160    6,364,631        12,279,732
                          ------------ ------------  -----------      ------------
Net Assets:
                          $278,011,092 $585,790,011  $(6,364,631)     $857,436,472
                          ============ ============  ===========      ============
Capital
Capital Stock
 (200,000,000 shares of
 each fund authorized;
 400,000,000 shares as
 adjusted):.............
 Preferred Stock, par
  value $.10 per share
  of AMPS** issued and
  outstanding + at
  $25,000 per share
  liquidation
  preference............  $ 85,000,000 $174,000,000                   $259,000,000
 Common Stock, par value
  $.10 per share issued
  and outstanding++.....     1,256,065    2,666,889       50,294         3,973,248
Paid-in capital in
 excess of par..........   176,066,384  381,622,646     (360,294)      557,328,736
Undistributed investment
 income--net............     3,215,494    2,325,604   (5,541,098)
Undistributed
 (accumulated) realized
 capital gains (losses)
 on investments-net ....       513,533     (153,100)    (513,533)         (153,100)
Unrealized appreciation
 on investments-net.....    11,959,616   25,327,972                     37,287,588
                          ------------ ------------  -----------      ------------
Total Capital+++........  $278,011,092 $585,790,011  $(6,364,631)     $857,436,472
                          ============ ============  ===========      ============
  * Identified Cost.....  $266,194,870 $551,168,935          --       $817,363,805
                          ============ ============  ===========      ============
  + AMPS** issued and
 outstanding............         3,400        6,960          --             10,360
                          ============ ============  ===========      ============
 ++ Shares issued and
 outstanding............    12,560,647   26,668,886      502,949        39,732,482
                          ============ ============  ===========      ============
+++ Net asset value per
 Common Stock...........  $      15.37 $      15.44          --       $      15.06
                          ============ ============  ===========      ============
</TABLE>
- --------

 ** Auction Market Preferred Stock.
(1)Assumes the distribution of undistributed investment income and
   undistributed realized capital gains.

(2)Reflects the charge for estimated Reorganization expenses of $310,000.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                     F-54
<PAGE>


  The following unaudited pro forma Combined Statement of Operations has been
derived from the statement of operations of the respective Funds for the six
months ended April 30, 1999 and such information has been adjusted to give
effect to the Reorganization as if the Reorganization had occurred on November
1, 1998. The pro forma Combined Statement of Operations is presented for
informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the
results of operations that actually would have resulted if the Reorganization
had been consummated on November 1, 1998 nor which may result from future
operations. The pro forma Combined Statement of Operations should be read in
conjunction with the Funds' financial statements and related notes thereto
which are included in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus.

                  PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                 FOR MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. AND
                   MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.
                    For the Six Months Ended April 30, 1999
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Pro Forma
                             New York    New York                   New York
                             Insured    Insured II   Adjustment      Insured
                            ----------  -----------  ----------    -----------
<S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
Investment Income (Note
 1d):
Interest and amortization
 of premium and discount
 earned...................  $7,480,963  $15,530,179   $            $23,011,142
                            ----------  -----------                -----------
Expenses:
Investment advisory fees
 (Note 2).................     699,084    1,473,593                  2,172,677
Commission fees...........     103,126      211,241                    314,367
Transfer agent fees.......      29,056       65,815                     94,871
Professional fees.........      34,807       38,592   (33,399)(1)       40,000
Accounting services (Note
 2).......................      38,210       59,474   (27,458)(1)       70,226
Directors' fees and
 expenses.................      11,131       11,060   (11,060)(1)       11,131
Printing and shareholder
 reports..................      12,103       12,651    (2,754)(1)       22,000
Custodian fees............      11,336       16,396                     27,732
Listing fees..............      11,951       15,492                     27,443
Pricing fees..............       3,868        8,153                     12,021
Other.....................      16,656       16,733                     33,389
                            ----------  -----------   -------      -----------
Total expenses............     971,328    1,929,200   (74,671)       2,825,857
                            ----------  -----------   -------      -----------
Investment income--net....   6,509,635   13,600,979    74,671       20,185,285
                            ----------  -----------   -------      -----------
Realized & Unrealized Gain
 (Loss) on Investments--
 Net (Notes 1b, 1d & 3)
Realized gain on
 investments--net.........   2,518,058    5,978,844                  8,496,902
Change in unrealized
 appreciation/depreciation
 on investments--net......  (4,531,153) (12,591,233)               (17,122,386)
                            ----------  -----------   -------      -----------
Net Increase in Net Assets
 Resulting from
 Operations...............  $4,496,540  $ 6,988,590   $74,671      $11,559,801
                            ==========  ===========   =======      ===========
</TABLE>

- --------

(1) Reflects the anticipated saving as a result of the Reorganization through
    fewer audits and consolidation of printing, accounting and other services.

(2) This Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations excludes non-recurring
    estimated Reorganization expenses of $310,000.

                                     F-55
<PAGE>

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                    COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

  MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund," which term as used herein
shall refer to MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. after giving effect to
the Reorganization) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as
a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's
financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles which may require the use of management accruals and
estimates. These unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments which
are, in the opinion of management necessary to a fair statement of the results
for the interim period presented. The Fund will determine and make available
for publication the net asset value of its Common Shares on a weekly basis.
The Fund's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol MYN. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies
followed by the Fund.

  (a) Valuation of investments -- Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options written or purchased are valued at the last
sale price in the case of exchange-traded options. In the case of options
traded in the over-the-counter market, valuation is the last asked price
(options written) or the last bid price (options purchased). Securities with
remaining maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations
are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including
valuations furnished by a pricing service retained by the Fund, which may
utilize a matrix system for valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors.

  (b) Derivative financial instruments -- The Fund may engage in various
portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio
against adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes
in the value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.

  .  Financial futures contracts -- The Fund may purchase or sell financial
     futures contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose
     of hedging the market risk on existing securities or the intended
     purchase of securities. Futures contracts are contracts for delayed
     delivery of securities at a specific future date and at a specific price
     or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the Fund deposits and maintains
     as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which
     the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees
     to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the
     daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments
     are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized
     gains or losses. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a
     realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the
     contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
     closed.

  .  Options -- The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and
     purchase put options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to
     the premium received by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an
     equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked
     to market to reflect the current market value of the option written.

       When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option,
     the related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from)
     the basis of the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the
     proceeds of the security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund
     enters into a closing transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on
     the option to the extent of the premiums received or paid (or gain or
     loss to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the
     premium paid or received).

       Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.

                                     F-56
<PAGE>

  (c) Income taxes -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and
to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

  (d) Security transactions and investment income -- Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Discounts and market
premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.

  (e) Dividends and distributions -- Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.

2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:

  The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services,
Inc. ("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
("ML & Co."), which is the limited partner.

  FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides
the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services
necessary to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a
monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net
assets, including proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock.

  Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.

  Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors
of FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.

                                     F-57
<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT I

                      INFORMATION PERTAINING TO EACH FUND

 .General Information Pertaining to the Funds

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Defined Term      Fiscal    State of    Meeting
Fund                         Used in Exhibit I  Year End Organization   Time
- ----                        ------------------- -------- ------------ ---------
<S>                         <C>                 <C>      <C>          <C>
MuniYield New York Insured
 Fund, Inc................. New York Insured     10/31        MD      3:45 p.m.
MuniYield New York Insured
 Fund II, Inc.............. New York Insured II  10/31        MD      4:00 p.m.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Shares of Capital Stock
                                                           Outstanding as of
                                                            the Record Date
                                                        -------------------------
                                                            Common
Fund                                                        Stock        AMPS
- ----                                                    -------------- ----------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>
New York Insured.......................................     12,585,427        --
 Series A..............................................             --     1,700
 Series B..............................................             --     1,700
New York Insured II....................................     26,668,886        --
 Series A..............................................             --     2,800
 Series B..............................................             --     1,960
 Series C..............................................             --     1,000
 Series D..............................................             --     1,200
</TABLE>

 .Information Pertaining to Officers and Directors

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year in Which Each Director Became a Member of the Board
                         --------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund                      Bodurtha   Glenn     London    Martin    May      Perold    Zeikel
- ----                     ---------- --------  --------  --------  -------- --------  --------
<S>                      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
New York Insured........       1995     1999       1992      1993     1992      1992      1992
New York Insured II.....       1995     1999       1992      1993     1992      1992      1992
</TABLE>

  Set forth in the table below is information regarding board and committee
meetings held and the aggregate fees and expenses paid by the Fund to non-
affiliated Board members during each Fund's most recently completed fiscal
year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Board                 Audit Committee
                         --------------------------- -------------------------
                            #                           #               Per     Aggregate
                         Meetings Annual Per Meeting Meetings Annual+ Meeting   Fees and
Fund                      Held*   Fee($)  Fee($)**     Held   Fee($)  Fee($)** Expenses($)
- ----                     -------- ------ ----------- -------- ------- -------- -----------
<S>                      <C>      <C>    <C>         <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
New York Insured........     6    2,500      250         4      500     125      23,033
New York Insured II.....     7    2,500      250         4      500     125      32,293
</TABLE>
- --------
 * Includes meetings held via teleconferencing equipment.
** The fee is payable for each meeting attended in person. A fee is not paid
   for telephonic meetings.
 + The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual fee of $1,000.

  Set forth in the table below is information regarding compensation paid by
the Fund to the non-interested Board members for the most recently completed
fiscal year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Compensation From Fund($)*
                                             -----------------------------------
Fund                                         Bodurtha London Martin  May  Perold
- ----                                         -------- ------ ------ ----- ------
<S>                                          <C>      <C>    <C>    <C>   <C>
New York Insured............................  4,500   4,500  4,500  4,500 4,500
New York Insured II.........................  4,500   4,500  4,500  4,500 4,500
</TABLE>
- --------
*  No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of Fund expenses.

                                      I-1
<PAGE>


  Set forth in the table below is information regarding the aggregate
compensation paid by all registered investment companies advised by FAM and
its affiliate, MLAM ("FAM/MLAM Advised Funds"), including the Funds, to the
non-interested Board members for the year ended December 31, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Aggregate Compensation From FAM/MLAM Advised Funds
Name of Board Member                     Paid to Board members ($)(1)
- --------------------          --------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
James H. Bodurtha............                      $163,500
Herbert I. London............                      $163,500
Robert R. Martin.............                      $163,500
Joseph L. May................                      $163,500
Andre F. Perold..............                      $163,500
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The Directors serve on the boards of FAM/MLAM Advised Funds as follows:
    Mr. Bodurtha (29 registered investment companies consisting of 47
    portfolios); Mr. London (29 registered investment companies consisting of
    47 portfolios); Mr. Martin (29 registered investment companies consisting
    of 47 portfolios); Mr. May (29 registered investment companies consisting
    of 47 portfolios); and Mr. Perold (29 registered investment companies
    consisting of 47 portfolios).

  Set forth in the table below is the information about the Directors of each
of the Funds.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Principal Occupation During Past
Name and Address              Age        Five Years and Public Directorships(1)
- ----------------              ---        --------------------------------------
<S>                           <C> <C>
Terry K. Glenn (1)*.........   59 Executive Vice President of FAM and MLAM (such terms
 P.O. Box 9011                    as used herein include their corporate predecessors)
 Princeton, New Jersey            since 1983; Executive Vice President and Director of
 08543-9011                       Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services")
                                  since 1993; President of Princeton Funds
                                  Distributor, Inc. ("PFD") since 1986 and Director
                                  thereof since 1991; President of Princeton
                                  Administrators, L.P. since 1988.

James H. Bodurtha (1)(2)....   55 Director and Executive Vice President, The China
 36 Popponesset Road              Business Group, Inc. since 1996; Chairman and Chief
 Cotuit, Massachusetts 02635      Executive Officer, China Enterprise Management
                                  Corporation from 1993 to 1996; Chairman, Berkshire
                                  Corporation since 1980; Partner, Squire, Sanders &
                                  Dempsey from 1980 to 1993; Director Gilder Group LLC
                                  and related companies since 1999.

Herbert I. London (1)(2)....   60 John M. Olin Professor of Humanities, New York
 2 Washington Square Village      University since 1993 and Professor since 1980;
 New York, New York 10012         President, Hudson Institute since 1997 and Trustee
                                  thereof since 1980; Dean, Gallatin Division of New
                                  York University from 1976 to 1993; Distinguished
                                  Fellow, Herman Kahn Chair, Hudson Institute from
                                  1984 to 1985; Director, Damon Corp. from 1991 to
                                  1995; Overseer, Center for Naval Analyses from 1983
                                  to 1993; Limited Partner, Hypertech LP in 1996.

Robert R. Martin (1)(2).....   72 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kinnard
 513 Grand Hill                   Investments, Inc. from 1990 to 1993; Executive Vice
 St. Paul, Minnesota 55103        President, Dain Bosworth from 1974 to 1989;
                                  Director, Carnegie Capital Management from 1977 to
                                  1985 and Chairman thereof in 1979; Director,
                                  Securities Industry Association from 1981 to 1982
                                  and Public Securities Association from 1979 to 1980;
                                  Chairman of the Board, WTC Industries, Inc. in 1994;
                                  Trustee, Northland College since 1992.

Joseph L. May (1)(2)........   70 Attorney in private practice since 1984; President,
 424 Church Street                May and Athens Hosiery Mills Division. Wayne-Gossard
 Suite 2000                       Corporation from 1954 to 1983; Vice President,
 Nashville, Tennessee 37219       Wayne-Gossard Corporation from 1972 to 1983;
                                  Chairman, The May Corporation (personal holding
                                  company) from 1972 to 1983; Director, Signal Apparel
                                  Co. from 1972 to 1989.

Andre F. Perold (1)(2)......   47 Professor, Harvard Business School since 1989 and
 Morgan Hall                      Associate Professor from 1983 to 1989; Trustee, The
 Solders Field                    Common Fund since 1989; Director, Quantec Limited
 Boston, Massachusetts 02163      from 1991 to 1999; Director, TIBCO from 1994 to
                                  1996; Director, Genbel Securities Limited and Genbel
                                  Bank since 1999.

Arthur Zeikel (1)*..........   67 Chairman of FAM and MLAM from 1997 to 1999;
 300 Woodland Avenue              President of FAM and MLAM from 1977 to 1997;
 Westfield, New Jersey 07090      Chairman of Princeton Services from 1997 to 1999,
                                  Director thereof from 1993 to 1999 and President
                                  thereof from 1993 to 1997; Executive Vice President
                                  of ML & Co. from 1990 to 1999.
</TABLE>

                                      I-2
<PAGE>

- --------
(1) Each of the Directors is a director, trustee or member of an advisory board
    of one or more additional investment companies for which FAM, MLAM or their
    affiliates act as investment adviser. See "Compensation of Board Members"
    herein.
(2) Member of Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
* Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of each of the
  Funds.

  Set forth in the table below is information about the officers of each of the
Funds. The address of each officer is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New
Jersey 08536.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            New York  New York
Name and Biography                Age        Office         Insured  Insured II
- ------------------                --- --------------------- -------- ----------
<S>                               <C> <C>                   <C>      <C>
Terry K. Glenn...................  59       President        1992*     1992*
 Executive Vice President of MLAM
 and FAM since 1983; Executive
 Vice President and Director of
 Princeton Services since 1993;
 President of Princeton Funds
 Distributor, Inc. ("PFD") since
 1986 and Director thereof since
 1991; President of Princeton
 Administrators, L.P. since 1988.

Vincent R. Giordano..............  55 Senior Vice President   1992      1992
 Senior Vice President of FAM and
 MLAM since 1984; Portfolio
 Manager of FAM and MLAM since
 1977; Senior Vice President of
 Princeton Services since 1993.

Kenneth A. Jacob.................  48    Vice President       1993      1993
 First Vice President of MLAM
 since 1997; Vice President of
 MLAM from 1984 to 1997; Vice
 President of FAM since 1984.

Donald C. Burke..................  39    Vice President       1993      1993
 Senior Vice President and                  Treasurer         1999      1999
 Treasurer of MLAM and FAM since
 1999; Senior Vice President and
 Treasurer of Princeton Services
 since 1999; Vice President of
 PFD since 1999; First Vice
 President of MLAM from 1997 to
 1999; Vice President of MLAM
 from 1990 to 1997; Director of
 Taxation of MLAM since 1990.

Walter C. O'Connor...............  37    Vice President       1995       --
 Director (Municipal Tax Exempt
 Fund Management) of MLAM since
 1997; Vice President of MLAM
 from 1993 to 1997; Assistant
 Vice President of MLAM from 1991
 to 1993.

Roberto W. Roffo.................  33    Vice President        --       1996
 Vice President of MLAM since
 1996.

Alice A. Pellegrino..............  39       Secretary         1999      1999
 Vice President of MLAM since
 1999; Attorney associated with
 MLAM since 1997; Associate with
 Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP from
 1992 to 1997.
</TABLE>
- --------
* Mr. Glenn was elected President of each Fund in 1999. Prior to that he served
  as Executive Vice President of each Fund.

                                      I-3
<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT II

                     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

  THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this "Agreement") is made as of
the 5th day of November, 1999, by and between MuniYield New York Insured Fund,
Inc., a Maryland corporation ("New York Insured") and MuniYield New York
Insured Fund II, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("New York Insured II") (New
York Insured and New York Insured II are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "Funds").

                            PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

  The reorganization will comprise the following:

    (a)(1) the acquisition by New York Insured of substantially all of the
  assets, and the assumption by New York Insured of substantially all of the
  liabilities of New York Insured II in exchange solely for an equal
  aggregate value of newly issued shares of (A) common stock, with a par
  value of $0.10 per share, of New York Insured ("New York Insured Common
  Stock"), (B) auction market preferred stock of New York Insured, with a
  liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to
  accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or
  declared) to be designated Series C ("New York Insured Series C AMPS"), (C)
  auction market preferred stock of New York Insured, with a liquidation
  preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but
  unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to be
  designated Series D ("New York Insured Series D AMPS"), and (D) auction
  market preferred stock of New York Insured, with a liquidation preference
  of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid
  dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to be designated
  Series E ("New York Insured Series E AMPS"), and (2) the subsequent
  distribution by New York Insured II to New York Insured II stockholders of
  (x) all of the New York Insured Common Stock received by New York Insured
  II in exchange for such stockholders' shares of common stock, with a par
  value of $0.10 per share, of New York Insured II ("New York Insured II
  Common Stock"), (y) all of the New York Insured Series C AMPS received by
  New York Insured II in exchange for such stockholders' shares of auction
  market preferred stock of New York Insured II, with a liquidation
  preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but
  unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) designated
  Series A ("New York Insured II Series A AMPS"), (z) all of the New York
  Insured Series D AMPS received by New York Insured II in exchange for such
  stockholders' shares of auction market preferred stock of New York Insured
  II, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal
  to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or
  declared) designated Series B ("New York Insured II Series B AMPS") and
  (xx) all of the New York Insured Series E AMPS received by New York Insured
  II in exchange for such stockholders' shares of auction market preferred
  stock, of New York Insured II, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per
  share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon
  (whether or not earned or declared) designated Series C ("New York Insured
  II Series C AMPS") and such stockholders' shares of auction market
  preferred stock, of New York Insured II, with a liquidation preference of
  $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends
  thereon (whether or not earned or declared) designated Series D ("New York
  Insured II Series D AMPS" and together with New York Insured II Series A
  AMPS, New York Insured II Series B AMPS and New York Insured II Series C
  AMPS, the "New York Insured II AMPS"); all upon and subject to the terms
  hereinafter set forth (collectively, the "Reorganization").

  In the course of the Reorganization, New York Insured Common Stock, New York
Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured
Series E AMPS will be distributed to the stockholders of New York Insured II
as follows:

    (a)(1) each holder of New York Insured II Common Stock will be entitled
  to receive a number of shares of New York Insured Common Stock equal to the
  aggregate net asset value of the New York Insured

                                     II-1
<PAGE>

  II Common Stock owned by such stockholder on the Exchange Date (as defined
  in Section 7(a) of the Agreement); (2) each holder of New York Insured II
  Series A AMPS will be entitled to receive a number of shares of New York
  Insured Series C AMPS equal to the aggregate liquidation preference (and
  aggregate value) of the New York Insured II Series A AMPS owned by such
  stockholder on the Exchange Date; (3) each holder of New York Insured II
  Series B AMPS will be entitled to receive a number of shares of New York
  Insured Series D AMPS equal to the aggregate liquidation preference (and
  aggregate value) of the New York Insured II Series B AMPS owned by such
  stockholder on the Exchange Date; and (4) each holder of New York Insured
  II Series C AMPS and New York Insured II Series D AMPS will be entitled to
  receive a number of shares of New York Insured Series E AMPS equal to the
  aggregate liquidation preference (and aggregate value) of the New York
  Insured II Series C AMPS or New York Insured II Series D AMPS owned by such
  stockholder on the Exchange Date.

  It is intended that the Reorganization described in this Plan shall be a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and any successor provision.

  Prior to the Exchange Date, New York Insured II shall declare a dividend or
dividends which, together with all such previous dividends, shall have the
effect of distributing to their respective stockholders all of their
respective net investment company taxable income to and including the Exchange
Date, if any (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid),
and all of its net capital gain, if any, realized to and including the
Exchange Date. In this regard and in connection with the Reorganization, the
last dividend period for the New York Insured II AMPS prior to the Exchange
Date may be shorter than the dividend period for such AMPS determined as set
forth in the applicable Articles Supplementary.

  Articles Supplementary to New York Insured's Articles of Incorporation
establishing the powers, rights and preferences of the New York Insured Series
C AMPS, the New York Insured Series D AMPS and the New York Insured Series E
AMPS will have been filed with the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland (the "Maryland Department") prior to the Exchange Date.

  As promptly as practicable after the consummation of the Reorganization, New
York Insured II shall be dissolved in accordance with the laws of the State of
Maryland and will terminate its registration under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

                                   AGREEMENT

  In order to consummate the Reorganization and in consideration of the
promises and the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and intending
to be legally bound, each of the Funds hereby agrees as follows:

1. Representations and Warranties of New York Insured.

  New York Insured represents and warrants to, and agrees with, New York
Insured II that:

    (a) New York Insured is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
  and in good standing in conformity with the laws of the State of Maryland,
  and has the power to own all of its assets and to carry out this Agreement.
  New York Insured has all necessary Federal, state and local authorizations
  to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to carry out this
  Agreement.

    (b) New York Insured is duly registered under the 1940 Act as a non-
  diversified, closed-end management investment company (File No. 811-6500),
  and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full
  force and effect. New York Insured has elected and qualified for the
  special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs")
  under Sections 851-855 of the Code at all times since its inception and
  intends to continue to so qualify until consummation of the Reorganization
  and thereafter.

                                     II-2
<PAGE>


    (c) New York Insured II has been furnished with New York Insured's Annual
  Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, and the
  audited financial statements appearing therein, having been audited by
  Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, fairly present the
  financial position of New York Insured as of the respective dates
  indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
  applied on a consistent basis.

    (d) New York Insured II has been furnished with New York Insured's Semi-
  Annual Report to Stockholders for the six months ended April 30, 1999, and
  the unaudited financial statements appearing therein fairly present the
  financial position of New York Insured as of the respective dates
  indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
  applied on a consistent basis.

    (e) An unaudited statement of assets, liabilities and capital of New York
  Insured and an unaudited schedule of investments of New York Insured, each
  as of the Valuation Time (as defined in Section 3(d) of this Agreement),
  will be furnished to New York Insured II, at or prior to the Exchange Date
  for the purpose of determining the number of shares of New York Insured
  Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D
  AMPS, and New York Insured Series E AMPS to be issued to New York Insured
  II pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement; each will fairly present the
  financial position of New York Insured as of the Valuation Time in
  conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
  consistent basis.

    (f) New York Insured has full power and authority to enter into and
  perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and
  performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
  action of its Board of Directors, and this Agreement constitutes a valid
  and binding contract enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
  the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance
  and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and
  court decisions with respect thereto.

    (g) There are no material legal, administrative or other proceedings
  pending or, to the knowledge of New York Insured, threatened against it
  which assert liability on the part of New York Insured or which materially
  affect its financial condition or its ability to consummate the
  Reorganization. New York Insured is not charged with or, to the best of its
  knowledge, threatened with any violation or investigation of any possible
  violation of any provisions of any Federal, state or local law or
  regulation or administrative ruling relating to any aspect of its business.

    (h) New York Insured is not obligated under any provision of its Articles
  of Incorporation, as amended, or its by-laws, as amended, or a party to any
  contract or other commitment or obligation, and is not subject to any order
  or decree which would be violated by its execution of or performance under
  this Agreement, except insofar as the Funds have mutually agreed to amend
  such contract or other commitment or obligation to cure any potential
  violation as a condition precedent to the Reorganization.

    (i) There are no material contracts outstanding to which New York Insured
  is a party that have not been disclosed in the N-14 Registration Statement
  (as defined in subsection (k) below) or will not otherwise be disclosed to
  New York Insured II prior to the Valuation Time.

    (j) New York Insured has no known liabilities of a material amount,
  contingent or otherwise, other than those shown on its statements of
  assets, liabilities and capital referred to above, those incurred in the
  ordinary course of its business as an investment company since August 31,
  1999; and those incurred in connection with the Reorganization. As of the
  Valuation Time, New York Insured will advise New York Insured II in writing
  of all known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, whether or not incurred
  in the ordinary course of business, existing or accrued as of such time.

    (k) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
  governmental authority is required for the consummation by New York Insured
  of the Reorganization, except such as may be required under the

                                     II-3
<PAGE>

  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and the 1940 Act or state
  securities laws (which term as used herein shall include the laws of the
  District of Columbia and Puerto Rico).

    (l) The registration statement filed by New York Insured on Form N-14
  which includes the joint proxy statement of the Funds with respect to the
  transactions contemplated herein and the prospectus of New York Insured
  relating to the New York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series C
  AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS to
  be issued pursuant to this Agreement (the "Joint Proxy Statement and
  Prospectus"), and any supplement or amendment thereto or to the documents
  therein (as amended or supplemented, the "N-14 Registration Statement"), on
  its effective date, at the time of the stockholders' meetings referred to
  in Section 6(a) of this Agreement and at the Exchange Date, insofar as it
  relates to New York Insured (i) complied or will comply in all material
  respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act
  and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not
  contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
  material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
  statements therein not misleading; and the Joint Proxy Statement and
  Prospectus included therein did not or will not contain any untrue
  statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
  to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
  which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the
  representations and warranties in this subsection only shall apply to
  statements in or omissions from the N-14 Registration Statement made in
  reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by New York
  Insured for use in the N-14 Registration Statement as provided in Section
  6(e) of this Agreement.

    (m) New York Insured is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital
  stock, of which 1,700 shares have been designated as Series A AMPS, 1,700
  shares have been designated as Series B AMPS and 199,996,600 have been
  designated as common stock, par value $.10 per share; each outstanding
  share of which is fully paid and nonassessable and has full voting rights.

    (n) The shares of New York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series
  C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS
  to be issued to New York Insured II pursuant to this Agreement will have
  been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this
  Agreement, will be legally and validly issued and will be fully paid and
  nonassessable and will have full voting rights, and no stockholder of New
  York Insured will have any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in
  respect thereof.

    (o) At or prior to the Exchange Date, the New York Insured Common Stock
  to be transferred to New York Insured II for distribution to the
  stockholders of New York Insured II on the Exchange Date will be duly
  qualified for offering to the public in all states of the United States in
  which the sale of shares of the Funds presently are qualified, and there
  will be a sufficient number of such shares registered under the 1933 Act
  and, as may be necessary, with each pertinent state securities commission
  to permit the transfers contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated.

    (p) At or prior to the Exchange Date, the shares of New York Insured
  Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E
  AMPS to be transferred to New York Insured II on the Exchange Date will be
  duly qualified for offering to the public in all states of the United
  States in which the sale of AMPS of New York Insured II presently are
  qualified, and there are a sufficient number of each series of New York
  Insured AMPS registered under the 1933 Act and with each pertinent state
  securities commission to permit the transfers contemplated by this
  Agreement to be consummated.

    (q) At or prior to the Exchange Date, New York Insured will have obtained
  any and all regulatory, Director and stockholder approvals necessary to
  issue the New York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS,
  New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS to New
  York Insured II.


                                     II-4
<PAGE>

2. Representations and Warranties of New York Insured II.

  New York Insured II represents and warrants to, and agrees with New York
Insured that:

    (a) New York Insured II is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
  and in good standing in conformity with the laws of the State of Maryland,
  and has the power to own all of its assets and to carry out this Agreement.
  New York Insured II has all necessary Federal, state and local
  authorizations to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to
  carry out this Agreement.

    (b) New York Insured II is duly registered under the 1940 Act as a non-
  diversified, closed-end management investment company (File No. 811-6661),
  and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full
  force and effect. New York Insured II has elected and qualified for the
  special tax treatment afforded RICs under Sections 851-855 of the Code at
  all times since its inception and intends to continue to so qualify through
  its taxable year ending upon liquidation.

    (c) As used in this Agreement, the term "New York Insured II Investments"
  shall mean (i) the investments of New York Insured II shown on the schedule
  of its investments as of the Valuation Time furnished to New York Insured;
  and (ii) all other assets owned by New York Insured II or liabilities
  incurred as of the Valuation Time.

    (d) New York Insured II has full power and authority to enter into and
  perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and
  performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
  action of its Board of Directors and this Agreement constitutes a valid and
  binding contract enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the
  effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and
  similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and court
  decisions with respect thereto.

    (e) New York Insured has been furnished with New York Insured II's Annual
  Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, and the
  audited financial statements appearing therein, having been examined by
  Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants, fairly present the
  financial position of New York Insured II as of the respective dates
  indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
  applied on a consistent basis.

    (f) New York Insured has been furnished with New York Insured II's Semi-
  Annual Report to Stockholders for the six months ended April 30, 1999, and
  the unaudited financial statements appearing therein fairly present the
  financial position of New York Insured II as of the respective dates
  indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
  applied on a consistent basis.

    (g) An unaudited statement of assets, liabilities and capital of New York
  Insured II and an unaudited schedule of investments of New York Insured II,
  each as of the Valuation Time, will be furnished to New York Insured at or
  prior to the Exchange Date for the purpose of determining the number of
  shares of New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured Series C AMPS,
  New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS to be
  issued to New York Insured II pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement; each
  will fairly present the financial position of New York Insured II as of the
  Valuation Time in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
  applied on a consistent basis.

    (h) There are no material legal, administrative or other proceedings
  pending or, to the knowledge of New York Insured II, threatened against it
  which assert liability on the part of New York Insured II or which
  materially affect its financial condition or its ability to consummate the
  Reorganization. New York Insured II, is not charged with or, to the best of
  its knowledge, threatened with any violation or investigation of any
  possible violation of any provisions of any Federal, state or local law or
  regulation or administrative ruling relating to any aspect of its business.


                                     II-5
<PAGE>

    (i) There are no material contracts outstanding to which New York Insured
  II is a party that have not been disclosed in the N-14 Registration
  Statement or will not otherwise be disclosed to New York Insured prior to
  the Valuation Time.

    (j) New York Insured II is not obligated under any provision of its
  Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or its by-laws, as amended, or a
  party to any contract or other commitment or obligation, and is not subject
  to any order or decree which would be violated by its execution of or
  performance under this Agreement, except insofar as the Funds have mutually
  agreed to amend such contract or other commitment or obligation to cure any
  potential violation as a condition precedent to the Reorganization.

    (k) New York Insured II has no known liabilities of a material amount,
  contingent or otherwise, other than those shown on its statements of
  assets, liabilities and capital referred to above, those incurred in the
  ordinary course of its business as an investment company since April 30,
  1999 and those incurred in connection with the Reorganization. As of the
  Valuation Time, New York Insured II will advise New York Insured in writing
  of all known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, whether or not incurred
  in the ordinary course of business, existing or accrued as of such time.

    (l) New York Insured II has filed, or has obtained extensions to file,
  all Federal, state and local tax returns which are required to be filed by
  it, and has paid or has obtained extensions to pay, all Federal, state and
  local taxes shown on said returns to be due and owing and all assessments
  received by it, up to and including the taxable year in which the Exchange
  Date occurs. All tax liabilities of New York Insured II have been
  adequately provided for on its books, and no tax deficiency or liability of
  New York Insured II has been asserted and no question with respect thereto
  has been raised by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local
  tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid, up to and
  including the taxable year in which the Exchange Date occurs.

    (m) At both the Valuation Time and the Exchange Date, New York Insured II
  will have full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and
  deliver the New York Insured II Investments. At the Exchange Date, subject
  only to the obligation to deliver the New York Insured II Investments as
  contemplated by this Agreement, New York Insured II will have good and
  marketable title to all of the New York Insured II Investments, and New
  York Insured will acquire all of the New York Insured II Investments free
  and clear of any encumbrances, liens or security interests and without any
  restrictions upon the transfer thereof (except those imposed by the Federal
  or state securities laws and those imperfections of title or encumbrances
  as do not materially detract from the value or use of the New York Insured
  II Investments or materially affect title thereto).

    (n) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
  governmental authority is required for the consummation by New York Insured
  II of the Reorganization, except such as may be required under the 1933
  Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or state securities laws.

    (o) The N-14 Registration Statement, on its effective date, at the time
  of the stockholders' meetings referred to in Section 6(a) of this Agreement
  and on the Exchange Date, insofar as it relates to New York Insured II (i)
  complied or will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the
  1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
  thereunder, and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a
  material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
  therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the
  Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus included therein did not or will not
  contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
  material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided,
  however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection shall
  apply only to statements in or omissions from the N-14 Registration
  Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
  furnished by New York Insured II for use in the N-14 Registration Statement
  as provided in Section 6(e) of this Agreement.


                                     II-6
<PAGE>

    (p) New York Insured II is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of
  capital stock, of which 2,800 shares have been designated as Series A AMPS,
  1,960 shares have been designated as Series B AMPS, 1,000 have been
  designated as Series C AMPS, 1,200 have been designated as Series D AMPS
  and 199,993,040 shares have been designated as common stock, par value $.10
  per share; each outstanding share of which is fully paid and nonassessable
  and has full voting rights.

    (q) All of the issued and outstanding shares of New York Insured II
  Common Stock and New York Insured II AMPS were offered for sale and sold in
  conformity with all applicable Federal and state securities laws.

    (r) The books and records of New York Insured II made available to New
  York Insured and/or its counsel are substantially true and correct and
  contain no material misstatements or omissions with respect to the
  operations of New York Insured II.

    (s) New York Insured II will not sell or otherwise dispose of any of the
  shares of New York Insured Common Stock or New York Insured Series C AMPS,
  New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS to be
  received in the Reorganization, except in distribution to the stockholders
  of New York Insured II, as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement.

3. The Reorganization.

  (a) Subject to receiving the requisite approvals of the stockholders of each
of the Funds, and to the other terms and conditions contained herein, (i) New
York Insured II agrees to convey, transfer and deliver to New York Insured and
New York Insured agrees to acquire from New York Insured II on the Exchange
Date, all of the New York Insured II Investments (including interest accrued
as of the Valuation Time on debt instruments) and assume substantially all of
the liabilities of New York Insured II in exchange solely for that number of
shares of New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured Series C AMPS,
New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS provided in
Section 4 of this Agreement.

  Pursuant to this Agreement, as soon as practicable after the Exchange Date
(i) New York Insured II will distribute all shares of New York Insured Common
Stock and New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and
New York Series E AMPS received by it to its stockholders in exchange for
their shares of New York Insured II Common Stock and New York Insured II AMPS.
Such distributions shall be accomplished by the opening of stockholder
accounts on the stock ledger records of New York Insured in the amounts due
the stockholders of New York Insured II based on their respective holdings in
New York Insured II as of the Valuation Time.

  (b) Prior to the Exchange Date, New York Insured II shall declare a dividend
or dividends which, together with all such previous dividends, shall have the
effect of distributing to their respective stockholders all of their
respective net investment company taxable income to and including the Exchange
Date, if any (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid),
and all of its net capital gain, if any, realized to and including the
Exchange Date. In this regard and in connection with the Reorganization, the
last dividend period for the New York Insured II AMPS prior to the Exchange
Date may be shorter than the dividend period for such AMPS determined as set
forth in the applicable Articles Supplementary.

  (c) New York Insured II will pay or cause to be paid to New York Insured any
interest New York Insured II receives on or after the Exchange Date with
respect to New York Insured II Investments transferred to New York Insured
hereunder.

  (d) The Valuation Time shall be 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on February 18,
2000, or such earlier or later day and time as may be mutually agreed upon in
writing (the "Valuation Time").

  (e) Recourse for liabilities assumed from New York Insured II by New York
Insured in the Reorganization will be limited to the net assets of New York
Insured II acquired by New York Insured. The known liabilities of

                                     II-7
<PAGE>

New York Insured II, as of the Valuation Time, shall be confirmed in writing
to New York Insured pursuant to Section 2(j) of this Agreement.

  (f) The Funds will jointly file Articles of Transfer with the Maryland
Department and any other such instrument as may be required by the State of
Maryland to effect the transfer of the New York Insured II Investments.

  (g) New York Insured II will be dissolved following the Exchange Date by
filing Articles of Dissolution with the Maryland Department.

  (h) New York Insured will file with the Maryland Department Articles
Supplementary to its Articles of Incorporation establishing the powers, rights
and preferences of the New York Insured Series C AMPS, the New York Insured
Series D AMPS and the New York Insured Series E AMPS prior to the closing of
the Reorganization.

  (i) As promptly as practicable after the liquidation of New York Insured II
pursuant to the Reorganization, New York Insured II shall terminate its
respective registration under the 1940 Act.

4. Issuance and Valuation of New York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured
   Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E
   AMPS in the Reorganization.

  Full shares of New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured Series C
AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS of an
aggregate net asset value or liquidation preference, as the case may be, equal
(to the nearest one ten thousandth of one cent) to the value of the assets of
New York Insured II acquired in the Reorganization determined as hereinafter
provided, reduced by the amount of liabilities of New York Insured II assumed
by New York Insured in the Reorganization, shall be issued to New York Insured
II by New York Insured in exchange for such assets of New York Insured II,
plus cash in lieu of fractional shares. New York Insured will issue to New
York Insured II (a) a number of shares of New York Insured II Common Stock,
the aggregate net asset value of which will equal the aggregate net asset
value of the shares of New York Insured II Common Stock, determined as set
forth below, (b) a number of shares of New York Insured Series C AMPS, the
aggregate liquidation preference and value of which will equal the aggregate
liquidation preference and value of the New York Insured II Series A AMPS,
determined as set forth below; (c) a number of shares of New York Insured
Series D AMPS, the aggregate liquidation preference and value of which will
equal the aggregate liquidation preference and value of the New York Insured
II Series B AMPS, determined as set forth below and (d) a number of shares of
New York Insured Series E AMPS, the aggregate liquidation preference and value
of which will equal the aggregate liquidation preference and value of the New
York Insured II Series C AMPS and New York Insured II Series D AMPS,
determined as set forth below.

  The net asset value of each of the Funds and the liquidation preference and
value of the AMPS of each of the Funds shall be determined as of the Valuation
Time in accordance with the procedures described in (i) the final prospectus
New York Insured, dated February 21, 1992, relating to the New York Insured
Common Stock and (ii) the final prospectus of New York Insured, dated April 6,
1992, relating to the New York Insured AMPS, and no formula will be used to
adjust the net asset value so determined of any Fund to take into account
differences in realized and unrealized gains and losses. Values in all cases
shall be determined as of the Valuation Time. The value of New York Insured II
Investments to be transferred to New York Insured shall be determined by New
York Insured pursuant to the procedures utilized by New York Insured in
valuing and determining its own liabilities for purposes of the
Reorganization. Such valuation and determination shall be made by New York
Insured in cooperation with New York Insured II and shall be confirmed in
writing by New York Insured to New York Insured II. The net asset value per
share of the New York Insured Common Stock and the liquidation preference and
value per share of the New York Insured Series C AMPS, the New York Insured
Series D AMPS and the New York Insured Series E AMPS shall be determined in
accordance with such procedures and New York Insured shall certify the
computations involved. For purposes of determining the net asset value of a
share of Common Stock of each Fund, the value of the securities held by the
Fund plus any cash or other assets

                                     II-8
<PAGE>

(including interest accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities
(including accrued expenses) and the aggregate liquidation value of the
outstanding shares of AMPS of that Fund is divided by the total number of
shares of Common Stock of that Fund outstanding at such time.

  New York Insured shall issue to New York Insured II separate certificates or
share deposit receipts for the New York Insured Common Stock and the New York
Insured Series C AMPS, the New York Insured Series D AMPS and the New York
Insured Series E AMPS, each registered in the name of New York Insured II. New
York Insured II then shall distribute the New York Insured Common Stock and
the New York Insured Series C AMPS, the New York Insured Series D AMPS and the
New York Insured Series E AMPS to the holders of New York Insured II Common
Stock and New York Insured II AMPS by redelivering the certificates or share
deposit receipts evidencing ownership of (i) the New York Insured Common Stock
to The Bank of New York, as the transfer agent and registrar for the New York
Insured Common Stock for distribution to the holders of New York Insured II
Common Stock on the basis of such holder's proportionate interest in the
aggregate net asset value of the Common Stock of New York Insured II and (ii)
the New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and the New
York Insured Series E AMPS to The Bank of New York, as the transfer agent and
registrar for the New York Insured Series C AMPS, the New York Insured Series
D AMPS and the New York Insured Series E AMPS for distribution to the holders
of New York Insured II AMPS on the basis of such holder's proportionate
interest in the aggregate liquidation preference and value of the AMPS of New
York Insured II. With respect to any New York Insured II stockholder holding
certificates evidencing ownership of either New York Insured II Common Stock
or New York Insured II AMPS as of the Exchange Date, and subject to New York
Insured being informed thereof in writing by New York Insured II, New York
Insured will not permit such stockholder to receive new certificates
evidencing ownership of the New York Insured Common Stock or the New York
Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured
Series E AMPS, exchange New York Insured Common Stock or New York Insured
Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E
AMPS credited to such stockholder's account for shares of other investment
companies managed by Merrill Lynch Asset Management L.P. ("MLAM") or any of
its affiliates, or pledge or redeem such New York Insured Common Stock or New
York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured
Series E AMPS, in any case, until notified by New York Insured II or its agent
that such stockholder has surrendered his or her outstanding certificates
evidencing ownership of New York Insured II Common Stock or New York Insured
II AMPS or, in the event of lost certificates, posted adequate bond. New York
Insured II, at its own expense, will request its stockholders to surrender
their outstanding certificates evidencing ownership of New York Insured II
Common Stock or New York Insured II AMPS, as the case may be, or post adequate
bond therefor.

  Dividends payable to holders of record of shares of New York Insured Common
Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS, or New
York Insured Series E AMPS, as the case may be, as of any date after the
Exchange Date and prior to the exchange of certificates by any stockholder of
New York Insured II shall be payable to such stockholder without interest;
however, such dividends shall not be paid unless and until such stockholder
surrenders the stock certificates representing shares of common stock or AMPS
of New York Insured II, as the case may be, for exchange.

  No fractional shares of New York Insured Common Stock will be issued to
holders of New York Insured II Common Stock. In lieu thereof, New York
Insured's transfer agent, The Bank of New York, will aggregate all fractional
shares of New York Insured Common Stock and sell the resulting full shares on
the New York Stock Exchange at the current market price for shares of New York
Insured Common Stock for the account of all holders of fractional interests,
and each such holder will receive such holder's pro rata share of the proceeds
of such sale upon surrender of such holder's certificates representing New
York Insured II Common Stock.

5. Payment of Expenses.

  (a) With respect to expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization,
(i) each Fund shall pay all expenses incurred that are attributable solely to
such Fund and the conduct of its business, and (ii) New York Insured shall
pay, subsequent to the Exchange Date and pro rata according to each Fund's net
assets at the Valuation Time, all expenses incurred in connection with the
Reorganization, including, but not limited to, all

                                     II-9
<PAGE>

costs related to the preparation and distribution of the N-14 Registration
Statement. Such fees and expenses shall include the cost of preparing and
filing a ruling request with the Internal Revenue Service, legal and
accounting fees, printing costs, filing fees, stock exchange fees, rating
agency fees, portfolio transfer taxes (if any) and any similar expenses
incurred in connection with the Reorganization.

  (b) If for any reason the Reorganization is not consummated, no party shall
be liable to any other party for any damages resulting therefrom, including,
without limitation, consequential damages.

6. Covenants of the Funds.

  (a) Each Fund agrees to call an annual meeting of its stockholders as soon
as is practicable after the effective date of the N-14 Registration Statement
for the purpose of considering the Reorganization as described in this
Agreement.

  (b) Each Fund covenants to operate its business as presently conducted
between the date hereof and the Exchange Date.

  (c) New York Insured II agrees that following the consummation of the
Reorganization, it will dissolve in accordance with the laws of the State of
Maryland and any other applicable law, it will not make any distributions of
any shares of New York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS,
New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E AMPS, as
applicable other than to its respective stockholders and without first paying
or adequately providing for the payment of all of its liabilities not assumed
by New York Insured, if any, and on and after the Exchange Date it shall not
conduct any business except in connection with its dissolution.

  (d) New York Insured II undertakes that if the Reorganization is
consummated, it will file an application pursuant to Section 8(f) of the 1940
Act for an order declaring that New York Insured II has ceased to be a
registered investment company.

  (e) New York Insured will file the N-14 Registration Statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and will use its best
efforts to provide that the N-14 Registration Statement becomes effective as
promptly as practicable. Each Fund agrees to cooperate fully with the others,
and each will furnish to the others the information relating to itself to be
set forth in the N-14 Registration Statement as required by the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder and the state
securities laws.

  (f) New York Insured has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose
of New York Insured II Investments, except for dispositions made in the
ordinary course of business.

  (g) Each of the Funds agrees that by the Exchange Date all of its Federal
and other tax returns and reports required to be filed on or before such date
shall have been filed and all taxes shown as due on said returns either have
been paid or adequate liability reserves have been provided for the payment of
such taxes. In connection with this covenant, the Funds agree to cooperate
with each other in filing any tax return, amended return or claim for refund,
determining a liability for taxes or a right to a refund of taxes or
participating in or conducting any audit or other proceeding in respect of
taxes. New York Insured agrees to retain for a period of ten (10) years
following the Exchange Date all returns, schedules and work papers and all
material records or other documents relating to tax matters of New York
Insured II for its taxable period first ending after the Exchange Date and for
all prior taxable periods. Any information obtained under this subsection
shall be kept confidential except as otherwise may be necessary in connection
with the filing of returns or claims for refund or in conducting an audit or
other proceeding. After the Exchange Date, New York Insured II shall prepare,
or cause its agents to prepare, any Federal, state or local tax returns,
including any Forms 1099, required to be filed by such fund with respect to
its final taxable year ending with its complete liquidation and for any prior
periods or taxable years and further shall cause such tax returns and Forms
1099 to be duly filed with the appropriate taxing authorities.

                                     II-10
<PAGE>

Notwithstanding the aforementioned provisions of this subsection, any expenses
incurred by New York Insured II (other than for payment of taxes) in
connection with the preparation and filing of said tax returns and Forms 1099
after the Exchange Date shall be borne by such Fund to the extent such
expenses have been accrued by such Fund in the ordinary course without regard
to the Reorganization; any excess expenses shall be borne by Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM") at the time such tax returns and Forms 1099 are
prepared.

  (h) The Funds each agree to mail to its respective stockholders of record
entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders at which action is to
be considered regarding this Agreement, in sufficient time to comply with
requirements as to notice thereof, a combined proxy statement and prospectus
which complies in all material respects with the applicable provisions of
Section 14(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 20(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules
and regulations, respectively, thereunder.

  (i) Following the consummation of the Reorganization, New York Insured will
stay in existence and continue its business as a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the 1940 Act.

7. Exchange Date.

  (a) Delivery of the assets of New York Insured II to be transferred,
together with any other New York Insured II Investments, and the shares of New
York Insured Common Stock, New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured
Series D AMPS and New York Insured Series E AMPS to be issued as provided in
this Agreement, shall be made at the offices of Brown & Wood LLP, One World
Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, at 10:00 a.m. on the next full
business day following the Valuation Time, or at such other place, time and
date agreed to by the Funds, the date and time upon which such delivery is to
take place being referred to herein as the "Exchange Date." To the extent that
New York Insured II Investments, for any reason, are not transferable on the
Exchange Date, New York Insured II shall cause New York Insured II Investments
to be transferred to New York Insured's account with The Bank of New York at
the earliest practicable date thereafter.

  (b) New York Insured II will deliver to New York Insured on the Exchange
Date confirmations or other adequate evidence as to the tax basis of New York
Insured II Investments delivered to New York Insured hereunder, certified by
Ernst & Young LLP.

  (c) As soon as practicable after the close of business on the Exchange Date,
New York Insured II shall deliver to New York Insured a list of the names and
addresses of all of the stockholders of record of New York Insured II on the
Exchange Date and the number of shares of common stock and AMPS of New York
Insured II owned by each such stockholder, certified to the best of their
knowledge and belief by the applicable transfer agent for New York Insured II
or by its President.

8. Conditions of New York Insured II.

  The obligations of New York Insured II hereunder shall be subject to the
following conditions:

    (a) That this Agreement shall have been adopted, and the Reorganization
  shall have been approved, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
  members of the Board of Directors of New York Insured II and by the
  affirmative vote of (i) the holders of (a) a majority of the New York
  Insured Common Stock and New York Insured AMPS, voting together as a single
  class, and (b) a majority of the New York Insured AMPS, voting separately
  as a class, in each case issued and outstanding and entitled to vote
  thereon; (ii) the holders of (a) a majority of the New York Insured II
  Common Stock and New York Insured II AMPS, voting together as a single
  class, and (b) a majority of the New York Insured II AMPS, voting
  separately as a class, in each case issued and outstanding and entitled to
  vote thereon and further that each Fund shall have delivered to each other
  Fund a copy of the resolution approving this Agreement adopted by such
  Fund's Board of Directors, and a certificate setting forth the vote of such
  Fund's stockholders obtained at its Annual Meeting, each certified by the
  Secretary of the appropriate Fund.


                                     II-11
<PAGE>

    (b) That New York Insured II shall have received from New York Insured a
  statement of assets, liabilities and capital, with values determined as
  provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, together with a schedule of New
  York Insured's investments, all as of the Valuation Time, certified on the
  Fund's behalf by its President (or any Vice President) and its Treasurer,
  and a certificate signed by New York Insured's President (or any Vice
  President) and its Treasurer, dated as of the Exchange Date, certifying
  that as of the Valuation Time and as of the Exchange Date there has been no
  material adverse change in the financial position of New York Insured since
  the date of New York Insured's most recent Semi-Annual Report as
  applicable, other than changes in its portfolio securities since that date
  or changes in the market value of its portfolio securities.

    (c) That New York Insured shall have furnished to New York Insured II a
  certificate signed by New York Insured's President (or any Vice President)
  and its Treasurer, dated as of the Exchange Date, certifying that, as of
  the Valuation Time and as of the Exchange Date all representations and
  warranties of New York Insured made in this Agreement are true and correct
  in all material respects with the same effect as if made at and as of such
  dates, and that New York Insured has complied with all of the agreements
  and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or
  satisfied at or prior to each of such dates.

    (d) That there shall not be any material litigation pending with respect
  to the matters contemplated by this Agreement.

    (e) That New York Insured II shall have received an opinion or opinions
  of Brown & Wood LLP, as counsel to the Funds, in form and substance
  satisfactory to New York Insured II and dated the Exchange Date, to the
  effect that (i) each of the Funds is a corporation duly organized, validly
  existing and in good standing in conformity with the laws of the State of
  Maryland; (ii) the shares of New York Insured Common Stock, New York
  Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York Insured
  Series E AMPS to be issued pursuant to this Agreement are duly authorized
  and, upon delivery, will be validly issued and outstanding and fully paid
  and nonassessable by New York Insured, and no stockholder of New York
  Insured has any preemptive right to subscription or purchase in respect
  thereof (pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of New
  York Insured or the state law of Maryland, or to the best of such counsel's
  knowledge, otherwise); (iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized,
  executed and delivered by each of the Funds, and represents a valid and
  binding contract, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
  enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
  other similar laws pertaining to the enforcement of creditors' rights
  generally and court decisions with respect thereto; provided, such counsel
  shall express no opinion with respect to the application of equitable
  principles in any proceeding, whether at law or in equity; (iv) the
  execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of
  the Reorganization will not, violate any material provisions of Maryland
  law or the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, the by-laws, as amended,
  or any agreement (known to such counsel) to which either Fund is a party or
  by which either Fund is bound, except insofar as the parties have agreed to
  amend such provision as a condition precedent to the Reorganization; (v)
  New York Insured II has the power to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the
  assets transferred by it hereunder and, upon consummation of the
  Reorganization in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, New York
  Insured II will have duly transferred such assets and liabilities in
  accordance with this Agreement; (vi) to the best of such counsel's
  knowledge, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any United
  States federal court, Maryland state court or governmental authority is
  required for the consummation by the Funds of the Reorganization, except
  such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940
  Act and the published rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
  and under Maryland law and such as may be required under state securities
  laws; (vii) the N-14 Registration Statement has become effective under the
  1933 Act, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the N-14
  Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose
  have been instituted or are pending or contemplated under the 1933 Act, and
  the N-14 Registration Statement, and each amendment or supplement thereto,
  as of their respective effective dates, appear on their face to be
  appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of
  the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the published rules and
  regulations of the

                                     II-12
<PAGE>

  Commission thereunder; (viii) the descriptions in the N-14 Registration
  Statement of statutes, legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and
  other documents are accurate and fairly present the information required to
  be shown; (ix) the information in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus
  under "Comparison of the Funds--Tax Rules Applicable to the Funds and their
  Stockholders" and "Agreement and Plan of Reorganization--Tax Consequences
  of the Reorganization," to the extent that it constitutes matters of law,
  summaries of legal matters or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by such
  counsel and is correct in all material respects as of the date of the Joint
  Proxy Statement and Prospectus; (x) such counsel does not know of any
  statutes, legal or governmental proceedings or contracts or other documents
  related to the Reorganization of a character required to be described in
  the N-14 Registration Statement which are not described therein or, if
  required to be filed, filed as required; (xi) no Fund, to the knowledge of
  such counsel, is required to qualify to do business as a foreign
  corporation in any jurisdiction except as may be required by state
  securities laws, and except where each has so qualified or the failure so
  to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on such Fund or its
  respective stockholders; (xii) such counsel does not have actual knowledge
  of any material suit, action or legal or administrative proceeding pending
  or threatened against any of the Funds, the unfavorable outcome of which
  would materially and adversely affect such Fund; (xiii) all corporate
  actions required to be taken by the Funds to authorize this Agreement and
  to effect the Reorganization have been duly authorized by all necessary
  corporate actions on the part of such Fund; and (xiv) such opinion is
  solely for the benefit of the Funds and their Directors and officers. Such
  opinion also shall state that (x) while such counsel cannot make any
  representation as to the accuracy or completeness of statements of fact in
  the N-14 Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto,
  nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that,
  on the respective effective dates of the N-14 Registration Statement and
  any amendment or supplement thereto, (1) the N-14 Registration Statement or
  any amendment or supplement thereto contained any untrue statement of a
  material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated
  therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and (2)
  the prospectus included in the N-14 Registration Statement contained any
  untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
  necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
  under which they were made, not misleading; and (y) such counsel does not
  express any opinion or belief as to the financial statements or other
  financial or statistical data relating to any Fund contained or
  incorporated by reference in the N-14 Registration Statement. In giving the
  opinion set forth above, Brown & Wood LLP may state that it is relying on
  certificates of officers of a Fund with regard to matters of fact and
  certain certificates and written statements of governmental officials with
  respect to the good standing of a Fund.

    (f) That New York Insured II shall have received either (a) a private
  letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or (b) an opinion of Brown
  & Wood LLP, to the effect that for Federal income tax purposes (i) the
  transfer by New York Insured II of substantially all of its assets to New
  York Insured in exchange solely for shares of New York Insured Common Stock
  and New York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS or New
  York Insured Series E AMPS as provided in this Agreement will constitute a
  reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and
  the respective Funds will each be deemed to be a "party" to a
  reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b); (ii) in accordance
  with Section 361(a) of the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized to New
  York Insured II as a result of the asset transfer solely in exchange for
  shares of New York Insured Common Stock and New York Insured Series C AMPS,
  New York Insured Series D AMPS or New York Insured Series E AMPS, as the
  case may be, or on the distribution of the New York Insured stock to
  stockholders of New York Insured II under Section 361(c)(1); (iii) under
  Section 1032 of the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized to New York
  Insured on the receipt of assets of New York Insured II in exchange for its
  shares; (iv) in accordance with Section 354(a)(1) of the Code, no gain or
  loss will be recognized to the stockholders of New York Insured II on the
  receipt of shares of New York Insured in exchange for their shares of New
  York Insured II (except to the extent that common stockholders receive cash
  representing an interest in fractional shares of New York Insured Common
  Stock in the Reorganization); (v) in accordance with Section 362(b) of the
  Code, the tax basis of New York Insured II's assets in the hands of New
  York Insured will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands
  of New York Insured II immediately prior to the consummation of the

                                     II-13
<PAGE>

  Reorganization; (vi) in accordance with Section 358 of the Code,
  immediately after the Reorganization, the tax basis of the shares of New
  York Insured received by the stockholders of New York Insured II in the
  Reorganization will be equal, in the aggregate, to the tax basis of the
  shares of New York Insured II surrendered in exchange; (vii) in accordance
  with Section 1223 of the Code, a stockholder's holding period for the
  shares of New York Insured will be determined by including the period for
  which such stockholder held New York Insured II shares exchanged therefor,
  provided that such shares were held as a capital asset; (viii) in
  accordance with Section 1223 of the Code, New York Insured's holding period
  with respect to New York Insured II's assets transferred will include the
  period for which such assets were held by New York Insured II; (ix) the
  payment of cash to common stockholders of New York Insured II in lieu of
  fractional shares of New York Insured Common Stock will be treated as
  though the fractional shares were distributed as part of the Reorganization
  and then redeemed, with the result that such stockholders will have short-
  or long-term capital gain or loss to the extent that the cash distribution
  differs from the stockholder's basis allocable to the New York Insured
  fractional shares; and (x) the taxable year of New York Insured II will end
  on the effective date of the Reorganization and pursuant to Section 381(a)
  of the Code and regulations thereunder, New York Insured will succeed to
  and take into account certain tax attributes of New York Insured II, such
  as earnings and profits, capital loss carryovers and method of accounting.

    (g) That all proceedings taken by each of the Funds and its counsel in
  connection with the Reorganization and all documents incidental thereto
  shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the other.

    (h) That the N-14 Registration Statement shall have become effective
  under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending such effectiveness shall
  have been instituted or, to the knowledge of New York Insured, be
  contemplated by the Commission.

    (i) That New York Insured II shall have received from Deloitte & Touche
  LLP a letter dated within three days prior to the effective date of the N-
  14 Registration Statement and a similar letter dated within five days prior
  to the Exchange Date, in form and substance satisfactory to New York
  Insured II, to the effect that (i) they are independent public accountants
  with respect to New York Insured within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the
  applicable published rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) in their
  opinion, the financial statements and supplementary information of New York
  Insured included or incorporated by reference in the N-14 Registration
  Statement and reported on by them comply as to form in all material
  respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and
  the published rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) on the basis of
  limited procedures agreed upon by the Funds and described in such letter
  (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
  standards) consisting of a reading of any unaudited interim financial
  statements and unaudited supplementary information of New York Insured
  included in the N-14 Registration Statement, and inquiries of certain
  officials of New York Insured responsible for financial and accounting
  matters, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that
  (a) such unaudited financial statements and related unaudited supplementary
  information do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
  applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the published rules
  and regulations thereunder, (b) such unaudited financial statements are not
  fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting
  principles, applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the
  audited financial statements, or (c) such unaudited supplementary
  information is not fairly stated in all material respects in relation to
  the unaudited financial statements taken as a whole; and (iv) on the basis
  of limited procedures agreed upon by the Funds and described in such letter
  (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
  standards), the information relating to New York Insured appearing in the
  N-14 Registration Statement, which information is expressed in dollars (or
  percentages derived from such dollars) (with the exception of performance
  comparisons, if any), if any, has been obtained from the accounting records
  of New York Insured or from schedules prepared by officials of New York
  Insured having responsibility for financial and reporting matters and such
  information is in agreement with such records, schedules or computations
  made therefrom.

    (j) That the Commission shall not have issued an unfavorable advisory
  report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted or threatened to
  institute any proceeding seeking to enjoin consummation of the
  Reorganization under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act, and no other legal,
  administrative or other proceeding

                                     II-14
<PAGE>

  shall be instituted or threatened which would materially affect the
  financial condition of New York Insured or would prohibit the
  Reorganization.

    (k) That New York Insured II shall have received from the Commission such
  orders or interpretations as Brown & Wood LLP, as its counsel, deems
  reasonably necessary or desirable under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act in
  connection with the Reorganization, provided, that such counsel shall have
  requested such orders as promptly as practicable, and all such orders shall
  be in full force and effect.

9. New York Insured Conditions.

  The obligations of New York Insured hereunder shall be subject to the
following conditions:

    (a) That this Agreement shall have been adopted, and the Reorganization
  shall have been approved, by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of
  each of the Funds as set forth in Section 8(a); and that New York Insured
  II shall have delivered to New York Insured a copy of the resolution
  approving this Agreement adopted by New York Insured II's Board of
  Directors, and a certificate setting forth the vote of the stockholders of
  New York Insured II obtained, each certified by its Secretary.

    (b) That New York Insured II shall have furnished to New York Insured a
  statement of its assets, liabilities and capital, with values determined as
  provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, together with a schedule of
  investments with their respective dates of acquisition and tax costs, all
  as of the Valuation Time, certified on such Fund's behalf by its President
  (or any Vice President) and its Treasurer, and a certificate signed by such
  Fund's President (or any Vice President) and its Treasurer, dated as of the
  Exchange Date, certifying that as of the Valuation Time and as of the
  Exchange Date there has been no material adverse change in the financial
  position of New York Insured II since the date of such Fund's most recent
  Semi-Annual Report, as applicable, other than changes in New York Insured
  II Investments since that date or changes in the market value of New York
  Insured II Investments.

    (c) That New York Insured II shall have furnished to New York Insured a
  certificate signed by such Fund's President (or any Vice President) and its
  Treasurer, dated the Exchange Date, certifying that as of the Valuation
  Time and as of the Exchange Date all representations and warranties of New
  York Insured II made in this Agreement are true and correct in all material
  respects with the same effect as if made at and as of such dates and New
  York Insured II has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all
  of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to
  such dates.

    (d) That New York Insured II shall have delivered to New York Insured a
  letter from Ernst & Young LLP, dated the Exchange Date, stating that such
  firm has performed a limited review of the Federal, state and local income
  tax returns of New York Insured II for the period ended October 31, 1999
  (which returns originally were prepared and filed by New York Insured II),
  and that based on such limited review, nothing came to their attention
  which caused them to believe that such returns did not properly reflect, in
  all material respects, the Federal, state and local income taxes of New
  York Insured II for the period covered thereby; and that for the period
  from November 1, 1999, to and including the Exchange Date and for any
  taxable year of New York Insured II ending upon the liquidation of New York
  Insured II, such firm has performed a limited review to ascertain the
  amount of applicable Federal, state and local taxes, and has determined
  that either such amount has been paid or reserves have been established for
  payment of such taxes, this review to be based on unaudited financial data;
  and that based on such limited review, nothing has come to their attention
  which caused them to believe that the taxes paid or reserves set aside for
  payment of such taxes were not adequate in all material respects for the
  satisfaction of Federal, state and local taxes for the period from November
  1, 1999, to and including the Exchange Date and for any taxable year of New
  York Insured II, ending upon the liquidation of such fund or that such fund
  would not qualify as a regulated investment company for Federal income tax
  purposes for the tax years in question.


                                     II-15
<PAGE>

    (e) That there shall not be any material litigation pending with respect
  to the matters contemplated by this Agreement.

    (f) That New York Insured shall have received an opinion of Brown & Wood
  LLP, as counsel to the Funds, in form and substance satisfactory to New
  York Insured and dated the Exchange Date, with respect to the matters
  specified in Section 8(e) of this Agreement and such other matters as New
  York Insured reasonably may deem necessary or desirable.

    (g) That New York Insured shall have received a private letter ruling
  from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of Brown & Wood LLP with
  respect to the matters specified in Section 8(f) of this Agreement.

    (h) That New York Insured shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a
  letter dated within three days prior to the effective date of the N-14
  Registration Statement and a similar letter dated within five days prior to
  the Exchange Date, in form and substance satisfactory to New York Insured,
  to the effect that (i) they are independent public accountants with respect
  to New York Insured II within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the
  applicable published rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) in their
  opinion, the financial statements and supplementary information of New York
  Insured II included or incorporated by reference in the N-14 Registration
  Statement and reported on by them comply as to form in all material
  respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and
  the published rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) on the basis of
  limited procedures agreed upon by the Funds and described in such letter
  (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
  standards) consisting of a reading of any unaudited interim financial
  statements and unaudited supplementary information of New York Insured II
  included in the N-14 Registration Statement, and inquiries of certain
  officials of New York Insured II responsible for financial and accounting
  matters, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that
  (a) such unaudited financial statements and related unaudited supplementary
  information do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
  applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the published rules
  and regulations thereunder, (b) such unaudited financial statements are not
  fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting
  principles, applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the
  audited financial statements, or (c) such unaudited supplementary
  information is not fairly stated in all material respects in relation to
  the unaudited financial statements taken as a whole; and (iv) on the basis
  of limited procedures agreed upon by the Funds and described in such letter
  (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
  standards), the information relating to New York Insured II appearing in
  the N-14 Registration Statement, which information is expressed in dollars
  (or percentages derived from such dollars) (with the exception of
  performance comparisons, if any), if any, has been obtained from the
  accounting records of New York Insured II or from schedules prepared by
  officials of New York Insured II having responsibility for financial and
  reporting matters and such information is in agreement with such records,
  schedules or computations made therefrom.

    (i) That New York Insured II Investments to be transferred to New York
  Insured shall not include any assets or liabilities which New York Insured,
  by reason of charter limitations or otherwise, may not properly acquire or
  assume.

    (j) That the N-14 Registration Statement shall have become effective
  under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending such effectiveness shall
  have been instituted or, to the knowledge of New York Insured II, be
  contemplated by the Commission.

    (k) That the Commission shall not have issued an unfavorable advisory
  report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted or threatened to
  institute any proceeding seeking to enjoin consummation of the
  Reorganization under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act, and no other legal,
  administrative or other proceeding shall be instituted or threatened which
  would materially affect the financial condition of New York Insured II or
  would prohibit the Reorganization.


                                     II-16
<PAGE>

    (l) That New York Insured shall have received from the Commission such
  orders or interpretations as Brown & Wood LLP, as counsel to New York
  Insured, deems reasonably necessary or desirable under the 1933 Act and the
  1940 Act in connection with the Reorganization, provided, that such counsel
  shall have requested such orders as promptly as practicable, and all such
  orders shall be in full force and effect.

    (m) That all proceedings taken by New York Insured II and its counsel in
  connection with the Reorganization and all documents incidental thereto
  shall be satisfactory in form and substance to New York Insured.

    (n) That prior to the Exchange Date, New York Insured II shall have
  declared a dividend or dividends which, together with all such previous
  dividends, shall have the effect of distributing to its stockholders all of
  its net investment company taxable income for the period to and including
  the Exchange Date, if any (computed without regard to any deduction for
  dividends paid), and all of its net capital gain, if any, realized to and
  including the Exchange Date. In this regard, the last dividend period for
  the New York Insured II AMPS may be shorter than the dividend period for
  such AMPS determined as set forth in the applicable Articles Supplementary.

10. Indemnification.

  (a) New York Insured II hereby agrees to indemnify and hold New York Insured
harmless from all loss, liability and expenses (including reasonable counsel
fees and expenses in connection with the contest of any claim) which New York
Insured may incur or sustain by reason of the fact that (i) New York Insured
shall be required to pay any corporate obligation of New York Insured II,
whether consisting of tax deficiencies or otherwise, based upon a claim or
claims against New York Insured II which were omitted or not fairly reflected
in the financial statements to be delivered to New York Insured in connection
with the Reorganization; (ii) any representations or warranties made by New
York Insured II in this Agreement should prove to be false or erroneous in any
material respect; (iii) any covenant of New York Insured II has been breached
in any material respect; or (iv) any claim is made alleging that (a) the N-14
Registration Statement included any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein attributable to such Fund not misleading or (b)
the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus delivered to the stockholders of the
Funds and forming a part of the N-14 Registration Statement included any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein attributable to such Fund, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except
with respect to (iv)(a) and (b) herein insofar as such claim is based on
written information furnished to New York Insured II by New York Insured.

  (b) New York Insured hereby agrees to indemnify and hold New York Insured II
harmless from all loss, liability and expenses (including reasonable counsel
fees and expenses in connection with the contest of any claim) which New York
Insured II may incur or sustain by reason of the fact that (i) any
representations or warranties made by New York Insured in this Agreement
should prove false or erroneous in any material respect, (ii) any covenant of
New York Insured has been breached in any material respect, or (iii) any claim
is made alleging that (a) the N-14 Registration Statement included any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading
or (b) the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus delivered to stockholders of
the Funds and forming a part of the N-14 Registration Statement included any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, except with respect to (ii)(a) and
(b) herein insofar as such claim is based on written information furnished to
New York Insured by New York Insured II.

  (c) In the event that any claim is made against New York Insured in respect
of which indemnity may be sought by New York Insured from New York Insured II
under Section 10(a) of this Agreement, or in the event that any claim is made
against New York Insured II in respect of which indemnity may be sought by New
York Insured II from New York Insured under Section 10(b) of this Agreement,
then the party seeking indemnification

                                     II-17
<PAGE>

(the "Indemnified Party"), with reasonable promptness and before payment of
such claim, shall give written notice of such claim to the other party (the
"Indemnifying Party"). If no objection as to the validity of the claim is made
in writing to the Indemnified Party by the Indemnifying Party within thirty
(30) days after the giving of notice hereunder, then the Indemnified Party may
pay such claim and shall be entitled to reimbursement therefor, pursuant to
this Agreement. If, prior to the termination of such thirty-day period,
objection in writing as to the validity of such claim is made to the
Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party shall withhold payment thereof until
the validity of such claim is established (i) to the satisfaction of the
Indemnifying Party, or (ii) by a final determination of a court of competent
jurisdiction, whereupon the Indemnified Party may pay such claim and shall be
entitled to reimbursement thereof, pursuant to this Agreement, or (iii) with
respect to any tax claims, within seven (7) calendar days following the
earlier of (A) an agreement between New York Insured and New York Insured II
seeking indemnification that an indemnity amount is payable, (B) an assessment
of a tax by a taxing authority, or (C) a "determination" as defined in Section
1313(a) of the Code. For purposes of this Section 10, the term "assessment"
shall have the same meaning as used in Chapter 63 of the Code and Treasury
Regulations thereunder, or any comparable provision under the laws of the
appropriate taxing authority. In the event of any objection by the
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party promptly shall investigate the
claim, and if it is not satisfied with the validity thereof, the Indemnifying
Party shall conduct the defense against such claim. All costs and expenses
incurred by the Indemnifying Party in connection with such investigation and
defense of such claim shall be borne by it. These indemnification provisions
are in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights the parties may
have under applicable law.

11. Termination, Postponement and Waivers.

  (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
this Agreement may be terminated and the Reorganization abandoned at any time
(whether before or after adoption thereof by the stockholders of the Funds)
prior to the Exchange Date, or the Exchange Date may be postponed, (i) by
mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of the Funds, (ii) by the Board of
Directors of New York Insured II if any condition of New York Insured II's
obligations set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement has not been fulfilled or
waived by such Board; or (iii) by the Board of Directors of New York Insured
if any condition of New York Insured's obligations set forth in Section 9 of
this Agreement has not been fulfilled or waived by such Board.

  (b) If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have not been
consummated by August 31, 2000, this Agreement automatically shall terminate
on that date, unless a later date is mutually agreed to by the Boards of
Directors of the Funds.

  (c) In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions
hereof, the same shall become void and have no further effect, and there shall
not be any liability on the part of any Fund or persons who are their
directors, trustees, officers, agents or stockholders in respect of this
Agreement.

  (d) At any time prior to the Exchange Date, any of the terms or conditions
of this Agreement may be waived by the Board of Directors of either Fund
(whichever is entitled to the benefit thereof), if, in the judgment of such
Board after consultation with its counsel, such action or waiver will not have
a material adverse effect on the benefits intended under this Agreement to the
stockholders of their respective fund, on behalf of which such action is
taken. In addition, the Boards of Directors of the Funds have delegated to FAM
the ability to make non-material changes to the transaction if it deems it to
be in the best interests of the Funds to do so.

  (e) The respective representations and warranties contained in Sections 1
and 2 of this Agreement shall expire with, and be terminated by, the
consummation of the Reorganization, and neither Fund nor any of its officers,
directors, trustees, agents or stockholders shall have any liability with
respect to such representations or warranties after the Exchange Date. This
provision shall not protect any officer, director, trustee, agent or
stockholder of either Fund against any liability to the entity for which that
officer, director, trustee, agent or stockholder so acts or to its
stockholders, to which that officer, director, trustee, agent or stockholder
otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties in the conduct of such office.

                                     II-18
<PAGE>

  (f) If any order or orders of the Commission with respect to this Agreement
shall be issued prior to the Exchange Date and shall impose any terms or
conditions which are determined by action of the Boards of Directors of the
Funds to be acceptable, such terms and conditions shall be binding as if a
part of this Agreement without further vote or approval of the stockholders of
the Funds unless such terms and conditions shall result in a change in the
method of computing the number of shares of New York Insured Common Stock, New
York Insured Series C AMPS, New York Insured Series D AMPS and New York
Insured Series E AMPS to be issued to New York Insured II, as applicable, in
which event, unless such terms and conditions shall have been included in the
proxy solicitation materials furnished to the stockholders of the Funds prior
to the meetings at which the Reorganization shall have been approved, this
Agreement shall not be consummated and shall terminate unless the Funds
promptly shall call a special meeting of stockholders at which such conditions
so imposed shall be submitted for approval.

12. Other Matters.

  (a) Pursuant to Rule 145 under the 1933 Act, and in connection with the
issuance of any shares to any person who at the time of the Reorganization is,
to its knowledge, an affiliate of a party to the Reorganization pursuant to
Rule 145(c), New York Insured will cause to be affixed upon the certificate(s)
issued to such person (if any) a legend as follows:

  THESE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER UNDER THE SECURITIES
  ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT TO
  MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. (OR ITS STATUTORY SUCCESSOR), OR ITS
  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER UNLESS (I) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT
  THERETO IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR (II) IN THE
  OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE FUND, SUCH REGISTRATION
  IS NOT REQUIRED.

and, further, that stop transfer instructions will be issued to New York
Insured's transfer agent with respect to such shares. New York Insured II will
provide New York Insured on the Exchange Date with the name of any stockholder
of New York Insured II who is to the knowledge of New York Insured II an
affiliate of New York Insured II on such date.

  (b) All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made under
this Agreement and any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been material and relied upon by each of the parties,
notwithstanding any investigation made by them or on their behalf.

  (c) Any notice, report or demand required or permitted by any provision of
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be made by hand delivery, prepaid
certified mail or overnight service, addressed to any Fund, at 800 Scudders
Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, Attn: Terry K. Glenn, President.

  (d) This Agreement supersedes all previous correspondence and oral
communications between the parties regarding the Reorganization, constitutes
the only understanding with respect to the Reorganization, may not be changed
except by a letter of agreement signed by each party and shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable
to agreements made and to be performed in said state.

  (e) Copies of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Articles
Supplementary of each Fund are on file with the Maryland Department and notice
is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Directors of
each Fund.

                                     II-19
<PAGE>

  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which,
when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one instrument.

Attest:                                   MuniYield New York Insured Fund,
                                           Inc.

     /s/ Alice A. Pellegrino
_____________________________________
                                          By:       /s/ Donald C. Burke
                                            -----------------------------------

    Alice A. Pellegrino, Secretary            Donald C. Burke, Vice President
                                                    and Treasurer

Attest:                                   MuniYield New York Insured Fund II,
                                           Inc.

     /s/ Alice A. Pellegrino
_____________________________________
                                          By:       /s/ Donald C. Burke
                                            -----------------------------------

    Alice A. Pellegrino, Secretary            Donald C. Burke, Vice President
                                                    and Treasurer


                                     II-20
<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT III

                   ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS IN NEW YORK

  The following information is a brief summary of factors affecting the
economy of New York City (the "City") or New York State (the "State" or "New
York"). Other factors will affect issuers. The summary is based primarily upon
one or more of the most recent publicly available offering statements relating
to debt offerings of State issuers, however, it has not been updated. The
Funds have not independently verified this information.

  The State, some of its agencies, instrumentalities and public authorities
and certain of its municipalities have sometimes faced serious financial
difficulties that could have an adverse effect on the sources of payment for
or the market value of the New York Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests.

New York City

  General. More than any other municipality, the fiscal health of the City has
a significant effect on the fiscal health of the State. The City's current
financial plan assumes that, after strong growth in 1998-1999, moderate
economic growth will exist through calendar year 2003, with moderating job
growth and wage increases.

  For each of the 1981 through 1998 fiscal years, the City had an operating
surplus, before discretionary and other transfers, and achieved balanced
operating results as reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), after discretionary and other transfers. The City has
been required to close substantial gaps between forecast revenues and forecast
expenditures in order to maintain balanced operating results. There can be no
assurance that the City will continue to maintain balanced operating results
as required by State law without tax or other revenue increases or reductions
in City services or entitlement programs, which could adversely affect the
City's economic base.

  The Mayor is responsible for preparing the City's financial plan, including
the City's current financial plan for the 2000 through 2003 fiscal years (the
"2000-2003 Financial Plan", "Financial Plan" or "City Financial Plan"). The
City's projections set forth in the City Financial Plan are based on various
assumptions and contingencies that are uncertain and may not materialize.
Changes in major assumptions could significantly affect the City's ability to
balance its budget as required by State law and to meet its annual cash flow
and financing requirements.

  As required by law, the City prepares a four-year annual financial plan,
which is reviewed and revised on a quarterly basis which includes the City's
capital, revenue and expense projections and outlines proposed gap-closing
programs for years with projected budget gaps. The City's current financial
plan projects a surplus in the 1999 and 2000 fiscal years, before
discretionary transfers, and budget gaps for each of the 2001, 2002 and 2003
fiscal years. This pattern of current years surplus operating results and
projected subsequent year budget gaps has been consistent through the entire
period since 1982, during which the City has achieved surplus operating
results, before discretionary transfers, for each fiscal year.

  City's Financing Program. Implementation of the City Financial Plan is also
dependent upon the City's ability to market its securities successfully. The
City's program for financing capital projects for fiscal years 2000 through
2003 contemplates the issuance of $7.449 billion of general obligation bonds
and $3.35 billion of bonds to be issued by the New York City Transitional
Finance Authority (the "Transitional Finance Authority"). In addition, the
Financial Plan anticipates access to approximately $2.4 billion in Financing
Capacity of the Tobacco Settlement Asset Securitization Corporation ("TSASC")
which is expected to issue debt secured by revenues derived from the
settlement of litigation with tobacco companies selling cigarettes in the
United States. The Transitional Finance Authority and TSASC were created to
assist the City in financing its capital program while keeping City
indebtedness within the forecast level of the constitutional restrictions on
the amount of debt the City is authorized to incur.

                                     III-1
<PAGE>


  Without additional borrowing capacity, under current projections the City
would reach the limit of its capacity to enter into new contractual
commitments in fiscal year 2000. In order to provide financing for the City's
current capital plan during and after fiscal year 2000, the Transitional
Finance Authority's debt-incurring capacity will need to be increased, some
other financing mechanism will need to be established or the City's general
obligation debt limit will need to be increased. An amendment to the State
Constitution would be necessary to change the methodology used to calculate
the debt limit to increase the City's general obligation debt limit. A
proposed amendment to the State Constitution may be considered by the State
Legislature and, if approved in two consecutive legislative sessions and by
voter referendum, could have an effective date in the year 2002. Even if the
Constitution were so amended, legislative action to increase the financing
capacity of the Transitional Finance Authority or creation of some other
financing mechanism would be necessary to permit the City to continue its
capital program until the constitutional amendment took effect in 2002.
Accordingly, the Financial Plan anticipates access to approximately $2.4
billion in financing capacity of TSASC. Even with TSASC's ability to provide
approximately $2.4 billion of financing capacity, the City expects that it
will be required to postpone a substantial part of its capital program from
the latter part of fiscal year 2001 to fiscal year 2002. In addition, the City
issues revenue notes and tax anticipation notes to finance its seasonal
working capital requirements (See "Seasonal Financing Requirements" within).
The success of projected public sales of City bonds and notes, New York City
Municipal Water Finance Authority (the "Water Authority") bonds and
Transitional Finance Authority and other bonds will be subject to prevailing
market conditions. The City's planned capital and operating expenditures are
dependent upon the sale of its general obligation bonds and notes, as well as
Water Authority, Transitional Finance Authority and TSASC bonds.

  1998 Fiscal Year. For the 1998 fiscal year, the City had an operating
surplus, before discretionary and other transfers, and achieved balanced
operating results, after discretionary and other transfers, in accordance with
GAAP. The 1998 fiscal year is the eighteenth year that the City has achieved
an operating surplus, before discretionary and other transfers, and balanced
operating results, after discretionary and other transfers.

  1999 Modification and 2000-2003 Financial Plan. The most recent quarterly
modification to the City's financial plan for the 1999 fiscal year (July 1,
1998-June 30, 1999) submitted to the New York State Financial Control Board
(the "Control Board") on June 14, 1999 (the "1999 Modification"), projects a
balanced budget in accordance with GAAP for the 1999 fiscal year.

  On June 14, 1999, the City released the Financial Plan for the 2000 through
2003 fiscal years, which relates to the City and certain entities which
receive funds from the City. The Financial Plan projects revenues and
expenditures for the 2000 fiscal year balanced in accordance with GAAP, and
project gaps of $1.8 billion, $1.9 billion and $1.8 billion for fiscal years
2001 through 2003, respectively.

  The 1999 Modification and the 2000-2003 Financial Plan include a
discretionary transfer in the 1999 fiscal year of $2.6 billion to pay debt
service due in fiscal year 2000, for budget stabilization purposes, a proposed
discretionary transfer in fiscal year 2000 to pay debt service due in fiscal
year 2001 totaling $429 million, and a proposed discretionary transfer in
fiscal year 2001 to pay debt service due in fiscal year 2002 totaling $345
million.

  In addition, the Financial Plan sets forth gap-closing actions to eliminate
a previously projected gap for the 2000 fiscal year and to reduce projected
gaps for fiscal years 2001 through 2003. The gap-closing actions for the 2000
through 2003 fiscal years include: (i) additional City agency actions totaling
$502 million, $371 million, $293 million and $283 million for fiscal years
2000 through 2003, respectively; (ii) additional Federal aid of $75 million in
each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, which include the proposed restoration
of $25 million of Federal revenue sharing and $50 million of increased Federal
Medicaid aid; and (iii) additional State actions totaling approximately $125
million in each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003. The Financial Plan also
reflects a tax reduction program, which includes the elimination of the City's
non-residents earning tax, the proposed extension of current tax reductions
for owners of cooperative and condominium apartments and a proposed income tax
credit for low income wage earners.

                                     III-2
<PAGE>

  Assumptions. The 2000-2003 Financial Plan is based on numerous assumptions,
including the condition of the City's and the region's economies and modest
employment growth and the concomitant receipt of economically sensitive tax
revenues in the amounts projected. The 2000-2003 Financial Plan is subject to
various other uncertainties and contingencies relating to, among other
factors, the extent, if any, to which wage increases for City employees exceed
the annual wage costs assumed for the 1999 through 2003 fiscal years;
continuation of projected interest earnings assumptions for pension fund
assets and current assumptions with respect to wages for City employees
affecting the City's required pension fund contributions; the willingness and
ability of the State to provide the aid contemplated by the Financial Plan and
to take various other actions to assist the City; the ability of Health and
Hospitals Corporation (the "HHC"), the Board of Education (the "BOE") and
other such agencies to maintain balanced budgets; the willingness of the
Federal government to provide the amount of Federal aid contemplated in the
Financial Plan; the impact on City revenues and expenditures of Federal and
State welfare reform and any future legislation affecting Medicare or other
entitlement programs; adoption of the City's budgets by the City Council in
substantially the forms submitted by the Mayor; the ability of the City to
implement cost reduction initiatives, and the success with which the City
controls expenditures; the impact of conditions in the real estate market on
real estate tax revenues; and unanticipated expenditures that may be incurred
as a result of the need to maintain the City's infrastructure. Certain of
these assumptions have been questioned by the City Comptroller and other
public officials.

  The Financial Plan assumes: (i) approval by the Governor and the State
Legislature of the extension of the 14% personal income tax surcharge, which
has subsequently been extended to December 31, 2001 through enacted
legislation, and which is projected to provide revenue of $572 million, $585
million, $600 million and $638 million in the 2000 through 2003 fiscal years,
respectively; (ii) collection of projected rent payments for the City's
airports, totaling $365 million, $185 million and $155 million in the 2001
through 2003 fiscal years, respectively, a substantial portion of which may
depend on the successful completion of negotiations with The Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey (the "Port Authority") or the enforcement of the
City's rights under the existing leases through pending legal action; (iii)
State and Federal approval of the State and Federal gap-closing actions
proposed by the City in the Financial Plan; and (iv) receipt of the tobacco
settlement funds providing revenues or expenditure offsets in annual amounts
ranging between $250 million and $300 million. In addition, the economic and
financial condition of the City may be affected by various financial, social,
economic and political factors which could have a material effect on the City.

  Municipal Unions. The Financial Plan reflects the costs of the settlements
and arbitration awards with certain municipal unions and other bargaining
units, which together represent approximately 98% of the City's workforce, and
assumes that the City will reach agreement with its remaining municipal unions
under terms which are generally consistent with such settlements and
arbitration awards. These contracts are approximately five years in length and
have a total cumulative net increase of 13%. Assuming the City reaches similar
settlements with its remaining municipal unions, the cost of all settlements
for all City-funded employees would exceed $2 billion after the 1999 fiscal
year and exceed $2 billion thereafter. The Financial Plan provides no
additional wage increases for City employees after their contracts expire in
fiscal years 2000 and 2001.

  Intergovernmental Aid. The City depends on aid from the State both to enable
the City to balance its budget and to meet its cash requirements. There can be
no assurance that there will not be reductions in State aid to the City from
amounts projected; that State budgets will be adopted by the April 1 statutory
deadline, or interim appropriations enacted; or that any such reductions or
delays will not have adverse effects on the City's cash flow or expenditures.
In addition, the Federal budget negotiation process could result in reductions
or delays in the receipt of Federal grants which could have additional adverse
effects on the City's cash flow or revenues.

  Year 2000 Computer Matters. The year 2000 presents potential operational
problems for computerized data files and computer programs which may recognize
the year 2000 as the year 1900, resulting in possible system failures or
miscalculations. In November 1996, the City's Year 2000 Project Office was
established to develop a project methodology, coordinate the efforts of City
agencies, review plans and oversee implementation of year 2000 projects. At
that time, the City also evaluated the capabilities of the City's Integrated
Financial Management System and Capital Projects Information System, which are
the City's central accounting,

                                     III-3
<PAGE>


budgeting and payroll systems, identified the potential impact of the year
2000 on these systems, and developed a plan to replace these systems with a
new system which is expected to be year 2000 compliant prior to December 31,
1999. The City has also performed an assessment of its other mission-critical
and high priority computer systems in connection with making them year 2000
compliant, and the City's agencies have developed and are implementing both
strategic and operational plans for non-compliant application systems. In
addition, the City Comptroller is conducting audits of the progress of City
agencies in achieving year 2000 compliance. While these efforts may involve
additional costs beyond those assumed in the Financial Plan, the City
believes, based on currently available information, that such additional costs
will not be material.

  The Mayor's Office of Operations has stated that work has been completed,
and all or part of the necessary testing has been performed, on approximately
99% (current as of October 26, 1999) of the mission-critical and high priority
systems of Mayoral agencies. The City's computer systems may not all be year
2000 compliant in a timely manner and there could be an adverse impact on City
operations or revenues as a result. The City is in the process of developing
contingency plans for all mission-critical and high priority systems of
Mayoral agencies, if such systems are not year 2000 compliant. During the
month of November and December, the Mayor's office of Emergency Management
will coordinate drills to test the contingency plans. The City is also in the
process of contacting its significant third party vendors regarding the status
of their compliance. Such compliance is not within the City's control, and
therefore the City cannot assure that there will not be any adverse effects on
the City resulting from any failure of these third parties.

  Certain Reports. The City's financial plans have been the subject of
extensive public comment and criticism. From time to time, the Control Board
staff, the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller (the "OSDC"), the City
Comptroller, the City's Independent Budget Office (the "IBO") and others issue
reports and make public statements regarding the City's financial condition,
commenting on, among other matters, the City's financial plans, projected
revenues and expenditures and actions by the City to eliminate projected
operating deficits. Some of these reports and statements have warned that the
City may have underestimated certain expenditures and overestimated certain
revenues and have suggested that the City may not have adequately provided for
future contingencies. Certain of these reports have analyzed the City's future
economic and social conditions and have questioned whether the City has the
capacity to generate sufficient revenues in the future to meet the costs of
its expenditure increases and to provide necessary services.

  On July 14, 1999, the City Comptroller issued a report on the adopted budget
for fiscal year 2000 and the Financial Plan. Taking into account the risks and
additional resources identified in the report, the report projected a surplus
for fiscal year 2000 of between $223 million and $891 million, including the
$429 million surplus allocated to the Budget Stabilization Account. In
addition, taking into account the risks and additional resources identified in
the report and the budget gaps projected in the April Financial Plan, the
report projected budget gaps of between $1.8 billion and $3.5 billion, $1.7
billion and $3.6 billion, and $1.7 billion and $4.1 billion in fiscal years
2001 through 2003, respectively.

  With respect to fiscal years 2000 through 2003, the report identified
baseline risks of between $338 million and $998 million, $654 million and $2.4
billion, $600 million and $2.4 billion, and $719 million and $2.9 billion,
respectively, depending upon whether (i) the State approves the extension of
the 14% personal income tax surcharge; (ii) the City incurs additional labor
costs as a result of the expiration of labor contracts starting in fiscal year
2001 which, if settled at the current forecast level of inflation, would
result in additional costs totaling $345 million in fiscal year 2001, $713
million in fiscal year 2002 and $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2003; (iii) the
State approves the continuation in fiscal years 2000 through 2003 of temporary
State Medicaid cost containment; and (iv) the City receives $300 million, $250
million, $300 million and $300 million in fiscal years 2000 through 2003,
respectively, from the tobacco settlement. Additional risks identified in the
report for fiscal years 2000 through 2003 include payments from the Port
Authority relating to the City's claim for back rentals, which are the subject
of arbitration; State and Federal gap-closing actions proposed in the
Financial Plan; possible increased overtime expenditures; the sale of the New
York City Coliseum in fiscal year 2001; the write-down of outstanding
education aid receivables of approximately $100 million in each of fiscal
years 2002 and 2003; and

                                     III-4
<PAGE>


a possible $149 million shortfall in tax revenues in fiscal year 2003. The
report noted that these risks may be offset by additional resources of between
$659 million and $873 million in fiscal years 2000 through 2003 due to the
potential for higher than forecast tax revenues, lower than forecast payables
for prior years, possible debt service savings, additional State education
aid, the possible failure to spend funds for the construction of three sports
facilities and lower pension costs resulting from excess earnings on pension
assets in the 1999 fiscal year.

  In his report, the City Comptroller also noted that possible changes to the
assumptions and methods used to compute actuarial liabilities, including
changes in the mortality, disability, investment return and wage assumptions,
could increase the City's pension expenditures by up to $600 million annually,
and that the Financial Plan has provided reserves of $65 million, $250
million, $300 million and $260 million in fiscal years 2000 through 2003 to
absorb some of the anticipated costs increases. The report further noted that
the City Comptroller's forecast is contingent on the continued growth of the
City economy and that the fear of renewed inflationary pressures has created
uncertainty in the bond market which may dampen economic growth in the future.
The report also indicated that a possible negotiated settlement of a class
action, filed on behalf of approximately 65,000 persons challenging the
Department of Corrections policy of strip searching detainees arrested for
nonfelony offenses, may expose the City to substantial costs from the
settlement of litigation. The report noted that, while settlement negotiations
with representatives of the class are being conducted and, therefore,
estimates of the potential cost of this litigation cannot be determined, the
City has recently settled four cases for $25,000 each.

  On August 25, 1998, the City Comptroller issued a report reviewing the
current condition of the City's major physical assets and the capital
expenditures required to bring them to a state of good repair. The report's
findings relate only to current infrastructure and do not address future
capacity or technology needs. The report estimated that the expenditure of
approximately $91.83 billion would be required over the next decade to bring
the City's infrastructure to a systematic state of good repair and address new
capital needs already identified. The report stated that the City's current
Ten-Year Capital Strategy, together with funding received from other sources,
is projected to provide approximately $52.08 billion. The report noted that
the City's ability to meet all capital obligations is limited by law, as well
as funding capacity, and that the issue for the City is how best to set
priorities and manage limited resources.

  On July 15, 1999, the staff of the OSDC issued a report on the Financial
Plan. With respect to fiscal year 2000, the report identified a possible gap
of $13 million, reflecting revenues which could exceed projections in the
Financial Plan by $290 million, a $200 million shortfall in anticipated
Federal and State assistance, a possible $70 million increase in overtime
costs and the writedown of approximately $33 million of outstanding education
aid receivables. With respect to fiscal years 2001 through 2003, the report
identified net risks of $530 million, $447 million and $266 million which,
when added to gaps projected in the Financial Plan, would result in gaps of
$2.4 billion, $2.3 billion and $2.1 billion in fiscal years 2001 through 2003,
respectively. The risks identified in the report included a $200 million
shortfall in anticipated Federal and State assistance in each of fiscal years
2001 through 2003, the potential for increased overtime costs, the writedown
of outstanding State education aid receivables of approximately $100 million
in each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, $100 million of unspecified asset sales
in fiscal 2002 and delays in the receipt of Port Authority lease payments
assumed in the Financial Plan. However, the report noted that tax revenues
could be greater than forecast by the City by $155 million, $210 million and
$255 million in fiscal years 2001 through 2003, respectively. The report also
identified a number of other issues, including a possible delay in the receipt
of the City's share of the proceeds under the settlement with the nation's
tobacco companies; the extension of the 14% personal income surcharge; the
possibility of pension costs being $250 million greater than assumed in the
Financial Plan in each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003, as a result of
changed actuarial assumptions; and the potential for wage increases which, at
the projected inflation rate, would increase gaps by $285 million, $635
million and $1.0 billion in fiscal years 2001 through 2003, respectively. The
report also noted the possibility that the Federal Reserve will raise interest
rates and slow the economy, which could depress Wall Street profits below the
levels projects by the City and have the potential to seriously impact the
City's nonproperty tax revenue forecasts.

  On July 15, 1999, the staff of the Control Board issued a report reviewing
the Financial Plan. The report noted that the City is likely to end fiscal
year 2000 in balance. However, the report identified risks of $562

                                     III-5
<PAGE>


million, $293 million, $640 million and $499 million for fiscal years 2000
through 2003, respectively, which, when combined with the City's projected
gaps, results in estimated gaps of $562 million, $2.1 billion, $2.5 billion
and $2.3 billion for fiscal years 2000 through 2003, respectively, before
making provision for any increased labor costs which may occur when the
current contracts with City employees expire in calendar year 2000. The report
noted the possibility that non-property taxes in fiscal year 2000 could be
$250 million greater than forecast in the Financial Plan. However, the report
also identified risks for fiscal years 2000 through 2003, which include (i)
the possibility that the City may decide to fund the $63 million annual cost
of teachers' salary supplementation for fiscal years 2000 through 2003, which
the State failed to fund in the 1999 fiscal year, and an additional risk of
approximately $100 million in each of fiscal years 2002, and 2003 for BOE
resulting from the write-down of funds owed to BOE by the State which have
been outstanding for ten or more years; (ii) the receipt of assumed rental
payments from the Port Authority relating to the City's claim for back rents,
which are the subject of arbitration; (iii) a possible delay in the receipt of
$300 million from the tobacco settlement in fiscal years 2000 and 2001; (iv)
$200 million of Federal and State gap-closing actions assumed in the Financial
plan for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003; and (v) $177 million in
fiscal year 2000 from the lapse of State Medicaid cost containment, which has
been extended subsequent to the report.

  In its report, the staff of the Control Board noted that total debt service
is expected to increase from 9.2% of total revenues and 15.8% of tax revenues
in the 1999 fiscal year to 11.6% of total revenues and 19% of tax revenues in
fiscal year 2003, and that the City's capital plant will require additional
resources at the same time that a rising debt service burden must be
contained. With respect to HHC, the report noted that HHC revenues are
expected to fall during the Financial Plan period, primarily due to falling
Medicaid receipts, that HHC will face increasing financial pressure when the
State implements mandatory Medicaid managed care beginning in fiscal year 2000
and that the eventual size of the projected gaps for HHC in fiscal years 2002
and 2003 may change substantially from current projections, as the revenue
impact of proposed State and Federal reforms, growth in managed care and
shifting utilization patterns remain largely uncertain. Finally, the report
noted that, given the length of the current expansion, there is an increasing
probability that a recession related to the end of the long bull market will
occur by the end of the Financial Plan period, and it is likely that the next
downturn, if and when it occurs, will have a disproportionately great impact
on the City because of its dependence on income flows from financial services.

  Seasonal Financing Requirements. The City since 1981 has fully satisfied its
seasonal financing needs in the public credit markets, repaying all short-term
obligations within their fiscal year of issuance. It is expected that the City
will issue $750 million in short-term obligations in the 2000 fiscal year to
finance the City's cash flow needs for the 2000 fiscal year. The City issued
$500 million of short-term obligations in the 1999 fiscal year to finance the
City's cash flow needs for the 1999 fiscal year. The City issued $1.075
billion in short-term obligations in fiscal year 1998 to finance the City's
projected cash flow needs for the 1998 fiscal year. The City issued $2.4
billion of short-term obligations in fiscal year 1997. Seasonal financing
requirements for the 1996 fiscal year increased to $2.4 billion from $2.2
billion and $1.75 billion in the 1995 and 1994 fiscal years, respectively. The
delay in the adoption of the State's budget in certain past fiscal years has
required the City to issue short-term notes in amounts exceeding those
expected early in such fiscal years.

  Ratings. As of October 26, 1999, Moody's rated the City's outstanding
general obligation bonds A3, Standard & Poor's rated such bonds A- and Fitch
rated such bonds A. In July 1995, Standard & Poor's revised downward its
ratings on outstanding general obligation bonds of the City from A- to BBB+.
In July 1998, Standard & Poor's revised its rating of City bonds upward to A-.
Moody's rating of City bonds was revised in February 1998 to A3 from Baa1. On
March 8, 1999, Fitch revised its rating of City bonds upward to A. Such
ratings reflect only the view of Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch, from
which an explanation of the significance of such ratings may be obtained.
There is no assurance that such ratings will continue for any given period of
time or that they will not be revised downward or withdrawn entirely. Any such
downward revision or withdrawal could have an adverse effect on the market
prices of City bonds.

  Outstanding Indebtedness. As of June 30, 1999, the City and the Municipal
Assistance Corporation for the City of New York had respectively approximately
$26.8 and $3.2 billion of outstanding net long-term debt.

                                     III-6
<PAGE>

As of May 19, 1999, the Water Authority had approximately $8.7 billion
aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds, inclusive of subordinate
second resolution bonds, and a $600 million commercial paper program.

  Water, Sewer and Waste. Debt service on Water Authority obligations is
secured by fees and charges collected from the users of the City's water and
sewer system. State and Federal regulations require the City's water supply to
meet certain standards to avoid filtration. The City's water supply now meets
all technical standards and the City has taken the position that increased
regulatory, enforcement and other efforts to protect its water supply will
prevent the need for filtration. On May 6, 1997, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency granted the City a filtration avoidance waiver through April
15, 2002 in response to the City's adoption of certain watershed regulations.
The estimated incremental cost to the City of implementing this Watershed
Memorandum of Agreement, beyond investments in the watershed which were
planned independently, is approximately $400 million. The City has estimated
that if filtration of the upstate water supply system is ultimately required,
the construction expenditures required could be between $4 billion and $5
billion.

  Legislation has been passed by the State which prohibits the disposal of
solid waste in any landfill located within the City after December 31, 2001.
The Financial Plan includes the estimated costs of phasing out the use of
landfills located within the City. A suit has been commenced against the City
by private individuals under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
seeking to compel the City to take certain measures or, alternatively, to
close the Fresh Kills landfill. If as a result of such litigation, the City is
required to close the landfill earlier than required by State legislation, the
City could incur additional costs during the Financial Plan period. Pursuant
to court order, the City is currently required to recycle 3,400 tons per day
of solid waste and is required to recycle 4,250 tons per day by July 2001. The
City as of October 26, 1999 was recycling slightly over 2,600 tons per day of
solid waste. The City may seek to obtain amendments to Local Law No. 19 to
modify this requirement. If the City is unable to obtain such amendments and
is required to fully implement Local Law No. 19, the City may incur
substantial costs.

  Litigation. The City is a defendant in a significant number of lawsuits.
Such litigation includes, but is not limited to, routine litigation incidental
to the performance of its governmental and other functions, actions commenced
and claims asserted against the City arising out of alleged constitutional
violations, alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts and other alleged
violations of law and condemnation proceedings and other tax and miscellaneous
actions. While the ultimate outcome and fiscal impact, if any, on the City of
the proceedings and claims are not currently predictable, adverse
determination in certain of them might have a material adverse effect upon the
City's ability to carry out the City Financial Plan. The City has estimated
that its potential future liability on account of outstanding claims against
it as of June 30, 1998 amounted to approximately $3.5 billion.

New York State

  Current Economic Outlook. The State's 1999-2000 Financial Plan is based upon
a June 1999 projection by the State Division of Budget of national and State
economic activity. The information in this section, obtained from the State's
Annual Information Statement, dated August 24, 1999, summarizes the national
and State economic situation and outlook upon which projections of receipts
and certain disbursements were made for the State's 1999-2000 Financial Plan.
The State Division of Budget expects that national economic growth will be
quite robust throughout calendar year 1999. Real Gross Domestic Product
("GDP") growth is projected to be 4.0 percent in 1999, above the 1998 growth
rate of 3.9 percent. In 2000, real GDP growth is expected to be 2.4 percent.

  The forecast of the State's economy shows continued expansion during the
1999 calendar year, with employment growth gradually slowing as the year
progresses. The financial and business service sectors are expected to
continue to do well, while employment in the manufacturing sector is expected
to post a modest decline. On an average annual basis, the employment growth
rate in the State is expected to be somewhat lower than in 1998 and the
unemployment rate is expected to drop further to 5.1 percent. Personal income
is expected to record moderate gains in 1999. Wage growth in 1999 is expected
to be slower than in the previous year as the recent robust growth rate in
bonus payments moderates.

                                     III-7
<PAGE>

  Overall employment growth in the State was 2.0 percent in 1998, but is
expected to drop to 1.7 percent in 1999 and to 1.3 percent in 2000. On the
national level, employment growth was 2.6 percent for 1998 and is projected to
be 2.1 percent and 1.8 percent for 1999 and 2000, respectively.

  On an average annual basis, the State unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in
1998 and is projected to be 5.1 percent and 5.0 percent for 1999 and 2000,
respectively. For the nation as a whole, the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent
for 1998, and is projected to be 4.2 percent in 1999 and 4.1 percent in 2000.

  Personal income in the State grew by 5.3 percent in 1998, and is projected
to grow by 4.7 percent in 1999 and 4.1 percent in 2000. For the nation,
personal income grew by 5.0 percent in 1998, and is projected to grow by 5.1
percent and 4.8 percent, respectively, for 1999 and 2000.

  The forecast for continued growth, and any resultant impact on the State's
1999-2000 Financial Plan, contains some uncertainties. Stronger-than-expected
gains in employment and wages or in stock market prices could lead to
unanticipated strong growth in consumer spending. Inventory investment dues to
year 2000 computer matters may be significantly stronger than expected towards
the end of 1999 possibly followed by significant weakness early in 2000. Also,
improvements in foreign economies may be weaker-than-expected and therefore
may have unanticipated effects on the domestic economy. The inflation rate may
differ significantly from expectations due to the conflicting impacts of a
tight labor market and improved productivity growth as well as to the
direction and magnitude of fluctuations in oil prices. In addition, the State
economic forecast could over- or underestimate the level of future bonus
payments, financial sector profits or inflation growth, resulting in
unexpected economic impacts. Similarly, the State forecast could fail to
correctly estimate the amount of employment change in the banking, financial
and other business service sectors as well as the direction of employment
change that is likely to accompany telecommunications and energy deregulation.

  The New York Economy. New York is the third most populous state in the
nation and has a relatively high level of personal wealth. The State's economy
is diverse, with a comparatively large share of the nation's finance,
insurance, transportation, communications and services employment, and a very
small share of the nation's farming and mining activity. The services sector
accounts for more than three of every ten nonagricultural jobs in New York and
has a noticeably higher proportion of total jobs than does the rest of the
nation. Manufacturing employment continues to decline in importance in New
York, as in most other states, and New York's economy is less reliant on this
sector than is the nation. Wholesale and retail trade is the second largest
sector in terms of nonagricultural jobs in New York but is considerably
smaller when measured by income share. The finance, insurance and real estate
sector is far more important in the State than in the nation as a whole.
Although this sector accounts for under one-tenth of all nonagricultural jobs
in the State, it contributes about one-fifth of all nonfarm labor and
proprietors' income. Farming is an important part of large regions of the
State, although it constitutes a very minor part of total State output.
Federal, State and local government together are the third largest sector in
terms of nonagricultural jobs, with the bulk of the employment accounted for
by local governments. The State is likely to be less affected than the nation
as a whole during an economic recession that is concentrated in manufacturing
and construction, but likely to be more affected during a recession that is
concentrated in the service-producing sector.

  The 1999-2000 Fiscal Year. The State's 1999-2000 fiscal year began on April
1, 1999 and ends on March 31, 2000. On March 31, 1999, the State adopted the
debt service portion of the State budget for the 1999-2000 fiscal year; four
months later, on August 4, 1999, it enacted the remainder of the budget. The
Governor approved the budget as passed by the Legislature. Prior to passing
the budget in its entirety for the 1999-2000 fiscal year, the State enacted
appropriations that permitted the State to continue its operations. Following
the enactment of the budget, the State prepared a Financial Plan for the 1999-
2000 fiscal year (the "1999-2000 Financial Plan" or the "State Financial
Plan") that sets forth projected receipts and disbursements based on the
actions taken by the Legislature.

  General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds, are projected
to be $39.31 billion, an increase of $2.57 billion from the $36.74 billion
recorded in the 1998-1999 fiscal year. General Fund disbursements,

                                     III-8
<PAGE>

including transfers to other funds, are estimated at $37.36 billion, an
increase of $868 million or 2.38 percent over the 1998-1999 fiscal year. The
1999-2000 Financial Plan projects the State to close the 1999-2000 fiscal year
with a closing balance of $2.85 billion in the General Fund.

  Receipts. The $39.31 billion in total General Fund receipts includes $35.93
billion in tax receipts, $1.36 billion in miscellaneous receipts and $2.02
billion in transfers from other funds. The transfer of the $1.82 billion
surplus recorded in the 1998-1999 fiscal year to the 1999-2000 fiscal period
has the effect of exaggerating the growth in State receipts from year to year
by depressing reported 1998-1999 figures and inflating 1999-2000 projections.

  Personal income taxes are imposed on the income of individuals, estates and
trusts and are based, with certain modifications, on Federal definitions of
income and deductions. Potential changes to Federal tax law could alter the
Federal definitions of income on which certain State taxes rely. Such changes
could have a significant impact on State revenues in the future. Net General
Fund personal income tax collections are projected to reach $22.95 billion in
the 1999-2000 fiscal year, well over half of all General Fund receipts and
nearly $2.87 billion above the reported 1998-1999 fiscal year collection
total. Much of this growth is associated with the $1.82 billion net impact of
the transfer of the surplus from 1998-1999 to 1999-2000 as partially offset by
the diversion of an additional $661 million in income tax receipts to the
School Tax Relief (STAR) fund. The STAR program was created in 1997 as a
State-funded local property tax relief program funded through the use of
personal income tax receipts. Adjusted for these transactions, the growth in
net income tax receipts is roughly $1.8 billion, an increase of almost 9
percent.

  User taxes and fees are comprised of three-quarters of the State's four
percent sales and use tax, cigarette, alcoholic beverage, container, and auto
rental taxes, and a portion of the motor fuel excise levies. This category
also includes receipts from the motor vehicle registration fees and alcoholic
beverage license fees. Dedicated transportation funds outside of the General
Fund receive a portion of motor fuel tax and motor vehicle registration fees
and all of the highway use taxes. User taxes and fees are projected to total
$7.35 billion in 1999-2000, an increase of $105 million from reported
collection in the 1998-1999 fiscal year. The sales tax component of this
category accounts for virtually all of the 1999-2000 fiscal year growth.

  Business taxes include franchise taxes based generally on net income of
general business, bank and insurance corporations, as well as gross-receipts-
based taxes on utilities and gallonage-based petroleum business taxes.
Business tax receipts are expected to total approximately $4.63 billion in
1999-2000, $230 million below 1998-1999 results. The year-over-year decline in
projected receipts in this category is largely attributable to statutory
changes.

  Transfers from other funds to the General Fund consists primarily of tax
revenues in excess of debt service requirements, including the one percent
sales tax used to support payments to Local Government Assistance Corporation
(see Local Government Assistance Corporation within). Transfers from other
funds are expected to total $2.02 billion, or $99 million more than total
receipts from this category during 1998-1999. Total transfers of sale taxes in
excess of LGAC debt service requirements are expected to increase by
approximately $93 million, while transfers from all other funds are expected
to increase by $6 million.

  Miscellaneous receipts include investment income, abandoned property
receipts, medical provider assessments, minor federal grants, receipts from
public authorities, and certain other license and fee revenues. Miscellaneous
receipts are expected to total $1.36 billion in the 1999-2000 fiscal year,
down $142 million from the prior year amount. This reflects the loss of non-
recurring receipts received in the 1998-1999 fiscal year and the growing
effects of the phase-out of the medical provider assessments, scheduled to be
eliminated in January 2000.

  Other taxes include the estate and gift tax, the real property gains tax and
pari-mutuel taxes. Taxes in this category are projected to total $1 billion
for 1999-2000, $137 million below the 1998-1999 level. The primary factors
accounting for most of the expected decline include: an adverse tax tribunal
decision resulting in

                                     III-9
<PAGE>

significant refunds of the now repealed real property gains tax; pari-mutuel
tax reductions enacted with the 1999-2000 budget; and the effects of already
enacted reductions in the estate and gift taxes.

  Non-recurring Resources. The State Division of the Budget estimates that the
1999-2000 State Financial Plan contains actions that provide non-recurring
resources or savings totaling approximately $500 million, or 1.3 percent of
General Fund resources, the largest of which is the first phase of the
privatization of the Medical Malpractice Insurance Association. To the
greatest extent possible, one-time resources are expected to be utilized to
finance one-time costs, including Year 2000 compliance costs and certain
capital spending.

  Disbursements. Grants to Local Governments is projected to constitute
approximately 68.5 percent of all 1999-2000 fiscal year General Fund
disbursements, and include payments to local governments, non-profit providers
and entitlement benefits to individuals. It is projected to be approximately
$25.60 billion for the 1999-2000 fiscal year, an increase of $910 million or
3.68 percent from the level for the 1998-1999 fiscal year. Under the 1999-2000
enacted budget, General Fund spending on school aid is projected at $10.52
billion on a State fiscal year basis, an increase of $831 million from the
prior year. Spending for Medicaid in 1999-2000 is projected to total $5.54
billion, essentially unchanged from the 1998-1999 fiscal year. Disbursements
for all other health and social welfare programs are projected to total $2.70
billion, a decrease of $252 million. Lower welfare spending, driven by State
and federal reforms and a robust economy, accounts for most of the decline.

  State Operations is projected to constitute approximately 18.4 percent of
all 1999-2000 fiscal year General Fund disbursements. State Operations
reflects the costs of running the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches
of government, including the prison system, mental hygiene institutions, and
the State University system (SUNY). It is projected to be approximately $6.89
billion for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. Personal service costs account for
approximately 73 percent of spending in this category. Spending in this
category is projected to increase by $207 million or 3.1 percent above 1998-
1999. The growth reflects $100 million in projected spending for new
collective bargaining agreements that the State expects to be ratified during
the 1999-2000 fiscal year. The annualized costs of current collective
bargaining agreements, growth in the Legislative and Judiciary budgets, and
staffing costs for the State's Year 2000 compliance programs also contribute
to the year-to-year growth in spending. The State's overall workforce is
projected to remain stable at approximately 191,300 persons.

  General State Charges is projected to constitute approximately 5.5 percent
of all 1999-2000 fiscal year General Fund disbursements. This category
accounts primarily for the costs of providing fringe benefits to State
employees and retirees of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. It
includes employer contributions for pensions, social security, health
insurance, workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. This category
also covers State payments-in-lieu of-taxes to local governments for certain
State-owned lands, and the costs of defending lawsuits against the State and
its public officers. Disbursements in this category are estimated at $2.04
billion for the 1999-2000 fiscal year, a decrease of $222 million from the
1998-1999 fiscal year.

  Transfers to Other Funds from the General Fund are made primarily to finance
certain portions of State capital projects spending and debt service on long-
term bonds where these costs are not funded from other sources. State Debt
Service is projected to constitute approximately 6.1 percent of all 1999-2000
fiscal year General Fund disbursements. Capital/Other is projected to
constitute approximately 1.5 percent of all such General Fund disbursements.
Long-term debt service transfers are projected at $2.27 billion in the 1999-
2000 fiscal year, an increase of $183 million from 1998-1999. Transfers for
capital projects are projected to total $168 million in 1999-2000, a decline
of $78 million from the 1998-1999 fiscal year which is primarily due to the
delay of the receipt of payment of certain reimbursements in the 1998-1999
fiscal year.

  Future Fiscal Years. State law requires the Governor to propose a balanced
budget each year. Preliminary analysis by the State Division of the Budget
indicates that the State will have a 2000-2001 fiscal year budget gap of
approximately $1.9 billion, or about $300 million above the 1999-2000
Executive Budget estimate (after adjusting for the projected costs of
collective bargaining). This estimate includes an assumption of the projected
costs of new collective bargaining agreements, $500 million in assumed
operating efficiencies, as well as the

                                    III-10
<PAGE>

planned application of approximately $615 million of the $1.82 billion tax
reduction reserve. In recent years, the State has closed projected budget gaps
which the State Division of the Budget estimates at $5.0 billion (1995-96),
$3.9 billion (1996-97), $2.3 billion (1997-98), and less than $1 billion
(1998-99).

  The State and the United University Professionals (UUP) union have reached a
tentative agreement on a new four-year labor contract. The State is continuing
negotiations with other unions representing State employees, the largest of
which is the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). CSEA previously
failed to ratify a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract earlier in
1999. The 1999-2000 Financial Plan has reserved $100 million for possible
collective bargaining agreements, and reserves are contained in the
preliminary outyear projection for 2000-2001 to cover the recurring costs of
any new agreements. To the extent these reserves are inadequate to finance
such agreements, the costs of new labor contracts could increase the size of
future budget gaps.

  Sustained growth in the State's economy could contribute to closing
projected budget gaps over the next several years, both in terms of higher-
than-projected tax receipts and in lower-than-expected entitlement spending.
The State assumes that the 2000-2001 Financial Plan will achieve $500 million
in savings from initiatives by state agencies to deliver services more
efficiently, workforce management efforts, maximization of Federal and non-
General Fund spending offsets, and other actions necessary to help bring
projected disbursements and receipts into balance. The projections do not
assume any gap-closing benefit from the potential settlement of State claims
against the tobacco industry.

  Special Considerations. Many complex political, social and economic forces
influence the State's economy and finances, which may in turn affect the
State's Financial Plan. These forces may affect the State unpredictably from
fiscal year to fiscal year and are influenced by governments, institutions,
and events that are not subject to the State's control. The Financial Plan is
also necessarily based upon forecasts of national and State economic activity.
Economic forecasts have frequently failed to predict accurately the timing and
magnitude of changes in the national and State economies.

  The State Financial Plan is based upon forecasts of national and State
economic activity. Many uncertainties exist in forecasts of both the national
and the State economies, including consumer attitudes toward spending, the
extent of corporate and governmental restructuring, the condition of the
financial sector, Federal fiscal and monetary policies, the level of interest
rates, and the condition of the world economy, which could have an adverse
effect on the State. There can be no assurance that the State economy will not
experience results in the current or any future fiscal year that are worse
than predicted, with corresponding material and adverse effects on the State's
projections of receipts and disbursements.

  Projections of total State receipts in the State Financial Plan are based on
the State tax structure in effect during the fiscal year and on assumptions
relating to basic economic factors and their historical relationships to State
tax receipts. Projections of total State disbursements are based on
assumptions relating to economic and demographic factors, potential collective
bargaining agreements, levels of disbursements for various services provided
by local governments (where the cost is partially reimbursed by the State),
and the results of various administrative and statutory mechanisms in
controlling disbursements for State operations.

  An additional risk to the State Financial Plan arises from the potential
impact of certain litigation and of federal disallowances now pending against
the State, which could adversely affect the State's projections of receipts
and disbursements. The State Financial Plan assumes no significant litigation
or federal disallowance or other federal actions that could affect State
finances, but has significant reserves in the event of such an action.

  The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
created a new Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF) partially
funded with a fixed federal block grant to states. States are required to meet
work activity participation targets for their TANF caseload and conform with
certain other federal standards or face potential sanctions in the form of a
reduced federal block grant and increased State/local funding requirements.
Any future reduction could have an adverse impact on the State's Financial
Plan.

                                    III-11
<PAGE>

However, the State has been able to demonstrate compliance with TANF work
requirements to date and does not now expect to be subject to associated
federal fiscal penalties.

  Despite recent budgetary surpluses recorded by the State, actions affecting
the level of receipts and disbursements, the relative strength of the State
and regional economy, and actions by the Federal Government could impact
projected budget gaps for the State. To address a potential imbalance in any
given fiscal year, the State would be required to take actions to increase
receipts and/or reduce disbursements as it enacts the budget for that year,
and under the State Constitution, the Governor is required to propose a
balanced budget each year. There can be no assurance, however, that the State
Legislature will enact the Governor's proposals or that the State's actions
will be sufficient to preserve budgetary balance in any given fiscal year or
to align recurring receipts and disbursements in any given fiscal year.

  To help guard against these risks, the State has projected reserves of $2.4
billion in the 1999-2000 fiscal year.

  Year 2000 Computer Matters. New York State is currently addressing "Year
2000" ("Y2K") data processing compliance issues. Since its inception, the
computer industry has used a two-digit date convention to represent the year.
In the year 2000, the date field will contain "00" and, as a result, many
computer systems and equipment may not be able to process dates properly or
may fail since they may not be able to distinguish between the years 1900 and
2000. The Y2K issue not only affects computer programs, but also the hardware,
software and networks on which they operate. In addition, any system or
equipment that is dependent on an embedded chip, such as telecommunication
equipment and security systems, may also be adversely affected.

  In April 1999 the State Comptroller released an audit on the State's Y2K
compliance. The audit, which reviewed the State's Y2K compliance activities
through October 1998, found that the State had made progress in achieving Y2K
compliance, but needed to improve its activities in several areas, including
data interchanges and contingency planning.

  The Office for Technology ("OFT") will continue to monitor compliance
progress for the State's mission-critical and high-priority systems and is
reporting compliance progress to the Governor's office on a quarterly basis.
Mission-critical systems are those that may impact the public health, safety
and welfare of the State and its citizens, and for which failure could have a
material and adverse impact on State operations. High-priority systems are
critical for a State agency to fulfill its mission or deliver services. OFT
reported that as of June 1999, the State had completed over 98 percent of the
overall compliance effort for its mission-critical systems; 55 of the 56
systems are now Y2K compliant. As of June 1999, the State had completed 87
percent of the overall compliance effort on the high-priority systems; 236
systems are now Y2K compliant. The State has also procured independent
validation and verification services from a qualified vendor to perform an
automated review of code that has been fixed and a testing review process for
all mission-critical systems which is scheduled to be completed by September
1999.

  The State is also addressing a number of issues related to bringing its
mission-critical systems into compliance, including: testing throughout 1999
of over 800 data exchange interfaces with Federal, State, local and private
data partners; completing an inventory of priority equipment and systems that
may depend on embedded chips and may therefore need remediation in 1999; and
contacting critical vendors and supply partners to obtain Y2K compliance
status information and assurances. Since problems could be identified during
the compliance testing phase that could produce compliance delays, the State
agencies were required to complete contingency plans for priority systems and
business processes by the first quarter of calendar year 1999. These plans
have been completed and tested as of June 1999 and are being integrated into
the State Emergency Response Plan under the direction of the State Emergency
Management Office. In addition, the State Public Service Commission has
ordered that all State-regulated utilities complete Y2K activities for
mission-critical systems, including contingency plans, by July 1, 1999. The
Public Service Commission is currently reviewing these plans as part of their
Y2K regulatory and oversight role. The State has also been working with local
governments since December 1996 to raise awareness, promote action and provide
assistance with Y2K compliance.

                                    III-12
<PAGE>

  While the State is taking what it believes to be appropriate action to
address Y2K compliance, there can be no guarantee that all of the State's
systems and equipment will be Y2K compliant and that there will not be an
adverse impact upon State operations or finances as a result. Since Y2K
compliance by outside parties is beyond the State's control to remediate, the
failure of outside parties to achieve Y2K compliance could have an adverse
impact on State operations or finances as well.

  Prior Fiscal Years (GAAP-Basis). GAAP requires fund accounting for all
government resources and the modified accrual basis of accounting for
measuring the financial position and changes therein of governmental funds.
The modified accrual basis of accounting recognizes revenues when they become
measurable and available to finance expenditures, and expenditures when a
liability to pay for goods or services is incurred or a commitment to make aid
payments is made, regardless of when actually paid. There are four GAAP-
defined Governmental Fund types. The General Fund is the major operating fund
of the State and receives all receipts that are not required by law to be
deposited in another fund. Debt Service Funds account for the accumulation of
resources for the payment of general long-term debt service and related costs
and payments under lease-purchase and contractual-obligation financing
arrangements. Capital Project Funds account for financial resources of the
State to be used for the acquisition or construction of major capital
facilities (other than those financed by Special Revenue Funds, Proprietary
Funds and Fiduciary Funds). Special Revenue Funds account for the proceeds of
specific revenue sources (other than expendable trusts or major capital
projects), such as Federal grants, that are legally restricted to specified
purposes.

  The State completed its 1998-1999 fiscal year with a combined governmental
funds operating surplus of $1.32 billion, which included operating surpluses
in the General Fund ($1.078 billion), in the Debt Service Funds ($209 million)
and in the Capital Projects Funds ($154 million) offset, in part, by an
operating deficit in Special Revenue Funds ($117 million). The State reported
an accumulated surplus of $1.645 billion in the General Fund.

  The State completed its 1997-1998 fiscal year with a combined Governmental
Funds operating surplus of $1.80 billion, which included an operating surplus
in the General Fund of $1.56 billion, in Capital Projects Funds of $232
million and in Special Revenue Funds of $49 million, offset in part by an
operating deficit of $43 million in Debt Service Funds. The State reported an
accumulated surplus of $567 million in the General Fund for the first time
since it began reporting its operations on a GAAP-basis.

  The State completed its 1996-1997 fiscal year with a combined Governmental
Funds operating surplus of $2.1 billion, which included an operating surplus
in the General Fund of $1.9 billion, in the Capital Projects Funds of $98
million and in the Special Revenue Funds of $65 million, offset in part by an
operating deficit of $37 million in the Debt Service Funds. The State reported
an accumulated deficit of $995 million in the General Fund.

  Prior Fiscal Years (Cash Basis). Cash basis accounting results in the
recording of receipts at the time money or checks are deposited in the State
Treasury and the recording of disbursements at the time a check is drawn,
regardless of the fiscal period to which the receipts or disbursements relate.

  The State ended its 1998-1999 fiscal year on March 31, 1999 in balance on a
cash basis, with a General Fund cash surplus as reported by the State Division
of the Budget of $1.82 billion. The cash surplus was derived primarily from
higher-than-projected tax collections as a result of continued economic
growth, particularly in the financial markets and the securities industries.
General Fund receipts and transfers from other funds (net of tax refund
reserve account activity) for the 1998-1999 fiscal year totaled $36.74
billion, an increase of 6.34 percent from the 1997-1998 fiscal year levels.
General Fund disbursements and transfers to other funds totaled $36.49 billion
for the 1998-1999 fiscal year, an increase of 6.23 percent from the 1997-1998
fiscal year levels.

  The State reported a General Fund closing cash balance of $892 million. The
closing fund balance excludes $2.31 billion that the State deposited into the
tax refund reserve account at the close of the 1998-1999 fiscal year to pay
for tax refunds in the 1999-2000 fiscal year. The tax refund reserve account
transaction has the effect of decreasing reported personal income tax receipts
in the 1998-1999 fiscal year, while increasing reported receipts in the 1999-
2000 fiscal year.

                                    III-13
<PAGE>

  The State ended its 1997-1998 fiscal year balanced on a cash basis, with a
reported General Fund cash surplus of $2.04 billion resulting from revenue
growth and lower spending on welfare, Medicaid, and other entitlement
programs. General Fund receipts and transfers from other funds for the 1997-
1998 fiscal year (including net tax refund reserve account activity) totaled
$34.55 billion, an annual increase of $1.51 billion, or 4.57 percent over the
1996-1997 fiscal year. General Fund disbursements and transfers to other funds
were $34.35 billion, an annual increase of $1.45 billion or 4.41 percent. The
State closed a budget gap of approximately $2.3 billion for the 1997-1998
fiscal year. Gap-closing actions included cost containment in State Medicaid,
the use of the $1.4 billion 1996-1997 fiscal year budget surplus to finance
1997-1998 fiscal year spending, control on State agency spending and other
actions.

  The State ended its 1996-1997 fiscal year balanced on a cash basis, with a
1996-1997 General Fund cash surplus as reported by the State Division of the
Budget of approximately $1.4 billion that was used to finance the 1997-1998
Financial Plan. The surplus resulted primarily from higher-than-expected
revenues and lower-than-expected spending for social service programs. General
Fund receipts and transfers from other funds for the 1996-1997 fiscal year
totaled $33.04 billion, an increase of 0.7 percent from the 1995-1996 fiscal
year (excluding deposits into the tax refund reserve account). General Fund
disbursements and transfers to other funds totaled $32.90 billion for the
1996-1997 fiscal year, an increase of 0.7 percent from the 1995-1996 fiscal
year.

  Local Government Assistance Corporation. In 1990, as part of a State fiscal
reform program, legislation was enacted creating the Local Government
Assistance Corporation (the "LGAC"), a public benefit corporation empowered to
issue long-term obligations to fund certain payments to local governments
traditionally funded through the State's annual seasonal borrowing. The
legislation imposed a cap on the annual seasonal borrowing of the State at
$4.7 billion, except in cases where the Governor and the legislative leaders
have certified the need for additional borrowing and provided a schedule for
reducing it to the cap. If borrowing above the cap is thus permitted in any
fiscal year, it is required by law to be reduced to the cap by the fourth
fiscal year after the limit was first exceeded. This provision capping the
seasonal borrowing was included as a covenant with LGAC's bondholders in the
resolutions authorizing such bonds. As of June 1995, LGAC had issued bonds to
provide net proceeds of $4.7 billion, completing the program. The impact of
LGAC's borrowing, as well as other changes in revenue and spending patterns,
is that the State has been able to meet its cash flow needs throughout the
fiscal year without relying on short-term seasonal borrowing.

  Financing Activities. State financing activities include general obligation
debt of the State and State-guaranteed debt, to which the full faith and
credit of the State has been pledged, as well as lease-purchase and
contractual-obligation financings, moral obligation financings and other
financings through public authorities and municipalities, where the State's
obligation to make payments for debt service is generally subject to annual
appropriation by the State Legislature.

  As of March 31, 1999, the total amount of outstanding general obligation
debt was approximately $4.825 billion, including $185 million in bond
anticipation notes. The total amount of moral obligation debt was $629 million
(down from $1.39 billion as of March 31, 1998). $25.902 billion of bonds
issued primarily in connection with lease-purchase and contractual-obligation
financing of State capital programs were outstanding.

  For purposes of analyzing the financial condition of the State, debt of the
State and of certain public authorities may be classified as State-supported
debt, which includes general obligation debt of the State, LGAC debt and lease
purchase and contractual obligations of public authorities (and
municipalities) where debt service is paid from State appropriations
(including dedicated tax sources, and other revenues such as patient charges
and dormitory facilities rentals). In addition, a broader classification,
referred to as State-related debt, includes State-supported debt, as well as
certain types of contingent obligations, including moral obligation financing,
certain contingent contractual-obligation financing arrangements, and State-
guaranteed debt, where debt service is expected to be paid from other sources
and State appropriations are contingent in that they may be made and used only
under certain circumstances.

  The total amount of State-supported debt outstanding grew from 3.48 percent
of personal income in the State in the 1989-1990 fiscal year to 6.21 percent
for the 1998-1999 fiscal year while State-related debt

                                    III-14
<PAGE>

outstanding remained relatively stable at 6.53 percent of personal income for
the same period. Thus, State-supported debt grew at a faster rate than
personal income while State-related obligations grew at a slightly slower
rate. At the end of the 1998-1999 fiscal year, there was $37.74 billion of
outstanding State-related debt and $35.84 billion of outstanding State-
supported debt.

  During the prior ten years, State-supported long-term debt service increased
on an average annual basis by 8.8 percent to $3.39 billion by the 1998-1999
fiscal year while all governmental funds receipts increased on an average
annual basis of 5.3 percent. This resulted in a general trend of increases in
the ratio of debt service to receipts from fiscal year 1989-1990 to fiscal
year 1998-1999.

  Public Authorities. The fiscal stability of the State is related, in part,
to the fiscal stability of its public authorities. Public authorities are not
subject to the constitutional restrictions on the incurring of debt which
apply to the State itself, and may issue bonds and notes within the amounts
of, and as otherwise restricted by, their legislative authorization. As of
December 31, 1998, there were 17 public authorities that had outstanding debt
of $100 million or more, and the aggregate outstanding debt, including
refunding bonds, of all State public authorities was $94 billion, up from $84
billion as of December 31, 1997. The State's access to the public credit
markets could be impaired and the market price of its outstanding debt may be
adversely affected if any of its public authorities were to default on their
respective obligations.

  Ratings. As of June 15, 1999, Moody's and Standard & Poor's rated the
State's outstanding general obligation bonds A2 and A, respectively. Standard
& Poor's revised its ratings upward from A- to A on August 28, 1997. Ratings
reflect only the respective views of such organizations, and explanation of
the significance of such ratings must be obtained from the rating agency
furnishing the same. There is no assurance that a particular rating will
continue for any given period of time or that any such rating will not be
revised downward or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of the agency
originally establishing the rating, circumstances so warrant. A downward
revision or withdrawal of such ratings may have an effect on the market price
of the New York Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests.

  Litigation. The State is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings
including, but not limited to, claims asserted against the State arising from
alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts, condemnation proceedings and
other alleged violations of State and Federal laws. State programs are
frequently challenged on State and Federal constitutional grounds. Adverse
developments in legal proceedings or the initiation of new proceedings could
affect the ability of the State to maintain a balanced State Financial Plan in
any given fiscal year. There can be no assurance that an adverse decision in
one or more legal proceedings would not exceed the amount the State reserves
for the payment of judgments or materially impair the State's financial
operations. In its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1999, the State reported its estimated liability for awarded and
anticipated unfavorable judgments at $895 million.

  Other Localities. Certain localities outside the City have experienced
financial problems and have requested and received additional State assistance
during the last several State fiscal years. The potential impact on the State
of such actions by localities is not included in the projections of the State
receipts and disbursements for the State's 1999-2000 fiscal year.

  In 1997, the total indebtedness of all localities in the State, other than
the City, was approximately $21.0 billion. A small portion (approximately $80
million) of that indebtedness represented borrowing to finance budgetary
deficits and was issued pursuant to enabling State legislation.

                                    III-15
<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT IV

                          RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS

Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s ("Moody's") Municipal Bond
Ratings

  Aaa-Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

  Aa-Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.

  A-Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.

  Baa-Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

  Ba-Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.

  B-Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of a desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

  Caa-Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.

  Ca-Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.

  C-Bonds which arc rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.

  Note: These bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's believes
possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aal,
Al, Baal, Bal and Bl.

  Short-term Notes: The three ratings of Moody's for short-term notes are MIG
1/VMIG 1, MIG 2/VMIG 2, and MIG 3/VMIG 3; MIG 1 /VMIG 1 denotes "best quality,
enjoying strong protection from established cash flows"; MIG 2/VMIG 2 denotes
"high quality" with "ample margins of protection"; MIG 3/VMIG 3 instruments
are of "favorable quality . . . but . . . lacking the undeniable strength of
the preceding grades."


                                     IV-1
<PAGE>

Description of Moody's Commercial Paper Ratings

  Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all
judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of
rated issuers:

  Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity
will often be evidenced by the following characteristics: leading market
positions in well established industries; high rates of return on funds
employed; conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on
debt and ample asset protection; broad margins, in earning coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation; and with established
access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate
liquidity.

  Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

  Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable
ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The effects of
industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes to the level
of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high
financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

  Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.

Description of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc. ("Standard & Poor's"), Municipal Debt Ratings

  A Standard & Poor's municipal debt rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial
obligation, a specific class of financial obligations or a specific program.
It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or
other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation.

  The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a
financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or
suitability for a particular investor.

  The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources Standard & Poor's considers
reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any
rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The
ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.

  The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

    I. Likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to
  the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
  with the terms of the obligation;

    II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

    III. Protection afforded to, and relative position of, the obligation in
  the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws
  of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

    AAA-Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
  Poor's. Capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
  obligation is extremely strong.


                                     IV-2
<PAGE>

    AA-Debt rated "AA" differs from the highest-rated issues only in small
  degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
  obligation is very strong.

    A-Debt rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
  changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
  categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
  commitment on the obligation is still strong.

    BBB-Debt rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
  adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to
  lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
  on the obligation.

    BB, B, CCC, CC, C-Debt rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC", and "C" are regarded
  as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least
  degree of speculation and "C" the highest degree of speculation. While such
  debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
  may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
  conditions.

    D-Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used
  when payments on an obligation are not made on the due date even if the
  applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poors believes
  that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating
  also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
  similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

  Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.

Description of Standard & Poor's Commercial Paper Ratings

  A Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1"
for the highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories
are as follows:

    A-1-This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
  payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong
  safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

    A-2-Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
  satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
  issues designated "A-1."

    A-3-Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely
  payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of
  changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

    B-Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for
  timely payment.

    C-This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful
  capacity for payment.

    D-Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used
  when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due,
  even if the applicable grace period has not expired unless Standard &
  Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.

    c-The "c" subscript is used to provide additional information to
  investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered
  bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-
  grade level and/or the issuer's bonds are deemed taxable.

    p-The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional
  rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the
  debt being rated and indicates that payment of the debt service
  requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely
  completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit
  quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment

                                     IV-3
<PAGE>

  on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such
  completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to
  such likelihood and risk.

    Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's receipt
  of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation
  confirming investments and cash flows.

    r-The "r" highlights derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations
  that Standard & Poor's believes may experience high volatility or high
  variability in expected returns as a result of noncredit risks. Examples of
  such obligations are securities with principal or interest return indexed
  to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and
  interest-only and principal-only mortgage securities. The absence of an "r"
  symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit
  no volatility or variability in total return.

  A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a
security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard &
Poor's by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it
considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a
result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information.

  A Standard & Poor's note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market
access risks unique to such notes. Notes due in three years or less will
likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most
likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in
making that assessment.

  --Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

  --Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its
refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

  Note rating symbols are as follows:

  SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to
       possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+)
       designation.

  SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some
       vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term
       of the notes.

  SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Description of Fitch IBCA, Inc.'s ("Fitch") Investment Grade Bond Ratings

  Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The rating
represents Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations
of a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.

  The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the
issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.

  Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by
insurance policies or financial guarantees unless otherwise indicated.

  Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small
differences in the degrees of credit risk.


                                     IV-4
<PAGE>

  Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security.
Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any
security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of
payments made in respect of any security.

  Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other
obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be
reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such
information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.

  AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.

  AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA." Because bonds rated in the
"AAA" and "AA" categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated "F-
1+."

  A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.

  BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have an adverse impact on these
bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of
these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with
higher ratings.

  Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.

  NR Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.

Conditional

  A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a project
or the occurrence of a specific event.

Suspended

  A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information available
from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.

Withdrawn

  A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced
and, at Fitch's discretion, when an issuer fails to furnish proper and timely
information.

FitchAlert

  Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an occurrence that
is likely to result in a rating change and the likely direction of such
change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade,
"Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be
raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and should be resolved
within three to 12 months.

                                     IV-5
<PAGE>

Ratings Outlook

  An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of any rating
change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive" or
"Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.

Description of Fitch's Speculative Grade Bond Ratings

  Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings
("BB" to "C") represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment
of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond
issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD" to "D") is an
assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or
liquidation.

  The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the
issuer's future financial strength.

  Bonds that have the rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in
degrees of credit risk.

  BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest
and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes.
However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could
assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.

  B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.

  CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
  CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.

  C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.

  DDD, DD, D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD"
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D"
represents the lowest potential for recovery.

  Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "DDD," "DD," or "D" categories.

Description of Fitch's Short-Term Ratings

  Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on
demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and
investment notes.

  The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on the
existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely
manner.


                                     IV-6
<PAGE>

  Fitch short-term ratings are as follows:

  F-1+  Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
        regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely
        payment.

  F-1   Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
        assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues
        rated "F-l+".

  F-2   Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory
        degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is
        not as great as for issues assigned "F-1+" and "F-l" ratings.

  F-3   Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
        suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is
        adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could cause these
        securities to be rated below investment grade.

  F-S   Weak Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
        suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and are
        vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic
        conditions.

  D     Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent
        payment default.

  LOC   The symbol "LOC" indicates that the rating is based on a letter of
        credit issued by a commercial bank.

                                     IV-7
<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT V

                              PORTFOLIO INSURANCE

  Set forth below is further information with respect to the insurance
policies (the "Policies") that the Fund may obtain from several insurance
companies with respect to insured New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
held by the Fund. The Fund has no obligation to obtain any such Policies, and
the terms of any Policies actually obtained may vary significantly from the
terms discussed below.

  In determining eligibility for insurance, insurance companies will apply
their own standards. These standards correspond generally to the standards
such companies normally use in establishing the insurability of new issues of
New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds and are not necessarily the
criteria that would be used in regard to the purchase of such bonds by the
Fund. The Policies do not insure (i) municipal securities ineligible for
insurance and (ii) municipal securities no longer owned by the Fund.

  The Policies do not guarantee the market value of the insured New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds or the value of the shares of the Fund. In
addition, if the provider of an original issuance insurance policy is unable
to meet its obligations under such policy or if the rating assigned to the
insurance claims-paying ability of any such insurer deteriorates, the
insurance company will not have any obligation to insure any issue held by the
Fund that is adversely affected by either of the above described events. In
addition to the payment of premium, the policies may require that the Fund
notify the insurance company as to all New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds in the Fund's portfolio and permit the insurance company to audit their
records. The insurance premiums will be payable monthly by the Fund in
accordance with a premium schedule to be furnished by the insurance company at
the time the Policies are issued. Premiums are based upon the amounts covered
and the composition of the portfolio.

  The Fund will seek to utilize insurance companies that have insurance
claims-paying ability ratings of AAA from Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Fitch
IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") or Aaa from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's").
There can be no assurance, however, that insurance from insurance carriers
meeting these criteria will be at all times available.

  An S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating is an assessment of an
operating insurance company's financial capacity to meet obligations under an
insurance policy in accordance with the terms. An insurer with an insurance
claims-paying ability rating of AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P.
Capacity to honor insurance contracts is considered by S&P to be extremely
strong and highly likely to remain so over a long period of time. A Fitch
insurance claims-paying ability rating provides an assessment of an insurance
company's financial strength and, therefore, its ability to pay policy and
contract claims under the terms indicated. An insurer with an insurance
claims-paying ability rating of AAA has the highest rating assigned by Fitch.
The ability to pay claims is adjudged by Fitch to be extremely strong for
insurance companies with this highest rating. In the opinion of Fitch,
foreseeable business and economic risk factors should not have any material
adverse impact on the ability of these insurers to pay claims. In Fitch's
opinion, profitability, overall balance sheet strength, capitalization and
liquidity are all at very secure levels and are unlikely to be affected by
potential adverse underwriting, investment or cyclical events. A Moody's
insurance claims-paying ability rating is an opinion of the ability of an
insurance company to repay punctually senior policyholder obligations and
claims. An insurer with an insurance claims-paying ability rating of Aaa is
considered by Moody's to be of the best quality. In the opinion of Moody's,
the policy obligations of an insurance company with an insurance claims-paying
ability rating of Aaa carry the smallest degree of credit risk and, while the
financial strength of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can
be visualized are most unlikely to impair the company's fundamentally strong
position.

  An insurance claims-paying ability rating of S&P, Fitch or Moody's does not
constitute an opinion on any specific contract in that such an opinion can
only be rendered upon the review of the specific insurance contract.
Furthermore, an insurance claims-paying ability rating does not take into
account deductibles, surrender or

                                      V-1
<PAGE>

cancellation penalties or the timeliness of payment; nor does it address the
ability of a company to meet nonpolicy obligations (i.e., debt contracts).

  The assignment of ratings by S&P, Fitch or Moody's to debt issues that are
fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts or guarantees is
a separate process from the determination of claims-paying ability ratings.
The likelihood of a timely flow of funds from the insurer to the trustee for
the bondholders is a key element in the rating determination for such debt
issues.

                                      V-2
<PAGE>

                                    PART C

                               OTHER INFORMATION

Item 15. Indemnification.

  Section 2-418 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland,
Article VI of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
a form of which was previously filed as an exhibit to the Common Stock
Registration Statement (defined below); Article VI of the Registrant's By-
Laws, which was previously filed as an exhibit to the Common Stock
Registration Statement, and the Investment Advisory Agreement, a form of which
was previously filed as an exhibit to the Common Stock Registration Statement,
provide for indemnification.

  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), may be provided to directors, officers
and controlling persons of the Registrant, pursuant to the foregoing
provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with any
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

  Reference is made to (i) Section 6 of the Purchase Agreement relating to the
Registrant's Common Stock, a form of which was filed as an exhibit to the
Common Stock Registration Statement, and (ii) Section 7 of the Purchase
Agreement relating to the Registrant's AMPS, a form of which was filed as an
exhibit to the AMPS Registration Statement (defined below), for provisions
relating to the indemnification of the underwriter.

Item 16. Exhibits.

<TABLE>
 <C>   <S>
  1(a) --Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated December 17, 1991.
   (b) --Articles of Amendment relating to name change.
   (c) --Form of Articles Supplementary creating the Series A AMPS and the
        Series B AMPS.
   (d) --Form of Articles Supplementary creating the Series C AMPS, the Series
        D AMPS and the Series E AMPS.(b)
  2    --By-Laws of the Registrant.
  3    --Not Applicable.
  4    --Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization among the Registrant and
        MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. (included in Exhibit II to the
        Proxy Statement and Prospectus contained in this Registration
        Statement).
  5(a) --Copies of instruments defining the rights of stockholders, including
        the relevant portions of the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws
        of the Registrant.(a)
  6    --Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Fund
        Asset Management, L.P.
  7(a) --Form of Purchase Agreement for the Common Stock.
   (b) --Form of Purchase Agreement for the AMPS.
   (c) --Form of Merrill Lynch Standard Dealer Agreement.
  8    --Not applicable.
  9    --Custodian Contract between the Registrant and The Bank of New York.
</TABLE>

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
 <C>   <S>
 10    --Not applicable.
 11    --Opinion and Consent of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Registrant.
 12    --Private Letter Ruling from the Internal Revenue Service.*
 13(a) --Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing
        Agency Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York.
   (b) --Form of Auction Agent Agreement between the Registrant and IBJ
        Whitehall Bank & Trust Company.
   (c) --Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement.
   (d) --Form of Letter of Representations.
 14(a) --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the
        Registrant.
   (b) --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for MuniYield
        New York Insured Fund II, Inc. for each of the years in the four-year
        period ended October 31, 1996 and the period June 26, 1992 to October
        31, 1992.
   (c) --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors for MuniYield New
        York Insured Fund II, Inc. for each of the two years in the period
        ended October 31, 1998.
 15    --Not applicable.
 16    --Power of Attorney (Included on the signature page of this Registration
        Statement).
</TABLE>
- --------
 * To be filed by amendment.

(a) Reference is made to Article V, Article VI (sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6),
    Article VII, Article VIII, Article X, Article XI, Article XII and Article
    XIII of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, previously filed as
    Exhibit (1) to the Common Stock Registration Statement, and to Article II,
    Article III (sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 17), Article VI, Article VII, Article
    XII, Article XIII and Article XIV of the Registrant's By-Laws previously
    filed as Exhibit (2) to the Common Stock Registration Statement. Reference
    is also made to the Form of Articles Supplementary filed as Exhibit 1(d)
    to the AMPS Registration Statement and as Exhibit 1(e) hereto.

(b) Filed on October 4, 1999 as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
    Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-88423).

Item 17. Undertakings.

  (1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of
the securities registered through use of a prospectus which is part of this
Registration Statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, the reoffering prospectus will contain information called for by
the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by other items of the
applicable form.

  (2) The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed
under paragraph (1) above will be filed as part of an amendment to the
registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective,
and that, in determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
of them.

  (3) The Registrant undertakes to file, by post-effective amendment, either a
copy of the Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling applied for or an
opinion of counsel as to certain tax matters, within a reasonable time after
receipt of such ruling or opinion.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

  As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the Township of Plainsboro and
State of New Jersey, on the 9th day of November, 1999.

                                          MuniYield New York Insured Fund,
                                          Inc.
                                              (Registrant)

                                                     /s/ Terry K. Glenn
                                          By __________________________________
                                                (Terry K. Glenn, President)

  Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Terry K. Glenn,
Donald C. Burke and Alice A. Pellegrino, or any of them, as attorney-in-fact,
to sign on his behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, any
amendments to this Registration Statement (including post-effective
amendments) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

  As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Signatures                         Title                   Date
              ----------                         -----                   ----

<S>                                    <C>                        <C>
          /s/ Terry K. Glenn           President and Director      November 9, 1999
______________________________________  (Principal Executive
           (Terry K. Glenn)             Officer)

         /s/ Donald C. Burke           Treasurer (Principal        November 9, 1999
______________________________________  Financial and Accounting
          (Donald C. Burke)             Officer)

        /s/ James H. Bodurtha          Director                    November 9, 1999
______________________________________
         (James H. Bodurtha)

        /s/ Herbert I. London          Director                    November 9, 1999
______________________________________
         (Herbert I. London)

         /s/ Robert R. Martin          Director                    November 9, 1999
______________________________________
          (Robert R. Martin)

          /s/ Joseph L. May            Director                    November 9, 1999
______________________________________
           (Joseph L. May)

         /s/ Andre F. Perold           Director                    November 9, 1999
______________________________________
          (Andre F. Perold)

          /s/ Arthur Zeikel            Director                    November 9, 1999
______________________________________
           (Arthur Zeikel)
</TABLE>


                                      C-3
<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Numbers                               Description
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
   1(a)  --Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
    (b)  --Articles of Amendment relating to name change.
    (c)  --Form of Articles Supplementary creating the Series A AMPS and the
          Series B AMPS.
   2     --By-Laws of the Registrant.
   6     --Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Fund
          Asset Management, L.P.
   7(a)  --Form of Purchase Agreement for the Common Stock.
    (b)  --Form of Purchase Agreement for the AMPS.
    (c)  --Form of Merrill Lynch Standard Dealer Agreement.
   9     --Custodian Contract between the Registrant and The Bank of New York.
  11     --Opinion and Consent of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Registrant.
  13(a)  --Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder
          Servicing Agency Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New
          York.
    (b)  --Form of Auction Agent Agreement between the Registrant and IBJ
          Whitehall Bank and Trust Company.
    (c)  --Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement.
    (d)  --Form of Letter of Representations.
  14(a)  --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the
          Registrant.
    (b)  --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for MuniYield
          New York Insured Fund II, Inc. for each of the years in the four-year
          period ended October 31, 1996 and the period June 26, 1992 to October
          31, 1992.
    (c)  --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors for MuniYield New
          York Insured Fund II, Inc. for each of the two years in the period
          ended October 31, 1998.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Front]

                                                                    COMMON STOCK



                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                  P.O. BOX 9011

                        PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011



                                     PROXY

           This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors


                  The undersigned hereby appoints Terry K. Glenn, Donald C.
         Burke and Alice A. Pellegrino as proxies, each with the power to
         appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to
         represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse hereof, all of the
         Common Stock of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") held
         of record by the undersigned on October 20, 1999 at the Special Meeting
         of Stockholders of the Fund to be held on December 15, 1999, or any
         adjournment thereof.

                  This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner
         herein directed by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is
         made, this proxy will be voted "FOR" Proposal 1.

                  By signing and dating the reverse side of this card, you
         authorize the proxies to vote this proposal as marked, or if not
         marked, to vote "FOR" this proposal, and to use their discretion to
         vote for any other matter as may properly come before the meeting on
         any adjournment thereof. If you do not intend to personally attend the
         meeting, please complete and return this card at once in the enclosed
         envelope.

                                (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Reverse]

         Please mark boxes /X/ or [X] in blue or black ink.

         1.   To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
              Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and MuniYield New York
              Insured Fund II, Inc.



              FOR [_]     AGAINST [_]     ABSTAIN [_]



         2.   In the discretion of such proxies, upon such other business as
              properly may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.



                           Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When
                           shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
                           When signing as attorney or as executor,
                           administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
                           title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
                           corporate name by president or other authorized
                           officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
                           name by authorized persons.



                           Dated: ______________________________



                           X _____________________________________________
                                             Signature



                           X _____________________________________________
                                    Signature, if held jointly

Sign, date, and return the Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Front]

                                                                  AUCTION MARKET

                                                                 PREFERRED STOCK



                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                  P.O. BOX 9011

                        PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011



                                     PROXY

           This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors


         The undersigned hereby appoints Terry K. Glenn, Donald C. Burke and
Alice A. Pellegrino as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her
substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as
designated on the reverse hereof, all the Auction Market Preferred Stock of
MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") held of record by the
undersigned on October 20, 1999 at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the
Fund to be held on December 15, 1999, or any adjournment thereof.

         This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner herein
directed by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy
will be voted "FOR" Proposal 1.

         By signing and dating the reverse side of this card, you authorize the
proxies to vote this proposal as marked, or if not marked, to vote "FOR" this
proposal, and to use their discretion to vote for any other matter as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If you do not
intend to personally attend the meeting, please complete and return this card at
once in the enclosed envelope.


                                (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Reverse]

Please mark boxes /X/ or [X] in blue or black ink.

         1.   To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
              Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and MuniYield New York
              Insured Fund II, Inc.



              FOR [_]     AGAINST [_]     ABSTAIN [_]



         2.   In the discretion of such proxies, upon such other business as
              properly may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.



              If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, it hereby instructs the
              proxies, pursuant to Rule 452 of the New York Stock Exchange, to
              vote any uninstructed Auction Market Preferred Stock, in the same
              proportion as votes cast by holders of Auction Market Preferred
              Stock, who have responded to this proxy solicitation.



                           Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When
                           shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
                           When signing as attorney or as executor,
                           administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
                           title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
                           corporate name by president or other authorized
                           officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
                           name by authorized persons.



                           Dated: ______________________________

                           X _____________________________________________
                                             Signature

                           X _____________________________________________
                                      Signature, if held jointly



Sign, date, and return the Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Front]

                                                                    COMMON STOCK



                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                                  P.O. BOX 9011

                        PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011



                                     PROXY

           This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors



                  The undersigned hereby appoints Terry K. Glenn, Donald C.
         Burke and Alice A. Pellegrino as proxies, each with the power to
         appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to
         represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse hereof, all of the
         Common Stock of MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. (the "Fund")
         held of record by the undersigned on October 20, 1999 at the Special
         Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held on December 15, 1999, or
         any adjournment thereof.

                  This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner
         herein directed by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is
         made, this proxy will be voted "FOR" Proposal 1.

                  By signing and dating the reverse side of this card, you
         authorize the proxies to vote this proposal as marked, or if not
         marked, to vote "FOR" this proposal, and to use their discretion to
         vote for any other matter as may properly come before the meeting or
         any adjournment thereof. If you do not intend to personally attend the
         meeting, please complete and return this card at once in the enclosed
         envelope.

                                (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Reverse]

         Please mark boxes /X/ or [X] in blue or black ink.

         1.   To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
              Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and MuniYield New York
              Insured Fund, Inc.



              FOR [_]     AGAINST [_]     ABSTAIN [_]



         2.   In the discretion of such proxies, upon such other business as
              properly may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.



                           Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When
                           shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
                           When signing as attorney or as executor,
                           administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
                           title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
                           corporate name by president or other authorized
                           officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
                           name by authorized persons.



                           Dated: ______________________________



                           X _____________________________________________
                                             Signature



                           X _____________________________________________
                                      Signature, if held jointly

Sign, date, and return the Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Front]

                                                                  AUCTION MARKET

                                                                 PREFERRED STOCK



                    MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND II, INC.

                                  P.O. BOX 9011

                        PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011



                                     PROXY

           This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors


         The undersigned hereby appoints Terry K. Glenn, Donald C. Burke and
Alice A. Pellegrino as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her
substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as
designated on the reverse hereof, all the Auction Market Preferred Stock of
MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. (the "Fund") held of record by the
undersigned on October 20, 1999 at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the
Fund to be held on December 15, 1999, or any adjournment thereof.

         This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner herein
directed by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy
will be voted "FOR" Proposal 1.

         By signing and dating the reverse side of this card, you authorize the
proxies to vote this proposal as marked, or if not marked, to vote "FOR" this
proposal, and to use their discretion to vote for any other matter as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If you do not
intend to personally attend the meeting, please complete and return this card at
once in the enclosed envelope.

                                (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
<PAGE>

[Proxy Card Reverse]

Please mark boxes /X/ or [X] in blue or black ink.

         1.   To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
              Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and MuniYield New York
              Insured Fund, Inc.



              FOR [_]     AGAINST [_]     ABSTAIN [_]



         2.   In the discretion of such proxies, upon such other business as
              properly may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.



              If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, it hereby instructs the
              proxies, pursuant to Rule 452 of the New York Stock Exchange, to
              vote any uninstructed Auction Market Preferred Stock, in the same
              proportion as votes cast by holders of Auction Market Preferred
              Stock, who have responded to this proxy solicitation.



                           Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When
                           shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
                           When signing as attorney or as executor,
                           administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
                           title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
                           corporate name by president or other authorized
                           officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
                           name by authorized persons.



                           Dated: ______________________________

                           X _____________________________________________
                                            Signature

                           X _____________________________________________
                                     Signature, if held jointly



Sign, date, and return the Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 1(a)

                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                         NEW YORK MUNIYIELD FUND, INC.

                                   ARTICLE I

THE UNDERSIGNED, M. ROSALIE BUENAVENTURA, Whose post-office address is One World
Trade Center, Now York, Now York 100480557, being at least eighteen (18) years
of age, does hereby act as an incorporator, under and by virtue of the General
Laws of the State of Maryland authorizing the formation of corporations and with
the intention of forming a corporation.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                      NAME
                                      ----
The name of the corporation is NEW YORK MUNIYIELD FUND, INC. (the
"Corporation").

                                  ARTICLE III

                              PURPOSES AND POWERS
                              -------------------

     The purpose or purposes for which the Corporation is formed is to act as a
closed-end, management investment company under the federal Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and to exercise and enjoy all of the powers, rights and
privileges granted to, or conferred upon, corporations by the General Laws of
the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                      PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT
                      -----------------------------------

     The post-office address of the principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 32 South Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The
<PAGE>

name of the resident agent of the Corporation in this State is The Corporation
Trust Incorporated, a corporation of this State, and the post-office address of
the resident agent is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 32 South Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                 CAPITAL STOCK
                                 -------------

     (1) The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall
have authority to issue is Two Hundred Million (200,000,000) shares, all of one
class called Common Stock, of the par value of Ten Cents ($0.10) per share and
of the aggregate par value of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000).

     (2) The Board of Directors may classify and reclassify any unissued shares
of capital stock into one or more additional or other classes or series as may
be established from time to time by setting or changing in any one or more
respects the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption of such shares of stock and pursuant to such
classification or reclassification to increase or decrease the number of
authorized shares of any existing class or series.

     (3) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the Corporation,
including any Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of capital
stock, the holders of each class or series of capital stock shall be entitled to
dividends and distributions in such amounts and at such times as may be
determined by the Board of Directors, and the dividends and distributions paid
with respect to the various classes or series of capital stock may vary among
such classes and series.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (4) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the Corporation,
including any Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of capital
stock, on each matter submitted to vote of stockholders, each holder of a share
of capital stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to one vote for each share
standing in such holders name on the books of the Corporation, irrespective of
the class or series thereof, and all shares of all classes and series shall vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that as to any matter with
respect to which a separate vote of any class or series is required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in effect from time to time, or
any rules, regulations or orders issued thereunder, or by the Maryland General
Corporation Law, such requirement as to a separate vote by that class or series
shall apply in lieu of a general vote of all classes and series as described
above.

     (5) Notwithstanding any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law
requiring a greater proportion than a majority of the votes of all classes or
series of capital stock of the Corporation (or of any class or series entitled
to vote thereon as a separate class or series) to take or authorize any action,
the Corporation is hereby authorized (subject to the requirements of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in effect from time to time, and
any rules, regulations and orders issued thereunder) to take such action upon
the concurrence of a majority of the aggregate number of shares of capital stock
of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon (or a majority of the aggregate
number of shares of a class or series entitled to vote thereon as a separate
class or series).

     (6) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the Corporation,
including any Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of capital
stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of all classes and
series of capital stock of the Corporation shall be entitled, after

                                       3
<PAGE>

payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the
Corporation, to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the Corporation.

     (7) Any fractional shares shall carry proportionately all the rights of a
whole share, excepting any right to receive a certificate evidencing such
fractional share, but including, without limitation, the right to vote and the
right to receive dividends.

     (8) All persons who shall acquire stock in the Corporation shall acquire
the same subject to the provisions of the charter and By-Laws of the
Corporation. As used in the charter of the Corporation, the terms "charter" and
"Articles of Incorporation" shall mean and include the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation as amended, supplemented and restated from time to time by
Articles of Amendment, Articles Supplementary, Articles of Restatement or
otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                    PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING AND
                    REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
                    CORPORATION AND OF THE DIRECTORS
                    AND STOCKHOLDERS
                    -------------------------------------

     (1) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be three (3), which
number may be changed pursuant to the By-Laws of the Corporation but shall never
be less than three (3). The names of the directors who shall act until the first
annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

                               Philip L. Kirstein
                                 Mark B. Goldfus
                                 Susan B. Baker

     (2) The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby empowered to
authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of capital stock, whether now
or hereafter authorized, for such consideration an the Board of Directors may
deem advisable, subject to such limitations as

                                       4
<PAGE>

may be set forth in these Articles of Incorporation or in the By-Laws of the
Corporation or in the General Laws of the State of Maryland.

     (3) Each director and each officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified
by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Laws of the State
of Maryland, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended. No amendment of these Articles of Incorporation or repeal of any
provision hereof shall limit or eliminate the benefits provided to directors and
officers under this provision in connection with any act or omission that
occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

     (4) To the fullest extent permitted by the General Laws of the State of
Maryland, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to
the Corporation or its security holders for money damages. No amendment of these
Articles of Incorporation or repeal of any provision hereof shall limit or
eliminate the benefits provided to directors and officers under this provision
in connection with any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or
repeal.

     (5) The Board of Directors of the Corporation may make, alter or repeal
from time to time any of the By-Laws of the Corporation except any particular
By-Law which is specified as not subject to alteration or repeal by the Board of
Directors, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.

     (6) A director elected by the holders of capital stock may be removed (with
or without cause), but only by action taken by the holders of at least sixty-
six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the shares of capital stock then
entitled to vote in an election to fill that directorship.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                           DENIAL OF PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
                           ---------------------------

     No shareholder of the Corporation shall by reason of his holding shares of
capital stock have any preemptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe
to any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, now or hereafter to be
authorized, or any notes, debentures, bonds or other securities convertible into
shares of capital stock, now or hereafter to be authorized, whether or not the
issuance of any such shares, or notes, debentures, bonds or other securities
would adversely affect the dividend or voting rights of such shareholder; and
the Board of Directors may issue shares of any class of the Corporation, or any
notes, debentures, bonds, other securities convertible into shares of any class,
either whole or in part, to the existing shareholders.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              DETERMINATION BINDING
                              ---------------------

     Any determination made in good faith, so far as accounting matters are
involved, in accordance with accepted accounting practice by or pursuant to the
direction of the Board of Directors, as to the amount of assets, obligations or
liabilities of the Corporation, as to the amount of net income of the
Corporation from dividends and interest for any period or amounts at any time
legally available for the payment of dividends, as to the amount of any reserves
or charges set up and the propriety thereof, as to the time of or purpose for
creating reserves or as to the use, alteration or cancellation of any reserves
or charges (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves
or charges shall have been created, shall have been paid or discharged or shall
be then or thereafter required to be paid or discharged), as to the price of any
security owned by the Corporation or as to any other matters relating to the
issuance, sale,

                                       6
<PAGE>

redemption or other acquisition or disposition of securities or shares of
capital stock of the Corporation, and any reasonable determination made in good
faith by the Board of Directors as to whether any transaction constitutes a
purchase of securities on "margin," a sale of securities "short," or an
underwriting of the sale of, or a participation in any underwriting or selling
group in connection with the public distribution of, any securities, shall be
final and conclusive, and shall be binding upon the Corporation and all holders
of its capital stock, past, present and future, and shares of the capital stock
of the Corporation are issued and sold on the condition and understanding,
evidenced by the purchase of shares of capital stock or acceptance of share
certificates, that any and all such determinations shall be binding as
aforesaid. No provision of these Articles of Incorporation shall be effective to
(a) require a waiver of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or of any
valid rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder or (b) protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the
Corporation against any liability to the corporation or 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.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               PERPETUAL EXISTENCE
                               -------------------

     The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

                                   ARTICLE X

                        PRIVATE PROPERTY OF STOCKHOLDERS
                        --------------------------------

     The private property of shareholders shall not be subject to the payment of
corporate debts to any extent whatsoever.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XI

                         CONVERSION TO OPEN-END COMPANY
                         ------------------------------

     Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or
the By-Laws of the Corporation, a favorable vote of the holders of at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter shall be required to
approve, adopt or authorize an amendment to these Articles of Incorporation of
the Corporation that makes the Common Stock a "redeemable security" (as that
term is defined in section 2(a)(32) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended) unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized
by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of directors
fixed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Corporation, in which case the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                      MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, LIQUIDATION
                      -----------------------------------

     Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or
the By-Laws of the Corporation, a favorable vote of the holders of at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter shall be required to
approve, adopt or authorize (i) a merger or consolidation or statutory share
exchange of the Corporation with any other corporation, (ii) a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation (other than in the regular
course of its investment activities), or (iii) a liquidation or dissolution of
the Corporation, unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or
authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of
directors fixed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Corporation, in which case
the

                                       8
<PAGE>

affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                  ------------

                                   AMENDMENT
                                   ---------

     The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in these Articles of Incorporation, in the manner now or
hereafter prescribed by statute, including any amendment which alters the
contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of any outstanding stock
and substantially adversely affects the stockholders' rights and all rights
conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the
By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser
percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the By-
Laws of the Corporation) the amendment or repeal of section (5) of Article V,
Section (1), Section (3), Section (4), Section (5) and Section (6) of Article
VI, Article IX, Article X, Article XI, Article XII, or this Article XIII, of
these Articles of Incorporation shall require the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on
the matter.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporator of New York MuniYield
Fund, Inc. hereby executes the foregoing Articles of Incorporation and
acknowledges the same to be her act and further acknowledges that, to the best
of her knowledge, the matters and facts set forth therein are true in all
material respects under the penalties of perjury.

Dated the 16th day
of December 1991.


                                         ____________________________
                                           M. Rosalie Buenaventura

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 1(b)

                          NEW YORK MUNIYIELD FUND, INC.

                              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT


     NEW YORK MUNIYIELD FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal
office c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 32 South Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21202 (hereinafter called the Corporation), hereby certifies to the
State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, that:

     FIRST: The charter of the Corporation is hereby amended by striking out
Article II of the Articles of Incorporation and inserting in lieu thereof the
following:

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                                      NAME
                                      ----

                         The name of the corporation is

                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                              (the "Corporation").


     SECOND: The foregoing amendments to the charter of the Corporation have
been duly approved by the entire Board of Directors at a meeting thereof held on
January 6, 1992, and at the time of the approval by the Directors there were no
shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the matter either
outstanding or subscribed for.

     The President acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate
act of the Corporation and states that to the best of his knowledge, information
and belief the matters and facts set forth in these Articles with respect to the
authorization and approval of the amendment of the Corporation's charter are
true in all material respects, and that this statement is made under the
penalties of perjury.
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, New York MuniYield Fund, Inc. has caused these Articles
to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested by its
Secretary on January 7, 1992.


                                          NEW YORK MUNIYIELD FUND, INC.



                                          By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                Philip L. Kirstein, President




Attest:


By:
   ------------------------------------
        Mark B. Goldfus, Secretary

                                       2

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 1(c)

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                 Articles Supplementary creating two series of

                        Auction Market Preferred Stock/R/

     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation having its
principal Maryland office in the City of Baltimore (the "Corporation"),
certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

     FIRST:  Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of
the Corporation by article fifth of its Charter, the Board of Directors has
reclassified 1,700 authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the
Corporation as preferred stock of the Corporation and has authorized the
issuance of a series of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation
preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid
dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, to be designated
respectively Auction Market Preferred Stock Series A; and Auction Market
Preferred Stock, Series B.

     SECOND:  The preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to
dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, of the shares
of each such series of preferred stock are as follows:

- ----------------------------
(R) Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               STATE OF MARYLAND
                               -----------------
I hereby certify that this is a true, and complete copy of the________________
page document on file in this office. DATED:__________________________________
                 STATE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION

BY:___________________________________________________________________________
This stamp replaces our previous certification system. Effective 10/84
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                                  DESIGNATION

     SERIES A:  A series of 850 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per
share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to
accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is
hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A."  Each share of
Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A (sometimes referred to herein as
"Series A AMPS") shall be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation; have an Initial Dividend Rate and Initial Dividend
Payment Date as shall be determined in advance of the issuance thereof by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary.  The Auction Market
Preferred Stock, Series A shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock
of the corporation, and each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A
shall be identical.

     SERIES B:  A series of 850 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per
share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to
accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is
hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B."  Each share of
Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B (sometimes referred to herein as
"Series B AMPS") shall be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation; have an Initial Dividend Rate and Initial Dividend
Payment Date as shall be determined in advance of the issuance thereof by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary.  The Auction Market
Preferred Stock, Series B shall constitute a separate series

                                       2
<PAGE>

of preferred stock of the Corporation, and each share of Auction Market
Preferred Stock, Series B shall be identical.

     1.  Definitions. (a) Unless the context or use indicates another or
         -----------
different meaning or intent, in these Articles Supplementary the following terms
have the following meanings, whether used in the singular or plural:

     "'AA' Composite Commercial Paper Rate," on any date of determination, means
(i) the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper placed on behalf of
issuers whose corporate bonds are rated "AA" by S&P or "Aa" by Moody's or the
equivalent of such rating by another nationally recognized rating agency, as
such rate is made available on a discount basis or otherwise by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York for the Business Day immediately preceding such date,
or (ii) in the event that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not make
available such a rate, then the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of
the rate on commercial paper placed on behalf of such issuers, as quoted on a
discount basis or otherwise by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated or its successors that are Commercial Paper Dealers, to the Auction
Agent for the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such
date.  If one of the Commercial Paper Dealers does not quote a rate required to
determine the "AA" Composite commercial Paper Rate, the "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate will be determined on the basis of the quotation or
quotations furnished by any Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute
Commercial Paper Dealers selected by the Corporation to provide such rate or
rates not being supplied by the Commercial Paper Dealer.  If the number of
Dividend Period Days shall be (i) 7 or more but fewer than 49 days, such rate
shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 30-day rate on such commercial paper;
(ii) 49 or more but fewer than 70 days, such rate shall be the Interest
Equivalent of the 60-day rate on such commercial paper;

                                       3
<PAGE>

(iii) 70 or more days but fewer than 85 days, such rate shall be the arithmetic
average of the Interest Equivalent on the 60-day and 90-day rates on such
commercial paper; (iv) 85 or more days but fewer than 99 days, such rate shall
be the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day rate on such commercial paper; (v) 99
or more days but fewer than 120 days, such rate shall be the arithmetic average
of the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day and 120-day rates on such commercial
paper; (vi) 120 or more days, but fewer than 141 days, such rate shall be the
Interest Equivalent of the 120-day rate on such commercial paper; (vii) 141 or
more days but fewer than 162 days, such rate shall be the arithmetic average of
the Interest Equivalent of the 120-day and 180-day rates on such commercial
paper; and (viii) 162 or more days but fewer than 183 days, such rate shall be
the interest Equivalent of the 180-day rate on such commercial paper.

     "Accountant's Confirmation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 7(c) of
these Articles Supplementary.

     "Additional Dividend" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these
Articles Supplementary.

     "Adviser" means the Corporation's investment adviser which initially shall
be Fund Asset Management, Inc.

     "Affiliate" shall mean any Person, other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Incorporated or its successors, known to the Auction Agent to be
controlled by, in control of, or under common control with, the Corporation.

     "Agent Member" means a member of the Securities Depository that will act on
behalf of an Existing Holder of one or more shares of AMPS or a Potential Holder
that is identified as such in such holder's Purchaser's Letter.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     "AMPS" means, as the case may be, means the Auction Market Preferred Stock,
Series A; or the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B.

     "AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount," as of any Valuation Date, means the dollar
amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the product of the number of shares of AMPS
of each series and Other AMPS Outstanding on such Valuation Date multiplied by
the sum of (a) $50,000 and (b) any applicable redemption premium attributable to
the designation of a Premium Call Period; (B) the aggregate amount of cash
dividends (whether or not earned or declared) that will have accumulated for
each share of AMPS and Other AMPS Outstanding, in each case, to (but not
including) the end of the current Dividend Period that follows such Valuation
Date; (C) the aggregate amount of cash dividends that would accumulate at the
then current Maximum Applicable Rate on any shares of AMPS and Other AMPS
Outstanding from the end of such Dividend Period through the 49th day after such
Valuation Date, multiplied by the larger of the potential dividend rate increase
factors (currently 304%) determined from time to time by Moody's and S&P (except
that if such Valuation Date occurs during a Non-Payment Period, the cash
dividend for purposes of calculation would accumulate at the then current Non-
Payment Period Rate); (D) the amount of anticipated expenses of the Corporation
for the 90 days subsequent to such Valuation Date (including any premiums
payable with respect to a Policy); (E) the amount of the Corporation's Maximum
Potential Additional Dividend Liability as of such Valuation Date; and (F) any
current liabilities as of such Valuation Date to the extent not reflected in any
of (i)(A) through (i)(E) (including, without limitation, and immediately upon
determination, any amounts due and payable by the corporation pursuant to
repurchase agreements and any payables for New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds purchased as of such Valuation Date) less (ii) the sum of (A) the lesser
of (1) the aggregate of (a) the book

                                       5
<PAGE>

value of receivables for New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds sold as of
or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within five business
days of such Valuation Date, and if the trades which generated such receivables
are (x) settled through clearing house firms with respect to which the
Corporation has received prior written authorization from Moody's or (y) with
counter parties having a Moody's long-term debt rating of at least Baa3, and (b)
the Discounted Value of New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds sold as of
or prior to such Valuation Date which generated receivables calculated using the
Moody's Discount Factor applicable to such New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds, if such receivables are due within five business days of such Valuation
Date but do not comply with either of conditions (x) or (y) of the preceding
clause (a) and (2) the Discounted Value of such New York Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds calculated using the higher of the S&P Discount Factor and the
Moody's Discount Factor applicable to such New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds and (B) the Discounted Value of any of the Corporation's assets
irrevocably deposited by the Corporation for the payment of the amount needed to
redeem shares of AMPS subject to redemption or any of (i)(B) through (i)(F). For
Moody's, the corporation shall include as a liability an amount calculated semi-
annually equal to 150% of the estimated cost of obtaining other insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment of interest on a Moody's Eligible Asset and
principal thereof to maturity with respect to Moody's Eligible Assets that (i)
are covered by a Policy which provides the Corporation with the option to obtain
such other insurance and (ii) are discounted by a Moody's Discount Factor
determined by reference to the insurance claims-paying ability rating of the
issuer of such Policy.

     "AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the
corporation to satisfy the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (as required by
paragraph 7(a) of these Articles

                                       6
<PAGE>

Supplementary) as of a given Valuation Date, means the sixth Business Day
following such Valuation Date.

     "AMPS Basic Maintenance Report" means a report signed by any of the
President, Treasurer, any Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the
Corporation which sets forth, as of the related Valuation Date, the assets of
the Corporation, the Market Value and the Discounted Value thereof (seriatim and
in aggregate), and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.

     "Anticipation Notes" shall mean the following New York Municipal Bonds:
revenue anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation
notes, grant anticipation notes and bond anticipation notes.

     "Applicable Percentage" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 11(a)(vii)
of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Applicable Rate" means the rate per annum at which cash dividends are
payable on the AMPS or Other AMPS, as the case may be, for any Dividend Period.

     "Auction" means a periodic operation of the Auction Procedures.

     "Auction Agent" means IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company unless and until
another commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed
by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly
authorized committee thereof enters into an agreement with the corporation to
follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate
and to act as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and
redemption agent for the AMPS and Other AMPS.

     "Auction Procedures" means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth
in paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     "Broker-Dealer" shall mean any broker-dealer, or other entity permitted by
law to perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer in paragraph 11 of
these Articles Supplementary, that has been selected by the Corporation and has
entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent that remains
effective.

     "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean an agreement between the Auction Agent
and a Broker-Dealer pursuant to which such Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the
procedures specified in paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is
open for trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks
in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.

     "Charter" means the Articles of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented
(including these Articles Supplementary), of the Corporation on file in the
State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.

     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "Commercial Paper Dealers" means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and such other commercial paper dealer or dealers as the
Corporation may from time to time appoint, or, in lieu of any thereof, their
respective affiliates or successors.

     "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the
Corporation.

     "Corporation" means MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation.

     "Date of Original Issue" means, with respect to any share of AMPS or Other
AMPS, the date on which the corporation originally issues such share.

     "Deposit Securities" means cash and New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds rated at least AAA, A-I+ or SP-l+ by S&P.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     "Discounted Value" means (i) with respect to an S&P Eligible Asset, the
quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the applicable S&P Discount
Factor and (ii) with respect to a Moody's Eligible Asset, the lower of par and
the quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the applicable Moody's
Discount Factor.

     "Dividend Coverage Amount," as of any Valuation Date, means (A)(i) the
aggregate amount of cash dividends that will accumulate on all shares of
Outstanding AMPS and Other AMPS, in each case to (but not including) the next
Dividend Payment Date therefor that follows such Valuation Date plus (ii) the
aggregate amount of all liabilities existing on such Valuation Date which are
payable on or prior to such next Dividend Payment Date less (B) the sum of (i)
the combined Market Value of Deposit Securities irrevocably deposited with the
Auction Agent for the payment of cash dividends on all shares of AMPS and Other
AMPS, (ii) the book value of receivables for New York Municipal Bonds and
Municipals Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date, if such receivables
are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date and in any event on or
prior to such next Dividend Payment Date, and (iii) interest in New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds which is scheduled to be paid on or prior to
such next Dividend Payment Date.

     "Dividend Coverage Assets," as of any Valuation Date, means, in the case of
shares of AMPS and other AMPS, Deposit Securities with maturity or tender
payment dates not later in each case than the Dividend Payment Date therefor
that follows such Valuation Date.

     "Dividend Payment Date," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(b)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other
AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     "Dividend Period" means the Initial Dividend Period, any 7-day Dividend
Period, any 28-day Dividend Period and any special Dividend Period.

     "Existing Holder" means a Person who has signed a Purchaser's Letter and is
listed as the holder of record of shares of AMPS in the Stock Books.

     "Forward Commitment" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(c) of these
Articles Supplementary.

     "Holder" means a Person identified as a holder of record of shares of AMPS
in the Stock Register.

     "Independent Accountant" means a nationally recognized accountant, or firm
of accountants, that is, with respect to the corporation, an independent public
accountant or firm of independent public accountants under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.

     "Initial Dividend Payment Date" means the Initial Dividend Payment Date as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation with respect to each
series of AMPS or Other AMPS, as the case may be.

     "Initial Dividend Period," with respect to each series of AMPS, has the
meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with
respect to other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.

     "Initial Dividend Rate," with respect to each series of AMPS, means the
rate per annum applicable to the Initial Dividend Period for such series of AMPS
and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.

     "Initial Margin" means the amount of cash or securities deposited with a
broker as a margin payment at the time of purchase or sale of a futures
contract.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     "Interest Equivalent" means a yield on a 360-day basis of a discount basis
security which is equal to the yield on an equivalent interest-bearing security.

     "Long Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a
specified period of whole years not greater than five years.

     "Mandatory Redemption Price" means $50,000 per share of AMPS plus an amount
equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to
the date fixed for redemption and excluding Additional Dividends.

     "Market Value" of any asset of the Corporation shall be the market value
thereof determined by the Pricing service.  Market Value of any asset shall
include any interest accrued thereon.  The Pricing Service shall value portfolio
securities at the quoted bid prices or the mean between the quoted bid and asked
price or the yield equivalent when quotations are not readily available.
Securities for which quotations are not readily available shall be valued at
fair value as determined by the Pricing service using methods which include
consideration of:  yields or prices of municipal bonds of comparable quality,
type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from
dealers; and general market conditions.  The Pricing Service may employ
electronic data processing techniques and/or a matrix system to determine
valuations.  In the event the Pricing Service is unable to value a security, the
security shall be valued at the lower of two dealer bids obtained by the
Corporation, at least one of which shall be in writing.  Futures contracts and
options are valued at closing prices for such instruments established by the
exchange or board of trade on which they are traded, or if market quotations are
not readily available, are valued at fair value on a consistent basis using
methods determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     "Maximum Applicable Rate," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth
in paragraph 11(a)(vii) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to
Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.

     "Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability," as of any Valuation
Date, means the aggregate amount of Additional Dividends that would be due if
the Corporation were to make Retroactive Taxable Allocations, with respect to
any fiscal year, estimated based upon dividends paid and the amount of
undistributed realized net capital gains and other taxable income earned by the
corporation, as of the end of the calendar month immediately preceding such
Valuation Date and assuming such Additional Dividends are fully taxable.

     "Minimum Liquidity Level" means, as of any Valuation Date, an aggregate
Market Value of the Corporation's Dividend Coverage Assets not less than the
Dividend Coverage Amount.

     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service or its successors.

     "Moody's Discount Factor" means, for purposes of determining the Discounted
Value of any New York Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond which constitutes a
Moody's Eligible Asset, the percentage determined by reference to (a)(i) the
rating by Moody's or S&P on such Bond or (ii) in the event the Moody's Eligible
Asset is insured under a Policy and the terms of the Policy permit the
Corporation, at its option, to obtain other insurance guaranteeing the timely
payment of interest on such Moody's Eligible Asset and principal thereof to
maturity, the Moody's insurance claims-paying ability rating of the issuer of
the Policy or (iii) in the event the Moody's Eligible Asset is insured under an
insurance policy which guarantees the timely payment of interest on such Moody's
Eligible Asset and principal thereof to maturity, the Moody's insurance claims-
paying ability rating of the issuer of the insurance policy (provided that for
purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii) if the insurance claims-paying ability of an
issuer of a Policy or insurance;

                                       12
<PAGE>

policy is not rated by Moody's but is rated by S&P, such issuer shall be deemed
to have a Moody's insurance claims-paying ability rating which is one full
category lower than the S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating) and (b) the
Moody's Exposure Period, in accordance with the table set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Rating Category
                            ---------------------------------------------------
  Moody's Exposure Period   Aaa*  Aa*   A*   Baa*  Other** VM1G-1***   SP-1+***
- --------------------------- ---   ---   --   ----  ------- ---------   --------
<S>                         <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>     <C>       <C>
7 weeks or less............  151%  159%  168%  202%   229%    136%       148%
8 weeks or less but
greater than seven weeks...  154   164   173   205    235     137        149
9 weeks or less but
greater than eight weeks...  158   169   179   209    242     138        150
</TABLE>

- ----------------
*    Moody's rating.
**   New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated
     BBB or BBB+ by S&P.
***  New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds rated MIG-1 or VMIG-l or, if
     not rated by Moody's, rated SP-l+ by S&P which do not mature or have a
     demand feature at par exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period and
     which do not have a long-term rating. For the purposes of the definition of
     Moody's Eligible Assets, these securities will have an assumed rating of
     "A" by Moody's.

provided, however, in the event a Moody's Discount Factor applicable to a
Moody's Eligible Asset is determined by reference to an insurance claims-paying
ability rating in accordance with clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), such Moody's
Discount Factor shall be increased by an amount equal to 50% of the difference
between (a) the percentage set forth in the foregoing table under the applicable
rating category and (b) the percentage set forth in the foregoing table under
the rating category which is one category lower than the applicable rating
category.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Moody's Discount Factor will be
applied to short-term New York Municipal Bonds and short-term Municipal Bonds so
long as such New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds are rated at least
MIG-1, VMIG-I or P-1 by Moody's and mature or have a demand feature at par
exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period, and the Moody's Discount Factor
for such Bonds will be 125% if such Bonds are not rated by Moody's but are rated
A-I+ or SP-l+ or AA by S&P and mature or have a demand feature at par
exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period, and (ii) no Moody's Discount
Factor will be

                                       13
<PAGE>

applied to cash or to Receivables for New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds Sold. "Receivables for New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds Sold,"
for purposes of calculating Moody's Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date,
means no more than the aggregate of the following: (i) the book value of
receivables for New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior
to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within five business days of
such Valuation Date, and if the trades which generated such receivables are (x)
settled through clearing house firms with respect to which the Corporation has
received prior written authorization from Moody's or (y) with counterparties
having a Moody's long-term debt rating of at least Baa3; and (ii) the Moody's
Discounted Value of New York Municipal Bonds or municipal Bonds sold as of or
prior to such Valuation Date which generated receivables, if such receivables
are due within five business days of such Valuation Date but do not comply with
either of conditions (x) or (y) of the preceding clause (i).

     "Moody's Eligible Asset" means cash, Receivables for New York Municipal
Bonds or Municipal Bonds sold (as defined for purposes of calculating Moody's
Eligible Assets), a New York Municipal Bond or a Municipal Bond that (i) pays
interest in cash, (ii) is publicly rated Baa or higher by Moody's or, if not
rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, is rated at least BBB by S&P (provided that,
for purposes of determining the Moody's Discount Factor applicable to any such
S&P-rated New York Municipal Bond or S&P-rated Municipal Bond, such New York
Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond (excluding any short-term New York Municipal
Bond or Municipal Bond) will be deemed to have a Moody's rating which is one
full rating category lower than its S&P rating),(iii) does not have its Moody's
rating suspended by Moody's; and (iv) is part of an issue of New York Municipal
Bonds or Municipal Bonds of at least $10,000,000.  In addition, New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the Corporation's portfolio must be
within

                                       14
<PAGE>

the following diversification requirements in order to be included within
Moody's Eligible Assets:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Minimum         Maximum              Maximum                  Maximum                Maximum
                        Issue Size     Underlying           Issue Type                 County                  State
Rating                 ($ Millions)  Obligor (%)(1)   Concentration (%)(1)(3)  Concentration (%)(1)(4)  Concentration (1)(5)
- ------                 ------------  ---------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  --------------------
<S>                    <C>           <C>              <C>                      <C>                      <C>
Aaa..................      10              100                  100                      100                    100
Aa...................      10               20                   60                       60                     60
A....................      10               10                   40                       40                     40
Baa..................      10                6                   20                       20                     20
Other(2).............      10                4                   12                       12                     12
</TABLE>

- -----------------
(1) The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals for the
    related rating category and each lower rating category.
(2) New York Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated
    BBB or BBB+ by S&P.
(3) Does not apply to general obligation bonds.
(4) Applicable to general obligation bonds only.
(5) Does not apply to Now York Municipal Bonds.

For purposes of the maximum underlying obligor requirement described above, any
such Bond backed by the guaranty, letter of credit or insurance issued by a
third party will be deemed to be issued by such third party if the issuance of
such third party credit is the sole determinant of the rating on such Bond.  For
purposes of the issue type concentration requirement described above, New York
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds will be classified within one of the
following categories:  health care issues (teaching and non-teaching hospitals,
public and private), housing issues (single- and multi-family), educational
facilities issues (public and private schools), student loan issues, resource
recovery issues, transportation issues (mass transit, airport and highway
bonds), industrial revenue/pollution control bond issues, utility issues
(including water, sewer and electricity), general obligation issues, lease
obligations/certificates of participation, escrowed bonds and other issues
("Other Issues") not falling within one of the aforementioned categories
(includes special obligations to crossover, excise and sales tax revenue,
recreation revenue, special assessment and telephone revenue bonds).  In no
event shall (a) more than 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets consist of student loan
issues, (b) more than lot of Moody's Eligible Assets consist of resource
recovery issues or (c) more than 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets

                                       15
<PAGE>

consist of Other Issues. For purposes of the maximum county concentration
requirement described above, the five counties comprising New York City will be
treated as a single county.

     When the Corporation sells a New York Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond and
agrees to repurchase it at a future date, the Discounted Value of such Bond will
constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset and the amount the Corporation is required
to pay upon repurchase of such Bond will count as a liability for purposes of
calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.  When the corporation purchases a
New York Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond and agrees to sell it at a future date
to another party, cash receivable by the Corporation thereby will constitute a
Moody's Eligible Asset if the long-term debt of such other party is rated at
least A2 by Moody's and such agreement has a term of 30 days or less; otherwise
the Discounted Value of such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered a Moody's
Eligible Asset if it is (i) held in a margin account, (ii) subject to any
material lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest or security agreement of any
kind, (iii) held for the purchase of a security pursuant to a Forward Commitment
or (iv) irrevocably deposited by the Corporation for the payment of dividends or
redemption.

     "Moody's Exposure Period" means a period that is the same length or longer
than the number of days used in calculating the cash dividend component of the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and shall initially be the period commencing on
and including a given Valuation Date and ending 48 days thereafter.

     "Moody's Hedging Transaction" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(b)
of these Articles Supplementary.

                                       16
<PAGE>

     "Municipal Bonds" means "Municipal Bonds" as defined in the corporation's
Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 33-45621) on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as such Registration Statement may be
amended from time to time, as well as short-term municipal obligations.

     "Municipal Index" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(a) of these
Articles Supplementary.

     "New York Municipal Bonds" means municipal obligations issued by or on
behalf of the State of New York, its political subdivisions, agencies and
instrumentalities and by other qualifying issuers that pay interest which, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal and New York
income taxes.

     "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time
to time.

     "1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage" means asset coverage, as defined in section
18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% with respect to all outstanding senior
securities of the Corporation which are stock, including all outstanding shares
of AMPS and Other AMPS (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be
specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior
securities which are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of
paying dividends on its common stock).

     "1940 Act Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the corporation to
maintain the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage (as required by paragraph 6 of these
Articles Supplementary) as of the last Business Day of each month, means the
last Business Day of the following month.

     "Non-Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of
"Specific Redemption Provisions".

                                      17
<PAGE>

     "Non-Payment Period" means, with respect to the AMPS, any period commencing
on and including the day on which the Corporation shall fail to (i) declare,
prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding any Dividend
Payment Date, for payment on or (to the extent permitted by paragraph 2(c)(i) of
these Articles Supplementary) within three Business Days after such Dividend
Payment Date to the Holders as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the full amount of any
dividend on shares of AMPS payable on such Dividend Payment Date or (ii)
deposit, irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Auction Agent by
12:00 noon, New York City time, (A) on such Dividend Payment Date the full
amount of any cash dividend on such shares payable (if declared) on such
Dividend Payment Date or (B) on any redemption date for any shares of AMPS
called for redemption, the Mandatory Redemption Price per share of such AMPS or,
in the case of an optional redemption, the optional Redemption Price per share,
and ending on and including the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York
City time, all unpaid cash dividends and unpaid redemption prices shall have
been so deposited or shall have otherwise been made available to Holders in
same-day funds; provided that, a Non-Payment Period shall not end unless the
Corporation shall have given at least five days' but no more than 30 days'
written notice of such deposit or availability to the Auction Agent, all
Existing Holders (at their addresses appearing in the Stock Books) and the
Securities Depository.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by the
Corporation to deposit funds as provided for by clauses (ii)(A) or (ii)(B) above
within three Business Days after any Dividend Payment Date or redemption date,
as the case may be, in each case to the extent contemplated by paragraph 2(c)(i)
of these Articles Supplementary, shall not constitute a "Non-Payment Period."

                                      18
<PAGE>

     "Non-Payment Period Rate" means, initially, 200% of the applicable
Reference Rate (or 275% of such rate if the Corporation has provided
notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the
Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net
capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on
shares of AMPS), provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall
have the authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time the
initial Non-Payment Period Rate if the Board of Directors of the Corporation
determines and Moody's and S&P (and any Substitute Rating Agency in lieu of
Moody's or S&P in the event either of such parties shall not rate the AMPS)
advise the corporation in writing that such adjustment, modification, alteration
or change will not adversely affect their then-current ratings on the AMPS.

     "Normal Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph
2(b)(1) of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Notice of Redemption" means any notice with respect to the redemption of
shares of AMPS pursuant to paragraph 4 of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Notice of Revocation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of
these Articles Supplementary.

     "Notice of Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in paragraph
2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Optional Redemption Price" shall mean $50,000 per share plus an amount
equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to
the date fixed for redemption and excluding Additional Dividends plus any
applicable redemption premium attributable to the designation of a Premium Call
Period.

                                      19
<PAGE>

     "Other AMPS" means the auction rate preferred stock of the Corporation,
other than the AMPS.

     "Outstanding" means, as of any date (i) with respect to AMPS, shares of
AMPS theretofore issued by the Corporation except, without duplication, (A) any
shares of AMPS theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Auction Agent for
cancellation, or redeemed by the Corporation, or as to which a Notice of
Redemption shall have been given and moneys shall have been deposited in trust
by the Corporation pursuant to paragraph 4(c) and (B) any shares of AMPS as to
which the Corporation or any Affiliate thereof shall be an Existing Holder,
provided that shares of AMPS held by an Affiliate shall be deemed outstanding
for purposes of calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii) with
respect to shares of other Preferred Stock, has the equivalent meaning.

     "Parity Stock" means the AMPS and each other outstanding series of
Preferred Stock the holders of which, together with the holders of the AMPS,
shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be, in proportion to the
full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled, without
preference or priority one over the other.

     "Person" shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a
corporation, a trust, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other
entity or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Policy" means an insurance policy purchased by the Corporation which
guarantees the payment of principal and interest on specified New York Municipal
Bonds or Municipal Bonds during the period in which such New York Municipal
Bonds or Municipal Bonds are owned by the corporation; provided, however, that
the Corporation will not obtain any Policy unless

                                      20
<PAGE>

Moody's advises the Corporation in writing that the purchase of such Policy will
not adversely affect their then-current rating on the AMPS.

     "Potential Holder" shall mean any Person, including any Existing Holder,
(A) who shall have executed a Purchaser's Letter and (B) who may be interested
in acquiring shares of AMPS (or, in the case of an Existing Holder, additional
shares of AMPS).

     "Preferred Stock" means the preferred stock of the Corporation, and
includes AMPS and Other AMPS.

     "Premium Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of
"Specific Redemption Provisions".

     "Pricing Service" shall mean J.J. Kenney or any pricing service designated
by the Board of Directors of the corporation provided the Corporation obtains
written assurance from S&P and Moody's that such designation will not impair the
rating then assigned by S&P and Moody's to the AMPS.

     "Purchaser's Letter" means a letter addressed to the Corporation, the
Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer in which a Person agrees, among other things,
to offer to purchase, purchase, offer to sell and/or sell shares of AMPS as set
forth in paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Quarterly Valuation Date" means the twenty-first day of the last month of
each fiscal quarter of the Corporation (or, if such day is not a Business Day,
the next succeeding Business Day) in each fiscal year of the Corporation,
commencing April 30, 1992.

     "Receivables for New York Municipal Bonds Sold" has the meaning set forth
under the definition of S&P Discount Factor.

     "Receivables for New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds Sold" has the
meaning set forth under the definition of Moody's Discount Factor.

                                      21
<PAGE>

     "Reference Rate" means:  (i) with respect to a Dividend Period or a Short
Term Dividend Period having fewer than 35 days, the applicable "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate; provided that, if Moody's and S&P (or any such Substitute
Rating Agency in lieu of Moody's or S&P in the event either of such parties
shall not rate the AMPS) advise the corporation in writing that use of the
following will not adversely affect their then-current rating on the AMPS, the
higher of the applicable "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate and the Taxable
Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate, (ii) with respect to any Short
Term Dividend Period having 35 or more but fewer than 183 days, the applicable
"AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate, (iii) with respect to any Short Term
Dividend Period having 183 or more but fewer than 364 days, the applicable U.S.
Treasury Bill Rate and (iv) with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, the
applicable U.S. Treasury Note Rate.

     "Request for Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Response" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these
Articles Supplementary.

     "Retroactive Taxable Allocation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph
2(e) of these Articles Supplementary.

     "Right," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e)
of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to other AMPS, has the
equivalent meaning.

     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Corporation or its successors.

     "S&P Discount Factor" means, for purposes of determining the Discounted
Value of any New York Municipal Bond which constitutes an S&P Eligible Asset,
the percentage determined by reference to (a) (i) the rating by S&P or Moody's
on such Bond or (ii) in the event the New

                                      22
<PAGE>

York Municipal Bond is insured under a Policy and the terms of the Policy permit
the Corporation, at its option, to obtain other permanent insurance guaranteeing
the timely payment of interest on such New York Municipal Bond and principal
thereof to maturity, the S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating of the
issuer of the Policy or (iii) in the event the New York Municipal Bond is
insured under an insurance policy which guarantees the timely payment of
interest on such New York Municipal Bond and principal thereof to maturity, the
S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating of the issuer of the insurance policy
and (b) the S&P Exposure Period, in accordance with the tables set forth below:

For New York Municipal Bonds:
- ----------------------------

                                                Rating Category
                                 ---------------------------------------------
S&P Exposure Period                 AAA*         AA*          A*        BBB*
- -------------------              ---------------------------------------------

40 Business Days                    210%        215%        230%        270%
22 Business Days                    190         195         210         250
10 Business Days                    175         180         195         235
7 Business Days                     170         175         190         230
3 Business Days                     150         155         170         210


__________________
*    S&P rating.


     Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the S&P Discount Factor for short-term
New York Municipal Bonds will be 115%, so long as such New York Municipal Bonds
are rated A-1+ or SP-I+ by S&P and mature or have a demand feature exercisable
in 30 days or less, or 125% if such New York Municipal Bonds are not rated by
S&P but are rated VMIG-I, P-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's; provided, however, that if
such short-term New York Municipal Bonds are backed by any letter of credit,
liquidity facility or guarantee from a bank or other financial institution, such
bank or institution must have a short-term rating of at least A-1+ from S&P; and
further provided that such short-term New York Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's
but not rated by S&P may comprise no more than 50% of short-term New York
Municipal Bonds that qualify as S&P

                                      23
<PAGE>

Eligible Assets and (ii) no S&P Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to
Receivables for New York Municipal Bonds Sold. "Receivables for New York
Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating S&P's Eligible Assets as of
any Valuation Date, means the book value of receivables for New York Municipal
Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due
within five business days of such Valuation Date. The Corporation may adopt S&P
Discount Factors for Municipal Bonds provided that S&P advises the Corporation
in writing that such action will not adversely affect its then current rating on
the AMPS. For purposes of the foregoing, Anticipation Notes rated SP-1+ or, if
not rated by S&P, rated VMIG-I by Moody's, which need not mature or have a
demand feature exercisable in 30 days and which do not have a long-term rating,
shall be considered to be short-term New York Municipal Bonds.

     "S&P Eligible Asset" means cash or a New York Municipal Bond that (i) is
interest bearing and pays interest at least semiannually; (ii) is payable with
respect to principal and interest in United States Dollars; (iii) is publicly
rated BBB or higher by S&P or, if not rated by S&P but rated by Moody's, is
rated at least A by Moody's (provided that such Moody's-rated New York Municipal
Bonds will be included in S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market
Value of such New York Municipal Bonds does not exceed 50% of the aggregate
Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets; and further provided that, for purposes
of determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to any such Moody's-rated New
York Municipal Bond, such New York Municipal Bond will be deemed to have an S&P
rating which is one full rating category lower than its Moody's rating); (iv) is
not subject to a covered call or covered put option written by the Corporation;
(v) is not part of a private placement of New York Municipal Bonds; and (vi) is
part of an issue of New York Municipal Bonds with an original issue size of at
least $20 million or, if of an issue with an original issue size below $20
million (but in no event below

                                      24
<PAGE>

$10 million), is issued by an issuer with a total of at least $50 million of
securities outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing:



          (1) New York Municipal Bonds of any one issuer or guarantor (excluding
     bond insurers) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent
     the Market Value of such New York Municipal Bonds does not exceed 10% of
     the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets, provided that 2% is
     added to the applicable S&P Discount Factor for every 1% by which the
     Market Value of such New York Municipal Bonds exceeds 5% of the aggregate
     Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets; and

          (2) New York Municipal Bonds of any one issue type category (as
     described below) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent
     the fair market value of such Bonds does not exceed 20% of the aggregate
     fair market value of S&P Eligible Assets, except that New York Municipal
     Bonds falling within the utility issue type category will be broken down
     into three sub-categories (as described below) and such New York Municipal
     Bonds will be considered S&P Eligible Assets to the extent the fair market
     value of such Bonds in each such sub-category does not exceed 20% of the
     aggregate fair market value of S&P Eligible Assets. For purposes of the
     issue type category requirement described above, New York Municipal Bonds
     will be classified within one of the following categories: health care
     issues, housing issues, educational facilities issues, student loan issues,
     transportation issues, industrial development bond issues, utility issues,
     general obligation issues, lease obligations, escrowed bonds and other
     issues not falling within one of the aforementioned categories. For
     purposes of the issue type category requirement described above, New York
     Municipal Bonds in the utility issue type category will be classified
     within one of the three following sub-

                                      25
<PAGE>

     categories: (i) electric, gas and combination issues (if the combination
     issue includes an electric issue), (ii) water and sewer utilities and
     combination issues (if the combination issue does not include an electric
     issue), and (iii) irrigation, resource recovery, solid waste and other
     utilities, provided that New York Municipal Bonds included in this sub-
     category (iii) must be rated by S&P in order to be included in S&P Eligible
     Assets.

     The Corporation may include Municipal Bonds as S&P Eligible Assets pursuant
to guidelines and restrictions to be established by S&P provided that S&P
advises the corporation in writing that such action will not adversely affect
its then current rating on the AMPS.

     "S&P Exposure Period" means the maximum period of time following a
Valuation Date, including the Valuation Date and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure
Date, that the Corporation has under these Articles Supplementary to cure any
failure to maintain, as of such Valuation Date, the Discounted Value for its
portfolio at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (as described in
paragraph 7(a) of these Articles Supplementary).

     "S&P Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(a) of
these Articles Supplementary.

     "Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company or any successor
company or other entities elected by the corporation as securities depository
for the shares of AMPS that agrees to follow the procedures required to be
followed by such securities depository in connection with the shares of AMPS.

     "Service" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

     "7-day Dividend Period" means, with respect to Series B AMPS a Dividend
Period consisting of seven days.

                                      26
<PAGE>

     "Short Term Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of a
specified number of days (other than 28 in the case of Series A AMPS and other
than seven in the case of Series B AMPS), evenly divisible by seven and not
fewer than seven or more than 364.

     "Special Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of (i) a
specified number of days (other than 28 in the case of Series A AMPS and other
than seven in the case of Series B AMPS), evenly divisible by seven and not
fewer than seven nor more than 364 or (ii) a specified number of whole years not
greater than five years (in each case subject to adjustment as provided in
paragraph 2(b)(i)).

     "Specific Redemption Provisions" means, with respect to a Special Dividend
Period either, or any combination of, (i) a period (a "Non-Call Period")
determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, after consultation with
the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during which the shares of AMPS
subject to such Dividend Period shall not be subject to redemption at the option
of the Corporation and (ii) a period (a "Premium Call Period"), consisting of a
number of whole years and determined by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers,
during each year of which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period
shall be redeemable at the Corporation's option at a price per share equal to
$50,000 plus accumulated but unpaid dividends plus a premium expressed as a
percentage of $50,000, as determined by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers.

     "Stock Books" means the books maintained by the Auction Agent setting forth
at all times a current list, as determined by the Auction Agent, of Existing
Holders of the AMPS.

     "Stock Register" means the register of Holders maintained on behalf of the
Corporation by the Auction Agent in its capacity as transfer agent and registrar
for the AMPS.

                                      27
<PAGE>

     "Subsequent Dividend Period," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to
Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.

     "Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers" means such Substitute Commercial
Paper Dealer or Dealers as the Corporation may from time to time appoint or, in
lieu of any thereof, their respective affiliates or successors.

     "Substitute Rating Agency" and "Substitute Rating Agencies" mean a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations, respectively, selected by Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates and successors,
after consultation with the Corporation, to act as the substitute rating agency
or substitute rating agencies, as the case may be, to determine the credit
ratings of the shares of AMPS.

     "Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate" on any date
means 90% of the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest
equivalent basis equal to the Kenny S&P 30 day High Grade Index or any successor
index (the "Kenny Index"), made available for the Business Day immediately
preceding such date but in any event not later than 8:30 A.M., New York City
time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor thereto,
based upon 30-day yield evaluations at par of bonds the interest on which is
excludable for regular Federal income tax purposes under the Code of "high
grade" component issuers selected by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any such
successor from time to time in its discretion, which component issuers shall
include, without limitation, issuers of general obligation bonds but shall
exclude any bonds the interest on which constitutes an item of tax preference
under Section 57(a)(5) of the Code or successor provisions, for purposes of the

                                      28
<PAGE>

"alternative minimum tax," divided by (B) 1.00 minus the maximum marginal
regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or the
maximum marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate (in each case
expressed as a decimal), whichever is greater; provided, however, that if the
Kenny Index is not made so available by 8:30 A.M., New York City time, on such
date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor, the Taxable Equivalent
of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate shall mean the quotient of (A) the per
annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the most recent
Kenny index so made available for any preceding Business Day, divided by (B)
1.00 minus the maximum marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate
applicable to ordinary income or the maximum marginal regular Federal corporate
income tax rate (in each case expressed as a decimal), whichever is greater.

     "Treasury Bonds" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(a) of
these Articles Supplementary.

     "28-day Dividend Period" means, with respect to Series A AMPS, a Dividend
Period consisting of 28 days.

     "U.S. Treasury Bill Rate" on any date means (i) the Interest Equivalent of
the rate on the actively traded Treasury Bill with a maturity most nearly
comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as such rate is made
available on a discount basis or otherwise by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York in its Composite 3:30 P.M.  Quotations for U.S. Government Securities
report for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as so calculated is not
available, the Alternate Treasury Bill Rate on such date.  "Alternate Treasury
Bill Rate" on any date means the Interest Equivalent of the yield as calculated
by reference to the arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the
actively traded Treasury Bill with a maturity most nearly comparable to

                                      29
<PAGE>

the length of the related Dividend Period, as determined by bid price quotations
as of any time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date, obtained
from at least three recognized primary U.S. Government securities dealers
selected by the Auction Agent.

     "U.S. Treasury Note Rate" on any date means (i) the yield as calculated by
reference to the bid price quotation of the actively traded, current coupon
Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the
related Dividend Period, as such bid price quotation is published on the
Business Day immediately preceding such date by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York in its Composite 3:30 P.M.  Quotations for U.S. Government Securities
report for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as so calculated is not
available, the Alternate Treasury Note Rate on such date.  "Alternate Treasury
Note Rate" on any date means the yield as calculated by reference to the
arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the actively traded, current
coupon Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the
related Dividend Period, as determined by the bid price quotations as of any
time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date, obtained from at least
three recognized primary U.S. Government securities dealers selected by the
Auction Agent.

     "Valuation Date" means, for purposes of determining whether the Corporation
is maintaining the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and the Minimum Liquidity
Level, each Business Day commencing with the Date of Original Issue.

     "Variation Margin" means, in connection with an outstanding futures
contract owned or sold by the Corporation, the amount of cash or securities paid
to or received from a broker (subsequent to the Initial Margin payment) from
time to time as the price of such futures contract fluctuates.

                                      30
<PAGE>

     (b) The foregoing definitions of Accountant's Confirmation, AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, AMPS Basic Maintenance
Report, Deposit Securities, Discounted Value, Dividend Coverage Amount, Dividend
Coverage Assets, Independent Accountants, Initial Margin, Market Value, Maximum
Potential Additional Dividend Liability, Minimum Liquidity Level, Moody's
Discount Factor, Moody's Eligible Asset, Moody's Exposure Period, Moody's
Hedging Transactions, S&P Discount Factor, S&P Eligible Asset, S&P Exposure
Period, S&P Hedging Transactions, Valuation Date and Variation Margin have been
determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in order to obtain a
"aaa" rating from Moody's and a AAA rating from S&P on the AMPS on their Date of
Original Issue; and the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the
authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time the foregoing
definitions and the restrictions and guidelines set forth thereunder if Moody's
and S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency advises the Corporation in writing that
such adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect
their then-current ratings on the AMPS.

     2.  Dividends. (a) The Holders shall be entitled to receive, when, as and
if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, out of funds legally
available therefor, cumulative dividends each consisting of (i) cash at the
Applicable Rate and (ii) a Right to receive cash as set forth in paragraph 2(e)
below, and no more, payable on the respective dates set forth below. Dividends
on the shares of AMPS so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to
and in priority over any dividends declared and payable on the Common Stock, and
(ii) to the extent permitted under the Code and to the extent available, out of
net tax-exempt income earned on the Corporation's investments. To the extent
permitted under the Code, dividends on shares of


                                      31
<PAGE>

AMPS will be designated as exempt-interest dividends. For the purposes of this
section, the term "net tax-exempt income" shall exclude capital gains of the
Corporation.

     (b) (i) Cash dividends on shares of AMPS shall accumulate from the Date of
Original Issue and shall be payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, commencing on the Initial
Dividend Payment Date with respect to each series of AMPS. Following the Initial
Dividend Payment Date for each series of AMPS, dividends on each series of AMPS
will be payable, at the option of the Corporation, either (i) with respect to
any 7-day Dividend Period, 28-day Dividend Period and any Short Term Dividend
Period of 91 or fewer days on the day next succeeding the last day thereof, (ii)
with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period of more than 91 and fewer than
365 days, on the 92nd day thereof, the 183rd day thereof, if any, the 274th day
thereof, if any, and on the day next succeeding the last day thereof and (iii)
with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, quarterly on the first day of
each January, April, July and October during such Long Term Dividend Period and
on the day next succeeding the last day thereof (each such date referred to in
clause (i), (ii) or (iii) being herein referred to as a "Normal Dividend Payment
Date"), except that (i) if such Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business
Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the next succeeding date if both
such dates following the Normal Dividend Payment Date are Business Days, or (ii)
if the date following such Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day,
then the Dividend Payment Date will be the date next preceding such Normal
Dividend Payment Date if both such date and such Normal Dividend Payment Date
are Business Days or (iii) if such Normal Dividend Payment Date and either the
preceding date or the succeeding date are not Business Days, then the Dividend
Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next preceding such Normal Dividend
Payment Date that is next

                                      32
<PAGE>

succeeded by a Business Day. Although any particular Dividend Payment Date may
not occur on the originally scheduled date because of the exceptions discussed
above, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to such exceptions,
will occur on the next following originally scheduled date. If for any reason a
Dividend Payment Date cannot be fixed as described above, then the Board of
Directors shall fix the Dividend Payment Date. The initial Dividend Period, 7-
day Dividend Periods, 28-day Dividend Periods and Special Dividend Periods are
hereinafter sometimes referred to as Dividend Periods. Each dividend payment
date determined as provided above is hereinafter referred to as a "Dividend
Payment Date."

     (ii) Each dividend shall be paid to the Holders as they appear in the Stock
Register as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the
Dividend Payment Date. Dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Period may be
declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment
Date, to the Holders as they appear on the Stock Register on a date, not
exceeding 15 days prior to the payment date therefor, as may be fixed by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation.

     (c) (i) During the period from and including the Date of Original Issue to
but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date (the "Initial Dividend Period"),
the Applicable Rate shall be the Initial Dividend Rate. Commencing on the
Initial Dividend Payment Date, the Applicable Rate for each subsequent dividend
period (hereinafter referred to as a "Subsequent Dividend Period"), which
Subsequent Dividend Period shall commence on and include a Dividend Payment Date
and shall end on and include the calendar day prior to the next Dividend Payment
Date, shall be equal to the rate per annum that results from implementation of
the Auction Procedures.

                                      33
<PAGE>

     The Applicable Dividend Rate for each Dividend Period commencing during a
Non-Payment Period shall be equal to the Non-Payment Period Rate; and each
Dividend Period, commencing after the first day of, and during, a Non-Payment
Period shall be a 28-day Dividend Period in the case of Series A AMPS and a 7-
day Dividend Period in the case of Series B AMPS.  Except in the case of the
willful failure of the Corporation to pay a Dividend on a Dividend Payment Date
or to redeem any shares of AMPS on the date set for such redemption, any amount
of any dividend due on any Dividend Payment Date (if, prior to the close of
business on the second Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the
Corporation has declared such dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date to
the Holders of such shares of AMPS as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date) or redemption price with
respect to any shares of AMPS not paid to such Holders when due may be paid to
such Holders in the same form of funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any
of the first three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date or due date,
as the case may be, provided that, such amount is accompanied by a late charge
calculated for such period of non-payment at the Non-Payment Period Rate applied
to the amount of such non-payment based on the actual number of days comprising
such period divided by 365.  In the case of a willful failure of the Corporation
to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem any shares of AMPS on
the date set for such redemption, the preceding sentence shall not apply and the
Applicable Dividend Rate for the Dividend Period commencing during the Non-
Payment Period resulting from such failure shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate.
For the purposes of the foregoing, payment to a person in same-day funds on any
Business Day at any time shall be considered equivalent to payment to such
person in New York Clearing House (next-day) funds at the same time on the
preceding Business Day, and any payment made after 12:00 noon, New

                                      34
<PAGE>

York City time, on any Business Day shall be considered to have been made
instead in the same form of funds and to the same person before 12:00 noon, New
York City time, on the next Business Day.

     (ii) The amount of cash dividends per share of AMPS payable (if declared)
on each Dividend Payment Date of each 7-day Dividend Period, 28-day Dividend
Period and Short Term Dividend Period shall be computed by multiplying the
Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which
will be the number of days in such Dividend Period such share was outstanding
and the denominator of which will be 365, multiplying the amount so obtained by
$50,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent. During any
Long Term Dividend Period, the amount of dividends per share payable on any
Dividend Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a year consisting of
twelve 30-day months.

     (iii) With respect to each Dividend Period that is a Special Dividend
Period, the Corporation may, at its sole option and to the extent permitted by
law, by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special Dividend Period")
to the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, request that the next succeeding
Dividend Period for a series of AMPS be the number of days (other than 28 in the
case of Series A AMPS and other than seven in the case of Series B AMPS) evenly
divisible by seven, and not fewer than seven or more than 364 in the case of a
Short Term Dividend Period or a number of whole years not greater than five
years in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, specified in such notice,
provided that for any Auction occurring after the initial Auction, the
Corporation may not give a Request for Special Dividend Period of greater than
28 days (and any such request shall be null and void) unless the Corporation has
received written confirmation from Moody's and S&P that such action would not
impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by Moody's and S&P and unless
Sufficient Clearing Bids

                                      35
<PAGE>

were made in the last occurring Auction and unless full cumulative dividends,
any amounts due with respect to redemptions, and any Additional Dividends
payable prior to such date have been paid in full. Such Request for Special
Dividend Period, in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on
or prior to the fourth day but not more than seven days prior to an Auction Date
for the AMPS and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, shall be given on
or prior to the 14th day but not more than 28 days prior to an Auction Date for
the AMPS. Upon receiving such Request for special Dividend Period, the Broker-
Dealer(s) shall jointly determine whether, given the factors set forth below, it
is advisable that the Corporation issue a Notice of Special Dividend Period for
the series of AMPS as contemplated by such Request for Special Dividend Period
and the Optional Redemption Price of the AMPS during such Special Dividend
Period and the Specific Redemption Provisions and shall give the Corporation and
the Auction Agent written notice (a "Response") of such determination by no
later than the third day prior to such Auction Date. In making such
determination the Broker-Dealer(s) will consider (1) existing short-term and
long-term market rates and indices of such short-term and long-term rates, (2)
existing market supply and demand for short-term and long-term securities, (3)
existing yield curves for short-term and long-term securities comparable to the
AMPS, (4) industry and financial conditions which may affect the AMPS, (5) the
investment objective of the Corporation, and (6) the Dividend Periods and
dividend rates at which current and potential beneficial holders of the AMPS
would remain or become beneficial holders. If the Broker-Dealer(s) shall not
give the Corporation and the Auction Agent a Response by such third day or if
the Response states that given the factors set forth above it is not advisable
that the Corporation give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the series of
AMPS, the Corporation may not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period in
respect of such Request for Special

                                      36
<PAGE>

Dividend Period. In the event the Response indicates that it is advisable that
the Corporation give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the series of AMPS,
the Corporation may by no later than the second day prior to such Auction Date
give a notice (a "Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the
Securities Depository and each Broker-Dealer which notice will specify (i) the
duration of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption Price as
specified in the related Response and (iii) the specific Redemption Provisions,
if any, as specified in the related Response. The Corporation shall not give a
Notice of Special Dividend Period and, if the Corporation has given a Notice of
Special Dividend Period, the Corporation is required to give telephonic and
written notice (a "Notice of Revocation") to the Auction Agent, each Broker-
Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or prior to the Business Day prior to
the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage is not
satisfied or the Corporation shall fail to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and
Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal
to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, in each case on each of the two Valuation
Dates immediately preceding the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date
on an actual basis and on a pro forma basis giving effect to the proposed
Special Dividend Period (using as a pro forma dividend rate with respect to such
Special Dividend Period the dividend rate which the Broker-Dealers shall advise
the Corporation is an approximately equal rate for securities similar to the
AMPS with an equal dividend period), provided that, in calculating the aggregate
Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets for this purpose, the Moody's
Exposure Period shall be deemed to be one week longer, (y) sufficient funds for
the payment of dividends payable on the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment
Date have not been irrevocably deposited with the Auction Agent by the close of
business on the third Business Day preceding the related Auction Date or (z) the
Broker-Dealer(s) jointly advise

                                      37
<PAGE>

the Corporation that after consideration of the factors listed above they have
concluded that it is advisable to give a Notice of Revocation. If the
corporation is prohibited from giving a Notice of Special Dividend Period as a
result of any of the factors enumerated in clause (x), (y) or (z) of the prior
sentence or if the Corporation gives a Notice of Revocation with respect to a
Notice of Special Dividend Period for any series of AMPS, the next succeeding
Dividend Period for that series will be a 28-day Dividend Period in the case of
Series A AMPS and a 7-day Dividend Period in the case of Series B AMPS, provided
that if the then current Dividend Period is a Special Dividend Period for Series
A AMPS of less than 28 days, the next succeeding Dividend Period for such series
of AMPS will be the same length as the current Dividend Period. In addition, in
the event Sufficient Clearing Bids are not made in the applicable Auction or
such Auction is not held for any reason, such next succeeding Dividend Period
will be a 28-day Dividend Period (in the case of Series A AMPS) and a 7-day
Dividend Period (in the case of Series B AMPS) and the Corporation may not again
give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS (and any such attempted
notice shall be null and void) until Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in
an Auction with respect to a 28-day Dividend Period (in the case of Series A
AMPS) and a 7-day Dividend Period (in the case of Series B AMPS).

     (d) (i) Holders shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in
cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends and applicable
late charge, as herein provided, on the shares of AMPS (except for Additional
Dividends as provided in paragraph 2(e) hereof). Except for the late charge
payable pursuant to paragraph 2(c)(i) hereof, no interest, or sum of money in
lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the
shares of AMPS that may be in arrears.

                                      38
<PAGE>

     (ii) For so long as any share of AMPS is Outstanding, the Corporation shall
not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution
(other than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of, or options, warrants
or rights to subscribe for or purchase, Common Stock or other stock, if any,
ranking junior to the shares of AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation) in
respect of the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior
to or on a parity with the shares of AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation,
or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of the Common Stock or any other such junior stock (except by
conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the
shares of AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation) or any other such Parity
Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation
ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of Amps as to dividends and
upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after such transaction, the
Corporation shall have S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with
an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount and the Corporation shall maintain the 1940 Act AMPS Asset
Coverage, (B) full cumulative dividends on shares of AMPS and shares of Other
AMPS due on or prior to the date of the transaction have been declared and paid
or shall have been declared and sufficient funds for the payment thereof
deposited with the Auction Agent, (C) any Additional Dividend required to be
paid under paragraph 2(e) below on or before the date of such declaration or
payment has been paid and (D) the Corporation has redeemed the full number of
shares of AMPS required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption
contained herein.

     (e) Each dividend shall consist of (i) cash at the Applicable Dividend Rate
and (ii) an uncertificated right (a "Right") to receive an Additional Dividend
(as defined below). Each

                                      39
<PAGE>

Right shall thereafter be independent of the share or shares of AMPS on which
the dividend was paid. The Corporation shall cause to be maintained a record of
each Right received by the respective Holders. A Right may not be transferred
other than by operation of law. If the Corporation retroactively allocates any
net capital gains or other taxable income to shares of AMPS without having given
advance notice thereof to the Auction Agent as described in paragraph 2(f)
hereof solely by reason of the fact that such allocation is made as a result of
the redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of AMPS or the
liquidation of the Corporation (the amount of such allocation referred to herein
as a "Retroactive Taxable Allocation"), the Corporation will, within 90 days
(and generally within 60 days) after the end of the Corporation's fiscal year
for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made, provide notice thereof to
the Auction Agent and to each holder of a Right applicable to such shares of
AMPS (initially Cede & Co. as nominee of the Depository Trust Company) during
such fiscal year at such holder's address as the same appears or last appeared
on the stock books of the Corporation. The Corporation will, within 30 days
after such notice is given to the Auction Agent, pay to the Auction Agent (who
will then distribute to such holders of Rights), out of funds legally available
therefor, an amount equal to the aggregate Additional Dividend with respect to
all Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holders during the fiscal year
in question.

     An "Additional Dividend" means payment to a present or former holder of
shares of AMPS of an amount which, when taken together with the aggregate amount
of Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holder with respect to the
fiscal year in question, would cause such holder's dividends in dollars (after
Federal and New York State and New York City income tax consequences) from the
aggregate of both the Retroactive Taxable Allocations and the Additional
Dividend to be equal to the dollar amount of the dividends which would have been

                                      40
<PAGE>

received by such holder if the amount of the aggregate Retroactive Taxable
Allocations would have been excludable from the gross income of such holder.
Such Additional Dividend shall be calculated (i) without consideration being
given to the time value of money; (ii) assuming that no holder of shares of AMPS
is subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax with respect to dividends
received from the Corporation; and (iii) assuming that each Retroactive Taxable
Allocation would be taxable in the hands of each holder of shares of AMPS at the
maximum marginal regular Federal, New York State and New York City income tax
rate (taking into account the Federal income tax deductibility of state taxes
paid or incurred) applicable to individuals or corporations, whichever is
greater, in effect during the fiscal year in question.

     (f) Except as provided below, whenever the Corporation intends to include
any net capital gains or other taxable income in any dividend on shares of AMPS,
the Corporation will notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at
least five Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable Rate
for such dividend is to be established. The corporation may also include such
income in a dividend on shares of AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if
it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income
was a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount was an Additional
Dividend.

     (g) No fractional shares of AMPS shall be issued.

     3. Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
        ------------------
the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders shall be entitled
to receive, out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to
shareholders, before any distribution or payment is made upon any Common Stock
or any other capital stock ranking junior in right of payment upon liquidation
to the AMPS, the sum of $50,000 per share plus accumulated but

                                      41
<PAGE>

unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to date of
distribution, and after such payment the holders of AMPS will be entitled to no
other payments other than Additional Dividends as provided in paragraph 2(e)
hereof. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation,
the amounts payable with respect to the AMPS and any other Outstanding class or
series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the AMPS
as to payment upon liquidation are not paid in full, the Holders and the holders
of such other class or series will share ratably in any such distribution of
assets in proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they are
entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to
which they are entitled, the Holders will not be entitled to any further
participation in any distribution of assets by the Corporation except for any
Additional Dividends. A consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange of the
Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity or a sale, whether for
cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, of all or substantially all or
any part of the assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed or construed to be
a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

     4. Redemption. (a) Shares of AMPS shall be redeemable by the Corporation as
        ----------
provided below:

        (i) To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, upon
giving a Notice of Redemption, the Corporation at its option may redeem shares
of AMPS, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefor, at the
Optional Redemption Price per share, on any Dividend Payment Date; provided that
no share of AMPS may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation during a
Non-Call Period to which such share is subject. In addition, holders of AMPS
which are redeemed shall be entitled to receive Additional Dividends to the
extent provided herein. The Corporation may not give a Notice of Redemption
relating to an optional

                                      42
<PAGE>

redemption as described in this paragraph 4(a)(i) unless, at the time of giving
such Notice of Redemption, the corporation has available Deposit Securities with
maturity or tender dates not later than the day preceding the applicable
redemption date and having a value not less than the amount due to Holders by
reason of the redemption of their shares of AMPS on such redemption date.

     (ii) The Corporation shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor,
at the Mandatory Redemption Price per share, shares of AMPS to the extent
permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, on a date fixed by the Board of
Directors, if the Corporation fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's
Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than
the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as provided in paragraph 7(a) or to satisfy
the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage as provided in paragraph 6 and such failure is
not cured on or before the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the 1940 Act Cure
Date (herein respectively referred to as a "Cure Date"), as the case may be. In
addition, holders of AMPS so redeemed shall be entitled to receive Additional
Dividends to the extent provided herein. The number of shares of AMPS to be
redeemed shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of
AMPS the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to
the opening of business on the Cure Date, together with all shares of other
Preferred Stock subject to redemption or retirement, would result in the
Corporation having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case say be,
on such Cure Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum number of shares
of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock the redemption of which would have
such result, all shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock then

                                      43
<PAGE>

Outstanding shall be redeemed), and (ii) the maximum number of shares of AMPS,
together with all shares of other Preferred Stock subject to redemption or
retirement, that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available
therefor on such redemption date. In determining the number of shares of AMPS
required to be redeemed in accordance with the foregoing, the Corporation shall
allocate the number required to be redeemed which would result in the
corporation having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be,
pro rata among shares of AMPS of all series, Other AMPS and other Preferred
Stock subject to redemption pursuant to provisions similar to those contained in
this paragraph 4(a)(ii); provided that, shares of AMPS which may not be redeemed
at the option of the Corporation due to the designation of a Non-Call Period
applicable to such shares (A) will be subject to mandatory redemption only to
the extent that other shares are not available to satisfy the number of shares
required to be redeemed and (B) will be selected for redemption in an ascending
order of outstanding number of days in the Non-Call Period (with shares with the
lowest number of days to be redeemed first) and by lot in the event of shares
having an equal number of days in such Non-Call Period. The corporation shall
effect such redemption on a Business Day which is not later than 35 days after
such Cure Date, except that if the Corporation does not have funds legally
available for the redemption of all of the required number of shares of AMPS and
shares of other Preferred Stock which are subject to mandatory redemption or the
Corporation otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to 35 days
after such Cure Date, the Corporation shall redeem those shares of AMPS which it
is unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to
effect such redemption out of funds legally available therefor.

                                      44
<PAGE>

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph 4, no shares of
AMPS may be redeemed pursuant to paragraph 4(a)(i) of these Articles
Supplementary (i) unless all dividends in arrears on all remaining outstanding
shares of Parity Stock shall have been or are being contemporaneously paid or
declared and set apart for payment and (ii) if redemption thereof would result
in the Corporation's failure to maintain Moody's Eligible Assets with an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount. In the event that less than all the outstanding shares of a series of
AMPS are to be redeemed and there is more than one Holder, the shares of that
series of AMPS to be redeemed shall be selected by lot or such other method as
the Corporation shall deems fair and equitable.

     (c) Whenever shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Corporation, not less
than 10 nor more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, shall mail
a notice ("Notice of Redemption") by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each
Holder of shares of AMPS to be redeemed and to the Auction Agent. The
Corporation shall cause the Notice of Redemption to also be published in the
eastern and national editions of The Wall Street Journal. The Notice of
                                 -----------------------
Redemption shall set forth (i) the redemption date, (ii) the amount of the
redemption price, (iii) the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be redeemed,
(iv) the place or places where shares of AMPS are to be surrendered for payment
of the redemption price, (v) a statement that dividends on the shares to the
redeemed shall cease to accumulate on such redemption date (except that holders
may be entitled to Additional Dividends) and (vi) the provision of these
Articles Supplementary pursuant to which such shares are being redeemed. No
defect in the Notice of Redemption or in the mailing or publication thereof
shall affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by
applicable law.

                                      45
<PAGE>

     If the Notice of Redemption shall have been given as aforesaid and,
concurrently or thereafter, the Corporation shall have deposited iii trust with
the Auction Agent a cash amount equal to the redemption payment for the shares
of AMPS as to which such Notice of Redemption has been given with irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the Holders of such
shares, then upon the date of such deposit or, if no such deposit is made, then
upon such date fixed for redemption (unless the Corporation shall default in
making the redemption payment), all rights of the Holders of such shares as
shareholders of the Corporation by reason of the ownership of such shares will
cease and terminate (except their right to receive the redemption price in
respect thereof and any Additional Dividends, but without interest), and such
shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding.  The Corporation shall be entitled
to receive, from time to time, from the Auction Agent the interest, if any, on
such moneys deposited with it and the Holders of any shares so redeemed shall
have no claim to any of such interest.  In case the Holder of any shares so
called for redemption shall not claim the redemption payment for his shares
within one year after the date of redemption, the Auction Agent shall, upon
demand, pay over to the Corporation such amount remaining on deposit and the
Auction Agent shall thereupon be relieved of all responsibility to the Holder of
such shares called for redemption and such Holder thereafter shall look only to
the corporation for the redemption payment.

     5. Voting Rights. (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter
        -------------      -------
or By-Laws, each Holder of shares of AMPS shall be entitled to one vote for each
share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the
Corporation, and the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including
AMPS, and of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class;
provided that, at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation held for
the election of directors, the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,
including AMPS, shall

                                      46
<PAGE>

be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities
and classes of capital stock of the Corporation, to elect two directors of the
corporation. subject to paragraph 5(b) hereof, the holders of outstanding shares
of capital stock of the Corporation, including the holders of outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, voting as a single class, shall elect the
balance of the directors.

     (b) Right to Elect Majority of Board of Directors. During any period in
         ---------------------------------------------
which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist (such period
being referred to herein as a "Voting Period"), the number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall be automatically increased by the
smallest number that, when added to the two directors elected exclusively by the
holders of shares of Preferred Stock, would constitute a majority of the Board
of Directors as so increased by such smallest number; and the holders of shares
of Preferred Stock shall be entitled, voting separately as one class (to the
exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of
the Corporation), to elect such smallest number of additional directors,
together with the two directors that such-holders are in any event entitled to
elect. A Voting Period shall commence:

     (i) if at any time accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or
declared, and whether or not funds are then legally available in an amount
sufficient therefor) on the outstanding shares of AMPS equal to at least two
full years' dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified
securities shall not have been deposited with the Auction Agent for the payment
of such accumulated dividends; or

     (ii) if at any time holders of any other shares of Preferred Stock are
entitled to elect a majority of the directors of the Corporation under the 1940
Act.

                                      47
<PAGE>

     Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in
this paragraph 5(b) shall cease, subject always, however, to the reverting of
such voting rights in the Holders upon the further occurrence of any of the
events described in this paragraph 5(b).

     (c) Right to Vote with Respect to Certain Other Matters. So long as any
         ---------------------------------------------------
shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock
Outstanding at the time, voting separately as one class: (i) authorize, create
or issue, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of
stock ranking prior to or on a parity with any series of Preferred Stock with
respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, or
increase the authorized amount of AMPS or any other Preferred Stock, or (ii)
amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect any of the contract rights
expressly set forth in the Charter of holders of shares of AMPS or any other
Preferred Stock. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares
of more than one series of AMPS are outstanding, the Corporation shall not
approve any of the actions set forth in clause (i) or (ii) which adversely
affects the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of a Holder of
shares of a series of AMPS differently than those of a Holder of shares of any
other series of AMPS without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a
majority of the shares of AMPS of each series adversely affected and outstanding
at such time (each such adversely affected series voting separately as a class).
The Corporation shall notify Moody's and S&P 10 Business Days prior to any such
vote described in clause (i) or (ii). Unless a higher percentage is provided for
under the Charter, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, voting together as a
single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization (including
bankruptcy proceedings) adversely affecting such shares or any action

                                       48
<PAGE>

requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. The
class vote of holders of shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, described
above will in each case be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite
percentage of shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock, including
AMPS, voting together as a single class necessary to authorize the action in
question.

     (d) Voting Procedures.
         -----------------

         (i)    As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the
holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors as described
in paragraph 5(b) above, the Corporation shall call a special meeting of such
holders and instruct the Auction Agent to mail a notice of such special meeting
to such holders, such meeting to be held not less than 10 nor more than 20 days
after the date of mailing of such notice. If the Corporation fails to send such
notice to the Auction Agent or if the Corporation does not call such a special
meeting, it may be called by any such holder on like notice. The record date for
determining the holders entitled to notice of and to vote at such special
meeting shall be the close of business on the fifth Business Day preceding the
day on which such notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each
meeting held during a Voting Period, such Holders, voting together as a class
(to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital
stock of the Corporation), shall be entitled to elect the number of directors
prescribed in paragraph 5(b) above. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof
in the absence of a quorum, a majority of such holders present in person or by
proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting without notice, other than by
an announcement at the meeting, to a date not more than 120 days after the
original record date.

         (ii)   For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders to vote on
any matter or the number of shares required to constitute a quorum, whether such
right is created by these

                                       49
<PAGE>

Articles Supplementary, by the other provisions of the Charter, by statute or
otherwise, a share of AMPS which is not Outstanding shall not be counted.

         (iii)  The terms of office of all persons who are directors of the
Corporation at the time of a special meeting of Holders and holders of other
Preferred Stock to elect directors shall continue, notwithstanding the election
at such meeting by the Holders and such other holders of the number of directors
that they are entitled to elect, and the persons so elected by the Holders and
such other holders, together with the two incumbent directors elected by the
Holders and such other holders of Preferred Stock and the remaining incumbent
directors elected by the holders of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, shall
constitute the duly elected directors of the Corporation.

         (iv)   Simultaneously with the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms
of office of the additional directors elected by the Holders and holders of
other Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall terminate, the
remaining directors shall constitute the directors of the Corporation and the
voting rights of the Holders and such other holders to elect additional
directors pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall cease, subject to the
provisions of the last sentence of paragraph 5(b)(ii).

     (e) Exclusive Remedy. Unless otherwise required by law, the Holders of
         ----------------
shares of AMPS shall not have any rights or preferences other than those
specifically set forth herein. The Holders of shares of AMPS shall have no
preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting. In the event that the
Corporation fails to pay any dividends on the shares of AMPS, the exclusive
remedy of the Holders shall be the right to vote for directors pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph 5.

                                       50
<PAGE>

     (f) Notification to S&P and Moody's. In the event a vote of Holders of AMPS
         -------------------------------
is required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, the
Corporation shall, not later than ten Business Days prior to the date on which
such vote is to be taken, notify S&P and Moody's that such vote is to be taken
and the nature of the action with respect to which such vote is to be taken and,
not later than ten Business Days after the date on which such vote is taken,
notify S&P and Moody's of the result of such vote.

     6. 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage. The Corporation shall maintain, as of the
        ----------------------------
last Business Day of each month in which any share of AMPS is outstanding, the
1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage.

     7. AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. (a) The Corporation shall maintain, on
        -----------------------------
each Valuation Date, and shall verify to its satisfaction that it is maintaining
on such Valuation Date, (i) S&P Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted
Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii)
Moody's Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater
than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Upon any failure to maintain the
required Discounted Value, the Corporation will use its best efforts to alter
the composition of its portfolio to reattain the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount
on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date.

     (b) On or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day
after a Valuation Date on which the Corporation fails to satisfy the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall complete and deliver to the Auction
Agent, Moody's and S&P a complete AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the date
of such failure, which will be deemed to have been delivered to the Auction
Agent if the Auction Agent receives a copy or telecopy, telex or other
electronic transcription thereof and on the same day the Corporation mails to
the Auction

                                       51
<PAGE>

Agent for delivery on the next Business Day the complete AMPS Basic Maintenance
Report. The Corporation will deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to Moody's
on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day after a
Valuation Date on which the Corporation cures its failure to maintain Moody's
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amounts or on which the Corporation fails to maintain
Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value which exceeds that
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by 5% or more. As long as required by S&P, the
corporation will also deliver an AMPS Basic maintenance Report to the Auction
Agent and S&P and a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity to S&P as of (i) the
seventh day of each month (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day) and (ii) the twenty-first day of each month (or, if
such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), in each case
on or before the third Business Day after such day. A failure by the Corporation
to deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report under this paragraph 7(b) shall be
deemed to be delivery of an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report indicating the
Discounted Value for S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets of the
corporation is less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, as of the relevant
Valuation Date.

     (c) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery of an AMPS Basic
Maintenance Report and a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity in accordance with
paragraph 7(b) above relating to a Quarterly Valuation Date, the Independent
Accountant will confirm in writing to the Auction Agent, S&P and Moody's (i) the
mathematical accuracy of the calculations reflected in such Report (and in any
other AMPS Basic Maintenance Report, randomly selected by the Independent
Accountant, that was delivered by the Corporation during the quarter ending on
such Quarterly Valuation Date) and (with respect to S&P only while S&P is rating
the AMPS)

                                       52
<PAGE>

such Certificate, (ii) that, in such Report (and in such randomly selected
Report), the Corporation correctly determined the assets of the Corporation
which constitute S&P Eligible Assets or Moody's Eligible Assets, as the case may
be, at such Quarterly Valuation Date in accordance with these Articles
supplementary, (iii) that, in such Report (and in such randomly selected
Report), the Corporation determined whether the Corporation had, at such
Quarterly Valuation Date (and at the Valuation Date addressed in such randomly-
selected Report) in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, S&P Eligible
Assets of an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic
Maintenance amount and Moody's Eligible Assets of an aggregate Discounted Value
at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, (iv) that (with respect to
S&P only) in such Certificate, the Corporation determined the Minimum Liquidity
Level and the Corporation's Deposit Securities in accordance with these Articles
Supplementary, including maturity or tender date, (v) with respect to the S&P
rating on New York Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds, the issuer name, issue
size and coupon rate listed in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such
Certificate, that the Independent Accountant has requested that S&P verify such
information and the Independent Accountant shall provide a listing in its letter
of any differences, (vi) with respect to the Moody's ratings on New York
Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds, the issuer name, issue size and coupon rate
listed in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such Certificate, that such
information has been verified by Moody's (in the event such information is not
verified by Moody's, the Independent Accountant will inquire of Moody's what
such information is, and provide a listing in its letter of any differences),
(vii) with respect to the bid or mean price (or such alternative permissible
factor used in calculating the Market Value) provided by the custodian of the
Corporation's assets to the Corporation for purposes of valuing securities in
the Corporation's portfolio, the Independent Accountant has

                                       53
<PAGE>

traced the price used in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such
Certificate to the bid or mean price listed in such Report and (with respect to
S&P only) such Certificate as provided to the Corporation and verified that such
information agrees (in the event such information does not agree, the
Independent Accountant will provide a listing in its letter of such differences)
and (viii) with respect to such confirmation to Moody's, that the Corporation
has satisfied the requirements of paragraph 9(b) of these Articles Supplementary
(such confirmation is herein called the "Accountant's Confirmation").

     (d) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery to the Auction
Agent, S&P and Moody's of an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with
paragraph 7(b) above relating to any Valuation Date on which the Corporation
failed to maintain S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value and
Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater
than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and relating to the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Cure Date with respect to such failure, the Independent Accountant
will provide to the Auction Agent, S&P and Moody's an Accountant's Confirmation
as to such AMPS Basic Maintenance Report.

     (e) If any Accountant's Confirmation delivered pursuant to subparagraph (c)
or (d) of this paragraph 7 shows that an error was made in the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Report for a particular Valuation Date for which such Accountant's
Confirmation as required to be delivered, or shows that a lower aggregate
Discounted Value for the aggregate of all S&P Eligible Assets or Moody's
Eligible Assets, as the case may be, of the Corporation was determined by the
Independent Accountant, the calculation or determination made by such
Independent Accountant shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding on the
Corporation, and the Corporation shall

                                       54
<PAGE>

accordingly amend and deliver the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to the Auction
Agent, S&P and Moody's promptly following receipt by the Corporation of such
Accountant's Confirmation.

     (f) On or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the first Business Day
after the Date of Original Issue of the shares of AMPS, the Corporation will
complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of
the close of business on such Date of original Issue. Within five Business Days
of such Date of original Issue, the Independent Accountant will confirm in
writing to S&P and Moody's (i) the mathematical accuracy of the calculations
reflected in such Report and (ii) that the aggregate Discounted Value of S&P
Eligible Assets and the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets
reflected thereon equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount reflected
thereon. Also, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the first Business
Day after shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the Corporation, the
corporation will complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's an AMPS Basic
Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such date that Common Stock is
repurchased.

     (g) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, in managing the
Corporation's portfolio, the Adviser will not alter the composition of the
corporation's portfolio if, in the reasonable belief of the Adviser, the effect
of any such alteration would be to cause the Corporation to have Moody's
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value, as of the immediately
preceding Valuation Date, less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of such
Valuation Date; provided, however, that in the event that, as of the immediately
preceding Valuation Date, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible
Assets exceeded the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by five percent or less, the
Adviser will not alter the composition of the Corporation's portfolio in a
manner reasonably expected to reduce the aggregate Discounted

                                       55
<PAGE>

Value of Moody's Eligible Assets unless the Corporation shall have confirmed
that, after giving effect to such alteration, the aggregate Discounted Value of
Moody's Eligible Assets would exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.

     8. Minimum Liquidity Level. (a) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated
        -----------------------
by S&P, the Corporation shall be required to have, as of each Valuation Date,
Dividend Coverage Assets having in the aggregate a Market Value not less than
the Dividend Coverage Amount.

     (b) As of each Valuation Date, as long as any shares of AMPS are rated by
S&P, the Corporation shall determine (i) the Market Value of the Dividend
Coverage Assets owned by the Corporation as of that Valuation Date, (ii) the
Dividend Coverage Amount on that Valuation Date, and (iii) whether the Minimum
Liquidity Level is met as of that Valuation Date. The calculations of the
Dividend Coverage Assets, the Dividend Coverage Amount and whether the Minimum
Liquidity Level is met shall be set forth in a certificate (a "Certificate of
Minimum Liquidity") dated as of the Valuation Date. The AMPS Basic Maintenance
Report and the Certificate of Minimum Liquidity may be combined in one
certificate. The Corporation shall cause the Certificate of Minimum Liquidity to
be delivered to S&P not later than the close of business on the third Business
Day after the Valuation Date applicable to such Certificate pursuant to
paragraph 7(b). The Minimum Liquidity Level shall be deemed to be met as of any
date of determination if the Corporation has timely delivered a certificate of
minimum Liquidity relating to such date which states that the same has been met
and which is not manifestly inaccurate. In the event that a Certificate of
Minimum Liquidity is not delivered to S&P when required, the Minimum Liquidity
Level shall be deemed not to have been met as of the applicable date.

                                       56
<PAGE>

     (c) If the Minimum Liquidity Level is not met as of any Valuation Date,
then the Corporation shall purchase or otherwise acquire Dividend Coverage
Assets to the extent necessary so that the Minimum Liquidity Level is met as of
the fifth Business Day following such Valuation Date. The Corporation shall, by
such fifth Business Day, provide to S&P a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity
setting forth the calculations of the Dividend Coverage Assets and the Dividend
Coverage Amount and showing that the Minimum Liquidity Level is met as of such
fifth Business Day together with a report of the custodian of the Corporation's
assets confirming the amount of the Corporation's Dividend Coverage Assets as of
such fifth Business Day.

     9. Certain Other Restrictions.
        --------------------------

     (a) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Corporation
will not purchase or sell futures contracts, write, purchase or sell options on
futures contracts or write put options (except covered put options) or call
options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives
written confirmation from S&P that engaging in such transactions will not impair
the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P, except that the
Corporation may purchase or sell futures contracts based on the Bond Buyer
Municipal Bond Index (the "Municipal Index") or United States Treasury Bonds
with remaining maturities of ten years of more ("Treasury Bonds") and write,
purchase or sell put and call options on such contracts (collectively "S&P
Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:

         (i)    the Corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction
based on the Municipal Index (other than transactions which terminate a futures
contract or option held by the Corporation by the Corporation's taking an
opposite position thereto ("Closing Transactions")), which would cause the
Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the least

                                       57
<PAGE>

of (A) more than 1,000 outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal
Index, (B) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding
in number 25% of the quotient of the Market Value of the Corporation's total
assets divided by $100,000 or (C) outstanding futures contracts based on the
Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded
futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the thirty days preceding the
time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
                                                  -----------------------

         (ii)   the Corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction
based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the
Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the lesser of
(A) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds and on the Municipal
Index exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the Market Value of the
Corporation's total assets divided by $100,000 or (B) outstanding futures
contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 10% of the average number
of daily traded futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds in the thirty days
preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street
                                                                ---------------
Journal;
- -------

         (iii)  the Corporation will engage in closing Transactions to close out
any outstanding futures contract which the Corporation owns or has sold or any
outstanding option thereon owned by the Corporation in the event (A) the
Corporation does not have S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value
equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive
Valuation Dates and (B) the Corporation is required to pay Variation Margin on
the second such Valuation Date;

         (iv)   the Corporation will engage in a closing Transaction to close
out any outstanding futures contract or option thereon in the month prior to the
delivery month under the

                                       58
<PAGE>

terms of such futures contract or option thereon unless the corporation holds
the securities deliverable under such terms; and

         (v)    when the Corporation writes a futures contract or option
thereon, it will either maintain an amount of cash, cash equivalents or short-
term, fixed-income securities in a segregated account with the Corporation's
custodian, so that the amount so segregated plus the amount of Initial Margin
and Variation Margin held in the account of or on behalf of the Corporation's
broker with respect to such futures contract or option equals the Market Value
of the futures contract or option, or, in the event the corporation writes a
futures contract or option thereon which requires delivery of an underlying
security, it shall hold such underlying security in its portfolio.

     For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has S&P Eligible Assets
with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount, the Discounted Value of cash or securities held for the payment of
Initial Margin or Variation Margin shall be zero and the aggregate Discounted
Value of S&P Eligible Assets shall be reduced by an amount equal to (i) 30% of
the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any outstanding futures
contracts based on the Municipal Index which are owned by the Corporation plus
(ii) 25% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any
outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds which contracts are owned
by the Corporation.

     (b) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation
will not buy or sell futures contracts, write, purchase or sell call options on
futures contracts or purchase put options on futures contracts or write call
options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives
written confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such transactions would not
impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by Moody's,

                                       59
<PAGE>

except that the Corporation may purchase or sell exchange-traded futures
contracts based on the Municipal Index or Treasury Bonds and purchase, write or
sell exchange-traded put options on such futures contracts and purchase, write
or sell exchange-traded call options on such futures contracts (collectively
"Moody's Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:

         (i)    the Corporation will not engage in any Moody's Hedging
Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than Closing Transactions) which
would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold
(A) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in
number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on the
Municipal Index in the thirty days preceding the time of effecting such
transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal or (B) outstanding futures
                           -----------------------
contracts based on the Municipal Index having a Market Value exceeding the
Market Value of all Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation (other than
Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction);

         (ii)   the Corporation will not engage in any Moody's Hedging
Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) which
would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold
(A) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate
Market Value exceeding 40% of the aggregate Market Value of Moody's Eligible
Assets owned by the Corporation and rated Aa by Moody's (or, if not rated by
Moody's but rated by S&P, rated AAA by S&P) or (B) outstanding futures contracts
based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 80% of the
aggregate Market Value of all Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation
(other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging
Transaction) and rated Baa or A by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but
rated by S&P, rated A or AA by S&P) (for purposes of the foregoing

                                       60
<PAGE>

clauses (i) and (ii), the Corporation shall be deemed to own the number of
futures contracts that underlie any outstanding options written by the
Corporation);

         (iii)  the Corporation will engage in Closing Transactions to close out
any outstanding futures contract based on the Municipal Index if the amount of
open interest in the Municipal Index as reported by The Wall Street Journal is
                                                    -----------------------
less than 5,000;

         (iv)   the Corporation will engage in a Closing Transaction to close
out any outstanding futures contract by no later than the fifth Business Day of
the month in which such contract expires and will engage in a Closing
Transaction to close out any outstanding option on a futures contract by no
later than the first Business Day of the month in which such option expires;

         (v)    the Corporation will engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions only
with respect to futures contracts or options thereon having the next settlement
date or the settlement date immediately thereafter;

         (vi)   in the event the corporation writes a futures contract or option
thereon which requires delivery of an underlying security, it shall hold such
underlying security in its portfolio;

         (vii)  the Corporation will not engage in options and futures
transactions for leveraging or speculative purposes and will not write any call
options or sell any futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the anticipated
purchase of an asset prior to completion of such purchase; and

         (viii) the Corporation will not enter into an option or futures
transaction unless, after giving effect thereto, the Corporation would continue
to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or
greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.

                                       61
<PAGE>

     For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets which the
Corporation is obligated to deliver or receive pursuant to an outstanding
futures contract or option shall be as follows:  (i) assets subject to call
options written by the Corporation which are either exchange-traded and "readily
reversible" or which expire within 49 days after the date as of which such
valuation is made shall be valued at the lesser of (a) Discounted Value and (b)
the exercise price of the call option written by the Corporation; (ii) assets
subject to call options written by the Corporation not meeting the requirements
of clause (i) of this sentence shall have no value; (iii) assets subject to put
options written by the Corporation shall be valued at the lesser of (A) the
exercise price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security; (iv)
futures contracts shall be valued at the lesser of (A) settlement price and (B)
the Discounted Value of the subject security, provided that, if a contract
matures within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made, where
the Corporation is the seller the contract be valued at the settlement price and
where the Corporation is the buyer the contract may be valued at the Discounted
Value of the subject securities and (v) where delivery may be made to the
Corporation with any security of a class of securities, the Corporation shall
assume that it will take delivery of the security with the lowest Discounted
Value.

     For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the following amounts shall be subtracted from the aggregate
Discounted Value of the Moody's Eligible Assets held by the corporation: (i)
10% of the exercise price of a written call option; (ii) the exercise price of
any written put option; (iii) where the Corporation is the seller under a

                                       62
<PAGE>

futures contract, 10% of the settlement price of the futures contract; (iv)
where the corporation is the purchaser under a futures contract, the settlement
price of assets purchased under such futures contract; (v) the settlement price
of the underlying futures contract if the corporation writes put options on a
futures contract; and (vi) 105% of the Market Value of the underlying futures
contracts if the corporation writes call options on a futures contract and does
not own the underlying contract.

     (c) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation
will not enter into any contract to purchase securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond customary settlement time (other than such contracts that
constitute Moody's Hedging Transactions that are permitted under paragraph 9(b)
of these Articles Supplementary), except that the Corporation may enter into
such contracts to purchase newly-issued securities on the date such securities
are issued ("Forward Commitments"), subject to the following limitations:

         (i)   the Corporation will maintain in a segregated account with its
custodian cash, cash equivalents or short-term, fixed-income securities rated
P-1, MIG-I or VMIG-1 by Moody's and maturing prior to the date of the Forward
commitment with a Market Value that equals or exceeds the amount of the
Corporation's obligations under any Forward Commitments to which it is from time
to time a party or long-term fixed income securities with a Discounted Value
that equals or exceeds the amount of the Corporation's obligations under any
Forward Commitment to which it is from time to time a party; and

         (ii)  the Corporation will not enter into a Forward commitment unless,
after giving effect thereto the Corporation would continue to have Moody's
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Account.

                                       63
<PAGE>

     For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of all Forward Commitments to which the
corporation is a party and of all securities deliverable to the corporation
pursuant to such Forward Commitments shall be zero.

     (d) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by S&P or Moody's, the
Corporation will not, unless it has received written confirmation from S&P
and/or Moody's, as the case may be, that such action would not impair the
ratings then assigned to shares of AMPS by S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may
be, (i) borrow money except for the purpose of clearing transactions in
portfolio securities (which borrowings shall under any circumstances be limited
to the lesser of $10 million and an amount equal to 5% of the Market Value of
the Corporation's assets at the time of such borrowings), (ii) engage in short
sales of securities, (iii) lend any securities, (iv) issue any class or series
of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the AMPS with respect to the
payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation
or winding up of the corporation, (v) reissue any AMPS previously purchased or
redeemed by the Corporation, (vi) merge or consolidate into or with any other
corporation or entity, (vii) change the Pricing service or (viii) engage in
reverse repurchase agreements.

     10. Notice. All notices or communications, unless otherwise specified in
         ------
the By-Laws of the Corporation or these Articles Supplementary, shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by
first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notice shall be deemed given on the earlier
of the date received or the date seven days after which such notice is mailed.

     11. Auction Procedures. (a) Certain definitions. As used in this paragraph
         ------------------      -------------------
11, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context
otherwise requires:

                                       64
<PAGE>

         (i)    "AMPS" shall mean the shares of AMPS being auctioned pursuant to
this paragraph 11.

         (ii)   "Auction Date" shall mean the first Business Day preceding the
first day of a Dividend Period.

         (iii)  "Available AMPS" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph
11(d)(i) below.

         (iv)   "Bid" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)(i)
below.

         (v)    "Bidder" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)(i)
below.

         (vi)   "Hold Order" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph
11(b)(i) below.

         (vii)  "Maximum Applicable Rate" for any Dividend Period will be the
Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate. The Applicable Percentage will be
determined based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or ratings assigned on
such date to such shares by Moody's and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both shall
not make such rating available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings
by a Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in the event
that only one such rating shall be available, such rating) and (ii) whether the
Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction
establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f)
hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such
dividend on shares of AMPS as follows:


                                           Applicable           Applicable
                                           Percentage of        Percentage of
            Credit Ratings                 Reference            Reference
- ---------------------------------------    Rate -               Rate -
      Moody's               S&P            No Notification      Notification
- -------------------  ------------------  -------------------  -----------------

"aa3" or higher        AA- or higher             110%                150%
"a3" to "a1"           A- to A+                  125%                160%
"baa3" to "baa1"       BBB- to BBB+              150%                250%

                                       65
<PAGE>

                                           Applicable           Applicable
                                           Percentage of        Percentage of
            Credit Ratings                 Reference            Reference
- ---------------------------------------    Rate -               Rate -
      Moody's               S&P            No Notification      Notification
- -------------------  ------------------  -------------------  -----------------

Below "baa3"           Below BBB-                200%                275%


     The Corporation shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable S&P
and Moody's to provide a rating for the AMPS.  If either S&P or Moody's shall
not make such a rating available, or neither S&P nor Moody's shall make such a
rating available, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its
affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Corporation, shall select
a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations to act as a Substitute Rating Agency
or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.

         (viii) "Order" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)(i)
below.

         (ix)   "Sell Order" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph
11(b)(i) below.

         (x)    "Submission Deadline" shall mean 1:00 P.M., New York City time,
on any Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date as may be specified
by the Auction Agent from time to time as the time by which each Broker-Dealer
must submit to the Auction Agent in writing all orders obtained by it for the
Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date.

         (xi)   "Submitted Bid" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph
11(d)(i) below.

         (xii)  "Submitted Hold Order" shall have the meaning specified in
paragraph 11(d)(i) below.

         (xiii) "Submitted Order" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph
11(d)(i) below.

                                       66
<PAGE>

         (xiv)  "Submitted Sell Order" shall have the meaning specified in
paragraph 11(d)(i) below.

         (xv)   "Sufficient Clearing Bids" shall have the meaning specified in
paragraph 11(d)(i) below.

         (xvi)  "Winning Bid Rate" shall have the meaning specified in paragraph
11(d)(i) below.

     (b) Orders by Existing Holders and Potential Holders.
         ------------------------------------------------

          (i) On or prior to the submission Deadline on each Auction Date:

          (A) each Existing Holder may submit to a Broker-Dealer information as
     to:

               (1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by
          such Existing Holder which such Existing Holder desires to continue to
          hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
          Dividend Period;

               (2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by
          such Existing Holder which such Existing Holder desires to continue to
          hold, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
          Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by
          such Existing Holder; and/or

               (3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by
          such Existing Holder which such Existing Holder offers to sell without
          regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
          and

          (B) each Broker-Dealer, using a list of Potential Holders that shall
     be maintained in good faith for the purpose of conducting a competitive
     Auction, shall contact Potential Holders, including Persons that are not
     Existing Holders, on such list to determine the number of outstanding
     shares, if any, of AMPS which each such Potential Holder offers

                                       67
<PAGE>

     to purchase, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
     Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such
     Potential Holder.

     For the purposes hereof, the communication to a Broker-Dealer of
information referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this paragraph 11(b)(i) is
hereinafter referred to as an "Order" and each Existing Holder and each
Potential Holder placing an order is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder"; an
order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(1) of this paragraph
11(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Hold Order"; an order containing the
information referred to in clause (A)(2) or (B) of this paragraph 11(b)(i) is
hereinafter referred to as a "Bid"; and an Order containing the information
referred to in clause (A)(3) of this paragraph 11(b)(i) is hereinafter referred
to as a "Sell Order".

               (ii) (A) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an
          irrevocable offer to sell:

                    (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in
               such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date
               shall be less than the rate per annum. specified in such Bid; or

                    (2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding shares of
               AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(i)(D) of
               the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be
               equal to the rate per annum specified therein; or

                    (3) a lesser number of outstanding shares of AMPS to be
               determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(ii)(C) if such
               specified rate per annum shall be higher than the Maximum
               Applicable Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.

               (B) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an
          irrevocable offer to sell:

                                       68
<PAGE>

                    (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in
               such Sell Order; or

                    (2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of
               AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(ii)(C) if
               Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.

          (C) A Bid by a Potential Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer
     to purchase:

                    (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in
               such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date
               shall be higher than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or

                    (2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding shares of
               AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(i)(E) if
               the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be
               equal to the rate per annum specified therein.

     (c)  Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
          -------------------------------------------------------

     (i)  Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing or through the Auction
Agent's Auction Processing System to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission
Deadline on each Auction Date all Orders obtained by such Broker-Dealer and
specifying with respect to each Order:

          (A) the name of the Bidder placing such Order;

          (B) the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the
     subject of such Order;

          (C) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder:

                                       69
<PAGE>

               (1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to
          any Hold order placed by such Existing Holder;

               (2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to
          any Bid placed by such Existing Holder and the rate per annum
          specified in such Bid; and

               (3) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to
          any Sell order placed by such Existing Holder; and

          (D) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder, the rate per
     annum specified in such Potential Holder's Bid.

     (ii) If any rate per annum specified in any Bid contains more than three
figures to the right of the decimal point, the Auction Agent shall round such
rate up to the next highest one-thousandth (.001) of 1%.

     (iii) If an Order or orders covering all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS
held by an Existing Holder are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the
Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold order (in the case of
an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not a Special Dividend Period)
and a Sell order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend
Period) to have been submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder covering the
number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder and not
subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.

     (iv) If one or more orders on behalf of an Existing Holder covering in the
aggregate more than the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such
Existing Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent, such Order shall be
considered valid as follows and in the following order of priority:

                                       70
<PAGE>

          (A) any Hold Order submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall
     be considered valid up to and including the number of outstanding shares of
     AMPS held by such Existing Holder; provided that if more than one Hold
     order is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder and the number of
     shares of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of
     outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, the number of
     shares of AMPS subject to each of such Hold orders shall be reduced pro
     rata so that such Hold orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the
     number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder;

          (B) any Bids submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be
     considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per
     annum if more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder,
     up to and including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS
     held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to
     any Hold Order referred to in paragraph 11(c)(iv)(A) above (and if more
     than one Bid submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder specifies the same
     rate per annum and together they cover more than the remaining number of
     shares that can be the subject of valid Bids after application of paragraph
     11(c)(iv)(A) above and of the foregoing portion of this paragraph
     11(c)(iv)(B) to any Bid or Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum,
     the number of shares subject to each of such Bids shall be reduced pro rata
     so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining number of
     shares); and the number of shares, if any, subject to Bids not valid under
     this paragraph 11(c)(iv)(B) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a
     Potential Holder; and

          (C) any Sell Order shall be considered valid up to and including the
     excess of the number of

                                       71
<PAGE>

     outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of
     shares of AMPS subject to Hold Orders referred to in paragraph 11(c)(iv)(A)
     and Bids referred to in paragraph 11(c)(iv)(B); provided that if more than
     one Sell Order is submitted on behalf of any Existing Holder and the number
     of shares of AMPS subject to such Sell Orders is greater than such excess,
     the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Sell Orders shall be
     reduced pro rata so that such Sell orders, in the aggregate, cover exactly
     the number of shares of AMPS equal to such excess.

     (v) If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder,
each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number of
shares of AMPS therein specified.

     (d) Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Applicable Rate.
- ---------------

     (i) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by
the Broker-Dealers (each such Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a
Broker-Dealer being hereinafter referred to individually as a "Submitted Hold
Order", a "Submitted Bid" or a "Submitted Sell Order", as the case may be, or as
a "Submitted Order") and shall determine:

          (A) the excess of the total number of outstanding shares of AMPS over
     the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted
     Hold orders (such excess being hereinafter referred to as the "Available
     AMPS");

          (B) from the Submitted Orders whether the number of Outstanding shares
     of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Potential Holders
     specifying one or more rates per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum
     Applicable Rate exceeds or is equal to the sum of:

                                       72
<PAGE>

               (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject
          of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying one or more rates per
          annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate, and

               (2) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are subject to
          Submitted Sell Orders (if such excess or such equality exists (other
          than because the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS in clauses (1)
          and (2) above are each zero because all of the Outstanding shares of
          AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids by
          Potential Holders being hereinafter referred to collectively as
          "Sufficient Clearing Bids"); and

          (C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the lowest rate per annum
     specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") that if:

               (1) each Submitted Bid from Existing Holders specifying the
          Winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Existing Holders
          specifying lower rates per annum were rejected, thus entitling such
          Existing Holders to continue to hold the shares of AMPS that are the
          subject of such Submitted Bids, and

               (2) each Submitted Bid from Potential Holders specifying the
          Winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Potential Holders
          specifying lower rates per annum were accepted, thus entitling the
          Potential Holders to purchase the shares of AMPS that are the subject
          of such Submitted Bids, would result in the number of shares subject
          to all Submitted Bids specifying the Winning Bid Rate or a lower rate
          per annum being at least equal to the Available AMPS.

     (ii) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant
to paragraph 11(d)(i), the Auction Agent shall advise the Corporation of the
Maximum Applicable

                                       73
<PAGE>

Rate and, based on such determinations, the Applicable Rate for the next
succeeding Dividend Period as follows:

          (A) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable Rate for
     the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate;

          (B) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than because all
     of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold
     Orders), that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period
     shall be equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate; or

          (C) if all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of
     Submitted Hold Orders, that the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction
     shall automatically be the same length as the immediately preceding
     Dividend Period and the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend
     Period shall be equal to 59% of the Reference Rate (or 90% of such rate if
     the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the
     Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to
     paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will
     be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS) on the date of the Auction.

     (e) Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
and Allocation of Shares. Based on the determinations made pursuant to paragraph
- ------------------------
11(d)(i), the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or
rejected and the Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:

     (i) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, subject to the provisions
of paragraph 11(e)(iii) and paragraph 11(e)(iv), Submitted Bids and Submitted
Sell Orders shall be

                                       74
<PAGE>

accepted or rejected in the following order of priority and all other Submitted
Bids shall be rejected:

          (A) the Submitted Sell orders of Existing Holders shall be accepted
     and the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate
     per annum that is higher than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus
     requiring each such Existing Holder to sell the Outstanding shares of AMPS
     that are the subject of such Submitted Sell order or Submitted Bid;

          (B) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any
     rate per annum that is lower than the winning Bid Rate shall be rejected,
     thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the
     Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;

          (C) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying any
     rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;

          (D) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying a
     rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected,
     thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the
     Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid,
     unless the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such
     Submitted Bids shall be greater than the number of outstanding shares of
     AMPS ("Remaining Shares") equal to the excess of the Available AMPS over
     the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids
     described in paragraph 11(e)(i)(B) and paragraph 11(e)(i)(C), in which
     event the Submitted Bids of each such Existing Holder shall be accepted,
     and each such Existing Holder shall be required to sell outstanding shares
     of AMPS, but only in an amount equal to the difference between

                                       75
<PAGE>

     (1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing
     Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and (2) the number of shares of AMPS
     obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Remaining Shares by (y) a
     fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of outstanding shares
     of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and the
     denominator of which shall be the sum of the numbers of Outstanding shares
     of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders
     that specified a rate per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate; and

          (E) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying a
     rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted but
     only in an amount equal to the number of outstanding shares of AMPS
     obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and
     the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids
     described in paragraph 11(e)(i)(B), paragraph 11(e)(i)(C) and paragraph
     11(e)(i)(D) by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of
     Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid and the
     denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Outstanding shares
     of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Potential Holders
     that specified rates per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate.

     (ii) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all
of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), subject
to the provisions of paragraph 11(e)(iii), Submitted Orders shall be accepted or
rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all other Submitted
Bids shall be rejected:

          (A) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per
     annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be
     rejected, thus entitling

                                       76
<PAGE>

     such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS
     that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;

          (B) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate per
     annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be
     accepted, thus requiring such Potential Holder to purchase the Outstanding
     shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and

          (C) the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per
     annum that is higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted and
     the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, in
     both cases only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number
     of Outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to
     such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and (2) the number of shares of
     AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS
     and the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted
     Bids described in paragraph 11(e)(ii)(A) and paragraph 11(e)(ii)(B) by (y)
     a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of outstanding shares
     of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or
     Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the number of
     Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted
     Sell Orders.

         (iii) If, as a result of the procedures described in paragraph 11(e)(i)
or paragraph 11(e)(ii), any Existing Holder would be entitled or required to
sell, or any potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase, a
traction of a share of AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in
such manner as in its sole discretion it shall determine, round up or down the
number of shares of AMPS to be purchased or sold by any Exiting Holder or
Potential

                                       77
<PAGE>

Holder on such Auction Date so that each Outstanding share of AMPS purchased or
sold by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be a
whole share of AMPS.

         (iv) If, as a result of the procedures described in paragraph 11(e)(i),
any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase less than a whole
share of AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in
its sole discretion it shall determine, allocate shares of AMPS for purchase
among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of AMPS are purchased on such
Auction Date by any Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or
more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any shares of AMPS on such Auction
Date.

         (v) Based on the results of each Auction, the Auction Agent shall
determine, with respect to each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or Sell orders
on behalf of Existing Holders or Potential Holders, the aggregate number of
Outstanding shares of AMPS to be purchased and the aggregate number of the
Outstanding shares of AMPS to be sold by such Potential Holders and Existing
Holders and, to the extent that such aggregate number of outstanding shares to
be purchased and such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to be sold differ,
the Auction Agent shall determine to which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers
acting for one or more purchasers such Broker-Dealer shall deliver, or from
which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more sellers such
Broker-Dealer shall receive, as the case may be, Outstanding shares of AMPS.

     (f) Miscellaneous. The Corporation may interpret the provisions of this
paragraph 11 to resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity, remedy any formal defect
or make any other change or modification that does not substantially adversely
affect the rights of Existing Holders of AMPS. An Existing Holder (A) may sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS only pursuant

                                       78
<PAGE>

to a Bid or Sell Order in accordance with the procedures described in this
paragraph 11 or to or through a Broker-Dealer or to a Person that has delivered
a signed copy of a Purchaser's Letter to the Auction Agent, provided that in the
case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions such Existing Holder, its
Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer and
(B) except as otherwise required by law, shall have the ownership of the shares
of AMPS held by it maintained in book entry form by the Securities Depository in
the account of its Agent Member, which in turn will maintain records of such
Existing Holder's beneficial ownership. Neither the Corporation nor any
affiliate shall submit an order in any Auction. Any Existing Holder that is an
Affiliate shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS to any
Person other than the Corporation. All of the Outstanding shares of AMPS shall
be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the nominee of
the Securities Depository unless otherwise required by law or unless there is no
Securities Depository. If there is no securities Depository, at the
Corporation's option and upon its receipt of such documents as it deems
appropriate, any shares of AMPS may be registered in the Stock Register in the
name of the Existing Holder thereof and such Existing Holder thereupon will be
entitled to receive certificates therefor and required to deliver certificates
therefor upon transfer or exchange thereof.

     12. Securities Depository; Stock Certificates. (a) If there is a Securities
         -----------------------------------------
Depository, one certificate for all of the shares of AMPS of each series shall
be issued to the Securities Depository and registered in the name of the
Securities Depository or its nominee. Additional certificates may be issued as
necessary to represent shares of AMPS. All such certificates shall bear a legend
to the effect that such certificates are issued subject to the provisions
restricting the transfer of shares of AMPS contained in these Articles
Supplementary and each Purchaser's

                                       79
<PAGE>

Letter. Unless the Corporation shall have elected, during a Non-Payment Period,
to waive this requirement, the Corporation will also issue stop-transfer
instructions to the Auction Agent for the shares of AMPS. Except as provided in
paragraph (b) below, the Securities Depository or its nominee will be the
Holder, and no Existing Holder shall receive certificates representing its
ownership interest in such shares.

     (b) If the Applicable Rate applicable to all shares of AMPS of a series
shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate or there is no Securities Depository, the
Corporation may at its option issue one or more new certificates with respect to
such shares (without the legend referred to in paragraph 12(a)) registered in
the names of the Existing Holders or their nominees and rescind the
stop-transfer instructions referred to in paragraph 12(a) with respect to such
shares.

                                       80
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC. has caused these
presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized
officer, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by its
Secretary, and the said officers of the Corporation further acknowledge said
instrument to be the corporate act of the Corporation, and state under the
penalties of perjury that to the best of their knowledge, information and belief
the matters and facts herein set forth with respect to approval are true in all
material respects, all on April 6th , 1992.

                                 MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.


                                 By
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Terry K. Glenn
                                    Title: Executive Vice President

Attest:


- -------------------------
       Mark Goldfus
        Secretary

                                       81

<PAGE>

                                                                       Exhibit 2

                                    BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                   ARTICLE I

                                    Offices
                                    -------



    Section 1.  Principal Office. The principal office of the Corporation shall
                ----------------
be in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland.

    Section 2.  Principal Executive Office. The principal executive office of
                --------------------------
the Corporation shall be at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey
08536.

    Section 3.  Other Offices. The Corporation may have such other offices in
                -------------
such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

                                  ARTICLE II

                            Meetings of Stockholders
                            ------------------------

    Section 1.  Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of the stockholders of the
                --------------
Corporation for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other
business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on such day
in May of each year as shall be designated annually by the Board of Directors.

    Section 2.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the stockholders, unless
                ----------------
otherwise provided by law or by the Charter, may be called for any purpose or
purposes by a majority of the Board of Directors, the President, or on the
written request of the holders of the outstanding
<PAGE>

shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting to
the extent permitted by Maryland law.


    Section 3.  Place of Meetings. The annual meeting and any special meeting of
                -----------------
the stockholders shall be held at such place within the United States as the
Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

    Section 4.  Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice. Notice of the place, date
                ------------------------------------
and time of the holding of each annual and special meeting of the stockholders
and the purpose or purposes of each special meeting shall be given personally or
by mail, not less than ten nor more than ninety days before the date of such
meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each other
stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. Notice by mail shall be deemed to
be duly given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with
postage thereon prepaid.

    Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be deemed waived by any
stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, or who shall,
either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice which is
filed with the records of the meeting.  When a meeting is adjourned to another
time and place, unless the Board of Directors, after the adjournment, shall fix
a new record date for an adjourned meeting, or the adjournment is for more than
one hundred and twenty days after the original record date, notice of such
adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place to which the meeting
shall be adjourned were announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken.

    Section 5.  Quorum.  At all meetings of the stockholders, the holders of a
                ------
majority of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the
meeting, present in person or by

                                       2
<PAGE>

proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, except as
otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter. In the absence of a quorum no
business may be transacted, except that the holders of a majority of the shares
of stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote may adjourn the
meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement thereat except
as otherwise required by these By-Laws, until the holders of the requisite
amount of shares of stock shall be so present. At any such adjourned meeting at
which a quorum may be present any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the meeting as originally called. The absence from any
meeting, in person or by proxy, of holders of the number of shares of stock of
the Corporation in excess of a majority thereof which may be required by the
laws of the State of Maryland, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
or other applicable statute, the Charter, or these By-Laws, for action upon any
given matter shall not prevent action at such meeting upon any other matter or
matters which may properly come before the meeting, if there shall be present
thereat, in person or by proxy, holders of the number of shares of stock of the
Corporation required for action in respect of such other matter or matters.

    Section 6.  Organization. At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman
                ------------
of the Board (if one has been designated by the Board), or in his absence or
inability to act, the President, or in the absence or inability to act of the
Chairman of the Board and the President, a Vice President, shall act as chairman
of the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence or inability to act, any person
appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting
and keep the minutes thereof.

                                       3
<PAGE>

    Section 7.  Order of Business.  The order of business at all meetings of the
                -----------------
stockholders shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting.

    Section 8.  Voting.  Except as otherwise provided by statute or the Charter,
                ------
each holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation having voting power
shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to one vote for every
share of such stock standing in his name on the record of stockholders of the
Corporation as of the record date determined pursuant to Section 9 of this
Article or if such record date shall not have been so fixed, then at the later
of (i) the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed
or (ii) the thirtieth day before the meeting.

     Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders may
authorize another person or persons to act for him by a proxy signed by such
stockholder or his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the
expiration of eleven months from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in
the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder
executing it, except in those cases where such proxy states that it is
irrevocable and where an irrevocable proxy is permitted by law. Except as
otherwise provided by statute, the Charter or these By-Laws, any corporate
action to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by a majority
of the total votes cast at a meeting of stockholders by the holders of shares
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such action.

     If a vote shall be taken on any question other than the election of
directors, which shall be by written ballot, then unless required by statute or
these By-Laws, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, any
such vote need not be by ballot. On a vote by

                                       4
<PAGE>

ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by his proxy,
if there be such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.

    Section 9.  Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set a record
                ---------------------
date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting
of the stockholders. The record date, which may not be prior to the close of
business on the day the record date is fixed, shall be not more than ninety nor
less than ten days before the date of the meeting of the stockholders. All
persons who were holders of record of shares at such time, and not others, shall
be entitled to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof.

    Section 10.  Inspectors.  The Board may, in advance of any meeting of
                 ----------
stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any
adjournment thereof. If the inspectors shall not be so appointed or if any of
them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the
request of any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint inspectors.
Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and
sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector at such meeting with
strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.  The inspectors
shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting powers of each,
the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the
validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents,
hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the
right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the
result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with
fairness to all stockholders on request of the chairman of the meeting or any
stockholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make a report in
writing of any challenge, request or matter determined by them and shall execute
a

                                       5
<PAGE>

certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for the office
of director shall act as inspector of an election of directors. Inspectors need
not be stockholders.

    Section 11. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Except as otherwise
                ------------------------------------------
provided by statute or the Charter, any action required to be taken at any
annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at
any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a
meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if the following are filed
with the records of stockholders meetings: (i) a unanimous written consent which
sets forth the action and is signed by each stockholder entitled to vote on the
matter and (ii) a written waiver of any right to dissent signed by each
stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting but not entitled to vote thereat.

                                  ARTICLE III

                               Board of Directors
                               ------------------

    Section 1.  General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter, the
                --------------
business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of
the Board of Directors. All powers of the Corporation may be exercised by or
under authority of the Board of Directors except as conferred on or reserved to
the stockholders by law or by the Charter or these By-Laws.

    Section 2.  Number of Directors. The number of directors shall be fixed
                -------------------
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by a majority
of the Directors then in office; provided, however, that the number of directors
shall in no event be less than three nor more than fifteen. Any vacancy created
by an increase in Directors may be filled in accordance with Section 6 of this
Article III. No reduction in the number of directors shall have the effect of

                                       6
<PAGE>

removing any director from office prior to the expiration of his term unless
such director is specifically removed pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III
at the time of such decrease. Directors need not be stockholders. As long as any
preferred stock of the Corporation is outstanding, the number of Directors shall
be not less than five.

    Section 3.  Election and Term of Directors.  Directors shall be elected
                ------------------------------
annually, by written ballot at the annual meeting of stockholders, or a special
meeting held for that purpose. The term of office of each director shall be from
the time of his election and qualification until the annual election of
directors next succeeding his election and until his successor shall have been
elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until he shall have
resigned, or have been removed as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws, or as
otherwise provided by statute or the Charter.

    Section 4.  Resignation. A director of the Corporation may resign at any
                -----------
time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board or the Chairman of
the Board or the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take
effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become
effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt; and,
unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not
be necessary to make it effective.

    Section 5.  Removal of Directors.  Any director of the Corporation may be
                --------------------
removed (with or without cause) by the stockholders by a vote of sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock then
entitled to vote in the election of such director.

                                       7
<PAGE>

    Section 6.  Vacancies. Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company
                ---------
Act of 1940, as amended, any vacancies in the Board, whether arising from death,
resignation, removal, an increase in the number of directors or any other cause,
shall be filled by a vote of the Board of Directors in accordance with the
Charter.

    Section 7.  Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board may be held at such
                -----------------
place as the Board may from time to time determine or as shall be specified in
the notice of such meeting.

    Section 8.  Regular Meeting. Regular meetings of the Board may be held
                ---------------
without notice at such time and place as may be determined by the Board of
Directors.

    Section 9. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by
               ----------------
two or more directors of the Corporation or by the Chairman of the Board or the
President.

    Section 10.  Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors or of any
                 ------------------
committee thereof may participate in a meeting by means of a conference
telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Subject to the provisions of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, participation in a meeting by
these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

    Section 11.  Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of each special meeting of
                 --------------------------
the Board shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter provided, in which
notice shall be stated the time and place of the meeting. Notice of each such
meeting shall be delivered to each director, either personally or by telephone
or any standard form of telecommunication, at least twenty-four hours before the
time at which such meeting is to be held, or by first-class mail, postage
prepaid,

                                       8
<PAGE>

addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least
three days before the day on which such meeting is to be held.

    Section 12.  Waiver of Notice of Meetings. Notice of any special meeting
                 ----------------------------
need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the meeting,
sign a written waiver of notice which is filed with the records of the meeting
or who shall attend such meeting. Except as otherwise specifically required by
these By-Laws, a notice or waiver or notice of any meeting need not state the
purposes of such meeting.

    Section 13.  Quorum and Voting.  One-third, but not less than two, of the
                 -----------------
members of the entire Board shall be present in person at any meeting of the
Board in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such
meeting, and except as otherwise expressly required by statute, the Charter,
these By-Laws, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or other
applicable statute, the act of a majority of the directors present at any
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. In the
absence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the directors
present thereat may adjourn such meeting to another time and place until a
quorum shall be present thereat. Notice of the time and place of any such
adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the
time of the adjournment and, unless such time and place were announced at the
meeting at which the adjournment was taken, to the other directors. At any
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted
which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

    Section 14.  Organization. The Board may, by resolution adopted by a
                 ------------
majority of the entire Board, designate a Chairman of the Board, who shall
preside at each meeting of the Board.

                                       9
<PAGE>

In the absence or inability of the Chairman of the Board to preside at a
meeting, the President or, in his absence of inability to act, another director
chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the
meeting and preside thereat. The Secretary (or, in his absence or inability to
act, any person appointed by the Chairman) shall act as secretary of the meeting
and keep the minutes thereof.

    Section 15.  Written Consent of Directors in Lieu of a Meeting. Subject to
                 -------------------------------------------------
the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of
any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board
or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writings
or writing are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or
committee.

    Section 16.  Compensation. Directors may receive compensation for services
                 ------------
to the Corporation in their capacities as directors or otherwise in such manner
and in such amounts as may be fixed from time to time by the Board.

    Section 17.  Investment Policies.  It shall be the duty of the Board of
                 -------------------
Directors to direct that the purchase, sale, retention and disposal of portfolio
securities and the other investment practices of the Corporation are at all
times consistent with the investment policies and restrictions with respect to
securities investments and otherwise of the Corporation, as recited in the
Prospectus of the Corporation included in the registration statement of the
Corporation relating to the initial public offering of its capital stock, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or as such investment
policies and restrictions may be modified by the Board of Directors, or, if
required, by majority vote of the stockholders of the corporation in accordance

                                      10
<PAGE>

with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and as required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Board however, may delegate the
duty of management of the assets and the administration of its day to day
operations to an individual or corporate management company and/or investment
adviser pursuant to a written contract or contracts which have obtained the
requisite approvals, including the requisite approvals of renewals thereof, of
the Board of Directors and/or the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance
with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                  ARTICLE IV

                                  Committees
                                  ----------

    Section 1.  Executive Committee.  The Board may, by resolution adopted by a
                -------------------
majority of the entire board, designate an Executive Committee consisting of two
or more of the directors of the Corporation, which committee shall have and may
exercise all the powers and authority of the Board with respect to all matters
other than:

(a)  the submission to stockholders of any action requiring authorization of
     stockholders pursuant to statute or the Charter;

(b)  the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors;

(c)  the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on
     any committee of the Board, including the Executive Committee;

(d)  the approval or termination of any contract with an investment adviser or
     principal underwriter, as such terms are defined in the Investment Company
     Act of 1940, as


                                      11
<PAGE>

     amended, or the taking of any other action required to be taken by the
     Board of Directors by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

(e)  the amendment or repeal of these By-Laws or the adoption of new By-Laws;

(f)  the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms
     may be amended or repealed only by the Board;

(g)  the declaration of dividends and the issuance of capital stock of the
     Corporation; and

(h)  the approval of any merger or share exchange which does not require
     stockholder approval.

     The Executive Committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and
shall report such minutes to the Board. All such proceedings shall be subject to
revision or alteration by the Board; provided, however, that third parties shall
not be prejudiced by such revision or alteration.

    Section 2.  Other Committees of the Board. The Board of Directors may from
                -----------------------------
time to time, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate
one or more other committees of the Board, each such committee to consist of two
or more directors and to have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors
may, by resolution, prescribe.

    Section 3.  General. One-third, but not less than two, of the members of any
                -------
committee shall be present in person at any meeting of such committee in order
to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the
act of a majority present shall be

                                      12
<PAGE>

the act of such committee. The Board may designate a chairman of any committee
and such chairman or any two members of any committee may fix the time and place
of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence or
disqualification of any member of any committee, the member or members thereof
present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or
they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of
Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified
member. The Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of
any committee, to fill all vacancies, to designate alternate members to replace
any absent or disqualified member, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing
herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more
committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of
the Corporation; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may
exercise any authority or power of the Board in the management of the business
or affairs of the Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE V

                         Officers, Agents and Employees
                         ------------------------------

    Section 1.  Number of Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation shall
                ------------------------
be a President, who shall be a director of the Corporation, a Secretary and a
Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors may elect or appoint one or more Vice Presidents and may also appoint
such other officers, agents and employees as it may deem necessary or proper.
Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of
President and Vice President, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or
verify any instrument in more than one capacity. Such officers shall be elected
by the Board of Directors each year at its first meeting held after the annual
meeting of stockholders, each to hold office

                                      13
<PAGE>

until the next meeting of the stockholders and until his successor shall have
been duly elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until he
shall have resigned, or have been removed, as hereinafter provided in these By-
Laws. The Board may from time to time elect, or delegate to the President the
power to appoint, such officers (including one or more Assistant Vice
Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant
Secretaries) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the business
of the Corporation. Such officers and agents shall have such duties and shall
hold their offices for such terms as may be prescribed by the Board or by the
appointing authority.

    Section 2.  Resignations. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any
                ------------
time by giving written notice of resignation to the Board, the Chairman of the
Board, President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the
time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not
be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt; and, unless otherwise
specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make
it effective.

    Section 3.  Removal of Officer, Agent or Employee.  Any officer, agent or
                -------------------------------------
employee of the Corporation may be removed by the Board of Directors with or
without cause at any time, and the Board may delegate such power of removal as
to agents and employees not elected or appointed by the Board of Directors.
Such removal shall be without prejudice to such person's contract rights, if
any, but the appointment of any person as an officer, agent or employee of the
Corporation shall not of itself create contract rights.

    Section 4.  Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office, whether arising from death,
                ---------
resignation, removal or any other cause, may be filled for the unexpired portion
of the term of

                                      14
<PAGE>

the office which shall be vacant, in the manner prescribed in these By-Laws for
the regular election or appointment to such office.

    Section 5.  Compensation. The compensation of the officers of the
                ------------
Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, but this power may be
delegated to any officer in respect of other officers under his control.

    Section 6.  Bonds or Other Security.  If required by the Board, any officer,
                -----------------------
agent or employee of the Corporation shall give a bond or other security for the
faithful performance of his duties, in such amount and with such surety or
sureties as the Board may require.

    Section 7.  President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of
                ---------
the Corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board (or if there be
none), he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of
Directors. He shall have, subject to the control of the Board of Directors,
general charge of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He may employ and
discharge employees and agents of the Corporation, except such as shall be
appointed by the Board, and he may delegate these powers.

    Section 8.  Vice President.  Each Vice President shall have such powers and
                --------------
perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to
time prescribe.

    Section 9.  Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall:
                ---------

    (a)  have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds and
securities of the Corporation, except those which the Corporation has placed in
the custody of a bank or trust company or member of a national securities
exchange (as that term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) pursuant to a written agreement designating such bank or

                                      15
<PAGE>

trust company or member of a national securities exchange as custodian of the
property of the Corporation;

    (b)  keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books
belonging to the Corporation;

    (c)  cause all moneys and other valuables to be deposited to the credit of
the Corporation;

    (d)  receive, and give receipts for, moneys due and payable, to the
Corporation from any source whatsoever;

    (e)  disburse the funds of the Corporation and supervise the investment of
its funds as ordered or authorized by the Board, taking proper vouchers
therefor; and

    (f)  in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer
and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board
or the President.

    Section 10.  Secretary. The Secretary shall:
                 ---------

    (a)  keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the purpose,
the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the
stockholders;

    (b)  see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions
of these By-Laws and as required by law;

    (c)  be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix
and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the
seal of the Corporation on such

                                      16
<PAGE>

certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest
the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation,
under its seal;

    (d)  see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other
documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and
filed; and

    (e)  in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary
and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board
or the President.

    Section 11.  Delegation of Duties. In case of the absence of any officer of
                 --------------------
the Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the
Board may confer for the time being the powers or duties, or any of them, of
such officer upon any other officer or upon any director.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                Indemnification
                                ---------------

     Each officer and director of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the
Corporation to the full extent permitted under the General Laws of the State of
Maryland, except that such indemnity shall not protect any such person against
any liability to the Corporation or any stockholder thereof to which such person
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.  Absent a court determination that an officer or director seeking
indemnification was not liable on the merits or guilty of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office, the decision by the Corporation to indemnify such person
must be based upon the reasonable determination of independent legal counsel or
the vote of a majority of a quorum of the directors who are neither

                                      17
<PAGE>

"interested persons," as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, nor parties to the proceeding ("non-party independent
directors"), after review of the facts, that such officer or director is not
guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

     Each officer and director of the Corporation claiming indemnification
within the scope of this Article VI shall be entitled to advances from the
Corporation for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection
with proceedings to which he is a party in the manner and to the full extent
permitted under the General Laws of the State of Maryland; provided, however,
that the person seeking indemnification shall provide to the Corporation a
written affirmation of his good faith belief that the standard of conduct
necessary for indemnification by the Corporation has been met and a written
undertaking to repay any such advance, if it should ultimately be determined
that the standard of conduct has not been met, and provided further that at
least one of the following additional conditions is met: (a) the person seeking
indemnification shall provide a security in form and amount acceptable to the
Corporation for his undertaking; (b) the Corporation is insured against losses
arising by reason of the advance; (c) a majority of a quorum of non-party
independent directors, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall
determine, based on a review of facts readily available to the Corporation at
the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe
that the person seeking indemnification will ultimately be found to be entitled
to indemnification.

     The Corporation may purchase insurance on behalf of an officer or director
protecting such person to the full extent permitted under the General Laws of
the State of Maryland, from liability arising from his activities as officer or
director of the Corporation.  The Corporation,

                                      18
<PAGE>

however, may not purchase insurance on behalf of any officer or director of the
Corporation that protects or purports to protect such person from liability to
the Corporation or to its stockholders to which such officer or director 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.

     The Corporation may indemnify or purchase insurance to the extent provided
in this Article VI on behalf of an employee or agent who is not an officer or
director of the Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                 Capital Stock
                                 -------------

    Section 1.  Stock Certificates. Each holder of stock of the Corporation
                ------------------
shall be entitled upon request to have a certificate or certificates, in such
form as shall be approved by the Board, representing the number of shares of
stock of the Corporation owned by him, provided, however, that certificates for
fractional shares will not be delivered in any case. The certificates
representing shares of stock shall be signed by or in the name of the
Corporation by the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer and sealed with
the seal of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures or the seal on the
certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar
who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate
shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such
certificate shall be issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same
effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still in office at
the date of issue.

                                      19
<PAGE>

    Section 2. Books of Account and Record of Stockholders. There shall be kept
               -------------------------------------------
at the principal executive office of the Corporation correct and complete books
and records of account of all the business and transactions of the Corporation.
There shall be made available upon request of any stockholder, in accordance
with Maryland law, a record containing the number of shares of stock issued
during a specified period not to exceed twelve months and the consideration
received by the Corporation for each such share.

    Section 3.  Transfers of Shares.  Transfers of shares of stock of the
                -------------------
Corporation shall be made on the stock records of the Corporation only by the
registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of
attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or with a transfer agent or
transfer clerk, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, if issued,
for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock
transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive
right of a person in whose name any share or shares stand on the record of
stockholders as the owner of such share or shares for all purposes, including,
without limitation, the rights to receive dividends or other distributions, and
to vote as such owner, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any
equitable or legal claim to or interest in any such share or shares on the part
of any other person.

    Section 4.  Regulations.  The Board may make such additional rules and
                -----------
regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as it may deem expedient
concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of
stock of the Corporation. It may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers
to appoint, one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one

                                      20
<PAGE>

or more registrars and may require all certificates for shares of stock to bear
the signature or signatures of any of them.

     Section 5.  Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates.  The holder of any
                 -----------------------------------------
certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall immediately
notify the Corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such
certificate, and the Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the
place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which the owner thereof shall
allege to have been lost or destroyed or which shall have been mutilated, and
the Board may, in its discretion, require such owner or his legal
representatives to give to the Corporation a bond in such sum, limited or
unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties, as the Board in
its absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Corporation against
any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or
destruction of any such certificate, or issuance of a new certificate. Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board, in its absolute discretion,
may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except pursuant to legal
proceedings under the laws of the State of Maryland.

     Section 6.  Fixing of a Record Date for Dividends and Distributions. The
                 -------------------------------------------------------
Board may fix, in advance, a date not more than ninety days preceding the date
fixed for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution or the
allotment of rights to subscribe for securities of the Corporation, or for the
delivery of evidences of rights or evidences of interests arising out of any
change, conversion or exchange of common stock or other securities, as the
record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive any
such dividend, distribution, allotment, rights or interests, and in such case
only the stockholders of record at the time so fixed shall be entitled to
receive such dividend, distribution, allotment, rights or interests.

                                      21
<PAGE>

     Section 7.  Information to Stockholders and Others.  Any stockholder of the
                 --------------------------------------
Corporation or his agent may inspect and copy during usual business hours the
Corporation's By-Laws, minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders, annual
statements of its affairs, and voting trust agreements on file at its principal
office.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                      Seal
                                      ----

     The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall bear, in
addition to any other emblem or device approved by the Board of Directors, the
name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words "Corporate
Seal" and "Maryland".  Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

                                  ARTICLE IX

                                  Fiscal Year
                                  -----------

     Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the fiscal year of the
Corporation shall end on the 31st day of October.

                                   ARTICLE X

                          Depositories and Custodians
                          ---------------------------

     Section 1.  Depositories.  The funds of the Corporation shall be deposited
                 ------------
with such banks or other depositories as the Board of Directors of the
Corporation may from time to time determine.

     Section 2.  Custodians.  All securities and other investments shall be
                 ----------
deposited in the safekeeping of such banks or other companies as the Board of
Directors of the Corporation may from time to time determine. Every arrangement
entered into with any bank or other company

                                      22
<PAGE>

for the safekeeping of the securities and investments of the Corporation shall
contain provisions complying with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and the general rules and regulations thereunder.

                                  ARTICLE XI

                            Execution of Instruments
                            ------------------------

     Section 1.  Checks, Notes, Drafts, etc. Checks, notes, drafts, acceptances,
                 --------------------------
bills of exchange and other orders or obligations for the payment of money shall
be signed by such officer or officers or person or persons as the Board of
Directors by resolution shall from time to time designate.

     Section 2.  Sale or Transfer of Securities.  Stock certificates, bonds or
                 ------------------------------
other securities at any time owned by the Corporation may be held on behalf of
the Corporation or sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of subject to any
limits imposed by these By-Laws and pursuant to authorization by the Board and,
when so authorized to be held on behalf of the Corporation or sold, transferred
or otherwise disposed of, may be transferred from the name of the Corporation by
the signature of the President or a Vice President or the Treasurer or pursuant
to any procedure approved by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable law.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                         Independent Public Accountants
                         ------------------------------

     The firm of independent public accountants which shall sign or certify the
financial statements of the Corporation which are filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission shall be selected annually by the Board of Directors and
ratified by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                      23
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE XIII

                                Annual Statement
                                ----------------

     The books of account of the Corporation shall be examined by an independent
firm of public accountants at the close of each annual period of the Corporation
and at such other times as may be directed by the Board. A report to the
stockholders based upon each such examination shall be mailed to each
stockholder of record of the Corporation on such date with respect to each
report as may be determined by the Board, at his address as the same appears on
the books of the Corporation. Such annual statement shall also be available at
the annual meeting of stockholders and be placed on file at the Corporation's
principal office in the State of Maryland. Each such report shall show the
assets and liabilities of the Corporation as of the close of the annual or
quarterly period covered by the report and the securities in which the funds of
the Corporation were then invested.  Such report shall also show the
Corporation's income and expenses for the period from the end of the
Corporation's preceding fiscal year to the close of the annual or quarterly
period covered by the report and any other information required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and shall set forth such other
matters as the Board or such firm of independent public accountants shall
determine.

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                                   Amendments
                                   ----------

     These By-Laws or any of them may be amended, altered or repealed at any
regular meeting of the stockholders or at any special meeting of the
stockholders by a favorable vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-
thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter, provided that notice of the
proposed amendment, alteration or repeal be contained in the notice of such
special meeting.

                                      24
<PAGE>

These By-Laws may also be amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors, except any particular By-Law which is specified as not
subject to alteration or repeal by the Board of Directors, subject to the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                      25

<PAGE>

                                                                       Exhibit 6

                         INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

     AGREEMENT made this     day of          , 1992, by and between NEW YORK
MUNIYIELD FUND,  INC., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter referred to as the
"Fund"), and FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter
referred to as the "Investment Adviser").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              -------------------

     WHEREAS, the Fund is engaged in business as a closed-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (hereinafter referred to as the "Investment Company Act"); and

     WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser is engaged principally in rendering
management and investment advisory services and is registered as an investment
adviser under the Investment Adviser's Act of 1940; and

     WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Investment Adviser to provide
management and investment advisory services to the Fund in the manner and on the
terms hereinafter set forth; and

     WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser is willing to provide management and
investment advisory services to the Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants
hereinafter contained, the Fund and the Investment Adviser hereby agree as
follows:
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE I
                                   ---------

                        Duties of the Investment Adviser
                        --------------------------------

     The Fund hereby employs the Investment Adviser to act as a manager and
investment adviser of the Fund and to furnish, or arrange for affiliates to
furnish, the management and investment advisory services described below,
subject to the policies of, review by and overall control of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement.  The Investment Adviser hereby accepts such employment and
agrees during such period, at its own expense, to render, or arrange for the
rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth for
the compensation provided for herein.  The Investment Adviser and its affiliates
shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall,
unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for
or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Fund.

     (a) Investment Advisory Services.  The Investment Adviser shall perform (or
         ----------------------------
arrange for the performance by affiliates of) the management and administrative
services necessary for the operation of the Fund including administering
shareholder accounts and handling shareholder relations.  The Investment Adviser
shall provide the Fund with office space, facilities, equipment and necessary
personnel and such other services as the Investment Adviser, subject to review
by the Board of Directors, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or
useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement.  The Investment Adviser
shall also, on behalf of the Fund, conduct relations with custodians,
depositories, transfer agents, pricing agents, dividend disbursing agents, other
shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and
dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any
such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable.  The Investment Adviser
shall generally

                                       2
<PAGE>

monitor the Fund's compliance with investment policies and restrictions as set
forth in filings made by the Fund under the Federal securities laws. The
Investment Adviser shall make reports to the Board of Directors of its
performance of obligations hereunder and furnish advice and recommendations with
respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Fund as it
shall determine to be desirable.

     (b) Investment Advisory Services.  The Investment Adviser shall provide (or
         ----------------------------
arrange for affiliates to provide) the Fund with such investment research,
advice and supervision as the latter may from time to time consider necessary
for the proper supervision of the assets of the Fund, shall furnish continuously
an investment program for the Fund and shall determine from time to time which
securities shall be purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the assets
of the Fund shall be held in the various securities in which the Fund invests,
options, futures, options on futures or cash, subject always to the restrictions
of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Fund, as amended from time
to time, the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the statements
relating to the Fund's investment objectives, investment policies and investment
restrictions as the same are set forth in filings made by the Fund under the
Federal securities laws.  The Investment Adviser shall make decisions for the
Fund as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to foreign
exchange contracts, foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and
related options on foreign currency futures.  The Investment Adviser shall make
decisions for the Fund as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to
consent to corporate action and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's
portfolio securities shall be exercised.  Should the Directors at any time,
however, make any definite determination as to investment policy and notify the
Investment Adviser thereof in writing, the Investment Adviser shall be bound by
such determination for the period, if any,

                                       3
<PAGE>

specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such determination has
been revoked. The Investment Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Fund, all
actions which it deems necessary to implement the investment policies determined
as provided above, and in particular to place all orders for the purchase or
sale of portfolio securities for the Fund's account with brokers or dealers
selected by it, and to that end, the Investment Adviser is authorized as the
agent of the Fund to give instructions to the Custodian of the Fund as to
deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In
connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders with respect to assets of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is directed at
all times to seek to obtain execution and prices within the policy guidelines
determined by the Board of Directors and set forth in filings made by the Fund
under the Federal securities laws. Subject to this requirement and the
provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, the Investment Adviser may
select brokers or dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------

                       Allocation of Charges and Expenses
                       ----------------------------------

     (a) The Investment Adviser.  The Investment Adviser assumes and shall pay
         ----------------------
for maintaining the staff and personnel necessary to perform its obligations
under this Agreement, and shall at its own expense, provide the office space,
facilities, equipment and necessary personnel which it is obligated to provide
under Article I hereof, and shall pay all compensation of officers of the Fund
and all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Investment
Adviser.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (b) The Fund.  The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other
         --------
expenses of the Fund including, without limitation: taxes, expenses for legal
and auditing services, costs of printing proxies, stock certificates,
shareholder reports, prospectuses, charges of the custodian, any sub-custodian
and transfer agent, expenses of portfolio transactions, Securities and Exchange
Commission fees, expenses of registering the shares under Federal, state and
foreign laws, fees and actual out-of-pocket expenses of Directors who are not
affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser, accounting and pricing costs
(including the daily calculation of the net asset value), insurance, interest,
brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses,
and other expenses properly payable by the Fund.  It is also understood that the
Fund will reimburse the Investment Adviser for its costs in providing accounting
services to the Fund.

                                  ARTICLE III
                                  -----------

                     Compensation of the Investment Adviser
                     --------------------------------------

     (a) Investment Advisory Fee.  For the services rendered, the facilities
         -----------------------
furnished and expenses assumed by the Investment Adviser, the Fund shall pay to
the Investment Adviser at the end of each calendar month a fee based upon the
average weekly value of the net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of _____
of 1.0% (____%) of the average weekly net assets of the Fund (i.e., the average
                                                              ----
weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of accrued
liabilities of the Fund and accumulated dividends on shares of outstanding
preferred stock), commencing on the day following effectiveness hereof. For
purposes of this calculation, average weekly net assets is determined at the end
of each month on the basis of the average net assets of the Fund for each week
during the month.  The assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging
the net assets at the last business day of a week with the net assets at the
last business day of the prior week. It is understood that the liquidation
preference of any outstanding

                                       5
<PAGE>

preferred stock (other than accumulated dividends) is not considered a liability
in determining the Fund's average weekly net assets. If this Agreement becomes
effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate before the
last day of a month, compensation for that part of the month this Agreement is
in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the
fee as set forth above. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) hereof,
payment of the Investment Adviser's compensation for the preceding month shall
be made as promptly as possible after completion of the computations
contemplated by subsection (b) hereof. During any period when the determination
of net asset value is suspended by the Board of Directors, the average net asset
value of a share for the last week prior to such suspension shall for this
purpose be deemed to be the net asset value at the close of each succeeding week
until it is again determined.

     (b) Expense Limitations.  In the event the operating expenses of the Fund,
         -------------------
including amounts payable to the Investment Adviser pursuant to subsection (a)
hereof, for any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in
effect exceed the expense limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by
applicable state securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such limitations
may be raised or lowered from time to time, the Investment Adviser shall reduce
its management and investment advisory fee by the extent of such excess and, if
required pursuant to any such laws or regulations, will reimburse the Fund in
the amount of such excess; provided, however, to the extent permitted by law,
there shall be excluded from such expenses the amount of any interest, taxes,
brokerage fees and commissions and extraordinary expenses (including but not
limited to legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any
indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by the Fund.  Whenever the
expenses of the Fund exceed a pro rata portion of the applicable annual expense
limitations, the estimated amount of reimbursement

                                       6
<PAGE>

under such limitations shall be applicable as an offset against the monthly
payment of the fee due to the Investment Adviser. Should two or more such
expenses limitations be applicable as at the end of the last business day of the
month, that expense limitation which results in the largest reduction in the
Investment Adviser's fee shall be applicable.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------

               Limitation of Liability of the Investment Adviser
               -------------------------------------------------

     The Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or
omission in the management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.  As used in this
Article IV, the term "Investment Adviser" shall include any affiliates of the
Investment Adviser performing services for the Fund contemplated hereby and
directors, officers and employees of the Investment Adviser and such affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   ---------

                      Activities of the Investment Adviser
                      ------------------------------------

     The services of the Investment Adviser to the Fund are not to be deemed to
be exclusive: the Investment Adviser and any person controlled by or under
common control with the Investment Adviser (for purposes of this Article V
referred to as "affiliates") are free to render services to others.  It is
understood that Directors, officers, employees and shareholders of the Fund are
or may become interested in the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, as
directors, officers, employees, partners and shareholders or otherwise, and that
directors, officers, employees, partners and shareholders of the Investment
Adviser and its affiliates are or may

                                       7
<PAGE>

become similarly interested in the Fund, and that the Investment Adviser and
directors, officers, employees, partners and shareholders of its affiliates may
become interested in the Fund as shareholder or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   ----------

                   Duration and Termination of this Agreement
                   ------------------------------------------

     This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first above written
and shall remain in force until              , 1993 and thereafter, but only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the
Board of Directors of the Fund, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Directors who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

     This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any
penalty, by the Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund, or by the Investment Adviser, on sixty days'
written notice to the other party.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate
in the event of its assignment.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  -----------

                          Amendments of this Agreement
                          ----------------------------

     This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is
specifically approved by (i) the vote of a majority of outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Directors who are not
parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  ------------

                          Definitions of Certain Terms
                          ----------------------------

     The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities",
"assignment", "affiliated person" and "interested person", when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment
Company Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such
exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
said Act.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   ----------

                                 Governing Law
                                 -------------

     This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of
New York and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the
extent that the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the
provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment
Company Act, the latter shall control.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                    NEW YORK MUNIYIELD FUND, INC.


                                    By_______________________________
                                           (Authorized Signatory)


                                    FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                    By_______________________________
                                           (Authorized Signatory)

                                       9

<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 7(a)

                                         Shares

                     MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
                           (a Maryland corporation)

                                 Common Stock
                          (Par Value $0.10 Per Share)

                              PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                              ------------------

                                                               February __, 1992

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
World Financial Center
North Tower
New York, NY 10281-1305

Dear Sirs:

     MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"),
and Fund Asset Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Adviser"), each
confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter"), with respect to the sale by the Fund and
the purchase by the Underwriter of         shares of common stock, par value
$.10 per share, of the Fund (the "Common Stock") and, with respect to the grant
by the Fund to the Underwriter of the option described in Section 2 hereof to
purchase all or any part of additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-
allotments. The aforesaid shares (the "Initial Shares"), together with all or
any part of the additional shares of Common Stock subject to the option
described in Section 2 hereof (the "Option Shares"), are collectively
hereinafter called the "Shares".

     Prior to the purchase and public offering of the Shares by the Underwriter,
the Fund and the Underwriter shall enter into an agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto (the "Pricing Agreement").  The Pricing Agreement may
take the form of an exchange of any standard form of written telecommunication
between the Fund and the Underwriter and shall specify such applicable
information as is indicated in Exhibit A hereto.  The offering of the Shares
will be governed by this Agreement, as supplemented by the Pricing Agreement.
From and after the date of the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement,
this Agreement shall be deemed to incorporate the Pricing Agreement.
<PAGE>

     The Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form N-2 (No. 33-44443) and a related
preliminary prospectus for the registration of the Shares under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and a notification on Form N-8A of
registration of the Fund as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the rules and regulations of the
Commission under the 1940 Act (together with the rules and regulations under the
1933 Act, the "Rules and Regulations") and has filed such amendments to such
registration statement on Form N-2, if any, and such amended preliminary
prospectuses as may have been required to the date hereof.  The Fund will
prepare and file such additional amendments thereto and such amended
prospectuses as may hereafter be required.  Such registration statement (as
amended, if applicable) and the prospectus constituting a part thereof
(including in each case the information, if any, deemed to be part thereof
pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the Rules and Regulations), as from time to time
amended or supplemented pursuant to the 1933 Act, are hereinafter referred to as
the "Registration Statement" and the "Prospectus", respectively, except that if
any revised prospectus shall be provided to the Underwriter by the Fund for use
in connection with the offering of the Shares which differs from the Prospectus
on file at the Commission at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective (whether such revised prospectus is required to be filed by the Fund
pursuant to Rule 497(b) or Rule 497(h) of the Rules and Regulations), the term
"Prospectus" shall refer to each such revised prospectus from and after the time
it is first provided to the Underwriter for such use.

     The Fund understands that the Underwriter proposes to make a public
offering of the Shares as soon as the Underwriter deems advisable after the
Registration Statement becomes effective and the Pricing Agreement has been
executed and delivered.

     SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties. (a) The Fund and the Adviser
each severally represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the date hereof
and as of the date of the Pricing Agreement (such later date being hereinafter
referred to as the "Representation Date") as follows:

         (i)  At the time the Registration Statement becomes effective and at
     the Representation Date, the Registration Statement will comply in all
     material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and
     the Rules and Regulations and will not contain an untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the
     time the Registration Statement becomes effective, at the Representation
     Date and at Closing Time referred to in Section 2, the Prospectus (unless
     the term "Prospectus" refers to a prospectus which has been provided to the
     Underwriter by the Fund for use in connection with the offering of the
     Shares which differs from the Prospectus on file with the Commission at the
     time the Registration Statement becomes effective, in which case at the
     time such prospectus is first provided to the Underwriter for such use)
     will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
     material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
     light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
     provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this
     subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the
     Registration

                                       2
<PAGE>

     Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with
     information furnished to the Fund in writing by the Underwriter expressly
     for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

         (ii)    The accountants who certified the statement of assets and
     liabilities included in the Registration Statement are independent public
     accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations.

         (iii)   The statement of assets and liabilities included in the
     Registration Statement presents fairly the financial position of the Fund
     as at the date indicated and said statement has been prepared in conformity
     with generally accepted accounted principles.

         (iv)    Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
     the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated
     therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition,
     financial or otherwise, of the Fund, or in the earnings, business affairs
     or business prospects of the Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary
     course of business, (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the
     Fund which are material to the Fund other than those in the ordinary course
     of business, and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind
     declared, paid or made by the Fund on any class of its capital stock.

         (v)     The Fund has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
     a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland with
     corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
     conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement; the Fund
     is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in
     good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required;
     and the Fund has no subsidiaries.

         (vi)    The Fund is registered with the Commission under the 194 0 Act
     as a closed-end non-diversified management investment company, and no order
     of suspension or revocation of such registration has been issued or
     proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission.

         (vii)   The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the
     Fund is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of
     Capital Stock"; the Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale
     to the Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and
     delivered by the Fund pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the
     consideration set forth in the Pricing Agreement, will be validly issued
     and fully paid and nonassessable; the Shares conform in all material
     respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration
     Statement; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to preemptive
     rights.

         (viii)  The Fund is not in violation of its articles of incorporation,
     as amended (the "Charter") or in default in the performance or observance
     of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in
     any material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or
     other instrument to which it is a party or by

                                       3
<PAGE>

     which it or its properties may be bound; and the execution and delivery of
     this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement
     and the Custodial Agreement referred to in the Registration Statement (as
     used herein, the "Advisory Agreement" and the "Custody Agreement",
     respectively) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein
     and therein have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and
     will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or
     result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance
     upon any property or assets of the Fund pursuant to any material contract,
     indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to
     which the Fund is a party or by which it may be bound or to which any of
     the property or assets of the Fund is subject, nor will such action result
     in any violation of the provisions of the Charter or by-laws, as amended,
     of the Fund (the "By-Laws") or, to the best knowledge of the Fund and the
     Adviser, any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court
     decree; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
     governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation by the
     Fund of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing
     Agreement, the Advisory Agreement and the Custody Agreement, except such as
     has been obtained under the 1940 Act or as may be required under the 1933
     Act, state securities or Blue Sky laws or foreign securities laws in
     connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the
     Underwriter.

         (ix)    The Fund owns or possesses or has obtained all material
     governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other
     authorizations necessary to lease or own, as the case may be, and to
     operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as contemplated in
     the Prospectus.

         (x)     There is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court
     or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to
     the knowledge of the Fund, threatened against or affecting, the Fund, which
     might result in any material adverse change in the condition, financial or
     otherwise, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund, or might
     materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the Fund; and
     there are no material contracts or documents of the Fund which are required
     to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the 1933 Act, the
     1940 Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been so filed.

         (xi)    The Fund owns or possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms,
     adequate trademarks, service marks and trade names necessary to conduct its
     business as described in the Registration Statement, and the Fund has not
     received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of
     others with respect to any trademarks, service marks or trade names which,
     singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision,
     ruling or finding, would materially adversely affect the conduct of the
     business, operations, financial condition or income of the Fund.

         (xii)   The Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock
     Exchange upon notice of issuance.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (b)  The Adviser represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the date
hereof and as of the Representation Date as follows:

         (i)    The Adviser has been duly incorporated as a corporation under
     the laws of the State of Delaware with corporate power and authority to
     conduct its business as described in the Prospectus.

         (ii)   The Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
     the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), and
     is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act, or the rules and
     regulations under such acts, from acting under the Advisory Agreement for
     the Fund as contemplated by the Prospectus.

         (iii)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Adviser; the Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
     and delivered by the Adviser and constitutes a valid and binding obligation
     of the Adviser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
     enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws
     relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
     principles; and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or
     the Advisory Agreement nor the performance by the Adviser of its
     obligations hereunder or thereunder will conflict with, or result in a
     breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute, with or
     without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, a default under, any
     agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party or by which it is
     bound, or any law, order, rule or regulation applicable to it of any
     jurisdiction, court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative
     agency or other governmental body, stock exchange or securities association
     having jurisdiction over the Adviser or its respective properties or
     operations.

         (iv)   The Adviser has the financial resources available to it
     necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as
     contemplated in the Prospectus.

         (v)    Any advertisement approved by the Adviser for use in the public
     offering of the Shares pursuant to Rule 482 under the Rules and
     Regulations, (an "Omitting Prospectus") complies with the requirements of
     such Rule 482.

     (c)  Any certificate signed by any officer of the Fund or the Adviser and
delivered to the Underwriter shall be deemed a representation and warranty by
the Fund or the Adviser, as the case may be, to the Underwriter, as to the
matters covered thereby.

     SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to the Underwriter; Closing. On the basis of
the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Fund agrees to sell the Initial Shares to the
Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees to purchase the Initial Shares from the
Fund, at the price per share set forth in the Pricing Agreement.

     (a)  If the Fund has elected not to rely upon Rule 430A under the Rules and
Regulations, the initial public offering prices and the purchase price per share
to be paid by the

                                       5
<PAGE>

Underwriter for the Shares has been determined and set forth in the Pricing
Agreement, dated the date hereof, and an amendment to the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus will be filed before the Registration Statement becomes
effective.

     (b)  If the Fund has elected to rely upon Rule 430A under the Rules and
Regulations, the purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriter for the
Shares shall be an amount equal to the applicable initial public offering price,
less an amount per share to be determined by agreement between the Underwriter
and the Fund. The applicable initial public offering price per share shall be a
fixed price based upon the number of Shares purchased in a single transaction to
be determined by agreement between the Underwriter and the Fund. The initial
public offering prices and the purchase price, when so determined, shall be set
forth in the Pricing Agreement. In the event that such prices have not been
agreed upon and the Pricing Agreement has not been executed and delivered by all
parties thereto by the close of business on the fourth business day following
the date of this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate forthwith, without
liability of any party to any other party, except as provided in Section 4,
unless otherwise agreed to by the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter.

     In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Fund
hereby grants an option to the Underwriter to purchase all or any part of the
Option Shares at the price per share set forth above.  The option hereby granted
will expire 45 days after the date hereof (or, if the Fund has elected to rely
upon Rule 430A under the Rules and Regulations, 45 days after the execution of
the Pricing Agreement) and may be exercised only for the purpose of covering
over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and
distribution of the Initial Shares upon notice by the Underwriter to the Fund
setting forth the number of Option Shares as to which the Underwriter is then
exercising the option and the time, date and place of payment and delivery for
such Option Shares.  Any such time and date of delivery (a "Date of Delivery")
shall be determined by the Underwriter but shall not be later than seven full
business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to
Closing Time, as hereinafter defined, unless otherwise agreed upon by the
Underwriter and the Fund.

     Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, the
Initial Shares shall be made at the office of Brown & Wood, One World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, or at such other place as shall be agreed
upon by the Underwriter and the Fund, at 10:00 A.M. on the fifth business day
(unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10) following the
date the Registration Statement becomes effective (or, if the Fund has elected
to rely upon Rule 430A under the Rules and Regulations, the fifth business day
after execution of the Pricing Agreement), or such other time not later than ten
business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the
Fund (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called "Closing
Time").  In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Shares are
purchased by the Underwriter, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of
certificates for, such Option Shares shall be made at the above-mentioned office
of Brown & Wood, or at such other place as shall be mutually agreed upon by the
Fund and the Underwriter, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice
from the Underwriter to the Fund.  Payment shall be made to the Fund by check or
checks drawn in New York Clearing

                                       6
<PAGE>

House or similar next day funds and payable to the order of the Fund, against
delivery to the Underwriter of certificates for the Shares to be purchased by
it. Certificates for the Initial Shares and Option Shares shall be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Underwriter may request in
writing at least two business days before Closing Time or the Date of Delivery,
as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial Shares and the Option
Shares will be made available by the Fund for examination and packaging by the
Underwriter not later than 10:00 A.M. on the last business day prior to Closing
Time or the Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

     SECTION 3. Covenants of the Fund. The Fund covenants with the Underwriter
as follows:

         (a) The Fund will use its best efforts to cause the Registration
     Statement to become effective under the 1933 Act, and will advise the
     Underwriter promptly as to the time at which the Registration Statement and
     any amendments thereto (including any post-effective amendment) becomes so
     effective and, if required, to cause the issuance of any orders exempting
     the Fund from any provisions of the 1940 Act and will advise the
     Underwriter promptly as to the time at which any such orders are granted.

         (b) The Fund will notify the Underwriter immediately, and confirm the
     notice in writing, (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
     and any amendment thereto (including any post-effective amendment), (ii) of
     the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by
     the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any
     amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information,
     (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any
     proceedings for that purpose, and (v) of the issuance by the Commission of
     an order of suspension or revocation of the notification on Form N-8A of
     registration of the Fund as an Investment Company under the 1940 Act or the
     initiation of any proceeding for that purpose. The Fund will make every
     reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order described in
     subsection (iv) hereunder or any order of suspension or revocation
     described in subsection (v) hereunder and, if any such stop order or order
     of suspension or revocation is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the
     earliest possible moment.

         (c) The Fund will give the Underwriter notice of its intention to file
     any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any post-effective
     amendment) or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (including any
     revised prospectus which the Fund proposes for use by the Underwriter in
     connection with the offering of the Shares, which differs from the
     prospectus on file at the Commission at the time the Registration Statement
     becomes effective, whether such revised prospectus is required to be filed
     pursuant to Rule 497(b) or Rule 497(h) of the Rules and Regulations) ,
     whether pursuant to the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act, or otherwise, and will
     furnish the Underwriter with copies of any such amendment or, supplement a
     reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case
     may be, and will not file any such amendment or supplement to which the
     Underwriter shall reasonably object.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         (d) The Fund will deliver to the Underwriter, as soon as practicable,
     two signed copies of the notification of registration and registration
     statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, in each case
     with two sets of the exhibits filed therewith, and will also deliver to the
     Underwriter a conformed copy of the registration statement as originally
     filed and of each amendment thereto (but without exhibits to the
     registration statement or any such amendment) for the Underwriter.

         (e) The Fund will furnish to the Underwriter, from time to time during
     the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933
     Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented)
     as the Underwriter may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by
     the 1933 Act or the Rules and Regulations.

         (f) If any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in
     the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter, to amend or supplement the
     Prospectus in order to make the Prospectus not misleading in the light of
     the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, the
     Fund will forthwith amend or supplement the Prospectus by preparing and
     furnishing to the Underwriter a reasonable number of copies of an amendment
     or amendments of or a supplement or supplements to, the Prospectus (in form
     and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter, so that, as so
     amended or supplemented, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     existing at the time the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not
     misleading.

         (g) The Fund will endeavor, in cooperation with the Underwriter, to
     qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the applicable securities
     laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the United States as the
     Underwriter may designate, and will maintain such qualifications in effect
     for a period of not less than one year after the date hereof. The Fund will
     file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each
     jurisdiction in which the Shares have been qualified as above provided.

         (h) The Fund will make generally available to its security holders as
     soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days after the close of the
     period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the
     provisions of Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations) covering a twelve-
     month period beginning not later than the first day of the Fund's fiscal
     quarter next following the "effective" date (as defined in said Rule 158)
     of the Registration Statement.

         (i) Between the date of this Agreement and the termination of any
     trading restrictions or closing Time, whichever is later, the Fund will
     not, without your prior consent, offer or sell, or enter into any agreement
     to sell, any equity or equity related securities of the Fund other than the
     Shares and shares of Common Stock issued in reinvestment of dividends or
     distributions.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         (j) If, at the time that the Registration Statement becomes effective,
     any information shall have been omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule
     430A of the Rules and Regulations, then immediately following the execution
     of the Pricing Agreement, the Fund will prepare, and file or transmit for
     filing with the commission in accordance with such Rule 430A and Rule
     497(h) of the Rules and Regulations, copies of amended Prospectus, or, if
     required by such Rule 430A, a post-effective amendment to the Registration
     Statement (including an amended Prospectus), containing all information so
     omitted.

         (k) Trading of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange will begin no
     later than four weeks from the date of the Prospectus.

     SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. The Fund will pay all expenses incident to
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, expenses relating to (i) the printing and filing of the registration
statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the printing
of this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement, (iii) the preparation, issuance and
delivery of the certificates for the Shares to the Underwriter, (iv) the fees
and disbursements of the Fund's counsel and accountants, (v) the qualification
of the Shares under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section
3(g) of this Agreement, including filing fees and any reasonable fees or
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriter in connection therewith and in
connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey, (vi) the printing and
delivery to the Underwriter of copies of the registration statement as
originally filed and of each amendment thereto, of the preliminary prospectus,
and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the
printing and delivery to the Underwriter of copies of the Blue Sky Survey,
(viii) the fees and expenses incurred with respect to the filing with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (ix) the fees and expenses
incurred with respect to the listing of the Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange.

     If this Agreement is terminated by the Underwriter in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) , the Fund or the Adviser shall
reimburse the Underwriter for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel f or the Underwriter.
In the event the transactions contemplated hereunder are not consummated, the
Adviser agrees to pay all of the costs and expenses set forth in the first
paragraph of this Section 4 which the Fund would have paid if such transactions
were consummated.

     SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the
Underwriter hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of the Fund and the Adviser herein contained, to the performance by
the Fund and the Adviser of their respective obligations hereunder, and to the
following further conditions:

         (a) The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later
     than 5:30 P.M., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement, or at a
     later time and date not later, however, than 5:30 P.M. on the first
     business day following the date hereof, or at such later time and date as
     may be approved by the Underwriter, and at Closing Time no stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been

                                       9
<PAGE>

     issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened
     by the Commission. If the Fund has elected to rely upon Rule 430A of the
     Rules and Regulations, the prices of the Shares and any price-related
     information previously omitted from the effective Registration Statement
     pursuant to such Rule 430A shall have been transmitted to the Commission
     for filing pursuant to Rule 497(h) of the Rules and Regulations within the
     prescribed time period, and prior to Closing Time the Fund shall have
     provided evidence satisfactory to the Underwriter of such timely filing, or
     a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been
     promptly filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements
     of Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations.

         (b) At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received:

             (1) The favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Brown &
     Wood, counsel for the Fund and the Underwriter, to the effect that:

                (i)    The Fund has been duly incorporated and is validly
             existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
             State of Maryland.

                (ii)   The Fund has corporate power and authority to own, lease
             and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in
             the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

                (iii)  The Fund is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
             transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
             which such qualification is required.

                (iv)   The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and
             sale to the Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued
             and delivered by the Fund pursuant to this Agreement against
             payment of the consideration set forth in the Pricing Agreement,
             will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable; the
             issuance of the Shares is not subject to preemptive rights; and the
             authorized capital stock conforms as to legal matters in all
             material respects to the description thereof in the Registration
             Statement under the caption "Description of Capital Stock".

                (v)    This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement have each been
             duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and each
             complies with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

                (vi)   The Registration Statement is effective under the 1933
             Act and, to the best of their knowledge and information, no stop
             order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
             has been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor
             initiated or threatened by the commission.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                (vii)  At the time the Registration Statement became effective
             and at the Representation Date, the Registration Statement (other
             than the financial statements included therein, as to which no
             opinion need be rendered) complied as to form in all material
             respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and
             the Rules and Regulations.

                (viii) To the best of their knowledge and information, there are
             no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened against
             the Fund which are required to be disclosed in the Registration
             Statement, other than those disclosed therein.

                (ix)   To the best of their knowledge and information, there are
             no contracts, indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases
             or other instruments of the Fund required to be described or
             referred to in the Registration Statement or to be filed as
             exhibits thereto other than those described or referred to therein
             or filed as exhibits thereto, the descriptions thereof are correct
             in all material respects, references thereto are correct, and no
             default exists in the due performance or observance of any material
             obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any
             contract, indenture, mortgage loan agreement, note, lease or other
             instrument so described, referred to or filed.

                (x)    No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court
             or governmental authority or agency is required in connection with
             the sale of the Shares to the Underwriter, except such as has been
             obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and
             Regulations or such as may be required under state or foreign
             securities laws; and to the best of their knowledge and
             information, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
             Pricing Agreement, the Advisory Agreement and the Custody Agreement
             and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and
             therein will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or
             default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
             charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Fund
             pursuant to, any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement,
             note, lease or other instrument to which the Fund is a party or by
             which it may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of
             the Fund is subject, nor will such action result in any violation
             of the provisions of the Charter or By-Laws of the Fund, or any law
             or administrative regulation, or, to the best of their knowledge
             and information, administrative or court decree.

                (xi)   The Advisory Agreement and the Custody Agreement have
             each been duly authorized and approved by the Fund and comply as to
             form in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the
             1940 Act, and both have been duly executed by the Fund.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                (xii)  The Fund is registered with the Commission under the 1940
             Act as a closed-end non-diversified management investment company,
             and all required action has been taken by the Fund under the 1933
             Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations to make the public
             offering and consummate the sale of the Shares pursuant to this
             Agreement; the provisions of the Charter and By-Laws of the Fund
             comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
             the 1940 Act; and, to the best of their knowledge and information,
             no order of suspension or revocation of such registration under the
             1940 Act, pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act, has been issued
             or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission.

                (xiii) The information in the Prospectus under the caption
             "Taxes", to the extent that it constitutes matters of law or legal
             conclusions, has been reviewed by them and is correct in all
             material respects.

             (2) The favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Philip L.
Kirstein, Esq., General Counsel to the Adviser, in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter, to the effect that:

                (i)    The Adviser has been duly organized as a corporation
             under the laws of the State of Delaware with corporate power and
             authority to conduct its business as described in the Registration
             Statement and the Prospectus.

                (ii)   The Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser
             under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or
             the 1940 Act, or the rules and regulations under such Acts, from
             acting under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund as contemplated by
             the Prospectus.

                (iii)  This Agreement and the Advisory Agreement have been duly
             authorized, executed and delivered by the Adviser, and the Advisory
             Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
             Adviser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
             enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
             laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
             equity principles; and, to the best of his knowledge and
             information, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
             or the Advisory Agreement nor the performance by the Adviser of its
             obligations hereunder or thereunder will conflict with, or result
             in a breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute,
             with or without giving notice or lapse of time or both, a default
             under, any agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party
             or by which the Adviser is bound, or any law, order, rule or
             regulation applicable to the Adviser of any jurisdiction, court,
             federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other
             governmental body, stock exchange or

                                       12
<PAGE>

             securities association having jurisdiction over the Adviser or its
             properties or operations.

                (iv)   To the best of his knowledge and information, the
             description of the Adviser in the Registration Statement and the
             Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
             or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
             necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

             (3) In giving their opinion required by sub-section (b)(1) of this
     Section, Brown & Wood shall additionally state that nothing has come to
     their attention that would lead them to believe that the Registration
     Statement (other than the financial statements included therein, as to
     which no opinion need be rendered), at the time it became effective or at
     the Representation Date, contained an untrue statement of a material f act
     or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the
     Prospectus (other than the financial statement included therein, as to
     which no opinion need be rendered) , at the Representation Date (unless the
     term "Prospectus" refers to a prospectus which has been provided to the
     Underwriter by the Fund for use in connection with the offering of the
     Shares which differs from the Prospectus on file at the Commission at the
     time the Registration Statement becomes effective, in which case at the
     time they are first provided to the Underwriter f or such use) or at
     Closing Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
     state a material f act necessary in order to make the statements therein,
     in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading. In giving their opinion, Brown & Wood may rely as to matters
     involving the laws of the State of Maryland upon the opinion of Venable,
     Baetjer and Howard. Venable, Baetjer and Howard and Brown & Wood may rely,
     as to matters of fact, upon certificates and written statements of officers
     and employees of and accountants for the Fund and the Adviser and of public
     officials.

     (c)     At Closing Time, (i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
shall contain all statements which are required to be stated therein in
accordance with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and in
all material respects shall conform to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the
1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Prospectus shall not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, and no action, suit or proceeding at law or in
equity shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser,
threatened against the Fund or the Adviser which would be required to be set
forth in the Prospectus other than as set forth therein, (ii) there shall not
have been, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the
condition, financial or otherwise, of the Fund or in its earnings, business
affairs or business prospects, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business, from that set forth in the Registration Statement and

                                       13
<PAGE>

Prospectus, (iii) the Adviser shall have the financial resources available to it
necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and (iv) no proceedings shall be
pending or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser, threatened against the
Fund or the Adviser before or by any Federal, state or other commission, board
or administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding
would materially and adversely affect the business, property, financial
condition or income of either the Fund or the Adviser other than as set forth in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and the Underwriter shall have
received, at Closing Time, a certificate of the President or Treasurer of the
Fund and of the President or a Vice President of the Adviser dated as of Closing
Time, evidencing compliance with the appropriate provisions of this subsection
(c).

     (d) At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received certificates,
dated as of Closing Time, (i) of the President or Treasurer of the Fund to the
effect that the representations and warranties of the Fund contained in Section
1(a) are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly
made at and as of Closing Time and, (ii) of the President or a Vice President of
the Adviser to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Adviser
contained in Sections 1(a) and (b) are true and correct with the same force and
effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time.

     (e) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriter shall have
received from Deloitte & Touche a letter, dated such date in form and substance
satisfactory to the Underwriter, to the effect that:

         (i)   they are independent accountants with respect to the Fund within
     the meaning of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations;

         (ii)  in their opinion, the statement of assets and liabilities
     examined by them and included in the Registration Statement complies as to
     form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
     of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations; and

         (iii) they have performed specified procedures, not constituting an
     audit, including a reading of the latest available interim financial
     statements of the Fund, a reading of the minute books of the Fund,
     inquiries of officials of the Fund responsible for financial accounting
     matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such
     letter, and on the basis of such inquiries and procedures nothing came to
     their attention that caused them to believe that at the date of the latest
     available statement of assets and liabilities read by such accountants, or
     at a subsequent specified date not more than five days prior to the date of
     this Agreement, there was any change in the capital stock or net assets of
     the Fund as compared with amounts shown on the statement of net assets
     included in the Prospectus.

                                       14
<PAGE>

            (f) At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received from
     Deloitte & Touche a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that
     they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to
     subsection (e) of this Section, except that the "specified date" referred
     to shall be a date not more than five days prior to Closing Time.

            (g) At Closing Time, all proceedings taken by the Fund and the
     Adviser in connection with the organization and registration of the Fund
     under the 1940 Act and, the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein and
     therein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the
     Underwriter.

            (h) In the event the Underwriter exercises its option provided in
     Section 2 hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Shares, the
     representations and warranties of the Fund and the Adviser contained herein
     and the statements in any certificate furnished by the Fund and the Adviser
     hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery, and the
     Underwriter shall have received:

                (1) Certificates, dated the Date of Delivery, of the President
            or Treasurer of the Fund and of the President or a Vice President of
            the Adviser confirming that the information contained in the
            certificate delivered by each of them at Closing Time pursuant to
            Sections 5(c) and (d), as the case may be, remains true as of such
            Date of Delivery.

                (2) The favorable opinion of Brown & Wood, counsel for the Fund
            and Philip L. Kirstein, Esq., General Counsel to the Adviser, each
            in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, dated such
            Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Shares and otherwise to the
            same effect as the opinions required by Sections 5(b)(1) and (2),
            respectively.

                (3) A letter from Deloitte & Touche, in form and substance
            satisfactory to the Underwriter and dated such Date of Delivery,
            substantially the same in scope and substance as the letter
            furnished to the Underwriter pursuant to Section 5(e), except that
            the "specified date" in the letter furnished pursuant to this
            Section 5(h)(3) shall be a date not more than five days prior to
            such Date of Delivery.

     If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled
when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Underwriter by notice to the Fund at any time at or prior to Closing Time, and
such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party
except as provided in Section 4.

     SECTION 6. Indemnification. (a) The Fund and the Adviser, jointly and
severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person,
if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act as follows:

            (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
     untrue statement of a material fact

                                       15
<PAGE>

     contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto),
     including the information deemed to be part of the Registration Statement
     pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations, if applicable, or the
     omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be
     stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
     or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
     material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or
     any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission
     therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading;

            (ii)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever as incurred to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
     settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any
     governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim
     whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
     alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with
     the written consent of the indemnifying party; and

            (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever (including the fees and
     disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriter) reasonably incurred in
     investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or
     investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced
     or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement
     or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the
     extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement does not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund by the
Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto).

     (b) The Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Fund and the Adviser, their respective directors, each of the
Fund's officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any,
who controls the Fund or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as
incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged
untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any
amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Fund by the Underwriter expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus
or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

     (c) In addition to the foregoing indemnification, the Adviser also agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person, if any, who
controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act,
against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and

                                       16
<PAGE>

expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section,
with respect to any omitting Prospectus or any advertising materials approved by
the Adviser for use in connection with the public offering of the Shares.

     (d) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have
otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party may
participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action.

     In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and
expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate
from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one
action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.

     SECTION 7.   Contribution.  In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in
Section 6 is for any reason held to be unenforceable by the indemnified parties
although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Fund, the Adviser and the
Underwriter shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims,
damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement as
incurred by the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter, as incurred, in such
proportion that the Underwriter is responsible for that portion represented by
the percentage that the aggregate underwriting compensation payable pursuant to
Section 2 hereof bears to the aggregate initial public offering price of the
Shares sold under this Agreement and the Fund and the Adviser are responsible
for the balance; provided, however, that no person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section, each person, if any, who
controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall
have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriter, and each director of
the Fund and the Adviser, respectively, each officer of the Fund who signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the
Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Fund and the Adviser, respectively.

     SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.
All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or
the Pricing Agreement, or contained in certificates of officers of the Fund or
the Adviser submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force
and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the
Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser
and shall survive delivery of the Shares to the Underwriter.

     SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement. (a) The Underwriter, by notice to the
Fund, may terminate this Agreement at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i)
if there has been, since the date of this Agreement or since the respective
dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund or the Adviser,
whether or not

                                       17
<PAGE>

arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any
material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or
elsewhere or any outbreak of hostilities or other calamity or crisis or any
escalation of existing hostilities the effect of which is such as to make it, in
the Underwriter's judgment, impracticable to market the Shares or enforce
contracts for the sale of the Shares, or (iii) if trading in the Common Stock
has been suspended by the Commission or if trading generally on either the
American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange has been suspended, or
minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for
prices for securities have been required, by either of said exchanges or by
order of the commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking
moratorium has been declared by Federal or New York authorities.

     (b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as
provided in Section 4.

     SECTION 10. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form, of written telecommunication. Notices to the
Underwriter shall be directed to Merrill Lynch World Headquarters, North Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281, Attention: Theresa Lang,
Director; notices to the Fund or the Adviser shall be directed to each of them
at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, Attention: Arthur
Zeikel, President.

     SECTION 11. Parties. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriter, the Fund, the Adviser and
their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement or
the Pricing Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm
or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors
and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6
and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein
contained. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and all conditions and
provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors, and said controlling
persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives,
and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of
Shares from the Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely
of such purchase.

     SECTION 12. Governing Law and Time. This Agreement and the Pricing
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to
agreements made and to be performed in said State. Specified times of day refer
to New York City time.

                                       18
<PAGE>

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our Agreement,
please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument,
along with all counterparts, will become a single binding agreement among the
Underwriter, the Fund and the Adviser in accordance with its terms.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                 By:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                (Authorized officer)

                                 FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                 By:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                (Authorized Officer)

Confirmed and Accepted, as of the
  date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED

By:
   ----------------------------------
   Vice President
   Investment Banking Group

                                       19
<PAGE>

                                                                       Exhibit A

                                    Shares
                     MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
                           (a Maryland corporation)

                                 Common Stock
                          (Par Value $.10 Per Share)

                               PRICING AGREEMENT
                               -----------------
                                                               February __, 1992

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281

Dear Sirs:

     Reference is made to the Purchase Agreement, dated February 1992 (the
"Purchase Agreement"), relating to the purchase by Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, (the "Underwriter"), of the above
shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Initial Shares"), of
MuniYield New York Insured fund, Inc. (the "Fund") and relating to the option
granted to the Underwriter to purchase up to an additional shares of Common
Stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Fund to cover over-allotments in
connection with the sale of the Initial Shares (the "Option Shares"). The
Initial shares and all or any part of the Option Shares are collectively herein
referred to as the "Shares".

     Pursuant to Section 2 of the Purchase Agreement the Fund agrees with the
Underwriter as follows:

          1.  The applicable initial public offering price per share for the
     Shares, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be as follows:

              (a)  $15.00 for purchases in single transactions of less than
          3,500 Shares;

              (b)  $14.85 for purchases in single transactions of 3,500 or more
          Shares but less than 7,000 Shares; and

              (c)  $14.70 for purchases in single transactions of 7,000 or more
          Shares


                                      A-1

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 7(b)

                                  $80,000,000

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                            (a Maryland corporation)

                   AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK ["AMPS116]

                    850 Shares Series A  850 Shares Series B

                    Liquidation Preference $50,000 Per Share

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

                                                                   April 3, 1992

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
        Incorporated
Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
World Financial Center
North Tower
New York, New York 10281-1201

Dear Sirs:

     MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"),
and Fund Asset Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Adviser"), each
confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter") with respect to the sale by the Fund and
the purchase by the Underwriter of 850 shares of auction market preferred stock,
Series A, of the Fund (the "Series A AMPS") and 850 shares of auction market
preferred stock, series B, of the Fund (the "Series B AMPS") (collectively, the
"Shares"), par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share
plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned
or declared).

     Prior to the purchase and public offering of the Shares by the Underwriter,
the Fund and the Underwriter, shall enter into an agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto (the "Pricing Agreement"). The Pricing Agreement may
take the form of an exchange of any standard form of written telecommunication
between the Fund and the Underwriter and shall specify such applicable
information as is indicated in Exhibit A hereto. The offering of the Shares will
be governed by this Agreement, as supplemented by the Pricing Agreement. From
and after the date of the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement, this
Agreement shall be deemed to incorporate the Pricing Agreement.

- --------------

(R) Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
<PAGE>

     The Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a notification on Form N-SA of registration of the Fund as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
111940 Act") and a registration statement on Form N-2 (No. 33-45621) and a
related preliminary prospectus for the registration of the Shares under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the 1940 Act, and the
rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act (the
"Rules and Regulations") and has filed such amendments to such registration
statement on Form N-2, if any, and such amended preliminary prospectuses as may
have been required to the date hereof. The Fund will prepare and file such
additional amendments thereto and such amended prospectuses as may hereafter be
required. Such registration statement (as amended at the time it becomes
effective, if applicable) and the prospectus constituting a part thereof
(including in each case the information, if any, deemed to be part thereof
pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the Rules and Regulations), as from time to time
amended or supplemented pursuant to the 1933 Act, are hereinafter referred to as
the "Registration Statement" and the "Prospectus", respectively, except that if
any revised prospectus shall be provided to the Underwriter by the Fund for use
in connection with the offering of the shares which differs from the Prospectus
on file at the Commission at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective (whether such revised prospectus is required to be filed by the Fund
pursuant to Rule 497(b) or Rule 497(h) of the Rules and Regulations) the term
"Prospectus" shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it
is first provided to the Underwriter for such use.

     The Fund understands that the Underwriter proposes to make a public
offering of the Shares as soon as the Underwriter deems advisable after the
Registration Statement becomes effective and the Pricing Agreement has been
executed and delivered.

     SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties. (a) The Fund and the Adviser
                ------------------------------
each severally represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the date hereof
and as of the date of the Pricing Agreement (such later date being hereinafter
referred to as the "Representation Date") as follows:

          (i) At the time the Registration Statement becomes effective and at
     the Representation Date, the Registration Statement will comply in all
     material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and
     the Rules and Regulations and will not contain an untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the
     time the Registration Statement becomes effective, at the Representation
     Date and at Closing Time as defined in Section 2, the Prospectus (unless
     the term "Prospectus" refers to a prospectus which has been provided to the
     Underwriter by the Fund for use in connection with the offering of the
     Shares which differs from the Prospectus on file with the Commission at the
     time the Registration Statement becomes effective, in which case at the
     time it is first provided to the Underwriter for such use) will not contain
     an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided,
     however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection shall
     not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or
     Prospectus made in -reliance upon and in conformity with information
     furnished to the

                                       2
<PAGE>

     Fund in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration
     Statement or Prospectus.

          (ii) The accountants who certified the statement of assets and
     liabilities included in the Registration Statement are independent public
     accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations.

          (iii) The financial statements included in the Registration Statement
     present fairly the financial position of the Fund as at the date indicated
     and the results of its operations for the period specified; such financial
     statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
     accounting principles; and the information in the Prospectus under the
     headings "Description of Capital Stock" and "Portfolio Composition" has
     been fairly presented.

          (iv) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
     the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated
     therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition,
     financial or otherwise, of the Fund, or in the earnings, business affairs
     or business prospects of the Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary
     course of business, (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the
     Fund which are material to the Fund other than those in the ordinary course
     of business and (C) except for regular monthly dividends on the outstanding
     shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Common Shares") of the
     Fund, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid
     or made by the Fund or any class of its capital stock.

          (v) The Fund has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
     corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, with
     corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
     conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement; the Fund
     is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in
     good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required;
     and the Fund has no subsidiaries.

          (vi) The Fund is registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act as
     a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company, and no order
     of suspension or revocation of such registration has been issued or
     proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission.

          (vii) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Fund
     is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital
     Stock"; the outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly
     issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the Shares have been duly
     authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriter pursuant to this
     Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Fund pursuant to this
     Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth in the Pricing
     Agreement, will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable; the
     Common Shares and the Shares conform in all material respects to all
     statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement; and
     the issuance of the Shares to be purchased by the Underwriter is not
     subject to preemptive rights.

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (viii) The Fund is not in violation of its charter, as amended (the
     "Charter") or by-laws, as amended (the "ByLaws") or in default in the
     performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant
     or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
     agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which it is a party or by
     which it or its properties may be bound; and the execution and delivery of
     this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement and the Investment Advisory
     Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Auction Agent Agreement and the
     Depository Agreement referred to in the Registration Statement (the
     "Advisory Agreement," "Auction Agreement," "Custodian Agreement" and
     "Depository Agreement," respectively), and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated herein and therein, will not conflict with or
     constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or
     imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
     of the Fund pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement,
     note, lease or other instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which it
     may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Fund is
     subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of
     the Charter or By-laws of the Fund or, to the best knowledge of the Fund
     and the Adviser, any law, administrative regulation or administrative or
     court decree; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court
     or governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation by the
     Fund of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing
     Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Auction
     Agreement and the Depository Agreement, except such as has been obtained
     under the 1940 Act or as may be required under the 1933 Act or state
     securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
     distribution of the Shares by the Underwriter.

          (ix) The Fund owns or possesses or has obtained all material
     governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other
     authorizations necessary to lease or own, as the case may be, and to
     operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as contemplated in
     the Prospectus and the Fund has not received any notice of proceedings
     relating to the revocation or modification of any such licenses, permits,
     covenants, orders, approvals or authorizations.

          (x) There is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court or
     governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the
     knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser, threatened against or affecting, the
     Fund, which might result in any material adverse change in the condition,
     financial or otherwise, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund,
     or might materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the
     Fund; and there are no material contracts or documents of the Fund which
     are required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the
     1933 Act, the 1940 Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been
     so filed.

          (xi) The Fund owns or possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms,
     adequate trademarks, service marks and trade names necessary to conduct the
     business now operated by it, and the Fund has not received any notice of
     infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to
     any trademarks, service marks and trade names which, singly or in the
     aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling

                                       4
<PAGE>

     or finding, would materially and adversely affect the conduct of the
     business, operations, financial condition or income of the Fund.

          (xii) The Fund intends to, and will, direct the investment of the
     proceeds of the offering described in the Registration Statement in such a
     manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter N of the Internal
     Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Subchapter M of the Code"), and intends
     to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
     Code.

          (xiii) This Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Advisory Agreement
     and the Custodian Agreement have each been duly authorized, executed and
     delivered by the Fund and each complies with all applicable provisions of
     the 1940 Act.

          (xiv) The Auction Agreement and the Depository Agreement have each
     been duly authorized for execution and delivery by the Fund and, when
     executed and delivered by the Fund, will constitute a valid and binding
     obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject,
     as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws
     relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
     principles.

     (b) The Adviser represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the date
hereof and as of the Representation Date as follows:

          (i) The Adviser has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State
     of Delaware with corporate power and authority to conduct its business as
     described in the Prospectus.

          (ii) The Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
     Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), and is
     not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act or the rules and
     regulations under such acts from acting under the Advisory Agreement for
     the Fund as contemplated by the Prospectus.

          (iii) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Adviser; the Advisory Agreement is in full force and effect and
     constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Adviser, enforceable in
     accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting
     creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and neither the
     execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance by the Adviser
     of its obligations hereunder or under the Advisory Agreement will conflict
     with, or result in a breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or
     constitute, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both,
     a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a
     party or by which it is bound, or any law, order, rule or regulation
     applicable to it of any jurisdiction, court, federal or state regulatory
     body, administrative agency or other governmental body, stock exchange or
     securities association having jurisdiction over the Adviser or its
     respective properties or operations.

          (iv) The Adviser has the financial resources available to it necessary
     for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the
     Prospectus.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     (c) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Fund or the Adviser and
delivered to the Underwriter shall be deemed a representation and warranty by
the Fund or the Adviser, as the case may be, to the Underwriter as to the
matters covered thereby.

     SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to the Underwriter; closing.
                ---------------------------------------------

     (a) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Fund agrees to sell
the Shares to the Underwriter and the Underwriter agrees to purchase the Shares
from the Fund, at the price per share set forth in the Pricing Agreement.

          (i) If the Fund has elected not to rely upon rule 430A under the Rules
     and Regulations, the initial public offering price and the purchase price
     per share to be paid by the Underwriter for the Shares each has been
     determined and set forth in the Pricing Agreement, dated the date hereof,
     and an amendment to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will be
     filed before the Registration Statement becomes effective.

          (ii) If the Fund has elected to rely upon rule 430A under the Rules
     and Regulations, the purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriter
     for the Shares shall be an amount equal to the initial public offering
     price, less an amount per share to be determined by agreement between the
     Underwriter and the Fund. The initial public offering price per share shall
     be a fixed price to be determined by agreement between the Underwriter and
     the Fund. The initial public offering price and the purchase price, when so
     determined, shall be set forth in the Pricing Agreement. In the event that
     such prices have not been agreed upon and the Pricing Agreement has not
     been executed and delivered by all parties thereto by the close of business
     on the fourth business day following the date of this Agreement, this
     Agreement shall terminate forthwith, without liability of any party to any
     other party, except as provided in Section 5, unless otherwise agreed to by
     the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter.

     (b) Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for,
the Shares shall be made at the office of Brown & Wood, One World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048-0557, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by
the Underwriter and the Fund, at 10:00 A.M. on the fifth business day following
the date the Registration Statement becomes effective (or, if the Fund has
elected to rely upon rule 430A under the Rules and Regulations, the fifth
business day after execution of the Pricing Agreement), or such other time not
later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the
Underwriter and the Fund (such time and date of payment and delivery being
herein called "Closing Time"). Payment shall be made to the Fund by Federal fund
check or checks or similar same- day funds and payable to the order of the Fund,
against delivery to the Underwriter of the certificates for the Shares to be
purchased by it. The Series A Shares and the Series B Shares shall each be
represented by a certificate registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee
for The Depository Trust Company. The certificates for the Shares will be made
available for examination by the Underwriter not later than 10:00 A.M. on the
last business day prior to Closing Time.

     SECTION 3. Covenants of the Fund. The Fund covenants with the Underwriter
                --------------------------------------------------------------
as follows:
- ----------

                                       6
<PAGE>

     (a) The Fund will use its best efforts (i) to cause the Registration
Statement to become effective under the 1933 Act, and will advise the
Underwriter promptly as to the time at which the Registration Statement and any
amendments thereto (including any post-effective amendment) becomes so effective
and (ii) if required, to cause the issuance of any orders exempting the Fund
from any provisions of the 1940 Act and will advise the Underwriter promptly as
to the time at which any such orders are granted.

     (b) The Fund will notify the Underwriter immediately, and confirm the
notice in writing, (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and
any amendments thereto (including any post-effective amendment), (ii) of the
receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the
Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance
by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose and
(v) of the issuance by the commission of an order of suspension or revocation of
the notification on Form N-8A of registration of the Fund as an investment
company under the 1940 Act or initiation of any proceeding for that purpose. The
Fund will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order
described in subsection (iv) hereunder or any order of suspension or revocation
described in subsection (v) hereunder and, if any stop order or order of
suspension or revocation is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the
earliest possible moment.

     (c) The Fund will give the Underwriter notice of its intention to file any
amendment to the Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendment)
or any amendment or* supplement to the Prospectus (including any revised
prospectus which the Fund proposes for use by the Underwriter in connection with
the offering of the Shares which differs from the prospectus on file at the
Commission at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, whether
such revised prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497(b) or Rule
497(h) of the Rules and Regulations) whether pursuant to the 1940 Act, the 1933
Act, or otherwise, and will furnish the Underwriter with copies of any such
amendment or supplement a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed
filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file any such amendment or
supplement to which the Underwriter or counsel for the Underwriter shall
reasonably object.

     (d) The Fund will deliver to the Underwriter, as soon as practicable, two
signed copies of the registration statement as originally filed and of each
amendment thereto, in each case with two sets of the exhibits filed therewith,
and will also deliver to the Underwriter a conformed copy of the registration
statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (but without
exhibits to the registration statement or to any such amendment) for the
Underwriter.

     (e) The Fund will furnish to the Underwriter, from time to time during the
period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such
number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the
Underwriter may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the 1933 Act
or the Rules and Regulations.

     (f) If any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the
opinion of counsel for the Underwriter, to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
order to make the

                                       7
<PAGE>

Prospectus not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time
it is delivered to a purchaser, the Fund will forthwith amend or supplement the
Prospectus by preparing and furnishing to the Underwriter a reasonable number of
copies of an amendment or amendments of, or a supplement or supplements to, the
Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter),
so that, as so amended or supplemented, the Prospectus will not contain an
untrue statement of a material f6ct or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
existing at the time the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading.

     (g) The Fund will endeavor, in cooperation with the Underwriter, to qualify
the Shares for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such
states and other jurisdictions of the United States as the Underwriter may
designate, and will maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not
less than one year after the date hereof. The Fund will file such statements and
reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in which the Shares
have been qualified as above provided.

     (h) The Fund will make generally available to its security holders as soon
as practicable, but not later than 60 days after the close of the period covered
thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule
158 of the Rules and Regulations) covering a twelve- month period beginning not
later than the first day of the Fund's fiscal quarter next following the
"effective" date (as defined in said Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

     (i) Between the date of this Agreement and the termination of any trading
restrictions or Closing Time, whichever is later the Fund will not, without your
prior consent, offer or sell or enter into any agreement to sell any equity or
equity related securities of the Fund other than the Shares and Common Shares
issued in reinvestment of dividends or distributions.

     (j) If, at the time that the Registration Statement becomes effective, any
information shall have been omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430A of the
Rules and Regulations, then immediately following the execution of the Pricing
Agreement, the Fund will prepare and file or transmit for filing with the
commission in accordance with such Rule 430A and Rule 497(h) of the Rules and
Regulations, copies of an amended Prospectus, or, if required by such Rule 430A,
a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement (including an amended
Prospectus) containing all information so omitted.

     (k) The Fund will use its best efforts to maintain its qualification as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

     SECTION 4.    Covenants of the Underwriter.  The Underwriter covenants and
                   ----------------------------
agrees with the Fund as follows:

     (a) It will sell Shares only to a person who has agreed to execute and
deliver or who has already executed and delivered a Master Purchaser's Letter
(as defined in the Prospectus) in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus.

     (b) No later than Closing Time, it will execute and deliver a Master
Purchaser's Letter in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     (c) No later than the second business day succeeding Closing Time, it will
provide the Fund and the Auction Agent (as defined in the Prospectus) with a
list of the persons to whom it has sold Shares, the number of Shares sold to
each such person and the number of Shares it is holding as of the date of such
notice.

     SECTION 5. Payment of Expenses. The Fund will pay all expenses incident to
                -------------------
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, expenses relating to (i) the printing and filing of the registration
statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the
preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Shares to the
Underwriter, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the Fund's counsel and
accountants, (iv) the qualification of the Shares under securities laws in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g) of this Agreement, including
filing fees and any fees or disbursements of counsel for the Underwriter in
connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky
Survey, (v) the printing and delivery to the Underwriter of copies of the
registration statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, of the
preliminary prospectuses, and of the Prospectus and any amendments or
supplements thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriter of copies
of the Blue Sky Survey and (vii) the fees charged by rating agencies for the
rating of the Shares.

     If this Agreement is terminated by the Underwriter in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6 or Section 10(a)(i), the Fund or the Adviser shall
reimburse the Underwriter for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriter. In the event
the transactions contemplated hereunder are not consummated, the Adviser agrees
to pay all of the costs and expenses set forth in the first paragraph of this
Section 5 which the Fund would have paid if such transactions had been
consummated.

     SECTION 6. Conditions of Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the
                ---------------------------------------
Underwriter hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of the Fund and the Adviser herein contained, to the performance by
the Fund and the Adviser of their respective obligations hereunder, and to the
following further conditions:

     (a) The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than
5:30 P.M., New York City time, on the date hereof or at such later time and date
as may be approved by the Underwriter, and at Closing Time no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the
Commission. If the Fund has elected to rely upon Rule 430A of the Rules and
Regulations, the price of the Shares and any price-related information
previously omitted from the effective Registration Statement pursuant to such
Rule 430A shall have been transmitted to the Commission for filing pursuant to
Rule 497(h) of the Rules and Regulations within the prescribed time period, and
prior to Closing Time the Fund shall have provided evidence satisfactory to the
Underwriter of-such timely filing, or a post-effective amendment providing such
information shall have been promptly filed and declared effective in accordance
with the requirements of Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations.

     (b) At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received:

                                       9
<PAGE>

     (i) The favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Brown & Wood,
counsel for the Fund and the Underwriter, to the effect that:

          (1) The Fund has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
     corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.

          (2) The Fund has corporate power and authority to own, lease and
     operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the
     Prospectus.

          (3) The Fund is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
     business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
     qualification is required, except where the failure to so qualify would not
     have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise,
     business affairs or business prospects of the Fund.

          (4) The outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and
     validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

          (5) The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the
     Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by
     the Fund pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration
     set forth in the Pricing Agreement, will be validly issued and fully paid
     and non-assessable; the issuance of the Shares is not subject to preemptive
     or other similar rights; and the authorized capital stock conforms in all
     material respects to the description thereof in the Registration Statement.

          (6) This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement each has been duly
     authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and each complies with all
     applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

          (7) The Registration Statement is effective under the 1933 Act and, to
     the best of their knowledge and information, no stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933
     Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted, are pending
     or are contemplated.

          (8) At the time the Registration Statement became effective and at the
     Representation Date, the Registration Statement (other than the financial
     statements included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered)
     complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
     1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations.

          (9) To the best of their knowledge and information, there are no legal
     or governmental proceedings pending or threatened against the Fund which
     are required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, other than
     those disclosed therein.

                                       10
<PAGE>

          (10) To the best of their knowledge and information, there are no
     contracts, indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other
     instruments of the Fund required to be described or referred to in the
     Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits thereto other than those
     described or referred to therein or filed as exhibits thereto, the
     descriptions thereof or references thereto are correct, and no default
     exists in the due performance or observance of any material obligation,
     agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, loan
     agreement, note or lease so described, referred to or filed.

          (11) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
     governmental authority or agency is required in connection with the sale of
     the Shares to the Underwriter, except such as has been obtained under the
     1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations or such as may be
     required under state securities laws; and to the best of their knowledge
     and information, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Pricing
     Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Auction
     Agreement and the Depository Agreement and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated herein and therein will not conflict with or
     constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or
     imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
     of the Fund pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement,
     note, lease or other instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which it
     may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Fund is
     subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of
     the Charter or By-Laws of the Fund, or any law, administrative regulation
     or administrative or court decree.

          (12) The Advisory Agreement and the Custodian Agreement have each been
     duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and each complies with
     all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

          (13) The Fund is registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act as
     a closed-end non-diversified management investment company, and all
     required action has been taken by the Fund under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act
     and the Rules and Regulations to make the public offering and consummate
     the sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement; the provisions of the
     Charter and By-Laws of the Fund comply as to form in all material respects
     with the requirements of the 1940 Act; and, to the best of their knowledge
     and information, no order of suspension or revocation of such registration
     under the 1940 Act, pursuant to Section 8(e) thereof, has been issued or
     proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission.

          (14) The information in the Prospectus under the caption "Taxes" to
     the extent that it constitutes matters of law or legal conclusions, has
     been reviewed by them and is correct in all material respects.

          (15) The Auction Agreement and the Depository Agreement each have been
     duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and each constitutes a
     valid and binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with
     its

                                       11
<PAGE>

     terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
     to general equity principles.

     (ii) The favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Philip L.
Kirstein, Esq., General Counsel to the Adviser, in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter, to the effect that:

          (1) The Adviser has been duly organized as a corporation under the
     laws of the State of Delaware with corporate power and authority to conduct
     its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

          (2) The Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
     Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act or
     the rules and regulations under such Acts from acting under the Advisory
     Agreement for the Fund as contemplated by the Prospectus.

          (3) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
     the Adviser; the Advisory Agreement is in full force and effect and
     constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Adviser, enforceable in
     accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting
     creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and, to the best of his
     knowledge and information, neither the execution and delivery of this
     Agreement or the Advisory Agreement nor the performance by the Adviser of
     its obligations hereunder or thereunder will conflict with, or result in a
     breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute, with or
     without giving notice or lapse of time or both, a default under, any
     agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which the Adviser is
     bound, or any law, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Adviser of
     any jurisdiction, court, Federal or state regulatory body, administrative
     agency or the governmental body, stock exchange or securities association
     have jurisdiction over the Adviser or its respective properties or
     operations.

          (4) To the best of his knowledge and information, the description of
     the Adviser in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus does not
     contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading.

     (iii) In giving their opinion required by subsection (b)(i) of this
Section, Brown & Wood shall additionally state that nothing has come to their
attention that would lead them to believe that the Registration Statement
(excluding the financial statements and financial schedules included therein, as
to which such counsel need express no belief), at the time it became effective
or at the Representation Date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus (except for
the financial statements and financial schedules included therein as to which
such counsel need express no belief), at the Representation Date (unless the
term "Prospectus" refers to a prospectus which has been provided to the
Underwriter by the Fund for use in

                                       12
<PAGE>

     connection with the offering of the Shares which differs from the
     Prospectus on file at the Commission at the time the Registration Statement
     becomes effective, in which case at the time it is first provided to the
     Underwriter for such use) or at Closing Time, included an untrue statement
     of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order
     to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
     which they were made, not misleading. In giving their opinion, Brown & Wood
     may rely, as to all matters governed by the law of the State of Maryland,
     upon the opinion of Venable, Baetjer and Howard and Brown & Wood may rely,
     as to matters of fact, upon certificates and written statements of officers
     and employees of and accountants of the Fund and the Adviser and of public
     officials.

     (c) At Closing Time (i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus shall
contain all statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance
with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and in all
material respects shall conform to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940
Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Prospectus shall not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading and no action, suit or proceeding at law or in
equity shall be pending oI7, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser,
threatened against the Fund or the Adviser which would be required to be set
forth in the Prospectus other than as set forth therein, (ii) there shall not
have been, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the
condition, financial or otherwise, of the Fund or in its earnings, business
affairs or business prospects, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business, from that set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus,
(iii) the Adviser shall have the financial resources available to it necessary
for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (iv) no proceedings shall be pending
or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser, threatened against the Fund or
the Adviser before or by any Federal, state or other commission, board or
administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would
materially and adversely affect the business, property, financial condition or
income of either the Fund or the Adviser other than as set forth in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus and (v) Moody's Investors service,
Inc. ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Corporation V'S&P") shall have confirmed
that the Shares have been rated "aaa" and AAA respectively, by such agencies;
and the Underwriter shall have received, at Closing Time, a certificate of the
President or Treasurer of the Fund and of the President or a Vice President of
the Adviser dated as of Closing Time, evidencing compliance with the appropriate
provisions of this subsection (c), together with true and correct copies of
letters from Moody's and S&P confirming their rating.

     (d) At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received certificates,
dated as of Closing Time, (i) of the President or Treasurer of the Fund to the
effect that the representations and warranties of the Fund contained in Section
1(a) are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly
made at and as of Closing Time and (ii) of the President or a Vice President of
the Adviser contained in Sections 1(a) and (b) are true and correct with the
same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time.

                                       13
<PAGE>

     (e) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have
received from Deloitte & Touche a letter, dated the date hereof, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, to the effect that:

          (i)   they are independent accountants with respect to the Fund within
     the meaning of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations;

          (ii)  in their opinion, the statement of assets and liabilities
     examined by them and included in the Registration Statement complies as to
     form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
     of the 1933 Act and 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations;

          (iii) they have performed specified procedures, not constituting an
     audit, including a reading of the latest available interim financial
     statements of the Fund, a reading of the minute books of the Fund,
     inquiries of officials of the Fund responsible for financial accounting
     matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such
     letter, and on the basis of such inquiries and procedures nothing came to
     their attention that caused them to believe that (A) the unaudited
     financial statements as of March 6, 1992 and for the period from February
     13, 1992 to March 6, 1992 included in the Registration Statement do not
     comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
     requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations applicable to
     unaudited interim financial statements included in registration statements
     or are not in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
     applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
     financed statements included in the Registration Statement and (B) at the
     date of the latest available financial statements read by such accountants,
     or at a subsequent specified date not more than five days prior to the date
     of this Agreement, there was any change in the capital stock or net assets
     of the Fund (other than by reason of the issuance of Common Shares in
     connection with the exercise by the Underwriter of the Common Shares of the
     over-allotment option relating to the initial public offering of the Common
     Shares, as specified in such letter) as compared with amounts shown on the
     statement of net assets included in the Prospectus; and

          (iv)  in addition to the procedures referred to in clause (iii) above,
     they have performed other specified procedures, not constituting an audit,
     with respect to certain amounts, percentages, numerical data, financial
     information and financial statements appearing in the Registration
     Statement, which have previously been specified by you and which shall be
     specified in such letter, and have compared certain of such items with, and
     have found such items to be in agreement with, the accounting and financial
     records of the Fund.

     (f) At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received from Deloitte &
Touche a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the
statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this
Section, except that the "specified date" referred to shall be a date not more
than five days prior to Closing Time.

     (g) At Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriter shall have been furnished
with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require f"or the purpose
of enabling them to

                                       14
<PAGE>

pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein contemplated and to pass
upon related proceedings, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the
representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions,
herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Fund and the Adviser in
connection with the organization and registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act
and the issuance and sale of the shares as herein contemplated shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriter and counsel for the
Underwriter.

     If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled
when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Underwriter by notice to the Fund at any time at or prior to Closing Time, and
such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party
except as provided in Section 5.


     SECTION 7. Indemnification. (a) The Fund and the Adviser, jointly and
                ---------------
severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person,
if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act as follows:

          (i)   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
     untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement
     (or any amendment thereto), including the information deemed to be part of
     the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules and
     Regulations, if applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom
     of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or
     alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary
     prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or
     the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading;

          (ii)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever as incurred to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
     settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any
     governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened or of any claim
     whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
     alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with
     the written consent of the Fund; and

          (iii) against any and all expenses whatsoever (including the fees and
     disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriter) reasonably incurred in
     investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation or
     investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body,
     commenced-or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
     statement or omission, to the extent such alleged untrue statement or
     omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii)
     above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement does not apply to any loss,
- --------  -------
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund by the
Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any

                                       15
<PAGE>

amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto).

     (b) The Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund and the Adviser, their respective directors, each of the Fund's officers
who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the
Fund or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against
any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the
indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only
with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or
omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Fund by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

     (c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have
otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party may
participate at its own expense in the defense of such action. In no event shall
the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one
counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for
all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances.

     SECTION 8. Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable
                ------------
contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in
Section 7 is for any reason held to be enforceable by the indemnified parties
although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Fund and the Underwriter
shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement as incurred by
the Fund and the Underwriter, as incurred, in such proportions that the
Underwriter is responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that
the underwriting compensation payable pursuant to Section 2 hereof bears to the
initial public offering price appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus and
the Fund is responsible for the balance; provided, however, that no person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding provisions of this
Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it
and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of
any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect
of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this
Section, each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Underwriter, and each director of the Fund, each officer of the Fund who signed
the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Underwriter, and each director of the Fund, each officer of
the Fund who signed the Registration

                                       16
<PAGE>

Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Fund.

     SECTION 9. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.
                --------------------------------------------------------------
All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement and
the Pricing Agreement, or contained in certificates of officers of the Fund or
the Adviser submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force
and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the
Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser
and shall survive delivery of the Shares to the Underwriter.

     SECTION 10. Termination of Agreement. (a) The Underwriter, by notice to the
                 ------------------------
Fund, may terminate this Agreement at any time or prior to Closing Time (i) if
there has been, since the date of this Agreement or since the respective dates
as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any material
adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
business affairs or business prospects of the Fund or the Adviser, whether or
not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred
any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or any
outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis the
effect of which is such as to make it, in the Underwriter's judgment,
impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the
Shares, or (iii) if trading in the Common Shares has been suspended by the
Commission or if trading generally on either the American Stock Exchange or the
New York Stock Exchange has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for
trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities have been
required, by either of said exchanges or by order of the Commission or any other
governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by Federal
or New York authorities.

     (b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as
provided in Section 5.


     SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall
                 -------
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of written telecommunication. Notices to the
Underwriter shall be directed to Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated at Merrill Lynch World Headquarters, North Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281-1201, Attention: Theresa Lang,
Director; notices to the Fund or the Adviser shall be directed to each of them
at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey, 08536, Attention: Arthur
Zeikel.

     SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement shall inure
                 -------
to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriter, the Fund, the Adviser and
their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement or
the Pricing Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm
or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors
and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in sections 7
and 8 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein
contained. This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and all conditions and
provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors, and said controlling
persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal

                                       17
<PAGE>

representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No
purchaser of Shares from the Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by
reason merely of such purchase.

     SECTION 13. Governing Law and Time. This Agreement and the Pricing
                 ----------------------
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to
agreement made and to be performed in said State. Specified times of day refer
to New York City time.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our Agreement,
please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument,
along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the
Underwriter, the Fund and the Adviser in accordance with its terms.

                              Very truly yours,

                              MUNTYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                              By:________________________________
                                      Authorized Officer

                              FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

                              By:_______________________________
                                      Authorized Officer


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
     as of the date first above written:

By:  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
               Incorporated

By:  _____________________________________
               Vice President
             Investment Banking

                                       18
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                  $80,000,000

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                            (a Maryland corporation)

                    AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK (AMPS(R)]

                    850 Shares Series A  850 Shares Series B

                    Liquidation Preference $50,000 Per Share

                               PRICING AGREEMENT
                               -----------------

                                                                    April 6,1992

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
               Incorporated
Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
World Financial Center
North Tower
New York, New York 10281-1201

Dear Sirs:

     Reference is made to the Purchase Agreement, dated April 3, 1992 (the
"Purchase Agreement"), relating to the purchase by Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter") of 850 shares of
auction market preferred stock, Series A, of the Fund (the "Series A AMPS") and
850 shares of auction market preferred stock, Series B, of the Fund (the "Series
B AMPS"), both with a par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000
per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or
not earned or declared) (collectively, the "Shares") of MuniYield New York
Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund").

     Pursuant to Section 2 of the Purchase Agreement, the Fund agrees with the
Underwriter as follows:

          1.  The initial public offering price per share for the Shares,
     determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be $50,000.



_______________
(R)Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

                                       19
<PAGE>

          2.  The purchase price per share for the Shares to be paid by the
     Underwriter shall be $49,125, being an amount equal to the initial public
     offering price set forth above less $875 per share.

          3.  The dividend rate for the Series A AMPS for the Initial Dividend
     Period ending May 4, 1992 will be 3.375% and the dividend rate for the
     Series B AMPS for the Initial Dividend Period ending April 20, 1992 will be
     3.35%.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
please sign and return to the Fund a counterpart hereof, whereupon this
instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement between
the Underwriter and the Fund in accordance with its terms.

                              Very truly yours,

                              MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND,
                                INC.

                              By: ____________________________________
                                         Authorized Officer

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
     as of the date first above written:

By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith
              Incorporated

By: _________________________________
            Vice President
           Investment Banking

                                       20

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 7(c)

                              Merrill Lynch & Co.
               Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
                        Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
                                  North Tower
                             World Financial Center
                           New York, N.Y.  10281-1305


                           STANDARD DEALER AGREEMENT
                           -------------------------

Dear Sirs:

     In connection with public offerings of securities underwritten by us, or by
a group of underwriters (the "Underwriters") represented by us, you may be
offered the opportunity to purchase a portion of such securities, as principal,
at a discount from the offering price representing a selling concession or
reallowance granted as consideration for services rendered by you in the sale of
such securities.  We request that you agree to the following terms and
provisions, and make the following representations, which, together with any
additional terms and provisions set forth in any wire or letter sent to you in
connection with a particular offering, will govern all such securities and the
reoffering thereof by you.

     Your subscription to, or purchase of, such securities will constitute your
reaffirmation of this Agreement.

     1. When we are acting as representative (the "Representative") of the
Underwriters in offering securities to you, it should be understood that all
offers are made subject to prior sale of the subject securities, when, as and if
such securities are delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters and subject to
the approval of legal matters by their counsel. In such cases, any order from
you for securities will be strictly subject to confirmation and we reserve the
right in our uncontrolled discretion to reject any order in whole or in part.
Upon release by us, you may reoffer such securities at the offering price fixed
by us. With our consent, you may allow a discount, not in excess of the
reallowance fixed by us, in selling such securities to other dealers, provided
that in doing so you comply with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). Upon our request, you will
advise us of the identity of any dealer to whom you allow such a discount and
any Underwriter or dealer from whom you receive such a discount. After the
securities are released for sale to the public, we may vary the offering price
and other selling terms.

     2. You represent that you are a dealer actually engaged in the investment
banking or securities business and that you are either (i) a member in good
standing of the NASD or (ii) a dealer with its principal place of business
located outside the United States, its territories or possessions and not
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (a "non-member foreign
dealer") or (iii) a bank not eligible for membership in the NASD. If you are a
non-member foreign dealer, you agree to make no sales of securities within the
United States, its territories or its possessions or to persons who are
nationals thereof or residents therein. Non-
<PAGE>

member foreign dealers and banks agree, in making any sales, to comply with the
NASD's interpretation with respect to free-riding and withholding. In accepting
a selling concession where we are acting as Representative of the Underwriters,
in accepting a reallowance from us whether or not we are acting as such
Representative of the Underwriters, in accepting a reallowance from us whether
or not we are acting as such Representative, and in allowing a discount to any
other person, you agree to comply with the provisions of Section 24 of Article
III of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD, and, in addition, if you are a
non-member foreign dealer or bank, you agree to comply, as though you were a
member of the NASD, with the provisions of Sections 8 and 36 of Article III of
such Rules of Fair Practice and to comply with Section 25 of Article III thereof
as that Section applies to a non-member foreign dealer or bank. You represent
that you are fully familiar with the above provisions of the Rules of Fair
Practice of the NASD.

     3. If the securities have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "1933 Act"), in offering and selling such securities, you are not
authorized to give any information or make any representation not contained in
the prospectus relating thereto. You confirm that you are familiar with the
rules and policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
distribution of preliminary and final prospectuses, and you agree that you will
comply therewith in any offering covered by this Agreement. If we are acting as
Representative of the Underwriters, we will make available to you, to the extent
made available to us by the issuer of the securities, such number of copies of
the prospectus or offering documents, for securities not registered under the
1933 Act, as you may reasonably request.

     4. If we are acting as Representative of the Underwriters of securities of
an issuer that is not required to file reports under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), you agree that you will not sell any of the securities
to any account over which you have discretionary authority.

     5. Payment for securities purchased by you is to be made at our office, One
Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006 (or at such other place as we
may advise), at the offering price less the concession allowed to you, on such
date as we may advise, by certified or official bank check in New York Clearing
House funds (or such other funds as we may advise), payable to our order,
against delivery of the securities to be purchased by you. We shall have
authority to make appropriate arrangements for payment for and/or delivery
through the facility of The Depository Trust Company or any such other
depository or similar facility for the securities.

     6. In the event that, prior to the completion of the distribution of
securities covered by this Agreement, we purchase in the open market or
otherwise any securities delivered to you, if we are acting as Representative of
the Underwriters, you agree to repay to us for the accounts of the Underwriters
the amount of the concession allowed to you plus brokerage commissions and any
transfer taxes paid in connection with such purchase.

     7. At any time prior to the completion of the distribution of securities
covered by this Agreement you will, upon our request as Representative of the
Underwriters, report to us the

                                       2
<PAGE>

amount of securities purchased by you which then remains unsold and will, upon
our request, sell to us for the account of one or more of the Underwriters such
amount of such unsold securities as we may designate, at the offering price less
an amount to be determined by us not in excess of the concession allowed to you.

     8. If we are acting as Representative of the Underwriters, upon application
to us, we will inform you of the states and other jurisdictions of the United
States in which it is believed that the securities being offered are qualified
for sale under, or are exempt from the requirements of, their respective
securities laws, but we assume no responsibility with respect to your right to
sell securities in any jurisdiction. We shall have authority to file with the
Department of State of the State of New York a Further State Notice with respect
to the securities, if necessary.

     9. You agree that in connection with any offering of securities covered by
this Agreement you will comply with the applicable provisions of the 1933 Act
and the 1934 Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder, the applicable rules and regulations of the
NASD, and the applicable rules of any securities exchange having jurisdiction
over the offering.

     10. We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem
advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to any offering covered by this
Agreement. We shall be under no liability to you except for our lack of good
faith and for obligations assumed by us in this Agreement, except that you do
not waive any rights that you may have under the 1933 Act or the rules and
regulations thereunder.

     11. Any notice from us shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of written telecommunications to you at the
above address or at such other address as you shall specify to us in writing.

     12. With respect to any offering of securities covered by this Agreement,
the price restrictions contained in Paragraph 1 hereof and the provisions of
Paragraphs 6 and 7 hereof shall terminate as to such offering at the close of
business on the 45th day after the securities are released for sale or, as to
any or all such provisions, at such earlier time as we may advise. All other
provisions of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect
with respect to such offering.

     13. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

     Please confirm your agreement hereto by signing the enclosed duplicate copy
hereof in the place provided below and returning such signed duplicate copy to
us at World Headquarters,

                                       3
<PAGE>

North Tower, World Financial Center, New York, N.Y. 10281-1305, Attention:
Corporate Syndicate.  Upon receipt thereof, this instrument and such signed
duplicate copy will evidence the agreement between us.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                                                          Incorporated


                                           By:_________________________________
                                              Name:  Fred F. Hessinger


Confirmed and accepted as of the
    day of           , 19


_______________________________________
            Name of Dealer


_______________________________________
     Authorized Officer or Partner
(if not Officer or Partner, attach copy
    of Instrument of Authorization)

                                       4

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 9

                               CUSTODY AGREEMENT
                               -----------------

     Agreement made as of this ____ day of        1992, between MuniYield New
York Insured Fund, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Maryland having. its principal office and place of business at 800
Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 (hereinafter called the
"Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York corporation authorized to do a
banking business, having its principal office and place of business at 48 Wall
Street, New York, New York 10286 (hereinafter called the "Custodian").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the
Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

     Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless
the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

     1. "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include any person, whether or
not such person is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written
Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto
as Appendix A or such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from
time to time.

     2. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees.

     3. "Call option" shall mean an exchange traded option with respect to
Securities other than Stock Index Options, Futures Contracts, and Futures
Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the
exercise price, as specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the
specified underlying Securities.

     4. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in
writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian
which is actually received by the Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by
any two Officers.

     5. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which is a
clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national securities
exchange qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any
broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.

     6. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so denominated
which is specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the Custodian as
security for, and in consideration of, the Custodian's issuance of (a) any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar

                                       1
<PAGE>

document described in paragraph 8 of Article V herein, or (b) any receipt
described in Article V or VIII herein.

     7. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying Securities
(excluding Futures Contracts) which are owned by the writer thereof and subject
to appropriate restrictions.

     8. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall further mean
and include any other person authorized to act as a depository under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or successors and its nominee or
nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Directors specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian.

     9. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to buy or
sell fixed income securities including, without limitation, U.S. Treasury Bills,
U.S. Treasury Notes, U.S. Treasury Bonds, domestic bank certificates of deposit,
and Eurodollar certificates of deposit, during a specified month at an agreed
upon price.

     10. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract and/or Stock
Index Futures Contracts.

     11. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an option with respect to a
Futures Contract.

     12. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or in the
name of the Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant, or Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement
between the Fund, the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or a Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and
distinct from the custody account, in which certain Securities and/or money of
the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in connection with
such transactions as the Fund may from time to time determine. Securities held
in the Book-Entry System or the Depository shall be deemed to have been
deposited in, or withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting
an appropriate entry in its books and records.

     13. "Money Market Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation,
certain Reverse Repurchase Agreements, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as
to interest and principal by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation note issued by
any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements with
respect to the same and bank time deposits, where the purchase and sale of such
securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as such
purchase or sale.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     14. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing agency
registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, its
successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.

     15. "Officers" shall be deemed to include the President, any Vice
President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant
Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, and any other person or persons, whether or
not any such other person is an officer of the Fund, duly authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Fund to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice
or other instrument on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed
hereto as Appendix B or such other Certificate as may be received by the
Custodian from time to time.

     16. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Stock Index
Option and/or a Put Option.

     17. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually received by
the Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by
the Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

     18. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded option with respect to
Securities other than Stock Index Options, Futures Contracts, and Futures
Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and tender of the
specified underlying Securities, to sell such Securities to the writer thereof
for the exercise price.

     19. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to
which the Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such Securities at a
described or specified date and price.

     20. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money Market
Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Stock Index Options, Stock Index Futures
Contracts, Stock Index Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts,
Financial Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, common stocks
and other securities having characteristics similar to common stocks, preferred
stocks, debt obligations issued by state or municipal governments and by public
authorities, (including, without limitation, general obligation bonds, revenue
bonds, industrial bonds and industrial development bonds), bonds, debentures,
notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants
or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, sell or subscribe
for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interest
therein, or any property or assets.

     21. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and
specifically allocated to a Series under the terms of this Agreement as a
segregated account, by recordation or otherwise, within the custody account in
which certain Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically allocated
to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in accordance
with Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions
as the Fund may from time to time determine.

     22. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund as
described from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for the
Fund.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     23. "Shares" shall mean the shares of capital stock of the Fund, each of
which is, in the case of a Fund having Series, allocated to a particular Series.

     24. "Stock Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement
pursuant to which the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of
cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the value
of a particular stock index at the close of the last business day of the
contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck.

     25. "Stock Index option" shall mean an exchange traded option entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined by
reference to the difference between the exercise price and the value of the
index on the date of exercise.

     26. "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications actually
received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably
believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person by telex or any other such
system whereby the receiver of such communications is able to verify by codes or
otherwise with a reasonable degree of certainty the identity of the sender of
such communication.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN

     1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of
the Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund during the period of
this Agreement.

     2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees to
perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.

                                  ARTICLE III

                         CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES

     1. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian
all Securities and all moneys owned by it, at any time during the period of this
Agreement, and shall specify with respect to such Securities and money the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated. The Custodian shall
segregate, keep and maintain the assets of the Series separate and apart. The
Custodian will not be responsible for any Securities and moneys not actually
received by it. The Custodian will be entitled to reverse any credits made on
the Fund's behalf where such credits have been previously made and moneys are
not finally collected. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System all Securities
eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent
possible in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities,
loans of Securities and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Prior
to a deposit of Securities specifically allocated to a Series in the Depository,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified

                                       4
<PAGE>

resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, substantially in the form of
Exhibit B hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and ongoing basis until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate
actually received by the Custodian to deposit in the Depository all Securities
specifically allocated to such Series eligible for deposit therein, and to
utilize the Depository to the extent possible with respect to such Securities in
connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of
Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Securities and
moneys deposited in either the Book-Entry System or the Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian for
customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custodian acts
in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be specifically allocated on
the Custodian's books to the separate account for the applicable Series. Prior
to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to Clearing
Member confirmations for Options and transactions in Options for a Series as
provided in this Agreement, the Custodian shall have received a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors, substantially in the form of
Exhibit C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis, until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate
actually received by the Custodian, to accept, utilize and act in accordance
with such confirmations as provided in this Agreement with respect to such
Series.

     2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts, in the
name of each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for each Series
all moneys received by it for the account of the Fund with respect to such
Series. Money credited to a separate account for a Series shall be disbursed by
the Custodian only:

        (a)  As hereinafter provided;


        (b)  Pursuant to Certificates setting forth the name and address of the
             person to whom the payment is to be made, the Series account from
             which payment is to be made and the purpose for which payment is to
             be made; or

        (c)  In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the expenses and
             liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series.

     3. Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per series basis, of all
transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series, either hereunder or
with any co-custodian or sub-custodian appointed in accordance with this
Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the account of
the Fund for a Series, the Custodian shall also by book-entry or otherwise
identify as belonging to such Series a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk
of Securities registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown
on the Custodian's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the
Depository. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series basis, of the Securities and
moneys held by the Custodian for the Fund.

     4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are issued
or issuable only in bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the Book-
Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in

                                       5
<PAGE>

that form; all other Securities held hereunder may be registered in the name of
the Fund, in the name of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian
as the Custodian may from time to time determine, or in the name of the Book-
Entry System or the Depository or their successor or successors, or their
nominee or nominees. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian appropriate
instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for
transfer, or to register in the name of its registered nominee or in the name of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository any Securities which it may hold
hereunder and which may from time to time be registered in the name of the Fund.
The Custodian shall hold all such Securities specifically allocated to a Series
which are not held in the Book-Entry System or in the Depository in a separate
account in the name of such Series physically segregated at all times from those
of any other person or persons.

     5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless otherwise
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by itself, or through
the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository with respect to Securities
held hereunder and therein deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held
for the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding paragraph 4:

        (a)  Collect all income due or payable;

        (b)  Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon such
Securities which are called, but only if either (i) the Custodian receives a
written notice of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more
of the publications listed in Appendix C annexed hereto, which may be amended at
any time by the Custodian without the prior notification or consent of the Fund;

        (c)  Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all
Securities which mature;

        (d)  Surrender Securities in temporary form for definitive Securities;

        (e)  Execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates
of ownership under the Federal Income Tax Laws or the laws or regulations of any
other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect; and

        (f)  Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the Depository
with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of a Series, all
rights and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities held by the
Custodian for such Series hereunder.

     6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian, directly
or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:

        (a)  Execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such
Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby
the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities held by the Custodian
hereunder for the Series specified in such Certificate may be exercised;

                                       6
<PAGE>

        (b)  Deliver any Securities held by the Custodian hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate in exchange for other Securities or cash
issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of
any conversion privilege and receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated
to such Series any cash or other Securities received in exchange;

        (c)  Deliver any Securities held by the Custodian hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate to any protective committee, reorganization
committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing,
merger consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation, and
receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such Series such
certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as
may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;

        (d)  Make such transfers or exchanges of the' assets of the Series
specified in such Certificate, and take such other steps as shall be stated in
such Certificate to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan
of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the
Fund; and

        (e)  Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon Securities
not described in preceding paragraph 5(b) of this Article which may be called as
specified in the Certificate.

     7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the Custodian
shall not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or certificate
representing any Futures Contract, any option, or any Futures Contract Option
until after it shall have determined, or shall have received a Certificate from
the Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are available. The
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a Certificate no later than the
business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or certificate.
Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in connection with the purchase,
sale, settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or
Futures Contract options by making payments or deliveries specified in
Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with any such purchase,
sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer,
or futures commission merchant of a statement or confirmation reasonably
believed by the Custodian to be in the form customarily used by brokers,
dealers, or future commission merchants with respect to such Futures Contracts,
Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the case may be, confirming that such
Security is held by such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, in book-
entry form or otherwise, in the name of the Custodian (or any nominee of the
Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, provided, however, that notwithstanding
the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from the Margin Account, and payments
with respect to Securities to which a Margin Account relates, shall be made in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available, the Custodian
shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, make
payment for any Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only against the delivery to
the Custodian of such instrument or such certificate, and deliver any Futures
Contract, Option or Futures Contract option for which such instruments or such
certificates are available only against receipt by the Custodian of payment
therefor. Any such

                                       7
<PAGE>

instrument or certificate delivered to the Custodian shall be held by the
Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of this
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                  PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
                   OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND
                            FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS

     1. Promptly after each purchase of Securities by the Fund, other than a
purchase of an option, a Futures Contract, or a Futures Contract Option, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with
respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such
purchase: (a) the Series to which such Securities are to be specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any;
(d) the date of purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f)
the total amount payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from
whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the
clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom payment is to be
made. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of Securities purchased by or for the
Fund, pay to the broker specified in the Certificate out of the moneys held for
the account of such Series the total amount payable upon such purchase, provided
that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.

     2. Promptly after each sale of Securities by the Fund, other than a sale of
any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract Option, or any Reverse Repurchase
Agreement, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale
of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii)
with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale:
(a) the Series to which such securities were specifically allocated; (b) the
name of the issuer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or
principal amount sold, and accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of sale; (e)
the sale price per unit; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such
sale; (g) the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was
made, and the name of the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the
broker to whom the Securities are to be delivered. The Custodian shall deliver
the Securities specifically allocated to such Series to the broker specified in
the Certificate against payment of the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set
forth in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                     OPTIONS

     1. Promptly after the purchase of any Option by the Fund, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each option
purchased: (a) the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b)
the type of option (put or call); (c) the name of

                                       8
<PAGE>

the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to such option or, in the
case of a Stock Index Option, the stock index to which such Option relates and
the number of Stock Index Options purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the
exercise price; (f) the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the total amount
payable by the Fund in connection with such purchase; (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom such Option was purchased; and (i) the name of the
broker to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a
Clearing Member's statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such
Clearing Member for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and
registered nominee of the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, out of moneys
held for the account of the Series to which such Option is to be specifically
allocated, the total amount payable upon such purchase to the Clearing Member
through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

     2. Promptly after the sale of any Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option
was specifically allocated; (b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the name
of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in
the case of a Stock Index Option, the stock index to which such Option relates
and the number of Stock Index Options sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom the sale was
made. The Custodian shall consent to the delivery of the Option sold by the
Clearing Member which previously supplied the confirmation described in
preceding paragraph 1 of this Article with respect to such Option against
payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable to the Fund, provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

     3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the Series to
which such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer
and the title and number of shares subject to the Call Option; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price
per share; (f) the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option
which was exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Call option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to
the Clearing Member through whom the Call option was exercised, provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

     4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the expiration
date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share;
(f) the total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name
of the Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the amount payable upon the exercise of the Put Option,
deliver or direct the Depository to deliver

                                       9
<PAGE>

the Securities specifically allocated to such Series, provided the same conforms
to the amount payable to the Fund as set forth in such Certificate.

     5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Stock Index option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph I hereof, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Stock Index Option:
(a) the Series to which such Stock Index option was specifically allocated; (b)
the type of Stock Index Option (put or call); (c) the number of Options being
exercised; (d) the stock index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration
date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the total amount to be received by the Fund in
connection with such exercise; and (h) the Clearing Member from whom such
payment is to be received.

     6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Covered
Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the Covered
Call Option was written and which underlie the same; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date
such Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member
through whom the premium is to be received. The Custodian shall deliver or cause
to be delivered, in exchange for receipt of the premium specified in the
Certificate with respect to such Covered Call option, such receipts as are
required in accordance with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members
dealing in Covered Call options and shall impose, or direct the Depository to
impose, upon the underlying Securities specified in the Certificate specifically
allocated to such Series such restrictions as may be required by such receipts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian has the right, upon prior written
notification to the Fund, at any time to refuse to issue any receipts for
Securities in the possession of the Custodian and not deposited with the
Depository underlying a Covered Call Option.

     7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject
to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct the Depository to deliver, the underlying securities as specified in
the Certificate against payment of the amount to be received as set forth in
such Certificate.

     8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a)
the Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares for which the Put Option is written and which
underlie the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities

                                       10
<PAGE>

specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the
Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee
letter substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on the date hereof,
and deliver the same to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate against
receipt of the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to make any of the
representations contained therein.

     9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the preceding
paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject to the Put Option;
(c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying Securities are to be received;
(d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such Series and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, specifically allocated
to such Series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account. Upon
the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document issued by the Custodian in connection with such Put Option, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to the
Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth in such Certificate
against delivery of such Securities, and shall make the withdrawals specified in
such Certificate.

     10. Whenever the Fund writes a Stock Index Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Stock
Index option: (a) the Series for which such Stock Index Option was written; (b)
whether such Stock Index Option is a put or a call; (c) the number of options
written; (d) the stock index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration
date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the Clearing Member through whom such option
was written; (h) the premium to be received by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series; (j) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in the Collateral Account for such
Series; and (k) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if
any, specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account,
and the name in which such account is to be or has been established. The
Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make
the deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account specified in the
Certificate, and either (1) deliver such receipts, if any, which the Custodian
has specifically agreed to issue, which are in accordance with the customs
prevailing among Clearing Members in Stock Index options and make the deposits
into the Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, or (2) make the
deposits into the Margin Account specified in the Certificate.

     11. Whenever a Stock Index Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Stock
Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Stock Index option was written; (b)
such information as may be necessary to identify the Stock Index option being
exercised; (c) the Clearing Member through whom such Stock Index Option is being
exercised; (d) the total amount payable upon such exercise, and whether such
amount is

                                       11
<PAGE>

to be paid by or to the Fund; (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin Account; and (f) the amount
of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series; and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account for such Series. Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if
any, delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Article, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated to the Clearing Member
specified in the Certificate the total amount payable, if any, as specified
therein.

     12. Whenever the Fund purchases any Option identical to a previously
written Option described in paragraphs, 6, 8 or 10 of this Article in a
transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase Transaction" in order to
liquidate its position as a writer of an Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being
purchased: (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction; (b) the
Series for which the Option was written; (c) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Option, or, in the case of a Stock
Index option, the stock index to which such Option relates and the number of
Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund;
(f) the expiration date; (g) the type of Option (put or call); (h) the date of
such purchase; (i) the name of the Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be
paid; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if
any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account, a specified Margin Account, or
the Senior Security Account for such Series. Upon the Custodian's payment of the
premium and the return and/or cancellation of any receipt issued pursuant to
paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this Article with respect to the Option being
liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction, the Custodian shall remove,
or direct the Depository to remove, the previously imposed restrictions on the
Securities underlying the Call Option.

     13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a closing Purchase
Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 Article III herein, and
upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts issued by the Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate received
in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                FUTURES CONTRACTS

     1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures
Contract, (or with respect to any number of identical Futures Contract(s)): (a)
the Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered; (b) the category of
Futures Contract (the name of the underlying stock index or financial
instrument); (c) the number of identical Futures Contracts entered into; (d) the
delivery or settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the date the Futures
Contract(s) was (were) entered into and the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund
is buying (going long) or selling (going

                                       12
<PAGE>

short) on such Futures Contract(s); (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for
such Series; (h) the name of the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant
through whom the Futures Contract was entered into; and (i) the amount of fee or
commission, if any, to be paid and the name of the broker, dealer, or futures
commission merchant to whom such amount is to be paid. The Custodian shall make
the deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. The Custodian shall make payment out
of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if
any, specified in the Certificate and deposit in the Senior Security Account for
such Series the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities
specified in said Certificate.

     2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be made
by the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant with respect to
an outstanding Futures Contract, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

        (b)  Any variation margin payment or similar payment from a broker,
dealer, or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect to an
outstanding Futures Contract, shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is retained
by the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures Contract, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures
Contract and the Series to which the same relates; (b) with respect to a Stock
Index Futures Contract, the total cash settlement amount to be paid or received,
and with respect to a Financial Futures Contract, the Securities and/or amount
of cash to be delivered or received; (c) the broker, dealer, or futures
commission merchant to or from whom payment or delivery is to be made or
received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or Securities to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make the payment or
delivery specified in the Certificate, and delete such Futures Contract from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III herein.

     4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset a
Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and (b) the Futures
Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment out of the money
specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if any,
specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III
herein, and make such withdrawals from the Senior Security Account for such
Series as may be specified in such Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be
made from the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS

     1. Promptly after the purchase of any Futures Contract Option by the Fund,
the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with
respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which such option is
specifically allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call);
(c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary
to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of
purchase and settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by the Fund upon
such purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom such option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker, or futures
commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out
of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series, the total amount to be paid
upon such purchase to the broker or futures commissions merchant through whom
the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the amount set forth
in such Certificate.

     2. Promptly after the sale of any Futures Contract Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) Series to
which such Futures Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Future Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such
other information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the broker of futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the cancellation of the
Futures Contract Option being closed against payment to the Custodian of the
total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.

     3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of exercise; (e) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.

     4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract option: (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option
was written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be neces-

                                       14
<PAGE>

sary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option;
(d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the premium to be received
by the Fund; (g) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom the premium is to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount
and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account
for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in
the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically allocated
to, such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account, if any, as
specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is a call
is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures
Contract option was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund
upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.

     6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund and
which is a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying such Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the
broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such
exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (g) the amount and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn
from or deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the deposits,
if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate. The
deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.

     7. Whenever the Fund purchases any Futures Contract Option identical to a
previously written Futures Contract Option described in this Article in order to
liquidate its position as a writer of such Futures Contract Option, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
the Futures Contract Option being purchased: (a) the Series to which such option
is specifically allocated; (b) that the transaction is a closing transaction;
(c) the type of Future Contract and such other information as may be necessary
to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Option Contract; (d) the
exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund; (f) the expiration date;
(g) the name of the broker or futures

                                       15
<PAGE>

commission merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and (h) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall effect the
withdrawals from the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate. The
withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account shall be made by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.

     8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing transaction
with respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or purchased by the Fund
and described in this Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such Futures
Contract Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph
3 of Article III herein and, (b) make such withdrawals from and/or in the case
of an exercise such deposits into the Senior Security Account as may be
specified in a Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin
Account, if any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of a Futures
Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI hereof.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   SHORT SALES

     1. Promptly after any short sales by any Series of the Fund, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series for
which such short sale was made; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Security; (c) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the sale and settlement; (e) the
sale price per unit; (f) the total amount credited to the Fund upon such sale,
if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any,
which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and the name in which such Margin
Account has been or is to be established; (h) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in a Senior Security
Account, and (i) the name of the broker through whom such short sale was made.
The Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from such broker confirming
such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund upon such sale, if any,
as specified in the Certificate is held by such broker for the account of the
Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian of the Fund, issue a
receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and the Senior Security
Account specified in the Certificate.

     2. In connection with the closing-out of any short sale, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
such closing out: (a) the Series for which such transaction is being made; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares
or the principal amount, and accrued interest or dividends, if any, required to
effect such closing-out to be delivered to the broker; (d) the dates of closing-
out and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the net total amount
payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g) the net total amount payable to
the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount of cash and the amount and kind
of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the Margin Account; (i) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be

                                       16
<PAGE>

withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name. of the broker
through whom the Fund is effecting such closing-out. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out, and
the return and/ or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued by the Custodian
with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the moneys held for
the account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount payable to the
broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the Senior Security
Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                          REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

     1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Reverse Repurchase Agreement with
respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate, or in the event such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions specifying: (a) the Series for which the Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is entered; (b) the total amount payable to the Fund in connection
with such Reverse Repurchase Agreement and specifically allocated to such
Series; (c) the broker or dealer through or with whom the Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is entered; (d) the amount and kind of Securities to be delivered by
the Fund to such broker or dealer; (e) the date of such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Senior
Security Account for such Series in connection with such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the total amount payable to the
Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions
make the delivery to the broker or dealer, and the deposits, if any, to the
Senior Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions.

     2. Upon the termination of a Reverse Repurchase Agreement described in
preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund shall promptly deliver a
Certificate or, in the event such Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market
Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions to the
Custodian specifying: (a) the Reverse Repurchase Agreement being terminated and
the Series for which same was entered; (b) the total amount payable by the Fund
in connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind of securities to be
received by the Fund and specifically allocated to such Series in connection
with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the name of the broker
or dealer with or through whom the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to be
terminated; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities
to be withdrawn from the Senior securities Account for such series. The
Custodian shall, upon receipt of the amount and kind of Securities to be
received by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions, make the payment to the broker or dealer, and the withdrawals, if
any, from the Senior Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE X

                    LOAN OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND

     1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically allocated
to a Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated;
(b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, (c) the number of
shares or the principal amount loaned, (d) the date of loan and delivery, (e)
the total amount to be delivered to the Custodian against the loan of the
Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if any,
separately identified, and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the
Securities thus designated to the broker, dealer or financial institution to
which the loan was made upon receipt of the total amount designated as to be
delivered against the loan of Securities. The Custodian may accept payment in
connection with a delivery otherwise than through the Book-Entry System or
Depository only in the form of a certified or bank cashier's check payable to
the order of the Fund or the Custodian drawn on New York Clearing House funds
and may deliver Securities in accordance with the customs prevailing among
dealers in securities.

     2. Promptly after each termination of the loan of Securities by the Fund,
the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of Securities:
(a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be returned, (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d) the date of
termination, (e) the total amount to be delivered by the Custodian (including
the cash collateral for such Securities minus any offsetting credits as
described in said Certificate), and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or
financial institution from which the Securities will be returned. The Custodian
shall receive all Securities returned from the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which such Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall
pay, out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                   CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
                       ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS

     1. The Custodian shall, from time to time, make such deposits to, or
withdrawals from, a Senior Security Account as specified in a Certificate
received by the Custodian. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for which
such deposit or withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be
deposited in, or withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account for such Series.
In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the
name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount
of any particular Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn
from, a Senior Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to
make any such deposit or withdrawal and shall so notify the Fund.

                                       18
<PAGE>

     2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin Account to
the broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in whose
name, or for whose benefit, the account was established as specified in the
Margin Account Agreement.

     3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions with
respect to Securities deposited in any margin Account shall be dealt with in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     4. The Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in and
to any property at any time held by the Custodian in any Collateral Account
described herein. In accordance with applicable law the Custodian may enforce
its lien and realize on any such property whenever the Custodian has made
payment or delivery pursuant to any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt issued hereunder by the Custodian. In the event the
Custodian should realize on any such property net proceeds which are less than
the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed the Custodian by
the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.

     5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
statement with respect to each Margin Account in which money or Securities are
held specifying as of the close of business on the previous business day: (a)
the name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held
therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The Custodian shall make
available upon request to any broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant
specified in the name of a Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the
Fund with respect to such Margin Account.

     6. Promptly after the close of business on each business day in which cash
and/or Securities are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement with respect to such
Collateral Account specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities held therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding the
delivery to the Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian
a Certificate or Written Instructions specifying the then market value of the
Securities described in such statement. In the event such then market value is
indicated to be less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any
outstanding Put Option guarantee letter or similar document, the Fund shall
promptly specify in a Certificate the additional cash and/or Securities to be
deposited in such Collateral Account to eliminate such deficiency.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                      PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

     1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, either (i) setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein
the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Dividend Agent and
any sub-dividend

                                       19
<PAGE>

agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing
with respect to the Series specified therein the declaration of dividends and
distributions on a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian to rely on Oral
Instructions, Written Instructions or a Certificate setting forth the date of
the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof,
the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Dividend Agent on the
payment date.

     2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral Instructions,
Written Instructions or Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall pay
out of the moneys held for the account of each Series the total amount payable
to the Dividend Agent and any sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the
Fund with respect to such Series.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                          SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:

        (a)  The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date, and price; and

        (b)  The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale of
             such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in
             the name of such Series.

     2. Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian shall
credit such money to the separate account in the name of the Series for which
such money was received.

     3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series described in the foregoing
provisions of this Article, the Custodian shall pay, out of the money held for
the account of such Series, all original issue or other taxes required to be
paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance 'Upon the receipt of a
Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.

     4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the Custodian
to make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder in connection
with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying:

        (a)  The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and

        (b)  The amount to be paid for such Shares.

     5. Upon receipt from the Transfer Agent of an advice setting forth the
Series and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and
that such Shares are in good form for redemption, the Custodian shall make
payment to the Transfer Agent out of the moneys held in the separate account in
the name of the Series the total amount specified in the Certificate issued
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.

                                       20
<PAGE>

     6. Notwithstanding the above provisions regarding the redemption of any
Shares, whenever any Shares are redeemed pursuant to any check redemption
privilege which may from time to time be offered by the Fund, the Custodian,
unless otherwise instructed by a Certificate, shall, upon receipt of an advice
from the Fund or its agent setting forth that the redemption is in good form for
redemption in accordance with the check redemption procedure, honor the check
presented as part of such check redemption privilege out of the moneys held in
the separate account of the Series of the Shares being redeemed.

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                           OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS

     1. If the Custodian, should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf
of any Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by the
Custodian in the separate account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay
the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to
such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions or which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such
Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to
the Custodian with respect to a Series, including any indebtedness to The Bank
of New York under the Fund's Cash Management and Related Services Agreement,
(except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using
Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the
provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall
be deemed to be a loan made by the Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable
on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum
(based on a 360-day year for the actual number of days involved) equal to 1/2%
over Custodian's prime commercial lending rate in effect from time to time, such
rate to be adjusted on the effective date of any change in such prime commercial
lending rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, the Fund
hereby agrees that the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security
interest in and to any property specifically allocated to such Series at any
time held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which the Fund may have an
interest which is then in the Custodian's possession or control or in possession
or control of any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund
authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such
overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance
of account standing to such Series' credit on the Custodian's books. In
addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on each Business Day on which either it
intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/or otherwise borrow from a
third party, or which next succeeds a Business Day on which at the close of
business the Fund had outstanding a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or such a
borrowing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., New York City time, advise the Custodian,
in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the Series to which the same
relates, and shall not incur any indebtedness not so specified other than from
the Custodian.

     2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian)
from which it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency
purposes using Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for such
borrowings, a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by any such
bank setting forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Fund against
delivery of a stated amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to
the

                                       21
<PAGE>

Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a)
the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the
amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by
reference an attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan
agreement, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered
into, (e) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (f) the total
amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (g) the market value of
Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of
the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any
particular Securities, and (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for
investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is
in conformance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Fund's
prospectus. The Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a
Certificate the specified collateral and the executed promissory note, if any,
against delivery by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the
Certificate. The Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such
collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights
therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan
agreement. The Custodian shall, deliver such Securities as additional collateral
as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction
described in this paragraph. The Fund shall cause all Securities released from
collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian, and the Custodian
shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to
it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the
name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of
any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by the Custodian, the
Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                            CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN

     1. Except as hereinafter provided, neither the Custodian nor its nominee
shall be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees, resulting from
its action or omission to act or otherwise, either hereunder or under any Margin
Account Agreement, except for any such loss or damage arising out of its own
negligence or willful misconduct. In no event shall the Custodian be liable to
the Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages or
lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this
Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and
regardless of the form of action. The Custodian may, with respect to questions
of law arising hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply for and
obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund or of its own counsel, at
the expense of the Fund, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything
done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice or opinion.
The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage resulting from
the use of the Book-Entry System or any Depository arising by reason of any
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its
employees or agents.

     2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall be
under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

                                       22
<PAGE>

     (a)  The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or
written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing
thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;

     (b)  The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety
of the amount to be received or paid therefor;

     (c)  The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the
Fund;

     (d)  The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities as
collateral;

     (e)  The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash collateral
delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at
any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the Fund is
adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result
of such loan. The Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall
not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the Fund
that the amount of such cash collateral held by it for the Fund is sufficient
collateral for the Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the sole
responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or
obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which
portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to Article XIV of this
Agreement makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to
or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the
termination of such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian shall promptly
notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and
received when due; or

     (f)  The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities
held in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or Collateral Account in
connection with transactions by the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be
under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or Clearing Member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin
payment or similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member, to see that any
payment received by the Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or Clearing Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to
notify the Fund of the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment.

     3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the Custodian
of, any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft, or other
instrument for the payment of money, received by it on behalf of the Fund until
the Custodian actually receives and collects such money directly or by the final
crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry
System or the Depository.

     4. The Custodian shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for
ascertaining or acting upon any calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders,
interest rate changes or similar matters relating to Securities held in the
Depository, unless the Custodian shall have actually received timely notice from
the Depository. In no event shall the Custodian have any responsibility or
liability for the failure of the Depository to collect, or for the late
collection or

                                       23
<PAGE>

late crediting by the Depository of any amount payable upon Securities deposited
in the Depository which may mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise
become payable. However, upon receipt of a Certificate from the Fund of an
overdue amount on Securities held in the Depository the Custodian shall make a
claim against the Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian
shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action
suit or proceeding in respect to any Securities held by the Depository which in
its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity
satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often as
may be required.

     5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect collection of any amount due to the Fund from the Transfer Agent of
the Fund nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by the
Transfer Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer
Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.

     6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect collection of any amount, if the securities upon which such amount is
payable are in default, or if payment is refused after due demand or
presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action.

     7. The Custodian may appoint one or more banking institutions as Depository
or Depositories, as Sub-Custodian or Sub-Custodians, or as Co-Custodian or Co-
Custodians including, but not limited to, banking institutions located in
foreign countries, of Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund, upon
such terms and conditions as may be approved in a Certificate or contained in an
agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund and the appointed institution.

     8. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to ascertain
whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it, for the account
of the Fund and specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be
held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then current
prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or
not involving the. Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged
in by the Fund.

     9. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to pay to
the Custodian all out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as may be agreed
upon from time to time between the Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian may
charge such compensation and any expenses with respect to a Series incurred by
the Custodian in the performance of its duties pursuant to such agreement
against any money specifically allocated to such Series. Unless and until the
Fund instructs the Custodian by a Certificate to apportion any loss, damage,
liability or expense among the Series in a specified manner, the Custodian shall
also be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the account of a
Series such Series' pro rata share (based on such Series net asset value at the
time of the charge to the aggregate net asset value of all Series at that time)
of the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees,
for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this
Agreement. The expenses for which the Custodian shall be entitled to
reimbursement hereunder shall include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
sub-custodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred in

                                       24
<PAGE>

settling outside of New York City transactions involving the purchase and sale
of Securities of the Fund.

     10. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice or
other instrument in writing received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by
the Custodian to be a Certificate. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon
any Oral Instructions and any Written Instructions actually received by the
Custodian hereinabove provided for. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian
a Certificate or facsimile thereof confirming such Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions in such manner so that such Certificate or facsimile thereof is
received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar
device, or otherwise, by the close of business of the same day that such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions are given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees
that the fact that such confirming instructions are not received by the
Custodian shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the Fund. The Fund
agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder
concerning such transactions provided such instructions reasonably appear to
have been received from an Authorized Person.

     11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument,
instruction or notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin
Account Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall be under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable for,
the accuracy of any statements or representations contained in any such
instrument or other notice including, without limitation, any specification of
any amount to be paid to a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or
Clearing Member.

     12. The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are in the
possession of the Custodian shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and
records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable securities laws and rules and
regulations. The Fund, or the Fund's authorized representatives, shall have
access to such books and records during the Custodian's normal business hours.
Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records
shall be Provided by the Custodian to the Fund or the Fund's authorized
representative, and the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian its expenses of
providing such copies. Upon reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian shall
provide in hard copy or on microfilm, whichever the Custodian elects, any
records included in any such delivery which are maintained by the Custodian on a
computer disc, or are similarly maintained, and the Fund shall reimburse the
Custodian for its expenses of providing such hard copy or micro-film.

     13. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry System,
the Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.

     14. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the
Custodian harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever,
including attorney's fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of or in
connection with this Agreement except for any

                                       25
<PAGE>

such liability, claim, loss and demand arising out of the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct.

     15. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian
may deliver and receive Securities, and receipts with respect to such
Securities, and arrange for payments to be made and received by the Custodian in
accordance with the customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or
dealers in such Securities. When the Custodian is instructed to deliver
Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment
therefor may not be completed simultaneously. The Fund assumes all
responsibility and liability for all credit risks involved in connection with
the Custodian's delivery of securities pursuant to instructions of the Fund,
which responsibility and liability shall continue until final payment in full
has been received by the Custodian.

     16. The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever
except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.

                                  ARTICLE XVI

                                  TERMINATION

     1. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to
the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination,
which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such
notice. In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied
by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, certified by
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement
and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a
bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus
and undivided profits. In the event such notice. is given by the Custodian, the
Fund shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy
of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, certified by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or
custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, the Custodian may
designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having
not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon
the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and the
Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor
custodian. on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all
Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and held by it as Custodian, after
deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement
of which it shall then be entitled.

     2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the Custodian
in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Fund shall upon the date
specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery
by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry
System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys then owned by the Fund
be deemed to be its own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of
all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty
with respect to Securities held in the Book Entry System which cannot be
delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this
Agreement.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XVII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its corporate seal, setting forth the names
and the signatures of the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish
to the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event that any such
present Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or in the event that
other or additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new
Certificate shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting
under the provisions of this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or signatures of
the present Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Certificate.

     2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its corporate seal, setting forth the names
and the signatures of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to
furnish to the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event any such
present Officer ceases to be an Officer of the Fund, or in the event that other
or additional Officers are elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate
shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the
provisions of this Agreement upon the signatures of the Officers as set forth in
the last delivered Certificate.

     3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90
Washington Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as the
Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.

     4. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed
to the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its office at the address for the
Fund first above written, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to
time designate in writing.

     5. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this
Agreement and approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

     6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties
hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that
this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent
of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent of the Fund,
authorized or approved by a resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors.

     7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof.
Each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court
situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising
hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial by jury.

                                       27
<PAGE>

     8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective corporate officers, thereunto duly authorized and
their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year
first above written.

                              MuniYield New York Insured
                              Fund, Inc.

[SEAL]                        By:  ______________________________

Attest:

___________________________   THE BANK OF NEW YORK

[SEAL]                        By:  ______________________________

Attest:

___________________________

                                       28
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

     I, ________________ of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation do hereby certify that:

     The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Articles of Incorporation
and By-Laws to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the
Fund, and the . signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their
true and correct signatures:

Name                                Signature

__________________________          _____________________________________

                                       29
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

     I, ____________________, and I, ____________________, of MuniYield New York
Insured Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:

     The following individuals serve in the following positions with the Fund
and each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Directors of the
Fund to each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and the signatures set forth opposite
their respective names are their true and correct signatures:

Name                      Position                  Signature


__________________        ____________________      ________________________

                                       30
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX C

     I, _____________________, a Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW YORK do
hereby designate the following publications:

The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal

                                       31
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  CERTIFICATION

     The undersigned, _________________________, hereby certifies that he is the
duly elected and acting _______________ of MuniYield New York Insured Fund,
Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on ____________ __, 1992, at which a quorum was at all times
present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in
full force and effect as of the date hereof.

     RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of ____________ __,
1992, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System, as defined in the Custody
Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series
to which the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize the Book-Entry
System to the extent possible in connection with its performance thereunder,
including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and
sales of securities, loans of securities, and deliveries and returns of
securities collateral.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of __________,
as of the ____ day of January,  1992.

                                                        _______________________
[SEAL]

                                       32
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                                  CERTIFICATION

     The undersigned, _________________, I hereby certifies that he is the duly
elected and acting ________________ of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a
Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following
resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly
held on __________ __, 1992, at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.

     RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of ____________ __,
1992, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the
Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in the Depository, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless
of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize the
Depository to the extent possible in connection with its performance thereunder,
including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and
sales of securities, loans of securities, and deliveries and returns of
securities collateral.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
____________, as of the __ day of ____________, 1992.

                                                        _______________________
[SEAL]

                                       33
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B-1

                                  CERTIFICATION

     The undersigned, ______________, hereby certifies that he or she is the
duly elected and acting _______________ of MuniYield New York Insured Fund,
Inc., a Maryland corporation, (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on ________________, __, 1992, at which a quorum was at all
times present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is
in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

     RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of __________ __,
1992, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the
Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in the Participants Trust Company
as Depository, as defined in the Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for
deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, and to utilize the Participants Trust Company to the extent possible
in connection with its performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of securities, loans of
securities, and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of __________,
as of the ___ day of ___________, 1992.

                                                        _______________________
[SEAL]

                                       34
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                  CERTIFICATION

     The undersigned, ______________, hereby certifies that he is the duly
elected and acting ________________ of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a
Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following
resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly
held on _________________ __, 1992, at which a quorum was at all times present
and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force
and effect as of the date hereof.

     RESOLVED, that The Bank of Mew York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of __________ __,
1992, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the
Custody Agreement, to the contrary, to accept, utilize and act with respect to
Clearing Member confirmations for options and transaction in Options, regardless
of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated, as such terms are
defined in the Custody Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of __________,
as of the __ day of ____________, 1992.

                                                        _______________________

[SEAL]

                                       35

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

                               BROWN & WOOD LLP

                            ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
                           NEW YORK, N.Y. 10048-0557
                            TELEPHONE: 212-839-5300
                            FACSIMILE: 212-839-5599

                                                                November 9, 1999

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel for MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. (the
"Fund") in connection with the proposed acquisition by the Fund of substantially
all of the assets and the assumption by the Fund of substantially all of the
liabilities of MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. ("New York Insured II"),
in exchange for newly-issued shares of common stock and auction market preferred
stock of the Fund (collectively the "Reorganization"). This opinion is furnished
in connection with the Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-14 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (File No. 333-88423) (the "Registration
Statement"), relating to shares of common stock and auction market preferred
stock of the Fund, each par value $0.10 per share (the "Shares"), to be issued
in the Reorganization.

        As counsel for the Fund, we are familiar with the proceedings taken by
it and to be taken by it in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale
of the Shares. In addition, we have examined and are familiar with the Articles
of Incorporation of the Fund, as amended and supplemented, the By-Laws of the
Fund, as amended, and such other documents as we have deemed relevant to the
matters referred to in this opinion.

        Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that subsequent to the
approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and New
York Insured II set forth in the joint proxy statement and prospectus
constituting a part of the Registration Statement (the "Proxy Statement and
Prospectus"), the Shares, upon issuance in the manner referred to in the
Registration Statement, for consideration not less than the par value thereof,
will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock or
auction market preferred stock, as the case may be, of the Fund.



LOS ANGELES . SAN FRANCISCO . WASHINGTON . BEIJING . TOKYO REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
AFFILIATED WITH BROWN & WOOD, A MULTINATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH OFFICES IN LONDON
AND HONG KONG
<PAGE>

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Proxy Statement and
Prospectus constituting a part thereof.


                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                        /s/ Brown & Wood LLP






                                       2

<PAGE>

AGREEMENT, made as of ___________, between MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of
Massachusetts (hereinafter referred to as the "Customer"), and The Bank of New
York, a New York trust company (hereinafter referred to as the "Bank").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the
following meanings:

1.  "Business Day" shall be deemed to be each day on which the Bank is open for
business.

2. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in
writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Bank by the
Customer which is signed by any Officer, as hereinafter defined, and actually
received by the Bank.

3. "Officer" shall be deemed to be the Customer's Chief Executive Officer,
President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Controller, any
Assistant Treasurer and any Assistant Secretary duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Customer to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or
other instrument on behalf of the Customer and named in a Certificate, as such
Certificate may be amended from time to time.

4. "Prospectus" shall mean the last Customer prospectus actually received by the
Bank from the Customer with respect to which the Customer has indicated a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, has become
effective, including the statement of Additional Information incorporated by
reference therein.

5. "Shares" shall mean all or any part of each class of the shares of capital
stock of the Customer which from time to time are authorized and/or issued by
the Customer and identified in a Certificate of the Secretary of the Customer
under corporate seal, as such Certificate may be amended from time to time.

                                   ARTICLE II
                               APPOINTMENT OF BANK
                               -------------------

1. The Customer hereby constitutes and appoints the Bank as its agent to perform
the services described herein and as more particularly described in Schedule I
attached hereto (the "Services"), and the Bank hereby accepts appointment as
such agent and agrees to perform the Services in accordance with the terms
hereinafter set forth.

2. In connection with such appointment, the Customer shall deliver the following
documents to the Bank on or about the closing date of the initial public
offering:
<PAGE>

     (a)  A certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or other document
          evidencing the Customer's form of organization (the "Charter") and all
          amendments thereto;

     (b)  A certified copy of the By-Laws of the Customer;

     (c)  A certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the
          Customer appointing the Bank to perform the Services and authorizing
          the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

     (d)  A Certificate signed by the Secretary of the Customer specifying: the
          number of authorized Shares, the number of such authorized Shares
          issued and currently outstanding, and the names and specimen
          signatures of all persons duly authorized by the Board of Directors of
          the Customer to execute any Certificate on behalf of the Customer,
          which Certificate may be amended from time to time;

     (e)  A Specimen Share certificate for each class of Shares in the form
          approved by the Board of Directors of the Customer, together with a
          Certificate signed by the Secretary of the Customer as to such
          approval;

     (f)  A copy of the Customer's Registration Statement, filed by the Customer
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
          of 1933, as amended.

     (g)  An opinion of counsel for the Customer with respect to the validity of
          the authorized and outstanding Shares, whether such Shares are fully
          paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the
          Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable law or
          regulation (i.e. if subject to registration, that they have been
          registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective
          or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefor).

3. The Customer shall furnish the Bank with a sufficient supply of blank Share
certificates and from time to time will renew such supply upon request of the
Bank. Such blank Share certificates shall be properly signed, by facsimile or
otherwise, by officers of the Customer authorized by law or by the By-Laws to
sign Share certificates, and, if required, shall bear the corporate seal or a
facsimile thereof.

                                  ARTICLE III
                      AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES
                      ------------------------------------

1. The Customer shall deliver to the Bank a certified copy of the amendment to
the Charter giving effect to such increase, decrease or change, on or before the
effective date of any increase, decrease or other change in the total number of
Shares authorized to be issued.

     (a)  A certified copy of the amendment to the Charter giving effect to such
increase, decrease or change;

     (b)  An opinion of counsel for the Customer with respect to the validity of
the Shares and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject
                                                              ---
to registration, that they have been registered and specific grounds therefor);
and

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (c)  In the case of an increase, if the appointment of the Bank was
theretofore expressly limited, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Customer increasing the authority of the Bank.

2. Prior to the issuance of any additional Shares pursuant to stock dividends,
stock splits or otherwise, and prior to any reduction in the number of Shares
outstanding, the Customer shall deliver the following documents to the Bank:

     (a)  A certified copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors
and/or the shareholders of the Customer authorizing such issuance of additional
Shares of the Customer or such reduction, as the case may be;

     (b)  A certified copy of the order or consent, if applicable, of each
governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the
issuance or reduction of such Shares; and

     (c)  An opinion of counsel for the Customer with respect to the validity of
the Shares and the status of such the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and any other applicable law or regulation (i.e., if subject to
                                                        ---
registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement
has become effective, or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefor).

                                   ARTICLE IV
                     RECAPITALIZATION OR CAPITAL ADJUSTMENT
                     --------------------------------------

1. In the case of any negative stock split, recapitalization or other capital
adjustment requiring a change in the form of Share certificates, the Bank will
issue Share certificates in the new form in exchange for, or upon transfer of,
outstanding Share certificates in the old form, upon receiving:

     (a)  A Certificate authorizing the issuance of Share certificates in the
new form;

     (b)  A certified copy of any amendment to the Charter with respect to the
change;

     (c)  Specimen Share certificates for each class of Shares in the new form
approved by the Board of Directors of the Customer, with a Certificate signed by
the Secretary of the Customer as to such approval;

     (d)  A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or
regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance of the
Shares in the new form, and an opinion of counsel for the Customer that the
order or consent of no other governmental or regulatory authority is required;
and

     (e)  An opinion of counsel for the Customer with respect to the validity of
the Shares in the new form and the status of such Shares under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable law or regulation (i.e., if
                                                                     ---
subject to registration that the Shares have been registered and that the
Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds
therefor).

                                       3
<PAGE>

2. The Customer shall furnish the Bank with a sufficient supply of blank Share
certificates in the new form, and from time to time will replenish such supply
upon the request of the Bank. Such blank Share certificates shall be properly
signed, by facsimile or otherwise, by Officers of the Customer authorized by law
or by the By-Laws to sign Share Certificates and, if required, shall bear the
corporate seal or a facsimile thereof.

                                   ARTICLE V
                         ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
                         -------------------------------

1.   (a) The Bank will issue Share certificates upon receipt of a Certificate
from an Officer, but shall not be required to issue Share certificates after it
has received from an appropriate federal or state authority written notification
that the sale of Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and the Bank shall
be entitled to rely upon such written notification. The Bank shall not be
responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes required to be
paid by the Customer in connection with the issuance of any shares.

     (b) Shares will be transferred upon presentation to the Bank of Share
certificates in form deemed by the Bank properly endorsed for transfer,
accompanied by such documents as the Bank deems necessary to evidence the
authority of the person making such transfer, and bearing satisfactory evidence
of the payment of applicable stock transfer taxes. In the case of small estates
where no administration is contemplated, the Bank may, when furnished with an
appropriate surety bond, and without further approval of the Customer, transfer
Shares registered in the name of the decedent where the current market value of
the Shares being transferred does not exceed such amount as may from time to
time be prescribed by the various states. The Bank reserves the right to refuse
to transfer Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsements on Share
certificates are valid and genuine, and for that purpose it may require, unless
otherwise instructed by an Officer of the Customer, a guaranty of signature by a
member firm of the New York Stock Exchange or by a bank or trust company
acceptable to the Bank. The Bank also reserves the right to refuse to transfer
Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer is legally authorized,
and it shall incur no liability for the refusal in good faith to make transfers
which the Bank, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is
satisfied that there is no basis to any claims adverse to such transfer. The
Bank may, in effecting transfers of Shares, rely upon those provisions of the
Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers or the
Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may be amended from time to time,
applicable to the transfer of securities, and the Customer shall indemnify the
Bank for any act done or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such laws.

     (c) All certificates representing Shares that are subject to restrictions
on transfer (pg. securities acquired pursuant to an investment representation,
securities held by controlling persons, securities subject to stockholders'
agreements, etc.), other than the general restrictions on the transferability of
the Shares described in the Prospectus, shall be stamped with a legend
describing the extent and conditions of the restrictions or referring to the
source of such restrictions. The Bank assumes no responsibility with respect to
the transfer of restricted securities where counsel for the Customer advises
that such transfer may be properly effected.

     (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall be fully protected by the Customer in
not requiring any instruments,

                                       4
<PAGE>

documents, assurances, endorsements or guarantees, including, without
limitation; any signature guarantees, in connection with a transfer of Shires
whenever the Bank reasonably believes that requiring the same would be
inconsistent with the transfer procedures as described in the Prospectus.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                           DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
                           ---------------------------

1. The Customer shall furnish to the Bank a copy of a resolution of its Board of
Directors, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, either (i)
setting forth the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the
date of accrual or payment, as the case may be, the record date as of which
shareholders entitled to payment, or accrual, as the case may be, shall be
determined, the amount per Share of such dividend or distribution, the payment
date on which all previously accrued and unpaid dividends are to be paid, and
the total amount, if any, payable to the Bank on such payment date, or (ii)
authorizing the declaration of dividends and distributions on a periodic basis
and authorizing the Bank to rely on a Certificate setting forth the information
described in subsection (i) of this paragraph.

2. Prior to the payment date specified in such Certificate or resolution, as the
case may be, the Customer shall, in the case of a cash dividend or distribution,
pay to the Bank an amount of cash, sufficient for the Bank to make the payment,
specified in such Certificate or resolution, to the shareholders of record as of
such payment date. The Bank will, upon receipt of any such cash, (i) in the case
of shareholders who are participants in a dividend reinvestment and/or cash
purchase plan of the Customer, reinvest such cash dividends or distributions in
accordance with the terms of such plan, and (ii) in the case of shareholders who
are not participants in any such plan, make payment of such cash dividends or
distributions to the shareholders of record as of the record date by mailing a
check, payable to the registered shareholder, to the address of record or
dividend mailing address. The Bank shall not be liable for any improper payment
made in accordance with a Certificate or resolution described in the preceding
paragraph. If the Bank shall not receive sufficient cash prior to the payment
date to make payments of any cash dividend or distribution pursuant to
subsections (i) and (ii) above to all shareholders of the Customer as of the
record date, the Bank shall, upon notifying the Customer, withhold payment to
all shareholders of the Customer as of the record date until sufficient cash is
provided to the Bank.

3. It is understood that the Bank shall in no way be responsible for the
determination of the rate or form of dividends or distributions due to the
shareholders.

4. It is understood that the Bank shall file such appropriate information
returns concerning the payment of dividends and distributions with the proper
federal, state and local authorities as are required by law to be filed by the
Customer but shall in no way be responsible for the collection or withholding of
taxes due on such dividends or distributions due to shareholders, except and
only to the extent required of it by applicable law.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII
                             CONCERNING THE CUSTOMER
                             -----------------------

1. Customer shall promptly deliver to the Bank written notice of any change in
the Officers authorized to sign Share certificates, Certificates, notifications
or requests, together with a specimen signature of each new Officer. In the
event any Officer who shall have signed manually or whose facsimile signature
shall have been affixed to blank Share certificates shall die, resign or be
removed prior to issuance of such Share certificates, the Bank may issue such
Share certificates as the Share certificates of the Customer notwithstanding
such death, resignation or removal, and the Customer shall promptly deliver to
the Bank such approvals, adoptions or ratifications as may be required by law.

2. Each copy of the Charter of the Customer and copies of all amendments thereto
shall be certified by the Secretary of State (or other appropriate official) of
the state of incorporation, and if such Charter and/or amendments are required
by law also to be filed with a county or other officer or official body, a
certificate of such filing shall be filed with a certified copy submitted to the
Bank. Each copy of the By-Laws and copies of all amendments thereto, and copies
of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Customer, shall be certified by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Customer under the corporate
seal.

3. It shall be the sole responsibility of the Customer to deliver to the Bank
the Customer's currently effective Prospectus and, for purposes of this
Agreement, the Bank shall not be deemed to have notice of any information
contained in such Prospectus until it is actually received by the Bank.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               CONCERNING THE BANK
                               -------------------

1. The Bank shall not be liable and shall be fully protected in acting upon any
oral instruction, writing or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine
and to have been given, signed or made by the proper person or persons and shall
not be held to have any notice of any change of authority of any person until
receipt of written notice thereof from an Officer of the Customer. It shall also
be protected in processing Share certificates which it reasonably believes to
bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the duly authorized officers
of the Customer and the proper countersignature of the Bank.

2. The Bank may establish such additional procedures, rules and regulations
governing the transfer or registration of Share certificates as it may deem
advisable and consistent with such rules and regulations generally adopted by
bank transfer agents.

3. The Bank may keep such records as it deems advisable but not inconsistent
with resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Customer. The Bank may
deliver to the Customer from time to time at its discretion, for safekeeping or
disposition by the Customer in accordance with law, such records, papers, Share
certificates which have been cancelled in transfer or exchange and other
documents accumulated in the execution of its duties hereunder as the Bank may
deem expedient, other than those which the Bank is itself required to maintain
pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, and the Customer shall assume all
responsibility for any failure thereafter

                                       6
<PAGE>

to produce any record, paper, cancelled Share certificate or other document so
returned, if and when required. The records maintained by the Bank pursuant to
this paragraph which have not been previously delivered to the Customer pursuant
to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall be considered to be the
property of the Customer, shall be made available upon request for inspection by
the Officers, employees and auditors of the Customer, and shall be delivered to
the Customer upon request and in any event upon the date of termination of this
Agreement, as specified in Article IX of this Agreement, in the form and manner
kept by the Bank on such date of termination or such earlier date as may be
requested by the Customer.

4. The Bank may employ agents or attorneys-in-fact at the reasonable expense of
the Customer, and shall not be liable for any loss or expense arising out of, or
in connection with, the actions or omissions to act of its agents or
attorneys-in-fact, so long as the Bank acts in good faith and without negligence
or willful misconduct in connection with the selection of such agents or
attorneys-in-fact.

5. The Bank shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including reasonable
attorney's fees, resulting from its actions or omissions to act or otherwise,
except for any loss or damage arising out of its own negligence or willful
misconduct.

6. The Customer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank from and against any
and all claims (whether with or without basis in fact or law), costs, demands,
expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorney's fees, which the Bank
may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Bank by reason of or
as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank without its
own negligence or willful misconduct in reliance upon (i) any provision of this
agreement, (ii) the Prospectus, (iii) any instrument, order or Share certificate
reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, countersigned or
executed by any duly authorized Officer of the Customer, (iv) any Certificate or
other instructions of an Officer, (v) any opinion of legal counsel for the
Customer or the Bank, or (vi) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of
the same even though such law, act or regulation may thereafter have been
altered, changed, amended or repealed.

7. Specifically, but not by way of limitation, the Customer shall indemnify and
hold harmless the Bank from and against any and all claims (whether with or
without basis in fact or law), costs, demands, expenses and liabilities,
including reasonable attorney's fees, of any and every nature which the Bank may
sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Bank in connection with
the genuineness of a Share certificate, the Bank's capacity and authorization to
issue Shares and the form and amount of authorized Shares.

8. At any time the Bank may apply to an Officer of the Customer for written
instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Bank's
duties and obligations under this Agreement, and the Bank shall not be liable
for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank in good faith in
accordance with such instructions. Such application by the Bank for instructions
from an Officer of the Customer may, at the option of the Bank, set forth in
writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank with
respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or
after which such action shall be taken, and the Bank shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in
any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to

                                       7
<PAGE>

taking or omitting to take any such action, the Bank has received written
instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken
or omitted. The Bank may consult counsel to the Customer or its own counsel, at
the expense of the Customer, and shall be fully protected with respect to
anything done or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or
opinion of such counsel.

9. When mail is used for delivery of non-negotiable Share certificates, the
value of which does not exceed the limits of the Bank's Blanket Bond, the Bank
shall send such non-negotiable Share certificates by first class mail, and such
deliveries will be covered while in transit by the Bank's Blanket Bond.
Nonnegotiable Share certificates, the value of which exceed the limits of the
Bank's Blanket Bond, will be sent by insured registered mail. Negotiable Share
certificates win be sent by insured registered mail. The Bank shall advise the
Customer of any Share certificates returned as undeliverable after being mailed
as herein provided for.

10. The Bank may issue new Share certificates in place of Share certificates
represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receiving instructions
in writing from an Officer and indemnity satisfactory to the Bank. Such
instructions from the Customer shall be in such form as approved by the Board of
Directors of the Customer in accordance with applicable law or the By-Laws of
the Customer governing such matters. If the Bank receives written notification
from the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed Share certificate within a
reasonable time after he has notice of it, the Bank shall promptly notify the
Customer and shall act pursuant to written instructions signed by an Officer. If
the Customer receives such written notification from the owner of the lost,
stolen or destroyed Share certificate within a reasonable time after he has
notice of it, the Customer shall promptly notify the Bank and the Bank shall act
pursuant to written instructions signed by an Officer. The Bank shall not be
liable for any act done or omitted by it pursuant to the written instructions
described herein. The Bank may issue new Share certificates in exchange for, and
upon surrender of, mutilated Share certificates.

11. The Bank will issue and mail subscription warrants for Shares, Shares
representing stock dividends, exchanges or splits, or act as conversion agent
upon receiving written instructions from an Officer and such other documents as
the Bank may deem necessary.

12. The Bank will supply shareholder lists to the Customer from time to time
upon receiving a request therefor from an Officer of the Customer.

13. In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the shareholder
records of the Customer, the Bank will notify the Customer and endeavor to
secure instructions from an officer as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the
right, however, to exhibit the shareholder records to any person whenever it is
advised by its counsel that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Bank will
be held liable for the failure to exhibit the shareholder records to such
person.

14. At the request of an Officer, the Bank will address and mail such
appropriate notices to shareholders as the Customer may direct.

15. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank
shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable
for:
                                       8
<PAGE>

     (a)  The legality of the issue, sale or transfer of any Shares, the
sufficiency of the amount to be received in connection therewith, or the
authority of the Customer to request such issuance, sale or transfer;

     (b)  The legality of the purchase of any Shares, the sufficiency of the
amount to be paid in connection therewith, or the authority of the Customer to
request such purchase;

     (c)  The legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Customer, or
 the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend; or

     (d)  The legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares.

16. The Bank shall be entitled to receive and the Customer hereby agrees to pay
to the Bank for its performance hereunder (i) out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable attorney's fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this
Agreement and its performance hereunder, and (ii) the compensation for services
as set forth in Schedule 1.

17. The Bank shall not be responsible for any money, whether or not represented
by any check, draft or other instrument for the payment of money, received by it
on behalf of the Customer, until the Bank actually receives and collects such
funds.

18. The Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such
duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and
no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Bank in connection with
this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   TERMINATION
                                   -----------

Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other
party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall
be not less than 60 days after the date of receipt of such notice. In the event
such notice is given by the Customer, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Customer, certified by the Secretary
electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor transfer agent
or transfer agents. In the event such notice is given by the Bank, the Customer
shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Bank a copy of a
resolution of its Board of Directors certified by the Secretary designating a
successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the absence of such designation
by the Customer, the Bank may designate a successor transfer agent. If the
Customer fails to designate a successor transfer agent and if the Bank is unable
to find a successor transfer agent, the Customer shall, upon the date specified
in the notice of termination of this Agreement and delivery of the records
maintained hereunder, be deemed to be its own transfer agent and the Bank shall
thereafter be relieved of all duties and responsibilities hereunder. Upon
termination hereof, the Customer shall pay to the Bank such compensation as may
be due to the Bank as of the date of such termination, and shall reimburse the
Bank for any disbursements and expenses made or incurred by the Bank and payable
or reimbursable hereunder.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

1. The Customer agrees that prior to effecting any change in the Prospectus
which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of the Bank hereunder,
it shall advise the Bank of such proposed change at least ten business days
prior to the intended date of the same, and shall proceed with such change only
if it shall have received the written consent of the Bank thereto.

2. The indemnities contained herein shall be continuing obligations of the
Customer, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this
Agreement.

3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Customer shall be sufficiently given if addressed
to the Customer and mailed or delivered to it at 800 Scudders Mill. Road,
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 or at such place as the Customer may from time to time
designate in writing.

4. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Bank shall be sufficiently given if addressed to
the Bank and mailed or delivered to it at its office at 101 Barclay Street
(22W), New York, New York 10286 or at such other place as the Bank may from time
to time designate in writing.

5. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement duly authorized and executed by both parties. Any duly
authorized Officer may amend any Certificate naming Officers authorized to
execute and deliver Certificates, instructions, notices or other instruments,
and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary may amend any Certificate listing
the shares of capital stock of the Customer for which the Bank performs Services
hereunder.

6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns; provided however, that this
Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the prior written
consent of the other party.

7. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York.

8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which
shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts, together, shall
constitute only one instrument.

9. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only the Bank and
the Customer, and no rights shall be granted to any other person, by virtue of
this Agreement.

                                      10
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective corporate officer, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective corporate seals. to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first
above written.

Attest:                                 MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                              BY:
- ---------------------                            -----------------------
                                              Title: TREASURER
                                                   ---------------------

Attest:                                 THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                              BY:
- ---------------------                            -----------------------
                                              Title:
                                                    --------------------

                                      11
<PAGE>

                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                           STOCK TRANSFER FEE SCHEDULE


                 Account Maintenance Fee, (per account).. $2.64
                 Certificate Issuance (per certificate).. $1.20
                 Check Issuance Fee, (per check)......... $0.25

Fees will be billed monthly and include all services, as illustrated below. Fees
will remain in effect for a period of 2 years from the date of our appointment.

                              Account Maintenance:

We will:

 .  Maintain all shareholder name and address records and process all changes.

 .  Issue and register all certificates.

 .  Record all certificate transactions.

 .  Answer shareholder inquiries, including written correspondence.

 .  Provide hard-copy or microfiche reports of daily transfer activity.

 .  Address, insert and mail up to three quarterly reports and one annual report.
   (The material must be adaptable to automatic equipment.)

 .  Address, insert and mail proxy cards and standard proxy material for annual
   meeting. (The material must be adaptable to automatic equipment.)

 .  Tabulate proxies and provide terminal access to our database for your annual
   meeting.

 .  Provide a secondary proxy mailing to shareholders who have not voted.

 .  Provide a shareholder list and a final voted and unvoted list as of the
   annual meeting date.

 .  Mail W-9 certifications.

 .  Solicit taxpayer identification numbers on new accounts.

 .  Issue, enclose and reconcile each dividend check.

 .  File IRS Forms 1099 and 1096 covering dividends paid, plus Forms 1042S and
   1042 NRA Tax (for foreign holders).

                                      12
<PAGE>

 .  Initiate mailings to shareholders with uncashed dividend checks over one year
   old.

 .  Cease delivery of checks to undeliverable accounts.

 .  Provide escheatment reporting.

 .  Provide arrangements for handling restricted stock.

 .  Process all stock options.

 .  Place, remove and maintain all stop transfers.

 .  Process all legal transfers.

 .  Replace all lost, stolen or destroyed checks and certificates.

 .  Provide three analytical reports as follows:

          1 Geographical Analysis
          1 Class Code Analysis
          1 Share Range Analysis

 .  Install and provide access via company terminal to The Bank of New York
   database. Training will be completed on site at your offices by personnel
   from by The Bank of New York.

                           Dividend Reinvestment Plan

                 Account Maintenance Fee................. $3.00

   This account maintenance fee will be billed monthly at a rate of $0.25 per
   dividend reinvestment account record.

   We will:

 .  Reinvest each dividend

 .  Process terminations

 .  Process optional cash payments and send acknowledgements

 .  Provide an efficient way of purchasing and selling shares through our
   Discount Brokerage services. This service is affiliated with our Trust Sector
   and will be provided at a discounted rate.

                                      13
<PAGE>

                                TERMS OF PROPOSAL

 .    The Bank of New York does not levy a conversion charge or setup fee for
     assumption of records in an automated tape format in connection with our
     appointment as Transfer Agent and Registrar. Any charges made by your
     existing agent in connection with our assumption of your shareholder
     records in an automated tape format would be passed through to your
     account.

 .    Out-of-pocket expenses are defined as costs paid by The Bank of New York
     for the purchase of goods or services required to fulfill our obligations
     under our agreement. These expenses may include, but not be limited to,
     postage, insurance on physical transfer items, and costs for obtaining
     prices for security valuations. These expenses are billed at our cost, on a
     pro-rata basis for goods and services received.

 .    There will not be a usage charge applied for utilizing the Bank's Stock
     Transfer Inquiry System. Connect time will be billed at cost, based on a
     dedicated line or dial-up expense.

 .    For issuing purchase warrants, stock dividends and splits, the handling of
     tenders & exchanges of stock, subscriptions, preparing state information
     returns, and any other services not covered by this fee schedule, charges
     will be based on an analysis and appraisal of the services rendered.

 .    All fees are based upon the use of automatic equipment. Any services
     requiring manual processing and/or overtime, will result in a special or
     higher charge.

 .    The Bank of New York's minimum charge is $10,000. If at the end of each
     year (12 months from appointment date) the total fees are less than the
     minimum, the difference will be billed to your account. The fees are
     charged on a monthly basis.

 .    In the event that we do not enter into a written agreement within three
     months of the date of this proposal, this offer will be subject to
     revision.

     Proposal Submitted by:___________________________

                           Mr. David J. May
                           Assistant Treasurer
                           The Bank of New York
                           January 3, 1992

     Proposal Accepted by: _________________________________
                           MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.


                  Date:   __________________________________

                                      14
<PAGE>

                             SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE

     The undersigned, ________________, hereby certifies that he or she is the
duly elected and acting Secretary of ________________________, a corporation
(the "Corporation"), and further certifies that the following resolutions were
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting duly held on
___________, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such
resolutions have not been modified or rescinded and are in full force and effect
as of the date hereof.

     RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, a New York Trust company with its
     principal offices located at 48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, be
     and it hereby is appointed Transfer Agent/Registrar for all of the shares

     of the _____________________________________________________ stock
                                (Class of Stock)

     of the _____________________________________________________ stock
                                (Class of Stock)

     of the _____________________________________________________ stock
                                (Class of Stock)

     of the _____________________________________________________ stock
                                (Class of Stock)

of the Corporation; and further

Resolved that the following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation in conformity with the Corporation's Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to execute any certificate, instruction, notice or
other instrument, including an amendment hereto, or to give oral instruction on
behalf of the Corporation, and the signatures set forth opposite their
respective names are their true and correct signatures.

            Name and Title                               Signature
            --------------                               ---------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

                                      15
<PAGE>

            Name and Title                               Signature
            --------------                               ---------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------

RESOLVED, that the President, any Vice President, or any other proper officer of
the Corporation, and each of them individually is hereby authorized on behalf of
the Corporation to execute and deliver a Transfer Agency Agreement with The Bank
of New York substantially in the form attached hereto; and further

RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, be and is hereby authorized and directed to
issue and register respectively from time to time, without further action or
approval by or on behalf of the Corporation, a new certificate or certificates
of stock of the Corporation to replace a certificate or certificates reported
lost, stolen or destroyed, upon receipt by The Bank of New York of an Affidavit
of Loss and surety company Open Penalty Bond of Indemnity, in which the
Corporation is an Obligee, or is included as an Obligee to the same extent as
though its name was set forth in full therein, in form satisfactory to The Bank
of New York in each instance; and further

RESOLVED, that said Bond of Indemnity may be a blanket bond and said Affidavit
of Loss may be an affidavit relating to the non-receipt by an addressee of a
certificate or certificates for such stock mailed by The Bank of New York.

The undersigned hereby certifies the following facts:

     1.  The authorized and outstanding stock of the Corporation are as follows
(List shares outstanding in any old names and their value for exchange. (If
none, so state):

                                Number of Shares
                                -----------------

                       Authorized by
                       Certificate of     Authorized        Total Issued
Class    Par Value     Incorporation      For Issue     Treasury  Outstanding
- -----    ---------     -------------      ---------     --------  -----------



     2. Set forth below are the number of authorized but unissued shares of said
stock of this Corporation reserved for the purposes indicated:


                                      16
<PAGE>

     3. The name and address of legal counsel for the Corporation is

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

     4. The names and addresses of all of the Transfer Agents and Registrars of
the Stock of the Corporation other than The Bank of New York as follows (If
none, so state):

      Class of Stock              Transfer Agent(s)           Registrar(s)
      --------------              -----------------           ------------

- ---------------------------   --------------------------    ----------------

- ---------------------------   --------------------------    ----------------


     5. The consolidated records of all stockholders accounts showing shares
held and a complete record of all stock certificates outstanding is to be
maintained by the Transfer Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Corporation
 as of the _________ day of _____________.

                                                   _________________________
                                                          Secretary


                                      17

<PAGE>

================================================================================

                                                                   Exhibit 13(b)


                             AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT

                                     between

                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                       and

                        IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY

                           Dated as of April 10, 1992

                                   Relating to

                        Auction Market Preferred Stock(R)

                                   ("AMPS"(R))

                              Series A and Series B

                                       of

                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

================================================================================
<PAGE>

     THIS AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT dated as of April 10, 1992, between MUNIYIELD
NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), and IBJ
SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation.

     The Company proposes to duly authorize and issue 850 shares of Auction
Market Preferred Stock(R), Series A ("Series A AMPS") and 850 shares of Auction
Market Preferred Stock, Series B ("Series B AMPS") (both with a par value of
$.10 per share and a liquidation preference of $50,000 per share plus an amount
equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared)
pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The Series
A AMPS and Series B AMPS are sometimes referred to together herein as "AMPS". A
separate Auction (as defined below) will be conducted for each series of AMPS.
The Company desires that IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company perform certain
duties as agent in connection with each Auction of shares of AMPS (the "Auction
Agent") and as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and
redemption agent with respect to the shares of AMPS (the "Paying Agent") upon
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and hereby appoints IBJ Schroder
Bank & Trust Company as said Auction Agent and Paying Agent in accordance with
those terms and conditions (hereinafter generally referred to as the "Auction
Agent" except in Sections 3 and 4 below).

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Company and the Auction Agent agree as follows:

1.   Definitions and Rules of Construction.
     -------------------------------------

     1.1  Terms Defined by Reference to
          Articles Supplementary.
          -----------------------------

     Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Articles Supplementary.

     1.2  Terms Defined Herein.
          --------------------

     As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures (as defined below), the
following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise
requires:

          (a) "Affiliate" shall mean any Person, other than Merrill Lynch,
     Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, made known to the Auction Agent to be
     controlled by, in control of or under common control with, the Company, or
     its successors.

          (b) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean such Person's agent member
     of the Securities Depository who is identified as such in such Person's
     Purchaser's Letter.

          (c) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary of
     the Company, establishing the powers, preferences and rights of the AMPS,
     filed on April 7,


- ----------------------
(R)  Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     1992, in the office of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of
     the State of Maryland.

          (d) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof.

          (e) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are
     set forth in Paragraph 11 of the Articles Supplementary.

          (f) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Senior Vice President, Vice
     President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, and Assistant Secretary
     and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent assigned to its Corporate
     Trust and Agency Group and every other officer or employee of the Auction
     Agent designated as an "Authorized officer" for purposes hereof in a
     communication to the Company.

          (g) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement between the
     Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer substantially in the form attached hereto
     as Exhibit A.

          (h) "Company Officer" shall mean the Chairman and Chief Executive
     officer, the President, each Vice President (whether or not designated by a
     number or word or words added before or after the title "Vice President"),
     the Secretary, the Treasurer, each Assistant Secretary and each Assistant
     Treasurer of the Company and every other officer or employee of the Company
     designated as a "Company Officer" for purposes hereof in a notice from the
     Company to the Auction Agent.

          (i) "Holder" shall be a holder of record of one or more shares of
     AMPS, listed as such in the stock register maintained by the Paying Agent
     pursuant to Section 4.6.

          (j) "Purchaser's Letter" shall mean a letter addressed to the Company,
     the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer, substantially in the form attached
     to the Broker-Dealer Agreement as Exhibit A.

          (k) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures
     attached to the Broker-Dealer Agreement as Exhibit B.

     1.3  Rules of Construction.
          ---------------------

     Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent,
the following rules shall apply to the construction of this Agreement:

          (a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural
     number and vice versa.

          (b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of
     reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor shall they
     affect its meaning, construction or effect.

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of similar
     import refer to this Agreement as a whole.

          (d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to New
     York City time.

2.   The Auction.
     -----------

     2.1  Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction
          Procedures and Settlement Procedures.
          ----------------------------------------------

          (a) The Articles Supplementary provide that the Applicable Rate on
     shares of Series A AMPS or Series B AMPS, as the case may be, for each
     Dividend Period therefor after the Initial Dividend Period shall be the
     rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company, or other financial
     institution appointed by the Company advises results from implementation of
     the Auction Procedures. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a
     resolution appointing IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company as Auction Agent
     for purposes of the Auction Procedures. The Auction Agent hereby accepts
     such appointment and agrees that, on each Auction Date, it shall follow the
     procedures set forth in this Section 2 and the Auction Procedures for the
     purpose of determining the Applicable Rate for the AMPS, for the next
     Dividend Period therefor. Each periodic operation of such procedures is
     hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."

          (b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and the
     Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in their
     entirety and shall be deemed to be a part hereof to the same extent as if
                                                             ----
     such provisions were fully set forth herein.

     2.2  Preparation for Each Auction; Maintenance
          of Registry of Beneficial Owners.
          -----------------------------------------

          (a) Pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof, the Company shall not designate
     any Person to act as a Broker-Dealer without prior written approval of the
     Auction Agent (which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably). At the
     time of closing of the initial issuance and sale of the AMPS (the
     "Closing"), the Company shall provide the Auction Agent with a list of the
     Broker-Dealers previously approved by the Auction Agent and shall cause to
     be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a
     Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by each such Broker-Dealer. The Auction
     Agent shall keep such list current and accurate, and shall indicate
     thereon, or on a separate list, the identity of each Existing Holder, if
     any, whose most recent Order was submitted by a Broker-Dealer on such list
     and resulted in such Existing Holder continuing to hold or purchasing
     shares of AMPS. Not later than five days prior to any Auction Date for
     which any change in such list of Broker-Dealers is to be effective, the
     Company shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change and, if
     any such change is the addition of a Broker-Dealer to such list, the
     Company shall cause to be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by
     the Auction Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such Broker-Dealer.
     The Auction Agent shall have entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement

                                       4
<PAGE>

     with each Broker-Dealer prior to the participation of any such Broker-
     Dealer in any Auction.

          (b) In the event that the Auction Date for any Auction shall be
     changed after the Auction Agent shall have given the notice referred to in
     clause (vii) of Paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures, the Auction
     Agent, by such means as the Auction Agent deems practicable, shall give
     notice of such change to the Broker-Dealers not later than the earlier of
     9:15 A.M. on the new Auction Date or 9:15 A.M. on the old Auction Date.

          (c) With respect to each Dividend Period that is a Special Dividend
     Period, the Company may, at its sole option and to the extent permitted by
     law, by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special Dividend
     Period") to the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, request that the
     next succeeding Dividend Period for a series of AMPS will be a number of
     days (other than 28 in the case of Series A AMPS and other than 7 in the
     case of Series B), evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer-than seven nor
     more than 364 in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period or a number of
     whole years not greater than five years in the case of a Long Term Dividend
     Period, specified in such notice, provided that for any Auction occurring
     after the initial Auction, the Company may not give a Request for Special
     Dividend Period (and any such request shall be null and void) unless the
     Company has received written confirmation from S&P that such action would
     not impair the rating then assigned to the AMPS by S&P and unless
     sufficient Clearing Bids were made in the last occurring Auction and unless
     full cumulative dividends, any amounts due with respect to mandatory
     redemptions and any Additional Dividends payable prior to such date have
     been paid in full. Such Request for Special Dividend Period, in the case of
     a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the fourth day
     but not more than seven days prior to an Auction Date for a series of AMPS
     and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior
     to the 14th day but not more than 28 days prior to the Auction Date for a
     series of AMPS. Upon receiving such Request for Special Dividend Period,
     the Broker-Dealers shall jointly determine whether given the factors set
     forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of the Articles Supplementary it is advisable
     that the Company issue a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS as
     contemplated by such Request for Special Dividend Period and the Optional
     Redemption Price of the AMPS during such Special Dividend Period and the
     Specific Redemption Provisions and shall give the Company and the Auction
     Agent written notice (a "Response") of such determination by no later than
     the third day prior to such Auction Date. If the Broker-Dealers shall not
     give the Company and the Auction Agent a Response by such third day or if
     the Response states that given the factors referred to above it is not
     advisable that the Company give a Notice of special Dividend Period (as
     defined below) for the series of AMPS, the Company may not give a Notice of
     Special Dividend Period in respect of such Request for Special Dividend
     Period. In the event the Response indicates that it is advisable that the
     Company give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the series of AMPS,
     the Company may by no later than the second day prior to such Auction Date
     give a notice (a "Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent,
     the Securities Depository and each Broker-Dealer, which notice will specify
     (i) the duration of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional
     Redemption Price as specified in the related Response and (iii) the
     Specific Redemption Provisions, if any, as specified in the related
     Response. The Company shall not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period,
     or, if such Notice of Special Dividend Period shall have already been
     given, shall give telephonic and written notice (a "Notice of Revocation")
     to the Auction Agent, each

                                       5
<PAGE>

     Broker-Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or prior to the Business
     Day prior to the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the 1940 Act AMPS
     Coverage is not satisfied or the Company shall fail to maintain S&P
     Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate
     Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount in
     each case on each of the two Valuation Dates immediately preceding the
     Business, Day prior to the relevant Auction Date on an actual basis and on
     a pro forma basis giving effect to the proposed Special Dividend Period
     (using as a pro forma dividend rate with respect to such Special Dividend
     Period the dividend rate which the Broker-Dealers shall advise the Company
     is an approximately equal rate for securities similar to the AMPS with an
     equal dividend period), provided that in calculating the aggregate
     Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets for this purpose, the Moody's
     Exposure Period shall be deemed to be one week longer, (y) sufficient funds
     for the payment of dividends payable on the immediately succeeding Dividend
     Payment Date have not been irrevocably deposited with the Auction Agent by
     the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the related
     Auction Date or (z) the Broker-Dealer(s) jointly Advise the Company that
     after consideration of the factors referred to above they have concluded
     that it is advisable to give a Notice of Revocation. If the Company is
     prohibited from giving a Notice of Special Dividend Period as a result of
     the factors enumerated in clause (x), (y) or (z) of the preceding sentence
     or if the Company gives a Notice of Revocation with respect to a Notice of
     Special Dividend Period, the next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 28-
     day Dividend Period in the case of Series A AMPS and a 7-day Dividend
     Period in the case of Series B AMPS, provided that if the then-current
     Dividend Period for Series A AMPS or Series B AMPS is a Special Dividend
     Period of less than 28 days, the next succeeding Dividend Period will be
     the same length as the current Dividend Period. In addition, in the event
     sufficient Clearing Bids are not made in any Auction or an Auction is not
     held for any reason, the next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 28-day
     Dividend Period (in the case of Series A AMPS) or a 7-day Dividend Period
     (in the case of Series B AMPS) and the Company may not again give a Notice
     of Special Dividend Period (and any such attempted notice shall be null and
     void) until sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in an Auction with
     respect to a 28-day Dividend Period (in the case of Series A AMPS) or a 7-
     day Dividend Period (in the case of Series-B AMPS).

          (d) (i) Whenever the Company intends to include any net capital gains
     or other taxable income in any dividend on shares of AMPS, the Company will
     notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at least five
     Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable Rate for
     such dividend is to be established. Whenever the Auction Agent receives
     such notice from the Company, it will in turn notify each Broker-Dealer,
     who, on or prior to such Auction Date, in accordance with its Broker-Dealer
     Agreement, will notify its Existing Holders and Potential Holders believed
     to be interested in submitting an Order in the Auction to be held on such
     Auction Date.

          (ii) If the Company makes-a Retroactive Taxable allocation, the
     Company will, within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the end
     of its fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made
     provide notice thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of shares
     (initially the Securities Depository) during such fiscal year at such
     holder's address as the same appears or last appeared on the stock books of
     the Company. The Company will, within 30 days after such notice is given to
     the Auction Agent, pay to the Auction Agent (who will then distribute to
     such holders of shares of AMPS), out of funds legally available therefor, a
     cash amount equal to the aggregate

                                       6
<PAGE>

     Additional Dividend with respect to all Retroactive Taxable Allocations
     made to such holders during the fiscal year in question.

          (e) (i) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall determine the
     Reference Rate and the Maximum Applicable Rate. If the Reference Rate is
     not quoted on an interest basis but is quoted on a discount basis, the
     Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an Interest Equivalent, as
     set forth in paragraph 1 of the Articles Supplementary; or, if the rate
     obtained by the Auction Agent is not quoted on an interest or discount
     basis, the Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an interest rate
     after consultation with the Company as to the method of such conversion.
     Not later than 9:30 A.M. on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall
     notify the Company and the Broker-Dealers of the Reference Rate so
     determined and the Maximum Applicable Rate.

          (ii) Upon receipt by the Company of the written advice contemplated by
     subsection (i) of the definition of "Reference Rate" in section 1(a) of the
     Articles Supplementary, the Company shall as soon as practicable, and in no
     event later than the day next preceding the next Auction Date, forward a
     copy of such written advice to the Auction Agent.

          (iii) If the Reference Rate is the applicable 11AA11 composite
     commercial Paper Rate and such rate is to be based on rates supplied by
     Commercial Paper Dealers and one or more of the Commercial Paper Dealers
     shall not provide a quotation for the determination of the applicable
     11AA11 Composite Commercial Paper Rate, the Auction Agent shall immediately
     notify the Company so that the Company can determine whether to select a
     Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers
     to provide the quotation or quotations not being supplied by any Commercial
     Paper Dealer or Commercial Paper Dealers. The Company shall promptly advise
     the Auction Agent of any such selection. If the Company does not select any
     such Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute Commercial Paper
     Dealers, then the rates shall be supplied by the remaining Commercial Paper
     Dealer or Commercial Paper Dealers.

          (iv) If, after the date of this Agreement, there is any change in the
     prevailing rating of AMPS by either of the rating agencies (or substitute
     or successor rating agencies) referred to in the definition of the Maximum
     Applicable Rate, thereby resulting in any change in the corresponding
     applicable percentage for the AMPS, as set forth in said definition (the
     "Percentage"), the Company shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of
     such change in the Percentage prior to 9:00 A.M. on the Auction Date for
     AMPS next succeeding such change. The Percentage for the AMPS on the date
     of this Agreement is as specified in paragraph 11(a)(vii) of the Articles
     Supplementary. The Auction Agent shall be entitled to rely on the last
     Percentage of which it has received notice from the Company (or, in the
     absence of such notice, the Percentage set forth in the preceding sentence)
     in determining the Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth in Section
     2.2(e)(i) hereof.

          (f) (i) The Auction Agent shall maintain a current registry of the
     beneficial owners of the shares of each series of AMPS who shall constitute
     the Existing Holders for purposes of each Auction. The Company shall use
     its best efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the Auction Agent
     within ten days following the date of Closing a list of the initial
     Existing Holders of each series of AMPS, and the Broker-Dealer of each

                                       7
<PAGE>

     such Existing Holder through which such Existing Holder purchased such
     shares. The Auction Agent may rely upon, as evidence of the identities of
     the Existing Holders, such list, the results of each Auction and notices
     from any Existing Holder, the Agent Member of any Existing Holder or the
     Broker-Dealer of any Existing Holder with respect to such Existing Holder's
     transfer of any shares of AMPS to another Person.

          (ii) In the event of any partial redemption of any series of AMPS,
     upon notice by the Company to the Auction Agent of such partial redemption,
     the Auction Agent shall promptly request the Securities Depository to
     notify the Auction Agent of the identities of the Agent Members (and the
     respective numbers of shares) from the accounts of which shares have been
     called for redemption and the person or department at such Agent Member to
     contact regarding such redemption and, at least two Business Days prior to
     the Auction preceding the date of redemption with respect to shares of the
     series being partially redeemed, the Auction Agent shall request each Agent
     Member so identified to disclose to the Auction Agent (upon selection by
     such Agent Member of the Existing Holders whose shares are to be redeemed)
     the number of shares of such series of AMPS of each such Existing Holder,
     if any, to be redeemed by the Company; provided the Auction Agent has been
     furnished with the name and telephone number of a person or department at
     such Agent Member from which it is to request such information. If
     necessary to procure such information, the Auction Agent shall deliver to
     each Agent Member a facsimile copy of the Purchaser's Letter of each
     Existing Holder represented by such Agent Member, which authorizes and
     instructs such Agent Member to release such information to the Auction
     Agent. In the absence of receiving any such information with respect to
     an Existing Holder, from such Existing Holder's Agent Member or otherwise,
     the Auction Agent may continue to treat such Existing Holder as the
     beneficial owner of the number of shares of the series of AMPS shown in the
     Auction Agent's registry of beneficial owners.

          (iii) The Auction Agent shall register a transfer of the beneficial
     ownership of shares of a series of AMPS from an Existing Holder to another
     Person only if such transfer is made to a Person that has delivered a
     signed Purchaser's Letter to the Auction Agent and only if (A) such
     transfer is pursuant to an Auction or (B) if such transfer is made other
     than pursuant to an Auction, the Auction Agent has been notified in writing
     in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Broker-Dealer
     Agreements, by such Existing Holder, the Agent Member of such Existing
     Holder, or the Broker-Dealer of such Existing Holder of such transfer. The
     Auction Agent is not required to accept any notice of transfer delivered
     for an Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent by 3:00 P.M. on
     the Business Day next preceding the applicable Auction Date. The Auction
     Agent shall rescind a transfer made on the registry of the beneficial
     owners of any shares of AMPS if the Auction Agent has been notified in
     writing in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the
     Broker-Dealer Agreement by the Agent Member or the Broker-Dealer of any
     Person that (i) purchased any shares of AMPS and the seller failed to
     deliver such shares or (ii) sold any shares of AMPS and the purchaser
     failed to make payment to such Person upon delivery to the purchaser of
     such shares.

          (g) The Auction Agent may request that the BrokerDealers, as set forth
     in Section 3.2(c) of the Broker-Dealer Agreements, provide the Auction
     Agent with a list of their respective customers that such Broker-Dealers
     believe are Existing Holders of

                                       8
<PAGE>

     shares of AMPS. The Auction Agent shall keep confidential any such
     information and shall not disclose any such information so provided to any
     Person other than the relevant Broker-Dealer and the Company, provided that
     the Auction Agent reserves the right to disclose any such information if it
     is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would be unlawful.

     2.3  Auction Schedule.
          ----------------

     The Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions in accordance with the schedule
set forth below. Such schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
Auction Agent shall give notice of any such change to each Broker-Dealer. Such
notice shall be received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such
change shall be effective.


          Time                                  Event
          ----                                  -----

 By 9:30 A.M.                  Auction Agent advises the Company and the
                               Broker-Dealers of the Reference Rate and the
                               Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth in Section
                               2.2(e)(i) hereof.

 9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.         Auction Agent assembles information communicated
                               to it by Broker-Dealers as provided in Paragraph
                               11(c)(i) of the Articles Supplementary.
                               Submission deadline is 1:00 P.M.

 Not earlier than              Auction Agent makes determinations pursuant to
 1:00 P.M.                     Paragraph 11(d)(i) of the Articles Supplementary.

 By approximately              Auction Agent advises Company of results of
 3:00 P.M.                     Auction as provided in Paragraph 11(d)(ii) of the
                               Articles Supplementary.  Submitted Bids and
                               Submitted Sell Orders are accepted and rejected
                               in whole or in part and shares of AMPS allocated
                               as provided in Paragraph 11(e) of the Articles
                               Supplementary.

 By approximately 10:00        Auction Agent gives notice of Auction results as
 A.M.                          set forth in Section 2.4 hereof.
 on the next succeeding
 Business Day

                                       9
<PAGE>

     2.4  Notice of Auction Results.
          -------------------------

     On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify Broker-Dealers of the
results of the Auction held on such date by telephone or through the Auction
Agent's Auction Processing system as set forth in Paragraph (a) of the
Settlement Procedures.

     2.5  Broker-Dealers.
          --------------

          (a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Auction Date, the Company shall
     pay to the Auction Agent in New York Clearing House or similar next-day
     funds an amount in cash equal to (i) in the case of any Auction Date
     immediately preceding a 7-day Dividend Period, 28-day Dividend Period or
     Short-Term Dividend Period, the product of (A) a fraction the numerator of
     which is the number of days in such Dividend Period (calculated by counting
     the first day of such Dividend Period but excluding the last day thereof)
     and the denominator of which is 360, times (B) 1/4 of 1%, times (C)
     $50,000, times (D) the sum of the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of
     AMPS for which the Auction is conducted and (ii) in the case of any Long
     Term Dividend Period, the amount determined by mutual consent of the
     Company and the Broker-Dealers pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer
     Agreements. In lieu of making such payment in New York Clearing House or
     similar next-day funds, the Company may make such payment by noon on the
     Business Day immediately following the Auction Date in the form of Federal
     funds or similar same-day funds. The Auction Agent shall apply such moneys
     as set forth in Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements and shall
     thereafter remit to the Company any remaining funds paid to the Auction
     Agent pursuant to this Section 2.5(a).

          (b) The Company shall not designate any Person to act as a
     Broker-Dealer without the prior written approval of the Auction Agent,
     which written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may
     designate an Affiliate and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
     Incorporated to act as a Broker-Dealer.

          (c) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer Agreement as
     set forth therein if so directed by the Company.

          (d) Subject to Section 2.5(b) hereof, the Auction Agent shall from
     time to time enter into such Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Company shall
     request.

          (e) The Auction Agent shall maintain a list of Broker-Dealers.

     2.6  Ownership of Shares of AMPS and Submission of Bids
          by Company and Affiliates.
          --------------------------------------------------

     Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company may submit any Sell
Order or Bid, directly or indirectly, in any Auction, except that an Affiliate
of the Company that is a Broker-Dealer may submit a Sell Order or Bid on behalf
of an Existing Holder or Potential Holder. The Company shall notify the Auction
Agent if the Company or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any Affiliate
of the Company becomes an Existing Holder of any shares of AMPS. Any shares of
AMPS redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (i) by the Company

                                      10
<PAGE>

shall not be reissued or (ii) by its Affiliates shall not be transferred (other
than to the Company). The Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with
respect to enforcement of this Section 2.6.

     2.7  Access to and Maintenance of Auction Records.
          --------------------------------------------

     The Auction Agent shall afford to the Company, its agents, independent
public accountants and counsel, access at reasonable times during normal
business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost
and expense) of all books, records, documents and other information concerning
the conduct and results of Auctions, provided that any such agent, accountant,
or counsel shall furnish the Auction Agent with a letter from the Company
requesting that the Auction Agent afford such person access. The Auction Agent
shall maintain records relating to any Auction for a period of two years after
such Auction (unless requested by the Company to maintain such records for such
longer period not in excess of four years, then for such longer period), and
such records shall, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
actions taken by the Auction Agent hereunder. The Company agrees to keep any
information regarding the customers of any Broker-Dealer received from the
Auction Agent in connection with this Agreement or any Auction confidential and
shall not disclose such information or permit the disclosure of such information
without the prior written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer to anyone
except such agent, accountant or counsel engaged to audit or review the results
of Auctions as permitted by this Section 2.7. Any such agent, accountant or
counsel, before having access to such information, shall agree to keep such
information confidential and not to disclose such information or permit
disclosure of such information without the prior written consent of the
applicable Broker-Dealer.

3.   The Auction Agent as Paying Agent.
     ---------------------------------

     3.1  Paying Agent.
          ------------

     The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing
IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company as transfer agent, registrar, dividend
disbursing agent and redemption agent for the Company in connection with any
shares of AMPS (the "Paying Agent").  The Paying Agent hereby accepts such
appointment and agrees to act in accordance with its standard procedures and the
provisions of the Articles Supplementary which are specified herein as Paying
Agent with respect to the shares of AMPS and as set forth in this Section 3.

     3.2  The Company's Notices to Paying Agent.
          -------------------------------------

     Whenever any shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Company shall promptly
deliver to the Paying Agent the Notice of Redemption, which will be mailed by
the Company to each Holder, at least five days prior to the date such Notice of
Redemption is required to be mailed by the Articles Supplementary. The Paying
Agent shall have no responsibility to confirm or verify the accuracy of any such
notice.

                                      11
<PAGE>

     3.3  Company to Provide Funds for Dividends,
          Redemptions and Additional Dividends.
          ---------------------------------------

          (a) Not later than noon, on the Business Day immediately preceding
     each Dividend Payment Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent
     an aggregate amount of New York Clearing House or similar next-day funds
     equal to the declared dividends to be paid to Holders on such Dividend
     Payment Date and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions to
     apply such funds to the payment of such dividends on such Dividend Payment
     Date. In lieu of making such deposit in New York Clearing House or similar
     next-day funds, the Company may make such deposit by noon on each Dividend
     Payment Date in the form of Federal funds or similar same-day funds.

          (b) If the Company shall give the Notice of Redemption then, by noon
     of the Business Day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption,
     the Company shall deposit in trust with the Paying Agent an aggregate
     amount of New York Clearing House or similar next-day funds sufficient
     to redeem such shares of AMPS called for redemption and shall give the
     Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption
     price to the Holders of shares of AMPS called for redemption upon surrender
     of the certificate or certificates therefor. In lieu of making such deposit
     in New York Clearing House or similar next-day funds, the Company may make
     such deposit by noon on the date fixed for redemption in the form of
     Federal funds or similar same-day funds.

          (c) If the Company provides notice to the Auction Agent of a
     Retroactive Taxable Allocation, the Company shall, within 30 days after
     such notice is given and by noon of the Business Day immediately preceding
     the date fixed for payment of an Additional Dividend, deposit in trust with
     the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of New York Clearing House or similar
     next-day funds equal to such Additional Dividend and shall give the Paying
     Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Additional
     Dividends to Holders (or former Holders) of AMPS entitled thereto. In lieu
     of making such deposit in New York Clearing House or similar next-day
     funds, the Company may make such deposit by noon on the date fixed for
     payment of an Additional Dividend in the form of Federal funds or similar
     same-day funds.

     3.4  Disbursing Dividends, Redemption Price
          and Additional Dividends.
          --------------------------------------

     After receipt of the New York Clearing House or similar next-day funds (or
Federal funds or similar same-day funds) and instructions from the Company
described in Sections 3.3(a), (b) and (c) above, the Paying Agent shall pay to
the Holders (or former Holders) entitled thereto (i) on each corresponding
Dividend Payment Date, dividends on the Series A AMPS or Series B AMPS, as the
case may be, (ii) on any date fixed for redemption, the redemption price of any
shares of AMPS called for redemption and (iii) on the date fixed for payment of
an Additional Dividend, such Additional Dividend. The amount of dividends for
any Dividend Period to be paid by the Paying Agent to Holders will be determined
by the Company as set forth in Paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary. The
redemption price to be paid by the Paying Agent to the Holders of any shares of
AMPS called for redemption will be determined as

                                      12
<PAGE>

set forth in Paragraph 4 of the Articles Supplementary. The amount of Additional
Dividends to be paid by the Paying Agent in the event of a Retroactive Taxable
Allocation to Holders will be determined by the Company pursuant to paragraph
2(e) of the Articles Supplementary. The Company shall notify the Paying Agent in
writing of a decision to redeem any shares of AMPS on or prior to the date
specified in Section 3.2 above, and such notice by the Company to the Paying
Agent shall contain the information required to be stated in the Notice of
Redemption required to be mailed by the Company to such Holders. The Paying
Agent shall have no duty to determine the redemption price and may rely on the
amount thereof set forth in the Notice of Redemption.

4.   The Paying Agent as Transfer Agent and Registrar.
     ------------------------------------------------

     4.1  Original Issue of Stock Certificates.
          ------------------------------------

     On the Date of Original Issue, one certificate for each series of AMPS
shall be issued by the Company and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as
nominee of the Securities Depository, and countersigned by the Paying Agent.

     4.2  Registration of Transfer or Exchange of Shares.
          ----------------------------------------------

     Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the shares of each series of AMPS
shall be registered solely in the name of the Securities Depository or its
nominee.  If the Securities Depository shall give notice of its intention to
resign as such, and if the Company shall not have selected a substitute
Securities Depository acceptable to the Paying Agent prior to such resignation,
then upon such resignation, the shares of each series of AMPS may, at the
Company's request, be registered for transfer or exchange, and new certificates
thereupon shall be issued in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees, upon surrender of the old certificate in form deemed by the Paying
Agent properly endorsed for transfer with (a) all necessary endorsers'
signatures guaranteed in such manner and form as the Paying Agent may require by
a guarantor reasonably believed by the Paying Agent to be responsible, (b) such
assurances as the Paying Agent shall deem necessary or appropriate to evidence
the genuineness and effectiveness of each necessary endorsement and (c)
satisfactory evidence of compliance with all applicable laws relating to the
collection of taxes in connection with any registration of transfer and exchange
or funds necessary for the payment of such taxes. If the certificate or
certificates for shares of AMPS are not held by the Securities Depository or its
nominee, payments upon transfer of shares in an Auction shall be made in
same-day funds to the Auction Agent against delivery of certificates therefor.

     4.3  Removal of Legend.
          -----------------

     Any request for removal of a legend indicating a restriction on transfer
from a certificate evidencing shares of a series of AMPS shall be accompanied by
an opinion of counsel stating that such legend may be removed and such shares
transferred free of the restriction described in such legend, said opinion to be
delivered under cover of a letter from a Company Officer authorizing the Paying
Agent to remove the legend on the basis of said opinion.

                                      13
<PAGE>

     4.4  Lost Stock Certificates.
          -----------------------

     The Paying Agent shall issue and register replacement certificates for
certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Company
and the Paying Agent, subject at all times to provisions of law, the By-Laws of
the Company governing such matters and resolutions adopted by the Company with
respect to lost securities.  The Paying Agent may issue new certificates in
exchange for and upon the cancellation of mutilated certificates.  Any request
by the Company to the Paying Agent to issue a replacement or new certificate
pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty
by the Company to the Paying Agent that such issuance will comply with such
provisions of applicable law and the By-Laws and resolutions of the Company.

     4.5  Disposition of Cancelled Certificates;
          Record Retention.
          --------------------------------------

     The Paying Agent shall retain stock certificates which have been cancelled
in transfer or in exchange and accompanying documentation in accordance with
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for
two calendar years from the date of such cancellation.  The Paying Agent shall,
upon written request from the Company, afford to the Company, its agents and
counsel access at reasonable times during normal business hours to review and
make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost and expense) of such
certificates and accompanying documentation.  Upon request by the Company at any
time after the expiration of this two-year period, the Paying Agent shall
deliver to the Company the cancelled certificates and accompanying
documentation.  The Company shall, at its expense, retain such records for a
minimum additional period of four calendar years from the date of delivery of
the records to the Company and shall make such records available during this
period at any time, or from time to time, for reasonable periodic, special, or
other examinations by representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company shall also undertake to furnish to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, upon demand, at either the principal office or at any regional
office, complete, correct and current hard copies of any and all such records.
Thereafter such records shall not be destroyed by the Company without the
approval of the Paying Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but will
be safely stored for possible future reference.

     4.6  Stock Register.
          --------------

     The Paying Agent shall maintain the stock register, which shall contain a
list of the Holders, the number of shares held by each Holder and the address of
each Holder. The Paying Agent shall record in the stock register any change of
address of a Holder upon notice by such Holder. In case of any written request
or demand for the inspection of the stock register or any other books of the
Company in the possession of the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will notify the
Company and secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection.
The Paying Agent reserves the right, however, to exhibit the stock register or
other records to any person in case it is advised by its counsel that its
failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless
the Company shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to the Paying Agent.

                                      14
<PAGE>

     4.7  Return of Funds.
          ---------------

     Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company for any reason
under this Agreement, including for the payment of dividends or the redemption
of shares of any series of AMPS, that remain with the Paying Agent after 12
months shall be repaid to the Company upon the written request of the Company.

5.   Representations and Warranties.
     ------------------------------

     (a) The Company represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:

         (i) the Company is a duly incorporated and validly existing
     corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and
     has full power to execute and deliver this Agreement and to authorize,
     create and issue the shares of AMPS;

         (ii) the Company is registered with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a
     closed-end non-diversified management investment company;

         (iii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed
     and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
     obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
     with its terms, subject as to such enforceability to bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating
     to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles;

         (iv) the form of certificate evidencing the shares of each series of
     AMPS complies with all applicable laws of the State of Maryland;

         (v) the shares of each series of AMPS have been duly and validly
     authorized by the Company and, upon completion of the initial sale of the
     shares of such series of AMPS and receipt of payment therefor, will be
     validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

         (vi) the offering of the shares of each series of AMPS has been
     registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no further
     action by or before any governmental body or authority of the United States
     or of any state thereof as required in connection with the execution and
     delivery of this Agreement or the issuance of the shares of AMPS except as
     required by applicable state securities or insurance laws, all of which
     have been taken;

         (vii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance
     and delivery of the shares of each series of AMPS do not and will not
     conflict with, violate, or result in a breach of, the terms, conditions or
     provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Charter or the By-Laws of
     the Company, any law or regulation applicable to the Company, any order or
     decree of any court or public authority having jurisdiction over the
     Company, or any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking to
     which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and

                                      15
<PAGE>

          (viii) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the execution of
     this Agreement or the issuance of the shares of each series of AMPS.

          (b) The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Company that the
     Auction Agent is duly organized and is validly existing as a banking
     corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of New York and
     has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under
     this Agreement.

6.   The Auction Agent.
     -----------------

     6.1  Duties and Responsibilities.
          ---------------------------

          (a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Company
     hereunder and owes no fiduciary duties to any Person except as provided by
     this Agreement.

          (b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such
     duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied
     covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the
     Auction Agent.

          (c) In the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the Auction
     Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted or for
     any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties under
     this Agreement. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of
     judgment made in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been
     negligent in ascertaining (or failing to ascertain) the pertinent facts.

     6.2  Rights of the Auction Agent.
          ---------------------------

          (a) The Auction Agent may rely and shall be protected in acting or
     refraining from acting upon any communication authorized hereby and upon
     any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report,
     certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document
     reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be
     liable for acting upon any telephone communication authorized hereby which
     the Auction Agent believes in good faith to have been given by the Company
     or by a Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent may record telephone
     communications with the Company or with the Broker-Dealers or both.

          (b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its choice, and the
     written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
     protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
     hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

          (c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk
     its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability
     in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Auction Agent shall be
     under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder
     except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

          (d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights
     hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.

                                      16
<PAGE>

     6.3  Auction Agent's Disclaimer.
          --------------------------

     The Auction Agent makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Agreement, the Broker-Dealer Agreements or the AMPS.

     6.4  Compensation. Expenses and Indemnification.
          ------------------------------------------

          (a) The Company shall pay the Auction Agent from time to time
     reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it under this
     Agreement and the Broker-Dealer Agreements.

          (b) The Company shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its request for
     all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
     Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of this Agreement and the
     Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the reasonable compensation, expenses
     and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any expense,
     disbursement and advances attributable to its negligence or bad faith.

          (c) The Company shall indemnify the Auction Agent for, and hold it
     harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
     negligence or bad faith on its part arising out of or in connection with
     its agency under this Agreement and the Broker-Dealer Agreements, including
     the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability
     in connection with its exercise or performance of any of its duties
     hereunder and thereunder, except such as may result from its negligence or
     bad faith.

7.   Miscellaneous.
     -------------

     7.1  Term of Agreement.
          -----------------

          (a) The term of this Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be
     terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Company may terminate this
     Agreement at any time by so notifying the Auction Agent, provided that if
     any AMPS remain outstanding the Company has entered into an agreement in
     substantially the form of this Agreement with a successor auction agent.
     The Auction Agent may terminate this Agreement upon prior notice to the
     Company on the date specified in such notice, which shall be no earlier
     than 60 days after delivery of such notice. If the Auction Agent resigns
     while any shares of AMPS remain outstanding, the Company shall use its best
     efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor auction agent
     containing substantially the same terms and conditions as this Agreement.

          (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.1(b), the
     respective rights and duties of the Company and the Auction Agent under
     this Agreement shall cease upon termination of this Agreement. The
     Company's representations, warranties, covenants and obligations to the
     Auction Agent under Sections 5 and 6.4 hereof shall survive the termination
     hereof. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Auction Agent shall (i)
     resign as Auction Agent under the Broker-Dealer Agreements, (ii) at the
     Company's request, promptly deliver to the Company copies of all books and
     records maintained by it in connection with its duties hereunder, and (iii)
     at the request of the Company, promptly

                                      17
<PAGE>

     transfer to the Company or any successor auction agent any funds deposited
     by the Company with the Auction Agent (whether in its capacity as Auction
     Agent or Paying Agent) pursuant to this Agreement which have not previously
     been distributed by the Auction Agent in accordance with this Agreement.

     7.2  Communications.
          --------------

     Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone pursuant
to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in
connection with Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in writing),
all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be
in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such
party addressed to it at its address, or telecopy number set forth below:

     If to the Company,                   MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
     addressed:                           800 Scudders Mill Road
                                          Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
                                          Attention: Treasurer
                                          Telephone No.: (609) 282-2800
                                          Telecopier No.: (609) 282-3472

     If to the Auction                    IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
     Agent, addressed:                    One State Street
                                          New York, New York 10004
                                          Attention: Auction Window
                                                     Subcellar 1
                                          Telephone No.: (212) 858-2272
                                          Telecopier No.: (212) 797-1148

or such other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter specify for
such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein.
Communications shall be given on behalf of the Company by a Company Officer and
on behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer.

     7.3  Entire Agreement.
          ----------------

     This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations,
endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings, oral, written or inferred
between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof except for agreements
relating to the compensation of the Auction Agent.

     7.4  Benefits.
          --------

     Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than
the Company, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns, any
benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.

                                      18
<PAGE>

     7.5  Amendment; Waiver.
          -----------------

          (a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
     amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a
     written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party
     to be charged. The Company shall notify the Auction Agent of any change in
     the Articles Supplementary prior to the effective date of any such change.

          (b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy
     hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not
     constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any
     subsequent breach.

     7.6  Successor and Assigns.
          ---------------------

     This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the
Company and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either
party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     7.7  Severability.
          ------------

     If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of
the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.

     7.8  Execution in Counterparts.
          -------------------------

     This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall
be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.

     7.9  Governing Law.
          -------------

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed
in said state.

                                      19
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.

                              MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.


                              By:    __________________________________________
                              Title:



                              IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY


                              By:    __________________________________________
                              Title:

                                      20

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Exhibit 13(c)

                             BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT

                                     between

                        IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY

                                       and

               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED





                           Dated as of April 10, 1992

                                   Relating to

                        AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK(R)

                                   ("AMPS"(R))

                              Series A and Series B

                                       of

                      MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(R) Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
<PAGE>

         BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT dated as of April 10, 1992 between IBJ Schroder
Bank & Trust Company, a New York banking corporation (the "Auction Agent") (not
in its individual capacity but solely as agent of MuniYield New York Insured
Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to authority
granted to it in the Auction Agent Agreement dated as of April 10, 1992, between
the Company and the Auction Agent (the "Auction Agent Agreement")) and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (together with its successors and
assigns hereinafter referred to as "BD").

         The Company has duly authorized and issued 850 shares of Auction Market
Preferred Stock(R), Series A ("Series A AMPS") and 850 shares of Auction Market
Preferred Stock, Series B ("Series B AMPS"), both with a par value $.10 per
share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid
dividends (whether or not earned or declared), each pursuant to the Company's
Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The Series A AMPS and Series B AMPS
are sometimes referred to together herein as "AMPS".

         The Company's Articles Supplementary provide that the dividend rate on
each series of AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the Initial Dividend
Period shall be the Applicable Rate therefor, which in each case, in general,
shall be the rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company or other
financial institution appointed by the Company advises results from
implementation of the Auction Procedures (as defined below). The Board of
Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing IBJ Schroder Bank &
Trust Company as Auction Agent for purposes of the Auction Procedures, and
pursuant to Section 2.5(d) of the Auction Agent Agreement, the Company has
requested and directed the Auction Agent to execute and deliver this Agreement.

         The Auction Procedures require the participation of one or more
Broker-Dealers.


- ----------

(R)   Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
<PAGE>

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
the Auction Agent and BD agree as follows:

     1.  Definitions and Rules of Construction.
         -------------------------------------

     1.1 Terms Defined by Reference to the Articles Supplementary. Capitalized
         --------------------------------------------------------
terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings specified in the
Articles Supplementary of the Company.

     1.2 Terms Defined Herein. As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures
(as defined below), the following terms shall have the following meanings,
unless the context otherwise requires:

     (a) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary, as
amended, of the Company, establishing the powers, preferences and rights of the
AMPS filed on April 7, 1992 in the office of the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation of the State of Maryland.

     (b) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1 hereof.

     (c) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are set
forth in Paragraph 11 of the Articles Supplementary.

     (d) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Senior Vice President, Vice
President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, Assistant Secretary and
Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent assigned to its Corporate Trust and
Agency Group and every other officer or employee of the Auction Agent designated
as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes of this Agreement in a communication to
BD.

     (e) "BD Officer" shall mean each officer or employee of BD designated as a
"BD Officer" for purposes of this Agreement in a communication to the Auction
Agent.

     (f) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and any
substantially similar agreement between the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer.

     (g) "Purchaser's Letter" shall mean a letter addressed to the Company, the
Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A.

     (h) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures attached
hereto as Exhibit B.

     1.3 Rules of Construction. Unless the context or use indicates another or
         ---------------------
different meaning or intent, the following rules shall apply to the construction
of this Agreement:

     (a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and
vice versa.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of
reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor shall they
affect its meaning, construction or effect.

     (c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of similar
import refer to this Agreement as a whole.

     (d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to New York
City time.

     2. Notification of Dividend Period and Advance Notice of Allocation of
        -------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxable Income.
- --------------

     (a) The provisions contained in paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary
concerning the notification of a Special Dividend Period will be followed by the
Auction Agent and BD and the provisions contained therein are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this
Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were fully set forth herein.

     (b) Whenever the Company intends to include any net capital gains or other
taxable income in any dividend on shares of any series of AMPS, the Company will
notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at least five Business
Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable Rate for such dividend is
to be established. Whenever the Auction Agent receives such notice from the
Company, it will in turn notify BD, who, on or prior to such Auction Date, will
notify its Existing Holders and Potential Holders believed to be interested in
submitting an Order in the Auction to be held on such Auction Date.

     3.  The Auction.
         -----------

     3.1 Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and
         -------------------------------------------------------------
Settlement Procedures.
- ---------------------

     (a) On each Auction Date, the provisions of the Auction Procedures will be
followed by the Auction Agent for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate
for each series of AMPS, for the next Dividend Period therefor. Each periodic
operation of such procedures is hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."

     (b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and the
Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and
shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such
provisions were. fully set forth herein.

     (c) BD is delivering herewith a Purchaser's Letter executed by BD and, in
the case of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a list of
persons to whom BD will initially sell the shares of each series of AMPS, the
number of shares of each series of AMPS BD will sell to each such person and the
number of shares of each series of AMPS BD will hold for its own account. BD
agrees to act as, and assumes the obligations of and limitations and
restrictions placed upon, a Broker-Dealer under this Agreement. BD understands
that other Persons meeting the requirements specified in the definition of
"Broker-Dealer" contained in Paragraph I of the

                                       3
<PAGE>

Articles Supplementary may execute a Broker-Dealer Agreement and a Purchaser's
Letter and participate as Broker-Dealers in Auctions.

     (d) BD and other Broker-Dealers may participate in Auctions for their own
accounts, provided that BD or such other BrokerDealers, as the case may be, has
executed a Purchaser's Letter. However, the Company may by notice to BD and all
other Broker-Dealers prohibit all Broker-Dealers from submitting Bids in
Auctions for their own accounts, provided that Broker-Dealers may continue to
submit Hold Orders and Sell Orders.

     3.2 Preparation for Each Auction.
         ----------------------------

     (a) Not later than 9:30 A.M. on each Auction Date for the AMPS, the Auction
Agent shall advise BD by telephone of the Reference Rate and the Maximum
Applicable Rate in effect on such Auction Date.

     (b) In the event that the Auction Date for any Auction shall be changed
after the Auction Agent has given the notice referred to in clause (vii) of
paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures, the Auction Agent, by such means as
the Auction Agent deems practicable, shall give notice of such change to BD not
later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new Auction Date or 9:15 A.M. on the
old Auction Date. Thereafter, BD shall promptly notify customers of BD that BD
believes are Existing Holders of shares of AMPS of such change in the Auction
Date.

     (c) The Auction Agent from time to time may request BD to provide it with a
list of the respective customers BD believes are Existing Holders of shares of
each series of AMPS. BD shall comply with any such request, and the Auction
Agent shall keep confidential any such information, including information
received as to the identity of Bidders in any Auction, and shall not disclose
any such information so provided to any Person other than the Company; and such
information shall not be used by the Auction Agent or its officers, employees,
agents or representatives for any purpose other than such purposes as are
described herein. The Auction Agent shall transmit any list of customers BD
believes are Existing Holders of shares of each series of AMPS and information
related thereto only to its officers, employees, agents or representatives in
the Corporate Trust and Agency Group who need to know such information for the
purposes of acting in accordance with this Agreement and shall prevent the
transmission of such information to others and shall cause its officers,
employees, agents and representatives to abide by the foregoing confidentiality
restrictions; provided, however, that the Auction Agent shall have no
responsibility or liability for the actions of any of its officers, employees,
agents or representatives after they have left the employ of the Auction Agent.

     (d) The Auction Agent is not required to accept the Purchaser's Letter for
any Potential Holder for an Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent
by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next preceding such Auction.

     3.3 Auction Schedule; Method of Submission of Orders.
         ------------------------------------------------

     (a) The Company and the Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions for each
series of AMPS in accordance with the schedule set forth below. Such schedule
may be changed at any time by the Auction Agent with the consent of the Company,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Auction Agent shall give
notice of any such change to BD. Such

                                       4
<PAGE>

notice shall be received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such
change shall be effective.

          Time                                     Event
          ----                                     -----

By 9:30 A.M.                Auction Agent advises the Company and Broker-Dealers
                            of Reference Rate and the Maximum Applicable Rate as
                            set forth in Section 3.2(a) hereof.

9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.       Auction Agent assembles information communicated to
                            it by Broker-Dealers as provided in Paragraph
                            11(c)(i) of the Articles Supplementary. Submission
                            Deadline is 1:00 P.M.

Not earlier than            Auction Agent makes determinations pursuant to
1:00 P.M.                   Paragraph 11(d)(i) of the Articles Supplementary.

By approximately            Auction Agent advises Company of results of Auction
3:00 P.M.                   as  provided in Paragraph 11(d)(ii) of the Articles
                            Supplementary.

                            Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders are
                            accepted and rejected in whole or in part and shares
                            of AMPS are allocated as provided in Paragraph 11(e)
                            of the Articles, Supplementary.

By approximately 10:00      Auction Agent gives notice of Auction results as set
A.M. on the next            forth in Section 3.4(a) hereof.
succeeding Business Day


       (b) BD agrees to maintain a list of Potential Holders and to contact the
Potential Holders on such list on or prior to each Auction Date for the purposes
set forth in Paragraph 11 of the Articles Supplementary.

       (c) BD agrees not to sell, assign or dispose of any shares of any series
of AMPS, to any Person who has not delivered a signed Purchaser's Letter to the
Auction Agent.

       (d) BD shall submit orders to the Auction Agent in writing in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. BD shall submit separate
Orders to the Auction Agent for each Potential Holder or Existing Holder on
whose behalf BD is submitting an Order and shall not net or aggregate the Orders
of Potential Holders or Existing Holders on whose behalf BD is submitting
orders.

                                       5
<PAGE>

       (e) BD shall deliver to the Auction Agent (i) a written notice,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, of transfers of shares
of any series of AMPS, made through BD by an Existing Holder to another Person
other than pursuant to an Auction, and (ii) a written notice, substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, of the failure of shares of any series of
AMPS to be transferred to or by any Person that purchased or sold shares of any
series of AMPS or through BD pursuant to an Auction. The Auction Agent is not
required to accept any notice delivered pursuant to the terms of the foregoing
sentence with respect to an Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent
by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next preceding the applicable Auction Date.

       3.4 Notice of Auction Results.
           -------------------------

       (a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify BD by telephone
as set forth in paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures. On the Business Day
next succeeding such Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify BD in writing
of the disposition of all Orders submitted by BD in the Auction held on such
Auction Date.

       (b) BD shall notify each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on whose
behalf BD has submitted an order as set forth in paragraph (b) of the Settlement
Procedures and take such other action as is required of BD pursuant to the
Settlement Procedures.

       If any Existing Holder selling shares of any series of AMPS in an Auction
fails to deliver such shares, the BD of any Person that was to have purchased
shares of such series of AMPS in such Auction may deliver to such Person a
number of whole shares of such series of AMPS that is less than the number of
shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such Person. In such event, the
number of shares of such series of AMPS to be so delivered shall be determined
by such BD. Delivery of such lesser number of shares shall constitute good
delivery. Upon the occurrence of any such failure to deliver shares, such BD
shall deliver to the Auction Agent the notice required by Section 3.3(e)(ii)
hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of this Section 3.4(b), any delivery
or non-delivery of shares of any series of AMPS which represents any departure
from the results of an Auction, as determined by the Auction Agent, shall be of
no effect unless and until the Auction Agent shall have been notified of such
delivery or non-delivery in accordance with the terms of Section 3.3(e) hereof.
The Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with respect to enforcement of
this Section 3.4(b).

       3.5 Service Charge to Be Paid to BD. On the Business Day next succeeding
           -------------------------------
each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall pay to BD, from moneys received from
the Company an amount equal to: (a) in the case of any Auction Date immediately
preceding a 7-day Dividend Period, a 28-day Dividend Period or Short Term
Dividend Period, the product of (i) a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of days in such Dividend Period (calculated by counting the first day of
such Dividend Period but excluding the last day thereof) and the denominator of
which is 360, times (ii) 1/4 of 1%, times (iii) $50,000, times (iv) the sum of
(A) the aggregate number of AMPS placed by BD in the applicable Auction that
were (x) the subject of a Submitted Bid of an Existing . Holder submitted by BD
and continued to be held as a result of such submission and (y) the subject of a
Submitted Bid of a Potential Holder submitted by BD and were purchased as a
result of such submission plus (B) the aggregate number of AMPS subject to valid
Hold Orders (determined in accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Articles

                                       6
<PAGE>

Supplementary) submitted to the Auction Agent by BD plus (C) the number of AMPS
deemed to be subject to Hold orders by Existing Holders pursuant to Paragraph 11
of the Articles Supplementary that were acquired by such Existing Holders
through BD and (b) in the case of any Auction Date immediately preceding a Long
Term Dividend Period, that amount as mutually agreed upon by the Company and BD,
based on the selling concession that would be applicable to an underwriting of
fixed or variable rate preferred shares with a similar final maturity or
variable rate dividend period, at the commencement of such Long Term Dividend
Period.

       For purposes of subclause (a)(iv)(C) of the foregoing sentence, if any
Existing Holder who acquired shares of any series of AMPS through BD transfers
those shares to another Person other than pursuant to an Auction, then the
Broker-Dealer for the shares so transferred shall continue to be BD, provided,
however, that if the transfer was effected by,, or if the transferee is, a
Broker-Dealer other than BD, then such Broker-Dealer shall be the Broker-Dealer
for such shares.

       4.  The Auction Agent.
           -----------------

       4.1 Duties and Responsibilities.
           ---------------------------

       (a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Company hereunder
and owes no fiduciary duties to any other Person by reason of this Agreement.

       (b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Auction Agent.

       (c) In the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the Auction
Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted or for any
error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been negligent in ascertaining
(or failing to ascertain) the pertinent facts.

       4.2 Rights of the Auction Agent.
           ---------------------------

       (a) The Auction Agent may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any communication authorized by this Agreement and
upon any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report,
certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document believed
by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for acting upon any
telephone communication authorized by this Agreement which the Auction Agent
believes in good faith to have been given by the Company or by a Broker-Dealer.
The Auction Agent may record telephone communications with the Broker-Dealers.

       (b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its own choice, and the
advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in reliance thereon.

                                       7
<PAGE>

       (c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the
performance of its duties hereunder.

       (d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights
hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.

       4.3 Auction Agent's Disclaimer. The Auction Agent makes no representation
           --------------------------
as to the validity or adequacy of this Agreement or the AMPS.

       5.  Miscellaneous.
           -------------

       5.1 Termination. Any party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon
           -----------
five days' prior notice to the other party; provided, however, that if BD is
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, neither BD nor the Auction
Agent may terminate this Agreement without first obtaining prior written consent
of the Company of such termination, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

       5.2 Participant in Securities Depository: Payment of Dividends in
           -------------------------------------------------------------
Same-Day Funds.
- --------------

       (a) BD is, and shall remain for the term of this Agreement, a member of,
or participant in, the Securities Depository (or an affiliate of such a member
or participant).

       (b) BD represents that it (or if such BD does not act as Agent Member,
one of its affiliates) shall make all dividend payments on the AMPS available in
same-day funds on each Dividend Payment Date to customers that use such BD or
affiliate as Agent Member.

       5.3  Agent Member. At the date hereof, BD is a participant of the
            ------------
Securities Depository.

       5.4  Communications. Except for (i) communications authorized to be made
            --------------
by telephone pursuant to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii)
communications in connection with the Auctions (other than those expressly
required to be in writing), all notices, requests and other communications to
any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar writing)
and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, at its address or telecopy
number set forth below:

         If to BD          Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
         addressed:                Incorporated
                           Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
                           World Financial Center - North Tower
                           New York, New York 10281-1205

                           Attention:       Richard N. Doyle
                           Telecopier No.:  (212) 449-2760
                           Telephone No.:   (212) 449-4940

                                       8
<PAGE>

         If to the Auction     IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
         Agent, addressed:     One State Street
                               New York, New York 10004
                               Attention: Auction Window Subcellar 1
                               Telecopier No.: (212) 797-1148
                               Telephone No.: (212) 858-2272

or such other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter specify for
such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein.
Communications shall be given on behalf of BD by a BD officer and on behalf of
the Auction Agent by an Authorized officer. BD may record telephone
communications with the Auction Agent.

       5.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
           ----------------
between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and there are no
other representations, endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings,
oral, written or inferred ' between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof.

       5.6 Benefits. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall give
           --------
to any person, other than the Company, the Auction Agent and BD and their
respective successors and assigns, any benefit of any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under this Agreement.

       5.7 Amendment; Waiver.
           -----------------

       (a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a
written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be
charged.

       (b) Failure of either party to this Agreement to exercise any right or
remedy hereunder in the event of a breach of this Agreement by the other party
shall not constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any
subsequent breach.

       5.8 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure
           ----------------------
to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the respective successors and
permitted assigns of each of BD and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be
assigned by either party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other
party; provided, however, that this Agreement may be assigned by the Auction
Agent to a successor Auction Agent selected by the Company without the consent
of BD.

       5.9 Severability. If any clause, provision or section of this Agreement
           ------------
shall be ruled invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction,
the invalidity or unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall
not affect any remaining clause, provision or section hereof.

       5.10 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
            -------------------------
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                       9
<PAGE>

       6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
          -------------
accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
and to be performed in said State.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.

                                   IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY

                                     By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                              Title:
                                                      Assistant Vice President

                                   MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                                              INCORPORATED

                                   By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Title:

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

               TO BE SUBMITTED TO YOUR BROKER-DEALER WHO WILL THEN
              DELIVER COPIES ON YOUR BEHALF TO THE RESPECTIVE TRUST
                          COMPANY OR RETMARKETING AGENT
                            MASTER PURCHASER'S LETTER
                                   Relating to
       Securities Involving Rate Settings Through Auctions or Remarketings

THE COMPANY
A REMARKETING AGENT
THE TRUST COMPANY
BROKER-DEALER
AN AGENT MEMBER
OTHER PERSONS

Dear Sirs:

         1. This letter is designed to apply to publicly or privately offered
debt or equity securities ("Securities") of any issuer ("Company") which are
described in any final prospectus or other offering materials relating to such
Securities as the same may be amended or supplemented (collectively, with
respect to the particular Securities concerned, the "Prospectus") and which
involve periodic rate settings through auctions ("Auctions") or remarketing
procedures ("Remarketings"). This letter shall be for the benefit of any Company
and of any trust company, auction agent, paying agent (collectively, "trust
company"), remarketing agent, broker-dealer, agent member, securities depository
or other interested person in connection with any Securities and related
Auctions or Remarketings (it being understood that such persons may be required
to execute specified agreements and nothing herein shall alter such
requirements). The terminology used herein is intended to be general in its
application and not to exclude any Securities in respect of which (in the
Prospectus or otherwise) alternative terminology is used.

         2. We may from time to time offer to purchase, purchase, offer to sell
and/or sell Securities of any Company as described in the Prospectus relating
thereto. We agree that this letter shall apply to all such purchases, sales and
offers and to Securities owned by us. We understand that the dividend/interest
rate on Securities may be based from time to time on the results of Auctions or
Remarketings as set forth in the Prospectus.

         3. We agree that any bid or sell order placed by us in an Auction or a
Remarketing shall constitute an irrevocable offer (except is otherwise described
in the Prospectus) by us to purchase or sell the Securities subject to such bid
or sell order, or such lesser amount of Securities as we shall be required to
sell or purchase as a result of such Auction or Remarketing, at the applicable
price, all as set forth in the Prospectus, and that if we fail to place a bid or
sell order with respect to Securities owned by us with a broker-dealer on any
Auction or Remarketing date, or a broker-dealer to which we communicate a bid or
sell order fails to submit such bid or sell order to the trust company or
remarketing agent concerned, we shall be deemed to have placed a hold order with
respect to such Securities as described in the Prospectus. We authorize any
broker-dealer that submits a bid or sell order as our agent in Auctions or
<PAGE>

Remarketings to execute contracts for the sale of Securities covered by such bid
or sell order. We recognize that the payment by such broker-dealer for
Securities purchased on our behalf shall not relieve us of any liability to such
broker-dealer for payment for such Securities.

         4. We understand that in a Remarketing, the dividend or interest rate
or rates on the Securities and the allocation of Securities tendered for sale
between dividend or interest periods of different lengths will be based from
time to time on the determinations of one or more remarketing agents, and we
agree to be conclusively bound by such determinations. We further agree to the
payment of different dividend or interest rates to different holders of
Securities depending on the length of the dividend or interest period elected by
such holders. We agree that any notice given by us to a remarketing agent (or to
a broker-dealer for transmission to a remarketing agent) of our desire to under
Securities in a Remarketing shall constitute an irrevocable (except to the
limited extent set forth I n the Prospectus) offer by us to sell the Securities
specified in such notice, or such lesser number of Securities as we shall be
required to sell as a result of such Remarketing, in accordance with the terms
set forth in the Prospectus. and we authorize the remarketing agent to sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of such Securities as set forth in the Prospectus.

         5. We agree that, during the applicable period as described in the
Prospectus, dispositions of Securities can be made only in the denominations set
forth in the Prospectus and we will sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
Securities held by us from time to time only pursuant to a bid or sell order
placed in an Auction, in a Remarketing', to or through a broker-dealer or, when
permitted in the Prospectus, to a person that has signed and delivered to the
applicable trust company or a remarketing agent a letter substantially in the
form of this letter (or other applicable purchaser's letter), provided that in
the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions or Remarketings we or
our broker-dealer or our agent member shall advise such trust company or a
remarketing agent of such transfer. We understand that a restrictive legend will
be placed on certificates representing the Securities and stop-transfer
instructions will be issued to the transfer agent and/or registrar, all as set
forth 1-11 the Prospectus.

         6. We agree that, during the applicable period as described in the
Prospectus, ownership of Securities shall be represented by one or more global
certificates registered in the name of the applicable securities depository or
its nominee, that we will not be entitled to receive any certificate
representing the Securities and that our ownership of any Securities will be
maintained in book entry form by the securities depository for the account of
our agent member, which in turn will maintain records of our beneficial
ownership. We authorize and instruct our agent member to disclose to the
applicable trust company or remarketing agent such information concerning our
beneficial ownership of Securities as such trust company or remarketing agent
shall request.

         7. We acknowledge that partial deliveries of Securities purchased in
Auctions or Remarketings may be made to us and such deliveries shall constitute
good delivery as set forth in the Prospectus.

         8. This letter is not a commitment by us to purchase any Securities.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         9. This letter supersedes any prior-dated version of this master
purchaser's letter, and supplements any prior or post-dated purchaser's letter
specific to particular Securities, and this letter may only be revoked by a
signed writing delivered to the original recipients hereof.

         10. The descriptions of Auction or Remarketing procedures set forth in
each applicable Prospectus are incorporated by reference herein and in case of
any conflict between this letter, any purchaser's letter specific to particular
Securities and any such description, such description shall control.

         11. Any xerographic or other copy of this letter shall be deemed of
equal effect as a signed original.

         12. Our agent member of The Depository Trust Company currently is

         13. Our personnel authorized to place orders with broker-dealers for
the purposes set forth in the Prospectus in Auctions or Remarketings currently
is/are _______________ telephone number ( )         .

         14. Our taxpayer identification number is

         15. In the case of each offer to purchase, purchase, offer to sell or
sale by us of Securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), we represent and agree as follows:

              A. We understand and expressly acknowledge that. the
         Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Act and,
         accordingly, that the Securities may not be reoffered, resold or
         otherwise pledged, hypothecated or transferred unless an applicable
         exemption from the registration requirements of the Act is available.

              B. We hereby confirm that any purchase of Securities made by
         us will be for our own account, or for the account of one or more
         parties for which we are acting as trustee or agent with complete
         investment discretion and with authority to bind such parties, and not
         with a view to any public resale or distribution thereof. We and each
         other party for which we are acting which will acquire Securities will
         be "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the
         Act with respect to the Securities to be purchased by us or such party,
         as the case may be, will have previously invested in similar types of
         instruments and will be able and prepared to bear the economic risk of
         investing in and holding such Securities.

              C. We acknowledge that prior to purchasing any Securities we
         shall have received a Prospectus (or private placement memorandum) with
         respect thereto and acknowledge that we will have had access to such
         financial and other information, and have been afforded the opportunity
         to ask such questions of representatives of the Company and receive
         answers thereto, as we deem necessary in connection with our decision
         to purchase Securities.

              D. We recognize that the Company and broker-dealers will rely
         upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing investment representations
         and agreements, and we

                                       3
<PAGE>

agree that each of our purchases of Securities now or in the future shall be
deemed to constitute our concurrence in all of the foregoing which shall be
binding on us and each party for which we are acting as set forth in
Subparagraph B above.



                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         (Name of Purchaser)

                                         By
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Printed Name:
                                           Title:
Dated:
      ----------------------

Mailing Address of Purchaser

- ----------------------------

- ----------------------------

- ----------------------------

- ----------------------------

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------

                              SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES

     The following summary of Settlement Procedures sets forth the procedures
expected to be followed in connection with the settlement of each Auction and
will be incorporated by reference in the Auction Agent Agreement and each
Broker-Dealer Agreement. Nothing contained in this Appendix C constitutes a
representation by the Fund that in each Auction each party referred to herein
will actually perform the procedures described herein to be performed by such
party. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the glossary of this Prospectus or Appendix D hereto, as the case
may be.

     (a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify by telephone or
through the Auction Agent's Processing System the Broker-Dealers that
participated in the Auction held on such Auction Date and submitted an Order on
behalf of any Existing Holder or Potential Holder of:

          (i)   the Applicable Rate fixed for the next succeeding Dividend
     Period;

          (ii)  whether Sufficient Clearing Bids existed for the determination
     of the Applicable Rate;

          (iii) if such Broker-Dealer (a "Seller's Broker-Dealer") submitted a
     Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of an Existing Holder, the number of shares,
     if any, of AMPS to be sold by such Existing Holder;

          (iv)  if such Broker-Dealer (a "Buyer's Broker-Dealer") submitted a
     Bid on behalf of a Potential Holder. the number of shares, if any, of AMPS
     to be purchased by such Potential Holder;

          (v)   if the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be sold by all
     Existing Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a
     Sell Order exceeds the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be purchased
     by all potential Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a
     Bid, the name or names of one or more Buyer's Broker-Dealers (and the name
     of the Agent Member, if any, of each such Buyer's Broker-Dealer) acting for
     one or more purchasers of such excess number of shares of AMPS and the
     number of such shares to be purchased from one or more Existing Holders on
     whose behalf such Broker-Dealer acted by one or more Potential Holders on
     whose behalf each of such Buyer's Broker-Dealers acted;

          (vi)  if the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be purchased by all
     Potential Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid
     exceeds the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be sold by all Existing
     Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a Sell Order,
     the name or names of one or more Seller's Broker-Dealers (and the name of
     the Agent Member, if any, of each such Seller's Broker-Dealer) acting for
     one or more sellers of such excess number of shares of AMPS and the number
     of such shares to be sold to one or more Potential Holders on whose
<PAGE>

     behalf such BrokerDealer acted by one or more Existing Holders on whose
     behalf each of such Seller's Broker-Dealers acted; and

          (vii) the Auction Date of the next succeeding Auction with respect to
     the AMPS.

     (b) On each Auction Date, each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order on
behalf of any Existing Holder or Potential Holder shall:

          (i)   in the case of a Broker-Dealer that is a Buyer's Broker-Dealer,
     instruct each Potential Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted
     a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part to instruct such Potential
     Holder's Agent Member to pay to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member)
     through the Securities Depository the amount necessary to purchase the
     number of shares of AMPS to be purchased pursuant to such Bid against
     receipt of such shares and advise such Potential Holder of the Applicable
     Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period; I .

          (ii)  in the case of a Broker-Dealer that is a Seller's Broker-Dealer,
     instruct each Existing Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted
     a Sell Order that was accepted, in whole or in part, or a Bid that was
     accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such Existing Holder's Agent
     Member to deliver to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the
     Securities Depository the number of shares of AMPS to be sold pursuant to
     such Order against payment therefor and advise any such Existing Holder
     that will continue to hold shares of AMPS of the Applicable Rate for the
     next succeeding Dividend Period;

          (iii) advise each Existing Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
     submitted a Hold Order of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
     Dividend Period;

          (iv)  advise each Existing Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
     submitted an Order of the Auction Date for the next succeeding Auction; and

          (v)   advise each Potential Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
     submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, of the Auction Date
     for the next succeeding Action.

     (c) On the basis of the information provided to it pursuant to (a) above,
each Broker-Dealer that submitted a Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of a Potential
Holder or an Existing Holder shall, in such manner and at such time or times as
in its sole discretion it may determine, allocate any funds received by it
pursuant to (b)(i) above and any shares of AMPS received by it pursuant to
(b)(ii) above among the Potential Holders, if any, on whose behalf such
Broker-Dealer submitted Bids, the Existing Holders, if any, on whose behalf such
Broker-Dealer submitted Bids that were accepted or Sell Orders, and any
Broker-Dealer or BrokerDealers identified to it by the Auction Agent pursuant to
(a)(v) or (a)(vi) above.

     (d) On each Auction Date:

          (i)   each Potential Holder and Existing Holder shall instruct its
     Agent Member as provided in (b)(i) or (ii) above, as he case may be;

                                       2
<PAGE>

          (ii)  each Seller's Broker-Dealer which is not an Agent Member of the
     Securities Depository shall instruct its Agent Member to (A) pay through
     the Securities Depository to the Agent Member of the Existing Holder
     delivering shares to such Broker-Dealer pursuant to (b)(ii) above the
     amount necessary to purchase such shares against receipt of such shares,
     and (B) deliver such shares through the Securities Depository to a Buyer's
     Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) identified to such Seller's
     Broker-Dealer pursuant to (a)(v) above against payment therefor; and

          (iii) each Buyer's Broker-Dealer which is not an Agent Member of the
     Securities Depository shall instruct its Agent Member to (A) pay through
     the Securities Depository to a Seller's Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member)
     identified pursuant to (a)(vi) above the amount necessary to purchase the
     shares to be purchased pursuant to (b)(i) above against receipt of such
     shares, and (B) deliver such shares through the Securities Depository to
     the Agent Member of the purchaser thereof against payment therefor.

     (e)  On the day after the Auction Date:

          (i)   each Bidder's Agent Member referred to in (d)(i) above shall
     instruct the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described
     under (b)(i) or (ii) above, and the Securities Depository shall execute
     such transactions,

          (ii)  each Seller's Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member shall instruct
     the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (d)(ii)
     above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions; and

          (iii) each Buyer's Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member shall instruct
     the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (d)(iii)
     above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions.

     (f)  If an Existing Holder selling shares of AMPS in an Auction fails to
deliver such shares (by authorized book-entry), a Broker-Dealer may deliver to
the Potential Holder on behalf of which it submitted a Bid that was accepted a
number of whole shares of AMPS that is less than the number of shares that
otherwise was to be purchased by such Potential Holder. In such event, the
number of shares of AMPS to be so delivered shall be determined solely by such
Broker-Dealer. Delivery of such lesser number of shares shall constitute good
delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of this paragraph (0, any delivery
or non-delivery of shares which shall represent any departure from the results
of an Auction, as determined by the Auction Agent, shall be of no effect unless
and until the Auction Agent shall have been notified of such delivery or
non-delivery in accordance with the provisions of the Auction Agent Agreement
and the Broker-Dealer Agreements.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                       ---------

                        IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
                                AUCTION BID FORM

Submit To:  IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Co.         Issue  ___________________
            Securities Transfer Department        Series ___________________
            One State Street                      Auction Date _____________
            New York, New York 10004
                                                  Telephone: (212) 858-2272
            Attention:  Auction Window            Facsimile: (212) 797-1148

The undersigned Broker-Dealer submits the following Order on behalf of the
Bidder listed below:

Name of Bidder: _________________________

                                 EXISTING HOLDER

Shares now held ______________                  HOLD           ______________
                                                BID at rate of ______________
                                                SELL           ______________

                                POTENTIAL HOLDER

                                                # of shares bid _____________
                                                BID at rate of  _____________

Notes:

(1)  If submitting more than one Bid for one Bidder, use additional Auction Bid
     Forms.

(2)  If one or more Bids covering in the aggregate more than the number of
     outstanding shares held by any Existing Holder are submitted, such bid
     shall be considered valid in the order of priority set forth in the Auction
     Procedures on the above issue.

(3)  A Hold or Sell may be placed only by an Existing Holder covering a number
     of shares not greater than the number of shares currently held.

(4)  Potential Holders may make only Bids, each of which must specify a rate. If
     more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder, each Bid
     submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate specified.

(5)  Bids may contain no more than three figures to the right of the decimal
     point (.001 of 1%). Fractions will not be accepted.

NAME OF BROKER-DEALER      __________________

Authorized Signature       __________________
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                                                                       ---------

(To be used only for transfers made other than pursuant to an Auction.)

                                  TRANSFER FORM

         Re:      MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.
                  Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series _ ("AMPS")

         We are (check one):

[_]      the Existing Holder named below;

[_]      the Broker-Dealer for such Existing Holder; or

[_]      the Agent Member for such Existing Holder.

         We hereby notify you that such Existing Holder has transferred

         _______ shares of Series _______ AMPS to ___________.


                                ----------------------------------------
                                (Name of Existing Holder)


                                ----------------------------------------
                                (Name of Broker-Dealer)


                                ----------------------------------------
                                (Name of Agent Member)

                                By:
                                   -------------------------------------
                                Printed Name:
                                Title:
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT E
                                                                       ---------

                    (To be used only for failures to deliver
                        AMPS sold pursuant to an Auction)





                         NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO DELIVER

Complete either I or II
- -----------------------

     I.   We are a Broker-Dealer for (the "Purchaser"), which purchased shares
          of Series AMPS of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. in the Auction
          held on _______________ from the seller of such shares.

     II.  We are a Broker-Dealer for (the "Seller"), which sold shares of Series
          AMPS of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. in the Auction held on
          _______________ to the Purchaser of such shares.

          We hereby notify you that (check one) --

          __________ the Seller failed to deliver such shares to the Purchaser

          __________ the Purchaser failed to make payment to the Seller upon
                     delivery of such shares

                                       Name:_______________________
                                            (Name of Broker-Dealer)

                                       By:_________________________
                                            Printed Name:
                                            Title:

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 13(d)


                           LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS

                     MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.

                                      and

                       IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY

                                                                  April 10, 1992

The Depository Trust Company
55 Water Street
New York, New York 10041

Attention:  General Counsel's Office

            Re:  MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. Issuance
                 of Auction Market Preferred Stock ["AMPS"(R)]
                 ------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The purpose of this letter is to set forth certain matters relating to the
issuance and sale by MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation (the "Issuer"), of 850 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock,
Series A (the "Series A AMPS") and 850 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock,
Series B (the "Series B AMPS"). The Series A AMPS and the Series B AMPS are
sometimes herein together called the "AMPS". IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
in its capacity as Auction Agent (as defined in the Prospectus), will act as the
transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with
respect to the shares of AMPS. The shares of AMPS are being distributed through
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") by Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter").

     To induce DTC to accept the shares of AMPS as eligible for deposit at DTC
and to act in accordance with its rules (the "DTC Rules") with respect to the
shares of AMPS, the Issuer and the Auction Agent make the following
representations to DTC:

___________________
(R)  Registered Trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
<PAGE>

1.  Prior to the issuance of the shares of AMPS on April 10, 1992 the Issuer
    shall cause the Underwriter to deposit with DTC one share certificate
    representing the AMPS, registered in the name of DTC's nominee, CEDE & CO.,
    which will respectively represent the total number of shares of AMPS, and
    said certificate shall remain in DTC's custody.

2.  The Prospectus describes provisions for the solicitation of consents from,
    and voting by, holders of the shares of AMPS under certain circumstances.
    The Issuer shall establish a record date or record dates for such purposes
    and give DTC notice of such record date or dates not less than 15 calendar
    days in advance of such record date or dates to the extent practicable.

3.  In the event of a full or partial redemption of outstanding shares of AMPS
    the Issuer or the Auction Agent shall give DTC notice of such event not less
    than 30 days prior to the redemption date.

4.  In the event of a partial redemption of shares of AMPS outstanding, the
    Issuer or the Auction Agent shall send DTC a notice specifying: the number
    of shares of AMPS to be redeemed and the date such notice is to be mailed to
    shareholders of the Issuer or published by the Issuer ("Publication Date").
    Such notice shall be sent to DTC by a secure means (e.g., legible facsimile
    transmission, registered or certified mail, overnight express delivery or
    hand delivery) in a timely manner designed to assure that such notice is in
    DTC's possession no later than the close of business on the Business Day (as
    defined in the Prospectus) before the Publication Date. (The Issuer or the
    Auction Agent sending such notice shall have a method to verify subsequently
    the use of such means and timeliness of the notice.) In the event of a
    partial redemption, the Publication Date shall not be less than 30 days
    prior to the redemption date.

5.  The Prospectus indicates that the dividend rate for the shares of AMPS may
    vary from time to time. Absent other existing arrangements with DTC, the
    Issuer or the Auction Agent shall give DTC notice of each such change in the
    dividend rate on the same day the new rate is determined by telephone to the
    Supervisor of the Dividend Announcement Section at (212) 709-1270 and such
    notice shall be followed by prompt written confirmation sent by a secure
    means as described in paragraph 4 above to:

               Manager, Announcements, Dividend Department
               The Depository Trust Company
               7 Hanover Square, 22nd Floor
               New York, New York 10004

6.  The Prospectus indicates that each purchaser of shares of AMPS will be
    required to sign a Purchaser's Letter (as defined in the Prospectus) that
    contains provisions restricting transfer of the shares of AMPS purchased.
    The Issuer and the Auction Agent acknowledge that as long as CEDE & CO. is
    the sole record owner of the shares of AMPS, CEDE & CO. shall be entitled to
    all voting rights applicable to

                                       2
<PAGE>

    the shares of AMPS and to receive the full amount of all dividends,
    Additional Dividends, liquidation proceeds and redemption proceeds payable
    with respect to the shares of AMPS. The Issuer and the Auction Agent
    acknowledge that DTC shall treat any DTC Participant (defined in the DTC
    Rules to mean, generally, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
    companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations for whom
    DTC, directly or indirectly, holds securities) having shares of AMPS
    credited to its DTC account as entitled to the full benefits of ownership of
    such shares even if the credits of shares of AMPS to the DTC account of such
    DTC Participant result from transfers or failures to transfer in violation
    of the provisions of the Purchaser's Letter. Without limiting the generality
    of the preceding sentence, the Issuer and the Auction Agent acknowledge that
    DTC shall treat any DTC Participant having shares of AMPS credited to its
    account as entitled to receive dividends, distributions and voting rights,
    if any, in respect of such shares and, subject to Section 13 hereof, to
    receive certificates evidencing such shares of AMPS if such certificates are
    to be issued in accordance with the Issuer's Charter (as defined in the
    Prospectus). (The treatment by DTC of the effects of the crediting by it of
    shares of AMPS to the accounts of DTC Participants described in the
    preceding two sentences shall not affect the rights of the Issuer,
    participants in Auctions (as defined in the Prospectus) relating to the
    shares of AMPS, purchasers, sellers or holders of shares of AMPS against any
    DTC Participant.) DTC shall have no responsibility to ascertain that any
    transfer of shares of AMPS is made in accordance with the provisions of the
    Purchaser's Letter.

7.  The Prospectus indicates that in the event the Issuer retroactively
    allocates any net capital gains or other taxable income to shares of AMPS
    without having given advance notice thereof to the Auction Agent as
    described in the Prospectus solely by reason of the fact that such
    allocation is made as a result of the redemption of all or a portion of the
    outstanding shares of AMPS or the liquidation of the Issuer (the amount of
    such allocation referred to herein as a "Retroactive Taxable Allocation"),
    the Issuer will, within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the end
    of the Issuer's fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is
    made, provide notice thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of
    shares of AMPS (initially CEDE & CO. as nominee of DTC) during such fiscal
    year at such holder's address as the same appears or last appeared on the
    stock books of the Issuer. The Issuer will, within 30 days after such notice
    is given to the Auction Agent, pay to the Auction Agent (who will then
    distribute to such holders of AMPS), out of funds legally available
    therefor, an amount equal to the aggregate Additional Dividend (as defined
    in the Prospectus) with respect to all Retroactive Taxable Allocations made
    to such holders during the fiscal year in question.

8.  The Issuer will notify DTC, at least 10 business days prior to the payment
    date for any Additional Dividends, of (i) the record date for holders of
    shares of each AMPS entitled to receive Additional Dividends, (ii) the
    amount of Additional Dividends payable on a per share basis to such holders
    and (iii) the CUSIP number set forth on the share certificate representing
    the AMPS.

                                       3
<PAGE>

9.   The Prospectus indicates that in the event a Response (as defined in the
     Prospectus) indicates that it is advisable that the Issuer give a Notice of
     Special Dividend Period (as defined in the Prospectus) for the AMPS, the
     Issuer may by no later than the second day prior to such Auction Date give
     a Notice of Special Dividend Period (as defined in the Prospectus) to the
     Auction Agent, DTC and each Broker-Dealer, which notice will specify (i)
     the duration of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption
     Price as specified in the Related Response and (iii) the Specific
     Redemption Provisions, if any, as specified in the related response. The
     Issuer is required to give telephonic and written notice (a "Notice of
     Revocation") to the Auction Agent, each Broker-Dealer, and DTC on or prior
     to the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date under the
     circumstances specified in the Prospectus.

10.  All notices and payment advices sent to DTC shall contain the CUSIP number
     set forth on the share certificate representing the AMPS.

11.  Notices to DTC by facsimile transmission shall be sent to (212) 709-1093 or
     (212) 709-1094. The Issuer or Auction Agent shall call (212) 709-6884 to
     confirm such receipt of notice. Except as provided in paragraph 5 hereof,
     notices to DTC by any other means shall be sent to:

               Manager, Reorganization Department
               Reorganization Window
               The Depository Trust Company
               7 Hanover Square, 23rd Floor
               New York, New York 10004

12.  Dividend payments shall be received by CEDE & CO., as nominee of DTC, or
     its registered assigns in same-day funds on each payment date or the
     equivalent as agreed between the Issuer or the Auction Agent and DTC ("Fed-
     Funds"). Such payment shall be made payable to the order of "CEDE & CO."
     Absent any other agreement between the Issuer or the Auction Agent and DTC
     such payments shall be addressed as follows:

               Manager, Cash Receipts, Dividends
               The Depository Trust Company
               7 Hanover Square, 24th Floor
               New York, New York 10004

13.  Redemption payments shall be made in Fed-Funds in the manner set forth in
     the SDFS Paying Agent Operating Procedures, a copy of which has previously
     been provided to the Auction Agent.

14.  DTC may direct the Issuer or the Auction Agent to use any other telephone
     number for facsimile transmission, address, or department of DTC as the
     number, address or department to which payments of dividends, redemption
     proceeds or notices may be sent.

                                       4
<PAGE>

15.  In the event of a redemption necessitating a reduction in the number of
     shares of AMPS outstanding, DTC in its discretion may (a) request the
     Issuer to execute and deliver a new share certificate representing the
     remaining outstanding shares of AMPS or (b) may make appropriate notations
     on the certificate indicating the date and amounts of such reductions. In
     the case of redemption of all of the shares, DTC will surrender the
     certificate to the Auction Agent for cancellation if required.

16.  In the event the Issuer determines that beneficial owners of the shares of
     AMPS of any series (generally, the Existing Holders as defined in the
     Issuer's Charter) shall be able to obtain certificates. representing such
     shares of AMPS (as provided for in the Issuer's Charter), the Issuer or the
     Auction Agent shall notify DTC of the availability of share certificates
     representing such shares of AMPS, as the case may be, and shall issue,
     transfer and exchange such certificates as required by DTC and others in
     appropriate amounts.

17.  DTC may determine to discontinue providing its services as securities
     depository with respect to the shares of AMPS at any time by giving
     reasonable notice to the Issuer or the Auction Agent (at which time DTC
     will confirm with the Auction Agent the aggregate amount of the respective
     shares of AMPS outstanding). Under such circumstances the Issuer will
     cooperate with DTC in taking appropriate action to provide for a substitute
     or successor securities depository or to make available one or more
     separate certificates evidencing the shares of AMPS, to any DTC Participant
     having such shares credited to its DTC account.

18.  The Issuer hereby authorizes DTC to provide to the Auction Agent position
     listings of its DTC Participants with respect to the shares of AMPS from
     time to time at the request of the Auction Agent and at DTC's customary
     fee, and also authorizes DTC, in the event of a partial redemption of
     shares of AMPS, to provide, and DTC hereby agrees to provide upon request,
     the Auction Agent, upon request, with the names of those DTC Participants
     whose positions in such shares of AMPS have been selected for redemption by
     DTC. DTC agrees to use its best efforts to notify the Auction Agent of
     those DTC Participants whose positions in the shares of AMPS have been
     selected for redemption by DTC. The Issuer authorizes the Auction Agent to
     provide DTC with such signatures, exemplars of signatures and
     authorizations to act as may be deemed necessary by DTC to permit DTC to
     discharge its obligations to its DTC Participants and appropriate
     regulatory authorities.

     This authorization, unless revoked by the Issuer, shall continue with
     respect to the shares of AMPS while any such shares are on deposit at DTC,
     until and unless the Auction Agent shall no longer be acting. In such
     event, the Issuer shall provide DTC with similar evidence of the
     authorization of any successor thereto so to act.

     Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Auction Agent to advance
     funds on behalf of the Issuer.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                  Very truly yours,

                                  MUNIYIELD NEW YORK INSURED FUND, INC.
                                       as Issuer

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President

                                  IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
                                       as Auction Agent

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Title: Assistant Vice President

Received and Accepted:

THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

By:
   -------------------------
   Title

cc:  Merrill Lynch & Co.
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
         Incorporated

                                       6

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT (14)(A)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.:

We consent to the use in this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration
Statement No. 333-88423 on Form N-14 of our report dated December 4, 1998
appearing in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus, which is a part of such
Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the captions
"Comparison of the Funds - Financial Highlights" and "Experts" also appearing in
such Proxy Statement and Prospectus.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
November 8, 1999

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 14(b)


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc.:

We consent to the reference to us under the captions "Comparison of the Funds-
Financial Highlights" and "Experts" appearing in the Proxy Statement and
Prospectus, which is a part of this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-88423 on Form N-14.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
November 8, 1999




<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT (14)(C)


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "The Reorganization-
Comparison of the Funds-Financial Highlights", "Selection of Independent
Auditors" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated  December 1, 1998
for MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc. included in the Registration
Statement (Form N-14 No. 333-88423) and related combined Proxy Statement and
Prospectus of MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc. and MuniYield New York
Insured Fund II, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


MetroPark, New Jersey
November 5, 1999


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