NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 740
487, 1994-07-19
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<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-54189
                                                      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 740

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 7/19/94 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______



<PAGE>
   
                                 JULY 19, 1994
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 740
             July 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 740  consists  of  four  underlying
separate  unit investment trusts  designated as National  Traditional Trust 532,
Virginia Traditional Trust 289, Georgia Insured Trust 38 and Ohio Insured  Trust
116.  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.
 
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE  BOARD  OR ANY  OTHER
AGENCY  AND INVOLVE  INVESTMENT RISK,  INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Index                                             Section         Page
<C>   <S>                                              <C>        <C>
      SPECIFIC TRUST MATTERS
      National Traditional Trust 532                          3         8-12
      Virginia Traditional Trust 289                          3        13-20
      Georgia Insured Trust 38                                3        21-28
      Ohio Insured Trust 116                                  3        29-36
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-16
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-24
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            7
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-18
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         8-36
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-32
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4     8-36,A-6
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-18
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-28
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            5
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-22
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   8-36, A-22
      Distribution of Units to the Public                    17         A-28
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts             --            4
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current
      Return                                                  9      3, A-17
      Evaluation                                             16         A-28
      Expenses to Fund                                       12         A-21
      Insurance on Bonds in the Insured Trusts                5          A-9
      Insurance on Certain Bonds in the Traditional
      Trusts                                                  5         A-12
      Interest Income to Trust                                3         8-36
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         8-36
      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-28
      Objectives of the Trusts                                2            6
      Optional Distribution Plan                             13         A-22
      Other Information                                      24         A-35
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                        18         A-29
      Public Offering Price of Units                          6         A-12
      Quantity Purchases                                      6         A-12
      Record Dates                                           13         A-22
      Ratings, Description of                                24         A-37
      Redemption of Units by Trustee                         19         A-30
      Reports to Unitholders                                 15         A-27
      Repurchase of Units by Sponsor                         20         A-32
      Sales Charge                                            6         A-12
      Sponsor, Information About                             23         A-34
      State Tax Status                                        3         8-36
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                        22         A-34
      Tax Status of Unitholders                              11         A-18
      Trustee, Information About                             22         A-33
      Trust Indenture, Amendment and Termination             24         A-35
      Unit Value                                             16         A-28
</TABLE>
 
                  2
<PAGE>
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
                                      AND
                    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS FOR THE TRUSTS
 
Following  are the  Estimated Long Term  and Estimated Current  Returns for each
Trust on the  business day  prior to  the Date  of Deposit,  under the  monthly,
quarterly and semi-annual plans of distribution (SEE SECTION 3):
 
                          Estimated Long Term Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  National Traditional Trust 532...........      5.93%         5.96%           5.98%
  Virginia Traditional Trust 289...........      5.78%         5.82%           5.84%
  Georgia Insured Trust 38.................      5.65%         5.68%           5.70%
  Ohio Insured Trust 116...................      5.60%         5.63%           5.65%
</TABLE>
 
                           Estimated Current Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  National Traditional Trust 532...........      5.88%         5.91%           5.93%
  Virginia Traditional Trust 289...........      5.69%         5.72%           5.74%
  Georgia Insured Trust 38.................      5.59%         5.62%           5.64%
  Ohio Insured Trust 116...................      5.51%         5.54%           5.56%
</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
                                 JULY 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>
                                                         National            Virginia             Georgia              Ohio
                                                        Traditional         Traditional           Insured             Insured
                                                         Trust 532           Trust 289           Trust 38            Trust 116
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    7,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          75,000              35,000              35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/75,000            1/35,000            1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    7,052,425      $    3,253,418      $    3,347,325      $    3,309,655
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        94.03      $        92.95      $        95.64      $        94.56
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.84      $         4.79      $         4.93      $         4.87
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        98.87      $        97.74      $       100.57      $        99.43
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        93.53      $        92.46      $        95.16      $        94.06
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        94.03      $        92.95      $        95.64      $        94.56
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.34      $         5.28      $         5.41      $         5.37
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $         4.84      $         4.79      $         4.93      $         4.87
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       6.0211      $       5.7800      $       5.8429      $       5.6964
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2111      $        .2216      $        .2239      $        .2198
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.8100      $       5.5584      $       5.6190      $       5.4766
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01613      $       .01544      $       .01560      $       .01521
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.88%               5.69%               5.59%               5.51%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.93%               5.78%               5.65%               5.60%
 
<FN>
- ----------
Evaluations  for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 * National and State, 5.152%;  Long Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%;  Short Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term,  2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1)  Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not including,
    the date of settlement (normally five business days after purchase).  The Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated  as
    the  First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date of
    Deposit, the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the Settlement Date  will be  added to the  Public Offering  Prices:
    National Traditional Trust--$.11, Virginia Traditional Trust--$.11, Georgia Insured Trust--$.11 and Ohio Insured Trust--$.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>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
Record Dates......................................................................See Section 13
Distribution Dates................................................................See Section 13
Minimum Principal Distribution....................................................$0.10 Per Unit
Date Trusts Established............................................................July 19, 1994
Settlement Date....................................................................July 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:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ------------------------------------------
                    TRUST                        MONTHLY       QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  -----------------------------------------     ----------     ----------     ------------
  <S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
  National Traditional Trust 532...........     $  1.6322      $  1.3122      $   1.1222
  Virginia Traditional Trust 289...........        1.5848         1.2648          1.0748
  Georgia Insured Trust 38.................        1.6085         1.2885          1.0985
  Ohio Insured Trust 116...................        1.5676         1.2476          1.0576
  ------------
  * 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 740
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 740?
    
 
   
Series  740 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 four underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts,  combined  under  one  trust  indenture  and
agreement, designated National Traditional Trust 532, Virginia Traditional Trust
289, Georgia Insured Trust 38 and Ohio Insured Trust 116. 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  July 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 of  $18,000,000 (the "Bonds"),
which initially constitute the underlying securities of the
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
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:  $7,500,000  in  the  National  Traditional   Trust,
$3,500,000  in the Virginia Traditional Trust, $3,500,000 in the Georgia Insured
Trust and $3,500,000 in the Ohio 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 75,000  Units
of  the National  Traditional Trust,  35,000 Units  of the  Virginia Traditional
Trust, 35,000 Units of the  Georgia Insured Trust and  35,000 Units of the  Ohio
Insured  Trust, which  together represent  ownership of  the entire  Series, and
which are offered for sale by this Prospectus. Each Unit of a Trust represents a
fractional undivided interest in the principal  and net income of such Trust  in
the  ratio  of 10  Units  for each  $1,000  principal value  of  Bonds initially
deposited in  such Trust.  Only  Units of  the  National Traditional  Trust  and
Virginia  Traditional Trust are  offered for sale to  Virginia residents by this
Prospectus. Only Units of the National Traditional Trust are offered for sale to
Washington residents by this Prospectus.
    
 
2.  WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
The objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and,  in
the  case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles taxes,
and conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by  or
on  behalf of states  and territories of  the United States  and authorities and
political subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion  of
recognized  bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt from
Federal income tax under existing law. Bonds in any State Trust have been issued
primarily by  or on  behalf of  the  State for  which such  Trust is  named  and
counties,  municipalities, authorities  and political  subdivisions thereof, the
interest on which Bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from  Federal
and  certain state income tax and intangibles  taxes, if any, for purchasers who
qualify as residents of that  State. Insurance guaranteeing the timely  payment,
when  due, of all principal and interest on  the Bonds in each Insured Trust has
been obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds from Municipal Bond
Investors  Assurance  Corporation,  and  as  a  result  of  such  insurance  the
obligations  in the Insured Trusts are rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation. (SEE SECTION 5)All  obligations
in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better (SP-1 or MIG 2
or  better  in the  case  of short  term obligations  included  in a  Short Term
Traditional Trust)  by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  or  Moody's  Investors
Service,  Inc.  (including  provisional or  conditional  ratings).  In addition,
certain Bonds  in  certain  Traditional  Trusts  may  be  covered  by  insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment,
 
                                       6
<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.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
NATIONAL TRADITIONAL TRUST 532
    
   
    The  Portfolio of  National Traditional Trust  532 consists of  15 long term
(approximately 15 to 40 year maturities) obligations issued by entities  located
in  11 states. One Bond in the Trust is a general obligation of the governmental
entity issuing it and is backed by  the taxing power thereof. Fourteen 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; College  and  University Revenue,  2;  Electrical System
Revenue, 6;  Health Care  Facility  Revenue, 4;  Resource Recovery  Revenue,  1.
Fourteen  issues in  the Trust  were rated by  Standard &  Poor's Corporation as
follows: 4--AAA, 1-- AA, 3--A+, 3--A, 3--A-. Eleven issues were rated by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.  as follows:  4--Aaa, 1--Aa2,  2--A1, 1--Con(A1),  3--A.
Twenty-two  percent of the  principal amount of  Bonds in the  Trust consists of
issues of entities located  in the State of  California; such concentration  may
involve  more risk than if such Bonds  were issued by issuers located in several
states.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the  National
Traditional Trust is 28.2 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  7.3% of  the aggregate principal  amount of the  Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 6.5% 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 39% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  are obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from sale
of electric  energy.  Insurance  guaranteeing prompt  payment  of  interest  and
principal  on certain of the Bonds in the  Trust has been obtained by the issuer
or underwriter of  such Bonds from  a commercial insurer.  Such Bonds are  rated
"Aaa" or "Aa" by Moody's or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's, reflecting those
rating  agencies' current assessment of the  creditworthiness of the insurer and
its ability to pay claims on its  policies of insurance. Twenty nine percent  of
the  aggregate principal amount of the Bonds,  included in the above amount, are
obligations of  issuers  whose  revenues  are primarily  derived  from  sale  of
electric energy, but which are covered by such insurance.
 
    Approximately  29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into  contracts to acquire the  Bonds on July 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>
  $7,023,092       $29,333           $451,585      $7,014,925                 .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
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
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  National Traditional Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue
at the  rate  of  $.01628  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan  of
distribution,  $.01622 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01613 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It  is
anticipated  that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each year
under each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to  the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the National 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
National Traditional Trust                        1994                             1995                  per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        9/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       9/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6774(1)                                                  $  5.8100
                                                          --------  $.4839 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6774(1)   $   .9732(2)   $  1.4598      $  1.4598        $  5.8420
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6774(1)   $   .9768(3)                  $  2.9304        $  5.8610
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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  2-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--NATIONAL TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the tax status of income earned on National  Traditional
Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
NATIONALLY DIVERSIFIED TRUST TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
(NATIONAL TRADITIONAL TRUST)
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  published  1994  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased tax  rates for  higher-income tax  payers that  were included  in  the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. The tables illustrate what you would have to
earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for
your  income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax rate is affected by both his
taxable income and his adjusted gross income. Locate your adjusted gross  income
and  your taxable  income (which  is your adjusted  gross income  reduced by any
deductions and  exemptions), then  locate your  tax bracket  based on  joint  or
single  tax  filing. Read  across to  the  equivalent taxable  estimated current
return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted
    Taxable        Gross                                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65    7.94
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      28.0         6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03    9.38
                 111.8-167.7      29.0         7.04    7.39    7.75    8.10    8.45    8.80    9.15    9.51
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      31.0         7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78
                 111.8-167.7      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
                 167.7-290.2      34.5         7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92   10.31
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      37.0         7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71
                 167.7-290.2      40.0         8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25
                  Over 290.2      37.0   2     7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      44.0         8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
                  Over 290.2      41.0   3     8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02   11.44
</TABLE>
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted
    Taxable        Gross                                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65    7.94
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      28.0         6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03    9.38
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      31.0         7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78
                 111.8-234.3      32.5         7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63   10.00
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      38.0         8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89
                  Over 234.3      37.0   2     7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      41.0   3     8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02   11.44
<FN>
- ------------------
      1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations  on itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions.  They
were  designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise
the current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers  filing a single return  entitled to only one personal
exemption. These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the  total
amount  of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
July 19, 1994
NATIONAL TRADITIONAL TRUST 532
(Series 740)
    
 
<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>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   550,000      State Public Works Board of the State of            2003 at 102         A        Con(A1)   $       474,298
                   California, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds
                   (The Regents of the University of
                   California), 1993 Series A (Various
                   University of California Projects), 5.50% Due
                   6/1/21.
    550,000     * County of San Joaquin, California, Certificates    2004 at 102         A          --              549,313
                   of Participation (1994 Solid Waste System
                   Facilities Project), 6.60% Due 4/1/19. (When
                   issued.)
    550,000      Department of Water and Power of the City of        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             516,797
                   Los Angeles, California, Electric Plant
                   Refunding Revenue Bonds, Issue of 1993,
                   5.875% Due 9/1/30. (MBIA Insured.)
    550,000      Fulco Hospital Authority, Revenue Anticipation      2002 at 102         --          A              527,450
                   Certificates (Georgia Baptist Health Care
                   System Project), Series 1992A, 6.375% Due
                   9/1/22.
    440,000      Village of Bryant, Illinois, Pollution Control      2003 at 102         AA         Aa2             405,711
                   Refunding Revenue Bonds (Central Illinois
                   Light Company Project), Series 1993, 5.90%
                   Due 8/1/23.
    550,000      Illinois Educational Facilities Authority,          2003 at 102         A          A1              491,744
                   Revenue Bonds, Illinois Wesleyan University,
                   Series 1993, 5.625% Due 9/1/18.
    550,000      Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue        2003 at 102         A-          A              461,395
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1993 (Illinois
                   Masonic Medical Center), 5.50% Due 10/1/19.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about November 18, 1993 at a price of
                   94.719% of principal amount.)
    550,000      The Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond      2003 at 102         A+         --              562,452
                   Bank (Indiana), Series 1992 D Bonds, 6.75%
                   Due 2/1/20.
    550,000      City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Pollution Control     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             521,021
                   Refunding Revenue Bonds (Midwest Power
                   Systems Inc. Project), Series 1993, 5.95% Due
                   5/1/23. (MBIA Insured.)
    270,000      Montgomery County, Maryland, Pollution Control      2004 at 102         A+         A1              236,674
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Potomac Electric
                   Project), 1994 Series, 5.375% Due 2/15/24.
    240,000      Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,         2004 at 102         A+          A              227,306
                   General Transportation System Bonds, 1994
                   Series B Bonds, 5.875% Due 3/1/19. (General
                   Obligation Bonds.)
    550,000      Medical Center Educational Building Corporation     2004 at 102         A-         --              501,045
                   (Mississippi), Revenue Bonds, Series 1993
                   (University of Mississippi Medical Center
                   Project), 5.80% Due 12/1/14.
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
NATIONAL TRADITIONAL TRUST 532 (Continued)
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
$                                                                                                           $
    550,000      The Pollution Control Financing Authority of        2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             547,250
                   Salem County (New Jersey), Pollution Control
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds of 1994, Series B
                   (Public Service Electric and Gas Company
                   Project), 6.25% Due 6/1/31. (MBIA Insured.)
    550,000      New York State Energy Research and Development      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             529,969
                   Authority, Pollution Control Refunding
                   Revenue Bonds (New York State Electric & Gas
                   Corporation Project), 1994 Series A, 6.05%
                   Due 4/1/34. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      North Carolina Medical Care Commission,             2002 at 102         A-         --              500,000
                   Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds (Mercy
                   Hospital Project), Series 1992, 6.50% Due
                   8/1/15.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 7,500,000                                                                                                 $     7,052,425
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 37.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date.  Their expected  delivery date  is July  28, 1994.  Contracts
  relating  to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement for
  purchase made  on the  Date  of Deposit  constitute  approximately 7%  of  the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 289
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Virginia  Traditional Trust 289  consists of 8 obligations
issued by entities  located in  Virginia. One  Bond in  the Trust  is a  general
obligation  of the governmental  entity issuing it  and is backed  by the taxing
power thereof. Seven 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, 1;
Health Care Facility Revenue,  3; Water and/or  Sewer Revenue, 1;  Miscellaneous
Revenue,  1.  Seven  issues  in  the  Trust  were  rated  by  Standard  & Poor's
Corporation as follows: 2-- AAA, 2--AA,  1--AA-, 1--A+, 1--A. Eight issues  were
rated  by  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  as  follows: 2--Aaa,  2--Aa, 1--A1,
1--A2, 2--A.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the  Virginia
Traditional Trust is 26.2 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  17.1% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 16.2% 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  32% 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 3% 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 July  14,
1994  and July 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>
  $3,242,646       $10,772           $202,300      $3,236,418                 .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.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
    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 Virginia 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, $.01552 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 Virginia 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
Virginia Traditional Trust                        1994                             1995                  per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        9/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       9/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6484(1)                                                  $  5.5584
                                                          --------  $.4632 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6484(1)   $   .9312(2)   $  1.3968      $  1.3968        $  5.5904
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6484(1)   $   .9348(3)                  $  2.8044        $  5.6094
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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  2-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--VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on Virginia
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The  assets   of   the   Virginia  Traditional   Trust   will   consist   of
interest-bearing  obligations  issued by  or on  behalf  of the  Commonwealth of
Virginia, its counties,  municipalities, authorities  or political  subdivisions
and,  provided the interest thereon is exempt  from Virginia 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, Guam, the Virgin Islands and
the Northern Mariana Islands, and  their political subdivisions and  authorities
(the "Virginia Bonds").
 
    In the opinion of Christian, Barton, Epps, Brent & Chappell, special counsel
for the Series for Virginia tax matters, under existing law:
 
        The  Virginia Traditional Trust will be  treated as a trust for Virginia
    income tax purposes and not as an association taxable as a corporation. As a
    result, income of  the Virginia  Traditional Trust  will be  treated as  the
    income of the Unitholders.
 
        The  calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with Federal adjusted
    gross income in the case of an  individual or Federal taxable income in  the
    case of a corporation,
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    estate   or  trust.  Certain  modifications   are  specified,  but  no  such
    modification requires the addition  of interest on  obligations such as  the
    Virginia  Bonds  in  the Virginia  Traditional  Trust.  Accordingly, amounts
    representing tax-exempt interest for Federal income tax purposes received or
    accrued by  the Virginia  Traditional  Trust with  respect to  the  Virginia
    Bonds,  will  not be  taxed  to the  Virginia  Traditional Trust  or  to the
    Unitholders for Virginia income tax purposes.
 
        In this  respect, to  the extent  that interest  on obligations  of  the
    Commonwealth  or  any political  subdivision  or instrumentality  thereof is
    included in federal adjusted  gross income, Virginia  law provides that  the
    income  shall  be  subtracted in  arriving  at Virginia  taxable  income. In
    addition, Virginia  income  tax  exemption  is  independently  provided  for
    interest  on  certain  obligations,  including  those  issued  by industrial
    development  authorities  created  pursuant   to  the  Virginia   Industrial
    Development  and  Revenue  Bond  Act, by  the  Virginia  Housing Development
    Authority, by the Virginia Resources Authority and by the Virginia Education
    Loan Authority. Where such an independent exemption is provided, interest on
    such obligations is exempt from  Virginia income taxation without regard  to
    any  exemption from  Federal income taxes,  including interest  which may be
    subject to Federal income tax  in the hands of a  recipient who is, or is  a
    related  person  to,  a substantial  user  of facilities  financed  with the
    proceeds of obligations upon which such interest is paid.
 
        As a general rule, to the extent  that gain (whether as a result of  the
    sale  of Virginia Bonds by the Virginia  Traditional Trust or as a result of
    the sale of a Unit by the Unitholder) is subject to Federal income taxation,
    such gain  will be  included in  the Unitholder's  Virginia taxable  income.
    Under  the language  of certain enabling  legislation, however,  such as the
    Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources
    Authority Act and  the Virginia  Housing Development  Authority Act,  profit
    made  on the sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder is
    expressly exempt from  Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling  legislation
    does  not appear  to require a  disallowance in the  calculation of Virginia
    taxes of any  loss that may  be deductible for  Federal income tax  purposes
    with  respect  to  such  obligations, although  the  Virginia  Department of
    Taxation has taken a contrary view.
 
        No  income  tax  is  imposed   by  any  political  subdivision  of   the
    Commonwealth  of Virginia.  The Commonwealth of  Virginia does  not impose a
    gift tax. The Virginia estate  tax is equal to  the maximum state death  tax
    credit allowable against the Federal estate tax payable by the estate.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--VIRGINIA
 
    The  Trust  is  susceptible  to political,  economic  or  regulatory factors
affecting issuers  of Virginia  Bonds.  Without intending  to be  complete,  the
following  briefly summarizes  some of  these matters,  as well  as some  of the
complex factors  affecting  the  financial  situation  in  the  Commonwealth  of
Virginia  (the "Commonwealth" or  "Virginia"). This information  is derived from
sources that  are generally  available to  investors  and is  based in  part  on
information   obtained  from  various  agencies   in  Virginia.  No  independent
verification has been  made of  the accuracy  or completeness  of the  following
information.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or regional
economic difficulties, and the resulting  impact on State or local  governmental
finances  generally will not adversely affect the market value of Virginia Bonds
held in the portfolio of the Trust or the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
ability of particular obligors  to make timely payments  of debt service on  (or
relating to) those obligations.
 
    The  Commonwealth's  financial  condition  is  supported  by  a  broad-based
economy,  including  manufacturing,  tourism,  agriculture,  ports,  mining  and
fisheries.  Manufacturing continues to be a  major source of employment, ranking
behind only services, wholesale and retail trade, and government (federal, state
and local). The federal government  is a major employer  in Virginia due to  the
heavy  concentration of federal employees  in the metropolitan Washington, D.C.,
segment of Northern Virginia  and the military employment  in the Hampton  Roads
area, which houses the nation's largest concentration of military installations.
However,  the expected retrenchment  of the military sector  as a consequence of
the end of the Cold War remains a cloud on the economic horizon and cutbacks can
be expected to occur.
 
    Although the Commonwealth enjoyed  an economic boom  in the mid-1980's,  the
Commonwealth's economy began to slow toward the end of the decade, and went into
a  recession with the rest of the nation  after July, 1990. Growth since the end
of the recession in March, 1991, has been weak.
 
    The impact  of  national trends  on  the  Commonwealth is  clearly  seen  in
personal   income  figures.   While  year-to-year  percentage   changes  in  the
Commonwealth  personal  income  parallel  those  at  the  national  level,   the
Commonwealth  figures  were higher  during  the first  half  of the  1980's. The
differential has  narrowed since  1988  and testifies  to  the lethargy  of  the
Commonwealth's  economy.  From a  peak  of 107  percent  of national  per capita
income, the Commonwealth has  experienced a relative decline  to 104 percent  in
1992.  Compared to the South Atlantic region, the Commonwealth's real per capita
income has declined slightly from a peak  of 109 percent in 1987 to 108  percent
in 1992.
 
    After  real  personal  income  in  the  Commonwealth  had  fallen  for seven
consecutive quarters ending with  the last quarter of  1991, it rose  throughout
1992.   Personal  income  declined  in  the  first  quarter  of  1993,  although
forthcoming data revisions are  likely to show  much milder decreases.  Overall,
the data suggest a fitful recovery continues.
 
    Virginia's  nonagricultural  employment  figures  also  mirror  the national
economy. During the  period 1983-1990, the  Commonwealth substantially  outpaced
the  nation in  growth of nonagricultural  employment, with  4.1 percent average
annual growth compared to  2.8 percent nationally; however,  the trend line  for
both  has been flat since 1990. For  the period 1985-1990, the Commonwealth went
ahead of the South Atlantic region, but  was hit harder during the recession  in
1990. Since then, the region has outperformed the Commonwealth.
 
    With  respect to unemployment, Virginia's unemployment rate has consistently
been below that of the nation. For the decade of 1980 to 1990, the  differential
has  been two percentage  points, although it decreased  to below one percentage
point in  1991 and  1992. For  the last  month of  FY 1993,  the  Commonwealth's
unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, compared to the national rate of 7.1 percent.
 
    Employment  trends in  Virginia are  varied from  sector to  sector and from
region to region. For example, an overall increase of 0.8 percent in FY 1993 was
driven by modest increases in government and service sectors, whereas  wholesale
and  retail  trade  employment  was  flat.  Employment  dropped  in  six  of ten
categories, with mining experiencing the  greatest percent loss at 3.6  percent.
The  service sector  is now  the largest  employer in  Virginia and  mininig and
manufacturing are now at  lower levels than in  1980. All of the  Commonwealth's
MSAs   showed  increased   employment  from   FY  1992   to  FY   1993,  ranging
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
from  0.5  percent  to  1.8  percent,  with  most  employment  increases   being
experienced in metropolitan areas.
 
    Highest  rates of unemployment are  concentrated in southwest Virginia where
mining jobs  have  been lost  and  the lowest  unemployment  rates are  seen  in
Northern  Virginia where much federally-related  employment is concentrated. Not
suprisingly, there is  great overlap  between areas of  lowest unemployment  and
those of highest per capita income.
 
    The  Commonwealth's recovery has  been hurt by the  defense cutbacks, but so
far the  employment and  output reductions  in the  Commonwealth have  not  been
severe.  Further cuts are anticipated in 1995. Base closing actions in 1993 will
result in a statewide net loss of  7,800 defense related jobs, with the  largest
impact  being  experienced in  Northern  Virginia. The  national  recession, the
overheated construction market in Northern Virginia and the restructuring of the
banking industry have also contributed to the Commonwealth's problems. Even  the
Commonwealth's  export  sector,  whose conspicuous  growth  had  been promising,
reflected disappointing results in 1992, with  a loss of 2.6 percent in  current
dollars, although the Commonwealth's exports have expanded rapidly to most areas
of the world over the past five years, averaging 11.3 percent annually.
 
    The  evidence  of  a  slow  economic  recovery,  coupled  with  major  plant
downsizings as  well  as military  base  closures,  with more  likely  in  1995,
portends  slow growth in the near term.  Additional defense cutbacks in the next
three years may be  very difficult if  the recovery has  not gained momentum  by
then.
 
    The  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  has  historically  operated  on  a fiscally
conservative basis  and is  required  by its  Constitution  to have  a  balanced
biennial  budget. At the end of the June 30, 1993, fiscal year, the General Fund
had an ending fund balance computed on a budgetary cash basis of $331.8 million,
of  which  $942,000  was  in  required  reserves.  $271.2  million  thereof  was
designated for expenditure during the next fiscal year, leaving an undesignated,
unreserved   fund  balance  of  $59.7   million,  the  second  consecutive  such
undesignated fund balance since  1988. Computed on a  modified accrual basis  in
accordance  with  generally  accepted accounting  principles,  the  General Fund
balance at the end of  the fiscal year ended June  30, 1993, was $78.8  million,
compared  with a General Fund balance of minus  $121.8 million at the end of the
fiscal year ended  June 30, 1992.  This is the  first year since  1989 that  the
General  Fund, measured on a  modified accrual basis, has  shown a positive fund
balance.
 
    As of  June  30, 1993,  total  debt  for the  Commonwealth  aggregated  $7.5
billion.  Of  that amount,  $2  billion was  tax-supported.  Outstanding general
obligation debt backed by the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth was $817
million at June  30, 1993.  Of that  amount, $511  million was  also secured  by
revenue producing capital projects.
 
    The   Virginia  Constitution  contains  limits  on  the  amount  of  general
obligation  bonds  which   the  Commonwealth   can  issue.   These  limits   are
substantially  in excess of current levels of outstanding bonds, and at June 30,
1993 would permit  an additional total  of approximately $5.3  billion of  bonds
secured  by  revenue-producing  projects  and  approximately  $5.50  billion  of
unsecured general  obligation bonds  for capital  projects, with  not more  than
approximately  $1.46 billion of the latter to be issued in any four-year period.
Bonds which are not secured by revenue-producing projects must be approved in  a
State-wide election.
 
    The  Commonwealth of Virginia maintains ratings  of AAA by Standard & Poor's
Corporation and  Aaa by  Moody's  Investors Service  on its  general  obligation
indebtedness, reflecting
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
in  part its  sound fiscal  management, diversified  economic base  and low debt
ratios. There can be no assurances that these conditions will continue. Nor  are
these same conditions necessarily applicable to securities which are not general
obligations  of the Commonwealth. Securities  issued by specific municipalities,
governmental authorities or similar issuers may be subject to economic risks  or
uncertainties  peculiar to  the issuers of  such securities or  the sources from
which they are to be paid.
 
VIRGINIA 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.
 
                                       18
<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      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      20.0   %     6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 111.8-167.7      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 167.7-290.2      38.0         8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      40.5         8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
                 167.7-290.2      43.5         8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95
                  Over 290.2      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      47.0         9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26   12.74
                  Over 290.2      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
</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      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      20.0         6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 111.8-234.3      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      41.5         8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11   11.54
                  Over 234.3      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
<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.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
July 19, 1994
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 289
(Series 740)
    
 
<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>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   400,000      Virginia Public School Authority, School            2004 at 102         AA         Aa      $       403,360
                   Financing Bonds, Series 1994 A, 6.20% Due
                   8/1/13.
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of Albemarle       2003 at 102         --          A              440,260
                   County, Virginia, Hospital Refunding Revenue
                   Bonds (Martha Jefferson Hospital), Series
                   1993, 5.50% Due 10/1/20. (Original issue
                   discount bonds delivered on or about July 1,
                   1993 at a price of 93.313% of principal
                   amount.)
    500,000      City of Chesapeake, Virginia, Water and Sewer       2004 at 102         A+          A              427,260
                   System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series of
                   1994, 5.125% Due 5/1/21.
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of the Town of     2004 at 102         A          A2              434,410
                   Louisa, Virginia, Pollution Control Revenue
                   Bonds (Virginia Electric and Power Company
                   Project), Series 1994, 5.45% Due 1/1/24.
    500,000      Peninsula Ports Authority of Virginia, Health       2002 at 102        AA-         Aa              513,710
                   System Revenue and Refunding Bonds (Riverside
                   Health System Project), Series 1992-A, 6.625%
                   Due 7/1/18.
    500,000      City of Richmond, Virginia, General Obligation      2003 at 102         AA         A1              448,040
                   Public Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series
                   1993A, 5.50% Due 1/15/22.
    500,000      Richmond Metropolitan Authority (Virginia),         2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             500,000
                   Expressway Revenue and Refunding Bonds,
                   Series 1992-B, 6.25% Due 7/15/22. (FGIC
                   Insured.)
    100,000      Industrial Development Authority of the City of     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa              86,378
                   Roanoke, Virginia, Hospital Revenue Refunding
                   Bonds (Roanoke Memorial Hospitals, Community
                   Hospital of Roanoke Valley, Franklin Memorial
                   Hospital and Saint Albans Psychiatric
                   Hospital Project) Series 1993A, 5.25% Due
                   7/1/25. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about May 20, 1993 at a price
                   of 94.096% of principal amount.)(MBIA
                   Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,253,418
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 37.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST 38
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Georgia Insured Trust  38 consists of 6 obligations issued
by entities located in Georgia and one obligation issued by an entity located in
the Territory of Puerto Rico. Three  Bonds in the Trust are general  obligations
of  the governmental entities issuing  them and are backed  by the taxing powers
thereof. Four 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;
Multi-Family Housing Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 1. All of the Bonds
in the Trust, as insured, are rated AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Aaa
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    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 28.0% 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.
    
 
    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 July  14,
1994  and July 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>
  $3,332,044       $15,281           $204,500      $3,330,450                 .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 $.01574 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01569  per Unit per day  under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01560
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
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
year under each plan  of distribution will initially  be substantially equal  to
the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
 
    Details  of interest  distributions per  Unit of  the 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>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        9/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       9/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6552(1)                                                  $  5.6190
                                                          --------  $.4680 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6552(1)   $   .9414(2)   $  1.4121      $  1.4121        $  5.6510
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6552(1)   $   .9444(3)                  $  2.8332        $  5.6700
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<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  2-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
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    realize  taxable gain  when his  or her  Units are  sold or  redeemed for an
    amount equal to their original cost.
 
        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 provided  that, at  the time  such policies  are purchased,  the
    amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent with
    the  reasonable expectation  that the issuer  of the bonds,  rather than the
    insurer, will pay debt service on the bonds.
    
 
   
        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
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
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  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 1994 fiscal year ended June 30, 1994. Based
on  data of the Georgia Department of Revenue, receipts of the State from income
tax and sales  tax for the  1992 fiscal year  comprised approximately 48.8%  and
37.5%, respectively, of the total State tax revenues. Such data shows that total
State  treasury receipts  for the  1992 fiscal  year increased  by approximately
2.16% 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 comprised approximately 48.1% and 38%, respectively, of
the total State tax revenues. Total estimated State tax revenue collections  for
the  1993  fiscal year  indicate an  increase of  approximately 9.89%  over such
collections in the  1992 fiscal  year. The  estimated 1994  fiscal year  figures
indicate  that receipts of the State from income  tax and sales tax for the 1994
fiscal year will comprise  approximately 48.8% and  37.9%, respectively, of  the
total  State tax revenues. Total estimated State tax revenue collections for the
1994  fiscal  year  indicate  an  increase  of  approximately  9.56%  over  such
collections in the 1993 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
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
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  slowed somewhat  and was  modest
compared to the pace of the early 1980's. Georgia's economy, however, has made a
robust  recovery through the 1993 and 1994 fiscal years. 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%. Throughout  1994, the monthly unemployment  rate for Georgia  (not
seasonally   adjusted)  has   remained  below   the  national   average  monthly
unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted). In April and May 1994, the two most
current months for which information  is available, Georgia's unemployment  rate
was   5.4%  and  4.9%,  respectively,  as   compared  to  the  national  average
unemployment rate of 6.2% and 5.9%.
    
 
   
    In July, 1994, widespread  flooding in central  and southern Georgia  caused
extensive damage and destruction of farmland, private residences, businesses and
local and state government facilities. As of July 12, 1994, Governor Zell Miller
refused  to estimate the dollar  value of the damage  but other sources estimate
that damage could exceed  $300 million. Thirty-one  counties have been  declared
federal  disaster areas. Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard and Poor's
Corporation are observing the  situation in Georgia,  but neither rating  agency
has expressed any immediate credit concerns.
    
 
   
    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
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
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
    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.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
July 19, 1994
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST 38
(Series 740)
    
 
<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      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       486,250
                   Revenue Bonds, Series EE, 6.00% Due 1/1/22.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about June 1, 1994 at a price of 93.861%
                   of principal amount.)
    500,000      Cherokee County (Georgia), Water and Sewerage    No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             459,395
                   Authority, Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds,
                   Refunding and Improvements Series 1993, 5.50%
                   Due 8/1/23.
    500,000      Housing Authority of Cobb County (Georgia),         2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             475,895
                   Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds,
                   Series 1994A (FHA Insured Mortgage
                   Loan-Garrison Plantation Development), 5.90%
                   Due 7/1/26.
    500,000      Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall          No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             462,255
                   Authority (Georgia), Revenue Refunding Bonds,
                   Series 1993, 5.50% Due 10/1/18.
    500,000      The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Georgia),     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             452,510
                   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 94.499% of principal
                   amount.)(General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      Jackson County School District (Georgia),           2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             494,250
                   General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1994,
                   6.00% Due 7/1/14.
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             516,770
                   Bonds of 1994 (General Obligation Bonds),
                   6.50% Due 7/1/23.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,347,325
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 37.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
OHIO INSURED TRUST 116
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Ohio Insured Trust 116 consists of 6 obligations issued by
entities located in Ohio and one obligation  issued by an entity located in  the
Territory  of Puerto Rico. Three  Bonds in the Trust  are general obligations of
the governmental  entities issuing  them and  are backed  by the  taxing  powers
thereof.  Four 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, 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  Ohio
Insured  Trust is 24.8  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 13.6% 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 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 July 14,
1994 and July 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>
  $3,289,521       $20,134           $199,375      $3,292,155                 .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  Ohio Insured Trust, less estimated expenses,  is estimated to accrue at the
rate of $.01535  per Unit per  day under the  semi-annual plan of  distribution,
$.01530  per Unit per day  under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01521
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
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
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 Ohio 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
Ohio Insured Trust                                1994                             1995                  per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        9/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       9/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .6388(1)                                                  $  5.4766
                                                          --------  $.4563 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .6388(1)   $   .9180(2)   $  1.3770      $  1.3770        $  5.5086
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .6388(1)   $   .9210(3)                  $  2.7630        $  5.5276
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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  2-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--OHIO INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Ohio Insured
Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The  Ohio  Insured   Trust  is  comprised   primarily  of   interest-bearing
obligations  issued by or on behalf of the State of Ohio, political subdivisions
thereof, or agencies or instrumentalities  thereof (the "Ohio Obligations"),  or
by  the governments  of Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands,  the Northern Mariana
Islands or Guam (collectively, "Obligations").
 
    In the opinion  of Squire, Sanders  & Dempsey, special  Ohio counsel to  the
Series,  provided that at all  times at least fifty percent  of the value of the
total assets of the Ohio Insured  Trust consist of Ohio Obligations, or  similar
obligations of other states or their subdivisions, under existing Ohio law:
 
        The  Ohio Insured Trust is not taxable as a corporation or otherwise for
    purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio school district income taxes,
    the Ohio corporation franchise tax, or the Ohio dealers in intangibles tax.
 
        Income of the Ohio Insured  Trust will be treated  as the income of  the
    Unitholders  for  purposes  of the  Ohio  personal income  tax,  Ohio school
    district income taxes, Ohio municipal income taxes and the Ohio  corporation
    franchise  tax  in proportion  to the  respective  interest therein  of each
    Unitholder.
 
        Interest on Obligations held  by the Ohio Insured  Trust is exempt  from
    the  Ohio personal income  tax, Ohio municipal income  taxes and Ohio school
    district income taxes and is excluded from  the net income base of the  Ohio
    corporation   franchise  tax  when  distributed  or  deemed  distributed  to
    Unitholders.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
        Proceeds paid under insurance  policies, if any, to  the Trustee of  the
    Ohio  Insured Trust, representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations
    held by the Ohio  Trust will be  exempt from the  Ohio personal income  tax,
    Ohio  school district income taxes, Ohio  municipal income taxes and the net
    income base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax if, and to the same extent
    as, such interest would be  exempt from such taxes  if paid directly by  the
    issuer of such obligations.
 
        Gains  and losses realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition by
    the Ohio  Insured Trust  of  Ohio Obligations  are excluded  in  determining
    adjusted  gross and taxable income for  purposes of the Ohio personal income
    tax, Ohio municipal income taxes and  Ohio school district income taxes  and
    are  excluded from the net income base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax
    when distributed or deemed distributed to Unitholders.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--OHIO
 
    As described  above, the  Trust will  invest substantially  all of  its  net
assets  in  securities  issued  by  or  on  behalf  of  (or  in  certificates of
participation in lease  purchase obligations  of) the State  of Ohio,  political
subdivisions  of the State, or agencies or instrumentalities of the State or its
political subdivisions (Ohio Obligations). The Trust is therefore susceptible to
general or particular political, economic or regulatory factors that may  affect
issuers  of Ohio Obligations. The following information constitutes only a brief
summary of  some of  the  many complex  factors that  may  have an  effect.  The
information  does not apply to "conduit"  obligations on which the public issuer
itself has  no  financial  responsibility.  This  information  is  derived  from
official  statements of certain Ohio issuers  published in connection with their
issuance of  securities and  from  other publicly  available documents,  and  is
believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of any of the
following information.
 
    The  creditworthiness  of Ohio  Obligations  of local  issuers  is generally
unrelated to that  of obligations  of the  State itself,  and the  State has  no
responsibility  to  make  payments  on those  local  obligations.  There  may be
specific factors that at particular times apply in connection with investment in
particular Ohio Obligations or in those obligations of particular Ohio  issuers.
It  is possible that the investment may be in particular Ohio Obligations, or in
those of  particular issuers,  as to  which those  factors apply.  However,  the
information  below is intended only as a general summary, and is not intended as
a discussion of any specific factors  that may affect any particular  obligation
or issuer.
 
   
    The timely payment of principal of and interest on Ohio Obligations has been
guaranteed  by  bond insurance  purchased  by the  issuers,  the Trust  or other
parties. Those Ohio Obligations may not be subject to the factors referred to in
this section of the Prospectus.
    
    Ohio is the seventh most populous state. Its 1990 Census count of 10,847,000
indicates a 0.5% population increase from 1980.
 
    While diversifying more into the service and other non-manufacturing  areas,
the  Ohio  economy continues  to  rely in  part  on durable  goods manufacturing
largely concentrated in motor vehicles and equipment, steel, rubber products and
household appliances. As a result, general  economic activity, as in many  other
industrially-developed  states, tends  to be  more cyclical  than in  some other
states and in the nation as a whole. Agriculture is an important segment of  the
economy,  with over half  the State's area devoted  to farming and approximately
15% of total employment in agribusiness.
 
    In prior years, the State's overall unemployment rate was commonly  somewhat
higher  than the national figure. For example, the reported 1990 average monthly
State rate was  5.7%, compared the  to 5.5% national  figure. However, for  both
1991 and 1992 the State rates
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
(6.4%  and 7.2%) were below the national rates (6.7% and 7.4%). The unemployment
rate and its effects vary among particular geographic areas of the State.
 
    There can  be no  assurance  that future  national, regional  or  state-wide
economic  difficulties, and  the resulting impact  on State  or local government
finances  generally,  will  not  adversely  affect  the  market  value  of  Ohio
Obligations held in the Trust portfolio or the ability of particular obligors to
make  timely payments of debt  service on (or lease  payments relating to) those
obligations.
 
    The State operates on the basis of a fiscal biennium for its  appropriations
and  expenditures, and  is precluded by  law from ending  its July 1  to June 30
fiscal year "FY" or fiscal biennium in a deficit position. Most State operations
are financed through the General Revenue  Fund "GRF", for which personal  income
and  sales-use taxes are the  major sources. Growth and  depletion of GRF ending
fund balances show a consistent pattern related to national economic conditions,
with the ending FY  balance reduced during less  favorable and increased  during
more  favorable economic periods. The State has well-established procedures for,
and has timely taken, necessary actions to ensure resource/expenditure  balances
during  less favorable  economic periods.  These procedures  include general and
selected reductions in appropriations spending.
 
    Key biennium-ending fund balances  at June 30, 1989  were $475.1 million  in
the  GRF and $353  million in the  Budget Stabilization Fund  ("BSF", a cash and
budgetary management  fund). In  FYs 1990-91,  necessary corrective  steps  were
taken to respond to lower receipts and higher expenditures in certain categories
than   earlier   estimated.  Those   steps   included  selected   reductions  in
appropriations spending and the transfer of $64 million from the BSF to the GRF.
The State reported June  30, 1991 ending fund  balances of $135.3 million  (GRF)
and $300 million (BSF).
 
    To allow time to resolve certain Senate and House budget differences for the
latest  complete biennium that began July 1, 1991, an interim appropriations act
was enacted effective  July 1, 1991;  it included State  debt service and  lease
rental GRF appropriations for the entire 1992-93 biennium, while continuing most
other  appropriations for a month. The general appropriations act for the entire
biennium was passed on July 11, 1991 and signed by the Governor. Pursuant to it,
$200 million was transfered from the BSF to the GRF in FY 1992.
 
    Based on  the updated  FY financial  results and  economic forecast  in  the
course of FY 1992, both in light of the continuing uncertain nationwide economic
situation,  there was projected and timely addressed an FY 1992 imbalance in GRF
resources and expenditures. GRF receipts significantly below original  forecasts
resulted  primarily from lower collections  of certain taxes, particularly sales
and use taxes and personal income taxes. Higher expenditure levels resulted from
higher  spending  in  certain  areas,  particularly  human  services,  including
Medicaid.  As an  initial action,  the Governor  ordered most  State agencies to
reduce GRF  spending  in  the  last  six  months  of  FY  1992  by  a  total  of
approximately  $184 million. As  authorized by the  General Assembly, the $100.4
million BSF  balance, and  additional  amounts from  certain other  funds,  were
transferred  late in the FY to the GRF, and adjustments in the timing of certain
tax payments made.  Other administrative revenue  and spending actions  resolved
the remaining GRF imbalance.
 
    A  significant GRF shortfall (approximately $520 million) was then projected
for FY  1993. It  was addressed  by appropriate  legislative and  administrative
actions.  As a  first step  the Governor ordered,  effective July  1, 1992, $300
million in selected GRF spending reductions. Executive and legislative action in
December 1992, a combination of tax revisions and
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
   
additional appropriations  spending reductions,  resulted in  a balance  of  GRF
resources  and expenditures in the 1992-93  biennium. OBM has reported an ending
GRF fund cash balance at June 30, 1993 of approximately $111 million, and, as  a
first  step to  BSF replenishment,  OBM has  deposited $21  million in  the BSF.
(Based on June 30, 1994 balances, an additional $260 million has been  deposited
in the BSF.)
    
   
    No  spending  reductions  were  applied to  appropriations  needed  for debt
service or lease rentals on any State obligations.
    
 
    The GRF appropriations act for the  current 1994-95 biennium was passed  and
signed  by  the  Governor  on  July  1,  1993.  It  includes  all  necessary GRF
appropriations for biennial State debt service and lease rental payments.
 
    The State's incurrence or  assumption of debt without  a vote of the  people
is,   with  limited  exceptions,  prohibited  by  current  State  Constitutional
provisions. The State may  incur debt, limited in  amount to $750,000, to  cover
casual  deficits  or failures  in  revenues or  to  meet expenses  not otherwise
provided for. The Constitution expressly  precludes the State from assuming  the
debts of any local government or corporation. An exception is made in both cases
for  any debt incurred  to repel invasion, suppress  insurrection, or defend the
State in war.
 
   
    By 13 constitutional amendments, the last adopted in 1993, Ohio voters  have
authorized the incurrence of State debt to the payment of which taxes or excises
were  pledged. At June 20, 1994, $710.2 million (excluding certain highway bonds
payable primarily from  highway use  charges) of  this debt  was outstanding  or
awaiting delivery. The only such State debt then still authorized to be incurred
were portions of the highway bonds, and the following; (a) up to $100 million of
obligations  for coal  research and development  may be outstanding  at any time
($43.1 million outstanding); and  (b) of $1.2 billion  of obligations for  local
infrastructure  improvements, no more than $120 million  may to be issued in any
calendar year ($645.2  million outstanding  or awaiting  delivery, $480  million
remaining  to be issued); and (c) up to $200 million in general obligation bonds
for parks and recreation purposes  may be outstanding at  any one time (no  more
than $50 million to be issued in any one year, and none have yet been issued).
    
 
   
    The  Constitution  also authorizes  the  issuance of  State  obligations for
certain purposes, the owners of which do  not have the right to have excises  or
taxes  levied to pay debt service. Those special obligations include obligations
issued by the Ohio Public Facilities Commission and the Ohio Building Authority,
$4.25 billion of which were outstanding at June 20, 1994.
    
 
    A 1990  constitutional  amendment  authorizes greater  State  and  political
subdivision participation (including financing) in the provision of housing. The
General   Assembly  may  for  that  purpose  authorize  the  issuance  of  State
obligations secured by a pledge of all or such portion as it authorizes of State
revenues or  receipts, (but  not  by a  pledge of  the  State's full  faith  and
credit).
 
    State  and local  agencies issue revenue  obligations that  are payable from
revenues from  or  relating to  certain  facilities  (but not  from  taxes).  By
judicial  interpretation, these obligations are not "debt" within constitutional
provisions. In general, payment  obligations under lease-purchase agreements  of
Ohio  public agencies (in which certificates of participation may be issued) are
limited in duration to the agency's  fiscal period, and are renewable only  upon
appropriations being made available for the subsequent fiscal period.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
    Local  school districts  in Ohio  receive a  major portion  (on a state-wide
basis,  recently  approximately  46%)  of  their  operating  moneys  from  State
subsidies,  but are dependent on local property  taxes, and in 98 districts from
voter-authorized income  taxes,  for  significant  portions  of  their  budgets.
Litigation,  similar  to  that  in  other  states,  is  pending  questioning the
constitutionality of Ohio's system of  school funding. The trial court  recently
concluded  that aspects of the system (including basic operating assistance) are
unconstitutional, and  ordered  the State  to  provide  for and  fund  a  system
complying  with the Ohio Constitution. The  State has announced its intention to
appeal. A small number  of the State's  612 local school  districts have in  any
year  required special assistance to avoid  year-end deficits. A current program
provides for  school  district  cash need  borrowing  directly  from  commercial
lenders,  with diversion of State subsidy  distributions to repayment if needed;
in FY 1991 under this  program, 26 districts borrowed  a total of $41.8  million
(including  over $27 million by one district), and in FY 1992 borrowings totaled
$68.6 million (including $46.6 million for one district). FY 1993 loans totalled
$94.5 million for 43 districts (including $75 million for one district). FY 1994
loan approval totalled at June 20, 1994, $18.9 million for 25 districts.
    
    Ohio's 943 incorporated cities and  villages rely primarily on property  and
municipal  income taxes for their operations, and, with other local governments,
receive local government support and  property tax relief moneys distributed  by
the  State. For those few municipalities that on occasion have faced significant
financial problems,  there  are statutory  procedures  for a  joint  State/local
commission to monitor the municipality's fiscal affairs and for development of a
financial  plan to eliminate deficits and  cure any defaults. Since inception in
1979, these procedures have been  applied to 23 cities  and villages; for 18  of
them the fiscal situation was resolved and the procedures terminated.
 
    At  present the State itself  does not levy any ad  valorem taxes on real or
tangible personal property. Those taxes are levied by political subdivisions and
other local taxing districts. The Constitution has since 1934 limited the amount
of the aggregate  levy (including  a levy  for unvoted  general obligations)  of
property  taxes by all overlapping subdivisions,  without a vote of the electors
or a municipal charter  provision, to 1%  of true value  in money, and  statutes
limit  the amount of the aggregate levy to 10 mills per $1 of assessed valuation
(commonly referred to as the  "ten-mill limitation"). Voted general  obligations
of  subdivisions are payable from property taxes that are unlimited as to amount
or rate.
 
OHIO 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
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
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
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      19.0   %     5.86    6.17    6.48    6.79    7.10    7.41    7.72    8.02
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.5         7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16
                 111.8-167.7      36.5         7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24
                 167.7-290.2      39.0         7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      42.0         8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21
                 167.7-290.2      44.5         8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71
                  Over 290.2      42.0   2     8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      48.0         9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02   12.50
                  Over 290.2      45.0   3     8.64    9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36   11.82
</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      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      19.0   %     5.86    6.17    6.48    6.79    7.10    7.41    7.72    8.02
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      31.5         6.93    7.30    7.66    8.03    8.39    8.76    9.12    9.49
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16
                 111.8-234.3      37.0         7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      42.5         8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
                  Over 234.3      42.0   2     8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      45.0   3     8.64    9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36   11.82
<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.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
July 19, 1994
OHIO INSURED TRUST 116
(Series 740)
    
 
<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      Ohio Water Development Authority, State Of          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       452,630
                   Ohio, Collateralized Water Development
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, 1994 Series A (The
                   Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company Project),
                   5.45% Due 1/1/24.
    500,000      Big Walnut Local School District, Delaware          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             477,105
                   County, Ohio, 1993 Refunding Bonds (General
                   Obligation-Unlimited Tax), 5.70% Due 6/1/14.
    500,000      Hamilton County, Ohio, Sewer System Improvement     2003 at 100        AAA         Aaa             448,460
                   and Refunding Revenue Bonds, 1993 Series A
                   (The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater
                   Cincinnati), 5.25% Due 12/1/16. (Original
                   issue discount bonds delivered on or about
                   May 4, 1993 at a price of 94.75% of principal
                   amount.)
    500,000      County of Lucas, Ohio, Hospital Refunding           2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             452,540
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1993B (St. Vincent
                   Medical Center), 5.375% Due 8/15/17.
    500,000      City of Marysville, Ohio, Water System Mortgage     2003 at 101        AAA         Aaa             462,150
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1993, 5.50%
                   Due 12/1/18.
    500,000      North Royalton City School District, Ohio,          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             500,000
                   School Improvement Bonds, Series 1994, 6.10%
                   Due 12/1/19. (General Obligation Bonds.)
                   (When issued.)
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             516,770
                   Bonds of 1994 (General Obligation Bonds),
                   6.50% Due 7/1/23.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,309,655
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 37.
 
                                       36
<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.
 
                                       37
<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 740:
    
 
   
       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  740
     (comprising National Traditional Trust 532, Virginia Traditional Trust
     289,  Georgia Insured Trust 38 and Ohio Insured Trust 116), as of July
     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 740
     as of July 19, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted  accounting
     principles.
    
 
                                                      ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     July 19, 1994.
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 740
    
   
(National Traditional Trust 532, Virginia Traditional Trust 289, Georgia Insured
                      Trust 38 and Ohio Insured Trust 116)
    
   
                              As of July 19, 1994
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             National            Virginia             Georgia              Ohio
                                            Traditional         Traditional           Insured             Insured
    TRUST PROPERTY                           Trust 532           Trust 289           Trust 38            Trust 116
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-
 Exempt Bonds, backed by an irrevocable
 letter of credit(1)(2).................  $     7,052,425     $     3,253,418     $     3,347,325     $     3,309,655
Accrued interest to July 19, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................          133,869              25,176              38,975              32,392
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     7,186,294     $     3,278,594     $     3,386,300     $     3,342,047
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability:
    Accrued interest to July 19, 1994 on
      underlying Bonds(3)...............  $       133,869     $        25,176     $        38,975     $        32,392
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Interest of Unitholders:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (National
      Traditional Trust 532-- 75,000;
      Virginia Traditional Trust
      289--35,000; Georgia Insured Trust
      38--35,000; Ohio Insured Trust
      116-- 35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     7,415,766     $     3,421,034     $     3,519,779     $     3,480,168
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (363,341)           (167,616)           (172,454)           (170,513)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     7,052,425     $     3,253,418     $     3,347,325     $     3,309,655
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     7,186,294     $     3,278,594     $     3,386,300     $     3,342,047
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<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>
 
                                       39
<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, 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.  As of  March 31,  1994, the  Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.2
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $2.2  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $998 million (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.  Copies of the Insurer's year  end financial statements prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices  are available from the  Insurer.
The address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
 
    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 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.
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>
                      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.....................  $    10,175,369  $     8,227,944   $   1,947,425
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company........................        6,700,072        4,798,256       1,901,816
The Travelers Indemnity Company.........................       10,331,197        8,368,954       1,962,243
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly AEtna
  Insurance Company)....................................        5,091,798        4,984,297         107,501
The Continental Insurance Company.......................        2,719,853        2,287,014         432,839
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
        Total...........................................  $    35,018,289  $    28,666,465   $   6,351,824
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</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  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.
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
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); 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.
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
    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.)
 
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
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
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 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.
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
    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
 
    (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 provided  that,
        at  the  time such  policies are  purchased, the  amounts paid  for such
        policies are reasonable,  customary and consistent  with the  reasonable
        expectation  that the issuer of the bonds, rather than the insurer, will
        pay debt  service  on  the  bonds. Paragraph  (2)  of  this  opinion  is
        accordingly   applicable  to   policy  proceeds   representing  maturing
        interest.
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
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  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.
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
    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,  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
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
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-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
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
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  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
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
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:
 
<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.
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
    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%        .73%       .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 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
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
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.
 
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.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
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  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
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
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.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
under Section 3. Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn, 2 Wall  Street, New York, New  York
10005,  has acted as counsel for the Trustee with respect to the Series, and, in
the absence of a New York Trust from the Series, as special New York tax counsel
for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The Statements of Condition and Schedules of Investments at Date of  Deposit
included  in  this  Prospectus  have  been audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  & Co.,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report in this Prospectus,
and are included herein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as  experts
in giving said report.
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD  & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the  creditworthiness
of  an obligor with respect  to a specific debt  obligation. This assessment may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The rating is  not a recommendation  to purchase, sell  or hold a  security,
inasmuch  as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for a
particular investor.
 
    The ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer  or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
&  Poor's does not  perform an audit in  connection with any  rating and may, on
occasion, rely on unaudited financial  information. The ratings may be  changed,
suspended  or withdrawn as  a result of  changes in, or  unavailability of, such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood of default--capacity  and willingness of  the obligor as  to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection  afforded by, and  relative position of,  the obligation in
          the event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements  under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This  is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds rated AA  have a very  strong capacity to  pay interest and  repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds  rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions or  changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal  for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    Plus  (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
    Provisional   Ratings:  The  letter   "p"  indicates  that   the  rating  is
provisional. A  provisional  rating assumes  the  successful completion  of  the
project  being financed by the  issuance of the bonds  being rated and indicates
that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent  upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing  credit quality  subsequent to  completion of  the project,  makes no
comment on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of,  such
completion.  Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>
    Note Ratings:  A  Standard  &  Poor's note  rating  reflects  the  liquidity
concerns  and market access risks unique to notes.  Notes due in 3 years or less
will likely  receive a  note rating.  Notes maturing  beyond 3  years will  most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very  strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS.
 
    A  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation's  rating on  the  units  of  an insured
investment trust (hereinafter referred to collectively as "units" and  "trusts")
is  a current assessment of creditworthiness with respect to the investment held
by such trust. This assessment  takes into consideration the financial  capacity
of  the  issuers and  of any  guarantors, insurers,  lessees or  mortgagors with
respect to such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account
the extent to which trust  expenses or portfolio asset  sales for less than  the
trust  purchase price will reduce payment to  the unitholder of the interest and
principal required to be paid on  the portfolio assets. In addition, the  rating
is  not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard &  Poor's  and/or certain  short-term  investments. Standard  &  Poor's
defines  its  AAA rating  for  such assets  as  the highest  rating  assigned by
Standard &  Poor's to  a debt  obligation. Capacity  to pay  interest and  repay
principal  is very strong. However,  unit ratings may be  subject to revision or
withdrawal at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be  evaluated
independently of any other rating.
 
    MOODY'S  INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.   A  brief  description of  the applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of  investment risk and are  generally referred to as  "gilt
edge."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair  the
fundamentally  strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute that,
with the  occasional  exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific  instances,
characteristically,  their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money market
fluctuations.
 
    Aa--Bonds which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by  all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high  grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins of
protection may  not  be  as  large  as in  Aaa  securities  or  fluctuations  of
protective  elements may be of greater amplitude  or there may be other elements
present which  make the  long-term  risks appear  somewhat  larger than  in  Aaa
securities.  Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money market
influences, with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds  which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving  security
to  principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The  market
value  of A-rated bonds may be 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-38
<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-39
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-40
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-41
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
                           PROSPECTUS
                           180,000 Units
                           National Traditional Trust
                           532
                           Virginia Traditional Trust
                           289
                           Georgia Insured Trust 38
                           Ohio Insured Trust 116
</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.
 
   
   740
    
 
<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 740 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 740 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 7/19/94.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 740
                                (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))
                                                      )
                                                      )7/19/94
___________________

*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>

740

                   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
7/19/94


                         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 740                                           July 19, 1994            
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 740.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is July 19, 1994.                         
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 740 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   National Traditional Trust 532                                 
         (b)   Virginia Traditional Trust 289                                 
         (c)   Georgia Insured Trust 38                                       
         (d)   Ohio Insured Trust 116                                         
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   National Traditional Trust               75,000 Units          
         (b)   Virginia Traditional Trust               35,000 Units          
         (c)   Georgia Insured Trust                    35,000 Units          
         (d)   Ohio 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)  National Traditional Trust              $ .6774 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $ .6484 per Unit       
         ( 3)  Georgia Insured Trust                   $ .6552 per Unit       
         ( 4)  Ohio Insured Trust                      $ .6388 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  National Traditional Trust              September 15, 1994     
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              September 15, 1994     
         ( 3)  Georgia Insured Trust                   September 15, 1994     
         ( 4)  Ohio Insured Trust                      September 15, 1994     
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  National Traditional Trust              September 1, 1994      
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              September 1, 1994      
         ( 3)  Georgia Insured Trust                   September 1, 1994      
         ( 4)  Ohio Insured Trust                      September 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                 
             November 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)   National Traditional Trust              September 1, 1994      
         (b)   Virginia Traditional Trust              September 1, 1994      
         (c)   Georgia Insured Trust                   September 1, 1994      
         (d)   Ohio Insured Trust                      September 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)  National Traditional Trust              $1.6322                
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $1.5848                
         ( 3)  Georgia Insured Trust                   $1.6085                
         ( 4)  Ohio Insured Trust                      $1.5676                
                                                                              
         (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)  National Traditional Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6322          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.3122          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1222          
                                                                              
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5848          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2648          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0748          
                                                                              
         ( 3)  Georgia Insured Trust                                          
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6085          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2885          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0985          
                                                                              
         ( 4)  Ohio Insured Trust                                             
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5676          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2476          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0576          
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 740                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
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:  National Traditional Trust 532                          
         Schedule C:  Virginia Traditional Trust 289                          
         Schedule D:  Georgia Insured Trust 38                                
         Schedule E:  Ohio Insured Trust 116                                  


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

7/19/94


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

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 740

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 740 (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. 33-54189) 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)

7/19/94

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

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 740

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 740 (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 740.

    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, provided that, at the time such policies are purchased,
the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent
with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the bonds, rather than
the insurer, will pay debt service on the bonds.  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(c) 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. 33-54189) 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 CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL LETTERHEAD)

7/19/94

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

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       General Counsel


United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Series 740
289
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Virginia counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 740 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No. 33-54189)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"),
covering the issuance by the Fund of units of fractional undivided
interest pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated as of the date
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated and United States Trust Company
of New York.  The Fund will issue units in several State Trusts, one of which
is the Virginia Traditional Trust (the "Virginia Trust" or "Trust", the
units of which are referred to as "the Units").  The Units will be purchased
by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Trust will be administered as
a distinct entity with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books
and records.
    The assets of the Virginia Trust will consist of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
counties, municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions, and, provided
the interest thereon is exempt from Virginia income taxes by the laws or
treaties of the United States, by or on behalf of United States territories
or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the
Northern Mariana Islands, and their political subdivisions and authorities
(the "Bonds").

    You have requested our opinion as to the application of Virginia state and
local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering our
opinion, we have assumed that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust will be 
exempt from Federal income tax.  Furthermore, in rendering our opinion, we 
have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even date 
herewith, that:
 
    (1)  the Trusts are not associations taxable as corporations for Federal
income tax purposes and 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 distributed to a Unitholder;

    (2)  each Unitholder of a Trust is considered to be the owner of a
pro rata portion of such Trust under Subpart E, sub-chapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and will have a taxable event when the Trust
disposes of a Bond or when the Unitholder redeems or sells Units . . . .
If the Trustee disposes of Bonds (whether by sale, payment on 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.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

    The Trust will be treated as a trust for Virginia income tax purposes and
not as an association taxable as a corporation.  As a result, income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.

<PAGE>

    The calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with federal adjusted
gross income in the case of an individual or federal taxable income in the 
case of a corporation, estate or trust.  Certain modifications are specified, 
but no such modification would require the addition of interest on the Bonds.
Accordingly, amounts representing tax-exempt interest for federal income tax
purposes received or accrued by the Trust with respect to the Bonds, will not 
be taxed to the Trust or to the Unitholders for Virginia income tax
purposes.  To the extent that interest on obligations of the Commonwealth or
any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof is included in federal
adjusted gross income, Virginia law provides that the income shall be 
subtracted in arriving at Virginia taxable income.  In addition, Virginia 
income tax exemption is independently provided for interest on certain 
obligations, including those issued by industrial development authorities 
created pursuant to the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, 
by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, by the Virginia Resources 
Authority and by the Virginia Education Loan Authority.  Where such an 
independent exemption is provided, interest on such obligations is exempt 
from Virginia income taxation without regard to any exemption from federal 
income taxes.


    As a general rule, to the extent that gain (whether as a result of the
sale of Bonds by the Trust or as a result of the sale of a Unit by the
Unitholder) is subject to federal income taxation, such gain will be
included in the Unitholder's Virginia taxable income.  Under the
language of certain enabling legislation, however, such as the Virginia 
Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources Authority
Act and the Virginia Housing Development Authority Act, profit made on the
sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder is expressly
exempt from Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling legislation does not
appear to require a disallowance in the calculation of Virginia taxes of any
loss that may be deductible for federal income tax purposes with respect to
such obligations, although the Virginia Department of Taxation has taken a
contrary view.

    No income tax is imposed by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth 
of Virginia.  The Units and the obligations represented thereby are exempt 
from the Virginia tax on intangibles (other than the tax on the capital of
banks, as to which no opinion is expressed).  Intangibles (other than
merchants' capital) are not subject to taxation by any political subdivision.

    The Commonwealth of Virginia does not impose a gift tax.  The Virginia
estate tax is equal to the maximum state death tax credit allowable against 
the federal estate tax payable by the estate.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds, nor have we made any review of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or the basis for any 
opinions with respect to their validity or the tax-exempt status thereof for 
federal income tax purposes.  We have made no independent investigation as 
to, or passed on, the operation of the Trust or the sale of the Units in 
Virginia or in any other state.  No opinion was requested, nor is any opinion 
expressed, with respect to any tax consequences to the sponsor of the Trust, 
any underwriters, or any broker-dealers.

    We should point out that to the extent the Trust consists of property of
persons domiciled in Virginia, the Trust will in our opinion be considered a
"resident trust" for Virginia income tax purposes.  While we do not believe 
that the mere ownership by the Trust of the Bonds constitutes sufficient 
nexus to subject the Trust to the tax jurisdiction of Virginia, we express no 
opinion as to whether any activities with respect to the sale of Units in 
Virginia may establish such a nexus.  If a sufficient nexus exists, then if 
the Trust is required to file a federal fiduciary income tax return it will 
also be required to file a Virginia fiduciary income tax return.  Any such 
return would be for information purposes only, since each transaction of the 
Trust should be treated as a transaction of the several Certificateholders,
and not as a transaction of the Trust that could give rise to Virginia
taxable income of the Trust.
 
    We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name and the reference to our firm in the
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein.

Very truly yours,


CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON CHAPMAN & CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

7/19/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 740
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 740
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

          Re:   
               Georgia Insured Trust 38
Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series
740, 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 provided that, at the time such policies are purchased,
the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent 
with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the Bonds, rather than the
insurer, will pay debt service on the Bonds.  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. 33-54189) 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 740, 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 SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY LETTERHEAD)

7/19/94

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

U.S. Trust Company of New York
770 Broadway
New York, New York 10003

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 740
      
     Ohio Insured Trust 116

Gentlemen:

    You have requested our opinion as to the Ohio tax aspects of the above-
captioned Trust(s) (the "Ohio Trust(s)"), which is(are) part of the
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust --  Series 740 (the "Fund").  We understand
that the Fund is organized 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.  We further understand that (i)
the Fund will issue Units of fractional undivided interests in several state
trusts, including the Ohio Trust(s), (ii) the Units will be purchased by
various investors ("Unitholders"), (iii) each Unit of the Ohio Trust(s)
represents a fractional undivided interest in the principal and net income of
the Ohio Trust(s) in the ratio of ten Units for each $1,000 of principal
amount of the obligations initially acquired by the Ohio Trust(s), and (iv)
each state trust will be administered as a distinct entity with separate
certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.

    In addition, we understand that (i) the Ohio Trust(s) is(are) comprised
primarily of interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State
of Ohio, political subdivisions thereof, or agencies or instrumentalities
thereof ("Ohio Obligations"), or by the governments of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands or Guam ("Territorial Obligations")
(collectively, "Obligations"), (ii) at all times at least fifty percent of the
total assets of the Ohio Trust(s) will consist of Ohio Obligations, or similar
obligations of other states or their subdivisions, and (iii) distributions of
interest received by the Ohio Trust(s) will be made semi-annually unless the
Unitholder elects otherwise.  We further understand that, based on the opinion
of bond counsel with respect to each issue of Ohio Obligations held or to be
held by the Ohio Trust, rendered on the date of issuance thereof, interest on
each such issue is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes
under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"),
or other provisions of federal law, provided that with respect to certain Ohio
and Territorial Obligations, certain representations are accurate and certain
covenants are satisfied.

 
    We understand that Chapman and Cutler has rendered an opinion that
for federal income tax purposes the Ohio Trust(s) will not be taxable as (an)
association(s) but will be governed by the provisions of subchapter J
(relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the Code; each Unitholder will be
considered the owner of a pro rata portion of the Unitholder's respective
Ohio Trust under Section 676(a) of the Code; the Ohio Trust(s) will not be
subject to federal income tax; each Unitholder will be considered to have
received his pro rata share of interest on the underlying bonds in the
Unitholder's respective Ohio Trust when it is received by such Ohio Trust;
and each Unitholder will have a taxable event when the Unitholder's respective
Ohio Trust disposes of an underlying obligation (whether by sale, exchange,
redemption, or payment at maturity) or when the Unitholder redeems or sells
his Units.
 
    Based on the foregoing and upon an examination of such other documents and
an investigation of such other matters of law as we have deemed necessary, we
are of the opinion that under existing Ohio law:

    1.   The Ohio Trust(s) is(are) not taxable as (a) corporation(s) or
otherwise for purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio school district
income taxes, the Ohio corporation franchise tax, or the Ohio dealers in
intangibles tax.

    2.   Income of the Ohio Trust(s) will be treated as the income of the
Unitholders for purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio school
district income taxes, Ohio municipal income taxes and the Ohio corporation
franchise tax in proportion to the respective interest therein of each
Unitholder.

    3.   Interest on Obligations held by the Ohio Trust(s) is exempt from the
Ohio personal income tax, Ohio municipal income taxes and Ohio school district 
income taxes, and is excluded from the net income base of the Ohio corporation 
franchise tax when distributed or deemed distributed to Unitholders.

    4.   Proceeds paid under insurance policies, if any, to the Trustee of
the Ohio Trust(s) representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held
by the Ohio Trust(s) will be exempt from the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio
school district income taxes, Ohio municipal income taxes and the net income
base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax if, and to the same extent as, such
interest would be exempt from such taxes if paid directly by the issuer of
such obligations.

     5.  Gains and losses realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition
by the Ohio Trust(s) of Ohio Obligations are excluded in determining adjusted
gross and taxable income for purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio
municipal income taxes and Ohio school district income taxes, and are excluded
from the net income base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax when
distributed or deemed distributed to Unitholders.


    We have not examined any of the obligations to be deposited in the Ohio
Trust(s) and express no opinion as to whether such obligations, interest
thereon, or gain from the sale or other disposition thereof would in fact be
exempt from any federal or Ohio taxes if such obligations were held, or such
interest or gain were received, directly by the Unitholders.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (No. 33-54189) relating to the Units referred to
above, and to the reference to our firm as special Ohio tax counsel in said
Registration Statement and in the Prospectus contained therein.

Respectfully submitted,



SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

7/19/94

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

Re:     NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 740

        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 # 33-54189.

        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)

7/19/94

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

Re:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 740

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the registration statement File No. 33-54189,
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,


John R. Fitzgerald



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT 4.3

(ON CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN LETTERHEAD)

7/19/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 740
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 740
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 740

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 740 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 740
                               File No. 33-54189


    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 7/19/94,
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 - 5.  Essential information for each of the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.

     PAGES 5 - 6.  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 8 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

7/19/94


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