NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 717
S-6EL24, 1994-01-21
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<PAGE>
                                                      40 ACT FILE NO. 811-2271


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                Washington, D.C.  20549

                                    FORM S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2.

A.  Exact Name of Trust:     NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 717

B.  Name of Depositor:       JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED

C.  Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:

                             333 West Wacker Drive
                            Chicago, Illinois  60606

D.  Name and complete address of agents for service:

                         JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                            Attn:  James J. Wesolowski
                             333 West Wacker Drive
                            Chicago, Illinois  60606


                                CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                           Attn:  Daniel C. Bird, Jr.
                             111 West Monroe Street
                            Chicago, Illinois  60603

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

_____
_____  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

_____
_____  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of rule 485

_____
_____  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

_____
_____  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule (485 or 486)

E.  Title and amount of securities being registered:  An indefinite number of
Units pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.

F.  Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the securities being
registered:  Indefinite

G.  Amount of filing fee:  $500 (as required by Rule 24f-2)

H.  Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:

                  As soon as practicable after the effective
                      date of the registration statement

- -----       Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective
- -----       on (Date) at (Time) pursuant to Rule 487.


______________________________________________________________________________

    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>
 
   
                                JANUARY 20, 1994
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 713
             January 20, 1994
    
INTEREST  INCOME TO THE  TRUSTS AND TO  UNITHOLDERS, IN THE  OPINION OF COUNSEL,
UNDER EXISTING LAW IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX. CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
 
   
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 713 consists of two underlying separate
unit investment trusts  designated as National  Insured Trust 263  and New  York
Insured Trust 211. Each Trust initially consists of delivery statements relating
to  contracts to purchase  Bonds and, thereafter, will  consist of a diversified
portfolio of obligations issued by or on behalf of states and territories of the
United States and authorities and political subdivisions thereof (see  SCHEDULES
OF INVESTMENTS), the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuers,  exempt from  Federal income tax  under existing law.  In addition, the
interest on Bonds in each State Trust is, in the opinion of bond counsel to  the
issuers  of the obligations, exempt from such  State's income taxes, if any. All
obligations in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. on the Date  of
Deposit.  All  obligations in  each  Insured Trust  are  covered by  policies of
insurance obtained  from  the  Municipal Bond  Investors  Assurance  Corporation
guaranteeing  payment of principal  and interest when due.  All such policies of
insurance remain effective  so long  as the  obligations are  outstanding. As  a
result of such insurance, the Bonds in each portfolio of the Insured Trusts have
received  a rating of "Aaa" by Moody's  Investors Service, Inc. and the Bonds in
the Insured Trusts and the  Units of each such Trust  have received a rating  of
"AAA"  by Standard & Poor's Corporation. INSURANCE  RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS IN
THE INSURED TRUSTS AND NOT TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY OR TO THEIR MARKET VALUE.
(See Section 5.)
    
 
THE OBJECTIVES of the Trusts are  tax-exempt income and conservation of  capital
through  a diversified  investment in tax-exempt  Bonds. (SEE SECTIONS  2, 3 AND
11.) The payment of interest and  the preservation of principal are, of  course,
dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers of Bonds and of any insurer
thereof  to meet  their obligations thereunder.  There is no  guarantee that the
Trusts' objectives will be achieved.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS of  interest received  by each  Trust will  be made  semi-annually
unless  the Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly. (SEE SECTION
13.) Distribution of funds in the Principal Account, if any, will ordinarily  be
made semi-annually.
 
FOR  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders in
each Trust on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit.  (SEE PAGE 3  AND
SECTION 9.)
 
THE  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE  per Unit of  each Trust during  the initial offering
period is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in  such
Trust's  portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public Offering
Price (equivalent to  5.152% of the  net amount invested);  the sales charge  is
somewhat  lower on Trusts  with lesser average maturities.  (SEE SECTION 6.) The
Secondary Market Public Offering Price per Unit for each Trust will be equal  to
a  pro rata share of the  sum of BID prices of the  Bonds in such Trust plus the
sales charges determined based on the number of years remaining to the  maturity
of  each  Bond. Accrued  interest from  the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not
including, the settlement date is added to the Public Offering Price. The  sales
charge  is reduced on a graduated scale for sales involving at least $100,000 or
1,000 Units and  will be applied  on whichever  basis is more  favorable to  the
purchaser. (SEE SECTION 6.)
 
A  UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee, United States Trust
Company of New York, at prices based upon the BID prices of the Bonds. The price
received  upon  redemption  may  be  more  or  less  than  the  amount  paid  by
Unitholders,  depending upon the  value of the  Bonds on the  date of tender for
redemption. (SEE  SECTION 19.)  The Sponsor,  although not  required to  do  so,
intends  to make a secondary market for the  Units of the Trusts at prices based
upon the BID  prices of the  Bonds in  the respective Trusts.  (SEE SECTION  7.)
RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Index                                             Section         Page
<C>   <S>                                              <C>        <C>
      SPECIFIC TRUST MATTERS
      National Insured Trust 263                              3         8-12
      New York Insured Trust 211                              3        13-27
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-16
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-23
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            7
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-17
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         8-27
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-32
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4         8-27
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-18
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-28
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            5
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-22
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   8-27, A-22
      Distribution of Units to the Public                    17         A-27
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts             --            4
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current
      Return                                                  9      3, A-16
      Evaluation                                             16         A-27
      Expenses to Fund                                       12         A-21
      Insurance on Bonds in the Insured Trusts                5          A-9
      Insurance on Certain Bonds in the Traditional
      Trusts                                                  5         A-12
      Interest Income to Trust                                3         8-27
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         8-27
      Legality of Units                                      24         A-36
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee       22        A-33
      Market for Units                                        7         A-15
      Minimum Transaction                                    17         A-29
      Objectives of the Trusts                                2            6
      Optional Distribution Plan                             13         A-22
      Other Information                                      24         A-35
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                        18         A-29
      Public Offering Price of Units                          6         A-12
      Quantity Purchases                                      6         A-13
      Record Dates                                           13         A-22
      Ratings, Description of                                24         A-37
      Redemption of Units by Trustee                         19         A-29
      Reports to Unitholders                                 15         A-26
      Repurchase of Units by Sponsor                         20         A-31
      Sales Charge                                            6         A-12
      Sponsor, Information About                             23         A-33
      State Tax Status                                        3         8-27
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                        22         A-33
      Tax Status of Unitholders                              11         A-18
      Trustee, Information About                             22         A-32
      Trust Indenture, Amendment and Termination             24         A-35
      Unit Value                                             16         A-26
</TABLE>
 
                  2
<PAGE>
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
                                      AND
                    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS FOR THE TRUSTS
 
Following  are the  Estimated Long Term  and Estimated Current  Returns for each
Trust on the  business day  prior to  the Date  of Deposit,  under the  monthly,
quarterly and semi-annual plans of distribution (SEE SECTION 3):
 
                          Estimated Long Term Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  National Insured Trust 263...............      5.11%         5.14%           5.15%
  New York Insured Trust 211...............      4.89%         4.92%           4.94%
</TABLE>
 
                           Estimated Current Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  National Insured Trust 263...............      5.08%         5.11%           5.13%
  New York Insured Trust 211...............      4.87%         4.90%           4.92%
</TABLE>
 
    The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to
the investor earned  over the estimated  life of the  Trust. The Estimated  Long
Term  Return represents an  average of the  yields to maturity  (or call) of the
Bonds in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with  accepted  bond
practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under accepted bond
practice,  tax-exempt bonds  are customarily  offered to  investors on  a "yield
price" basis, which involves computation of  yield to maturity or to an  earlier
call date (whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not
only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization or accretion to
a  specified date of any premium over  or discount from the par (maturity) value
in the bond's  purchase price. In  calculating Estimated Long  Term Return,  the
average  yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is  computed,
this  figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of the
maximum sales  charge paid  by investors.  The Estimated  Long Term  Return  and
Estimated  Current Return  calculations do not  take into account  the delays in
payments to Unitholders  for the first  few months of  Trust operations, and  it
also  does not  take into account  the difference  in the timing  of payments to
Unitholders who choose quarterly or  semi-annual plans of distribution, each  of
which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated  Current Return  is computed by  dividing the  Net Annual Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net Annual Interest  Income per  Unit, used to  calculate Estimated  Current
Return,  will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and the
Evaluator and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A  Trust
may  experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed in
the calculation of Estimated  Long Term Return. There  thus can be no  assurance
that  the Estimated  Current Returns or  the Estimated Long  Term Returns quoted
herein will be realized in the future. Both the Estimated Current Return and the
Estimated Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of  the
underlying  Bonds on the business  day prior to the  Date of Deposit; subsequent
calculations of these performance measures will reflect the then current  market
value  of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower. For more information,
see Section 9. The Sponsor will provide estimated cash flow information relating
to a Trust without  charge to each  potential investor in  a Trust who  receives
this  prospectus and makes  an oral or  written request to  the Sponsor for such
information.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
                 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS ON
                               JANUARY 19, 1994+
    
           Sponsor and Evaluator...... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
           Trustee........... United States Trust Company of New York
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been  calculated
for   Unitholders   receiving   MONTHLY   distributions.   Unitholders  choosing
distributions quarterly or  semi-annually will receive  slightly higher  returns
because  of the lower Trustee's fees and expenses under such plans. (SEE SECTION
3 FOR DATA RELATING TO THESE PLANS.)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         National            New York
                                                          Insured             Insured
                                                         Trust 263           Trust 211
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $   10,000,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................         100,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....       1/100,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 1,000 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    9,710,973      $    3,402,652
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        97.11      $        97.22
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         5.00      $         5.01
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $       102.11      $       102.23
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        96.62      $        96.74
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        97.11      $        97.22
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.49      $         5.49
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $         5.00      $         5.01
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       5.3425      $       5.1491
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .1565      $        .1751
                                                      ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.1860      $       4.9740
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01441      $       .01382
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.08%               4.87%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.11%               4.89%
<FN>
- ----------
Evaluations for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day  next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 *  National and State, 5.152%; Long  Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%; Short  Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term, 2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1) Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not  including,
    the  date of settlement (normally five business days after purchase). The  Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated as
    the First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date  of
    Deposit,  the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the settlement date  will be  added to the  Public Offering Prices:
    National Insured Trust--$.10 and New York Insured Trust--$.10. (See Section 8.)
(2) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds. (See Section  4.) Interest income does  not include accretion of  original issue discount  on
    "zero coupon" Bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount Bonds. (See "General Trust Information" in Section
    3.)
(3)  The amount and timing of interest distributions from each Trust under the various plans of distribution are shown in Section
    3.
(4) Estimated Long Term Return  for each Trust represents  the average of the yields  to maturity (or call)  of the Bonds in  the
    Trust's  portfolio calculated in accordance with accepted bond practices  and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges.
    Estimated Current Return is computed by dividing the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price, and in
    contrast to Estimated Long Term  Return does not reflect the  amortization of premium or accretion  of discount, if any.  For
    more information see page 3 and Section 9.
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
Record Dates......................................................See Section 13
 
Distribution Dates................................................See Section 13
 
Minimum Principal Distribution....................................$0.10 Per Unit
 
   
Date Trusts
Established...                                                           January
20, 1994
    
Mandatory Termination Date........................................See Section 24
 
Minimum Value of Each Trust.......................................See Section 24
 
Trustee's Maximum Annual Fee
 
    Traditional Trusts:...............$1.08 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
 
    Insured Trusts:...................$1.12 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
 
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.......$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
 
                             ---------------------
 
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
   
SERIES 713
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 713?
    
 
   
Series  713 of the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust is one  of a series of separate
but similar  investment companies  created  by the  Sponsor,  each of  which  is
designated  by a different Series number. This Series consists of two underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts,  combined  under  one  trust  indenture  and
agreement, designated National Insured Trust 263 and New York Insured Trust 211.
The  various trusts  are collectively  referred to  herein as  the "Trusts"; the
trusts in which few or none of  the Bonds are insured are sometimes referred  to
as the "Traditional Trusts", the trusts in which all of the Bonds are insured as
described  herein are  sometimes referred  to as  the "Insured  Trusts", and the
state trusts (both  Traditional and Insured)  are sometimes referred  to as  the
"State  Trusts." THERE ARE NO TRADITIONAL TRUSTS IN THIS SERIES. This Series was
created under the laws of  the State of New York  pursuant to a Trust  Indenture
and Agreement dated January 20, 1994 (the "Indenture") between John Nuveen & Co.
Incorporated  (the "Sponsor") and  United States Trust Company  of New York (the
"Trustee").
    
 
   
    The Sponsor has deposited with  the Trustee delivery statements relating  to
contracts  for the  purchase of municipal  debt obligations  together with funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or  the
obligations  themselves) in the  principal amount of  $13,500,000 (the "Bonds"),
which initially constitute the  underlying securities of  the Trusts. Bonds  may
include  fixed rate obligations with regularly scheduled interest payments, zero
coupon bonds and  stripped obligations, which  represent evidences of  ownership
interests with respect to either a principal payment or a payment of interest on
a  tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations"). See  "SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS"
and "GENERAL  TRUST INFORMATION"  for  a discussion  of  zero coupon  bonds  and
Stripped  Obligations. The  following principal  amounts were  deposited in each
Trust: $10,000,000 in the National Insured Trust and $3,500,000 in the New  York
Insured    Trust.   Some   of   the    delivery   statements   may   relate   to
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
contracts for the purchase of "when  issued" or other Bonds with delivery  dates
after the date of settlement for a purchase made on the Date of Deposit. See the
"Schedules  of Investments"  and Section  4. For  a discussion  of the Sponsor's
obligations in the event of a failure of any contract for the purchase of any of
the Bonds and its limited right to substitute other bonds to replace any  failed
contract, see Section 4.
 
    Payment  of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal at
maturity, is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the issuers of the Bonds. (See Section  5.) As a general matter, neither the
issuer nor the Sponsor has obtained insurance  with respect to the Bonds in  any
Traditional Trust.
 
   
    The  Trustee has delivered to the Sponsor registered Units for 100,000 Units
of the National Insured Trust  and 35,000 Units of  the New York Insured  Trust,
which  together represent ownership of the  entire Series, and which are offered
for sale  by this  Prospectus. Each  Unit  of a  Trust represents  a  fractional
undivided interest in the principal and net income of such Trust in the ratio of
10  Units for each $1,000  principal value of Bonds  initially deposited in such
Trust. Only Units of the National Insured Trust are offered for sale to Virginia
and Washington residents by this Prospectus.
    
 
2.  WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
The objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and,  in
the  case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles taxes,
and conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by  or
on  behalf of states  and territories of  the United States  and authorities and
political subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion  of
recognized  bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt from
Federal income tax under existing law. Bonds in any State Trust have been issued
primarily by  or on  behalf of  the  State for  which such  Trust is  named  and
counties,  municipalities, authorities  and political  subdivisions thereof, the
interest on which Bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from  Federal
and  certain state income tax and intangibles  taxes, if any, for purchasers who
qualify as residents of that  State. Insurance guaranteeing the timely  payment,
when  due, of all principal and interest on  the Bonds in each Insured Trust has
been obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds from Municipal Bond
Investors  Assurance  Corporation,  and  as  a  result  of  such  insurance  the
obligations  in the Insured Trusts are rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation. (SEE SECTION 5) All obligations
in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better (SP-1 or MIG 2
or better  in the  case  of short  term obligations  included  in a  Short  Term
Traditional  Trust)  by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  or  Moody's Investors
Service, Inc.  (including  provisional  or conditional  ratings).  In  addition,
certain  Bonds  in  certain  Traditional  Trusts  may  be  covered  by insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment, when due,  of all principal and interest.  (SEE
SECTION  3.) The  portfolios of National  and State Trusts  consist of long-term
(approximately 15 to 40 year maturities) obligations; those of Long Intermediate
Trusts consist  of  intermediate to  long  term  (approximately 11  to  19  year
maturities)  obligations; those  of Intermediate Trusts  consist of intermediate
term (approximately  5  to  15  year maturities)  obligations;  those  of  Short
Intermediate  Trusts consist of short to intermediate term (approximately 3 to 7
year maturities) obligations; and  those of Short Term  Trusts consist of  short
term (approximately 1 to 5 year maturities) obligations. There is, of course, no
guarantee  that the Trusts' objectives will be achieved. For a comparison of net
after-tax return for various tax brackets see the "Taxable Equivalent  Estimated
Current Return Tables" included in this Prospectus.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Each  Trust consists  of fixed-rate  municipal debt  obligations. Because of
this an investment in a Trust should be made with an understanding of the  risks
which an investment in such debt obligations may entail, including the risk that
the  value of the debt obligations and  therefore of the Units will decline with
increases in  interest  rates. In  general,  the  longer the  period  until  the
maturity  of a  Bond, the more  sensitive its  value will be  to fluctuations in
interest rates. During the past decade, there have been substantial fluctuations
in interest  rates, and,  accordingly, in  the value  of debt  obligations.  The
Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will recur.
 
3.  SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
In  selecting  Bonds for  the respective  Trusts,  the following  factors, among
others, were considered:  (i) the Standard  & Poor's Corporation  rating of  the
Bonds  or the Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating of the Bonds (see Section 2
for a description  of minimum rating  standards), (ii) the  prices of the  Bonds
relative   to  other  bonds  of  comparable  quality  and  maturity,  (iii)  the
diversification of Bonds as to purpose of issue and location of issuer, (iv) the
maturity dates of the Bonds, and (v) in the case of the Insured Trusts only, the
availability of Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation insurance on such
Bonds.
 
    In order for Bonds in the Insured  Trusts to be eligible for Municipal  Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation insurance, they must have credit characteristics
which,  in the opinion of the insurer,  would qualify them as "investment grade"
obligations. Insurance is not  a substitute for the  basic credit of an  issuer,
but  supplements the existing credit  and provides additional security therefor.
(SEE SECTION 5.)
 
    Certain bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a  "mandatory
tender"  or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior to the maturity date unless  such holder affirmatively acts to retain  the
bond.  Under the Indenture,  the Trustee does  not have the  authority to act to
retain Bonds with  such features; accordingly,  it will receive  payment of  the
full  principal amount of any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is
therefore treated as the maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for  the
respective  Trusts and for  purposes of calculating the  average maturity of the
Bonds in any Trust.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 263
    
   
    The  Portfolio  of  National Insured  Trust  263  consists of  11  long term
(approximately 15 to 40 year maturities) obligations issued by entities  located
in  7 states and one  obligation issued by an entity  located in the District of
Columbia. One Bond  in the  Trust is a  general obligation  of the  governmental
entity issuing it and is backed by the taxing power thereof. Eleven Bonds in the
Trust  are payable as  to principal and  interest from the  income of a specific
project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to levy  taxes.
The  sources of  payment for these  Bonds are divided  as follows: Dedicated-Tax
Supported Revenue, 1; Bridge  and Toll Road Revenue,  1; College and  University
Revenue,  1;  Electrical System  Revenue, 4;  Health  Care Facility  Revenue, 2;
Multi-Family Housing Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 1. All of the Bonds
in the Trust, as insured, are rated AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Aaa
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Twenty-three percent of the principal  amount
of  Bonds in the  Trust consists of issues  of entities located  in the State of
Illinois; such  concentration may  involve more  risk than  if such  Bonds  were
issued by issuers located in several states.
    
 
   
    At  the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the National
Insured Trust is 27.3  years. The average  maturity of the Bonds  in a Trust  is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  15.0% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 12.0% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds) are original issue discount obligations. Certain of these original  issue
discount  obligations, amounting to  5.0% of the  aggregate principal amount and
1.6% of  the aggregate  offering price  of the  Bonds in  the Trust,  are  "zero
coupon" bonds. See "GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT BONDS AND
STRIPPED   OBLIGATIONS"  for  a  discussion   of  the  characteristics  of  such
obligations and of the risks associated therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 33% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from the sale of electric energy.
 
    Approximately 20% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between January 12,
1994 and January 19,  1994. The following  summarizes certain information  about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $9,675,211       $35,762           $534,250      $9,662,223                 .49%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis    as   principal    with   the    motive   of    marketing   such   bonds
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
to investors at a  profit. The Sponsor  did not participate  as either the  sole
underwriter  or as a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the original
underwriter of any of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  National Insured Trust, less estimated  expenses, is estimated to accrue at
the rate of $.01455 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01449 per Unit per  day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and  $.01441
per  Unit per day under the monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated that
the amount of interest to be distributed  per Unit in each year under each  plan
of  distribution  will initially  be substantially  equal  to the  Estimated Net
Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest  distributions per  Unit of the  National Insured  Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Normal
                                                                                                  Distributions
National Insured Trust                                            1994                               per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        4/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       4/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .2468(1)                                              $  5.1860
                                                        --------  $.4321 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .2468(1)   $   .4348(2)   $  1.3045      $  1.3045    $  5.2180
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .2468(1)   $   .4364(3)                  $  2.6185    $  5.2370
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  1-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  1-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold.
 
TAX STATUS--NATIONAL INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  tax status of  income earned  on National Insured
Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
NATIONALLY DIVERSIFIED TRUST TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
(NATIONAL INSURED TRUST)
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under  published  1994  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased  tax  rates for  higher-income tax  payers that  were included  in the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. The tables illustrate what you would have to
earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for
your income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax rate is affected by both  his
taxable  income and his adjusted gross income. Locate your adjusted gross income
and your taxable  income (which  is your adjusted  gross income  reduced by  any
deductions  and  exemptions), then  locate your  tax bracket  based on  joint or
single tax  filing. Read  across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated  current
return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted
    Taxable        Gross                                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     5.29    5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      28.0         6.25    6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68
                 111.8-167.7      29.0         6.34    6.69    7.04    7.39    7.75    8.10    8.45    8.80
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
                 111.8-167.7      32.0         6.62    6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19
                 167.7-290.2      34.5         6.87    7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      37.0         7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92
                 167.7-290.2      40.0         7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42
                  Over 290.2      37.0   2     7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      44.0         8.04    8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16
                  Over 290.2      41.0   3     7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59
</TABLE>
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted
    Taxable        Gross                                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     5.29    5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      28.0         6.25    6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
                 111.8-234.3      32.5         6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      38.0         7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08
                  Over 234.3      37.0   2     7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      41.0   3     7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
January 20, 1994
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 263
(Series 713)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,000,000      California Statewide Communities Development        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $     1,000,000
                   Authority, Certificates of Participation,
                   Sutter Health Obligated Group, 5.50% Due
                   8/15/23.
  1,000,000      District of Columbia, University Revenue Bonds      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             981,840
                   (The Georgetown University Issue), Series
                   1993, 5.375% Due 4/1/23.
    750,000      Housing Authority of Cobb County (Georgia),         2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             762,840
                   Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds,
                   Series 1994A (FHA Insured Mortgage
                   Loan-Garrison Plantation Apartments, 5.90%
                   Due 7/1/26. (When issued.)
  1,000,000      The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Toll     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,012,110
                   Highway Priority Revenue Bonds, 1992 Series
                   A, 5.75% Due 1/1/17. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about October 14, 1992
                   at a price of 91.469% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority       No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             151,730
                   (Illinois), McCormick Place Expansion Project
                   Bonds, Series 1992A, 0.00% Due 6/15/15.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about January 5, 1993 at a price of
                   22.783% of principal amount.)
    750,000      Illinois Development Finance Authority,             2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             771,848
                   Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds
                   (Central Illinois Public Service Company),
                   1993 Series B-2, 5.90% Due 6/1/28.
  1,000,000      Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,         2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,008,210
                   General Transportation System Bonds, 1993
                   Series A Refunding, 5.50% Due 3/1/22.
                   (General Obligation Bonds.)
  1,000,000      Brazos River Authority (Texas), Collateralized      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,008,550
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Houston Lighting &
                   Power Company Project), Series 1993, 5.60%
                   Due 12/1/17.
    500,000      Public Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             520,335
                   County, Washington, Generation System Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1993, 6.00% Due 1/1/18.
    500,000      Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle,               2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             496,010
                   Washington, Sewer Refunding Revenue Bonds,
                   Series Z, 5.50% Due 1/1/33.
  1,000,000      Washington Public Power Supply System, Nuclear      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,005,000
                   Project No. 3 Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series
                   1993B, 5.60% Due 7/1/15.
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 263 (Continued)
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
$                                                                                                           $
  1,000,000      Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities         2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             992,500
                   Authority Revenue Bonds (Sisters of the
                   Sorrowful Mother-Ministry Corporation),
                   Series 1993C, 5.50% Due 8/15/19.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$10,000,000                                                                                                 $     9,710,973
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 28.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 211
    
   
    The Portfolio of New York Insured Trust 211 consists of 9 obligations issued
by  entities  located  in  New  York.  Three  Bonds  in  the  Trust  are general
obligations of the  governmental entities  issuing them  and are  backed by  the
taxing  powers thereof. Six Bonds  in the Trust are  payable as to principal and
interest from  the  income  of a  specific  project  or authority  and  are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
Bonds are divided  as follows:  Dedicated-Tax Supported  Revenue, 1;  Electrical
System  Revenue, 1; Municipal  Lease Revenue, 3; Water  and/or Sewer Revenue, 1.
All of the Bonds in  the Trust, as insured, are  rated AAA by Standard &  Poor's
Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At  the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of the  Bonds in the New York
Insured Trust is 23.3  years. The average  maturity of the Bonds  in a Trust  is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  32.1% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 29.1% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds) are original issue discount obligations. Certain of these original  issue
discount  obligations, amounting to  5.9% of the  aggregate principal amount and
2.3% of  the aggregate  offering price  of the  Bonds in  the Trust,  are  "zero
coupon" bonds. See "GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT BONDS AND
STRIPPED   OBLIGATIONS"  for  a  discussion   of  the  characteristics  of  such
obligations and of the risks associated therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust consists of municipal lease obligations.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between January  18,
1994  and January 19,  1994. The following  summarizes certain information about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,381,078       $21,574           $180,219      $3,386,008                 .48%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as a
manager or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of  any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the New York Insured Trust, less  estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue  at
the rate of $.01396 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01391  per Unit per day  under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01382
per Unit per day under the monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated  that
the    amount   of   interest    to   be   distributed    per   Unit   in   each
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
year under each plan  of distribution will initially  be substantially equal  to
the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
 
    Details  of interest  distributions per Unit  of the New  York Insured Trust
under the various plans appear in  the following table based upon estimated  Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Normal
                                                                                                  Distributions
New York Insured Trust                                            1994                               per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        4/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       4/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .2560(1)                                              $  4.9740
                                                        --------  $.4145 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .2560(1)   $   .4171(2)   $  1.2515      $  1.2515    $  5.0060
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .2560(1)   $   .4187(3)                  $  2.5125    $  5.0250
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  1-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  1-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold.
 
TAX STATUS--NEW YORK INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion  of the Federal  tax status  of income earned  on New  York
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In  the opinion of Edwards & Angell,  special counsel for the Series for New
York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Interest  on  obligations  issued  by   New  York  State,  a   political
    subdivision  thereof, Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands,  Guam, the Northern
    Mariana Islands,  or  other possessions  of  the United  States  within  the
    meaning  of Section 103(c) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
    ("New York Obligations"), which would be  exempt from New York State or  New
    York  City personal  income tax if  directly received by  a Unitholder, will
    retain its  status as  tax-exempt interest  when received  by the  New  York
    Insured Trust (the "Trust") and distributed to such Unitholder.
 
        Interest  (less amortizable premium, if any) derived from the Trust by a
    resident of New  York State  (or New York  City) in  respect of  obligations
    issued  by states other than New York (or their political subdivisions) will
    be subject to New York State (or New York City) personal income tax.
 
        A Unitholder who is a resident of New York State (or New York City) will
    be subject to New  York State (or  New York City)  personal income tax  with
    respect  to gains realized  when New York  Obligations held in  the New York
    Insured  Trust  are  sold,  redeemed  or  paid  at  maturity  or  when   the
    Unitholder's  Units are sold or redeemed;  such gain will equal the proceeds
    of sale, redemption or payment less the tax basis of the New York Obligation
    or Unit (adjusted to reflect (a) the amortization of premium or discount, if
    any, on New York Obligations held  by the Trust, (b) accrued original  issue
    discount,  with respect to each  New York Obligation which,  at the time the
    New York Obligation  was issued, had  original issue discount,  and (c)  the
    deposit of New York Obligations with accrued interest in the Trust after the
    Unitholder's settlement date).
 
        Interest  or gain from  the Trust derived  by a Unitholder  who is not a
    resident of New York  State (or New  York City) will not  be subject to  New
    York State (or New York City)
 
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<PAGE>
    personal  income tax, unless the Units  are property employed in a business,
    trade, profession or occupation  carried on in New  York State (or New  York
    City).
 
        In  the case  of the  Trust, amounts  paid under  the insurance policies
    representing maturing interest on defaulted New York Obligations held by the
    Trustee in the Trust  will be excludable  from New York  State and New  York
    City  income if, and  to the same  extent as, such  interest would have been
    excludable if paid by the respective issuer.
 
        For purposes of the New  York State and New  York City franchise tax  on
    corporations,  Unitholders which are subject to such tax will be required to
    include in their entire net income any interest or gains distributed to them
    even  though  distributed  in  respect  of  obligations  of  any  state   or
    subdivision thereof including New York.
 
        If borrowed funds are used to purchase Units in the Trust, all (or part)
    of  the interest on  such indebtedness will  not be deductible  for New York
    State and  New  York  City  tax  purposes. The  purchase  of  Units  may  be
    considered  to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are
    not directly traceable to the purchase of Units in any New York Trust.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--NEW YORK
 
    The Portfolio of the New York  Insured Trust includes obligations issued  by
New  York State  (the "State"), by  its various public  bodies (the "Agencies"),
and/or by other  entities located within  the State, including  the City of  New
York (the "City").
 
    Some of the more significant events and conditions relating to the financial
situation  in New York are summarized below.  This section provides only a brief
summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in New York and
is derived  from  sources that  are  generally  available to  investors  and  is
believed  to  be  accurate. It  is  based  in part  on  Official  Statements and
prospectuses issued by, and on other information reported by the State, the City
and the Agencies in connection with the issuance of their respective securities.
 
    There can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or  regional
economic  difficulties, and  the resulting impact  on State  or local government
finances generally,  will not  adversely affect  the market  value of  New  York
Municipal  Obligations held  in the  portfolio of  the Trust  or the  ability of
particular obligors to make timely payments of debt service on (or relating  to)
those obligations.
 
    (1)  THE STATE: The State has historically been one of the wealthiest states
in the nation.  For decades, however,  the State economy  has grown more  slowly
than  that of  the nation  as a  whole, gradually  eroding the  State's relative
economic  affluence.  Statewide,  urban  centers  have  experienced  significant
changes involving migration of the more affluent to the suburbs and an influx of
generally  less affluent residents. Regionally,  the older Northeast cities have
suffered because of the relative success that the South and the West have had in
attracting  people  and  business.  The  City  has  also  had  to  face  greater
competition  as  other  major  cities  have  developed  financial  and  business
capabilities  which  make  them  less  dependent  on  the  specialized  services
traditionally available almost exclusively in the City.
 
    The  State has  for many years  had a very  high state and  local tax burden
relative to other states. The burden of State and local taxation, in combination
with the many other causes of regional economic dislocation, has contributed  to
the  decisions of  some businesses and  individuals to relocate  outside, or not
locate within, the State.
 
    SLOWDOWN OF REGIONAL  ECONOMY. A national  recession commenced in  mid-1990.
The  downturn  continued  throughout the  State's  1990-91 fiscal  year  and was
followed by a period of weak economic growth during the 1991 calendar year.  For
calendar  year 1992,  the national economy  continued to recover,  although at a
rate below  all post-war  recoveries. For  calendar year  1993, the  economy  is
expected    to   grow   faster   than   in   1992,   but   still   at   a   very
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
moderate rate, as compared to other recoveries. The national recession has  been
more  severe in the State because of  factors such as a significant retrenchment
in the  financial  services  industry,  cutbacks in  defense  spending,  and  an
overbuilt real estate market.
 
    1993-94  FISCAL YEAR.  On April  5, 1998,  the State  Legislature approved a
$32.08 billion  budget. Following  enactment  of the  budget the  1993-94  State
Financial Plan was formulated on April 16, 1993. This Plan projects General Fund
receipts and transfers from other funds at $32.367 billion and disbursements and
transfers  to other  funds at $32.300  billion. In comparison  to the Governor's
recommended Executive Budget for the 1993-94 fiscal year, as revised on February
18, 1993, the 1993-94 State Financial  Plan reflects increases in both  receipts
and disbursements in the General Fund of $811 million.
 
    While  a portion of the increased receipts  was the result of a $487 million
increase in the State's  1992-93 positive year-end margin  at March 31, 1993  to
$671  million,  the balance  of  such increased  receipts  is based  upon  (i) a
projected $269  million increase  in receipts  resulting from  improved  1992-93
results  and the expectation of an  improving economy, (ii) projected additional
payments of  $200 million  from  the Federal  government as  reimbursements  for
indigent  medical care, (iii) the  early payment of $50  million of personal tax
returns in 1992-93 which  otherwise would have been  paid in 1993-94; offset  by
(iv)  the  State  Legislature's  failure to  enact  $195  million  of additional
revenue-raising recommendations  proposed  by  the Governor.  There  can  be  no
assurances  that  all  of  the  projected receipts  referred  to  above  will be
received.
 
    Despite the $811 million increase  in disbursements included in the  1993-94
State  Financial Plan, a reduction in aid  to some local government units can be
expected. To offset a  portion of such reductions,  the 1993-94 State  Financial
Plan  contains a package of mandate relief, cost containment and other proposals
to reduce  the  costs of  many  programs  for which  local  governments  provide
funding.  There can be  no assurance, however, that  localities that suffer cuts
will not be adversely affected, leading to further requests for State  financial
assistance.
 
    There can be no assurance that the State will not face substantial potential
budget  gaps in  the future resulting  from a significant  disparity between tax
revenues projected  from  a  lower  recurring receipts  base  and  the  spending
required  to maintain State programs at current levels. To address any potential
budgetary imbalance, the  State may need  to take significant  actions to  align
recurring receipts and disbursements.
 
    1992-93  FISCAL YEAR. Before giving effect  to a 1992-93 year-end deposit to
the refund reserve  account of $671  million, General Fund  receipts in  1992-93
would  have been  $716 million higher  than originally  projected. This year-end
deposit effectively  reduced 1992-93  receipts by  $671 million  and made  those
receipts available for 1993-94.
 
    The  State's  favorable  performance  primarily  resulted  from  income  tax
collections that were $700  million higher than  projected which reflected  both
stronger  economic activity and tax-induced one-time acceleration of income into
1992. In  other  areas  larger  than  projected  business  tax  collections  and
unbudgeted  receipts  offset the  loss of  $200  million of  anticipated Federal
reimbursement and losses of, or shortfalls in, other projected revenue sources.
 
    For 1992-93  disbursements  and  transfers to  other  funds  (including  the
deposit to the refund reserve account discussed above) totalled $30.829 billion,
an  increase of $45 million above projections in April 1992. After adjusting for
a $150 million  payment from  the Medical Malpractice  Insurance Association  to
health  insurers  pursuant  to  legislation  adopted  in  January  1993,  actual
disbursements were $105 million lower than projected.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    Fiscal year 1992-93 was the first time in four years that the State did  not
incur  a cash-basis operating deficit in the General Fund requiring the issuance
of deficit  notes  or  other  bonds, spending  cuts  or  other  revenue  raising
measures.
 
    INDEBTEDNESS.  As of  March 31,  1993, the  total amount  of long-term State
general obligation debt authorized but unissued stood at $2.4 billion. As of the
same date, the State had approximately $5.4 billion in general obligation bonds.
The State issued $850 million in tax and revenue anticipation notes ("TRANS") on
April 28, 1993. The State  does not project the  need to issue additional  TRANS
during the State's 1993-94 fiscal year.
 
    The  State anticipates that  its borrowings for  capital purposes during the
State's 1993-94 fiscal year will consist  of $460 million in general  obligation
bonds  and $140 million in  bonds for the purpose  of redeeming outstanding bond
anticipation notes. The  Legislature has authorized  the issuance of  up to  $85
million  in certificates of participation during the State's 1993-94 fiscal year
for personal  and  real  property  acquisitions. The  projection  of  the  State
regarding  its  borrowings for  the  1993-94 fiscal  year  may change  if actual
receipts fall short of State projections or if other circumstances require.
 
    In  June  1990,  legislation  was  enacted  creating  the  "New  York  Local
Government  Assistance  Corporation"  ("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.
To date, LGAC has  issued its bonds  to provide net  proceeds of $3.28  billion.
LGAC  has been authorized to  issue additional bonds to  provide net proceeds of
$703 million during the State's 1993-94 fiscal year.
 
    RATINGS.  The $850 million in TRANS  issued by the State in April 1993  were
rated  SP-1-Plus by  S&P on April  26, 1993, and  MIG-1 by Moody's  on April 23,
1993, which represents the highest ratings given by such agencies and the  first
time  the State's  TRANS have  received these ratings  since its  May 1989 TRANS
issuance. Both  agencies  cited  the  State's  improved  fiscal  position  as  a
significant factor in the upgrading of the April 1993 TRANS.
 
    Moody's  rating of the State's general obligation  bonds stood at A on April
23, 1993, and S&P's rating stood at A- with a stable outlook on April 26,  1993,
an  improvement from  S&P's negative  outlook prior  to April  1993. Previously,
Moody's lowered its rating to A on June 6, 1990, its rating having been A1 since
May 27, 1986. S&P  lowered its rating from  A to A- on  January 13, 1992.  S&P's
previous ratings were A from March 1990 to January 1992, AA- from August 1987 to
March 1990 and A+ from November 1982 to August 1987.
 
    Moody's,  in confirming its rating of  the State's general obligation bonds,
and S&P, in improving its outlook on  such bonds from negative to stable,  noted
the  State's  improved  fiscal  condition  and  reasonable  revenue  assumptions
contained in the 1993-94 State budget.
 
    (2) THE  CITY AND  THE MUNICIPAL  ASSISTANCE CORPORATION  ("MAC"): The  City
accounts  for approximately 41%  of the State's  population and personal income,
and the City's financial health affects the State in numerous ways.
 
    In response to the City's fiscal crisis in 1975, the State took a number  of
steps  to assist the City in returning to fiscal stability. Among other actions,
the State Legislature (i) created MAC to assist with long-term financing for the
City's short-term debt and  other cash requirements and  (ii) created the  State
Financial  Control Board (the "Control Board")  to review and approve the City's
budgets and City four-year  financial plans (the financial  plans also apply  to
certain City-related public agencies (the "Covered Organizations")).
 
    Over  the past  three years,  the rate  of economic  growth in  the City has
slowed substantially,  and the  City's economy  is currently  in recession.  The
Mayor  is  responsible  for  preparing  the  City's  four-year  financial  plan,
including the City's current financial plan. The City
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
Comptroller has  issued reports  concluding  that the  recession of  the  City's
economy  will be more  severe and last  longer than is  assumed in the financial
plan.
 
    FISCAL YEAR 1993  AND 1993-1996 AND  1994-1997 FINANCIAL PLAN.   The  City's
1993  fiscal  year  results are  projected  to  be balanced  in  accordance with
generally accepted  accounting principles  ("GAAP"). The  City was  required  to
close  substantial budget gaps in its 1990,  1991 and 1992 fiscal years in order
to maintain balanced operating results.
 
    The City's modified 1993-1996 Financial Plan dated February 9, 1993 covering
fiscal years  1993-1996  projects budget  gaps  for  1994 through  1996  and  is
dependent  upon a  gap-closing program, certain  elements of which  the staff of
Control Board identified on March 25, 1993 to be at risk due to projected levels
of State and Federal aid and revenue and expenditures estimates which may not be
achievable. On June 4, 1993, the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller ("OSDC")
reported that expenditures for the 1994 fiscal year could be $280 million higher
than projected in May 1993 by the City and revenues for the same period could be
$111 million lower  than projected. The  OSDC also noted  possible increases  in
budget gaps forecast by the City.
 
    The City Council adopted a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 1993-1994 on June
14, 1993. The State Comptroller on that date criticized efforts by the Mayor and
City  Council  to balance  the City's  budget which  rely primarily  on one-shot
revenues. The State Comptroller added that the City's budget should be based  on
"recurring  revenues that  fund recurring expenditures."  In a  report issued on
June 15, 1993, the Control Board also criticized the reliance by the City on  $1
billion  of such one-shot revenues to balance  the budget. On June 30, 1993, S&P
announced that it was concerned with  budget gaps in post-1994 fiscal years  and
the  inability of the City to restrain spending and, due to this concern, it was
reviewing the rating of the City's general obligation bonds.
 
    In  response  to  S&P's  announcement,  the  Mayor's  Office  and  the  City
Comptroller  met with staff of S&P and  proposed $130 million of additional cuts
in the recently adopted budget for fiscal year 1994 through reduced spending for
capital projects, savings  through workforce  attrition and  other measures.  In
addition,  the Mayor proposed $400  million in cuts from  the City's fiscal year
1995 budget. Following  review of the  proposed cuts, S&P  announced on July  2,
1993  that  it  would maintain  its  current  A- rating  of  the  City's general
obligation bonds, but S&P indicated that it remains concerned about budgets  for
fiscal year 1995 and thereafter.
 
    On  July 6,  1993, the  City prepared  its Financial  Plan for  fiscal years
1994-1997 which projects a balanced budget  for fiscal year 1994 and  identifies
approximately  $2.0  billion  in  gap  closing  measures  including productivity
savings, service reductions, sale of  delinquent real property tax  receivables,
transfers from fiscal year 1993, reduced debt service costs, increased State and
Federal  aid,  a continuation  of the  personal income  tax surcharge  and other
actions to reduce expenditures and  increase revenues. This 1994-1997  Financial
Plan  projects budget  gaps of  $1.3 billion, $1.8  billion and  $2.0 billion in
fiscal years  1995 through  1997,  respectively. On  August  4, 1993,  the  City
Comptroller in a report on the 1994-1997 Financial Plan identified risks of $340
million,  $1.5  billion, $2.0  billion  and $2.2  billion  in fiscal  years 1994
through 1997, respectively, which  could negatively affect gap-closing  efforts.
The  City Comptroller  noted uncertainties  associated with  anticipated Federal
aid, projected proceeds  from the sale  or reorganization of  Off Track  Betting
operations and approval of certain productivity savings relating to teachers.
 
    An  August 5, 1993  report of the  Control Board on  the 1994-1997 Financial
Plan also  identified  risks  in  the City's  proposed  budget  gap  reductions,
including  items identified by the City Comptroller and uncertainties associated
with the level of  State aid and the  City's revenue and expenditure  estimates.
The Control Board estimated gap-closing risks to be
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
slightly  higher than indicated in the  City Comptroller's report, $687 million,
$1.9 billion, $2.4 billion and $2.5  billion in fiscal years 1994 through  1997,
respectively.
 
    OSDC's  report on the 1994-1997 Financial  Plan released on August 10, 1993,
also projected that budget  gaps could be  higher than those  set forth in  such
Plan. The OSDC report stated that in fiscal year 1994 expenditures could be $240
million  higher and revenues $182 million lower than projected by the City. OSDC
also noted that  budget gaps could  increase by $556  million, $561 million  and
$515  million  in  fiscal  years 1995  through  1997,  respectively,  above City
projections as the result  of higher payments  to Covered Organizations,  higher
overtime  costs, and lower than anticipated  lottery and tax receipts. Given the
foregoing factors, there  can be  no assurance that  the City  will continue  to
maintain  a balanced budget, or  that it can maintain  a balanced budget without
additional tax or other revenue increases or reductions in City services,  which
could adversely affect the City's economic base.
 
    Pursuant  to State law, the City prepares a four-year annual financial plan,
which is reviewed and revised on a quarterly basis and which includes the City's
capital, revenue and  expense projections. The  City is required  to submit  its
financial  plans to review bodies, including the Control Board. If the City were
to experience certain adverse financial circumstances, including the  occurrence
or  the  substantial likelihood  and imminence  of the  occurrence of  an annual
operating deficit of more than $100 million or the loss of access to the  public
credit   markets  to   satisfy  the   City's  capital   and  seasonal  financial
requirements, the  Control Board  would be  required by  State law  to  exercise
certain  powers,  including prior  approval  of City  financial  plans, proposed
borrowings and certain contracts.
 
    The City depends  on the  State for  State aid both  to enable  the City  to
balance  its budget and to meet its  cash requirements. If the State experiences
revenue shortfalls or spending increases beyond its projections during its  1993
fiscal year or subsequent years, such developments could result in reductions in
projected  State aid to  the City. In  addition, there can  be no assurance that
State budgets in future fiscal  years will be adopted  by the April 1  statutory
deadline  and that there will not be adverse effects on the City's cash flow and
additional City expenditures as a result of such delays.
 
    The City projections set  forth in its financial  plan are based on  various
assumptions and contingencies which are uncertain and which 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. Such assumptions and contingencies include the timing of
any regional  and local  economic recovery,  the absence  of wage  increases  in
excess  of  the  increases assumed  in  its financial  plan,  employment growth,
provision of  State  and  Federal  aid and  mandate  relief,  State  legislative
approval  of future  State budgets, levels  of education expenditures  as may be
required by State  law, adoption of  future City  budgets by the  New York  City
Council,  and  approval  by  the  Governor  or  the  State  Legislature  and the
cooperation of  MAC with  respect  to various  other  actions proposed  in  such
financial plan.
 
    The  City's ability to maintain a  balanced operating budget is dependant on
whether it  can implement  necessary service  and personnel  reduction  programs
successfully.  As discussed above, the City must identify additional expenditure
reductions and revenue sources to achieve balanced operating budgets for  fiscal
years  1994 and  thereafter. Any  such proposed  expenditure reductions  will be
difficult to implement  because of  their size and  the substantial  expenditure
reductions already imposed on City operations in the past two years.
 
    Attaining  a balanced  budget is also  dependent upon the  City's ability to
market its  securities successfully  in the  public credit  markets. The  City's
financing  program  for  fiscal  years 1994  through  1997  contemplates capital
spending of $16.2 billion, which will be
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
financed through issuance  of $10.5  billion of general  obligation bonds,  $4.3
billion of Water Authority Revenue Bonds and the balance by Covered Organization
obligations,  and will be utilized primarily to reconstruct and rehabilitate the
City's infrastructure and  physical assets  and to make  capital investments.  A
significant  portion  of such  bond financing  is used  to reimburse  the City's
general fund for capital  expenditures already incurred.  In addition, the  City
issues  revenue  and  tax anticipation  notes  to finance  its  seasonal working
capital requirements. The terms  and success of projected  public sales of  City
general  obligation  bonds  and  notes  will  be  subject  to  prevailing market
conditions at the  time of  the sale,  and no assurance  can be  given that  the
credit  markets will absorb the projected amounts of public bond and note sales.
In addition, future developments  concerning the City  and public discussion  of
such developments, the City's future financial needs and other issues may affect
the  market for outstanding City general obligation bonds and notes. If the City
were unable  to  sell  its general  obligation  bonds  and notes,  it  would  be
prevented from meeting its planned operating and capital expenditures.
 
    FISCAL  YEARS 1990,  1991 AND  1992.   The City  achieved balanced operating
results as reported in accordance with GAAP for the 1992 fiscal year. During the
1990 and 1991  fiscal years, the  City implemented various  actions to offset  a
projected  budget  deficit  of $3.2  billion  for  the 1991  fiscal  year, which
resulted from declines in City  revenue sources and increased public  assistance
needs  due to the recession. Such actions included $822 million of tax increases
and substantial expenditure reductions.
 
    The City is a defendant in a significant number of lawsuits. Such litigation
includes, but is not limited to,  actions commenced and claims asserted  against
the  City arising out  of alleged constitutional  violations, torts, breaches of
contracts, and other violations of  law and condemnation proceedings. While  the
ultimate  outcome and fiscal impact,  if any, on the  proceedings and claims are
not currently predictable, adverse determinations in certain of them might  have
a  material adverse effect  upon the City's  ability to carry  out its financial
plan. As  of  June  30, 1992,  legal  claims  in excess  of  $341  billion  were
outstanding  against the City for which  the City estimated its potential future
liability to be $2.3 billion.
 
    RATINGS.  As of the  date of this prospectus,  Moody's rating of the  City's
general obligation bonds stood at Baa1 and S&P's rating stood at A-. On February
11, 1991, Moody's had lowered its rating from A.
 
    On June 30, 1993, in confirming its Baa1 rating, Moody's noted that:
 
        The  recent  trend  of  declining  reliance  on  (one-shot  revenues) is
    notable, and  it is  too early  to predict  that the  increased reliance  on
    one-shots in the fiscal 1994 budget represents the beginning of a continuing
    upward movement in the use of one-shots....Moody's recognized in February of
    1991,  when the  (C)ity's rating  was lowered  from an  A to  Baa1, that the
    (C)ity faced structural budgetary imbalances which were unlikely to be cured
    in the near term. Moody's continues  to expect the (C)ity's progress  toward
    achieving structural balance to be slow and uneven, but that the (C)ity will
    be  diligent  and prudent  in  closing each  year's  gap, factors  which are
    consistent with the Baa1 rating level.
 
    On August 11, 1993, Moody's confirmed  the City's Baa1 rating in  connection
with the City's $300 million general obligation bond issue on that date.
 
    On  March  30, 1993,  S&P  affirmed its  A-rating  with a  negative outlook,
stating that:
 
        The City's key  credit factors  are marked by  a high  and growing  debt
    burden, and taxation levels that are relatively high, but stable. The City's
    economy is broad-based and diverse, but currently is in prolonged recession,
    with slow growth prospects for the foreseeable future.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
        The rating outlook is negative, reflecting the continued fiscal pressure
    facing  the City, driven by continued  weakness in the local economy, rising
    spending pressures  for education  and labor  costs of  city employees,  and
    increasing  costs associated with  rising debt for  capital construction and
    repair.
 
        The current financial plan for the City assumes substantial increases in
    aid from national and state governments. Maintenance of the current  rating,
    and  stabilization of the rating outlook,  will depend on the City's success
    in realizing  budgetary  aid  from these  governments,  or  replacing  those
    revenues  with ongoing revenue-raising measures or spending reductions under
    the City's  control.  However,  increased reliance  on  nonrecurring  budget
    balancing  measures that would support current spending, but defer budgetary
    gaps to future  years, would be  viewed by  S&P as detrimental  to New  York
    City's single-'A-' rating.
 
    As  discussed above under FISCAL YEAR  1993 AND 1993-1996 FINANCIAL PLAN, on
July 2, 1993  after a  review of  the City's budget  for fiscal  year 1994,  its
proposed  budget  for  fiscal year  1995  and  certain additional  cuts  in both
proposed by the Mayor and the City Comptroller, S&P confirmed its A- rating with
a negative outlook of the City's general obligation bonds.
 
    On May 9,  1990, Moody's  revised downward  its rating  on outstanding  City
revenue  anticipation notes from MIG-1 to MIG-2 and rated the $900 million Notes
then being sold MIG-2. On April 30, 1991 Moody's confirmed its MIG-2 rating  for
the  outstanding revenue anticipation  notes and for the  $1.25 billion in notes
then being sold.  On April 29,  1991, S&P  revised downward its  rating on  City
revenue anticipation notes from SP-1 to SP-2.
 
    As  of December 31, 1992, the City  and MAC had, respectively, $20.3 billion
and $4.7 billion of outstanding net long-term indebtedness.
 
    (3) THE STATE AGENCIES: Certain Agencies of the State have faced substantial
financial difficulties which could adversely affect the ability of such Agencies
to make payments  of interest  on, and  principal amounts  of, their  respective
bonds.  The  difficulties  have in  certain  instances caused  the  State (under
so-called  "moral  obligation"  provisions   which  are  non-binding   statutory
provisions  for State  appropriations to  maintain various  debt service reserve
funds) to appropriate funds on behalf of the Agencies. Moreover, it is  expected
that  the  problems  faced by  these  Agencies  will continue  and  will require
increasing amounts of State assistance in future years. Failure of the State  to
appropriate  necessary amounts or to take  other action to permit those Agencies
having financial  difficulties  to meet  their  obligations could  result  in  a
default by one or more of the Agencies. Such default, if it were to occur, would
be  likely to have a  significant adverse effect on  investor confidence in, and
therefore the  market  price of,  obligations  of the  defaulting  Agencies.  In
addition,  any default in payment on any  general obligation of any Agency whose
bonds contain a moral obligation provision could constitute a failure of certain
conditions that must be satisfied in connection with Federal guarantees of  City
and  MAC obligations  and could thus  jeopardize the  City's long-term financing
plans.
 
    As of  September 30,  1992,  the State  reported  that there  were  eighteen
Agencies  that each had outstanding debt of $100 million or more. These eighteen
Agencies had  an  aggregate of  $62.2  billion of  outstanding  debt,  including
refunding  bonds,  of  which  the  State  was  obligated  under  lease-purchase,
contractual obligation or moral obligation provisions on $25.3 billion.
 
    (4) STATE LITIGATION: The State is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings
pertaining to  matters incidental  to the  performance of  routine  governmental
operations.  Such litigation  includes, but is  not limited  to, claims asserted
against the State  arising from  alleged torts, alleged  breaches of  contracts,
condemnation proceedings and other alleged violations
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
of  State and Federal laws. Included in the State's outstanding litigation are a
number  of  cases  challenging  the   constitutionality  or  the  adequacy   and
effectiveness  of  a variety  of significant  social welfare  programs primarily
involving the  State's  mental  hygiene programs.  Adverse  judgments  in  these
matters  generally could  result in  injunctive relief  coupled with prospective
changes in patient care which  could require substantial increased financing  of
the litigated programs in the future.
 
    The  State  is  also engaged  in  a  variety of  claims  wherein significant
monetary damages are sought. Actions  commenced by several Indian nations  claim
that  significant amounts of land were unconstitutionally taken from the Indians
in violation  of  various treaties  and  agreements during  the  eighteenth  and
nineteenth  centuries. The claimants seek  recovery of approximately six million
acres of land as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
 
    The U.S. Supreme Court on March 30,  1993, referred to a Special Master  for
determination  of damages an action by the  State of Delaware to recover certain
unclaimed dividends,  interest  and  other  distributions  made  by  issuers  of
securities  held by New  York based-brokers incorporated  in Delaware. (STATE OF
DELAWARE V. STATE  OF NEW  YORK.) The State  had taken  such unclaimed  property
under  its  ABANDONED  PROPERTY  LAW.  The  State  expects  that  it  may  pay a
significant amount in damages  during fiscal year 1993-94  but it has  indicated
that it has sufficient funds on hand to pay any such award, including funds held
in  contingency  reserves.  The  State's  1993-94  Financial  Plan  includes the
establishment of  a  $100  million  contingency  reserve  fund  which  would  be
available  to fund such an award which  some reports have estimated at $100-$300
million.
 
    In SCHULZ V.  STATE OF  NEW YORK, commenced  May 24,  1993 ("SCHULZ  1993"),
petitioners have challenged the constitutionality of mass transportation bonding
programs   of  the  New  York  State  Thruway  Authority  and  the  Metropolitan
Transportation Authority. On  May 24,  1993, the Supreme  Court, Albany  County,
temporarily  enjoined  the State  from implementing  those bonding  programs. In
previous actions  Mr.  Schulz and  others  have challenged  on  similar  grounds
bonding  programs for the  New York State Urban  Development Corporation and the
New York  Local Government  Assistance  Corporation. While  there have  been  no
decisions  on the merits in  such previous actions, by  an opinion dated May 11,
1993, the New York Court of Appeals held in a proceeding commenced on April  29,
1991  in the Supreme  Court, Albany County  (SCHULZ V. STATE  OF NEW YORK), that
petitioners had standing as  voters under the State  Constitution to bring  such
action.
 
    Petitioners  in SCHULZ 1993 have asserted that  issuance of bonds by the two
Authorities is subject to approval by  statewide referendum. At this time  there
can  be  no  forecast  of  the  likelihood  of  success  on  the  merits  by the
petitioners, but  a  decision  upholding  this  constitutional  challenge  could
restrict  and limit the ability of the State and its instrumentalities to borrow
funds in the future. The State  has not indicated that the temporary  injunction
issued by the Supreme Court in this action will have any immediate impact on its
financial condition or interfere with projects requiring immediate action.
 
    On  July 1, 1993, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court affirmed
the decision of  the Supreme Court,  Albany County in  three actions,  declaring
unconstitutional  State  legislation  affecting  actuarial  funding  methods for
determining State  and  local contributions  to  the State  employee  retirement
system.  The State  Comptroller's office  has projected  that the  impact of the
decision with respect to 1990-91  fiscal year contributions alone could  require
additional State and local employer contributions of approximately $800 million.
A  final adverse decision in  these three actions could  have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition of the State and its local governments.
 
    Adverse developments in the foregoing  proceedings or new proceedings  could
adversely affect the financial condition of the State in the future.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    (5)  OTHER MUNICIPALITIES: Certain  localities in addition  to New York City
could  have  financial  problems  leading  to  requests  for  additional   State
assistance.  The potential impact on the State  of such actions by localities is
not included in projections  of State receipts and  expenditures in the  State's
1993-94 fiscal year.
 
    Fiscal  difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers ("Yonkers") resulted
in the creation  of the Financial  Control Board  for the City  of Yonkers  (the
"Yonkers  Board")  by the  State  in 1984.  The  Yonkers Board  is  charged with
oversight of the fiscal affairs of Yonkers. Future actions taken by the Governor
or the State Legislature to assist  Yonkers could result in allocation of  State
resources in amounts that cannot yet be determined.
 
    Municipalities  and school districts have  engaged in substantial short-term
and long-term borrowings. In 1991, the  total indebtedness of all localities  in
the  State was approximately $31.6  billion, of which $16.8  billion was debt of
New York  City (excluding  $6.7 billion  in MAC  debt). State  law requires  the
Comptroller  to review and make recommendations  concerning the budgets of those
local government units other than New York City authorized by State law to issue
debt to  finance deficits  during  the period  that  such deficit  financing  is
outstanding. Fifteen localities had outstanding indebtedness for state financing
at  the close of their  fiscal year ending in 1991.  In 1992, an unusually large
number of local government units requested authorization for deficit financings.
According to the Comptroller, ten local government units have been authorized to
issue deficit financing in the aggregate amount of $131.1 million.
 
    Certain proposed Federal  expenditure reductions  could reduce,  or in  some
cases  eliminate, Federal funding  of some local  programs and accordingly might
impose substantial increased expenditure requirements on affected localities. If
the State, New York City or any of the Agencies were to suffer serious financial
difficulties jeopardizing their respective access to the public credit  markets,
the  marketability of  notes and  bonds issued  by localities  within the State,
including notes  or bonds  in the  New York  Insured Trust,  could be  adversely
affected. Localities also face anticipated and potential problems resulting from
certain  pending litigation, judicial decisions, and long-range economic trends.
The longer-range potential  problems of declining  urban population,  increasing
expenditures,  and other economic  trends could adversely  affect localities and
require increasing State assistance in the future.
 
    (6) OTHER ISSUERS OF NEW YORK  MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS. There are a number  of
other  agencies, instrumentalities and political  subdivisions of the State that
issue Municipal Obligations, some  of which may  be conduit revenue  obligations
payable  from payments  from private  borrowers. These  entities are  subject to
various economic  risks  and  uncertainties,  and  the  credit  quality  of  the
securities  issued  by them  may vary  considerably from  the credit  quality of
obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the State.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
NEW YORK TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal,  state and  local taxes, using  published 1994  marginal
Federal tax rates and marginal state and local tax rates currently available and
scheduled  to  be in  effect.  The tables  incorporate  increased tax  rates for
higher-income taxpayers that were included in the Revenue Reconciliation Act  of
1993.  For cases  in which  two state  or local  brackets fall  within a federal
bracket, the higher state or local bracket is combined with the federal bracket.
The combined local, state and Federal  tax brackets shown reflect the fact  that
state  and local tax payments are currently deductible for Federal tax purposes.
The tables illustrate  what you  would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to
equal  the tax-exempt  estimated current return  for your income  tax bracket. A
taxpayer's marginal tax  rate is  affected by both  his taxable  income and  his
adjusted gross income. Locate your adjusted gross and your taxable income (which
is  your adjusted gross  income reduced by any  deductions and exemptions), then
locate your tax bracket based on joint or single tax filing. Read across to  the
equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free
income.
 
I.  COMBINED FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE INCOME TAXES
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-100.0     21.5    %     5.41    5.73    6.05    6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64
                 100.0-111.8     22.5          5.48    5.81    6.13    6.45    6.77    7.10    7.42    7.74
    38.0- 91.9       0-100.0     33.5          6.39    6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02
                 100.0-111.8     34.5          6.49    6.87    7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16
                 111.8-150.0     35.0          6.54    6.92    7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23
                 150.0-167.7     34.0          6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09
    91.9-140.0       0-100.0     36.0          6.64    7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38
                 100.0-111.8     37.0          6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
                 111.8-150.0     38.0          6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68
                 150.0-167.7     37.0          6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
                 167.7-290.2     39.5          7.02    7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92
   140.0-250.0   111.8-150.0     42.5          7.39    7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43
                 150.0-167.7     42.0          7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
                 167.7-290.2     44.5          7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
                  Over 290.2     42.0    2     7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2     48.0          8.17    8.65    9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54
                  Over 290.2     45.5    3     7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-100.0     21.5    %     5.41    5.73    6.05    6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64
                 100.0-111.8     22.0          5.45    5.77    6.09    6.41    6.73    7.05    7.37    7.69
    22.8- 55.1       0-100.0     33.5          6.39    6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02
                 100.0-111.8     34.0          6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09
    55.1-115.0       0-100.0     36.0          6.64    7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38
                 100.0-111.8     36.5          6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 111.8-150.0     38.0          6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68
                 150.0-234.3     37.5          6.80    7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60
   115.0-250.0   111.8-150.0     43.0          7.46    7.89    8.33    8.77    9.21    9.65   10.09   10.53
                 150.0-234.3     42.5          7.39    7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43
                  Over 234.3     42.0    2     7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3     45.5    3     7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
</TABLE>
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
II. COMBINED FEDERAL, NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY INCOME TAXES
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal      Combined
    Federal      Adjusted       State,
    Taxable        Gross         Local                     Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income      and Federal     --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-100.0     25.0    %     5.67    6.00    6.33    6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00
                 100.0-111.8     26.0          5.74    6.08    6.42    6.76    7.09    7.43    7.77    8.11
    38.0- 91.9       0-100.0     36.5          6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 100.0-111.8     37.5          6.80    7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60
                 111.8-150.0     38.0          6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68
                 150.0-167.7     37.5          6.80    7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60
    91.9-140.0       0-100.0     39.5          7.02    7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92
                 100.0-111.8     40.0          7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00
                 111.8-150.0     41.0          7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
                 150.0-167.7     40.0          7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00
                 167.7-290.2     42.5          7.39    7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43
   140.0-250.0   111.8-150.0     45.5          7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
                 150.0-167.7     44.5          7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
                 167.7-290.2     47.0          8.02    8.49    8.96    9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32
                  Over 290.2     44.5    2     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2     50.5          8.59    9.09    9.60   10.10   10.61   11.11   11.62   12.12
                  Over 290.2     48.0    3     8.17    8.65    9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal      Combined
    Federal      Adjusted       State,
    Taxable        Gross         Local                     Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income      and Federal     --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-100.0     25.0    %     5.67    6.00    6.33    6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00
                 100.0-111.8     25.5          5.70    6.04    6.38    6.71    7.05    7.38    7.72    8.05
    22.8- 55.1       0-100.0     36.5          6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 100.0-111.8     37.0          6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
    55.1-115.0       0-100.0     39.5          7.02    7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92
                 100.0-111.8     39.5          7.02    7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92
                 111.8-150.0     41.0          7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
                 150.0-234.3     40.5          7.14    7.56    7.98    8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08
   115.0-250.0   111.8-150.0     45.5          7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
                 150.0-234.3     45.5          7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
                  Over 234.3     44.5    2     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3     48.0    3     8.17    8.65    9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  marginal Federal tax rate  to approximately 44.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a joint return  and entitled to four personal
exemptions and to approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers filing a single return entitled to only one personal exemption.  These
limitations  are subject  to certain  maximums, which depend  on the  number of  exemptions claimed and  the total  amount of the
taxpayer's itemized deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will not  cause a taxpayer to lose more  than
80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions. The table also reflects the New York State supplemental income
tax based upon a taxpayer's New York State taxable income and New York State adjusted gross income. This supplemental tax results
in  an increased marginal state income  tax rate to the extent  a taxpayer's New York State  adjusted gross income ranges between
$100,000 and $150,000. The  table does not, however,  reflect the amendments to  the New York State  income tax law that  imposes
limitations  on the deductibility of itemized deductions. The application of the New York State limitation on itemized deductions
may result in a higher combined Federal, State and local tax rate than indicated in the table. The table assumes for this purpose
that a taxpayer's New York State adjusted income equals his Federal adjusted gross income.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
similar Nuveen Trusts with returns on  taxable investments such as corporate  or
U.S.  Government  bonds, bank  CD's and  money market  accounts or  money market
funds, each of which has investment  characteristics that may differ from  those
of  the Trust. U.S. Government bonds, for  example, are backed by the full faith
and credit of the U.S.  Government and bank CD's  and money market accounts  are
insured  by an agency of the federal government. Money market accounts and money
market funds provide stability of principal, but pay interest at rates that vary
with the condition of the short-term debt market. The investment characteristics
of the Trust are described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
January 20, 1994
NEW YORK INSURED TRUST 211
(Series 713)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   525,000      New York State Energy Research and Development      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       521,257
                   Authority, Facilities Refunding Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1993B (Consolidated Edison
                   Company of New York, Inc. Project), 5.25% Due
                   8/15/20.
    395,000      New York Local Government Assistance                2004 at 100        AAA         Aaa             377,462
                   Corporation (A Public Benefit Corporation of
                   the State of New York), Series 1993D Bonds,
                   5.00% Due 4/1/23. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about December 23, 1993
                   at a price of 93.445% of principal amount.)
    525,000      New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             527,625
                   Agency, Mental Health Services Facilities
                   Improvement Revenue Bonds, 1993 Series F
                   Refunding, 5.375% Due 2/15/14. (General
                   Obligation Bonds.)
    525,000      New York State Urban Development Corporation,       2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             531,442
                   Correctional Capital Facilities Revenue
                   Bonds, 1993 Refunding Series, 5.50% Due
                   1/1/15. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about May 20, 1993 at a price
                   of 93.637% of principal amount.)
    275,000      The City of New York, General Obligation Bonds,   2003 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             284,386
                   Fiscal 1994 Series D, 5.75% Due 8/15/13.
    250,000      The City of New York (New York), General          2002 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             267,633
                   Obligation Bonds, Fiscal 1993 Series A, 6.25%
                   Due 8/1/17.
    300,000      Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             306,984
                   York), Commuter Facilities 1987 Service
                   Contract Bonds, Series 7, 5.625% Due 7/1/16.
    205,000      Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New       No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa
                   York), Transit Facilities 1987 Service
                   Contract Bonds, Series 7,
                 105M-0.00% Due 7/1/11, (Original issue discount                                                     41,795
                   bonds delivered on or about September 21,
                   1993 at a price of 36.187% of principal
                   amount.)
                 100M-0.00% Due 7/1/12. (Original issue discount                                                     37,758
                   bonds delivered on or about September 21,
                   1993 at a price of 33.866% of principal
                   amount.)
    500,000      New York City (New York), Municipal Water           2004 at 101        AAA         Aaa             506,310
                   Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                   Revenue Bonds, Fixed Rate Fiscal 1994 Series
                   B, 5.50% Due 6/15/19.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,402,652
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 28.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
NOTES TO SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
 
    (1) Contracts,  which  are  "when-issued"  or  "regular  way"  contracts  or
        contracts having delivery dates beyond the normal settlement date,  have
        been  deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The performance
        of such contracts is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit,  issued
        by  a major commercial bank, which  has been deposited with the Trustee.
        At the Date  of Deposit, Bonds  may have been  delivered to the  Sponsor
        pursuant  to certain of these contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to the
        Trustee all of its right, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
        the  prices, shown.  Unless otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except for
        Bonds issued at a substantial original issue discount, are redeemable at
        declining prices (but not below par value) in subsequent years. Original
        issue  discount  bonds,  including  zero  coupon  bonds,  are  generally
        redeemable  at  prices  based on  the  issue  price plus  the  amount of
        original issue discount accreted to redemption plus, if applicable, some
        premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent years. The Bonds
        may also be subject to sinking fund redemption without premium prior  to
        the dates shown.
 
        Certain  Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium prior to the
        date shown  pursuant  to  special  or  mandatory  call  provisions;  for
        example,  if bond proceeds are not able  to be used as contemplated, the
        project is condemned or sold, or the project is destroyed and  insurance
        proceeds  are used to  redeem the bonds.  Single family mortgage revenue
        bonds and housing authority bonds are  most likely to be called  subject
        to  such provisions, but other bonds may have similar call features. See
        Section 4 and "General Trust Information" in this Section.
 
        The Trustee's determination of the offering prices of Bonds in the  Fund
        may  be  greater or  less than  the  amounts that  may be  received upon
        redemption or  maturity  of  such Bonds.  Subject  to  rules  concerning
        amortization  of bond  premium and of  original issue  discount, gain or
        loss realized  by  the Trustee  on  disposition  of any  Bonds  will  be
        recognized  as taxable capital gain or loss by Unitholders. (See Section
        4.)
 
    (3) See "Description  of  Ratings" herein.  All  the Bonds  in  the  Insured
        Trusts,  as insured by the  Insurer, are rated AAA  by Standard & Poor's
        Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (See Section 5.)
 
    (4) As determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services on behalf of the  Trustee
        as  of the close of  business on the business  day preceding the Date of
        Deposit. The prices as determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services  have
        been rounded to the nearest dollar.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     TO  THE  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  OF JOHN  NUVEEN  & CO.  INCORPORATED AND
     UNITHOLDERS OF NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 713:
    
 
   
       We have audited  the accompanying  statements of  condition and  the
     related  schedules of investments at date  of deposit (included in the
     prospectus  herein)  of  Nuveen  Tax-Exempt  Unit  Trust,  Series  713
     (comprising  National  Insured Trust  263 and  New York  Insured Trust
     211), as  of January  20,  1994. These  financial statements  are  the
     responsibility  of the  Sponsor. Our  responsibility is  to express an
     opinion on these financial statements 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  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 the irrevocable letter  of credit arrangement for  the
     purchase  of securities,  described in Note  (1) to  the statements of
     condition, by correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also  includes
     assessing  the  accounting principles  used and  significant estimates
     made by  the Sponsor,  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  statements  of  condition  and  the  related
     schedules  of investments at date of deposit referred to above present
     fairly, in all material  respects, the financial  position of each  of
     the  trusts constituting the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 713
     as  of  January  20,  1994,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles.
    
 
                                                      ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     January 20, 1994.
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
 
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 713
    
 
   
          (National Insured Trust 263 and New York Insured Trust 211)
    
   
                             As of January 20, 1994
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             National            New York
                                              Insured             Insured
    TRUST PROPERTY                           Trust 263           Trust 211
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase
 Tax-Exempt Bonds, backed by an
 irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2).....  $     9,710,973     $     3,402,652
Accrued interest to January 20, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           98,266              31,633
                                          ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     9,809,239     $     3,434,285
                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability:
    Accrued interest to January 20, 1994
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        98,266     $        31,633
                                          ---------------     ---------------
Interest of Unitholders:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (National
      Insured Trust 263--100,000; New
      York Insured Trust 211-- 35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $    10,211,282     $     3,577,957
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (500,309)           (175,305)
                                          ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     9,710,973     $     3,402,652
                                          ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     9,809,239     $     3,434,285
                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------
<FN>
(1)  Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include "when  issued" or "regular  way" or "delayed delivery"
    contracts for which an irrevocable letter of  credit issued by a major commercial  bank has been deposited with the  Trustee.
    The  amount of such letter of credit and  any cash deposited exceeds the amount necessary  for the purchase of the Bonds plus
    accrued interest to the Date of  Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit, Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor pursuant  to
    certain  of these contracts; the  Sponsor has assigned to  the Trustee all of  its rights, title and  interest in and to such
    Bonds.
(2) Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date  of Deposit of the Bonds listed under "Schedules of Investments"  herein,
    and their aggregate cost to the Trusts are the same. Such offering prices were determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services as
    of the close of business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See Section 10.) Insurance coverage providing for
    the  timely payment, when due, of all principal  of and interest on the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts has been obtained by the
    Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of  the
    Units.  Both the bid and the offering prices of the underlying  Bonds and of the Units may include value attributable to such
    policies of insurance.
(3) Representing, as set forth in Section 8, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued Bond interest as of the
    Date of Deposit.
(4) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as set forth under Section 6.
(5) The gross underwriting commission has been calculated on the assumption that the Units offered by this prospectus are sold in
    single transactions involving less  than $100,000 or  1,000 Units. At  this level, the  sales charge is  4.90% of the  Public
    Offering  Price in the case of National and State Trusts, 4.25% thereof in the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 3.90% in the
    case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.00% in the  case of Short Intermediate Trusts and 2.50%  in the case of Short Term Trusts.  In
    single transactions involving 1,000 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that  such an investment  may entail.  As set forth  in the  portfolio
summaries above, the Trusts may contain or be concentrated in one or more of the
types  of  bonds  discussed  below.  The  following  paragraphs  discuss certain
circumstances which may adversely affect the ability of issuers of Bonds held in
the portfolio of a Trust  to make payment of  principal and interest thereon  or
which  may adversely affect the  ratings of such Bonds;  with respect to Insured
Trusts, however, because  of the  insurance obtained by  the Sponsor  or by  the
issuers  of  the Bonds,  such  changes should  not  adversely affect  an Insured
Trust's receipt of principal and interest, the Standard & Poor's AAA or  Moody's
Aaa  ratings of  the Bonds  in the  Insured Trust  portfolio, or  the Standard &
Poor's AAA rating of the Units of each such Insured Trust.
 
    HEALTH FACILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may  be
obligations  of issuers  whose revenues  are derived  from services  provided by
hospitals or other health care  facilities, including nursing homes. Ratings  of
bonds  issued  for health  care facilities  are  sometimes based  on feasibility
studies that contain projections of  occupancy levels, revenues and expenses.  A
facility's  gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may be
affected by future events and  conditions including, among other things,  demand
for  services, the ability of the facility  to provide the services required, an
increasing shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing  salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar  providers,
efforts  by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates, legislation
establishing state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation,  the
cost  and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the termination
or restriction of governmental  financial assistance, including that  associated
with  Medicare, Medicaid and other similar  third party payor programs. Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely  affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare  program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of such
institutions to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a  default
upon  a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses for
such facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not  providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain  hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the damage,
destruction or  condemnation of  the  hospital facilities  or in  other  special
circumstances.
 
    HOUSING  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations of
issuers whose  revenues are  primarily derived  from mortgage  loans to  housing
projects  for  low  to  moderate  income  families.  Such  issues  are generally
characterized by mandatory redemption at par  or, in the case of original  issue
discount  bonds, accreted  value in  the event of  economic defaults  and in the
event of a failure of the operator of a project to comply with certain covenants
as to the operation of the project. The failure of such operator to comply  with
certain  covenants related  to the tax-exempt  status of interest  on the Bonds,
such as provisions requiring that a  specified percentage of units be rented  or
available for rental to low or moderate income families, potentially could cause
interest on such Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from the date of
issuance of the Bonds. The ability of such issuers to make debt service payments
will   be  affected  by  events  and  conditions  affecting  financed  projects,
including, among other  things, the  achievement and  maintenance of  sufficient
occupancy  levels and adequate  rental income, employment  and income conditions
prevailing in local labor markets, increases  in taxes, utility costs and  other
operating  expenses, the managerial ability of project managers, changes in laws
and
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
governmental  regulations,  the  appropriation  of  subsidies,  and  social  and
economic  trends affecting  the localities  in which  the projects  are located.
Occupancy of such housing projects may be adversely affected by high rent levels
and income limitations imposed under Federal and state programs.
 
    SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some  of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
single  family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose of
acquiring from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages  on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate  income. Mortgage loans  are generally partially  or completely prepaid
prior to  their final  maturities as  a result  of events  such as  sale of  the
mortgaged  premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these bonds
are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from  such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be  redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from the  failure of  the originating  financial institutions  to make  mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of  such issues  may be  more or  less than  the offering  price of  such bonds.
Additionally, unusually high rates of  default on the underlying mortgage  loans
may  reduce revenues available  for the payment  of principal of  or interest on
such mortgage revenue bonds. Single  family mortgage revenue bonds issued  after
December 31, 1980 were issued under Section 103A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954,  as amended, or  Section 143 of  the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986, which
Sections contain certain  requirements relating to  the use of  the proceeds  of
such  bonds in  order for the  interest on  such bonds to  retain its tax-exempt
status. In each  case, the issuer  of the  bonds has covenanted  to comply  with
applicable  requirements and bond  counsel to such issuer  has issued an opinion
that the interest on the bonds is exempt from Federal income tax under  existing
laws   and  regulations.  There  can  be   no  assurance  that  such  continuing
requirements will  be satisfied;  the failure  to meet  such requirements  could
cause  interest on the Bonds to be  subject to Federal income taxation, possibly
from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    FEDERALLY ENHANCED  OBLIGATIONS.   Some of  the mortgages  which secure  the
various  health care or housing projects which underlie the previously discussed
Health Facility, Housing,  and Single Family  Mortgage Revenue Obligations  (the
"Obligations")  in a Trust may be  insured by the Federal Housing Administration
("FHA"). Under FHA  regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage amount  cannot
exceed  90%  of the  FHA's  estimated value  of  the project.  The  FHA mortgage
insurance does not constitute a guarantee of timely payment of the principal  of
and  interest on the Obligations. Payment  of mortgage insurance benefits may be
(1) less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or (2) delayed  if
disputes  arise as to  the amount of the  payment or if  certain notices are not
given to the FHA within  the prescribed time periods.  In addition, some of  the
previously  discussed Obligations may be secured by mortgage-backed certificates
guaranteed by the  Government National Mortgage  Association ("GNMA"), a  wholly
owned  corporate  instrumentality  of  the  United  States,  and/or  the Federal
National  Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie   Mae")  a  federally  chartered   and
stockholder-owed  corporation. GNMA and  Fannie Mae guarantee  timely payment of
principal and  interest  on the  mortgage-backed  certificates, even  where  the
underlying   mortgage  payments   are  not  made.   While  such  mortgage-backed
certificates are often pledged  to secure payment of  principal and interest  on
the  Obligations, timely payment of interest and principal on the Obligations is
not insured or guaranteed by  the United States, GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any  other
governmental  agency or  instrumentality. The  GNMA mortgage-backed certificates
constitute a general obligation  of the United States  backed by its full  faith
and  credit. The obligations of Fannie  Mae, including its obligations under the
Fannie Mae mortgage-backed securities, are obligations
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
solely of Fannie Mae and are not backed  by, or entitled to, the full faith  and
credit of the United States.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may be
industrial revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), including pollution  control revenue  bonds,
which  are  tax-exempt  securities  issued  by  states,  municipalities,  public
authorities or similar entities to  finance the cost of acquiring,  constructing
or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by
corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to
the  extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the IRBs or
receipts or revenues of the issuer  under an arrangement between the issuer  and
the  corporate operator of  a project. The arrangement  may be in  the form of a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,
but in each case  the payments to  the issuer are designed  to be sufficient  to
meet  the payments  of amounts  due on  the IRBs.  Regardless of  the structure,
payment of IRBs is solely dependent  upon the creditworthiness of the  corporate
operator  of  the project  and,  if applicable,  corporate  guarantor. Corporate
operators or  guarantors may  be affected  by  many factors  which may  have  an
adverse  impact on  the credit  quality of  the particular  company or industry.
These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental
restrictions, litigation  resulting  from  accidents  or  environmentally-caused
illnesses,  extensive competition  and financial deterioration  resulting from a
corporate restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or  otherwise.
Such  a restructuring may  result in the  operator of a  project becoming highly
leveraged which may have an impact on such operator's creditworthiness which  in
turn  would have  an adverse impact  on the  rating and/or market  value of such
Bonds. Further, the  possibility of  such a  restructuring may  have an  adverse
impact  on the market for and consequently  the value of such Bonds, even though
no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs in
a Trust may be subject to  special or extraordinary redemption provisions  which
may  provide for redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue discount
bonds, accreted value. The  Sponsor cannot predict the  causes or likelihood  of
the redemption of IRBs in a Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    ELECTRIC  UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived from  the sale  of
electric  energy. The problems  faced by such issuers  include the difficulty in
obtaining approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the  applicable
public  utility  commissions,  the difficulty  of  financing  large construction
programs, increased competition,  reductions in estimates  of future demand  for
electricity  in certain areas of the  country, the limitations on operations and
increased costs  and delays  attributable to  environmental considerations,  the
difficulty  of the capital  market in absorbing utility  debt, the difficulty in
obtaining fuel at reasonable prices and  the effect of energy conservation.  All
of  such issuers  have been  experiencing certain  of these  problems in varying
degrees. In addition, Federal, state and municipal governmental authorities  may
from  time to time review existing, and impose additional, regulations governing
the licensing, construction  and operation  of nuclear power  plants, which  may
adversely  affect the ability of the issuers of  certain of the Bonds in a Trust
to make payments of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers which  are payable from and  secured by revenues derived
from the ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and  ports.
The  major portion of  an airport's gross operating  income is generally derived
from fees received  from airlines pursuant  to use agreements  which consist  of
annual  payments for airport  use, occupancy of  certain terminal space, service
fees and  leases. Airport  operating income  may therefore  be affected  by  the
ability  of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements. The
air transport industry  is experiencing significant  variations in earnings  and
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
traffic,  due  to  increased  competition,  excess  capacity,  increased  costs,
deregulation, traffic constraints  and other factors,  and several airlines  are
experiencing  severe financial difficulties. In  particular, facilities with use
agreements involving airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a
reduction in revenue  due to the  possible inability of  these airlines to  meet
their  use  agreement obligations  because  of such  financial  difficulties and
possible bankruptcy.  The  Sponsor cannot  predict  what effect  these  industry
conditions  may have on airport revenues which  are dependent for payment on the
financial condition of the  airlines and their usage  of the particular  airport
facility.  Bonds that are secured primarily by the revenue collected by a public
transit system  typically are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of  sales  tax
receipts  collected  at  the state  or  local  level, or  of  other governmental
financial assistance. Transit system net revenues will be affected by variations
in  utilization,  which  in  turn  may  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  local
governmental  subsidization, demographic and  population shifts, and competition
from other  forms of  transportation; and  by increased  costs, including  costs
resulting  from previous deferrals of maintenance. Port authorities derive their
revenues primarily from fees imposed on ships using the facilities. The rate  of
utilization  of such facilities may fluctuate depending on the local economy and
on competition from  competing forms  of transportation  such as  air, rail  and
trucks.
 
    WATER  AND/OR SEWERAGE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the  Bonds in a  Trust may be
obligations of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water  and/or
sewerage services. Such Bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems
of  such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  timely  and  adequate rate
increases, population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the  difficulty
of  financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations and
increased costs  and delays  attributable to  environmental considerations,  the
increasing  difficulty of obtaining or discovering  new supplies of fresh water,
the effect  of  conservation  programs  and the  impact  of  "no-growth"  zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
    UNIVERSITY  AND COLLEGE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Some of the  Bonds in a Trust
may be  obligations of  issuers which  are, or  which govern  the operation  of,
colleges  and universities and  whose revenues are  derived mainly from tuition,
dormitory revenues,  grants and  endowments. General  problems of  such  issuers
include  the prospect of a declining  percentage of the population consisting of
"college" age  individuals,  possible  inability  to  raise  tuitions  and  fees
sufficiently  to cover increased  operating costs, the  uncertainty of continued
receipt of  Federal grants  and  state funding,  and government  legislation  or
regulations  which may adversely  affect the revenues or  costs of such issuers.
All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems in  varying
degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND TOLLROAD OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be  obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative  modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in  the availability of fuel to motorists  or significant increases in the costs
thereof. Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of  vehicles
in  the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX SUPPORTED  BONDS.    Some of  the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated  source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The various
types of  Bonds described  below differ  in structure  and with  respect to  the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported  Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below. One
type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax  received
on   either  real   property  or   on  sales   within  a   specifically  defined
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
geographical area; such tax generally will  not provide bondholders with a  lien
on  the underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported
Bond is  secured by  a special  tax levied  on real  property within  a  defined
geographical  area in such a manner that the  tax is levied on those who benefit
from the  project; such  bonds typically  provide for  a statutory  lien on  the
underlying  property for unpaid  taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported
Bond may be secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of
commodities or upon the license to pursue certain occupations or upon  corporate
privileges  within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the
ability of  the  designated  revenues  to satisfy  the  interest  and  principal
payments  on such  bonds may be  affected by  changes in the  local economy, the
financial success of the  enterprise responsible for the  payment of the  taxes,
the  value of  any property on  which taxes may  be assessed and  the ability to
collect such  taxes in  a timely  fashion. Each  of these  factors will  have  a
different affect on each distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations that
are  secured  by lease  payments  of a  governmental  entity. Such  payments are
normally subject to  annual budget  appropriations of  the leasing  governmental
entity.  A governmental  entity that enters  into such a  lease agreement cannot
obligate future  governments to  appropriate  for and  make lease  payments  but
covenants  to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due
in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental  entity's
failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could
result  in insufficient funds  available for payment  of the obligations secured
thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities  and as a consequence  were originally sold at  a discount from their
face, or par, values. This original  issue discount, the difference between  the
initial  purchase price and face value, is deemed under current law to accrue on
a daily basis and the accrued  portion is treated as tax-exempt interest  income
for  federal income tax purposes. On sale  or redemption, gain, if any, realized
in excess of the earned  portion of original issue  discount will be taxable  as
capital  gain. See "What is the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of
an original issue discount bond reflects the present value of its face amount at
maturity. In a stable interest rate environment, the market value of an original
issue discount bond would  tend to increase  more slowly in  early years and  in
greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain  of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face  amount
of  the bond at its maturity. The effect of  owning a zero coupon bond is that a
fixed yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in  effect,
on  all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit  yield,
but  at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at higher
rates in  the  future.  For  this  reason, zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject  to
substantially  greater  price  fluctuations during  periods  of  changing market
interest rates  than are  securities  of comparable  quality that  pay  interest
currently.
 
    Original  issue discount bonds, including zero  coupon bonds, may be subject
to redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of  original
issue   discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,  if
applicable, some premium.  Pursuant to  such call provisions  an original  issue
discount  bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than its
face value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about  the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences  of ownership  with respect  to either  the principal  amount of  or a
payment of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped"  by
depositing  it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in ownership
between the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable,  and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation  therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the  amount
payable  at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue Code
treats as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which  produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to  the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or the
yield to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's  Units
which  is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations.  (See
Section 11, " What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders".)
 
    Unitholders  should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the state
and local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or  Stripped
Obligations.  Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state and
local taxes, interest on original  issue discount bonds or Stripped  Obligations
may  be deemed to  be received in  the year of  accrual even though  there is no
corresponding cash payment.
 
4.  COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts  to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedules of Investments"
and,  thereafter, of  such Bonds as  may continue to  be held from  time to time
(including certain securities deposited in  the Trust in substitution for  Bonds
not delivered to the Trust or in exchange or substitution for Bonds upon certain
refundings),  together  with  accrued  and  undistributed  interest  thereon and
undistributed cash realized from the disposition of Bonds.
 
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase  Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers or
dealers to deliver  Bonds to the  Sponsor for deposit  in the Trusts.  Normally,
"regular  way"  contracts are  settled and  the Bonds  delivered to  the Trustee
within a relatively  short period  of time.  However, certain  of the  contracts
relate  to Bonds which have not been issued  as of the Date of Deposit and which
are commonly referred to  as "when issued"  or "when, as  and if issued"  Bonds.
Although  the Sponsor does not believe it is  likely, one or more of the issuers
of such Bonds might decide not to proceed with such offerings. If such Bonds, or
replacement bonds  described below,  are not  acquired by  a Trust  or if  their
delivery  is  delayed, the  Estimated Current  Returns  and Estimated  Long Term
Returns shown herein may be reduced.  Certain of the contracts for the  purchase
of  Bonds provide for delivery dates after  the date of settlement for purchases
made on  the  Date of  Deposit.  Interest on  such  "when issued"  and  "delayed
delivery"  Bonds accrues to the benefit of Unitholders commencing with the first
settlement date for the Units. However,  in the opinion of counsel,  Unitholders
who  purchase their Units prior to the date such Bonds are actually delivered to
the Trustee must reduce the  tax basis of their  Units for interest accruing  on
such  Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and the delivery
of the Bonds because such amounts constitute a return of principal. As a  result
of  such adjustment, the  Estimated Current Returns set  forth herein (which are
based on the Public Offering Price as of  the business day prior to the Date  of
Deposit)  may be  slightly lower than  Unitholders will receive  after the first
year, assuming the Portfolio does not change
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
and estimated annual expense does not vary from that set forth under  "Essential
Information  Regarding the  Trusts." Those  Bonds in  each Trust  purchased with
delivery dates after the date  of settlement for purchases  made on the Date  of
Deposit are so noted in the Schedules of Investments.
 
    LIMITED  REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee
shall be liable in any  way for any default, failure  or defect in any Bond.  In
the  event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a Trust
under a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if  issued
basis  ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to direct
the Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make  up
the original corpus of the Trust. The Replacement Bonds must be purchased within
20  days after  delivery of notice  of the failed  contract and the  cost to the
Trust (exclusive  of  accrued interest)  may  not  exceed the  amount  of  funds
reserved  for the purchase of  the Failed Bonds. The  Replacement Bonds (i) must
satisfy the criteria previously described  for Bonds originally included in  the
Trust  and, with respect  to Bonds purchased  for a State  Trust, shall have the
benefit of an exemption from state taxation of interest to an extent equal to or
greater than that of  the Bonds they  replace, (ii) must  have a fixed  maturity
date  after the date of purchase of not  less than approximately 15 years in the
case of National or State Trusts, approximately  11 years in the case of a  Long
Intermediate  Trust, approximately 5 years in  the case of Intermediate or State
Intermediate Trusts, approximately 3 years in  the case of a Short  Intermediate
Trust  and approximately 1 year in the case of a Short Term Trust, but not later
than the maturity date of the Failed Bonds, (iii) must be acquired at a cost  to
the  Trust equal to the  cost of the same principal  amount of Bonds provided in
the failed contract and  have a current  return and yield  to maturity not  less
than the current return and yield to maturity of the Failed Bonds and (iv) shall
not  be "when,  as and if  issued" Bonds.  Whenever a Replacement  Bond has been
acquired for a  Trust, the Trustee  shall, within five  days after the  delivery
thereof,  mail or deliver a  notice to all Unitholders  of the Trust involved of
such acquisition. Once the original corpus of the Trust is acquired, the Trustee
will have no power  to vary the  investment of the Trust;  i.e., the Trust  will
have  no managerial  power to  take advantage of  market variation  to improve a
Unitholder's investment.
 
    To the extent the right of  limited substitution described in the  preceding
paragraph  shall not  be utilized  to acquire  Replacement Bonds  for the entire
principal amount of Failed Bonds, the Sponsor shall refund to all Unitholders of
the Trust  involved the  sales  charge attributable  to  such Failed  Bonds  not
replaced,  and the  principal and  accrued interest  attributable to  such Bonds
shall be  distributed not  more than  30 days  after the  determination of  such
failure  or at such earlier time as the  Trustee in its sole discretion deems to
be in  the  interest of  the  Unitholders. Any  such  accrued interest  paid  to
Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated as
tax-exempt  income. In the event Failed Bonds  in a Trust could not be replaced,
the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for such Trust would be reduced and  the
Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE,  MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from time
to time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature  in
accordance  with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to pay
for  Units  redeemed   or  distributed  to   Unitholders  and  not   reinvested;
accordingly,  no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any length
of time its present size and composition.
 
    All of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed  in
whole  or in  part prior  to their  stated maturities  pursuant to  the optional
redemption provisions described in  the "Schedules of  Investments" and in  most
cases  pursuant to sinking fund, special or extraordinary redemption provisions.
A bond  subject to  optional  call is  one which  is  subject to  redemption  or
refunding    prior   to   maturity   at   the    option   of   the   issuer.   A
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
refunding is a method by which a bond issue is redeemed, at or before  maturity,
by  the proceeds of a new bond issue.  A bond subject to sinking fund redemption
is one  which  is  subject to  partial  call  from  time to  time  from  a  fund
accumulated  for the  scheduled retirement  of a  portion of  an issue  prior to
maturity.  Special  or  extraordinary  redemption  provisions  may  provide  for
redemption  of  all or  a portion  of an  issue upon  the occurrence  of certain
circumstances related  to defaults  or unanticipated  changes in  circumstances.
Events  that may  permit or require  the special or  extraordinary redemption of
bonds include, among others: substantial damage to or destruction of the project
for which the proceeds  of the bonds  were used; exercise by  a local, state  or
federal  governmental  unit  of its  power  of  eminent domain  to  take  all or
substantially all of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were  used;
a  final determination that the interest on the bonds is taxable; changes in the
economic availability  of raw  materials, operating  supplies or  facilities  or
technological  or other  changes which render  the operation of  the project for
which the proceeds of  the bonds were  used uneconomical; changes  in law or  an
administrative  or judicial decree which render the performance of the agreement
under which the proceeds of the bonds were made available to finance the project
impossible or  which  create  unreasonable burdens  or  which  impose  excessive
liabilities,  such as taxes, not imposed on the date the bonds are issued on the
issuer of the bonds or the user of the proceeds of the bonds; an  administrative
or  judicial decree which  requires the cessation  of a substantial  part of the
operations  of  the  project  financed  with  the  proceeds  of  the  bonds;  an
overestimate of the costs of the project to be financed with the proceeds of the
bonds  resulting in excess proceeds which may  be applied to redeem bonds; or an
underestimate of a source of funds securing the bonds resulting in excess  funds
which  may be applied to  redeem bonds. The Sponsor is  unable to predict all of
the circumstances which may result in such redemption of an issue of Bonds.  See
the  discussion of the various  types of bond issues,  above, for information on
the call provisions of such  bonds, particularly single family mortgage  revenue
bonds.
 
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution  of  principal and  may  result in  a  reduction in  the  amount of
subsequent interest  distributions; it  may also  affect the  current return  on
Units  of the Trust involved. Redemption pursuant to optional call provisions is
more likely to  occur, and  redemption pursuant to  sinking fund  or special  or
extraordinary  redemption provisions may occur, when  the Bonds have an offering
side evaluation  which represents  a premium  over par.  Redemption pursuant  to
optional  call provisions  may be,  and redemption  pursuant to  sinking fund or
special or extraordinary redemption provisions is likely to be, at a price equal
to the par value of the bonds without any premium (in the case of original issue
discount bonds, such redemption is generally to be made at the issue price  plus
the  amount of original issue discount accreted  to the date of redemption; such
price is referred to  herein as "accreted value").  Because Bonds may have  been
valued  at prices above or below par value or the then current accreted value at
the time Units  were purchased, Unitholders  may realize gain  or loss upon  the
redemption  of portfolio Bonds.  (See Sections 11  and 13 and  the "Schedules of
Investments.")
 
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.   Certain  of  the Bonds  in  each  Trust
portfolio  may be subject to  continuing requirements such as  the actual use of
bond proceeds, manner of operation of the project financed from bond proceeds or
rebate of excess  earnings on  bond proceeds that  may affect  the exemption  of
interest  on such Bonds  from Federal income  taxation. Although at  the time of
issuance of each  of the  Bonds in  each Trust an  opinion of  bond counsel  was
rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations from Federal income
taxation,  and the issuers covenanted to  comply with all requirements necessary
to retain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds, there can be no assurance that the
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
respective issuers  or  other obligors  on  such obligations  will  fulfill  the
various  continuing  requirements  established  upon issuance  of  the  Bonds. A
failure to comply with such requirements may cause a determination that interest
on such  obligations  is  subject  to  Federal  income  taxation,  perhaps  even
retroactively  from the  date of  issuance of  such Bonds,  thereby reducing the
value of the Bonds and subjecting Unitholders to unanticipated tax liabilities.
 
    To the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as  of
the  Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be expected
to have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible  that
after  the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds in
any Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or  the
tax-exempt  nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of litigation
of such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel  to
the  issuer of  each Bond  on the date  of issuance  state that  such Bonds were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
5.  WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS IN INSURED TRUSTS
 
Insurance guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal  and
interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor or
by the  issuers or  underwriters  of Bonds  from  the Municipal  Bond  Investors
Assurance  Corporation (the "Insurer"). Some of  the Bonds in each Insured Trust
may be covered by a policy or  policies of insurance obtained by the issuers  or
underwriters  of  the  Bonds  from  Municipal  Bond  Insurance  Association (the
"Association") or Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The Insurer
has issued a policy or policies of  insurance covering each of the Bonds in  the
Insured Trusts, each policy to remain in force until the payment in full of such
Bonds  and whether or not the Bonds continue  to be held by an Insured Trust. By
the terms  of each  policy the  Insurer will  unconditionally guarantee  to  the
holders  or owners of the Bonds the payment, when due, required of the issuer of
the Bonds of an amount  equal to the principal of  and interest on the Bonds  as
such  payments shall become due but not be paid (except that in the event of any
acceleration of the  due date of  principal by reason  of mandatory or  optional
redemption,  default or otherwise, the payments  guaranteed will be made in such
amounts and  at  such times  as  would  have been  due  had there  not  been  an
acceleration).  The  Insurer will  be responsible  for  such payments,  less any
amounts received by the holders or owners of the Bonds from any trustee for  the
bond  issuers or from  any other sources  other than the  Insurer. The Insurer's
policies relating to  small industrial development  bonds and pollution  control
revenue  bonds also guarantee the full and complete payments required to be made
by or on behalf  of an issuer  of Bonds pursuant  to the terms  of the Bonds  if
there  occurs an event which results in the loss of the tax-exempt status of the
interest on such Bonds,  including principal, interest  or premium payments,  if
any,  as and when thereby required. The Insurer has indicated that its insurance
policies do not insure the payment of  principal or interest on bonds which  are
not required to be paid by the issuer thereof because the bonds were not validly
issued;  as  indicated  under  "What  is the  Tax  Status  of  Unitholders?" the
respective issuing authorities have received  opinions of bond counsel  relating
to  the valid issuance of each of the Bonds in the Insured Trusts. The Insurer's
policy also does not insure against  non-payment of principal of or interest  on
the Bonds resulting from the insolvency, negligence or any other act or omission
of the trustee or other paying agent for the Bonds. The policy is not covered by
the  Property/ Casualty Insurance  Security Fund specified in  Article 76 of the
New York  Insurance Law.  The  policies are  non-cancellable and  the  insurance
premiums have been fully paid on or
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
prior  to the Date  of Deposit, either by  the Sponsor or, if  a policy has been
obtained by a Bond issuer, by such issuer.
 
    Upon notification from  the trustee  for any bond  issuer or  any holder  or
owner of the Bonds or coupons that such trustee or paying agent has insufficient
funds  to pay any  principal or interest in  full when due,  the Insurer will be
obligated to deposit funds  promptly with State Street  Bank and Trust  Company,
N.A.,  New York, New York, as fiscal  agent for the Insurer, sufficient to fully
cover the deficit. If notice of nonpayment is received on or after the due date,
the Insurer will provide for payment  within one business day following  receipt
of  the notice. Upon payment  by the Insurer of  any Bonds, coupons, or interest
payments, the Insurer shall succeed  to the rights of  the owner of such  Bonds,
coupons or interest payments with respect thereto.
 
    The  Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New York
Stock Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts  of
or  claims against the  Insurer. The Insurer is  a limited liability corporation
rather than a  several liability association.  The Insurer is  domiciled in  the
State  of New York and licensed to do business in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 
    As of December  31, 1992  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $2.6  billion
(audited),  total liabilities of  $1.7 billion (audited),  and total capital and
surplus of  $896  million  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with  statutory
accounting   practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance  regulatory
authorities. As of September 30, 1993,  the Insurer had admitted assets of  $3.0
billion  (unaudited), total liabilities  of $2.0 billion  (unaudited), and total
capital and surplus of  $951 million (unaudited)  determined in accordance  with
statutory  accounting practices prescribed or  permitted by insurance regulatory
authorities. Copies of the Insurer's  year end financial statements prepared  in
accordance  with statutory accounting practices  are available from the Insurer.
The address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
 
    Effective December 31, 1989, MBIA  Inc. acquired Bond Investors Group,  Inc.
On  January 5, 1990, the  Insurer acquired all of  the outstanding stock of Bond
Investors Group, Inc., the parent of BIG,  now known as MBIA Insurance Corp.  of
Illinois.  Through a reinsurance agreement, BIG has ceded all of its net insured
risks, as well as its unearned premium and contingency reserves, to the  Insurer
and the Insurer has reinsured BIG's net outstanding exposure.
 
    Each  insurance company comprising the Association will be severally and not
jointly obligated  under  the Association  policy  in the  following  respective
percentages:  The  AEtna  Casualty  and  Surety  Company,  33%;  Fireman's  Fund
Insurance Company, 30%;  The Travelers Indemnity  Company, 15%; AEtna  Insurance
Company  (now  known  as CIGNA  Property  and  Casualty Company),  12%;  and The
Continental Insurance Company, 10%.  As a several  obligor, each such  insurance
company  will be  obligated only to  the extent  of its percentage  of any claim
under the  Association  policy and  will  not be  obligated  to pay  any  unpaid
obligation  of any  other member  of the  Association. Each  insurance company's
participation is backed by all of its assets. However, each insurance company is
a multiline insurer involved in several lines of insurance other than  municipal
bond  insurance, and the assets of each insurance company also secure all of its
other insurance policy and surety bond obligations.
 
    The following table sets forth certain unaudited financial information  with
respect  to  the  five  insurance  companies  comprising  the  Association.  The
statistics, which have been furnished by the Association, are as reported by the
insurance  companies  to  the  New  York  State  Insurance  Department  and  are
determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles. No representation
is    made    herein    as   to    the    accuracy   or    adequacy    of   such
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>
information or as to the absence of material adverse changes in such information
subsequent to  the date  thereof.  In addition,  these  numbers are  subject  to
revision  by the  New York State  Insurance Department which,  if revised, could
either increase or decrease the amounts.
 
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
            FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1993.
                                (000's omitted)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             New York         New York         New York
                                                             Statutory        Statutory     Policyholders'
                                                              Assets         Liabilities        Surplus
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>              <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company.....................  $     9,670,645  $     8,278,113   $   1,392,532
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company........................        6,571,313        4,880,776       1,690,537
The Travelers Indemnity Company.........................       10,194,126        8,280,211       1,913,915
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly AEtna
  Insurance Company)....................................        6,198,088        5,634,331         563,757
The Continental Insurance Company.......................        2,574,504        2,223,194         351,310
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
        Total...........................................  $    35,208,676  $    29,296,625   $   5,912,051
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  rates  all  new  issues  insured  by   the
Association "AAA" Prime Grade.
 
    Moody's  Investors Service rates all bond  issues insured by the Association
"Aaa" and  short term  loans  "MIG 1",  both designated  to  be of  the  highest
quality.
 
    Each  such rating should be evaluated  independently of any other rating. No
application has  been  made  to any  other  rating  agency in  order  to  obtain
additional  ratings  on the  Bonds. The  ratings  reflect the  respective rating
agency's current assessment of the  creditworthiness of the Association and  its
ability  to pay claims on its policies  of insurance. Any further explanation as
to the  significance  of  the  above  ratings may  be  obtained  only  from  the
applicable rating agency.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all bond issues insured by the Insurer "Aaa"
and short-term loans "MIG 1," both designated to be of the highest quality.
 
    Standard  & Poor's  Ratings Group,  a division  of McGraw  Hill ("Standard &
Poor's") rates all new issues insured by the Insurer "AAA" Prime Grade."
 
    The Moody's  Investors Service  rating of  the Insurer  should be  evaluated
independently  of the  Standard & Poor's  Corporation rating of  the Insurer. No
application has  been  made  to any  other  rating  agency in  order  to  obtain
additional  ratings  on the  Bonds. The  ratings  reflect the  respective rating
agency's current  assessment of  the  creditworthiness of  the Insurer  and  its
ability  to  pay  claims  on  its policies  of  insurance  (See  "Description of
Ratings.") Any further explanation as to  the significance of the above  ratings
may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The  above ratings are not  recommendations to buy, sell  or hold the Bonds,
and such ratings may  be subject to  revision or withdrawal at  any time by  the
rating  agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both ratings
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Bonds.
 
    Because the insurance on the  Bonds will be effective  so long as the  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value of
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>
the Bonds  and therefore  some  value attributable  to  such insurance  will  be
included  in the value  of the Units  of the Insured  Trusts. The insurance does
not, however, guarantee the market value of the Bonds or of the Units.
 
INSURANCE ON CERTAIN BONDS IN TRADITIONAL TRUSTS
 
    Insurance guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal  and
interest  on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by the
Sponsor, issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by  another
party.  Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as that
obtained with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above,  is
effective  so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains in
business. Insurance relates  only to the  particular Bond and  not to the  Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa"  by  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  and/or "AAA"  by Standard  & Poor's
Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If a Bond  in a Traditional  Trust is insured,  the Schedule of  Investments
will identify the insurer. Such insurance will be provided by Financial Guaranty
Insurance   Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC   Indemnity  Corporation  ("AMBAC"),  Bond
Investors Guaranty  Insurance  Company, now  known  as MBIA  Corp.  of  Illinois
("BIG"),   Capital  Guaranty  Insurance  Company  ("CGIC"),  Financial  Security
Assurance,   Inc.   ("FSA"),   Municipal   Bond   Insurance   Association   (the
"Association"),  Municipal  Bond  Investors  Assurance  Corporation  ("MBIA") or
Connie Lee Insurance Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor  to date has  purchased
and  presently intends  to purchase  insurance for  Bonds in  Traditional Trusts
exclusively from MBIA (see the  preceding disclosure regarding MBIA). There  can
be  no assurance  that any insurer  listed therein  will be able  to satisfy its
commitments in the  event claims  are made in  the future.  However, Standard  &
Poor's  Corporation has rated  the claims-paying ability  of each insurer "AAA,"
and Moody's Investors Service has rated all bonds insured by each such  insurer,
except  ConnieLee, "Aaa." Moody's Investor's Service  gives no ratings for bonds
insured by ConnieLee.
 
    Because any such insurance  will be effective so  long as the insured  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to  such
insurance  will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that includes
such Bonds. The insurance does not,  however, guarantee the market value of  the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
6.  HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The  Public Offering Price of the Units of  each Trust is equal to the Trustee's
determination of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited  therein
(minus  any  advancement to  the  principal account  of  the Trust  made  by the
Trustee) plus a sales charge of 5.152% of such value in the case of National and
State Trusts, 4.439%  of such  value in the  case of  Long Intermediate  Trusts,
4.058% of such value in the case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.093% of such value in
the  case of Short Intermediate  Trusts and 2.564% of such  value in the case of
Short Term Trusts, in  each case adding  to the total thereof  cash held by  the
Trust,  if  any,  and  dividing the  sum  so  obtained by  the  number  of Units
outstanding in the Trust. This computation produces a gross underwriting  profit
equal  to 4.90% of the  Public Offering Price in the  case of National and State
Trusts, 4.25% of  the Public  Offering Price in  the case  of Long  Intermediate
Trusts,  3.90% of the Public Offering Price  in the case of Intermediate Trusts,
3.00% of the Public Offering Price in the case of Short Intermediate Trusts  and
2.50% of the Public Offering Price in the case of Short Term Trusts.
 
    The  sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales to any purchaser of at least $100,000 or 1,000 Units and will be
applied on whichever
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
basis is  more favorable  to the  purchaser. Sales  charges during  the  primary
offering period are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          National and State     Long Intermediate Trusts
                                                                Trusts                                       Intermediate Trusts
                                                       ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                         Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent
                                                           of         of Net         of         of Net         of         of Net
                                                        Offering      Amount      Offering      Amount      Offering      Amount
                  Number of Units*                        Price      Invested       Price      Invested       Price      Invested
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Less than 1,000......................................        4.90%       5.152%        4.25%       4.439%        3.90%       4.058%
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        4.50        4.712         3.85        4.004         3.50        3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        4.25        4.439         3.60        3.734         3.25        3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        3.50        3.627         3.35        3.466         3.00        3.093
10,000 or more.......................................        3.00        3.093         3.00        3.093         2.75        2.828
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Short Intermediate
                                                                Trusts              Short Term Trusts
                                                       ------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                         Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent
                                                           of         of Net         of         of Net
                                                        Offering      Amount      Offering      Amount
                  Number of Units*                        Price      Invested       Price      Invested
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Less than 1,000......................................        3.00%       3.093%        2.50%       2.564%
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        2.60        2.670         2.10        2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        2.35        2.407         1.85        1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        2.10        2.145         1.60        1.626
10,000 or more.......................................        1.85        1.885         1.35        1.368
</TABLE>
 
 *The  breakpoint sales  charge is  also applied on  a dollar  basis utilizing a
  breakpoint equivalent in the above table of $100,000 to 1,000 Units,  $250,000
  to 2,500 Units etc.
 
    For  "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the  table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such  Bond, adjusting  the total to  reflect the amount  of any cash  held in or
advanced to the principal account  of the Trust and  dividing the result by  the
number  of Units then outstanding. For  purposes of this calculation, Bonds will
be deemed to mature on  their stated maturity dates  unless: (a) the Bonds  have
been  called for redemption or funds or securities have been placed in escrow to
redeem them on  an earlier  call date,  in which case  such call  date shall  be
deemed to be the date upon which they mature; or (b) such Bonds are subject to a
"mandatory put," in which case such mandatory put date shall be deemed to be the
date upon which they mature.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee may terminate a Trust if
the  net asset value of  such Trust, as shown  by any semi-annual evaluation, is
less than 20% of the  original principal amount of the  Trust. In the course  of
regularly  appraising the value of Bonds in each Trust, the Sponsor will attempt
to estimate the  date on which  a Trust's value  will fall below  the 20%  level
based  on anticipated bond events over a five year period, including maturities,
escrow calls and current calls or refundings, assuming certain market rates. The
Sponsor intends from time to time to recommend that certain Trusts whose  values
have  fallen or are anticipated to fall  below the 20% level be terminated based
on certain criteria  which could adversely  affect the Trust's  diversification.
Once  the Sponsor has determined that a Trust's  value has or may fall below the
20% level within a five-year period, for purposes of computing the sales  charge
using the table set forth below, the maturity of each bond in such Trust will be
deemed  to be the earlier of the estimated termination date of the Trust, or the
actual date used  when pricing  the bond under  Municipal Securities  Rulemaking
Board rules and interpretations issued thereunder.
 
    The effect of this method of sales charge calculation will be that different
sales  charge rates will  be applied to  the various Bonds  in a Trust portfolio
based upon  the maturities  of  such Bonds,  in  accordance with  the  following
schedule. As shown, the sales charge on
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
Bonds  in each maturity range  (and therefore the aggregate  sales charge on the
purchase) is reduced  with respect to  purchases of at  least $100,000 or  1,000
Units:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Amount of Purchase*
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                              $100,000     $250,000     $500,000
                                                                   Under         to           to           to       $1,000,000
Years to Maturity                                                $100,000     $249,999     $499,999     $999,999      or more
- --------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Less than 1...................................................           0            0            0            0            0
1 but less than 2.............................................       1.523%       1.369%       1.317%       1.215%       1.061%
2 but less than 3.............................................       2.041        1.833        1.729        1.626        1.420
3 but less than 4.............................................       2.564        2.302        2.175        2.041        1.781
4 but less than 5.............................................       3.093        2.828        2.617        2.459        2.175
5 but less than 7.............................................       3.627        3.239        3.093        2.881        2.460
7 but less than 10............................................       4.167        3.734        3.520        3.239        2.828
10 but less than 13...........................................       4.712        4.221        4.004        3.788        3.253
13 but less than 16...........................................       5.263        4.712        4.439        4.167        3.627
16 or more....................................................       5.820        5.263        4.987        4.603        4.004
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the basis
  of the  number of  Units purchased,  using the  equivalent of  1,000 Units  to
  $100,000,  2,500 Units to  $250,000, etc., and  will be applied  on that basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The secondary market sales charges above  are expressed as a percent of  the
net  amount invested; expressed as  a percent of the  Public Offering Price, the
maximum sales charge on  any Trust, including one  consisting entirely of  Bonds
with  16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net amount
invested). For purposes of illustration, the sales charge on a Trust  consisting
entirely  of Bonds maturing  in 13 to  16 years would  be 5% (5.263%  of the net
amount invested); that on a Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in  five
to  seven years would be 3.5% (3.627% of the net amount invested); and that on a
Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in three to four years would be 2.5%
(2.564% of the net  amount invested). The actual  secondary market sales  charge
included in the Public Offering Price of any particular Trust will depend on the
maturities of the Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
    At  all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor will
appraise or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds  in
each  Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each day on which the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") is normally open  and will adjust the Public  Offering
Price  of the Units commensurate with such appraisal. Such Public Offering Price
will be effective for all orders received by a dealer or the Sponsor at or prior
to 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such day. Orders received after that time,  or
on a day when the Exchange is closed for a scheduled holiday or weekend, will be
held until the next determination of price.
 
    As  more fully set forth  in Section 8, accrued  interest from the preceding
Record Date to, but not including, the settlement date of the transaction  (five
business  days after  purchase) will  be added to  the Public  Offering Price to
determine the purchase price of Units.
 
    The above graduated  sales charges  will apply  on all  purchases of  Nuveen
investment  company  securities on  any one  day  by the  same purchaser  in the
amounts stated, and for this purpose purchases of this Series will be aggregated
with concurrent  purchases of  any other  Series or  of shares  of any  open-end
management  investment company of which the Sponsor is principal underwriter and
with respect to the purchase of which a sales charge is imposed.
 
    Purchases by or for the account of  an individual and his or her spouse  and
children  under 21 years of  age will be aggregated  to determine the applicable
sales charge. The graduated  sales charges are also  applicable to a trustee  or
other  fiduciary  purchasing  securities for  a  single trust  estate  or single
fiduciary account.
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
    Units may be purchased at the  public offering price without a sales  charge
by officers or directors and by bona fide, full-time employees of Nuveen, Nuveen
Advisory Corp., Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and The John Nuveen Company,
including  in each case these individuals and their immediate family members (as
defined above).
 
    The initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust  is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust  plus the  applicable sales charge.  The secondary  market Public Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average approximately 1% to 2% more than the
BID prices of such Bonds  in the case of  National, Long Intermediate and  State
Trusts,  3/4%  to 1  1/2% in  the  case of  Intermediate and  Short Intermediate
Trusts, and  1/2% to  3/4% in  the case  of Short  Term Trusts.  The  difference
between the bid side evaluation and the offering side evaluation of the Bonds in
each  Trust on the  business day prior  to the Date  of Deposit is  shown in the
discussion of each Trust portfolio.
 
    Whether or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will  determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior  thereto), (ii) on any day on which  a Unit is tendered for redemption (or
the next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business  day)
and (iii) at such other times as may be necessary. For this purpose, a "business
day" shall be any day on which the Exchange is normally open. (See Section 16.)
 
7.  MARKET FOR UNITS
 
During  the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer to
purchase Units of each  Trust at a  price equivalent to the  pro rata share  per
Unit  of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued interest).
Afterward, although  it  is not  obligated  to do  so,  the Sponsor  intends  to
maintain  a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense and
continuously to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject  to
change  at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in the
respective portfolios of the Trusts. If the supply of Units of any of the Trusts
of this Series exceeds  demand, or for some  other business reason, the  Sponsor
may discontinue purchases of Units of such Trust at such prices. UNITHOLDERS WHO
WISH  TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER AS
TO THE  CURRENT  REDEMPTION PRICE  (SEE  SECTION  19). In  connection  with  its
secondary  marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter into
secondary market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and  dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement the Sponsor will purchase Units from the broker or
dealer at the bid price and will place the Units into a joint account managed by
the  Sponsor; sales from  the account will  be made in  accordance with the then
current prospectus and the Sponsor and  the broker or dealer will share  profits
and  losses in  the joint account  in accordance  with the terms  of their joint
account agreement.
 
    Certificates, if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as  promptly
after  the date of settlement (five business days after purchase) as the Trustee
can complete the mechanics of registration. Normally, Certificates, if any,  are
mailed  by  the  Trustee within  48  hours after  registration  instructions are
received. Purchasers of Units to whom Certificates are issued will be unable  to
exercise  any right of redemption until they have received their Certificates as
tender of the Certificate, properly endorsed for transfer. (See Section 19.)
 
    Each Unit  of each  respective Trust  initially offered  by this  Prospectus
represents  that fractional  undivided interest  in such  Trust as  is set forth
under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts." To the extent that any Units
of any Trust are  redeemed by the  Trustee, the aggregate  value of the  Trust's
assets will decrease by the amount paid to the
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
redeeming  Unitholder, but the fractional  undivided interest of each unredeemed
Unit in such Trust  will increase proportionately.  The Sponsor will  initially,
and from time to time thereafter, hold Units in connection with their offering.
 
8.  WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued  interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the last
day on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust  is
accounted  for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price of
Units of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also  the
proportionate  share of  accrued interest  to the  date of  settlement. Interest
accrues to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date  of
their purchase transaction.
 
    Accrued interest does not include accrual of original issue discount on zero
coupon  bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount bonds. (See
"Summary of Portfolios--General Trust Information"  and "What Is The Tax  Status
of Unitholders.")
 
    In  an effort to reduce the amount  of accrued interest that investors would
have to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed  to
advance  to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of the
Date of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all  plans
of  distribution). This  accrued interest  will be  paid to  the Sponsor  as the
holder of record of  all Units on  the Date of  Deposit. Consequently, when  the
Sponsor  sells Units of a  Trust, the amount of accrued  interest to be added to
the Public Offering Price to determine the  purchase price of the Units of  such
Trust  purchased by an investor will include only accrued interest from the Date
of Deposit  to, but  not including,  the date  of settlement  of the  investor's
purchase  (five business days  after purchase), less  any distributions from the
related Interest Account.  The Trustee  will recover  its advancements  (without
interest  or  other cost  to the  Trusts)  from interest  received on  the Bonds
deposited in each Trust.
 
    The Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it  receives
interest  payments on the Bonds in the  Trusts. Since municipal bond interest is
accrued daily but  paid only  semi-annually, during  the initial  months of  the
Trusts,  the Interest Accounts,  consisting of accrued  but uncollected interest
and collected interest  (cash), will  be predominantly  the uncollected  accrued
interest  that is not available for  distribution. In approximately three months
the Trustee will commence regular distributions. Thereafter, assuming each Trust
retains its  original  size  and  composition,  annual  interest  collected  and
distributed  will approximate  the estimated  Net Annual  Interest Income stated
herein. However, the amount  of accrued interest  at any point  in time will  be
greater  than  the  amount that  the  Trustee  will have  actually  received and
distributed to the Unitholders. Therefore, there  will always remain an item  of
accrued interest that is included in the purchase price and the redemption price
of the Units.
 
    Interest  is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued and
undistributed interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to  the
daily  valuation of each Unit  of each Trust. (See Sections  3 and 13.) As Bonds
mature, or are redeemed or sold,  the accrued interest applicable to such  bonds
is  collected and subsequently distributed  to Unitholders. Unitholders who sell
or redeem all or a portion of their Units will be paid their proportionate share
of the remaining accrued interest to, but not including, the fifth business  day
following the date of sale or tender.
 
9.  WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to the
investor earned over the  estimated life of the  Trust. The Estimated Long  Term
Return represents an
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
average  of  the  yields to  maturity  (or call)  of  the Bonds  in  the Trust's
portfolio calculated in accordance with  accepted bond practice and adjusted  to
reflect  expenses and  sales charges.  Under accepted  bond practice, tax-exempt
bonds are  customarily offered  to investors  on a  "yield price"  basis,  which
involves  computation of yield to maturity or to an earlier call date (whichever
produces the lower yield),  and which takes into  account not only the  interest
payable  on the bonds but also the amortization or accretion to a specified date
of any premium  over or discount  from the  par (maturity) value  in the  bond's
purchase price. In calculating Estimated Long Term Return, the average yield for
the  Trust's portfolio is derived  by weighting each Bond's  yield by the market
value of the Bond and by the amount  of time remaining to the date to which  the
Bond  is priced. Once  the average portfolio  yield is computed,  this figure is
then reduced to reflect estimated expenses  and the effect of the maximum  sales
charge  paid by investors.  The Estimated Long Term  Return calculation does not
take into account the delays in payments to Unitholders for the first few months
of Trust operations, and it  also does not take  into account the difference  in
the  timing of payments to Unitholders who choose quarterly or semi-annual plans
of distribution each of which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the  calculation of Estimated Long  Term Return. There thus  can be no assurance
that the Estimated Current Returns or Estimated Long Term Returns quoted  herein
will  be realized in the future. Since both the Estimated Current Return and the
Estimated Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of  the
underlying  Bonds on the business  day prior to the  Date of Deposit, subsequent
calculations of these performance measures will reflect the then current  market
value of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower.
 
    A  portion of the  monies received by a  Trust may be  treated, in the first
year only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust  portfolio
of  "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date of
settlement for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of  this
treatment  is that in the computation of  Estimated Current Return for the first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment to the Public Offering  Price. (See "Essential Information  Regarding
the Trusts" and Sections 4 and 11.)
 
    For a statement of the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit under the monthly
plan  of  distribution,  and Estimated  Long  Term Yield  and  Estimated Current
Returns based on the Public Offering Prices of the Trusts in this Series, all as
of the day prior  to the Date of  Deposit, see "Essential Information  Regarding
the Trusts."
 
10.  HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the  public on the business day prior to  the Date of Deposit were determined by
the Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny  S&P
Evaluation  Services, a  firm regularly engaged  in the  business of evaluating,
quoting or appraising comparable bonds. With respect
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
to Bonds in Insured  Trusts and insured Bonds  in Traditional Trusts, Kenny  S&P
Evaluation Services evaluated the Bonds as so insured. (See Section 5).
 
    The  amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES of
the Bonds deposited  in the Trusts  was greater or  less than the  cost of  such
Bonds  to  the  Sponsor was  PROFIT  OR LOSS  to  the Sponsor  exclusive  of any
underwriting profit.  (See Section  3.)  The Sponsor  also may  realize  FURTHER
PROFIT  OR  SUSTAIN FURTHER  LOSS  as a  result  of fluctuations  in  the Public
Offering Price of the Units. Cash, if  any, made available to the Sponsor  prior
to  the settlement date for a purchase of  Units, or prior to the acquisition of
all Portfolio securities by a Trust, may  be available for use in the  Sponsor's
business, and may be of benefit to the Sponsor.
 
11.  WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
At  the  respective times  of issuance  of  the Bonds  opinions relating  to the
validity thereof and to  the exemption of interest  thereon from Federal  income
tax  were rendered  by bond  counsel to  the respective  issuing authorities. In
addition, with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to  the
issuing  authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on such
Bonds, when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such  Bonds
are  located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles and
local income taxes.  For a  discussion of  the tax  status of  State Trusts  see
"Summary  of  Portfolios--  Tax Status"  for  the respective  State  Trust. (See
Sections 2 and 3.)  Neither the Sponsor  nor its counsel  have made any  special
review  for the Trusts of the proceedings  relating to the issuance of the Bonds
or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith.
 
    Taxpayers  must  disclose  on  their  Federal  tax  returns  the  amount  of
tax-exempt  interest  earned  during  the  year.  Federally  tax-exempt  income,
including income on  Units of the  Trusts, will be  taken into consideration  in
computing the portion, if any, of social security benefits received that will be
included in a taxpayer's gross income subject to the Federal income tax.
 
    Gain  realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of a
Unit by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income  tax
purposes,  and may be includable  in gross income for  state tax purposes. (Such
gain does not  include any amounts  received in respect  of accrued interest  or
accrued  original  issue  discount,  if  any.) It  should  be  noted  that under
provisions of the Revenue Reconciliation Act  of 1993 (the "Tax Act")  described
below  that subject accretion of market discount on tax-exempt bonds to taxation
as ordinary income,  gain realized on  the sale  or redemption of  Bonds by  the
Trustee or of Units by a Unitholder that would have been treated as capital gain
under  prior law is treated as ordinary  income to the extent it is attributable
to accretion of market  discount. Market discount can  arise based on the  price
the  Trust pays  for the Bonds  or the  price a Unitholder  pays for  his or her
Units.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
    (1) the Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for  Federal
        income  tax purposes. Tax-exempt interest received by each of the Trusts
        on  Bonds  deposited  therein  will  retain  its  status  as  tax-exempt
        interest,  for Federal income tax purposes,  when received by the Trusts
        and when distributed  to the  Unitholders, except  that the  alternative
        minimum  tax and environmental  tax (the "Superfund  Tax") applicable to
        corporate Unitholders  may, in  certain  circumstances, include  in  the
        amount  on which  such taxes  are calculated  a portion  of the interest
        income received by  the Trust.  See "Certain Tax  Matters Applicable  to
        Corporate Unitholders", below;
 
    (2) each  Unitholder of a Trust is considered to  be the owner of a pro rata
        portion of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of  the
        Internal Revenue Code of
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
        1986  (the "Code") and will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes
        of a Bond  or when the  Unitholder redeems or  sells Units.  Unitholders
        must  reduce the  tax basis  of their Units  for their  share of accrued
        interest received by  the Trust, if  any, on Bonds  delivered after  the
        date  the  Unitholders  pay  for  their  Units  and,  consequently, such
        Unitholders may have an increase in taxable gain or reduction in capital
        loss upon the disposition of such Units.  Gain or loss upon the sale  or
        redemption  of Units is measured by  comparing the proceeds of such sale
        or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of the  Units. If  the  Trustee
        disposes  of Bonds (whether by sale,  payment at maturity, redemption or
        otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder. The amount  of
        any such gain or loss is measured by comparing the Unitholder's pro rata
        share  of the total proceeds from such disposition with the Unitholder's
        basis for his or  her fractional interest in  the asset disposed of.  In
        the  case  of  a  Unitholder who  purchases  Units,  such  basis (before
        adjustment  for  earned  original  issue  discount  and  amortized  bond
        premium,  if any)  is determined by  apportioning the cost  of the Units
        among each of the Trust assets ratably according to value as of the date
        of acquisition of the Units. The tax cost reduction requirements of said
        Code  relating  to  amortization  of   bond  premium  may,  under   some
        circumstances,  result in the  Unitholder realizing a  taxable gain when
        his or her  Units are  sold or  redeemed for  an amount  equal to  their
        original cost; and
 
    (3) any  amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under policies
        of insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable  from
        Federal  gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
        have been so excludable if paid by the respective issuer. Paragraph  (2)
        of   this  opinion   is  accordingly   applicable  to   policy  proceeds
        representing maturing interest.
 
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series  for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under  the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each Trust
    is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each  Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For  a summary of  each opinion of  special counsel to  the respective State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Section 3.
 
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL, STATE OR
OTHER TAXES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO CONSTRUED.
 
    The redemption of Units in a Trust  by a Unitholder would result in each  of
the  remaining Unitholders of said Trust owning a greater proportionate interest
in the remaining assets  of said Trust. Although  present law does not  directly
address  this matter, it  would appear reasonable  that a remaining Unitholder's
tax basis in  his Units would  include his proportionate  share of any  proceeds
received by the Trust on the sale of bonds which were not distributed to him but
were  instead used by  the Trust to redeem  Units and that his  tax basis in the
remaining assets of the  Trust would accordingly be  increased by such share  of
proceeds, based on the relative fair market value of the remaining assets of the
Trust as of the date of such redemption.
 
    Sections  1288 and 1272 of the Code provide a complex set of rules governing
the accrual of original issue discount. These rules provide that original  issue
discount  accrues either on  the basis of  a constant compound  interest rate or
ratably over the term of the Bond, depending on the date the Bond was issued. In
addition, special  rules apply  if the  purchase  price of  a Bond  exceeds  the
original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount which would have
previously  accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price"). The
application of these rules will also vary depending on the value of the Bond  on
the date a Unitholder
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
acquires his Units, and the price the Unitholder pays for his Units. The accrual
of  tax-exempt original issue  discount on zero coupon  bonds and other original
issue discount bonds  will result in  an increase in  the Unitholder's basis  in
such obligations and, accordingly, in his basis in his Units.
 
    The  Tax Act subjects tax-exempt  bonds to the market  discount rules of the
Code effective for  bonds purchased  after April  30, 1993.  In general,  market
discount is the amount (if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity
exceeds an investor's purchase price (except to the extent that such difference,
if  any, is attributable to original issue  discount not yet accrued). Under the
Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ORDINARY INCOME; under prior
law, the  accretion had  been  treated as  capital  gain. Market  discount  that
accretes  while the Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as ordinary income by
the Unitholders when principal payments are  received on the Bond, upon sale  or
at  redemption (including early  redemption), or upon the  sale or redemption of
his or  her Units,  unless a  Unitholder elects  to include  market discount  in
taxable  income  as  it  accrues.  The market  discount  rules  are  complex and
Unitholders should consult their  tax advisors regarding  these rules and  their
application.
 
    The Internal Revenue Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued  to purchase  or carry  obligations, the  interest on  which is wholly
exempt from Federal income taxes, is not deductible. Because each Unitholder  is
treated  for Federal income tax purposes as the owner of a pro rata share of the
Bonds owned by the applicable Trust, interest on borrowed funds used to purchase
or carry Units  of such  Trust will  not be  deductible for  Federal income  tax
purposes.  Under rules used by the Internal Revenue Service for determining when
borrowed funds are  considered used for  the purpose of  purchasing or  carrying
particular  assets, the purchase  of Units may  be considered to  have been made
with borrowed funds even though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to
the purchase of Units (however, these  rules generally do not apply to  interest
paid  on indebtedness  incurred to  purchase or  improve a  personal residence).
Similar rules are  generally applicable  for state tax  purposes. Special  rules
apply  in  the  case  of  certain  financial  institutions  that  acquire Units.
Investors with questions regarding  these issues should  consult with their  tax
advisers.
 
    In  general,  each  issue of  bonds  in  the Trusts  is  subject  to certain
post-issuance requirements which must  be met in order  for the interest on  the
Bonds to be and remain exempt from Federal income taxation. Bond counsel to each
issuer generally has opined that, assuming continuing compliance by such issuers
with  certain covenants, interest on such Bonds  will continue to be exempt from
Federal income taxation (other than with respect to the application to corporate
Unitholders of the alternative  minimum tax or the  Superfund Tax, as  discussed
below).
 
    For  purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
    For taxpayers  other  than corporations,  net  capital gains  are  presently
subject  to a maximum tax  rate of 28 percent. However,  it should be noted that
legislative proposals are introduced from time to time that affect tax rates and
could affect relative differences at which ordinary income and capital gains are
taxed.
 
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS APPLICABLE  TO CORPORATE  UNITHOLDERS. In  the case  of
certain  corporations, the alternative minimum tax  and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the  adjustment
items  used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC)   is   an    amount   equal   to    75%   of   the    excess   of    such
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
corporation's  "adjusted  current earnings"  over an  amount  equal to  its AMTI
(before such  adjustment  item  and  the  alternative  tax  net  operation  loss
deduction). Although tax-exempt interest received by each of the Trusts on Bonds
deposited  therein will not be included in  the gross income of corporations for
Federal income tax purposes, "adjusted current earnings" includes all tax-exempt
interest, including interest on all Bonds  in the Trust and tax-exempt  original
issue discount.
 
    Corporate  Unitholders  are urged  to consult  their  own tax  advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences  to them resulting under the  Federal
tax  law, including the corporate alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and
the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
 
    EXCEPT AS NOTED ABOVE AND IN SECTION  3, THE EXEMPTION OF INTEREST ON  STATE
AND  LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS FOR  FEDERAL INCOME  TAX  PURPOSES DOES  NOT NECESSARILY
RESULT IN EXEMPTION UNDER THE INCOME OR OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE OR CITY. THE
LAWS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  STATES  VARY  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  TAXATION  OF  SUCH
OBLIGATIONS.
 
12.  WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No  annual advisory fee is charged the  Trusts by the Sponsor. The Sponsor does,
however, receive a fee  of $0.17 per  annum per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds  in each  Trust  for regularly  evaluating  the Bonds  and for
maintaining surveillance over the portfolio. (See Section 16.)
 
    For Traditional Trusts, the Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services
an annual fee computed at $1.08 per $1,000 principal amount of underlying  Bonds
in the Trusts for that portion of each Trust under the monthly distribution plan
and   $0.76  and  $0.57  per  $1,000   principal  amount  of  underlying  Bonds,
respectively, for  those  portions  of each  Trust  representing  quarterly  and
semi-annual  distribution plans;  for Insured  Trusts, the  Trustee receives for
ordinary recurring services an annual fee computed at $1.12 per $1,000 principal
amount of underlying Bonds in  the Trusts for that  portion of each Trust  under
the monthly distribution plan and $0.80 and $0.61 per $1,000 principal amount of
underlying  Bonds, respectively, for  those portions of  each Trust representing
quarterly and semi-annual distribution plans. The Trustee's fee may be  adjusted
provided  that all adjustments upward will  not exceed the cumulative percentage
increase of  the  United  States  Department of  Labor's  Consumer  Price  Index
entitled  "All Services  Less Rent" since  the establishment of  the Trusts. The
Trustee has the use of funds, if  any, being held in the Interest and  Principal
Accounts  of  each  Trust  for future  distributions,  payment  of  expenses and
redemptions. These Accounts are non-interest bearing to Unitholders. Pursuant to
normal banking  procedures, the  Trustee benefits  from the  use of  funds  held
therein.  Part of  the Trustee's  compensation for its  services to  the Fund is
expected to result from such use of these funds.
 
    Premiums for the  policies of insurance  obtained by the  Sponsor or by  the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured  Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for  such
insurance.
 
    The Sponsor has borne all costs of creating and establishing the Trusts. The
following  are expenses  of the  Trusts and,  when paid  by or  are owed  to the
Trustee, are secured by  a lien on the  assets of the Trust  or Trusts to  which
such expenses are allocable: (1) the expenses and costs of any action undertaken
by  the  Trustee to  protect  the Trusts  and the  rights  and interests  of the
Unitholders; (2) all taxes and other governmental charges upon the Bonds or  any
part of the Trusts (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or, to the
knowledge  of the Sponsor, contemplated); (3)  amounts payable to the Trustee as
fees for ordinary
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
recurring  services  and  for  extraordinary  non-recurring  services   rendered
pursuant to the Indenture, all disbursements and expenses including counsel fees
(including  fees  of bond  counsel which  the Trustee  may retain)  sustained or
incurred by  the  Trustee  in  connection  therewith;  and  (4)  any  losses  or
liabilities  accruing to  the Trustee without  negligence, bad  faith or willful
misconduct on its part. The Trustee is  empowered to sell Bonds in order to  pay
these  amounts if funds  are not otherwise available  in the applicable Interest
and Principal Accounts.
 
    The Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at  the
expense  of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the Sponsor.
The Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to  be
performed  if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual basis.
Unitholders of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the  audited
financial statements upon request.
 
13.  WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of  the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued interest
and including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on  defaulted
Bonds,  shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all other
moneys received by the Trustee shall  be credited to the "Principal Account"  of
such Trust.
 
    The  pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date will be made on or shortly after the fifteenth day of the
month. Proceeds received from the disposition, including sale, call or maturity,
of any of the Bonds and all amounts  paid with respect to zero coupon bonds  and
Stripped  Obligations will be held  in the Principal Account  and either used to
pay for Units  redeemed or distributed  on the Distribution  Date following  the
next semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required to make a distribution
from  the  Principal  Account  of  any Trust  unless  the  amount  available for
distribution in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made  on
or  shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of distribution chosen. Persons who purchase  Units between a Record Date and  a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers  of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed  to
have  chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however, who
purchase Units during the  initial public offering period  and who hold them  of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month;  Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day of
February,  May,  August   and  November;  and   Record  Dates  for   semi-annual
distributions will be the first day of May and November.
 
    Details  of distributions  per Unit  of each  Trust under  the various plans
based upon estimated Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit are shown
in the tables appearing  in Section 3. The  amount of the regular  distributions
will  remain the same so long as each Trust portfolio remains the same, and will
generally change when Bonds are redeemed, mature or are sold.
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
    The plan of  distribution selected  by a  Unitholder will  remain in  effect
until  changed.  Unitholders  purchasing  Units  in  the  secondary  market will
initially receive distributions  in accordance  with the election  of the  prior
owner.  Unitholders desiring to change  their plan of distribution  may do so by
sending  a   written   notice  requesting   the   change,  together   with   any
Certificate(s),  to  the  Trustee. The  notice  and any  Certificate(s)  must be
received by  the  Trustee not  later  than the  semi-annual  Record Date  to  be
effective   as  of   the  semi-annual  distribution   following  the  subsequent
semi-annual Record  Date. Unitholders  are requested  to make  any such  changes
within  45 days prior to the applicable Record Date. Certificates should only be
sent by registered or certified mail to minimize the possibility of their  being
lost or stolen. (See Section 18.) If no notice is received in proper form by the
Trustee,  the Unitholder  will be  deemed to have  elected to  continue the same
plan.
 
    As of the first day of each month the Trustee will deduct from the  Interest
Account  of a Trust or, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from the
Principal Account of  a Trust, amounts  needed for payment  of expenses of  such
Trust.  The Trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amount, if any, as
it deems necessary to establish a  reserve for any governmental charges  payable
out  of such Trust. Amounts  so withdrawn shall not be  considered a part of the
Trust's assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part  of
such amounts to the appropriate account.
 
    For  the purpose  of minimizing fluctuations  in the  distributions from the
Interest Account of a Trust, the  Trustee is authorized to advance such  amounts
as may be necessary to provide for interest distributions of approximately equal
amounts.  The  Trustee  shall  be reimbursed,  without  interest,  for  any such
advances from funds in the Interest Account  of such Trust. It is expected  that
collections  of interest, except during  the first few months  after the Date of
Deposit, will be in such amounts that it will not be necessary for  advancements
to be made by the Trustee.
 
    The  Trustee  shall withdraw  from the  Interest  Account and  the Principal
Account of a  Trust such amounts  as may  be necessary to  cover redemptions  of
Units of such Trust by the Trustee. (See Section 19.)
 
    Funds  which are available for future distributions, redemptions and payment
of expenses are held in accounts  which are non-interest bearing to  Unitholders
and are available for use by the Trustee pursuant to normal banking procedures.
 
14.  ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The  Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal underwriter
of the  Nuveen Municipal  Bond Fund,  Inc. (the  "Bond Fund"),  Nuveen  Tax-Free
Reserves, Inc. ("Tax-Free Reserves"), Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. (the
"California  Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free  Bond Fund,  Inc. ("Tax-Free  Bond Fund"),
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  (the "Insured Bond  Fund") and  Nuveen
Tax-Free  Money  Market Fund,  Inc.  (the "Money  Market  Fund") and  the Nuveen
Multistate  Tax-Free  Trust  (the  "Multistate  Trust").  Each  of  these  funds
(together,  the  "Accumulation Funds")  is  an open-end,  diversified management
investment  company  into  which  Unitholders  may  choose  to  reinvest   Trust
distributions  automatically,  without any  sales  charge. (Reinvestment  in the
California Fund is available only  to Unitholders who are California  residents.
Reinvestment in the State Portfolios of the Tax-Free Bond Fund, the Insured Bond
Fund,  the  Money Market  Fund and  the  Multistate Trust  is available  only to
Unitholders who  are residents  of  the states  for  which such  portfolios  are
named.)  Unitholders may reinvest  both interest and  principal distributions or
principal distributions only. Each  Accumulation Fund has investment  objectives
which  differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser to  each Accumulation  Fund  is Nuveen  Advisory Corp.,  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Sponsor. The following is a
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
general   description  of  the  investment   objectives  and  policies  of  each
Accumulation Fund. For a more detailed description, Unitholders should read  the
prospectus of the Accumulation Fund in which they are interested.
 
THE BOND FUND
 
    The  Bond  Fund has  the  objective of  providing,  through investment  in a
professionally managed portfolio of long-term  municipal bonds, as high a  level
of  current interest income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent with
preservation of capital. The Bond Fund  may include in its portfolio  tax-exempt
bonds  rated Baa or BBB or better by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, unrated bonds
which, in the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  have credit  characteristics
equivalent  to  bonds  rated  Baa  or  BBB  or  better,  and  certain  temporary
investments, including securities the interest income from which may be  subject
to Federal income tax.
 
TAX-FREE RESERVES
 
    Tax-Free  Reserves is a  "money market" fund that  includes in its portfolio
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or less, values its
portfolio at amortized cost and seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per
share. It provides checkwriting and expedited wire redemption privileges for its
shareholders.   Tax-Free  Reserves  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through
investment in  a professionally  managed portfolio  of high  quality  short-term
municipal  obligations, as high  a level of current  interest income exempt from
Federal income  tax  as is  consistent  with  preservation of  capital  and  the
maintenance  of  liquidity.  Tax-Free  Reserves  may  include  in  its portfolio
municipal obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, VMIG-1 or Prime-1 by Moody's or AAA,
AA, SP-1 or A-1 by Standard & Poor's, unrated municipal obligations that, in the
opinion of the  investment adviser,  have credit  characteristics equivalent  to
obligations   rated  as  above,  tax-exempt   obligations  backed  by  the  U.S.
Government, and temporary investments that may be subject to Federal income tax.
 
THE CALIFORNIA FUND
 
    The California Fund has  the objective of  providing, through investment  in
professionally managed portfolios of California municipal obligations, as high a
level  of current interest income exempt from both Federal and California income
taxes as is consistent with the investment policies of each of the portfolios of
the California Fund  and with  preservation of  capital. Each  portfolio of  the
California  Fund may include  temporary investments that may  be subject to tax.
California Unitholders may reinvest in one of three portfolios of the California
Fund: The Nuveen California Tax-Free  Value Fund, the Nuveen California  Insured
Tax-Free Value Fund and the Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund.
 
    The  Nuveen California  Tax-Free Value  Fund invests  primarily in long-term
investment grade  California tax-exempt  bonds (I.E.,  bonds rated  in the  four
highest  categories by Moody's  or Standard &  Poor's or, if  unrated, that have
equivalent credit characteristics). The Nuveen California Insured Tax-Free Value
Fund invests  primarily in  the same  type of  investments as  the Special  Bond
Portfolio, each of which is covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment
of  principal  and  interest  or  is backed  by  a  deposit  of  U.S. Government
securities.
 
    The Nuveen  California  Tax-Free  Money Market  Fund  invests  primarily  in
high-quality  short term  California tax-exempt money  market instruments (I.E.,
obligations rated in the two highest categories by Moody's or Standard &  Poor's
or,  if unrated,  that have  equivalent credit  characteristics). This portfolio
will include  only  obligations  maturing  within one  year  from  the  date  of
acquisition, will maintain an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or
less, will value its portfolio at amortized cost and will seek to maintain a net
asset
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
value  of  $1.00 per  share. The  Nuveen California  Tax-Free Money  Market Fund
provides for an expedited wire redemption privilege.
 
THE TAX-FREE BOND FUND
 
    The Tax-Free Bond Fund consists  of the Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free  Value
Fund,  the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Value Fund, the  Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free Value
Fund, and the Nuveen  New Jersey Tax-Free Value  Fund, which are each  available
for  reinvestment to Unitholders who  are residents of the  state for which such
portfolio is  named. The  Tax-Free Bond  Fund has  the objective  of  providing,
through  investment in a professionally managed portfolio of municipal bonds, as
high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal income tax  and
from  the  income  tax  imposed  by  each  portfolio's  designated  state  as is
consistent with preservation of capital. The  Tax-Free Bond Fund may include  in
each  of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated Baa  or BBB  or better; unrated
bonds  which,  in   the  opinion   of  the  investment   adviser,  have   credit
characteristics  equivalent to  bonds rated  Baa or  BBB or  better; and certain
temporary investments, including securities the  interest income from which  may
be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE INSURED BOND FUND
 
    The  Insured Bond Fund  consists of the Nuveen  Insured Municipal Bond Fund,
the Nuveen Massachusetts  Insured Tax-Free Value  Fund and the  Nuveen New  York
Insured  Tax-Free  Value  Fund, which  are  each available  for  reinvestment to
Unitholders. (The Massachusetts and  New York Portfolios  are available only  to
those  Unitholders who  are residents  of the state  for which  the portfolio is
named.) The Insured Bond Fund has the objective of providing, through investment
in professionally managed  portfolios of  municipal bonds,  as high  a level  of
current  interest income exempt from both Federal income tax and, in the case of
designated state portfolios,  from the  income tax imposed  by each  portfolio's
designated  state, as  is consistent with  preservation of  capital. The Insured
Bond Fund may include in each of its portfolios the same type of investments  as
the  Tax-Free Bond Fund, each of which  is covered by insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment of  principal and  interest or  is backed  by a  deposit of  U.S.
Government securities.
 
THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
    The  Money Market Fund  consists of the  Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Money
Market Fund and the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Money Market Fund, which are  each
available  for reinvestment  to Unitholders who  are residents of  the state for
which such portfolio is named. The Money Market Fund includes in its  portfolios
only  obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of acquisition,
maintains an average  maturity of  120 days or  less, values  its portfolios  at
amortized  cost and seeks to maintain a net  asset value of $1.00 per share. The
Money Market  Fund  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through  investment  in
professionally   managed  portfolios   of  high   quality  short-term  municipal
obligations, as high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal
income tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated  state
as  is consistent with stability of  principal and the maintenance of liquidity.
The  Money  Market  Fund  may  include  in  each  of  its  portfolios  municipal
obligations  rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, MIG-2, VMIG-1,  VMIG-2, Prime 1 or Prime 2 by
Moody's or  AAA, AA,  SP-1,  SP-2, A-1  or A-2  by  Standard &  Poor's;  unrated
municipal  obligations  that, in  the opinion  of  the investment  adviser, have
credit characteristics equivalent to obligations  rated as above; and  temporary
investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
THE MULTISTATE TRUST
 
    The Multistate Trust consists of the Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen  Michigan Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Value Fund,
the Nuveen Pennsylvania  Tax-Free Value Fund  and the Nuveen  Virginia Tax  Free
Value  Fund, which  are each available  for reinvestment to  Unitholders who are
residents of the state for which  such portfolio is named. The Multistate  Trust
has  the objective of providing, through  investment in a professionally managed
portfolio of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income  exempt
from  both regular Federal  income tax and the  applicable state personal income
tax as is  consistent with  preservation of  capital. The  Multistate Trust  may
include  in each  of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated  "Baa" or  "BBB" or
better, unrated bonds  which, in  the opinion  of the  investment advisor,  have
credit  characteristics  equivalent to  bonds rated  "baa"  or "BBB"  or better,
limited to  no more  than 20%  of  the Multistate  Trust's assets,  and  certain
temporary investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
    Each  person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in the
Accumulation Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of  the
Trust  invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds. Reinvesting
Unitholders  may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,   each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest  only
principal  distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the next
day on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day")  if
the  distribution  date is  not  a business  day,  automatically be  received by
Shareholder Services, Inc., transfer agent  for each of the Accumulation  Funds,
on  behalf of such participant  and applied on that  date to purchase shares (or
fractions thereof)  of  the Accumulation  Fund  chosen  at net  asset  value  as
computed  as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such date. All distributions will
be reinvested  in the  Accumulation Fund  chosen  and no  part thereof  will  be
retained  in a separate  account. These purchases  will be made  without a sales
charge.
 
    Shareholder Services, Inc. will mail to each participant in the Accumulation
Plan a quarterly  statement containing  a record of  all transactions  involving
purchases of Accumulation Fund shares (or fractions thereof) with Trust interest
distributions or as a result of reinvestment of Accumulation Fund dividends. Any
distribution  of principal used to purchase  shares of an Accumulation Fund will
be separately  confirmed by  Shareholder Services,  Inc. Unitholders  will  also
receive   distribution  statements  from  the   Trustee  detailing  the  amounts
transferred to their Accumulation Fund accounts.
 
    Participants may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in writing,  elect
to  change  the  Accumulation  Fund into  which  their  distributions  are being
reinvested, to change from principal  only reinvestment to reinvestment of  both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation  Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units in
cash. There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election  or
termination.
 
    The  character of  Trust distributions for  income tax  purposes will remain
unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
15.  HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
The Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with  each
distribution,  a statement of the amount of  interest and, if any, the amount of
other receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being  distributed,
expressed  in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid  on  said   Units.  Within   a  reasonable   period  of   time  after   the
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
end  of each calendar year, the Trustee shall  furnish to each person who at any
time during the calendar year was a registered Unitholder of a Trust a statement
with respect to  such Trust (i)  as to the  Interest Account: interest  received
(including  amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition of
Bonds), and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest  by
states  in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total  dollar
amount  and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each Unit
outstanding on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to  the
Principal  Account: the dates of  disposition of any Bonds  and the net proceeds
received therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest),  the
amount  paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon redemption
of Units, deductions for  payment of applicable taxes  and fees and expenses  of
the  Trustee, and the balance remaining  after such distributions and deductions
expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing  the
pro  rata  share of  each  Unit outstanding  on the  last  business day  of such
calendar year;  (iii)  a  list  of  the Bonds  held  and  the  number  of  Units
outstanding  on the last business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Unit Value
based upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and  (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest Account
and  from  the Principal  Account, separately  stated,  expressed both  as total
dollar amounts and  as dollar amounts  representing the pro  rata share of  each
Unit outstanding.
 
    Each  annual statement will reflect pertinent  information in respect of all
plans of distribution so that Unitholders may be informed regarding the  results
of other plans of distribution.
 
16.  UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing  taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust and (2) the
accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such computation is divided by  the
number  of Units of such  Trust outstanding as of  the date thereof to determine
the per Unit value ("Unit Value") of  such Trust. The Sponsor may determine  the
value  of the Bonds in each Trust (1) on  the basis of current BID prices of the
Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds  comparable
to  those held by the Trust, (2) if bid  prices are not available for any of the
Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds, (3) by causing the value
of the Bonds to be determined by  others engaged in the practice of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds or (4)  by any combination of the above.
Although the Unit Value of each Trust is  based on the BID prices of the  Bonds,
the Units are sold initially to the public at the Public Offering Price based on
the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
17.  HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated is the Sponsor and sole Underwriter of the Units.
It is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National,  Long
Intermediate,  Intermediate, Short Intermediate  and Short Term  Trusts for sale
under the laws of substantially all of the states,
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
and Units of State  Trusts only in the  state for which the  Trust is named  and
selected other states.
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period of distribution of the Units to public investors.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Discount per Unit
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 National    Long Inter-                  Short Inter-
                                and State      mediate     Intermediate      mediate     Short Term
Number of Units*                  Trusts       Trusts         Trusts         Trusts        Trusts
- ------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 1,000...............    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 or more................     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
</TABLE>
 
* The  discount  is  also  applied  on a  dollar  basis  utilizing  a breakpoint
  equivalent in the above table of $100,000 to 1,000 Units, etc.
 
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  Section 7.  The amount of  the dealer  concession on secondary
market purchases of Trust Units through the Sponsor will be computed based  upon
the  value  of the  Bonds in  the  Trust portfolio,  including the  sales charge
computed as described in Section 6, and adjusted to reflect the cash position of
the Trust principal  account, and will  vary with  the size of  the purchase  as
shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Amount of Purchase*
                            ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                       $100,000   $250,000   $500,000
                              Under       to         to         to      $1,000,000
Years to Maturity           $100,000   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999    or more
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .70%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar  basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using the
  equivalent of 1,000 Units to $100,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will
  be applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer  concessions
from time to time.
 
    Certain  commercial banks are making Units  of the Trusts available to their
customers on  an agency  basis. A  portion of  the sales  charge paid  by  these
customers  is retained by or  remitted to the banks in  the amounts shown in the
above table.  The Glass-Steagall  Act prohibits  banks from  underwriting  Trust
Units;  the Act  does, however, permit  certain agency  transactions and banking
regulators have not indicated that these particular agency
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
transactions are not  permitted under  the Act. In  Texas and  in certain  other
states,  any bank making  Units available must be  registered as a broker-dealer
under state law.
 
    To facilitate the handling of transactions, sales of Units shall be  limited
to  transactions involving a minimum of either  $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever is
less. The Sponsor reserves the right to  reject, in whole or in part, any  order
for the purchase of Units.
 
18.  OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The  ownership  of Units  is evidenced  either by  Certificates executed  by the
Trustee or by  book entry positions  recorded on  the books and  records of  the
Trustee.  The Trustee is authorized  to treat as the  owner of Units that person
who at  the  time is  registered  as  such on  the  books of  the  Trustee.  Any
Unitholder  who  holds  a Certificate  may  change  to book  entry  ownership by
submitting to the Trustee the Certificate along with a written request that  the
Units  represented by such Certificate  be held in book  entry form. Likewise, a
Unitholder who holds Units in book entry form may obtain a Certificate for  such
Units  by written request to the Trustee.  Units may be held in denominations of
one Unit or any multiple or fraction thereof. Fractions of Units are computed to
three decimal  places. Any  Certificates issued  will be  numbered serially  for
identification,  and are issued  in fully registered  form, transferable only on
the books  of the  Trustee. Book  entry Unitholders  will receive  a Book  Entry
Position Confirmation reflecting their ownership.
 
    Certificates  for  Units will  bear an  appropriate  notation on  their face
indicating which plan of distribution has been selected. When a change is  made,
the   existing  Certificates  must  be  surrendered   to  the  Trustee  and  new
Certificates issued to  reflect the  currently effective  plan of  distribution.
There will be no charge for this service. Holders of book entry Units can change
their  plan of distribution  by making a  written request to  the Trustee, which
will issue a new Book Entry Position Confirmation to reflect such change.
 
    Units are transferable by  making a written request  to the Trustee and,  in
the  case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and surrendering
such Certificate(s) to the  Trustee, at its corporate  trust office in New  York
City, properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. The Certificate(s) should be sent registered or certified mail for the
protection  of the Unitholder.  Each Unitholder must  sign such written request,
and such Certificate(s) or transfer instrument,  exactly as his name appears  on
(a)  the face of the Certificate(s) representing the Units to be transferred, or
(b) the  Book  Entry  Position  Confirmation(s) relating  to  the  Units  to  be
transferred.  Such signature(s)  must be guaranteed  by a member  of an approved
Medallion Guarantee Program or in such other manner as may be acceptable to  the
Trustee.  In certain instances the Trustee may require additional documents such
as, but not limited to,  trust instruments, certificates of death,  appointments
as  executor or administrator or  certificates of corporate authority. Mutilated
Certificates must  be surrendered  to the  Trustee in  order for  a  replacement
Certificate to be issued.
 
    Although  at the date hereof  no charge is made  and none is contemplated, a
Unitholder may be  required to  pay $2.00 to  the Trustee  for each  Certificate
reissued or transfer of Units requested and to pay any governmental charge which
may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To  obtain a new  Certificate replacing one  that has been  lost, stolen, or
destroyed,  the   Unitholder   must   furnish  the   Trustee   with   sufficient
indemnification and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur.
 
    The  indemnification protects the  Trustee, Sponsor, and  Trust from risk if
the original Certificate is presented for transfer or redemption by a person who
purchased it  in good  faith,  for value  and without  notice  of any  fraud  or
irregularity.
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
    This  indemnification  must  be in  the  form  of an  Open  Penalty  Bond of
Indemnification. The premium for  such an indemnity bond  may vary from time  to
time,  but  currently  amounts  to 1  1/2%  of  the market  value  of  the Units
represented by the  Certificate. In the  case however,  of a Trust  as to  which
notice of termination has been given, the premium currently amounts to 1% of the
market value of the Units represented by such Certificate.
 
19.  HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
Unitholders  may redeem all or a portion of  their Units by (1) making a written
request for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption  form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its  corporate trust office in New York City (redemptions of 1,000 Units or more
will require a signature  guarantee), (2) in  the case of  Units evidenced by  a
Certificate, by also tendering such Certificate to the Trustee, duly endorsed or
accompanied  by  proper instruments  of transfer  with signatures  guaranteed as
explained in  Section  18 above,  and  (3) payment  of  applicable  governmental
charges,  if any.  Certificates should be  sent only by  registered or certified
mail to minimize  the possibility of  their being  lost or stolen.  In order  to
effect  a  redemption of  Units evidenced  by a  Certificate, a  Unitholder must
tender the Certificate to the Trustee or provide satisfactory indemnity required
in connection with lost, stolen or  destroyed Certificates (See Section 18).  No
redemption  fee will be charged. A Unitholder may authorize the Trustee to honor
telephone instructions for  the redemption  of Units  held in  book entry  form.
Units represented by Certificates may not be redeemed by telephone. The proceeds
of Units redeemed by telephone will be sent by check either to the Unitholder at
the  address specified on his account or to a financial institution specified by
the Unitholder for credit to the account of the Unitholder. A Unitholder wishing
to  use  this  method  of  redemption  must  complete  a  Telephone   Redemption
Authorization  Form and  furnish the Form  to the  Trustee. Telephone Redemption
Authorization  Forms   can   be   obtained  from   a   Unitholder's   registered
representative  or by calling the  Trustee. Once the completed  Form is on file,
the Trustee  will honor  telephone redemption  requests by  any person.  If  the
telephone  redemption request is  received prior to 4:00  p.m. eastern time, the
Unitholder will be  entitled to receive  for each Unit  tendered the  Redemption
Price  as determined above.  A telephone redemption  request received after 4:00
p.m. eastern time will be treated as having been received the following business
day. The redemption proceeds will be mailed within seven calendar days following
the telephone redemption  request. Telephone  redemptions are  limited to  1,000
Units  or less. Only  Units held in the  name of individuals  may be redeemed by
telephone; accounts registered in  broker name, or  accounts of corporations  or
fiduciaries   (including  among  others,   trustees,  guardians,  executors  and
administrators) may not use the telephone redemption privilege.
 
    On the seventh calendar day following the date of tender, or if the  seventh
calendar day is not a business day, on the first business day prior thereto, the
Unitholder  will be entitled to receive in cash for each Unit tendered an amount
equal to the Unit Value of such Trust determined by the Trustee, as of 4:00 p.m.
eastern time on the date of  tender as defined hereafter, plus accrued  interest
to,  but  not  including,  the  fifth business  day  after  the  date  of tender
("Redemption Price"). The  price received upon  redemption may be  more or  less
than  the amount paid by  the Unitholder depending on the  value of the Bonds on
the date of  tender. Such  value will vary  with market  and credit  conditions,
including  changes in  interest rate levels.  Unitholders should  check with the
Trustee or  their broker  to  determine the  Redemption Price  before  tendering
Units.
 
    While the Trustee has the power to determine Redemption Price when Units are
tendered,  the authority has by  practice been delegated by  the Trustee to John
Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, which  determines the  Redemption Price  on a  daily
basis.
 
    The  "date of  tender" is  deemed to be  the date  on which  the request for
redemption of Units is received  in proper form by  the Trustee, except that  as
regards a redemption request
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
received  after 4:00 p.m. eastern time or on any day on which the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") is normally closed, the date of tender is the next day
on which such Exchange  is normally open  for trading and  such request will  be
deemed  to have been made on such day and the redemption will be effected at the
Redemption Price computed on that day.
 
    Accrued interest paid  on redemption  shall be withdrawn  from the  Interest
Account  of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is insufficient,
from the Principal Account of such  Trust. All other amounts paid on  redemption
shall  be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to sell
underlying Bonds of  a Trust in  order to make  funds available for  redemption.
(See Section 21.) Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
 
    To  the extent that Bonds  are sold from a Trust,  the size and diversity of
such Trust will  be reduced. Such  sales may be  required at a  time when  Bonds
would  not  otherwise  be sold  and  might  result in  lower  prices  than might
otherwise be realized.
 
    The Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will be
determined on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00  p.m.
eastern  time on any day on which the  Exchange is normally open for trading and
such determination is made. As of any given time, the difference between the bid
and offering  prices of  such Bonds  may  be expected  to average  1% to  2%  of
principal  amount in the case of Bonds  in National, Long Intermediate and State
Trusts, 3/4%  to  1  1/2% in  the  case  of Bonds  in  Intermediate,  and  Short
Intermediate  Trusts and 1/2% to 3/4% in the case of Bonds in Short Term Trusts.
In the case of actively traded Bonds, the difference may be as little as 1/4  to
1/2  of 1%, and in  the case of inactively  traded Bonds such difference usually
will not exceed 3%. The difference between the aggregate offering prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust  and the aggregate  bid prices thereof  on the business day
prior to  the Date  of Deposit  is shown  in the  discussion of  specific  trust
matters.
 
    The  right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for any
period during  which  the Securities  and  Exchange Commission  determines  that
trading  in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under  regulations issued by the Internal  Revenue Service, the Trustee will
be required to withhold 31% of the principal amount of a Unit redemption if  the
Trustee  has not  been furnished  the redeeming  Unitholder's tax identification
number in the  manner required by  such regulations. Any  amount so withheld  is
transmitted  to  the  Internal  Revenue  Service and  may  be  recovered  by the
Unitholder only when filing  his or her tax  return. Under normal  circumstances
the  Trustee obtains the Unitholder's tax identification number from the selling
broker at the time the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation is  issued,
and  this number is printed on the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation
and on distribution statements. If a Unitholder's tax identification number does
not appear as  described above,  or if it  is incorrect,  the Unitholder  should
contact  the Trustee before redeeming Units to determine what action, if any, is
required to avoid this "back-up withholding."
 
20.  HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption.  If
the  Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds the
Redemption Price it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before  the
close  of business on the  second succeeding business day  and by making payment
therefor to  the  Unitholder not  later  than the  day  on which  payment  would
otherwise have been made by the Trustee. (See Section 19.) The Sponsor's current
practice  is to bid at the Redemption  Price in the secondary market. Units held
by the Sponsor may be tendered to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units.
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
    The Public Offering  Price upon  resale of any  Units thus  acquired by  the
Sponsor  will be  calculated in accordance  with the procedure  described in the
then currently effective prospectus relating to such Units. Any profit resulting
from the resale of  such Units will  belong to the  Sponsor which likewise  will
bear  any loss resulting from a lower  Public Offering Price or Redemption Price
subsequent to its acquisition of such Units.
 
21.  HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof. See  the "Schedules  of Investments"  and "General  Trust  Information"
under Section 3 for a discussion of call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    The  Indenture also empowers  the Trustee to  sell Bonds for  the purpose of
redeeming Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses  for
which  income may not be available. Under the Indenture the Sponsor is obligated
to provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold  in
such  circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor intends
to consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions;  (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount  of
underlying  Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in  the
sale  of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust. To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
 
    In addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to  liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or interest, an action of the issuer that will adversely affect
its  ability to continue payment of the  principal of and interest on its Bonds,
or an  adverse  change  in  market, revenue  or  credit  factors  affecting  the
investment  character of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the principal
of and/or interest  on any  of the  Bonds occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails  to
instruct  the Trustee whether to  sell or continue to  hold such Bonds within 30
days after  notification by  the Trustee  to the  Sponsor of  such default,  the
Indenture  provides that  the Trustee shall  liquidate said  Bonds forthwith and
shall not be liable for any loss so incurred.
 
    In connection with its  determination as to the  sale or liquidation of  any
Bonds,  the Sponsor  will consider the  Bond's then current  rating, but because
such ratings are the opinions of the rating agencies as to the quality of  Bonds
they  undertake to rate and not absolute  standards of quality, the Sponsor will
exercise its independent judgment as to Bond creditworthiness.
 
    The Sponsor may also direct the Trustee to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the
Bonds in  the  Trust  are  the  subject  of  an  advanced  refunding,  generally
considered  to be when refunding  bonds are issued and  the proceeds thereof are
deposited in irrevocable trust to retire the refunded Bonds on their  redemption
date.
 
    Except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of substitution of
Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, and except for refunding securities that may
be  exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in the Indenture, the
Indenture does  not permit  either the  Sponsor  or the  Trustee to  acquire  or
deposit  bonds either in addition  to, or in substitution  for, any of the Bonds
initially deposited in a Trust.
 
22.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
The Trustee is United States Trust Company of New York, with its principal place
of business at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036 and its  corporate
trust  office at  770 Broadway,  New York, New  York 10003.  United States Trust
Company of New York, established in  1853, has, since its organization,  engaged
primarily  in the  management of trust  and agency accounts  for individuals and
corporations. The Trustee is a member of the New York
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
Clearing House Association and is subject to supervision and examination by  the
Superintendent  of Banks of the State of New York, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation and  the  Board of  Governors  of  the Federal  Reserve  System.  In
connection  with  the storage  and handling  of certain  Bonds deposited  in the
Trusts, the Trustee may use the services of The Depository Trust Company.  These
services  would include safekeeping  of the Bonds  and coupon-clipping, computer
book-entry transfer and  institutional delivery services.  The Depository  Trust
Company  is a limited purpose  trust company organized under  the Banking Law of
the State of New  York, a member  of the Federal Reserve  System and a  clearing
agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The  Sponsor and the Trustee shall be  under no liability to Unitholders for
taking any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant  to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence,  lack of good faith or willful  misconduct. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under  the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The  Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon  it
as  Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which the
Trustee may be required  to pay under  any present or future  law of the  United
States  of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction. In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The  Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a notice of resignation to all  Unitholders then of record. Upon receiving  such
notice,  the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver or other public officer shall  take charge of its property or  affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument. The resignation  or removal of  a trustee and  the appointment of  a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged or with which it may  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting  from
any  merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be the
successor trustee.
 
    If upon resignation  of a trustee  no successor has  been appointed and  has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may  apply  to  a court  of  competent  jurisdiction for  the  appointment  of a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event,  the
Trustee  may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
23.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Sponsor and Underwriter, was founded in 1898
and is  the oldest  and  largest investment  banking  firm specializing  in  the
underwriting and distribution of tax-exempt securities and maintains the largest
research  department in the investment  banking community devoted exclusively to
the analysis of municipal securities. In
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
1961 the Sponsor began  sponsoring the Nuveen Tax-Exempt  Unit Trust and,  since
this  time,  it has  issued more  than  $30 billion  in tax-exempt  unit trusts,
including over  $8 billion  in insured  trusts. The  Sponsor is  also  principal
underwriter of the Nuveen Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money
Market  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Tax-Free Reserves, Inc.,  Nuveen California Tax-Free
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Bond  Fund,
Inc.  and  Nuveen  Tax-Free Money  Market  Fund, Inc.,  all  registered open-end
management investment companies, and acted as co-managing underwriter of  Nuveen
Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen
New  York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen
California Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New York Municipal Income  Fund,
Inc.,  Nuveen  Premium  Income  Municipal Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Performance Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California  Performance Plus Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  New  York  Performance  Plus  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Municipal
Advantage Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Municipal  Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
California  Municipal Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  New York Municipal
Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Investment Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  California  Investment Quality  Municipal  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen  New York
Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Quality Municipal  Fund,
Inc.,  Nuveen  Florida Investment  Quality  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Pennsylvania
Investment  Quality  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  New  Jersey  Investment   Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., and the Nuveen Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
California  Quality  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  New  York  Select  Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured
Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida Quality Income Municipal  Fund,
Nuveen  Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Quality
Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Ohio Quality  Income Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Pennsylvania Quality Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Texas Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  California Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
New  York Quality Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Select Tax Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen Select  Tax
Free  Income  Portfolio  2,  Nuveen Insured  California  Select  Tax-Free Income
Portfolio, Nuveen  Insured New  York Select  Tax-Free Income  Portfolio,  Nuveen
Premium  Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc.,  Nuveen Select Tax Free Income Portfolio
3, Nuveen  Select  Maturities Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen Select  Tax  Free  Income
Portfolio  4,  Nuveen  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund 3,  Inc.,  Nuveen Insured
California Premium Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Arizona Premium  Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Insured  Florida Premium Income  Municipal Fund, Nuveen  Michigan Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New  Jersey Premium Income  Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Premium
Income  Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Texas Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund
4, Inc., Nuveen  Pennsylvania Premium  Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen  Insured
Florida  Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  2,  Nuveen  Maryland  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen   Virginia  Premium  Income   Municipal  Fund,   Nuveen
Massachusetts  Premium Income Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Insured California Premium
Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income  Municipal
Fund  2, Nuveen  New Jersey Premium  Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen Washington
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund  2,
Nuveen  Premium Income Municipal Fund 5, Nuveen Georgia Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Connecticut  Premium
Income  Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  North Carolina  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,
Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Florida Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen New York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund
3, Nuveen  Maryland Income  Municipal  Fund 2,  Nuveen Virginia  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund 2, Nuveen  Ohio Premium Income Municipal  Fund 2, Nuveen Insured
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen California Premium Income Municipal Fund
2,
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
Nuveen  Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  6,  registered  closed-end  management
investment  companies.  These  registered  open-end  and  closed-end  investment
companies currently have  approximately $32.8 billion  in tax-exempt  securities
under  management.  Nationwide, more  than  1,000,000 individual  investors have
purchased Nuveen's  tax exempt  trusts and  funds. The  present corporation  was
organized  in 1967 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Corporation, successor
to the original John Nuveen & Co.  founded in 1898 as a sole proprietorship  and
incorporated  in  1953.  In  1974,  John  Nuveen  &  Co.  Incorporated  became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of The  St. Paul Companies,  Inc., a financial  services
management  company  located in  St. Paul,  Minnesota. On  May 19,  1992, common
shares comprising a  minority interest  in The  John Nuveen  Company ("JNC"),  a
newly  organized corporation which holds all of  the shares of Nuveen, were sold
to the  general  public  in an  initial  public  offering. St.  Paul  retains  a
controlling  interest in  JNC with over  70% of  JNC's shares. The  Sponsor is a
member  of  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  and  the
Securities Industry Association and has its principal offices located in Chicago
(333  W. Wacker  Drive) and  New York (140  Broadway). It  maintains 12 regional
offices.
 
24.  OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without  the
consent  of any of  the Unitholders (1) to  cure any ambiguity  or to correct or
supplement any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or  (2)
to  make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the Unitholders,
provided, however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the  number
of Units in any Trust or to permit the deposit or acquisition of bonds either in
addition  to, or in substitution for any of the Bonds initially deposited in any
Trust except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of  substitution
of  Replacement Bonds and  except for the substitution  of refunding bonds under
certain circumstances. The Trustee shall advise the Unitholders of any amendment
promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each Trust may be liquidated at any  time by written consent of 100% of  the
Unitholders  or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by any
semi-annual evaluation, is  less than 20%  of the original  principal amount  of
such Trust and will be liquidated by the Trustee in the event that Units not yet
sold  aggregating more than 60% of the Units originally created are tendered for
redemption by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to  less
than  40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts.") The sale of Bonds
from the Trusts upon  termination may result in  realization of a lesser  amount
than  might otherwise be realized  if such sale were  not required at such time.
For this  reason,  among  others,  the amount  realized  by  a  Unitholder  upon
termination   may  be  less  than  the  principal  amount  of  Bonds  originally
represented by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will  terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but  in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year preceding
the fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts,  beyond
the  end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of its
execution for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end  of
the  calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
    Written notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at  which
Unitholders  may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall be
given by  the  Trustee  to each  Unitholder  at  the address  appearing  on  the
registration  books of the Trust maintained  by the Trustee. Within a reasonable
time thereafter the Trustee shall liquidate any Bonds in the Trust then held and
shall deduct  from  the assets  of  the Trust  any  accrued costs,  expenses  or
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
indemnities  provided  by  the  Indenture which  are  allocable  to  such Trust,
including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any
amounts required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes  or
other  governmental charges. The Trustee shall then distribute to Unitholders of
such Trust their pro  rata share of  the balance of  the Interest and  Principal
Accounts.  With such  distribution the  Unitholders shall  be furnished  a final
distribution  statement,  in   substantially  the  same   form  as  the   annual
distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At such time as the Trustee
in  its sole discretion shall determine that  any amounts held in reserve are no
longer necessary, it shall make distribution thereof to Unitholders in the  same
manner.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
under  Section 3. Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn, 2 Wall  Street, New York, New York
10005, has acted as counsel for the Trustee with respect to the Series, and,  in
the absence of a New York Trust from the Series, as special New York tax counsel
for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The  Statements of Condition and Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit
included in  this  Prospectus  have  been audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  &  Co.,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report in this Prospectus,
and  are included herein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as experts
in giving said report.
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard  &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A  Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the creditworthiness
of an obligor with  respect to a specific  debt obligation. This assessment  may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The  rating is not  a recommendation to  purchase, sell or  hold a security,
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 it 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 for 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 by,  and relative position  of, the obligation  in
          the  event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds  rated AA have  a very strong  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to  pay
interest  and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are  more
likely  to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by  the
addition  of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the major
rating categories.
 
    Provisional  Ratings:  The   letter  "p"  indicates   that  the  rating   is
provisional.  A  provisional rating  assumes  the successful  completion  of the
project being financed by  the issuance of the  bonds being rated and  indicates
that  payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing credit  quality subsequent  to completion  of the  project, makes  no
comment  on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of, such
completion. Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment  with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>
    Note  Ratings:  A  Standard  & Poor's  note  rating  reflects  the liquidity
concerns and market access risks unique to  notes. Notes due in 3 years or  less
will  likely receive  a note  rating. Notes  maturing beyond  3 years  will most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and  interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS.
 
    A Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation's  rating on  the  units  of  an  insured
investment  trust (hereinafter referred to collectively as "units" and "trusts")
is a current assessment of creditworthiness with respect to the investment  held
by  such trust. This assessment takes  into consideration the financial capacity
of the  issuers and  of any  guarantors, insurers,  lessees or  mortgagors  with
respect to such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account
the  extent to which trust  expenses or portfolio asset  sales for less than the
trust purchase price will reduce payment  to the unitholder of the interest  and
principal  required to be paid on the  portfolio assets. In addition, the rating
is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the  rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard  &  Poor's and/or  certain  short-term investments.  Standard  & Poor's
defines its  AAA  rating for  such  assets as  the  highest rating  assigned  by
Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt obligation.  Capacity to  pay interest  and repay
principal is very strong.  However, unit ratings may  be subject to revision  or
withdrawal  at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating.
 
    MOODY'S INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.    A brief  description of  the  applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the  smallest degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to  change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute  that,
with  the  occasional  exception  of oversupply  in  a  few  specific instances,
characteristically, their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money  market
fluctuations.
 
    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  fluctuations 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. Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money  market
influences,  with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes  and
are  to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be  present
which  suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The market
value of A-rated bonds may be
 
                                      A-38
<PAGE>
influenced to some degree by economic  performance during a sustained period  of
depressed  business conditions, but,  during periods of  normalcy, A-rated bonds
frequently move in  parallel with Aaa  and Aa obligations,  with the  occasional
exception of oversupply in a few specific instances.
 
    Moody's  bond rating  symbols may contain  numerical modifiers  of a generic
rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the  high
end  of its  category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    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.  The market  value of Baa-rated
bonds is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside  from
occasional  speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa market
valuations move in  parallel with Aaa,  Aa and A  obligations during periods  of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con.  (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some
act or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These  are
bonds  secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin  when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches.  Parenthetical rating denotes probable  credit stature upon completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
    Note Ratings:
 
    MIG 1--This designation  denotes  best  quality.  There  is  present  strong
           protection  by established cash flows,  superior liquidity support or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2--This designation  denotes high  quality.  Margins of  protection  are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>
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                                      A-40
<PAGE>
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                                      A-41
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
                           PROSPECTUS
                           135,000 Units
                           National Insured Trust 263
                           New York Insured Trust 211
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                 <S>        <C>
            NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
           Sponsor             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                               333 West Wacker Drive
                               Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                               Telephone: 312.917.7700
                               Swiss Bank Tower
                               10 East 50th Street
                               New York, NY 10022
                               212.207.2000
           Trustee             United States Trust Company
                               of New York
                               770 Broadway
                               New York, NY 10003
                               800.257.8787
     Legal Counsel             Chapman and Cutler
        to Sponsor             111 West Monroe Street
                               Chicago, IL 60603
       Independent             Arthur Andersen & Co.
            Public             33 West Monroe Street
       Accountants             Chicago, IL 60603
    for the Trusts
</TABLE>
 
   Except as to statements made herein furnished by the Trustee, the Trustee has
   assumed  no responsibility for the accuracy, adequacy and completeness of the
   information contained in this Prospectus.
                   This Prospectus does not contain  all of the information  set
   forth in the registration statement and exhibits relating thereto, filed with
   the   Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,   Washington,  D.C.,  under  the
   Securities Act of 1933, and to which reference is made.
                   No person is authorized  to give any  information or to  make
   representations  not contained in  this Prospectus or  in supplementary sales
   literature prepared by the Sponsor, and any information or representation not
   contained therein must not be relied upon as having been authorized by either
   the Trusts, the Trustee or the  Sponsor. This Prospectus does not  constitute
   an  offer to sell,  or a solicitation of  an offer to  buy, securities in any
   State to any  person to  whom it is  not lawful  to make such  offer in  such
   state.  The  Trusts  are registered  as  a  Unit Investment  Trust  under the
   Investment Company Act  of 1940. Such  registration does not  imply that  the
   Trusts  or any of their Units  has been guaranteed, sponsored, recommended or
   approved by the United States or any State or agency or officer thereof.
 
   
   713
    

<PAGE>
                  *********************************************
                  *    PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED  01/21/94  *
                  *********************************************
                          NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    100,000 UNITS                                             SERIES 717
                                                     (A Unit Investment Trust)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

    The attached final Prospectus for a prior Series is hereby used as a
preliminary Prospectus for the above stated Series.  The narrative information
and structure of the attached final Prospectus will be substantially the same 
as that of the final Prospectus for this Series.  Although the attached 
Prospectus includes trusts as indicated therein, the specific trusts included 
in this Series when deposited may differ from such trusts.  Information with 
respect to the actual trusts to be included, pricing, the number of Units, 
dates and summary information regarding the characteristics of securities to 
be deposited in this Series is not now available and will be different since 
each Series has a unique Portfolio.  Accordingly the information contained
herein with regard to the previous Series should be considered as being 
included for informational purposes only.  Ratings of the securities in this 
Series are expected to be comparable to those of the securities deposited in 
the previous Series. However, the Estimated Current Return for this Series 
will depend on the interest rates and offering prices of the securities in
this Series and may vary materially from that of the previous Series.

  **************************************************************************
  * A registration statement relating to the units of this Series has been *
  * filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet      *
  * become effective.  Information contained herein is subject to comple-  *
  * tion or amendment.  Such Units may not be sold nor may offers to buy   *
  * be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes       *
  * effective.  This Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell      *
  * or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale     *
  * of the Units in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale    *
  * would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the     *
  * securities laws of any such state.                                     *
  **************************************************************************



<PAGE>

Statement of differences between electronic filing and printed document.
   Pursuant to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule
0-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant hereby identifies
those differences in the foregoing document between the electronic format in
which it is filed and the printed form in which it will be circulated:
   (1) The printed and distributed prospectus may be paged differently
because the printed document may contain a different amount of information on
each page from that contained in the electronic transmission.
   (2) On the cover page, in the index and on the last page of the printed
document, solid vertical bars will appear.
   (3) In the printed document, footnote symbols may include a "dagger" or
multiple "dagger".  The "dagger" symbol is represented as # in the electronic
document.
   (4) The printed and distributed prospectus will not  contain the
preliminary prospectus legend included at the beginning of the first
prospectus page.


<PAGE>

                 NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 717

                             Cross-Reference Sheet

                     Pursuant to Rule 404(c) of Regulation C
                        under the Securities Act of 1933

               (Form N-8B-2 Items Required by Instruction 1 as
                           to Prospectus on Form S-6)


FORM N-8B-2                                      FORM S-6
ITEM NUMBER                                      HEADING IN PROSPECTUS

    I.   ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  (a)  Name of trust                    )   Prospectus Cover Page
    (b)  Title of securities issued       )

2.  Name and address of Depositor         )23 Information About the Sponsor

3.  Name and address of Trustee           )22 Information About the Trustee

4.  Name and address of principal         )23 Information About the Sponsor
    Underwriter                           )

5.  Organization of trust                 ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
                                          )   Unit Trust?

6.  Execution and termination of          ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
    Trust Agreement                       )   Unit Trust?
                                          )22 Information About the Trustee
                                          )24 Other Information

7.  Changes of Name                                    *

8.  Fiscal Year

9.  Litigation

    II.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST

10. General Information regarding         ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
    trust's securities                    ) 5 Why and How are the Bonds
                                              Insured?
                                           13 When Are Distributions
                                              Made to Unitholders?
                                          )18 Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                              Without Charge
                                          )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts
                                          )22 Information About the Trustee
                                          )23 Information About the Sponsor
                                          )24 Other Information

                                          )11 What Is The Tax Status of
                                          )   Unitholders?

11. Type of securities comprising         ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
    units                                 )   Unit Trust?
                                          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
                                          ) 2 What Are The Objectives Of
                                          )   The Trusts?
                                            5 Why and How are the Bonds
                                              Insured?

12. Certain information regarding         )   *
    periodic payment certificates         )

13. (a)Load, fees, expenses, etc.         )ii Essential Information Regarding
                                          )   the Trusts on Date of Deposit of
                                                Bonds
                                          ) 6 How Is The Public Offering Price
                                          )   Determined?
                                          ) 7 Market For Units
                                          ) 8 What Is Accrued Interest?
                                          ) 9 What Is The Estimated Current
                                          )   Return?
                                          )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                          )    Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?
                                          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   to Certificateholders?
                                          )15 How Detailed Are Reports To
                                                Certificateholders?


<PAGE>


    (b)Certain information regarding      )   *
       periodic payment certificates      )


    (c)Certain percentages                ) 6 How Is the Public Offering Price
                                          )   Determined?
                                          ) 7 Market For Units
                                          ) 9 What Is The Estimated Current
                                          )   Return?
                                          )10 How Was The Price of the Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          ) 8 What is Accrued Interest?

    (d)Certain other fees, etc.           )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
       payable by holders                 )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?
                                          )18 Ownership and Transfer of Units

    (e)Certain profits receivable         ) 4 Composition of Trusts
       by depositor, principal under-     )
       writer, trustee or affiliated      )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
       persons                            )   The Sponsor

    (f)Ratio of annual charges
       to income                                *

14. Issuance of trust's securities        ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Unitholders?
                                          )18 Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                          )   Without Charge

15. Receipt and handling of payments      )   *
    from purchasers                       )

16. Acquisition and Disposition of        ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
    Underlying Securities                 )   Unit Trust?
                                          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
                                          ) 5 Why and How are the Bonds
                                              Insured?
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                              Without Charge
                                          )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts
                                          )24 Other Information

17. Withdrawal or redemption              ) 7 Market For Units
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                          )   Without Charge
                                          )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
                                          )   The Sponsor

18. (a)Receipt and disposition of income  ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are  Distributions
                                              Made To Unitholders?
                                          )15 How Detailed Are Reports To
                                          )   Unitholders?

    (b)Reinvestment of distributions      )14 Accumulation Plan

    (c)Reserves or special funds          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are Distributions
                                          )   Made To Certificateholders?

    (d)Schedule of distributions          )   *

19. Records, accounts and reports         )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Certificateholders?
                                          )15 How Detailed Are Reports To
                                          )   Certificateholders?

20. Certain miscellaneous provisions of   )22 Information About the Trustee
    Trust Agreement                       )23 Information About the Sponsor
                                          )24 Other Information


<PAGE>


21. Loans to security holders             )   *

22. Limitations on liability              ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
                                          )22 Information About The Trustee

23. Bond arrangements                     )   *

24. Other material provisions of Trust    )   *
    Agreement.                            )

    III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR

25. Organization of Depositor             )23 Information About the Sponsor

26. Fees received by Depositor            )   *

27. Business of Depositor                 )23 Information About the Sponsor

28. Certain information as to officials   )  *
    and affiliated persons of Depositor   )

29. Voting Securities of Depositor        )23 Information About the Sponsor

30. Persons controlling Depositor         )
                                          )
31. Payments by Depositor for certain     )
    services rendered to trust            )
                                          )   *
32. Payments by Depositor for certain     )
    other services rendered to trust      )
                                          )
33. Remuneration of employees of Depositor)
    for certain services rendered to trust)
                                          )
34. Remuneration of other persons for     )
    certain services rendered to trust    )

<PAGE>


    IV.  DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

35. Distribution of trust's securities by )
    states                                )
                                          )   *
36. Suspension of sales of trust's        )
    securities                            )
                                          )
37. Revocation of authority to distribute )

38. (a)Method of distribution             )
                                          )
    (b)Underwriting agreements            )17 How Units of The Trusts Are
                                          )   Distributed To The Public
    (c)Selling agreements                 )

39. (a)Organization of principal          )
         underwriter                      )
                                          )23 Information About The Sponsor
    (b)NASD membership of principal       )
         underwriter                      )

40. Certain fees received by principal    )   *
    underwriter


41. (a)Business of principal underwriter  )
                                          )
    (b)Branch offices of principal under- )    *
       writer                             )
                                          )
    (c)Salesmen of principal underwriter  )

42. Ownership of trust's securities by    )   *
    certain persons                       )
                                          )
43. Certain brokerage commissions received)   *
    by principal underwriter              )

44. (a)Method of valuation                )ii Essential Information Regarding
                                          )   The Trusts On Date Of Deposit Of
                                          )   Bonds
                                          ) 6 How Is The Public Offering Price
                                          )   Determined?
                                          )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?


    (b)Schedule as to offering price      )   *

    (c)Variation in offering price to     ) 6 How Is the Public Offering Price
       certain persons                    )   Determined?
                                          ) 8 What Is Accrued Interest?
                                          )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?

<PAGE>


45. Suspension of redemption rights       )   *

46. (a)Redemption valuation               )16 Unit Value and Evaluation
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                          )   Without Charge
                                          )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
                                          )   The Sponsor

    (b)Schedule as to redemption price    )   *

47. Maintenance of position in underlying ) 5 How Is the Public Offering Price
    securities                            )   Determined?
                                          )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
                                          )   The Sponsor

    V.   INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN

48. Organization and regulation of Trustee)21 Information About The Trustee

49. Fees and expenses of Trustee          )ii Essential Information Regarding
                                          )   The Trusts On Date of Deposit Of
                                          )   Bonds
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?

50. Trustee's lien                        )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?
                                          )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Unitholders?

    VI.  INFORMATION CONCERNING INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

51. Insurance of holders of trust's       )   *
    securities                            )

                        VII.  POLICY OF REGISTRANT

52. (a)Provisions of trust agreement with )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
       respect to selection or elimination)   Expenses?
       of underlying securities           )19 How Units May Be Redeemed With-
                                          )   out Charge
                                          )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts

    (b)Transactions involving elimination )   *
       of underlying securities           )

    (c)Policy regarding substitution or   ) 3 Summary of Portfolio
       elimination of underlying          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
       securities                         )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts

    (d)Fundamental policy not otherwise   )   *
       covered                            )

53. Tax status of trust                   )11 What Is The Tax Status Of
                                          )   Unitholders?

    VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION

54. Trust's securities during last ten years)   *

55.)                                      )   *
56.)Certain information regarding         )
57.)periodic payment certificates         )
58.)                                      )

__________

*Inapplicable, omitted, answer negative or not required.


<PAGE>

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

A.  BONDING ARRANGEMENTS OF DEPOSITOR:

    The Depositor has obtained the following Stockbrokers Blanket Bonds for
    its officers, directors and employees:

    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                     AMOUNT

    United Pacific Insurance Co.                           $10,000,000
    Reliance Insurance Company
    B 74 92 20

    Aetna Casualty and Surety                              $10,000,000
    08 F10618BCA

    St. Paul Insurance Co.                                 $ 6,000,000
    400 HC 1051

B.  This Registration Statement comprises the following papers and documents:

    The facing sheet

    The Prospectus

    The signatures

    Exhibits



<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 
Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 717, has duly caused 
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned 
thereunto  duly authorized in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on 
01/21/94.
 

                               NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 717
                                  (Registrant)

                                  By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                  (Depositor)

                              
                                    By:  James J. Wesolowski 
                                         _______________________
                                         Vice President
                                         

                              
                                Attest:  Larry Woods Martin
                                         ___________________
                                         Assistant Secretary 
                                         


    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:

SIGNATURE                    *TITLE                        DATE

Richard J. Franke       Chairman, Board of Directors, )
                        Chief Executive Officer and   )
                        Director                      )
                                                      )
Donald E. Sveen         President, Chief Operating    )
                        Officer and Director          )
                                                      )
Anthony T. Dean         Executive Vice President and  )James J. Wesolowski
                        Director                      )Attorney-in-Fact**
                                                      )
Timothy T. Schwertfeger Executive Vice President and  )
                        Director                      )
                                                      )
O. Walter Renfftlen     Vice President and Controller )
                        (Principal Accounting Officer))
                                                      )
                                                      )01/21/94

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


*The titles of the persons named herein represent their capacity in and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.

**The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Franke, Sveen,
Renfftlen, Dean and Schwerfeger with the Amendment to the Registration
Statement on Form S-6 of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 671
(File No. 33-49175). 




<PAGE>


                          CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

    The consent of Chapman and Cutler to the use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement will be contained in its opinions to
be filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration 
Statement.

                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL

    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the
use of their names in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement
will be contained in their opinions to be filed as Exhibit 3.3 with Amendment 
No. 1 to the Registration Statement.

                    CONSENT OF STANDARD + POOR'S CORPORATION

    The consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation to the use of its name
in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be filed as
Exhibit 4.1 with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.

                    CONSENT OF KENNY S+P EVALUATION SERVICES

    The consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be filed as Exhibit 
4.2 with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.

                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN

    The consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be filed as Exhibit 
4.3 with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.

                        CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.

    The consent of Arthur Andersen & Co. to the use of its report and to the
reference to such firm in the Prospectus included in the Registration 
Statement will be filed in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.



<PAGE>

LIST OF EXHIBITS:

    1.1(a)    Copy of Trust Indenture and Agreement between John Nuveen & Co.
              Incorporated, Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
              New York, Trustee.  Filed as Exhibit 1.1(a) to the Sponsor's
              Registration Statement filed with respect to Series 582
              (File No. 33-37215) and incorporated herein by reference.

    1.1(b)    Schedules to Trust Indenture and Agreement (to be supplied by
              amendment).

    1.2*      Copy of Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of John Nuveen
              & Co. Incorporated, Depositor.

    1.3**     Copy of amendment of Certificate of Incorporation changing name
              of Depositor to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated.

    2.1       Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1(a) and
              incorporated herein by reference).

    3.1       Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered
              (to be supplied by amendment).

    3.2       Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities
              being registered (to be supplied by amendment).

    3.3       Consents of special state counsel to the Fund for state tax
              matters to use of their names in the Prospectus (to be supplied
              by amendment).

    4.1       Consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation (to be supplied by
              amendment).

    4.2       Consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services (to be supplied by
              amendment).

    4.3       Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn (to be supplied by
              amendment).

    6.1       List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other related
              information.

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

*Incorporated by reference to Form N-8B-2 (File No. 811-1547) filed on behalf 
of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 16.

**Incorporated by reference to Form N-8B-2 (File No. 811-2198) filed on behalf
of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 37.

<PAGE>
                                                             EXHIBIT 6.1

                         JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                             OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

                                       A.

OFFICERS

Richard J. Franke                      Chairman, Board of Directors,
                                       Chief Executive Officer and Director
Donald E. Sveen                        President, Chief Operating Officer
                                       and Director
Anthony T. Dean                        Executive Vice President and Director
Timothy R. Schwertfeger                Executive Vice President and Director
O. Walter Renfftlen                    Vice President and Controller
Paul E. Greenawalt                     Vice President
Anna R. Kucinskis                      Vice President
George P. Thermos                      Vice President
H. William Stabenow                    Vice President and Treasurer
Thomas C. Muntz                        Vice President
Robert B. Kuppenheimer                 Vice President
Paul C. Williams                       Vice President
John H. Noonan                         Vice President
Michael G. Gaffney                     Vice President
Robert D. Freeland                     Vice President
Bradford W. Shaw, Jr.                  Vice President
Stuart W. Rogers                       Vice President       
James J. Wesolowski                    Vice President, General Counsel
                                       and Secretary
Stephen D. Foy                         Vice President, Assistant
                                       Controller and Assistant Secretary
Larry W. Martin                        Vice President, Assistant General
                                       Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Gifford R. Zimmerman                   Vice President, Assistant General
                                       Counsel and Assistant Secretary 
Katherine A. Erwin                     Assistant Vice President, Assistant
                                       General Counsel and Assistant
                                       Secretary
DIRECTORS

Richard J. Franke                      Chairman, Board of Directors,
                                       Chief Executive Officer and Director
Donald E. Sveen                        President, Chief Operating Officer
                                       and Director
Anthony T. Dean                        Executive Vice President and Director
Timothy R. Schwertfeger                Executive Vice President and Director


    The principal business address of Messrs. Franke, Sveen, Dean and
Schwertfeger is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois.

                                       B.

    Each officer and director of John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated has been an
officer, director or employee of the firm, or its corporate predecessor, for
more than five years, except as follows:

    Mr. Larry W. Martin is currently Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
and Assistant Secretary.  From October 1987 until September 1992, he served 
as Assistant Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant 
Secretary.  From June 1980 until October 1987, he was an attorney in the Law 
Department of Sante Fe Southern Pacific Corporation.

    Mr. Gifford R. Zimmerman is currently Vice President, Assistant General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary.  From May 1988 until September 1992, he
served as Assistant Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant 
Secretary.  From June 1982 until May 1988, he was associated with the law 
firm of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz.

    Ms. Katherine A. Erwin became Assistant Vice President, Assistant General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary in May, 1990.  From February 1986 until such
time she was Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Carson
Pirie Scott and Company.  From May 1983 until February 1986 she was associated
with the law firm of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd.


01/21/94
Chicago, Illinois


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