File No. 333-30333
CIK #896956
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 and Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
B. Name of Depositor: Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, 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 American Capital Distributors, 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 November 17, 1997 pursuant to Rule 487.
Insured Municipals Income Trust and
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust
Multi-Series 296
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-Introduction
) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Trust Administration
3. Name and address of Trustee ) Part II-Introduction
) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Trust Administration
4. Name and address of principal ) Part I-Other Matters-Underwriting
underwriter )
5. Organization of trust ) Part II-Introduction
6. Execution and termination of ) Part II-Introduction
Trust Indenture and Agreement ) Part II-Trust 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-Introduction
trust's securities and rights ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
of security holders ) Part II-Trust Administration
11. Type of securities comprising ) Part II-Introduction
units ) Part I-Trust Information
) Part I-Portfolios
12. Certain information regarding ) *
periodic payment certificates )
13. (a) Load, fees, charges and ) Part II-Introduction
expenses ) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part I-Trust Information
) Part II-Trust Administration
(b) Certain information regard- ) *
ing periodic payment plan )
certificates )
(c) Certain percentages ) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
(d) Certain other fees, ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
expenses or charges ) Part II-Trust Administration
payable by holders )
(e) Certain profits to be ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
received by depositor, ) Part I-Other Matters-Underwriting
principal underwriter, ) Part I-Notes to Portfolios
trustee or affiliated )
persons )
(f) Ratio of annual charges ) *
to income )
14. Issuance of trust's securities ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
15. Receipt and handling of payments ) *
from purchasers )
16. Acquisition and disposition of ) Part II-Introduction
underlying securities ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Trust Administration
17. Withdrawal or redemption ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Trust Administration
18. (a) Receipt and disposition ) Part II-Introduction
of income ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
(b) Reinvestment of distribu- ) *
tions )
(c) Reserves or special funds ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Trust Administration
(d) Schedule of distributions ) *
19. Records, accounts and reports ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Trust Administration
20. Certain miscellaneous provisions ) Part II-Trust Administration
of Trust Agreement )
21. Loans to security holders ) *
22. Limitations on liability ) Part I-Portfolios
) Part II-Trust 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-Trust Administration
26. Fees received by Depositor ) Part II-Trust Administration
27. Business of Depositor ) Part II-Trust 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-Unitholder Explanations
IV. Distribution and Redemption of Securities
35. Distribution of trust's ) Part II-Introduction
securities by states ) Part II-Settlement of Bonds in the
Trusts
36. Suspension of sales of trust's ) *
securities )
37. Revocation of authority to ) *
distribute )
38. (a) Method of distribution )
(b) Underwriting agreements ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
(c) Selling agreements )
39. (a) Organization of principal )
underwriter )
) Part II-Trust Administration
(b) N.A.S.D. membership by )
principal underwriter )
40. Certain fees received by ) *
principal underwriter )
41. (a) Business of principal ) Part II-Trust 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 II-Introduction
) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Trust Administration
(b) Schedule as to offering ) *
price )
(c) Variation in offering price ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
to certain persons )
45. Suspension of redemption rights ) *
46. (a) Redemption valuation ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
) Part II-Trust Administration
(b) Schedule as to redemption ) *
price )
47. Purchase and sale of interests ) Part II-Unitholder Explanations
in underlying securities ) Part II-Trust Administration
V. Information Concerning the Trustee or Custodian
48. Organization and regulation of ) Part II-Trust Administration
trustee )
49. Fees and expenses of trustee ) Part I-Summary of Essential Financial
) Information
) Part II-Trust Administration
50. Trustee's lien ) Part II-Trust Administration
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-Trust Administration
nation of portfolio )
securities )
(b) Transactions involving )
elimination of underlying ) *
securities )
(c) Policy regarding substitu- ) Part II-Trust Administration
tion or elimination of )
underlying securities )
(d) Fundamental policy not ) *
otherwise covered )
53. Tax Status of trust ) Part I-Trust Information
) 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-Other Matters
tions 1(c) to Form S-6) )
__________________________________
* Inapplicable, omitted, answer negative or not required
November 17, 1997
Van Kampen American Capital
Prospectus Part I
Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
California IM-IT 171
Connecticut IM-IT 36
New York IM-IT 144
Kentucky Quality 60
This Part I of the Prospectus may not be distributed unless accompanied by
Part II. Both parts of this Prospectus should be retained for future reference.
In the opinion of counsel, interest to the Fund and to Unitholders, with
certain exceptions, is excludable under existing law from gross income for
Federal income taxes. In addition, the interest income of each State Trust is,
in the opinion of counsel, exempt to the extent indicated from state and local
taxes, when held by residents of the state where the issuers of Bonds in such
Trust are located. Capital gains, if any, are subject to Federal tax.
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 four underlying separate unit investment trusts designated as California
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 171 (the "California IM-IT
Trust" ), Connecticut Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 36 (the "
Connecticut IM-IT Trust" ), New York Insured Municipals Income Trust,
Series 144 (the "New York IM-IT Trust" ) and Kentucky Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Series 60 (the "Kentucky Quality Trust" ).
The various trusts are collectively referred to herein as the "Trusts"
or "State Trusts" . The California IM-IT, Connecticut IM-IT and New
York IM-IT Trusts are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "
Insured Trusts" and the Kentucky Quality Trust is sometimes referred to
herein as the "Quality Trust" . Each Trust initially consists of
delivery statements relating to contracts to purchase securities and,
thereafter, will consist of such securities as may continue to be held (the
"Bonds" or "Securities" ). Such Securities are interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of municipalities and other governmental
authorities, the interest on which is, in the opinion of recognized bond
counsel to the issuing governmental authority, exempt from all Federal income
taxes under existing law. In addition, the interest income of each State Trust
is, in the opinion of counsel, exempt to the extent indicated from state and
local taxes, when held by residents of the state where the issuers of Bonds in
such Trust are located.
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.
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
AND INVESTORS' QUALITY TAX-EXEMPT TRUST, Multi-Series 296
As of 8:00 A.M. Central Time on the Date of Deposit: November 17, 1997
Sponsor: Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
Evaluator: American Portfolio Evaluation Services
(A division of an affiliate of the Sponsor)
Trustee: The Bank of New York
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
California Connecticut New York Kentucky
IM-IT IM-IT IM-IT Quality
GENERAL INFORMATION Trust Trust Trust Trust
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Principal Amount (Par Value) of Securities in Trust <F1>................... $ 3,055,000 $ 2,920,000 $ 3,030,000 $ 3,040,000
Number of Units............................................................ 3,064 2,964 3,058 3,031
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit ....................... 1/3,064 1/2,964 1/3,058 1/3,031
Principal Amount (Par Value) of Securities per Unit........................ $ 997.06 $ 985.16 $ 990.84 $ 1,002.97
Public Offering Price: ....................................................
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities in Portfolio....................... $ 2,913,876 $ 2,818,775 $ 2,908,169 $ 2,882,493
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities per Unit........................... $ 951.00 $ 951.00 $ 951.00 $ 951.00
Sales Charge <F2>......................................................... $ 49.00 $ 49.00 $ 49.00 $ 49.00
Public Offering Price per Unit <F3>....................................... $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
Redemption Price per Unit <F3>............................................. $ 943.71 $ 943.80 $ 943.73 $ 943.65
Secondary Market Repurchase Price per Unit <F3>............................ $ 951.00 $ 951.00 $ 951.00 $ 951.00
Excess of Public Offering Price per Unit Over Redemption Price per Unit.... $ 56.29 $ 56.20 $ 56.27 $ 56.35
Excess of Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit Over Redemption
Price per Unit............................................................. $ 7.29 $ 7.20 $ 7.27 $ 7.35
Minimum Value of the Trust under which Trust Agreement may be terminated... $ 611,000 $ 584,000 $ 606,000 $ 608,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
First Settlement Date................November 20, 1997
Evaluator's Annual Supervisory Fee...Maximum of $0.25 per Unit
Evaluator's Annual Evaluation Fee....$0.30 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Evaluation Time......................4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- ----------
<FN>
<F1>Because certain of the Securities in certain Trusts 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 the respective Trust's termination will be equal to the Principal
Amount (Par Value) of Securities per Unit stated above.
<F2>Sales charges for the Trusts, expressed as a percentage of the Public Offering
Price per Unit and as a percentage of the aggregate offering price of the
Securities are set forth under "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--General" in Part II of this Prospectus.
<F3>Anyone ordering Units for settlement after the First Settlement Date will pay
accrued interest from such date to the date of settlement (normally three
business days after order) less distributions from the Interest Account
subsequent to the First Settlement Date. For purchases settling on the First
Settlement Date, no accrued interest will be added to the Public Offering
Price. After the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price per
Unit will be determined as described under the caption "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Market for Units" in Part II of this
Prospectus.
</TABLE>
CALIFORNIA IM-IT TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
General. The California IM-IT Trust consists of 9 issues of Securities. None
of the Bonds in the California IM-IT Trust are general obligations of the
governmental entities issuing them or are backed by the taxing power thereof.
All of the 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 to
total California IM-IT Trust) as follows: General Purpose, 3 (32%); Health
Care, 3 (28%); Higher Education, 1 (16%); Transportation, 1 (16%) and Public
Building, 1 (8%). No Bond issue has received a provisional rating.
Risk Factors. The Trust will invest substantially all of its assets in
California Municipal Obligations. The Trust is therefore susceptible to
political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of California
Municipal Obligations. These include the possible adverse effects of certain
California constitutional amendments, legislative measures, voter initiatives
and other matters that are described below. The following information provides
only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation
in California (the "State" ) and is derived from sources that are
generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No
independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any
of the following information. It is based in part on information obtained from
various State and local agencies in California or contained in official
statements for various California Municipal Obligations.
There can be no assurance that future statewide or regional economic
difficulties, and the resulting impact on State or local governmental finances
generally, will not adversely affect the market value of California Municipal
Obligations held in the portfolio of the Trust or the ability of particular
obligors to make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those
obligations.
California's economy is the largest among the 50 states and one of the largest
in the world. The State's population of almost 32 million represents 12.3% of
the total United States population and grew by 27% in the 1980's. Personal
income in the State, at an estimated $815 billion in 1996, accounts for
approximately 13% of all personal income in the nation. Total employment is
over 14 million, the majority of which is in the service, trade and
manufacturing sectors.
From mid-1990 to late 1993, the State's economy suffered its worst recession
since the 1930s, with recovery starting later than for the nation as a whole.
The State has experienced the worst job losses of any post-war recession.
Prerecession job levels may not be realized until near the end of the decade.
The largest job losses have been in Southern California, led by declines in
the aerospace and construction industries. Weakness statewide occurred in
manufacturing, construction, services and trade. Additional military base
closures will have further adverse effects on the State's economy later in the
decade.
Since the start of 1994, the California economy has shown signs of steady
recovery and growth. The State Department of Finance reports net job growth,
particularly in construction and related manufacturing, wholesale and retail
trade, transportation, recreation and services. This growth has offset the
continuing but slowing job losses in the aerospace industry and restructuring
of the finance and utility sectors. Unemployment in the State was down
substantially in 1994 from its 10% peak in January, 1994, but still remains
higher than the national average rate. Retail sales were up strongly in 1994
from year-earlier figures. Delay or slowdown in recovery will adversely affect
State revenues.
Certain California Municipal Obligations may be obligations of issuers which
rely in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, on ad valorem property taxes
as a source of revenue. The taxing powers of California local governments and
districts are limited by Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, enacted
by the voters in 1978 and commonly known as "Proposition 13." Briefly,
Article XIIIA limits to 1% of full cash value the rate of ad valorem property
taxes on real property and generally restricts the reassessment of property to
2% per year, except upon new construction or change of ownership (subject to a
number of exemptions). Taxing entities may, however, raise ad valorem taxes
above the 1% limit to pay debt service on voter-approved bonded indebtedness.
Under Article XIIIA, the basic 1% ad valorem tax levy is applied against the
assessed value of property as of the owner's date of acquisition (or as of
March 1, 1975, if acquired earlier), subject to certain adjustments. This
system has resulted in widely varying amounts of tax on similarly situated
properties. Several lawsuits have been filed challenging the acquisition-based
assessment system of Proposition 13, and on June 18, 1992 the U.S. Supreme
Court announced a decision upholding Proposition 13.
Article XIIIA prohibits local governments from raising revenues through ad
valorem property taxes above the 1% limit; it also requires voters of any
governmental unit to give two-thirds approval to levy any "special
tax." Court decisions, however, allowed non-voter approved levy of "
general taxes" which were not dedicated to a specific use. In response to
these decisions, the voters of the State in 1986 adopted an initiative statute
which imposed significant new limits on the ability of local entities to raise
or levy general taxes, except by receiving majority local voter approval.
Significant elements of this initiative, "Proposition 62," have been
overturned in recent court cases. An initiative proposed to re-enact the
provisions of Proposition 62 as a constitutional amendment was defeated by the
voters in November 1990, but such a proposal may be renewed in the future.
California and its local governments are subject to an annual "
appropriations limit" imposed by Article XIIIB of the California
Constitution, enacted by the voters in 1979 and significantly amended by
Propositions 98 and 111 in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Article XIIIB
prohibits the State or any covered local government from spending "
appropriations subject to limitation" in excess of the appropriations
limit imposed. "Appropriations subject to limitation" are
authorizations to spend "proceeds of taxes," which consists of tax
revenues and certain other funds, including proceeds from regulatory licenses,
user charges or other fees, to the extent that such proceeds exceed the cost
of providing the product or service, but "proceeds of taxes" excludes
most State subventions to local governments. No limit is imposed on
appropriations of funds which are not "proceeds of taxes," such as
reasonable user charges or fees and certain other non-tax funds, including
bond proceeds.
Among the expenditures not included in the Article XIIIB appropriations limit
are (1) the debt service cost of bonds issued or authorized prior to January
1, 1979, or subsequently authorized by the voters, (2) appropriations arising
from certain emergencies declared by the Governor, (3) appropriations for
certain capital outlay projects, (4) appropriations by the State of post-1989
increases in gasoline taxes and vehicle weight fees, and (5) appropriations
made in certain cases of emergency.
The appropriations limit for each year is adjusted annually to reflect changes
in cost of living and population, and any transfers of service
responsibilities between government units. The definitions for such
adjustments were liberalized in 1990 by Proposition 111 to follow more closely
growth in California's economy.
"Excess" revenues are measured over a two-year cycle. With respect to
local governments, excess revenues must be returned by a revision of tax rates
or fee schedules within the two subsequent fiscal years. The appropriations
limit for a local government may be overridden by referendum under certain
conditions for up to four years at a time. With respect to the State, 50% of
any excess revenues is to be distributed to K-12 school districts and
community college districts (collectively, "K-14 districts" ) and the
other 50% is to be refunded to taxpayers. With more liberal annual adjustment
factors since 1988, and depressed revenues since 1990 because of the
recession, few governments, including the State, are currently operating near
their spending limits, but this condition may change over time. Local
governments may, by voter approval, exceed their spending limits for up to
four years.
Because of the complex nature of Articles XIIIA and XIIIB of the California
Constitution, the ambiguities and possible inconsistencies in their terms, and
the impossibility of predicting future appropriations or changes in population
and cost of living, and the probability of continuing legal challenges, it is
not currently possible to determine fully the impact of Article XIIIA or
Article XIIIB on California Municipal Obligations or on the ability of
California or local governments to pay debt service on such California
Municipal Obligations. It is not presently possible to predict the outcome of
any pending litigation with respect to the ultimate scope, impact or
constitutionality of either Article XIIIA or Article XIIIB, or the impact of
any such determinations upon State agencies or local governments, or upon
their ability to pay debt service on their obligations. Future initiative or
legislative changes in laws or the California Constitution may also affect the
ability of the State or local issuers to repay their obligations.
Under the California Constitution, debt service on outstanding general
obligation bonds is the second charge to the General Fund after support of the
public school system and public institutions of higher education. Total
outstanding general obligation bond and lease purchase debt of the State
increased from $9.4 billion at June 30, 1987 to $23.5 billion at June 30,
1994. In FY 1993-94, debt service on general obligation bonds and lease
purchase debt was approximately 5.2% of General Fund revenues.
The principal sources of General Fund revenues in 1993-94 were the California
personal income tax (44% of total revenues), the sales tax (35%), bank and
corporation taxes (12%), and the gross premium tax on insurance (3%).
California maintains a Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties (the "
Economic Uncertainties Fund" ), derived from General Fund revenues, as a
reserve to meet cash needs of the General Fund.
Throughout the 1980's, State spending increased rapidly as the State
population and economy also grew rapidly, including increased spending for
many assistance programs to local governments, which were constrained by
Proposition 13 and other laws. The largest State program is assistance to
local public school districts. In 1988, an initiative (Proposition 98) was
enacted which (subject to suspension by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature
and the Governor) guarantees local school districts and community college
districts a minimum share of State General Fund revenues (currently about
33%).
Since the start of 1990-91 Fiscal Year, the State has faced adverse economic,
fiscal and budget conditions. The economic recession seriously affected State
tax revenues. It also caused increased expenditures for health and welfare
programs. The State is also facing a structural imbalance in its budget with
the largest programs supported by the General Fund (education, health, welfare
and corrections) growing at rates significantly higher than the growth rates
for the principal revenue sources of the General Fund. These structural
concerns will be exacerbated in coming years by the expected need to
substantially increase capital and operating funds for corrections as a result
of a "Three Strikes" law enacted in 1994.
As a result of these factors, among others, from the late 1980's until
1992-1993, the State had a period of nearly chronic budget imbalance, with
expenditures exceeding revenues in four out of six years, and the State
accumulated and sustained a budget deficit in the budget reserve, the Special
Fund for Economic Uncertainties ("SFEU" ) approaching $2.8 billion at
its peak at June 30, 1993. Starting in the 1990-91 Fiscal Year and for each
year thereafter, each budget required multibillion dollar actions to bring
projected revenues and expenditures into balance and to close large "
budget gaps" which were identified. The Legislature and Governor
eventually agreed on a number of different steps to produce Budget Acts in the
years 1991-92 to 1994-95, including: significant cuts in health and welfare
program expenditures; transfers of program responsibilities and funding from
the State to local governments, coupled with some reduction in mandates on
local government; transfer of about $3.6 billion in annual local property tax
revenues from cities, counties, redevelopment agencies and some other
districts to local school districts, thereby reducing State funding for
schools; reduction in growth of support for higher education programs, coupled
with increases in student fees; revenue increases (particularly in the 1992-93
Fiscal Year budget), most of which were for a short duration; increased
reliance on aid from the federal government to offset the costs of
incarcerating, educating and providing health and welfare services to
undocumented aliens (although these efforts have produced much less federal
aid than the State Administration has requested) and various on-time
adjustments and accounting changes.
Despite these budget actions, the effects of the recession led to large,
unanticipated deficits in the SFEU, as compared to projected positive
balances. By the start of the 1993-94 Fiscal Year, the accumulated deficit was
so large (almost $2.8 billion) that it was impractical to budget to retire it
in one year, so a two-year program was implemented, using the issuance of
revenue anticipation warrants to carry a portion of the deficit over the end
of the fiscal year. When the economy failed to recover sufficiently in
1993-94, a second two-year plan was implemented in 1994-95, to carry the final
retirement of the deficit into 1995-96.
The combination of stringent budget actions cutting State expenditures, and
the turnaround of the economy by late 1993, finally led to the restoration of
positive financial results. While General Fund revenues and expenditures were
essentially equal in FY 1992-93 (following two years of excess expenditures
over revenues), the General Fund had positive operating results in FY 1993-94
and 1994-95, which have reduced the accumulated budget deficit to around $600
million as of June 30, 1995.
A consequence of the accumulated budget deficits in the early 1990's, together
with other factors such as disbursement of funds to local school districts
"borrowed" from future fiscal years and hence not shown in the annual
budget, was to significantly reduce the State's cash resources available to
pay its ongoing obligations. When the Legislature and the Governor failed to
adopt a budget for the 1992-93 Fiscal Year by July 1, 1992, which would have
allowed the State to carry out its normal annual cash flow borrowing to
replenish its cash reserves, the State Controller was forced to issue
registered warrants ("IOUs" ) to pay a variety of obligations
representing prior years' or continuing appropriations, and mandates from
court orders. Available funds were used to make constitutionally-mandated
payments, such as debt service on bonds and warrants. Between July 1 and
September 4, 1992 the State Controller issued a total of approximately $3.8
billion of registered warrants. After that date, all remaining outstanding
registered warrants (about $2.9 billion) were called for redemptions from
proceeds of the issuance of 1992 Interim Notes after the budget was adopted.
The State's cash condition became so serious in late spring of 1992 that the
State Controller was required to issue revenue anticipation warrants maturing
in the following fiscal year in order to pay the State's continuing
obligations. The State was forced to rely increasingly on external debt
markets to meet its cash needs, as a succession of notes and warrants (both
forms of short-term cash flow financing) were issued in the period from June,
1992 to July, 1994, often needed to pay previously-maturing notes or warrants.
These borrowings were used also in part to spread out the repayment of the
accumulated budget deficit over the end of a fiscal year.
The State issued $7.0 billion of short-term debt in July, 1994 to meet its
cash flow needs and to finance the deferral of part of the accumulated budget
deficit to the 1995-96 fiscal year. In order to assure repayment of the $4
billion, 22-month part of this borrowing, the State enacted legislation (the
"Trigger Law" ) which can lead to automatic, across-the-board cuts in
General Fund expenditures in either the 1994-95 or 1995-96 fiscal years if
cash flow projections made at certain times during those years show
deterioration from the projections made in July 1994 when the borrowings were
made. On November 15, 1994, the State Controller as part of the Trigger Law
reported that the cash position of the General Fund on June 30, 1995 would be
about $580 million better than earlier projected, so no automatic budget
adjustments were required in 1994-95. The Controller's report showed that loss
of federal funds was offset by higher revenues, lower expenditures, and
certain other increases in cash resources.
For the first time in four years, the State entered the 1995-96 fiscal year
with strengthening revenues based on an improving economy. The major feature
of the Governor's proposed Budget, a 15% phased tax cut, was rejected by the
Legislature.
The 1995-96 Budget Act was signed by the Governor on August 3, 1995, 34 days
after the start of the fiscal year. The Budget Act projects General Fund
revenues and transfers of $44.1 billion. Expenditures are budgeted at $43.4
billion. The Department of Finance projects that, after repaying the last of
the carryover budget deficit, there will be a positive balance of less than
$30 million in the budget reserve, the Special Fund for Economic
Uncertainties, at June 30, 1996, providing no margin for adverse results
during the year.
The Department of Finance projects cash flow borrowings in the 1995-96 Fiscal
Year will be the smallest in many years, comprising about $2 billion of notes
to be issued in April, 1996, and maturing by June 30, 1996. With full payment
of $4 billion of revenue anticipation warrants on April 25, 1996, the
Department sees no further need for borrowing over the end of the fiscal year.
The Department projects that available cash resources to pay State obligations
will be almost $2 billion at June 30, 1996. This "cushion" will be
re-examined by the State Controller on October 15, 1995, in the third step in
the Budget Adjustment Law process. If the Controller believes the available
cash resources on June 30, 1996 will, in fact, be zero or less, her report
would start a process which could lead to automatic budget cuts starting in
December, 1995.
The principal features of the 1995-96 Budget Act, in addition to those noted
above, are additional cuts in health and welfare expenditures (some of which
are subject to approvals or waivers by the federal government); assumed
further federal aid for illegal immigrant costs; and an increase in per-pupil
funding for public schools and community colleges, the first such significant
increase in four years.
State general obligation bonds ratings were reduced in July, 1994 to "
A1" by Moody's and "A" by S&P. Both of these ratings were reduced
from "AAA" levels which the State held until late 1991. There can be
no assurance that such ratings will be maintained in the future. It should be
noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local California
issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the
State of California, and that there is no obligation on the part of the State
to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.
The State is involved in certain legal proceedings (described in the State's
recent financial statements) that, if decided against the State, may require
the State to make significant future expenditures or may substantially impair
revenues. Trial courts have recently entered tentative decisions or
injunctions which would overturn several parts of the State's recent budget
compromises. The matters covered by these lawsuits include a deferral of
payments by the State to the Public Employees Retirement System, reductions in
welfare payments, and the use of certain cigarette tax funds for health costs.
All of these cases are subject to further proceedings and appeals, and if the
State eventually loses, the final remedies may not have to be implemented in
one year.
There are a number of State agencies, instrumentalities and political
subdivisions of the State that issue Municipal Obligations, some of which may
be conduit revenue obligations payable from payments from private borrowers.
These entities are subject to various economic risks and uncertainties, and
the credit quality of the securities issued by them may vary considerably from
the credit quality of the obligations backed by the full faith and credit of
the State.
Property tax revenues received by local governments declined more than 50%
following passage of Proposition 13. Subsequently, the California Legislature
enacted measures to provide for the redistribution of the State's General Fund
surplus to local agencies, the reallocation of certain State revenues to local
agencies and the assumption of certain governmental functions by the State to
assist municipal issuers to raise revenues. Total local assistance from the
State's General Fund was budgeted at approximately 75% of General Fund
expenditures in recent years, including the effect of implementing reductions
in certain aid programs. To reduce State General Fund support for school
districts, the 1992-93 and 1993-94 Budget Acts caused local governments to
transfer $3.9 billion of property tax revenues to school districts,
representing loss of the post-Proposition 13 "bailout" aid. The
largest share of these transfers came from counties, and the balance from
cities, special districts and redevelopment agencies. In order to make up this
shortfall, the Legislature proposed and voters approved in 1993 dedicating
0.5% of the sales tax to counties and cities for public safety purposes. In
addition, the Legislature has changed laws to relieve local governments of
certain mandates, allowing them to reduce costs.
To the extent the State should be constrained by its Article XIII
appropriations limit, or its obligation to conform to Proposition 98, or other
fiscal considerations, the absolute level, or the rate of growth, of State
assistance to local governments may be further reduced. Any such reductions in
State aid could compound the serious fiscal constraints already experienced by
many local governments, particularly counties. At lease one rural county
(Butte) publicly announced that it might enter bankruptcy proceedings in
August, 1990, although such plans were put off after the Governor approved
legislation to provide additional funds for the county. Other counties have
also indicated that their budgetary condition is extremely grave. The Richmond
Unified School District (Contra Costa County) entered bankruptcy proceedings
in May, 1991 but the proceedings have been dismissed. Los Angeles County, the
largest in the State, has reported severe fiscal problems, leading to a
nominal $1.2 billion deficit in its $11 billion budget for the 1995-96 Fiscal
Year. To balance the budget, the county has imposed severe cuts in services,
particularly for health care. The Legislature is considering actions to help
alleviate the County's fiscal problems, but none were completed before August
15, 1995. As a result of its bankruptcy proceedings (discussed further below)
Orange County also has implemented stringent cuts in services and has laid off
workers.
California Municipal Obligations which are assessment bonds may be adversely
affected by a general decline in real estate values or a slowdown in real
estate sales activity. In many cases, such bonds are secured by land which is
undeveloped at the time of issuance but anticipated to be developed within a
few years after issuance. In the event of such reduction or slowdown, such
development may not occur or may be delayed, thereby increasing the risk of a
default on the bonds. Because the special assessments or taxes securing these
bonds are not the personal liability of the owners of the property assessed,
the lien on the property is the only security for the bonds. Moreover, in most
cases the issuer of these bonds is not required to make payments on the bonds
in the event of delinquency in the payment of assessments or taxes, except
from amounts, if any, in a reserve fund established for the bonds.
Certain California long-term lease obligations, though typically payable from
the general fund of the municipality, are subject to "abatement" in
the event the facility being leased is unavailable for beneficial use and
occupancy by the municipality during the term of the lease. Abatement is not a
default, and there may be no remedies available to the holders of the
certificates evidencing the lease obligation in the event abatement occurs.
The most common cases of abatement are failure to complete construction of the
facility before the end of the period during which lease payments have been
capitalized and uninsured casualty losses to the facility (e.g., due to
earthquake). In the event abatement occurs with respect to a lease obligation,
lease payments may be interrupted (if all available insurance proceeds and
reserves are exhausted) and the certificates may not be paid when due.
Several years ago the Richmond Unified School District (the "District"
) entered into a lease transaction in which certain existing properties of the
District were sold and leased back in order to obtain funds to cover operating
deficits. Following a fiscal crisis in which the District's finances were
taken over by a State receiver (including a brief period under bankruptcy
court protection), the District failed to make rental payments on this lease,
resulting in a lawsuit by the Trustee for the Certificate of Participation
holders, in which the State was a named defendant (on the grounds that it
controlled the District's finances). One of the defenses raised in answer to
this lawsuit was the invalidity of the original lease transaction. The trial
court has upheld the validity of the District's lease, and the case has been
settled. Any judgment in any future case against the position asserted by the
Trustee in the Richmond case may have adverse implications for lease
transactions of a similar nature by other California entities.
The repayment of industrial development securities secured by real property
may be affected by California laws limiting foreclosure rights of creditors.
Securities backed by health care and hospital revenues may be affected by
changes in State regulations governing cost reimbursements to health care
providers under Medi-Cal (the State's Medicaid program), including risks
related to the policy of awarding exclusive contracts to certain hospitals.
Limitations on ad valorem property taxes may particularly affect "tax
allocation" bonds issued by California redevelopment agencies. Such bonds
are secured solely by the increase in assessed valuation of a redevelopment
project area after the start of redevelopment activity. In the event that
assessed values in the redevelopment project decline (e.g., because of a major
natural disaster such as an earthquake), the tax increment revenue may be
insufficient to make principal and interest payments on these bonds. Both
Moody's and S&P suspended ratings on California tax allocation bonds after the
enactment of Articles XIIIA and XIIIB, and only resumed such ratings on a
selective basis.
Proposition 87, approved by California voters in 1988, requires that all
revenues produced by a tax rate increase go directly to the taxing entity
which increased such tax rate to repay that entity's general obligation
indebtedness. As a result, redevelopment agencies (which, typically, are the
Issuers of tax allocation securities) no longer receive an increase in tax
increment when taxes on property in the project area are increased to repay
voter-approved bonded indebtedness.
The effect of these various constitutional and statutory changes upon the
ability of California municipal securities issuers to pay interest and
principal on their obligations remains unclear. Furthermore, other measures
affecting the taxing or spending authority of California or its political
subdivisions may be approved or enacted in the future. Legislation has been or
may be introduced which would modify existing taxes or other revenue-raising
measures or which either would further limit or, alternatively, would increase
the abilities of state and local governments to impose new taxes or increase
existing taxes. It is not presently possible to determine the impact of any
such legislation on California Municipal Obligations in which the Fund may
invest, future allocations of state revenues to local governments or the
abilities of state or local governments to pay the interest on, or repay the
principal of, such California Municipal Obligations.
Substantially all of California is within an active geologic region subject to
major seismic activity. Northern California in 1989 and Southern California in
1994 experienced major earthquakes causing billions of dollars in damages. The
federal government provided more than $1.8 billion in aid for both
earthquakes, and neither event is expected to have any long-term negative
economic impact. Any California Municipal Obligation in the Portfolio could be
affected by an interruption of revenues because of damaged facilities, or,
consequently, income tax deductions for casualty losses or property tax
assessment reductions. Compensatory financial assistance could be constrained
by the inability of (i) an issuer to have obtained earthquake insurance
coverage at reasonable rates; (ii) an insurer to perform on its contracts of
insurance in the event of widespread losses; or (iii) the Federal or State
government to appropriate sufficient funds within their respective budget
limitations.
On January 17, 1994, a major earthquake with an estimated magnitude 6.8 on the
Richter scale struck the Los Angeles area, causing significant property damage
to public and private facilities, presently estimated at $15-20 billion. While
over $9.5 billion of federal aid, and a projected $1.9 billion of State aid,
plus insurance proceeds, will reimburse much of that loss, there will still be
some ultimate loss of health and income in the region, in addition to costs of
the disruption caused by the event. Short-term economic projections are
generally neutral, as the infusion of aid will restore billions of dollars to
the local economy within a few months; already the local construction industry
has picked up. Although the earthquake will hinder recovery from the recession
in Southern California, already hard-hit, its long-term impact is not expected
to be material in the context of the overall wealth of the region. There are
few remaining effects of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in northern
California (which, however, caused less severe damage than Northridge).
On December 7, 1994, Orange County, California (the "County" ),
together with its pooled investment fund (the "Pools" ) filed for
protection under Chapter 9 of the federal Bankruptcy Code, after reports that
the Pools had suffered significant market losses in its investments caused a
liquidity crisis for the Pools and the County. Approximately 180 other public
entities, most but not all located in the County, were also depositors in the
Pools. The County estimated the Pools' loss at about $1.64 billion, or 23%, of
its initial deposits of around $7.5 billion. Many of the entities which kept
moneys in the Pools, including the County, faced cash flow difficulties
because of the bankruptcy filing and may be required to reduce programs or
capital projects. Moody's and Standard & Poor's have suspended, reduced to
below investment grade levels, or placed on "Credit Watch" various
securities of the County and the entities participating in the Pools.
On May 2, 1995, the Bankruptcy Court approved a settlement agreement covering
claims of the other participating entities against the County and the Pools.
Most participants have received in cash 80% (90% for school districts) of
their Pools' investment; the balance is to be paid in the future. The County
succeeded in deferring, by consent, until June 30, 1996, the repayment of $800
million of short-term obligations due in July and August, 1995; these notes
are, however, considered to be in default by Moody's and S&P. On June 27,
1995, County voters turned down a proposal for a temporary 0.5% increase in
the local sales tax, making the County's fiscal recovery much harder.
The State of California has no obligation with respect to any obligations or
securities of the County or any of the other participating entities, although
under existing legal precedents, the State may be obligated to ensure that
school districts have sufficient funds to operate. All school districts were
able to meet their obligations in the 1994-95 Fiscal Year.
Tax Status. For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on
California IM-IT Trust Units, see "Federal Tax Status" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
In the opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, special counsel to the
Fund for California tax matters, under existing California income and property
tax law applicable to individuals who are California residents:
(1)the California IM-IT Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation
and the income of the California IM-IT Trust will be treated as the income of
the Unitholders under the income tax laws of California;
(2)amounts treated as interest on the underlying Securities in the California
IM-IT Trust which are exempt from tax under California personal income tax and
property tax laws when received by the California IM-IT Trust will, under such
laws, retain their status as tax-exempt interest when distributed to
Unitholders. However, interest on the underlying Securities attributed to a
Unitholder which is a corporation subject to the California franchise tax laws
may be includable in its gross income for purposes of determining its
California franchise tax. Further, certain interest which is attributable to a
Unitholder subject to the California personal income tax and which is treated
as an item of tax preference for purposes of the federal alternative minimum
tax pursuant to Section 57(a)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may also
be treated as an item of tax preference that must be taken into account in
computing such Unitholder's alternative minimum taxable income for purposes of
the California alternative minimum tax enacted by 1987 California Statutes,
chapter 1138. However, because of the provisions of the California
Constitution exempting the interest on bonds issued by the State of
California, or by local governments within the state, from taxes levied on
income, the application of the new California alternative minimum tax to
interest otherwise exempt from the California personal income tax in some
cases may be unclear;
(3)under California income tax law, each Unitholder in the California IM-IT
Trust will have a taxable event when the California IM-IT Trust disposes of a
Security (whether by sale, exchange, redemption, or payment at maturity) or
when the Unitholder redeems or sells Units. Because of the requirement that
tax cost basis be reduced to reflect amortization of bond premium, under some
circumstances a Unitholder may realize taxable gains when Units are sold or
redeemed for an amount equal to, or less than, their original cost. The total
cost of each Unit in the California IM-IT Trust to a Unitholder is allocated
among each of the Bond issues held in the California IM-IT Trust (in
accordance with the proportion of the California IM-IT Trust comprised by each
Bond issue) in order to determine his per Unit tax cost for each Bond issue;
and the tax cost reduction requirements relating to amortization of bond
premium will apply separately to the per Unit tax cost of each Bond issue.
Unitholders' bases in their units, and the bases for their fractional interest
in each Trust asset, may have to be adjusted for their pro rata share of
accrued interest received, if any, on Securities delivered after the
Unitholders' respective settlement dates;
(4)under the California personal property tax laws, bonds (including the
Securities in the California IM-IT Trust) or any interest therein is exempt
from such tax;
(5)any proceeds paid under the insurance policy issued to the California IM-IT
Trust with respect to the Securities which represent maturing interest on
defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be exempt from California
personal income tax if, and to the same extent as, such interest would have
been so exempt if paid by the issuer of the defaulted obligations; and
(6)under Section 17280(b)(2) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code,
interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry Units of
the California IM-IT Trust is not deductible for the purposes of the
California personal income tax. While there presently is no California
authority interpreting this provision, Section 17280(b)(2) directs the
California Franchise Tax Board to prescribe regulations determining the proper
allocation and apportionment of interest costs for this purpose. The Franchise
Tax Board has not yet proposed or prescribed such regulations. In interpreting
the generally similar Federal provision, the Internal Revenue Service has
taken the position that such indebtedness need not be directly traceable to
the purchase or carrying of Units (although the Service has not contended that
a deduction for interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase or improve a
personal residence or to purchase goods or services for personal consumption
will be disallowed). In the absence of conflicting regulations or other
California authority, the California Franchise Tax Board generally has
interpreted California statutory tax provisions in accord with Internal
Revenue Service interpretations of similar Federal provisions.
At the respective times of issuance of the Securities, opinions relating to
the validity thereof and to the exemption of interest thereon from Federal
income tax and California personal income tax are rendered by bond counsel to
the respective issuing authorities. Except in certain instances in which
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, acted as bond counsel to issuers of
Securities, and as such made a review of proceedings relating to the issuance
of certain Securities at the time of their issuance, Orrick, Herrington &
Sutcliffe, LLP, has not made any special review for the California IM-IT Trust
of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the Securities or of the basis
for such opinions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Unit Information: Semi-
Monthly Annual
------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income <F1>:
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit......................... $ 50.17 $ 50.17
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit <F2>...................... $ 2.27 $ 1.83
Less: Annual Premium on Portfolio Insurance per Unit.............. -- --
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit..................... $ 47.90 $ 48.34
Calculation of Estimated Interest Earnings per Unit:
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit..................... $ 47.90 $ 48.34
Divided by 12 and 2, respectively................................. $ 3.99 $ 24.17
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit.............. $ .13305 $ .13427
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price <F1><F3>... 4.79% 4.83%
Estimated Long-Term Return <F3>.................................... 4.82% 4.87%
Estimated Initial Monthly Distribution (December 1997)............. $ 2.66
Estimated Initial Semi-annual Distribution (January 1998).......... $ 6.71
Estimated Normal Distribution per Unit <F3>........................ $ 3.99 $ 24.17
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Trustee's Annual Fee <F1><F4>... $.91 and $.51 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds, respectively, for those portions of the
California IM-IT Trust under the monthly and semi-annual distribution plans
Record and Computation Dates.... TENTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--January and July
Distribution Dates.............. TWENTY-FIFTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--
January and July
- ----------
<FN>
<F1>During the first year the Trustee will reduce its fee by approximately $.12
per Unit (which amount is the estimated interest to be earned per Unit prior
to the expected delivery dates for the "when, as and if issued" Bonds
included in this Trust). Should such estimated interest exceed such amount,
the Trustee will reduce its fee up to its annual fee. After the first year,
the Trustee's fee will be that amount indicated above. Estimated Annual
Interest Income per Unit will be increased to $50.29. Estimated Annual Expense
per Unit (excluding insurance) will be increased to $2.39 and $1.95 under the
monthly and semi-annual distribution plans, respectively; and Estimated Net
Annual Interest Income per Unit will remain the same as shown. See "
Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
<F2>Excluding insurance costs. The Estimated Annual Expenses are expected to
fluctuate periodically (see "Trust Administration--Fund Administration and
Expenses--Miscellaneous Expenses" in Part II of this Prospectus).
<F3>The Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns are increased
for transactions entitled to a reduced sales charge. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--General" in Part II of this Prospectus. For
a discussion of how these returns are calculated, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns"
in Part II of this Prospectus. These figures are based on estimated per Unit
cash flows. Estimated cash flows will vary with changes in fees and expenses,
with changes in current interest rates and with the principal prepayment,
redemption, maturity, call, exchange or sale of the underlying Securities. The
estimated cash flows for this Series are set forth under "Other
Matters--Estimated Cash Flows to Unitholders" .
<F4>Based on the size of the Trust on the Date of Deposit and assuming all
Unitholders had chosen the semi-annual distribution plan, the Trustee's
estimated annual fees for ordinary recurring services would initially amount
to $1,558. Assuming in the alternative that all Unitholders had elected the
monthly distribution plan, such fees would initially amount to $2,780.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
SERIES 171 (IM-IT AND QUALITY MULTI-SERIES 296)
PORTFOLIO As of November 17, 1997
<CAPTION>
Offering
Price To
Aggregate California
Principal Name of Issuer, Title, Interest Rate and Maturity Date of Redemption IM-IT Trust
<F1> either Bonds Deposited or Bonds Contracted for <F1><F5> Rating <F2> Feature <F3> <F4>
- ------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 500,000 California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Insured
Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds (Children's Hospital-San 2006 @ 102
Diego) Series 1996 (MBIA Insured) #5.375% Due 7/1/2020...... AAA 2017 @ 100 S.F. $ 499,555
330,000 Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (California) North Area
Local Project, Capital Assessment Revenue Bonds, District 2005 @ 102
No. 2, Series 1995 (FGIC Insured) #5.375% Due 10/1/2020..... AAA 2016 @ 100 S.F. 330,548
235,000 San Francisco, California, State Building Authority, Lease
Revenue Bonds, San Francisco Civic Center Complex, Series A 2006 @ 102
(AMBAC Assurance Insured) #5.25% Due 12/1/2021.............. AAA 2017 @ 100 S.F. 231,456
150,000 Riverside County, California, Asset Leasing Corporation,
Leasehold Revenue Bonds, Series 1997A (County of Riverside
Hospital Project) MBIA Insured #0.00% Due 6/1/2024.......... AAA 35,708<F6>
500,000 Regents of the University of California, Revenue Refunding
Bonds (Multiple Purpose Projects) Series E (MBIA Insured) 2007 @ 101
#5.375% Due 9/1/2024......................................... AAA 2023 @ 100 S.F. 500,695
500,000 Pasadena, California, Community Facilities District No. 1
(Civic Center West Public Improvements) 1997 Special Tax 2008 @ 101
Revenue Bonds (FSA Insured) #5.25% Due 12/1/2025##.......... AAA 2021 @ 100 S.F. 491,720
135,000 Thousand Oaks, California, Redevelopment Agency, Tax
Allocation Revenue Refunding Bonds (MBIA Insured) #5.375% 2005 @ 102
Due 12/1/2025................................................ AAA 2011 @ 100 S.F. 135,186
205,000 California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Insured
Revenue Bonds (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) Series B (MBIA 2007 @ 102
Insured) #5.125% Due 8/1/2027............................... AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 197,128
500,000 San Joaquin Hills, California, Transportation Corridor
Agency, Toll Road Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1997A
(MBIA Insured) #5.25% Due 1/15/2030......................... AAA 2007 @ 102 491,880
$ 3,055,000 $ 2,913,876
============= =============
</TABLE>
- ----------
All of the Bonds in the portfolio are insured by one of the Preinsured Bond
Insurers as indicated in the Bond name. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
For an explanation of the footnotes used on this page, see "Notes to
Portfolios" .
CONNECTICUT IM-IT TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
General. The Connecticut IM-IT Trust consists of 8 issues of Securities. One
of the Bonds in the Connecticut IM-IT Trust is a general obligation of the
governmental entity issuing it and 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 to
total Connecticut IM-IT Trust) as follows: Health Care, 4 (52%); Higher
Education, 2 (26%); General Obligation, 1 (17%) and Retail
Electric/Gas/Telephone, 1 (5%). No Bond issue has received a provisional
rating.
Risk Factors. The following information is only a summary of risk factors
associated with Connecticut. It has been compiled from official government
statements and other publicly available documents. Although the Sponsor has
not independently verified the information, it has no reason to believe that
it is not correct in all material respects.
Manufacturing has historically been of prime economic importance to
Connecticut (sometimes referred to as the "State" ). The manufacturing
industry is diversified, with transportation equipment (primarily aircraft
engines, helicopters and submarines) the dominant industry, followed by
non-electrical machinery, fabricated metal products and electrical machinery.
As a result of a rise in employment in service-related industries and a
decline in manufacturing employment, manufacturing accounted for only 17.39%
of total non-agricultural employment in Connecticut in 1996. Defense-related
business represents a relatively high proportion of the manufacturing sector.
On a per capita basis, defense awards to Connecticut have traditionally been
among the highest in the nation, and reductions in defense spending have had a
substantial adverse impact on Connecticut's economy.
From 1986 through 1996, Connecticut's unemployment rate was generally lower
than the unemployment rate for the U.S. as a whole, and average per capita
personal income of Connecticut residents was higher than that of residents of
other states. The average unemployment rate in Connecticut increased from a
low of 3.0% in 1988 to 7.5% in 1992 and, after a number of important changes
in the method of calculation, was reported to be 5.7% in 1996. Average per
capita personal income of Connecticut residents increased in every year from
1985 to 1995, rising from $18,268 to $31,776. However, pockets of significant
unemployment and poverty exist in some Connecticut cities and towns, and
Connecticut is now in a recession, the depth and duration of which are
uncertain.
At the end of the 1990-1991 fiscal year, the General Fund had an accumulated
unappropriated deficit of $965,712,000. For the six fiscal years ended June
30, 1997, the General Fund ran operating surpluses, based on the State's
budgetary method of accounting, of approximately $110,200,000, $113,500,000,
$19,700,000, $80,500,000, $250,000,000 and $262,600,000, respectively. General
Fund budgets for the biennium ending June 30, 1999, were adopted in 1997.
General Fund expenditures and revenues are budgeted to be approximately
$9,550,000,000 and $9,700,000,000 for the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 fiscal
years, respectively.
In 1991, to address the General Fund's growing deficit, legislation was
enacted by which the State imposed an income tax on individuals, trusts and
estates for taxable years generally commencing in 1992. For each fiscal year
starting with the 1991-1992 fiscal year, the General Fund has operated at a
surplus with over 60% of the State's tax revenues being generated by the
income tax and the sales and use tax. However, the State's budgeted
expenditures have more than doubled from approximately $4,300,000 for the
1986-1987 fiscal year to approximately $9,700,000,000 for the 1998-1999 fiscal
year.
During 1991 the State issued a total of $965,710,000 Economic Recovery Notes,
of which $196,555,000 were outstanding as of May 1, 1997. The notes were to be
payable no later than June 30, 1996, but as part of the budget adopted for the
biennium ending June 30, 1997, payment of the notes scheduled to be paid
during the 1995-1996 fiscal year was rescheduled to be made over the four
fiscal years ending June 30, 1999.
The State's primary method for financing capital projects is through the sale
of general obligation bonds. As of August 1, 1997, the State had authorized
direct general obligation bonds totaling $11,469,639,000, of which
$9,990,468,000 had been approved for issuance by the State Bond Commission,
$8,897,072,000 had been issued, and $6,733,149,000 were still outstanding.
In 1995, the State established the University of Connecticut as a separate
corporate entity to issue bonds and construct certain infrastructure
improvements. The University is authorized to issue $962 million bonds to
finance the improvements. The University's bonds will be secured by a State
debt service commitment, the aggregate amount of which is limited to $382
million for the three fiscal years ending June 30, 1999, and $580 million for
the four fiscal years ending June 30, 2005.
In addition to the bonds described above, the State also has limited or
contingent liability on a significant amount of other bonds. Such bonds have
been issued by the following quasi-public agencies: the Connecticut Higher
Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Resources Recovery
Authority and the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority. Such
bonds have also been issued by the cities of Bridgeport and West Haven and the
Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority. As of October 15, 1996, the amount
of bonds outstanding on which the State has limited or contingent liability
totaled $3,985,400,000.
In 1984, the State established a program to plan, construct and improve the
State's transportation system (other than Bradley International Airport). The
total cost of the program through June 30, 2000, is currently estimated to be
$11.2 billion, to be met from federal, state, and local funds. The State
expected, as of November 1, 1996, to finance most of its $4.7 billion share of
such cost by issuing $4.2 billion of special tax obligation ("STO" )
bonds. The STO bonds are payable solely from specified motor fuel taxes, motor
vehicle receipts, and license, permit and fee revenues pledged therefor and
credited to the Special Transportation Fund, which was established to budget
and account for such revenues.
As of October 15, 1996, the General Assembly had authorized $4,157,900,000 of
such STO bonds, of which $3,594,700,000 of new money borrowings had been
issued. It is anticipated that additional STO bonds will be authorized
annually in amounts necessary to finance and to complete the infrastructure
program. Such additional bonds may have equal rank with the outstanding bonds
provided certain pledged revenue coverage requirements are met. The State
expects to continue to offer bonds for this program.
The State's general obligation bonds are rated AA- by Standard & Poor's and
Aa3 by Moody's. On March 17, 1995, Fitch reduced its ratings of the State's
general obligation bonds from AA+ to AA.
The State, its officers and its employees are defendants in numerous lawsuits.
Although it is not possible to determine the outcome of these lawsuits, the
Attorney General has opined that an adverse decision in any of the following
cases might have a significant impact on the State's financial position: (i) a
class action by the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association claiming
a campaign of illegal surveillance activity and seeking damages and injunctive
relief; (ii) an action on behalf of all persons with traumatic brain injury,
who have been placed in certain state hospitals, claiming that their
constitutional rights are violated by placement in State hospitals alleged not
to provide adequate treatment and training, and seeking placement in community
residential settings with appropriate support services; and (iii) litigation
involving claims by Indian tribes to a portion of the State's land area.
As a result of litigation on behalf of black and Hispanic school children in
the City of Hartford seeking "integrated education" within the Greater
Hartford metropolitan area, on July 9, 1996, the State Supreme Court directed
the legislature to develop appropriate measures to remedy the racial and
ethnic segregation in the Hartford public schools. The fiscal impact of this
decision might be significant but is not determinable at this time.
General obligation bonds issued by municipalities are payable primarily from
ad valorem taxes on property located in the municipality. A municipality's
property tax base is subject to many factors outside the control of the
municipality, including the decline in Connecticut's manufacturing industry.
In addition to general obligation bonds backed by the full faith and credit of
the municipality, certain municipal authorities finance projects by issuing
bonds that are not considered to be debts of the municipality. Such bonds may
be repaid only from revenues of the financed project, the revenues from which
may be insufficient to service the related debt obligations.
In recent years, certain Connecticut municipalities have experienced severe
fiscal difficulties and have reported operating and accumulated deficits. The
most notable of these is the City of Bridgeport, which filed a bankruptcy
petition on June 7, 1991. The State opposed the petition. The United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut held that Bridgeport has
authority to file such a petition but that its petition should be dismissed on
the grounds that Bridgeport was not insolvent when the petition was filed.
State legislation now prohibits municipal bankruptcy filings without prior
written consent of the Governor.
Regional economic difficulties, reductions in revenues and increases in
expenses could lead to further fiscal problems for the State and its political
subdivisions, authorities and agencies. Difficulties in payment of debt
service on borrowings could result in declines, possibly severe, in the value
of their outstanding obligations, increases in their future borrowing costs,
and impairment of their ability to pay debt service on their obligations.
Tax Status. For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on
Connecticut IM-IT Trust Units, see "Federal Tax Status" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
The assets of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust will consist of obligations (the
"Bonds" ); certain of the Bonds have been issued by or on behalf of the
State of Connecticut or its political subdivisions or other public
instrumentalities, state or local authorities, districts, or similar public
entities created under the laws of the State of Connecticut ("Connecticut
Bonds" ) and the balance of the Bonds have been issued by or on behalf of
entities classified for the relevant purposes as territories or possessions of
the United States, including one or more of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin
Islands, the interest on the obligations of which Federal law would prohibit
Connecticut from taxing if received directly by the Unitholders. Certain
Connecticut Bonds in the Connecticut IM-IT Trust were issued prior to the
enactment of the Connecticut income tax on the Connecticut taxable income of
individuals, trusts, and estates (the "Connecticut Income Tax" );
therefore, bond counsel to the issuers of such Bonds did not opine as to the
exemption of the interest on such Bonds from such tax. However, the Sponsor
and special counsel to the Trusts for Connecticut tax matters believe that
such interest will be so exempt. Interest on Bonds in the Connecticut IM-IT
Trust issued by other issuers, if any, is, in the opinion of bond counsel to
such issuers, exempt from state taxation.
Generally, a Unitholder recognizes gain or loss for purposes of the
Connecticut Income Tax to the same extent as the Unitholder recognizes gain or
loss for Federal income tax purposes. Ordinarily this would mean that gain or
loss would be recognized by a Unitholder upon the maturity, redemption, sale,
or other disposition by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust of a Bond held by it, or
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of a Unit of the Connecticut
IM-IT Trust held by the Unitholder. However, gains and losses from the sale or
exchange of Connecticut Bonds held as capital assets are not taken into
account for purposes of this tax. Regulations indicate that this rule would
apply to gain or loss recognized by a Unitholder holding a Unit of the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust as a capital asset upon the maturity, redemption,
sale, or other disposition of a Connecticut Bond held by the Connecticut IM-IT
Trust. However, it is not clear whether this rule would also apply, to the
extent attributable to Connecticut Bonds held by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust,
to gain or loss recognized by a Unitholder upon the redemption, sale, or other
disposition of a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust held by the Unitholder.
Unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning these
matters.
In the opinion of Day, Berry & Howard, special counsel to the Fund for
Connecticut tax matters, which relies explicitly on the opinion of Chapman and
Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, under existing Connecticut law:
The Connecticut IM-IT Trust is not liable for any tax on or measured by net
income imposed by the State of Connecticut.
Interest income of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust from a Bond issued by or on
behalf of the State of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or
public instrumentality, state or local authority, district, or similar public
entity created under the laws of the State of Connecticut (a "Connecticut
Bond" ), or from a Bond issued by United States territories or possessions
the interest on which Federal law would prohibit Connecticut from taxing if
received directly by a Unitholder from the issuer thereof, is not taxable
under the Connecticut tax on the Connecticut taxable income of individuals,
trusts, and estates (the "Connecticut Income Tax" ), when any such
interest is received by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust or distributed by it to
such a Unitholder.
Insurance proceeds received by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust representing
maturing interest on defaulted Bonds held by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust are
not taxable under the Connecticut Income Tax if, and to the same extent as,
such interest would not be taxable thereunder if paid directly to the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust by the issuer of such Bonds.
Gains and losses recognized by a Unitholder for Federal income tax purposes
upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition by the Connecticut
IM-IT Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust or upon the
redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT
Trust held by a Unitholder are taken into account as gains or losses,
respectively, for purposes of the Connecticut Income Tax, except that, in the
case of a Unitholder holding a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust as a
capital asset, such gains and losses recognized upon the maturity, redemption,
sale, or exchange of a Connecticut Bond held by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust
are excluded from gains and losses taken into account for purposes of such
tax, and no opinion is expressed as to the treatment for purposes of such tax
of gains and losses recognized, to the extent attributable to Connecticut
Bonds, upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition by a Unitholder of a
Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust held by him.
The portion of any interest income or capital gain of the Connecticut IM-IT
Trust that is allocable to a Unitholder that is subject to the Connecticut
corporation business tax is includable in the gross income of such Unitholder
for purposes of such tax.
An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust that is owned by or
attributable to a Connecticut resident at the time of his death is includable
in his gross estate for purposes of the Connecticut succession tax and the
Connecticut estate tax.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Unit Information: Semi-
Monthly Annual
------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income:
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit..................... $ 49.60 $ 49.60
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit <F1>.................. $ 2.38 $ 1.90
Less: Annual Premium on Portfolio Insurance per Unit.......... -- --
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit................. $ 47.22 $ 47.70
Calculation of Estimated Interest Earnings per Unit:
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit................. $ 47.22 $ 47.70
Divided by 12 and 2, respectively............................. $ 3.93 $ 23.85
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit.......... $ .13118 $ .13250
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price <F2>... 4.72% 4.77%
Estimated Long-Term Return <F2>................................ 4.74% 4.79%
Estimated Initial Monthly Distribution (December 1997)......... $ 2.62
Estimated Initial Semi-annual Distribution (January 1998)...... $ 6.62
Estimated Normal Distribution per Unit <F2>.................... $ 3.93 $ 23.85
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Trustee's Annual Fee <F3>...... $.91 and $.51 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds, respectively, for those portions of the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust under the monthly and semi-annual distribution plans
Record and Computation Dates... TENTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--January and July
Distribution Dates............. TWENTY-FIFTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--
January and July
- ----------
<FN>
<F1>Excluding insurance costs. The Estimated Annual Expenses are expected to
fluctuate periodically (see "Trust Administration--Fund Administration and
Expenses--Miscellaneous Expenses" in Part II of this Prospectus).
<F2>The Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns are increased
for transactions entitled to a reduced sales charge. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--General" in Part II of this Prospectus. For
a discussion of how these returns are calculated, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns"
in Part II of this Prospectus. These figures are based on estimated per Unit
cash flows. Estimated cash flows will vary with changes in fees and expenses,
with changes in current interest rates and with the principal prepayment,
redemption, maturity, call, exchange or sale of the underlying Securities. The
estimated cash flows for this Series are set forth under "Other
Matters--Estimated Cash Flows to Unitholders" .
<F3>Based on the size of the Trust on the Date of Deposit and assuming all
Unitholders had chosen the semi-annual distribution plan, the Trustee's
estimated annual fees for ordinary recurring services would initially amount
to $1,489. Assuming in the alternative that all Unitholders had elected the
monthly distribution plan, such fees would initially amount to $2,657.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
CONNECTICUT INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
SERIES 36 (IM-IT AND QUALITY MULTI-SERIES 296)
PORTFOLIO As of November 17, 1997
<CAPTION>
Offering
Price To
Aggregate Connecticut
Principal Name of Issuer, Title, Interest Rate and Maturity Date of Redemption IM-IT Trust
<F1> either Bonds Deposited or Bonds Contracted for <F1><F5> Rating <F2> Feature <F3> <F4>
- ------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- --------------- -------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 470,000 Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
Revenue Bonds (Danbury Hospital Issue) Series 1996F (AMBAC 2006 @ 102
Assurance Insured) #5.375% Due 7/1/2017................... AAA 2015 @ 100 S.F. $ 473,591
150,000 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Revenue Capital
Appreciation Bonds, Series O (MBIA Insured) #0.00% Due
7/1/2017................................................... AAA 2015 @ 87.06 S.F. 54,639<F6>
500,000 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, General Obligation Bonds 2007 @ 100
(MBIA Insured) #5.375% Due 7/1/2025....................... AAA 2022 @ 100 S.F. 502,500
250,000 Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
Revenue Bonds (Veterans Memorial Medical Center) Series A 2006 @ 102
(MBIA Insured) #5.50% Due 7/1/2026........................ AAA 2017 @ 100 S.F. 253,432
500,000 Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
Revenue Bonds (Choate Rosemary Hall Issue) Series B (MBIA 2007 @ 101
Insured) #5.00% Due 7/1/2027.............................. AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 482,540
250,000 Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
Revenue Bonds (Connecticut College C-1 Issue) MBIA Insured 2007 @ 102
#5.50% Due 7/1/2027....................................... AAA 2021 @ 100 S.F. 255,528
300,000 Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
Revenue Bonds (Middlesex Hospital) Series A (MBIA Insured) 2007 @ 101
#5.125% Due 7/1/2027...................................... AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 289,785
500,000 Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
Revenue Bonds (Suffield Academy) Series A (MBIA Insured) 2007 @ 102
#5.40% Due 7/1/2027........................................ AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 506,760
$ 2,920,000 $ 2,818,775
============= =============
</TABLE>
- ----------
All of the Bonds in the portfolio are insured by one of the Preinsured Bond
Insurers as indicated in the Bond name. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
For an explanation of the footnotes used on this page, see "Notes to
Portfolios" .
NEW YORK IM-IT TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
General. The New York IM-IT Trust consists of 9 issues of Securities. None of
the Bonds in the New York IM-IT Trust are general obligations of the
governmental entities issuing them or are backed by the taxing power thereof.
All of the 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 to
total New York IM-IT Trust) as follows: Health Care, 2 (25%); Higher
Education, 1 (17%); Water and Sewer, 1 (17%); General Purpose, 1 (13%);
Industrial Revenue, 1 (8%); Public Building, 1 (8%); Transportation, 1 (8%)
and Retail Electric/Gas/Telephone, 1 (4%). No Bond issue has received a
provisional rating.
Risk Factors. A resident of New York State (or New York City) will be subject
to New York State (or New York City) personal income tax with respect to gains
realized when New York Obligations held in the New York IM-IT Trust are sold,
redeemed or paid at maturity or when his Units are sold or redeemed, such gain
will equal the proceeds of sale, redemption or payment less the tax basis of
the New York Obligation or Unit (adjusted to reflect (a) the amortization of
premium or discount, if any, on New York Obligations held in the Trust, (b)
accrued original issue discount, with respect to each New York Obligation
which, at the time the New York Obligation was issued had original issue
discount, and (c) the deposit of New York Obligations with accrued interest in
the Trust after the Unitholder's settlement date).
Interest or gain from the New York IM-IT Trust derived by a Unitholder who is
not a resident of New York State (or New York City) will not be subject to New
York State (or New York City) personal income tax, unless the Units are
property employed in a business, trade, profession or occupation carried on in
New York State (or New York City).
Amounts paid on defaulted New York Obligations held by the Trustee under
policies of insurance issued with respect to such New York Obligations will be
excludable from income for New York State and New York City income tax
purposes, if and to the same extent as, such interest would have been
excludable if paid by the respective issuer.
For purposes of the New York State and New York City franchise tax on
corporations, Unitholders which are subject to such tax will be required to
include in their entire net income any interest or gains distributed to them
even though distributed in respect of New York obligations.
If borrowed funds are used to purchase Units in the Trust, all (or part) of
the interest on such indebtedness will not be deductible for New York State
and New York City tax purposes. The purchase of Units may be considered to
have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not directly
traceable to the purchase of Units in any New York Trust.
The Portfolio of the New York IM-IT Trust includes obligations issued by New
York State (the "State" ), by its various public bodies (the "
Agencies" ), and/or by other entities located within the State, including
the City of New York (the "City" ).
Some of the more significant events relating to the financial situation in New
York are summarized below. This section provides only a brief summary of the
complex factors affecting the financial situation in New York and is based in
part on Official Statements issued by, and on other information reported by
the State, the City and the Agencies in connection with the issuance of their
respective securities.
There can be no assurance that future statewide or regional economic
difficulties, and the resulting impact on State or local government finances
generally, will not adversely affect the market value of New York Municipal
Obligations held in the portfolio of the Trust or the ability of particular
obligors to make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those
obligations.
The State has historically been one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
For decades, however, the State economy has grown more slowly than that of the
nation as a whole, gradually eroding the State's relative economic affluence.
Statewide, urban centers have experienced significant changes involving
migration of the more affluent to the suburbs and an influx of generally less
affluent residents. Regionally, the older Northeast cities have suffered
because of the relative success that the South and the West have had in
attracting people and business. The City has also had to face greater
competition as other major cities have developed financial and business
capabilities which make them less dependent on the specialized services
traditionally available almost exclusively in the City.
The State has for many years had a very high state and local tax burden
relative to other states. The burden of State and local taxation, in
combination with the many other causes of regional economic dislocation, has
contributed to the decisions of some businesses and individuals to relocate
outside, or not locate within, the State.
A national recession commenced in mid-1990. The downturn continued throughout
the State's 1990-91 fiscal year and was followed by a period of weak economic
growth during the 1991 calendar year. For calendar year 1992, the national
economy continued to recover, although at a rate below all post-war
recoveries. For calendar year 1993, the economy is expected to grow faster
than 1992, but still at a very moderate rate, as compared to other recoveries.
The national recession has been more severe in the State because of factors
such as a significant retrenchment in the financial services industry,
cutbacks in defense spending, and an overbuilt real estate market.
1993-94 Fiscal Year. On April 5, 1993, the State Legislature approved a $32.08
billion budget. Following enactment of the budget the 1993-94 State Financial
Plan was formulated on April 16, 1993. This Plan projects General Fund
receipts and transfers from other funds at $32.367 billion and disbursements
and transfers to other funds at $32.300 billion. In comparison to the
Governor's recommended Executive Budget for the 1993-94 fiscal year, as
revised on February 18, 1993, the 1993-94 State Financial Plan reflects
increases in both receipts and disbursements in the General Fund of $811
million.
While a portion of the increased receipts was the result of a $487 million
increase in the State's 1992-93 positive year-end margin at March 31, 1993 to
$671 million, the balance of such increased receipts is based upon (i) a
projected $269 million increase in receipts resulting from improved 1992-93
results and the expectation of an improving economy, (ii) projected additional
payments of $200 million from the Federal government as reimbursements for
indigent medical care, (iii) the early payment of $50 million of personal tax
returns in 1992-93 which otherwise would have been paid in 1993-94; offset by
(iv) the State Legislature's failure to enact $195 million of additional
revenue-raising recommendations proposed by the Governor. There can be no
assurances that all of the projected receipts referred to above will be
received.
Despite the $811 million increase in disbursements included in the 1993-94
State Financial Plan, a reduction in aid to some local government units can be
expected. To offset a portion of such reductions, the 1993-94 State Financial
Plan contains a package of mandate relief, cost containment and other
proposals to reduce the costs of many programs for which local governments
provide funding. There can be no assurance, however, that localities that
suffer cuts will not be adversely affected, leading to further requests for
State financial assistance.
There can be no assurance that the State will not face substantial potential
budget gaps in the future resulting from a significant disparity between tax
revenues projected from a lower recurring receipts base and the spending
required to maintain State programs at current levels. To address any
potential budgetary imbalance, the State may need to take significant actions
to align recurring receipts and disbursements.
1992-93 Fiscal Year. Before giving effect to a 1992-93 year-end deposit to the
refund reserve account of $671 million, General Fund receipts in 1992-93 would
have been $716 million higher than originally projected. This year-end deposit
effectively reduced 1992-93 receipts by $671 million and made those receipts
available for 1993-94.
The State's favorable performance primarily resulted from income tax
collections that were $700 million higher than projected which reflected both
stronger economic activity and tax-induced one-time acceleration of income
into 1992. In other areas larger than projected business tax collections and
unbudgeted receipts offset the loss of $200 million of anticipated Federal
reimbursement and losses of, or shortfalls in, other projected revenue
sources.
For 1992-93, disbursements and transfers to other funds (including the deposit
to the refund reserve account discussed above) totalled $30.829 billion, an
increase of $45 million above projections in April 1992.
Fiscal year 1992-93 was the first time in four years that the State did not
incur a cash-basis operating deficit in the General Fund requiring the
issuance of deficit notes or other bonds, spending cuts or other revenue
raising measures.
Indebtedness. As of March 31, 1993, the total amount of long-term State
general obligation debt authorized but unissued stood at $2.4 billion. As of
the same date, the State had approximately $5.4 billion in general obligation
bonds. The State issued $850 million in tax and revenue anticipation notes
("TRANS" ) on April 28, 1993. The State does not project the need to
issue additional TRANS during the State's 1993-94 fiscal year.
The State projects that its borrowings for capital purposes during the State's
1993-94 fiscal year will consist of $460 million in general obligation bonds
and $140 million in new commercial paper issuances. In addition, the State
expects to issue $140 million in bonds for the purpose of redeeming
outstanding bond anticipation notes. The Legislature has authorized the
issuance of up to $85 million in certificates of participation during the
State's 1993-94 fiscal year for personal and real property acquisitions during
the State's 1993-94 fiscal year. The projection of the State regarding its
borrowings for the 1993-94 fiscal year may change if actual receipts fall
short of State projections or if other circumstances require.
In June 1990, legislation was enacted creating the "New York Local
Government Assistance Corporation" ("LGAC" ), a public benefit
corporation empowered to issue long-term obligations to fund certain payments
to local governments traditionally funded through the State's annual seasonal
borrowing. To date, LGAC has issued its bonds to provide net proceeds of $3.28
billion. LGAC has been authorized to issue additional bonds to provide net
proceeds of $703 million during the State's 1993-94 fiscal year.
Ratings. The $850 million in TRANS issued by the State in April 1993 were
rated SP-1-Plus by S&P on April 26, 1993, and MIG-1 by Moody's on April 23,
1993, which represents the highest ratings given by such agencies and the
first time the State's TRANS have received these ratings since its May 1989
TRANS issuance. Both agencies cited the State's improved fiscal position as a
significant factor in the upgrading of the April 1993 TRANS.
Moody's rating of the State's general obligation bonds stood at A on April 23,
1993, and S&P's rating stood at A- with a stable outlook on April 26, 1993, an
improvement from S&P's negative outlook prior to April 1993. Previously,
Moody's lowered its rating to A on June 6, 1990, its rating having been A1
since May 27, 1986. S&P lowered its rating from A to A- on January 13, 1992.
S&P's previous ratings were A from March 1990 to January 1992, AA- from August
1987 to March 1990 and A+ from November 1982 to August 1987.
Moody's, in confirming its rating of the State's general obligation bonds, and
S&P, in improving its outlook on such bonds from negative to stable, noted the
State's improved fiscal condition and reasonable revenue assumptions contained
in the 1993-94 State budget.
The City accounts for approximately 41% of the State's population and personal
income, and the City's financial health affects the State in numerous ways.
In response to the City's fiscal crisis in 1975, the State took a number of
steps to assist the City in returning to fiscal stability. Among other
actions, the State Legislature (i) created MAC to assist with long-term
financing for the City's short-term debt and other cash requirements and (ii)
created the State Financial Control Board (the "Control Board" ) to
review and approve the City's budgets and City four-year financial plans (the
financial plans also apply to certain City-related public agencies (the "
Covered Organizations" ).
In February 1975, the New York State Urban Development Corporation ("
UDC" ), which had approximately $1 billion of outstanding debt, defaulted
on certain of its short-term notes. Shortly after the UDC default, the City
entered a period of financial crisis. Both the State Legislature and the
United States Congress enacted legislation in response to this crisis. During
1975, the State Legislature (i) created MAC to assist with long-term financing
for the City's short-term debt and other cash requirements and (ii) created
the State Financial Control Board (the "Control Board" ) to review and
approve the City's budgets and City four-year financial plans (the financial
plans also apply to certain City-related public agencies (the "Covered
Organizations" )).
Over the past three years, the rate of economic growth in the City has slowed
substantially, and the City's economy is currently in recession. The City
projects, and its current four-year financial plan assumes, a recovery early
in the 1993 calendar year. The Mayor is responsible for preparing the City's
four-year financial plan, including the City's current financial plan. The
City Comptroller has issued reports concluding that the recession of the
City's economy will be more severe and last longer than is assumed in the
financial plan.
Fiscal Year 1993 and 1993-1996 Financial Plan. The City's 1993 fiscal year
results are projected to be balanced in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP" ). The City was required to close
substantial budget gaps in its 1990, 1991 and 1992 fiscal years in order to
maintain balanced operating results.
The City's modified Financial Plan dated February 9, 1993 covering fiscal
years 1993-1996 projects budget gaps for 1994 through 1996. The Office of the
State Deputy Controller for the City of New York has estimated that under the
modified Financial Plan budget gaps will be $102 million for fiscal year 1994,
$196 million for fiscal year 1995 and $354 million for fiscal year 1996,
primarily due to anticipated higher spending on labor costs.
However, the City's modified Plan is dependent upon a gap-closing program,
certain elements of which the staff of Control Board identified on March 25,
1993 to be at risk due to projected levels of State and Federal aid and
revenue and expenditures estimates which may not be achievable. The Control
Board indicated that the City's modified Financial Plan does not make progress
towards establishing a balanced budget process. The Control Board's report
identified budget gap risks of $1.0 billion, $1.9 billion, $2.3 billion and
$2.6 billion in fiscal years 1994 through 1997, respectively.
On June 3, 1993, the Mayor announced that State and federal aid for Fiscal
Year 1993-1994 would be $280 million less than projected and that in order to
balance the City's budget $176 million of previously announced contingent
budget cuts would be imposed. The Mayor indicated that further savings would
entail serious reductions in services. The State Comptroller on June 14, 1993
criticized efforts by the Mayor and City Council to balance the City's budget
which rely primarily on one-shot revenues. The Comptroller added that the
City's budget should be based on "recurring revenues that fund recurring
expenditures." Given the foregoing factors, there can be no assurance that
the City will continue to maintain a balanced budget, or that it can maintain
a balanced budget without additional tax or other revenue increases or
reductions in City services, which could adversely affect the City's economic
base.
Pursuant to State law, the City prepares a four-year annual financial plan,
which is reviewed and revised on a quarterly basis and which includes the
City's capital, revenue and expense projections. The City is required to
submit its financial plans to review bodies, including the Control Board. If
the City were to experience certain adverse financial circumstances, including
the occurrence or the substantial likelihood and imminence of the occurrence
of an annual operating deficit of more than $100 million or the loss of access
to the public credit markets to satisfy the City's capital and seasonal
financial requirements, the Control Board would be required by State law to
exercise certain powers, including prior approval of City financial plans,
proposed borrowings and certain contracts.
The City depends on the State for State aid both to enable the City to balance
its budget and to meet its cash requirements. As a result of the national and
regional economic recession, the State's projections of tax revenues for its
1991 and 1992 fiscal years were substantially reduced. For its 1993 fiscal
year, the State, before taking any remedial action reflected in the State
budget enacted by the State Legislature on April 2, 1992 reported a potential
budget deficit of $4.8 billion. If the State experiences revenue shortfalls or
spending increases beyond its projections during its 1993 fiscal year or
subsequent years, such developments could also result in reductions in
projected State aid to the City. In addition, there can be no assurance that
State budgets in future fiscal years will be adopted by the April 1 statutory
deadline and that there will not be adverse effects on the City's cash flow
and additional City expenditures as a result of such delays.
The City's projections set forth in its financial plan are based on various
assumptions and contingencies which are uncertain and which may not
materialize. Changes in major assumptions could significantly affect the
City's ability to balance its budget as required by State law and to meet its
annual cash flow and financing requirements. Such assumptions and
contingencies include the timing of any regional and local economic recovery,
the absence of wage increases in excess of the increases assumed in its
financial plan, employment growth, provision of State and Federal aid and
mandate relief, State legislative approval of future State budgets, levels of
education expenditures as may be required by State law, adoption of future
City budgets by the New York City Council, and approval by the Governor or the
State Legislature and the cooperation of MAC with respect to various other
actions proposed in such financial plan.
The City's ability to maintain a balanced operating budget is dependent on
whether it can implement necessary service and personnel reduction programs
successfully. As discussed above, the City must identify additional
expenditure reductions and revenue sources to achieve balanced operating
budgets for fiscal years 1994 and thereafter. Any such proposed expenditure
reductions will be difficult to implement because of their size and the
substantial expenditure reductions already imposed on City operations in the
past two years.
Attaining a balanced budget is also dependent upon the City's ability to
market its securities successfully in the public credit markets. The City's
financing program for fiscal years 1993 through 1996 contemplates issuance of
$15.7 billion of general obligation bonds primarily to reconstruct and
rehabilitate the City's infrastructure and physical assets and to make capital
investments. A significant portion of such bond financing is used to reimburse
the City's general fund for capital expenditures already incurred. In
addition, the City issues revenue and tax anticipation notes to finance its
seasonal working capital requirements. The terms and success of projected
public sales of City general obligation bonds and notes will be subject to
prevailing market conditions at the time of the sale, and no assurance can be
given that the credit markets will absorb the projected amounts of public bond
and note sales. In addition, future developments concerning the City and
public discussion of such developments, the City's future financial needs and
other issues may affect the market for outstanding City general obligation
bonds and notes. If the City were unable to sell its general obligation bonds
and notes, it would be prevented from meeting its planned operating and
capital expenditures.
The City Comptroller, the staff of the Control Board, the Office of the State
Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York (the "OSDC" ) and other
agencies and public officials have issued reports and made public statements
which, among other things, state that projected revenues may be less and
future expenditures may be greater than those forecast in the financial plan.
In addition, the Control Board and other agencies have questioned whether the
City has the capacity to generate sufficient revenues in the future to meet
the costs of its expenditure increases and to provide necessary services. It
is reasonable to expect that such reports and statements will continue to be
issued and to engender public comment.
Fiscal Years 1990, 1991 and 1992. The City achieved balanced operating results
as reported in accordance with GAAP for the 1992 fiscal year. During the 1990
and 1991 fiscal years, the City implemented various actions to offset a
projected budget deficit of $3.2 billion for the 1991 fiscal year, which
resulted from declines in City revenue sources and increased public assistance
needs due to the recession. Such actions included $822 million of tax
increases and substantial expenditure reductions.
The quarterly modification to the City's financial plan submitted to the
Control Board on May 7, 1992 (the "1992 Modification" ) projected a
balanced budget in accordance with GAAP for the 1992 fiscal year after taking
into account a discretionary transfer of $455 million to the 1993 fiscal year
as the result of a 1992 fiscal year surplus. In order to achieve a balanced
budget for the 1992 fiscal year, during the 1991 fiscal year, the City
proposed various actions for the 1992 fiscal year to close a projected gap of
$3.3 billion in the 1992 fiscal year.
On November 19, 1992, the City submitted to the Control Board the Financial
Plan for the 1993 through 1996 fiscal years, which is a modification to a
financial plan submitted to the Control Board on June 11, 1992 (the "June
Financial Plan" ), and which relates to the City, the Board of Education
("BOE" ) and the City University of New York ("CUNY" ). The
1993-1996 Financial Plan projects revenues and expenditures of $29.9 billion
each for the 1993 fiscal year balanced in accordance with GAAP.
During the 1992 fiscal year, the City proposed various actions to close a
previously projected gap of approximately $1.2 billion for the 1993 fiscal
year. The gap-closing actions for the 1993 fiscal year proposed during the
1992 fiscal year and outlined in the City's June Financial Plan included $489
million of discretionary transfers from the 1992 fiscal year. The 1993-1996
City Financial Plan includes additional gap-closing actions to offset an
additional potential $81 million budget gap.
The 1993-1996 Financial Plan also sets forth projections and outlines a
proposed gap-closing program for the 1994 through 1996 fiscal years to close
projected budget gaps of $1.7 billion, $2.0 billion and $2.6 billion,
respectively, in the 1994 through 1996 fiscal years. On February 9, 1993, the
City issued a modification to the 1993-1996 Financial Plan (the "February
Modification" ). The February Modification projects budget gaps for fiscal
years 1994, 1995 and 1996 of $2.1 billion, $3.1 billion and $3.8 billion,
respectively.
Various actions proposed in the 1993-1996 Financial Plan are subject to
approval by the Governor and approval by the State Legislature, and the
proposed increase in Federal aid is subject to approval by Congress and the
President. The State Legislature has in the past failed to approve certain
proposals similar to those that the 1993-1996 Financial Plan assumes will be
approved by the State Legislature during the 1993 fiscal year. If these
actions cannot be implemented, the City will be required to take other actions
to decrease expenditures or increase revenues to maintain a balanced financial
plan.
On March 9, 1993, OSDC issued a report on the February Modification. The
report expressed concern that the budget gaps projected for fiscal years 1994
through 1996 are the largest the City has faced at this point in the financial
planning cycle in at least a decade, and concluded that the February
Modification represented a step backward in the City's efforts to bring
recurring revenues into line with recurring expenditures.
The City is a defendant in a significant number of lawsuits. Such litigation
includes, but is not limited to, actions commenced and claims asserted against
the City arising out of alleged constitutional violations, torts, breaches of
contracts, and other violations of law and condemnation proceedings. While the
ultimate outcome and fiscal impact, if any, on the proceedings and claims are
not currently predictable, adverse determinations in certain of them might
have a material adverse effect upon the City's ability to carry out its
financial plan. As of June 30, 1992, legal claims in excess of $341 billion
were outstanding against the City for which the City estimated its potential
future liability to be $2.3 billion.
As of the date of this prospectus, Moody's rating of the City's general
obligation bonds stood at Baa1 and S&P's rating stood at A-. On February 11,
1991, Moody's had lowered its rating from A.
On March 30, 1993, in confirming its Baa1 rating, Moody's noted that:
The financial plan for fiscal year 1994 and beyond shows an ongoing imbalance
between the City's expenditures and revenues. The key indication of this
structural imbalance is not necessarily the presence of sizable out-year
budget gaps, but the recurring use of one-shot actions to close gaps.
One-shots constitute a significant share of the proposed gap-closing program
for fiscal year 1994, and they represent an even larger share of those
measures which the City seems reasonably certain to attain. Several major
elements of the program, including certain state actions, federal counter
cyclical aid and part of the city's tax package, remain uncertain. However,
the gap closing plan may be substantially altered when the executive budget is
offered later this spring.
On March 30, 1993, S&P affirmed its A- rating with a negative outlook, stating
that:
The City's key credit factors are marked by a high and growing debt burden,
and taxation levels that are relatively high, but stable. The City's economy
is broad-based and diverse, but currently is in prolonged recession, with slow
growth prospects for the foreseeable future.
The rating outlook is negative, reflecting the continued fiscal pressure
facing the City, driven by continued weakness in the local economy, rising
spending pressures for education and labor costs of city employees, and
increasing costs associated with rising debt for capital construction and
repair.
The current financial plan for the City assumes substantial increases in aid
from national and state governments. Maintenance of the current rating, and
stabilization of the rating outlook, will depend on the City's success in
realizing budgetary aid from these governments, or replacing those revenues
with ongoing revenue-raising measures or spending reductions under the City's
control. However, increased reliance on non-recurring budget balancing
measures that would support current spending, but defer budgetary gaps to
future years, would be viewed by S&P as detrimental to New York City's
single-'A-' rating.
Previously, Moody's had raised its rating to A in May, 1988, to Baa1 in
December, 1985, to Baa in November, 1983 and to Ba1 in November, 1981. S&P had
raised its rating to A- in November, 1987, to BBB+ in July, 1985 and to BBB in
March, 1981.
On May 9, 1990, Moody's revised downward its rating on outstanding City
revenue anticipation notes from MIG-1 to MIG-2 and rated the $900 million
Notes then being sold MIG-2. On April 30, 1991 Moody's confirmed its MIG-2
rating for the outstanding revenue anticipation notes and for the $1.25
billion in notes then being sold. On April 29, 1991, S&P revised downward its
rating on City revenue anticipation notes from SP-1 to SP-2.
As of December 31, 1992, the City and MAC had, respectively, $20.3 billion and
$4.7 billion of outstanding net long-term indebtedness.
Certain Agencies of the State have faced substantial financial difficulties
which could adversely affect the ability of such Agencies to make payments of
interest on, and principal amounts of, their respective bonds. The
difficulties have in certain instances caused the State (under so-called "
moral obligation" provisions which are non-binding statutory provisions
for State appropriations to maintain various debt service reserve funds) to
appropriate funds on behalf of the Agencies. Moreover, it is expected that the
problems faced by these Agencies will continue and will require increasing
amounts of State assistance in future years. Failure of the State to
appropriate necessary amounts or to take other action to permit those Agencies
having financial difficulties to meet their obligations could result in a
default by one or more of the Agencies. Such default, if it were to occur,
would be likely to have a significant adverse effect on investor confidence
in, and therefore the market price of, obligations of the defaulting Agencies.
In addition, any default in payment on any general obligation of any Agency
whose bonds contain a moral obligation provision could constitute a failure of
certain conditions that must be satisfied in connection with Federal
guarantees of City and MAC obligations and could thus jeopardize the City's
long-term financing plans.
As of September 30, 1992, the State reported that there were eighteen Agencies
that each had outstanding debt of $100 million or more. These eighteen
Agencies had an aggregate of $62.2 billion of outstanding debt, including
refunding bonds, of which the State was obligated under lease-purchase,
contractual obligation or moral obligation provisions on $25.3 billion.
The State is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings pertaining to matters
incidental to the performance of routine governmental operations. Such
litigation includes, but is not limited to, claims asserted against the State
arising from alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts, condemnation
proceedings and other alleged violations of State and Federal laws. Included
in the State's outstanding litigation are a number of cases challenging the
constitutionality or the adequacy and effectiveness of a variety of
significant social welfare programs primarily involving the State's mental
hygiene programs. Adverse judgments in these matters generally could result in
injunctive relief coupled with prospective changes in patient care which could
require substantial increased financing of the litigated programs in the
future.
The State is also engaged in a variety of claims wherein significant monetary
damages are sought. Actions commenced by several Indian nations claim that
significant amounts of land were unconstitutionally taken from the Indians in
violation of various treaties and agreements during the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries. The claimants seek recovery of approximately six million
acres of land as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
The U.S. Supreme Court on March 30, 1993 referred to a Special Master for
determination of damages in an action by the State of Delaware to recover
certain unclaimed dividends, interest and other distributions made by issuers
of securities held by New York based-brokers incorporated in Delaware. (State
of Delaware v. State of New York.) The State had taken such unclaimed property
under its Abandoned Property Law. The State expects that it may pay a
significant amount in damages during fiscal year 1993-94 but it has indicated
that it has sufficient funds on hand to pay any such award, including funds
held in contingency reserves. The State's 1993-94 Financial Plan includes the
establishment of a $100 million contingency reserve fund which would be
available to fund such an award which some reports have estimated at $100-$800
million.
In Schulz v. State of New York, commenced May 24, 1993 ("Schulz 1993"
), petitioners have challenged the constitutionality of mass transportation
bonding programs of the New York State Thruway Authority and the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority. On May 24, 1993, the Supreme Court, Albany County,
temporarily enjoined the State from implementing those bonding programs. In
previous actions Mr. Schulz and others have challenged on similar grounds
bonding programs for the New York State Urban Development Corporation and the
New York Local Government Assistance Corporation. While there have been no
decisions on the merits in such previous actions, by an opinion dated May 11,
1993, the New York Court of Appeals held in a proceeding commenced on April
29, 1991 in the Supreme Court, Albany County (Schulz v. State of New York),
that petitioners had standing as voters under the State Constitution to bring
such action.
Petitioners in Schulz 1993 have asserted that issuance of bonds by the two
Authorities is subject to approval by statewide referendum. At this time there
can be no forecast of the likelihood of success on the merits by the
petitioners, but a decision upholding this constitutional challenge could
restrict and limit the ability of the State and its instrumentalities to
borrow funds in the future. The State has not indicated that the temporary
injunction issued by the Supreme Court in this action will have any immediate
impact on its financial condition or interfere with projects requiring
immediate action.
Adverse developments in the foregoing proceedings or new proceedings could
adversely affect the financial condition of the State in the future.
Certain localities in addition to New York City could have financial problems
leading to requests for additional State assistance. Both the Revised
1992-1993 State Financial Plan and the recommended 1993-94 State Financial
Plan includes a significant reduction in State aid to localities in such
programs as revenue sharing and aid to education from projected base-line
growth in such programs. It is expected that such reductions will result in
the need for localities to reduce their spending or increase their revenues.
The potential impact on the State of such actions by localities is not
included in projections of State receipts and expenditures in the State's
1993-94 fiscal year.
Fiscal difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers ("Yonkers" )
resulted in the creation of the Financial Control Board for the City of
Yonkers (the "Yonkers Board" ) by the State in 1984. The Yonkers Board
is charged with oversight of the fiscal affairs of Yonkers. Future actions
taken by the Governor or the State Legislature to assist Yonkers could result
in allocation of State resources in amounts that cannot yet be determined.
Municipalities and school districts have engaged in substantial short-term and
long-term borrowings. In 1991, the total indebtedness of all localities in the
State was approximately $31.6 billion, of which $16.8 billion was debt of New
York City (excluding $6.7 billion in MAC debt). State law requires the
Comptroller to review and make recommendations concerning the budgets of those
local government units other than New York City authorized by State law to
issue debt to finance deficits during the period that such deficit financing
is outstanding. Fifteen localities had outstanding indebtedness for state
financing at the close of their fiscal year ending in 1991. In 1992, an
unusually large number of local government units requested authorization for
deficit financings. According to the Comptroller, ten local government units
have been authorized to issue deficit financing in the aggregate amount of
$131.1 million.
Certain proposed Federal expenditure reductions could reduce, or in some cases
eliminate, Federal funding of some local programs and accordingly might impose
substantial increased expenditure requirements on affected localities. If the
State, New York City or any of the Agencies were to suffer serious financial
difficulties jeopardizing their respective access to the public credit
markets, the marketability of notes and bonds issued by localities within the
State, including notes or bonds in the New York IM-IT Trust, could be
adversely affected. Localities also face anticipated and potential problems
resulting from certain pending litigation, judicial decisions, and long-range
economic trends. The longer-range potential problems of declining urban
population, increasing expenditures, and other economic trends could adversely
affect localities and require increasing State assistance in the future.
Tax Status. For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on New
York IM-IT Trust Units, see "Federal Tax Status" in Part II of this
Prospectus.
In the opinion of special counsel to the Fund for New York tax matters, under
existing New York law:
The New York IM-IT Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation and
the income of the New York IM-IT Trust will be treated as the income of the
Unitholders under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York.
Individuals who reside in New York State or City will not be subject to State
and City tax on interest income which is exempt from Federal income tax under
section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and derived from obligations
of New York State or a political subdivision thereof, although they will be
subject to New York State and City tax with respect to any gains realized when
such obligations are sold, redeemed or paid at maturity or when any such Units
are sold or redeemed.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Unit Information: Semi-
Monthly Annual
------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income:
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit..................... $ 50.07 $ 50.07
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit <F1>.................. $ 2.27 $ 1.86
Less: Annual Premium on Portfolio Insurance per Unit.......... -- --
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit................. $ 47.80 $ 48.21
Calculation of Estimated Interest Earnings per Unit:
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit................. $ 47.80 $ 48.21
Divided by 12 and 2, respectively............................. $ 3.98 $ 24.10
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit.......... $ .13278 $ .13393
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price <F2>... 4.78% 4.82%
Estimated Long-Term Return <F2>................................ 4.84% 4.88%
Estimated Initial Monthly Distribution (December 1997)......... $ 2.65
Estimated Initial Semi-annual Distribution (May 1998).......... $ 22.76
Estimated Normal Distribution per Unit <F2>.................... $ 3.98 $ 24.10
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Trustee's Annual Fee <F3>...... $.91 and $.51 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds, respectively, for those portions of the
New York IM-IT Trust under the monthly and semi-annual distribution plans
Record and Computation Dates... TENTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--May and November
Distribution Dates............. TWENTY-FIFTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--
May and November
- ----------
<FN>
<F1>Excluding insurance costs. The Estimated Annual Expenses are expected to
fluctuate periodically (see "Trust Administration--Fund Administration and
Expenses--Miscellaneous Expenses" in Part II of this Prospectus).
<F2>The Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns are increased
for transactions entitled to a reduced sales charge. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--General" in Part II of this Prospectus. For
a discussion of how these returns are calculated, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns"
in Part II of this Prospectus. These figures are based on estimated per Unit
cash flows. Estimated cash flows will vary with changes in fees and expenses,
with changes in current interest rates and with the principal prepayment,
redemption, maturity, call, exchange or sale of the underlying Securities. The
estimated cash flows for this Series are set forth under "Other
Matters--Estimated Cash Flows to Unitholders" .
<F3>Based on the size of the Trust on the Date of Deposit and assuming all
Unitholders had chosen the semi-annual distribution plan, the Trustee's
estimated annual fees for ordinary recurring services would initially amount
to $1,545. Assuming in the alternative that all Unitholders had elected the
monthly distribution plan, such fees would initially amount to $2,757.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
NEW YORK INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST
SERIES 144 (IM-IT AND QUALITY MULTI-SERIES 296)
PORTFOLIO As of November 17, 1997
<CAPTION>
Offering
Aggregate Price To New
Principal Name of Issuer, Title, Interest Rate and Maturity Date of Redemption York IM-IT
<F1> either Bonds Deposited or Bonds Contracted for <F1><F5> Rating <F2> Feature <F3> Trust <F4>
- ------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- --------------- -------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 130,000 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Revenue Capital
Appreciation Bonds, Series O (MBIA Insured) #0.00% Due
7/1/2017................................................... AAA 2015 @ 87.06 S.F. $ 47,354<F6>
500,000 New York State Dormitory Authority, City University
System, Consolidated Revenue Bonds (City University Issue) 2003 @ 100
Series 1993F (FGIC Insured) #5.00% Due 7/1/2020........... AAA 2015 @ 100 S.F. 474,995
400,000 New York State Local Government Assistance Corporation, 2004 @ 100
Series D (AMBAC Assurance Insured) #5.00% Due 4/1/2023.... AAA 2015 @ 100 S.F. 378,960
500,000 New York State Dormitory Authority, Lease Revenue Bonds,
Municipal Health Facilities Improvement, Series A (FSA 2006 @ 102
Insured) #5.50% Due 5/15/2024............................. AAA 2017 @ 100 S.F. 505,945
250,000 New York State Urban Development Corporation, Revenue
Bonds, Correctional Facilities (AMBAC Assurance Insured) 2006 @ 102
#5.375% Due 1/1/2025....................................... AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 250,348
250,000 New York State Dormitory Authority, Vassar Brothers
Hospital Issue, Revenue Bonds (FSA Insured) #5.375% Due 2008 @ 102
7/1/2025................................................... AAA 2018 @ 100 S.F. 249,630
500,000 New York City, New York, Municipal Finance Authority,
Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series A (FSA 2006 @ 101
Insured) #5.375% Due 6/15/2026............................ AAA 2025 @ 100 S.F. 500,665
250,000 New York, New York, City Industrial Development Agency,
Civic Facility Revenue Bonds (Anti-Defamation League 2007 @ 102
Foundation) Series A (MBIA Insured) #5.375% Due 6/1/2027. AAA 2023 @ 100 S.F. 250,325
250,000 Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Commuter
Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series C-1 (FGIC Insured) 2007 @ 101
#5.375% Due 7/1/2027....................................... AAA 2023 @ 100 S.F. 249,947
$ 3,030,000 $ 2,908,169
============= =============
</TABLE>
- ----------
All of the Bonds in the portfolio are insured by one of the Preinsured Bond
Insurers as indicated in the Bond name. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
For an explanation of the footnotes used on this page, see "Notes to
Portfolios" .
KENTUCKY QUALITY TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
General. The Kentucky Quality Trust consists of 8 issues of Securities. None
of the Bonds in the Kentucky Quality Trust are general obligations of the
governmental entities issuing them or are backed by the taxing power thereof.
All of the 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 to
total Kentucky Quality Trust) as follows: Health Care, 2 (31%); Water and
Sewer, 2 (29%); General Purpose, 1 (16%); Public Building, 1 (16%); Retail
Electric/Gas/Telephone, 1 (5%) and Public Education, 1 (3%). No Bond issue
has received a provisional rating.
Risk Factors. Population. The 1990 population census for the Commonwealth of
Kentucky showed 3,685,296 persons residing in the Commonwealth. Over
one-fourth of the Commonwealth's residents lived in Kentucky's twelve largest
cities. In 1992, the population had risen to 3,753,836.
Employment. Total nonagricultural employment in Kentucky averaged 1.7 million
during the third quarter of Fiscal Year 1997, a growth of 2.9% from the third
quarter of Fiscal Year 1996. Manufacturing accounted for 18.4% of the state's
nonagricultural jobs, wholesale and retail trade 24.3%, services 24.5%,
government 17.2%, transportation and public utilities 5.6%, construction 4.6%,
finance, insurance and real estate 4% and mining 1.3%. The state's
unemployment rate averaged 5.4% during the third quarter of Fiscal Year 1997.
Personal Income. Total personal income in Kentucky was $78.9 billion in the
third quarter of Fiscal Year 1997, an increase of 5.5% from the same period in
1996. National growth in personal income during the same period was 6.0%.
Growth in proprietors' income and other labor income fueled the growth while
wages and salaries grew by only 4.9%.
Manufacturing. In 1991, Kentucky had more than 4,100 manufacturing plants.
Manufacturing employment, an important part of Kentucky's economy, essentially
remained flat during the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 with only a 0.1%
increase. Declines were experienced by the apparel and the textile industries.
These two sectors tend to be volatile because they are low-wage industries and
tend to migrate to regions with low-cost labor. During Fiscal Year 1997, both
these industries have relocated many of their jobs to the Caribbean. However,
it is expected that with retraining, many of the dislocated workers will find
employment in other industries.
Natural Resources. The total value of Kentucky's mineral production in 1992
was about $4.5 billion. Principal minerals produced in order of value are
coal, crushed stone, natural gas and petroleum. Other minerals produced in
Kentucky include sand and gravel, cement, ball clay, natural gas liquids and
lime.
Budget. According to the 1996-1998 Executive Budget of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky, for Fiscal Years 1997 and 1998, the distribution of all funds
appropriations of $27.5 billion is as follows: higher education 14.9%, other
education 21.5%, human services 9.6%, Medicaid 19.0%, transportation 10.3%,
capital construction 3.8%, and all other 20.9%. The majority of General Fund
appropriations, totaled at $11.2 billion for distribution in Fiscal Years 1997
and 1998, go toward education, at 46.3%.
The 1996-1998 budget for the General Fund includes the following resources as
budgeted in Fiscal Year 1996 (all of the following numbers are in millions of
dollars--rounded) beginning balance of $261, revenue estimate of $5,269.3,
continued appropriations of $144, and fund transfers of $13.1 for total
resources of $5,687.4. The budget includes the following appropriations:
regular appropriations of $5,459.5, continuing appropriations of $144, current
year appropriations of $6.65 and necessary governmental expenses of $56.5 for
total appropriations of $5,666.6. Therefore, there is a balance of $20.8 for
additional necessary governmental expenses.
The total projected General Fund revenues for Fiscal Year 1997 are $5,556.7
million, for a growth rate of 4.1%. This is $81.4 million higher than the
official estimate. The individual income tax is estimated at $2,156.7 million,
for a 4.3% increase. The sales and use tax is estimated to increase 5.8% to
$1,887.8 million. The corporate income tax, coal severance tax and property
tax are projected to have decreases of 6.1%, 1.4% and 4.7%, respectively, for
Fiscal Year 1997. Lottery proceeds are expected to increase 2.7% to $151
million.
The Road Fund is expected to increase 1.8% from Fiscal Year 1996 to Fiscal
Year 1997, for a total of $957 million. The majority of this Fund is comprised
of the motor fuels tax, estimated at $403.6 million or 0.7% growth, and the
motor vehicle usage and rental tax at $339.2 million or an increase of 3.5%.
The Kentucky Constitution requires voter approval by general referendum prior
to the issuance of general obligation bonds in amounts exceeding $500,000.
Kentucky has not issued general obligation bonds since 1966. The Commonwealth
currently has no general obligation bonds outstanding.
Prospective investor's should study with care the portfolio of Bonds in the
Kentucky Quality Trust and should consult with their investment advisors as to
the merits of particular issues in the portfolio.
Tax Status. For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on
Kentucky Quality Trust Units, see "Federal Tax Status" in Part II of
this Prospectus.
The assets of the Kentucky Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations
issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (the "State" )
or counties, municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions thereof
(the "Kentucky Bonds" ) and by an authority of the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico (the "Possession Bonds" ) (collectively, the "Bonds"
).
Although we express no opinion herein regarding such matters, we have assumed
that: (i) the Bonds were validly issued, (ii) the interest thereon is
excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes, (iii) interest
on the Bonds, if received directly by a Unitholder, would be exempt from the
income tax imposed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky that is applicable to
individuals and corporations (the "Kentucky State Income Tax" ); and
(iv) the Bonds are exempt from the ad valorem tax imposed by the Commonwealth
of Kentucky. Neither the Sponsor nor its counsel has made any review of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of the bases for the
opinions, if any, rendered in connection therewith. This opinion does not
address the taxation of persons other than full time residents of Kentucky.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
Kentucky income tax law as of the date of this prospectus and based upon the
assumptions above:
(i) The Kentucky Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation and each
Kentucky Unitholder will be treated as the owner of a pro rata portion of the
Kentucky Trust, and the income of such portion of the Kentucky Trust will
therefore be treated as the income of the Kentucky Unitholder for Kentucky
Income Tax purposes;
(ii) For Kentucky State Income Tax purposes, interest on the Bonds which is
excludable from Federal gross income and which is also exempt from taxation
under the Kentucky State Income Tax when received by the Kentucky Trust, and
which would be excludable from Federal gross income and also exempt from
Kentucky State Income Tax if received directly by a Unitholder, will retain
its status as tax-exempt interest when received by the Kentucky Trust and
distributed to the Unitholders.
(iii) Each Kentucky Unitholder of the Kentucky Trust will recognize gain or
loss for Kentucky State Income Tax purposes if the Trustee disposes of a Bond
(whether by redemption, sale or otherwise) or if the Kentucky Unitholder
redeems or sells Units of the Kentucky Trust to the extent that such a
transaction results in a recognized gain or loss to such Unitholder for
Federal income tax purposes;
(iv) Tax reduction requirements relating to amortization of bond premium may,
under some circumstances, result in Kentucky Unitholders realizing taxable
gain for Kentucky State Income Tax purposes when their Units are sold or
redeemed for an amount equal to or less than their original cost;
(v) State law does not permit a deduction for interest paid or incurred on
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry Units in the Kentucky
Trust, the interest on which is exempt from State income taxes.
(vi) Units of the Kentucky Trust, but only to the extent the same represent an
ownership in obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky or governmental units of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the interest
on which is excludable from gross income for federal and Kentucky State Income
Tax purposes will not be subject to ad valorem taxation by the Commonwealth of
Kentucky or any political subdivision thereof; and
(vii) Proceeds, if any, paid under individual insurance policies obtained by
issuers of Bonds that represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations
held by the Trustee will not be subject to Kentucky State Income Tax purposes
if, and to the same extent as, such interest would have not have been subject
to Kentucky State Income Tax purposes if paid in the normal course by the
issuer of the defaulted obligation provided that, at the time such policies
are purchased, the amounts paid for such policies were 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.
Chapman and Cutler expresses no opinion with respect to taxation under any
other provision of Kentucky law. Ownership of the Units may result in
collateral Kentucky tax consequences to certain taxpayers. Prospective
investors should consult their tax advisors as to the applicability of any
such collateral consequences.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Unit Information: Semi-
Monthly Annual
------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income <F1>:
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit......................... $ 49.71 $ 49.71
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit <F2>...................... $ 2.31 $ 1.81
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit..................... $ 47.40 $ 47.90
Calculation of Estimated Interest Earnings per Unit:
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit..................... $ 47.40 $ 47.90
Divided by 12 and 2, respectively................................. $ 3.95 $ 23.95
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit.............. $ .13167 $ .13307
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price <F1><F3>... 4.74% 4.79%
Estimated Long-Term Return <F3>.................................... 4.83% 4.88%
Estimated Initial Monthly Distribution (December 1997)............. $ 2.63
Estimated Initial Semi-annual Distribution (May 1998).............. $ 22.62
Estimated Normal Distribution per Unit <F3>........................ $ 3.95 $ 23.95
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Trustee's Annual Fee <F1><F4>... $.91 and $.51 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds, respectively, for those portions of the
Kentucky Quality Trust under the monthly and semi-annual distribution plans
Record and Computation Dates.... TENTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--May and November
Distribution Dates.............. TWENTY-FIFTH day of the month as follows: monthly--each month; semi-annual--
May and November
- ----------
<FN>
<F1>During the first year the Trustee will reduce its fee by approximately $.03
per Unit (which amount is the estimated interest to be earned per Unit prior
to the expected delivery dates for the "when, as and if issued" Bonds
included in this Trust). Should such estimated interest exceed such amount,
the Trustee will reduce its fee up to its annual fee. After the first year,
the Trustee's fee will be that amount indicated above. Estimated Annual
Interest Income per Unit will be increased to $49.74. Estimated Annual Expense
per Unit will be increased to $2.34 and $1.84 under the monthly and
semi-annual distribution plans, respectively; and Estimated Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit will remain the same as shown. See "Estimated
Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns" in Part II of this
Prospectus.
<F2>The estimated annual expenses are expected to fluctuate periodically (see "
Trust Administration--Fund Administration and Expenses--Miscellaneous
Expenses" in Part II of this Prospectus).
<F3>The Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns are increased
for transactions entitled to a reduced sales charge. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--General" in Part II of this Prospectus. For
a discussion of how these returns are calculated, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns"
in Part II of this Prospectus. These figures are based on estimated per Unit
cash flows. Estimated cash flows will vary with changes in fees and expenses,
with changes in current interest rates and with the principal prepayment,
redemption, maturity, call, exchange or sale of the underlying Securities. The
estimated cash flows for this Series are set forth under "Other
Matters--Estimated Cash Flows to Unitholders" .
<F4>Based on the size of the Trust on the Date of Deposit and assuming all
Unitholders had chosen the semi-annual distribution plan, the Trustee's
estimated annual fees for ordinary recurring services would initially amount
to $1,550. Assuming in the alternative that all Unitholders had elected the
monthly distribution plan, such fees would initially amount to $2,766.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
KENTUCKY INVESTORS' QUALITY TAX-EXEMPT TRUST
SERIES 60 (IM-IT AND QUALITY MULTI-SERIES 296)
PORTFOLIO As of November 17, 1997
<CAPTION>
Rating <F2> Offering
Price To
Name of Issuer, Title, Interest Rate and Maturity Standard Kentucky
Aggregate Date of either Bonds Deposited or Bonds Contracted & Poor's Redemption Quality
Principal <F1> for <F1><F5> Moody's Feature <F3> Trust <F4>
- ------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 100,000 Boyd County, Kentucky, School District Finance
Corporation, School Building Refunding and
Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 1997 #5.00% Due
10/1/2016##........................................... N/R A1 2007 @ 102 $ 96,369
140,000 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Revenue Capital
Appreciation Bonds, Series O (MBIA Insured) #0.00%
Due 7/1/2017.......................................... AAA Aaa 2015 @ 87.06 S.F. 50,996<F6>
370,000 Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky,
Metropolitan Sewer and Drainage System, Revenue
Bonds, Series B (MBIA Insured) #5.30% Due 5/15/2019.. AAA Aaa 2007 @ 101 369,501
500,000 Northern Kentucky, Water Service District, Water
District Revenue Refunding Bonds (FSA Insured) 2007 @ 102
#4.75% Due 2/1/2022................................... AAA Aaa 2015 @ 100 S.F. 459,745
400,000 Jefferson County, Kentucky, Health Facilities Revenue
Bonds, University Medical Center, Inc. Project (MBIA 2007 @ 101
Insured) #5.25% Due 7/1/2022......................... AAA Aaa 2018 @ 100 S.F. 393,856
530,000 Jefferson County, Kentucky, Health Facilities Revenue
Bonds (Alliant Health System, Inc.) MBIA Insured 2007 @ 101
#5.125% Due 10/1/2027................................. AAA N/R 2018 @ 100 S.F. 509,606
500,000 Jefferson County, Kentucky, Capital Projects,
Corporate Revenue Lease Bonds (MBIA Insured) #5.50% 2007 @ 102
Due 6/1/2028.......................................... AAA Aaa 2023 @ 100 S.F. 506,735
500,000 Warren County, Kentucky, Justice Center Expansion
Corporation, Revenue Bonds, First Mortgage-AOC
Judicial Facility, Series A (MBIA Insured) #5.35% 2007 @ 102
Due 9/1/2029.......................................... AAA Aaa 2025 @ 100 S.F. 495,685
$ 3,040,000 $ 2,882,493
================== ===============
</TABLE>
- ----------
For an explanation of the footnotes used on this page, see "Notes to
Portfolios" .
As of the Date of Deposit: November 17, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)All Securities 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. At the Date of Deposit, Securities may have been delivered to the
Sponsor pursuant to certain of these contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to
the Trustee all of its right, title and interest in and to such Securities.
Contracts to acquire Securities were entered into during the period from
November 6, 1997 to November 14, 1997. These Securities have expected
settlement dates ranging from November 17, 1997 to November 26, 1997 (see "
Unitholder Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts" in Part II of
this Prospectus).
(2)All ratings are by Standard & Poor's unless otherwise indicated. "*"
indicates that the rating of the Bond is by Moody's. The ratings represent
the latest published ratings by the respective rating agency or, if not
published, represent private letter ratings or those ratings expected to be
published by the respective rating agency. "Y" indicates that such
rating is contingent upon physical receipt by the respective rating agency of
a policy of insurance obtained by the issuer of the bonds involved and issued
by the Preinsured Bond Insurer named in the bond's title. A commitment for
insurance in connection with these bonds has been issued by the Preinsured
Bond Insurer named in the bond's title. "N/R" indicates that the
applicable rating service did not provide a rating for that particular
Security. For a brief description of the rating symbols and their related
meanings, see "Description of Ratings" in Part II of this Prospectus.
(3)There is shown under this heading the year in which each issue of Bonds is
initially or currently callable and the call price for that year. Each issue
of Bonds 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. For a
general discussion of certain of these events, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts--Risk Factors" in Part II
of this Prospectus. Distributions will generally be reduced by the amount of
the income which would otherwise have been paid with respect to redeemed
Securities and there will be distributed to Unitholders the principal amount
and any premium received on such redemption. The Estimated Current Return and
Estimated Long-Term Return in this event may be affected by such redemptions.
For the Federal tax effect on Unitholders of such redemptions and resultant
distributions, see "Federal Tax Status" in Part II of this Prospectus.
(4)Evaluation of Securities is made on the basis of current offering prices
for the Securities. The offering prices are greater than the current bid
prices of the Securities which is the basis on which Unit value is determined
for purposes of redemption of Units (see "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--Offering Price" in Part II of this Prospectus).
(5)Other information regarding the Bonds in each Trust, as of the Date of
Deposit, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual
Annual Profit Interest Bid Side
Insurance Cost to (Loss) to Income to Evaluation
Trust Cost Sponsor Sponsor Trust of Bonds
----------- ------------- ---------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
California IM-IT.... $-- $ 2,893,612 $ 20,264 $ 154,088 $ 2,891,526
Connecticut IM-IT... $-- $ 2,796,614 $ 22,161 $ 147,013 $ 2,797,437
New York IM-IT...... $-- $ 2,890,422 $ 17,747 $ 153,125 $ 2,885,931
Kentucky Quality.... $-- $ 2,861,208 $ 21,285 $ 150,773 $ 2,860,218
</TABLE>
The Bonds in the Insured Trusts are insured as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Bonds insured Bonds insured
under AMBAC under Financial
Trust Assurance Guaranty Preinsured Total
portfolio insurance portfolio insurance Bonds
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
California IM-IT.... -- -- 100% 100%
Connecticut IM-IT... -- -- 100% 100%
New York IM-IT...... -- -- 100% 100%
</TABLE>
The breakdown of the Preinsured Bond Insurers is as follows: California IM-IT
Trust-- AMBAC Assurance 8%, Financial Guaranty 11%, MBIA 65% and FSA 16%;
Connecticut IM-IT Trust-- AMBAC Assurance 16% and MBIA 84%; and New York IM-IT
Trust-- AMBAC Assurance 21%, Financial Guaranty 25%, MBIA 13% and FSA 41%.
The Sponsor may have entered into contracts which hedge interest rate
fluctuations on certain Bonds in certain Trusts. The cost of any such
contracts and the corresponding gain or loss is included in the Cost to
Sponsor. Securities marked by a double pound symbol (##) following the
maturity date have been purchased on a "when, as and if issued" or
"delayed delivery" basis. Interest on these Securities 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 as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent of
Aggregate Principal Range of Days Subsequent to
Trust Amount First Settlement Date
---------------------- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
California IM-IT.... 16% 5 days
Connecticut IM-IT... -- --
New York IM-IT...... -- --
Kentucky Quality.... 3% 6 days
</TABLE>
On the Date of Deposit, the offering side evaluations of the Securities in the
California IM-IT, Connecticut IM-IT, New York IM-IT and Kentucky Quality
Trusts were higher than the bid side evaluations of such Securities by 0.73%,
0.73%, 0.73% and 0.73%, respectively, of the aggregate principal amounts of
such Securities.
"#" prior to the coupon rate indicates that such Bond was issued at an
original issue discount. The tax effect of Bonds issued at an original issue
discount is described in "Federal Tax Status" in Part II of this
Prospectus.
(6)This Bond has been purchased at a deep discount from the par value because
there is little or no stated interest thereon. Bonds which pay no interest are
normally described as "zero coupon" bonds. Over the life of bonds
purchased at a deep discount, the value of such bonds will increase such that
upon maturity the holders of such bonds will receive 100% of the principal
amount thereof. To the extent that zero coupon bonds are sold or called prior
to maturity, there is no guarantee that the value of the proceeds received
therefrom by the Trust will equal or exceed the par value that would have been
obtained at maturity of such zero coupon bonds. Approximately 5%, 5%, 4% and
5%, of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities in the California
IM-IT Trust, Connecticut IM-IT Trust, New York IM-IT Trust and Kentucky
Quality Trust, respectively, are "zero coupon" bonds. See "
Unitholder Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts--Risk Factors"
in Part II of this Prospectus for a discussion of zero coupon bonds.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
and the Unitholders of Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 (California IM-IT, Connecticut IM-IT, New
York IM-IT and Kentucky Quality Trusts):
We have audited the accompanying statements of condition and the related
portfolios of Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 (California IM-IT, Connecticut IM-IT, New
York IM-IT and Kentucky Quality Trusts) as of November 17, 1997. The
statements of condition and portfolios 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 irrevocable letters of credit deposited to
purchase tax-exempt securities 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 and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 (California
IM-IT, Connecticut IM-IT, New York IM-IT and Kentucky Quality Trusts) as of
November 17, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Chicago, Illinois GRANT THORNTON LLP
November 17, 1997
<TABLE>
INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST and INVESTORS' QUALITY TAX-EXEMPT TRUST, MULTI-SERIES 296
Statements of Condition
As of November 17, 1997
<CAPTION>
California Connecticut New York Kentucky
INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES IM-IT IM-IT IM-IT Quality
Trust Trust Trust Trust
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Contracts to purchase tax-exempt securities <F1><F2><F3>... $ 2,913,876 $ 2,818,775 $ 2,908,169 $ 2,882,493
Accrued interest to the First Settlement Date <F1><F3>..... 31,983 50,812 41,722 38,474
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total...................................................... $ 2,945,859 $ 2,869,587 $ 2,949,891 $ 2,920,967
============= ============= ============= =============
LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability--
Accrued interest payable to Sponsor <F1><F3>............... $ 31,983 $ 50,812 $ 41,722 $ 38,474
Interest of Unitholders--
Cost to investors <F4>..................................... 3,064,000 2,964,000 3,058,000 3,031,000
Less: Gross underwriting commission <F4>................... 150,124 145,225 149,831 148,507
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Net interest to Unitholders <F1><F3><F4>................... 2,913,876 2,818,775 2,908,169 2,882,493
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total...................................................... $ 2,945,859 $ 2,869,587 $ 2,949,891 $ 2,920,967
============= ============= ============= =============
==========
<FN>
<F1>The aggregate value of the Securities listed under "Portfolio" for
each Trust herein, and their cost to such Trust are the same. The value of the
Securities is determined by Interactive Data Corporation on the bases set
forth under "Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Offering Price"
in Part II of this Prospectus. The contracts to purchase tax-exempt Securities
are collateralized by irrevocable letters of credit which have been deposited
with the Trustee in and for the following amounts:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Offering Accrued
Amount of Amount of Price of Interest to
Letter of Bonds Under Bonds Under Expected
Credit Contracts Contracts Delivery Dates
------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
California IM-IT Trust.... $ 2,945,508 $ 3,055,000 $ 2,913,876 $ 31,632
Connecticut IM-IT Trust... $ 2,868,888 $ 2,920,000 $ 2,818,775 $ 50,113
New York IM-IT Trust...... $ 2,949,245 $ 3,030,000 $ 2,908,169 $ 41,076
Kentucky Quality Trust.... $ 2,920,098 $ 3,040,000 $ 2,882,493 $ 37,605
<F2>Insurance coverage providing for timely payment, when due, of all principal
and interest on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts has been obtained by such
Trusts, by a prior owner of such Bonds, by the Sponsor prior to the deposit of
such Bonds or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee
the market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units. The insurance
obtained by the Insured Trusts is effective only while Bonds thus insured are
held in such Trusts. Neither the bid nor offering prices of the underlying
Bonds or of the Units, absent situations in which bonds are in default in
payment of principal or interest or in significant risk of such default,
include value, if any, attributable to the insurance obtained by such Trusts.
<F3>The Trustee will advance to the Trust the amount of net interest accrued to
November 20, 1997, the First Settlement Date, for distribution to the Sponsor
as the Unitholder of record as of the First Settlement Date.
<F4>The aggregate public offering price (exclusive of interest) and the aggregate
sales charge are computed on the bases set forth under "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Offering Price" and "Trust
Administration--General--Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation" in Part II
of this Prospectus and assume all single transactions involve less than 100
Units. For single transactions involving 100 or more Units, the sales charge
is reduced (see "Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--General" in
Part II of this Prospectus) resulting in an equal reduction in both the Cost
to investors and the Gross underwriting commission while the Net interest to
Unitholders remains unchanged.
</TABLE>
EQUIVALENT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of the date of this 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 1997. 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 $121,200. 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 the taxpayer's itemized deductions. For example, the
limitation on itemized deductions will not cause a taxpayer to lose more than
80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions. See "
Federal Tax Status" below and in Part II of this Prospectus for a more
detailed discussion of recent Federal tax legislation, including a discussion
of provisions affecting corporations.
CALIFORNIA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Taxable Income ($1,000's) Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Joint Tax 4 1/2% 5% 5 1/2% 6% 6 1/2% 7% 7 1/2%
Return Return Bracket Equivalent Taxable Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 24.65 $ 0 - 41.20 20.1% 5.63% 6.26% 6.88% 7.51% 8.14% 8.76% 9.39%
24.65 - 59.75 41.20 - 99.60 34.7 6.89 7.66 8.42 9.19 9.95 10.72 11.49
59.75 - 124.65 99.60 - 151.75 37.4 7.19 7.99 8.79 9.58 10.38 11.18 11.98
124.65 - 271.05 151.75 - 271.05 42 7.76 8.62 9.48 10.34 11.21 12.07 12.93
Over 271.05 Over 271.05 45.2 8.21 9.12 10.04 10.95 11.86 12.77 13.69
</TABLE>
CONNECTICUT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Taxable Income ($1,000's) Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Joint Tax 4 1/2% 5% 5 1/2% 6% 6 1/2% 7% 7 1/2%
Return Return Bracket Equivalent Taxable Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 41.20 18.1% 5.49% 6.11% 6.72% 7.33% 7.94% 8.55% 9.16%
$ 0 - 24.65 18.3 5.51 6.12 6.73 7.34 7.96 8.57 9.18
24.65 - 59.75 41.20 - 99.60 31.2 6.54 7.27 7.99 8.72 9.45 10.17 10.90
59.75 - 124.65 99.60 - 151.75 34.1 6.83 7.59 8.35 9.10 9.86 10.62 11.38
124.65 - 271.05 151.75 - 271.05 38.9 7.36 8.18 9.00 9.82 10.64 11.46 12.27
Over 271.05 Over 271.05 42.3 7.80 8.67 9.53 10.40 11.27 12.13 13.00
</TABLE>
NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Taxable Income ($1,000's) Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Joint Tax 4 1/2% 5% 5 1/2% 6% 6 1/2% 7% 7 1/2%
Return Return Bracket Equivalent Taxable Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 24.65 $ 0 - 41.20 20.8% 5.68% 6.31% 6.94% 7.58% 8.21% 8.84% 9.47%
24.65 - 59.75 41.20 - 99.60 32.9 6.71 7.45 8.20 8.94 9.69 10.43 11.18
59.75 - 124.65 99.60 - 151.75 35.7 7.00 7.78 8.55 9.33 10.11 10.89 11.66
124.65 - 271.05 151.75 - 271.05 40.4 7.55 8.39 9.23 10.07 10.91 11.74 12.58
Over 271.05 Over 271.05 43.7 7.99 8.88 9.77 10.66 11.55 12.43 13.32
</TABLE>
- ----------
*The table does not reflect the New York State supplemental income tax based
upon a taxpayer's New York State taxable income and New York State adjusted
gross income. This supplemental tax results in an increased marginal State
income tax rate to the extent a taxpayer's New York State adjusted gross
income ranges between $100,000 and $150,000.
KENTUCKY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Taxable Income ($1,000's) Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Joint Tax 4 1/2% 5% 5 1/2% 6% 6 1/2% 7% 7 1/2%
Return Return Bracket Equivalent Taxable Estimated Current Return
- --------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 24.65 $ 0 - 41.20 20.1% 5.63% 6.26% 6.88% 7.51% 8.14% 8.76% 9.39%
24.65 - 59.75 41.20 - 99.60 32.3 6.65 7.39 8.12 8.86 9.60 10.34 11.08
59.75 - 124.65 99.60 - 151.75 35.1 6.93 7.70 8.47 9.24 10.02 10.79 11.56
124.65 - 271.05 151.75 - 271.05 39.8 7.48 8.31 9.14 9.97 10.80 11.63 12.46
Over 271.05 Over 271.05 43.2 7.92 8.80 9.68 10.56 11.44 12.32 13.20
</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
American Capital 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
U.S. Government, and bank CDs and money market accounts are insured by an
agency of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds
provide stability of principal, but pay interest at rates that vary with the
condition of the short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the
Trusts are described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
FEDERAL TAX STATUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
On August 5, 1997, the President signed the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the
"Act" ). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in "Federal Tax
Status" in Part II of this Prospectus, under the Act, 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) is subject to a
maximum marginal stated tax rate of either 28% or 20%, depending upon the
holding period of the capital assets. Capital 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. Generally, capital gains realized
from assets held for more than one year but not more than 18 months are taxed
at a maximum marginal stated tax rate of 28% and capital gains realized from
assets (with certain exclusions) held for more than 18 months are taxed at a
maximum marginal stated tax rate of 20% (10% in the case of certain taxpayers
in the lowest tax bracket). Further, capital gains realized from assets held
for one year or less are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income.
Legislation is currently pending that provides the appropriate methodology
that should be applied in netting the realized capital gains and losses. Such
legislation is proposed to be effective retroactively for tax years ending
after May 6, 1997. The Act also includes provisions that would treat certain
transactions designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and opportunities
for gain (e.g., short sales, offsetting notional principal contracts, futures
or forward contracts, or similar transactions) as constructive sales for
purposes of recognition of gain (and not loss) and for purposes of determining
the holding period. Potential investors should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the potential effect of the Act on their investment in Units. For a
discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Trust Units, see "
Federal Tax Status" in Part II of this Prospectus.
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 Securities 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.
California IM-IT Trust
<TABLE>
Monthly
<CAPTION>
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Distribution Dates Interest Principal Total
(Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- ----------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 1997 $ 2.66 $ 2.66
January 1998 - September 2007 3.99 3.99
October 2007 3.85 $ 107.70 111.55
November 2007 3.52 3.52
December 2007 3.46 44.06 47.52
January 2008 - August 2009 3.33 3.33
September 2009 3.12 163.18 166.30
October 2009 - June 2020 2.62 2.62
July 2020 2.41 163.19 165.60
August 2020 - November 2021 1.91 1.91
December 2021 1.81 76.70 78.51
January 2022 - May 2024 1.59 1.59
June 2024 1.59 48.95 50.54
July 2024 - November 2025 1.59 1.59
December 2025 1.38 163.19 164.57
January 2026 - July 2027 .90 .90
August 2027 .82 66.90 67.72
September 2027 - January 2030 .62 .62
February 2030 .05 163.19 163.24
</TABLE>
California IM-IT Trust
<TABLE>
Semi-annual
<CAPTION>
Distribution Dates Estimated Estimated Estimated
(Each January and July Interest Principal Total
Unless Otherwise Indicated) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- --------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
January 1998 $ 6.71 $ 6.71
July 1998 - July 2007 24.17 24.17
October 2007 $ 107.70 107.70
December 2007 44.06 44.06
January 2008 22.36 22.36
July 2008 - July 2009 20.18 20.18
September 2009 163.18 163.18
January 2010 17.11 17.11
July 2010 - January 2020 15.90 15.90
July 2020 15.69 163.19 178.88
January 2021 - July 2021 11.62 11.62
December 2021 76.70 76.70
January 2022 11.19 11.19
July 2022 - January 2024 9.65 9.65
June 2024 48.95 48.95
July 2024 - July 2025 9.65 9.65
December 2025 163.19 163.19
January 2026 8.77 8.77
July 2026 - July 2027 5.49 5.49
August 2027 66.90 66.90
January 2028 4.01 4.01
July 2028 - January 2030 3.82 3.82
February 2030 .05 163.19 163.24
</TABLE>
Connecticut IM-IT Trust (Continued)
<TABLE>
Monthly
<CAPTION>
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Distribution Dates Interest Principal Total
(Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- --------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 1997 $ 2.62 $ 2.62
January 1998 - June 2007 3.93 3.93
July 2007 3.71 $ 168.69 172.40
August 2007 - December 2007 3.20 3.20
January 2008 2.99 158.57 161.56
February 2008 - June 2008 2.51 2.51
July 2008 2.40 84.34 86.74
August 2008 - June 2009 2.13 2.13
July 2009 1.80 253.04 254.84
August 2009 - June 2017 1.02 1.02
July 2017 1.02 50.60 51.62
August 2017 - June 2027 1.02 1.02
July 2027 .70 269.91 270.61
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
Semi-annual
<CAPTION>
Distribution Dates Estimated Estimated Estimated
(Each January and July Interest Principal Total
Unless Otherwise Indicated) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- ------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
January 1998 $ 6.62 $ 6.62
July 1998 - January 2007 23.85 23.85
July 2007 23.62 $ 168.69 192.31
January 2008 19.21 158.57 177.78
July 2008 15.14 84.34 99.48
January 2009 12.99 12.99
July 2009 12.65 253.04 265.69
January 2010 - January 2017 6.27 6.27
July 2017 6.27 50.60 56.87
January 2018 - January 2027 6.27 6.27
July 2027 5.96 269.91 275.87
</TABLE>
New York IM-IT Trust
<TABLE>
Monthly
<CAPTION>
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Distribution Dates Interest Principal Total
(Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- --------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 1997 $ 2.65 $ 2.65
January 1998 - June 2007 3.98 3.98
July 2007 3.39 $ 163.50 166.89
August 2007 - December 2007 3.27 3.27
January 2008 3.16 81.75 84.91
February 2008 - May 2008 2.91 2.91
June 2008 2.31 163.51 165.82
July 2008 - May 2009 2.18 2.18
June 2009 2.08 81.75 83.83
July 2009 - June 2017 1.83 1.83
July 2017 1.83 42.51 44.34
August 2017 - June 2020 1.83 1.83
July 2020 1.63 163.51 165.14
August 2020 - March 2023 1.17 1.17
April 2023 1.01 130.80 131.81
May 2023 - June 2025 .64 .64
July 2025 .54 81.76 82.30
August 2025 - June 2027 .29 .29
July 2027 .18 81.75 81.93
</TABLE>
New York IM-IT Trust
<TABLE>
Semi-annual
<CAPTION>
Distribution Dates Estimated Estimated Estimated
(Each May and November Interest Principal Total
Unless Otherwise Indicated) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- --------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
May 1998 $ 22.76 $ 22.76
November 1998 - May 2007 24.10 24.10
July 2007 $ 163.50 163.50
November 2007 20.64 20.64
January 2008 81.75 81.75
May 2008 18.26 18.26
June 2008 163.51 163.51
November 2008 13.38 13.38
May 2009 13.26 13.26
June 2009 81.75 81.75
November 2009 11.36 11.36
May 2010 - May 2017 11.11 11.11
July 2017 42.51 42.51
November 2017 - May 2020 11.11 11.11
July 2020 163.51 163.51
November 2020 8.26 8.26
May 2021 - November 2022 7.13 7.13
April 2023 130.80 130.80
May 2023 6.44 6.44
November 2023 - May 2025 3.94 3.94
July 2025 81.76 81.76
November 2025 2.40 2.40
May 2026 - May 2027 1.79 1.79
July 2027 .48 81.75 82.23
</TABLE>
Kentucky Quality Trust (Continued)
<TABLE>
Monthly
<CAPTION>
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Distribution Dates Interest Principal Total
(Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- ----------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 1997 $ 2.63 $ 2.63
January 1998 - May 2009 3.95 3.95
June 2009 3.72 $ 164.96 168.68
July 2009 - September 2016 3.21 3.21
October 2016 3.17 32.99 36.16
November 2016 - June 2017 3.08 3.08
July 2017 3.08 46.19 49.27
August 2017 - May 2019 3.08 3.08
June 2019 2.65 122.07 124.72
July 2019 - January 2022 2.56 2.56
February 2022 2.37 164.96 167.33
March 2022 - June 2022 1.93 1.93
July 2022 1.76 131.97 133.73
August 2022 - September 2027 1.37 1.37
October 2027 1.15 174.86 176.01
November 2027 - August 2029 .64 .64
September 2029 .43 164.96 165.39
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
Semi-annual
<CAPTION>
Distribution Dates Estimated Estimated Estimated
(Each May and November Interest Principal Total
Unless Otherwise Indicated) Distribution Distribution Distribution
- ---------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
May 1998 $ 22.62 $ 22.62
November 1998 - May 2009 23.95 23.95
June 2009 $ 164.96 164.96
November 2009 20.03 20.03
May 2010 - May 2016 19.51 19.51
October 2016 32.99 32.99
November 2016 19.33 19.33
May 2017 18.70 18.70
July 2017 46.19 46.19
November 2017 - May 2019 18.70 18.70
June 2019 122.07 122.07
November 2019 15.65 15.65
May 2020 - November 2021 15.56 15.56
February 2022 164.96 164.96
May 2022 13.46 13.46
July 2022 131.97 131.97
November 2022 9.31 9.31
May 2023 - May 2027 8.35 8.35
October 2027 174.86 174.86
November 2027 7.40 7.40
May 2028 - May 2029 3.97 3.97
September 2029 2.43 164.96 167.39
</TABLE>
UNDERWRITING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Underwriters named below have severally purchased Units in the following
respective amounts from the Sponsor. For additional information regarding the
Underwriters, including information relating to compensation and benefits
received by the Underwriters, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Underwriting" in Part II of this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name California IM-IT
Address Trust Units
-----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Van Kampen American Capital Dist., Inc. One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 2,764
Dean Witter Reynolds, Incorporated 2 World Trade Center, 59th Floor, New York, New York 10048 100
Gruntal & Co., Incorporated 14 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 100
Prudential Securities Inc. 1 New York Plaza, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10292-2014 100
3,064
=================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Connecticut
Address IM-IT Trust Units
-----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Van Kampen American Capital Dist., Inc. One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 2,164
Smith Barney Inc. 388 Greenwich Street, 23rd Floor, New York, New York 10013 250
Dean Witter Reynolds, Incorporated 2 World Trade Center, 59th Floor, New York, New York 10048 150
Advest, Inc. 90 State House Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 100
Fahnestock & Co., Inc. 110 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10005 100
Gruntal & Co., Incorporated 14 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 100
Prudential Securities Inc. 1 New York Plaza, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10292-2014 100
2,964
=================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name New York IM-IT
Address Trust Units
-----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Van Kampen American Capital Dist., Inc. One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 2,658
Advest, Inc. 90 State House Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 100
Dean Witter Reynolds, Incorporated 2 World Trade Center, 59th Floor, New York, New York 10048 100
Gruntal & Co., Incorporated 14 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 100
Prudential Securities Inc. 1 New York Plaza, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10292-2014 100
3,058
=================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Kentucky
Name Quality Trust
Address Units
-----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Van Kampen American Capital Dist., Inc. One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 2,731
Gruntal & Co., Incorporated 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
Prudential Securities Inc. 1 New York Plaza, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10292-2014 100
3,031
=================
</TABLE>
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title Page
<S> <C>
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2
CALIFORNIA IM-IT TRUST 3
CONNECTICUT IM-IT TRUST 13
NEW YORK IM-IT TRUST 18
KENTUCKY QUALITY TRUST 28
NOTES TO PORTFOLIOS 32
OTHER MATTERS 34
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants 34
Statements of Condition 35
Equivalent Taxable Estimated Current Return Tables 36
Federal Tax Status 38
Estimated Cash Flows to Unitholders 38
Underwriting 45
</TABLE>
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 I
November 17, 1997
Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt
Trust, Multi-Series 296
California IM-IT 171
Connecticut IM-IT 36
New York IM-IT 144
Kentucky Quality 60
A Wealth of Knowledge A Knowledge of Wealthsm
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
This Part I of the Prospectus may not be distributed unless accompanied by
Part II. Both Parts of this Prospectus should be retained for future reference.
July 1997
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
This Part II of the Prospectus may not be distributed unless accompanied by
Part I. Both Parts of this Prospectus should be retained for future reference.
In the opinion of counsel, interest to the Fund and to Unitholders, with
certain exceptions, is excludable under existing law from gross income for
Federal income taxes. In addition, the interest income of each State Trust is,
in the opinion of counsel, exempt to the extent indicated from state and local
taxes, when held by residents of the state where the issuers of Bonds in such
Trust are located. Further, in the opinion of bond counsel to the respective
issuers, the interest income of each Bond in the U.S. Territorial IM-IT Trust
is exempt from state, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and local income taxation.
Capital gains, if any, are subject to Federal tax.
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 Part I of this
Prospectus. Each Trust initially consists of delivery statements relating to
contracts to purchase securities and, thereafter, will consist of such
securities as may continue to be held (the "Bonds" or "Securities").
Such Securities are interest-bearing obligations issued by
or on behalf of municipalities and other governmental authorities, the
interest on which is, in the opinion of recognized bond counsel to the issuing
governmental authority, exempt from all Federal income taxes under existing
law. In addition, the interest income of each State Trust is, in the opinion
of counsel, exempt to the extent indicated from state and local taxes, when
held by residents of the state where the issuers of Bonds in such Trust are
located. Further, in the opinion of bond counsel to the respective issuers,
the interest income of each Bond in the U.S. Territorial IM-IT Trust is exempt
from state, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and local income taxation. The Bonds
in an IM-IT Discount Trust were acquired at prices which result in an IM-IT
Discount Trust portfolio, as a whole, being purchased at a deep discount from
the aggregate par value of such Bonds. Gains based upon the difference, if
any, between the value of the Bonds at maturity, redemption or sale and their
purchase price at a discount (plus earned original issue discount) will
constitute taxable ordinary income with respect to a Unitholder who is not a
dealer with respect to his Units. Except in specific instances as noted in
Part I of this Prospectus, the information contained in this Part II shall
apply to each Trust in its entirety.
"AAA" Rating for the Insured Trusts Only. Insurance guaranteeing the
payments of principal and interest, when due, on the Securities in the
portfolio of each Insured Trust has been obtained from a municipal bond
insurance company either by such Trust or by the issuer of the Bonds involved,
by a prior owner of the Bonds or by the Sponsor prior to the deposit of such
Bonds in an Insured Trust. See "Unitholder Explanations--Insurance on the
Bonds in the Insured Trusts". Insurance obtained by an Insured Trust
applies only while Bonds are retained in such Trust while insurance obtained
on Preinsured Bonds is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding. The
Trustee, upon the sale of a Bond insured under an insurance policy obtained by
an Insured Trust, has a right to obtain from the insurer involved permanent
insurance for such Bond upon the payment of a single predetermined insurance
premium and any expenses related thereto from the proceeds of the sale of such
Bond. Insurance relates only to the Bonds in a Trust and not to the Units
offered hereby 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"). Standard & Poor's has indicated that this rating is not a
recommendation to buy, hold or sell Units nor does it take into account the
extent to which expenses of each Insured Trust or sales by each Insured Trust
of Bonds for less than the purchase price paid by such Trust will reduce
payments to Unitholders of the interest and principal required to be paid on
such Bonds. See "Unitholder Explanations--Insurance on the Bonds in the
Insured Trusts". No representation is made as to any insurer's ability to
meet its commitments.
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.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Public Offering Price. The Public Offering Price of the Units of each Trust
during the initial offering period includes the aggregate offering price of
the Securities in such Trust's portfolio, an applicable sales charge, cash, if
any, in the Principal Account held or owned by such Trust, and accrued
interest, if any. After the initial public offering period, the secondary
market Public Offering Price of each Trust will include the aggregate bid
price of the Securities in such Trust, an applicable sales charge, cash, if
any, in the Principal Account held or owned by such Trust, and accrued
interest, if any. Sales charges for the Trusts in the initial market,
expressed both as a percentage of the Public Offering Price and as a
percentage of the aggregate offering price of the Securities, are set forth
under "Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--General." For sales
charges in the secondary market, see "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--General". If the Securities in each Trust were available for
direct purchase by investors, the purchase price of the Securities would not
include the sales charge included in the Public Offering Price of the Units.
During the initial offering period, the sales charge is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales involving at least 100 Units. If Units were available for
purchase at the close of business on the day before the Date of Deposit
(except for an IM-IT, an IM-IT Discount or a Pennsylvania IM-IT Trust as of
8:00 A.M. Central Time on the Date of Deposit), the Public Offering Price per
Unit would have been that amount set forth in the "Summary of Essential
Financial Information" in Part I of this Prospectus for each Trust. The
minimum purchase requirement is one Unit except for certain transactions
described under "Trust Administration--General--Unit Distribution".
Estimated Current Return and Estimated Long-Term Return. The annual Estimated
Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns to Unitholders as of the close
of business on the day before the Date of Deposit (except for an IM-IT, an
IM-IT Discount or a Pennsylvania IM-IT Trust as of 8:00 A.M. Central Time on
the Date of Deposit) under the monthly and semi-annual distribution plans were
as set forth under "Per Unit Information" for each Trust in Part I of
this Prospectus. The methods of calculating Estimated Current Return and
Estimated Long-Term Return are set forth under "Unitholder
Explanations--Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns."
Objectives of The Fund. The objectives of the Fund are income exempt from
Federal income tax and, in the case of a State Trust, Federal and state income
tax (if any) and conservation of capital through an investment in diversified
portfolios of Federal and state tax-exempt obligations. There is, of course,
no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objectives. The Fund may be an
appropriate investment vehicle for investors who desire to participate in a
portfolio of tax-exempt fixed income securities with greater diversification
than they might be able to acquire individually. In addition, securities of
the type deposited in the Fund are often not available in small amounts.
Distribution Options. Purchasers of Units who desire to receive distributions
on a monthly or semi-annual basis may elect to do so at the time of settlement
during the initial public offering period. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts--Change of Distribution
Option". The plan of distribution selected by such purchasers will remain
in effect until changed. Those indicating no choice will be deemed to have
chosen the monthly distribution plan. Record dates for monthly distributions
will be the tenth day of each month and record dates for semi-annual
distributions will be the tenth day of the months indicated under "Per
Unit Information" for the applicable Trust in Part I of this Prospectus.
Distributions will be made on the twenty-fifth day of the month subsequent to
the respective record dates.
Market for Units. Although not obligated to do so, the Sponsor, Van Kampen
American Capital Distributors, Inc., intends to, and certain of the other
Underwriters may, maintain a secondary market for the Units at prices based
upon the aggregate bid prices of the Securities in the respective Trusts plus
interest accrued to the date of settlement; however, during the initial
offering period such prices will be based upon the aggregate offering prices
of the Securities plus interest accrued to the date of settlement. If such a
market is not maintained and no other over-the-counter market is available, a
Unitholder will be able to dispose of his Units only through redemption at
prices based upon the bid prices of the underlying Securities plus interest
accrued to the date of settlement (see "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--Redemption of Units" and "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--Market for Units").
Reinvestment Option. Unitholders of any Van Kampen American Capital-sponsored
unit investment trust may utilize their redemption or termination proceeds to
purchase units of any other Van Kampen American Capital trust in the initial
offering period accepting rollover investments subject to a reduced sales
charge to the extent stated in the related prospectus (which may be deferred
in certain cases).
Unitholders have the opportunity to have their distributions reinvested into
an open-end, management investment company as described herein. See "
Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Reinvestment Option".
Risk Factors. An investment in the Trusts should be made with an understanding
of the risks associated therewith, including, among other factors, the
inability of the issuer or an insurer 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 "Unitholder Explanations--Settlement of
Bonds in the Trusts--Risk Factors".
SETTLEMENT OF BONDS IN 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 Part I of this Prospectus. 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 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 initially consists of separate portfolios of delivery statements
relating to contracts to purchase 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 under existing law. All issuers of Securities in
a State Trust are located in the state for which such Trust is named or in
United States territories or possessions and their public authorities;
consequently, in the opinion of recognized bond counsel to such State issuers,
the related interest earned on such Securities is exempt to the extent
indicated from state and local taxes of such State. Further, in the opinion of
bond counsel to the respective issuers, the interest income of each Bond in
the U.S. Territorial IM-IT Trust is exempt from state, Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico and local income taxation. With the exception of the New York and
Pennsylvania Trusts, Units of such Trusts may be purchased only by residents
of the State for which such Trust is named. Units of a New York Trust may be
purchased by residents of New York, Connecticut, Florida and Massachusetts.
Units of a Pennsylvania Trust may be purchased by residents of Pennsylvania,
Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. Offerees in
the states of Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and Washington may only purchase
Units of a Trust named for their respective state of residence or an IM-IT,
IM-IT Limited Maturity, IM-IT Intermediate, IM-IT Short Intermediate, IM-IT
Discount Series or a National Quality Trust. On the Date of Deposit, the
Sponsor deposited with the Trustee the aggregate principal amount of
Securities in each Trust as indicated under "General
Information--Principal Amount (Par Value) of Securities in Trust" in the
"Summary of Essential Financial Information" in Part I of this
Prospectus. Such Securities initially consist of delivery statements relating
to contracts for the purchase of certain interest-bearing obligations and
cash, cash equivalents and/or irrevocable letters of credit issued by a
financial institution in the amount required for such purchases. Thereafter,
the Trustee, in exchange for the Securities so deposited, delivered to the
Sponsor the certificates evidencing the ownership of the number of Units in
each Trust as indicated under "Summary of Essential Financial
Information" in Part I of this Prospectus. Unless otherwise terminated as
provided herein, the Trust Agreement for any IM-IT, IM-IT Discount, U.S.
Territorial IM-IT, State (other than a State Intermediate Laddered Maturity
Trust) or National Quality Trust will terminate at the end of the calendar
year prior to the fiftieth anniversary of its execution, and the Trust
Agreement for any IM-IT Limited Maturity Trust, IM-IT Intermediate Trust,
State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust or IM-IT Short Intermediate Trust
will terminate at the end of the calendar year prior to the twentieth
anniversary of its execution.
The portfolio of any IM-IT, IM-IT Discount, U.S. Territorial IM-IT, State
(other than a State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust) 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
dollar-weighted average maturity of the Bonds in any IM-IT Intermediate Trust,
State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust and IM-IT Short Intermediate Trust
is less than or equal to 10 years, 10 years and 5 years, respectively.
Substantially all of the Bonds in an IM-IT Discount Trust are obligations
which were originally issued at a discount, including "zero coupon"
bonds. See "Federal Tax Status" for a discussion of the tax
consequences of original issue discount.
The portfolio of any State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust is structured
so that approximately 20% of the Bonds contained in such portfolio will mature
each year, commencing 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 a
State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust. However, the flexibility provided
by the return of principal may at the same time eliminate a Unitholder's
ability to reinvest the amount returned at a rate as high as the implicit
yield on the obligations which matured.
Each Unit initially offered represents the fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net income of a Trust indicated under "Summary of
Essential Financial Information" in Part I of this Prospectus. To the
extent that any Units are redeemed by the Trustee, the fractional undivided
interest in a Trust represented by each unredeemed Unit will increase,
although the actual interest in such Trust represented by such fraction will
remain unchanged. Units will remain outstanding until redeemed upon tender to
the Trustee by Unitholders, which may include the Sponsor or the Underwriters,
or until the termination of the Trust Agreement.
Objectives and Securities 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 obligations contained in such portfolio
will mature each year commencing in approximately the fifth year of the Trust.
There is, of course, no guarantee that the Trusts will achieve their
respective objectives. The Fund may be an appropriate investment vehicle for
investors who desire to participate in a portfolio of tax-exempt fixed income
securities with greater diversification than they might be able to acquire
individually. In addition, securities of the type deposited in the Fund are
often not available in small amounts.
Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of all principal and
interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by such Trust
from either AMBAC Indemnity Corporation ("AMBAC Indemnity"), Financial
Guaranty Insurance Company ("Financial Guaranty" or "FGIC") or
a combination thereof (collectively, the "Portfolio Insurers"), or by
the issuer of such Bonds, by a prior owner of such Bonds, or by the Sponsor
prior to the deposit of such Bonds in such Trust from certain of the "
Preinsured Bond Insurers" described herein. Insurance obtained by an
Insured Trust is effective only while the Bonds thus insured are held in such
Trust. For information relating to insurance on the bonds, see "Unitholder
Explanations--Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts."
In selecting Securities for the Trusts, the following factors, among others,
were considered by the Sponsor: (a) either the Standard & Poor's rating of the
Securities was in no case less than "BBB-" in the case of the Insured
Trusts and "A-" in the case of the Quality Trusts, or the Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating of the Securities was in no
case less than "Baa" in the case of the Insured Trusts and "A"
in the case of the Quality Trusts, including provisional or conditional
ratings, respectively, or, if not rated, the Securities had, in the opinion of
the Sponsor, credit characteristics sufficiently similar to the credit
characteristics of interest-bearing tax-exempt obligations that were so rated
as to be acceptable for acquisition by the Fund (see "Description of
Ratings"), (b) the prices of the Securities relative to other bonds of
comparable quality and maturity, (c) the diversification of Securities as to
purpose of issue and location of issuer and (d) with respect to the Insured
Trusts, the availability and cost of insurance for the prompt payment of
principal and interest, when due, on the Securities. Subsequent to the Date of
Deposit, a Security 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 such Security from the portfolio of a Trust but may be
considered in the Sponsor's determination as to whether or not to direct the
Trustee to dispose of the Security (see "Trust Administration--Fund
Administration and Expenses--Portfolio Administration").
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. See
"General" for each Trust in Part I of this Prospectus. 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 in the
portfolio 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 the 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 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 of the Bonds may be "zero coupon" bonds. See footnote (6) in
"Notes to Portfolios" in Part I of this Prospectus. 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 footnote (5) in "
Notes to Portfolios" in Part I of this Prospectus. The delivery of any
such Securities may be delayed or may not occur. Interest on these Securities
begins accruing to the benefit of Unitholders on their respective dates of
delivery. To the extent any Securities are actually delivered to the Fund
after their respective expected dates of delivery, Unitholders who purchase
their Units prior to the date such Securities 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 Securities during the interval
between their purchase of Units and the actual delivery of such Securities. As
a result of any such adjustment, the Estimated Current Returns during the
first year would be slightly lower than those stated herein 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 under "Per Unit
Information" for the applicable Trust in Part I of this Prospectus.
Unitholders will be "at risk" with respect to all Securities in the
portfolios including "when, as and if issued" and "delayed
delivery" Securities (i.e., may derive either gain or loss from
fluctuations in the evaluation of such Securities) from the date they commit
for Units. For a discussion of the Sponsor's obligations in the event of the
failure of any contract for the purchase of any of the Securities and limited
right to substitute other tax-exempt bonds to replace any failed contract, see
"Replacement Bonds" below.
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 "Portfolio" for each Trust and footnote (3)
in the "Notes to Portfolios" in Part I of this Prospectus. 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 Securities 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 Securities 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
Securities 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 Security on the date of issuance to the effect that such Securities
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 Securities.
Replacement Bonds. Because certain of the Securities in the Fund may from time
to time under certain circumstances be sold or redeemed or will mature in
accordance with their terms and because the proceeds from such events will be
distributed to Unitholders and will not be reinvested, no assurance can be
given that any Trust will retain for any length of time its present size and
composition. Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way
for any default, failure or defect in any Security. In the event of a failure
to deliver any Security that has been purchased for the Fund under a contract,
including those Securities purchased on a "when, as and if issued"
basis ("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 corpus of the Fund.
The 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 (i) must be tax-exempt bonds issued by
states or territories of the United States or political subdivisions thereof
and, in the case of replacement of bonds in a State Trust, shall have the
benefit of an exemption from state taxation of interest to an extent equal to
or greater than that of the bonds they replace, (ii) must have a fixed
maturity date of at least 10 years in the case of an IM-IT, IM-IT Discount,
U.S. Territorial IM-IT, State (other than a State Intermediate Laddered
Maturity Trust) or National Quality Trust or, in the case of an IM-IT Limited
Maturity, IM-IT Intermediate, State Intermediate Laddered Maturity or IM-IT
Short Intermediate Trust, must have a fixed maturity date within the range set
forth under "Unitholder Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the
Trusts--The Fund" , (iii) must be purchased at a price that results in a
yield to maturity and in a current return, in each case as of the Date of
Deposit, at least equal to that of the Failed Bonds, (iv) shall not be "
when, as and if issued" bonds, (v) must be rated "BBB-" or better
in the case of the Insured Trusts and "A-" or better in the case of
the Quality Trusts by Standard & Poor's or "Baa" or better in the case
of the Insured Trusts and "A" or better in the case of the Quality
Trusts by Moody's and (vi) with respect to each Insured Trust, must be insured
by one of the Preinsured Bond Insurers or be eligible for (and when acquired
be insured under) the insurance obtained by such Insured Trust. Whenever a
Replacement Bond has been acquired for the Fund, the Trustee shall, within
five days thereafter, notify all Unitholders of the affected Trust of the
acquisition of the Replacement Bond and shall, on the next monthly
distribution date which is more than 30 days thereafter, make a pro rata
distribution of the amount, if any, by which the cost to the affected Trust of
the Failed Bond exceeded the cost of the Replacement Bond plus accrued
interest. Once the original corpus of a Trust is acquired, the Trustee will
have no power to vary the investment of the Trust; i.e., the Trust will have
no managerial power to take advantage of market variation to improve a
Unitholder's investment.
If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding paragraph
shall not be utilized to acquire Replacement Bonds in the event of a failed
contract, the Sponsor will refund the sales charge attributable to such Failed
Bonds to all Unitholders of the affected Trust and distribute the principal
and accrued interest (at the coupon rate of such Failed Bonds to the date the
Failed Bonds are removed from the Fund) attributable to such Failed Bonds not
more than 30 days after such removal or such earlier time as the Trustee in
its sole discretion deems to be in the interest of the Unitholders. All such
interest paid to a Unitholder which accrued after the expected date of
settlement for purchase of his Units will be paid by the Sponsor and
accordingly will not be treated as tax-exempt income. In the event a
Replacement Bond should not be acquired by the Fund, the Estimated Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit for the affected Trust would be reduced and the
Estimated Current Return and Estimated Long-Term Return thereon might be
lowered. In addition, Unitholders should be aware that they may not be able at
the time of receipt of such principal to reinvest such proceeds in other
securities at a yield equal to or in excess of the yield which such proceeds
were earning to Unitholders in the affected Trust.
Distributions. Distributions of interest received by the Fund, pro rated on an
annual basis, will be made on a monthly basis unless the Unitholder elects to
receive them semi-annually. The first such distribution will be in the amount
indicated under "Per Unit Information" for the applicable Trust in
Part I of this Prospectus and will be made on the twenty-fifth day of the
month indicated under "Initial Distribution" therein to Unitholders of
record on the tenth day of such month. The first distribution of funds from
the Principal Account, if any, will be made on the first semi-annual
distribution date to Unitholders of record on the first semi-annual record
date, and thereafter such distributions will be made on a semi-annual basis,
except under certain special circumstances (see "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Distributions of Interest and Principal").
Change of Distribution Option. The plan of distribution selected by a
Unitholder will remain in effect until changed. Unitholders purchasing Units
in the secondary market will initially receive distributions in accordance
with the election of the prior owner. Unitholders may change the plan of
distribution in which they are participating. For convenience of Unitholders,
the Trustee will furnish a card for this purpose; cards may also be obtained
upon request from the Trustee. Unitholders desiring to change their plan of
distribution may so indicate on the card and return it together with their
certificate and such other documentation that the Trustee may then require, to
the Trustee. Certificates should only be sent by registered or certified mail
to minimize the possibility of their being lost or stolen. If the card and
certificate are properly presented to the Trustee, the change will become
effective as of the opening of business on the first day after the next
succeeding semi-annual record date and will be effective, unless further
changed, for all subsequent distributions.
Certificates. The Trustee is authorized to treat as the record owner of Units
that person who is registered as such owner on the books of the Trustee.
Ownership of Units of each Trust is evidenced by separate registered
certificates executed by the Trustee and the Sponsor unless a Unitholder or
the Unitholder's registered broker-dealer 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 evidenced as a
certificate, by presentation and surrender of such certificate to the Trustee
properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. A Unitholder must sign such written request, or such certificate
transfer instrument exactly as his name appears on the records of the Trustee,
and on the face of any certificate representing Units to be transferred, with
the signature guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other signature guaranty program
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, as may be accepted by the
Trustee. In certain instances the Trustee may require additional documents
such as, but not limited to, trust instruments, certificates of death,
appointments as executor or administrator or certificates of corporate
authority. Certificates will be issued in denominations of one Unit or any
multiple thereof. Certificates for Units will bear appropriate notations on
their face indicating which plan of distribution has been selected in respect
thereof. If a change in the plan of distribution is made, the existing
certificate must be surrendered to the Trustee and a new certificate will be
issued, at no charge to the Unitholder, to reflect the currently effective
plan of distribution.
Although no such charge is now made or contemplated, the Trustee may require a
Unitholder to pay a reasonable fee for each certificate re-issued (other than
as a result of a change in plan of distribution) or transferred and to pay any
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with each such 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.
ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS AND ESTIMATED LONG-TERM RETURNS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of the close of business on the day before the Date of Deposit (except for
an IM-IT, an IM-IT Discount or a Pennsylvania IM-IT Trust as of 8:00 A.M.
Central Time on the Date of Deposit) the Estimated Current Returns and the
Estimated Long-Term Returns, under the monthly and semi-annual distribution
plans, were as set forth in the "Per Unit Information" for each Trust
in Part I of this Prospectus. 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 Trustee and the Evaluator and with
the principal prepayment, redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Securities
while the Public Offering Price will vary with changes in the offering price
of the underlying Securities; therefore, 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 all of the
Securities in a Trust and (2) takes into account the expenses and sales charge
associated with each Trust Unit. Since the market values and estimated
retirements of the Securities 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 of the Securities contracted for by the Sponsor
for deposit in the Fund, it may be necessary for the Sponsor or Trustee to pay
on the settlement dates for delivery of such Securities amounts covering
accrued interest on such Securities which exceed the amounts which will be
made available through cash furnished by the Sponsor on the Date of Deposit,
which amount of 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 such excess and will be reimbursed therefor when funds become
available from interest payments on the particular Securities with respect to
which such payments may have been made. Also, since interest on any "when,
as and if issued" Securities 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 to the extent necessary pay Trust expenses) in
order to maintain (or in some cases approach) the same estimated net annual
interest incomes during the first year of the Trusts' operations as described
under "Per Unit Information" for the applicable Trust in Part I of
this Prospectus.
ACCRUED INTEREST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued interest is an accumulation of unpaid interest on securities which
generally is paid semi-annually, although each Trust accrues such 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 subsequent to the First Settlement Date, the Public Offering Price of
Units will have added to it the proportionate share of accrued interest to the
date of settlement. Unitholders will receive on the next distribution date of
a Trust the amount, if any, of accrued interest paid on their Units.
In an effort to reduce the amount of accrued interest which would otherwise
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 amount of accrued interest to be 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 subsequent to the First Settlement Date. See "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Distributions of Interest and Principal."
Because of the varying interest payment dates of the Securities, 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. Since the Trustee has the use of the funds held in the Interest Account
for distributions to Unitholders and since such Account is
non-interest-bearing to Unitholders, the Trustee benefits thereby.
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 Securities in such Trust's portfolio, a sales charge of 4.9% of
the Public Offering Price (5.152% of the aggregate offering price of the
Securities) for an IM-IT, a U.S. Territorial IM-IT, a State (other than a
State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust) or a National Quality Trust, 4.3%
of the Public Offering Price (4.493% of the aggregate offering price of the
Securities) for an IM-IT Limited Maturity Trust, 4.0% of the Public Offering
Price (4.167% of the aggregate offering price of the Securities) for an IM-IT
Discount Trust, 3.9% of the Public Offering Price (4.058% of the aggregate
offering price of the Securities) for an IM-IT Intermediate Trust, 3.0% of the
Public Offering Price (3.093% of the aggregate offering price of the
Securities) for a State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust and 2.0% of the
Public Offering Price (2.041% of the aggregate offering price of the
Securities) for an IM-IT Short Intermediate Trust, cash, if any, in the
Principal Account held or owned by such Trust, 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 Securities in each Trust, an
applicable sales charge as determined in accordance with the table set forth
below, which is based upon the estimated long-term return life of each Trust,
cash, if any, in the Principal Account held or owned by such Trust, and
accrued interest, if any. For purposes of computation, 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 such call date will be deemed to be the date upon which they
mature; or (b) such Bonds are subject to a "mandatory tender" , in
which case such mandatory tender will be deemed to be the date upon which they
mature.
The effect of this method of sales charge computation will be that different
sales charge rates will be applied to each Trust based upon the estimated
long-term return life of such Trust's Portfolio, in accordance with the
following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years To Maturity Sales Charge Years To Maturity Sales Charge
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1 1.010% 12 4.712%
2 1.523 13 4.822
3 2.041 14 4.932
4 2.302 15 5.042
5 2.564 16 5.152
6 2.828 17 5.263
7 3.093 18 5.374
8 3.627 19 5.485
9 4.167 20 5.597
10 4.384 21 to 30 5.708
11 4.603
</TABLE>
The sales charges in the above table are expressed as a percentage of the
aggregate bid prices of the Securities in a Trust. Expressed as a percent of
the Public Offering Price, the sales charge on a Trust consisting entirely of
a portfolio 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 Part I of any Prospectus by which such Trust is offered. The sales
charge applicable to quantity purchases during the initial offering period is,
however, reduced on a graduated basis to any person acquiring 100 or more
Units as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollar Amount of Sales
Charge Reduction Per Unit
-------------------------------------------------------------------
IM-IT, U.S.
Territorial
IM-IT, State
(other than a
State
Intermediate
Laddered
Maturity Trust) IM-IT Short
Aggregate Number of and National Intermediate IM-IT Discount
Units Purchased* Quality Trusts Trust 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
____________________
* The breakpoint sales charges are also applied on a dollar basis utilizing a breakpoint
equivalent in the above table of $10 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.
</TABLE>
Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the selling
Underwriter, broker, dealer or agent. The Sponsor will, however, increase the
concession or agency commission for such quantity purchases. See "Trust
Administration--General--Unit Distribution". This reduced sales charge
structure 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 under 21 years of
age 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 securities 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 and 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 described in the table above, provided that at the time
of the initial purchase of units of 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 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 (see "Trust
Administration--General--Unit Distribution") 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 the Units will vary from the
amounts stated under "Summary of Essential Financial Information" in
Part I of this Prospectus in accordance with fluctuations in the prices of the
underlying Securities in each Trust.
As indicated above, the price of the Units as of the date the Securities were
deposited in each Trust was determined by adding to the aggregate offering
price of the Securities of a Trust an amount equal to the applicable sales
charge expressed as a percentage of the aggregate offering price of the
Securities and dividing the sum so obtained by the number of Units
outstanding. This computation produced a gross underwriting commission equal
to such sales charge expressed as a percentage of the Public Offering Price.
Such price determination as of the close of business on the day before the
Date of Deposit (except for an IM-IT, IM-IT Discount or a Pennsylvania IM-IT
Trust as of 8:00 A.M. Central Time on the Date of Deposit) was made on the
basis of an evaluation of the Securities in each Trust prepared by Interactive
Data Corporation, a firm regularly engaged in the business of evaluating,
quoting or appraising comparable securities. After the close of business on
the day before the Date of Deposit (except for an IM-IT, IM-IT Discount or a
Pennsylvania IM-IT Trust after 8:00 A.M. Central Time on the Date of Deposit)
and during the period of initial offering, the Evaluator will appraise or
cause to be appraised daily the value of the underlying Securities of each
Trust as of the Evaluation Time on days the New York Stock Exchange is open
for business and will adjust the Public Offering Price of the Units
commensurate with such appraisal. Such Public Offering Price will be effective
for all orders received at or prior to the Evaluation Time on each such day.
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. For
secondary market sales the Public Offering Price per Unit will be equal to the
aggregate bid price of the Securities in the Trust plus an amount equal to the
applicable secondary market sales charge expressed as a percentage of the
aggregate bid price of the Securities and dividing the sum so attained by the
number of Units then outstanding. This computation produces a gross commission
equal to such sales charge expressed as a percentage of the Public Offering
Price. For secondary market purposes such appraisal and adjustment with
respect to a Trust will be made by the Evaluator as of the Evaluation Time on
days in which the New York Stock Exchange is open for each day on which any
Unit of such Trust is tendered for redemption and it shall determine the
aggregate value of any Trust as of the Evaluation Time on such other days as
may be necessary.
The aggregate price of the Securities in each Trust has been and will be
determined on the basis of bid prices or offering prices, as is appropriate,
(a) on the basis of current market prices for the Securities obtained from
dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds comparable to those held by
the Fund; (b) if such prices are not available for any particular Securities,
on the basis of current market prices for comparable bonds; (c) by causing the
value of the Securities 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 Securities 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 such 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 such default (the "Defaulted Bonds") the value of the
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 such
Defaulted Bonds not covered by Permanent Insurance. In addition, the Evaluator
will consider the ability of the affected Portfolio Insurer to meet its
commitments under any Trust insurance policy, including the commitments to
issue Permanent Insurance. It is the position of the Sponsor that this is a
fair method of valuing the Bonds and the insurance obtained by an Insured
Trust and reflects a proper valuation method in accordance with the provisions
of the Investment Company Act of 1940. No value has been ascribed to insurance
obtained by an Insured Trust, if any, as of the date of this Prospectus.
The initial or primary Public Offering Price of the Units is equal to the
offering price per Unit of the underlying Securities in each Trust plus the
applicable sales charge plus interest accrued but unpaid from the First
Settlement Date to the date of settlement. The secondary market Public
Offering Price is equal to the bid price per Unit of the Securities in each
Trust plus the applicable sales charge plus accrued interest. The offering
price of Securities in each Trust may be expected to average approximately
0.5%-1% more than the bid price of such Securities. On the Date of Deposit,
the offering side evaluations of the Securities in the Trusts were higher than
the bid side evaluations of such Securities by the respective amounts
indicated in "Notes to Portfolios" in Part I of this Prospectus.
Although payment is normally made three business days following the order for
purchase, payment may be made prior thereto. 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. Delivery of certificates representing Units so ordered
will be made three business days following such order or shortly thereafter.
See "Redemption of Units" below for information regarding the ability
to redeem Units ordered for purchase.
Market for Units. During the initial public offering period, the Sponsor
and/or certain of the Underwriters intend to offer to purchase Units at a
price equivalent to the Public Offering Price which is based upon the
aggregate offering price per Unit of the underlying Securities in each Trust
plus accrued interest to the date of settlement less the related sales
commission. Afterward, although not obligated to do so, the Sponsor intends
to, and certain of the other Underwriters may, maintain a market for the Units
offered hereby and to offer continuously to purchase such Units at prices,
subject to change at any time, based upon the aggregate bid prices of the
Securities in the portfolio of each Trust plus interest accrued to the date of
settlement and plus 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 such
prices. In the event that a market is not maintained for the Units and the
Unitholder cannot find another purchaser, a Unitholder of any Trust desiring
to dispose of his Units may be able to dispose of such Units only by tendering
them to the Trustee for redemption at the Redemption Price, which is based
upon the aggregate bid price of the Securities in the portfolio of such Trust
plus any accrued interest. The aggregate bid prices of the underlying
Securities in a Trust are expected to be less than the related aggregate
offering prices. See "Redemption of Units" below. 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 existence any price in
excess of the Redemption Price and, if so, the amount thereof.
Distributions of Interest and Principal. Interest received by the Fund,
including that part of the proceeds of any disposition of Securities which
represents accrued interest, is credited by the Trustee to the Interest
Account for the appropriate Trust. Other receipts are credited to the
Principal Account for the appropriate Trust. Interest received by the Fund
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 (see "Public Offering--Offering
Price" above) will be distributed on or shortly after the twenty-fifth day
of each month on a pro rata basis to Unitholders of record of a Trust as of
the preceding record date who are entitled to distributions at that time under
the plan of distribution chosen. All distributions will be net of applicable
expenses. The pro rata share of cash in the Principal Account of a Trust will
be computed as of the date set forth under "Per Unit Information" for
the applicable Trust in Part I of this Prospectus, and thereafter as of the
semi-annual record date, and distributions to the Unitholders as of such
record date will be made on or shortly after the twenty-fifth day of such
month. Proceeds received from the disposition of any of the Securities after
such record date and prior to the following distribution date will be held in
the Principal Account and not distributed until the next distribution date.
The Trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in any Principal or
Interest Account (but may itself earn interest thereon and therefore benefits
from the use of such 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 succeeding monthly
distribution date to holders of record on the related monthly record date.
The distribution to the Unitholders of a Trust as of each record date after
the First Settlement Date will be made on the following distribution date or
shortly thereafter and shall consist of an amount substantially equal to such
portion of the Unitholder's pro rata share of the estimated net annual
interest income in the Interest Account of such Trust after deducting
estimated expenses attributable as is consistent with the distribution plan
chosen. Because interest payments are not received by the Fund at a constant
rate throughout the year, such interest distribution may be more or less than
the amount credited to such Interest Account as of the record date. For the
purpose of minimizing fluctuations in the distributions from an Interest
Account, the Trustee is authorized to advance such amounts as may be necessary
to provide interest distributions of approximately equal amounts. The Trustee
shall be reimbursed for any such advances from funds in the applicable
Interest Account on the ensuing 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.
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 (as
determined on the basis set forth under "Trust Administration--Fund
Administration and Expenses"). The Trustee also may withdraw from said
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. In addition, the Trustee may withdraw from the Interest and
Principal Accounts such amounts as may be necessary to cover purchases of
Replacement Bonds and redemptions of Units by the Trustee.
Reinvestment Option. Unitholders of unit investment trusts sponsored by Van
Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., may elect to have each
distribution of interest income, capital gains and/or principal on their Units
automatically reinvested in shares of any Van Kampen American Capital mutual
funds (except for B shares) which are registered in the Unitholder's state of
residence. Such mutual funds are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Reinvestment Funds".
Each Reinvestment Fund has investment objectives which differ in certain
respects from those of the Trusts. The prospectus relating to each
Reinvestment Fund describes the investment policies of such fund and sets
forth the procedures to follow to commence reinvestment. A Unitholder may
obtain a prospectus for the respective Reinvestment Funds from Van Kampen
American Capital Distributors, Inc. at One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace,
Illinois 60181. Texas residents who desire to reinvest may request that a
broker-dealer registered in Texas send the prospectus relating to the
respective fund.
After becoming a participant in a reinvestment plan, each distribution of
interest income, capital gains and/or principal on the participant's Units
will, on the applicable distribution date, automatically be applied, as
directed by such person, as of such distribution date by the Trustee to
purchase shares (or fractions thereof) of the applicable Reinvestment Fund at
a net asset value as computed as of the close of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange 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
as described above.
Confirmations of all reinvestments by a Unitholder into a Reinvestment Fund
will be mailed to the Unitholder by such Reinvestment Fund. A participant may
elect to terminate his or her reinvestment plan and receive future
distributions of his or her Units in cash by notifying the Trustee in writing
at any time prior to five days before the next distribution date. There will
be no charge or other penalty for such termination. Each Reinvestment Fund,
its sponsor and investment adviser shall have the right to terminate at any
time the reinvestment plan relating to such fund.
Unitholders of New York Trusts, other than residents of Massachusetts, 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,
as in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates) and by payment
of applicable governmental charges, if any. Thus, redemption of Units cannot
be effected until certificates representing such Units have been delivered by
the person seeking redemption or satisfactory indemnity provided. No
redemption fee will be charged. On the third business day following such
tender, the Unitholder will receive in cash an amount for each Unit equal to
the Redemption Price per Unit next computed after receipt by the Trustee of
such 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 such Exchange is open for trading
and such Units will be deemed to have been tendered to the Trustee on such day
for redemption at the Redemption Price computed on that day.
Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee will be
required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a Unit
redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unitholder's
tax identification number in the manner required by such regulations. Any
amount so withheld is transmitted to the Internal Revenue Service and may be
recovered by the Unitholder only when filing 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, such Unitholder should provide a tax identification
number to the Trustee in order to avoid this possible "back-up
withholding" in the event the Trustee has not been previously provided
such number.
Accrued interest paid on redemption shall be withdrawn from the Interest
Account of such Trust or, if the balance therein is insufficient, from the
Principal Account of such Trust. All other amounts will be withdrawn from the
Principal Account of such Trust. The Trustee is empowered to sell underlying
Securities of a Trust in order to make funds available for redemption. Units
so redeemed shall be cancelled.
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 Securities in
each Trust, while the initial and primary Public Offering Price of Units will
be determined on the basis of the offering price of the Securities in each
Trust, as of the Evaluation Time on days of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on the date any such determination is made. On the Date of Deposit
the Public Offering Price per Unit (which is based on the offering prices of
the Bonds in each Trust and includes the sales charge) exceeded the value at
which Units could have been redeemed (based upon the current bid prices of the
Securities in such Trust) by the amount shown under "Summary of Essential
Financial Information" in Part I of this Prospectus. While the Trustee has
the power to determine the Redemption Price per Unit when Units are tendered
for redemption, such authority has been delegated to the Evaluator which
determines the price per Unit on a daily basis. The Redemption Price per Unit
is the pro rata share of each Unit in each Trust on the basis of (i) the cash
on hand in such Trust or moneys in the process of being collected, (ii) the
value of the Securities in such Trust based on the bid prices of the
Securities therein, except for cases in which the value of insurance has been
included, (iii) interest accrued thereon, less (a) amounts representing taxes
or other governmental charges payable out of such Trust and (b) the accrued
expenses of such Trust. The Evaluator may determine the value of the
Securities in each Trust by employing any of the methods set forth in
"Public Offering--Offering Price" above. 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 such Bonds are in default in payment
of principal or interest or in significant risk of such 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"
above.
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 Securities
represented by the Units so redeemed. As stated above, the Trustee may sell
Securities to cover redemptions. When Securities are sold, the size and
diversity of the affected Trust will be reduced. Such sales may be required at
a time when Securities 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 Securities and Exchange
Commission determines that trading on that Exchange is restricted or an
emergency exists, as a result of which disposal or evaluation of the
Securities in the Trusts is not reasonably practicable, or for such other
periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit. Under
certain extreme circumstances the Sponsor may apply to the Securities and
Exchange Commission for an order permitting a full or partial suspension of
the right of Unitholders to redeem their Units.
Reports Provided. The Trustee shall furnish Unitholders of a Trust in
connection with each distribution a statement of the amount of interest and
the amount of other receipts (received since the preceding distribution), if
any, being distributed expressed in each case as a dollar amount representing
the pro rata share of each Unit of a Trust outstanding. For as long as the
Sponsor deems it to be in the best interests of the Unitholders, the accounts
of each Trust shall be audited, not less frequently than annually, by
independent certified public accountants and the report of such accountants
shall be furnished by the Sponsor or Trustee to Unitholders of such Trusts
upon request. Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to each person who at any time during
the calendar year was a registered Unitholder of a Trust a statement (i) as to
the Interest Account: interest received (including amounts representing
interest received upon any disposition of Securities) and the percentage of
such interest by states in which the issuers of the Securities are located,
deductions for applicable taxes and for fees and expenses of such Trust, for
purchases of Replacement Bonds and for redemptions of Units, if any, and the
balance remaining after such distributions and deductions, expressed in each
case both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing the pro
rata share of each Unit outstanding on the last business day of such calendar
year; (ii) as to the Principal Account: the dates of disposition of any
Securities and the net proceeds received therefrom (excluding any portion
representing accrued interest), the amount paid for purchases of Replacement
Bonds and for redemptions of Units, if any, deductions for payment of
applicable taxes and fees and expenses of the Trustee, the amount of "when
issued" interest treated as a return of capital, if any, and the balance
remaining after such distributions and deductions expressed both as a total
dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing the pro rata share of each
Unit outstanding on the last business day of such calendar year; (iii) a list
of the Securities held and the number of Units outstanding on the last
business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Redemption Price per Unit based
upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest and
Principal Accounts, separately stated, expressed both as total dollar amounts
and as dollar amounts representing the pro rata share of each Unit
outstanding. In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting
requirements, Unitholders will be furnished, upon request to the Trustee,
evaluations of the Securities in a Trust furnished to it by the Evaluator.
Each distribution statement of a Trust will reflect pertinent information in
respect of the other plan of distribution so that Unitholders may be informed
regarding the results of such other plan of distribution.
INSURANCE ON THE BONDS IN THE INSURED TRUSTS
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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
"Unitholder Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts--Objectives and
Securities Selection". The "Portfolio Insurers" and the
"Preinsured Bond Insurers" are described under "Notes to Portfolios"
in Part I of this Prospectus. The Portfolio Insurers are either AMBAC
Indemnity 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 Part I of this Prospectus). 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 Bonds 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 "Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Offering
Price". 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 "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Redemption of Units") 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
Bonds until their respective maturities in order to realize the benefits of
such Trust's portfolio insurance (see "Trust
Administration--General--Amendment or Termination").
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 "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Offering Price". 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 "
Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Offering Price" 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 "
Unitholder Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts--Objectives and
Securities Selection".
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)
-----------------------------------------
Date Admitted Policyholders'
Name Established Assets Surplus
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ---------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AMBAC Indemnity Corporation (at 12/31/96)............. 1970 $2,585 $ 899
Capital Markets Assurance Corporation (at 12/31/96)... 1987 321 194
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (at 3/31/97)..... 1984 2,447 1,124
Financial Security Assurance, Inc. (at 12/31/96)...... 1984 1,155 449
MBIA Insurance Corporation (at 3/31/97 unaudited)..... 1986 4,500 1,500
</TABLE>
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 Securities 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 Indemnity 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".
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.
For information relating to the insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts
and the breakdown of the insurers of Preinsured Bonds, see footnote (5) in
"Notes to Portfolios" in Part I of this Prospectus.
UNDERWRITING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a breakdown of the Underwriters who have severally purchased Units of each
Trust from the Sponsor, see "Other Matters--Underwriting" in Part I of
this Prospectus.
Units may also be sold to broker-dealers and others at prices representing the
per Unit concession or agency commission stated under "Trust
Administration--General--Unit Distribution". However, resales of Units by
such broker-dealers and others to the public will be made at the Public
Offering Price described in the Prospectus. The Sponsor reserves the right to
reject, in whole or in part, any order for the purchase of Units and the right
to change the amount of the concession or agency commission from time to time.
In addition to any other benefits the Underwriters may realize from the sale
of the Units of the Fund, the Agreement Among Underwriters provides that the
Sponsor will share on a pro rata basis among certain Underwriters (those who
underwrite at least 250 Units) 50% of the aggregate gain, if any, represented
by the difference between the Sponsor's cost of the Securities in connection
with their acquisition and the evaluation thereof on the Date of Deposit less
deductions for certain accrued interest and certain other costs. See
"Trust Administration--General--Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation"
herein and "Portfolio" for the applicable Trust in Part I of this
Prospectus.
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 Underwriters,
brokers, dealers, banks and/or others may be eligible to win other nominal
awards for certain sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor will reallow to
any such Underwriters, brokers, dealers, banks and/or others 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 underwriters, brokers,
dealers, banks or others 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.
FUND ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENSES
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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 and into 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 securities.
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 Securities and Exchange Commission,
(ii) terminate the Trust Agreement and liquidate the Fund as provided therein
or (iii) continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Trust Agreement.
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.
Compensation of Sponsor and Evaluator. 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
an annual supervisory fee as indicated under "Summary of Essential
Financial Information" in Part I of this Prospectus for providing
portfolio supervisory services for the Fund. Such fee may exceed the actual
costs of providing such supervisory services for this Fund, but at no time
will the total amount received for portfolio supervisory services rendered to
Series 1 of the Fund and subsequent series and to any other unit investment
trusts sponsored by the Sponsor for which the Evaluator provides portfolio
supervisory services in any calendar year exceed the aggregate cost to the
Evaluator of supplying such services in such year. In addition, the Evaluator
shall receive an annual evaluation fee as indicated under "Summary of
Essential Financial Information" in Part I of this Prospectus for
regularly evaluating each Trust's portfolio. Such fees are based on the
outstanding principal amount of Securities in each Trust on the Date of
Deposit for the first year and as of the close of business on January 1 for
each year thereafter. Both of the foregoing fees may be increased without
approval of the Unitholders by amounts not exceeding proportionate increases
under the category "All Services Less Rent of Shelter" in the Consumer
Price Index published by the United States Department of Labor or, if such
category is no longer published, in a comparable category. The Sponsor and the
Underwriters will receive sales commissions and may realize other profits (or
losses) in connection with the sale of Units and the deposit of the Securities
as described under "General--Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation"
below.
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.
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 (see "Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Reports
Provided"). 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 Securities 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.
Trustee's Fee. For its services the Trustee will receive a fee based on the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of Securities in each Trust as of the
opening of business on January 2 and July 2 of each year as set forth under
"Per Unit Information" for the applicable Trust in Part I of this
Prospectus. During the first year the Trustee may agree to reduce its fee (and
to the extent necessary pay miscellaneous expenses of a Trust) as stated under
"Per Unit Information" for the applicable Trust in Part I of this
Prospectus. After the first year such fee will be computed at $.51 per $1,000
principal amount of Securities for that portion of each Trust under the
semi-annual distribution plan and $.91 per $1,000 principal amount of
Securities for that portion of each Trust under the monthly distribution plan.
Based on the size of the Trust on the Date of Deposit, the Trustee's estimated
annual fees for ordinary recurring services would initially amount to that
amount set forth under "Per Unit Information" for the applicable Trust
in Part I of the Prospectus. The Trustee's fees are payable monthly on or
before the twenty-fifth day of each month from the Interest Account of each
Trust to the extent funds are available and then from the Principal Account of
each Trust, with such payments being based on each Trust's portion of such
expenses. Since the Trustee has the use of the funds being held in the
Principal and Interest Accounts for future distributions, payment of expenses
and redemptions and since such Accounts are non-interest bearing to
Unitholders, the Trustee benefits thereby. Part of the Trustee's compensation
for its services to each Trust is expected to result from the use of these
funds. Such fees may be increased without approval of the Unitholders by
amounts not exceeding proportionate increases under the category "All
Services Less Rent of Shelter" in the Consumer Price Index published by
the United States Department of Labor or, if such category is no longer
published, in a comparable category. The Trustee's fees will not be increased
in future years in order to make up any reduction in the Trustee's fees
described under "Per Unit Information" for the applicable Trust in
Part I of this Prospectus. For a discussion of the services rendered by the
Trustee pursuant to its obligations under the Trust Agreement, see
"Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Reports Provided" and
"Trustee" above.
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 Securities, 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 Securities 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
on 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
Securities 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 such 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 "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--Redemption of Units". 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 Securities to issue new obligations in exchange or
substitution for any Security 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 Security or (2) in
the written opinion of the Sponsor the issuer will probably default with
respect to such Security 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
Securities originally deposited thereunder. Within five days after the deposit
of obligations in exchange or substitution for underlying Securities, the
Trustee is required to give notice thereof to each Unitholder of the Trust
thereby affected, identifying the Securities eliminated and the Securities
substituted therefor. Except as stated herein and under "Unitholder
Explanations--Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts--Replacement Bonds"
regarding the substitution of Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, the
acquisition by the Fund of any securities other than the Securities initially
deposited is not permitted.
If any default in the payment of principal or interest on any Security 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 Security within 30 days after notification by
the Trustee to the Sponsor of such default, the Trustee may in its discretion
sell the defaulted Security and not be liable for any depreciation or loss
thereby incurred.
Sponsor Purchases of Units. The Trustee shall 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 such
Units by notifying the Trustee before the close of business on the second
succeeding business day and by making payment therefor to the Unitholder not
later than the day on which the Units would otherwise have been redeemed by
the Trustee. Units held by the Sponsor may be tendered to the Trustee for
redemption as any other Units. The offering price of any Units acquired by the
Sponsor will be in accord with the Public Offering Price described in the then
currently effective prospectus describing such Units. Any profit resulting
from the resale of such Units will belong to the Sponsor which likewise will
bear any loss resulting from a lower offering or Redemption Price subsequent
to its acquisition of such Units.
Insurance Premiums. The cost of the portfolio insurance obtained by the
respective Trusts, if any, is that amount shown in footnote (5) in "Notes
to Portfolios" in Part I of this Prospectus, so long as such Trust retains
the Bonds. Premiums, which are obligations of each Insured Trust, are payable
monthly by the Trustee on behalf of the respective Trust. As Bonds in the
portfolio of 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 no longer owned by and held in such Trust. 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 premiums for such permanent insurance with respect to
each Bond will decline over the life of the Bond. A Trust does not incur any
expense for Preinsured Bond insurance, since the premium or premiums for such
insurance have been paid by the issuer or the Sponsor prior to the deposit of
such Preinsured Bonds in a Trust. Preinsured Bonds are not additionally
insured by an Insured Trust.
Miscellaneous Expenses. 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
Securities to pay such amounts.
GENERAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment or Termination. The Sponsor and the Trustee have the power to amend
the Trust Agreement without the consent of any of the Unitholders when such an
amendment is (a) to cure an ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision of the Trust Agreement which may be defective or inconsistent with
any other provision contained therein or (b) to make such other provisions as
shall not adversely affect the interest of the Unitholders (as determined in
good faith by the Sponsor and the Trustee), provided that the Trust Agreement
may not be amended to increase the number of Units issuable thereunder or to
permit the deposit or acquisition of securities either in addition to or in
substitution for any of the Securities initially deposited in the Fund, except
for the substitution of certain refunding securities for such Securities. In
the event of any amendment, the Trustee is obligated to notify promptly all
Unitholders of the substance of such amendment.
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 that indicated
under "Summary of Essential Financial Information" in Part I of this
Prospectus. 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 Security 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, an IM-IT Discount, a U.S. Territorial IM-IT, a State
(other than a State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust) 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
Securities 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 governmental charges. The sale of Securities 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 Securities 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 are in default and 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.
Limitation on Liabilities. The Sponsor, the Evaluator and the 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 Securities. 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 shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Securities or upon the interest thereon or
upon it as Trustee under the Trust Agreement or upon or in respect of 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, Sponsor and Unitholders may rely on any evaluation furnished by
the Evaluator and shall have no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Determinations by the Evaluator under the Trust Agreement 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. This provision shall not
protect the Evaluator in any case of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
Unit Distribution. During the initial offering period, Units will be
distributed to the public by Underwriters, broker-dealers and others (see
"Unitholder Explanations--Underwriting") at the Public Offering Price, plus
interest accrued but unpaid from the First Settlement Date to the date of
settlement as described above under "Unitholder Explanations--Accrued
Interest". Upon the completion of the initial offering, Units repurchased
in the secondary market, if any, may be offered by this Prospectus at the
secondary market Public Offering Price plus interest accrued to the date of
settlement.
The Sponsor intends to qualify the 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 either from the Sponsor (in the case of dealer
transactions) or through the Sponsor (in the case of transactions involving
brokers or others).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IM-IT, U.S.
Territorial
IM-IT,
State
(other than
a State
Intermediate State
Laddered IM-IT Intermediate
IM-IT Maturity IM-IT Limited Laddered
Discount Trust) and IM-IT Short Intermediate Maturity Maturity
Trust National Intermediate Trust Trust 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 "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--General". In addition to the concessions
and agency commissions described herein, volume concessions or agency
commissions of an additional $5.00 per Unit of an IM-IT, a U.S. Territorial
IM-IT, a State (other than a State Intermediate Laddered Maturity Trust) 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.
Such 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 described
herein 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 are
making Units of the Fund 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. Under
the Glass-Steagall Act, banks are prohibited from underwriting Units of the
Fund; however, the Glass-Steagall Act does permit certain agency transactions
and the banking regulators have not indicated that these particular agency
transactions are not permitted under such Act. In addition, state securities
laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations of federal law
expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be required to
register as dealers pursuant to state law. Any quantity discount (see
"Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--General") 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 as determined using the table found in "Unitholder
Explanations--Public Offering--General". The minimum purchase in the
primary and secondary market will be one Unit. 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. See "Unitholder Explanations--Underwriting."
Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation. The Underwriters will receive a
gross sales commission equal to that percentage of the Public Offering Price
of the Units as indicated under "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--Offering Price" less any reduced sales charges for quantity
purchases as described under "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--General".
The Sponsor will receive from the Underwriters the excess of such gross sales
commission over the amounts set forth in the following tables, as of the Date
of Deposit.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IM-IT, U.S.
Territorial
IM-IT,
State
(other than
a State
Intermediate State
Laddered IM-IT Intermediate
IM-IT Maturity IM-IT Limited Laddered
Discount Trust) and IM-IT Short Intermediate Maturity Maturity
Trust National Intermediate Trust Trust 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. See "Unitholder Explanations--Public
Offering--General." 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 (in addition to the Unit basis described herein)
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 of the Underwriters will realize a profit
or the Sponsor will sustain a loss, as the case may be, as a result of the
difference between the price paid for the Securities by the Sponsor and the
cost of such Securities to a Trust (which is based on the determination by
Interactive Data Corporation of the aggregate offering price of the underlying
Securities in such Trust on the Date of Deposit). See "Unitholder
Explanations--Underwriting" herein and "Portfolio" for the
applicable Trust and "Notes to Portfolios" in Part I of this
Prospectus. The Sponsor and the Underwriters may also realize profits or
sustain losses with respect to Securities deposited in each Trust 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 Securities in the
Trusts were acquired. The Underwriters may further realize additional profit
or loss during the initial offering period as a result of possible
fluctuations in the market value of the Securities in each Trust after the
Date of Deposit, 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.
As stated under "Unitholder Explanations--Public Offering--Market for
Units" , the Sponsor intends to, and certain of the other Underwriters may,
maintain a secondary market for the Units of the Fund. In so maintaining a
market, such person or persons will also realize profits or sustain losses in
the amount of any difference between the price at which Units are purchased
and the price at which Units are resold (which price is based on the bid
prices of the Securities in a Trust and includes a sales charge). In addition,
such person or persons will also realize profits or sustain losses resulting
from a redemption of such repurchased Units at a price above or below the
purchase price for such Units, respectively.
Legal Opinions. 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.
Special counsel to the Fund for certain state tax matters are named under
"Tax Status" for each Trust appearing in Part I of this Prospectus. Morris
N. Simkin, Esq. has acted as counsel for the Trustee and as special counsel to
the Fund for New York tax matters. None of the special counsel for the Fund
has expressed any opinion regarding the completeness or materiality of any
matters contained in this Prospectus other than the tax opinion set forth
under "Tax Status" relating to the Trust for which it has provided an
opinion in Part I of this Prospectus.
Independent Certified Public Accountants. The statements of condition and the
related securities portfolios at the Date of Deposit included in this
Prospectus have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified
public accountants, as set forth in their report in this Prospectus, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
FEDERAL TAX STATUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Part II of the 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 by AMBAC Indemnity, Financial Guaranty or
a combination thereof 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 Part One for certain Trusts, 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,
see "Tax Status" for the applicable Trust in Part I of this
Prospectus. 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.
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.
*As published by the rating companies.
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title Page
<S> <C>
INTRODUCTION 2
UNITHOLDER EXPLANATIONS 3
Settlement of Bonds in the Trusts 3
The Fund 3
Objectives and Securities Selection 4
Risk Factors 4
Replacement Bonds 8
Distributions 9
Change of Distribution Option 9
Certificates 10
Estimated Current Returns and Estimated Long-Term Returns 10
Accrued Interest 11
Public Offering 11
General 11
Offering Price 13
Market for Units 15
Distributions of Interest and Principal 15
Reinvestment Option 16
Redemption of Units 16
Reports Provided 17
Insurance on the Bonds in the Insured Trusts 18
Underwriting 21
TRUST ADMINISTRATION 22
Fund Administration and Expenses 22
Sponsor 22
Compensation of Sponsor and Evaluator 23
Trustee 23
Trustee's Fee 24
Portfolio Administration 24
Sponsor Purchases of Units 25
Insurance Premiums 25
Miscellaneous Expenses 25
General 25
Amendment or Termination 25
Limitation on Liabilities 26
Unit Distribution 27
Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation 28
Legal Opinions 29
Independent Certified Public Accountants 29
FEDERAL TAX STATUS 30
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS 34
</TABLE>
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
July 1997
Insured Municipals
Income Trust,
Insured Multi-Series
and
Insured Municipals
Income
Trust and
Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust,
Multi-Series
A Wealth of Knowledge A Knowledge of Wealth(sm)
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
This Part II of the Prospectus may not be distributed unless
accompanied by Part I. Both Parts of this Prospectus should be
retained for future reference.
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.
1.5 Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters.
3.1 Opinion and consent of counsel as to legality of securities being
registered.
3.2 Opinion of counsel as to the Federal and Kentucky 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.
3.4 Opinion and consent of counsel as to income tax status to
California residents of Units of the California IM-IT Trust.
3.5 Opinion and consent of counsel as to income tax status to
Connecticut residents of Units of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust.
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 and Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296, hereby identifies Insured
Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-
Series 189 and Multi-Series 213 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 and Investors' Quality Tax-
Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 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 17th day of November, 1997.
Insured Municipals Income Trust and
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt
Trust, Multi-Series 296
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 November
17, 1997 by the following persons who constitute a majority of the Board
of Directors of Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
Signature Title
Don G. Powell Chairman and Chief Executive )
Officer )
William R. Molinari 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. 333-33087) and the same are hereby
incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 1.1
Insured Municipals Income Trust and
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust
Multi-Series 296
Trust Agreement
Dated: November 17, 1997
This Trust Agreement between Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc., as Depositor, American Portfolio Evaluation Services,
a division of Van Kampen American Capital 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 the amount set
forth under "Summary of Essential Financial Information-Fractional
Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit" in 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 to the "Per Unit Information" for each Trust
in 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 "Per Unit Information" for each Trust in Prospectus Part I.
(e) The First Settlement Date shall be the date set forth
under "Summary of Essential Financial Information-First Settlement
Date" in 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 4:00 P.M. Eastern time.
(h) As set forth in Section 3.05, the Record Dates and
Distribution Dates for each Trust are those dates set forth in the
section entitled "Per Unit Information" for each Trust as appears in
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-Evaluator's Annual 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-Evaluator's
Annual Evaluation Fee" in 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 Prospectus Part I under the section entitled "Per Unit
Information" for each Trust 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
In Witness Whereof, Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
has caused this Trust Agreement to be executed by one of its Vice
Presidents or Assistant Vice Presidents and its corporate seal to be
hereto affixed and attested by its Secretary or one of its Vice
Presidents or Assistant Secretaries, American Portfolio Evaluation
Services, a division of Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory
Corp., has caused this Trust Indenture and Agreement to be executed by
its President or one of its Vice Presidents and its corporate seal to be
hereto affixed and attested to by its Secretary, its Assistant Secretary
or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents and The Bank of New York, has
caused this Trust Agreement to be executed by one of its Vice Presidents
and its corporate seal to be hereto affixed and attested to by one of its
Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents or Assistant Treasurers; all
as of the day, month and year first above written.
Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc.
By James J. Boyne
Vice President, Associate General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary
(Seal)
Attest:
By Cathy Napoli
Assistant Secretary
American Portfolio Evaluation
Service, a division of Van Kampen
American Capital Investment
Advisory Corp.
By Dennis J. Mcdonnell
President
(Seal)
Attest:
By James J. Boyne
Assistant Secretary
The Bank Of New York
By Ted Rudich
Vice President
(Seal)
Attest:
By Jeffrey Cohen
Assistant Treasurer
Schedules to Trust Agreement
Securities Initially Deposited
Insured Municipals Income Trust and
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust
Multi-Series 296
(Note: Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below
are the corresponding "Portfolios" of each of the Trusts as set
forth in Prospectus Part I.)
Exhibit 1.5
Dated: June 1, 1992
Master Agreement Among Underwriters
For Unit Investment Trusts Sponsored by
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Gentlemen:
1. The Trust. We understand that you, Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc. (the "Sponsor"), are entering into this agreement (the
"Agreement") in counterparts with us and other firms who may be
underwriters for issues of various series of unit investment trusts for
which you will act as Sponsor. This Agreement shall apply to any
offering after May 1, 1992 of units of fractional undivided interest in
such various series unit investment trusts in which we elect to act as an
underwriter (underwriters with respect to each such trust being
hereinafter called "Underwriters") after receipt of a notice from you
stating the name and size of the trust and that our participation as an
Underwriter in the proposed offering shall be subject to the provisions
of this Agreement. The issuer of the units of fractional undivided
interests in a series of a unit investment trust offered in any offering
of units made pursuant to this Agreement is hereinafter referred to as
the "Trust" and the reference to "Trust" in this Agreement applies only
to such Trust, and such units of such Trust offered are hereinafter
called the "Units". Each Trust is or will be registered as a "unit
investment trust" under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act") by appropriate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Additionally, each Trust is or will be registered
with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") on
Form S-6 or its successor forms, including a proposed form of prospectus
(the "Preliminary Prospectus").
The registration statement as finally amended and revised at the
time it becomes effective is herein referred to as the "Registration
Statement" and the related prospectus is herein referred to as the
"Prospectus", except that if the prospectus filed by the Trust pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act shall differ from the prospectus on
file at the time the Registration Statement shall become effective, the
term "Prospectus" shall refer to the prospectus filed pursuant to Rule
424(b) from and after the date on which it shall have been filed.
The following provisions of this Agreement shall apply separately to
each individual offering of Units by a Trust.
We understand that as of the date upon which we have agreed to
underwrite Units of the Trust the Commission shall not have issued any
order preventing or restraining the use of any Preliminary Prospectus
and, further, that each Preliminary Prospectus shall conform in all
material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and
Regulations thereunder and, as of its date, shall not include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; and when the Registration
Statement becomes effective, it and the Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, will contain all statements that are required to be
stated therein in accordance with the 1933 Act and the Rules and
Regulations thereunder and will in all material respects conform to the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder,
and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any
amendment or supplement thereto, will contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, however, that you make no representation or warranty as to
information contained in or omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any such amendment or
supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with, written information
furnished to you by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use
in the preparation thereof.
2. Designation and Authority of Representative. You are hereby
authorized to act as our representative (the "Representative") in
connection with all matters to which this Agreement relates and to take
the action provided herein to be taken by you as you may otherwise deem
necessary or advisable. We understand that we have no obligations under
this Agreement with respect to any Trust in which we choose not to
participate as an Underwriter.
You will be under no liability to us for any act or omission except
for obligations expressly assumed by you herein and no obligations on
your part will be implied or inferred herefrom. The rights and
liabilities of the respective parties hereto are several and not joint,
and nothing herein or hereunder will constitute then a partnership,
association or separate entity.
3. Profit or Loss in Acquisition of Securities. It is understood
that the acquisition of securities (the "Securities") for deposit in the
portfolio of the Trust shall be at your cost and risk. We acknowledge
that you will share with us any net deposit profits in the amounts and to
the extent, if any, indicated under "Sponsor and Underwriter
Compensation" in the Prospectus. For the purposes of determining the
number of Units underwritten, we understand that we will be credited for
that number of Units set forth opposite our name in the section entitled
"Underwriting" in the prospectus.
We agree that you shall have no liability (as Representative or
otherwise) with respect to the issue form, validity, legality,
enforceability, value of, or title to the Securities, except for the
exercise of due care in determining the genuineness of such Securities
and the conformance thereof with the descriptions and qualifications
appearing in the Prospectus.
4. Purchase of Units. Promptly after you make a determination to
offer Units of a Trust and you inquire as to whether we desire to
participate in such offering, we will advise you promptly as to the
number of Units which we will purchase or of our decision not to
participate in such offering. Such advice may be written or oral. The
delivery to the Sponsor of a completed Schedule A to this Agreement shall
constitute adequate written advice. Oral advice shall be binding but
shall be promptly confirmed in writing by us by means of telegraph,
telegram or other form of wire or facsimile transmission. Such written
confirmation shall contain the information requested by Schedule A to
this Agreement. You may rely on and we hereby commit on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement to purchase and pay for the number of Units
of the Trust set forth in such advice (the "Unit Commitment"). Our Unit
Commitment may be increased only by mutual agreement between us and you
at any time prior to the date as of which the Trust Agreement for the
Trust is executed (the "Date of Deposit"). We agree that you in your
sole discretion reserve the right to decrease our Unit Commitment at any
time prior to the Date of Deposit and if you so elect to make such a
decrease, you will notify us of such an election by telephone and
promptly confirm the same in writing.
The price to be paid for such Units shall be the Public Offering
Price per Unit (as defined in the Prospectus) as first determined on the
Date of Deposit or such later determination on such Date of Deposit as
you shall advise us, less the sum per Unit indicated under "Sponsor and
Underwriter Compensation" in the Prospectus. Further, each Underwriter
who underwrites that number of Units indicated under "Sponsor and
Underwriter Compensation" in the Prospectus will receive from the Sponsor
that additional compensation indicated under such section of the
Prospectus for each Unit it underwrites, providing the Trust size is in
excess of that number of Units, if any, indicated under such section of
the Prospectus. At the Date of Deposit, we will become the owner of the
Units and be entitled to the benefits (except for interest, if any,
accruing from the Date of Deposit to the First Settlement Date) as well
as the risks inherent therein. We acknowledge that those persons, if
any, named in the Prospectus under "Sponsor and Underwriter Compensation"
are Managing or Co-Managing Underwriters of the Trust, as indicated
therein, and we acknowledge that those persons specifically named therein
will receive as additional compensation those respective per Unit amounts
set forth in such section of the Prospectus.
You are authorized to retain custody of our Units until the
Registration Statement relating thereto has become effective under the
1933 Act and you shall have received payment from us for such Units.
You are authorized to file an amendment to said Registration
Statement describing the Securities and furnishing information based
thereon or relating thereto and any further amendments or supplements to
the Registration Statement or Prospectus which you may deem necessary or
advisable. We will furnish to you upon your request such information as
will be required to insure that the Registration Statement and Prospectus
are current insofar as they relate to us and we thereafter continue to
furnish you with such information as may be necessary to keep current and
correct the information previously supplied.
We understand that the Trust will also take action with respect to
the offering and sale of Units in accordance with the Blue Sky or
securities laws of certain states in which it is proposed that the Units
may be offered and sold.
5. Public Offering. You agree that you will advise us promptly
when the Registration Statement has become effective, and we agree that
when we are advised that the Units are released for public offering, we
will make a public offering thereof by means of the Prospectus under the
1933 Act, as amended, which describes the deposit of Securities and
related information. The Public Offering Price and the terms and
conditions of the public offering shall be as set forth in the Prospectus
and shall rely with respect to the offering price of the Securities upon
the determination of the Evaluator named in the Prospectus. Public
advertisement of the offering, if any, shall be made by you on behalf of
the Underwriters on such date as you shall determine. We agree that
before we use any Trust advertising material which we have created, we
will obtain your prior approval to use such advertising materials.
6. Public Offering Price. We agree that each day while this
Agreement is in effect and the evaluation of the Trust is made by the
Evaluator named in the Prospectus, we will contact you for such
evaluation and of the resultant Public Offering Price for the purpose of
the offering and sale of the respective Units to the public. We agree as
required by Section 22(d) of the 1940 Act to offer and sell our Units at
the current Public Offering Price described in the Prospectus.
7. Permitted Transactions. It is agreed that part or all of the
Units purchased by us may be sold to dealers, or other entities with whom
we can legally grant a concession or agency commission, only at the then
effective Public Offering Price, less the concession described in the
Prospectus.
From time to time prior to the termination of this Agreement, at
your Request, we will advise you of the number of our Units which remain
unsold and, at your request, we agree to deliver to you any of such
unsold Units to be sold for our account to retail accounts or, less the
concession or agency commission then effective, to dealers or others.
If prior to the termination of this Agreement, or such earlier date
as you may determine and advise us thereof in writing, you shall purchase
or contract to purchase any of our Units or any Units issued in exchange
therefor, in the open market or otherwise, or if any such Units shall be
tendered to the Trustee for redemption because not effectively placed for
investment by us, we agree to repurchase such Units at a price equal to
the total cost of such purchase, including accrued interest and
commissions, if any, and transfer taxes on redelivery. Regardless of the
amount paid on the repurchase of any such Units, it is agreed that they
may be resold by us only at the then effective Public Offering Price.
Until the termination of this Agreement, we agree that we will make
no purchase of Units other than (i) purchases provided for in this
Agreement, (ii) purchases approved by you and (iii) purchases as broker
in executing unsolicited orders.
8. Compliance With Commission Order. We hereby agree as follows:
(a) we will refund all sales charges to purchasers of Units from us or
any dealer participating in the distribution of Units who purchased such
Units from us if, within ninety days from the time that the Registration
Statement of the respective Units under the 1933 Act shall have become
effective, (i) the net worth of the trust shall be reduced to less than
20% of the principal amount of Securities originally deposited therein or
(ii) the Trust shall have been terminated; (b) you may instruct the
Trustee on the Date of Deposit that, in the event that redemption by any
Underwriters of Units constituting part of any unsold allotment of Units
shall result in the Trust having a net worth of less than 40% of the
principal amount of Securities originally deposited therein, the Trustee
shall terminate the Trust in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture
and Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus) and distribute the
Securities and other assets of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of
the Trust Indenture and Agreement; and (c) in the event that the Trust
shall have been terminated pursuant to (b) above, we will refund any
sales charges to any purchaser of such Units who purchased from us, or
purchased from a dealer participating in the distribution of such Units
who purchased such Units from us. We authorize you to charge our account
for all refunds of sales charges in respect to our Units.
9. Substitution of Underwriters. We authorize you to arrange for
the substitution hereunder of other persons, who may include you and us,
for all or any part of the commitment of any nondefaulting Underwriter
with the consent of such Underwriter, and of any defaulting Underwriter
without the consent thereof, upon such terms and conditions as you may
deem advisable, provided that the number of Units to be purchased by us
shall not be increased without our consent and that such substitution
shall not in any way affect the liability of any defaulting Underwriter
to the other Underwriters for damages from such default, nor relieve any
other Underwriter of any obligation under this Agreement. The expenses
chargeable to the account of any defaulting Underwriter and not paid for
by it or by a person substituted for such Underwriter and any additional
losses or expenses arising from such default shall be considered to be
expenses under this Agreement and shall be charged against the accounts
of the nondefaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective
commitments.
10. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to
each Trust which we have agreed to underwrite 30 days after the date on
which the public offering of the Units of such Trust is made in
accordance with Section 5 hereof unless sooner terminated by you,
provided that you may extend this Agreement for not more than eleven
successive periods of 30 days each upon notice to us and each of the
other Underwriters.
Notwithstanding any settlement on the termination of this Agreement,
we agree to pay our share of any amount payable on account of any claim,
demand or liability which may be asserted against the Underwriters, or
any of them, based on the claim that the Underwriters constitute an
association, unincorporated business or other separate entity and our
share of any expenses incurred by you in defending against any such
claim, demand or liability. We also agree to pay any stamp taxes which
may be assessed and paid after such settlement on account of any Units
received or sold hereunder for our account.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, no sales of the
Units shall be made by us at any time except in conformity with the
provisions of Section 22(d) of the 1940 Act.
11. Default by Other Underwriters. Default by any one or more of
the other Underwriters in respect of their several obligations under this
Agreement shall neither release you nor us from any of our respective
obligations hereunder.
12. Notices. Notices hereunder shall by deemed to have been duly
given if mailed or telegraphed to us at our address set forth below, in
the case of notices to us, or to you at your address set forth at the
head of this Agreement, in the case of notices to you.
13. Net Capital. You represent that you, and we represent that we,
are in compliance with the capital requirements of Rule 15c-3-1
promulgated by the Commission under the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, and we may, in accordance with and pursuant to such Rule 15c-3-1,
agree to purchase the amount of Units to be purchased by you and us,
respectively, under the Agreement.
14. Miscellaneous. We confirm that we are a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
We confirm that we will take reasonable steps to provide the
Preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus to any person making written
request therefor to us and to make the Preliminary Prospectus or the
final Prospectus available to each person associated with us expected to
solicit customers' orders for the Units prior to the effective
registration date and the final Prospectus if he is expected to offer the
Units after the effective date. We understand that you will supply us
upon our request with sufficient copies of such prospectuses to comply
with the foregoing.
This Agreement is being executed by us and delivered to you in
duplicate. Upon your confirmation hereof and of agreements in identical
form with each of the other Underwriters, this Agreement shall constitute
a valid and binding contract between us.
Very truly yours,
Confirmed as of the date set forth Indicated below our firm name and
at the head of this Agreement address exactly as we wish to appear
in the Prospectus
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By_____________________________ ____________________________________
Title__________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________
Exhibit 3.1
Chapman and Cutler
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
November 17, 1997
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Re: Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel for Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc., Sponsor and Depositor of Insured Municipals Income
Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
(hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), in connection with the
preparation, execution and delivery of a Trust Agreement dated November
17, 1997 between Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., as
Depositor, American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a division of Van
Kampen American Capital 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. 333-30333) 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
MJK/slm
Exhibit 3.2
Chapman and Cutler
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
November 17, 1997
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
The Bank of New York
Unit Investment Trust Division
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286
Re: Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc., Depositor of Insured Municipals Income Trust and
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 (the "Fund"), in
connection with the issuance of Units of fractional undivided interest in
the several Trusts of said Fund under a Trust Agreement dated November
17, 1997 (the "Indenture") between Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc., as Depositor, American Portfolio Evaluation Services,
a division of Van Kampen American Capital 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. 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 Indemnity 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 Bonds 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 Insured
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 Bond 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 or REMIC) 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. Legislative proposals have been made that
would extend the financial institution rules to all corporations.
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 laws of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky to determine its applicability to the Kentucky Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Series 60 (the "Kentucky Trust") being created
as part of the Fund and to the holders of Units in the Kentucky Trust who
are full-time residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky ("Kentucky
Unitholders").
The assets of the Kentucky Trust will consist of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or
counties, municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions thereof
(the "Kentucky Bonds") and by an authority of the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico (the "Possession Bonds") (collectively, the "Bonds").
Although we express no opinion herein regarding such matters, we
have assumed that: (i) the Bonds were validly issued, (ii) the interest
thereon is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes,
(iii) interest on the Bonds, if received directly by a Kentucky
Unitholder, would be exempt from the income tax imposed by the
Commonwealth of Kentucky that is applicable to individuals and
corporations (the "Kentucky Income Tax"); and (iv) the Kentucky Bonds are
exempt from the ad valorem tax imposed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Neither the Sponsor nor its counsel has made any review of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of the bases for the
opinions, if any, rendered in connection therewith. This opinion does
not address the taxation of persons other than full time residents of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Based on the foregoing, and our review and consideration of existing
State laws, it is our opinion, and we herewith advise you with respect to
Kentucky Unitholders, as follows:
(i) The Kentucky Trust is not an association taxable as a
corporation and each Kentucky Unitholder will be treated as the
owner of a pro rata portion of the Kentucky Trust, and the
income of such portion of the Kentucky Trust will therefore be
treated as the income of the Kentucky Unitholder for Kentucky
Income Tax purposes;
(ii) For Kentucky Income Tax purposes, interest on the
Bonds that is excludable from Federal gross income and that is
also exempt from taxation under the Kentucky Income Tax when
received by the Kentucky Trust, and that would be excludable
from Federal gross income and also exempt from Kentucky Income
Tax if received directly by a Kentucky Unitholder, will retain
its status as tax-exempt interest when received by the Kentucky
Trust and distributed to the Kentucky Unitholders.
(iii) Each Kentucky Unitholder of the Kentucky Trust will
recognize gain or loss for Kentucky Income Tax purposes if the
Trustee disposes of a Bond (whether by redemption, sale or
otherwise) or if the Kentucky Unitholder redeems or sells Units
of the Kentucky Trust to the extent that such transaction
results in a recognized gain or loss to such Kentucky
Unitholder for Federal income tax purposes;
(iv) Kentucky Income Tax reduction requirements relating
to amortization of bond premium may, under some circumstances,
result in Kentucky Unitholders realizing taxable gain for
Kentucky Income Tax purposes when their Units are sold or
redeemed for an amount equal to or less than their original
cost;
(v) Kentucky Income Tax law does not permit a deduction
for interest paid or incurred on indebtedness incurred or
continued to purchase or carry Units in the Kentucky Trust, the
interest on which is exempt from Federal income taxes.
(vi) Units of the Kentucky Trust, but only to the extent
that the same represent an ownership in obligations of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky and of counties, municipalities,
taxing and school districts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
will not be subject to ad valorem taxation by the Commonwealth
of Kentucky or any political subdivision thereof; and
(vii) Proceeds, if any, paid under an individual
insurance policy obtained by an issuer of Bonds that represent
maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee
will not be subject to Kentucky Income Tax if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would not have been subject to
Kentucky Income Tax if paid in the normal course by the issuer
of the defaulted obligations provided that, at the time such
policy was purchased, the amounts paid for the policy was
reasonable, customary and consistent with the reasonable
expectation that the issuer of the Bonds, rather than the
insurer, would pay debt service on the Bonds.
Chapman and Cutler expresses no opinion with respect to any other
provision of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, whether or not
related to taxation. Ownership of the Units may result in collateral
Commonwealth of Kentucky 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
MJK/md
Exhibit 3.3
Winston & Strawn
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166-4193
November 17, 1997
The Bank of New York,
As Trustee of Insured Municipals
Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
101 Barclay Street, 17 West
New York, New York 10286
Dear Sirs:
We have acted as special counsel for the Insured Municipals Income
Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 (the
"Fund") consisting of California Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series
171, Connecticut Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 36, New York
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 144 and Kentucky Investors'
Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Series 60 (in the aggregate "Trusts" and
individually "Trust") for the purposes 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
American Capital Distributors, Inc. (the "Depositor"), American Portfolio
Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen American Capital Investment
Advisory Corp., an affiliate of the Depositor, 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 No. 333-30333) 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 each of the Trusts denominated with the name of a
State exempt, to the extent indicated in the Prospectus, from income tax,
if any, of that State. No opinion is expressed herein with regard to the
Federal or State tax aspects (other than New York) 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 of the Trusts, the total principal amount of
interest bearing obligations and/or contracts for the purchase thereof
together with an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount required for
the purchase price and accrued interest, if any, and an insurance policy
purchased by the Depositor evidencing the insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment of principal and interest of the obligations comprising
the corpus of such 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 be the
Depositor prior to the Date of Deposit, as more fully set forth in the
Prospectus and the Registration Statement.
We understand with respect to the obligations described in the
preceding paragraph that all insurance, whether purchased by the
Depositor, a prior owner or the issuer, provides, 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 capital of each of the Trusts as more fully set
forth in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement. The Units, which
are represented by certificates ("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 of the Trusts and with the proceeds from the disposition
of obligations held in each of the Trusts 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 Evaluator, only for the purpose
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
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 1-2.3(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 guarantor 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.
Article 22 (Personal Income Tax) of the New York Tax Law imposes a
tax on a New York State resident individual's State adjusted gross
income. Such amount is defined by Section 612 as his Federal adjusted
gross income, with an addition for interest income on the obligations of
a State or political subdivision of a state other than New York, is
excluded from his federal adjusted gross income. Such amount is defined
by Section T46-112 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York as
his Federal adjusted gross income, with an addition for interest income
on the obligations of a state or political subdivision of a state other
than New York, if excluded from his federal adjusted gross income. 48
U.S.C. Section 745 exempts interest on a bond issued by the Government
of Puerto Rico or a political subdivision thereof from tax of the United
States, of any State, and of any state's county, municipality, or
municipal subdivision thereof. 48 U.S.C. Section 1423a exempts interest
on a bond issued by the Government of Guam or by its authority from
taxation by the United States, any state or political subdivision. The
New York Trust holds only obligations issued by New York State or a
political subdivision thereof or by the Government of Puerto Rico or a
political subdivision thereof, or by the Government of Guam or by its
authority.
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 E, 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 of the Trusts 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 of the Trusts will be treated as the income
of the Unit holders under the income tax laws of the State and City of
New York.
3. Resident individuals of New York State and City will not be
subject to the State or City personal income taxes on interest income on
their proportionate shares of interest income earned by a Trust on any
obligation of New York State or a political subdivision thereof or of the
Government of Puerto Rico or a political subdivision thereof or of the
Government of Guam or by its authority, to the extent such income is
excludable from Federal gross income under Code Section 103.
4. Any amounts paid under the insurance policies purchased by the
Depositor and deposited with the Trustee, as more fully described above,
representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee will not be subject to New York State or City income taxes if,
and to the same extent as, such amounts would have been excludable from
New York State or City income taxes if paid by the issuer. Paragraph 3
of this opinion is accordingly applicable to such policy proceeds
representing maturing interest.
5. Any amounts paid under an insurance policy purchased by the
issuer of an obligation or a prior owner, as more fully described above,
representing maturing interest on such defaulting obligation held by the
Trustee will not be subject to New York State or City income taxes if,
and to the same extent as, such amounts would have been excludable from
New York State or City income taxes if paid by the issuer. Paragraph 3
of this opinion is accordingly applicable to such policy proceeds
representing maturing interest.
6. Resident individuals of New York State and City who hold Units
will recognize gain or loss, if any, under the State or City personal
income tax law if the Trustee disposes of a Fund asset. The amount of
such gain or loss is measured by comparing the Unit holder'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's
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 Unit holder's basis in his Units and of
his fractional interest in the Trust's assets must be reduced by the
amount of his aliquot share of interest received by the Trust, if any, on
bonds delivered after the settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the Unit holder's
settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to that Trust and
must be adjusted for amortization of bond premium or accretion of
original issue discount, if any, on tax-exempt obligations held by the
Trust.
7. Resident individuals of New York State and City who hold Units
will recognize gain or loss, if any, under the State or City personal
income tax law if the Unit holder sells or redeems any Units. Such gain
or loss is measured by comparing the proceeds of such redemption or sale
with the adjusted basis of the Units redeemed or sold. Before
adjustment, such basis would normally be cost if the Unit holder had
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by the
Trustee to the Fund to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the Unit
holder's settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the
Bonds during the period from the settlement date to the date such Bonds
are delivered to the Fund, but only to the extent that such advances are
to be repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by the Fund with
respect to such Bonds.
8. Unit holders who are not residents of the State of New York are
not subject to the personal income tax law thereof with respect to any
interest or gain derived from a Trust 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 New York State.
In addition, we are of the opinion that 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 our firm in the Registration Statement and in the
Prospectus.
Very truly yours,
Winston & Strawn
MNS:hbm
Exhibit 3.4
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Old Federal Reserve Bank Building
400 Sansome Street
San Francisco, California 94111
November 17, 1997
The Bank of New York
through its Wall Street Trust Division
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286
Re: California Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 171
Dear Sirs:
We have acted as special California counsel for Van Kampen American
Capital Distributors, Inc., as Sponsor and Depositor of California
Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 171, (the "Fund"), in connection
with the issuance under the Trust Indenture and Agreement dated November
17, 1997, among Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., as
Sponsor and Depositor, American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a division
of Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp., as Evaluator,
and The Bank of New York through its Wall Street Trust division, as
Trustee, of _______ Units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund
(the "Units") in exchange for certain bonds, as well as "regular-way" and
"when-issued" contracts for the purchase of bonds (such bonds and
contracts are hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Securities").
In connection therewith, we have examined such corporate records,
certificates and other documents and such questions of law as we have
deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, and, on
the basis of such examination, and upon existing provisions of the
Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California, we are of the
opinion that:
1. The Fund is not an association taxable as a corporation
and the income of the Fund will be treated as the income of the
certificateholders under the income tax laws of California.
2. Amounts treated as interest on the underlying securities
which are exempt from tax under California personal income tax and
property tax laws when received by the Fund will, under such laws,
retain their status as tax-exempt interest when distributed to
certificateholders. However, interest on the underlying securities
attributed to a certificateholder which is a corporation subject to
the California franchise tax laws may be includable in its gross
income for purposes of determining its California franchise tax.
3. Under California income tax law, each certificateholder in
the Fund will have a taxable event when the Fund disposes of a
security (whether by sale, exchange, redemption, or payment at
maturity) or when the certificateholder redeems or sells Units.
Because of the requirement that tax cost basis be reduced to reflect
amortization of bond premium, under some circumstances a
certificateholder may realize taxable gain when Units are sold or
redeemed for an amount equal to, or less than, their original cost.
The total tax cost of each Unit to a certificateholder is allocated
among each of the bond issues held in the Fund (in accordance with
the proportion of the Fund comprised by each bond issue) in order to
determine his per unit tax cost for each bond issue; and the tax
cost reduction requirements relating to amortization of bond premium
will apply separately to the per unit cost of each bond issue.
Certificateholders' bases in their Units, and the bases for their
fractional interest in each Fund asset, may have to be adjusted for
their pro rata share of accrued interest received, if any, on
securities delivered after the certificateholders' respective
settlement dates.
4. Under the California personal property tax laws, bonds
(including the Securities) or any interest therein is exempt from
such tax.
5. Any proceeds paid under the insurance policy issued to the
Trustee of the fund with respect to the Securities which represent
maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will
be exempt from California personal income tax if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so exempt if paid by the
issuer of the defaulted obligations.
6. Under Section 17280(b)(2) of the California Revenue and
Taxation Code, interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to
purchase or carry Units of the Trust is not deductible for the
purposes of the California personal income tax. While there
presently is no California authority interpreting this provision,
Section 17280(b)(2) directs the California Franchise Tax Board to
prescribe regulations determining the proper allocation and
apportionment of interest costs for this purpose. The Franchise Tax
Board has not yet proposed or prescribed such regulations. In
interpreting the generally similar Federal provision, the Internal
Revenue Service has taken the position that such indebtedness need
not be directly traceable to the purchase or carrying of Units
(although the Service has not contended that a deduction for
interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase or improve a personal
residence or to purchase goods or services for personal consumption
will be disallowed). In the absence of conflicting regulations or
other California authority, the California Franchise Tax Board
generally has interpreted California statutory tax provisions in
accord with Internal Revenue Service interpretations of similar
Federal provisions.
Opinions relating to the validity of securities and the exemption of
interest thereon from State of California income tax are rendered by bond
counsel to the issuing authority at the time securities are issued and we
have relied solely upon such opinions, or, as to securities not yet
delivered, forms of such opinions contained in official statements
relating to such securities. Except in certain instances in which we
acted as bond counsel to issuers of securities, and as such made a review
of proceedings relating to the issuance of certain securities at the time
of their issuance, we have not made any review of proceedings relating to
the issuance of securities or the bases of bond counsels' opinions.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (SEC No. 333-30333) 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.
Very truly yours,
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Exhibit 3.5
Day, Berry & Howard
City Place
Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3499
November 17, 1997
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Re:Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
Gentlemen:
You have requested that we act as special counsel with respect to
certain Connecticut tax aspects of Connecticut Insured Municipals Income
Trust, Series 36 (the "Connecticut IM-IT Trust"), being created as part
of Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt
Trust, Multi-Series 296 (the "Fund").
The Fund is created under a Trust Agreement dated the date hereof
and Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust to which it refers, both among
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., as Depositor, 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 will issue units in several state trusts, one of which
is the Connecticut IM-IT Trust. Each unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust
(a "Unit") represents a fractional undivided interest in the principal
and net income of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust. The Connecticut IM-IT
Trust and the trust for any other state included in the Fund will each be
administered as a separate and distinct entity for all purposes, each
having its own separate assets, expenses, accounts, and certificates.
You have informed us that, upon the sale of Units of the Connecticut
IM-IT Trust to investors (the "Unitholders"), the assets of the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust will consist of certain obligations (the
"Bonds"); that certain of the Bonds have been issued by or on behalf the
State of Connecticut or its political subdivisions or other public bodies
created under the laws of the State of Connecticut, and the balance of
the Bonds have been issued by or on behalf of entities classified for the
relevant purposes as territories or possessions of the United States,
including one or more of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands, the
interest on the obligations of which Federal law would prohibit
Connecticut from taxing if received directly by the Unitholders; that, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers of each of the Bonds, the
interest thereon is exempt from Federal income taxation; that
distributions to Unitholders of interest received by the Connecticut
IM-IT Trust and of amounts received thereby upon the maturity,
redemption, sale, or other disposition of the Bonds will be made semi-
annually except in the case of Unitholders who have elected a shorter
distribution period; and that the Connecticut IM-IT Trust will obtain
insurance guaranteeing the payment of principal and interest on all Bonds
when due while the Bonds are held by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust, except
for Bonds, if any, as to which the issuer thereof or another person has
arranged for such insurance.
You have informed us that, in the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and
Cutler, for Federal income tax purposes (i) the Connecticut IM-IT Trust
will not be classified as an association, but will be governed by the
provisions of subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, relating to trusts; (ii) pursuant to subpart E of said subchapter
J, each Unitholder will be considered to be the owner of a portion of
each asset of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust and to have a portion of each
item of income of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust, in each case such portion
being equal to the part of the whole thereof that the number of Units of
the Connecticut IM-IT Trust held by him bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust; (iii) each such item of
income will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as in
the hands of the Trustee; (iv) such income will be excludable from a
Unitholder's Federal gross income to the extent it consists of interest
excludable therefrom for Federal income tax purposes; (v) gain or loss
will be recognized by a Unitholder upon the redemption or sale of his
Units or upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition of a
Bond held by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust; and (vi) any amounts received
by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust representing maturing interest on a
defaulted Bond will be excludable from gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid by its
issuer.
Based on the foregoing, and relying explicitly on the opinion of
Messrs. Chapman and Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, we are
of the opinion that, under existing Connecticut law:
1. The Connecticut IM-IT Trust is not subject to any tax on
or measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.
2. Interest income of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust from a Bond
issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut, any political
subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local
authority, district, or similar public entity created under the laws
of the State of Connecticut (a "Connecticut Bond"), or from a Bond
issued by United States territories or possessions the interest on
which Federal law would prohibit Connecticut from taxing if received
directly by a Unitholder from the issuer thereof, is not taxable
under the Connecticut tax on the Connecticut taxable income of
individuals, trusts, and estates (the "Connecticut Income Tax"),
when any such interest is received by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust or
distributed by it to such a Unitholder.
3. Insurance proceeds received by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust
representing maturing interest on defaulted Bonds held by the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust are not taxable under the Connecticut Income
Tax if, and to the same extent as, such interest would not be
taxable thereunder if paid directly to the Connecticut IM-IT Trust
by the issuer of such Bonds.
4. Gains and losses recognized by a Unitholder for Federal
income tax purposes upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or other
disposition by the Connecticut IM-IT Trust of a Bond held by the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust or upon the redemption, sale, or other
disposition of a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust held by a
Unitholder are taken into account as gains or losses, respectively,
for purposes of the Connecticut Income Tax, except that, in the case
of a Unitholder holding a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust as a
capital asset, such gains and losses recognized upon the maturity,
redemption, sale or exchange of a Connecticut Bond held by the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust are excluded from gains and losses taken
into account for purposes of such tax, and no opinion is expressed
as to the treatment for purposes of such tax of gains and losses
recognized, to the extent attributable to Connecticut Bonds, upon
the redemption, sale, or other disposition by a Unitholder of a Unit
of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust held by him.
5. The portion of any interest income or capital gain of the
Connecticut IM-IT Trust that is allocable to a Unitholder that is
subject to the Connecticut corporation business tax is includable in
the gross income of such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.
6. An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut IM-IT Trust that
is owned by or attributable to a Connecticut resident at the time of
his death is includable in his gross estate for purposes of the
Connecticut succession tax and the Connecticut estate tax.
We hereby consent, without admitting that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required, to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement relating to the Units and to the
reference to our firm as special Connecticut tax counsel in such
Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein.
We understand that you may deliver a copy of this opinion to the
Trustee and hereby consent to the Trustee's relying on this opinion as
though it were addressed to the Trustee.
Very truly yours,
Day, Berry & Howard
Exhibit 4.1
Interactive Data
14 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005
November 14, 1997
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Re: Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality
Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296 (A Unit Investment Trust)
Registered Under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 333-30333
Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement for the above captioned
Fund, copy of which is attached hereto.
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
November 17, 1997
Standard & Poor's
A Division of The McGraw-Hill Corporation
25 Broadway
New York, New York 10004-1064
Van Kampen American Capital
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Re: Insured Municipals Income Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt
Trust, Multi-Series 296, consisting of: California Insured Municipals
Income Trust, Series 171; Connecticut Insured Municipals Income Trust,
Series 36 and New York Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 144
Pursuant to your request for a Standard & Poor's rating on the units
of the above-captioned trust, SEC #333-30333 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 December 17, 1998. 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 Bragg
Exhibit 4.3
Independent Certified Public Accountants' Consent
We have issued our report dated November 17, 1997 on the statements
of condition and related bond portfolios of Insured Municipals Income
Trust and Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust, Multi-Series 296
(California IM-IT, Connecticut IM-IT, New York IM-IT and Kentucky Quality
Trusts) as of November 17, 1997 contained in the Registration Statement
on Form S-6 and in the Prospectus. We consent to the use of our report
in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus and to the use of our
name as it appears under the caption "Other Matters-Independent Certified
Public Accountants" in Prospectus Part I.
Grant Thornton LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 17, 1997
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This report reflects the current period taken from 487 on November 17, 1997 it
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<NAME> I-CT
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This report reflects the current period taken from 487 on November 17, 1997 it
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</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
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This report reflects the current period taken from 487 on November 17, 1997 it
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</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
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