NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 725
487, 1994-04-19
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<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-53073
                                                      40 Act File No. 811-2271


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    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 725

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)

- -----
- -----    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 as permitted by Rule 24f-2.

F.  Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the securities being
    registered:  Not presently determinable.

G.  Amount of filing fee:  $500 in accordance with 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
  X       on 4/19/94 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______



<PAGE>
 
   
                                 APRIL 19, 1994
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 725
             April 19, 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 725  consists  of  five  underlying
separate unit investment trusts designated as Connecticut Traditional Trust 264,
Maryland  Traditional Trust 293,  North Carolina Traditional  Trust 275, Georgia
Insured Trust 36 and New Jersey Insured Trust 174. 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 (normally  five business days after purchase)  is
added  to the Public Offering Price. The  sales charge is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales involving at least $50,000  or 500 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
      Connecticut Traditional Trust 264                       3         9-16
      Maryland Traditional Trust 293                          3        17-23
      North Carolina Traditional Trust 275                    3        24-29
      Georgia Insured Trust 36                                3        30-37
      New Jersey Insured Trust 174                            3        38-45
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-16
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-23
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            8
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-17
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         9-45
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-32
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4         9-45
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-18
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-28
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            6
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-22
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   9-45, 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         9-45
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         9-45
      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            7
      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         9-45
      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>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 264........      5.58%         5.61%           5.63%
  Maryland Traditional Trust 293...........      5.72%         5.74%           5.76%
  North Carolina Traditional Trust 275.....      5.68%         5.71%           5.73%
  Georgia Insured Trust 36.................      5.64%         5.67%           5.69%
  New Jersey Insured Trust 174.............      5.63%         5.66%           5.68%
</TABLE>
 
                           Estimated Current Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 264........      5.46%         5.50%           5.52%
  Maryland Traditional Trust 293...........      5.64%         5.67%           5.69%
  North Carolina Traditional Trust 275.....      5.52%         5.55%           5.57%
  Georgia Insured Trust 36.................      5.51%         5.55%           5.57%
  New Jersey Insured Trust 174.............      5.50%         5.54%           5.55%
</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 effect of a
first distribution which may be less than a regular distribution or may be  paid
at  some point after 30 days (or a  second distribution which may be less than a
normal distribution for Unitholders who choose quarterly or semi-annual plans of
distribution), and it also does not  take into account the difference in  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
                                APRIL 18, 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>
                                                        Connecticut          Maryland         North Carolina
                                                        Traditional         Traditional         Traditional
                                                         Trust 264           Trust 293           Trust 275
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000              35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000            1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,370,561      $    3,282,735      $    3,308,281
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        96.30      $        93.79      $        94.52
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.96      $         4.83      $         4.87
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $       101.26      $        98.62      $        99.39
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        95.87      $        93.31      $        94.02
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        96.30      $        93.79      $        94.52
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.39      $         5.31      $         5.37
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit.......  $         4.96      $         4.83      $         4.87
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       5.7494      $       5.7750      $       5.7000
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2172      $        .2143      $        .2187
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.5322      $       5.5607      $       5.4813
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01536      $       .01544      $       .01522
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.46%               5.64%               5.52%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.58%               5.72%               5.68%
BECAUSE  CERTAIN OF THE BONDS IN THE  TRUSTS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO  THE TRUSTEE UNTIL AFTER THE SETTLEMENT
DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF UNITS MADE  ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST  THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE BONDS BETWEEN  THE
DATE  OF DEPOSIT AND SUCH  DELIVERY DATE WILL BE TREATED  AS A RETURN OF  PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH RETURN OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL INTEREST INCOME SHOWN ABOVE.
FOR THE VARIOUS TRUSTS, THE FOLLOWING SETS FORTH THE LATEST SCHEDULED BOND DELIVERY DATE, THE AMOUNT PER UNIT
THAT WILL BE TREATED AS  A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL TO  UNITHOLDERS WHO PURCHASE ON THE  DATE OF DEPOSIT, AND  THE
ESTIMATED  CURRENT RETURN AFTER THE FIRST  YEAR, ASSUMING THE PORTFOLIO AND  ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES DO NOT
VARY FROM THAT SET FORTH ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL
  TRUST.........................     MAY 5, 1994      $           .03                     5.49        %
  NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL
  TRUST.........................     MAY 10, 1994     $           .06                     5.58        %
<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:
    Connecticut Traditional  Trust--$.11, Maryland  Traditional  Trust--$.11 and  North  Carolina Traditional  Trust--$.11.  (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 (CONTINUED)
 
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>
                                                          Georgia           New Jersey
                                                          Insured             Insured
                                                         Trust 36            Trust 174
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,198,450      $    3,306,389
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        91.38      $        94.47
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.71      $         4.87
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        96.09      $        99.34
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        90.90      $        93.98
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        91.38      $        94.47
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.19      $         5.36
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit.......  $         4.71      $         4.87
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       5.5143      $       5.6873
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2156      $        .2219
                                                      ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.2987      $       5.4654
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01471      $       .01518
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.51%               5.50%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.64%               5.63%
BECAUSE CERTAIN OF THE  BONDS IN THE TRUSTS  WILL NOT BE DELIVERED  TO THE TRUSTEE  UNTIL
AFTER  THE SETTLEMENT DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF  UNITS MADE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST
THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE BONDS  BETWEEN THE DATE OF DEPOSIT  AND SUCH DELIVERY DATE WILL  BE
TREATED AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH
RETURN  OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT  INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL INTEREST  INCOME SHOWN ABOVE. FOR THE
VARIOUS TRUSTS, THE  FOLLOWING SETS FORTH  THE LATEST SCHEDULED  BOND DELIVERY DATE,  THE
AMOUNT  PER UNIT THAT  WILL BE TREATED AS  A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL  TO UNITHOLDERS WHO PUR-
CHASE ON THE  DATE OF DEPOSIT,  AND THE ESTIMATED  CURRENT RETURN AFTER  THE FIRST  YEAR,
ASSUMING  THE PORTFOLIO  AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL  EXPENSES DO  NOT VARY FROM  THAT SET FORTH
ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST......     MAY 10, 1994     $           .02                     5.52        %
<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:
    Georgia Insured Trust--$.10 and New Jersey Insured Trust--$.11. (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>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
Record Dates....................................................................See Section 13
Distribution Dates..............................................................See Section 13
Minimum Principal Distribution..................................................$0.10 Per Unit
Date Trusts Established.........................................................April 19, 1994
Settlement Date.................................................................April 26, 1994
Mandatory Termination Date......................................................See Section 24
Minimum Value of Each Trust.....................................................See Section 24
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.....................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Trustee's Annual Fees:
 
<CAPTION>
                                                 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                 TRUST         MONTHLY                QUARTERLY              SEMI-ANNUAL
- ----------------------       -----------        ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 264........     $1.5416      $  1.2216      $   1.0316
  Maryland Traditional Trust 293...........      1.5123         1.1923          1.0023
  North Carolina Traditional Trust 275.....      1.5567         1.2367          1.0467
  Georgia Insured Trust 36.................      1.5249         1.2049          1.0149
  New Jersey Insured Trust 174.............      1.5881         1.2681          1.0781
  ------------
  *  Each Trustee annual fee is per $1,000 principal amount of the underlying Bonds in a
    Trust  for  that  portion  of  the  Trust  that  represents  a  particular  plan  of
    distribution.
</TABLE>
 
                          ---------------------------
 
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
   
SERIES 725
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 725?
    
 
   
Series  725 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 five underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts,  combined  under  one  trust  indenture  and
agreement, designated Connecticut  Traditional Trust  264, Maryland  Traditional
Trust  293, North Carolina  Traditional Trust 275, Georgia  Insured Trust 36 and
New Jersey Insured Trust  174. 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." This Series was created under  the
laws  of the State of New York pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated
April 19, 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
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
of  $17,500,000  (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:  $3,500,000 in  the
Connecticut  Traditional Trust,  $3,500,000 in  the Maryland  Traditional Trust,
$3,500,000 in the North  Carolina Traditional Trust,  $3,500,000 in the  Georgia
Insured  Trust  and $3,500,000  in the  New  Jersey Insured  Trust. Some  of the
delivery statements may relate to 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 35,000 Units
of the Connecticut Traditional Trust,  35,000 Units of the Maryland  Traditional
Trust, 35,000 Units of the North Carolina Traditional Trust, 35,000 Units of the
Georgia  Insured Trust and 35,000  Units of the New  Jersey 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.
    
 
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,
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 264
    
   
    The   Portfolio  of  Connecticut  Traditional   Trust  264  consists  of  10
obligations issued by entities located in  Connecticut. Four 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; Health Care Facility Revenue, 3; Water and/or Sewer  Revenue,
1.  Seven issues  in the Trust  were rated  by Standard &  Poor's Corporation as
follows: 5--AAA, 2--AA-.  Ten issues  were rated by  Moody's Investors  Service,
Inc. as follows: 5-- Aaa, 1--Aa, 4--A1.
    
   
    At the Date of Deposit, the average maturity of the Bonds in the Connecticut
Traditional Trust is 22.2 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  33% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust are  obligations of  issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived  from
hospitals  or other health care services, all  of which is covered by insurance.
The source  of payment  for these  Bonds  is insured  by a  commercial  insurer.
Consequently,  the credit ratings of such Bonds essentially reflect the strength
of the insurance or  guarantee and, depending upon  the actual structure of  the
bond  issue, are typically  rated "Aaa" or "Aa"  by Moody's or  "AAA" or "AA" by
Standard & Poor's.
 
    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 April 14,
1994 and April 18, 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>
  $3,355,595       $14,966           $202,156      $3,355,380                 .43%
</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  Connecticut  Traditional Trust,  less estimated  expenses, is  estimated to
accrue at the rate  of $.01550 per  Unit per day under  the semi-annual plan  of
distribution,  $.01545 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01536 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.
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    Details  of interest distributions  per Unit of  the Connecticut Traditional
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
Connecticut Traditional Trust                            1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6484(1)                                                               $  5.5587
                                                              --------   $.4632 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6484(1)   $   .9312(2)   $  1.3968      $  1.3968      $  1.3968      $  5.5907
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6484(1)                  $  2.3370(3)                  $  2.8044      $  5.6097
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-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 or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    
 
TAX STATUS--CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the Federal  tax status of income earned on  Connecticut
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The  assets of the Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut or its political subdivisions
or public instrumentalities, state or  local authorities, districts, or  similar
public  entities created under the laws of the  State of Connecticut or by or on
behalf  of  a  United  States  territory  or  possession  the  interest  on  the
obligations  of  which Federal  law would  prohibit  Connecticut from  taxing if
received  directly  by  a  Unitholder  (the  "Bonds").  Certain  Bonds  in   the
Connecticut  Traditional Trust that  were issued by the  State of Connecticut or
governmental authorities  located  in  Connecticut  were  issued  prior  to  the
enactment of a Connecticut tax on the interest income of individuals; therefore,
bond  counsel to the issuers  of such Connecticut Bonds did  not opine as to the
exemption of the interest on such Connecticut Bonds from such tax. However,  the
Sponsor  and special counsel  to the Trusts for  Connecticut tax matters believe
that such  interest will  be so  exempt. Interest  on Connecticut  Bonds in  the
Connecticut  Traditional  Trust issued  by  other issuers,  if  any, is,  in the
opinion of bond counsel to such issuers, exempt from state taxation.
 
    In the opinion of  Day, Berry &  Howard, special counsel  to the Series  for
Connecticut  tax matters, which relies explicitly  on the opinion of Chapman and
Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, under existing Connecticut law:
 
        The Connecticut  Traditional Trust  is  not liable  for  any tax  on  or
    measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.
 
        Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust is
    not  taxable under the Connecticut tax  on the Connecticut taxable income of
    individuals,
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
    trusts, and estates (the  "Connecticut Income Tax"),  when such interest  is
    received  by the  Connecticut Traditional  Trust or  distributed by  it to a
    Unitholder.
    
 
        Gains and  losses recognized  by  a Unitholder  for Federal  income  tax
    purposes  upon the maturity,  redemption, sale, or  other disposition by the
    Connecticut Traditional Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut  Traditional
    Trust  or upon the redemption,  sale, or other disposition  of a Unit of the
    Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken into account as
    gains or losses, respectively, for  purposes of the Connecticut Income  Tax,
    except  that, in the case of a  Unitholder holding a Unit of the Connecticut
    Traditional Trust as a capital asset, such gains and losses recognized  upon
    the  sale or  exchange of  a Bond  issued by  or on  behalf of  the State of
    Connecticut, any political subdivision  thereof, or public  instrumentality,
    state  or local authority, district, or  similar public entity created under
    the laws of  the State  of Connecticut (a  "Connecticut Bond")  held by  the
    Connecticut  Traditional Trust are excluded from gains and losses taken into
    account for purposes  of such  tax and  no opinion  is expressed  as to  the
    treatment  for purposes of such tax of  gains and losses recognized upon the
    maturity or  redemption  of  a  Connecticut Bond  held  by  the  Connecticut
    Traditional  Trust or, to  the extent attributable  to Connecticut Bonds, of
    gains and losses recognized upon the redemption, sale, or other  disposition
    by a Unitholder of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him.
 
        The  portion of any  interest income or capital  gain of the Connecticut
    Traditional Trust that is allocable to  a Unitholder that is subject to  the
    Connecticut  corporation business tax  is includable in  the gross income of
    such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.
 
        An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
    by or attributable to  a Connecticut resident  at the time  of his death  is
    includable  in his gross  estate for purposes  of the Connecticut succession
    tax and the Connecticut estate tax.
 
TAX DISCLOSURE--CONNECTICUT
 
    The Connecticut  Income  Tax  was  enacted in  August,  1991.  Generally,  a
Unitholder  recognizes gain or loss for purposes  of this tax to the same extent
he recognizes gain  or loss  for Federal  income tax  purposes. Ordinarily  this
would  mean  that gain  or loss  would be  recognized by  a Unitholder  upon the
maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition by the Connecticut  Traditional
Trust  of a Bond held by it, or  upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition
of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by the Unitholder.
 
    However, on June 19, 1992, Connecticut legislation was adopted that provides
that gains and losses  from the sale  or exchange of  Connecticut Bonds held  as
capital  assets will not be  taken into account for  purposes of the Connecticut
Income Tax for taxable  years starting on  or after January 1,  1992. It is  not
clear  whether  this provision  would  apply to  gain  or loss  recognized  by a
Unitholder upon the  maturity or redemption  of a Connecticut  Bond held by  the
Connecticut  Traditional  Trust or,  to the  extent attributable  to Connecticut
Bonds held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust, to gain or loss recognized by a
Unitholder upon the  redemption, sale,  or other disposition  of a  Unit of  the
Connecticut  Traditional Trust held by the  Unitholder. Unitholders are urged to
consult their own tax advisors concerning these matters.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
ECONOMIC FACTORS--CONNECTICUT
 
    Investors should  be  aware that  manufacturing  was historically  the  most
important  economic activity  within the State  of Connecticut but,  in terms of
number of persons  employed, manufacturing has  declined in the  last ten  years
while  both trade and service-related industries have become more important, and
in 1992  manufacturing  accounted  for  only  20.1%  of  total  non-agricultural
employment in Connecticut. Defense-related business represents a relatively high
proportion  of  the manufacturing  sector; reductions  in defense  spending have
already had  a substantial  adverse  effect on  Connecticut's economy,  and  the
State's  largest defense  contractors have  announced substantial  planned labor
force reductions scheduled to occur over the next four years. Connecticut is now
in a recession, the depth and  duration of which are uncertain. Moreover,  while
unemployment  in the State as a whole  had generally remained below the national
level, as of May 1993,  the estimated rate of  unemployment in Connecticut on  a
seasonally  adjusted basis was 7.4%, compared to 6.9% for the United States as a
whole, and certain  geographic areas  in the State  have been  affected by  high
unemployment  and poverty. The State derives over 70% of its revenues from taxes
imposed by it, the most important of which have been the sales and use taxes and
the corporation business tax, each of which is sensitive to changes in the level
of economic activity in  the State, but the  Connecticut Income Tax, enacted  in
1991,  is expected  to supersede  each of  them in  importance. There  can be no
assurance that general economic difficulties  or the financial circumstances  of
the  State or its towns and cities will not adversely affect the market value of
the Connecticut Bonds in the Connecticut Traditional Trust or the ability of the
obligors to pay debt service on such Connecticut Bonds.
 
    The General Fund budget adopted by  Connecticut for the 1986-87 fiscal  year
contemplated  both revenues and expenditures of $4,300,000,000. The General Fund
ended the 1986-87 fiscal year with  a surplus of $365,200,000. The General  Fund
budget  for  the  1987-88 fiscal  year  contemplated General  Fund  revenues and
expenditures of  $4,915,800,000. However,  the General  Fund ended  the  1987-88
fiscal  year with a deficit of $115,600,000. The General Fund budget adopted for
the  1988-89  fiscal  year  anticipated   that  General  Fund  expenditures   of
$5,551,000,000  and certain educational expenses  of $206,700,000 not previously
paid through the General Fund  would be funded in  part from surpluses of  prior
years  and in part from higher tax revenues projected to result from tax laws in
effect  for  the  1987-88  fiscal  year  and  stricter  enforcement  thereof;  a
substantial deficit was projected during the third quarter of the 1988-89 fiscal
year,  but largely because of tax law changes that took effect before the end of
the fiscal year, the  deficit was kept to  $28,000,000. The General Fund  budget
adopted  for the 1989-90  fiscal year anticipated  expenditures of approximately
$6,224,500,000 and, by virtue of tax increase legislation enacted to take effect
generally at the beginning of the fiscal year, revenues slightly exceeding  such
amount.  However, largely  because of tax  revenue shortfalls,  the General Fund
ended the  1989-90 fiscal  year with  a deficit  for the  year of  $259,500,000,
wiping  out reserves for such  events built up in  prior years. The General Fund
budget  adopted  for  the  1990-91  fiscal  year  anticipated  expenditures   of
$6,433,000,000,  but  no  significant  new  or  increased  taxes  were  enacted.
Primarily because  of significant  declines in  tax revenues  and  unanticipated
expenditures  reflective  of  economic  adversity, the  General  Fund  ended the
1990-91 fiscal year alone with a further deficit of $809,000,000.
 
    A General Fund  budget for  the 1991-92 fiscal  year was  not enacted  until
August   22,  1991.  This  budget   anticipated  General  Fund  expenditures  of
$7,007,861,328 and revenues of  $7,426,390,000. Projected decreases in  revenues
resulting from a 25% reduction in the sales
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
tax rate effective October 1, 1991, the repeal of the taxes on the capital gains
and  interest and  dividend income  of resident  individuals for  years starting
after 1991, and the phase-out of the corporation business tax surcharge over two
years commencing with taxable years starting after 1991 were expected to be more
than offset by a new general income tax imposed at effective rates not to exceed
4.5% on the Connecticut taxable income of resident and non-resident individuals,
trusts, and estates.  The General  Fund ended the  1991-92 fiscal  year with  an
operating  surplus  of $110,000,000.  The General  Fund  budget for  the 1992-93
fiscal year anticipated General Fund expenditures of $7,372,062,859 and revenues
of $7,372,210,000, and the  General Fund ended the  1992-93 fiscal year with  an
operating  surplus  of  $113,500,000.  Balanced  General  Fund  budgets  for the
biennium ending June 30, 1995,  have been adopted appropriating expenditures  of
$7,828,900,000  for the 1993-94  fiscal year and  $8,266,000,000 for the 1994-95
fiscal year. In addition, expenditures of federal, State, and local funds in the
twelve years started July 1, 1984, for  repair of the State's roads and  bridges
now  projected  at  $9,500,000,000 are  anticipated,  a portion  of  the State's
$4,100,000,000 share  of which  would be  financed by  bonds expected  to  total
$3,700,000,000  and by direct  payments, both of  which would be  supported by a
Special Transportation  Fund  first created  by  the General  Assembly  for  the
1984-85 fiscal year.
 
    To  fund operating cash  requirements, prior to the  1991-92 fiscal year the
State borrowed up to $750,000,000 pursuant to authorization to issue  commercial
paper  and  on  July 29,  1991,  it  issued $200,000,000  of  General Obligation
Temporary Notes, none of which  temporary borrowings are currently  outstanding.
To  fund the cumulative General Fund deficit  for the 1989-90 and 1990-91 fiscal
years, the legislation enacted August  22, 1991, authorized the State  Treasurer
to  issue Economic Recovery  Notes up to  the aggregate amount  of such deficit,
which must be payable no later than June 30, 1996; at least $50,000,000 of  such
Economic  Recovery Notes, but not more than a  cap amount, is to be retired each
fiscal year  commencing with  the 1991-92  fiscal year,  and any  unappropriated
surplus  up to $205,000,000 in the General Fund  at the end of each of the three
fiscal years commencing with the 1991-92  fiscal year must be applied to  retire
such  Economic  Recovery Notes  as  may remain  outstanding  at those  times. On
September 25, 1991,  and October  24, 1991,  the State  issued $640,710,000  and
$325,002,000,   respectively,  of   such  Economic  Recovery   Notes,  of  which
$630,610,000 was outstanding as of March 1, 1994.
 
    As a  result of  the State's  budget problems,  the ratings  of its  general
obligation  bonds were reduced by Standard & Poor's  from AA+ to AA on March 29,
1990, and by Moody's from Aa1 to Aa on April 9, 1990. Moreover, because of these
problems, on September  13, 1991, Standard  & Poor's reduced  its rating of  the
State's  general obligation bonds  and certain other  obligations that depend in
part on the  creditworthiness of the  State to  AA-. On March  7, 1991,  Moody's
downgraded  its  ratings  of the  revenue  bonds of  four  Connecticut hospitals
because of  the  effects of  the  State's restrictive  controlled  reimbursement
environment under which they have been operating.
 
    General  obligation bonds  issued by Connecticut  municipalities are payable
primarily only from  ad velorem  taxes on property  subject to  taxation by  the
municipality.  Certain Connecticut municipalities have experienced severe fiscal
difficulties and  have reported  operating and  accumulated deficits  in  recent
years.  The  most notable  of these  is the  City of  Bridgeport, which  filed a
bankruptcy petition on June 7, 1991. The State opposed the petition. The  United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut has held that Bridgeport
has  authority to file such a petition but that its petition should be dismissed
on
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
the grounds  that Bridgeport  was not  insolvent when  the petition  was  filed.
Regional  economic difficulties, reductions in  revenues, and increased expenses
could  lead  to  further  fiscal  problems  for  the  State  and  its  political
subdivisions,  authorities, and agencies. Difficulty  in payment of debt service
on borrowings could result in declines,  possibly severe, in the value of  their
outstanding obligations and increases in their future borrowing costs.
 
CONNECTICUT 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 and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in effect under the Connecticut Income Tax. The tables incorporate increased tax
rates   for  higher-income   taxpayers  that   were  included   in  the  Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1993. For cases in which more than one state bracket falls
within a Federal bracket, the highest state bracket is combined with the Federal
bracket. The combined state and Federal tax brackets shown reflect the fact that
state 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.
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000's)1    (1,000's)2     Tax Rate3      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- 38.0      17.5   %     5.45    5.76    6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58
    38.0- 91.9    38.0- 48.0      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
                  48.0- 71.0      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
                  71.0- 96.0      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
                  96.0-111.8      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
    91.9-140.0    91.9- 96.0      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
                  96.0-111.8      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
                 111.8-167.7      35.0         6.92    7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62
                 167.7-290.2      37.5         7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00
   140.0-250.0   140.0-167.7      40.0         7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42
                 167.7-290.2      42.5         7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87
                  Over 290.2      40.0   4     7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42
    Over 250.0   250.0-290.2      46.5         8.41    8.88    9.35    9.81   10.28   10.75   11.21   11.68
                  Over 290.2      43.5   5     7.96    8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000's)1    (1,000's)2     Tax Rate3      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- 22.8      18.5   %     5.52    5.83    6.13    6.44    6.75    7.06    7.36    7.67
    22.8- 55.1    22.8- 24.0      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
                  24.0- 25.0      33.5         6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40
                  25.0- 35.0      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
                  35.0- 48.0      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
                  48.0-111.8      31.0         6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06
    55.1-115.0    55.1-111.8      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
                 111.8-234.3      35.5         6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30    9.69
   115.0-250.0   115.0-234.3      40.5         7.56    7.98    8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50
                  Over 234.3      40.0   4     7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42
    Over 250.0    Over 250.0      43.5   5     7.96    8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
        1 The Connecticut  Income Tax  is based on  Connecticut taxable  income,
which is not tied to Federal taxable income. Connecticut taxable income is equal
to  Connecticut adjusted gross income ("CAGI")  (which is Federal adjusted gross
income with  certain  modifications)  minus  the  allowable  personal  exemption
($12,000  in the case of single  individuals; $24,000 for married persons filing
jointly).  The  Connecticut  Income  Tax  provides  for  a  personal   exemption
phase-out,  which essentially doubles the  effective marginal Connecticut Income
Tax rate for single taxpayers whose CAGI is between $24,000 and $35,001 at which
point the personal  exemption is  completely phased out.  For married  taxpayers
filing  a joint  return, the effective  marginal Connecticut Income  Tax rate is
doubled where CAGI is between $48,000  and $71,001, at which point the  personal
exemption  is completely phased out. It should be noted that for purposes of the
personal exemption  phase-out  the Tax  Act  merely references  "adjusted  gross
income," which the tables assume is identical to CAGI. In addition, as reflected
in  the rates shown,  the Connecticut Income  Tax provides for  a tax credit (at
varying percentages depending  on the  taxpayer's CAGI) against  the income  tax
which is based on CAGI and, in effect, varies the income tax rate for taxpayers.
Investors  should consult  their own  tax advisors  regarding the  effect of the
credit on marginal tax rates at specific CAGI levels.
 
        2 It is assumed that CAGI is equal to Federal adjusted gross income. See
note 1 regarding  the impact  of CAGI on  the determination  of the  Connecticut
Income Tax.
 
        3  The tables reflect  the effect of  limitations on itemized deductions
and the deduction for  personal exemptions. These  limitations were designed  to
phase out certain benefits of such 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.
 
        4 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the  limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
        5  Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
        6 Includes taxpayers filing as surviving spouses.
 
        7 The Connecticut Income Tax has different marginal effective tax  rates
that  are  not  reflected  in  these  tables  for  persons  filing  as  heads of
households.
 
    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.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 19, 1994
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 264
(Series 725)
    
 
<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>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   240,000      State of Connecticut, General Obligation Bonds   No Optional Call      AA-         Aa      $       224,426
                   (1993 Series B), 5.50% Due 3/15/12.
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Special Tax Obligation     No Optional Call      AA-         A1              501,320
                   Bonds, Transportation Infrastructure
                   Purposes, 1992 Series B, 6.125% Due 9/1/12.
    145,000     * State of Connecticut Health and Educational        2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             147,719
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds,
                   Middlesex Hospital Issue, Series G, 6.25% Due
                   7/1/22. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000     * State of Connecticut, Health and Educational       2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             486,365
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, New
                   Britain General Hospital Issue, Series B,
                   6.00% Due 7/1/24. (When issued.) (AMBAC
                   Insured.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             502,500
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Norwalk
                   Hospital Issue, Series D, 6.25% Due 7/1/22.
                   (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy               2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             431,495
                   Cooperative, Power Supply System Revenue
                   Bonds, 1993 Series A, 5.00% Due 1/1/18. (MBIA
                   Insured.)
    250,000      Town of Columbia, Connecticut, General              2002 at 102         --         A1              241,780
                   Obligation Bonds, Issue of 1992, 5.75% Due
                   6/15/12.
    335,000      Town of East Lyme, Connecticut, General             2002 at 102         --         A1              322,022
                   Obligation Bonds, 5.625% Due 8/1/10.
    270,000      City of Groton, Connecticut, General Obligation  No Optional Call       --         A1              256,184
                   Bonds, 5.50% Due 5/15/10.
    260,000      South Central Connecticut Regional Water            2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             256,750
                   Authority, Water System Revenue Bonds,
                   Eleventh Series, 5.75% Due 8/1/12. (FGIC
                   Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,370,561
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 46.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date. Their expected delivery dates  range from May 3, 1994 to  May
  5,  1994. Contracts relating  to Bonds with  delivery dates after  the date of
  settlement for purchase made on  the Date of Deposit constitute  approximately
  18% of the aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST 293
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Maryland  Traditional Trust 293  consists of 7 obligations
issued by entities  located in  Maryland. One  Bond in  the Trust  is a  general
obligation  of the governmental  entity issuing it  and is backed  by the taxing
power 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:  Bridge and  Toll Road  Revenue, 1;  Electrical System  Revenue,  2;
Health  Care Facility Revenue, 2; Multi-Family Housing Revenue, 1. Six issues in
the Trust were rated by Standard & Poor's Corporation as follows: 3--AAA, 2--A+,
1--A. Seven issues  were rated by  Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. as  follows:
3--Aaa, 1--Aa, 2--A1, 1-- A2.
    
 
   
    At  the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the Maryland
Traditional Trust is 26.7 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 28.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 27.4% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)    are   original    issue   discount    bonds.   See    "GENERAL   TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a
discussion  of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 29% 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 29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  are  obligations of  issuers whose  revenues  are primarily  derived from
hospitals or other health care services,  all of which is covered by  insurance.
The  source  of payment  for these  Bonds  is insured  by a  commercial insurer.
Consequently, the credit ratings of such Bonds essentially reflect the  strength
of  the insurance or guarantee  and, depending upon the  actual structure of the
bond issue, are typically  rated "Aaa" or  "Aa" by Moody's or  "AAA" or "AA"  by
Standard & Poor's.
 
    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 April  14,
1994  and April 18, 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>
  $3,267,980       $14,755           $202,125      $3,265,860                 .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
 
                                       17
<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 Maryland Traditional Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to  accrue
at  the  rate  of  $.01558  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan of
distribution, $.01553 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of  distribution
and  $.01544 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 Maryland Traditional 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
Maryland Traditional Trust                               1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6484(1)                                                               $  5.5607
                                                              --------   $.4632 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6484(1)   $   .9318(2)   $  1.3977      $  1.3977      $  1.3977      $  5.5927
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6484(1)                  $  2.3370(3)                  $  2.8044      $  5.6117
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-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 or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    
 
TAX STATUS--MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on Maryland
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The  assets   of   the   Maryland  Traditional   Trust   will   consist   of
interest-bearing  obligations issued by  or on behalf of  the State of Maryland,
its political subdivisions and authorities and, provided the interest thereon is
exempt from State income  taxes by the  laws or treaties  of the United  States,
obligations  issued  by  or  on  behalf of  the  United  States'  territories or
possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, their political
subdivisions and authorities (the "Maryland Bonds").
 
    In the  opinion of  Venable, Baetjer  and Howard,  special counsel  for  the
Series for Maryland tax matters, under existing law:
 
        For   Maryland  state  and  local  income  tax  purposes,  the  Maryland
    Traditional Trust will not be taxable  as an association, and the income  of
    the  Maryland  Traditional  Trust  will  be treated  as  the  income  of the
    Unitholders.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
        For Maryland  state and  local tax  purposes, interest  on the  Maryland
    Bonds which is exempt from Maryland state and local income tax when received
    by  the Maryland Traditional Trust, and  which would be exempt from Maryland
    state and local income tax if received directly by a Unitholder, will retain
    its status as tax-exempt interest when received by the Maryland  Traditional
    Trust and distributed to the Unitholders.
 
        Interest  derived from  the Maryland  Traditional Trust  by a Unitholder
    with respect to the Maryland Bonds will not be subject to Maryland state  or
    local  income  taxes;  provided that  interest  or profit  derived  from the
    Maryland Traditional Trust by a financial institution, as defined in Section
    8-101(c) of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,  will
    be  subject to the  Maryland state franchise  tax on financial institutions,
    except to the  extent such interest  is expressly exempt  from the  Maryland
    state  franchise tax  by the statutes  which authorize the  issuance of such
    Maryland Bonds  (See  Section  8-204  of the  Tax  General  Article  of  the
    Annotated Code of Maryland).
 
        A  Unitholder will not be subject to  Maryland state or local income tax
    with respect  to gain  realized when  Maryland Bonds  held in  the  Maryland
    Traditional  Trust  are sold,  redeemed, or  paid  at maturity,  except with
    respect to gain realized upon a  sale, redemption or payment at maturity  of
    such  Maryland  Bonds  as  are  issued by  or  on  behalf  of  United States
    territories or possessions,  their political  subdivisions and  authorities;
    such  gain will equal the proceeds of  sale, redemption or payment, less the
    tax basis of the Maryland Bonds (adjusted to reflect (a) the amortization of
    Bond premium or discount,  and (b) the deposit  in the Maryland  Traditional
    Trust  after the Unitholder's settlement date of Maryland Bonds with accrued
    interest).
 
        Although the  matter  is  not  free  from  doubt,  gain  realized  by  a
    Unitholder  from the  redemption, sale  or other  disposition of  a Maryland
    Traditional Trust Unit  (i) will  be subject  to Maryland  state income  tax
    except in the case of individual Unitholders who are not Maryland residents,
    and  (ii)  will be  subject  to Maryland  local income  tax  in the  case of
    individual Unitholders who are Maryland residents.
 
        If interest on  indebtedness incurred  or continued by  a Unitholder  to
    purchase  Units  in the  Maryland Traditional  Trust  is not  deductible for
    Federal income  tax purposes,  it will  also be  nondeductible for  Maryland
    state income tax purposes and, if applicable, local income tax purposes.
 
        Maryland Traditional Trust Units will be subject to Maryland inheritance
    and  estate tax  only if  held by  Maryland residents.  Neither the Maryland
    Bonds nor the Maryland Traditional Trust  Units will be subject to  Maryland
    personal property tax, sales tax or use tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--MARYLAND
 
    Some of the significant financial considerations relating to the investments
of  the Maryland  Traditional Trust  are summarized  below. This  information is
derived principally from official statements and preliminary official statements
released on or before May 13,  1992, relating to issues of Maryland  obligations
and does not purport to be a complete description.
 
    The  State's total expenditures  for the fiscal years  ending June 30, 1990,
June 30,  1991 and  June 30,  1992 were  $11.019, $11.304  and $11.657  billion,
respectively.  As of January 13, 1993,  it was estimated that total expenditures
for fiscal 1993 would be $11.897 billion. The State's General Fund, representing
approximately 55%-60% of each year's total budget, had
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
a surplus on a budgetary basis of $57 million in fiscal year 1990, $55  thousand
in  fiscal year 1991, and a deficit of  $56 million in fiscal 1992. The Governor
of Maryland reduced  fiscal 1993  appropriations by  $56 million  to offset  the
fiscal 1992 deficit. The State Constitution mandates a balanced budget.
 
    The  1993 fiscal year budget was enacted  in April 1992 which, together with
legislation enacted in 1992,  involved the transfer of  certain funds, new  fees
and  taxes, and alteration of certain statutory State expenditure programs. When
the 1993 budget was enacted, it was  estimated that the General Fund surplus  at
June  30, 1993 would be  approximately $10 million on  a budgetary basis. During
the final months of fiscal year 1992 and the initial months of fiscal year 1993,
collections of State revenues were below the levels estimated at the time of the
adoption of the 1993  budget. The Governor proposed  a cost containment plan  to
address  this revenue  shortfall and  to provide  reserves to  finance potential
deficiency appropriations.  On September  30, 1992,  the Board  of Public  Works
approved  the Governor's proposal to reduce  General Fund appropriations by $168
million. The Board  of Public  Works also  approved the  Governor's proposal  to
reduce  the special fund appropriations for  the Department of Transportation by
$30 million.  Legislation was  introduced at  the 1993  session of  the  General
Assembly  to  transfer this  $30 million  to the  General Fund,  as well  as $10
million from various other special funds. In a special session held in November,
1992, the  General Assembly  enacted  legislation reducing  State aid  to  local
governments  by  $147 million.  In addition,  other  elements of  the governor's
original cost  containment plan  are  in the  process  of being  implemented  or
revised.
 
    The  public indebtedness  of Maryland  and its  instrumentalities is divided
into three  basic types.  The  State issues  general  obligation bonds,  to  the
payment  of which the State ad valorem  property tax is exclusively pledged, for
capital improvements and for various State-sponsored projects. The Department of
Transportation  of  Maryland  issues  limited,  special  obligation  bonds   for
transportation purposes payable primarily from specific, fixed-rate excise taxes
and  other revenues  related mainly  to highway  use. Certain  authorities issue
obligations payable solely  from specific non-tax  enterprise fund revenues  and
for  which  the  State  has  no liability  and  has  given  no  moral obligation
assurance.
 
    According to the most recent available ratings, general obligation bonds  of
the  State of Maryland are rated "Aaa" by Moody's and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's
Corporation, as  are those  of  Baltimore County,  a separate  political  entity
surrounding  Baltimore  City.  General obligation  bonds  of  Montgomery County,
located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., are rated "Aaa" by Moody's and "AAA"
by Standard & Poor's  Corporation. General obligation  bonds of Prince  George's
County,  the second largest metropolitan county, which is also in the suburbs of
Washington, D.C.,  are rated  "A1" by  Moody's and  "AA-" by  Standard &  Poor's
Corporation.  The general obligation bonds of  those other counties of the State
that are rated  by Moody's carry  an "A" rating  or better except  for those  of
Allegany  County,  which  are rated  "Baa".  The most  populous  municipality in
Maryland is Baltimore City, the general obligaton bonds of which are rated  "A1"
by  Moody's and "A" by  Standard & Poor's Corporation.  The majority of Maryland
Health and Higher  Education Authority  and State  Department of  Transportation
revenue bond issues have received an "A" rating or better from Moody's.
 
    While  the ratings and other factors  mentioned above indicate that Maryland
and its principal subdivisions  and agencies are addressing  the effects of  the
economic recession and, overall, are in satisfactory economic health, there can,
of course, be no assurance that
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
this  will continue or that particular bond issues may not be adversely affected
by changes in state or local economic or political conditions.
 
MARYLAND 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 and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state 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. Except
as indicated below, for cases in which more than one state bracket falls  within
a  Federal  bracket, the  highest  state bracket  is  combined with  the Federal
bracket. The combined state and Federal tax brackets shown reflect the fact that
state 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.
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
                 Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross      State* and                   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      21.5   %     5.73    6.05    6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64    7.96
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      33.5         6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40
                 111.8-167.7      34.0         6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77
                 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      39.5         7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33
   140.0-150.0   111.8-167.7      42.0         7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78
                 167.7-290.2      44.5         8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26
   150.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      42.5         7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87
                 167.7-290.2      45.5         8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47
                  Over 290.2      42.5   2     7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      49.0         8.82    9.31    9.80   10.29   10.78   11.27   11.76   12.25
                  Over 290.2      46.0   3     8.33    8.80    9.26    9.72   10.19   10.65   11.11   11.57
                COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
                 Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross      State* and                   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      21.5         5.73    6.05    6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64    7.96
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      33.5         6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40
    55.1-100.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77
                 111.8-234.3      37.5         7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00
   100.0-115.0   111.8-234.3      38.5         7.32    7.72    8.13    8.54    8.94    9.35    9.76   10.16
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      43.5         7.96    8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06
                  Over 234.3      42.5   2     7.83    8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      46.0   3     8.33    8.80    9.26    9.72   10.19   10.65   11.11   11.57
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
     * These tables approximate the effect of the exemption of distributions  of
tax-exempt  income from  the Maryland Trust  from county taxes,  assuming a rate
equal to  50% of  the applicable  Maryland state  income tax  rate. In  general,
Maryland   local  income  taxes  imposed  by   various  counties  are  equal  to
approximately 50% of the state  income tax liability, although Worcester  County
currently imposes an income tax equal to 30% of the state income tax liability.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
        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.
 
    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.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 19, 1994
MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST 293
(Series 725)
    
 
<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>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Community Development Administration,               2002 at 102         --         Aa      $       507,500
                   Department of Housing and Community
                   Development, State of Maryland, Multi-Family
                   Housing Revenue Bonds (Insured Mortgage
                   Loans), 1992 Series D, 6.70% Due 5/15/27.
    500,000      Maryland Health and Higher Educational              2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             470,795
                   Facilities Authority, Project and Refunding
                   Revenue Bonds, Mercy Medical Center Issue,
                   Series 1993, 5.75% Due 7/1/15. (AMBAC
                   Insured.)
    500,000      Maryland Health and Higher Educational              2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             416,530
                   Facilities Authority, Project and Refunding
                   Revenue Bonds, Peninsula Regional Medical
                   Center Issue, Series 1993, 5.00% Due 7/1/23.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about October 28, 1993 at a price of
                   93.41% of principal amount.)(MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Maryland Transportation Authority,                  2002 at 100         A+         A1              482,500
                   Transportation Facilities Projects, Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1992, 5.75% Due 7/1/13.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about September 9, 1992 at a price of
                   94.768% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Pollution            2004 at 102         A          A2              483,145
                   Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Baltimore
                   Gas and Electric Company Project), Series
                   1994, 6.00% Due 4/1/24.
    500,000      Montgomery County, Maryland, Pollution Control      2004 at 102         A+         A1              438,080
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Potomac Electric
                   Project), 1994 Series, 5.375% Due 2/15/24.
    500,000      St. Mary's County, Maryland, Metropolitan           2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             484,185
                   Commission Bonds of 1993 (General Obligation
                   Bonds), 5.85% Due 11/1/18. (MBIA Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,282,735
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 46.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST 275
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio  of  North  Carolina  Traditional  Trust  275  consists  of 7
obligations issued by entities located in North Carolina. One Bond in the  Trust
is  a general obligation of the governmental  entity issuing it and is backed by
the taxing power 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: College  and University Revenue,  1; Health  Care
Facility  Revenue, 3; Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 1.
Seven issues  in  the Trust  were  rated by  Standard  & Poor's  Corporation  as
follows:  5--AAA,  1--AA,  1--A-. Six  issues  were rated  by  Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. as follows: 5-- Aaa, 1--Aa.
    
   
    At the Date  of Deposit,  the average  maturity of  the Bonds  in the  North
Carolina Traditional Trust is 23.0 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  14.3% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 13.2% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately  42% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust are  obligations of  issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived  from
hospitals  or other health care  services. The source of  payment for certain of
these Bonds, accounting for 13% of the Trust (included in the above percentage),
is insured by  a commercial insurer.  Consequently, the credit  ratings of  such
Bonds  essentially  reflect  the strength  of  the insurance  or  guarantee and,
depending upon the actual structure of the bond issue, are typically rated "Aaa"
or "Aa" by Moody's or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's.
 
    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 April 14,
1994 and April 15, 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>
  $3,295,729       $12,552           $201,750      $3,290,781                 .50%
</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 North Carolina
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
Traditional  Trust, less estimated expenses, is  estimated to accrue at the rate
of $.01536 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,  $.01531
per  Unit per day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and $.01522 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 North Carolina Traditional
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
North Carolina Traditional Trust                         1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6468(1)                                                               $  5.5456
                                                              --------   $.4620 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6468(1)   $   .9294(2)   $  1.3941      $  1.3941      $  1.3941      $  5.5776
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6468(1)                  $  2.3310(3)                  $  2.7972      $  5.5966
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-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 or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    
 
TAX STATUS--NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For  a  discussion of  the  Federal tax  status  of income  earned  on North
Carolina Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations  issued
by  or on behalf of the State  of North Carolina, its political subdivisions and
authorities and, provided  the interest  thereon is exempt  from North  Carolina
income  taxes by the laws or  treaties of the United States,  by or on behalf of
the United States territories or possessions (including Puerto Rico, the  Virgin
Islands,  Guam and the  Northern Mariana Islands),  their political subdivisions
and authorities (the "North Carolina Bonds").
 
    In the opinion of Moore & Van Allen, special North Carolina counsel for  the
Series, under existing law:
 
        The  North Carolina Traditional Trust is not an association taxable as a
    corporation for North Carolina  income tax purposes.  Interest on the  North
    Carolina  Bonds which is exempt from North Carolina income tax when received
    by the North Carolina Traditional Trust will retain its status as tax-exempt
    interest when distributed to Unitholders.
 
        For North  Carolina income  tax purposes,  each Unitholder  will have  a
    taxable  event when, upon redemption or sale  of his Units, he receives cash
    or other  property.  Gain  or  loss will  be  determined  by  computing  the
    difference  between  the  proceeds of  such  a  redemption or  sale  and the
    Unitholder's adjusted basis for the Units.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
        For North  Carolina income  tax purposes,  each Unitholder  will have  a
    taxable  event when the North Carolina  Traditional Trust disposes of one of
    the North Carolina Bonds (whether  by sale, payment at maturity,  retirement
    or  otherwise); provided that when  any of the North  Carolina Bonds held by
    the North Carolina Traditional  Trust have been issued  under an act of  the
    General  Assembly of North Carolina that  provides that all income from such
    North Carolina Bond, including a profit made from the sale thereof, shall be
    free from  all taxation  by the  State of  North Carolina,  any such  profit
    received by the Trust will retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of each
    Unitholder.
 
        Ownership  of the Units  representing a pro rata  ownership of the North
    Carolina Bonds is exempt from the North Carolina tax on intangible  personal
    property  so long as the  corpus of the Trust  is composed entirely of North
    Carolina obligations or is  composed entirely of  obligations of the  United
    States  and its possessions  and North Carolina and  at least eighty percent
    (80%) of the fair market value of such obligations represents North Carolina
    obligations; provided that  for this  exemption to apply,  the Trustee  must
    periodically  provide  to  the  North Carolina  Department  of  Revenue such
    information about  the  North  Carolina Traditional  Trust  as  required  by
    applicable law.
 
        Interest  on indebtedness paid or accrued  by a Unitholder in connection
    with ownership of Units in the North Carolina Traditional Trust will not  be
    deductible by the Unitholder for North Carolina state income tax purposes.
 
        Amortization  of  North Carolina  Bond premiums  is mandatory  for North
    Carolina  state  income  tax  purposes  for  all  North  Carolina   resident
    Unitholders.  Amortization for the taxable  year is accomplished by lowering
    the basis or adjusted  basis of the Units,  with no deduction against  gross
    income for the year.
 
        Trust Units will be subject to North Carolina inheritance and estate tax
    if  owned by a North Carolina resident on the date of his death. Neither the
    North Carolina Bonds  nor the Units  will be subject  to the North  Carolina
    sales tax or use tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--NORTH CAROLINA
 
    The  economic profile of North Carolina consists primarily of manufacturing,
agriculture,  tourism  and  mining.  The  North  Carolina  Employment   Security
Commission's   preliminary  figures   indicate  that   non-agricultural  payroll
employment accounted for  approximately 3,250,500  jobs in  September 1993,  the
largest  segment of which was the approximately 852,600 in manufacturing. During
the period  1985  to  1990,  per  capita income  in  North  Carolina  grew  from
approximately $11,669 to approximately $16,266, an increase of 39.4%.
 
    Agriculture  is  a basic  element in  the economy  of North  Carolina. Gross
agricultural income in 1992 was $5.2 billion, which placed North Carolina  tenth
in  cash receipts  in commodities.  A strong  agribusiness sector  also supports
farmers with farm inputs (fertilizer, insecticide, pesticide and farm machinery)
and processing  of  commodities  produced  by  farmers  (vegetable  canning  and
cigarette manufacturing).
 
    The  North Carolina Department of Commerce,  Division of Travel and Tourism,
has reported that in 1992 approximately $7.6 billion was spent on tourism in the
State (up 12.3% from 1989), and  that approximately $8.0 billion will have  been
spent  by the end of fiscal year 1993. The Deparatment also estimated that as of
the third  quarter  of  1993  approximately  255,000  people  were  employed  in
tourism-related jobs.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    The  North  Carolina  Employment  Security  Commission  estimated  the North
Carolina unemployment rate in September 1993 to be 3.7% of the labor force  (not
seasonably  adjusted)  and  4.2%  (seasonably  adjusted),  as  compared  with an
unemployment  rate  nationwide  of  6.4%  (not  seasonably  adjusted)  and  6.7%
(seasonably adjusted).
 
    General  obligations of  the State  are currently  rated "AAA"  and "Aaa" by
Standard & Poor's and Moody's, respectively. There can be no assurance that  the
economic conditions in which these ratings, or the ratings of the other bonds in
the Portfolio, are based will continue or that particular bond issues may not be
adversely   affected  by  changes  in   economic  or  political  conditions,  by
uncertainties peculiar to the issuers thereof or the revenue sources from  which
they  are to be  paid. The factual  information provided above  was derived from
publications of various North Carolina departments or agencies and has not  been
independently  verified.  Investors are  encouraged to  consult the  Schedule of
Investments at Date  of Deposit  for the  North Carolina  Traditional Trust  and
their  own investment advisors  regarding the merits of  particular bonds in the
Portfolio.
 
NORTH CAROLINA 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 and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state 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 more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  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.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 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 $     0-111.8      21.0   %     5.38    5.70    6.01    6.33    6.65    6.96    7.28    7.59
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      33.0         6.34    6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96
                 111.8-167.7      34.0         6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      36.5         6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 111.8-167.7      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   111.8-167.7      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 $     0-111.8      21.0   %     5.38    5.70    6.01    6.33    6.65    6.96    7.28    7.59
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      33.0         6.34    6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      36.5         6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 111.8-234.3      38.0         6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      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
<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.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 19, 1994
NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST 275
(Series 725)
    
 
<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      North Carolina Medical Care Commission,             2002 at 102         A-         --      $       528,843
                   Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds (Mercy
                   Hospital Project), Series 1992, 6.50% Due
                   8/1/15.
    500,000      Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             456,675
                   County (North Carolina), Sewerage System
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1993A, 5.50%
                   Due 7/1/22. (FGIC Insured.)
    500,000     * City of Charlotte, North Carolina, Public          2004 at 100        AAA         Aaa             491,530
                   Improvement Bonds, Series 1994, 5.80% Due
                   2/1/13. (General Obligation Bonds.) (When
                   issued.)
    500,000      City of Charlotte, North Carolina, Refunding        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             435,510
                   Certificates of Participation (Convention
                   Facility Project), Series 1993C, 5.25% Due
                   12/1/20. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about August 25, 1993 at a
                   price of 93.801% of principal amount.)(AMBAC
                   Insured.)
    500,000      The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority        2002 at 102         AA         Aa              493,645
                   (North Carolina), Health Care System Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1992, 6.25% Due 1/1/20.
    450,000      County of Cumberland, North Carolina, Hospital      2003 at 100        AAA         Aaa             416,201
                   Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds (Cumberland
                   County Hospital System, Inc.), Series 1993,
                   5.50% Due 10/1/14. (MBIA Insured.)
    525,000     * The University of North Carolina at Asheville      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             485,877
                   Dormitory and Dining Hall System Revenue
                   Bonds, Series B, 5.50% Due 6/1/14. (MBIA
                   Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,308,281
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 46.
 
   
* These Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the  normal
  settlement  date.  Their expected  delivery date  is  May 10,  1994. Contracts
  relating to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement  for
  purchase  made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 29%  of the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
   
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST 36
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Georgia Insured Trust  36 consists of 6 obligations issued
by entities located in Georgia and one obligation issued by an entity located in
the Territory of Puerto Rico. Two Bonds in the Trust are general obligations  of
the  governmental  entities issuing  them and  are backed  by the  taxing powers
thereof. Five 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: Electrical System Revenue, 1; Health Care Facility Revenue, 1; Water
and/or Sewer Revenue, 3. 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 Georgia
Insured Trust is 26.7  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  28.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 27.4% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately  43% 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 water and/or sewerage services.
 
    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 April  15,
1994  and April 18, 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>
  $3,184,137       $14,313           $193,000      $3,181,575                 .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 Georgia Insured Trust,  less estimated expenses, is  estimated to accrue  at
the rate of $.01486 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01480  per Unit per day  under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01471
per Unit per day under the monthly plan of
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
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 Georgia  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
Georgia Insured Trust                                    1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6178(1)                                                               $  5.2987
                                                              --------   $.4413 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6178(1)   $   .8880(2)   $  1.3320      $  1.3320      $  1.3320      $  5.3307
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6178(1)                  $  2.2290(3)                  $  2.6748      $  5.3497
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-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 or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    
 
TAX STATUS--GEORGIA INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  Federal tax  status of  income earned  on Georgia
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, counsel to the Sponsor under  existing
law:
 
        For  Georgia income  tax purposes, the  Georgia Insured Trust  is not an
    association taxable as a corporation, and the income of the Georgia  Insured
    Trust  will be  treated as  the income of  the Unitholders.  Interest on the
    Georgia Bonds which is exempt from  Georgia income tax when received by  the
    Georgia  Insured Trust, and which would be exempt from Georgia income tax if
    received directly  by a  Unitholder, will  retain its  status as  tax-exempt
    interest  when distributed by the Georgia  Insured Trust and received by the
    Unitholders.
 
        If the Trustee disposes  of a Georgia Bond  (whether by sale,  exchange,
    payment  on maturity, retirement or otherwise) or if a Unitholder redeems or
    sells his  Unit, the  Unitholder will  recognize gain  or loss  for  Georgia
    income tax purposes to the same extent that gain or loss would be recognized
    for  federal income tax purposes (except in the case of Georgia Bonds issued
    before March  11, 1987  issued with  original issue  discount owned  by  the
    Georgia  Insured Trust  in which  case gain or  loss for  Georgia income tax
    purposes would be determined by accruing  said original issue discount on  a
    ratable  basis). Due  to the  amortization of  bond premium  and other basis
    adjustments required by the Internal Revenue Code, a Unitholder, under  some
    circumstances,  may realize taxable gain  when his or her  Units are sold or
    redeemed for an amount equal to their original cost.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
        Because obligations  or  evidences of  debt  of Georgia,  its  political
    subdivisions  and public institutions and bonds  issued by the Government of
    Puerto Rico are exempt  from the Georgia  intangible personal property  tax,
    the  Trust will  not be subject  to such tax  as the result  of holding such
    obligations, evidences  of debt  or bonds.  Although there  currently is  no
    published  administrative interpretation or opinion  of the Attorney General
    of  Georgia  dealing  with  the  status  of  bonds  issued  by  a  political
    subdivision  of Puerto  Rico, we  have in  the past  been advised  orally by
    representatives of the Georgia Department  of Revenue that such bonds  would
    also  be considered exempt from  such tax. Based on  that advice, and in the
    absence of a published administrative interpretation to the contrary, we are
    of the opinion that the Trust would not be subject to such tax as the result
    of holding bonds issued by a political subdivision of Puerto Rico.
 
        Amounts paid by the Insurer under an insurance policy or policies issued
    to the Trust, if any, with respect  to the Georgia Bonds in the Trust  which
    represent  maturing interest  on defaulted  obligations held  by the Trustee
    will be  exempt from  State income  taxes if,  and to  the extent  as,  such
    interest  would have been so  exempt if paid by  the issuer of the defaulted
    obligations.
 
        We express no opinion regarding  whether a Unitholder's ownership of  an
    interest in the Trust is subject to the Georgia intangible personal property
    tax.  Although the application  of the Georgia  intangible personal property
    tax to  the  ownership  of  the  Units by  the  Unitholders  is  not  clear,
    representatives  of  the  Georgia Department  of  Revenue have  in  the past
    advised us orally  that, for purposes  of the intangible  property tax,  the
    Department considers a Unitholder's ownership of an interest in the Trust as
    a  whole  to  be taxable  intangible  property separate  from  any ownership
    interest in the underlying tax-exempt Georgia Bonds.
 
        Neither the Georgia Bonds nor the Units will be subject to Georgia sales
    or use tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--GEORGIA
 
    The following brief summary regarding the  economy of Georgia is based  upon
information  drawn from publicly available sources  and is included for purposes
of providing information about general economic  conditions that may or may  not
affect  issuers of  the Georgia obligations.  The Sponsor  has not independently
verified any of the information contained in such publicly available documents.
 
    CONSTITUTIONAL  CONSIDERATIONS.    The  Georgia  Constitution  permits   the
issuance  by  the State  of general  obligation debt  and of  certain guaranteed
revenue debt. The State  may incur guaranteed revenue  debt by guaranteeing  the
payment  of  certain revenue  obligations issued  by  an instrumentality  of the
State.  The  Georgia  Constitution  prohibits  the  incurring  of  any   general
obligation  debt or guaranteed revenue debt if the highest aggregate annual debt
service requirement for the then current year or any subsequent fiscal year  for
outstanding  general obligation debt and  guaranteed revenue debt, including the
proposed debt, exceed 10 percent of the total revenue receipts, less refunds, of
the State treasury in  the fiscal year immediately  preceding the year in  which
any such debt is to be incurred.
 
    The  Georgia Constitution  also permits  the State  to incur  public debt to
supply a temporary deficit in the State treasury in any fiscal year created by a
delay in collecting the taxes  of that year. Such debt  must not exceed, in  the
aggregate, 5% of the total revenue receipts, less refunds, of the State treasury
in  the  fiscal  year immediately  preceding  the  year in  which  such  debt is
incurred. The debt  incurred must be  repaid on or  before the last  day of  the
fiscal
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
year in which it is to be incurred out of the taxes levied for that fiscal year.
No  such debt may  be incurred in any  fiscal year if  there is then outstanding
unpaid debt  from  any previous  fiscal  year which  was  incurred to  supply  a
temporary  deficit  in the  State  treasury. No  such  short-term debt  has been
incurred  under  this  provision  since  the  inception  of  the  constitutional
authority referred to in this paragraph.
 
    Virtually  all of the issues  of long-term debt obligations  issued by or on
behalf of the State of Georgia and counties, municipalities and other  political
subdivisions  and public authorities thereof are required by law to be validated
and confirmed in a judicial proceeding prior to issuance. The legal effect of an
approved validation in Georgia  is to render incontestable  the validity of  the
pertinent bond issue and the security therefor.
 
    THE  STATE AND ITS ECONOMY.   The State operates  on a fiscal year beginning
July 1 and ending June 30. Thus, the 1993 fiscal year ended June 30, 1993. Based
on data of the  Georgia Department of Revenue,  estimated receipts of the  State
from  income tax and sales tax for  the 1992 fiscal year comprised approximately
48.8% and 37.9%, respectively, of the total State tax revenues. Such data  shows
that  total estimated State treasury receipts for the 1992 fiscal year increased
by approximately  2.8%  over such  collections  in  the 1991  fiscal  year.  The
estimated  1993 fiscal  year figures  indicate that  receipts of  the State from
income tax and sales  tax for the 1993  fiscal year will comprise  approximately
49.4%  and 37.9%, respectively, of the total State tax revenues. Total estimated
State tax revenue collections for the  1993 fiscal year indicate an increase  of
approximately 8.4% over such collections in the 1992 fiscal year.
 
    Georgia  experienced an economic  slowdown in the  late 1980s that continued
into 1992. The 1991 fiscal year ended  with a balanced budget, but only  because
the  State had borrowed approximately $90  million from surpluses maintained for
special uses. In light  of weaker than expected  monthly revenue collections  in
May  and June of 1991, Georgia lawmakers,  in a special legislative session, cut
budgeted expenditures for the  1992 fiscal year by  $415 million. Georgia  ended
its  1992 fiscal year, however, with strong monthly revenue collections. For the
last four  months of  fiscal year  1992, Georgia's  revenues were  more than  6%
higher  than revenues  reported one  year earlier for  the same  time period. By
year-end, revenue collections  fell only 0.1%  short of that  expected to  cover
1992  expenditures. This shortfall was  made up from funds  allocated to but not
used by state agencies.  The authorized 1993 fiscal  year budget consists of  an
$8.3  billion  spending  plan  and approximately  $750  million  in  new general
obligation debt. On  March 23, 1993,  the Georgia General  Assembly approved  an
$8.9  billion budget for  the 1994 fiscal year  which includes authorization for
$792 million of general obligation borrowing.
 
    The Georgia economy has  performed relatively well  during recent years  and
generally  has expanded at a rate greater  than the national average during that
period. However, growth in 1988 through 1992 has slowed somewhat and was  modest
compared  to the  robust pace  of the  early 1980's.  Georgia's leading economic
indicators currently suggest that the rate of growth of the Georgia economy will
continue at  the pace  of 1988  and 1989  and more  closely match  the  national
economy.  The  1992 annual  average unemployment  rate for  Georgia was  6.9% as
compared to the 1992 national annual average unemployment rate of 7.4%. The 1993
annual average unemployment rate  for Georgia was 5.7%  as compared to the  1993
national  annual average unemployment  rate of 6.7%. Although  many areas of the
economy are expected  to continue to  perform strongly, some  areas such as  the
primary  metals, carpet and apparel industries are still experiencing periods of
weakness,  and   others,   such   as   construction   and   construction-related
manufacturing activities (E.G., lumber, furniture and stone/
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
clay  products),  currently  show  signs  of  weakening.  In  addition, aircraft
manufacturers located  within  the  State  are in  a  tenuous  position  due  to
reductions  in the federal defense budget.  Presently, Georgia continues to lead
the nation in the production of pulp, pulpwood and paper. Other industries  show
potential  for  great expansion,  but  policy considerations,  tax  reform laws,
foreign  competition,  and  other  factors  may  render  these  industries  less
productive.
 
    BOND  RATINGS.   Currently,  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  rates Georgia
general obligation bonds Aaa and Standard & Poor's Corporation rates such  bonds
AA+.
 
    LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS.  Georgia is involved  in certain legal proceedings that,
if decided against the State, may  require the State to make significant  future
expenditures  or may substantially  impair revenues. Several  lawsuits have been
filed  against  Georgia  asserting  that  the  decision  in  DAVIS  V.  MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, 489 U.S. 803 (1989), invalidating Michigan's practice of
taxing  retirement benefits paid by the federal government while exempting state
retirement  benefits,  also  invalidates  Georgia's  tax  treatment  of  Federal
Retirement  Benefits for years prior to  1989. Under Georgia's applicable 3 year
statute  of  limitation  the  maximum  potential  liability  under  these  suits
calculated  to April  1, 1992  would appear  to be  no greater  than 128 million
dollars. The plaintiffs in  these suits, however, have  requested refunds for  a
period  from 1980  which could  result in a  maximum potential  liability in the
range of  591 million  dollars. Any  such  liability would  be predicated  on  a
holding  by a Georgia  court or the  United States Supreme  Court that the DAVIS
decision is applicable to  Georgia's prior method  of taxing Federal  Retirement
Benefits,  that the DAVIS  decision is to  be given a  retroactive effect, i.e.,
that the  decision  affects  prior  tax  years  and  that  a  refund  remedy  is
appropriate.  In Georgia's "test  case", the Georgia Supreme  Court held that no
refunds are due. On June 28, 1993, however, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated  that
holding  and remanded the  case for further  consideration in light  of the U.S.
Supreme Court decision  in HARPER  V. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT  OF TAXATION  (Decided
June  18, 1993). In  HARPER, the Court  held that its  decision in DAVIS applied
retroactively to federal retirees who  were denied Virginia personal income  tax
refunds.
 
    Another  suit filed against Georgia seeks a $31 million refund plus interest
of liquor taxes imposed under a  Georgia statute found retroactively invalid  by
the  U.S. Supreme Court. The  trial court's decision that  no refunds are due is
currently being reviewed by the Georgia Supreme Court.
 
    Two additional suits have  been filed with the  State of Georgia by  foreign
producers  of  alcoholic beverages  seeking $96  million  in refunds  of alcohol
import taxes imposed under another statute.  These claims constitute 99% of  all
such taxes paid during the preceding three years.
 
    In  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC  EDUCATION FOR  SAVANNAH/CHATHAM  COUNTY  V.  STATE OF
GEORGIA, the local school board claimed that the State should finance the  major
portion of the costs of its desegregation program. The Savannah Board originally
requested  restitution in  the amount of  $30 million, but  the Federal District
Court set forth a formula which would  require a State payment in the amount  of
approximately  $6  million.  Both sides  have  moved for  reconsideration.  In a
similar complaint, DeKalb County has requested restitution in the amount of  $90
million,  and there  are approximately five  other school  districts which could
file similar claims.  It is not  possible to quantify  such potential claims  at
this time.
 
    The  foregoing information does  not purport to be  a complete or exhaustive
description of  all conditions  to which  the issuers  of Bonds  in the  Georgia
Insured Trust are subject. Many
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
factors  including  national  economic, social  and  environmental  policies and
conditions, which  are not  within the  control of  the issuers  of Bonds  could
affect  or could have an adverse impact  on the financial condition of the State
and various  agencies and  political subdivisions  located in  the State.  Since
Georgia  Bonds in the Georgia Insured Trust (other than general obligation bonds
issued by the State) are payable from revenue derived from a specific source  or
authority,  the  impact  of a  pronounced  decline  in the  national  economy or
difficulties in  significant  industries within  the  State could  result  in  a
decrease  in  the  amount of  revenues  realized  from such  source  or  by such
authority and thus adversely affect the ability of the respective issuers of the
Georgia Bonds in the Georgia Insured Trust to pay the debt service  requirements
on the Georgia Bonds. Similarly, such adverse economic developments could result
in  a decrease in  tax revenues realized  by the State  and thus could adversely
affect the ability  of the State  to pay  the debt service  requirements of  any
Georgia general obligation bonds in the Georgia Insured Trust.
 
GEORGIA 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 and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state 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 more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket, the
highest state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined  state
and  Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  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.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 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 $     0-111.8      20.0   %     5.31    5.63    5.94    6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.5         6.30    6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         6.34    6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      35.0         6.54    6.92    7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23
                 111.8-167.7      36.0         6.64    7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38
                 167.7-290.2      38.5         6.91    7.32    7.72    8.13    8.54    8.94    9.35    9.76
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      41.0         7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
                 167.7-290.2      43.5         7.52    7.96    8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62
                  Over 290.2      41.0   2     7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      47.5         8.10    8.57    9.05    9.52   10.00   10.48   10.95   11.43
                  Over 290.2      44.5   3     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
</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 $     0-111.8      20.0         5.31    5.63    5.94    6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      32.5         6.30    6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      35.0         6.54    6.92    7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23
                 111.8-234.3      36.5         6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      41.5         7.26    7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26
                  Over 234.3      41.0   2     7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      44.5   3     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
<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.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 19, 1994
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST 36
(Series 725)
    
 
<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>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Power   No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa     $       458,245
                   Revenue Bonds, Series Z, 5.50% Due 1/1/20.
    500,000      Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County,      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             419,695
                   Georgia, Revenue Bonds (Phoebe Putney
                   Memorial Hospital, Inc.), Series 1993, 5.00%
                   Due 9/1/20. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about August 19, 1993 at a
                   price of 88.984% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Cherokee County (Georgia), Water and Sewerage    No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             459,230
                   Authority, Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds,
                   Refunding and Improvements Series 1993, 5.50%
                   Due 8/1/23.
    500,000      Dade County (Georgia) Water and Sewer               2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             457,555
                   Authority, Refunding and Improvement Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1993, 5.60% Due 7/1/28.
    500,000      DeKalb County, Georgia, Water and Sewerage          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             439,100
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1993, 5.25% Due
                   10/1/23.
    500,000      The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Georgia),     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             455,250
                   Revenue Refunding Certificates, Series 1993,
                   5.50% Due 1/1/20. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about June 15, 1993 at
                   a price of 94.50% of principal
                   amount.)(General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2002 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             509,375
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992A (General
                   Obligation Bonds.), 6.25% Due 7/1/10.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,198,450
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 46.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 174
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of  New Jersey  Insured Trust  174 consists  of 7 obligations
issued by entities located in New Jersey and one obligation issued by an  entity
located  in the  Territory of Puerto  Rico. Two  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: College  and University  Revenue, 1;  Electrical
System  Revenue,  1; Health  Care Facility  Revenue, 1;  Transportation Facility
Revenue, 1; Water and/or  Sewer Revenue, 2.  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  Jersey
Insured  Trust is 25.3  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 24% 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 water and/or sewerage services.
 
    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 April 15,
1994 and April 18, 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>
  $3,290,679       $15,710           $199,813      $3,289,108                 .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  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 Jersey Insured Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue at
the rate of $.01532 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01527  per Unit per day  under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01518
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.
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
    Details  of interest distributions per Unit  of the New Jersey 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 Jersey Insured Trust                                 1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6400(1)                                                               $  5.4870
                                                              --------   $.4572 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6400(1)   $   .9198(2)   $  1.3797      $  1.3797      $  1.3797      $  5.5190
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6400(1)                  $  2.3070(3)                  $  2.7684      $  5.5380
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-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 or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    
 
TAX STATUS--NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion of the  Federal tax status of  income earned on New Jersey
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The assets of the New Jersey Insured Trust will consist of  interest-bearing
obligations  issued by  or on behalf  of the  State of New  Jersey and counties,
municipalities,  authorities  and  other  political  subdivisions  thereof,  and
certain  territories  of the  United States,  including  Puerto Rico,  Guam, the
Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands (the "New Jersey Bonds").
 
    In the  opinion of  Pitney, Hardin,  Kipp &  Szuch, special  counsel to  the
Series for New Jersey tax matters, under existing law:
 
        The  New Jersey Insured Trust  will be recognized as  a Trust and not an
    association taxable as a corporation. The New Jersey Insured Trust will  not
    be  subject to  the New  Jersey Corporation Business  Tax or  the New Jersey
    Corporation Income Tax.
 
        With respect to the non-corporate  Unitholders who are residents of  New
    Jersey,  the income of the  New Jersey Insured Trust  will be treated as the
    income of such Unitholders under the  New Jersey Gross Income Tax.  Interest
    on  the underlying New Jersey  Bonds which is exempt  from tax under the New
    Jersey Gross Income Tax  Law when received by  the New Jersey Insured  Trust
    will  retain  its  status as  tax-exempt  interest when  distributed  to the
    Unitholders.
 
        A non-corporate Unitholder will not be  subject to the New Jersey  Gross
    Income  Tax on any  gain realized either  when the New  Jersey Insured Trust
    disposes of a  New Jersey Bond  (whether by sale,  exchange, redemption,  or
    payment  at maturity) or when the Unitholder redeems or sells his Units. Any
    loss realized  on such  disposition  may not  be  utilized to  offset  gains
    realized  by such Unitholder on the disposition  of assets the gain on which
    is subject to the New Jersey Gross Income Tax.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
        Units of the New Jersey Insured Trust  may be taxable on the death of  a
    Unitholder  under the  New Jersey  Transfer Inheritance  Tax Law  or the New
    Jersey Estate Tax Law.
 
        If a Unitholder is a corporation  subject to the New Jersey  Corporation
    Business  Tax or New Jersey Corporation  Income Tax, interest from the Bonds
    in the New Jersey Insured Trust which is allocable to such corporation  will
    be  includable  in its  entire net  income  for purposes  of the  New Jersey
    Corporation Business  Tax or  New Jersey  Corporation Income  Tax, less  any
    interest  expense  incurred  to carry  such  investment to  the  extent such
    interest expense has not been deducted in computing Federal taxable  income.
    Net  gains derived by such corporation on  the disposition of the New Jersey
    Bonds by the New  Jersey Insured Trust  or on the  disposition of its  Units
    will  be included in  its entire net  income for purposes  of the New Jersey
    Corporation Business Tax or New Jersey Corporation Income Tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--NEW JERSEY
 
    As described above, the New Jersey Insured Trust consists of a portfolio  of
New  Jersey Bonds. The Trust is  therefore susceptible to political, economic or
regulatory factors  affecting issuers  of the  New Jersey  Bonds. The  following
information  provides  only  a brief  summary  of  some of  the  complex factors
affecting the financial  situation in New  Jersey (the "State")  and is  derived
from  sources that are  generally available to  investors and is  believed to be
accurate. It is  based in part  on information obtained  from various State  and
local  agencies in New Jersey. No independent  verification has been made of any
of the following information.
 
    New Jersey is the ninth largest  state in population and the fifth  smallest
in  land area. With an average  of 1,050 people per square  mile, it is the most
densely populated of all the states.  The State's economic base is  diversified,
consisting  of a variety of  manufacturing, construction and service industries,
supplemented by rural areas with selective commercial agriculture. Historically,
New Jersey's average per capita income has been well above the national average,
and in 1992  the State ranked  second among  the states in  per capita  personal
income ($26,457).
 
    The  New Jersey Economic Policy  Council, a statutory arm  of the New Jersey
Department of  Commerce and  Economic Development,  has reported  in NEW  JERSEY
ECONOMIC  INDICATORS,  a monthly  publication of  the  New Jersey  Department of
Labor, Division of Labor Market and Demographic Research, that in 1988 and  1989
employment  in  New Jersey's  manufacturing sector  failed  to benefit  from the
export boom experienced by many Midwest states and the State's service  sectors,
which  had  fueled the  State's  prosperity since  1982,  lost momentum.  In the
meantime, the prolonged fast growth in the State in the mid 1980s resulted in  a
tight labor market situation, which has led to relatively high wages and housing
prices.  This  means  that,  while  the  incomes  of  New  Jersey  residents are
relatively high,  the State's  business  sector has  become more  vulnerable  to
competitive pressures.
 
   
    The  onset of  the national recession  (which officially began  in July 1990
according to the National Bureau of Economic Research) caused an acceleration of
New Jersey's  job losses  in construction  and manufacturing.  In addition,  the
national  recession  caused an  employment downturn  in such  previously growing
sectors as wholesale trade,  retail trade, finance,  utilities and trucking  and
warehousing. Reflecting the downturn, the rate of unemployment in the State rose
from  a low of  3.6% during the  first quarter of  1989 to an  estimated 7.9% in
March 1994, which is  higher than the  national average of  6.5% in March  1994.
Economic  recovery  is  likely  to  be  slow  and  uneven  in  New  Jersey, with
unemployment receding at a
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
correspondingly slow pace,  due to the  fact that  some sectors may  lag due  to
continued excess capacity. In addition, employers even in rebounding sectors can
be  expected to  remain cautious about  hiring until they  become convinced that
improved business will be sustained. Also, certain firms will continue to  merge
or downsize to increase profitability.
 
    DEBT  SERVICE. The primary method for State financing of capital projects is
through the sale of the general obligation  bonds of the State. These bonds  are
backed  by the full faith and credit of the State tax revenues and certain other
fees are pledged to  meet the principal and  interest payments and if  provided,
redemption premium payments, if any, required to repay the bonds. As of June 30,
1993,  there was  a total  authorized bond  indebtedness of  approximately $8.98
billion, of which  $3.6 billion  was issued  and outstanding,  $4.0 billion  was
retired  (including bonds for which provision  for payment has been made through
the sale and issuance  of refunding bonds) and  $1.38 billion was unissued.  The
debt  service obligation for such outstanding indebtedness is $119.9 million for
Fiscal Year 1994.
 
    NEW JERSEY'S BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION SYSTEM. The State operates on a fiscal
year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. At the end of Fiscal Year 1989,  there
was  a  surplus in  the  State's general  fund (the  fund  into which  all State
revenues not  otherwise  restricted by  statute  are deposited  and  from  which
appropriations  are made)  of $411.2  million. At the  end of  Fiscal Year 1990,
there was a surplus in the general fund of $1 million. At the end of Fiscal Year
1991, there was a surplus in the general fund of $1.4 million. New Jersey closed
its Fiscal Year 1992 with a surplus of $760.8 million. It is estimated that  New
Jersey closed its Fiscal Year 1993 with a surplus of $361.3 million.
 
    In  order  to  provide additional  revenues  to balance  future  budgets, to
redistribute school aid and  to contain real property  taxes, on June 27,  1990,
and  July  12,  1990, Governor  Florio  signed  into law  legislation  which was
estimated to raise approximately $2.8 billion in additional taxes (consisting of
$1.5 billion in  sales and  use taxes  and $1.3  billion in  income taxes),  the
biggest  tax hike in New Jersey history. There can be no assurance that receipts
and collections of such taxes will meet such estimates.
 
    The first  part of  the tax  hike  took effect  on July  1, 1990,  with  the
increase in the State's sales and use tax rate from 6% to 7% and the elimination
of  exemptions for certain  products and services not  previously subject to the
tax, such as telephone calls, paper products (which has since been  reinstated),
soaps  and detergents, janitorial services,  alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.
At the  time  of  enactment, it  was  projected  that these  taxes  would  raise
approximately  $1.5 billion in additional  revenue. Projections and estimates of
receipts from sales  and use taxes,  however, have been  subject to variance  in
recent fiscal years.
 
    The  second part of the tax hike took effect on January 1, 1991, in the form
of an increased state income  tax on individuals. At  the time of enactment,  it
was  projected  that this  increase would  raise  approximately $1.3  billion in
additional income taxes to fund a new school aid formula, a new homestead rebate
program and state assumption of  welfare and social services costs.  Projections
and  estimates of receipts from income taxes, however, have also been subject to
variance in  recent  fiscal  years.  Under the  legislation,  income  tax  rates
increased  from their previous range of  2% to 3.5% to a  new range of 2% to 7%,
with the higher rates applying to married couples with incomes exceeding $70,000
who file joint returns, and to individuals filing single returns with incomes of
more than $35,000.
 
    The Florio administration  has contended  that the income  tax package  will
help  reduce  local  property  tax  increases by  providing  more  state  aid to
municipalities.  Under  the  income  tax  legislation  the  State  will   assume
approximately $289 million in social services costs that previously were paid by
counties    and   municipalities    and   funded    by   property    taxes.   In
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
addition, under the new formula for funding school aid, an extra $1.1 billion is
proposed to be sent  by the State  to school districts  beginning in 1991,  thus
reducing the need for property tax increases to support education programs.
 
    Effective July 1, 1992, the State's sales and use tax rate decreased from 7%
to  6% and effective January 1, 1994, a 5% reduction in the income tax rates was
enacted.
 
    On June 29, 1993 Governor Florio  signed the New Jersey Legislature's  $15.9
billion  budget for Fiscal Year  1994. The balanced budget  does not rely on any
new taxes,  college tuition  increases  or any  commuter fare  increases,  while
providing  a surplus of more than $400  million. Whether the State can achieve a
balanced budget  depends  on its  ability  to enact  and  implement  expenditure
reductions and to collect estimated tax revenues.
 
    LITIGATION. The State is a party 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 of State and Federal laws. Included  in
the  State's  outstanding litigation  are cases  challenging the  following: the
formula relating to State aid to public  schools, the method by which the  State
shares with its counties maintenance recoveries and costs for residents in State
institutions,  unreasonably low Medicaid payment  rates for long-term facilities
in New  Jersey, the  obligation of  counties to  maintain Medicaid  or  Medicare
eligible  residents  of  institutions  and  facilities  for  the developmentally
disabled, taxes paid  into the Spill  Compensation Fund (a  fund established  to
provide  money for use  by the State  to remediate hazardous  waste sites and to
compensate other persons  for damages incurred  as a result  of hazardous  waste
discharge)   based   on  Federal   preemption,   various  provisions,   and  the
constitutionality, of  the Fair  Automobile Insurance  Reform Act  of 1990,  the
State's  method  of  funding  the judicial  system,  certain  provisions  of New
Jersey's hospital rate-setting  system, the adequacy  of Medicaid  reimbursement
for services rendered by doctors and dentists to Medicaid eligible children, the
Commissioner  of Health's calculation of the hospital assessment required by the
Health Care Cost  Reduction Act  of 1991,  refusal of  the State  to share  with
Camden  County federal funding the  State recently received for disproportionate
share hospital  payments made  to county  psychiatric facilities,  and  recently
enacted  legislation  calling for  a revaluation  of  several New  Jersey public
employee pension funds in order to  provide additional revenues for the  State's
general  fund.  Adverse judgments  in  these and  other  matters could  have the
potential  for  either  a   significant  loss  of   revenue  or  a   significant
unanticipated expenditure by the State.
 
    At  any given time,  there are various  numbers of claims  and cases pending
against the State,  State agencies  and employees seeking  recovery of  monetary
damages  that are  primarily paid out  of the  fund created pursuant  to the New
Jersey Tort  Claims Act.  In addition,  at  any given  time, there  are  various
numbers of contract claims against the State and State agencies seeking recovery
of  monetary damages.  The State  is unable to  estimate its  exposure for these
claims.
 
    DEBT RATINGS. For many years prior to 1991, both Moody's Investors  Service,
Inc. and Standard and Poor's Corporation had rated New Jersey general obligation
bonds Aaa and "AAA," respectively. On July 3, 1991, however, Standard and Poor's
Corporation  downgraded New Jersey general obligation bonds to "AA+." On June 4,
1992, Standard and Poor's Corporation placed New Jersey general obligation bonds
on CreditWatch with negative  implications, citing as  its principal reason  for
its caution the unexpected denial by the
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
Federal  Government  of New  Jersey's request  for  $450 million  in retroactive
Medicaid payments  for  psychiatric  hospitals. These  funds  were  critical  to
closing  a $1 billion gap in the State's $15 billion budget for fiscal year 1992
which ended on June 30, 1992. Under New Jersey state law, the gap in the current
budget must  be closed  before  the new  budget year  begins  on July  1,  1992.
Standard  and Poor's Corporation  suggested the State  could close fiscal 1992's
budget gap and help fill  fiscal 1993's hole by a  reversion of $700 million  of
pension contributions to its general fund under a proposal to change the way the
State  calculates its  pension liability. On  July 6, 1992,  Standard and Poor's
Corporation reaffirmed its "AA+" rating for New Jersey general obligation  bonds
and  removed the debt  from its Credit  Watch list, although  it stated that New
Jersey's  long-term  financial  outlook   was  negative.  Standard  and   Poor's
Corporation  was concerned that the State was entering the 1993 fiscal year that
began July 1, 1992, with a slim $26 million surplus and remained concerned about
whether  the  sagging  State  economy  would  recover  quickly  enough  to  meet
lawmakers'  revenue  projections. It  also remained  concerned about  the recent
federal ruling  leaving in  doubt how  much  the State  was due  in  retroactive
Medicaid  reimbursements and a ruling by a  federal judge, now on appeal, of the
State's method for paying for uninsured hospital patients.
 
    On August 24, 1992,  Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. downgraded New  Jersey
general  obligation  bonds  to "Aa1",  stating  that the  reduction  reflected a
developing pattern of  reliance on  nonrecurring measures  to achieve  budgetary
balance,  four years  of financial operations  marked by  revenue shortfalls and
operating deficits, and  the likelihood that  serious financial pressures  would
persist.
 
    Although New Jersey recently received $412 million in settlement of its $450
million   dispute  with   the  federal   government  for   retroactive  medicaid
reimbursements, neither Moody's Investors Service, Inc. nor Standard and  Poor's
Corporation has revised its rating for New Jersey general obligation bonds.
 
NEW JERSEY 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 and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state 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 more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket, the
highest state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined  state
and  Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  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.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
 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 $     0-111.8      17.0   %     5.12    5.42    5.72    6.02    6.33    6.63    6.93    7.23
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.5         6.30    6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         6.34    6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      35.5         6.59    6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30
                 111.8-167.7      36.0         6.64    7.03    7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38
                 167.7-290.2      38.5         6.91    7.32    7.72    8.13    8.54    8.94    9.35    9.76
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      41.5         7.26    7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26
                 167.7-290.2      44.0         7.59    8.04    8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71
                  Over 290.2      41.5   2     7.26    7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      47.5         8.10    8.57    9.05    9.52   10.00   10.48   10.95   11.43
                  Over 290.2      44.5   3     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
</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 $     0-111.8      17.0   %     5.12    5.42    5.72    6.02    6.33    6.63    6.93    7.23
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      32.5         6.30    6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      35.5         6.59    6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30
                 111.8-234.3      37.0         6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      42.0         7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
                  Over 234.3      41.5   2     7.26    7.69    8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      44.5   3     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
<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.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 19, 1994
NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 174
(Series 725)
    
 
<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>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority,        2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       498,280
                   Revenue Bonds, Jersey City State College
                   Issue, Series 1992 D, 6.125% Due 7/1/22.
    500,000      New Jersey Health Care Facilities, Financing        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             437,705
                   Authority Revenue Bonds, Allegany Health
                   System-Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center
                   Issue, Series 1993, 5.20% Due 7/1/18.
    500,000      The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,      2003 at 101        AAA         Aaa             443,645
                   Consolidated Bonds, Ninety-First Series,
                   5.20% Due 11/15/15.
    300,000      The Monmouth County Improvement Authority           2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             279,984
                   (Monmouth County, New Jersey), Revenue Bonds,
                   Series 1993 (Millstone Township Board of
                   Education Project), 5.50% Due 2/15/13.
                   (General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      North Jersey District Water Supply Commission       2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             491,250
                   of the State of New Jersey, Wanaque South
                   Project, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series
                   1993, 6.00% Due 7/1/21.
    500,000      The Pollution Control Financing Authority of        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             448,900
                   Salem County (New Jersey), Pollution Control
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, 1993 Series C
                   (Public Service Electric and Gas Company
                   Project), 5.55% Due 11/1/33.
    325,000     * South Monmouth Regional Sewerage Authority         2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             324,594
                   (Monmouth County, New Jersey), Sewer Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1994, 6.00% Due 1/15/14. (When
                   issued.)
    375,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2002 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             382,031
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992A (General
                   Obligation Bonds.), 6.25% Due 7/1/10.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,306,389
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 46.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date.  Their expected  delivery  date is  May 10,  1994.  Contracts
  relating  to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement for
  purchase made  on the  Date  of Deposit  constitute  approximately 9%  of  the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       45
<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.
 
                                       46
<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 725:
    
 
   
       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  725
     (comprising  Connecticut Traditional  Trust 264,  Maryland Traditional
     Trust 293, North Carolina Traditional Trust 275, Georgia Insured Trust
     36 and New  Jersey Insured  Trust 174), as  of April  19, 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  725
     as of April 19, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
     principles.
    
 
                                                      ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     April 19, 1994.
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
 
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 725
    
 
   
   (Connecticut Traditional Trust 264, Maryland Traditional Trust 293, North
Carolina Traditional Trust 275, Georgia Insured Trust 36 and New Jersey Insured
                                   Trust 174)
    
   
                              As of April 19, 1994
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Connecticut          Maryland         North Carolina
                                            Traditional         Traditional         Traditional
    TRUST PROPERTY                           Trust 264           Trust 293           Trust 275
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase
 Tax-Exempt Bonds, backed by an
 irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2).....  $     3,370,561     $     3,282,735     $     3,308,281
Accrued interest to April 19, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           45,050              59,008              48,838
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,415,611     $     3,341,743     $     3,357,119
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability:
    Accrued interest to April 19, 1994
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        45,050     $        59,008     $        48,838
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Interest of Unitholders:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Connecticut
      Traditional Trust 264--35,000;
      Maryland Traditional Trust 293
      --35,000; North Carolina
      Traditional Trust 275--35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,544,212     $     3,451,862     $     3,478,724
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (173,651)           (169,127)           (170,443)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,370,561     $     3,282,735     $     3,308,281
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,415,611     $     3,341,743     $     3,357,119
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<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 from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(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 $50,000 or 500 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 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
   
                            Statements of Condition
                              As of April 19, 1994
                                  (Continued)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Georgia           New Jersey
                                              Insured             Insured
    TRUST PROPERTY                           Trust 36            Trust 174
                                          ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>
Sponsor's contracts to purchase
 Tax-Exempt Bonds, backed by an
 irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2).....  $     3,198,450     $     3,306,389
Accrued interest to April 19, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           44,879              62,408
                                          ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,243,329     $     3,368,797
                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability:
    Accrued interest to April 19, 1994
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        44,879     $        62,408
                                          ---------------     ---------------
Interest of Unitholders:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Georgia
      Insured Trust 36--35,000; New
      Jersey Insured Trust 174-- 35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,363,234     $     3,476,734
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (164,784)           (170,345)
                                          ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,198,450     $     3,306,389
                                          ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,243,329     $     3,368,797
                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------
<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 from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(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 $50,000 or 500 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 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       49
<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 of such acquisition to all Unitholders of the
Trust involved. 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 December 31,  1993, the Insurer had  admitted assets of $3.1
billion (audited),  total  liabilities  of $2.1  billion  (audited),  and  total
capital  and surplus  of $978  million (audited)  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 the aggregate offering prices in the
case of National and  State Trusts, 4.439% of  the aggregate offering prices  in
the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 4.058% of the aggregate offering prices in
the  case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.093% of the aggregate offering prices in the
case of Short Intermediate Trusts and 2.564% of the aggregate offering prices 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 $50,000 or  500 Units and will be
applied on whichever basis is more  favorable to the purchaser. For purposes  of
calculating the applicable sales
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
charge,  purchasers  who have  indicated their  intent  to purchase  a specified
amount of Units of any Trust described herein in the primary offering period  or
units  of  any other  series of  Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit  Trusts in  the primary
offering period by executing and delivering  a letter of intent to the  Sponsor,
which  letter of intent  must be in a  form acceptable to  the Sponsor and shall
have a  maximum duration  of thirteen  months,  will be  eligible to  receive  a
reduced  sales charge according  to the following  table based on  the amount of
intended  aggregate  purchases  as  expressed  in  the  letter  of  intent.   By
establishing  a letter of intent, a Unitholder agrees that the first purchase of
Units following the execution of  such letter of intent will  be at least 5%  of
the  total  amount  of  the  intended  aggregate  purchases  expressed  in  such
Unitholder's letter of intent. Further, through the establishment of the  letter
of intent, such Unitholder agrees that units representing 5% of the total amount
of  the intended purchases will be held in escrow by United States Trust Company
of New York pending  completion of these purchases.  All distributions on  units
held in escrow will be credited to such Unitholder's account. If total purchases
prior  to the  expiration of  the letter  of intent  period equal  or exceed the
amount specified in a  Unitholder's letter of intent,  the units held in  escrow
will  be transferred  to such Unitholder's  account. If the  total purchases are
less than the amount specified, the Unitholder involved must pay the Sponsor  an
amount  equal to the difference between the amounts paid for these purchases and
the amounts which  would have  been paid  if the  higher sales  charge had  been
applied.  If such Unitholder does  not pay the additional  amount within 20 days
after  written  request   by  the   Sponsor  or   the  Unitholder's   securities
representative,  the Sponsor will instruct the  Trustee to redeem an appropriate
number of the  escrowed units to  meet the required  payment. By establishing  a
letter  of intent, a Unitholder irrevocably  appoints the Sponsor as attorney to
give instructions to redeem any or all of such Unitholder's escrowed units, with
full power  of substitution  in the  premises. A  Unitholder or  his  securities
representative must notify the Sponsor whenever such Unitholder makes a purchase
of Units that he wishes to be counted towards the intended amount. 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 500........................................        4.90%       5.152%        4.25%       4.439%        3.90%       4.058%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        4.75        4.987         4.15        4.330         3.70        3.842
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 but less than 25,000..........................        3.00        3.093         3.00        3.093         2.75        2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        2.50        2.564         2.50        2.564         2.50        2.564
50,000 or more.......................................        2.00        2.041         2.00        2.041         2.00        2.041
</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 500........................................        3.00%       3.093%        2.50%       2.564%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        2.80        2.881         2.30        2.354
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 but less than 25,000..........................        1.85        1.885         1.35        1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        1.80        1.833         1.25        1.266
50,000 or more.......................................        1.50        1.523         1.15        1.163
</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 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500 Units to $250,000 etc., and will  be applied on that basis which is  more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
    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 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  Bonds in  each maturity  range (and
therefore the aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to
purchases of at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Amount of Purchase*
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                            $50,000     $100,000     $250,000     $500,000     $1,000,000     $2,500,000
                                Under         to           to           to           to            to             to
Years to Maturity              $50,000      $99,999     $249,999     $499,999     $999,999     $2,499,999     $4,999,999
- ---------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
Less than 1................           0            0            0            0            0             0              0
1 but less than 2..........       1.523%       1.446%       1.369%       1.317%       1.215%        1.061%          .900%
2 but less than 3..........       2.041        1.937        1.833        1.729        1.626         1.420          1.225
3 but less than 4..........       2.564        2.433        2.302        2.175        2.041         1.781          1.546
4 but less than 5..........       3.093        2.961        2.828        2.617        2.459         2.175          1.883
5 but less than 7..........       3.627        3.433        3.239        3.093        2.881         2.460          2.165
7 but less than 10.........       4.167        3.951        3.734        3.520        3.239         2.828          2.489
10 but less than 13........       4.712        4.467        4.221        4.004        3.788         3.253          2.842
13 but less than 16........       5.263        4.988        4.712        4.439        4.167         3.627          3.169
16 or more.................       5.820        5.542        5.263        4.987        4.603         4.004          3.500
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                          <C>
 
                              $5,000,000
Years to Maturity               or more
- ---------------------------  -------------
Less than 1................            0
1 but less than 2..........         .750%
2 but less than 3..........        1.030
3 but less than 4..........        1.310
4 but less than 5..........        1.590
5 but less than 7..........        1.870
7 but less than 10.........        2.150
10 but less than 13........        2.430
13 but less than 16........        2.710
16 or more.................        3.000
</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  500  Units to
  $50,000, 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);
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.)
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
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. However, due to advances by the
Trustee, the Trustee will provide a first distribution between approximately  30
and  60 days after the Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust retains its original
size and composition  and expenses  and fees  remain the  same, 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 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 effect of a first distribution which
may be less than a  regular distribution or may be  paid at some point after  30
days  (or a second distribution which may be less than a normal distribution for
Unitholders who choose quarterly or  semi-annual plans of distribution), and  it
also  does  not  take into  account  the  difference in  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
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
    (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 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
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
each  Trust for regularly evaluating the  Bonds and for maintaining surveillance
over the portfolio. (See Section 16.)
 
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for  each
plan  of  distribution for  each Trust  as set  forth in  "Essential Information
Regarding the Trusts."  Each annual fee  is per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds in  a Trust for  that portion  of the Trust  that represents a
particular plan of distribution. The Trustee's fee may be periodically  adjusted
in response to fluctuations in short-term interest rates (reflecting the cost to
the  Trustee of advancing funds to a  Trust to meet scheduled distributions) and
may be further adjusted in accordance with 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  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
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
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  fees
and expenses remain the same, and will generally change when Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
    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
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
reimbursed, without interest, for any such  advances from funds in the  Interest
Account  of  such  Trust.  The  Trustee's  fee  takes  into  account  the  costs
attributable to  the outlay  of capital  needed  to make  such advances.  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 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,
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
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 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-
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
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.
 
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
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
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 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.
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
    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, 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:
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
 
<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 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but 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 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</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 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    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>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              Under       to         to         to         to          to          to      $5,000,000
Years to Maturity            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   or more
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .70%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</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 500 Units to $50,000, 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 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 by book  entry positions  recorded on the
books and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests  that
the  purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
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 guarantor 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.
 
    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% 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 0.5% 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
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
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 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.
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
    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.
 
    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.
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
    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 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.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
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  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
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
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,  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
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
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 (Swiss
Bank Tower, 10 East 50th Street). It maintains 14 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
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
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.
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
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-37
<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-38
<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 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
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>
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-40
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                                      A-41
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                                      A-42
<PAGE>
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                                      A-43
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
                           PROSPECTUS
                           175,000 Units
                           Connecticut Traditional
                           Trust 264
                           Maryland Traditional Trust
                           293
                           North Carolina Traditional
                           Trust 275
                           Georgia Insured Trust 36
                           New Jersey Insured Trust 174
</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.
 
   
   725
    
 
<PAGE>

Statement of differences between electronic filing and printed document.
   Pursuant to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule
20-11 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>

                       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 amendment of Registration Statement comprises the following papers 
and documents:

              The facing sheet
              The Prospectus

              The signatures

              Consents of Independent Public
              Accountants and Counsel as indicated

              Exhibits as listed on page S-5


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

    The Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725 hereby
identifies Series 401, 507, 512, 515, 517, 519 and 723 of the Nuveen 
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust for purposes of the representations required by 
Rule 487 and represents the following:

    (1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to the
securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ
materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;

    (2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific
portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial
information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this
Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not
contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained
in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the
effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and

    (3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725 has duly caused this
Amendment of Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized in the City of Chicago and State of
Illinois on 4/19/94.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 725
                                (Registrant)

                                By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                (Depositor)


                       
                                By: Larry Woods Martin
                                    _________________________________
                                    Vice President


                        
                           Attest:  Morrison C. Warren
                                    __________________________________
                                    Assistant Secretary


<PAGE>

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
of Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in 
the capacities and on the dates 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      ) Larry Woods Martin
                        and Director                  ) Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                      )
Timothy T. Schwertfeger Executive Vice President      )
                        and Director                  )

O. Walter Renfftlen     Vice President and Controller )
                        (Principal Accounting Officer))
                                                      )
                                                      )4/19/94
___________________

*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 Schwertfeger with the Amendment to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-6 of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, 
Series 671 (File No. 33-49175). 



<PAGE>

725

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this
Registration Statement.

                                 
                                            Arthur Andersen & Company
Chicago, Illinois
4/19/94


                         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 is contained in its opinions filed by
this amendment as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 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 
are contained in their opinions filed by this amendment as Exhibit 3.3 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 is filed by this
amendment as Exhibit 4.1 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 is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.2 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 is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.3 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 (as Exibit 1.1 (a) to the Sponsor's Registration
         Statement on Form S-6 relating to Series 723 of the Fund (file No.
         33-52527) and incorporated herein by reference).

1.1 (b)  Schedules to the Trust Indenture and Agreement.

2.1      Copy of Certificate of Ownership (Included in Exhibit 1.1(a) on
         pages 2 to 8, inclusive, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1      Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.

3.2      Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities
         being registered.

3.3      Opinions of special state counsel to the Fund for state tax matters
         as to income tax status to residents of the respective states of the
         units of the respective trusts and consents to the use of their names
         in the Prospectus.

4.1      Consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation.

4.2      Consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services.

4.3      Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn.

                                                                      
<PAGE>                                                                        
                                                                              
Exhibit 1.1(b)                                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                 SCHEDULE A                                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
Series 725                                           April 19, 1994           
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 725.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is April 19, 1994.                        
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 725 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust 264                              
         (b)   Maryland Traditional Trust 293                                 
         (c)   North Carolina Traditional Trust 275                           
         (d)   Georgia Insured Trust 36                                       
         (e)   New Jersey Insured Trust 174                                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust            35,000 Units          
         (b)   Maryland Traditional Trust               35,000 Units          
         (c)   North Carolina Traditional Trust         35,000 Units          
         (d)   Georgia Insured Trust                    35,000 Units          
         (e)   New Jersey Insured Trust                 35,000 Units          
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 5.  (a) The amount of the second distribution from the Interest          
             Account of the respective Trusts will be as follows:             
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           $ .6484 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              $ .6484 per Unit       
         ( 3)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        $ .6468 per Unit       
         ( 4)  Georgia Insured Trust                   $ .6178 per Unit       
         ( 5)  New Jersey Insured Trust                $ .6400 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           June 15, 1994          
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              June 15, 1994          
         ( 3)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        June 15, 1994          
         ( 4)  Georgia Insured Trust                   June 15, 1994          
         ( 5)  New Jersey Insured Trust                June 15, 1994          
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           June 1, 1994           
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              June 1, 1994           
         ( 3)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        June 1, 1994           
         ( 4)  Georgia Insured Trust                   June 1, 1994           
         ( 5)  New Jersey Insured Trust                June 1, 1994           
                                                                              
                                                                              
         PAGE 2                                                               
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 6.  Record dates for subsequent semi-annual distributions from the       
         Interest Account for each of the respective Trusts will be the 1st   
         day of May and November of each year.                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 7.  (a) Record date for distibution from the Principal Account of each   
             of the respective Trusts will be the first day of May and        
             November of each year.                                           
                                                                              
         (b) The first record date for distributions from the Principal       
             Account of each of the respective Trusts will be                 
             May 1, 1994.                                                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 8.  The Trust shall in no event continue beyond the end of the calendar  
         year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of the execution of this     
         Indenture 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 and beyond the end of  
         the calendar year preceding the tenth anniversary of its execution   
         for Short Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 9.  Quarterly distributions from the Interest Account of the respective  
         Trusts will be computed as of the 1st day of February, May, August,  
         and November.                                                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 10. Certain deductions from the Interest Account by the Trustee          
         will commence as follows:                                            
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust           June 1, 1994           
         (b)   Maryland Traditional Trust              June 1, 1994           
         (c)   North Carolina Traditional Trust        June 1, 1994           
         (d)   Georgia Insured Trust                   June 1, 1994           
         (e)   New Jersey Insured Trust                June 1, 1994
           
Item 11. (a)  For services performed prior to the date indicated in           
         Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at           
         the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount            
         of Bonds:
                                                            
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           $1.5416                
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              $1.5123                
         ( 3)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        $1.5567                
         ( 4)  Georgia Insured Trust                   $1.5249                
         ( 5)  New Jersey Insured Trust                $1.5881
                
         (b)  For services performed on or after the date indicated in        
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:
                                                       
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           
                
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5416
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2216
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0316

         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              
              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5123
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.1923
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0023
                
         ( 3)  North Carolina Traditional Trust
                       
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5567
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2367
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0467

         ( 4)  Georgia Insured Trust                   
           
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5249
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2049
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0149

         ( 5)  New Jersey Insured Trust                
               
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5881
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2681
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0781


                          ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 725                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below are the         
following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount of Bonds:               
corresponding portions of the 'Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit'   
contained in the Prospectus dated the Date of Deposit and relating to the     
above-named Series:                                                           
                                                                              
         Schedule B:  Connecticut Traditional Trust 264                       
         Schedule C:  Maryland Traditional Trust 293                          
         Schedule D:  North Carolina Traditional Trust 275                    
         Schedule E:  Georgia Insured Trust 36                                
         Schedule F:  New Jersey Insured Trust 174                            


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94


John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 725 (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), in connection
with the issuance under the Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the date 
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, of Units of fractional 
undivided interest in the one or more Trusts of said Fund (hereinafter 
referred to as the "Units").
 
    In connection therewith, we have examined such pertinent records and
documents and matters of law as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.

    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

   1.   The execution and delivery of the Trust Indenture and Agreement and
the establishment of book entry positions and the execution and issuance of 
certificates evidencing the Units in the Trusts of the Fund have been duly 
authorized; and

    2.   The book entry positions and certificates positions evidencing the 
Units in the Trusts of the Fund when duly executed and delivered or duly 
established by the Depositor and the Trustee in accordance with the 
aforementioned Trust Indenture and Agreement, will constitute valid and 
binding obligations of such Trusts and the Depositor in accordance with the 
terms thereof.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-53073) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,



CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.2

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 725 (the "Fund") in connection with the issuance under the
Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated the date hereof between John Nuveen & Co.
Incorporated, as Depositor, and United States Trust Company of New York, as
Trustee, of Units of fractional undivided interest (the "Units"), as evidenced
by a book entry position or certificate, if requested by the purchaser of 
Units, in the one or more Trusts of said Fund.

    We have also served as counsel for you in connection with all previous
Series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and as such have previously 
examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have 
deemed necessary, including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and 
Agreements with respect to those series.  We have also examined such 
pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed 
necessary including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and Agreement 
relating to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725.

    We have concluded that the Trust Indenture and Agreement for the Fund and
its counterpart in each of the prior issues of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust 
are in all material respects substantially identical.

    Based upon the foregoing, and upon such matters of law as we consider
to be applicable we are of the opinion that, under existing federal income
law:

    (i)  For Federal income tax purposes, each of the Trusts will not be
taxable as an association but will be governed by the provisions of 
Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (the "Code").

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro rata
share of each asset of the respective Trust of the Fund in the proportion
that the number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total number
of outstanding Units of such Trust. Under Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter
1 of the Code, income of each Trust will be treated as income of each
Unitholder thereof in the proportion described and an item of Fund income
will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a
Trust consists of interest and original issue discount excludable from gross
income under Section 103 of the Code, such income will be excludable from
federal gross income of the Unitholder, except in the case of a Unitholder
who is a substantial user (or a person related to such user) of a facility
financed through issuance of any industrial development bonds or certain
private activity bonds held by the Trust. In the case of such Unitholder who
is a substantial user (and no other) interest received and original issue
discount with respect to his Units attributable to such industrial
development bonds or such private activity bonds is includable in his gross
income. In the case of certain corporations, interest on the Bonds is included
in computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Sections 56(f) and 56(g)
of the Code, the enviromental tax (the "Superfund Tax") imposed by Sections
59A of the Code, and the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code
with repect to U.S. branches of foreign corporations.

    (iii) Gain or loss will be recognized to a Unitholder upon
redemption or sale of his Units.  Such gain or loss is measured by comparing 
the proceeds of such redemption or sale with the adjusted basis of such Units.
Before adjustment, such basis would normally be cost if the Unitholder had
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by the
Trustee to the Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the Unitholder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the Bonds during
the period from the Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Trust, but only to the extent that such advances are to be
repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by the Fund with respect to
such Bonds.  In addition, such basis will be increased by both the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the accrued original issued discount with
respect to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which there was an
original issue discount and reduced by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    (iv) If the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether by sale, payment on
maturity, redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the
Unitholder and the amount thereof is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of.  Such 
basis is ascertained by apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each 
of the Trust assets (as of the date on which his Units were acquired) ratably 
according to their values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which 
he purchased such Units.  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his 
aliquot share of interest received by the Fund, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's
settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust, must be 
reduced by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by 
the Trust and must be increased by the Unitholder's share of accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond which, at the time
the Bond was issued, had original issue discount.

     (v)  In the case of any Bond held by the Trust where the "stated
redemption price at maturity" exceeds the "issue price," such excess shall
be original issue discount.  With respect to each Unitholder, upon the
purchase of his Units subsequent to the original issuance of Bonds held by the
Trust Section 1272(a)(7) of the Code provides for a reduction in the accrued
"daily portion" of such original issue discount upon the purchase of a Bond
subsequent to the Bond's original issue, under certain circumstances.  In the
case of any Bond held by the Trust the interest on which is excludable from
gross income under Section 103 of the Code, any original issue discount which
accrues with respect thereto will be treated as interest which is excludable
from gross income under Section 103 of the Code.

    (vi)  In the case of any Bond which matures within one year of the date
issued, the accrual of tax-exempt original issue discount will generally be
computed daily on a ratable basis unless the Unitholder elects to accrue such
discount under a constant yield method, compounded daily.

    (vii)  In the case of any Bond which does not mature within one year
after the date issued, tax-exempt original issue discount will accrue
daily, computed generally under a constant yield method, compounded
semiannually (with straight line interpolation between compounding dates).

    (viii)  In the case of Trusts for which Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation ("MBIA") insurance with respect to each of the Bonds deposited
therein has been obtained by the Depositor or the issuer or underwriter of the
Bonds, we have examined the form of MBIA's policy or several policies of
insurance (the "Policies") which have been delivered to the Trustee.  Assuming
issuance of Policies in such form, in our opinion, any amounts paid under said
Policies representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee 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 (ii) of this opinion is accordingly applicable
to Policy proceeds representing maturing interest.
<PAGE>

    Because the Trusts do not include any "specified private activity bonds"
within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the Code issued on or after August
8, 1986, none of the Trust Fund's interest income shall be treated as an item
of tax preference when computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the case of
corporations, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, the alter-
native 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.

    Pursuant to Section 56(f) of the Code, 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 50% of the excess of such
corporation's "adjusted net book income" over an amount equal to its AMTI
(before such adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating
loss deduction).  For taxable years beginning after 1989, such adjustment item
will be 75% of the excess of such corporation's "adjusted current earnings"
over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item and the
alternative tax net operating net operating loss deduction) pursuant to
Section 56(g) of the Code.  Both "adjusted net book income" and "adjusted
current earnings" include all tax-exempt interest, including interest on all
Bonds in the Trust, and tax-exempt original issue discount.

   Effective for tax returns filed after December 31, 1987,  all taxpayers
are required to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of
tax-exempt interest earned during the year.

    Section 265 of the Code generally provides for a reduction
in each taxable year of 100% of the otherwise deductible interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued by financial institutions, to which either 
Section 585 or Section 593 of the Code applies, to purchase or carry 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, the interest on which is exempt
from federal income taxes for such taxable year.  Under rules prescribed by 
Section 265, the amount of interest otherwise deductible by such financial
institutions in any taxable year which is deemed to be attributable to 
tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will be the amount
that bears the same ratio to the interest deduction otherwise allowable
(determined without regard to Section 265) to the taxpayer for the taxable
year as the taxpayer's average adjusted basis (within the meaning of Section
1016) of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, bears to
such average adjusted basis for all assets of the taxpayer, unless such 
financial institution can otherwise establish under regulations to be
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the amount of interest on 
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such obligations.

<PAGE>

    We also call attention to the fact that, under Section 265 of the
Code,  interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
Units by taxpayers other than certain financial institutions, as referred to
above, is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by
the Internal Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are con-
sidered 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 for expenditures of a personal nature such as a mortgage incurred to
purchase or improve a personal residence.

    "The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (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).  Market discount can arise based on
the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price a Unitholder pays for his or her
Units.  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 a 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.
     
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-53073) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


<PAGE>
          
EXHIBIT 3.3

( ON DAY, BERRY & HOWARD LETTER)

4/19/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725
     Connecticut Traditional Trust 264

Gentlemen:

        You have requested that we act as special counsel with respect to
certain Connecticut tax aspects of Connecticut Traditional Trust 264 (the
"Connecticut Traditional Trust"), being created as part of the Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725 (the "Fund").
       
        The Fund is created under a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the 
date hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.  The Fund will issue units in 
several state trusts, one of which is the Connecticut Traditional Trust.
Each unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust (a "Unit") represents a 
fractional undivided interest in the principal and net income of the 
Connecticut Traditional Trust.  The Connecticut Traditional Trust and the 
trust for any other state included in the Fund will each be administered 
as a separate and distinct entity for all purposes, each having its own 
separate assets, accounts, and certificates.

        You have informed us that, upon the sale of Units of the Connecticut
Traditional Trust to investors (the "Unitholders"), the assets of the
Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of certain obligations 
(the "Bonds").  Each of the Bonds has been issued by or on behalf of the 
State of Connecticut, a political subdivision thereof, or public 
instrumentality, state or local authority, district, or similar public 
entity created under the laws of the State of Connecticut or by or on 
behalf of a United States territory or possession the interest on the   

<PAGE>

obligations of which Federal law would prohibit Connecticut from taxing 
if received directly by a Unitholder.  In the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer of each of the Bonds, the interest thereon is exempt from Federal 
income taxation. Distributions to Unitholders of interest received by the 
Connecticut Traditional Trust and of amounts received thereby upon the
maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition of the Bonds will be made 
semi-annually except in the case of Unitholders who have elected a shorter 
distribution period.

        You have informed us that, in the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and 
Cutler, for Federal income tax purposes (i) the Connecticut Traditional Trust
will not be classified as an association, but will be governed by the
provisions of subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
relating to trusts;  (ii) pursuant to subpart E of said subchapter J, each
Unitholder will be considered to be the owner of a portion of each asset of
the Connecticut Traditional Trust and to have a portion of each item of
income of the Connecticut Traditional Trust, in each case such portion being
equal to the part of the whole thereof that the number of Units of the
Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Connecticut Traditional Trust; (iii) each such
item of income will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as
in the hands of the Trustee; (iv) gain or loss will be recognized by a
Unitholder upon the redemption or sale of his Units or upon the maturity,
redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Bond held by the Connecticut
Traditional Trust; and (v) such income will be excludable from a Unitholder's
Federal gross income to the extent it consists of interest excludable
therefrom for Federal income tax purposes.
 
        Based on the foregoing, and relying explicitly on the opinion of 
Messrs. Chapman and Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, we are of 
the opinion that, under existing Connecticut law:

1.   The Connecticut Traditional Trust is not liable for any tax on
     or measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.

<PAGE>

2.   Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
     Trust is not taxable under the Connecticut tax on the Connecticut
     taxable income of individuals, trusts, and estates (the "Connecticut 
     Income Tax"), when such interest is received by the Connecticut 
     Traditional Trust or distributed by it to a Unitholder.

3.   Gains and losses recognized by a Unitholder for Federal income tax 
     purposes upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition by the 
     Connecticut Traditional Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut 
     Traditional Trust or upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition of a 
     Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken 
     into account as gains or losses, respectively, for purposes of the 
     Connecticut Income Tax, except that, in the case of a Unitholder holding
     a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust as a capital asset, such gains
     and losses recognized upon the sale or exchange of a Bond issued by or on
     behalf of the State of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or
     public instrumentality, state or local authority, district, or similar
     public entity created under the laws of the State of Connecticut
     (a "Connecticut Bond") held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust are
     excluded from gains and losses taken into account for purposes of such
     tax and no opinion is expressed as to the treatment for purposes of such
     tax of gains and losses recognized upon the maturity or redemption of a
     Connecticut Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust or, to the 
     extent attributable to Connecticut Bonds, of gains and losses recognized 
     upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition by a Unitholder of a Unit
     of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him.

4.   The portion of any interest income or capital gain of the Connecticut
     Traditional Trust that is allocable to a Unitholder that is subject to 
     the Connecticut corporation business tax is includable in the gross 
     income of such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.

<PAGE>

5.   An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
     by or attributable to a Connecticut resident at the time of his death is 
     includable in his gross estate for purposes of the Connecticut succession
     tax and the Connecticut estate tax.

          

        We hereby consent, without admitting that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required, to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement relating to the Units and to the reference to 
our firm as special Connecticut tax counsel in such Registration Statement 
and the Prospectus contained therein.

        We understand that you may deliver a copy of this opinion to the 
Trustee and hereby consent to the Trustee's relying on this opinion as though 
it were addressed to the Trustee.

Very truly yours,



DAY, BERRY & HOWARD



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94

Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust --
Series 725, Maryland Traditional Trust 293
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       Vice President, General Counsel
       and Secretary

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust --
Series 725, Maryland Traditional Trust 293
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Maryland counsel to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust-- Series 725 (the "Fund") with respect to the issuance by the Fund 
of units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund (the "Units") as  
described in a certain Registration Statement (No. 33-53073) on Form S-6
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").
The Fund has been organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated
as of the date hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated (the "Depositor")
and United States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").  The Fund will 
issue the Units in several Trusts, one of which is the Maryland Traditional
Trust 293 (the "Trust").  The Units will be purchased by various 
investors (the "Unitholders"). Each Unit of the Trust represents a fractional
undivided interest in the principal and net income of the Trust in the ratio 
of ten Units for each $1,000 principal amount of the obligations initially 
acquired by the Trust.  Each trust will be administered as a distinct entity 
with seperate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.

    The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations 
issued by or on behalf of the State of Maryland, its political subdivisions 
and authorities, and, provided the interest thereon is exempt from State 
income tax under the laws or treaties of the United States, obligations
issued by or on behalf of the territories or possessions of the United 
States, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, and their 
political subdivisions and authorities (the "Bonds").(N.1)  Distributions 
of the interest received by the Trust will be made semi-annually unless the 
Unitholder elects otherwise.

    You have requested our opinion as to the application of Maryland state and
local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering our
opinion, we have assumed (i) that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust will 
be exempt from Federal income tax (N.2) and (ii) that the Bonds have been 
issued in strict compliance with all requirements of Maryland law and, where 
applicable, Federal or territorial law.  Furthermore, in rendering our 
opinion, we have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even 
date herewith, that:
 
    (i)  The Trust will not be taxable as an association but will be governed 
by the provisions of Subchapter J (relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code");

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered the owner of a pro rata
portion of the Trust and will be subject to Federal income tax on the income
therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of 
the Code;

    (iii) The Trust, itself, will not be subject to Federal income taxes;

    (iv) For Federal income tax purposes, each item of Trust income will have
the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of the
Trust consists of interest excludable from Federal gross income, such income
will be excludable from Federal gross income of the Unitholder;


<PAGE>

    (v)  For Federal income tax purposes, each Unitholder will have a
taxable event upon the redemption or sale of his Unit.  Gain or loss will
be determined by comparing the proceeds of such a redemption or sale with
the Unitholder's adjusted basis for the Unit.  Before adjustment, this basis
would be cost, if the Unitholder had purchased his Units.  For Federal
income tax purposes, if the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether 
by sale, payment on maturity, retirement or otherwise), gain or loss will 
result to each Unitholder; such gain or loss is to be computed by measuring 
the Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
against his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of (such 
basis being determined by apportioning the basis for his Units among all of 
the Trust's assets ratably according to their values as of the valuation
date nearest the date on which he purchased his Units).  A 
Unitholder's basis in his Units and the basis for his fractional
interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his aliquot 
share of interest received, if any, on Bonds delivered after the
Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued
on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's settlement date
to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust and must be reduced 
annually for amortization of premiums, if any, on obligations held by the
Trust.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion, for Maryland State
and local tax purposes, that:

    (1)  The Trust will not be recognized as an association taxable as a
corporation, and the income of the Trust will be treated as the income of
the Unitholders.

    (2)  Interest received by the Trust on obligations of the State of
Maryland or its political subdivisions and authorities, or of territories
and possessions of the United States (to the extent federal law exempts
interest on obligations of territories or possessions of the United States
from state taxation) will be exempt from Maryland state and local income
taxes when allocated or distributed to an individual Unitholder of the
Trust.

    (3)  Interest or profit realized from a sale or exchange of bonds
issued by the State of Maryland or one of its political subdivisions
derived from the Trust by a financial institution, as defined in Section
8-101(c) of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
will be subject to the Maryland state franchise tax on financial institutions,
except to the extent such interest is expressly exempt from the Maryland state
franchise tax by the statutes which authorize the isuance of such Bonds
(See Section 8-204 of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of
Maryland).


    (4)  A Unitholder will not be subject to Maryland state or local
income tax with respect to gain realized when Bonds held in the Trust are 
sold, redeemed or paid at maturity, except with respect to gain realized upon 
a sale, redemption, or payment at maturity of such Bonds as are issued by or 
on behalf of United States' territories or possessions, their political
subdivisions and authorities; such gain will equal the proceeds of sale, 
redemption or payment, less the tax basis of the Bond (adjusted to reflect 
(a) the amortization of Bond premium or discount, and (b) the deposit in the 
Trust after the Unitholder's settlement date of Bonds with accrued
interest).
 
    (5)  Gain realized by a Unitholder from the redemption, sale or
other disposition of a Unit will be subject to Maryland state income tax
and Maryland local income tax except in the case of individual Unitholders
who are not Maryland residents.

    (6)  Maryland presently imposes an income tax on items of tax preference
with reference to such items as defined in the Code.  For taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1986, interest paid on certain private activity
bonds constitutes a tax preference pursuant to Section 57 (a) (5) of the
Code.  Accordingly, if the Maryland Series holds such bonds, 50% of the
interest would be taxable by Maryland under the provisions of Section
10-205(f) of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
subject to a threshold amount.

    (7)  Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued (directly or
indirectly) by a Unitholder to purchase or carry Units in the Trust
will not be deductible for Maryland State or local income tax purposes.

    (8)  Trust Units will be subject to Maryland inheritance and estate tax 
only if held by Maryland residents.

    (9)  Neither the Bonds nor the Units will be subject to the Maryland
personal property tax, sales tax or use tax.

    This letter is not to be construed as a prediction of a favorable outcome
with respect to any issue for which no favorable prediction is made herein, or
as a guaranty of any tax result, or as offering an assurance or guaranty that 
a Maryland state or local taxing authority might not differ with our 
conclusions, or raise other questions or issues upon audit, or that such 
action may not be judicially sustained.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited in the Fund and held
by the Trust, and express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such
Bonds would in fact be tax-exempt if directly received by a Unitholder;
nor have we made any review of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the
Bonds or the basis for the bond counsel opinions or the opinions of Messrs.
Chapman and Cutler referred to herein.

<PAGE>

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in such Registration
Statement and the Preliminary Prospectus included therein.  In giving
such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of 
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, 
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.


_______________________
(N.1)It is understood that, from time to time, some uninvested cash may be 
held in the Trust.



(N.2)Section 2.01 of the Indenture provides that the Depositor may deposit
delivery statements relating to contracts for the purchase of Bonds (rather 
than actual Bonds) into the Trust.  We understand that, should any such 
contract to purchase Bonds fail, the Depositor intends to pay to all 
Unitholders an amount equivalent to the interest that would have been
paid to such Unitholders had the contract not failed.  Such amount
will constitute taxable income for Federal income tax purposes.

Very truly yours,



VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON MOORE & VAN ALLEN  LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 725 - North Carolina Traditional 275
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esq.
       Vice President, General Counsel
       and Corporate Secretary

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 725 - North Carolina Traditional Trust 275
770 Broadway
New York, New York 10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special North Carolina counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 725 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No.
33-53073) on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Registration Statement"), in connection with the issuance by the Fund of 
units of fractional undivided interests in the Fund (the "Units").  The Fund
has been organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated of even date 
hereof, between John Nuveen & Co., Incorporated (the "Depositor") and United 
States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").  The Fund will issue the 
Units in several unit investment trusts for designated states, one of which 
will be North Carolina Traditional Trust 275  (the "Trust").  The Units
will be purchased by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Unit of the
Trust represents a fractional undivided interest in the principal and net
income of the Trust in the ratio of 10 Units for each $1,000 principal amount 
of the obligations initially acquired by the Trust.  Each Trust will be 
administered as a distinct entity with separate certificates, investments, 
expenses, books and records.
 
    The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations 
issued by or on behalf of the State of North Carolina, its political 
subdivisions authorities and provided the interest thereon is exempt
from North Carolina income taxes by the laws or treaties of the United States,
by or on behalf of the United States territories or possessions (including
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands), their
political subdivisions and authorities (the "Bonds").  Distributions of the
interest received by the Trust will be made semiannually unless the
Unitholder elects otherwise.
 
    You have requested our opinion as to the application of North Carolina 
state and local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering
our opinion, we have assumed (i) that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust 
will be exempt from Federal income tax and (ii) that the Bonds have been
issued in strict compliance with all requirements of North Carolina law or, 
where applicable, Federal or territorial law.  Furthermore, in rendering our
opinion, we have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even
date herewith, that:

    (i) The Trust will not be taxable as an association but will be governed
by the provisions of Subchapter J (relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");

    (ii)  Each Unitholder will be considered the owner of a pro rata
portion of the Trust and will be subject to federal income tax on the income
therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Code;

    (iii)  The Trust, itself, will not be subject to federal income taxes;

    (iv)  Each item of Trust income will have the same character in the hands
of a Unitholder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.  Accord-
ingly, to the extent that the income of the Trust consists of interest exclud-
able from federal gross income, such income will be excludable from the
federal gross income of the Unitholder; and

    (v)  Gain or loss will be recognized by a Unitholder upon the
redemption or sale of his Units or upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or
other disposition of a Bond held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    Based upon the foregoing and under existing law, we are of the opinion 
that:

    (1)  The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for North
Carolina income tax purposes.

    (2)  Interest on the Bonds which is exempt from North Carolina income tax
when received by the Trust will retain its status as tax-exempt interest when
distributed to Unitholders.

    (3)  For North Carolina income tax purposes, each Unitholder will
have a taxable event when, upon redemption or sale of his Unit, he receives 
cash or other property.  Gain or loss will be determined by computing the 
difference between the proceeds of such a redemption or sale and the 
Unitholder's adjusted basis for the Unit.

    (4)  For North Carolina income tax purposes, each Unitholder will
have a taxable event when the Trust disposes of one of the Bonds (whether by
sale, payment at maturity, retirement or otherwise); provided that when any of
the Bonds held by the Trust have been issued under an act of the General
Assembly of North Carolina that provides that all income from such Bond,
including a profit made from the sale thereof, shall be free from all taxation
by the State of North Carolina, any such profit received by the Trust will
retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of each Unitholder.

    (5)  Ownership of the Units representing a pro rata ownership of the Bonds
is exempt from the North Carolina tax on intangible personal property so long 
as the corpus of the Trust is composed entirely of North Carolina obligations 
or is composed entirely of obligations of the United States and its
possessions and North Carolina and at least eighty percent (80%) of the fair
market value of such obligations represents North Carolina obligations;
provided that for this exemption to apply, the Trustee must periodically
provide to the North Carolina Department of Revenue such information about
the Trust as required by applicable law.
 
    (6)  Interest on indebtedness paid or accrued by a Unitholder in connect-
ion with ownership of Units in the Trust will not be deductible by the
Unitholder for North Carolina income tax purposes.

    (7)  Amortization of Bond premiums is mandatory for North Carolina state
income tax purposes for all North Carolina resident Unitholders.
Amortization for the taxable year is accomplished by lowering the basis or
adjusted basis of the Units, with no deduction against gross income for the
year.

    (8)  Trust Units will be subject to North Carolina inheritance and estate
tax if owned by a North Carolina resident on the date of his death.

    (9)  Neither the Bonds nor the Units in the Trust will be subject to the
North Carolina sales tax or use tax.

    The foregoing opinion, which is based on the applicable law at the date of
this letter and on information provided to us by the Depositor, is an opinion
of counsel only and cannot be relied upon as binding on the State of North
Carolina or its taxing authorities.  This opinion is dependent upon laws,
regulations and administrative and judicial decisions that are subject to
change.  This opinion is being rendered to you and the Unitholders solely
for their benefit in connection with the purchase of the Units and may not
be relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose without our
prior written consent.

    This letter is not to be construed as a prediction of a favorable outcome
with respect to any issue for which no favorable prediction is made herein, or
as a guaranty of any tax result, or as offering an assurance or guaranty that 
a North Carolina state taxing authority might not differ with our 
conclusions, or raise other questions or issues upon audit.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited in the Fund and held
by the Trust, and express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such
Bonds would in fact be tax-exempt if directly received by a Unitholder;
nor have we made any review of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the
Bonds or the basis for the bond counsel opinions or the opinions of Messrs.
Chapman and Cutler referred to herein.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in such Registration
Statement and the Prospectus included therein.  In giving
such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of 
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, 
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,



MOORE & VAN ALLEN
By Ernest Riegel

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON CHAPMAN & CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 725
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

United States Trust Company of New York,
   as Trustee for Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
   Trust, Series 725
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

          Re:   
               Georgia Insured Trust 36
Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series
725, with respect to certain matters preliminary to the issuance and sale
of units of interest therein (the "Units") pursuant to a Trust Indenture and
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Indenture"), between John
Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as depositor (the "Depositor"), and United States
Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee").  The Units represent
fractional undivided interests in the principal of and net income on
obligations deposited in one of several separate trusts including the
above-captioned trust (the "Trust"), will be evidenced by a certificate
(the "Certificate") and will be sold to various investors (the "Unitholders").
Each separate trust will be administered as a distinct entity with
separate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.

         The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of Georgia (the "State") or counties,
municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions thereof (the "Georgia
Bonds") or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions
(the "Puerto Rico Bonds") (collectively, the "Bonds").  Distributions of
interest on the Bonds received by the Trust will be made semi-annually unless
a Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly.

         Although we express no opinion with respect therto, in rendering the
opinion expressed herein, we have assumed that the Bonds were validly issued
by the State of Georgia or its instrumentalities or municipalities and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or its instrumentalities or municipalities, as
the case may be.


PAGE END

<PAGE>

         Based on the foregoing, and review and consideration of existing
State laws, it is our opinion, and we herewith advise you, as follows:

    1.  For purposes of income taxation by the State of Georgia or any
of its counties or municipalities:

         (a)  The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation and
each Unitholder of the Trust will be treated as the owner of a pro-rata
portion of the Trust, and the income of the Trust will therefore be treated
as the income of the Unitholder;

         (b)  Interest on the Georgia Bonds and the Puerto Rico Bonds
which is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes
when received by the Trust will be exempt from Georgia income taxation
and therefore will not be includible in the income of the Unitholder
for income tax purposes when distributed by the Trust and received by
the Unitholder;

         (c)  Each Unitholder of the Trust will recognize gain or
loss for income tax purposes if the Trustee disposes of a bond
(whether by sale, exchange, payment on maturity, retirement or other-
wise) or if the Unitholder redeems or sells Units of the Trust
to the extent that such transaction results in a recognized gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes;

         (d)  Due to the amortization of bond premium and the basis adjust-
ments required by the Internal Revenue Code, a Unitholder, under some
circumstances, may realize taxable gain when his or her Units are sold or
redeemed prior to the maturity of Bonds held by the Trust for an amount
equal to such Units' original cost;

         (e)  In the case of Georgia Bonds issued before March 11, 1987
with original issue discount the amount of gain or loss recognized for
income tax purposes upon such sale or redemption of Bonds or
Units may differ from the amount recognized for federal income tax purposes
because original issue discount on such Bonds will accrue on ratable basis
under Georgia law;

         (f)  Interest on indebtedness incurred by a Unitholder to
purchase or carry Units of the Trust and Trustee fees and related expenses
incurred by the Trust which are not deductible for federal income tax
purposes are also not deductible under Georgia law;

    2.  Units of the Trust are not subject to sales or use taxation by
the State of Georgia or any political subdivision thereof;

    3.  Georgia Bonds and Bonds issued by the Government of Puerto Rico are
not subject to intangible personal property  taxation by the State of
Georgia or any political subdivision thereof and although there is currently
no published administrative interpretation or opinion of the Attorney General
of Georgia dealing with the status of bonds issued by a political subdivision
of Puerto Rico, we have in the past, been advised orally by representatives
of the Georgia Department of Revenue that such bonds would also be considered
exempt from such tax;

    4.  No opinion is expressed regarding whether Units of the Trust
are subject to intangilble personal property taxation by the State of
Georgia, however, according to discussions with the Georgia Department of
Revenue, it is the Department's view that Units of the Trust would be
subject to such tax;

    5.  Georgia Bonds and Puerto Rico Bonds are not subject to sales or
use taxation by the State of Georgia or any political subdivision thereof;



    6.  In the case of Trusts for which an insurance policy or policies with
respect to the payment of principal and interest on the Georgia Bonds and
Puerto Rico Bonds has been obtained by the Depositor, any proceeds paid under
such policy or policies issued to the Trust, if any, with respect to the Bonds
in the Trust which represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations held
by the Trustee will be exempt from State income taxes if, and to the same ex-
tent as, such interest would have been so exempt if paid by the issurer of the
defaulted obligations.  Paragraph 1(b) of this opinion is accordingly
applicable to policy proceeds representing maturing interest.

          We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited and held in
the Trust or the proceedings for the issuance thereof or the opinions of bond
counsel with respect thereto, and therefore express no opinion as to the
exemption from State income taxes of interest on the Bonds if received
directly by a Unitholder.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (No. 33-53073) filed pursuant to the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), with respect to the registration of the sale of
the Units by Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725, and to the 
references to our firm in such Registration Statement and the preliminary 
prospectus included therein.  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit
that we are persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act, or the 
rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,



Chapman & Cutler


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3

(ON PITNEY, HARDIN, KIPP & SZUCH LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725
      
     New Jersey Insured Trust 174

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special counsel, with respect to New Jersey state tax
matters, to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725 (the "Fund")
concerning a Registration Statement (No. 33-53073) on Form S-6 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the issuance by the Fund of units
of fractional undivided interest (the "Units") in several state trusts (the
"State Trusts"), one of which is the above-captioned trust ("New
Jersey Trust").  Such Units will be purchased by various investors
("Unitholders").

     The Fund is organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement (the
"Indenture") of even date herewith between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated (the
"Depositor") and United States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").
Each Unit of the New Jersey Trust represents a fractional undivided interest
in the principal and net income of the New Jersey Trust in the ratio of ten
Units for each one thousand dollars ($1,000) of principal amount of the
obligations initially acquired by the New Jersey Trust.  The New Jersey Trust
will be administered as a distinct entity with separate certificates,
investments, expenses, books and records.

    In acting as special counsel, we have examined such documents and records
with respect to the immediately preceding series of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust - Series which included a State Trust consisting primarily of Bonds
(herein defined) (the "Prior Series") as we deem necessary, including, but not
limited to, the Trust Indenture and Agreement (the "Prior Series Indenture")
and the Prospectus.  You have advised that the Indenture is identical in all
material respects to the Prior Series Indenture.  You have also advised that
the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler with respect to the Federal income
tax status of the Fund, its constituent State Trusts and its Unitholders is
in all material respects identical to the opinion issued by Messrs. Chapman
and Cutler for the Prior Series.

    We note that the assets of the New Jersey Trust will consist of
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of New
Jersey, and counties, municipalities, authorities and other political
subdivisions thereof, and certain territories of the United States including
Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands (the
"Bonds").  Distributions of the interest received by the New Jersey Trust will
be made to each Unitholder semi-annually unless the Unitholder elects to
receive such distributions on a monthly or quarterly basis.  In the
opinion of bond counsel to each issuer, the interest on all Bonds in the New
Jersey Trust is exempt from Federal income tax under existing law.

    We understand that on this date (the "Date of Deposit") the Depositor has
deposited with the Trustee the total principal amount of interest-bearing
obligations and/or contracts for the purchase thereof together with an
irrevocable letter of credit in the amount required for the purchase price and
accrued interest, if any, and an insurance policy or policies purchased by the
Depositor and issued by the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
(the "Insurer") evidencing the insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of
principal and interest of some of the obligations comprising the corpus of the
Fund, as more fully set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus.  All other
obligations included in the deposit described above will be covered by
insurance obtained by the issuer of such obligations from the Insurer
guaranteeing timely payment of principal and interest.  Such insurance will
provide that the amount paid by the Insurer in respect of any Bond may
not exceed the amount of principal and interest due on the Bond and such
payment will in no event relieve the issuer from its continuing obligation
to pay such defaulted principal and interest in accordance with the terms of
the obligation.

    Section 2.04 of the Indenture provides that each State Trust is a separate
and distinct trust for all purposes, the assets of one State Trust may not be
commingled with the assets of any other State Trust, and that the expenses of
one State Trust shall not be charged against any other State Trust.  Section
2.04 further provides that the certificates representing the ownership of an
undivided fractional interest in one State Trust shall not be exchangeable for
certificates representing the ownership of an undivided fractional interest in
any other State Trust.

<PAGE>

     The Indenture provides further, among other things, that the Trustee
shall:

    A.  Collect all interest and monies payable to the New Jersey Trust, and
hold the funds collected in trust on behalf of the Unitholders of the
New Jersey Trust;

    B.  Set aside from such funds any amounts necessary for the reimbursement
of advances and for the payment of expenses, taxes and governmental charges in
respect of the New Jersey Trust;

    C.  Distribute all remaining amounts semi-annually, or monthly or
quarterly if so elected by a Unitholder, to the Unitholders in proportion
to their interest in the New Jersey Trust;

    D.  Redeem any certificates tendered for redemption by a Unitholder
provided that the Trustee has notified the Depositor of the tender and the
Depositor has failed to indicate within a time specified in the Indenture that
it will purchase the tendered certificates from the tendering Unitholder;

    E.  Sell or liquidate any or all Bonds at the sole direction of the
Depositor and at such price and time and in such manner as shall be determined
by the Depositor, provided that the Depositor has determined that any one or
more of certain conditions specified in the Indenture exists;

    F.  In connection with an offer made by an obligor of any of the Bonds to
issue new obligations, in exchange and substitution for any issue of Bonds
pursuant to a plan for the refunding or refinancing of such Bonds, pursuant to
the sole instruction of the Depositor in writing, reject such offer and either
hold or sell such Bonds, or accept or reject such offer or to take any other
action with respect thereto as the Depositor may deem proper; and

    G.  At the direction of the Depositor, acquire Replacement Bonds, as
defined in the Prospectus, to make up the original corpus of the New Jersey
Trust in the event of a failure to deliver any Bond that has been purchased
for the New Jersey Trust under a contract, including those Bonds purchased on
a "when, as and if issued" basis.

    The Trustee has no power of sale except (a) on order of the Depositor as
stated herein, (b) to provide funds, not otherwise available, to pay taxes,
charges, expenses, fees or indemnities, (c) in case of default on any of the
Bonds, but only after notification of the Depositor, and provided that the
Depositor has not, within 30 days of such notification, given any instructions
to sell or to hold, or has not taken any other action in connection with, such
Bonds, or (d) for the purpose of redeeming certificates tendered by any
Unitholder.  The Trustee has no  power to reinvest, except as stated in
Section 3.08 of the Indenture.  Such limited power of reinvestment is in
furtherance of the Trustee's obligation to protect the trust assets, and does
not constitute power to vary investments.

    The Indenture provides further, among other things, that the Unitholders:

    A.  May tender their certificate or certificates to the Trustee for
redemption except in limited circumstances;

    B.  Will not have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise control the
operation and management of the Fund, the New Jersey Trust, or the obligations
of the Depositor or Trustee;

    C.  May elect to receive distributions from the New Jersey Trust on a
monthly or quarterly basis;

    D.  May terminate the New Jersey Trust at any time by written consent of
100% of the Unitholders of the New Jersey Trust; and

    E.  Shall be under no liability to any third persons by reason of any
action taken by the Depositor or Trustee or any other Unitholder, or any
other cause whatsoever.

<PAGE>

    You have advised that, in the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, for
Federal income tax purposes the Fund and New Jersey Trust will not be taxable
as a corporation or association but will be governed by the provisions of
Subchapter J (relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.  Each Unitholder will be considered the owner of a
pro rata portion of the New Jersey Trust and will be subject to tax on the
income therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of
Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The New Jersey
Trust itself will not be subject to Federal income taxes.  For Federal income
tax purposes, each item of trust income will have the same character in the
hands of the Unitholder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.
Accordingly, to the extent that the income of the New Jersey Trust consists
of interest excludable from gross income under Section 103 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such income will be excludable from Federal
gross income of the Unitholder.  Furthermore, any proceeds paid under
the insurance policy or policies issued to the Trustee of the Fund with re-
spect to each Bond which represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations
held by the Trustee 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
issuer of the defaulted obligations and the excludability from Federal
gross income of interest on Bonds which may be insured by  policies issued
directly to the respective Bond issuers will not be affected if the source
of any interest payment is from policy proceeds.

    Based on our examination of the Prior Series Indenture, your advice that
the  Indenture is identical in all material respects to the Prior Series
Indenture, your advice that the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler with
respect to the Federal income tax status of the Fund, its constituent State
Trusts and its Unitholders dated as of the date hereof is identical in all
material respects to its counterpart in the Prior Series, and, with respect
to Federal income tax matters, with your approval, relying solely upon the
opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, and our examination of such other
documents, records and matters of law as we deem necessary, we are of the
opinion that for New Jersey state and local tax purposes:

    1.  The New Jersey Trust will be recognized as a trust and not an
association taxable as a corporation.  The New Jersey Trust will not be
subject to the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax or the New Jersey
Corporation Income Tax.

    2.  With respect to the non-corporate Unitholders who are residents
of New Jersey, the income of the New Jersey Trust which is allocable to each
such Unitholder will be treated as the income of such Unitholder
under the New Jersey Gross Income Tax.  Interest on the underlying Bonds which
would be exempt from New Jersey Gross Income Tax if directly received by such
Unitholder will retain its status as tax-exempt interest when received
by the New Jersey Trust and distributed to such Unitholder.  Any
proceeds paid under the insurance policy or policies issued to the Trustee of
the Fund with respect to each Bond or under individual policies obtained by
issuers of Bonds which represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations
held by the Trustee will be exempt from New Jersey Gross Income Tax if, and to
the same extent as, such interest would have been so exempt if paid by the
issuer of the defaulted obligations.

    3.  A non-corporate Unitholder will not be subject to the New
Jersey Gross Income Tax on any gain realized either when the New Jersey Trust
disposes of a Bond (whether by sale, exchange, redemption, or payment at
maturity), when the Unitholder redeems or sells his Units, or upon
payment of any proceeds under the insurance policy or policies issued to
the Trustee of the Fund with respect to each Bond or under individual policies
obtained by issuers of Bonds which represent maturing principal on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee.  Any loss realized on such disposition may
not be utilized to offset gains realized by such Unitholder on the
disposition of assets the gain on which is subject to the New Jersey Gross
Income Tax.

    4.  Units of the New Jersey Trust may be taxable on the death of a
Unitholder under the New Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax Law or the New
Jersey Estate Tax Law.

    5.  If a Unitholder is a corporation subject to the New Jersey
Corporation Business Tax or New Jersey Corporation Income Tax, interest from
the Bonds in the New Jersey Trust which is allocable to such corporation will
be includable in its entire net income for purposes of the New Jersey
Corporation Business Tax or New Jersey Corporation Income Tax, less any
interest expense incurred to carry such investment to the extent such interest
expense has not been deducted in computing Federal taxable income.  Net gains
derived by such corporation on the disposition of the Bonds by the New Jersey
Trust or on the disposition of its Units will be included in its entire net
income for purposes of the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax or New Jersey
Corporation Income Tax.  Any proceeds paid under the insurance policy or
policies issued to the Trustee of the Fund with respect to each Bond or
under individual policies obtained by issuers of Bonds which represent
maturing interest or maturing principal on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee will be included in its entire net income for purposes of the New
Jersey Corporation Business Tax or New Jersey Corporation Income Tax if, and
to the same extent as, such interest or proceeds would have been so included
if paid by the issuer of the defaulted obligations.

<PAGE>

    We have not examined any of the obligations to be deposited in the Fund,
and express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such obligations
would in fact be tax-exempt if directly received by a Unitholder; nor
have we made any review of the proceedings relating to the issuance of Bonds
or the basis for bond counsel opinions.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm and a summary of
this opinion included in such Registration Statement and the Prospectus
included therein.  In giving such consent we do not thereby admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.

     Except as indicated in the immediately preceding paragraph hereof and
except with our prior written consent, this opinion may not be quoted in
whole or in part or otherwise referred to in any document or instrument
or be furnished to or relied upon by any person other than the addressee
and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (including any
successor trustee).

Very truly yours,



Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Re:     NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 725

        This is in response to your requests regarding the above-captioned
fund which consists of separate underlying insured and traditional unit
investment trusts, SEC file # 33-53073.

        INSURED TRUSTS.

        With respect to the insured trusts we have reviewed the information
presented to us and have assigned a 'AAA' rating to the units of each insured
trust and a 'AAA' rating to the securities contained in each insured trust.
The ratings are direct reflections of the portfolio of each insured trust,
which will be composed soley of securities covered by bond insurance policies
that insure against default in the payment of principal and interest on the
securities contained in each insured trust for as long as they remain
outstanding.  We understand that the bonds described in the prospectus are the
same as those in the attatched list.  Since such policies have been issued by
MBIA which has been assigned a 'AAA' claims paying ability rating by S&P, S&P
has assigned a 'AAA' to the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to
the securities contained in each trust.

        You have permission to use the name of Standard & Poor's Corporation
and the above-assigned rating in connection with your dissemination of
information relating to the insured trusts provided that it is understood
that the ratings are not 'market' ratings nor recommendations to buy, hold or
sell the units of the insured trusts or the securities contained in the
insured trusts.  Further, it should be understood the rating on the units of
each insured trust does not take into account the extent to which the trust's
expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the principal required to be
paid on the portfolio assets.  S&P reserves the right to advise its own
clients, subscribers, and the public of the ratings.  S&P relies on the
sponsor and its counsel, accountants, and other experts for the accuracy and
completeness of the information submitted in connection with the ratings.  S&P
does not independently verify the truth or accuracy of any such information.

        This letter evidences our consent to the use of the name of Standard &
Poor's Corporation in connection with the rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust in the registration statement or prospectus relating to the
units and the trusts.  However, this letter should not be construed as a
consent by us, within the meaning of section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
to the use of Standard and Poor's Corporation in connection with the ratings
assigned to the securities contained in the insured trusts.  You are hereby
authorized to file a copy of this letter with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

        Please be certain to send us three copies of your final prospectus as
soon as it becomes available.  Should we not receive them within a reasonable
time after the closing or should they not conform to certification received by
us, we reserve the right to nullify the ratings.


<PAGE>



        TRADITIONAL TRUSTS.

        With respect to the traditional unit investment trusts within the
above-captioned fund, we have reviewed the information presented to us and we
hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the prospectus as being assigned
by Standard & Poor's Corporation to the securities contained in each
traditional trust of such fund are, according to our records, the ratings
currently assigned by Standard & Poor's Corporation to such securities.  You
understand that Standard & Poor's Corporation has not consented to, and will
not consent to, being named as "expert" under the federal securities laws,
including and without limitation, Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
with respect to the ratings on any securities contained in any of the
traditional trusts.

        Please note that the 'AAA' rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust does not apply to the units of any of the traditional trusts.


                                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

                                          
                                          Vincent S. Orgo



 
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.2

(On Kenny Information Systems, Inc. Letterhead)

4/19/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Re:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the registration statement File No. 33-53073,
for the above captioned trust.  We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Services, a division of Kenny Information Systems, Inc.
is currently acting as the evaluator for the trust. We hereby
consent to the use in the Registration Statement of the reference
to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of Kenny Information
Systems, Inc. as evaluator.
     In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
Registration Statement for the respective bonds comprising the trust
portfolio are the ratings currently indicated in our KENNYBASE database.

     You are hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sincerely,


F.A. Shinal



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT 4.3

(ON CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN LETTERHEAD)

4/19/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 725
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725

Dear Sirs:

    We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders?" in the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725 for the
registration of units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund in the 
aggregate principal amount as set forth in the Closing Memorandum dated 
today's date.
 
Very truly yours,


CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
 


<PAGE>

                                   MEMORANDUM

                 Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 725
                               File No. 33-53073


    The Prospectus and the Indenture filed with Amendment No. 1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-6 have been revised to reflect information
regarding the execution of the Indenture and the deposit of bonds on 4/19/94,
and to set forth certain statistical data based thereon.  In addition, there 
are a number of other changes from the Prospectus as originally filed to which
reference is made, including the increase in the size of the Fund, a
corresponding increase in the number of Units and a change in the individual
trusts constituting the Fund.  All references to the Units, prices and related
statistical data will apply to each trust of the Fund and the Units thereof
individually.

    Except for such updating, an effort has been made to set forth below each 
of the changes and also to reflect the same by marking the Prospectus 
transmitted with the Amendment.  Also, differences between the Final 
Prospectus relating to the previous series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust and the subject Prospectus have been indicated.

                                    FORM S-6

    FACING SHEET.  The file number is now shown.

                                 THE PROSPECTUS

     PAGE 3.       The "Estimated Long-Term Return" and "Estimated Current
Return" to Unitholders under each Trust under each of the distribution
plans are stated.

     PAGES 4 - 6.  Essential information for each of the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.

     PAGES 6 - 7.  The date of the Indenture has been inserted in Section 1
along with the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.

     PAGE 9 et seq. The following information for each Trust appears on the
pages relating to such trust:

         The estimated daily accrual of interest under the plans of
         distribution for each of the Trusts

         Data regarding the composition of the portfolio of each
         Trust

         Disclosure regarding the states' economic and legislative
         matters relevant to investors of state trusts

         Concentrations of issues by purpose in each Trust

         The approximate percentage of the bonds in the
         portfolio of each Trust acquired in distributions where
         the Sponsor was either the sole underwriter or manager
         or member of the underwriting syndicate

         The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio
         of each Trust

         The schedule of investments for each Trust, including
         the notes thereto

         Descriptions of the opinions of the special tax
         counsel for state trusts

         The Record Dates and Distribution Dates for
         interest distributions for each Trust

         The distribution table for each Trust

         Taxable Equivalent Estimated Current Return Tables for residents
         of the respective jurisdictions

         The statements of condition for each Trust
         and the accountant's report with regard thereto.

         The amount of the Trustee's Fee

                             THE INDENTURE

The Schedules to the Indenture have been completed.


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


Chicago, Illinois

4/19/94


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