MEMORANDUM OF CHANGES
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
This Prospectus filed with Amendment No. 1 of the Registration Statement on
Form S-6 has been revised to reflect information regarding the deposit of the
Trusts. All page numbers below refer to Prospectus Part I.
Cover Page. The Trust name, Estimated Current Return, Estimated
Long-Term Return, CUSIP number and date of the prospectus
have been completed.
Page 2. The "Summary of Essential Financial Information" has been
completed.
Pages 3-4. The "Portfolio" and the notes thereto have been completed.
Page 6. The Underwriters have been named.
Page 7. The "Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants and
"Statement of Condition" has been completed.
Back Cover Page. The name of the Fund, Trust and date of the prospectus has
been completed.
FILE NO. 333-59233
CIK #896538
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-1004
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: INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234th INSURED
MULTI-SERIES
B. Name of Depositor: VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
C. Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
D. Name and complete address of agents for service:
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
Attention: Mark J. Kneedy Attention: Don G. Powell, Chairman
111 W. Monroe Street One Parkview Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60603 Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
E. Title of securities being registered: Units of fractional undivided
beneficial interest.
F. Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
/ X / Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on
August 19, 1998 pursuant to Rule 487.
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST,
234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Pursuant to Rule 404(c) of Regulation C
under the Securities Act of 1933
(Form N-8B-2 Items Required by Instruction
1 as to Prospectus on Form S-6)
FORM N-8B-2 FORM S-6
ITEM NUMBER HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. (a) Name of trust )
(b) Title of securities issued ) Prospectus Part I Front Cover Page
2. Name and address of Depositor ) Part II-The Trusts
) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Fund Administration
3. Name and address of Trustee ) Part II-The Trusts
) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Trust Administration
4. Name and address of principal ) Part I-Underwriting
underwriter )
5. Organization of trust ) Part II-The Trusts
6. Execution and termination of ) Part II-The Trusts
Trust Indenture and Agreement ) Part II-Fund Administration
7. Changes of Name ) *
8. Fiscal year ) *
9. Material Litigation ) *
II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST
10. General information regarding ) Part II-The Trusts
trust's securities and rights ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
of security holders ) Part II-Fund Administration
11. Type of securities comprising ) Part II-The Trusts
units ) Part I-Cover Page
) Part I-Portfolio
12. Certain information regarding ) *
periodic payment certificates )
13. (a) Load, fees, charges and ) Part II-The Trust
expenses ) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Expenses
) Part II-Public Offering
)
(b) Certain information regard- ) *
ing periodic payment plan )
certificates )
(c) Certain percentages ) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Public Offering
(d) Certain other fees, ) Par II-Rights of Unitholders
expenses or charges ) Part II-Expenses
payable by holders )
(e) Certain profits to be ) Part II-Public Offering
received by depositor, )
principal underwriter, ) Part I-Notes to Portfolio
trustee or affiliated )
persons )
(f) Ratio of annual charges ) *
to income )
14. Issuance of trust's securities ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
15. Receipt and handling of payments ) *
from purchasers )
16. Acquisition and disposition of ) Part II-The Trusts
underlying securities ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Fund Administration
17. Withdrawal or redemption ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
) Part II-Fund Administration
18. (a) Receipt and disposition )
of income ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
(b) Reinvestment of distribu- ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
tions )
(c) Reserves or special funds ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
) Part II-Fund Administration
(d) Schedule of distributions ) *
19. Records, accounts and reports ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
) Part II-Fund Administration
20. Certain miscellaneous provisions ) Part II-Fund Administration
of Trust Agreement )
21. Loans to security holders ) *
22. Limitations on liability ) Part I-Portfolio
) Part II-Fund Administration
23. Bonding arrangements ) *
24. Other material provisions of ) *
trust indenture or agreement)
III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR
25. Organization of Depositor ) Part II-Fund Administration
26. Fees received by Depositor ) Part II-Fund Administration
27. Business of Depositor ) Part II-Fund Administration
28. Certain information as to )
officials and affiliated ) *
persons of Depositor )
29. Companies owning securities of ) *
Depositor )
30. Controlling persons of Depositor ) *
31. Compensation of Directors ) *
32. Compensation of Directors ) *
33. Compensation of Employees ) *
34. Compensation to other persons ) Part II-Public Offering
IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
35. Distribution of trust's ) Part I-Cover Page
securities by states ) Part II-Public Offering
36. Suspension of sales of trust's ) *
securities )
37. Revocation of authority to ) *
distribute )
38. (a) Method of distribution )
(b) Underwriting agreements ) Part II-Public Offering
(c) Selling agreements )
39. (a) Organization of principal )
underwriter )
) Part II-Fund Administration
(b) N.A.S.D. membership by )
principal underwriter )
40. Certain fees received by ) *
principal underwriter )
41.(a) Business of principal ) Part II-Fund Administration
underwriter )
(b) Branch offices of principal ) *
underwriter )
(c) Salesmen of principal ) *
underwriter )
42. Ownership of securities of the ) *
trust )
43. Certain brokerage commissions )
received by principal ) *
underwriter )
44. (a) Method of valuation )
) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
) Part II-Public Offering
(b) Schedule as to offering ) *
price )
(c) Variation in offering price ) Part II-Public Offering
to certain persons )
45. Suspension of redemption rights ) *
46.(a) Redemption valuation ) Part II-Rights of Unitholders
) Part II-Public Offering
(b) Schedule as to redemption ) *
price )
47. Purchase and sale of interests ) Part II-Public Offering
in underlying securities ) Part II-Fund Administration
V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
48. Organization and regulation of ) Part II-Fund Administration
trustee )
49. Fees and expenses of trustee ) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Expenses
50. Trustee's lien ) Part II-Expenses
VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
51. Insurance of holders of trust's )
securities ) *
VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT
52. (a) Provisions of trust agree- )
ment with respect to )
replacement or elimi- ) Part II-Fund Administration
nation of portfolio )
securities )
(b) Transactions involving )
elimination of underlying ) *
securities )
(c) Policy regarding substitu- ) Part II-Fund Administration
tion or elimination of )
underlying securities )
(d) Fundamental policy not ) *
otherwise covered )
53. Tax Status of trust )
) Part II-Federal Tax Status
VIII. Financial and Statistical Information
54. Trust's securities during ) *
last ten years )
55. )
)
56. Certain information regarding ) *
)
57. Periodic payment certificates )
58. )
59. Financial statements (Instruc- ) Part I-Statement of Condition
tions 1(c) to Form S-6) )
- ----------------------------------
* Inapplicable, omitted, answer negative or not required
VAN KAMPEN
PROSPECTUS PART I
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, SERIES 401
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 401 (the "Trust") (included in
Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series (the "Fund"))
consists of interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of
municipalities and other governmental authorities, the interest on which is, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt from all Federal income taxes
under existing law (the "Bonds"). The objective of the Trust is Federal
tax-exempt income and conservation of capital through an investment in a
diversified portfolio of tax-exempt bonds. The Units of the Trust are rated
"AAA" by Standard & Poor's. The Trust is referred to herein as the "IM-IT Trust"
or "Insured Trust".
The Trust consists of 12 issues of Bonds. Two of the Bonds are general
obligations of the governmental entities issuing them and are backed by the
taxing power thereof. The remaining issues are payable from the income of a
specific project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to
levy taxes. These issues are divided by purpose of issues (and percentage of
principal amount) as follows: Health Care, 4 (44%); General Purpose, 2 (13%);
General Obligation, 2 (11%); Higher Education, 1 (11%); Wholesale Electric, 1
(11%); Water and Sewer, 1 (5%) and Public Building, 1 (5%). The dollar weighted
average maturity of the Bonds is 29 years.
Monthly Semi-Annual
------------- ------------
Estimated Current Return: 4.67% 4.71%
Estimated Long Term Return: 4.70% 4.75%
CUSIP: 45809C-68-9 45809C-69-7
Estimated Current Return shows the estimated cash to be received each year
from the Bonds (net of estimated annual expenses) divided by the Public Offering
Price (including the sales charge).
Estimated Long-Term Return shows the estimated return over the estimated life
of the Trust. This is based on an average of the yields to maturity (or an
earlier call date) of the Bonds adjusted to reflect the sales charge and
estimated expenses. The average yield for the portfolio is derived by weighting
each Bond's yield by its value and the time remaining to the call or maturity
date, depending on how the Bond is priced. Unlike Estimated Current Return,
Estimated Long-Term Return accounts for maturities, discounts and premiums of
the Bonds.
No return calculation can predict your actual return because returns vary
with purchase price, sales charges, the length of the time Units are held and
changes in portfolio composition, interest income and expenses. The estimated
returns are designed to show a comparison rather than a prediction of returns. A
yield calculation, which is more comparable to a calculation of an individual
bond, may be higher or lower than these estimated returns which are more
comparable to return calculations of other investment products.
AUGUST 19, 1998
THIS PROSPECTUS PART I MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART II.
BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Initial Date of Deposit: August 19, 1998 Principal Amount of Bonds per Unit (1): $ 998.91
Principal Amount of Bonds: $ 9,165,000 Number of Units: 9,175
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds $ 8,725,461
Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds per Unit $ 951.00
Plus Sales Charge per Unit $ 49.00
Public Offering Price per Unit (2) $ 1,000.00
Redemption Price per Unit $ 943.70
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED ANNUAL INCOME PER UNIT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-
Monthly Annual
----------- -----------
Estimated Interest Income $ 48.66 $ 48.66
Less Estimated Expenses (4) $ 1.96 $ 1.52
Less Estimated Insurance Expenses $ -- $ --
Estimated Net Interest Income $ 46.70 $ 47.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-
Monthly Annual
----------------- -----------------
Initial Distribution $ 2.07 on $ 13.87 on
September 25, 1998 December 25, 1998
Normal Distribution (3) $ 3.89 $ 23.57
Record Dates 10th day of December 10 and
each month June 10
Distribution Dates 25th day of December 25 and
each month June 25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-
Monthly Annual
----------- -----------
Sales Charge (% of Public Offering Price) 4.90% 4.90%
Estimated Annual Expenses per Unit
Trustee's Fee (5) (6) $ 0.91 $ 0.51
Evaluator's Supervisory Fee $ 0.25 $ 0.25
Evaluator's Evaluation Fee (5) $ 0.30 $ 0.30
Other Operating Expenses $ 0.64 $ 0.60
----------- -----------
Total Annual Expenses per Unit $ 2.10 $ 1.66
=========== ===========
(1) Because certain of the Bonds may from time to time under certain
circumstances be sold or redeemed or will be called or mature in accordance
with their terms (including the call or sale of zero coupon bonds at prices
less than par value), there is no guarantee that the value of each Unit at
Trust termination will be equal to the Principal Amount of Bonds per Unit.
(2) After the First Settlement Date (August 24, 1998), Unitholders will pay
accrued interest from such date to the settlement date less distributions
from the Interest Account after the First Settlement Date.
(3) This is based on estimated cash flows per Unit which will vary with changes
in expenses, interest rates and maturity, call, exchange or sale of the
Bonds. Estimated cash flows are set forth in the Information Supplement or
are available upon request.
(4) Excludes insurance expenses.
(5) This fee is assessed per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds. Other fees are
assessed per Unit.
(6) During the first year the Trustee will reduce its fee by approximately $.14
per Unit (which is the estimated interest to be earned prior to the expected
delivery dates for the "when, as and if issued" Bonds). Should the interest
exceed this amount, the Trustee will reduce its fee up to its annual fee.
After the first year, the Trustee's fee will be the amount indicated above.
Estimated interest income will increase to $48.80. Estimated General
Expenses will increase to $2.10 and $1.66 under the monthly and semi-annual
distribution plans, respectively. Estimated Net Interest Income will remain
as shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFERING
PRICE TO
AGGREGATE NAME OF ISSUER, TITLE, INTEREST RATE AND REDEMPTION IM-IT
PRINCIPAL MATURITY DATE OF BONDS(1)(2) RATING(3) FEATURE(4) TRUST (2)
- ------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 500,000 Village of Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois, Water Revenue
Bonds, Series 1998A (MBIA Insured)
#5.00% Due 07/01/2020 AAA 2008 @ 100 $ 489,505
1,000,000 Utah, Associated Municipal Power Systems, San Juan
Project, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1998 (AMBAC
Assurance Insured) 2008 @ 101
#5.00% Due 06/01/2022## AAA 2016 @ 100 S.F. 977,830
455,000 Yorba Linda, California, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation
Revenue Capital Appreciation Bonds (MBIA Insured)
#0.00% Due 09/01/2026 AAA 106,629
765,000 District of Columbia, Revenue Bonds (American Association for
the Advancement of Science Issue) Series 1997 (AMBAC
Assurance Insured) 2008 @ 102
#5.125% Due 01/01/2027 AAA 2017 @ 100 S.F. 753,640
1,000,000 Iowa, Finance Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds (Mercy Health
System) Series V (FSA Insured) 2007 @ 101
#5.25% Due 08/15/2027 AAA 2022 @ 100 S.F. 1,000,530
1,000,000 Iowa, Finance Authority, Hospital Facility Revenue Bonds (Iowa
Health System) Series A (MBIA Insured)
#5.125% Due 01/01/2028 AAA 2008 @ 102 983,390
1,000,000 Harrison County, West Virginia, Building Commission Revenue
Health Care Bonds (Maplewood Retirement) AMBAC
Assurance Insured 2008 @ 102
#5.25% Due 04/01/2028 AAA 2022 @ 100 S.F. 1,001,420
1,000,000 Massachusetts, Industrial Finance Agency Revenue Bonds
(Western New England College) AMBAC Assurance Insured 2008 @ 102
#5.00% Due 07/01/2028 AAA 2019 @ 100 S.F. 974,770
445,000 Harris County, Houston, Texas Sports Authority, Senior Lien
Special Revenue Bonds, Series 1998A (MBIA Insured) 2008 @ 100
#5.00% Due 11/15/2028## AAA 2026 @ 100 S.F. 433,697
1,000,000 Chicago, Illinois, Board of Education (Chicago School Reform)
Unlimited Tax-General Obligation Bonds, Series A (AMBAC 2007 @ 102
Assurance Insured) AAA 2023 @ 100 S.F.
500M-#5.25% Due 12/01/2027 2007 @ 102
500M-#5.25% Due 12/01/2030 AAA 2028 @ 100 S.F. 1,002,260
1,000,000 Bexar County, Texas, Health Facilities Development
Corporation, Revenue Bonds (MBIA Insured) 2007 @ 102
#5.25% Due 11/15/2031 AAA 2028 @ 100 S.F. 1,001,790
- --------------- ------------
$ 9,165,000 $ 8,725,461
=============== ============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All of the Bonds are insured either by one of the Preinsured Bond Insurers as
indicated in the Bond name or by a Portfolio Insurer under a portfolio insurance
policy. See "Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts" in Prospectus Part
II.
For an explanation of the footnotes used on this page, see "Notes to Portfolio".
NOTES TO PORTFOLIO
(1) The Bonds are represented by "regular way" or "when issued" contracts for
the performance of which an irrevocable letter of credit, obtained from an
affiliate of the Trustee, has been deposited with the Trustee. Contracts to
acquire the Bonds were entered into during the period from August 13, 1998
to August 18, 1998.
(2) Other information regarding the Bonds is as follows:
COST TO PROFIT (LOSS)
SPONSOR TO SPONSOR
--------------- ---------------
$ 8,664,728 $ 60,733
- -----------
The breakdown of the Preinsured Bond Insurers is as follows: AMBAC Assurance
52%, MBIA 37% and FSA 11%.
The Sponsor may have entered into contracts which hedge interest rate
fluctuations on certain Bonds. The cost of any such contracts and the
corresponding gain or loss is included in the Cost to Sponsor. Bonds marked
by "##" following the maturity date have been purchased on a "when, as and
if issued" or "delayed delivery" basis. Interest on these Bonds begins
accruing to the benefit of Unitholders on their respective dates of
delivery. Delivery is expected to take place at various dates after the
First Settlement Date. "#" prior to the coupon rate indicates that the Bond
was issued at an original issue discount. See "The Trusts--Risk Factors" in
Prospectus Part II. The tax effect of Bonds issued at an original issue
discount is described in "Federal Tax Status" in Prospectus Part II.
(3) All ratings are by Standard & Poor's unless otherwise indicated. "*"
indicates that the rating of the Bond is by Moody's. "o" indicates that the
rating is contingent upon receipt by the rating agency of a policy of
insurance obtained by the issuer of the bonds. "N/R" indicates that the
rating service did not provide a rating for that Bond. For a brief
description of the ratings see "Description of Ratings" in the Information
Supplement.
(4) This is the year in which each Bond is initially or currently callable and
the call price for that year. Each Bond continues to be callable at
declining prices thereafter (but not below par value) except for original
issue discount bonds which are redeemable at prices based on the issue price
plus the amount of original issue discount accreted to redemption date plus,
if applicable, some premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent
years. "S.F." indicates a sinking fund is established with respect to an
issue of Bonds. Certain Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium
prior to the date shown pursuant to extraordinary optional or mandatory
redemptions if certain events occur. See "The Trusts--Risk Factors" in
Prospectus Part II.
TAX STATUS. The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
provides that for taxpayers other than corporations, net capital gain (which is
defined as net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for the
taxable year) realized from property (with certain exclusions) is subject to a
maximum marginal stated tax rate of 20% (10% in the case of certain taxpayers in
the lowest tax bracket). Capital gain or loss is long-term if the holding period
for the asset is more than one year, and is short-term if the holding period for
the asset is one year or less. The date on which a Unit is acquired (i.e., the
"trade date") is excluded for purposes for determining the holding period of the
Unit. The legislation is generally effective retroactively for amounts properly
taken into account on or after January 1, 1998. Capital gains realized from
assets held for one year or less are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income.
For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Units, see
"Federal Tax Status" in Prospectus Part II.
THE SPONSOR. Van Kampen Funds Inc. (formerly Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc.) is the Sponsor of the Trust. The Sponsor is an indirect
subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (formerly VK/AC Holding, Inc.). Van
Kampen Investments Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSAM Holdings II, Inc.,
which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
(formerly Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co.). American Portfolio
Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.
(formerly Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp.) is the
Evaluator of the Trusts and is an affiliate of the Sponsor.
UNDERWRITING. The Underwriters named below have purchased Units in the
following amounts from the Sponsor. For additional information regarding the
Underwriters, including information relating to compensation and benefits
received by the Underwriters, see "Public Offering--Sponsor and Underwriter
Compensation" in Prospectus Part II.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ADDRESS UNITS
-----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Van Kampen Funds Inc. One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 6,475
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. One North Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 500
EVEREN Securities, Inc. 77 West Wacker Drive, 28th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601 250
Edward Jones & Co. 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043 250
Roosevelt & Cross Inc. 20 Exchange Place, New York, New York 10005 250
Southwest Securities Inc. 1201 Elm Street, Suite 4300, Dallas, Texas 75270 250
Advest, Inc. 90 State House Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 100
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 100
Fahnestock & Co., Inc. 110 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10005 100
First Miami Securities 20660 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida 33180 100
Gruntal & Company, L.L.C. 14 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 100
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc. 501 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 100
William R. Hough & Company 100 Second Avenue South, 8th Floor, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701100
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. 2 World Trade Center, 59th Floor, New York, New York 10048 100
Pershing DIV of DLJ Secs Corp. One Pershing Plaza, 7th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07399 100
Piper Jaffray Inc. 222 South Ninth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 100
Prudential Securities Inc. 1 New York Plaza, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10292-2014 100
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. 8350 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90211 100
-----------------
9,175
=================
</TABLE>
LETTER OF INTENT. A purchaser desiring to purchase during a 13 month period
$500,000 or more of any combination of series of Van Kampen unit investment
trusts may qualify for a reduced sales charge by signing a nonbinding Letter of
Intent with any single broker-dealer. After signing a Letter of Intent, at the
date total purchases, less redemptions, of units of any combination of series of
Van Kampen unit investment trusts by a purchaser (including units purchased in
the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in the name of a child of such
purchaser under 21 years of age) exceed $500,000, the selling broker-dealer,
bank or other will credit the unitholder with cash as a retroactive reduction of
the sales charge on such units equal to the amount which would have been paid
for the total aggregated sale amount. If a purchaser does not complete the
required purchases under the Letter of Intent within the 13 month period, no
such retroactive sales charge reduction shall be made.
REPORT OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of Van Kampen Funds Inc. and the Unitholders of
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 401 (included in Insured Municipals
Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series:)
We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the portfolio of
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 401 (included in Insured Municipals
Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series) as of August 19, 1998. The statement
of condition and portfolio are the responsibility of the Sponsor. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on such financial statements based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 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 an irrevocable letter of credit deposited to purchase tax-exempt
bonds 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 our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Insured Municipals Income
Trust, Series 401 (included in Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured
Multi-Series) as of August 19, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
Chicago, Illinois GRANT THORNTON LLP
August 19, 1998
STATEMENT OF CONDITION
AS OF AUGUST 19, 1998
INVESTMENT IN BONDS
Contracts to purchase Bonds (1)(2) $ 8,725,461
Accrued interest to the First Settlement Date (1)(2) 79,110
--------------------
Total $ 8,804,571
====================
LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability--
Accrued interest payable to Sponsor (1)(2) $ 79,110
Interest of Unitholders--
Cost to investors 9,175,000
Less: Gross underwriting commission 449,539
--------------------
Net interest to Unitholders (1)(2) 8,725,461
--------------------
Total $ 8,804,571
====================
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The value of the Bonds is determined by Interactive Data Corporation on the
bases set forth under "Public Offering--Offering Price" in Prospectus Part
II. The contracts to purchase Bonds are collateralized by an irrevocable
letter of credit in an amount sufficient to satisfy such contracts.
(2) The Trustee will advance the amount of the net interest accrued to the First
Settlement Date to the Trust for distribution to the Sponsor as the
Unitholder of record as of such date.
PROSPECTUS PART I
AUGUST 19, 1998
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, SERIES 401
VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
THIS PROSPECTUS PART I MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART II.
BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
VAN KAMPEN
PROSPECTUS PART I
COLORADO INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, SERIES 87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 87 (the "Trust") (included
in Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series (the "Fund"))
consists of interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of
municipalities and other governmental authorities, the interest on which is, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt from all Federal income taxes
under existing law and exempt to the extent described herein from Colorado state
and local taxes when held by residents of Colorado (the "Bonds"). The objective
of the Trust is Federal and Colorado tax-exempt income and conservation of
capital through an investment in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt bonds.
The Units of the Trust are rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. The Trust is
referred to herein as the "State Trust" or "Insured Trust."
The Trust consists of 9 issues of Bonds. One of the Bonds is a general
obligation of the governmental entity issuing them it is backed by the
taxing power thereof. The remaining issues are payable from the income of a
specific project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to
levy taxes. These issues are divided by purpose of issues (and percentage of
principal amount) as follows: Health Care, 2 (28%); Transportation, 2 (18%);
Certificate of Participation, 1 (15%); Airport, 1 (12%); General Purpose, 1
(12%); Retail Electric/Gas/Telephone, 1 (10%) and General Obligation, 1 (5%).
The dollar weighted average maturity of the Bonds is 26 years.
Monthly Semi-Annual
------------- ------------
Estimated Current Return: 4.53% 4.58%
Estimated Long Term Return: 4.53% 4.58%
CUSIP: 196497-20-0 196497-21-8
Estimated Current Return shows the estimated cash to be received each year
from the Bonds (net of estimated annual expenses) divided by the Public Offering
Price (including the sales charge).
Estimated Long-Term Return shows the estimated return over the estimated life
of the Trust. This is based on an average of the yields to maturity (or an
earlier call date) of the Bonds adjusted to reflect the sales charge and
estimated expenses. The average yield for the portfolio is derived by weighting
each Bond's yield by its value and the time remaining to the call or maturity
date, depending on how the Bond is priced. Unlike Estimated Current Return,
Estimated Long-Term Return accounts for maturities, discounts and premiums of
the Bonds.
No return calculation can predict your actual return because returns vary
with purchase price, sales charges, the length of the time Units are held and
changes in portfolio composition, interest income and expenses. The estimated
returns are designed to show a comparison rather than a prediction of returns. A
yield calculation, which is more comparable to a calculation of an individual
bond, may be higher or lower than these estimated returns which are more
comparable to return calculations of other investment products.
AUGUST 19, 1998
THIS PROSPECTUS PART I MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART II.
BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Initial Date of Deposit: August 19, 1998 Principal Amount of Bonds per Unit (1): $ 985.71
Principal Amount of Bonds: $ 2,000,000 Number of Units: 2,029
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds $ 1,929,588
Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds per Unit $ 951.00
Plus Sales Charge per Unit $ 49.00
Public Offering Price per Unit (2) $ 1,000.00
Redemption Price per Unit $ 943.80
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED ANNUAL INCOME PER UNIT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-
Monthly Annual
----------- -----------
Estimated Interest Income $ 47.68 $ 47.68
Less Estimated Expenses (4) $ 2.37 $ 1.88
Less Estimated Insurance Expenses $ -- $ --
Estimated Net Interest Income $ 45.31 $ 45.80
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-
Monthly Annual
------------------ ----------------
Initial Distribution $ 2.01 on $ 17.30 on
September 25, 1998 January 25, 1999
Normal Distribution (3) $ 3.77 $ 22.90
Record Dates 10th day of January 10 and
each month July 10
Distribution Dates 25th day of January 25 and
each month July 25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi-
Monthly Annual
----------- -----------
Sales Charge (% of Public Offering Price) 4.90% 4.90%
Estimated Annual Expenses per Unit
Trustee's Fee (5) $ 0.91 $ 0.51
Evaluator's Supervisory Fee $ 0.25 $ 0.25
Evaluator's Evaluation Fee (5) $ 0.30 $ 0.30
Other Operating Expenses $ 0.91 $ 0.82
---------- ------------
Total Annual Expenses per Unit $ 2.37 $ 1.88
========== ============
(1) Because certain of the Bonds may from time to time under certain
circumstances be sold or redeemed or will be called or mature in accordance
with their terms (including the call or sale of zero coupon bonds at prices
less than par value), there is no guarantee that the value of each Unit at
Trust termination will be equal to the Principal Amount of Bonds per Unit.
(2) After the First Settlement Date (August 24, 1998), Unitholders will pay
accrued interest from such date to the settlement date less distributions
from the Interest Account after the First Settlement Date.
(3) This is based on estimated cash flows per Unit which will vary with changes
in expenses, interest rates and maturity, call, exchange or sale of the
Bonds. Estimated cash flows are set forth in the Information Supplement or
are available upon request.
(4) Excludes insurance expenses.
(5) This fee is assessed per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds. Other fees are
assessed per Unit.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFERING
PRICE TO
COLORADO
AGGREGATE NAME OF ISSUER, TITLE, INTEREST RATE AND REDEMPTION IM-IT
PRINCIPAL MATURITY DATE OF BONDS(1)(2) RATING(3) FEATURE(4) TRUST (2)
- ------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 100,000 Jefferson County, Colorado, School District No. R-001, General
Obligation Bonds, Series A (FGIC Insured) 2008 @ 101
#5.00% Due 12/15/2017............................... AAA 2016 @ 100 S.F. $ 99,881
100,000 E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Senior Revenue
Bonds, Series 1997B (MBIA Insured)
#0.00% Due 09/01/2022............................... AAA 29,416
300,000 University of Colorado, Hospital Authority, Hospital Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMBAC Assurance Insured) 2007 @ 102
#5.25% Due 11/15/2022............................... AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 305,286
300,000 Moffat County, Colorado, Certificates of Participation (Public
Safety Center Project) Series 1998 (AMBAC Assurance Insured) 2008 @ 101
#5.125% Due 06/01/2023.............................. AAA 2014 @ 100 S.F. 299,808
250,000 Denver, Colorado, City and County Airport Revenue Bonds,
Series E (MBIA Insured) 2007 @ 101
#5.25% Due 11/15/2023............................... AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 254,735
250,000 Colorado, Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Sisters
of Charity Leavenworth) MBIA Insured 2008 @ 101
#5.00% Due 12/01/2025............................... AAA 2019 @ 100 S.F. 247,570
250,000 Puerto Rico, Public Finance Corporation, Commonwealth
Appropriation Revenue Bonds, Series A (FSA Insured) 2008 @ 101
#5.00% Due 06/01/2026............................... AAA 2024 @ 100 S.F. 248,270
250,000 E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Senior Revenue
Bonds, Series A (MBIA Insured) 2007 @ 101
#5.00% Due 09/01/2026............................... AAA 2024 @ 100 S.F. 246,080
200,000 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Power Revenue Bonds,
Series DD (MBIA Insured) 2008 @ 101.50
#5.00% Due 07/01/2028............................... AAA 2020 @ 100 S.F. 198,542
- --------------- ------------
$ 2,000,000 $ 1,929,588
=============== ============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All of the Bonds are insured either by one of the Preinsured Bond Insurers as
indicated in the Bond name or by a Portfolio Insurer under a portfolio insurance
policy. See "Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts" in Prospectus Part
II.
For an explanation of the footnotes used on this page, see "Notes to Portfolio".
NOTES TO PORTFOLIO
(1) The Bonds are represented by "regular way" or "when issued" contracts for
the performance of which an irrevocable letter of credit, obtained from an
affiliate of the Trustee, has been deposited with the Trustee. Contracts to
acquire the Bonds were entered into during the period from August 14, 1998
to August 18, 1998.
(2) Other information regarding the Bonds is as follows:
COST TO PROFIT (LOSS)
SPONSOR TO SPONSOR
--------------- ---------------
$ 1,917,138 $ 12,450
The breakdown of the Preinsured Bond Insurers is as follows: AMBAC Assurance
30%, Financial Guaranty 5%, MBIA 52% and FSA 13%.
The Sponsor may have entered into contracts which hedge interest rate
fluctuations on certain Bonds. The cost of any such contracts and the
corresponding gain or loss is included in the Cost to Sponsor. Bonds marked by
"##" following the maturity date have been purchased on a "when, as and if
issued" or "delayed delivery" basis. Interest on these Bonds begins accruing to
the benefit of Unitholders on their respective dates of delivery. Delivery is
expected to take place at various dates after the First Settlement Date. "#"
prior to the coupon rate indicates that the Bond was issued at an original issue
discount. See "The Trusts--Risk Factors" in Prospectus Part II. The tax effect
of Bonds issued at an original issue discount is described in "Federal Tax
Status" in Prospectus Part II.
(3) All ratings are by Standard & Poor's unless otherwise indicated. "*"
indicates that the rating of the Bond is by Moody's. "o" indicates that the
rating is contingent upon receipt by the rating agency of a policy of
insurance obtained by the issuer of the bonds. "N/R" indicates that the
rating service did not provide a rating for that Bond. For a brief
description of the ratings see "Description of Ratings" in the Information
Supplement.
(4) This is the year in which each Bond is initially or currently callable and
the call price for that year. Each Bond continues to be callable at
declining prices thereafter (but not below par value) except for original
issue discount bonds which are redeemable at prices based on the issue price
plus the amount of original issue discount accreted to redemption date plus,
if applicable, some premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent
years. "S.F." indicates a sinking fund is established with respect to an
issue of Bonds. Certain Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium
prior to the date shown pursuant to extraordinary optional or mandatory
redemptions if certain events occur. See "The Trusts--Risk Factors" in
Prospectus Part II.
COLORADO RISK FACTORS. The financial condition of the State of Colorado is
affected by various national, economic, social and environmental policies and
conditions. Additionally, Constitutional and statutory limitations imposed on
the State and its local governments concerning taxes, bond indebtedness and
other matters may constrain the revenue-generating capacity of the State and its
local governments and, therefore, the ability of the issuers of the Bonds to
satisfy their obligations. Colorado has an expenditure limitation which it
breached in fiscal year 1997.
The economic vitality of the State and its various regions and, therefore,
the ability of the State and its local governments to satisfy the Bonds, are
affected by numerous factors. The economy of the State continues to be dependent
on services and trade, with construction reporting large gains in recent years.
These sectors tend to be cyclical. Rapid job growth has kept unemployment low.
There is no guarantee that such conditions will continue.
The State is a party to numerous lawsuits in which an adverse final decision
could materially affect the State's governmental operations and consequently its
ability to pay debt service on its obligations.
Further information concerning Colorado risk factors may be obtained upon
request to the Sponsor as described in "Additional Information" appearing in
Prospectus Part II.
TAX STATUS. The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
provides that for taxpayers other than corporations, net capital gain (which is
defined as net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for the
taxable year) realized from property (with certain exclusions) is subject to a
maximum marginal stated tax rate of 20% (10% in the case of certain taxpayers in
the lowest tax bracket). Capital gain or loss is long-term if the holding period
for the asset is more than one year, and is short-term if the holding period for
the asset is one year or less. The date on which a Unit is acquired (i.e., the
"trade date") is excluded for purposes for determining the holding period of the
Unit. The legislation is generally effective retroactively for amounts properly
taken into account on or after January 1, 1998. Capital gains realized from
assets held for one year or less are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income.
For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Colorado IM-IT
Trust Units, see "Federal Tax Status" in Prospectus Part II.
The assets of the Colorado Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of Colorado ("Colorado") or counties,
municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions thereof (the "Colorado
Bonds") or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the "Puerto Rico Bonds")
(collectively, the "Bonds") the interest on which is expected to qualify as
exempt from Colorado income taxes.
Neither the Sponsor nor its counsel have independently examined the Bonds to
be deposited in and held in the Trust. However, although Chapman and Cutler
expresses no opinion with respect to the issuance of the Bonds, in rendering its
opinion expressed herein, it has assumed that: (i) 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; (ii)
with respect to the Colorado Bonds, bond counsel to the issuing authorities
rendered opinions as to the exemption of interest from the income tax imposed by
the State of Colorado that is applicable to individuals and corporations (the
"State Income Tax") and, (iii) with respect to the Possession Bonds, bond
counsel to the issuing authorities rendered opinions as to the exemption from
all state and local income taxation of the Possession Bonds and the interest
thereon. Neither the Sponsor nor its counsel has made any review for the
Colorado Trust of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of
the bases for the opinions rendered in connection therewith. This opinion does
not address the taxation of persons other than full time residents of Colorado.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
Colorado law:
Because Colorado income tax law is based upon the Federal law, the Colorado
IM-IT Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for purposes of
Colorado income taxation.
With respect to Colorado Unitholders, in view of the relationship between
Federal and Colorado tax computations described above: Each Colorado Unitholder
will be treated as owning a pro rata share of each asset of the Colorado IM-IT
Trust for Colorado income tax purposes in the proportion that the number of
Units of such Trust held by the Unitholder bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Colorado IM-IT Trust, and the income of the Colorado
IM-IT Trust will therefore be treated as the income of each Colorado Unitholder
under Colorado law in the proportion described and an item of income of the
Colorado IM-IT Trust will have the same character in the hands of a Colorado
Unitholder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee;
Interest on Colorado Bonds that would not be includable in income for
Colorado income tax purposes when paid directly to a Colorado Unitholder will be
exempt from Colorado income taxation when received by the Colorado IM-IT Trust
and attributed to such Colorado Unitholder and when distributed to such Colorado
Unitholder;
To the extent that interest income derived from the Colorado Trust by a
Unitholder with respect to Puerto Rico Bonds is exempt from state taxes pursuant
to 48 U.S.C. 745, such interest will not be subject to the Colorado State Income
Tax.
Any proceeds paid under an insurance policy or policies issued to the
Colorado IM-IT Trust with respect to the Bonds in the Colorado IM-IT Trust which
represent maturing interest on defaulted Bonds held by the Trustee will be
excludable from Colorado adjusted gross income if, and to the same extent as,
such interest is so excludable for federal income tax purposes if paid in he
normal course by the issuer notwithstanding that the source of payment is from
insurance proceeds 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.
Each Colorado Unitholder will realize taxable gain or loss when the Colorado
IM-IT Trust disposes of a Bond (whether by sale, exchange, redemption, or
payment at maturity) or when the Colorado Unitholder redeems or sells Units at a
price that differs from original cost as adjusted for amortization of bond
discount or premium and other basis adjustments (including any basis reduction
that may be required to reflect a Colorado Unitholder's share of interest, if
any, accruing on Bonds during the interval between the Colorado Unitholder's
settlement date and the date such Bonds are delivered to the Colorado IM-IT
Trust, if later);
Tax basis reduction requirements relating to amortization of bond premium
may, under some circumstances, result in Colorado Unitholders realizing taxable
gain when their Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to or less than
their original cost; and
If interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a Colorado Unitholder to
purchase Units in the Colorado IM-IT Trust is not deductible for federal income
tax purposes, it also will be non-deductible for Colorado income tax purposes.
Unitholders should be aware that all tax-exempt interest, including their
share of interest on the Bonds paid to the Colorado IM-IT Trust, is taken into
account for purposes of determining eligibility for the Colorado Property
Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate.
Chapman and Cutler has expressed no opinion with respect to taxation under
any other provision of Colorado law. Ownership of the Units may result in
collateral Colorado tax consequences to certain taxpayers. Prospective investors
should consult their tax advisors as to the applicability of any such collateral
consequences.
Chapman and Cutler has expressed no opinion with respect to taxation under
any other provision of Colorado law. Ownership of the Units may result in
collateral Colorado tax consequences to certain taxpayers. Prospective investors
should consult their tax advisors as to the applicability of any such collateral
consequences.
THE SPONSOR. Van Kampen Funds Inc. (formerly Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc.) is the Sponsor of the Trust. The Sponsor is an indirect
subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (formerly VK/AC Holding, Inc.). Van
Kampen Investments Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSAM Holdings II, Inc.,
which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
(formerly Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co.). American Portfolio
Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.
(formerly Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp.) is the
Evaluator of the Trusts and is an affiliate of the Sponsor.
UNDERWRITING. The Underwriters named below have purchased Units in the
following amounts from the Sponsor. For additional information regarding the
Underwriters, including information relating to compensation and benefits
received by the Underwriters, see "Public Offering--Sponsor and Underwriter
Compensation" in Prospectus Part II.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ADDRESS UNITS
-----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Van Kampen Funds Inc. One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 1,829
Gruntal & Company, L.L.C. 14 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 100
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. 2 World Trade Center, 59th Floor, New York, New York 10048 100
-----------------
2,029
=================
</TABLE>
LETTER OF INTENT. A purchaser desiring to purchase during a 13 month period
$500,000 or more of any combination of series of Van Kampen unit investment
trusts may qualify for a reduced sales charge by signing a nonbinding Letter of
Intent with any single broker-dealer. After signing a Letter of Intent, at the
date total purchases, less redemptions, of units of any combination of series of
Van Kampen unit investment trusts by a purchaser (including units purchased in
the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in the name of a child of such
purchaser under 21 years of age) exceed $500,000, the selling broker-dealer,
bank or other will credit the unitholder with cash as a retroactive reduction of
the sales charge on such units equal to the amount which would have been paid
for the total aggregated sale amount. If a purchaser does not complete the
required purchases under the Letter of Intent within the 13 month period, no
such retroactive sales charge reduction shall be made.
REPORT OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of Van Kampen Funds Inc. and the Unitholders of
Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 87 (included in Insured
Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series):
We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the portfolio of
Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 87 (included in Insured
Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series) as of August 19, 1998. The
statement of condition and portfolio are the responsibility of the Sponsor. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on such financial statements based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 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 an irrevocable letter of credit deposited to purchase tax-exempt
bonds 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 our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Colorado Insured Municipals
Income Trust, Series 87 (included in Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th
Insured Multi-Series) as of August 19, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
Chicago, Illinois GRANT THORNTON LLP
August 19, 1998
STATEMENT OF CONDITION
AS OF AUGUST 19, 1998
INVESTMENT IN BONDS
Contracts to purchase Bonds (1)(2) $ 1,929,588
Accrued interest to the First Settlement Date (1)(2) 25,850
--------------------
Total $ 1,955,438
====================
LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability--
Accrued interest payable to Sponsor (1)(2) $ 25,850
Interest of Unitholders--
Cost to investors 2,029,000
Less: Gross underwriting commission 99,412
--------------------
Net interest to Unitholders (1)(2) 1,929,588
--------------------
Total $ 1,955,438
====================
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The value of the Bonds is determined by Interactive Data Corporation on the
bases set forth under "Public Offering--Offering Price" in Prospectus Part
II. The contracts to purchase Bonds are collateralized by an irrevocable
letter of credit in an amount sufficient to satisfy such contracts.
(2) The Trustee will advance the amount of the net interest accrued to the First
Settlement Date to the Trust for distribution to the Sponsor as the
Unitholder of record as of such date.
PROSPECTUS PART I
AUGUST 19, 1998
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
COLORADO INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, SERIES 87
VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
THIS PROSPECTUS PART I MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART II.
BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
February 1998
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
PROSPECTUS PART II
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, INSURED MULTI-SERIES AND
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST AND INVESTORS' QUALITY TAX-EXEMPT TRUST,
MULTI-SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND. The objectives of the Fund are Federal and, in the case of a State
Trust, state tax-exempt income and conservation of capital through an investment
in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt bonds. The Fund consists of the
underlying separate unit investment trusts set forth in Prospectus Part I. The
Bonds are interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of municipalities
and other governmental authorities, the interest on which is exempt from all
Federal income taxes under existing law in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer. In addition, the interest income of each State Trust is, in the opinion
of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt to the extent indicated from state and
local taxes, when held by residents of the state where the issuers of the Bonds
are located. Except in specific instances as noted in Prospectus Part I, the
information contained in this Prospectus Part II shall apply to each Trust in
its entirety.
"AAA" RATING FOR THE INSURED TRUSTS. Insurance guaranteeing the payments of
principal and interest, when due, on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been
obtained from a municipal bond insurance company. See "Insurance on the Bonds in
the Insured Trusts". Insurance relates only to the Bonds and not to the Units or
to the market value thereof. As a result of such insurance, the Units of each
Insured Trust have received a rating of "AAA" by Standard & Poor's, A Division
of the McGraw-Hill Companies ("Standard & Poor's"). Units of the Trusts are not
insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by,
any government agency and are subject to investment risk, including possible
loss of the principal amount invested.
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE. The Public Offering Price of Units during the initial
offering period includes the aggregate offering price of the Bonds, the
applicable sales charge, cash, if any, in the Principal Account of the Trust,
and accrued interest, if any. Sales charges for the Trusts are set forth under
"Public Offering--General." During the initial offering period, the sales charge
is reduced for sales involving at least 100 Units.
ESTIMATED CURRENT AND LONG-TERM RETURNS. The Estimated Current Returns and
Estimated Long-Term Returns to Unitholders are described on the cover of
Prospectus Part I. See "Estimated Current and Long-Term Returns."
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS. Unitholders may elect to receive distributions on a
monthly or semi-annual basis. See "Rights of Unitholders--Distributions of
Interest and Principal". Those indicating no choice will be deemed to have
chosen the monthly distribution plan.
MARKET FOR UNITS. Although not obligated to do so, the Sponsor intends to,
and certain of the other Underwriters may, maintain a secondary market for the
Units. If a secondary market is not available, a Unitholder will always be able
to redeem his Units through the Trustee on any business day. See "Rights of
Unitholders--Redemption of Units" and "Public Offering--Market for Units".
REINVESTMENT OPTION. Unitholders may reinvest their distributions into Van
Kampen American Capital or Morgan Stanley mutual funds. See "Rights of
Unitholders--Reinvestment Option". Unitholders may also have the option of
exchanging their investment for units of other Van Kampen American Capital unit
investment trusts at a reduced sales charge. Unitholders may obtain a prospectus
for such trusts from the Sponsor.
RISK FACTORS. An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of
certain risks, including, among other factors, the inability of the issuer or an
insurer, if any, to pay the principal of or interest on a bond when due,
volatile interest rates, early call provisions, and changes to the tax status of
the Bonds. See "The Trusts--Risk Factors".
THIS PROSPECTUS PART II MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART I.
BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
An Information Supplement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and can be obtained without charge by calling (800) 856-8487
or is available along with other related materials at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). This Prospectus incorporates by reference the entire
Information Supplement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE TRUSTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND. This series of the Insured Municipals Income Trust or the Insured
Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust (the "Fund"),
consists of the underlying separate unit investment trusts described in
Prospectus Part I. The Fund was created under the laws of the State of New York
pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement (the "Trust Agreement"), dated the
date of Prospectus Part I (the "Date of Deposit") among Van Kampen American
Capital Distributors, Inc., as Sponsor, American Portfolio Evaluation Services,
a division of Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp., as
Evaluator, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.
The Fund consists of separate portfolios of interest-bearing obligations
issued by or on behalf of states and territories of the United States, and
political subdivisions and authorities thereof, the interest on which is, in the
opinion of recognized bond counsel to the issuing authorities, excludable from
gross income for Federal income tax purposes under existing law. All issuers of
Bonds in a State Trust are located in the state for which the Trust is named or
in United States territories or possessions and their public authorities;
consequently, in the opinion of recognized bond counsel to the Bond issuers, the
interest earned on the Bonds is exempt to the extent indicated in Prospectus
Part I from state and local taxes. Further, in the opinion of bond counsel to
the respective issuers, the interest income of each Bond in a U.S. Territorial
IM-IT Trust is exempt from state, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and local income
taxation. With the exception of New York and Pennsylvania Trusts, Units of a
State Trust may be purchased only by residents of the state for which the Trust
is named. Units of a New York Trust may be purchased by residents of New York,
Connecticut and Florida. Units of a Pennsylvania Trust may be purchased by
residents of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio and
West Virginia. State Trusts, other than State Intermediate Laddered Maturity
Trusts or State Intermediate Trusts, are referred to herein as "Long-Term State
Trusts".
On the Date of Deposit, the Sponsor deposited with the Trustee the aggregate
principal amount of Bonds indicated in the "Summary of Essential Financial
Information" in Prospectus Part I. The Bonds initially consist of delivery
statements relating to contracts for their purchase and cash, cash equivalents
and/or irrevocable letters of credit issued by a financial institution.
Thereafter, the Trustee, in exchange for the Bonds, delivered to the Sponsor
evidence of ownership of the number of Units indicated under "Summary of
Essential Financial Information" in Prospectus Part I.
The portfolio of any IM-IT, IM-IT Discount, U.S. Territorial IM-IT,
Long-Term State or National Quality Trust consists of Bonds maturing
approximately 15 to 40 years from the Date of Deposit. The approximate range of
maturities from the Date of Deposit for Bonds in any IM-IT Limited Maturity
Trust, IM-IT Intermediate Trust, State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust and
IM-IT Short Intermediate Trust is 12 to 15 years, 5 to 15 years, 5 to 10 years
and 3 to 7 years, respectively. The portfolio of any State Intermediate Laddered
Maturity Trust is structured so that approximately 20% of the Bonds will mature
each year, beginning in approximately the fifth year of the Trust, entitling
each Unitholder to a return of principal. This return of principal may offer
Unitholders the opportunity to respond to changing economic conditions and to
specific financial needs that may arise between the fifth and tenth years of the
Trust. However, the flexibility provided by the return of principal may also
eliminate a Unitholder's ability to reinvest at a rate as high as the yield on
the Bonds which matured.
Each Unit initially offered represents a fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net income of a Trust. To the extent that any Units are
redeemed by the Trustee, the fractional undivided interest in a Trust
represented by each Unit will increase, although the actual interest in the
Trust will remain unchanged. Units will remain outstanding until redeemed by
Unitholders or until the termination of the Trust Agreement.
OBJECTIVES AND BOND SELECTION. The objectives of the Fund are income exempt
from Federal income taxation and, in the case of a State Trust, Federal and
state income taxation and conservation of capital through an investment in
diversified portfolios of Federal and state tax-exempt obligations. A State
Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust has additional objectives of providing
protection against changes in interest rates and investment flexibility through
an investment in a laddered portfolio of intermediate-term interest-bearing
obligations with maturities ranging from approximately 5 to 10 years in which
roughly 20% of the Bonds mature each year beginning in approximately the fifth
year of the Trust. There is, of course, no guarantee that the Trusts will
achieve their objectives. The Fund may be an appropriate investment vehicle for
investors who desire to participate in a portfolio of tax-exempt fixed income
bonds with greater diversification than they might be able to acquire
individually. Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of all
principal and interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained from
a municipal bond insurance company. For information relating to insurance on the
Bonds, see "Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts". In addition, these
bonds are often not available in small amounts.
In selecting Bonds for the Trusts, the Sponsor considered the following
factors, among others: (a) either the Standard & Poor's rating of the Bonds was
not less than "BBB-" for Insured Trusts and "A-" for Quality Trusts, or the
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating of the Bonds was not less
than "Baa" for Insured Trusts and "A" for the Quality Trusts, including
provisional or conditional ratings, respectively, (or, if not rated, the Bonds
had credit characteristics sufficiently similar to the credit characteristics of
interest-bearing tax-exempt bonds that were so rated as to be acceptable for
acquisition by the Fund in the opinion of the Sponsor), (b) the prices of the
Bonds relative to other bonds of comparable quality and maturity, (c) the
diversification of Bonds as to purpose of issue and location of issuer and (d)
with respect to the Insured Trusts, the availability and cost of insurance.
After the Date of Deposit, a Bond may cease to be rated or its rating may be
reduced below the minimum required as of the Date of Deposit. Neither event
requires elimination of a Bond from a Trust but may be considered in the
Sponsor's determination as to whether or not to direct the Trustee to dispose of
the Bond (see "Fund Administration--Portfolio Administration").
RISK FACTORS. The Trusts include certain types of bonds as described on the
cover of Prospectus Part I. An investment in Units should be made with an
understanding of the characteristics of and risks associated with such bonds.
The following is a brief summary of certain of these risks. Additional
information is included in Prospectus Part I and in the Information Supplement.
See "Additional Information". Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee are liable for
any default, failure or defect in any of the Bonds.
Certain of the Bonds may be general obligations of a governmental entity
that are backed by the taxing power of the entity. All other Bonds are revenue
bonds payable from the income of a specific project or authority and are not
supported by the issuer's power to levy taxes. General obligation bonds are
secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the
payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds, on the other hand, are payable
only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities
or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific
revenue source. There are, of course, variations in the security of the
different Bonds, both within a particular classification and between
classifications, depending on numerous factors.
Mortgage loan obligations may be FHA insured or may be single family
mortgage revenue bonds 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. A substantial portion of these bonds
will probably be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to
their ordinary call dates. Additionally, unusually high rates of default on the
underlying mortgage loans may reduce revenues available for the payment of
principal of or interest on mortgage revenue bonds.
Health care revenue bonds have ratings issued for health care facilities
that are often 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 and the ability of
the facility to provide the services required, competition with other health
care facilities, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit rates
and legislation establishing state rate-setting agencies.
Public utility bond issuers sell wholesale and retail electric power and
gas. General problems of these issuers include difficulty in financing large
construction programs in an inflationary period, costs and delays attributable
to environmental considerations, the difficulty of the capital market in
absorbing utility debt, difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable prices, the
effect of energy conservation and government regulations.
Water and/or sewerage revenue bonds are generally payable from user fees.
The problems of these issuers include the ability to obtain rate increases,
population decline resulting in decreased user fees, financing, environmental
considerations, discovering fresh water and the impact of "no-growth" zoning
ordinances.
Industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs") have generally been issued under bond
resolutions under which the revenues and receipts payable have been assigned and
pledged to purchasers. In some cases, a mortgage on the underlying project may
have been granted as security for the IRBs. Regardless of the structure, payment
of IRBs is solely dependent upon the creditworthiness of the corporate operator
of the project or corporate guarantor which may be affected by such things as
cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental restrictions,
litigation resulting from accidents, extensive competition and financial
deterioration resulting from a corporate restructuring.
Lease bonds are secured by lease payments of a governmental entity and are
often in the form of certificates of participation. Although the lease bonds do
not constitute general obligations of the municipality for which the
municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease bond is ordinarily backed by the
municipality's covenant to appropriate for and make the payments due under the
lease bond. However, certain lease bonds contain "non-appropriation" clauses
which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease payments in
future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. 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 bond could result in
insufficient funds available for payment of the bonds secured thereby. Although
"non-appropriation" lease bonds are secured by the leased property, disposition
of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult.
Education bond issuers govern the operation of schools, colleges and
universities and revenues are derived mainly from ad valorem taxes or from
tuition, dormitory revenues, grants and endowments. General problems relating to
school bonds include litigation contesting the financing of public education, a
declining percentage of the population consisting of "college" age individuals,
inability to raise tuitions and fees sufficiently and government legislation or
regulations which may adversely affect the revenues or costs of the issuers.
Transportation bonds are payable from revenues derived from the ownership
and operation of facilities such as airports, bridges, turnpikes, port
authorities, convention centers and arenas. Airport operating income may be
affected by the ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under use
agreements. Payment on bonds related to other facilities may be adversely
affected by reduction in revenues due to such factors as increased cost of
maintenance, decreased use of a facility, lower cost of alternative modes of
transportation, scarcity of fuel and reduction or loss of rents.
Certain Bonds are payable from revenues derived from the operation of
resource recovery facilities which are designed to process solid waste, generate
steam and convert steam to electricity. Resource recovery bonds may be subject
to extraordinary optional redemption at par upon the occurrence of circumstances
such as destruction or condemnation of a project, void or unenforceable
contracts, changes in the economic availability of raw materials, and operating
supplies or facilities, or other unavoidable changes adversely affecting the
operation of a project.
Certain Bonds may have been acquired at a market discount from par value at
maturity. The interest rates on these bonds are lower than current market
interest rates for newly issued bonds of comparable rating and type. Generally,
if interest rates for newly issued comparable bonds increase, the market
discount of previously issued bonds will increase, and if interest rates for
newly issued comparable bonds decline, the market discount of previously issued
bonds will decrease. The value of bonds purchased at a market discount will
generally increase in value faster than bonds purchased at a market premium if
interest rates decrease. Conversely, if interest rates increase, the value of
bonds purchased at a market discount will generally decrease faster than bonds
purchased at a market premium. In addition, if interest rates rise, the
prepayment risk of higher yielding, premium bonds and the prepayment benefit for
lower yielding, discount bonds will be reduced. A bond purchased at a market
discount and held to maturity will have a larger portion of its total return in
the form of taxable income and capital gain and less in the form of tax-exempt
interest income than a comparable bond newly issued at current market rates. See
"Federal Tax Status." Market discount attributable to interest changes does not
indicate a lack of market confidence in the issue.
Certain Bonds may be "original issue discount" bonds which were issued
with interest rates less than rates offered by comparable bonds and were
originally sold at a discount from their par value. These bonds may include
"zero coupon" bonds which are described below. In a stable interest rate
envronment, the market value of an original issue discount bond would tend to
increase more slowly in the early years and in greater increments as the bond
approached maturity. These bonds may be subject to redemption at prices based on
the issue price plus the amount of original issue discount accreted to
redemption plus some premium, if applicable. Under these call provisions, these
bonds may be called prior to maturity at a price less than par value. See
"Federal Tax Status" for a discussion of the tax consequenses of owning these
bonds.
Certain Bonds may be "zero coupon" bonds. Zero coupon bonds are purchased at
a deep discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a final
payment at the maturity of the bond and does not receive any periodic interest
payments. The effect of owning these bonds 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 bond. This implicit reinvestment of earnings at the same
rate eliminates the risk of being unable to reinvest income at a rate as high as
the implicit yield on the discount bond, but at the same time eliminates the
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 bonds of comparable quality which pay
interest.
Certain Bonds may have been purchased on a "when, as and if issued" or
"delayed delivery" basis. The delivery of these Bonds may be delayed or may not
occur. Interest on these Bonds begins accruing to the benefit of Unitholders on
their respective dates of delivery. To the extent any Bonds are actually
delivered to a Trust after the expected dates of delivery, Unitholders who
purchase their Units prior to the actual delivery date would be required to
adjust their tax basis in their Units for a portion of the interest accruing on
those Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and the actual
delivery of the Bonds. As a result of any adjustment, the Estimated Current
Return during the first year would be slightly lower than stated herein.
Unitholders will be "at risk" with respect to all Bonds (i.e., may derive either
gain or loss from fluctuations in the value of the Bonds) from the date they
order Units.
Certain Bonds may be subject to redemption prior to their stated maturity
date pursuant to sinking fund provisions, call provisions or extraordinary
optional or mandatory redemption provisions or otherwise. A sinking fund is a
reserve fund accumulated over a period of time for retirement of debt. A
callable bond is one which is subject to redemption or refunding prior to
maturity at the option of the issuer. A refunding is a method by which a debt
obligation is redeemed, at or before maturity, by the proceeds of a new debt
obligation. In general, call provisions are more likely to be exercised when the
bond price is at a premium over par than when it is at a discount from par. The
exercise of redemption or call provisions generally will 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. See "Portfolio" in Prospectus Part I for a list of the sinking fund and
call provisions, if any, with respect to the Bonds. The Sponsor is unable to
predict all of the circumstances which may result in redemption of a Bond.
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 upon the Trusts. At any time after the Date of
Deposit, litigation may be initiated on a variety of grounds with respect to the
Bonds. Such litigation may affect the validity of the Bonds or the tax-free
nature of interest payments. While the outcome of litigation can never be
predicted, the Fund has received or will receive opinions of bond counsel to the
issuers of each Bond on the date of issuance to the effect that the Bonds have
been validly issued and interest payments are exempt from Federal income tax. In
addition, other factors may arise from time to time which potentially may impair
the ability of issuers to meet obligations undertaken with respect to the Bonds.
Like other investment companies, financial and business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Trusts could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Sponsor, Evaluator or Trustee or other service
providers to the Trusts do not properly process and calculate date-related
information and data from and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as
the "Year 2000 Problem." While the Sponsor, Evaluator and Trustee are taking
steps that they believe are reasonably designed to address the Year 2000
Problem, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid
any adverse impact to the Trusts. The Year 2000 Problem may impact certain
issuers of the Bonds to varying degrees, however, the Sponsor is unable to
predict what impact, if any, the Year 2000 Problem will have on any issuer.
ESTIMATED CURRENT AND LONG-TERM RETURNS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Estimated Current Returns and the Estimated Long-Term Returns as of the
Date of Deposit are set forth on the cover of the Prospectus Part I. Estimated
Current Return is calculated by dividing the estimated net annual interest
income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. The estimated net annual interest
income per Unit will vary with changes in fees and expenses of the Trust and
with the principal prepayment, redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds.
The Public Offering Price will vary with changes in the price of the Bonds.
Accordingly, there is no assurance that the present Estimated Current Return
will be realized in the future. Estimated Long-Term Return is calculated using a
formula which (1) takes into consideration, and determines and factors in the
relative weightings of, the market values, yields (which takes into account the
amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts) and estimated
retirements of the Bonds and (2) takes into account the expenses and sales
charge associated with Units. Since the value and estimated retirements of the
Bonds and the expenses of a Trust will change, there is no assurance that the
present Estimated Long-Term Return will be realized in the future. The Estimated
Current Return and Estimated Long-Term Return are expected to differ because the
calculation of Estimated Long-Term Return reflects the estimated date and amount
of principal returned while the Estimated Current Return calculation includes
only net annual interest income and Public Offering Price.
In order to acquire certain Bonds, it may be necessary for the Sponsor or
Trustee to pay amounts covering accrued interest on the Bonds which exceed the
amounts which will be made available through cash furnished by the Sponsor on
the Date of Deposit. This cash may exceed the interest which would accrue to the
First Settlement Date. The Trustee has agreed to pay for any amounts necessary
to cover any excess and will be reimbursed when funds become available from
interest payments on the related Bonds. Also, since interest on any "when, as
and if issued" Bonds does not begin accruing as tax-exempt interest income to
the benefit of Unitholders until the date of delivery, the Trustee may reduce
its fee and pay Trust expenses in order to maintain or approach the same
estimated net annual interest income during the first year of the Trust's
operations as described under "Summary of Essential Financial Information" in
Prospectus Part I.
PUBLIC OFFERING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL. Units are offered at the Public Offering Price. During the initial
offering period the Public Offering Price is based on the aggregate offering
price of the Bonds, the sales charge described below, cash, if any, in the
Principal Account and accrued interest, if any. After the initial public
offering period, the secondary market public offering price is based on the bid
prices of the Bonds, the sales charge described below, cash, if any, in the
Principal Account and accrued interest, if any. The minimum purchase in the
primary and secondary market is one Unit.
The initial offering period sales charges are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL OFFERING PERIOD SALES CHARGE
AS PERCENT OF
------------------------------------
PUBLIC OFFERING OFFERING PRICE
TRUST PRICE OF BONDS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
IM-IT, U.S. Territorial IM-IT, Long-Term State and National
Quality Trusts 4.900% 5.152%
IM-IT Limited Maturity Trusts 4.300 4.493
IM-IT Discount Trusts 4.000 4.167
IM-IT Intermediate Trusts 3.900 4.058
State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trusts 3.000 3.093
IM-IT Short Intermediate Trusts 2.000 2.041
</TABLE>
The sales charge applicable to quantity purchases during the initial
offering period is reduced as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE REDUCTION PER UNIT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IM-IT, U.S.
TERRITORIAL IM-IT,
LONG-TERM STATE
AGGREGATE NUMBER OF AND NATIONAL IM-IT SHORT IM-IT
UNITS PURCHASED* QUALITY TRUSTS INTERMEDIATE TRUST DISCOUNT TRUST OTHER TRUSTS
- ----------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
100-249 Units $ 4.00 $ 2.00 $ 2.00 $ 4.00
250-499 Units $ 6.00 $ 3.00 $ 4.00 $ 6.00
500-999 Units $ 14.00 $ 4.00 $ 6.00 $ 9.00
1,000 or more Units $ 19.00 $ 6.00 $ 8.00 $ 11.00
- -----------------------------
</TABLE>
* The breakpoint sales charges are also applied on a dollar basis
utilizing a breakpoint equivalent in the above table of $1,000 per Unit and will
be applied on whichever basis is more favorable to the investor. The breakpoints
will be adjusted to take into consideration purchase orders stated in dollars
which cannot be completely fulfilled due to the Trusts' requirement that only
whole Units be issued.
The secondary market sales charge is computed as described in the following
table based upon the estimated long-term return life of a Trust's portfolio:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS TO MATURITY SALES CHARGE YEARS TO MATURITY SALES CHARGE YEARS TO MATURITY SALES CHARGE
----------------- ------------ ----------------- ------------ ----------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 1.010% 8 3.627% 15 5.042%
2 1.523 9 4.167 16 5.152
3 2.041 10 4.384 17 5.263
4 2.302 11 4.603 18 5.374
5 2.564 12 4.712 19 5.485
6 2.828 13 4.822 20 5.597
7 3.093 14 4.932 21 to 30 5.708
</TABLE>
For purposes of computation of the estimated long-term return life, Bonds
will be deemed to mature on their expressed maturity dates unless: (a) the Bonds
have been called for redemption or are subject to redemption at an earlier call
date, in which case this call date will be deemed to be the maturity date; or
(b) the Bonds are subject to a "mandatory tender", in which case the mandatory
tender will be deemed to be the maturity date. The sales charges in the above
table are expressed as a percentage of the aggregate bid prices of the Bonds.
Expressed as a percent of the Public Offering Price, the sales charge on a Trust
consisting entirely of Bonds with 15 years to maturity would be 4.80%. The sales
charges in the table above do not apply to IM-IT Discount Trusts. The applicable
secondary market sales charges for an IM-IT Discount Trust are set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Part I.
Any reduced sales charge is the responsibility of the selling Underwriter,
broker, dealer or agent. The Sponsor will, however, increase the concession or
agency commission for quantity purchases. The reduced sales charge structure in
the initial offering period sales charge table above will apply on all purchases
by the same person from any one Underwriter or dealer of units of Van Kampen
American Capital-sponsored unit investment trusts which are being offered in the
initial offering period (a) on any one day (the "Initial Purchase Date") or (b)
on any day subsequent to the Initial Purchase Date, if (1) the units purchased
are of a unit investment trust purchased on the Initial Purchase Date, and (2)
the person purchasing the units purchased a sufficient amount of units on the
Initial Purchase Date to qualify for a reduced sales charge on such date. In the
event units of more than one trust are purchased on the Initial Purchase Date,
the aggregate dollar amount of such purchases will be used to determine whether
purchasers are eligible for a reduced sales charge. Such aggregate dollar amount
will be divided by the public offering price per unit (on the day preceding the
date of purchase) of each respective trust purchased to determine the total
number of units which such amount could have purchased of each individual trust.
Purchasers must then consult the applicable trust's prospectus to determine
whether the total number of units which could have been purchased of a specific
trust would have qualified for a reduced sales charge and, if so qualified, the
amount of such reduction. Assuming a purchaser qualifies for a sales charge
reduction or reductions, to determine the applicable sales charge reduction or
reductions it is necessary to accumulate all purchases made on the Initial
Purchase Date and all purchases made in accordance with (b) above. Units
purchased in the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in the name of a child of
such purchaser ("immediate family members") will be deemed for the purposes of
calculating the applicable sales charge to be additional purchases by the
purchaser. The reduced sales charges will also be applicable to a trustee or
other fiduciary purchasing Units for one or more trust, estate or fiduciary
accounts.
Employees, officers and directors (including their spouses, children,
grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law,
sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for
the benefit of such persons (collectively referred to herein as "related
purchasers")) of Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc. and its
affiliates and Underwriters and their affiliates may purchase Units at the
Public Offering Price less the applicable underwriting commission or less the
applicable dealer concession in the absence of an underwriting commission.
Employees, officers and directors (including related purchasers) of dealers and
their affiliates and vendors providing services to the Sponsor may purchase
Units at the Public Offering Price less the applicable dealer concession.
Purchasers of units of any two consecutive series of a Trust may aggregate
purchases of units of such series for purposes of the sales charge reduction for
quantity purchases, provided that at the time of the initial purchase of units
such purchaser submitted a purchase order for at least 100 units that was
partially unfulfilled due to a lack of units of such Trust series available for
sale at such time. The sales charge reduction shall be applied to the subsequent
purchase of units such that the aggregate sales charge reduction applicable to
both purchases will equal the amount described in the initial offering period
sales charge table above.
Units may be purchased in the primary or secondary market at the Public
Offering Price (for purchases which do not qualify for a sales charge reduction
for quantity purchases) less the concession the Sponsor typically allows to
brokers and dealers for purchases by (1) investors who purchase Units through
registered investment advisers, certified financial planners and registered
broker-dealers who in each case either charge periodic fees for financial
planning, investment advisory or asset management services, or provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive "wrap fee" charge is imposed, (2) bank trust departments
investing funds over which they exercise exclusive discretionary investment
authority and that are held in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar
capacity, (3) any person who for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director
or bona fide employee of any firm offering Units for sale to investors or their
immediate family members (as described above) and (4) officers and directors of
bank holding companies that make Units available directly or through
subsidiaries or bank affiliates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Prospectus, such investors, bank trust departments, firm employees and bank
holding company officers and directors who purchase Units through this program
will not receive sales charge reductions for quantity purchases.
OFFERING PRICE. The Public Offering Price of Units will vary from the
amounts stated under "Summary of Essential Financial Information" in Prospectus
Part I in accordance with fluctuations in the prices of the Bonds. The price of
Units on the Date of Deposit was determined by adding the applicable sales
charge to the aggregate offering price of the Bonds and dividing the sum by the
number of Units outstanding. This price determination was made on the basis of
an evaluation of the Bonds prepared by Interactive Data Corporation, a firm
regularly engaged in the business of evaluating, quoting or appraising
comparable securities. During the initial offering period, the Evaluator will
value the Bonds as of the Evaluation Time on days the New York Stock Exchange is
open for business and will adjust the Public Offering Price of Units
accordingly. This Public Offering Price will be effective for all orders
received at or prior to the Evaluation Time on each such day. The "Evaluation
Time" is the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day that
the Exchange is open for trading. Orders received by the Trustee, Sponsor or any
Underwriter for purchases, sales or redemptions after that time, or on a day
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, will be held until the next
determination of price. The secondary market Public Offering Price per Unit will
be equal to the aggregate bid price of the Bonds plus the applicable secondary
market sales charge and dividing the sum by the number of Units outstanding. For
secondary market purposes, this computation will be made by the Evaluator as of
the Evaluation Time for each day on which any Unit is tendered for redemption
and as necessary. The offering price of Bonds may be expected to average
approximately 0.5%-1% more than the bid price.
The aggregate price of the Bonds is determined on the basis of bid prices or
offering prices, as is appropriate, (a) on the basis of current market prices
obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds comparable to
those held by the Fund; (b) if these prices are not available, on the basis of
current market prices for comparable bonds; (c) by causing the value of the
Bonds to be determined by others engaged in the practice of evaluation, quoting
or appraising comparable bonds; or (d) by any combination of the above. Market
prices of the Bonds will generally fluctuate with changes in market interest
rates. Unless Bonds are in default in payment of principal or interest or in
significant risk of default, the Evaluator will not attribute any value to the
insurance obtained by an Insured Trust, if any.
The Evaluator will consider in its evaluation of Bonds which are in default
in payment of principal or interest or, in the Sponsor's opinion, in significant
risk of default (the "Defaulted Bonds") the value of any insurance guaranteeing
interest and principal payments. The value of the insurance will be equal to the
difference between (i) the market value of Defaulted Bonds assuming the exercise
of the right to obtain Permanent Insurance (less the insurance premiums and
related expenses attributable to the purchase of Permanent Insurance) and (ii)
the market value of Defaulted Bonds not covered by Permanent Insurance. In
addition, the Evaluator will consider the ability of a Portfolio Insurer to meet
its commitments under any insurance policy, including commitments to issue
Permanent Insurance. No value has been ascribed to insurance obtained by an
Insured Trust, if any, as of the date of this Prospectus.
A person will become the owner of Units on the date of settlement provided
payment has been received. Cash, if any, made available to the Sponsor prior to
the date of settlement for the purchase of Units may be used in the Sponsor's
business and may be deemed to be a benefit to the Sponsor, subject to the
limitations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
ACCRUED INTEREST. Accrued interest is an accumulation of unpaid interest on
securities which generally is paid semi-annually, although each Trust accrues
interest daily. Because of this, a Trust always has an amount of interest earned
but not yet collected by the Trustee. For this reason, with respect to sales
settling after the First Settlement Date, the proportionate share of accrued
interest to the settlement date is added to the Public Offering Price of Units.
Unitholders will receive the amount of accrued interest paid on their Units on
the next distribution date. In an effort to reduce the accrued interest which
would have to be paid by Unitholders, the Trustee will advance the amount of
accrued interest to the Sponsor as the Unitholder of record as of the First
Settlement Date. Consequently, the accrued interest added to the Public Offering
Price of Units will include only accrued interest from the First Settlement Date
to the date of settlement, less any distributions from the Interest Account
after the First Settlement Date. Because of the varying interest payment dates
of the Bonds, accrued interest at any point in time will be greater than the
amount of interest actually received by a Trust and distributed to Unitholders.
If a Unitholder sells or redeems all or a portion of his Units, he will be
entitled to receive his proportionate share of the accrued interest from the
purchaser of his Units.
UNIT DISTRIBUTION. Units will be distributed to the public by Underwriters,
broker-dealers and others at the Public Offering Price, plus accrued interest.
The Sponsor intends to qualify Units for sale in a number of states.
Broker-dealers or others will be allowed a concession or agency commission in
connection with the distribution of Units during the initial offering period for
any single transaction as described in the following table, provided that the
Units are acquired from the Sponsor.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IM-IT, U.S.
TERRITORIAL
IM-IT, LONG- IM-IT STATE
IM-IT TERM STATE AND IM-IT SHORT IM-IT LIMITED INTERMEDIATE
DISCOUNT NATIONAL INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE MATURITY LADDERED
TRUST QUALITY TRUSTS TRUST TRUST TRUST MATURITY TRUST
----------- -------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 - 99 Units $ 18.00 $ 30.00 $ 10.00 $ 25.00 $ 27.00 $ 20.00
100 - 249 Units $ 19.00 $ 32.00 $ 11.00 $ 28.00 $ 30.00 $ 21.00
250 - 499 Units $ 20.00 $ 34.00 $ 11.00 $ 27.00 $ 30.00 $ 21.00
500 - 999 Units $ 20.00 $ 35.00 $ 12.00 $ 30.00 $ 32.00 $ 23.00
1,000 - 1,499 Units $ 20.00 $ 34.00 $ 12.00 $ 29.00 $ 29.00 $ 22.00
1,500 or more Units $ 20.00 $ 34.00 $ 12.00 $ 29.00 $ 29.00 $ 22.00
</TABLE>
The increased concession or agency commission is a result of the discount
given to purchasers for quantity purchases. See "Public Offering--General". In
addition to the concessions and agency commissions described in the table,
volume concessions or agency commissions of an additional $5.00 per Unit of an
IM-IT, a U.S. Territorial IM-IT, a Long-Term State or a National Quality Trust
and $2.00 per Unit of all other Trusts will be given to any broker/dealer or
agent (other than Underwriters) who purchases from the Sponsor at least 250
Units of such Trust during the initial offering period. These additional
concessions will be allowed at the time of purchase, provided, however, the
additional concession applicable to initial purchases totaling less than 250
Units will be paid retroactively at the end of the initial offering period. The
breakpoint concessions or agency commissions are also applied on a dollar basis
utilizing a breakpoint equivalent of $1,000 per Unit and will be applied on
whichever basis is more favorable to the distributor. The breakpoints will be
adjusted to take into consideration purchase orders stated in dollars which
cannot be completely fulfilled due to the requirement that only whole Units be
issued. Certain commercial banks may be making Units available to their
customers on an agency basis. A portion of the sales charge paid by these
customers (equal to the agency commission referred to above) is retained by or
remitted to the banks. Any discount provided to investors will be borne by the
selling dealer or agent. For secondary market transactions, the concession or
agency commission will amount to 70% of the applicable sales charge. The Sponsor
reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any order for the purchase of
Units and to change the amount of the concession or agency commission to dealers
and others from time to time.
SPONSOR AND UNDERWRITER COMPENSATION. The Underwriters will receive a gross
sales commission equal to the sales charge applicable to the transaction
involved. "Public Offering--General". The Sponsor will receive from the
Underwriters the excess of this gross sales commission over the amounts set
forth in the following table, as of the Date of Deposit. For a list of the
Underwriters that have purchased Units from the Sponsor, see "Underwriting" in
Prospectus Part I.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IM-IT, U.S.
TERRITORIAL
IM-IT, LONG- IM-IT STATE
IM-IT TERM STATE AND IM-IT SHORT IM-IT LIMITED INTERMEDIATE
DISCOUNT NATIONAL INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE MATURITY LADDERED
TRUST QUALITY TRUSTS TRUST TRUST TRUST MATURITY TRUST
----------- -------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 - 99 Units $ 20.00 $ 35.00 $ 12.00 $ 27.00 $ 29.00 $ 22.00
100 - 249 Units $ 21.00 $ 37.00 $ 13.00 $ 30.00 $ 32.00 $ 23.00
250 - 499 Units $ 22.00 $ 39.00 $ 13.50 $ 29.50 $ 32.00 $ 23.00
500 - 999 Units $ 22.00 $ 40.00 $ 14.00 $ 32.50 $ 34.50 $ 25.00
1,000 - 1,499 Units $ 22.00 $ 39.00 $ 14.00 $ 31.00 $ 31.00 $ 24.00
1,500 or more Units $ 22.00 $ 39.00 $ 14.00 $ 31.00 $ 31.00 $ 24.00
</TABLE>
A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. which acts as a Managing Underwriter of Units of
the various series of the IM-IT or National Quality Trust, will receive from the
Sponsor reimbursement for certain costs and further compensation in the amount
of $5.00 for each Unit of the IM-IT or National Quality Trust it underwrites. In
addition, the Sponsor will receive from the Managing Underwriters of any
National Quality, (who underwrite 15% of the Trust involved or 1,000 Units of
such Trust, whichever is greater) the excess of such gross sales commission over
$38.00 per Unit of any such Trust, as of the Date of Deposit. Also, any such
Managing Underwriter that sells a total of 25% or 1,500 Units, whichever is
greater, of any individual series of such Trusts will receive an additional
$2.00 per each such Unit. In connection with quantity sales to purchasers of any
Pennsylvania IM-IT Trust the Underwriters will receive from the Sponsor
commissions totalling $35.00 per Unit for any single transaction of 100 to 249
Units, $36.00 per Unit for any single transaction of 250 to 499 units, $37.00
per Unit for any single transaction of 500 to 999 Units and $38.00 per Unit for
any single transaction of 1,000 or more Units. In addition, any Underwriter that
sells a total of 25% or 1,500 Units, whichever is greater, of any Pennsylvania
IM-IT Trust will receive an additional $2.00 per each such Unit. In addition,
the Sponsor has entered into agreements with Advest, Inc. ("Advest") and Gruntal
& Co., Inc. ("Gruntal") whereby Advest and Gruntal will receive an additional
$2.00 per Unit in connection with a minimum commitment of 1,500 Units of any New
York IM-IT Trust. In addition, the Sponsor and J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons,
Inc. ("Hilliard, Lyons") have entered into an agreement under which Hilliard,
Lyons may receive an additional $2.00 for each Unit of the Kentucky Quality
Trust which it underwrites, provided it underwrites a minimum of 400 Units of
such Trust. Further, each Underwriter who underwrites 1,000 or more Units in any
Trust will receive additional compensation from the Sponsor of $1.00 for each
Unit it underwrites. The breakpoints listed herein will also be applied on a
dollar basis utilizing a breakpoint equivalent of $1,000 per Unit and will be
applied on whichever basis is more favorable to the Underwriter.
In addition, the Sponsor and certain Underwriters will realize a profit or
loss, as a result of the difference between the price paid for the Bonds by the
Sponsor and the cost of the Bonds to a Trust. See "Portfolio" and "Notes to
Portfolio" in Prospectus Part I. Underwriters may also realize profits or losses
with respect to Bonds which were acquired by the Sponsor from underwriting
syndicates of which they were members. The Sponsor has not participated as sole
underwriter or as manager or as a member of the underwriting syndicates from
which the Bonds in the Trusts were acquired. Underwriters may further realize
profit or loss during the initial offering period as a result of possible
fluctuations in the market value of the Bonds since all proceeds received from
purchasers of Units (excluding dealer concessions or agency commissions allowed,
if any) will be retained by the Underwriters. Affiliates of an Underwriter are
entitled to the same dealer concessions or agency commissions that are available
to the Underwriter. In addition to any other benefits Underwriters may realize
from the sale of Units, the Sponsor will share on a pro rata basis among senior
Underwriters (those who underwrite at least 250 Units) 50% of any gain (less
deductions for accrued interest and certain costs) represented by the difference
between the cost of the Bonds to the Sponsor and the evaluation of the Bonds on
the Date of Deposit. The Sponsor and certain of the other Underwriters will also
realize profits or losses in the amount of any difference between the price at
which Units are purchased and the price at which Units are resold in connection
with maintaining a secondary market for Units and will also realize profits or
losses resulting from a redemption of repurchased Units at a price above or
below the purchase price.
Underwriters and broker-dealers of the Trusts, banks and/or others are
eligible to participate in a program in which such firms receive from the
Sponsor a nominal award for each of their representatives who have sold a
minimum number of units of unit investment trusts created by the Sponsor during
a specified time period. In addition, at various times the Sponsor may implement
other programs under which the sales forces of such firms may be eligible to win
other nominal awards for certain sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor will
reallow to any such firms that sponsor sales contests or recognition programs
conforming to criteria established by the Sponsor, or participate in sales
programs sponsored by the Sponsor, an amount not exceeding the total applicable
sales charges on the sales generated by such persons at the public offering
price during such programs. Also, the Sponsor in its discretion may from time to
time pursuant to objective criteria established by the Sponsor pay fees to
qualifying firms for certain services or activities which are primarily intended
to result in sales of Units of the Trusts. Such payments are made by the Sponsor
out of its own assets, and not out of the assets of the Trusts. These programs
will not change the price Unitholders pay for their Units or the amount that the
Trusts will receive from the Units sold. Approximately every eighteen months the
Sponsor holds a business seminar which is open to Underwriters that sell units
of trusts it sponsors. The Sponsor pays substantially all costs associated with
the seminar, excluding Underwriter travel costs. Each Underwriter is invited to
send a certain number of representatives based on the gross number of units such
firm underwrites during a designated time period.
MARKET FOR UNITS. Although not obligated to do so, the Sponsor intends to,
and certain of the other Underwriters may, maintain a market for Units and offer
to purchase Units at prices, subject to change at any time, based upon the
aggregate bid prices of the Bonds plus accrued interest and any principal cash
on hand, less any amounts representing taxes or other governmental charges
payable out of the Trust and less any accrued Trust expenses. If the supply of
Units exceeds demand or if some other business reason warrants it, the Sponsor
and/or the Underwriters may either discontinue all purchases of Units or
discontinue purchases of Units at these prices. If a market is not maintained
and the Unitholder cannot find another purchaser, a Unitholder will be able to
dispose of Units by tendering them to the Trustee for redemption at the
Redemption Price. See "Rights of Unitholders--Redemption of Units". A Unitholder
who wishes to dispose of his Units should inquire of his broker as to current
market prices in order to determine whether there is in any price in excess of
the Redemption Price and, if so, the amount thereof. 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 per Unit,
it may purchase the Units not later than the day on which the Units would
otherwise have been redeemed by the Trustee.
RIGHTS OF UNITHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL. Interest received by a Trust, pro
rated on an annual basis, will be distributed monthly unless a Unitholder elects
to receive semi-annual distributions. The amount and time of the first
distribution is described in Prospectus Part I under "Summary of Essential
Financial Information". The plan of distribution selected by a Unitholder will
remain in effect until changed. Unitholders who purchase Units in the secondary
market will receive distributions in accordance with the election of the prior
owner. Unitholders may change their distribution plan by indicating the change
on a card which may be obtained from the Trustee and return the card to the
Trustee with their certificates and other documentation required by the Trustee.
Certificates should be sent by registered or certified mail to avoid their being
lost or stolen. If the card and certificate are properly presented to the
Trustee, the change will become effective on the first day after the next
semi-annual record date and will remain effective until changed.
Interest received by a Trust, including that part of the proceeds of any
disposition of Bonds which represents accrued interest, is credited by the
Trustee to the Interest Account. Other receipts are credited to the Principal
Account. After deduction of amounts sufficient to reimburse the Trustee, without
interest, for any amounts advanced and paid to the Sponsor as the Unitholder of
record as of the First Settlement Date, interest received will be distributed on
each distribution date to Unitholders of record as of the preceding record date.
All distributions will be net of estimated expenses. Funds in the Principal
Account will be distributed on each semi-annual distribution date to Unitholders
of record as of the preceding semi-annual record date. The Trustee is not
required to pay interest on funds held in the Principal or Interest Account (but
may itself earn interest thereon and therefore benefits from the use of these
funds) nor to make a distribution from the Principal Account unless the amount
available for distribution therein shall equal at least $1.00 per Unit. However,
should the amount available for distribution in the Principal Account equal or
exceed $10.00 per Unit, the Trustee will make a special distribution from the
Principal Account on the next monthly distribution date to Unitholders of record
on the related monthly record date.
Because interest payments are not received by a Trust at a constant rate
throughout the year, interest distributions may be more or less than the amount
credited to the Interest Account as of the record date. For the purpose of
minimizing fluctuations in interest distributions, the Trustee is authorized to
advance amounts necessary to provide interest distributions of approximately
equal amounts. The Trustee is reimbursed for these advances from funds in the
Interest Account on the next record date. Persons who purchase Units between a
record date and a distribution date will receive their first distribution on the
second distribution date after the purchase, under the applicable plan of
distribution.
REINVESTMENT OPTION. Unitholders may elect to have distributions on their
Units automatically reinvested in shares of certain Van Kampen American Capital
or Morgan Stanley mutual funds which are registered in the Unitholder's state of
residence (the "Reinvestment Funds"). Each Reinvestment Fund has investment
objectives that differ from those of the Trusts. The prospectus relating to each
Reinvestment Fund describes its investment policies and the procedures to follow
to begin reinvestment. A Unitholder may obtain a prospectus for the Reinvestment
Funds from Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc. at One Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.
After becoming a participant in a reinvestment plan, each Trust distribution
will automatically be applied on the applicable distribution date to purchase
shares of the applicable Reinvestment Fund at a net asset value computed on such
date. Unitholders with an existing Guaranteed Reinvestment Option (GRO) Program
account (whereby a sales charge is imposed on distribution reinvestments) may
transfer their existing account into a new GRO account which allows purchases of
Reinvestment Fund shares at net asset value. Confirmations of all reinvestments
will be mailed to the Unitholder by the Reinvestment Fund. A participant may
elect to terminate his or her reinvestment plan and receive future distributions
in cash by notifying the Trustee in writing at least five days before the next
distribution date. Each Reinvestment Fund, its sponsor and investment adviser
have the right to terminate its reinvestment plan at any time. Unitholders of
New York Trusts who are New York residents may elect to have distributions
reinvested in shares of First Investors New York Insured Tax Free Fund, Inc.
subject to a sales charge of $1.50 per $100 reinvested (paid to First Investors
Management Company, Inc.).
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. A Unitholder may redeem all or a portion of his Units
by tender to the Trustee, at its Unit Investment Trust Division, 101 Barclay
Street, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10286, of the certificates representing
the Units to be redeemed, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of
transfer with signature guaranteed (or by providing satisfactory indemnity, such
as in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates) and by payment of
applicable governmental charges, if any. Redemption of Units cannot occur until
certificates representing the Units or satisfactory indemnity have been received
by the Trustee. No later than seven calendar days following satisfactory tender,
the Unitholder will receive an amount for each Unit equal to the Redemption
Price per Unit next computed after receipt by the Trustee of the tender of
Units. The "date of tender" is deemed to be the date on which Units are received
by the Trustee, except that as regards Units received after the Evaluation Time
on days of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the date of tender is the
next day on which that Exchange is open and the Units will be deemed to have
been tendered to the Trustee on that day for redemption at the Redemption Price.
Under Internal Revenue Service regulations, the Trustee is required to
withhold a specified percentage of a Unit redemption if the Trustee has not
received the Unitholder's tax identification number as required by such
regulations. Any amount withheld is transmitted to the Internal Revenue Service
and may be recovered by the Unitholder only when filing a return. Under normal
circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unitholder's tax identification number
from the selling broker. However, at any time a Unitholder elects to tender
Units for redemption, the Unitholder should provide a tax identification number
to the Trustee in order to avoid this possible "back-up withholding".
The Redemption Price per Unit (as well as the secondary market Public
Offering Price) will be determined on the basis of the bid price of the Bonds as
of the Evaluation Time on days of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the
date any such determination is made. The Evaluator determines the Redemption
Price per Unit on days Units are tendered for redemption. The Redemption Price
per Unit is the pro rata share of each Unit on the basis of (i) the cash on hand
in the Trust or moneys in the process of being collected, (ii) the value of the
Bonds based on the bid prices of the Bonds, except for cases in which the value
of insurance has been included, (iii) accrued interest, less (a) amounts
representing taxes or other governmental charges and (b) the accrued Trust
expenses. The Evaluator may determine the value of the Bonds by employing any of
the methods set forth in "Public Offering--Offering Price". In determining the
Redemption Price per Unit no value will be assigned to the portfolio insurance
maintained on the Bonds in an Insured Trust unless the Bonds are in default in
payment of principal or interest or in significant risk of default. For a
description of the situations in which the Evaluator may value the insurance
obtained by the Insured Trusts, see "Public Offering--Offering Price". Accrued
interest paid on redemption shall be withdrawn from the Interest Account or, if
the balance therein is insufficient, from the Principal Account. All other
amounts will be withdrawn from the Principal Account. Units so redeemed shall be
cancelled.
The price at which Units may be redeemed could be less than the price paid
by the Unitholder and may be less than the par value of the Bonds represented by
the Units redeemed. The Trustee may sell Bonds to cover redemptions. When Bonds
are sold, the size and diversity of the Trust will be reduced. 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 right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed for any
period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than for
customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which the SEC determines that
trading on that Exchange is restricted or an emergency exists, as a result of
which disposal or evaluation of the Bonds is not reasonably practicable, or for
other periods as the SEC may by order permit. Under certain extreme
circumstances the Sponsor may apply to the SEC for an order permitting a full or
partial suspension of the right of Unitholders to redeem their Units.
CERTIFICATES. Ownership of Units is evidenced by certificates unless a
Unitholder makes a written request to the Trustee that ownership be in book
entry form. Units are transferable by making a written request to the Trustee
and, in the case of Units in certificate form, by presentation and surrender of
the certificate to the Trustee properly endorsed or accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer. A Unitholder must sign the written
request, or certificate transfer instrument, exactly as his name appears on the
records of the Trustee and on the face of any certificate with the signature
guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program
("STAMP") or a signature guaranty program accepted by the Trustee. 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. Certificates will be issued in denominations of one Unit
or any multiple thereof. Although no such charge is now made, the Trustee may
require a Unitholder to pay a reasonable fee for each certificate re-issued or
transferred and to pay any governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with each transfer or interchange. Destroyed, stolen, mutilated or lost
certificates will be replaced upon delivery to the Trustee of satisfactory
indemnity, evidence of ownership and payment of expenses incurred. Mutilated
certificates must be surrendered to the Trustee for replacement.
REPORTS PROVIDED. Unitholders will receive a statement of interest and other
receipts received for each distribution. For as long as the Sponsor deems it to
be in the best interest of Unitholders, the accounts of each Trust will be
audited annually by independent certified public accountants and the report of
the accountants will be furnished to Unitholders upon request. Within a
reasonable period of time after the end of each year, the Trustee will furnish
to each person who was a registered Unitholder during that year a statement
describing the interest and principal received on the Bonds, actual Trust
distributions, Trust expenses, a list of the Bonds and other Trust information.
Unitholders will be furnished the Evaluator's evaluations of the Bonds upon
request.
INSURANCE ON THE BONDS IN THE INSURED TRUSTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance has been obtained guaranteeing prompt payment of interest and
principal, when due, in respect of the Bonds in each Insured Trust. An insurance
policy obtained by an Insured Trust, if any, is non-cancellable and will
continue in force so long as the Trust is in existence, the respective Portfolio
Insurer is still in business and the Bonds described in the policy continue to
be held by the Trust. Any portfolio insurance premium for an Insured Trust is
paid by the Trust on a monthly basis. The premium for any Preinsured Bond
insurance has been paid by the issuer, by a prior owner of the Bonds or the
Sponsor and any policy is non-cancellable and will continue in force so long as
the Bonds so insured are outstanding and the Preinsured Bond Insurer remains in
business. The Portfolio Insurers and the Preinsured Bond Insurers are described
in "Portfolio" and the notes thereto in Prospectus Part I. The Portfolio
Insurers are either AMBAC Assurance Corporation or Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company. More detailed information regarding insurance on the Bonds and the
Preinsured Bond and Portfolio Insurers is included in the Information
Supplement. See "Additional Information".
The portfolio insurance obtained by an Insured Trust, if any, guarantees the
timely payment of principal and interest on the Bonds when they fall due. For
this purpose, "when due" generally means the stated payment or maturity date for
the payment of principal and interest. However, in the event (a) an issuer
defaults in the payment of principal or interest, (b) an issuer enters into a
bankruptcy proceeding or (c) the maturity of the Bond is accelerated, the
affected Portfolio Insurer has the option to pay the outstanding principal
amount of the Bond plus accrued interest to the date of payment and thereby
retire the Bond from the Trust prior to the Bond's stated maturity date. The
insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
Units. The Trustee, upon the sale of a Bond covered under a portfolio insurance
policy has the right to obtain permanent insurance with respect to the Bond
(i.e., insurance to maturity of the Bond regardless of the identity of the
holder) (the "Permanent Insurance") upon the payment of a single predetermined
insurance premium and expenses from the proceeds of the sale of the Bond. It is
expected that the Trustee would exercise the right to obtain Permanent Insurance
only if upon exercise the Trust would receive net proceeds in excess of the sale
proceeds if the Bonds were sold on an uninsured basis.
The following summary information relating to the listed insurance companies
has been obtained from publicly available information:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
----------------------------------------------
ADMITTED POLICYHOLDERS'
NAME ASSETS SURPLUS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
AMBAC Assurance Corporation (at 6/30/97) $ 2,736 $ 1,548
Capital Markets Assurance Corporation (at 9/30/97) 351 192
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (at 9/30/97) 2,531 1,247
Financial Security Assurance, Inc. (at 9/30/97) 1,404 517
MBIA Insurance Corporation (at 9/30/97) 5,100 1,700
</TABLE>
Because the Bonds are insured by Portfolio Insurers or Preinsured Bond
Insurers as to the timely payment of principal and interest, when due, and on
the basis of the various reinsurance agreements in effect, Standard & Poor's has
assigned to the Units of each Insured Trust its "AAA" investment rating. This
rating will be in effect for a period of thirteen months from the Date of
Deposit and will, unless renewed, terminate at the end of such period. See
"Description of Ratings" in the Information Supplement. This rating should not
be construed as an approval of the offering of the Units by Standard & Poor's or
as a guarantee of the market value of the Trust or of the Units.
Each Portfolio Insurer is subject to regulation by the department of
insurance in the state in which it is qualified to do business. Such regulation,
however, is no guarantee that each Portfolio Insurer will be able to perform on
its contract of insurance in the event a claim should be made. At the date
hereof, it is reported that no claims have been submitted or are expected to be
submitted to any of the Portfolio Insurers which would materially impair the
ability of any such company to meet its commitment pursuant to any contract of
insurance. The information relating to each Portfolio Insurer has been furnished
by such companies. The financial information with respect to each Portfolio
Insurer appears in reports filed with state insurance regulatory authorities and
is subject to audit and review by such authorities. 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 dates thereof.
FUND ADMINISTRATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSOR. Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, is the Sponsor of the Trust. The Sponsor is an indirect subsidiary
of VK/AC Holding, Inc. VK/AC Holding, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of MSAM
Holdings II, Inc., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley,
Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("MSDWD").
MSDWD is a global financial services firm with a market capitalization
of more than $21 billion, which was created by the merger of Morgan Stanley
Group Inc. with Dean Witter, Discover & Co. on May 31, 1997. MSDWD, together
with various of its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries, is engaged in a
wide range of financial services through three primary businesses: securities,
asset management and credit services. These principal businesses include
securities underwriting, distribution and trading; merger, acquisition,
restructuring and other corporate finance advisory activities; merchant banking;
stock brokerage and research services; asset management; trading of futures,
options, foreign exchange commodities and swaps (involving foreign exchange,
commodities, indices and interest rates); real estate advice, financing and
investing; global custody, securities clearance services and securities lending;
and credit card services. As of June 2, 1997, MSDWD, together with its
affiliated investment advisory companies, had approximately $270 billion of
assets under management, supervision or fiduciary advice.
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc. specializes in the
underwriting and distribution of unit investment trusts and mutual funds with
roots in money management dating back to 1926. The Sponsor is a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and has offices at One Parkview
Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, (630) 684-6000 and 2800 Post Oak
Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056, (713) 993-0500. It maintains a branch office in
Philadelphia and has regional representatives in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa. As of November 30, 1996, the total
stockholders' equity of Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc. was
$129,451,000 (unaudited). (This paragraph relates only to the Sponsor and not to
the Fund or to any other Series thereof. The information is included herein only
for the purpose of informing investors as to the financial responsibility of the
Sponsor and its ability to carry out its contractual obligations. More detailed
financial information will be made available by the Sponsor upon request.)
As of March 31, 1997, the Sponsor and its Van Kampen American Capital
affiliates managed or supervised approximately $58.45 billion of investment
products, of which over $10.85 billion is invested in municipal bonds. The
Sponsor and its Van Kampen American Capital affiliates managed $47 billion of
assets, consisting of $29.23 billion for 59 open-end mutual funds (of which 46
are distributed by Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.) $13.4 billion
for 37 closed-end funds and $4.97 billion for 106 institutional accounts. The
Sponsor has also deposited approximately $26 billion of unit investment trusts.
All of Van Kampen American Capital's open-end funds, closed-ended funds and unit
investment trusts are professionally distributed by leading financial firms
nationwide. Based on cumulative assets deposited, the Sponsor believes that it
is the largest sponsor of insured municipal unit investment trusts, primarily
through the success of its Insured Municipals Income Trust(R) or the IM-IT(R)
trust. The Sponsor also provides surveillance and evaluation services at cost
for approximately $13 billion of unit investment trust assets outstanding. Since
1976, the Sponsor has serviced over two million investor accounts, opened
through retail distribution firms.
If the Sponsor shall fail to perform any of its duties under the Trust
Agreement or become incapable of acting or become bankrupt or its affairs are
taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee may (i) appoint a successor
Sponsor at rates of compensation deemed by the Trustee to be reasonable and not
exceeding amounts prescribed by the SEC, (ii) terminate the Trust Agreement and
liquidate the Fund as provided therein or (iii) continue to act as Trustee
without terminating the Trust Agreement.
TRUSTEE. The Trustee is The Bank of New York, a trust company organized
under the laws of New York. The Bank of New York has its unit investment trust
division offices at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, telephone
(800) 221-7668. The Bank of New York is subject to supervision and examination
by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York and the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposits are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the extent permitted by law. Additional
information regarding the Trustee is set forth in the Information Supplement,
including the Trustee's qualifications and duties, its ability to resign, the
effect of a merger involving the Trustee and the Sponsor's ability to remove and
replace the Trustee. See "Additional Information".
PORTFOLIO ADMINISTRATION. The Trusts are not managed funds and, except as
provided in the Trust Agreement, Bonds generally will not be sold or replaced.
The Sponsor may, however, direct that Bonds be sold in certain limited
situations to protect to the Trust based on advice from the Evaluator. These
situations may include default in interest or principal payments on the Bonds or
other obligations of an issuer, an advanced refunding or institution of certain
legal proceedings. In addition, the Trustee may sell Bonds designated by the
Evaluator for purposes of redeeming Units or payment of expenses. The Evaluator
will consider a variety of factors in designating Bonds to be sold including
interest rates, market value and marketability. Except in limited circumstances,
the Trustee must reject any offer by an issuer to issue bonds in exchange or
substitution for the Bonds (such as a refunding or refinancing plan). The
Trustee will promptly notify Unitholders of any exchange or substitution. The
Information Supplement contains a more detailed description of circumstances in
which Bonds may be sold or replaced. See "Additional Information".
REPLACEMENT BONDS. No assurance can be given that a Trust will retain its
present size or composition because Bonds may be sold, redeemed or mature from
time to time and the proceeds will be distributed to Unitholders and will not be
reinvested. In the event of a failure to deliver any Bond that has been
purchased under a contract ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the
Trust Agreement to direct the Trustee to acquire other bonds ("Replacement
Bonds") to make up the original portfolio of a Trust. Replacement Bonds must be
purchased within 20 days after delivery of the notice of the failed contract and
the purchase price (exclusive of accrued interest) may not exceed the amount of
funds reserved for the purchase of the Failed Bonds. The Replacement Bonds must
be substantially identical to the Failed Bonds in terms of (i) the exemption
from federal and state taxation, (ii) maturity, (iii) yield to maturity and
current return, (iv) Standard & Poor's or Moody's ratings, and (v) insurance in
an Insured Trust. The Trustee shall notify all Unitholders of a Trust within
five days after the acquisition of a Replacement Bond and shall make a pro rata
distribution of the amount, if any, by which the cost of the Failed Bond
exceeded the cost of the Replacement Bond plus accrued interest. If Failed Bonds
are not replaced, the Sponsor will refund the sales charge attributable to the
Failed Bonds to all Unitholders of the Trust and distribute the principal and
accrued interest (at the coupon rate of the Failed Bonds to the date of removal
from the Trust) attributable to the Failed Bonds within 30 days after removal.
All interest paid to a Unitholder which accrued after the expected date of
settlement for Units will be paid by the Sponsor and accordingly will not be
treated as tax-exempt income. If Failed Bonds are not replaced, the Estimated
Net Annual Interest Income per Unit would be reduced and the Estimated Current
Return and Estimated Long-Term Return might be lowered. Unitholders may not be
able to reinvest their proceeds in other securities at a yield equal to or in
excess of the yield of the Failed Bonds.
AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT. The Sponsor and the Trustee may amend the
Trust Agreement without the consent of Unitholders to correct any provision
which may be defective or to make other provisions that will not adversely
affect the interest of the Unitholders (as determined in good faith by the
Sponsor and the Trustee). The Trust Agreement may not be amended to increase the
number of Units or to permit the acquisition of Bonds in addition to or in
substitution for any of the Bonds initially deposited in the Trust, except for
the substitution of certain refunding Bonds. The Trustee will notify Unitholders
of any amendment.
TERMINATION OF TRUST AGREEMENT. A Trust will terminate upon the redemption,
sale or other disposition of the last Bond held in the Trust. A Trust may also
be terminated at any time by consent of Unitholders of 51% of the Units then
outstanding or by the Trustee when the value of the Trust is less than 20% of
the original principal amount of Bonds. The Trustee will notify each Unitholder
of any termination within a reasonable time and will then liquidate any
remaining Bonds. The sale of Bonds upon termination may result in a lower amount
than might otherwise be realized if sale were not required at that time. For
this reason, among others, the amount realized by a Unitholder upon termination
may be less than the principal amount of Bonds per Unit or value at the time of
purchase. The Trustee will distribute to each Unitholder his share of the
balance of the Interest and Principal Accounts after deduction of costs,
expenses or indemnities. The Unitholder will receive a final distribution
statement with this distribution. When the Trustee in its sole discretion
determines that any amounts held in reserve are no longer necessary, it will
distribute these amounts to Unitholders. The Information Supplement contains
further information regarding termination of a Trust. See "Additional
Information".
LIMITATION ON LIABILITIES. The Sponsor, Evaluator and Trustee shall be
under no liability to Unitholders for taking any action or for refraining from
taking any action in good faith pursuant to the Trust Agreement, or for errors
in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence (negligence in the case of the Trustee) in the
performance of their duties or by reason of their reckless disregard of their
obligations and duties hereunder. 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 Trust
Agreement, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Trust Agreement. The Trustee is not liable
for any taxes or governmental charges imposed on the Bonds, on it as Trustee
under the Trust Agreement or on the Fund 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 Trust Agreement
contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee. The
Trustee and Sponsor may rely on any evaluation furnished by the Evaluator and
have no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Determinations by the Evaluator
shall be made in good faith upon the basis of the best information available to
it; provided, however, that the Evaluator shall be under no liability to the
Trustee, Sponsor or Unitholders for errors in judgment.
FEDERAL TAX STATUS
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At the respective times of issuance of the Bonds, opinions relating to the
validity thereof and to the exclusion of interest thereon from Federal gross
income 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. Neither the Sponsor nor Chapman and Cutler have made any review of
the Trust proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of the basis of
such opinions. If the interest on a Bond should be determined to be taxable, the
Bond would generally have to be sold at a substantial discount. In addition,
investors could be required to pay income tax on interest received prior to the
date on which interest is determined to be taxable. Gain realized on the sale or
redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of a Unit by a Unitholder is
includible in gross income for Federal income tax purposes and may be includible
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. If a Bond is acquired with accrued interest, that portion of the price paid
for the accrued interest is added to the tax basis of the Bond. When this
accrued interest is received, it is treated as a return of capital and reduces
the tax basis of the Bond. If a Bond is purchased for a premium, the amount of
the premium is added to the tax basis of the Bond. Bond premium is amortized
over the remaining term of the Bond, and the tax basis of the Bond is reduced
each tax year by the amount of the premium amortized in that tax year. For
purposes of the following opinions, it is assumed that each asset of the Trust
is debt, the interest on which is excluded for Federal income tax purposes.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, counsel for the Sponsor, under
existing law as of the date of this Prospectus:
(1) Each Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for Federal
income tax purposes and interest and accrued original issue discount on
Bonds which is excludable from gross income under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (the "Code") will retain its status for Federal income tax
purposes, when received by a Trust and when distributed to Unitholders;
however such interest may be taken into account in computing the
alternative minimum tax, an additional tax on branches of foreign
corporations and the environmental tax (the "Superfund Tax"), as noted
below;
(2) Each Unitholder is considered to be the owner of a pro rata portion of
each asset of the respective Trust under subpart E, subchapter J of
chapter 1 of the Code and will have a taxable event when such Trust
disposes of a Bond, or when the Unitholder redeems or sells his Units.
If the Unitholder disposes of a Unit, he is deemed thereby to have
disposed of his entire pro rata interest in all assets of the Trust
involved including his pro rata portion of all the Bonds represented by
a Unit. Legislative proposals have been made that would treat certain
transactions designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and
opportunities for gain as constructive sales for purposes of recognition
of gain (but not loss). Unitholders should consult their own tax
advisors with regard to any such constructive sale rules. Unitholders
must reduce the tax basis of their Units for their share of accrued
interest received by the respective Trust, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholders pay for their Units to the extent that such
interest accrued on such Bonds before the date the Trust acquired
ownership of the Bonds (and the amount of this reduction may exceed the
amount of accrued interest paid to the seller) 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 on maturity, redemption or
otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder (subject to
various non-recognition provisions of the Code). 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
accrued 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 valuation date nearest the
date of acquisition of the Units. It should be noted that certain
legislative proposals have been made which could affect the calculation
of basis for Unitholders holding securities that are substantially
identical to the Bonds. Unitholders should consult their own tax
advisors with regard to the calculation of basis. The tax basis
reduction requirements of the Code relating to amortization of bond
premium may, under some circumstances, result in the Unitholder
realizing a taxable gain when his Units are sold or redeemed for an
amount less than or equal to his original cost;
(3) Any proceeds paid under an insurance policy or policies dated the Date
of Deposit, issued to an Insured Trust with respect to the Bonds which
represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee
will be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same extent
as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid in the normal
course 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 obligations, rather than the insurer, will pay
debt service on the obligations; and
(4) Any proceeds paid under individual policies obtained by issuers of Bonds
which represent maturing interest on defaulted Bonds held by the Trustee
will be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same extent
as, such interest would have been excludable if paid in the normal
course by the issuer of the defaulted Bonds 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.
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") to
prior owners. If a Bond is acquired with accrued interest, that portion of the
price paid for the accrued interest is added to the tax basis of the Bond. When
this accrued interest is received, it is treated as a return of capital and
reduces the tax basis of the Bond. If a Bond is purchased for a premium, the
amount of the premium is added to the tax basis of the Bond. Bond premium is
amortized over the remaining term of the Bond, and the tax basis of the Bond is
reduced each tax year by the amount of the premium amortized in that tax year.
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. Unitholders should consult with their tax advisers regarding
these rules and their application.
"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), subject to a statutory
de minimis rule. 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. The market discount rules are complex and Unitholders should
consult their tax advisers regarding these rules and their application.
In the case of certain corporations, the alternative minimum tax and the
Superfund Tax for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986 depends upon
the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income, which is the corporation's
taxable income with certain adjustments. One of the adjustment items used in
computing the alternative minimum taxable income 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
alternative minimum taxable income (before such adjustment item and the
alternative tax net operating loss deduction). "Adjusted current earnings"
includes all tax exempt interest, including interest on all of the Bonds in the
Fund. Under current Code provisions, the Superfund Tax does not apply to tax
years beginning on or after January 1, 1996. Legislative proposals have been
introduced which would extend the Superfund Tax. Under the provisions of Section
884 of the Code, a branch profits tax is levied on the "effectively connected
earnings and profits" of certain foreign corporations which include tax-exempt
interest such as interest on the Bonds in the Trust. Unitholders should consult
their tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them
including the corporate alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and the
branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
Counsel for the Sponsor has also advised that under Section 265 of the Code,
interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry Units of a
Trust is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. The Internal Revenue
Service has taken the position that such indebtedness need not be directly
traceable to the purchase or carrying of Units (however, these rules generally
do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness incurred to purchase or improve a
personal residence). Also, under Section 265 of the Code, certain financial
institutions that acquire Units would generally not be able to deduct any of the
interest expense attributable to ownership of such Units. Legislative proposals
have been made that would extend the financial institution rules to all
corporations. Investors with questions regarding these issues should consult
their tax advisers.
In the case of certain of the Bonds in the Fund, the opinions of bond
counsel indicate that interest on such Bonds received by a "substantial user" of
the facilities being financed with the proceeds of these Bonds, or persons
related thereto, for periods while such Bonds are held by such a user or related
person, will not be excludible from Federal gross income, although interest on
such Bonds received by others would be excludible from Federal gross income.
"Substantial user" and "related person" are defined under the Code and U.S.
Treasury Regulations. Any person who believes that he or she may be a
"substantial user" or a "related person" as so defined should contact his or her
tax adviser.
In the opinion of special counsel to the Fund for New York tax matters,
under existing law, the Fund and each Trust are not associations taxable as
corporations and the income of each Trust will be treated as the income of the
Unitholders under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York.
All statements of law in the Prospectus concerning exclusion from gross
income for Federal, state or other tax purposes are the opinions of counsel and
are to be so construed.
At the respective times of issuance of the Bonds, opinions relating to the
validity thereof and to the exclusion of interest thereon from Federal gross
income are rendered by bond counsel to the respective issuing authorities.
Neither the Sponsor nor Chapman and Cutler has made any special review for the
Fund of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of the basis
for such opinions.
In the case of corporations, the alternative tax rate applicable to
long-term capital gains is 35%, effective for long-term capital gains realized
in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1993. For taxpayers other than
corporations, net capital gains (which are defined as net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss for a taxable year) are subject to a maximum
marginal stated tax rate of 28%. 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. Under the Code, taxpayers must disclose to the Internal Revenue Service
the amount of tax-exempt interest earned during the year. For purposes of
computing the alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations and the
Superfund Tax for corporations, interest on certain private activity bonds
(which includes most industrial and housing revenue bonds) issued on or after
August 8, 1996 is included as an item of tax preference. Except as otherwise
noted in Prospectus Part I, the Trusts do not include any such private activity
bonds issued on or after that date.
Section 86 of the Code provides that 50% of Social Security benefits are
includible in gross income to the extent that the sum of "modified adjusted
gross income" plus 50% of the Social Security benefits received exceeds a "base
amount". The base amount is $25,000 for unmarried taxpayers, $32,000 for married
taxpayers filing a joint return and zero for married taxpayers who do not live
apart at all times during the taxable year and who file separate returns.
Modified adjusted gross income is adjusted gross income determined without
regard to certain otherwise allowable deductions and exclusions from gross
income and by including tax-exempt interest. To the extent that Social Security
benefits are includible in gross income, they will be treated as any other item
of gross income.
In addition, under the Tax Act, for taxable years beginning after December
31, 1993, up to 85% of Social Security benefits are includible in gross income
to the extent that the sum of "modified adjusted gross income" plus 50% of
Social Security benefits received exceeds an "adjusted base amount." The
adjusted base amount is $34,000 for unmarried taxpayers, $44,000 for married
taxpayers filing a joint return, and zero for married taxpayers who do not live
apart at all times during the taxable year and who file separate returns.
Although tax-exempt interest is included in modified adjusted gross income
solely for the purpose of determining what portion, if any, of Social Security
benefits will be included in gross income, no tax-exempt interest, including
that received from a Trust, will be subject to tax. A taxpayer whose adjusted
gross income already exceeds the base amount or the adjusted base amount must
include 50% or 85%, respectively, of his Social Security benefits in gross
income whether or not he receives any tax-exempt interest. A taxpayer whose
modified adjusted gross income (after inclusion of tax-exempt interest) does not
exceed the base amount need not include any Social Security benefits in gross
income.
Ownership of the Units may result in collateral federal income tax
consequences to certain taxpayers, including, without limitation, corporations
subject to either the environmental tax or the branch profits tax, financial
institutions, certain insurance companies, certain S corporations, individual
recipients of Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits and taxpayers who
may be deemed to have incurred (or continued) indebtedness to purchase or carry
tax-exempt obligations. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors
as to the applicability of any collateral consequences.
For a discussion of the state tax status of income earned on Units of a
Trust and recent changes in Federal tax law, see Prospectus Part I. Except as
noted therein, the exemption of interest on state and local obligations for
Federal income tax purposes discussed above 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.
EXPENSES
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The Sponsor will not receive any fees in connection with its activities
relating to the Fund. However, American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a
division of Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp., which is an
affiliate of the Sponsor, will receive the annual supervisory fee indicated
under "Summary of Essential Financial Information" in Prospectus Part I for
providing portfolio supervisory services for the Fund. In addition, the
Evaluator will receive the annual evaluation fee indicated under "Summary of
Essential Financial Information" in Prospectus Part I for evaluating each
Trust's portfolio. These fees may exceed the actual costs of providing these
services for a Trust but the total amount received by the Evaluator for
providing these services to all Van Kampen American Capital unit investment
trusts will not exceed the total cost of providing the services in any calendar
year. For its services the Trustee will receive the fee indicated under "Summary
of Essential Financial Information" in Prospectus Part I (which may be reduced
as described therein). Part of the Trustee's compensation for its services is
expected to result from the use of the funds being held in the Principal and
Interest Accounts for future distributions, payment of expenses and redemptions
since these Accounts are non-interest bearing to Unitholders. These fees are
based on the outstanding principal amount of Bonds and Units on the Date of
Deposit for the first year and as of the close of business on January 1 for each
year thereafter.
Premiums for any portfolio insurance are obligations of each Insured
Trust and are payable monthly by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust. As Bonds in
an Insured Trust are redeemed by their respective issuers or are sold by the
Trustee, the amount of the premium will be reduced in respect of those Bonds. If
the Trustee exercises the right to obtain permanent insurance, the premiums
payable for such permanent insurance will be paid solely from the proceeds of
the sale of the related Bonds.
The following additional charges are or may be incurred by the Trusts: (a)
fees of the Trustee for extraordinary services, (b) expenses of the Trustee
(including legal and auditing expenses) and of counsel designated by the
Sponsor, (c) various governmental charges, (d) expenses and costs of any action
taken by the Trustee to protect the Trusts and the rights and interests of
Unitholders, (e) indemnification of the Trustee for any loss, liability or
expenses incurred by it in the administration of the Fund without negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, (f) any special custodial fees
payable in connection with the sale of any of the Bonds in a Trust, (g)
expenditures incurred in contacting Unitholders upon termination of the Trusts
and (h) costs incurred to reimburse the Trustee for advancing funds to the
Trusts to meet scheduled distributions (which costs may be adjusted periodically
in response to fluctuations in short-term interest rates). The fees and expenses
set forth herein are payable out of the Trusts. When such fees and expenses are
paid by or owing to the Trustee, they are secured by a lien on the portfolio of
the applicable Trust. If the balances in the Interest and Principal Accounts are
insufficient to provide for amounts payable by a Trust, the Trustee has the
power to sell Bonds to pay such amounts.
On or before the twenty-fifth day of each month, the Trustee will deduct
from the Interest Account and, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein,
from the Principal Account, amounts necessary to pay the expenses of the Fund.
The Trustee also may withdraw from these Accounts such amounts, if any, as it
deems necessary to establish a reserve for any governmental charges payable out
of the Fund. Amounts so withdrawn shall not be considered a part of the Fund's
assets until such time as the Trustee shall return all or any part of such
amounts to the appropriate Accounts. All costs and expenses incurred in creating
and establishing the Fund, including the cost of the initial preparation,
printing and execution of the Trust Agreement and the certificates, legal and
accounting expenses, advertising and selling expenses, expenses of the Trustee,
initial evaluation fees and other out-of-pocket expenses have been borne by the
Sponsor at no cost to the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the
Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Information
Supplement, which has been filed with the SEC, includes more detailed
information concerning the Bonds, investment risks and general information about
the Fund. This Prospectus incorporates by reference the entire Information
Supplement. The Information Supplement may be obtained by contacting the Trustee
or is available along with other related materials at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov).
OTHER MATTERS
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LEGAL MATTERS. The legality of the Units offered hereby and certain matters
relating to Federal tax law have been passed upon by Chapman and Cutler, 111
West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, as counsel for the Sponsor. Winston
& Strawn has acted as counsel to the Trustee and Special counsel to the Fund for
New York tax matters. Special counsel to the Fund for certain state tax matters
are named under "Tax Status" appearing in Prospectus Part I.
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS. The statement of condition and the
related portfolio at the Date of Deposit included in Prospectus Part I have been
audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, as set
forth in their report in Prospectus Part I, and are included herein in reliance
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
The Trusts 2
The Fund 2
Objectives and Bond Selection 2
Risk Factors 3
Estimated Current and Long-Term Returns 5
Public Offering 6
General 6
Offering Price 7
Accrued Interest 8
Unit Distribution 8
Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation 9
Market for Units 10
Rights of Unitholders 11
Distributions of Interest and Principal 11
Reinvestment Option 11
Redemption of Units 11
Certificates 12
Reports Provided 12
Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts 13
Fund Administration 14
Sponsor 14
Trustee 14
Portfolio Administration 14
Replacement Bonds 15
Amendment of Trust Agreement 15
Termination of Trust Agreement 15
Limitation on Liabilities 15
Federal Tax Status 16
Expenses 18
Additional Information 19
Other Matters 19
Legal Matters 19
Independent Certified Public Accountants 19
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No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representations not contained in this Prospectus; and any information or
representation not contained herein must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Fund, the Sponsor or the Underwriters. 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.
This Prospectus contains information concerning the Fund and the Sponsor, but
does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statements
and exhibits relating thereto, which the Fund has filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and to which reference is hereby made.
PROSPECTUS PART II
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FEBRUARY 1998
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, INSURED MULTI-SERIES
AND
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
AND INVESTORS' QUALITY TAX-EXEMPT TRUST, MULTI-SERIES
------ A Wealth of Knowledge o Knowledge of Wealth(sm) ------
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
VAN KAMPEN
INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Information Supplement provides additional information concerning the
risks and operations of the Fund which is not described in the Prospectus for
the Fund. This Information Supplement should be read in conjunction with the
Fund's prospectus. This Information Supplement is not a prospectus (but is
incorporated into the Prospectus by reference), does not include all of the
information that an investor should consider before investing in a Trust and may
not be used to offer or sell Units without the Prospectus. Copies of the
Prospectus can be obtained by contacting the Sponsor at One Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 or by contacting your broker. This Information
Supplement is dated as of the date of Prospectus Part I and all capitalized
terms have been defined in the Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Municipal Bond Risk Factors........................................ 2
Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts....................... 6
Portfolio Administration........................................... 12
Trustee Information................................................ 13
Termination of the Trust Agreement................................. 14
Description of Ratings............................................. 14
Equivalent Taxable Estimated Current Return Tables................. 16
Colorado Risk Factors.............................................. 18
Estimated Cash Flows to Unitholders................................ 21
MUNICIPAL BOND RISK FACTORS
The Trusts include certain types of bonds described below. Accordingly, an
investment in a Trust should be made with an understanding of the
characteristics of and risks associated with such bonds. The types of bonds
included in each Trust are described on the cover of the related Prospectus Part
I. Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any
default, failure or defect in any of the Bonds.
Certain of the Bonds may be general obligations of a governmental entity that
are backed by the taxing power of such entity. All other Bonds in the Trusts are
revenue bonds payable from the income of a specific project or authority and are
not supported by the issuer's power to levy taxes. General obligation bonds are
secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the
payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds, on the other hand, are payable
only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities
or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific
revenue source. There are, of course, variations in the security of the
different Bonds in the Fund, both within a particular classification and between
classifications, depending on numerous factors.
Certain of the Bonds may be obligations which derive their payments from
mortgage loans. Certain of such housing bonds may be FHA insured or may be
single family mortgage revenue bonds 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. 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. These bonds were issued under Section 103A of the Internal
Revenue Code, which Section contains 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. Certain issuers of housing bonds have considered
various ways to redeem bonds they have issued prior to the stated first
redemption dates for such bonds. In connection with the housing bonds held by
the Fund, the Sponsor at the Date of Deposit is not aware that any of the
respective issuers of such bonds are actively considering the redemption of such
bonds prior to their respective stated initial call dates.
Certain of the Bonds may be health care revenue bonds. Ratings of bonds
issued for health care facilities are often 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
and the ability of the facility to provide the services required, physicians'
confidence in the facility, management capabilities, competition with other
health care facilities, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit
rates, legislation establishing state rate-setting agencies, expenses, the cost
and possible unavailability of malpractice insurance, the funding of Medicare,
Medicaid and other similar third party payor programs, government regulation and
the termination or restriction of governmental financial assistance, including
that associated with Medicare, Medicaid and other similar third party payor
programs.
Certain of the Bonds may be obligations of public utility issuers, including
those selling wholesale and retail electric power and gas. General problems of
such issuers would include the difficulty in financing large construction
programs in an inflationary period, 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. 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 to make payments of principal
and/or interest on such Bonds.
Certain of the Bonds 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.
Certain of the Bonds may be industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs"). IRBs have
generally been issued under bond resolutions pursuant to which the revenues and
receipts payable under the arrangements with the operator of a particular
project have been assigned and pledged to purchasers. In some cases, a mortgage
on the underlying project may have been granted as security for the IRBs.
Regardless of the structure, payment of IRBs is solely dependent upon the
creditworthiness of the corporate operator of the project or 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 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.
Certain of the Bonds may be obligations that are secured by lease payments of
a governmental entity (hereinafter called "lease obligations"). Lease
obligations are often in the form of certificates of participation. Although the
lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for
which the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is
ordinarily backed by the municipality's covenant to appropriate for and make the
payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations
contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the municipality has no
obligation to make lease payments in future years unless money is appropriated
for such purpose on a yearly basis. 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. Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations are
secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of
foreclosure might prove difficult.
Certain of the Bonds may be obligations of issuers which are, or which govern
the operation of, schools, colleges and universities and whose revenues are
derived mainly from ad valorem taxes or for higher education systems, from
tuition, dormitory revenues, grants and endowments. General problems relating to
school bonds include litigation contesting the state constitutionality of
financing public education in part from ad valorem taxes, thereby creating a
disparity in educational funds available to schools in wealthy areas and schools
in poor areas. Litigation or legislation on this issue may affect the sources of
funds available for the payment of school bonds in the Trusts. General problems
relating to college and university obligations 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.
Certain of the Bonds in certain of the Trusts may be obligations which are
payable from and secured by revenues derived from the ownership and operation of
facilities such as airports, bridges, turnpikes, port authorities, convention
centers and arenas. The major portion of an airport's gross operating income is
generally derived from fees received from signatory airlines pursuant to use
agreements which consist of annual payments for leases, occupancy of certain
terminal space and service fees. Airport operating income may therefore be
affected by the ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use
agreements. From time to time the air transport industry has experienced
significant variations in earnings and traffic, due to increased competition,
excess capacity, increased costs, deregulation, traffic constraints and other
factors, and several airlines have experienced severe financial difficulties.
Similarly, payment on bonds related to other facilities is dependent on revenues
from the projects, such as user fees from ports, tolls on turnpikes and bridges
and rents from buildings. Therefore, payment may be adversely affected by
reduction in revenues due to such factors as increased cost of maintenance,
decreased use of a facility, lower cost of alternative modes of transportation,
scarcity of fuel and reduction or loss of rents.
Certain of the Bonds may be obligations which are payable from and secured by
revenues derived from the operation of resource recovery facilities. Resource
recovery facilities are designed to process solid waste, generate steam and
convert steam to electricity. Resource recovery bonds may be subject to
extraordinary optional redemption at par upon the occurrence of certain
circumstances, including but not limited to: destruction or condemnation of a
project; contracts relating to a project becoming void, unenforceable or
impossible to perform; changes in the economic availability of raw materials,
operating supplies or facilities necessary for the operation of a project or
technological or other unavoidable changes adversely affecting the operation of
a project; and administrative or judicial actions which render contracts
relating to the projects void, unenforceable or impossible to perform or impose
unreasonable burdens or excessive liabilities. The Sponsor cannot predict the
causes or likelihood of the redemption of resource recovery bonds in a Trust
prior to the stated maturity of the Bonds.
Certain of the Bonds may have been acquired at a market discount from par
value at maturity. The coupon interest rates on discount bonds at the time they
were purchased and deposited in a Trust were lower than the current market
interest rates for newly issued bonds of comparable rating and type. If such
interest rates for newly issued comparable bonds increase, the market discount
of previously issued bonds will become greater, and if such interest rates for
newly issued comparable bonds decline, the market discount of previously issued
bonds will be reduced, other things being equal. Investors should also note that
the value of bonds purchased at a market discount will increase in value faster
than bonds purchased at a market premium if interest rates decrease. Conversely,
if interest rates increase, the value of bonds purchased at a market discount
will decrease faster than bonds purchased at a market premium. In addition, if
interest rates rise, the prepayment risk of higher yielding, premium Securities
and the prepayment benefit for lower yielding, discount bonds will be reduced. A
bond purchased at a market discount and held to maturity will have a larger
portion of its total return in the form of taxable income and capital gain and
less in the form of tax-exempt interest income than a comparable bond newly
issued at current market rates. See "Federal Tax Status" in Prospectus Part II.
Market discount attributable to interest changes does not indicate a lack of
market confidence in the issue.
Certain of the Bonds may be "zero coupon" bonds. Zero coupon bonds are
purchased at a deep discount because the buyer receives only the right to
receive a final payment at the maturity of the bond and does not receive any
periodic interest payments. The effect of owning deep discount bonds which do
not make current interest payments (such as the zero coupon bonds) 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 such 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
on the discount obligation, but at the same time 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 which
pay interest.
Certain of the Bonds may have been purchased on a "when, as and if issued" or
"delayed delivery" basis. See "Notes to Portfolio" in Prospectus Part I. The
delivery of any such Bonds may be delayed or may not occur. Interest on these
Bonds begins accruing to the benefit of Unitholders on their respective dates of
delivery. To the extent any Bonds are actually delivered to the Fund after their
respective expected dates of delivery, Unitholders who purchase their Units
prior to the date such Bonds are actually delivered to the Trustee would be
required to adjust their tax basis in their Units for a portion of the interest
accruing on such Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and
the actual delivery of such Bonds. As a result of any such adjustment, the
Estimated Current Returns during the first year would be slightly lower than
those stated in the Prospectus which would be the returns after the first year,
assuming the portfolio of a Trust and estimated annual expenses other than that
of the Trustee (which may be reduced in the first year only) do not vary from
that set forth in Prospectus Part I. Unitholders will be "at risk" with respect
to all Bonds in the portfolios including "when, as and if issued" and "delayed
delivery" Bonds (i.e., may derive either gain or loss from fluctuations in the
evaluation of such Bonds) from the date they commit for Units.
Certain of the Bonds may be subject to redemption prior to their stated
maturity date pursuant to sinking fund provisions, call provisions or
extraordinary optional or mandatory redemption provisions or otherwise. A
sinking fund is a reserve fund accumulated over a period of time for retirement
of debt. A callable debt obligation is one which is subject to redemption or
refunding prior to maturity at the option of the issuer. A refunding is a method
by which a debt obligation is redeemed, at or before maturity, by the proceeds
of a new debt obligation. In general, call provisions are more likely to be
exercised when the offering side valuation is at a premium over par than when it
is at a discount from par. 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. Each Trust portfolio contains
a listing of the sinking fund and call provisions, if any, with respect to each
of the debt obligations. Extraordinary optional redemptions and mandatory
redemptions result from the happening of certain events. Generally, events that
may permit the extraordinary optional redemption of bonds or may require the
mandatory redemption of bonds include, among others: a final determination that
the interest on the bonds is taxable; the substantial damage or destruction by
fire or other casualty of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were
used; an 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; 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 uneconomic; changes in law or an administrative or judicial decree
which renders the performance of the agreement under which the proceeds of the
bonds were made available to finance the project impossible or which creates
unreasonable burdens or which imposes 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 of the bonds 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 issuer of certain bonds in a Trust may have sold or
reserved the right to sell, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, to
third parties all or any portion of its rights to call bonds in accordance with
the stated redemption provisions of such bonds. In such a case the issuer no
longer has the right to call the bonds for redemption unless it reacquires the
rights from such third party. A third party pursuant to these rights may
exercise the redemption provisions with respect to a bond at a time when the
issuer of the bond might not have called a bond for redemption had it not sold
such rights. The Sponsor is unable to predict all of the circumstances which may
result in such redemption of an issue of Bonds. See also the discussion of
single family mortgage and multi-family revenue bonds above for more information
on the call provisions of such bonds.
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 upon the Fund or any of the Trusts. At any
time after the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated on a variety of
grounds with respect to Bonds in the Fund. Such litigation, as, for example,
suits challenging the issuance of pollution control revenue bonds under
environmental protection statutes, may affect the validity of such Bonds or the
tax-free nature of the interest thereon. While the outcome of litigation of such
nature can never be entirely predicted, the Fund has received or will receive
opinions of bond counsel to the issuing authorities of each Bond on the date of
issuance to the effect that such Bonds have been validly issued and that the
interest thereon is exempt from Federal income tax. In addition, other factors
may arise from time to time which potentially may impair the ability of issuers
to meet obligations undertaken with respect to the Bonds.
INSURANCE ON THE BONDS IN THE INSURED TRUSTS
Insurance has been obtained by each Insured Trust, by the issuer of Bonds in
an Insured Trust, by a prior owner of such Bonds, or by the Sponsor prior to the
deposit of such Bonds in a Trust guaranteeing prompt payment of interest and
principal, when due, in respect of the bonds in such Trust. See Settlement of
Bonds in "The Trusts--Objectives and Bond Selection" in Prospectus Part II. The
Portfolio Insurers and the Preinsured Bond Insurers are described under
"Portfolio" and "Notes to Portfolio" in Prospectus Part I. The Portfolio
Insurers are either AMBAC Assurance Corporation or Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company. An insurance policy obtained by an Insured Trust, if any, is
non-cancellable and will continue in force so long as such Trust is in
existence, the respective Portfolio Insurer is still in business and the Bonds
described in such policy continue to be held by such Trust (see "Portfolio" for
the respective Insured Trust in Prospectus Part I). Any portfolio insurance
premium for an Insured Trust, which is an obligation of such Trust, is paid by
such Trust on a monthly basis. Non-payment of premiums on a policy obtained by
an Insured Trust will not result in the cancellation of insurance but will force
the insurer to take action against the Trustee to recover premium payments due
it. The Trustee in turn will be entitled to recover such payments from such
Trust. Premium rates for each issue of Bonds protected by a policy obtained by
an Insured Trust, if any, are fixed for the life of the Trust. The premium for
any Preinsured Bond insurance has been paid by such issuer, by a prior owner of
such Bonds or the Sponsor and any such policy or policies are non-cancellable
and will continue in force so long as the Bonds so insured are outstanding and
the respective Preinsured Bond Insurer remains in business. If the provider of
an original issuance insurance policy is unable to meet its obligations under
such policy or if the rating assigned to the claims-paying ability of any such
insurer deteriorates, the Portfolio Insurers have no obligation to insure any
issue adversely affected by either of the above described events.
The aforementioned portfolio insurance obtained by an Insured Trust, if any,
guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on the Bonds when they
fall due. For the purposes of insurance obtained by an Insured Trust, "when due"
generally means the stated payment or maturity date for the payment of principal
and interest. However, in the event (a) an issuer of a Bond defaults in the
payment of principal or interest on such Bond, (b) such issuer enters into a
bankruptcy proceeding or (c) the maturity of such Bond is accelerated, the
affected Portfolio Insurer has the option, in its sole discretion, after
receiving notice of the earliest to occur of such a default, bankruptcy
proceeding or acceleration to pay the outstanding principal amount of such Bond
plus accrued interest to the date of such payment and thereby retire the Bond
from the affected Trust prior to such Bond's stated maturity date. The insurance
does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units.
Insurance obtained by an Insured Trust, if any, is only effective as to Bonds
owned by and held in such Trust. In the event of a sale of any such Bond by the
Trustee, such insurance terminates as to such Bond on the date of sale.
Pursuant to an irrevocable commitment of the Portfolio Insurers, the Trustee,
upon the sale of a Bond covered under a portfolio insurance policy obtained by
an Insured Trust, has the right to obtain permanent insurance with respect to
such Bond (i.e., insurance to maturity of the Bond regardless of the identity of
the holder thereof) (the "Permanent Insurance") upon the payment of a single
predetermined insurance premium and any expenses related thereto from the
proceeds of the sale of such Bond. Accordingly, any Bond in an Insured Trust is
eligible to be sold on an insured basis. It is expected that the Trustee would
exercise the right to obtain Permanent Insurance only if upon such exercise the
affected Trust would receive net proceeds (sale of Bond proceeds less the
insurance premium and related expenses attributable to the Permanent Insurance)
from such sale in excess of the sale proceeds if such Bonds were sold on an
uninsured basis. The insurance premium with respect to each Bond eligible for
Permanent Insurance would be determined based upon the insurability of each Bond
as of the Date of Deposit and would not be increased or decreased for any change
in the creditworthiness of each Bond.
The Sponsor believes that the Permanent Insurance option provides an
advantage to an Insured Trust in that each Bond insured by a Trust insurance
policy may be sold out of the affected Trust with the benefits of the insurance
attaching thereto. Thus, the value of the insurance, if any, at the time of
sale, can be realized in the market value of the Bond so sold (which is not the
case in connection with any value attributable to an Insured Trust's portfolio
insurance). See Public Offering--Offering Price" in Prospectus Part II. Because
any such insurance value may be realized in the market value of the Bond upon
the sale thereof upon exercise of the Permanent Insurance option, the Sponsor
anticipates that (a) in the event an Insured Trust were to be comprised of a
substantial percentage of Bonds in default or significant risk of default, it is
much less likely that such Trust would need at some point in time to seek a
suspension of redemptions of Units than if such Trust were to have no such
option (see "Rights of Unitholders--Redemption of Units" in Prospectus Part II)
and (b) at the time of termination of an Insured Trust, if such Trust were
holding defaulted Bonds or Bonds in significant risk of default such Trust would
not need to hold such Securities until their respective maturities in order to
realize the benefits of such Trust's portfolio insurance (see "Fund
Administration--Termination of Trust Agreement" in Prospectus Part II).
Except as indicated below, insurance obtained by an Insured Trust has no
effect on the price or redemption value of Units. It is the present intention of
the Evaluator to attribute a value for such insurance (including the right to
obtain Permanent Insurance) for the purpose of computing the price or redemption
value of Units if the Bonds covered by such insurance are in default in payment
of principal or interest or in significant risk of such default. The value of
the insurance will be the difference between (i) the market value of a bond
which is in default in payment of principal or interest or in significant risk
of such default assuming the exercise of the right to obtain Permanent Insurance
(less the insurance premium and related expenses attributable to the purchase of
Permanent Insurance) and (ii) the market value of such Bonds not covered by
Permanent Insurance. See "Public Offering--Offering Price" in Prospectus Part
II. It is also the present intention of the Trustee not to sell such Bonds to
effect redemptions or for any other reason but rather to retain them in the
portfolio because value attributable to the insurance cannot be realized upon
sale. See "Public Offering--Offering Price" in Prospectus Part II for a more
complete description of an Insured Trust's method of valuing defaulted Bonds and
Bonds which have a significant risk of default. Insurance obtained by the issuer
of a Bond is effective so long as such Bond is outstanding. Therefore, any such
insurance may be considered to represent an element of market value in regard to
the Bonds thus insured, but the exact effect, if any, of this insurance on such
market value cannot be predicted.
The portfolio insurance policy or policies obtained by an Insured Trust, if
any, with respect to the Bonds in such Trust were issued by one or more of the
Portfolio Insurers. Any other Preinsured Bond insurance policy (or commitment
therefor) was issued by one of the Preinsured Bond Insurers. See "The
Trusts--Objectives and Bond Selection" in Prospectus Part II.
Capital Markets Assurance Corporation ("CapMAC") is a New York-domiciled
monoline stock insurance company which engages only in the business of financial
guaranty and surety insurance. CapMAC is licensed in all 50 states in addition
to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territory
of Guam. CapMAC insures structured asset-backed, corporate, municipal and other
financial obligations in the U.S. and international capital markets. CapMAC also
provides financial guarantee reinsurance for structured asset-backed, corporate,
municipal and other financial obligations written by other major insurance
companies.
CapMAC's claims-paying ability is rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's"), "AAA" by Standard & Poor's, "AAA" by Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps") and "AAA" by Nippon Investors Service, Inc. Such
ratings reflect only the views of the respective rating agencies, are not
recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and are subject to revision or
withdrawal at any time by such rating agencies.
Pursuant to a merger of a subsidiary of MBIA Inc. with and into CapMAC
Holdings Inc., CapMAC became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MBIA Inc. on
February 17, 1998. MBIA Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, MBIA
Insurance Corporation, is a financial guaranty insurer of municipal bonds and
structured finance transactions. MBIA Insurance Corporation has a claims paying
rating of triple-A from Moody's Investor Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services and Fitch IBCA, Inc. (formerly Fitch Investors Service, L.P.).
Pursuant to a reinsurance agreement, it is anticipated that CapMAC will cede all
of its net insured risks, as well as its unearned premiums and contingency
reserves, to MBIA Insurance Corporation and that MBIA Insurance Corporation will
reinsure CapMAC's net outstanding exposure. NEITHER MBIA INC. NOR ANY OF ITS
STOCKHOLDERS IS OBLIGATED TO PAY ANY CLAIMS UNDER ANY POLICY ISSUED BY CAPMAC OR
ANY DEBTS OF CAPMAC OR TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CAPMAC.
CapMAC is regulated by the Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New
York. In addition, CapMAC is subject to regulation by the insurance laws and
regulations of the other jurisdictions in which it is licensed. Such insurance
laws regulate, among other things, the amount of net exposure per risk that
CapMAC may retain, capital transfers, dividends, investment of assets, changes
in control, transactions with affiliates and consolidations and acquisitions.
CapMAC is subject to periodic regulatory examinations by the same regulatory
authorities.
CapMAC's obligations under the Policy(s) may be reinsured. Such reinsurance
does not relieve CapMAC of any of its obligations under the Policy(s).
THE POLICY IS NOT COVERED BY THE PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE SECURITY FUND
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 76 OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE LAW. As of December 31, 1995
and 1996, CapMAC had qualified statutory capital (which consists of
policyholders' surplus, statutory capital, and contingency reserves) of
approximately $260 million and $240 million, respectively, and had not incurred
any debt obligations. As of September 30, 1997, CapMAC had qualified statutory
capital of $278.6 million and had not incurred any debt obligations. Article 69
of the New York State Insurance Law requires CapMAC to establish and maintain
the contingency reserve, which is available to cover claims under policies
issued by CapMAC.
Copies of CapMAC's financial statements prepared in accordance with
statutory accounting standards, which differ from generally accepted accounting
principles, are filed with the Insurance Department of the State of New York and
are available upon request. CapMAC is located at 885 Third Avenue, New York, New
York 10022, and its telephone is (212) 755-1155.
Effective July 14, 1997, AMBAC Indemnity Corporation changed its name to
AMBAC Assurance Corporation ("AMBAC Assurance"). AMBAC Assurance is a
Wisconsin-domiciled stock insurance corporation regulated by the Office of the
Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin and licensed to do business
in 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with
admitted assets of approximately $2,967,246,831 (unaudited) and statutory
capital of approximately $1,715,481,691 (unaudited) as of March 31, 1998.
Statutory capital consists of AMBAC Assurance's policyholders' surplus and
statutory contingency reserve. AMBAC Assurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of
AMBAC Financial Group, Inc., a 100% publicly-held company. Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's have both assigned a triple-A claims-paying
ability rating to AMBAC Assurance.
Copies of its financial statements prepared in accordance with statutory
accounting standards are available from AMBAC Assurance. The address of AMBAC
Assurance's administrative offices and its telephone number are One State Street
Plaza, 17th Floor, New York, New York, 10004 and (212) 668-0340.
AMBAC Assurance has entered into quota share reinsurance agreements under
which a percentage of the insurance underwritten pursuant to certain municipal
bond insurance programs of AMBAC Assurance has been and will be assumed by a
number of foreign and domestic unaffiliated reinsurers.
MBIA Insurance Corporation ("MBIA") 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 MBIA. MBIA is domiciled in the State of
New York and licensed to do business in and subject to regulation under the laws
of all fifty states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the
United States and the Territory of Guam. MBIA has two European branches, one in
the Republic of France and the other in the Kingdom of Spain. New York has laws
prescribing minimum capital requirements, limiting classes and concentrations of
investments and requiring the approval of policy rates and forms. State laws
also regulate the amount of both the aggregate and individual risks that may be
insured, the payment of dividends by the insurer, changes in control and
transactions among affiliates. Additionally, the Insurer is required to maintain
contingency reserves on its liabilities in certain amounts and for certain
periods of time.
Effective February 17, 1998, MBIA, Inc. acquired all of the outstanding
stock of CapMAC, through a merger with its parent, CapMAC Holdings, Inc.
Pursuant to a reinsurance agreement, CapMAC has ceded all of its net insured
risks (including any amounts due but unpaid from third party reinsurers), as
well as its unearned premiums and contingency reserves to MBIA. MBIA, Inc. is
not obligated to pay debts of or claims against CapMAC.
As of December 31, 1997, the insurer had admitted assets of $5.3 billion
(audited), total liabilities of $3.5 billion (audited), and total capital and
surplus of $1.8 billion (audited) determined in accordance with statutory
accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory
authorities. As of March 31, 1998, MBIA had admitted assets of $5.4 billion
(unaudited), total liabilities of $3.6 billion (unaudited), and total capital
and surplus of $1.8 billion (unaudited), determined in accordance with statutory
accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory
authorities. Copies of MBIA's financial statements prepared in accordance with
statutory accounting practices are available from MBIA. The address of MBIA is
113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
Effective December 31, 1989, MBIA, Inc. acquired Bond Investors Group, Inc.
On January 5, 1990, MBIA acquired all of the outstanding stock of Bond Investors
Group, Inc., the parent of Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company (BIG), now
known as MBIA Insurance Corp. of Illinois. Through a reinsurance agreement, BIG
has ceded all of its net insured risks, as well as its unearned premium and
contingency reserves, to MBIA and MBIA has reinsured BIG's net outstanding
exposure.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rates all bond issues insured by MBIA "Aaa"
and short-term loans "MIG-1," both designated to be of the highest quality.
Standard & Poor's rates all new issues insured by MBIA "AAA" Prime Grade.
Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch IBCA, Inc. (formerly Fitch Investors
Service, L.P.), all rate the claims paying ability of MBIA as "Triple A."
The Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating of MBIA should be evaluated
independently of the Standard & Poor's rating of MBIA. No application has been
made to any other rating agency in order to obtain additional ratings on the
Obligations. The ratings reflect the respective rating agency's current
assessment of the creditworthiness of MBIA 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.
The above ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the
Obligations 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 Obligations.
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company ("Financial Guaranty" or "FGIC") is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of FGIC Corporation (the "Corporation"), a Delaware
holding company. The Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General
Electric Capital Corporation ("GE Capital"). Neither the Corporation nor GE
Capital is obligated to pay the debts of or the claims against Financial
Guaranty. Financial Guaranty is a monoline financial guaranty insurer domiciled
in the State of New York and subject to regulation by the State of New York
Insurance Department. As of December 31, 1997, the total capital and surplus of
Financial Guaranty was $1,255,590,411. Financial Guaranty prepares financial
statements on the basis of both statutory accounting principles, and generally
accepted accounting principles. Copies of such financial statements may be
obtained by writing to Financial Guaranty at 115 Broadway, New York, New York
10006, Attention: Communications Department, telephone number: (212) 312-3000 or
to the New York State Insurance Department at 25 Beaver Street, New York, New
York 10004-2319, Attention: Financial Condition Property/Casualty Bureau,
telephone number: (212) 480-5187.
In addition, Financial Guaranty is currently licensed to write insurance in
all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Financial Security Assurance Inc.
("Financial Security" or "FSA") is a monoline insurance company incorporated in
1984 under the laws of the State of New York. Financial Security is licensed to
engage in the financial guaranty insurance business in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Financial Security and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of
writing financial guaranty insurance, principally in respect of securities
offered in domestic and foreign markets. In general, financial guaranty
insurance consists of the issuance of a guaranty of scheduled payments of an
issuer's securities, thereby enhancing the credit rating of those securities, in
consideration for payment of a premium to the insurer. Financial Security and
its subsidiaries principally insure asset-backed, collateralized and municipal
securities. Asset-backed securities are generally supported by residential
mortgage loans, consumer or trade receivables, securities or other assets having
an ascertainable cash flow or market value. Collateralized securities include
public utility first mortgage bonds and sale/leaseback obligation bonds.
Municipal securities consist largely of general obligation bonds, special
revenue bonds and other special obligations of state and local governments.
Financial Security insures both newly issued securities sold in the primary
market and outstanding securities sold in the secondary market that satisfy
Financial Security's underwriting criteria.
Financial Security is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Financial Security
Assurance Holdings Ltd. ("Holdings"), a New York Stock Exchange listed company.
Major shareholders of Holdings include Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc.,
U S WEST Capital Corporation and The Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
No shareholder of Financial Security is obligated to pay any debt of Financial
Security or its subsidiaries or any claim under any insurance policy issued by
Financial Security or its subsidiaries or to make any additional contribution to
the capital of Financial Security or its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 1998, the
total policyholders' surplus and contingency reserves and the total unearned
premium reserve, respectively, of Financial Security and its consolidated
subsidiaries were, in accordance with statutory accounting principles,
approximately $808,603,000 (unaudited) and $503,683,000 (unaudited), and the
total shareholders' equity and the total unearned premium reserve, respectively,
of Financial Security and its consolidated subsidiaries were, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, approximately $923,047,000 (unaudited)
and $428,158,000 (unaudited). Copies of Financial Security's financial
statements may be obtained by writing to Financial Security at 350 Park Avenue,
New York, New York, 10022, Attention: Communications Department. Its telephone
number is (212) 826-0100.
Pursuant to an intercompany agreement, liabilities on financial guaranty
insurance written or reinsured from third parties by Financial Security or any
of its domestic operating insurance company subsidiaries (including FSA
Maryland) are reinsured among such companies on an agreed-upon percentage
substantially proportional to their respective capital, surplus and reserves,
subject to applicable statutory risk limitations. In addition, Financial
Security and FSA Maryland reinsure a portion of their liabilities under certain
of their financial guaranty insurance policies with other reinsurers under
various quota share treaties and on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Such
reinsurance is utilized as a risk management device and to comply with certain
statutory and rating agency requirements; it does not alter or limit the
obligations of Financial Security or FSA Maryland under any financial guaranty
insurance policy.
The claims-paying ability of Financial Security and FSA Maryland is rated
"Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, Nippon Investors Service Inc. and Standard & Poor's (Australia) Pty.
Ltd. Such ratings reflect only the views of the respective rating agencies, are
not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and are subject to revision
or withdrawal at any time by such rating agencies.
Capital Guaranty Insurance Company was involved in a merger in 1995. On
December 20, 1995, Capital Guaranty Corporation ("CGC") merged with a subsidiary
of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. and Capital Guaranty Insurance
Company, CGC's principal operating subsidiary, changed its name to Financial
Security Assurance of Maryland Inc. ("FSA Maryland") and became a wholly owned
subsidiary of Financial Security Assurance Inc. For further description, see
"Financial Security Assurance Inc." herein.
The address of FSA Maryland and its telephone number are Steuart Tower, One
Market Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105-1413 and (415) 995-8000.
In order to be in an Insured Trust, Bonds must be insured by one of the
Preinsured Bond Insurers or be eligible for the insurance being obtained by such
Trust. In determining eligibility for insurance, the Preinsured Bond Insurers
and the Portfolio Insurers have applied their own standards which correspond
generally to the standards they normally use in establishing the insurability of
new issues of municipal bonds and which are not necessarily the criteria used in
the selection of Bonds by the Sponsor. To the extent the standards of the
Preinsured Bond Insurers and the Portfolio Insurers are more restrictive than
those of the Sponsor, the previously stated Trust investment criteria have been
limited with respect to the Bonds. This decision is made prior to the Date of
Deposit, as debt obligations not eligible for insurance are not deposited in an
Insured Trust. Thus, all of the Bonds in the portfolios of the Insured Trusts in
the Fund are insured either by the respective Trust or by the issuer of the
Bonds, by a prior owner of such Bonds or by the Sponsor prior to the deposit of
such Bonds in a Trust.
Because the Bonds are insured by one of the Portfolio Insurers or one of the
Preinsured Bond Insurers as to the timely payment of principal and interest,
when due, and on the basis of the various reinsurance agreements in effect,
Standard & Poor's has assigned to the Units of each Insured Trust its "AAA"
investment rating. Such rating will be in effect for a period of thirteen months
from the Date of Deposit and will, unless renewed, terminate at the end of such
period. See "Description of Ratings". The obtaining of this rating by an Insured
Trust should not be construed as an approval of the offering of the Units by
Standard & Poor's or as a guarantee of the market value of such Trust or of the
Units.
An objective of portfolio insurance obtained by an Insured Trust is to obtain
a higher yield on the portfolio of such Trust than would be available if all the
Bonds in such portfolio had Standard & Poor's "AAA" rating and yet at the same
time to have the protection of insurance of prompt payment of interest and
principal, when due, on the Bonds. There is, of course, no certainty that this
result will be achieved. Preinsured Bonds in an Insured Trust (all of which are
rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's) may or may not have a higher yield than
uninsured bonds rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. In selecting such Bonds for an
Insured Trust, the Sponsor has applied the criteria hereinbefore described.
In the event of nonpayment of interest or principal, when due, in respect of
a Bond, AMBAC Assurance shall make such payment not later than 30 days and
Financial Guaranty shall make such payment within one business day after the
respective insurer has been notified that such nonpayment has occurred or is
threatened (but not earlier than the date such payment is due). The insurer, as
regards any payment it may make, will succeed to the rights of the Trustee in
respect thereof. All policies issued by the Portfolio Insurers and the
Preinsured Bond Insurers are substantially identical insofar as obligations to
an Insured Trust are concerned.
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a letter ruling which holds in effect
that insurance proceeds representing maturing interest on defaulted municipal
obligations paid to holders of insured bonds, under policy provisions
substantially identical to the policies described herein, will be excludable
from Federal gross income under Section 103(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
to the same extent as if such payments were made by the issuer of the municipal
obligations. Holders of Units in an Insured Trust should discuss with their tax
advisers the degree of reliance which they may place on this letter ruling.
However, Chapman and Cutler, counsel for the Sponsor, has given an opinion to
the effect such payment of proceeds would be excludable from Federal gross
income to the extent described under "Federal Tax Status" in Prospectus Part II.
Each Portfolio Insurer is subject to regulation by the department of
insurance in the state in which it is qualified to do business. Such regulation,
however, is no guarantee that each Portfolio Insurer will be able to perform on
its contract of insurance in the event a claim should be made thereunder at some
time in the future. At the date hereof, it is reported that no claims have been
submitted or are expected to be submitted to any of the Portfolio Insurers which
would materially impair the ability of any such company to meet its commitment
pursuant to any contract of bond or portfolio insurance.
The information relating to each Portfolio Insurer has been furnished by such
companies. The financial information with respect to each Portfolio Insurer
appears in reports filed with state insurance regulatory authorities and is
subject to audit and review by such authorities. 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 dates thereof.
PORTFOLIO ADMINISTRATION
The Trustee is empowered to sell, for the purpose of redeeming Units tendered
by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses for which funds may not be
available, such of the Bonds designated by the Evaluator as the Trustee in its
sole discretion may deem necessary. The Evaluator, in designating such Bonds,
will consider a variety of factors including (a) interest rates, (b) market
value and (c) marketability. The Sponsor, in connection with the Quality Trusts,
may direct the Trustee to dispose of Bonds upon default in payment of principal
or interest, institution of certain legal proceedings, default under other
documents adversely affecting debt service, default in payment of principal or
interest or other obligations of the same issuer, decline in projected income
pledged for debt service on revenue bonds or decline in price or the occurrence
of other market or credit factors, including advance refunding (i.e., the
issuance of refunding securities and the deposit of the proceeds thereof in
trust or escrow to retire the refunded securities on their respective redemption
dates), so that in the opinion of the Sponsor the retention of such Bonds would
be detrimental to the interest of the Unitholders. In connection with the
Insured Trusts to the extent that Bonds are sold which are current in payment of
principal and interest in order to meet redemption requests and defaulted Bonds
are retained in the portfolio in order to preserve the related insurance
protection applicable to said Bonds, the overall quality of the Bonds remaining
in such Trust's portfolio will tend to diminish. Except as described in this
section and in certain other unusual circumstances for which it is determined by
the Trustee to be in the best interests of the Unitholders or if there is no
alternative, the Trustee is not empowered to sell Bonds from an Insured Trust
which are in default in payment of principal or interest or in significant risk
of such default and for which value has been attributed for the insurance
obtained by such Insured Trust. Because of restrictions on the Trustee under
certain circumstances, the Sponsor may seek a full or partial suspension of the
right of Unitholders to redeem their Units in an Insured Trust. See "Rights of
Unitholders--Redemption of Units" in Prospectus Part II. The Sponsor is
empowered, but not obligated, to direct the Trustee to dispose of Bonds in the
event of an advanced refunding.
The Sponsor is required to instruct the Trustee to reject any offer made by
an issuer of any of the Bonds to issue new obligations in exchange or
substitution for any Bond pursuant to a refunding or refinancing plan, except
that the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to accept or reject such an offer or
to take any other action with respect thereto as the Sponsor may deem proper if
(1) the issuer is in default with respect to such Bond or (2) in the written
opinion of the Sponsor the issuer will probably default with respect to such
Bond in the reasonably foreseeable future. Any obligation so received in
exchange or substitution will be held by the Trustee subject to the terms and
conditions of the Trust Agreement to the same extent as Bonds originally
deposited thereunder. Within five days after the deposit of obligations in
exchange or substitution for underlying Bonds, the Trustee is required to give
notice thereof to each Unitholder of the Trust thereby affected, identifying the
Bonds eliminated and the Bonds substituted therefor. Except as stated herein and
under "Fund Administration--Replacement Bonds" in Prospectus Part II regarding
the substitution of Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, the acquisition by the
Fund of any securities other than the Bonds initially deposited is not
permitted.
If any default in the payment of principal or interest on any Bonds occurs
and no provision for payment is made therefor within 30 days, the Trustee is
required to notify the Sponsor thereof. If the Sponsor fails to instruct the
Trustee to sell or to hold such Bonds within 30 days after notification by the
Trustee to the Sponsor of such default, the Trustee may in its discretion sell
the defaulted Bond and not be liable for any depreciation or loss thereby
incurred.
TRUSTEE INFORMATION
The Trustee is The Bank of New York, a trust company organized under the laws
of New York. The Bank of New York has its unit investment trust division offices
at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, telephone (800) 221-7668. The
Bank of New York is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent
of Banks of the State of New York and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation to the extent permitted by law.
The duties of the Trustee are primarily ministerial in nature. It did not
participate in the selection of Bonds for the portfolios of any of the Trusts.
In accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Trustee shall keep proper books of
record and account of all transactions at its office for the Fund. Such records
shall include the name and address of, and the certificates issued by the Fund
to, every Unitholder of the Fund. Such books and records shall be open to
inspection by any Unitholder at all reasonable times during the usual business
hours. The Trustee shall make such annual or other reports as may from time to
time be required under any applicable state or Federal statute, rule or
regulation. The Trustee is required to keep a certified copy or duplicate
original of the Trust Agreement on file in its office available for inspection
at all reasonable times during the usual business hours by any Unitholder,
together with a current list of the Bonds held in the Fund.
Under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee or any successor trustee may resign
and be discharged of the trusts created by the Trust Agreement by executing an
instrument in writing and filing the same with the Sponsor. The Trustee or
successor trustee must mail a copy of the notice of resignation to all Fund
Unitholders then of record, not less than 60 days before the date specified in
such notice when such resignation is to take effect. The Sponsor upon receiving
notice of such resignation is obligated to appoint a successor trustee promptly.
If, upon such resignation, no successor trustee 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. The Sponsor may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee as
provided in the Trust Agreement at any time with or without cause. Notice of
such removal and appointment shall be mailed to each Unitholder by the Sponsor.
Upon execution of a written acceptance of such appointment by such successor
trustee, all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of the original trustee
shall vest in the successor. The resignation or removal of a Trustee becomes
effective only when the successor trustee accepts its appointment as such or
when a court of competent jurisdiction appoints a successor trustee. 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. The Trustee
must be a banking corporation organized under the laws of the United States or
any state and having at all times an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000.
TERMINATION OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
A Trust may be terminated at any time by consent of Unitholders of 51% of the
Units of such Trust then outstanding or by the Trustee when the value of such
Trust, as shown by any semi-annual evaluation, is less than 20% of the original
principal amount of Bonds. A Trust will be liquidated by the Trustee in the
event that a sufficient number of Units not yet sold are tendered for redemption
by the Underwriters, including the Sponsor, so that the net worth of such Trust
would be reduced to less than 40% of the initial principal amount of such Trust.
If a Trust is liquidated because of the redemption of unsold Units by the
Underwriters, the Sponsor will refund to each purchaser of Units the entire
sales charge paid by such purchaser. The Trust Agreement provides that each
Trust shall terminate upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last
Bond held in such Trust, but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the
year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of the Trust Agreement in the case of an
IM-IT Discount, a U.S. Territorial IM-IT, a Long-Term State or a National
Quality Trust, or beyond the end of the year preceding the twentieth anniversary
of the Trust Agreement in the case of IM-IT Limited Maturity, IM-IT
Intermediate, State Intermediate Laddered Maturity and IM-IT Short Intermediate
Trusts. In the event of termination of any Trust, written notice thereof will be
sent by the Trustee to each Unitholder of such Trust at his address appearing on
the registration books of the Fund maintained by the Trustee. Within a
reasonable time thereafter the Trustee shall liquidate any Bond then held in
such Trust and shall deduct from the funds of such Trust any accrued costs,
expenses or indemnities provided by the Trust Agreement, 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 government
charges. The sale of Bonds in the Trust upon termination may result in a lower
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 or par amount of Bonds
represented by the Units held by such Unitholder. The Trustee shall then
distribute to each Unitholder his share of the balance of the Interest and
Principal Accounts. With such distribution the Unitholder shall be furnished a
final 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.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with final distributions to
Unitholders of an Insured Trust, it should be noted that because the portfolio
insurance obtained by an Insured Trust is applicable only while Bonds so insured
are held by such Trust, the price to be received by such Trust upon the
disposition of any such Bond which is in default, by reason of nonpayment of
principal or interest, will not reflect any value based on such insurance.
Therefore, in connection with any liquidation, it shall not be necessary for the
Trustee to, and the Trustee does not currently intend to, dispose of any Bond or
Bonds if retention of such Bond or Bonds, until due, shall be deemed to be in
the best interest of Unitholders, including, but not limited to, situations in
which a Bond or Bonds so insured have deteriorated market prices resulting from
a significant risk of default. Since the Preinsured Bonds will reflect the value
of the related insurance, it is the present intention of the Sponsor not to
direct the Trustee to hold any of such Preinsured Bonds after the date of
termination. All proceeds received, less applicable expenses, from insurance on
defaulted Bonds not disposed of at the date of termination will ultimately be
distributed to Unitholders of record as of such date of termination as soon as
practicable after the date such defaulted Bond or Bonds become due and
applicable insurance proceeds have been received by the Trustee.
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES. A Standard &
Poor's municipal bond rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness of
an obligor with respect to a specific debt obligation. This assessment of
creditworthiness may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors,
insurers or lessees.
The bond rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a security,
inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price. The ratings are based on
current information furnished to Standard & Poor's by the issuer and obtained by
Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. The ratings may be
changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of,
such information.
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 and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
AA--Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions.
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
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): To provide more detailed indications of credit
quality, the ratings from "AA" to "BBB" may be modified by the addition of a
plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Provisional Ratings: A provisional rating ("p") 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,
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.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. A brief description of the applicable
Moody's 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. With the occasional exception of oversupply in a few
specific instances, the safety of obligations of this class is so absolute that
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. These Aa bonds are high grade, their market value 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 higher 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 credit circumstances
during a sustained period of depressed business conditions. During periods of
normalcy, bonds of this quality frequently move in parallel with Aaa and Aa
obligations, with the occasional exception of oversupply in a few specific
instances.
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.
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.
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 operating 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.
EQUIVALENT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLES
As of the date of the Prospectus, 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
(where applicable) using the published Federal and State tax rates (where
applicable) scheduled to be in effect in 1998. They incorporate increased tax
rates for higher income taxpayers that were included in the Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1993. These tables illustrate approximately what you would
have to earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current
return in your income tax bracket. The tables assume that Federal taxable income
is equal to State income subject to tax, and for cases in which more than one
State rate falls within a Federal bracket, the State rate corresponding to the
highest income within that Federal bracket is used. The combined State and
Federal tax rates shown reflect the fact that State tax payments are currently
deductible for Federal tax purposes. The tables do not reflect any local taxes
or any taxes other than personal income taxes. The tables do not show the
approximate taxable estimated current returns for individuals that are subject
to the alternative minimum tax. The taxable equivalent estimated current returns
may be somewhat higher than the equivalent returns indicated in the following
tables for those individuals who have adjusted gross incomes in excess of
$124,500. The tables do not reflect the effect of Federal or State limitations
(if any) on the amount of allowable itemized deductions and the deduction for
personal or dependent exemptions or any other credits. These limitations were
designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income
taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise the marginal maximum Federal tax
rate to approximately 44 percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and
entitled to four personal exemptions and to approximately 41 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 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. See
"Federal Tax Status" in Prospectus Part II for a more detailed discussion of
recent Federal tax legislation.
<TABLE>
IM-IT
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE INCOME ($1,000'S) TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINGLE JOINT TAX 4% 4 1/2% 5% 5 1/2% 6% 6 1/2% 7%
RETURN RETURN BRACKET EQUIVALENT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0- 25.35 $ 0- 42.35 15.0% 4.71% 5.29% 5.88% 6.47% 7.06% 7.65% 8.24%
25.35- 61.40 42.35-102.30 28.0 5.56 6.25 6.94 7.64 8.33 9.03 9.72
61.40-128.10 102.30-155.95 31.0 5.80 6.52 7.25 7.97 8.70 9.42 10.14
128.10-278.45 155.95-278.45 36.0 6.25 7.03 7.81 8.59 9.38 10.16 10.94
Over 278.45 Over 278.45 39.6 6.62 7.45 8.28 9.11 9.93 10.76 11.59
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
COLORADO
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE INCOME ($1,000'S) TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINGLE JOINT TAX 4% 4 1/2% 5% 5 1/2% 6% 6 1/2% 7%
RETURN RETURN BRACKET EQUIVALENT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 25.35 $ 0 - 42.35 19.3% 4.96% 5.58% 6.20% 6.82% 7.43% 8.05% 8.67%
25.35 - 61.40 42.35 - 102.30 31.6 5.85 6.58 7.31 8.04 8.77 9.50 10.23
61.40 - 128.10 102.30 - 155.95 34.5 6.11 6.87 7.63 8.40 9.16 9.92 10.69
128.10 - 278.45 155.95 - 278.45 39.2 6.58 7.40 8.22 9.05 9.87 10.69 11.51
Over 278.45 Over 278.45 42.6 6.97 7.84 8.71 9.58 10.45 11.32 12.20
</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 Trusts and returns over specified periods on other similar Van Kampen
sponsored unit investment trusts with inflation rates and with returns on
taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank CDs and
money market accounts or money market funds, each of which has investment
characteristics that may differ from those of the Trusts. U.S. Government bonds,
for example, are backed by the full faith and credit 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 Trusts are described more fully in
the Prospectus.
COLORADO RISK FACTORS
Restrictions on Appropriations and Revenues. The State Constitution requires
that expenditures for any fiscal year not exceed revenues for such fiscal year.
By statute, the amount of General Fund revenues available for appropriation is
based upon revenue estimates which, together with other available resources,
must exceed annual appropriations by the amount of the unappropriated reserve
(the "Unappropriated Reserve"). The Unappropriated Reserve requirement for
fiscal year 1991, 1992 and 1993 was set at 3% of total appropriations from the
General Fund. For fiscal years 1994 and thereafter, the Unappropriated Reserve
requirement is set at 4%. In addition to the Unappropriated Reserve, a
constitutional amendment approved by Colorado voters in 1992 requires the State
and local government to reserve a certain percentage of its fiscal year spending
(excluding bonded debt service) for emergency use (the "Emergency Reserve"). The
minimum Emergency Reserve is set at 2% for 1994 and 3% for 1995 and later years.
For fiscal year 1992 and thereafter, General Fund appropriations are also
limited by statute to an amount equal to the cost of performing certain required
reappraisals of taxable property plus an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of
Colorado personal income or (ii) 106% of the total General Fund appropriations
for the previous fiscal year. This restriction does not apply to any General
Fund appropriations which are required as a result of a new federal law, a final
state or federal court order or moneys derived from the increase in the rate or
amount of any tax or fee approved by a majority of the registered electors of
the State voting at any general election. In addition, the statutory limit on
the level of General Fund appropriations may be exceeded for a given fiscal year
upon the declaration of a State fiscal emergency by the State General Assembly.
The 1997 fiscal year ending General Fund balance was $375.1 million prior to
legislative change HB 98-1414. The restated 1997 ending fund balance will be
$514.1 million or $347.4 million over the combined Unappropriated Reserve and
Emergency Reserve requirement. As required by the new law, the revised ending
fund balance does not net out the state's first TABOR rebate. The new measure
directs the state controller's office to show TABOR refunds in the year they are
to be refunded, rather than the year they were incurred. Based on June 12, 1998
estimates, the 1998 fiscal year ending General Fund balance is expected to be
$823.6 million, or $646.6 million over the required Unappropriated Reserve and
Emergency Reserve.
On November 3, 1992, voters in Colorado approved a constitutional amendment
(the "Amendment") which, in general, became effective December 31, 1992, and
which could restrict the ability of the State and local governments to increase
revenues and impose taxes. The Amendment applies to the State and all local
governments, including home rule entities ("Districts"). Enterprises, defined as
government-owned businesses authorized to issue revenue bonds and receiving
under 10% of annual revenue in grants from all Colorado state and local
governments combined, are excluded from the provisions of the Amendment.
The provisions of the Amendment are unclear and have required judicial
interpretation. Among other provisions, beginning November 4, 1992, the
Amendment requires voter approval prior to tax increases, creation of debt, or
mill levy or valuation for assessment ratio increases. The Amendment also limits
increases in government spending and property tax revenues to specified
percentages. The Amendment requires that District property tax revenues yield no
more than the prior year's revenues adjusted for inflation, voter approved
changes and (except with regard to school districts) local growth in property
values according to a formula set forth in the Amendment. School districts are
allowed to adjust tax levies for changes in student enrollment. Pursuant to the
Amendment, local government spending is to be limited by the same formula as the
limitation for property tax revenues. The Amendment limits increases in
expenditures from the State General Fund and program revenues (cash funds) to
the growth in inflation plus the percentage change in state population in the
prior calendar year. The basis for spending and revenue limits for each fiscal
year is the prior fiscal year's spending and property taxes collected in the
prior calendar year. Debt service changes, reductions and voter-approved revenue
changes are excluded from the calculation bases. The Amendment also prohibits
new or increased real property transfer tax rates, new state real property taxes
and local district income taxes.
Litigation concerning several issues relating to the Amendment was filed in
the Colorado courts. The litigation dealt with three principal issues: (i)
whether Districts can increase mill levies to pay debt service on general
obligation bonds without obtaining voter approval; (ii) whether a multi-year
lease purchase agreement subject to annual appropriations is an obligation which
requires voter approval prior to execution of the agreement; and (iii) what
constitutes an "enterprise" which is excluded from the provisions of the
Amendment. In September 1994, the Colorado Supreme Court held that Districts can
increase mill levies to pay debt service on general obligation bonds issued
after the effective date of the Amendment; in June, 1995, the Colorado Supreme
Court validated mill levy increases to pay general obligation bonds issued prior
to the Amendment. In late 1994, the Colorado Court of Appeals held that
multi-year lease-purchase agreements subject to annual appropriation do not
require voter approval. The time to file an appeal in that case has expired.
Finally, in May, 1995, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that entities with the
power to levy taxes may not themselves be "enterprises" for purposes of the
Amendment; however, the Court did not address the issue of how valid enterprises
may be created.
Litigation in the "enterprise" arena may be filed in the future to clarify these
issues.
According to the Colorado Economic Perspective, Fourth Quarter, FY 1997-98,
June 12, 1998 (the "Economic Report"), inflation for 1996 was 3.5% and
population grew at the rate of 2.0% in Colorado. Accordingly, under the
Amendment, increases in State expenditures during the 1998 fiscal year are
limited to 5.5% over expenditures during the 1997 fiscal year. The 1997 fiscal
year is the base year for calculating the limitation for the 1998 fiscal year.
The limitation for the 1999 fiscal year is 5.3%, based on inflation of 3.3% and
population growth of 2.0% during 1997. For the 1997 fiscal year, General Fund
revenues totaled $4,639.9 million and program revenues (cash funds) totaled
$2,007.7 million, resulting in total base revenues of $6,647.6 million.
Expenditures for the 1998 fiscal year, therefore, cannot exceed $6,866.6
million. The 1998 fiscal year General Fund and program revenues (cash funds) are
expected to total $7,395.4 million, or $528.8 million more than expenditures
allowed under the spending limitation. This will be the second time the state
has breached the limit since its implementation in 1992. The first breach was in
1997 and the excess revenue of $139.0 million was refunded to Colorado taxpayers
during the 1998 tax filing season. A measure will be placed on the November 1998
ballot to deal with the excess revenue in fiscal year 1998. The measure proposes
spending the excess revenue either $200 million per year or $1 billion for five
years for highway construction and repair, K-12, safety needs, and higher
education building. The Economic Report estimates that the limit will be
breached by $494.1 million in fiscal year 1998-99.
There is also a statutory restriction on the amount of annual increases in
taxes that the various taxing jurisdictions in Colorado can levy without
electoral approval. This restriction does not apply to taxes levied to pay
general obligation debt.
State Finances. As the State experienced revenue shortfalls in the mid-1980s,
it adopted various measures, including impoundment of funds by the Governor,
reduction of appropriations by the General Assembly, a temporary increase in the
sales tax, deferral of certain tax reductions and inter-fund borrowings. On a
GAAP basis, the State had General Fund balances (before reserves) at June 30 of
approximately $405.1 million in fiscal year 1994, $486.7 million in fiscal year
1995, $368.5 million in fiscal year 1996 and $514.1 million in fiscal year 1997.
The fiscal year 1998 ending General Fund balance (before reserves) is projected
at $823.6 million.
Revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, showed Colorado's general
fund increasing after a slowdown in 1996. Revenues grew by $410.7 million to
$4,679.4 million, a 9.6% increase from 1996. This figure was higher than the
fiscal year 1996 pace of 6.8%. General Fund revenues exceeded expenditures by
$145.0 million. The turnaround in fiscal year 1997 came as a result of surging
corporate, use and individual income taxes, which rose 15.3%, 11.0% and 12.6%,
respectively.
For fiscal year 1997, the following tax categories generated the following
respective revenue percentages of the State's $4,679.4 million total gross
receipts: individual income taxes represented 55% of gross fiscal year 1997
receipts; sales, use and excise taxes represented 30.5% of gross fiscal year
1997 receipts; and corporate income taxes represented 5.1% of gross fiscal year
1997 receipts. The percentages of General Fund revenue generated by type of tax
for fiscal year 1998 are not expected to be significantly different from fiscal
year 1997 percentages.
For fiscal year 1998, General Fund revenues are projected at $5,339.7
million. Revenue growth is expected to increase 14.1% over FY 1997 actual
revenues. General fund expenditures are estimated at $4,733.7 million. The
ending General Fund balance for fiscal year 1998, after reserve set-asides, is
$646.6 million.
State Debt. Under its constitution, the State of Colorado is not permitted to
issue general obligation bonds secured by the full faith and credit of the
State. However, certain agencies and instrumentalities of the State are
authorized to issue bonds secured by revenues from specific projects and
activities. The State enters into certain lease transactions which are subject
to annual renewal at the option of the State. In addition, the State is
authorized to issue short-term revenue anticipation notes. Local governmental
units in the State are also authorized to incur indebtedness. The major source
of financing for such local government indebtedness is an ad valorem property
tax. In addition, in order to finance public projects, local governments in the
State can issue revenue bonds payable from the revenues of a utility or
enterprise or from the proceeds of an excise tax, or assessment bonds payable
from special assessments. Colorado local governments can also finance public
projects through leases which are subject to annual appropriation at the option
of the local government. Local governments in Colorado also issue tax
anticipation notes. The Amendment requires prior voter approval for the creation
of any multiple fiscal year debt or other financial obligation whatsoever,
except for refundings at a lower rate or obligations of an enterprise.
State Economy. Based on data published by the Colorado Department of Labor
and Employment, total wage and salary employment in 1997 was 1,977,000
(seasonally adjusted). This was an increase of 76,600 from 1996. Services and
trade were the number one and two largest growing industries in Colorado in
1997, followed by the finance, insurance, and real estate sector. Construction
was the fourth largest source of employment growth in 1997.
The annual average unemployment rate in Colorado from 1994 to 1996 remained
stable at 4.2%. In 1997, the unemployment rate in Colorado dropped to 3.3% while
the nation's unemployment rate was 5.0%. Colorado's job growth rate increased
4.0% in 1997, an increase from the 3.6% growth rate in 1996. In comparison, the
job growth rate for the United States in 1996 and 1997 was 2.0% and 2.3%,
respectively. Total nonagricultural employment in Colorado is expected to
increase 3.9% in 1998.
Personal income rose 7.2% in Colorado during 1997 as compared with 5.8% for
the nation as a whole. In 1998, Colorado's personal income is expected to
increase 6.7%, outpacing the nation's 1998 estimated rate of 5.4%.
The year 1998 will look much like 1997. There will be some slowing of
population, housing starts and employment, but the outlook is still strong.
Economic conditions in the State may have continuing effects on other
governmental units within the State (including issuers of the Bonds in the
Colorado Trust), which, to varying degrees, have also experienced reduced
revenues as a result of recessionary conditions and other factors.
ESTIMATED CASH FLOWS TO UNITHOLDERS
The tables below set forth the per Unit estimated monthly and semi-annual
distributions of interest and principal to Unitholders. The tables assume no
changes in expenses, no changes in the current interest rates, no exchanges,
redemptions, sales or prepayments of the underlying Bonds prior to maturity or
expected retirement date and the receipt of principal upon maturity or expected
retirement date. To the extent the foregoing assumptions change actual
distributions will vary.
<TABLE>
IM-IT
MONTHLY
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
DISTRIBUTION DATES INTEREST PRINCIPAL TOTAL
(EACH MONTH) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
September 1998 $ 2.07 $ 2.07
October 1998 - August 2009 3.89 3.89
September 2009 3.50 $108.99 112.49
October 2009 - November 2009 3.42 3.42
December 2009 2.90 217.98 220.88
January 2010 - March 2010 2.50 2.50
April 2010 2.36 108.99 111.35
May 2010 - June 2020 2.04 2.04
July 2020 1.97 54.50 56.47
August 2020 - May 2022 1.82 1.82
June 2022 1.68 108.99 110.67
July 2022 - August 2026 1.38 1.38
September 2026 1.38 49.59 50.97
October 2026 - December 2026 1.38 1.38
January 2027 1.28 83.38 84.66
February 2027 - December 2027 1.04 1.04
January 2028 .90 108.99 109.89
February 2028 - June 2028 .59 .59
July 2028 .45 108.99 109.44
August 2028 - November 2028 .15 .15
December 2028 48.51 48.51
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
SEMI-ANNUAL
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTION DATES
(EACH DECEMBER AND ESTIMATED ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
JUNE UNLESS INTEREST PRINCIPAL TOTAL
OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
December 1998 $13.87 $ 13.87
June 1999 - June 2009 23.57 23.57
September 2009 $108.99 108.99
December 2009 21.25 217.98 239.23
April 2010 108.99 108.99
June 2010 14.10 14.10
December 2010 - June 2020 12.38 12.38
July 2020 54.50 54.50
December 2020 11.20 11.20
June 2021 - December 2021 11.05 11.05
June 2022 10.92 108.99 119.91
December 2022 - June 2026 8.39 8.39
September 2026 49.59 49.59
December 2026 8.39 8.39
January 2027 83.38 83.38
June 2027 6.56 6.56
December 2027 6.32 6.32
January 2028 108.99 108.99
June 2028 3.91 3.91
July 2028 108.99 108.99
December 2028 1.08 48.51 49.59
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
COLORADO
MONTHLY
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
DISTRIBUTION DATES INTEREST PRINCIPAL TOTAL
(EACH MONTH) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
September 1998 $ 2.01 $ 2.01
October 1998 - November 2009 3.77 3.77
December 2009 2.81 $271.06 273.87
January 2010 - December 2017 2.62 2.62
January 2018 2.45 49.29 51.74
February 2018 - August 2022 2.42 2.42
September 2022 2.42 49.29 51.71
October 2022 - May 2023 2.42 2.42
June 2023 2.24 147.85 150.09
July 2023 - November 2025 1.81 1.81
December 2025 1.67 123.21 124.88
January 2026 - May 2026 1.32 1.32
June 2026 1.17 123.22 124.39
July 2026 - August 2026 .82 .82
September 2026 .67 123.21 123.88
October 2026 - June 2028 .32 .32
July 2028 .20 98.57 98.77
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
SEMI-ANNUAL
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTION DATES
(EACH JANUARY AND ESTIMATED ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
JULY UNLESS INTEREST PRINCIPAL TOTAL
OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
January 1999 $17.30 $ 17.30
July 1999 - July 2009 22.90 22.90
December 2009 $271.06 271.06
January 2010 20.77 20.77
July 2010 - July 2017 15.94 15.94
January 2018 15.78 49.29 65.07
July 2018 - July 2022 14.74 14.74
September 2022 49.29 49.29
January 2023 14.74 14.74
June 2023 147.85 147.85
July 2023 13.96 13.96
January 2024 - July 2025 11.06 11.06
December 2025 123.21 123.21
January 2026 10.41 10.41
June 2026 123.22 123.22
July 2026 7.40 7.40
September 2026 123.21 123.21
January 2027 2.88 2.88
July 2027 - January 2028 2.03 2.03
July 2028 1.91 98.57 100.48
</TABLE>
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Amendment of Registration Statement comprises the following papers and
documents: The facing sheet and the Cross-Reference sheet The Prospectus and the
signatures The consents of independent public accountants, ratings services and
legal counsel The following exhibits:
1.1 Copy of Trust Agreement.
1.4 Copy of municipal bond insurance policy (if applicable).
1.5 Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters. Reference is made to
Exhibit 1.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 for Insured
Municipals Income Trust, 228th Insured Multi-Series (File No. 333-36891)
as filed on January 29, 1998.
3.1 Opinion and consent of counsel as to legality of securities being
registered.
3.2 Opinion of counsel as to the Federal and Colorado income tax status of
securities being registered.
3.3 Opinion and consent of counsel as to New York income tax status of the
Fund under New York law.
4.1 Consent of Interactive Data Corporation.
4.2 Consent of Standard & Poor's with respect to the Insured Trusts.
4.3 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
EX-27 Financial Data Schedules.
SIGNATURES
The Registrant, Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured
Multi-Series hereby identifies Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 300, Insured Municipals Income Trust,
77th Insured Multi-Series and Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 189 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, Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series has duly
caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State
of Illinois on the 19th day of August, 1998.
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
234th INSURED MULTI-SERIES
By VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
By GINA M. COSTELLO
Assistant Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below on August 19, 1998
by the following persons who constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
SIGNATURE TITLE
Don G. Powell Chairman and Chief Executive )
Officer )
John H. Zimmerman President and Chief )
Operating Officer
Ronald A. Nyberg Executive Vice President and )
General Counsel
William R. Rybak Executive Vice President and )
Chief Financial Officer )
GINA M. COSTELLO
(Attorney-in-fact*)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* An executed copy of each of the related powers of attorney was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-6 of Van Kampen American Capital Equity Opportunity Trust, Series 64
(file No. 33-33087) and Van Kampen American Capital Equity Opportunity Trust,
Series 87 (file No. 333-44581) and the same are incorporated herein by this
reference.
EXHIBIT 1.1
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated: August 19, 1998
This Trust Agreement between Van Kampen Funds Inc., as Depositor,
American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen Investment
Advisory Corp., as Evaluator, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, sets forth
certain provisions in full and incorporates other provisions by reference to the
document entitled "Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust, For Van Kampen
American Capital Distributors, Inc. Tax-Exempt Trust, Dated March 16, 1995"
(herein called the "Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust"), and such
provisions as are set forth in full and such provisions as are incorporated by
reference constitute a single instrument. All references herein to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust.
WITNESSETH THAT:
In consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein
contained, the Depositor and the Trustee agree as follows:
PART I
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST
Subject to the provisions of Part II hereof, all the provisions
contained in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust are herein incorporated
by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this
instrument as fully and to the same extent as though said provisions had been
set forth in full in this instrument.
PART II
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST
The following special terms and conditions are hereby agreed to:
(a) The Bonds defined in Section 1.01(4), listed in the
Schedules hereto, have been deposited in the Trusts under this Trust
Agreement.
(b) The fractional undivided interest in and ownership of the
various Trusts represented by each Unit thereof is a fractional amount,
the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the
amount set forth under "Summary of Essential Financial
Information__Number of Units" in the related Prospectus Part I.
(c) The approximate amounts, if any, which the Trustee shall
be required to advance out of its own funds and cause to be paid to the
Depositor pursuant to Section 3.05 shall be the amount per Unit that
the Trustee agreed to reduce its fee or pay Trust expenses set forth in
the footnotes in the related Prospectus Part I times the number of
units in such Trust referred to in Part II (b) of this Trust Agreement.
(d) The First General Record Date and the amount of the
second distribution of funds from the Interest Account of each Trust
shall be the record date for the Interest Account and the amount set
forth under "Summary of Essential Financial Information-Estimated
Distributions - Initial Distribution" in the related Prospectus Part I.
(e) The First Settlement Date shall be the date set forth in
the footnotes to the "Summary of Essential Financial Information" in
the related Prospectus Part I.
(f) Any monies held to purchase "when issued" bonds will be
held in noninterest bearing accounts.
(g) The Evaluation Time for purpose of sale, purchase or
redemption of Units shall be the close of the New York Stock Exchange.
(h) As set forth in Section 3.05, the Record Dates and
Distribution Dates for each Trust are those dates set forth under
"Summary of Essential Financial Information - Estimated Distributions"
in the related Prospectus Part I.
(i) As set forth in Section 3.15, the Evaluator's Annual
Supervisory Fee shall be that amount set forth in "Summary of Essential
Financial Information-Expenses-Evaluator's Supervisory Fee" in
Prospectus Part I.
(j) As set forth in Section 4.03, the Evaluator's Annual
Evaluation Fee shall be that amount, and computed on that basis, set
forth in "Summary of Essential Financial
Information-Expenses-Evaluator's Evaluation Fee" in the related
Prospectus Part I
(k) The Trustee's annual compensation as set forth under
Section 6.04, under each distribution plan shall be that amount as
specified in the related Prospectus Part I under the section entitled
"Summary of Essential Financial Information-Expenses-Trustee's Fee" and
will include a fee to induce the Trustee to advance funds to meet
scheduled distributions.
(l) The sixth paragraph of Section 3.05 is hereby revoked and
replaced by the following paragraph:
Unitholders desiring to receive semi-annual distributions and who purchase
their Units prior to the Record Date for the second distribution under the
monthly plan of distribution may elect at the time of purchase to receive
distributions on a semi-annual basis by notice to the Trustee. Such notice shall
be effective with respect to subsequent distributions until changed by further
notice to the Trustee. Unitholders desiring to receive semi-annual distributions
and who purchase their Units prior to the Record Date for the first distribution
may elect at the time of purchase to receive distributions on a semi-annual
basis by notice to the Trustee. Such notice shall be effective with respect to
subsequent distributions until changed by further notice to the Trustee. Changes
in the plan of distribution will become effective as of opening of business on
the day after the next succeeding semi-annual Record Date and such distributions
will continue until further notice.
(m) Sections 8.02(d) and 8.02(e) are hereby revoked and replaced with the
following:
(d) distribute to each Unitholder of such Trust such holder's pro rata share
of the balance of the Interest Account of such Trust;
(e) distribute to each Unitholder of such Trust such holder's pro rata share
of the balance of the Principal Account of such Trust; and
(n) Section 1.01(1) and (3) shall be replaced in their entirety by the
following:
(1) "Depositor" shall mean Van Kampen Funds Inc. and its successors in
interest, or any successor depositor appointed as hereinafter provided.
(3) "Evaluator" shall mean American Portfolio Evaluation Services (a
division of Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.) and its successors in
interest, or any successor evaluator appointed as hereinafter provided.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Trust Agreement to
be executed and their corporate seals to be hereto affixed and attested; all as
of the day, month and year first above written.
VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
By JAMES J. BOYNE
Vice President
(SEAL)
Attest:
By NICHOLAS DALMASO
Assistant Secretary
AMERICAN PORTFOLIO EVALUATION SERVICEs,
a division of Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.
By JAMES J. BOYNE
Vice President
(SEAL)
Attest:
By NICHOLAS DALMASO
Assistant Secretary
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By JEFFREY COHEN
Vice President
(SEAL)
Attest:
By ROBERT WEIR
Assistant Treasurer
SCHEDULES TO TRUST AGREEMENT
SECURITIES INITIALLY DEPOSITED
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
(Note: Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below are the
corresponding "Portfolio" of each of the Trusts as set forth in the related
Prospectus Part I.)
EXHIBIT 3.1
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
August 19, 1998
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Re: INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel for Van Kampen Funds Inc., as Sponsor and
Depositor of Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series
(hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of a Trust Agreement dated August 19, 1998 between Van
Kampen Funds Inc., as Depositor, American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a
division of Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp., as Evaluator, and The Bank of
New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Depositor has delivered to and
deposited Bonds listed in the Schedules to the Trust Agreement with the Trustee
and pursuant to which the Trustee has issued to or on the order of the Depositor
a certificate or certificates representing Units of fractional undivided
interest in and ownership of the several Trusts of said Fund (hereinafter
referred to as the "Units") created under said Trust Agreement.
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 Agreement and the
execution and issuance of certificates evidencing the Units in the
several Trusts of the Fund have been duly authorized; and
2. The certificates evidencing the Units in the several
Trusts of the Fund when duly executed and delivered by the Depositor
and the Trustee in accordance with the aforementioned Trust 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. 333-59233) 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
EXHIBIT 3.2
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
August 19, 1998
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286
Re: INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST, 234TH INSURED MULTI-SERIES
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Van Kampen Funds Inc., Depositor of
Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series (the "Fund"), in
connection with the issuance of Units of fractional undivided interest in the
several trusts of said Fund (the "Trusts") under a Trust Agreement dated August
19, 1998 (the "Indenture") between Van Kampen Funds Inc., as Depositor, American
Portfolio Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen Investment Advisory
Corp., as Evaluator, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.
In this connection, we have examined the Registration Statement, the
form of Prospectus proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Indenture and such other instruments and documents as we have
deemed pertinent. For purposes of the following opinions, it is assumed that
each asset of the Trusts is debt the interest on which is excluded from gross
income for federal income tax purposes.
Based upon the foregoing and upon an investigation of such matters of
law as we consider to be applicable, we are of the opinion that, under existing
Federal income tax law:
(i) Each Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation
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 in the proportion that the
number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total number of
Units outstanding 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 of the respective Trust in the proportion described,
and an item of Trust income will have the same character in the hands
of a Unitholder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.
Accordingly, to the extent that the income of 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 Unitholders, 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 respective Trust. In the
case of such Unitholder who is a substantial user (and no other)
interest received 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 Section 56(c) of the Code, and the branch profits tax
imposed by Section 884 of the Code with respect 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 the Units represented by his Certificate. If a Bond is
acquired with accrued interest, that portion of the price paid for the
accrued interest is added to the tax basis of the Bond. When this
accrued interest is received, it is treated as a return of capital and
reduces the tax basis of the Bond. If a Bond is purchased for a
premium, the amount of the premium is added to the tax basis of the
Bond. Bond premium is amortized over the remaining term of the Bond,
and the tax basis of the Bond is reduced each tax year by the amount of
the premium amortized in that tax year. Accordingly, Unitholders must
reduce the tax basis of their Units for their share of accrued interest
received by the respective Trust, if any, on Bonds delivered after the
Unitholders pay for their Units to the extent that such interest
accrued on such Bonds before the date the Trust acquired ownership of
the Bonds (and the amount of this reduction may exceed the amount of
accrued interest paid to the seller) and, consequently, such
Unitholders may have an increase in taxable gain or reduction in
capital loss upon the disposition of such Units. In addition, such
basis will be increased by the Unitholder's aliquot share of the
accrued original issue discount (and market discount, if the Unitholder
elects to include market discount in income as it accrues) with respect
to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which there was original
issue discount at the time the Bond was issued (or which was purchased
with market discount) and reduced by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.
(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
accrued interest received by the Trust, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholders pay for their Units to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds before the date the Trust acquired
ownership of the Bonds (and the amount of this reduction may exceed the
amount of accrued interest paid to the seller), 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 the accrued original
issue discount (and market discount, if the Unitholder elects to
include market discount in income as it accrues) with respect to each
Bond which, at the time the Bond was issued, had original issue
discount (or which was purchased with market 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) We have examined the Municipal Bond Unit Investment Trust
Insurance Policies, if any, issued to certain of the Trusts on the Date
of Deposit by AMBAC Assurance Corporation, Financial Guaranty Insurance
Corporation or a combination thereof. Each such policy, or a
combination of such policies, insures all bonds held by the Trustee for
that particular Trust (other than bonds described in paragraph (vii))
against default in the prompt payment of principal and interest. In our
opinion, any amount paid under each said policy, or a combination of
said policies, which represents 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 in normal course by the issuer of the defaulted
Bonds 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 insurance proceeds
representing maturing interest.
(vii) Certain Bonds in the portfolios of certain of the Trusts
have been insured by the issuers thereof against default in the prompt
payment of principal and interest (the "Insured Bonds"). Insurance has
been obtained for such Insured Bonds, or, in the case of a commitment,
the Bonds will be ultimately insured under the terms of such an
insurance policy, which are designated as issuer Insured Bonds on the
portfolio pages of the respective Trusts in the Prospectus for the
Fund, by the issuer of such Insured Bonds. Insurance on Insured Bonds
is effective so long as such Insured Bonds remain outstanding. For each
of these Insured Bonds, we have been advised that the aggregate
principal amount of such Insured Bonds listed on the portfolio page for
the respective Trust was acquired by the applicable Trust and are part
of the series of such Insured Bonds listed in the aggregate principal
amount. Based upon the assumption that the Insured Bonds of the Trust
are part of the series covered by an insurance policy or, in the case
of a commitment, will be ultimately insured under the terms of such an
insurance policy, it is our opinion that any amounts received by the
applicable Trust representing maturing interest on such Insured Bonds
will be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same extent
as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid in normal
course by the 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
Insured Bonds, rather than the insurer, will pay debt service on the
Insured Bonds. Paragraph (ii) of this opinion is accordingly applicable
to such payment.
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 Bonds on the date a Unitholder acquires his Units, and the price
the Unitholder pays for his Units.
Because the Trusts do not include any "private activity" bonds within
the meaning of Section 141 of the Code issued on or after August 8, 1986, none
of the Trust Funds' 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
alternative minimum tax depends 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 of a corporation (other than an S Corporation, Regulated
Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, REMIC or FASIT) for taxable
years beginning after 1989, 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 operating loss
deduction). "Adjusted current earnings" includes 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 provides for a reduction in each taxable year
of 100 percent 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
generally 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.
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 is not
deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by the Internal
Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of Units may
be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though the borrowed
funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Units. However, these rules
generally do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness incurred 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) subject to a statutory
de minimis rule. 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 have also examined the income tax law of the State of Colorado,
which is based upon the Federal Law, to determine its applicability to the
Colorado IM-IT Trust (the "Colorado Trust") being created as part of the Fund
and to the holders of Units in the Colorado Trust who are residents of the State
of Colorado ("Colorado Unitholders"). The assets of the Colorado Trust will
consist of interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of
Colorado ("Colorado") or counties, municipalities, authorities or political
subdivisions thereof (the "Colorado Bonds") or by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico (the "Puerto Rico Bonds") (collectively, the "Bonds"). Although we express
no opinion with respect to the issuance of the Bonds, in rendering our opinion
expressed herein, we have assumed that: (i) 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; (ii) with
respect to the Colorado Bonds, bond counsel to the issuing authorities rendered
opinions as to the exemption of interest from the income tax imposed by the
State of Colorado that is applicable to individuals and corporations (the "State
Income Tax") and, (iii) with respect to the Possession Bonds, bond counsel to
the issuing authorities rendered opinions as to the exemption from all state and
local income taxation of the Possession Bonds and the interest thereon. Neither
the Sponsor nor its counsel has made any review for the Colorado Trust of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of the bases for the
opinions rendered in connection therewith. This opinion does not address the
taxation of persons other than full time residents of Colorado. Based upon the
foregoing it is our opinion that under Colorado income tax law, as presently
enacted and construed:
a) The Colorado Trust is not an association taxable as a
corporation for purposes of Colorado income taxation.
(b) Each Colorado Unitholder will be treated as owning a
pro-rata share of each asset of the Colorado Trust for Colorado income
tax purposes in the proportion that the number of Units of such Trust
held by him bears to the total number of outstanding Units of the
Colorado Trust, and the income of the Colorado Trust will therefore be
treated as the income of each Colorado Unitholder under Colorado law in
the proportion described and an item of income of the Colorado Trust
will have the same character in the hands of a Colorado Unitholder as
it would have in the hands of the Trustee.
(c) Gain or loss will be recognized by a Colorado 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 the Units represented by his Certificate. Before adjustment,
such basis would normally be cost if the Colorado Unitholder has
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by
the Trustee to the Colorado Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered
after the Colorado Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on such Bonds during the period from the Colorado
Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to
the Colorado Trust, but only to the extent that such advances are to be
repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by such Trust with
respect to such Bonds. In addition, such basis will be increased by the
Colorado Unitholder's aliquot share of the accrued original issue
discount with respect to each Bond held by such Trust with respect to
which there was an original issue discount at the time such Bond was
issued and reduced by the annual amortization of Bond premium, if any,
on the Bonds held by the Colorado Trust.
(d) If the Trustee disposes of a Bond (whether by sale,
payment on maturity, redemption or otherwise) gain or loss is
recognized to the Colorado Unitholder and the amount thereof is
measured by comparing the Colorado Unitholder's aliquot share of the
total proceeds from the transaction with his basis for his fractional
interest in the bond disposed of. Such basis is ascertained by
apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each of the Bonds (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 Colorado Unitholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each Bond must be reduced by the amount of his
aliquot share of interest received by the Colorado Trust, if any, in
Bonds delivered after the Colorado Unitholder's settlement date to the
extent that such interest accrued on such Bonds during the period from
the Colorado Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Colorado Trust, must be reduced by the annual
amortization of Bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by such Trust and
must be increased by the Colorado Unitholder's share of the accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond which, at the time
such Bond was issued, had original issue discount.
(e) If interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a
Colorado Unitholder to purchase Units in the Colorado Trust is not
deductible for Federal income tax purposes, it will also be
nondeductible for Colorado income tax purposes.
(f) So long as the Colorado Trust holds Colorado Bonds
issued, on or after May 1, 1980, then to the extent the interest on the
Colorado Bonds is excludable from Federal gross income of a Colorado
Unitholder pursuant to Section 103 of the Code, such interest will be
excludable from Colorado adjusted gross income of such Unitholder.
(g) To the extent that interest income derived from the
Colorado Trust by a Unitholder with respect to Puerto Rico Bonds is
exempt from state taxes pursuant to 48 U.S.C. ss.745, such interest
will not be subject to the Colorado State Income Tax.
(h) Any amounts paid under an insurance policy issued to the
Colorado Trust which represent maturing interest on defaulted Bonds
held by the Trustee will be excludable from Colorado adjusted gross
income if, and to the same extent as, such interest is excludable for
Federal income tax purposes. Paragraph (f) of this opinion is
accordingly applicable to insurance proceeds representing maturing
interest.
(i) Certain of the Bonds in the Colorado Trust have been
insured by the issuers thereof against default in the prompt payment of
principal and interest. Based upon the exemptions and assumptions
referred to above, it is our opinion that any amounts received by the
Colorado Trust representing maturing interest on such Bonds will be
excludable from Colorado adjusted gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest is so excludable for Federal income tax
purposes if paid in the normal course by the issuer notwithstanding
that the source of the payment is from insurance proceeds provided
that, at the time such insurance policies are purchased, the amounts
paid for such insurance 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 (f) of this opinion is accordingly applicable to such
payment, representing maturing interest.
We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited and held in the
Colorado Trust or the proceedings for the issuance thereof or the opinions of
bond counsel with respect thereto, and therefore express no opinion with respect
to taxation under any other provisions of the Colorado law. Ownership of the
Units may result in collateral Colorado tax consequences to certain taxpayers.
Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors as to the applicability
of any such collateral consequences.
Very truly yours,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
EXHIBIT 3.3
WINSTON & STRAWN
200 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10166-4193
August 19, 1998
Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series
c/o The Bank of New York, As Trustee
101 Barclay Street, 17 West
New York, New York 10286
Dear Sirs:
We have acted as special counsel for the Insured Municipals Income
Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series (the "Fund") consisting of Insured Municipals
Income Trust, Series 401 and Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 87
(in the aggregate "Trusts" and individually "Trust") for the purpose of
determining the applicability of certain New York taxes under the circumstances
hereinafter described.
The Fund is created pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture"),
dated as of today (the "Date of Deposit") among Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the
"Depositor"), American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen
Investment Advisory Corp., as Evaluator, and The Bank of New York as Trustee
(the "Trustee"). As described in the prospectus relating to the Fund dated today
to be filed as an amendment to a registration statement previously filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (File Number 333-59233) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Prospectus" and the "Registration
Statement"), the objectives of the Fund are the generation of income exempt from
Federal taxation and as regards the Trusts denominated with a state name exempt
from income tax, if any, of the State denominated in the name of that Trust to
the extent indicated in the Prospectus, . No opinion is expressed herein with
regard to the Federal or State (other than New York) tax aspects of the bonds,
the Fund, the Trusts, units of each Trust (the "Units"), or any interest, gains
or losses in respect thereof.
As more fully set forth in the Indenture and in the Prospectus, the
activities of the Trustee will include the following:
On the Date of Deposit, the Depositor will deposit with the Trustee
with respect to each Trust, the total principal amount of interest bearing
obligations and/or contracts for the purchase thereof together with an
irrevocable letter of credit in the amount required for the purchase price and
accrued interest, if any, along with an insurance policy purchased by the
Depositor evidencing the insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal
and interest of some of the obligations comprising the corpus of the Trusts
other than those obligations the timely payment of principal and interest of
which are guaranteed by an insurance policy purchased by the issuer thereof or a
prior owner, which may include the Depositor prior to the Date of Deposit, all
as more fully set forth in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement with
respect to each Trust.
We understand that with respect to the obligations described in the
preceding paragraph all insurance policies, whether purchased by the Depositor,
the issuer or a prior owner, provide, or will provide, that the amount paid by
the insurer in respect of any bond may not exceed the amount of principal and
interest due on the bond and such payment will in no event relieve the issuer
from its continuing obligation to pay such defaulted principal and interest in
accordance with the terms of the obligation.
The Trustee will not participate in the selection of the obligations to
be deposited in the Fund, and, upon the receipt thereof, will deliver to the
Depositor a registered certificate for the number of Units representing the
entire corpus of each Trust as more fully set forth in the Prospectus and the
Registration Statement. The Units, which are represented by certificates (the
"Certificates"), will be offered to the public by the Prospectus upon the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
The duties of the Trustee, which are ministerial in nature, will
consist primarily of crediting the appropriate accounts with interest received
by each Trust and with the proceeds from the disposition of obligations held in
each Trust and the distribution of such interest and proceeds to the Unit
holders of that Trust. The Trustee will also maintain records of the registered
holders of Certificates representing an interest in each Trust and administer
the redemption of Units by such Certificate holders and may perform certain
administrative functions with respect to an automatic investment option.
Generally, obligations held in the Fund may be removed therefrom by the
Trustee only upon redemption prior to their stated maturity, at the direction of
the Depositor in the event of an advance refunding or upon the occurrence of
certain other specified events which adversely affect the sound investment
character of the Fund, such as default by the issuer in payment of interest or
principal on the obligation and no provision for payment is made therefor either
pursuant to the portfolio insurance or otherwise and the Depositor fails to
instruct the Trustee, within thirty (30) days after notification, to hold such
obligation.
Prior to the termination of the Fund, the Trustee is empowered to sell
Bonds, from a list furnished by the Depositor, and only for the purposes of
redeeming Units tendered to it and of paying expenses for which funds are not
available. The Trustee does not have the power to vary the investment of any
Unit holder in the Fund, and under no circumstances may the proceeds of sale of
any obligations held by the Fund be used to purchase new obligations to be held
therein.
Article 9-A of the New York Tax Law imposes a franchise tax on business
corporations, and, for purposes of that Article, Section 208(1) defines the term
"corporation" to include, among other things, "any business conducted by a
trustee or trustees wherein interest or ownership is evidenced by certificate or
other written instrument."
The Regulations promulgated under Section 208 provide as follows:
The term "trust" includes any business conducted by a trustee
or trustees in which interest or ownership is evidenced by
certificate or other written instrument. Such a trust
includes, but is not limited to, an association commonly
referred to as a "business trust" or "Massachusetts trust". In
determining whether a trustee or trustees are conducting a
business, the form of the agreement is of significance but is
not controlling. The actual activities of the trustee or
trustees, not their purposes and powers, will be regarded as
decisive factors in determining whether a trust is subject to
tax under Article 9-A. The mere investment of funds and the
collection of income therefrom, with incidental replacement of
securities and reinvestment of funds, does not constitute the
conduct of a business in the case of a trust. 20 NYCRR
1-2.5(b)(2) (July 11, 1990).
New York cases dealing with the question of whether a trust will be subject
to the franchise tax have also delineated the general rule that where a trustee
merely invests funds and collects and distributes the income therefrom, the
trust is not engaged in business and is not subject to the franchise tax.
BURRELL V. LYNCH, 274 A.D. 347, 84 N.Y.S.2d 171 (3rd Dept. 1948), ORDER
RESETTLED, 274 A.D. 1073, 85 N.Y.S.2d 705 (3rd Dept. 1949).
In an opinion of the Attorney General of the State of New York, 47 N.Y.
Att'y. Gen. Rep. 213 (Nov. 24, 1942), it was held that where the trustee of an
unincorporated investment trust was without authority to reinvest amounts
received upon the sales of securities and could dispose of securities making up
the trust only upon the happening of certain specified events or the existence
of certain specified conditions, the trust was not subject to the franchise tax.
In the instant situation, the Trustee is not empowered to, and we
assume will not, sell obligations contained in the corpus of the Fund and
reinvest the proceeds therefrom. Further, the power to sell such obligations is
limited to circumstances in which the creditworthiness or soundness of the
obligation is in question or in which cash is needed to pay redeeming Unit
holders or to pay expenses, or where the Fund is liquidated pursuant to the
termination of the Indenture. Only in circumstances in which the issuer of an
obligation attempts to refinance it can the Trustee exchange an obligation for a
new security. In substance, the Trustee will merely collect and distribute
income and will not reinvest any income or proceeds, and the Trustee has no
power to vary the investment of any Unit holder in the Fund.
Under Subpart E of Part I, Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the grantor of a trust will be
deemed to be the owner of the trust under certain circumstances, and therefore
taxable on his proportionate interest in the income thereof. Where this Federal
tax rule applies, the income attributed to the grantor will also be income to
him for New York income tax purposes. (See TSB-M-78(9)(C), New York Department
of Taxation and Finance, June 23, 1978.)
By letter, dated today, Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, counsel for the
Depositor, rendered their opinion that each Unit holder of a Trust will be
considered as owning a share of each asset of that Trust in the proportion that
the number of Units held by such holder bears to the total number of Units
outstanding and the income of a Trust will be treated as the income of each Unit
holder of that Trust in said proportion pursuant to Subpart E of Part I,
Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Code.
Based on the foregoing and on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and
Cutler, counsel for the Depositor, dated today, upon which we specifically rely,
we are of the opinion that under existing laws, rulings, and court decisions
interpreting the laws of the State and City of New York:
1. Each Trust will not constitute an association taxable as
a corporation under New York law, and, accordingly, will not be subject
to tax on its income under the New York State franchise tax or the New
York City general corporation tax.
2. The income of each Trust will be treated as the income of the Unit
holders under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York.
3. Unit holders who are not residents of the State of New
York are not subject to the income tax law thereof with respect to any
interest or gain derived from the Fund or any gain from the sale or
other disposition of the Units, except to the extent that such interest
or gain is from property employed in a business, trade, profession or
occupation carried on in the State of New York.
In addition, we are of the opinion no New York State stock transfer tax
will be payable in respect of any transfer of the Certificates by reason of the
exemption contained in paragraph (a) of Subdivision 8 of Section 270 of the New
York Tax Law.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement relating to the Units and to the use of our name and the
reference to us in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus.
Very truly yours,
WINSTON & STRAWN
EXHIBIT 4.1
Interactive Data
14 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
August 19, 1998
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Re: Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series
(A Unit Investment Trust) Registered Under the Securities Act of 1933
FILE NO. 333-59233
Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement for the above captioned
Fund.
We hereby consent to the reference in the Prospectus and Registration
Statement for the above captioned Fund to Interactive Data Corporation, as the
Evaluator, and to the use of the obligations prepared by us which are referred
to in such Prospectus and Statement.
You are authorized to file copies of this letter with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Very truly yours,
James Perry
Vice President
Exhibit 4.2
Standard & Poor's
A division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
25 Broadway
New York, New York 10004-1064
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Re: Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th Insured Multi-Series - consisting of:
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 401
Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 87
Pursuant to your request for a Standard & Poor's rating on the units of
the above-captioned trust, SEC #333-59233, we have reviewed the information
presented to us and have assigned a `AAA' rating to the units of the trust and a
`AAA' rating to the securities contained in the trust for as long as they remain
in the trust. The ratings are direct reflections, of the portfolio of the trust,
which will be composed solely of securities covered by bond insurance policies
that insure against default in the payment of principal and interest on the
securities so long as they remain in the trust. Since such policies have been
issued by one or more insurance companies which have been assigned a `AAA'
claims paying ability rating by S&P, S&P has assigned a `AAA' rating to the
units of the trust and to the securities contained in the trust for as long as
they remain in the trust.
Standard & Poor's will maintain surveillance on the "AAA" Rating Until
September 19, 1999. On this date, the rating will be automatically withdrawn by
Standard & Poor's unless a post effective letter is requested by the trust.
You have permission to use the name of Standard & Poor's Corporation
and the above-assigned ratings in connection with your dissemination of
information relating to these units, provided that it is understood that the
ratings are not "market" ratings nor recommendations to buy, hold, or sell the
units of the trust or the securities contained in the trust. Further, it should
be understood the rating on the units does not take into account the extent to
which fund expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the fund's purchase
price will reduce payment to the unit holders of the interest and 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 in the
registration statement or prospectus relating to the units or the trust.
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 the name of
Standard & Poor's Corporation in connection with the ratings assigned to the
securities contained in the trust. 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 the representations made to
us, we reserve the right to withdraw the rating.
We are pleased to have had the opportunity to be of service to you. If we
can be of further help, please do not hesitate to call upon us.
Sincerely,
Sanford B. Bragg
Managing Director
EXHIBIT 4.3
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
We have issued our report dated August 19, 1998 on the statements of
condition and related bond portfolios of Insured Municipals Income Trust, 234th
Insured Multi-Series (IM-IT 401 and Colorado IM-IT 87 Trusts) as of August 19,
1998 contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-6 and Prospectus. We
consent to the use of our report in the Registration Statement and Prospectus
and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption "Trust
Administration-Independent Certified Public Accountants" in Part II of the
Prospectus.
GRANT THORNTON LLP
Chicago, Illinois
August 19, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This report reflects the current time period taken from 487 on August 19, 1998.
It is unaudited
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 401
<NAME> IM-IT
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> AUG-19-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-19-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 8,725,461
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 8,725,461
<RECEIVABLES> 79,110
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,804,571
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 79,110
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 79,110
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 8,725,461
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 9,175
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 8,725,461
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 0
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 0
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This report reflects the current time period taken from 487 on August 19, 1998.
It is unaudited
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 87
<NAME> Colorado
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> AUG-19-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-19-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,929,588
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,929,588
<RECEIVABLES> 25,850
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,955,438
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 25,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 25,850
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,929,588
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,029
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 1,929,588
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 0
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 0
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
