File No. 33-53139
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6
For Registration Under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities
of Unit Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2
A. Exact Name of Trust: THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED
SERIES 217
B. Name of Depositor: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
C. Complete Address of 1001 Warrenville Road
Depositor's Principal Lisle, Illinois 60532
Offices:
D. Name and Complete Address NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
of Agents for Service: Attention: James A. Bowen
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
Attention: Eric F. Fess
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
E. Title and Amount of Securities An indefinite number
Being Registered: of units pursuant to Rule
24f-2 promulgated under
the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended.
F. Proposed Maximum Offering
Price to the Public of the
Securities being Registered: Indefinite.
G. Amount of Filing Fee $500.00*
(as required by Rule 24f-2):
H. Approximate Date of Proposed
Sale to the Public: As soon as practicable
after the effective date
of the Registration
Statement.
:XXX: Check box if it is proposed that this filing will
become effective on May 11, 1994 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant
to Rule 487.
________________________
*Previously paid
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED
SERIES 217
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 Item Number Form S-6 Heading in Prospectus
I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. (a) Name of Trust
(b) Title of securities issued Prospectus Front Cover
Page
2. Name and address of Depositor Summary of Essential
Information;
Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
3. Name and address of Trustee Summary of Essential
Information
Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
4. Name and address of principal Information as to
underwriter Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
5. Organization of Trust The First Trust
Combined Series
6. Execution and termination of The First Trust
Trust Agreement Combined Series Other
Information
7. Changes of name *
8. Fiscal year *
9. Litigation *
II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE
TRUST
10. General information regarding The First Trust
Trust's securities Combined Series Public
Offering; Rights of
Unit Holders;
Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator; Other
Information
11. Type of securities comprising Prospectus Front Cover
units Page; The First Trust
Combined Series
Portfolio
12. Certain information regarding *
periodic payment certificates
13. (a) Load, fees, expenses, etc. Prospectus Front Cover
Page; Summary of
Essential
Information; The
First Trust Combined
Series; Rights of
Unit Holders
(b) Certain information regard- *
ing periodic payment
certificates
(c) Certain percentages Prospectus Front Cover
Page
Summary of Essential
Information; The
First Trust Combined
Series; Public
Offering
(d) Certain other fees, etc. Rights of Unit Holders
payable by holders
(e) Certain profits receivable Public Offering
by depositor, principal Portfolio
underwriter, trustee or
affiliated persons
(f) Ratio of annual charges to *
income
14. Issuance of Trust's securities Rights of Unit Holders
15. Receipt and handling of payments *
from purchasers
16. Acquisition and disposition of The First Trust
underlying securities Combined Series;
Information as
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
17. Withdrawal or redemption Public Offering;
Rights of Unit
Holders
18. (a) Receipt and disposition Prospectus Front Cover
of income Page; Rights of Unit
Holders
(b) Reinvestment of Rights of Unit Holders
distributions
(c) Reserves or special funds The First Trust
Combined Series;
Rights of Unit
Holders
(d) Schedule of distributions *
19. Records, accounts and reports Rights of Unit Holders
20. Certain miscellaneous provisions Information as to
of Trust Agreement Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator; Other
Information
21. Loans to security holders *
22. Limitations on liability The First Trust
Combined Series;
Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
23. Bonding arrangements Contents of
Registration
Statement
24. Other material provisions of *
Trust Agreement.
III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF
DEPOSITOR
25. Organization of Depositor Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
26. Fees received by Depositor *
27. Business of Depositor Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
28. Certain information as to offi- *
cials and affiliated persons
of Depositor
29. Voting securities of Depositor *
30. Person controlling Depositor *
31. Payments by Depositor for *
certain services rendered to
Trust
32. Payments by Depositor for *
certain services rendered
to Trust
33. Remuneration of employees of *
Depositor for certain services
rendered to Trust
34. Remuneration of other persons *
for certain services rendered
to Trust
IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
35. Distribution of Trust's securi- Public Offering
ties by states
36. Suspension of sales of Trust's *
securities
37. Revocation of authority to *
distribute
38. (a) Method of distribution Public Offering
(b) Underwriting agreements Public Offering
(c) Selling agreements Public Offering
39. (a) Organization of principal Information as to
underwriter Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(b) NASD membership of princi- Information as to
pal underwriter Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
40. Certain fees received by *
principal underwriter
41. (a) Business of principal Information as to
underwriter Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(b) Branch offices of principal *
underwriter
(c) Salesmen of principal *
underwriter
42. Ownership of Trust's securities *
by certain persons
43 Certain brokerage commissions *
received by principal under-
writer
44. (a) Method of valuation Prospectus Front Cover
Summary of Essential Page; The First Trust
Information Combined Series;
Public Offering
(b) Schedule as to offering *
price
(c) Variation in offering Public Offering
price to certain
persons
45. Suspension of redemption rights *
46. (a) Redemption valuation Rights of Unit Holders
(b) Schedule as to redemption *
price
47. Maintenance of position in Public Offering
underlying securities Rights of Unit Holders
V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
48. Organization and regulation of Information as to
Trustee Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
49. Fees and expenses of Trustee The First Trust
Combined Series
50. Trustee's lien The First Trust
Combined Series
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- Rights of Unit Holders
ment with respect to selec-
tion or elimination of
underlying securities
(b) Transactions involving *
elimination of underlying
securities
(c) Policy regarding substitu- Rights of Unit Holders
tion or elimination of
underlying securities
(d) Fundamental policy not *
otherwise covered
53. Tax status of Trust The First Trust
Combined Series
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- Opinion of Independent
tions 1(c) to Form S-6) Auditors; Statement of
Net Assets of the
Fund
* Inapplicable, answer negative or not required.
The First Trust (registered trademark) of Insured Municipal
Bonds-Multi-State:
Colorado Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate Georgia Trust, Series 4
IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, INTEREST INCOME TO THE TRUSTS AND TO
UNIT HOLDERS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, IS EXEMPT UNDER EXISTING
LAW FROM ALL FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. IN ADDITION, THE INTEREST INCOME
TO THE TRUSTS IS, IN THE OPINION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL, EXEMPT TO
THE EXTENT INDICATED FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES WHEN HELD BY RESIDENTS
OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE ISSUERS OF THE BONDS IN SUCH TRUST ARE
LOCATED. CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, ARE SUBJECT TO TAX.
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217 consists of the underlying
separate unit investment trusts set forth above. The various trusts
are collectively referred to herein as the "Trusts" while all
Trusts that are not designated as "The First Trust Advantage"
are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Insured
Trusts" and a Trust with the name designation of "The First Trust
of Insured Municipal Bonds, Discount Trust" or "The First Trust
Advantage: Discount Trust" is sometimes referred to herein as
a "Discount Trust." Each Trust consists of a portfolio of interest-bearing
obligations (including delivery statements relating to contracts
for the purchase of certain such obligations and an irrevocable
letter of credit), 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 governmental authorities, exempt from
all Federal income taxes under existing law. In addition, the
interest income of each Trust is, in the opinion of Special Counsel,
exempt to the extent indicated from state and local income taxes
when held by residents of the state in which the issuers of the
Bonds in such Trust are located. The weighted average maturity
of the Bonds in the Colorado Insured Trust-Long Intermediate is 12.68
years. The Sponsor has a limited right to substitute other bonds
in each Trust portfolio in the event of a failed contract. The
securities in a Discount Trust are acquired at prices which result
in a Discount Trust portfolio, as a whole, being purchased at
a deep discount from the aggregate par value of such Securities.
INSURANCE GUARANTEEING THE SCHEDULED PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND
INTEREST ON ALL BONDS IN THE PORTFOLIO OF EACH INSURED TRUST HAS
BEEN OBTAINED FROM FINANCIAL GUARANTY INSURANCE COMPANY AND/OR
AMBAC INDEMNITY CORPORATION BY THE INSURED TRUSTS OR WAS DIRECTLY
OBTAINED BY THE BOND ISSUER, THE UNDERWRITERS, THE SPONSOR OR
OTHERS PRIOR TO THE INITIAL DATE OF DEPOSIT FROM FINANCIAL GUARANTY
INSURANCE COMPANY, AMBAC INDEMNITY CORPORATION, OR OTHER INSURERS
(THE "PREINSURED BONDS"). INSURANCE OBTAINED BY AN INSURED TRUST
APPLIES ONLY WHILE BONDS ARE RETAINED IN SUCH TRUST, WHILE INSURANCE
ON PREINSURED BONDS IS EFFECTIVE SO LONG AS SUCH BONDS ARE OUTSTANDING.
PURSUANT TO AN IRREVOCABLE COMMITMENT OF FINANCIAL GUARANTY INSURANCE
COMPANY, AND/OR AMBAC INDEMNITY CORPORATION IN THE EVENT OF A
SALE OF A BOND INSURED UNDER AN INSURANCE POLICY OBTAINED BY AN
INSURED TRUST, THE TRUSTEE HAS THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN PERMANENT INSURANCE
FOR SUCH BOND UPON THE PAYMENT OF A SINGLE PREDETERMINED INSURANCE
PREMIUM FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF SUCH BOND. THE INSURANCE,
IN EITHER CASE, RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS IN THE INSURED TRUSTS
AND NOT TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY. AS A RESULT OF SUCH INSURANCE,
THE UNITS OF EACH INSURED TRUST HAVE RECEIVED A RATING OF "AAA"
BY STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION. SEE "WHY AND HOW ARE THE INSURED
TRUSTS INSURED?" ON PAGE A-11. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO ANY
INSURER'S ABILITY TO MEET ITS COMMITMENTS.
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.
The date of this Prospectus is May 11, 1994
Page 1
For convenience the Prospectus is divided into sections which
give general information about the Fund and specific information
such as the public offering price, distributions and tax status
for each Trust.
The Objectives of the Fund are conservation of capital through
investment in portfolios of tax-exempt bonds and income exempt
from Federal and applicable state and local income taxes. The
payment of interest and the preservation of principal are, of
course, dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers,
obligors and/or insurers to meet their respective obligations.
Distributions to Unit holders may be reinvested as described herein.
See "How Can Distributions to Unit Holders be Reinvested?"
The Sponsor, although not obligated to do so, intends to maintain
a market for the Units at prices based upon the aggregate bid
price of the Bonds in the portfolio of each Trust. In the absence
of such a market, a Unit holder will nonetheless be able to dispose
of the Units through redemption at prices based upon the bid prices
of the underlying Bonds. See "How May Units be Redeemed?" With
respect to each Insured Trust, 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 attributable
to the portfolio insurance obtained by such Trust. See "Why and
How are the Insured Trusts Insured?"
The Sponsor may, from time to time during a period of up to approximately
360 days after the Initial Date of Deposit, deposit additional
Bonds in each Trust. Such deposits of additional Bonds will be
done in such a manner that the original proportionate relationship
amongst the individual issues of the Bonds shall be maintained.
See "What is the First Trust Combined Series?" and "How May Bonds
be Removed from the Fund?"
Page 2
Summary of Essential Information
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
of the Bonds-May 11, 1994
Sponsor: Nike Securities L.P.
Trustee: United States Trust Company of New York
Evaluator: Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Colorado
Insured
Trust, Georgia
Series 13- Insured
Long Trust,
Intermediate Series 4
____________ ________
<S> <C> <C>
General Information
Principal Amount of Bonds in the Trusts $ 3,005,000 $ 2,970,000
Number of Units 3,048 2,978
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit 1/3,048 1/2,978
Principal Amount (Par Value) of Bonds per Unit (1) $ 985.89 $ 997.31
Public Offering Price
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Bonds in the Portfolio $ 2,913,895 $ 2,832,088
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation per Unit $ 956.00 $ 951.00
Sales Charge (2) $ 44.00 $ 49.00
Public Offering Price per Unit (3) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit (3) $ 956.00 $ 951.00
Redemption Price per Unit (4) $ 951.07 $ 946.02
Excess of Public Offering Price per Unit Over
Redemption Price per Unit $ 48.93 $ 53.98
Excess of Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per
Unit Over Redemption Price per Unit $ 4.93 $ 4.98
</TABLE>
First Settlement Date May 18, 1994
Discretionary Liquidation Amount A Trust may be terminated if
the value of such Trust is less than
20% of the aggregate principal
amount of the Bonds deposited in such
Trust during the primary
offering period.
Mandatory Termination Date December 31, 2043
Supervisory Fee Maximum of $0.25 per Unit annually (5)
Evaluator's Annual Fee $0.30 per $1,000 principal amount of
Bonds at the Initial Date of Deposit
Evaluations for purposes of sale, purchase or redemption
of Units are made as of the close
of trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange
on each day on which it is open.
[FN]
_______________________
(1) Many unit investment trusts comprised of municipal securities
issue a number of Units such that each Unit represents approximately
$1,000 principal amount of underlying securities. The Sponsor,
on the other hand, in determining the number of Units for each
Trust, other than Discount Trusts, has elected not to follow this
format but rather to provide that number of Units which will establish
as close as possible as of the opening of business on the Initial
Date of Deposit a Public Offering Price per Unit of $1,000.
(2) Sales charges for the Trusts, expressed as a percentage of
the Public Offering Price per Unit and in parenthesis as a percentage
of the Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation per Unit, are as follows:
4.9% (5.152%) for a National Trust and a Georgia Trust, 5.5% (5.820%)
for other State Trusts and 4.4% (4.603%) for a Long Intermediate
Trust.
(3) Anyone ordering Units for settlement after the First Settlement
Date will pay accrued interest from such date to the date of settlement
(normally five 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 "Will There
Be a Secondary Market?"
(4) See "How May Units be Redeemed?"
(5) Payable to an affiliate of the Sponsor.
Page 3
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES
What is the First Trust Combined Series?
The First Trust Combined Series 217 is one of a series of investment
companies created by the Sponsor under the name of The First Trust
Combined Series, all of which are generally similar but each of
which is separate and is designated by a different series number.
This Series consists of underlying separate unit investment trusts
designated as: The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds-Multi-State:
Colorado Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate and Georgia Trust,
Series 4 (such Trusts being collectively referred to herein as
the "Fund"). This Series was created under the laws of the State
of New York pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture"), dated
the Initial Date of Deposit, with Nike Securities L.P., as Sponsor,
United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator and First Trust Advisors
L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor. On the Initial Date of Deposit,
the Sponsor deposited with the Trustee interest-bearing obligations,
including delivery statements relating to contracts for the purchase
of certain such obligations and an irrevocable letter of credit
issued by a financial institution in the amount required for such
purchases (the "Bonds"). The Trustee thereafter credited the account
of the Sponsor for Units of each Trust representing the entire
ownership of the Fund which Units are being offered hereby.
The objectives of the Fund are Federal tax-exempt income and state
and local tax-exempt income and conservation of capital through
investment in portfolios of interest-bearing obligations issued
by or on behalf of the state for which such Trust is named (collectively,
the "State Trusts"), and counties, municipalities, authorities
and political subdivisions thereof, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico and other territories or municipalities of the United States,
or authorities or political subdivisions thereof, the interest
on which obligations is, in the opinion of recognized bond counsel
to the issuing governmental authorities, exempt from all Federal
income tax and, where applicable, state and local taxes under
existing law. The current market value and certain of the obligations
in a Discount Trust are significantly below face value when the
obligations are acquired by such Trusts. The prices at which the
obligations are acquired result in a Discount Trusts' portfolio,
as a whole being purchased at a deep discount from the aggregate
par value of such securities. Insurance guaranteeing the scheduled
payment of all principal and interest on Bonds in the Trusts with
the name designation of "The First Trust of Insured Municipal
Bonds", "The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds-Intermediate"
or "The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds-Multi-State" (the
"Insured Trusts") has been obtained by such Trusts from Financial
Guaranty Insurance Company ("Financial Guaranty") and/or AMBAC
Indemnity Corporation ("AMBAC Indemnity") or was obtained directly
by the Bond issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor or others prior
to the Initial Date of Deposit from Financial Guaranty, AMBAC
Indemnity, or other insurers (the "Preinsured Bonds"). NO PORTFOLIO
INSURANCE POLICY HAS BEEN OBTAINED BY THE TRUSTS WITH THE NAME
DESIGNATION OF "THE FIRST TRUST (registered trademark) ADVANTAGE"
(THE "ADVANTAGE TRUSTS"). The portfolio insurance obtained by
the Insured Trusts is effective only while the Bonds thus insured
are held in such Trusts, while insurance on Preinsured Bonds is
effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding. See "Why and
How are the Insured Trusts Insured?" THERE IS, OF COURSE, NO GUARANTEE
THAT THE FUND'S OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED. AN INVESTMENT IN
THE FUND SHOULD BE MADE WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE RISKS WHICH
AN INVESTMENT IN FIXED RATE LONG-TERM DEBT OBLIGATIONS MAY ENTAIL,
INCLUDING THE RISK THAT THE VALUE OF THE UNITS WILL DECLINE WITH
INCREASES IN INTEREST RATES.
With the deposit of the Bonds on the Initial Date of Deposit,
the Sponsor established a percentage relationship between the
amounts of Bonds in each Trust's portfolio. From time to time
following the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor, pursuant to
the Indenture, may deposit additional Bonds in a Trust and Units
may be continuously offered for sale to the public by means of
this Prospectus, resulting in a potential increase in the outstanding
number of Units of a Trust. Any additional Bonds deposited in
a Trust will maintain, as nearly as is practicable, the original
proportionate relationship of the Bonds in a Trust's portfolio.
Any deposit by the Sponsor of additional Bonds will duplicate,
as nearly as is practicable, the original proportionate relationship
and not the actual proportionate relationship on the subsequent
date of deposit, since the actual proportionate relationship may
be different than the original proportionate relationship. Any
such difference may
Page 4
be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Bonds
deposited in a Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit, or any subsequent
date of deposit. See "How May Bonds be Removed from the Fund?"
Since the prices of the underlying Bonds will fluctuate daily,
the ratio, on a market value basis, will also change daily. The
portion of Bonds represented by each Unit will not change as a
result of the deposit of additional Bonds in a Trust.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit of a Trust represented
the undivided fractional interest in the Bonds deposited in a
Trust set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." To the
extent that Units of a Trust are redeemed, the aggregate value
of the Bonds in a Trust will be reduced and the undivided fractional
interest represented by each outstanding Unit of a Trust will
increase. However, if additional Units are issued by a Trust in
connection with the deposit of additional Bonds by the Sponsor,
the aggregate value of the Bonds in a Trust will be increased
by amounts allocable to additional Units, and the fractional undivided
interest represented by each Unit of a Trust will be decreased
proportionately. See "How May Units be Redeemed?" Each Trust has
a Mandatory Termination Date as set forth herein under "Summary
of Essential Information."
Neither the Public Offering Price of the Units of an Insured Trust
nor any evaluation of such Units for purposes of repurchases or
redemptions reflects any element of value for the insurance obtained
by such Trust unless Bonds are in default in payment of principal
or interest or in significant risk of such default. See "Public
Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" On the
other hand, the value of insurance obtained by the Bond issuer,
the underwriters, the Sponsor or others is reflected and included
in the market value of such Bonds.
Insurance obtained by an Insured Trust or by the Bond issuer,
the underwriters, the Sponsor or others is not a substitute for
the basic credit of an issuer, but supplements the existing credit
and provides additional security thereof. If an issue is accepted
for insurance, a noncancellable policy for the scheduled payment
of interest and principal on the Bonds is issued by the insurer.
A single premium is paid by the Bond issuer, the underwriters,
the Sponsor or others for Preinsured Bonds and a monthly premium
is paid by each Insured Trust for the insurance obtained by such
Trust except for Bonds in such Trust which are insured by the
Bond issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor or others in which
case no premiums for insurance are paid by such Trust. Upon the
sale of a Bond insured under the insurance policy obtained by
an Insured Trust, the Trustee has the right to obtain Permanent
Insurance from Financial Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity with
respect to such Bond upon the payment of a single predetermined
insurance premium from the proceeds of the sale of such Bond.
Accordingly, any Bond in an Insured Trust of the Fund is eligible
to be sold on an insured basis. If the Trustee had exercised on
the Initial Date of Deposit the right to obtain Permanent Insurance
with respect to all Bonds to which such right applies in the Georgia
Insured Trust, the aggregate premium payable for such Permanent
Insurance would have been approximately $3,874. Standard & Poor's
Corporation and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. have rated the
claims-paying ability of Financial Guaranty and AMBAC Indemnity
"AAA" and "Aaa," respectively. See "Why and How are the Insured
Trusts Insured?"
Each Unit initially offered represents that fractional undivided
interest in such Trust as is set forth in the "Summary of Essential
Information" for each Trust. To the extent that any Units of a
Trust are redeemed by the Trustee, the fractional undivided interest
in such Trust represented by each unredeemed Unit will increase,
although the actual interest in such Trust represented by such
fraction will remain substantially unchanged. Units will remain
outstanding until redeemed upon tender to the Trustee by any Unit
holder, which may include the Sponsor, or until the termination
of the Trust Agreement.
Page 5
UNDERWRITERS
The Underwriters named below, including the Sponsor, have severally
purchased Units in the following respective amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate
Number of
Name Address Units
____ _______ _________
<S> <C> <C>
Sponsor
Nike Securities L.P. 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 60532 2,548
Underwriters
Dain Bosworth Incorporated Dain Bosworth Plaza, 60 S. 6th Street, 14th Floor, 100
Minneapolis, MN 55402-4422
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. Two World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048 100
Gruntal & Co., Incorporated 14 Wall Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10005 100
Kemper Securities, Inc. 77 West Wacker Drive, 28th Floor, 100
Chicago, IL 60601
John G. Kinnard 1700 Northstar West, Minneapolis, MN 55402-9963 100
& Co., Incorporated
___________
3,048
===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Georgia Insured Trust, Series 4
Number of
Name Address Units
________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C>
Sponsor
Nike Securities L.P. 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 60532 2,378
Underwriters
J.C. Bradford & Co. 330 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37201-1809 250
McLaughlin, Piven, Vogel 30 Wall Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10005 250
Securities, Inc.
Fidelity Capital Markets, A division 161 Devonshire Street D5, Boston, MA 02110 100
of National Financial Services
Corporation ___________
2,978
===========
</TABLE>
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Underwriters of each Trust
became the owners of the Units of such Trust and entitled to the
benefits thereof, as well as the risks inherent therein. For further
information on underwriting, see "What are the Underwriting Concessions?"
on page A-23.
THE SEPARATE TRUSTS
Specific information such as the Estimated Long-Term Return, the
Estimated Current Return (if applicable), distributions and tax
status for each of the Trusts commences on the pages immediately
following.
Page 6
Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Special Trust Information
Monthly Semi-Annual
_______ ___________
<S> <C> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit $ 53.28 $ 53.28
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit $ 2.25 $ 1.75
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit $ 51.03 $ 51.53
Calculation of Interest Distribution per Unit
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit $ 51.03 $ 51.53
Divided by 12 and 2, respectively $ 4.25 $ 25.77
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit $ .141758 $ .143147
Initial Distribution - June 30, 1994 (1) $ 3.83 $ 3.86
Regular Distribution (1) $ 4.25 $ 25.77
(Commencing) 7/31/94 12/31/94
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price (2) 5.10% 5.15%
Estimated Long-Term Return Based on Public Offering Price (2) 5.27% 5.32%
CUSIP 33733R 410 428
</TABLE>
Trustee's Annual Fee $1.30 and $.85 per Unit, exclusive of expenses
of the Trust, for those portions of
the Trust under the monthly and semi-annual
plans, respectively, commencing May 11, 1994.
[FN]
(1) The Trust's initial distribution per Unit will be made on
June 30, 1994 to monthly and semi-annual Unit holders of record
on June 15, 1994. Regular distributions to monthly Unit holders
will be paid the last day of each month commencing on July 31,
1994 to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of such month
commencing July 15, 1994. Regular distributions to semi-annual
Unit holders will be paid the last day of June and December commencing
December 31, 1994 to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day
of June and December commencing December 15, 1994.
(2) The 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, the Portfolio
Supervisor and the Evaluator and with the principal prepayment,
redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds while the Public
Offering Price will vary with changes in the offering price of
the underlying Bonds; therefore, there is no assurance that the
present Estimated Current Return indicated above will be realized
in the future. The 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 take into account the amortization of premiums and the
accretion of discounts) and estimated retirements of all of the
Bonds in the Trust; (2) takes into account the expenses and sales
charge associated with each Unit of the Trust; and (3) takes into
effect the tax-adjusted yield from potential capital gains at
the Initial Date of Deposit. Since the market values and estimated
retirements of the Bonds and the expenses of the Trust will change,
there is no assurance that the present Estimated Long-Term Return
indicated above will be realized in the future. Estimated Current
Return and Estimated Long-Term Return are expected to differ because
the calculation of the Estimated Long-Term Return reflects the
estimated date and amount of principal returned while the Estimated
Current Return calculations include only Net Annual Interest Income
and Public Offering Price. Neither rate reflects the true return
to Unit holders, which is lower, because neither includes the
effect of certain delays in distributions to Unit holders. The
above 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
Bonds. The estimated cash flows for this Trust are set forth under
"Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders."
Page 7
Colorado Insured Trust-Long Intermediate Summary
The Colorado Insured Trust-Long Intermediate consists of six obligations
of issuers located in Colorado. The Bond issues in the Trust are
either general obligations of governmental entities or are revenue
bonds payable from the income of a specific project or authority.
The Bonds in the Trust are divided by purpose of issue and represent
the percentage of aggregate principal amount of the Bonds as indicated
by the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Purpose of Portfolio
Issues Issue Percentage
________ _________ __________
<C> <S> <C>
1 General Obligation 16.64%
2 Health Care 33.28%
2 Transportation 33.28%
1 Miscellaneous 16.80%
</TABLE>
Each Bond issue represents 10% or more of the aggregate principal
amount of the Bonds in the Trust. The largest such issue represents
approximately 17%. None of the Bonds in the Trust are subject
to call within five years of the Initial Date of Deposit, although
certain Bonds may be subject to an extraordinary call.
Approximately 17% of the aggregate principal amount (approximately
18% of the aggregate offering price) of the Bonds in the Trust
were purchased at a premium over par value. Certain of these Bonds
are subject to redemption pursuant to call provisions in approximately
8 years after the Initial Date of Deposit. See "What Is the First
Trust Combined Series?", "Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-Long
Intermediate Portfolio" and "Description of Bond Ratings."
A single investor (the "Investor") has indicated that he may purchase
up to 39% of the outstanding Units of the Colorado Insured Trust-Long
Intermediate. If such purchase occurs, other investors in the
Trust should be aware that in the event the Investor redeems his
Units and the Sponsor elects not to purchase such Units, the Trustee
will be required to sell underlying Bonds in the Trust to make
funds available for the redemption. The selling of underlying
Bonds in the Trust will reduce the size and the diversity of the
Trust and will also increase each Unit holder's proportionate
share of certain fixed expenses of the Trust.
Federal and Colorado State Tax-Free Income
The following table shows the approximate marginal taxable yields
for individuals that are equivalent to tax-exempt yields under
combined Federal and state taxes, using published Federal tax
rates and state tax rates scheduled to be in effect in 1994. The
table incorporates increased tax rates for higher-income taxpayers
that were included in the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993.
For cases in which more than one state bracket falls within a
Federal bracket, the higher state bracket is combined with the
Federal bracket. The combined state and Federal tax rates shown
reflect the fact that state tax payments are currently deductible
for Federal tax purposes. The table illustrates what you would
have to earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt yield
for your income tax bracket. The taxable equivalent yields may
be somewhat higher than the equivalent yields indicated in the
following table for those individuals who have adjusted gross
incomes in excess of $111,800. The table does not reflect the
effect of the limitations on itemized deductions and the deduction
for personal exemptions. They were designed to phase out certain
benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These
limitations, in effect, raise the maximum marginal Federal tax
rate to approximately 44% for taxpayers filing a joint return
and entitled to four personal exemptions and to approximately
41% 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.
Page 8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT YIELD
Taxable Income ($1,000's) Tax-Exempt Yield
________________________ _____________________________________
Single Joint Tax 5.00% 5.50% 6.00%
Return Return Rate Taxable Equivalent Yield
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
<C> <C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 22.8 $ 0 - 38.0 19.3% 6.20 6.82 7.43
22.8 - 55.1 38.0 - 91.9 31.6 7.31 8.04 8.77
55.1 - 115.0 91.9 - 140.0 34.5 7.63 8.40 9.16
115.0 - 250.0 140.0 - 250.0 39.2 8.22 9.05 9.87
Over 250.0 Over 250.0 42.6 8.71 9.58 10.45
</TABLE>
Certain Considerations
Restrictions on Appropriations and Revenues. The State Constitution
requires that expenditures for any fiscal year not exceed revenues
for such fiscal year. By statute, the amount of General Fund revenues
available for appropriation is based upon revenue estimates which,
together with other available resources, must exceed annual appropriations
by the amount of the unappropriated reserve (the "Unappropriated
Reserve"). The Unappropriated Reserve requirement for fiscal years
1991, 1992 and 1993 was set at 3%. For fiscal year 1992 and thereafter,
General Fund appropriations are also limited by statute to an
amount equal to the cost of performing certain required reappraisals
of taxable property plus an amount equal to the lesser of (i)
five percent of Colorado personal income or (ii) 106% of the total
General Fund appropriations for the previous fiscal year. This
restriction does not apply to any General Fund appropriations
which are required as a result of a new federal law, a final state
or federal court order or moneys derived from the increase in
the rate or amount of any tax or fee approved by a majority of
the registered electors of the State voting at any general election.
In addition, the statutory limit on the level of General Fund
appropriations may be exceeded for a given fiscal year upon the
declaration of a State fiscal emergency by the State General Assembly.
The 1992 fiscal year end fund balance was $133.3 million, which
was $49.1 million over the 3% Unappropriated Reserve requirement.
The 1993 fiscal year ending fund balance was $326.7 million or
$232.5 million over the 3% required Unappropriated Reserve. Based
on March 20, 1994 estimates, the 1994 fiscal year ending fund
balance is expected to be $283.6 million over the 3% required
Unappropriated Reserve.
On November 3, 1992, voters in Colorado approved a constitutional
amendment (the "Amendment") which, in general, became effective
December 31, 1992, and could restrict the ability of the State
and local governments to increase revenues and impose taxes. The
Amendment applies to the State and all local governments, including
home rule entities ("Districts"). Enterprises, defined as government-owned
businesses authorized to issue revenue bonds and receiving under
10% of annual revenue in grants from all Colorado state and local
governments combined, are excluded from the provision of the Amendment.
The provisions of the Amendment are unclear and will probably
require judicial interpretation. Among other provisions, beginning
November 4, 1992, the Amendment requires voter approval prior
to tax increases, creation of debt, or mill levy or valuation
for assessment ratio increases. The Amendment also limits increases
in government spending and property tax revenues to specified
percentages. The Amendment requires that District property tax
revenues yield no more than the prior year's revenues adjusted
for inflation, voter approved changes and (except with regard
to school districts) local growth in property values according
to a formula set forth in the Amendment. School districts are
allowed to adjust tax levies for changes in student enrollment.
Pursuant to the Amendment, local government spending is to be
limited by the same formula as the limitation for property tax
revenues. The Amendment limits increases in expenditures from
the State general fund and program revenues (cash funds) to the
growth in inflation plus the percentage change in State population
in the prior calendar year. The bases for initial spending and
revenue limits are fiscal year 1992 spending and 1991 property
taxes collected in 1992. The bases for spending and revenue limits
for fiscal year 1994 and later years will be the prior fiscal
year's spending and property taxes collected in the prior calendar
year. Debt service changes, reductions and voter-approved revenue
changes
Page 9
are excluded from the calculation bases. The Amendment also prohibits
new or increased real property transfer tax rates, new State real
property taxes and local District income taxes.
Litigation was filed in 1993 against the Littleton Public School
District on issues relating to the power of Districts to increase
mill levies for debt service purposes. In this litigation, taxpayers
challenged the school district's ability to increase its mill
levy to pay debt service on bonds validly authorized pursuant
to law existing prior to enactment of the Amendment. In December
of 1993, the district court ruled that the Amendment did not prevent
the District from raising its mill levy for debt service purposes.
The plaintiffs have appealed the district court's decision. The
outcome of the appeal cannot be predicted at this time. However,
appellate resolution of this case could determine whether Districts
can increase the mill levy to pay debt service on outstanding
general obligation bonds.
According to the Colorado Economic Perspective, Third Quarter,
FY 1993-94, March 20, 1994 (the "Economic Report"), inflation
for 1992 was 3.8% and population grew at the rate of 2.8% in Colorado.
Accordingly, under the Amendment, increases in State expenditures
during the 1994 fiscal year will be limited to 6.6% over expenditures
during the 1993 fiscal year. The limitation for the 1995 fiscal
year is projected to be 7.1%, based on projected inflation of
4.2% for 1993 and projected population growth of 2.9% during 1993.
The 1993 fiscal year is the base year for calculating the limitation
for the 1994 fiscal year. For the 1993 fiscal year, general fund
revenues totalled $3,450.1 million and program revenues (cash
funds) totalled $1,617.6 million resulting in total estimated
base revenues of $5,067.7 million. Expenditures for the 1994 fiscal
year, therefore, cannot exceed $5,402.2 million. However, the
1994 fiscal year general fund and program revenues (cash funds)
are projected to be only $5,233.6 million, or $168.6 million less
than expenditures allowed under the spending limitation.
There is also a statutory restriction on the amount of annual
increases in taxes that the various taxing jurisdictions in Colorado
can levy without electoral approval. This restriction does not
apply to taxes levied to pay general obligation debt.
State Finances. As the State experienced revenue shortfalls in
the mid-1980s, it adopted various measures, including impoundment
of funds by the Governor, reduction of appropriations by the General
Assembly, a temporary increase in the sales tax, deferral of certain
tax reductions and inter-fund borrowings. On a GAAP basis, the
State had unrestricted General Fund balances at June 30 of approximately
$100.3 million in fiscal year 1988, $134.4 million in fiscal year
1989, $116.6 million in fiscal year 1990, $16.3 million in fiscal
year 1991, $133.3 million in fiscal year 1992, and $326.7 million
in fiscal year 1993. The fiscal year 1994 unrestricted general
fund ending balance is currently projected to be $283.6 million.
For fiscal year 1993, the following tax categories generated the
following respective revenue percentages of the State's $3,450.1
million total gross receipts: individual income taxes represented
51.0% of gross fiscal year 1993 receipts; excise taxes represented
31.5% of gross fiscal year 1993 receipts; and corporate income
taxes represented 4.0% of gross fiscal year 1993 receipts. The
final budget for fiscal year 1994 projects general fund revenues
of approximately $3,546.6 million and appropriations of approximately
$3,328.4 million. The percentages of general fund revenue generated
by type of tax for fiscal year 1994 are not expected to be significantly
different from fiscal year 1993 percentages.
State Debt. Under its constitution, the State of Colorado is not
permitted to issue general obligation bonds secured by the full
faith and credit of the State. However, certain agencies and instrumentalities
of the State are authorized to issue bonds secured by revenues
from specific projects and activities. The State enters into certain
lease transactions which are subject to annual renewal at the
option of the State. In addition, the State is authorized to issue
short-term revenue anticipation notes. Local governmental units
in the State are also authorized to incur indebtedness. The major
source of financing for such local government indebtedness is
an ad valorem property tax. In addition, in order to finance public
projects, local governments in the State can issue revenue bonds
payable from the revenues of a utility or enterprise or from the
proceeds of an excise tax, or assessment bonds payable from special
assessments. Colorado local governments can also finance public
projects through leases which are subject to annual appropriation
at the option of the local government. Local governments in Colorado
also issue tax anticipation notes. The Amendment
Page 10
requires prior voter approval for the creation of any multiple
fiscal year debt or other financial obligation whatsoever, except
for refundings at a lower rate or obligations of an Enterprise.
State Economy. Based on data published by the State of Colorado,
Office of State Planning and Budgeting as presented in the Economic
Report, over 50% of non-agricultural employment in Colorado in
1992 was concentrated in the retail and wholesale trade and service
sectors, reflecting the importance of tourism to the State's economy
and of Denver as a regional economic and transportation hub. The
government and manufacturing sectors followed as the fourth and
fifth largest employment sectors in the State, representing approximately
18.3% and 11.6%, respectively, of non-agricultural employment
in the State in 1992. The Office of Planning and Budgeting estimates
similar concentrations for 1993.
According to the Economic Report, during 1993, 68,700 net new
jobs were generated in the Colorado economy, an increase of 4.3%
over 1992. The unemployment rate improved slightly from an average
of 5.8% during 1992 to 5.5% during 1993. Total retail sales increased
by 10.0% during 1993.
Personal income rose 7.8% in Colorado during 1992 and 5.5% in
1991. During 1993, personal income rose 7.1% in Colorado, as compared
with 7.2% for the nation as a whole.
Economic conditions in the State may have continuing effects on
other governmental units within the State (including issuers of
the Bonds in the Colorado Trust), which, to varying degrees, have
also experienced reduced revenues as a result of recessionary
conditions and other factors.
The foregoing information constitutes only a brief summary of
some of the financial difficulties which may impact certain issuers
of Bonds and does not purport to be a complete or exhaustive description
of all adverse conditions to which the issuers in a Colorado Trust
are subject. Additionally, many factors including national economic,
social and environmental policies and conditions, which are not
within the control of the issuers of Bonds, could have an adverse
impact on the financial condition of the State and various agencies
and political subdivisions located in the State. The Sponsor is
unable to predict whether or to what extent such factors or other
factors may affect the issuers of Bonds, the market value or marketability
of the Bonds or the ability of the respective issuers of the Bonds
acquired by a Colorado Trust to pay interest on or principal of
the Bonds.
Colorado Tax Status
Neither the Sponsor nor its counsel have independently examined
the Bonds to be deposited and held in the Trust. However, although
Chapman and Cutler expresses no opinion with respect to the issuance
of the Bonds, in rendering its opinion expressed herein, it has
assumed that: (i) the Bonds were validly issued, (ii) the interest
thereon is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax
purposes, and (iii) interest on the Bonds, if received directly
by a Unit holder, would be exempt from the income tax imposed
by the State that is applicable to individuals and corporations
(the "State Income Tax"). This opinion does not address the taxation
of persons other than full time residents of Colorado.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Special Counsel to the Fund
for Colorado tax matters, under existing law:
Because Colorado income tax law is based upon the Federal law,
the Colorado Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation
for purposes of Colorado income taxation.
With respect to Colorado Unit holders, in view of the relationship
between Federal and Colorado tax computation described above:
Each Colorado Unit holder will be treated as owning a pro rata
share of each asset of the Colorado Trust for Colorado income
tax purposes in the proportion that the number of Units of such
Trust held by the Unit holder bears to the total number of outstanding
Units of the Colorado Trust, and the income of the Colorado Trust
will therefore be treated as the income of each Colorado Unit
holder under Colorado law in the proportion described;
Interest on Bonds that would not be includable in income for Colorado
income tax purposes when paid directly to Colorado Unit holder
will be exempt from Colorado income taxation when received by
the Colorado Trust and attributed to such Colorado Unit holder
and when distributed to such Colorado Unit holder;
Page 11
Any proceeds paid under an insurance policy or policies, if any,
issued to a Colorado Insured Trust with respect to the Bonds in
the Colorado Trust which represent maturing interest on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee will be excludable from Colorado
adjusted 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;
Any proceeds paid under individual policies obtained by the Bond
issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor or others which represent
maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee
will not be includable in income for Colorado income tax purposes
if, and to the same extent as, such interest would not have been
so includable if paid in the normal course by the issuer of the
defaulted obligations;
Each Colorado Unit holder will realize taxable gain or loss when
the Colorado Trust disposes of a Bond (whether by sale, exchange,
redemption, or payment at maturity) or when the Colorado Unit
holder redeems or sells Units at a price that differs from original
cost as adjusted for amortization of bond discount or premium
and other basis adjustments (including any basis reduction that
may be required to reflect a Colorado Unit holder's share of interest,
if any, accruing on Bonds during the interval between the Colorado
Unit holder's settlement date and the date such Bonds are delivered
to the Colorado Trust, if later);
Tax cost reduction requirements relating to amortization of bond
premium may, under some circumstances, result in Colorado Unit
holders realizing taxable gain when their Units are sold or redeemed
for an amount equal to or less than their original cost; and
If interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a Colorado
Unit holder to purchase Units in the Colorado Trust is not deductible
for federal income tax purposes, it also will be non-deductible
for Colorado income tax purposes.
Unit holders should be aware that all tax-exempt interest, including
their share of interest on the Bonds paid to the Colorado Trust,
is taken into account for purposes of determining eligibility
for the Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate.
For information with respect to the Federal income tax status
and other tax matters, see "What is the Federal Tax Status of
Unit Holders?"
Page 12
Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate
Portfolio
Units Rated "AAA"_
At the Opening of Business
On the Initial Date of Deposit of the Bonds-May 11, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Issue Represented by Sponsor's Redemption Cost to
Principal Contracts to Purchase Bonds (1) Rating (2) Provisions (3) the Trust
_________ _______________________________ __________ ______________ _________
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 500,000 Auraria Higher Education Center, State of AAA 2003 @ 101 $ 468,530
Colorado, Parking Facilities System Refunding
Revenue, Series 1993 (FSA Insured)
5.10%, Due 4/01/2007 (5)
500,000 Sisters of Charity Health Care Systems, Inc., AAA 2004 @ 102 473,650
Revenue, Colorado Health Facilities Authority,
Revenue, Series 1994 (Sisters of Charity Health
Care Systems, Inc.) (MBIA Insured), 5.00%,
Due 5/15/2005 (5)
505,000 City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Sales and Use Tax AAA 2003 @ 101 478,255
Revenue Refunding, Series 1993 (FGIC Insured), 2007 @ 100 S.F.
5.375%, Due 12/01/2009 (5)
500,000 Jefferson County School District No. R-1 AAA 2002 @ 101 515,830
(Jefferson County, Colorado), General Obligation,
Series 1992 (AMBAC Insured), 5.90%,
Due 12/15/2004 (5)
500,000 County of Logan, Colorado, Health Care Facilities AAA 2003 @ 102 495,310
Revenue (Western Health Network, Inc.), Series 2004 @ 100 S.F.
1993 (MBIA Insured), 5.75%, Due 1/01/2008 (5)
500,000 Regional Transportation District (Colorado), Sales AAA 2003 @ 101 482,320
Tax Revenue Refunding, Series 1993 (FGIC Insured),
5.30%, Due 11/01/2006 (5)
__________ ____________
$3,005,000 $ 2,913,895
========== ============
</TABLE>
[FN]
_ Units are rated "AAA" as a result of insurance. See "Why and
How are the Insured Trusts Insured?"
For industry concentrations of the Bonds in the Trust,
see "Colorado Insured Trust-Long Intermediate Summary."
See "Notes to Portfolios" on page 23.
Page 13
Georgia Insured Trust, Series 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Special Trust Information
Monthly Semi-Annual
__________ ___________
<S> <C> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income (1)
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit $ 59.03 $ 59.03
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit $ 2.28 $ 1.78
Less: Annual Premium on Portfolio Insurance per Unit $ .07 $ .07
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit $ 56.68 $ 57.18
Calculation of Interest Distribution per Unit
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit $ 56.68 $ 57.18
Divided by 12 and 2, respectively $ 4.72 $ 28.59
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit $ .157449 $ .158837
Initial Distribution - June 30, 1994 (2) $ 4.25 $ 4.29
Regular Distribution (2) $ 4.72 $ 28.59
(Commencing) 7/31/94 12/31/94
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price (3) 5.67% 5.72%
Estimated Long-Term Return Based on Public Offering Price (3) 5.76% 5.81%
CUSIP 33733R 394 402
</TABLE>
Trustee's Annual Fee $1.33 and $.88 per Unit, exclusive of expenses
of the Trust, for those portions of
the Trust under the monthly and semi-annual
plans, respectively, commencing May 11, 1995.
[FN]
(1) During the first year only, the Trustee has agreed to reduce
its fee and pay expenses of the Trust in an amount (approximately
$.23) equal to the interest that would have accrued prior to the
expected delivery dates of Bonds included in the Portfolio that
were purchased on a "when, as and if issued" or delayed delivery
basis. During the first year, Estimated Annual Interest Income
per Unit would be $58.80. Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
per Unit, Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price
and Estimated Long-Term Return Based on Public Offering Price
would be as indicated above. See "What are Certain General Matters
Relating to the Trusts?" and "What are the Expenses and Charges?"
(2) The Trust's initial distribution per Unit will be made on
June 30, 1994 to monthly and semi-annual Unit holders of record
on June 15, 1994. Regular distributions to monthly Unit holders
will be paid the last day of each month commencing on July 31,
1994 to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of such month
commencing July 15, 1994. Regular distributions to semi-annual
Unit holders will be paid the last day of June and December
commencing December 31, 1994 to Unit holders of record on
the fifteenth day of June and December commencing December 15, 1994.
(3) The 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, the Portfolio
Supervisor and the Evaluator and with the principal prepayment,
redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds while the Public
Offering Price will vary with changes in the offering price of
the underlying Bonds; therefore, there is no assurance that the
present Estimated Current Return indicated above will be realized
in the future. The 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 take into account the amortization of premiums and the
accretion of discounts) and estimated retirements of all of the
Bonds in the Trust; (2) takes into account the expenses and sales
charge associated with each Unit of the Trust; and (3) takes into
effect the tax-adjusted yield from potential capital gains at
the Initial Date of Deposit. Since the market values and estimated
retirements of the Bonds and the expenses of the Trust will change,
there is no assurance that the present Estimated Long-Term Return
indicated above will be realized in the future. Estimated Current
Return and Estimated Long-Term Return are expected to differ because
the calculation of the Estimated Long-Term Return reflects the
estimated date and amount of principal returned while the Estimated
Current Return calculations include only Net Annual Interest Income
and Public Offering Price. Neither rate reflects the true return
to Unit holders, which is lower, because neither includes the
effect of certain delays in distributions to Unit holders. The
above 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
Bonds. The estimated cash flows for this Trust are set forth under
"Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders."
Page 14
Georgia Insured Trust Summary
The Georgia Insured Trust consists of six obligations of issuers
located in Georgia. The Bond issues in the Trust are either general
obligations of governmental entities or are revenue bonds payable
from the income of a specific project or authority. The Bonds
in the Trust are divided by purpose of issue and represent the
percentage of aggregate principal amount of the Bonds as indicated
by the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Purpose of Portfolio
Issues Issue Percentage
________ _________ __________
<C> <S> <C>
1 General Obligation 14.98%
2 Health Care 34.51%
2 Water and Sewer 33.67%
1 Miscellaneous 16.84%
</TABLE>
Each Bond issue represents 10% or more of the aggregate principal
amount of the Bonds in the Trust. The largest such issue represents
approximately 18%. None of the Bonds in the Trust are subject
to call within five years of the Initial Date of Deposit, although
certain Bonds may be subject to an extraordinary call. See "What
Is the First Trust Combined Series?", "Georgia Insured Trust,
Series 4-Portfolio" and "Description of Bond Ratings."
Federal and Georgia State Tax-Free Income
The following table shows the approximate marginal taxable yields
for individuals that are equivalent to tax-exempt yields under
combined Federal and state taxes, using published Federal tax
rates and state tax rates scheduled to be in effect in 1994. The
table incorporates increased tax rates for higher-income taxpayers
that were included in the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993.
For cases in which more than one state bracket falls within a
Federal bracket, the higher state bracket is combined with the
Federal bracket. The combined state and Federal tax rates shown
reflect the fact that state tax payments are currently deductible
for Federal tax purposes. The table illustrates what you would
have to earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt yield
for your income tax bracket. The taxable equivalent yields may
be somewhat higher than the equivalent yields indicated in the
following table for those individuals who have adjusted gross
incomes in excess of $111,800. The table does not reflect the
effect of the limitations on itemized deductions and the deduction
for personal exemptions. They were designed to phase out certain
benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These
limitations, in effect, raise the maximum marginal Federal tax
rate to approximately 44% for taxpayers filing a joint return
and entitled to four personal exemptions and to approximately
41% 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.
Page 15
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT YIELD
Taxable Income ($1,000's) Tax-Exempt Yield
________________________ _____________________________________
Single Joint Tax 5.00% 5.50% 6.00%
Return Return Rate Taxable Equivalent Yield
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
<C> <C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0 - 22.8 $ 0 - 38.0 20.1% 6.26 6.88 7.51
22.8 - 55.1 38.0 - 91.9 32.3 7.39 8.12 8.86
55.1 - 115.0 91.9 - 140.0 35.1 7.70 8.47 9.24
115.0 - 250.0 140.0 - 250.0 39.8 8.31 9.14 9.97
Over 250.0 Over 250.0 43.2 8.80 9.68 10.56
</TABLE>
Certain Considerations
The following brief summary regarding the economy of Georgia is
based upon information drawn from publicly available sources and
is included for purposes of providing information about general
economic conditions that may or may not affect issuers of the
Georgia obligations. The Sponsor has not independently verified
any of the information contained in such publicly available documents.
Constitutional Considerations. The Georgia Constitution permits
the issuance by the State of general obligation debt and of certain
guaranteed revenue debt. The State may incur guaranteed revenue
debt by guaranteeing the payment of certain revenue obligations
issued by an instrumentality of the State. The Georgia Constitution
prohibits the incurring of any general obligation debt or guaranteed
revenue debt if the highest aggregate annual debt service requirement
for the then current year or any subsequent fiscal year for outstanding
general obligation debt and guaranteed revenue debt, including
the proposed debt, exceed 10 percent of the total revenue receipts,
less refunds, of the State treasury in the fiscal year immediately
preceding the year in which any such debt is to be incurred.
The Georgia Constitution also permits the State to incur public
debt to supply a temporary deficit in the State treasury in any
fiscal year created by a delay in collecting the taxes of that
year. Such debt must not exceed, in the aggregate, 5% of the total
revenue receipts, less refunds, of the State treasury in the fiscal
year immediately preceding the year in which such debt is incurred.
The debt incurred must be repaid on or before the last day of
the fiscal year in which it is to be incurred out of the taxes
levied for that fiscal year. No such debt may be incurred in any
fiscal year if there is then outstanding unpaid debt from any
previous fiscal year which was incurred to supply a temporary
deficit in the State treasury. No such short-term debt has been
incurred under this provision since the inception of the constitutional
authority referred to in this paragraph.
Virtually all of the issues of long-term debt obligations issued
by or on behalf of the State of Georgia and counties, municipalities
and other political subdivisions and public authorities thereof
are required by law to be validated and confirmed in a judicial
proceeding prior to issuance. The legal effect of an approved
validation in Georgia is to render incontestable the validity
of the pertinent bond issue and the security therefor.
The State and and Its Economy. The State operates on a fiscal
year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Thus, the 1993 fiscal
year ended June 30, 1993. Based on data of the Georgia Department
of Revenue estimated receipts of the State from income tax and
sales tax for the 1992 fiscal year comprised approximately 48.8%
and 37.9%, respectively, of the total State tax revenues. Such
data shows that total estimated State treasury receipts for the
1992 fiscal year increased by approximately 2.8% over such collections
in the 1991 fiscal year. The estimated 1993 fiscal year figures
indicate that receipts of the State from income tax and sales
tax for the 1993 fiscal year will comprise approximately 49.4%
and 37.9%, respectively, of the total State tax revenues. Total
estimated State tax revenue collections for the 1993 fiscal year
indicate an increase of approximately 8.4% over such collections
in the 1992 fiscal year.
Georgia experienced an economic slowdown in the late 1980s that
continued into 1992. The 1991 fiscal year ended with a balanced
budget, but only because the State had borrowed approximately
$90 million from surpluses maintained for special uses. In light
of weaker than expected monthly revenue collections in May
Page 16
and June of 1991, Georgia lawmakers, in a special legislative
session, cut budgeted expenditures for the 1992 fiscal year by
$415 million. Georgia ended its 1992 fiscal year, however, with
strong monthly revenue collections. For the last four months of
fiscal year 1992, Georgia's revenues were more than 6% higher
than revenues reported one year earlier for the same time period.
By year-end, revenue collections fell only 0.1% short of that
expected to cover 1992 expenditures. This shortfall was made up
from funds allocated to but not used by state agencies. The authorized
1993 fiscal year budget consists of an $8.3 billion spending plan
and approximately $750 million in new general obligation debt.
On March 23, 1993, the Georgia General Assembly approved an $8.9
billion budget for the 1994 fiscal year which includes authorization
for $792 million of general obligation borrowing.
The Georgia economy has performed relatively well during recent
years and generally has expanded at a rate greater than the national
average during that period. However, growth in 1988 through 1992
has slowed somewhat and was modest compared to the robust pace
of the early 1980s. Georgia's leading economic indicators currently
suggest that the rate of growth of the Georgia economy will continue
at the pace of 1988 and 1989 and more closely match the national
economy. The 1992 annual average unemployment rate for Georgia
was 6.9% as compared to the 1992 national annual average unemployment
rate of 7.4%. The 1993 annual average unemployment rate for Georgia
was 5.7% compared to the 1993 national annual average unemployment
rate of 6.7%. Although many areas of the economy are expected
to continue to perform strongly, some areas such as the primary
metals, carpet and apparel industries are still experiencing periods
of weakness, and others, such as construction and construction-related
manufacturing activities (e.g., lumber, furniture and stone/clay
products), currently show signs of weakening. In addition, aircraft
manufacturers located within the State are in a tenuous position
due to reductions in the federal defense budget. Presently, Georgia
continues to lead the nation in the production of pulp, pulpwood
and paper. Other industries show potential for great expansion,
but policy considerations, tax reform laws, foreign competition,
and other factors may render these industries less productive.
Bond Ratings. Currently, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rates
Georgia general obligation bonds Aaa and Standard & Poor's Corporation
rates such bonds AA+.
Legal Proceedings. Georgia is involved in certain legal proceedings
that, if decided against the State, may required the State to
make significant future expenditures or may substantially impair
revenues. Several lawsuits have been filed against Georgia asserting
that the decision in Davis v. Michigan Department of Treasury,
489 U.S. 803 (1989), invalidating Michigan's practice of taxing
retirement benefits paid by the federal government while exempting
state retirement benefits, also invalidates Georgia's tax treatment
of Federal Retirement Benefits for years prior to 1989. Under
Georgia's applicable 3 year statute of limitation the maximum
potential liability under these suits calculated to April 1, 1992
would appear to be no greater than 128 million dollars. The plaintiffs
in these suits, however, have requested refunds for a period from
1980 which could result in a maximum potential liability in the
range of 591 million dollars. Any such liability would be predicated
on a holding by a Georgia court or the United States Supreme Court
that the Davis decision is applicable to Georgia's prior method
of taxing Federal Retirement Benefits, that the Davis decision
is to be given a retroactive effect, i.e., that the decision affects
prior tax years and that a refund remedy is appropriate. In Georgia's
"test case", the Georgia Supreme Court held that no refunds are
due. On June 28, 1993, however, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated
that holding and remanded the case for further consideration in
light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Harper v. Virginia
Department of Taxation (Decided June 18, 1993). In Harper, the
Court held that its decision in Davis applied retroactively to
federal retirees who were denied Virginia personal income tax
refunds.
Another suit filed against Georgia seeks a $31 million refund
plus interest of liquor taxes imposed under a Georgia statute
found retroactively invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court. The trail
court's decision that no refunds are due is currently being reviewed
by the Georgia Supreme Court.
Two additional suits have been filed with the State of Georgia
by foreign producers of alcoholic beverages seeking $96 million
in refunds of alcohol import taxes imposed under another statute.
These claims constitute 99% of all such taxes paid during the
preceding three years.
Page 17
In Board of Public Education for Savannah/Chatham County v. State
of Georgia, the local school board claimed that the State should
finance the major portion of the costs of its desegregation program.
The Savannah Board originally requested restitution in the amount
of $30 million, but the Federal District Court set forth a formula
which would require a State payment in the amount of approximately
$6 million. Both sides have moved for reconsideration. In a similar
complaint, DeKalb County has requested restitution in the amount
of $90 million, and there are approximately five other school
districts which could file similar claims. It is not possible
to quantify such potential claims at this time.
The foregoing information constitutes only a brief summary of
some of the financial difficulties which may impact certain issuers
of Bonds and does not purport to be a complete or exhaustive description
of all adverse conditions to which the issuers in a Georgia Insured
Trust are subject. Additionally, many factors including national
economic, social and environmental policies and conditions, which
are not within the control of the issuers of Bonds, could affect
or could have an adverse impact on the financial condition of
the State and various agencies and political subdivisions located
in the State. The Sponsor is unable to predict whether or to what
extent such factors or other factors may affect the issuers of
Bonds, the market value or marketability of the Bonds or the ability
of the respective issuers of the Bonds acquired by a Georgia Insured
Trust to pay interest on or principal of the Bonds. See "Why and
How are the Insured Trusts Insured?"
Georgia Tax Status
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Special Counsel to the Fund
for Georgia tax matters, under existing Georgia law as of the
date of this prospectus:
For Georgia income tax purposes, the Georgia Insured Trust is
not an association taxable as a corporation, and the income of
the Georgia Insured Trust will be treated as the income of the
Unit holders. Interest on the Georgia Bonds which is exempt from
Georgia income tax when received by the Georgia Insured Trust,
and which would be exempt from Georgia income tax if received
directly by a Unit holder, will retain its status as tax-exempt
interest when distributed by the Georgia Insured Trust and received
by the Unit holders.
If the Trustee disposes of a Georgia Bond (whether by sale, exchange,
payment on maturity, retirement or otherwise) or if a Unit holder
redeems or sells his Unit, the Unit holder will recognize gain
or loss for Georgia income tax purposes to the same extent that
gain or loss would be recognized for federal income tax purposes
(except in the case of Georgia Bonds issued before March 11, 1987
issued with original issue discount owned by the Georgia Insured
Trust, in which case gain or loss for Georgia income tax purposes
would be determined by accruing said original issue discount on
a ratable basis). Due to the amortization of bond premium and
other basis adjustments required by the Internal Revenue Code,
a Unit holder, under some circumstances, may realize taxable gain
when his or her Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal
to their original cost.
Because obligations or evidences of debt of Georgia, its political
subdivisions and public institutions and bonds issued by the Government
of Puerto Rico are exempt from the Georgia intangible personal
property tax, the Georgia Insured Trust will not be subject to
such tax as the result of holding such obligations, evidences
of debt or bonds. Although there currently is no published administrative
interpretation or opinion of the Attorney General of Georgia dealing
with the status of bonds issued by a political subdivision of
Puerto Rico, we have in the past been advised orally by representatives
of the Georgia Department of Revenue that such bonds would also
be considered exempt from such tax. Based on that advice, and
in the absence of a published administrative interpretation to
the contrary, we are of the opinion that the Georgia Insured Trust
would not be subject to such tax as the result of holding bonds
issued by a political subdivision of Puerto Rico.
Amounts paid under an insurance policy or policies issued to the
Georgia Insured Trust, if any, with respect to the Georgia Bonds
in the Georgia Insured Trust which represent maturing interest
on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be exempt from
State income taxes if, and to the extent as, such interest would
have been so exempt if paid by the issuer of the defaulted obligations.
Page 18
We express no opinion regarding whether a Unit holder's ownership
of an interest in the Georgia Insured Trust is subject to the
Georgia intangible personal property tax. Although the application
of the Georgia intangible personal property tax to the ownership
of the Units by the Unit holders is not clear, representatives
of the Georgia Department of Revenue have in the past advised
us orally that, for purposes of the intangible personal property
tax, the Department considers a Unit holder's ownership of an
interest in the Georgia Insured Trust as a whole to be taxable
intangible personal property separate from any ownership interest
in the underlying tax-exempt Georgia Bonds.
Neither the Georgia Bonds nor the Units will be subject to Georgia
sales or use tax.
For information with respect to the Federal income tax status
and other tax matters see "What Is the Federal Tax Status of Unit
Holders?"
Page 19
Georgia Insured Trust, Series 4
Portfolio
Units Rated "AAA"_
At the Opening of Business
On the Initial Date of Deposit of the Bonds-May 11, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Issue Represented by Sponsor's Redemption Cost to
Principal Contracts to Purchase Bonds (1) Rating (2) Provisions (3) the Trust
_________ _______________________________ __________ ______________ _________
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 500,000 Certificates of Participation (Atlanta Pretrial AAA 2002 @ 102 $ 496,935
Detention Center Project), Series 1992, 2012 @ 100 S.F.
The City of Atlanta, Georgia (MBIA Insured),
6.25%, Due 12/01/2017 (5)
500,000 Columbus, Georgia, Water and Sewerage Revenue AAA 2003 @ 102 465,555
Refunding, Series 1993 (FGIC Insured), 2010 @ 100 S.F.
5.625%, Due 5/01/2013 (5)
500,000 * City of Cumming (Georgia), Water and Sewerage AAA 2003 @ 102 499,980
Revenue Refunding and Improvement, Series 1994 2015 @ 100 S.F.
(MBIA Insured), 6.25%, Due 12/01/2024 (5)
445,000 Fulton County School District (Georgia), General AA (8) 2004 @ 102 403,797
Obligation School, Series 1993, 2015 @ 100 S.F.
5.625%, Due 1/01/2021
525,000 { The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Georgia), AAA 2003 @ 102 468,846
Revenue Refunding Certificates, Series 1993 2013 @ 100 S.F.
(MBIA Insured), 5.50%, Due 1/01/2020 (5)
500,000 The Hospital Authority of Hall County and the AAA 2002 @ 102 496,975
City of Gainesville, Revenue Anticipation 2013 @ 100 S.F.
Certificates (Northeast Georgia Healthcare
Project), Series 1992 (MBIA Insured),
6.25%, Due 10/01/2016 (5)
__________ __________
$2,970,000 $2,832,088
========== ==========
</TABLE>
[FN]
_ Units are rated "AAA" as a result of insurance. See "Why and
How are the Insured Trusts Insured?"
* Sponsor's contracts for the purchase of all or a portion of
these Bonds (approximately 17% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Bonds in the Trust) are either on a "when, as and if issued"
basis or are delayed delivery Bonds and are expected to be settled
on or before May 26, 1994.
{ These Bonds were issued at an original issue discount on May
1, 1993 at a price of 94.483% of their original principal amount.
For industry concentrations of the Bonds in the Trust, see "Georgia
Insured Trust Summary."
See "Notes to Portfolios" on page 23.
Page 20
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets, including
the portfolios, of The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds-Multi-State:
Colorado Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate and Georgia Trust,
Series 4, comprising The First Trust Combined Series 217 (the
Trusts) as of the opening of business on May 11, 1994. These statements
of net assets are the responsibility of the Trusts' Sponsor. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these statements of
net assets 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 statements
of net assets are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the statements of net assets. Our procedures included
confirmation of the letter of credit held by the Trustee and allocated
among the Trusts on May 11, 1994. An audit also includes assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by the Sponsor, as well as evaluating the overall presentation
of the statements of net assets. We believe that our audit of
the statements of net assets provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the statements of net assets referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds-Multi-State: Colorado
Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate and Georgia Trust, Series 4,
comprising The First Trust Combined Series 217 at the opening
of business on May 11, 1994 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG
Chicago, Illinois
May 11, 1994
Page 21
Statements of Net Assets
The First Trust Combined Series 217
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
May 11, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Colorado
Insured
Trust, Georgia
Series 13- Insured
Long Trust,
Intermediate Series 4
____________ _________
NET ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Delivery statements relating to Sponsor's contracts to
purchase tax-exempt municipal bonds (1)(2)(3) $ 2,913,895 $ 2,832,088
Accrued interest on underlying bonds (2)(3)(4) 37,979 36,909
______________ ______________
2,951,874 2,868,997
Less distributions payable (4) 37,979 36,909
______________ ______________
Net assets $ 2,913,895 $ 2,832,088
============== ==============
Outstanding Units 3,048 2,978
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Cost to investors (5) $ 3,048,007 $ 2,978,011
Less gross underwriting commissions (5) 134,112 145,923
______________ ______________
Net assets $ 2,913,895 $ 2,832,088
============== ==============
</TABLE>
[FN]
NOTES TO STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS
(1) The aggregate offering price of the bonds for each Trust at
the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit and the
cost to the applicable Trust are the same. The offering price
is determined by the Evaluator.
(2) Pursuant to delivery statements relating to contracts to purchase
bonds, an irrevocable letter of credit has been allocated among
the Trusts as collateral. The amount of available letter of credit
and the amount expected to be utilized for each Trust is shown
below. The amount expected to be utilized is (a) the cost to the
respective Trust of the principal amount of the bonds to be purchased,
(b) accrued interest on those bonds to the Initial Date of Deposit,
and (c) accrued interest on those bonds from the Initial Date
of Deposit to the expected dates of delivery of the bonds, which
is exclusive of the amount by which the Trustee has agreed to
reduce its fees during the first year ($694 in the Georgia Insured
Trust).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Accrued
Aggregate Accrued Interest to
Letter of Credit Offering Interest to Expected
To be Price of Date of Dates of
Trust Allocated Utilized Bonds Deposit Delivery
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Colorado Insured
Trust, Series 13-
Long Intermediate $ 3,000,000 $ 2,952,013 $ 2,913,895 $ 37,979 $ 139
Georgia Insured
Trust, Series 4 $ 2,900,000 $ 2,870,119 $ 2,832,088 $ 36,909 $ 1,122
</TABLE>
(3) Insurance coverage providing for the scheduled payment of
principal and interest on all Bonds deposited in the Colorado
Insured Trust-Long Intermediate and the Georgia Insured Trust
and delivered to the Trustee has been obtained by each Insured
Trust or has been obtained directly by the Bond issuer, the underwriters,
the Sponsor or others prior to the Initial Date of Deposit.
(4) The Trustee will advance to each Trust the amount of net interest
accrued to May 18, 1994, the First Settlement Date, for distribution
to the Sponsor as the Unit holder of record.
Page 22
(5) The aggregate cost to investors (exclusive of accrued interest)
and the aggregate gross underwriting commissions of 4.9% (4.4%
for the Colorado Insured Trust-Long Intermediate) are computed
assuming no reduction of sales charge for quantity purchases.
NOTES TO PORTFOLIOS
The following Notes to Portfolios pertain to the information contained
in the Trust Portfolios (the Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-Long
Intermediate on page 13, and the Georgia Insured Trust, Series 4
on page 20).
(1) Sponsor's contracts to purchase Bonds were entered into during
the period from April 22, 1994 to May 9, 1994. All contracts to
purchase Bonds are expected to be settled on or prior to May 18,
1994 unless otherwise indicated.
Other information regarding the Bonds in each Trust on the Initial
Date of Deposit is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Annual Annual
Offering Cost of Profit or Insurance Interest
Price of Bonds to (Loss) to Bid Price Cost to Income
Trust Bonds Sponsor Sponsor of Bonds Trust to Trust
__________________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Colorado Insured
Trust, Series 13-
Long Intermediate $ 2,913,895 $ 2,894,184 $ 19,711 $ 2,898,870 $ - $162,394
Georgia Insured
Trust, Series 4 $ 2,832,088 $ 2,806,026 $ 26,062 $ 2,817,238 $ 196 $175,781
</TABLE>
Neither Cost of Bonds to Sponsor nor Profit or (Loss) to Sponsor
reflects underwriting profits or losses received or incurred by
the Sponsor through its participation in underwriting syndicates
but such amounts reflect the cost of insurance obtained by the
Sponsor prior to the Initial Date of Deposit for individual Bonds
and certain portfolio hedging transaction costs and hedging gains
or losses. The Offering and Bid Prices of Bonds were determined
by Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., certain shareholders of
which are officers of the Sponsor.
(2) All ratings are by Standard & Poor's Corporation unless otherwise
indicated (NR indicates "No Rating"). Such ratings were obtained
from a municipal bond information reporting service.
(3) There is shown under this heading the year in which each issue
of Bonds initially is redeemable and the redemption price for
that year or, if currently redeemable, the redemption price in
effect on the Initial Date of Deposit. Issues of Bonds are redeemable
at declining prices (but not below par value) in subsequent years
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 the 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. In addition, certain Bonds in the portfolio
may be redeemed in whole or in part other than by operation of
the stated redemption or sinking fund provisions under certain
unusual or extraordinary circumstances specified in the instruments
setting forth the terms and provisions of such Bonds. See "What
are Certain General Matters Relating to the Trusts?" for a description
of certain of such unusual or extraordinary circumstances. Redemption
pursuant to call provisions generally will, and redemption pursuant
to sinking fund provisions may, occur at times when the redeemed
Bonds have an offering side valuation which represents a premium
over par or for original issue discount Bonds a premium over the
accreted value. To the extent that the Bonds were deposited in
the Fund at a price higher than the price at which they are redeemed,
this will represent a loss of capital when compared with the original
Public Offering Price of the Units. Conversely, to the extent
that the Bonds were acquired at a price lower than the redemption
price, this will represent an increase in capital when compared
to the original Public Offering Price of the Units, excluding
the effect of the sales charge on the Units. Distributions will
generally be reduced by the amount of the income which would otherwise
have been paid with respect to redeemed Bonds and there will be
distributed to Unit holders the principal amount and any premium
received on such redemption (except to the extent the proceeds
of the redeemed Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions). The
estimated current return and the estimated long-term return in
this event may be affected by such redemptions. For the Federal
and state tax effect on Unit holders of such redemptions and resultant
distributions, see "Rights of Unit Holders-What is the Federal
Tax Status of Unit Holders?",
Page 23
"Colorado Insured Trust-Long Intermediate Summary-Colorado
Tax Status" and "Georgia Insured Trust Summary-Georgia Tax Status."
(4) Ratings by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Such ratings were
obtained from a municipal bond information reporting service.
(5) Insurance has been obtained by the Bond issuer, the underwriters,
the Sponsor or others prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. No
insurance premium is payable by the Trust.
(6) Rating is contingent upon the issuance of insurance.
(7) Rating is contingent upon receipt of documentation confirming
investments and cash flow.
(8) A portfolio insurance policy has been obtained by the Trust
for this Bond from Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
Page 24
Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders
The tables below set forth the per Unit estimated monthly and
semi-annual distributions of interest and principal to Unit holders.
The tables assume the receipt of principal of the underlying Bonds
upon their maturity or expected retirement date, no changes in
expenses, no changes in the current interest rates, no exchanges,
redemptions, sales or prepayments of the underlying Bonds prior
to their maturity or expected retirement date. To the extent the
foregoing assumptions change, actual distributions will vary.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-Long Intermediate
Monthly
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Interest Principal Total
Date (Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
________________ __________ __________ __________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
June 1994 3.83 3.83
July 1994-November 2004 4.25 4.25
December 2004 4.25 164.04 168.29
January 2005-April 2005 3.46 3.46
May 2005 3.46 164.04 167.50
June 2005-October 2006 2.80 2.80
November 2006 2.80 164.04 166.84
December 2006 2.44 2.44
January 2007-March 2007 2.09 2.09
April 2007 2.09 164.04 166.13
May 2007 1.75 1.75
June 2007-December 2007 1.41 1.41
January 2008 1.41 164.04 165.45
February 2008 1.03 1.03
March 2008-November 2009 0.64 0.64
December 2009 0.64 165.68 166.32
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Semi-Annual
Date Estimated Estimated Estimated
(Each June and December Interest Principal Total
Unless Otherwise Indicated) Distribution Distribution Distribution
________________________ ____________ ____________ _____________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
June 1994 3.86 3.86
December 1994-June 2004 25.77 25.77
December 2004 25.77 164.04 189.81
May 2005 164.04 164.04
June 2005 20.33 20.33
December 2005-June 2006 16.97 16.97
November 2006 164.04 164.04
December 2006 15.90 15.90
April 2007 164.04 164.04
June 2007 10.97 10.97
December 2007 8.58 8.58
January 2008 164.04 164.04
June 2008 4.32 4.32
December 2008-June 2009 3.93 3.93
December 2009 3.56 165.68 169.24
</TABLE>
Page 25
Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Georgia Insured Trust, Series 4
Monthly
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Interest Principal Total
Date (Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
________________ __________ __________ __________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
June 1994 4.25 4.25
July 1994-April 2013 4.72 4.72
May 2013 4.72 167.90 172.62
June 2013 4.34 4.34
July 2013-September 2016 3.96 3.96
October 2016 3.96 167.90 171.86
November 2016 3.53 3.53
December 2016-November 2017 3.10 3.10
December 2017 3.10 167.90 171.00
January 2018 2.67 2.67
February 2018-December 2019 2.24 2.24
January 2020 2.24 176.29 178.53
February 2020 1.85 1.85
March 2020-December 2020 1.45 1.45
January 2021 1.45 149.43 150.88
February 2021 1.12 1.12
March 2021-November 2024 0.78 0.78
December 2024 0.78 167.90 168.68
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Semi-Annual
Date Estimated Estimated Estimated
(Each June and December Interest Principal Total
Unless Otherwise Indicated) Distribution Distribution Distribution
________________________ ____________ ____________ _____________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
June 1994 4.29 4.29
December 1994-December 2012 28.59 28.59
May 2013 167.90 167.90
June 2013 27.43 27.43
December 2013-June 2016 23.94 23.94
October 2016 167.90 167.90
December 2016 21.79 21.79
June 2017 18.77 18.77
December 2017 18.34 167.90 186.24
June 2018-December 2019 13.60 13.60
January 2020 176.29 176.29
June 2020 9.22 9.22
December 2020 8.83 8.83
January 2021 149.43 149.43
June 2021 5.06 5.06
December 2021-June 2024 4.72 4.72
December 2024 4.29 167.90 172.19
</TABLE>
Page 26
GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION
What are Certain General Matters Relating to the Trusts?
In selecting Bonds, the following facts, among others, were considered:
(i) the Standard & Poor's Corporation rating of the Bonds was
in no case less than "BBB" in the case of an Insured Trust and
"A-" in the case of an Advantage Trust, or the Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. rating of the Bonds was in no case less than "Baa"
in the case of an Insured Trust and "A" in the case of an Advantage
Trust, including provisional or conditional ratings, respectively,
or, if not rated, the Bonds 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 Bond Ratings"); (ii) the prices of the Bonds relative to other
bonds of comparable quality and maturity; (iii) with respect to
the Insured Trusts, the availability and cost of insurance of
the principal and interest on the Bonds and (iv) the diversification
of Bonds as to purpose of issue and location of issuer. Subsequent
to the Initial Date of Deposit, a Bond may cease to be rated or
its rating may be reduced below the minimum required as of the
Initial Date of Deposit. Neither event requires elimination of
such Bond from the portfolio, but may be considered in the Sponsor's
determination as to whether or not to direct the Trustee to dispose
of the Bond. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Bonds be Removed
from the Fund?"
Discount Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts 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 the Trusts 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 discount bond 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
"What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?" Market discount
attributable to interest changes does not indicate a lack of market
confidence in the issue. Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee shall
be liable in any way for any default, failure or defect in any
of the Bonds.
Original Issue Discount Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts
may be original issue discount bonds. Under current law, the original
issue discount, which is the difference between the stated redemption
price at maturity and the issue price of the Bonds, is deemed
to accrue on a daily basis and the accrued portion is treated
as tax-exempt interest income for Federal income tax purposes.
On sale or redemption, any gain realized that is in excess of
the earned portion of original issue discount will be taxable
as capital gain unless the gain is attributable to market discount
in which case the accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary
income. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
The current value of an original issue discount bond reflects
the present value of its stated redemption price at maturity.
The market value tends to increase in greater increments as the
Bonds approach maturity.
Zero Coupon Bonds. Certain of the original issue discount bonds
may be Zero Coupon Bonds (including bonds known as multiplier
bonds, money multiplier bonds, capital appreciation bonds, capital
accumulator bonds, compound interest bonds and money discount
maturity payment bonds). Zero Coupon Bonds do not provide for
the payment of any current interest and generally provide for
payment at maturity at face value unless sooner sold or redeemed.
Zero Coupon Bonds may be subject to more price volatility than
conventional bonds. While some types of Zero Coupon Bonds, such
as multipliers and capital appreciation bonds, define par as the
initial offering price rather than the maturity value, they share
the basic Zero Coupon Bond features of (1) not paying interest
on a semi-annual basis and (2) providing for the reinvestment
Page A-1
of the bond's semi-annual earnings at the bond's stated yield
to maturity. While Zero Coupon Bonds are frequently marketed on
the basis that their fixed rate of return minimizes reinvestment
risk, this benefit can be negated in large part by weak call protection,
i.e., a bond's provision for redemption at only a modest premium
over the accreted value of the bond.
Premium Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts may have been
acquired at a market premium from par value at maturity. The coupon
interest rates on the premium bonds at the time they were purchased
and deposited in the Trusts were higher than the current market
interest rates for newly issued bonds of comparable rating and
type. If such interest rates for newly issued and otherwise comparable
bonds decrease, the market premium of previously issued bonds
will be increased, and if such interest rates for newly issued
comparable bonds increase, the market premium of previously issued
bonds will be reduced, other things being equal. The current returns
of bonds trading at a market premium are initially higher than
the current returns of comparable bonds of a similar type issued
at currently prevailing interest rates because premium bonds tend
to decrease in market value as they approach maturity when the
face amount becomes payable. Because part of the purchase price
is thus returned not at maturity but through current income payments,
early redemption of a premium bond at par or early prepayments
of principal will result in a reduction in yield. Redemption pursuant
to call provisions generally will, and redemption pursuant to
sinking fund provisions may, occur at times when the redeemed
Bonds have an offering side valuation which represents a premium
over par or for original issue discount Bonds a premium over the
accreted value. To the extent that the Bonds were deposited in
the Fund at a price higher than the price at which they are redeemed,
this will represent a loss of capital when compared to the original
Public Offering Price of the Units. Because premium bonds generally
pay a higher rate of interest than bonds priced at or below par,
the effect of the redemption of premium bonds would be to reduce
Estimated Net Annual Unit Income by a greater percentage than
the par amount of such bonds bears to the total par amount of
Bonds in the Trust. Although the actual impact of any such redemptions
that may occur will depend upon the specific Bonds that are redeemed,
it can be anticipated that the Estimated Net Annual Unit Income
will be significantly reduced after the dates on which such Bonds
are eligible for redemption. The Trust may be required to sell
Zero Coupon Bonds prior to maturity (at their current market price
which is likely to be less than their par value) in the event
that all the Bonds in the portfolio other than the Zero Coupon
Bonds are called or redeemed in order to pay expenses of the Trust
or in case the Trust is terminated. See "Rights of Unit Holders:
How May Bonds be Removed from the Fund?" and "Other Information:
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?" See "Portfolio"
for each Trust for the earliest scheduled call date and the initial
redemption price for each Bond.
General Obligation Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts 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.
Healthcare Revenue Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts may
be health care revenue bonds. Ratings of bonds issued for health
care facilities are sometimes based on feasibility studies that
contain projections of occupancy levels, revenues and expenses.
A facility's gross receipts and net income available for debt
service may be affected by future events and conditions including
among other things, demand for services, the ability of the facility
to provide the services required, physicians' confidence in the
facility, management capabilities, competition with other hospitals,
efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit rates,
legislation establishing state rate-setting agencies, expenses,
government regulation, the cost and possible unavailability of
malpractice insurance and the termination or restriction of governmental
Page A-2
financial assistance, including that associated with Medicare,
Medicaid and other similar third party payor programs. Pursuant
to recent Federal legislation, Medicare reimbursements are currently
calculated on a prospective basis utilizing a single nationwide
schedule of rates. Prior to such legislation Medicare reimbursements
were based on the actual costs incurred by the health facility.
The current legislation may adversely affect reimbursements to
hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare program.
Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in
the Trusts may be single family mortgage revenue bonds, which
are issued for the purpose of acquiring from originating financial
institutions notes secured by mortgages on residences located
within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate income. Mortgage loans are generally partially or completely
prepaid prior to their final maturities as a result of events
such as sale of the mortgaged premises, default, condemnation
or casualty loss. Because these Bonds are subject to extraordinary
mandatory redemption in whole or in part from such prepayments
of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such Bonds will probably
be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior
to their ordinary call dates. The redemption price of such issues
may be more or less than the offering price of such Bonds. 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 or,
in some cases, from the sale by the Bond issuer of the mortgage
loans. Failure of the originating financial institutions to make
mortgage loans would be due principally to the interest rates
on mortgage loans funded from other sources becoming competitive
with the interest rates on the mortgage loans funded with the
proceeds of the single family mortgage revenue bonds. Additionally,
unusually high rates of default on the underlying mortgage loans
may reduce revenues available for the payment of principal of
or interest on such mortgage revenue bonds. Single family mortgage
revenue bonds issued after December 31, 1980 were issued under
Section 103A of the Internal Revenue Code, which Section contains
certain ongoing 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 ongoing requirements and
bond counsel to such issuer has issued an opinion that the interest
on the Bonds is exempt from Federal income tax under existing
laws and regulations. There can be no assurances that the ongoing
requirements will be met. The failure to meet these requirements
could cause the interest on the Bonds to become taxable, possibly
retroactively from the date of issuance.
Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the
Trusts may be obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily
derived from mortgage loans to housing projects for low to moderate
income families. The ability of such issuers to make debt service
payments will be affected by events and conditions affecting financed
projects, including, among other things, the achievement and maintenance
of sufficient occupancy levels and adequate rental income, increases
in taxes, employment and income conditions prevailing in local
labor markets, utility costs and other operating expenses, the
managerial ability of project managers, changes in laws and governmental
regulations, the appropriation of subsidies and social and economic
trends affecting the localities in which the projects are located.
The occupancy of housing projects may be adversely affected by
high rent levels and income limitations imposed under Federal
and state programs. Like single family mortgage revenue bonds,
multi-family mortgage revenue bonds are subject to redemption
and call features, including extraordinary mandatory redemption
features, upon prepayment, sale or non-origination of mortgage
loans as well as upon the occurrence of other events. Certain
issuers of single or multi-family housing bonds have considered
various ways to redeem bonds they have issued prior to the stated
first redemption dates for such bonds. In one situation the New
York City Housing Development Corporation, in reliance on its
interpretation of certain language in the indenture under which
one of its bond issues was created, redeemed all of such issue
at par in spite of the fact that such indenture provided that
the first optional redemption was to include a premium over par
and could not occur prior to 1992. In connection with the housing
Bonds held by a Trust, the Sponsor has not had any direct communications
with any of the issuers thereof, but at the Initial Date of Deposit
it is not aware that
Page A-3
any of the respective issuers of such Bonds are actively considering
the redemption of such Bonds prior to their respective stated
initial call dates. However, there can be no assurance that an
issuer of a Bond in a Trust will not attempt to so redeem a Bond
in a Trust.
Water and Sewerage Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts may
be obligations of issuers whose revenues are derived from the
sale of water and/or sewerage services. Water and sewerage bonds
are generally payable from user fees. Problems faced by such issuers
include the ability to obtain timely and adequate rate increases,
population decline resulting in decreased user fees, the difficulty
of financing large construction programs, the limitations on operations
and increased costs and delays attributable to environmental considerations,
the increasing difficulty of obtaining or discovering new supplies
of fresh water, the effect of conservation programs and the impact
of "no-growth" zoning ordinances. All of such issuers have been
experiencing certain of these problems in varying degrees.
Electric Utility Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts may
be obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived
from the sale of electric energy. Utilities are generally subject
to extensive regulation by state utility commissions which, among
other things, establish the rates which may be charged and the
appropriate rate of return on an approved asset base. The problems
faced by such issuers include the difficulty in obtaining approval
for timely and adequate rate increases from the governing public
utility commission, the difficulty in financing large construction
programs, the limitations on operations and increased costs and
delays attributable to environmental considerations, increased
competition, recent reductions in estimates of future demand for
electricity in certain areas of the country, the difficulty of
the capital market in absorbing utility debt, the difficulty in
obtaining fuel at reasonable prices and the effect of energy conservation.
All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees. In addition, Federal, state and municipal
governmental authorities may from time to time review existing
and impose additional regulations governing the licensing, construction
and operation of nuclear power plants, which may adversely affect
the ability of the issuers of such Bonds to make payments of principal
and/or interest on such Bonds.
Lease Obligation Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts may
be lease obligations issued for the most part by governmental
authorities that have no taxing power or other means of directly
raising revenues. Rather, the governmental authorities are financing
vehicles created solely for the construction of buildings (schools,
administrative offices, convention centers and prisons, for example)
or the purchase of equipment (police cars and computer systems,
for example) that will be used by a state or local government
(the "lessee"). Thus, these obligations are subject to the ability
and willingness of the lessee government to meet its lease rental
payments which include debt service on the obligations. Lease
obligations are subject, in almost all cases, to the annual appropriation
risk, i.e., the lessee government is not legally obligated to
budget and appropriate for the rental payments beyond the current
fiscal year. These obligations are also subject to construction
and abatement risk in many states - rental obligations cease in
the event that delays in building, damage, destruction or condemnation
of the project prevents its use by the lessee. In these cases,
insurance provisions designed to alleviate this risk become important
credit factors. In the event of default by the lessee government,
there may be significant legal and/or practical difficulties involved
in the re-letting or sale of the project. Some of these issues,
particularly those for equipment purchase, contain the so-called
"substitution safeguard", which bars the lessee government, in
the event it defaults on its rental payments, from the purchase
or use of similar equipment for a certain period of time. This
safeguard is designed to insure that the lessee government will
appropriate, even though it is not legally obligated to do so,
but its legality remains untested in most, if not all, states.
Industrial Revenue Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts may
be industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs"), including pollution control
revenue bonds, which are tax-exempt securities issued by states,
municipalities, public authorities or similar entities to finance
the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving various industrial
projects. These projects are usually operated by corporate entities.
Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to the
extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of
the IRBs or receipts or revenues of the issuer under an arrangement
between the issuer and the corporate
Page A-4
operator of a project. The arrangement may be in the form of a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement
or loan agreement, but in each case the payments to the issuer
are designed to be sufficient to meet the payments of amounts
due on the IRBs. Regardless of the structure, payment of IRBs
is solely dependent upon the creditworthiness of the corporate
operator of the project 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 complete
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 affected. The IRBs in
a Trust may be subject to special or extraordinary redemption
provisions which may provide for redemption at par or, with respect
to original issue discount bonds, at issue price plus the amount
of original issue discount accreted to the redemption date plus,
if applicable, a premium. The Sponsor cannot predict the causes
or likelihood of the redemption of IRBs or other Bonds in the
Trusts prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
Transportation Facility Revenue Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in
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.
The air transport industry is experiencing significant variations
in earnings and traffic, due to increased competition, excess
capacity, increased costs, deregulation, traffic constraints and
other factors, and several airlines are experiencing severe financial
difficulties. The Sponsor cannot predict what effect these industry
conditions may have on airport revenues which are dependent for
payment on the financial condition of the airlines and their usage
of the particular airport facility. 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.
Educational Obligation Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the Trusts
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 would 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 new government legislation or regulations
which may adversely affect the revenues or costs of such issuers.
All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
Resource Recovery Facility Bonds. Certain of the Bonds in the
Trusts 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
Page A-5
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; 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 the Trusts prior to the stated maturity of the Bonds.
Investors should be aware that many of the Bonds in the Trusts
are subject to continuing requirements such as the actual use
of Bond proceeds or manner of operation of the project financed
from Bond proceeds that may affect the exemption of interest on
such Bonds from Federal income taxation. Although at the time
of issuance of each of the Bonds in the Trusts an opinion of bond
counsel was rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations
from Federal income taxation, there can be no assurance that the
respective issuers or other obligors on such obligations will
fulfill the various continuing requirements established upon issuance
of the Bonds. A failure to comply with such requirements may cause
a determination that interest on such obligations is subject to
Federal income taxation, perhaps even retroactively from the date
of issuance of such Bonds, thereby reducing the value of the Bonds
and subjecting Unit holders to unanticipated tax liabilities.
Because certain of the Bonds 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 Unit holders and will not be reinvested, no
assurance can be given that a 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 Bond. Certain of the Bonds contained in the Trusts
may be subject to being called or redeemed in whole or in part
prior to their stated maturities pursuant to optional redemption
provisions, sinking fund provisions, special or extraordinary
redemption provisions or otherwise. See "Portfolio" for each Trust.
A bond subject to optional call is one which is subject to redemption
or refunding prior to maturity at the option of the issuer. A
refunding is a method by which a bond issue is redeemed, at or
before maturity, by the proceeds of a new bond issue. A bond subject
to sinking fund redemption is one which is subject to partial
call from time to time at par or, in the case of a zero coupon
bond, at the accreted value from a fund accumulated for the scheduled
retirement of a portion of an issue prior to maturity. Special
or extraordinary redemption provisions may provide for redemption
at par (or for original issue discount bonds at issue price plus
the amount of original issue discount accreted to redemption date
plus, if applicable, some premium) of all or a portion of an issue
upon the occurrence of certain circumstances. Generally, events
that may permit the extraordinary optional redemption of Bonds
or may require 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
Page A-6
to redeem Bonds. See also the discussion of single family mortgage
and multi-family mortgage revenue bonds above for more information
on the call provisions of such bonds. The exercise of redemption
or call provisions will (except to the extent the proceeds of
the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result
in the distribution of principal and may result in a reduction
in the amount of subsequent interest distributions; it may also
affect the long-term return and the current return on Units of
each Trust. Redemption pursuant to call provisions is more likely
to occur, and redemption pursuant to sinking fund provisions may
occur, when the Bonds have an offering side valuation which represents
a premium over par or for original issue discount bonds a premium
over the accreted value. Unit holders may recognize capital gain
or loss upon any redemption or call.
The contracts to purchase Bonds delivered to the Trustee represent
an obligation by issuers or dealers to deliver Bonds to the Sponsor
for deposit in each Trust. Contracts are typically settled and
the Bonds delivered within a few business days subsequent to the
Initial Date of Deposit. The percentage of the aggregate principal
amount of the Bonds of each Trust relating to "when, as and if
issued" Bonds or other Bonds with delivery dates after the date
of settlement for a purchase made on the Initial Date of Deposit,
if any, is indicated in the section for each Trust entitled "Portfolio."
Interest on "when, as and if issued" and delayed delivery Bonds
begins accruing to the benefit of Unit holders on their dates
of delivery. Because "when, as and if issued" Bonds have not yet
been issued, as of the Initial Date of Deposit each Trust is subject
to the risk that the issuers thereof might decide not to proceed
with the offering of such Bonds or that the delivery of such Bonds
or the delayed delivery Bonds may be delayed. If such Bonds, or
replacement bonds described below, are not acquired by a Trust
or if their delivery is delayed, the Estimated Long-Term Return
and the Estimated Current Return (if applicable) shown in the
"Special Trust Information" for that Trust may be reduced.
In the event of a failure to deliver any Bond that has been purchased
for a Trust under a contract, including those Bonds purchased
on a "when, as and if issued" basis ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor
is authorized under the Indenture to direct the Trustee to acquire
other specified bonds ("New Bonds") to make up the original corpus
of such Trust. The New Bonds must be purchased within twenty 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 New
Bonds (i) must satisfy the criteria previously described for Bonds
originally included in the Trust, (ii) must have a fixed maturity
date of at least ten years or, in the case of a shorter term Trust,
within the range of maturities of the Bonds initially deposited
in such Trust, but not exceeding the maturity date of the Failed
Bonds, (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 Initial
Date of Deposit, at least equal to that of the Failed Bonds, (iv)
shall not be "when, as and if issued" bonds, (v) with respect
to an Insured Trust, when acquired by such Insured Trust must
be insured by Financial Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity under
the insurance policy obtained by such Insured Trust or must be
insured under an insurance policy obtained by the Bond issuer,
the underwriters, the Sponsor or others and (vi) shall have the
benefit of exemption from state taxation on interest to an equal
or greater extent than the Failed Bonds they replace. Whenever
a New Bond has been acquired for a Trust, the Trustee shall, within
five days thereafter, notify all Unit holders of such Trust of
the acquisition of the New 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 such Trust of the Failed Bond exceeded the cost of the New
Bond plus accrued interest. Once the original corpus of a Trust
is acquired, the Trustee will have no power to vary the investment
of such Trust, i.e., the Trustee will have no managerial power
to take advantage of market variations to improve a Unit holder's
investment.
If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraph shall not be utilized to acquire New Bonds in the event
of a failed contract, the Sponsor shall refund the sales charge
attributable to such failed contract to all Unit holders of the
affected Trust, and the principal and accrued interest (at the
coupon rate of the relevant Bond to the date the Sponsor is notified
of the failure) attributable to such failed contract shall be
distributed not more than thirty days after the determination
of such failure or at such earlier time as the
Page A-7
Trustee in its sole discretion deems to be in the interest of
the Unit holders of the affected Trust. Unit holders should be
aware that at the time of the receipt of such refunded principal
they may not be able to reinvest such principal in other securities
at a yield equal to or in excess of the yield which such principal
would have earned to Unit holders had the Failed Bond been delivered
to the Trust. The portion of such interest paid to a Unit holder
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.
To the best knowledge of the Sponsor, there is no litigation pending
as of the Initial Date of Deposit in respect of any Bonds which
might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
upon the Trusts. At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit,
litigation may be initiated on a variety of grounds with respect
to Bonds in a Trust. Such litigation, as for example suits challenging
the issuance of pollution control revenue bonds under environmental
protection statutes, may affect the validity of such Bonds or
the tax-free nature of the interest thereon. While the outcome
of litigation of such nature can never be entirely predicted,
the Fund has received opinions of bond counsel to the issuing
authority of each Bond on the date of issuance to the effect that
such Bonds have been validly issued and that the interest thereon
is exempt from Federal income taxes and state and local taxes,
except that interest income of certain Bonds in certain Trusts
may be included as an item of tax preference in calculating the
Alternative Minimum Tax applicable to both individuals and corporations.
In addition, other factors may arise from time to time which potentially
may impair the ability of issuers to meet obligations undertaken
with respect to the Bonds.
What are Estimated Long-Term Return and Estimated Current Return?
At the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, the
Estimated Current Return (if applicable) and the Estimated Long-Term
Return under the monthly and semi-annual distribution plans are
as set forth in "Special Trust Information" for each Trust. Estimated
Current Return is computed by dividing the Estimated Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. Any change
in either the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit or
the Public Offering Price will result in a change in the Estimated
Current Return. For each Trust, the Public Offering Price will
vary in accordance with fluctuations in the prices of the underlying
Bonds and the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit will change
as Bonds are redeemed, paid, sold or exchanged in certain refundings
or as the expenses of each Trust change. Therefore, there is no
assurance that the Estimated Current Return (if applicable) indicated
in the "Special Trust Information" for each Trust 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
Bonds in the Trust; (2) takes into account the expenses and sales
charge associated with each Unit of a Trust; and (3) takes into
effect the tax-adjusted yield from potential capital gains at
the Initial Date of Deposit. Since the market values and estimated
retirements of the Bonds and the expenses of the Trust will change,
there is no assurance that the Estimated Long-Term Return indicated
in the "Special Trust Information" for each Trust will be realized
in the future. 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 Estimated Current Return calculations include only
Net Annual Interest Income and Public Offering Price as of the
Initial Date of Deposit. Neither rate reflects the true return
to Unit holders, which is lower, because neither includes the
effect of certain delays in distributions to Unit holders.
In order to acquire certain of the Bonds contracted for by the
Sponsor for deposit in a Trust, it may be necessary to pay on
the settlement dates for delivery of such Bonds amounts covering
accrued interest on such Bonds which exceed the amounts furnished
by the Sponsor. The Trustee has agreed to pay for any amounts
necessary to cover any such excess and will be reimbursed therefor,
without interest, when funds become available from interest payments
on the particular Bonds with respect to which such payments have
been made. Also, since interest on the Bonds in a Trust does not
begin accruing as tax-exempt interest income to the benefit of
Unit holders until their respective dates of delivery, the Trustee
will, in order to obtain for the Unit holders the estimated net
annual interest income during the first year of each Trust's operations
Page A-8
as is indicated in the "Special Trust Information" for each Trust,
reduce its fee and, to the extent necessary, pay expenses of each
Trust in an amount equal to all or a portion of the amount of
interest that would have so accrued on such Bonds between the
settlement date of units purchased on the Initial Date of Deposit
and such dates of delivery. If none of the Bonds in a portfolio
has a delivery date after the settlement date of Units purchased
on the Initial Date of Deposit, the Trustee will neither reduce
its fee nor pay expenses of a Trust as described above.
Record Dates for the distribution of interest under the semi-annual
distribution plan are the fifteenth day of June and December with
the Distribution Dates being the last day of the month in which
the related Record Date occurs. It is anticipated that an amount
equal to approximately one-half of the amount of net annual interest
income per Unit will be distributed on or shortly after each Distribution
Date to Unit holders of record on the preceding Record Date. See
"Special Trust Information" for each Trust.
Record Dates for monthly distributions of interest are the fifteenth
day of each month. The Distribution Dates for distributions of
interest under the monthly plan is the last day of each month
in which the related Record Date occurs. All Unit holders will
receive the first distribution of interest regardless of the plan
of distribution chosen and all Unit holders will receive such
distributions, if any, from the Principal Account as are made
as of the Record Dates for monthly distributions.
A comparison of tax-free and equivalent taxable estimated current
returns and estimated long-term returns with the returns on various
taxable investments is one element to consider in making an investment
decision. The Sponsor may from time to time in its advertising
and sales materials compare the then current estimated returns
on the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar
Trusts sponsored by Nike Securities L.P. 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
Trust. 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 Trust are described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
How is Accrued Interest Treated?
Accrued interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond
from the last day on which interest thereon was paid. Interest
on Bonds generally is paid semi-annually, although the Trust accrues
such interest daily. Because of this, the 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. Unit holders will receive on the next
distribution date of the 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 in addition to the Public Offering Price
in the sale of Units to the public, the Trustee will advance the
amount of accrued interest as of the First Settlement Date and
the same will be distributed to the Sponsor as the Unit holder
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
"Rights of Unit Holders-How are Interest and Principal Distributed?"
Because of the varying interest payment dates of the Bonds, accrued
interest at any point in time will be greater than the amount
of interest actually received by the Trust and distributed to
Unit holders. Therefore, there will always remain an item of accrued
interest that is added to the value of the Units. If a Unit holder
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 Unit holders
and since such Account is non-interest-bearing to Unit holders,
the Trustee benefits thereby.
Page A-9
What are the Expenses and Charges?
At no cost to the Trusts, the Sponsor has borne all the expenses
of creating and establishing the Fund, including the cost of the
initial preparation, printing and execution of the Indenture and
the certificates for the Units, legal and accounting expenses,
expenses of the Trustee and other out-of-pocket expenses. The
Sponsor will not receive any fees in connection with its activities
relating to the Trust. However, First Trust Advisors L.P., an
affiliate of the Sponsor, will receive an annual supervisory fee,
which is not to exceed the amount set forth under "Summary of
Essential Information," for providing portfolio supervisory services
for the Trust. Such fee is based on the number of Units outstanding
in each Trust on January 1 of each year except for Trusts which
were established subsequent to the last January 1, in which case
the fee will be based on the number of Units outstanding in such
Trusts as of the respective Dates of Deposit. The 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 unit investment trusts of which
Nike Securities L.P. is the Sponsor in any calendar year exceed
the aggregate cost to First Trust Advisors L.P. of supplying such
services in such year.
For each valuation of the Bonds in a Trust after the initial public
offering period, the Evaluator will receive a fee as indicated
in the "Summary of Essential Information." The Trustee pays certain
expenses of the Trusts for which it is reimbursed by the Trust
or Trusts. After the first year the Trustee will receive for its
ordinary recurring services to a Trust a fee as indicated in the
"Special Trust Information" for each Trust. During the first year
the Trustee has agreed to lower its fee and, to the extent necessary,
pay expenses of the Trust in the amount, if any, stated under
"Special Trust Information" for each Trust. For a discussion of
the services performed by the Trustee pursuant to its obligations
under the Indenture, reference is made to the material set forth
under "Rights of Unit Holders." Bankers Trust Company issued the
irrevocable letter of credit for the Fund and provides a line
of credit which the Sponsor may utilize to acquire securities
(which may include certain of the Bonds deposited in the Fund).
The Trustee's and Evaluator's fees are payable monthly on or before
each Distribution Date from the Interest Account of each Trust
to the extent funds are available and then from the Principal
Account of such Trust. 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 Unit holders, the Trustee benefits thereby.
Part of the Trustee's compensation for its services to the Fund
is expected to result from the use of these funds. Both fees may
be increased without approval of the Unit holders 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.
The aggregate cost of the portfolio insurance obtained by an Insured
Trust is indicated in Note 1 of "Notes to Portfolios." The portfolio
insurance continues so long as such Trust retains the Bonds thus
insured. Premiums are payable monthly in advance by the Trustee
on behalf of such Trust. The Trustee will advance the initial
premium for the portfolio insurance obtained by an Insured Trust
and will recover its advancement without interest or other costs
to such Trust from interest received on Bonds in such Trust. As
Bonds in the portfolio are redeemed by their respective issuers
or are sold by the Trustee, the amount of premium will be reduced
in respect of those Bonds no longer owned by and held in the Trust
which were insured by insurance obtained by such Trust. Preinsured
Bonds in an Insured Trust are not insured by such Trust. The premium
payable for Permanent Insurance will be paid solely from the proceeds
of the sale of such Bond in the event the Trustee exercises the
right to obtain Permanent Insurance on a Bond. The premiums for
such Permanent Insurance with respect to each Bond will decline
over the life of the Bond. An Advantage Trust is not insured;
accordingly, there are no premiums for insurance payable by such
Trust.
The following additional charges are or may be incurred by a Trust:
all expenses (including legal and annual auditing expenses) of
the Trustee incurred by or in connection with its responsibilities
under the Indenture, except in the event of negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct on its part; the expenses and costs of any
action undertaken by the Trustee to protect the Trust and the
rights and interests of the Unit holders; fees of the Trustee
for any extraordinary services performed under the Indenture;
indemnification of the
Page A-10
Trustee for any loss, liability or expense incurred by it without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, arising
out of or in connection with its acceptance or administration
of the Trust; indemnification of the Sponsor for any loss, liability
or expense incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct in acting as Depositor of the Trust; all taxes and
other government charges imposed upon the Bonds or any part of
the Trust (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or,
to the knowledge of the Sponsor contemplated); and expenditures
incurred in contacting Unit holders upon termination of the Trust.
The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee, when paid or
owing to the Trustee, are secured by a lien on the Trust. In addition,
the Trustee is empowered to sell Bonds of a Trust in order to
make funds available to pay all these amounts if funds are not
otherwise available in the Interest and Principal Accounts of
the Trust.
Unless the Sponsor determines that such an audit is not required,
the Indenture requires the accounts of each Trust shall be audited
on an annual basis at the expense of the Trust by independent
auditors selected by the Sponsor. So long as the Sponsor is making
a secondary market for Units, the Sponsor shall bear the cost
of such annual audits to the extent such cost exceeds $.50 per
Unit. Unit holders of a Trust covered by an audit may obtain a
copy of the audited financial statements from the Trustee upon
request.
Why and How are the Insured Trusts Insured?
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO THE INSURED TRUSTS.
THE BONDS IN THE PORTFOLIO OF AN ADVANTAGE TRUST ARE NOT INSURED
BY INSURANCE OBTAINED BY THE FUND.
All Bonds in the portfolio of an Insured Trust are insured as
to the scheduled payment of interest and principal by policies
obtained by each Insured Trust from Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company ("Financial Guaranty" or "FGIC"), a New York stock insurance
company, or AMBAC Indemnity Corporation ("AMBAC Indemnity" or
"AMBAC"), a Wisconsin-domiciled stock insurance company, or obtained
by the Bond issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor or others prior
to the Initial Date of Deposit directly from Financial Guaranty,
AMBAC Indemnity or other insurers (the "Preinsured Bonds"). The
insurance policy obtained by each Insured Trust is noncancellable
and will continue in force for such Trust so long as such Trust
is in existence and the Bonds described in the policy continue
to be held by such Trust (see "Portfolio" for each Insured Trust).
Nonpayment of premiums on the policy obtained by each Insured
Trust will not result in the cancellation of insurance, but will
permit Financial Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity to take action
against the Trustee to recover premium payments due it. Premium
rates for each issue of Bonds protected by the policy obtained
by each Insured Trust are fixed for the life of such Trust. The
premium for any Preinsured Bonds has been paid in advance by the
Bond issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor or others and any such
policy or policies are noncancellable and will continue in force
so long as the Bonds so insured are outstanding and the insurer
and/or insurers thereof remain 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 such insurer deteriorates, Financial Guaranty and/or
AMBAC Indemnity has no obligation to insure any issue adversely
affected by either of the above described events. A monthly premium
is paid by each Insured Trust for the insurance obtained by such
Trust, which is payable from the interest income received by such
Trust. In the case of Preinsured Bonds, no premiums for insurance
are paid by the Insured Trust.
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company. Under the provisions of
the aforementioned portfolio insurance issued by Financial Guaranty,
Financial Guaranty unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay
to Citibank, N.A., or its successor, as its agent (the "Fiscal
Agent"), that portion of the principal of and interest on the
Bonds covered by the policy which shall become due for payment
but shall be unpaid by reason of nonpayment by the issuer of the
Bonds. The term "due for payment" means, when referring to the
principal of a Bond, its stated maturity date or the date on which
it shall have been called for mandatory sinking fund redemption
and does not refer to any earlier date on which payment is due
by reason of call for redemption (other than by mandatory sinking
fund redemption), acceleration or other advancement of maturity
and means, when referring to interest on a Bond, the stated date
for payment of interest, except that when the interest on a Bond
shall have been determined, as provided in the underlying documentation
relating to such
Page A-11
Bond, to be subject to Federal income taxation, "due for payment"
also means, when referring to the principal of such Bond, the
date on which such Bond has been called for mandatory redemption
as a result of such determination of taxability, and when referring
to interest on such Bond, the accrued interest at the rate provided
in such documentation to the date on which such Bond has been
called for such mandatory redemption, together with any applicable
redemption premium. The term "due for payment" will not include,
when referring to either the principal of a Bond or the interest
on a Bond, any acceleration of payment unless such acceleration
is at the sole option of Financial Guaranty.
Financial Guaranty will make such payments to the Fiscal Agent
on the date such principal or interest becomes due for payment
or on the business day next following the day on which Financial
Guaranty shall have received notice of nonpayment, whichever is
later. The Fiscal Agent will disburse to the Trustee the face
amount of principal and interest which is then due for payment
but is unpaid by reason of nonpayment by the issuer but only upon
receipt by the Fiscal Agent of (i) evidence of the Trustee's right
to receive payment of the principal or interest due for payment
and (ii) evidence, including any appropriate instruments of assignment,
that all of the rights to payment of such principal or interest
due for payment shall thereupon vest in Financial Guaranty. Upon
such disbursement, Financial Guaranty shall become the owner of
the Bond, appurtenant coupon or right to payment of principal
or interest on such Bond and shall be fully subrogated to all
of the Trustee's rights thereunder, including the right to payment
thereof.
Pursuant to an irrevocable commitment of Financial Guaranty, the
Trustee, upon the sale of a Bond covered under a 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 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 will exercise the right
to obtain Permanent Insurance only if upon such exercise the Insured
Trust would receive net proceeds (sale of Bond proceeds less the
insurance premium 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 is determined based upon
the insurability of each Bond as of the Initial Date of Deposit
and will not be increased or decreased for any change in the creditworthiness
of such Bond.
Financial Guaranty is a wholly owned subsidiary of FGIC Corporation
(the "Corporation"), a Delaware holding company. The Corporation
is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Capital Corporation
("GECC"). Neither the Corporation nor GECC is obligated to pay
the debts of or the claims against Financial Guaranty. Financial
Guaranty is domiciled in the State of New York and is subject
to regulation by the State of New York Insurance Department. As
of December 31, 1993, the total capital and surplus of Financial
Guaranty was approximately $777,000,000. Copies of Financial Guaranty's
financial statements, prepared on the basis of statutory accounting
principles, and the Corporation's financial statements, prepared
on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, may
be obtained by writing to Financial Guaranty at 115 Broadway,
New York, New York 10006, Attention: Communications Department
(telephone number (212) 312-3000) or to the New York State Insurance
Department at 160 West Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, New York
10013, Attention: Property Companies Bureau (telephone number
(212) 602-0389).
In addition, Financial Guaranty is currently licensed to write
insurance in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
The information relating to Financial Guaranty contained above
has been furnished by such corporation. The financial information
contained herein with respect to such corporation is unaudited
but appears in reports or other materials 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 date thereof.
AMBAC Indemnity Corporation ("AMBAC Indemnity"). The Insurance
Policy of AMBAC Indemnity obtained by an Insured Trust is noncancellable
and will continue in force for so long as the Bonds described in
Page A-12
the Insurance Policy are held by an Insured Trust. A monthly premium
is paid by an Insured Trust for the Insurance Policy obtained
by it. The Trustee will pay, when due, successively, the full
amount of each installment of the insurance premium. Pursuant
to a binding agreement with AMBAC Indemnity, in the event of a
sale of a Bond covered by the AMBAC Indemnity Insurance Policy,
the Trustee has the right to obtain permanent insurance for such
Bond upon payment of a single predetermined premium from the proceeds
of the sale of such Bond.
Under the terms of the Insurance Policy, AMBAC Indemnity agrees
to pay to the Trustee that portion of the principal of and interest
on the Bonds insured by AMBAC Indemnity which shall become due
for payment but shall be unpaid by reason of nonpayment by the
issuer of the Bonds. The term "due for payment" means, when referring
to the principal of a Bond so insured, its stated maturity date
or the date on which it shall have been called for mandatory sinking
fund redemption and does not refer to any earlier date on which
payment is due by reason of call for redemption (other than by
mandatory sinking fund redemption), acceleration or other advancement
of maturity and means, when referring to interest on a Bond, the
stated date for payment of interest.
AMBAC Indemnity will make payment to the Trustee not later than
thirty days after notice from the Trustee is received by AMBAC
Indemnity that a nonpayment of principal or of interest on a Bond
has occurred, but not earlier than the date on which the Bonds
are due for payment. AMBAC Indemnity will disburse to the Trustee
the face amount of principal and interest which is then due for
payment but is unpaid by reason of nonpayment by the issuer in
exchange for delivery of Bonds, not less in face amount than the
amount of the payment in bearer form, free and clear of all liens
and encumbrances and uncancelled. In cases where Bonds are issuable
only in a form whereby principal is payable to registered holders
or their assigns, AMBAC Indemnity shall pay principal only upon
presentation and surrender of the unpaid Bonds uncancelled and
free of any adverse claim, together with an instrument of assignment
in satisfactory form, so as to permit ownership of such Bonds
to be registered in the name of AMBAC Indemnity or its nominee.
In cases where Bonds are issuable only in a form whereby interest
is payable to registered holders or their assigns, AMBAC Indemnity
shall pay interest only upon presentation of proof that the claimant
is the person entitled to the payment of interest on the Bonds
and delivery of an instrument of assignment, in satisfactory form,
transferring to AMBAC Indemnity all right under such Bonds to
receive the interest in respect of which the insurance payment
was made.
AMBAC Indemnity is a Wisconsin-domiciled stock insurance corporation
regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the
State of Wisconsin and licensed to do business in fifty states,
the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
with admitted assets of approximately $1,936,000,000 (unaudited)
and statutory capital of approximately $1,096,000,000 (unaudited)
as of September 30, 1993. Statutory capital consists of AMBAC
Indemnity's policyholders' surplus and statutory contingency reserve.
AMBAC Indemnity is a wholly owned subsidiary of AMBAC Inc., a
100% publicly-held company. Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and
Standard & Poor's Corporation have both assigned a triple-A claims-paying
ability rating to AMBAC Indemnity.
Copies of AMBAC Indemnity's financial statements prepared in accordance
with statutory accounting standards are available from AMBAC Indemnity.
The address of AMBAC Indemnity's administrative offices and its
telephone number are One State Street Plaza, 17th Floor, New York,
New York 10004 and (212) 668-0340.
The information relating to AMBAC Indemnity contained above has
been furnished by AMBAC Indemnity. No representation is made herein
as to the accuracy or adequacy of such information, or as to the
existence of any adverse changes in such information, subsequent
to the date hereof.
In determining whether to insure bonds, Financial Guaranty and/or
AMBAC Indemnity has applied its own standards which are not necessarily
the same as the criteria used in regard to the selection of bonds
by the Sponsor. This decision is made prior to the Initial Date
of Deposit, as bonds not covered by such insurance are not deposited
in an Insured Trust, unless such bonds are Preinsured Bonds. The
insurance obtained by an Insured Trust covers Bonds deposited
in such Trust and physically delivered to the Trustee in the
Page A-13
case of bearer bonds or registered in the name of the Trustee
or its nominee or delivered along with an assignment in the case
of registered bonds or registered in the name of the Trustee or
its nominee in the case of Bonds held in book-entry form. Contracts
to purchase Bonds are not covered by the insurance obtained by
an Insured Trust although Bonds underlying such contracts are
covered by insurance upon physical delivery to the Trustee.
Insurance obtained by each Insured Trust or by the Bond issuer,
the underwriters, the Sponsor or others does not guarantee the
market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units of such Trust.
The insurance obtained by an Insured Trust is effective only as
to Bonds owned by and held in such Trust. In the event of a sale
of any such Bond by the Trustee, the insurance terminates as to
such Bond on the date of sale. In the event of a sale of a Bond
insured by an Insured Trust, the Trustee has the right to obtain
Permanent Insurance upon the payment of an insurance premium from
the proceeds of the sale of such Bond. 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 to such insurance obtained by an
Insured Trust (including the right to obtain Permanent Insurance)
for the purpose of computing the price or redemption value of
Units only if the Bonds covered by such insurance are in default
in payment of principal or interest or, in the Sponsor's opinion,
in significant risk of such default. The value of the insurance
will be equal to 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
attributable to the purchase of Permanent Insurance) and (ii)
the market value of such Bonds not covered by Permanent Insurance.
See "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?"
herein for a more complete description of the Evaluator's method
of valuing defaulted Bonds and Bonds which have a significant
risk of default. Insurance on a Preinsured Bond is effective as
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.
A contract of insurance obtained by an Insured Trust and the negotiations
in respect thereof represent the only relationship between Financial
Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity and the Fund. Otherwise neither
Financial Guaranty nor its parent, FGIC Corporation, or any affiliate
thereof, nor AMBAC Indemnity nor its parent, AMBAC, Inc., or any
affiliate thereof has any significant relationship, direct or
indirect, with the Fund or the Sponsor, except that the Sponsor
has in the past and may from time to time in the future, in the
normal course of its business, participate as sole underwriter
or as manager or as a member of underwriting syndicates in the
distribution of new issues of municipal bonds in which the investors
or the affiliates of FGIC Corporation and/or AMBAC Inc. have or
will be participants or for which a policy of insurance guaranteeing
the scheduled payment of interest and principal has been obtained
from Financial Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity. Neither the Fund
nor the Units of a Trust nor the portfolio of such Trust is insured
directly or indirectly by FGIC Corporation and/or AMBAC Inc.
Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation. Municipal Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation ("MBIA Corporation" or "MBIA")
is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New York
Stock Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is not obligated to
pay the debts of or claims against MBIA Corporation. MBIA Corporation
is a limited liability corporation rather than a several liability
association. MBIA Corporation is domiciled in the State of New
York and licensed to do business in all fifty states, the District
of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
As of December 31, 1992, MBIA had admitted assets of $2.6 billion
(audited), total liabilities of $1.7 billion (audited), and total
capital and surplus of $896 million (audited) determined in accordance
with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
insurance regulatory authorities. As of December 31, 1993, MBIA
had admitted assets of $3.1 billion (audited), total liabilities
of $2.1 billion (audited), and total capital and surplus of $978
million (audited), determined in accordance with statutory accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authority.
Copies of MBIA's financial statements prepared in
Page A-14
accordance with statutory accounting practices are available from
MBIA. The address of MBIA is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York
10504.
Effective December 31, 1989, MBIA Inc. acquired Bond Investors
Group, Inc. On January 5, 1990, MBIA acquired all of the outstanding
stock of Bond Investors Group, Inc., the parent of Bond Investors
Guaranty Insurance Company (BIG), now known as MBIA Insurance
Corp. of Illinois. Through a reinsurance agreement, BIG has ceded
all of its net insured risks, as well as its unearned premium
and contingency reserves, to MBIA and MBIA has reinsured BIG's
net outstanding exposure.
Moody's Investors Service rates all bond issues insured by MBIA
"Aaa" and short-term loans "MIG 1," both designated to be of the
highest quality. Standard & Poor's Corporation rates all new issues
insured by MBIA "AAA."
Capital Guaranty Insurance Company. Capital Guaranty Insurance
Company ("Capital Guaranty") is a "Aaa/AAA" rated monoline stock
insurance company incorporated in the State of Maryland, and is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Guaranty Corporation, a Maryland
insurance holding company. Capital Guaranty Corporation is a publicly
owned company whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Capital Guaranty is authorized to provide insurance in 49 states,
the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. Capital Guaranty
focuses on insuring municipal securities, and its policies guaranty
the timely payment of principal and interest when due for payment
on new issue and secondary market issue municipal bond transactions.
Capital Guaranty's claims-paying ability is rated "Triple-A" by
both Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Corporation.
As of December 31, 1993, Capital Guaranty had more than $12.9
billion in net exposure outstanding. The total statutory policyholders'
surplus and contingency reserve of Capital Guaranty was $190,986,527
(unaudited) and the total admitted assets were $284,503,855 (unaudited)
as reported to the Insurance Department of the State of Maryland
as of December 31, 1993. The address of Capital Guaranty's headquarters
and its telephone number are Steuart Tower, 22nd Floor, One Market
Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105-1413 and (415) 995-8000.
CapMAC. CapMAC is a New York-domiciled monoline stock insurance
company which engages only in the business of financial guarantee
and surety insurance. CapMAC is licensed in 49 states in addition
to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and
the territory of Guam. CapMAC insures structured asset-backed,
corporate and other financial obligations in the domestic and
foreign capital markets. CapMAC may also provide financial guarantee
reinsurance for structured asset-backed, corporate and municipal
obligations written by other major insurance companies.
CapMAC's claims-paying ability is rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("Standard & Poor's"), and "AAA" by Duff & Phelps, Inc. ("Duff
& Phelps"). Such ratings reflect only the views of the respective
rating agencies, are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold
securities and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time
by such rating agencies.
CapMAC is wholly owned by CapMAC Holdings Inc. ("Holdings"), a
company that is owned by a group of institutional and other investors,
including CapMAC's management and employees. CapMAC commenced
operations on December 24, 1987 as an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary
of Citibank (New York State), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citicorp.
On June 25, 1992, Citibank (New York State) sold CapMAC to Holdings
(the "Sale").
Neither Holdings nor any of its stockholders is obligated to pay
any claims under any surety bond issued by CapMAC or any debts
of CapMAC or to make additional capital contributions.
CapMAC is regulated by the Superintendent of Insurance of the
State of New York. In addition, CapMAC is subject to regulation
by the insurance departments of the other jurisdictions in which
it is licensed. CapMAC is subject to periodic regulatory examinations
by the same regulatory authorities.
CapMAC is bound by insurance laws and regulations regarding capital
transfers, limitations upon dividends, investment of assets, changes
in control, transactions with affiliates and consolidations and
acquisitions. The amount of exposure per risk that CapMAC may
retain, after giving effect to reinsurance, collateral
Page A-15
or other securities, is also regulated. Statutory and regulatory
accounting practices may prescribe appropriate rates at which
premiums are earned and the levels of reserves required. In addition,
various insurance laws restrict the incurrence of debt, regulate
permissible investments of reserves, capital and surplus, and
govern the form of surety bonds.
CapMAC's obligations under the Surety Bond(s) may be reinsured.
Such reinsurance does not relieve CapMAC of any of its obligations
under the Surety Bond(s).
THE SURETY BONDS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE
SECURITY FUND SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 76 OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE LAW.
In connection with the Sale, Holdings and CapMAC entered into
an Ownership Policy Agreement (the "Ownership Policy Agreement"),
which sets forth Holdings' intent with respect to its ownership
and control of CapMAC and provides for certain policies and agreements
with respect to Holdings' exercise of its control of CapMAC. In
the Ownership Policy Agreement, Holdings has agreed that, during
the term of the Ownership Policy Agreement, it will not and will
not permit any stockholder of Holdings to enter into any transaction
the result of which would be a change of control (as defined in
the Ownership Policy Agreement) of CapMAC, unless the long-term
debt obligations or claims-paying ability of the person which
would control CapMAC after such transaction or its direct or indirect
parent are rated in a high investment grade category, unless Holdings
or CapMAC has confirmed that CapMAC's claims-paying ability rating
by Moody's (the "Rating") in effect immediately prior to any such
change of control will not be downgraded by Moody's upon such
change of control or unless such change of control occurs as a
result of a public offering of Holdings' capital stock.
In addition, the Ownership Policy Agreement includes agreements
(i) not to change the "zero-loss" underwriting standards or policies
and procedures of CapMAC in a manner that would materially and
adversely affect the risk profile of CapMAC's book of business,
(ii) that CapMAC will adhere to the aggregate leverage limitations
and maintain capitalization levels considered by Moody's from
time to time as consistent with maintaining CapMAC's Rating and
(iii) that until CapMAC's statutory capital surplus and contingency
reserve ("qualified statutory capital") equal $250 million, CapMAC
will maintain a specified amount of qualified statutory capital
in excess of the amount of qualified statutory capital that CapMAC
is required at such time to maintain under the aggregate leverage
limitations set forth in Article 69 of the New York Insurance
Law.
The Ownership Policy Agreement will terminate on the earlier of
the date on which a change of control of CapMAC occurs and the
date on which CapMAC and Holdings agree in writing to terminate
the Ownership Policy Agreement; provided that, CapMAC or Holdings
has confirmed that CapMAC's Rating in effect immediately prior
to any such termination will not be downgraded upon such termination.
As of December 31, 1992 and 1991, CapMAC had statutory capital
and surplus of approximately $148 million and $232 million, respectively,
and had not incurred any debt obligations. On June 26, 1992, CapMAC
made a special distribution (the "Distribution") to Holdings in
connection with the Sale in an aggregate amount that caused the
total of CapMAC's statutory capital and surplus to decline to
approximately $150 million. Holdings applied substantially all
of the proceeds of the Distribution to repay debt owed to Citicorp
that was incurred in connection with the capitalization of CapMAC.
As of June 30, 1992, CapMAC had statutory capital and surplus
of approximately $150 million and had not incurred any debt obligations.
In addition, on December 31, 1992 CapMAC had a statutory contingency
reserve of approximately $15 million, which is also available
to cover claims under surety bonds issued by CapMAC. Article 69
of the New York State Insurance Law requires that CapMAC establishes
and maintains the contingency reserve.
In addition to its capital (including contingency reserve) and
other reinsurance available to pay claims under its surety bonds,
on June 25, 1992, CapMAC entered into a Stop Loss Reinsurance
Agreement (the "Stop Loss Agreement") with Winterthur Swiss Insurance
Company (the "Reinsurer"), which is rated AAA by Standard & Poor's
and Aaa by Moody's, pursuant to which the Reinsurer will be required
to pay any losses incurred by CapMAC during the term of the Stop
Loss Agreement on the surety bonds covered under the
Page A-16
Stop Loss Agreement in excess of a specified amount of losses
incurred by CapMAC under such surety bonds (such specified amount
initially being $100 million and increasing annually by an amount
equal to 66 2/3% of the increase in CapMAC's statutory capital
and surplus) up to an aggregate limit payable under the Stop Loss
Agreement of $50 million. The Stop Loss Agreement has an initial
term of seven years, is extendable for one-year periods and is
subject to early termination upon the occurrence of certain events.
CapMAC also has available a $100,000,000 standby corporate liquidity
facility (the "Liquidity Facility") provided by a syndicate of
banks rated A1+/P1 by Standard & Poor's and Moody's, respectively,
having a term of 360 days. Under the Liquidity Facility CapMAC
will be able, subject to satisfying certain conditions, to borrow
funds from time to time in order to enable it to fund any claim
payments or payments made in settlement or mitigation of claims
payments under its surety bonds, including the Surety Bond(s).
Copies of CapMAC's financial statements prepared in accordance
with statutory accounting standards, which differ from generally
accepted accounting principles, and filed with the Insurance Department
of the State of New York are available upon request. CapMAC is
located at 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and its
telephone number is (212) 755-1155.
Financial Security Assurance. Financial Security Assurance ("Financial
Security") is a monoline insurance company incorporated on March
16, 1984 under the laws of the State of New York. The operations
of Financial Security commenced on July 25, 1985, and Financial
Security received its New York State insurance license on September
23, 1985. Financial Security and its two wholly owned subsidiaries
are licensed to engage in the financial guaranty insurance business
in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Financial Security and its subsidiaries are engaged exclusively
in the business of writing financial guaranty insurance, principally
in respect of asset-backed and other collateralized securities
offered in domestic and foreign markets. Financial Security and
its subsidiaries also write financial guaranty insurance in respect
of municipal and other obligations and reinsure financial guaranty
insurance policies written by other leading insurance companies.
In general, financial guaranty insurance consists of the issuance
of a guaranty of scheduled payments of an issuer's securities,
thereby enhancing the credit rating of those securities, in consideration
for payment of a premium to the insurer.
Financial Security is approximately 91.6% owned by US West, Inc.
and 8.4% owned by The Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
("Tokio Marine"). US West, Inc. operates businesses involved in
communications, data solutions, marketing services and capital
assets, including the provision of telephone services in 14 states
in the western and mid-western United States. Tokio Marine is
the largest property and casualty insurance company in Japan.
No shareholder of Financial Security is obligated to pay any debt
of Financial Security or any claim under any insurance policy
issued by Financial Security or to make any additional contribution
to the capital of Financial Security.
As of March 31, 1993, the total policyholders' surplus and contingency
reserves and the total unearned premium reserve, respectively,
of Financial Security and its consolidated subsidiaries were,
in accordance with statutory accounting principles, approximately
$479,110,000 (unaudited) and $220,078,000 (unaudited), and the
total shareholders' equity and the unearned premium reserve, respectively,
of Financial Security and its consolidated subsidiaries were,
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, approximately
$628,119,000 (unaudited), and $202,493,000 (unaudited). Copies
of Financial Security's financial statements may be obtained by
writing to Financial Security at 350 Park Avenue, New York, New
York, 10022, Attention Communications Department. Financial Security's
telephone number is (212) 826-0100.
Pursuant to an intercompany agreement, liabilities on financial
guaranty insurance written by Financial Security or either of
its subsidiaries are reinsured among such companies on an agreed-upon
percentage substantially proportional to their respective capital,
surplus and reserves, subject to applicable statutory risk limitations.
In addition, Financial Security reinsures a portion of its liabilities
under certain of its financial guaranty insurance policies with
unaffiliated reinsurers under various quota share treaties and
on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Such reinsurance is utilized
by Financial Security as a risk management device
Page A-17
and to comply with certain statutory and rating agency requirements;
it does not alter or limit Financial Security's obligations under
any financial guaranty insurance policy.
Financial Security's claims-paying ability is rated "Aaa" by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc, and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation,
Nippon Investors Service Inc., Duff & Phelps Inc. and Australian
Ratings Pty. Ltd. Such ratings reflect only the views of the respective
rating agencies, are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold
securities and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time
by such rating agencies.
Because the Bonds in each Insured Trust are insured as to the
scheduled payment of principal and interest and on the basis of
the financial condition of the insurance companies referred to
above, Standard & Poor's Corporation has assigned to units of
each Insured Trust its "AAA" investment rating. This is the highest
rating assigned to securities by Standard & Poor's Corporation.
See "Description of Bond Ratings." The obtaining of this rating
by each Insured Trust should not be construed as an approval of
the offering of the Units by Standard & Poor's Corporation or
as a guarantee of the market value of each Insured Trust or the
Units of such Trust. Standard & Poor's Corporation 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 Trust or sales by each Trust of Bonds for less than the
purchase price paid by such Trust will reduce payment to Unit
holders of the interest and principal required to be paid on such
Bonds. There is no guarantee that the "AAA" investment rating
with respect to the Units of an Insured Trust will be maintained.
An objective of portfolio insurance obtained by such Insured Trust
is to obtain a higher yield on the Bonds in the portfolio of such
Trust than would be available if all the Bonds in such portfolio
had the Standard & Poor's Corporation "AAA" and/or Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. "Aaa" rating(s) and at the same time to have the
protection of insurance of scheduled payment of interest and principal
on the Bonds. There is, of course, no certainty that this result
will be achieved. Bonds in a Trust for which insurance has been
obtained by the Bond issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor or
others (all of which were rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation
and/or "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.) may or may not
have a higher yield than uninsured bonds rated "AAA" by Standard
& Poor's Corporation or "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
In selecting Bonds for the portfolio of each Insured Trust, the
Sponsor has applied the criteria herein before described.
Chapman and Cutler, Counsel for the Sponsor, has given an opinion
(with respect to insured Bonds) to the effect that the payment
of insurance proceeds representing maturing interest on defaulted
municipal obligations paid by Financial Guaranty or another insurer
would be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid
by the issuer of the defaulted obligations. See "What is the Federal
Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
PUBLIC OFFERING
How is the Public Offering Price Determined?
Units are offered at the Public Offering Price. During the initial
offering period, the Public Offering Price is determined by adding
to the Evaluator's determination of the aggregate offering price
of the Bonds in each Trust, an amount as indicated in the following
table. During the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Repurchase
Price is equal to the Evaluator's determination of the aggregate
offering price of the Bonds in a Trust. A National Trust consists
of The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds. A State Trust consists
of The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds-Multi-State and/or
The First Trust Advantage other than an Intermediate, Long Intermediate,
or Discount Trust. An Intermediate, Long Intermediate or Discount
Trust consists of trusts so designated.
Page A-18
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Initial Offering Period (1)
Sales Charge
_____________________________
Percentage Percentage
of Public of Net
Offering Amount
Series of the Fund Price Invested
_______________ _________ _________
<S> <C> <C>
National Trust and certain State Trusts 4.9% 5.152%
Other State Trusts 5.5 5.820
Long Intermediate Trust 4.4 4.603
Intermediate Trust 3.9 4.058
</TABLE>
[FN]
(1) The Public Offering Price includes a proportionate share
of interest accrued but unpaid on the Bonds after the First Settlement
Date to the date of settlement. See "General Trust Information-How
is Accrued Interest Treated?"
The applicable sales charge is reduced by a discount as indicated
below for volume purchases:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Discount per Unit
__________________________________________________________
Dollar Amount
of Transaction Intermediate Discount Trusts
at Public and Long National and (% of Public
Offering Price Intermediate Trusts State Trusts Offering Price)
____________________ __________________ ____________ ______________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$250,000 to $499,999 $ 2.50 - -
$500,000 to $999,999 $ 5.00 $ 7.50 .75%
$1,000,000 or more $10.00 $15.00 1.50%
</TABLE>
The Public Offering Price of Units of a Trust for secondary market
purchases will be determined by adding to the Evaluator's determination
of the aggregate bid price of the Bonds in a Trust, the appropriate
sales charge determined in accordance with the schedule set forth
below, based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity
of each Bond in the portfolio of the Trust, adjusting the total
to reflect the amount of any cash held in or advanced to the principal
account of the Trust and dividing the result by the number of
Units of such trust then outstanding. The minimum sales charge
on Units will be 3% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to
3.093% of the net amount invested). 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 funds
or securities have been placed in escrow to redeem them on 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 of the
various Bonds in the Trust based upon the maturities of such bonds,
in accordance with the following schedule:
Page A-19
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Secondary Offering Period
Sales Charge
________________________________
Percentage Percentage
of Public of Net
Offering Amount
Years to Maturity Price Invested
_______________ _________ _________
<S> <C> <C>
0 Months to 1 Year 1.00% 1.010%
1 but less than 2 1.50 1.523
2 but less than 3 2.00 2.041
3 but less than 4 2.50 2.564
4 but less than 5 3.00 3.093
5 but less than 6 3.50 3.627
6 but less than 7 4.00 4.167
7 but less than 8 4.50 4.712
8 but less than 9 5.00 5.263
9 but less than 10 5.50 5.820
10 or more 5.80 6.157
</TABLE>
There will be no reduction of the sales charges for volume purchases
for secondary market transactions. A dealer will receive from
the Sponsor a dealer concession of 70% of the total sales charges
for Units sold by such dealer and dealers will not be eligible
for additional concessions for Units sold pursuant to the above
schedule.
An investor may aggregate purchases of Units of two or more consecutive
series of a particular State, National, Discount, Intermediate,
Long Intermediate or Short Intermediate Trust for purposes of
calculating the discount for volume purchases listed above. Additionally,
with respect to the employees and officers (including their immediate
families and trustees, custodians or a fiduciary for the benefit
of such person) of Nike Securities L.P., the sales charge is reduced
by 2% of the Public Offering Price for purchases of Units during
the initial and secondary offering periods.
Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the
selling Underwriter or dealer except that with respect to purchases
of Units of $500,000 or more, the Sponsor will reimburse the selling
Underwriter or dealer in an amount equal to $2.50 per Unit (in
the case of a Discount Trust, .25% of the Public Offering Price).
The reduced sales charge structure will apply on all purchases
of Units in a Trust by the same person on any one day from any
one Underwriter or dealer and, for purposes of calculating the
applicable sales charge, purchases of Units in the Fund will be
aggregated with concurrent purchases by the same person from such
Underwriter or dealer of units in any series of tax-exempt unit
investment trusts sponsored by Nike Securities L.P. Additionally,
Units purchased in the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in
the name of a child of such purchaser will be deemed, for the
purpose 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 a single trust estate or single fiduciary account.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price is as
indicated in the "Summary of Essential Information" for each Trust.
In addition to fluctuations in the amount of interest accrued
but unpaid on Bonds in each Trust of the Fund, the Public Offering
Price at any time during the initial offering period will vary
from the Public Offering Price stated herein in accordance with
fluctuations in the prices of the underlying Bonds.
The aggregate price of the Bonds in each Trust is determined by
whomever from time to time is acting as evaluator (the "Evaluator"),
on the basis of bid prices or offering prices as is appropriate,
(1) on the basis of current market prices for the Bonds obtained
from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds comparable
to those held by the Trust; (2) if such prices are not available
for any of the Bonds, on the basis of current market prices for
comparable bonds; (3) by determining the value of the Bonds by
appraisal; or (4) by any combination of the above. Unless Bonds
are in default in payment of principal or interest or, in the
Sponsor's opinion, in significant risk of such default, the Evaluator
will not attribute any value to the insurance
Page A-20
obtained by an Insured Trust. On the other hand, the value of
insurance obtained by the issuer of Bonds in a Trust is reflected
and included in the market value of such Bonds.
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")
and which are covered by insurance obtained by an Insured Trust,
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
premium 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 Financial Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity to meet its commitments
under the Insured Trust's 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 attributed to insurance obtained by an Insured
Trust as of the date of this Prospectus. However, the Evaluator
is attributing value to insurance for the purpose of computing
the price or redemption value of Units for certain previous series
of The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds.
During the initial public offering period, a determination of
the aggregate price of the Bonds in a Trust is made by the Evaluator
on an offering price basis, as of the close of trading on the
New York Stock Exchange on each day on which it is open, effective
for all sales made subsequent to the last preceding determination.
For purposes of such determinations, the close of trading on the
New York Stock Exchange is 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. For secondary
market purposes, the Evaluator will be requested to make such
a determination, on a bid price basis, as of the close of trading
on the New York Stock Exchange on each day on which it is open,
effective for all sales, purchases or redemptions made subsequent
to the last preceding determination.
The Public Offering Price of the Units during the initial offering
period is equal to the offering price per Unit of the Bonds in
a Trust plus the applicable sales charge. After the completion
of the initial offering period, the secondary market Public Offering
Price will be equal to the bid price per Unit of the Bonds in
the Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The offering price
of Bonds in the Trust may be expected to be greater than the bid
price of such Bonds by approximately 1-2% of the aggregate principal
amount of such Bonds.
Although payment is normally made five business days following
the order for purchase, payment may be made prior thereto. 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 five business
days following such order or shortly thereafter. See "Rights of
Unit Holders-How May Units Be Redeemed?" for information regarding
the ability to redeem Units ordered for purchase.
How are Units Distributed?
Until the primary distribution of the Units offered by this Prospectus
is completed, (i) for Units issued on the Initial Date of Deposit
and (ii) for additional Units issued after such date as additional
Bonds are deposited by the Sponsor, Units will be offered to the
public at the Public Offering Price, computed as described above,
by the Underwriters, including the Sponsor (see "What are the
Underwriting Concessions?") and through dealers and others. The
initial offering period may be up to approximately 360 days. During
this period, the Sponsor may deposit additional Bonds in each
Trust and create additional Units. Upon completion of the initial
offering, Units repurchased in the secondary market (see "Public
Offering-Will There be a Secondary Market?") may be offered by
this Prospectus at the secondary market public offering price
determined in the manner described above.
It is the intention of the Sponsor to qualify Units of the Fund
for sale in a number of states. Sales initially will be made to
dealers and others at prices which represent a concession or agency
commission of $32 per Unit
Page A-21
for a National Trust and certain State Trusts, $33 per Unit for
other State Trusts, $30 per Unit for a Long Intermediate Trust,
$28 per Unit for an Intermediate Trust and, for secondary market
sales, 4.0% of the Public Offering Price per Unit for each State
or National Trust. However, resales of Units of a Trust by such
dealers and others to the public will be made at the Public Offering
Price described in the Prospectus. The Sponsor reserves the right
to change the amount of the concession or agency commission from
time to time. Certain commercial banks are making Units of the
Trusts available to their customers on an agency basis. A portion
of the sales charge paid by these customers is retained by or
remitted to the banks in the amounts indicated in the fourth preceding
sentence. Under the Glass-Steagall Act, banks are prohibited from
underwriting Units; 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 Texas and in certain other states, any banks
making Units available must be registered as broker/dealers under
state law. Any broker/dealer or bank will receive additional concessions
for purchases made from the Sponsor on the Initial Date of Deposit
resulting in total concessions as contained in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Concession per Unit(1)
____________________________________________
250-499 500-999 1,000 or more
Units Units Units
Series of the Fund Purchased Purchased Purchased
________________ ________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
National Trust and a State Trust
with a 4.9% sales charge $35.00 $37.00 $38.00
State Trust with a 5.5% sales charge $36.00 $38.00 $39.00
Long Intermediate Trust $31.00 $33.00 $33.00
Intermediate Trust $26.00 $28.00 $28.00
</TABLE>
[FN]
(1) The applicable concession will be allotted to broker/dealers
or banks who purchase Units from the Sponsor only on the Initial
Date of Deposit of a given Trust.
What are the Sponsor's Profits?
The Underwriters of each Trust, including the Sponsor, will receive
a gross sales commission equal to 4.9% of the Public Offering
Price of the Units for a National Trust and certain State Trusts
(equivalent to 5.152% of the net amount invested), 5.5% of the
Public Offering Price of the Units for other State Trusts (equivalent
to 5.820% of the net amount invested), 4.4% of the Public Offering
Price of the Units for a Long Intermediate Trust (equivalent to
4.603% of the net amount invested), and 3.9% of the Public Offering
Price of the Units for an Intermediate Trust (equivalent to 4.058%
of the net amount invested), less any reduced sales charge for
quantity purchases as described under "Public Offering-How is
the Public Offering Price Determined?" See "What are the Underwriting
Concessions?" for information regarding the receipt of the excess
gross sales commissions by the Sponsor from the other Underwriters
and additional concessions available to Underwriters, dealers
and others. In addition, the Sponsor and the other Underwriters
of each Trust may be considered to have realized a profit or the
Sponsor may be considered to have sustained a loss, as the case
may be for each Trust, in the amount of any difference between
the cost of the Bonds to each Trust (which is based on the Evaluator's
determination of the aggregate offering price of the underlying
Bonds of such Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit as well as
subsequent deposits) and the cost of such Bonds of such Trust
to the Sponsor (including the cost of insurance obtained by the
Sponsor prior to the Initial Date of Deposit for individual Bonds).
See "What are the Underwriting Concessions?" and Note 1 of "Notes
to Portfolios." Such profits or losses may be realized or sustained
by the Sponsor and the other Underwriters with respect to Bonds
which were acquired by the Sponsor from underwriting syndicates
of which it and the other Underwriters were members. During the
initial offering period, the Underwriters also may realize profits
or sustain losses from the sale of Units to other Underwriters
or as a result of fluctuations after the Initial Date of Deposit
or subsequent dates of deposit in the offering prices of the Bonds
and hence in the Public Offering Price received by the Underwriters.
Page A-22
The Sponsor has not participated as sole underwriter or manager
or member of underwriting syndicates from which any of the Bonds
in the Fund were acquired. An underwriter or underwriting syndicate
purchases bonds from the issuer on a negotiated or competitive
bid basis as principal with the motive of marketing such bonds
to investors at a profit.
In maintaining a market for the Units, the Sponsor will also realize
profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference between
the price at which Units are purchased (based on the bid prices
of the Bonds in each Trust) and the price at which Units are resold
(which price is also based on the bid prices of the Bonds in each
Trust and includes a sales charge of 5.8% for a National or Discount
Trust, 5.8% for a State Trust, 4.7% for an Intermediate or Long
Intermediate Trust, and 3.7% for a Short Intermediate Trust) or
redeemed. The secondary market public offering price of Units
may be greater or less than the cost of such Units to the Sponsor.
What are the Underwriting Concessions?
The Agreement Among Underwriters provides that a public offering
of the Units of each Trust will be made at the Public Offering
Price described in the Prospectus. Units may also be sold to or
through dealers and others during the initial offering period
and in the secondary market at prices representing a concession
or agency commission as described in "Public Offering-How are
Units Distributed?" on page A-21.
The Sponsor will receive from the Underwriters the excess over
the gross sales commission contained in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Underwriting Concession per Unit
___________________________________________________________
100-249 250-499 500-999 1,000 or More
Units Units Units Units
Series of the Fund Underwritten Underwritten Underwritten Underwritten
__________________ ________ ________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
National Trust and a State Trust
with a 4.9% sales charge $35.00 $37.00 $38.00 $38.00
State Trust with a 5.5% sales charge $36.00 $38.00 $39.00 $41.00
Long Intermediate Trust $30.00 $31.00 $34.00 $34.00
Intermediate Trust $30.00 $32.00 $33.00 $34.00
</TABLE>
Underwriters, dealers, and others who, in a single month, purchase
from the Sponsor Units of any Series of The First Trust GNMA,
The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds, The First Trust Combined
Series or any other unit investment trust of which Nike Securities
L.P. is the Sponsor (the "UIT Units"), which sales of UIT Units
are in the following aggregate dollar amounts, may receive additional
concessions as indicated in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Monthly
Dollar Amount of
UIT Units Sold at Additional Concession
Public Offering Price (per $1,000 sold)
____________________ ___________________
<S> <C>
$ 1,000,000 - $2,499,999 $ .50
$ 2,500,000 - $4,999,999 $1.00
$ 5,000,000 - $7,499,999 $1.50
$ 7,500,000 - $9,999,999 $2.00
$10,000,000 - or more $2.50
</TABLE>
Aggregate Monthly Dollar Amount of UIT Units Sold at Public Offering
Price is based on settled trades for a month (excluding trades
without a sales charge at net asset value and including sales
of Units to the Sponsor in the secondary market which are resold),
net of redemptions.
In addition to any other benefits that the Underwriters may realize
from the sale of the Units of a Trust, the Agreement Among Underwriters
provides that the Sponsor will share with the other Underwriters
50% of the net gain, if any, represented by the difference between
the Sponsor's cost of the Bonds in connection with their acquisition
(including the cost of insurance obtained by the Sponsor prior
to the Initial Date of Deposit for
Page A-23
individual Bonds and including the effects of portfolio hedging
gains and losses and portfolio hedging transaction costs) and
the Aggregate Offering Price thereof on the Initial Date of Deposit,
less a charge for acquiring the Bonds in the portfolio and for
the Sponsor maintaining a secondary market for the Units. Furthermore,
any underwriter that sells a total of 1,000 Units or more of any
National Trust will receive an additional $2.00 per Unit sold.
However, such sales will not qualify for the Aggregate Monthly
Sales Program. See "Public Offering-What are the Sponsor's Profits?"
and Note 1 of "Notes to Portfolios." McLaughlin, Piven, Vogel
Securities, Inc. ("MPV") and Nike Securities L.P. entered into
an agreement under which MPV will receive from Nike Securities
L.P. reimbursement for certain costs and further compensation,
in addition to that described above, based on the number of Units
it underwrites or otherwise sells and on the total Units of Nike
Securities L.P. products sold.
From time to time the Sponsor may implement programs under which
Underwriters and dealers of the Fund may receive nominal awards
from the Sponsor for each of their registered representatives
who have sold a minimum number of UIT Units during a specified
time period. In addition, at various times the Sponsor may implement
other programs under which the sales force of an Underwriter or
dealer may be eligible to win other nominal awards for certain
sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor will reallow to any
such Underwriter or dealer that sponsors sales contests or recognition
programs conforming to criteria established by the Sponsor, or
participates in sales programs sponsored by the Sponsor, an amount
not exceeding the total applicable sales charges on the sales
generated by such person 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 or dealers 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 Unit holders pay for
their Units or the amount that the Trusts will receive from the
Units sold.
Will There be a Secondary Market?
After the initial offering period, although it is not obligated
to do so, the Sponsor intends to maintain a market for the Units
and continuously to offer to purchase Units at prices, subject
to change at any time, based upon the aggregate bid price of the
Bonds in the portfolio of each Trust plus interest accrued to
the date of settlement. All expenses incurred in maintaining a
secondary market, other than the fees of the Evaluator, the other
expenses of the Trust and the costs of the Trustee in transferring
and recording the ownership of Units, will be borne by the Sponsor.
If the supply of Units exceeds demand, or for some other business
reason, the Sponsor may discontinue purchases of Units at such
prices. If a Unit holder wishes to dispose of his Units, he should
inquire of the Sponsor as to current market prices prior to making
a tender for redemption to the Trustee. Prospectuses relating
to certain other bond funds indicate an intention, subject to
change, on the part of the respective sponsors of such funds to
repurchase units of those funds on the basis of a price higher
than the bid prices of the securities in the funds. Consequently,
depending upon the prices actually paid, the repurchase price
of other sponsors for units of their funds may be computed on
a somewhat more favorable basis than the repurchase price offered
by the Sponsor for Units of a Trust in secondary market transactions.
As in this Fund, the purchase price per unit of such bond funds
will depend primarily on the value of the securities in the portfolio
of the fund.
RIGHTS OF UNIT HOLDERS
How are Certificates Issued and Transferred?
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 is evidenced by registered certificates
executed by the Trustee and the Sponsor. Delivery of certificates
representing Units ordered for purchase is normally made five
business days following such order or shortly thereafter. Certificates
are transferable by presentation and surrender to the Trustee
properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments
of transfer. Certificates to be redeemed must be properly endorsed
or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer.
A Unit holder must sign exactly as his name appears on the face
Page A-24
of the certificate with 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. Record ownership may occur before settlement.
Certificates will be issued in fully registered form, transferable
only on the books of the Trustee in denominations of one Unit
or any multiple thereof, numbered serially for purposes of identification.
Certificates for Units will bear an appropriate notation on their
face indicating which plan of distribution has been selected in
respect thereof. When a change is made, the existing certificate
must be surrendered to the Trustee and a new certificate issued
to reflect the then currently effective plan of distribution.
There is no charge for this service.
Although no such charge is now made or contemplated, a Unit holder
may be required to pay $2.00 to the Trustee per certificate reissued
or transferred for reasons other than to change the plan of distribution,
and to pay any governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with each such transfer or exchange. For new certificates issued
to replace destroyed, stolen or lost certificates, the Unit holder
may be required to furnish indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee
and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur. Mutilated certificates
must be surrendered to the Trustee for replacement.
How are Interest and Principal Distributed?
Interest from each Trust after deduction of amounts sufficient
to reimburse the Trustee, without interest, for any amounts advanced
and paid to Financial Guaranty and/or AMBAC Indemnity or to the
Sponsor as the Unit holder of record as of the First Settlement
Date will be distributed on or shortly after the last day of each
month on a pro rata basis to Unit holders of record as of the
preceding Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that
time under the plan of distribution chosen. All distributions
for a Trust will be net of applicable expenses for such Trust.
The pro rata share of cash in the Principal Account of each Trust
will be computed as of the fifteenth day of each month, and distributions
to the Unit holders of such Trust as of such Record Date will
be made on or shortly after the last day of each month. Proceeds
from the disposition of any of the Bonds of such Trust (less any
premiums due with respect to Bonds for which the Trustee has exercised
the right to obtain Permanent Insurance) received after such Record
Date and prior to the following Distribution Date will be held
in the Principal Account of such Trust and not distributed until
the next Distribution Date. The Trustee is not required to make
a distribution from the Principal Account of a Trust unless the
amount available for distribution shall equal at least $1.00 per
Unit.
The Trustee will credit to the Interest Account of each Trust
all interest received by such Trust, including that part of the
proceeds (including insurance proceeds if any, paid to an Insured
Trust) of any disposition of Bonds which represents accrued interest.
Other receipts will be credited to the Principal Account of such
Trust. The distribution to the Unit holders of a Trust as of each
Record 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 holder's pro rata share of the estimated
annual income of such Trust after deducting estimated expenses.
Except through an advancement of its own funds, the Trustee has
no cash for distribution to Unit holders until it receives interest
payments on the Bonds in a Trust. The Trustee shall be reimbursed,
without interest, for any advances from funds in the Interest
Account of such Trust 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.
The Trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in the
Principal or Interest Account of a Trust (but may itself earn
interest thereon and therefore benefit from the use of such funds).
As of the fifteenth day of each month, the Trustee will deduct
from the Interest Account of each Trust and, to the extent funds
are not sufficient therein, from the Principal Account of each
Trust, amounts necessary to pay the expenses of such Trust. 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
Page A-25
Trust. Amounts so withdrawn shall not be considered a part of
the Trust's assets until such time as the Trustee shall return
all or any part of such amounts to the appropriate account. In
addition, the Trustee may withdraw from the Interest Account and
the Principal Account of a Trust such amounts as may be necessary
to cover redemption of Units of such Trust by the Trustee.
PURCHASERS OF UNITS WHO DESIRE TO RECEIVE DISTRIBUTIONS ON A SEMI-ANNUAL
BASIS MAY ELECT TO DO SO AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE DURING THE INITIAL
PUBLIC OFFERING PERIOD. THOSE NOT SO INDICATING WILL BE DEEMED
TO HAVE CHOSEN THE MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION PLAN. However, all Unit
holders purchasing Units during the initial public offering period
and prior to the first Record Date will receive the first distribution
of interest. Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions
will be the fifteenth day of each month and Record Dates for semi-annual
distributions will be the fifteenth day of June and December.
Distributions will be made on the last day of the month of the
respective Record Date.
The plan of distribution selected by a Unit holder will remain
in effect until changed. Unit holders purchasing Units in the
secondary market will initially receive distributions in accordance
with the election of the prior owner. Each year, approximately
six weeks prior to the end of May, the Trustee will furnish each
Unit holder a card to be returned to the Trustee not more than
thirty nor less than ten days before the end of such month. Unit
holders desiring to change the plan of distribution in which they
are participating may so indicate on the card and return same,
together with their certificate, to the Trustee. If the card and
certificate are returned to the Trustee, the change will become
effective as of June 16 of that year. If the card and certificate
are not returned to the Trustee, the Unit holder will be deemed
to have elected to continue with the same plan for the following
twelve months.
How Can Distributions to Unit Holders be Reinvested?
Universal Distribution Option. Unit holders may elect participation
in a Universal Distribution Option which permits a Unit holder
to direct the Trustee to distribute principal and interest payments
to any other investment vehicle of which the Unit holder has an
existing account. For example, at a Unit holder's direction, the
Trustee would distribute automatically on the applicable distribution
date interest income, capital gains or principal on the participant's
Units to, among other investment vehicles, a Unit holder's checking,
bank savings, money market, insurance, reinvestment or any other
account. All such distributions, of course, are subject to the
minimum investment and sales charges, if any, of the particular
investment vehicle to which distributions are directed. The Trustee
will notify the participant of each distribution pursuant to the
Universal Distribution Option. The Trustee will distribute directly
to the Unit holder any distributions which are not accepted by
the specified investment vehicle. A participant may at any time,
by so notifying the Trustee in writing, elect to terminate his
participation in the Universal Distribution Option and receive
directly future distributions on his Units.
Distribution Reinvestment Option. The Sponsor has entered into
an arrangement with Oppenheimer Management Corporation which permits
any Unit holder of a Trust to elect to have each distribution
of interest income or principal, including capital gains, on his
Units automatically reinvested in shares of either the Oppenheimer
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Intermediate Series")
or the Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the "Insured
Series"). Oppenheimer Management Corporation is the investment
adviser of each Series which are open-end, diversified management
investment companies. The investment objective of the Intermediate
Series is to provide a high level of current interest income exempt
from Federal income tax through the purchase of investment grade
securities. The investment objective of the Insured Series is
to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt from
Federal income tax as is consistent with the assurance of the
scheduled receipt of interest and principal through insurance
and the preservation of capital (the income of either Series may
constitute an item of preference for determining the Federal alternative
minimum tax). The objectives and policies of each Series are presented
in more detail in the prospectus for each Series.
Each person who purchases Units of a Series may use the card attached
to this prospectus to request a prospectus describing each Series
and a form by which such person may elect to become a participant
in a Distribution Reinvestment Option with respect to a Series.
Each distribution of interest income or principal, including
Page A-26
capital gains, on the participant's Units will automatically be
applied by the Trustee to purchase shares (or fractions thereof)
of a Series without a sales charge and with no minimum investment
requirements.
The shareholder service agent for each Series will mail to each
participant in the Distribution Reinvestment Option confirmations
of all transactions undertaken for such participant in connection
with the receipt of distributions from The First Trust Combined
Series and the purchase of shares (or fractions thereof) of a
Series.
A participant may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in
writing, elect to terminate his participation in the Distribution
Reinvestment Option and receive future distributions on his Units
in cash. There will be no charge or other penalty for such termination.
The Sponsor and Oppenheimer Management Corporation each have the
right to terminate the Distribution Reinvestment Option, in whole
or in part.
It should be remembered that even if distributions are reinvested
through the Universal Distribution Option or the Distribution
Reinvestment Option they are still treated as distributions for
income tax purposes.
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?
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. Neither the Sponsor, Chapman and
Cutler, nor any of the Special Counsel to the Fund for State tax
matters have made any special review for the Fund of the proceedings
relating to the issuance of the Bonds or of the bases for such
opinions. Gain realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds
by the Trustee or of a Unit by a Unit holder is, however, includable
in gross income for Federal income tax purposes. (It should be
noted in this connection that such gain does not include any amounts
received in respect of accrued interest or accrued original issue
discount, if any.) It should be noted that under provisions of
the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "Tax Act") described
below that subject accretion of market discount on tax-exempt
bonds to taxation as ordinary income, gain realized on the sale
or redemption of Bonds by the Trustee or of Units by a Unit holder
that would have been treated as capital gain under prior law is
treated as ordinary income to the extent it is attributable to
accretion of market discount. Market discount can arise based
on the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price a Unit holder
pays for his Units.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel for the Sponsor,
under existing law:
(1) the Trusts are not associations taxable as corporations for
Federal income tax purposes. Tax-exempt interest received by each
of the Trusts on Bonds deposited therein will retain its status
as tax-exempt interest, for Federal income tax purposes, when
distributed to a Unit holder except that (i) interest income on
certain Bonds in certain Trusts may be included as an item of
tax preference in calculating the Alternative Minimum Tax applicable
to both individuals and corporations (see "Portfolio" for each
Trust to determine whether the Trust contains Bonds that generate
this type of interest income) and (ii) the alternative minimum
tax and the environmental tax (the "Superfund Tax") applicable
to corporate Unit holders may, in certain circumstances, include
in the amount on which such tax is calculated, 75% of the interest
income received by the Trust. See "Certain Tax Matters Applicable
to Corporate Unit Holders;"
(2) exemption of interest and accrued original issue discount
on any Bonds for Federal income tax purposes does not necessarily
result in tax exemption under the laws of the several states as
such laws vary with respect to the taxation of such securities
and in many states all or a part of such interest and accrued
original issue discount may be subject to tax;
(3) each Unit holder of a Trust is considered to be the owner
of a pro rata portion of such Trust under subpart E, subchapter
J of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (hereinafter
the "Code") and will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes
of a Bond, or when the Unit holder redeems or sells his Units.
Unit holders must reduce the tax basis of their Units for their
share of accrued interest received, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the date the Unit holders pay for their Units and, consequently,
such Unit holders may have an increase in taxable gain or reduction
in capital loss upon
Page A-27
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 Unit holder.
The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing the
Unit holder's pro rata share of the total proceeds from such disposition
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed
of. In the case of a Unit holder who purchases his Units, such
basis is determined by apportioning the tax basis for the Units
among each of the Trust assets ratably according to value as of
the date of acquisition of the Units. The basis of each Unit and
of each Bond which was issued with original issue discount must
be increased by the amount of accrued original issue discount
and the basis of each Unit and of each Bond which was purchased
by a Trust at a premium must be reduced by the annual amortization
of Bond premium. The tax cost reduction requirements of said Code
relating to amortization of bond premium may, under some circumstances,
result in the Unit holder realizing a taxable gain when his Units
are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to or less than his original
cost; and
(4) any insurance proceeds which represent maturing interest
on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be excludable
from Federal gross income if, and to the same extent as, such
interest would have been so excludable if paid by the issuer of
the defaulted obligations.
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 compounded 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 accrued to prior owners. The application of these
rules will also vary depending on the value of the Bond on the
date a Unit holder acquires his Unit, and the price the Unit holder
pays for his Unit. Because of the complexity of these rules relating
to the accrual of original issue discount, Unit holders should
consult their tax advisers as to how these rules apply. See "Portfolio"
for information relating to Bonds, if any, issued at an original
issue discount.
The Tax Act subjects tax-exempt bonds to the market discount rules
of the Code effective for bonds purchased after April 30, 1993.
In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by which the
stated redemption price at maturity exceeds an investor's purchase
price (except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable
to original issue discount not yet accrued). Under the Tax Act,
accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary income; under
prior law the accretion had been treated as capital gain. Market
discount that accretes while a Trust holds a Bond would be recognized
as ordinary income by the Unit holders when principal payments
are received on the Bond, upon sale or at redemption (including
early redemption) or upon the sale or redemption of the Units,
unless a Unit holder elects to include market discount in taxable
income as it accrues. The market discount rules are complex and
Unit holders should consult their tax advisers regarding these
rules and their application.
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). Under Section 265 of the Code,
certain financial institutions that acquire Units generally would
not be able to deduct any of the interest expense attributable
to ownership of Units. Investors with questions regarding these
issues should consult with their tax advisers.
In the case of certain of the Bonds in a Trust, the opinions of
bond counsel indicate that interest on such securities received
by a "substantial user" of the facilities being financed with
the proceeds of these securities, or persons related thereto,
for periods while such securities are held by such a user or related
person, will not be excludable from Federal gross income, although
interest on such securities received by others would be excludable
from Federal gross income. "Substantial user" and "related person"
are defined under
Page A-28
U.S. Treasury Regulations. Any person who believes he or she may
be a substantial user or related person as so defined should contact
his tax adviser.
In general, Section 86 of the Code provides that Social Security
benefits are includible in gross income in an amount equal to
the lesser of (1) 50% of the Social Security benefits received
or (2) 50% of the excess of "modified adjusted gross income" plus
50% of the Social Security benefits received over the appropriate
"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.
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, 1986 is
included as an item of tax preference. See "Portfolio" for each
Trust to determine whether the Trust includes any such private
activity bonds issued on or after that date. SEE "PORTFOLIO" FOR
EACH TRUST TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE TRUST INCLUDES ANY SUCH PRIVATE
ACTIVITY BONDS ISSUED ON OR AFTER THAT DATE.
For taxpayers other than corporations, net capital gains are presently
subject to a maximum stated marginal tax rate of 28 percent. However,
it should be noted that legislative proposals are introduced from
time to time that affect tax rates and could affect relative differences
at which ordinary income and capital gains are taxed. All taxpayers
are presently required to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service
the amount of tax-exempt interest earned during the year.
Certain Tax Matters Applicable to Corporate Unit Holders. Present
Federal income tax law also provides for an alternative minimum
tax for corporations levied at a rate of 20% of alternative minimum
taxable income. The alternative minimum tax and the environmental
tax (the "Superfund Tax") depend upon the corporation's alternative
minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the corporation's taxable
income with certain adjustments. One of the adjustment items used
in computing AMTI of a corporation (excluding an S Corporation,
Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC) is an amount equal to 75% of the excess of such corporation's
"adjusted current earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before
such adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating loss
deduction). Although tax-exempt interest received by the Trusts
on Bonds deposited therein will not be included in the gross income
of corporations for Federal income tax purposes, "adjusted current
earnings" includes all tax-exempt interest, including interest
on all Bonds in the Trusts.
Unit holders are urged to consult their own 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.
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, Special Counsel to
the Fund for New York tax matters, under the existing income tax
laws of the State and City of New York, each Trust will not constitute
an association taxable
Page A-29
as a corporation under New York law, and accordingly will not
be subject to the New York State franchise tax or the New York
City general corporation tax. Under the income tax laws of the
State and City of New York, the income of each Trust will be considered
the income of the holders of the Units.
For information with respect to exemption from state or other
local taxes, see the sections in the Prospectus pertaining to
each Trust.
All statements in the Prospectus concerning exemption from Federal,
state or other local taxes are the opinions of Counsel and are
to be so construed.
What Reports will Unit Holders Receive?
The Trustee shall furnish Unit holders of each Trust in connection
with each distribution a statement of the amount of interest,
if any, and the amount of other receipts, if any, which are being
distributed, expressed in each case as a dollar amount per Unit.
Within a reasonable time after the last business day of each calendar
year, the Trustee will furnish to each person who at any time
during the calendar year was a Unit holder of a Trust of record,
a statement as to (1) the Interest Account: interest received
by such Trust (including amounts representing interest received
upon any disposition of Bonds of such Trust), the amount of such
interest representing insurance proceeds (if applicable), deductions
for payment of applicable taxes and for fees and expenses of the
Trust, redemption of Units 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; (2) the Principal Account: the dates of disposition of any
Bonds of such Trust and the net proceeds received therefrom (excluding
any portion representing interest and the premium attributable
to the exercise of the right, if applicable, to obtain Permanent
Insurance), deduction for payment of applicable taxes and for
fees and expenses of the Trust, redemptions of Units, 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; (3) the Bonds held and the number of
Units of such Trust outstanding on the last business day of such
calendar year; (4) the Redemption Price per Unit based upon the
last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and (5)
the amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from
the Interest Account and from the Principal Account of such Trust,
separately stated, expressed both as total dollar amounts and
as dollar amounts per Unit outstanding on the Record Date for
such distributions.
In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting requirements,
Unit holders will be furnished, upon request to the Trustee, evaluations
of the Bonds in their Trust furnished to it by the Evaluator.
How May Units be Redeemed?
A Unit holder may redeem all or a portion of his Units by tender
to the Trustee at its unit investment trust office in the City
of New York of the certificates representing the Units to be redeemed,
duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer
with signature guaranteed as explained above (or by providing
satisfactory indemnity, as in connection with lost, stolen or
destroyed certificates), and payment of applicable governmental
charges, if any. No redemption fee will be charged. On the seventh
calendar day following such tender, or if the seventh calendar
day is not a business day, on the first business day prior thereto,
the Unit holder will be entitled to 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
close 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. Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
Accrued interest to the settlement date paid on redemption shall
be withdrawn from the Interest Account of the Trust or, if the
balance therein is insufficient, from the Principal Account of
such Trust. All other amounts paid on redemption shall be withdrawn
from the Principal Account of the Trust.
The Redemption Price per Unit (as well as the secondary market
Public Offering Price) will be determined on the basis of the
bid price of the Bonds in the Trust while the Public Offering
Price of Units during
Page A-30
the initial offering period will be determined on the basis of
the offering price of the Bonds of such Trust, as of the close
of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the date any such
determination is made. On the Initial Date of Deposit the Public
Offering Price per Unit (which is based on the offering prices
of the Bonds in the Trust and includes the sales charge) exceeded
the Unit value at which Units could have been redeemed (based
upon the current bid prices of the Bonds in such Trust) by the
amount shown under "Summary of Essential Information" for each
Trust. The Redemption Price per Unit is the pro rata share of
each Unit determined by the Trustee on the basis of (1) the cash
on hand in the Trust or moneys in the process of being collected,
(2) the value of the Bonds in such Trust based on the bid prices
of the Bonds, except for those cases in which the value of the
insurance, if applicable, has been added, and (3) interest accrued
thereon, less (a) amounts representing taxes or other governmental
charges payable out of such Trust, (b) the accrued expenses of
such Trust, and (c) cash held for distribution to Unit holders
of record as of a date prior to the evaluation then being made.
The Evaluator may determine the value of the Bonds in the Trust
(1) on the basis of current bid prices of the Bonds obtained from
dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds comparable to
those held by such Trust, (2) on the basis of bid prices for bonds
comparable to any Bonds for which bid prices are not available,
(3) by determining the value of the Bonds by appraisal, or (4)
by any combination of the above. In determining the Redemption
Price per Unit for an Insured Trust, no value will be attributed
to the portfolio insurance covering the Bonds in such Trust unless
such Bonds are in default in payment of principal or interest
or in significant risk of such default. On the other hand, Bonds
insured under a policy obtained by the Bond issuer, the underwriters,
the Sponsor or others are entitled to the benefits of such insurance
at all times and such benefits are reflected and included in the
market value of such Bonds. See "General Trust Information-Why
and How are the Insured Trusts Insured?" For a description of
the situations in which the evaluator may value the insurance
obtained by an Insured Trust, see "Public Offering-How is the
Public Offering Price Determined?"
The difference between the bid and offering prices of such Bonds
may be expected to average 1-2% of the principal amount. In the
case of actively traded bonds, the difference may be as little
as 1/2 of 1% and, in the case of inactively traded bonds, such
difference usually will not exceed 3%. Therefore, the price at
which Units may be redeemed could be less than the price paid
by the Unit holder. At the opening of business on the Initial
Date of Deposit, the aggregate current offering price of such
Bonds per Unit exceeded the Redemption Price per Unit (based upon
current bid prices of such Bonds) by the amount indicated in the
"Summary of Essential Information."
The Trustee is empowered to sell underlying Bonds in a Trust in
order to make funds available for redemption. To the extent that
Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
Such sales may be required at a time when Bonds would not otherwise
be sold and might result in lower prices than might otherwise
be realized. The Trustee may obtain Permanent Insurance on the
Bonds in an Insured Trust. Accordingly, any Bonds so insured may
be sold on an insured basis (as will Bonds on which insurance
has been obtained by the Bond issuer, the underwriters, the Sponsor
or others).
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 Bonds 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 Unit holders to redeem their Units.
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor?
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 12:00 p.m. Eastern
time on the next succeeding business day and by making payment
therefor to the Unit holder not later than the day on which the
Units would otherwise have been redeemed
Page A-31
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
or loss resulting from the resale or redemption of such Units
will belong to the Sponsor.
How May Bonds be Removed from the Fund?
The Trustee is empowered to sell, for the purpose of redeeming
Units tendered by any Unit holder and for the payment of expenses
for which funds may not be available, such of the Bonds in each
Trust on a list furnished by the Sponsor as the Trustee in its
sole discretion may deem necessary. As described in the following
paragraph and in certain other unusual circumstances for which
it is determined by the Depositor to be in the best interests
of the Unit holders or if there is no alternative, the Trustee
is empowered to sell Bonds in a 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 to the insurance,
if any, obtained by the Trust. See "How May Units be Redeemed?"
The Sponsor is empowered, but not obligated, to direct the Trustee
to dispose of Bonds in a Trust in the event of advanced refunding.
The Sponsor may from time to time act as agent for a Trust with
respect to selling Bonds out of a Trust. From time to time, the
Trustee may retain and pay compensation to the Sponsor subject
to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
If any default in the payment of principal or interest on any
Bond occurs and no provision for payment is made therefor, either
pursuant to the portfolio insurance, if any, or otherwise, within
thirty days, the Trustee is required to notify the Sponsor thereof.
If the Sponsor fails to instruct the Trustee to sell or to hold
such Bond within thirty days after notification by the Trustee
to the Sponsor of such default, the Trustee may, in its discretion,
sell the defaulted Bond and not be liable for any depreciation
or loss thereby incurred.
The Sponsor shall instruct the Trustee to reject any offer made
by an issuer of any of the Bonds to issue new obligations in exchange
and substitution for any Bonds pursuant to a refunding or refinancing
plan, except that the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to accept
such an offer or to take any other action with respect thereto
as the Sponsor may deem proper if the issuer is in default with
respect to such Bonds or in the written opinion of the Sponsor
the issuer will probably default in respect to such Bonds in the
foreseeable future. Any obligations so received in exchange or
substitution will be held by the Trustee subject to the terms
and conditions in the Indenture to the same extent as Bonds originally
deposited thereunder. Within five days after the deposit of obligations
in exchange or substitution for underlying Bonds, the Trustee
is required to give notice thereof to each Unit holder of the
affected Trust, identifying the Bonds eliminated and the Bonds
substituted therefor. Except as stated in this paragraph and under
"What are Certain General Matters Relating to the Trusts?" for
Failed Bonds, the acquisition by a Trust of any securities other
than the Bonds initially deposited is prohibited.
INFORMATION AS TO SPONSOR, TRUSTEE AND EVALUATOR
Who is the Sponsor?
Nike Securities L.P., the Sponsor, specializes in the underwriting,
trading and distribution of unit investment trusts and other securities.
Nike Securities L.P., an Illinois limited partnership formed in
1991, acts as Sponsor for successive series of The First Trust
Combined Series, The First Trust Special Situations Trust, The
First Trust Insured Corporate Trust, The First Trust of Insured
Municipal Bonds, The First Trust GNMA, Templeton Growth and Treasury
Trust, Templeton Foreign Fund & U.S. Treasury Securities Trust
and The Advantage Growth and Treasury Securities Trust. First
Trust introduced the first insured unit investment trust in 1974
and to date more than $8 billion in First Trust unit investment
trusts have been deposited. The Sponsor's employees include a
team of professionals with many years of experience in the unit
investment trust industry. The Sponsor is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and Securities Investor
Protection Corporation and has its principal offices at 1001 Warrenville
Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number (708) 241-4141.
As of December 31, 1993, the total partners' capital of Nike Securities
L.P. was $12,743,032 (audited). (This paragraph relates only to
the Sponsor and not to the Trust
Page A-32
or to any series thereof or to any other Underwriter. 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.)
Who is the Trustee?
The Trustee is United States Trust Company of New York with its
principal place of business at 45 Wall Street, New York, New York
10005 and its unit investment trust offices at 770 Broadway, New
York, New York 10003. Unit holders who have questions regarding
the Fund may call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520.
The Trustee is a member of the New York Clearing House Association
and is subject to supervision and examination by the Comptroller
of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
The Trustee, whose duties are ministerial in nature, has not participated
in the selection of the Securities. For information relating to
the responsibilities of the Trustee under the Indenture, reference
is made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders."
The Trustee and any successor trustee may resign by executing
an instrument in writing and filing the same with the Sponsor
and mailing a copy of a notice of resignation to all Unit holders.
Upon receipt of such notice, the Sponsor is obligated to appoint
a successor trustee promptly. If the Trustee becomes incapable
of acting or becomes bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by
public authorities, the Sponsor may remove the Trustee and appoint
a successor as provided in the Indenture. If upon resignation
of a trustee no successor 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 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.
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee
The Sponsor and the Trustee shall be under no liability to Unit
holders for taking any action or for refraining from taking any
action in good faith pursuant to the Indenture, or for errors
in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence (ordinary negligence in the case of
the Trustee) or reckless disregard of their obligations and duties.
The Trustee shall not be liable for depreciation or loss incurred
by reason of the sale by the Trustee of any of the Bonds. In the
event of the failure of the Sponsor to act under the Indenture,
the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any
action taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental
charges imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest
thereon or upon it as Trustee under the Indenture or upon or in
respect of 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
Indenture contains other customary provisions limiting the liability
of the Trustee.
If the Sponsor shall fail to perform any of its duties under the
Indenture or become incapable of acting or become bankrupt or
its affairs are taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee
may (a) 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, or (b) terminate the
Indenture and liquidate the Trusts as provided herein, or (c)
continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
Who is the Evaluator?
The Evaluator is Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., 531 East
Roosevelt Road, Suite 200, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. The Evaluator
may resign or may be removed by the Sponsor and the Trustee, in
which event the
Page A-33
Sponsor and the Trustee are to use their best efforts to appoint
a satisfactory successor. Such resignation or removal shall become
effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor
Evaluator. If upon resignation of the Evaluator no successor has
accepted appointment within thirty days after notice of resignation,
the Evaluator may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor.
The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on any evaluation
furnished by the Evaluator and shall have no responsibility for
the accuracy thereof. Determinations by the Evaluator under the
Indenture 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 Unit holders
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.
OTHER INFORMATION
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?
The Sponsor and the Trustee have the power to amend the Indenture
without the consent of any of the Unit holders when such an amendment
is (1) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
of the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any
other provision contained therein, or (2) to make such other provisions
as shall not adversely affect the interest of the Unit holders
(as determined in good faith by the Sponsor and the Trustee),
provided that the Indenture is not amended to increase the number
of Units of any Trust issuable thereunder or to permit the deposit
or acquisition of securities either in addition to or in substitution
for any of the Bonds of any Trust initially deposited in a Trust,
except for the substitution of certain refunding securities for
Bonds or New Bonds for Failed Bonds. In the event of any amendment,
the Trustee is obligated to notify promptly all Unit holders of
the substance of such amendment.
Each Trust may be liquidated at any time by consent of 100% of
the Unit holders of such Trust or by the Trustee when the value
of such Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than 20% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds deposited in the Trust
during the primary offering period or by the Trustee in the event
that Units of a Trust not yet sold aggregating more than 60% of
the Units of such Trust are tendered for redemption by the Underwriters,
including the Sponsor. If a Trust is liquidated because of the
redemption of unsold Units of the Trust by the Underwriters, the
Sponsor will refund to each purchaser of Units of such Trust the
entire sales charge paid by such purchaser. The Indenture will
terminate upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the
last Bond held thereunder, but in no event shall it continue beyond
December 31, 2043. In the event of termination, written notice
thereof will be sent by the Trustee to all Unit holders of such
Trust. Within a reasonable period after termination, the Trustee
will sell any Bonds remaining in the Trust and, after paying all
expenses and charges incurred by such Trust, will distribute to
each Unit holder of such Trust (including the Sponsor if it then
holds any Units), upon surrender for cancellation of his Certificate
for Units, his pro rata share of the balances remaining in the
Interest and Principal Accounts of such Trust, all as provided
in the Indenture.
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. Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, 2 Wall Street, New York,
New York 10005, will act as counsel for the Trustee and as special
counsel for the Fund for New York tax matters. For information
with respect to state and local tax matters, including the State
Trust special counsel for such matters, see the section of the
Prospectus describing each Trust appearing herein.
Experts
The statements of net assets, including the portfolios, of the
Trusts on the Initial Date of Deposit appearing in this Prospectus
and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing
elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement,
Page A-34
and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS*
* As published by the rating companies.
Standard & Poor's Corporation. A brief description of the applicable
Standard & Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings
follow:
A Standard & Poor's corporate or municipal bond rating is a current
assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect
to a specific debt obligation. This assessment may take into consideration
obligors such as guarantors, insurers, or lessees.
The bond rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold
a security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price
or suitability for a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the
issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it
considers reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit
in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited
financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or
withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such
information, or for other circumstances.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
I. Likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor
as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal
in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
III. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation
in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangements
under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors'
rights.
AAA-Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating assigned by Standard
& Poor's to a debt obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.**
** Bonds insured by Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, AMBAC
Indemnity Corporation, Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation,
Connie Lee Insurance Company, Financial Security Assurance and
Capital Guaranty Insurance Company are automatically rated "AAA"
by Standard & Poor's Corporation.
AA-Bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to pay interest
and repay principal and differ from the highest rated issues only
in small degree.
A-Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
bonds in higher rated categories.
BBB-Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity
to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit
adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or
changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity
to pay interest and repay principal for bonds in this category
than for bonds in higher rated categories.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): 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: The letter "p" indicates that the rating
is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion
of the project being financed by the bonds being rated and indicates
that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely
dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project.
This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent
to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood
of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such completion. The
investor should exercise his/her own judgment with respect to
such likelihood and risk.
Credit Watch: Credit Watch highlights potential changes in ratings
of bonds and other fixed income securities. It focuses on events
and trends which place companies and government units under special
surveillance by S&P's 180-member analytical staff. These may include
mergers, voter referendums, actions by regulatory authorities,
or developments gleaned from analytical reviews. Unless otherwise
noted, a rating decision will be made within 90 days. Issues appear
on Credit Watch where an event, situation, or deviation from trends
occurred and needs to be evaluated as to its impact on credit
ratings. A listing
Page A-35
however, does not mean a rating change is inevitable. Since S&P
continuously monitors all of its ratings, Credit Watch is not
intended to include all issues under review. Thus, rating changes
will occur without issues appearing on Credit Watch.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. A brief description of the applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings
follow:
Aaa-Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by
a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is
secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues. Their safety
is so absolute that with the occasional exception of oversupply
in a few specific instances, characteristically, their market
value is affected solely by money market fluctuations.
Aa-Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by
all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what
are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower
than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as
large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in
Aaa securities. Their market value is virtually immune to all
but money market influences, with the occasional exception of
oversupply in a few specific instances.
A-Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate,
but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future. The market value of A-rated
bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic performance
during a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but,
during periods of normalcy, A-rated bonds frequently move in parallel
with Aaa and Aa obligations, with the occasional exception of
oversupply in a few specific instances.
A 1 and Baa 1-Bonds which are rated A 1 and Baa 1 offer the maximum
in security within their quality group, can be bought for possible
upgrading in quality, and additionally, afford the investor an
opportunity to gauge more precisely the relative attractiveness
of offerings in the market place.
Baa-Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations;
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest
payments and principal security appear adequate for the present
but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics
as well. The market value of Baa-rated bonds is more sensitive
to changes in economic circumstances, and aside from occasional
speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa
market valuations will move in parallel with Aaa, Aa, and A obligations
during periods of economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
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 operation experience, (c)
rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments
to which some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical
rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction
or elimination of basis of condition.
Page A-36
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Page A-37
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTENTS:
<S> <C>
Summary of Essential Information 3
The First Trust Combined Series:
What is the First Trust Combined Series? 4
Underwriters 6
The Separate Trusts:
Colorado Insured Trust, Series 13-
Long Intermediate 7
Georgia Insured Trust, Series 4 14
Report of Independent Auditors 21
Statements of Net Assets 22
Notes to Statements of Net Assets 22
Notes to Portfolios 23
Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders 25
General Trust Information:
What are Certain General Matters Relating
to the Trusts? A-1
What are Estimated Long-Term Return and
Estimated Current Return? A-8
How is Accrued Interest Treated? A-9
What are the Expenses and Charges? A-10
Why and How are the Insured Trusts Insured? A-11
Public Offering:
How is the Public Offering Price Determined? A-18
How are Units Distributed? A-21
What are the Sponsor's Profits? A-22
What are the Underwriting Concessions? A-23
Will There be a Secondary Market? A-24
Rights of Unit Holders:
How are Certificates Issued and Transferred? A-24
How are Interest and Principal Distributed? A-25
How Can Distributions to Unit Holders be
Reinvested? A-26
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders? A-27
What Reports will Unit Holders Receive? A-30
How May Units be Redeemed? A-30
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor? A-31
How May Bonds be Removed from the Fund? A-32
Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator:
Who is the Sponsor? A-32
Who is the Trustee? A-33
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee A-33
Who is the Evaluator? A-33
Other Information:
How May the Indenture be Amended or
Terminated? A-34
Legal Opinions A-34
Experts A-34
Description of Bond Ratings A-35
</TABLE>
___________
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL,
OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION
TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
JURISDICTION.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL 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.
FIRST TRUST(registered trademark)
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217
The First Trust of Insured
Municipal Bonds-Multi-State:
COLORADO TRUST
Series 13-Long Intermediate
GEORGIA TRUST, Series 4
First Trust (registered trademark)
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
1-708-241-4141
Trustee:
United States Trust Company
of New York
770 Broadway
New York, New York 10003
1-800-682-7520
PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
May 11, 1994
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item A. Bonding Arrangements of Depositor
Nike Securities L.P. is covered by a Brokers' Fidelity Bond,
in the total amount of $1,000,000, the insurer being National
Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh.
Item B.
This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the
following papers and documents:
The Facing Sheet
The Cross-Reference Sheet
The Prospectus
The Signatures
Exhibits
S-1
SIGNATURES
The Registrant, The First Trust Combined Series 217, hereby
identifies The First Trust Combined Series 83 and The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 18, 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, The First Trust Combined Series 217, has duly
caused this Amendment of Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
Village of Lisle and State of Illinois on May 11, 1994.
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217
By: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
(Depositor)
By: Carlos E. Nardo
Senior Vice President
S-2
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following person in the capacity and on the date indicated:
NAME TITLE* DATE
Robert D. Van Kampen Sole Director )
of Nike Securities )
Corporation, the ) May 11, 1994
General Partner of )
Nike Securities L.P. )
)
)
) Carlos E. Nardo
) Attorney-in-Fact**
)
)
* The title of the person named herein represents his capacity
in and relationship to Nike Securities L.P., Depositor.
** An executed copy of the related power of attorney was filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with the Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 of The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 18 (File No. 33-42683) and
the same is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
S-3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts" and to the use of our report dated May 11, 1994 in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-6) (File
No. 33-53139) and related Prospectus of The First Trust Combined
Series 217.
ERNST & YOUNG
Chicago, Illinois
May 11, 1994
CONSENTS OF COUNSEL
The consents of counsel are contained in their respective
opinions filed by this amendment as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
and 3.5 to the Registration Statement.
CONSENT OF SECURITIES EVALUATION SERVICE, INC.
The consent of Securities Evaluation Service, Inc. to the use of
its name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement
is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
CONSENT OF STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION
The consent of Standard & Poor's Corporation to the use of its
name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is
filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.
S-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for The
First Trust Combined Series 145 and subsequent Series
effective October 16, 1991, among Nike Securities L.P.,
as Depositor, United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee, Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., as
Evaluator and Nike Financial Advisory Services L.P., as
Portfolio Supervisor (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-43289] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Combined Series 145).
1.1.1 Form of Trust Agreement for Series 217 among Nike
Securities L.P., as Depositor, United States Trust
Company of New York, as Trustee, Securities Evaluation
Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and First Trust Advisors
L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor.
1.2 Copy of Certificate of Limited Partnership of Nike
Securities L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.3 Copy of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership
Agreement of Nike Securities L.P. (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.4 Copy of Articles of Incorporation of Nike Securities
Corporation, General Partner of Nike Securities L.P.,
Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1
to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.5 Copy of By-Laws of Nike Securities Corporation, General
Partner of Nike Securities L.P., Depositor (incorporated
by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.6 Copy of Municipal Bond Investment Trust Insurance Policy
issued by Financial Guaranty Insurance Company and/or
AMBAC Indemnity Corporation.
S-5
1.7 Master Agreement Among Underwriters (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
43289] filed on behalf of The First Trust Combined
Series 145).
2.1 Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1
on page 2 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.1 Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being
registered.
3.2 Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of
securities being registered.
3.3 Opinion of counsel as to New York tax status of
securities being registered.
3.4 Opinion of counsel as to advancement of funds by Trustee.
3.5 Opinions of state counsel.
4.1 Consent of Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
4.2 Consent of Standard & Poor's Corporation.
6.1 List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other
related information (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 18).
7.1 Power of Attorney executed by the Director listed on page
S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 18).
S-6
EXHIBIT 1.1.1
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217
TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated: May 11, 1994
This Trust Agreement among Nike Securities L.P., as
Depositor, United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee,
Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and First
Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor, sets forth certain
provisions in full and incorporates other provisions by reference
to the document entitled "Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust
for The First Trust Combined Series 145 and subsequent Series,
Effective October 16, 1991" (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, the Trustee, the
Evaluator and Portfolio Supervisor 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(5) listed in Schedule
A hereto have been deposited in trust under this Trust Agreement.
(b) The fractional undivided interest in and ownership of
the Trust Fund represented by each Unit for a Trust on the
Initial Date of Deposit is the amount set forth under the
captions "Summary of Essential Information - Fractional Undivided
Interest in the Trust per Unit" in the Prospectus.
(c) The number of units in a Trust on the Initial Date of
Deposit referred to in Section 2.03 is set forth under the
caption "Summary of Essential Information - Number of Units" in
the Prospectus.
(d) The approximate amount, 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 the second sentence of Section 3.05
shall be the amount per Unit for each Trust that the Trustee
agreed to reduce its fee or pay Trust Fund expenses set forth in
the footnotes to the "Special Trust Information" for each Trust
in the Prospectus times the number of units for such Trust
referred to in Part II (c) of this Trust Agreement.
(e) For each Trust the First General Record Date and the
amount of the second distribution of funds from the Interest
Account shall be the record date for the Interest Account and the
amount set forth under "Special Trust Information-Distributions"
for such Trust in the Prospectus.
(f) For each Trust the "First Settlement Date" is the date
set forth under "Summary of Essential Information-First
Settlement Date" for such Trust in the Prospectus.
(g) Section 1.01(4) shall be amended to read as follows:
"(4) "Portfolio Supervisor" shall mean First Trust Advisors
L.P. and its successors in interest, or any successor portfolio
supervisor appointed as hereinafter provided."
(h) The first three sentences of Section 6.04 shall be
amended in their entirety to read as follows:
"For services performed under this Indenture the Trustee
shall be paid an amount per annum specified in Part II of the
Trust Agreement and shall be calculated on the largest number
of Units outstanding during each period in respect of which
payment is made pursuant to Section 3.05. During the first
year of a Trust, such compensation shall be reduced by the
amount of interest which accrues on "when-issued" Bonds and
Contract Bonds from the First Settlement Date, as defined in
Part II of the Trust Agreement, to the respective delivery
dates of such Bonds and Contract Bonds.
(i) The Trustee's annual fee referred to in Section 6.04 is
set forth for each Trust under "Special Trust Information" for
such Trust in the Prospectus.
(j) The first paragraph of Section 3.05 shall be amended to
read as follows:
"The Trustee, as of the "First Settlement Date", as
defined in Part II of the Trust Agreement, shall advance from
its own funds and shall pay to the Depositor the amount of
interest accrued to such date on the Bonds deposited in the
respective Trusts. The Trustee, as of the "First Settlement
Date," as defined in Part II of the Trust Agreement, shall
also advance to the Trust from its own funds and distribute
to the Depositor the amount specified in Part II of the Trust
Agreement, which is the amount by which the Trustee's fee is
reduced and Trust expenses assumed by the Trustee in respect
of interest accrued on "when-issued" Bonds and on Contract
Bonds delivered to the Trustee subsequent to the First
Settlement Date pursuant to Section 6.04. The Trustee shall
be entitled to reimbursement, without interest, for such
advancements from interest received by the Trust. Subsequent
distributions shall be made as hereinafter provided."
(k) Section 2.01 of Article II of the Standard Terms and
Conditions of Trust is hereby amended by inserting "(a)" prior to
the beginning of the text of the paragraph and adding the
following additional paragraphs:
"(b) From time to time following the Initial Date of
Deposit, the Depositor is hereby authorized, in its
discretion, to assign, convey to and deposit with the
Trustee additional Bonds, in bearer form or duly endorsed in
blank or accompanied by all necessary instruments of
assignment and transfer in proper form (or Contract
Obligations relating to such Bonds), to be held, managed and
applied by the Trustee as herein provided. Such deposit of
additional Bonds shall be made, in each case, pursuant to a
Notice of Deposit of Additional Bonds from the Depositor to
the Trustee. The Depositor, in each case, shall ensure that
each deposit of additional Bonds pursuant to this Section
shall be, as nearly as is practicable, in the identical
ratio as the Percentage Ratio for such Bonds as is specified
in the Prospectus for each Trust and the Depositor shall
ensure that such Bonds are identical to those deposited on
the Initial Date of Deposit. The Depositor shall deliver
the additional Bonds which were not delivered concurrently
with the deposit of additional Bonds and which were
represented by Contract Obligations within 10 calendar days
after such deposit of additional Bonds (the "Additional
Bonds Delivery Period"). If a contract to buy such Bonds
between the Depositor and seller is terminated by the seller
thereof for any reason beyond the control of the Depositor
or if for any other reason the Bonds are not delivered to
the Trust by the end of the Additional Bonds Delivery Period
for such deposit, the Trustee shall immediately draw on the
Letter of Credit, if any, in its entirety, apply the monies
in accordance with Section 2.01(d), and the Depositor shall
forthwith take the remedial action specified in
Section 3.14.
(c) In connection with the deposits described in
Section 2.01 (a) and (b), the Depositor has, in the case of
Section 2.01(a) deposits, and, prior to the Trustee
accepting a Section 2.01(b) deposit, will, deposit cash
and/or Letter(s) of Credit (meeting the conditions set forth
in Section 2.07) in an amount sufficient to purchase the
Contract Obligations (the "Purchase Amount") relating to
Bonds which are not actually delivered to the Trustee at the
time of such deposit, the terms of which unconditionally
allow the Trustee to draw on the full amount of the
available Letter of Credit. The Trustee may deposit such
cash or cash drawn on the Letter of Credit in a non-interest
bearing account for the Trust.
(d) In the event that the purchase of Contract
Obligations pursuant to any contract shall not be
consummated in accordance with said contract or if the Bonds
represented by Contract Obligations are not delivered to the
Trust in accordance with Section 2.01(a) or 2.01(b) and the
monies, or, if applicable, the monies drawn on the Letter of
Credit, deposited by the Depositor are not utilized for
Section 3.14 purchases of New Bonds, such funds, to the
extent of the purchase price of Special Bonds for which no
New Bond was acquired pursuant to Section 3.14, plus all
amounts described in the next succeeding two sentences,
shall be credited to the Principal Account and distributed
pursuant to Section 3.05 to Unit holders of record as of the
Record Date next following the failure of consummation of
such purchase. The Depositor shall cause to be refunded to
each Unit holder his pro rata portion of the sales charge
levied on the sale of Units to such Unit holder attributable
to such Failed Contract Obligation. The Depositor shall
also pay to the Trustee, for distribution to the Unit
holders, interest on the amount of the purchase price to the
Trust of the Special Bonds, at the rate of 5% per annum to
the date the Depositor notifies the Trustee that no New Bond
will be purchased or, in the absence of such notification,
to the expiration date for purchase of a New Bond specified
in Section 3.14. Any amounts remaining from monies drawn on
the Letter of Credit which are not used to purchase New
Bonds or are not used to provide refunds to Unit holders
shall be paid to the Depositor.
(e) The Trustee is hereby irrevocably authorized to
effect registration or transfer of the Bonds in fully
registered form to the name of the Trustee or to the name of
its nominee.
(f) In connection with and at the time of any deposit
of additional Bonds pursuant to Section 2.01(b), the
Depositor shall exactly replicate Cash (as defined below)
received or receivable by the Trust as of the date of such
deposit. For purposes of this paragraph, "Cash" means, as
to the Principal Account, cash or other property (other than
Bonds) on hand in the Principal Account or receivable and to
be credited to the Principal Account as of the date of the
deposit (other than amounts to be distributed solely to
persons other than holders of Units created by the deposit)
and, as to the Income Account, cash or other property (other
than Bonds) received by the Trust as of the date of the
deposit or receivable by the Trust in respect of a coupon
date which has accurred or will accur before the Trust will
be the holder of record of a Bond, reduced by the amount of
any cash or other property received or receivable on any
Bonds allocable (in accordance with the Trustee's
calculation of the monthly distribution from the Income
Account pursuant to Section 3.05) to a distribution made or
to be made in respect of a Record Date occurring prior to
the deposit. Such replication will be made on the basis of
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Units
created by the deposit and the denominator of which is the
number of Units which are outstanding immediately prior to
the deposit."
(l) Article II of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust is hereby amended by inserting the following paragraph
which shall be entitled Section 2.07.:
"Section 2.07. Letter of Credit. The Trustee shall not
accept any Letter of Credit under this Indenture unless the
stated expiration date of the Letter of Credit is at least
thirty days from the respective date of deposit of Contract
Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01(a) or 2.01(b). The
Trustee is authorized to downpost the amount available under
the Letter of Credit, if any, deposited by the Depositor by
an amount equal to the purchase price of Contract
Obligations representing Bonds delivered to the Trust on the
date of delivery of such Bonds."
PART III
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in
the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust and in lieu of the
receipt of Certificates evidencing ownership of Units of the
Fund, the Sponsor or any Underwriter of the Fund listed under the
caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus, at its option, may
elect that Units of the Fund owned by it be reflected by book
entry on the books and records of the Trustee. For all purposes
such Sponsor or Underwriter shall be deemed the owner of such
Units as if a Certificate evidencing ownership of Units of the
Fund had actually been issued by the Trustee. The Units
reflected by book entry on the books and records of the Trustee
may be transferable by the registered owner of such Units by
written instrument in form satisfactory to the Trustee. The
registered owner of Units reflected by book entry on the books
and records of the Trustee shall have the right at any time to
obtain Certificates evidencing ownership of such Units.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Nike Securities L.P., United States
Trust Company of New York, Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
and First Trust Advisors L.P. have each caused this Trust
Agreement to be executed and the respective corporate seal to be
hereto affixed and attested (if applicable) by authorized
officers; all as of the day, month and year first above written.
NIKE SECURITIES L.P.,
Depositor
By Carlos E. Nardo
Senior Vice President
UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW
YORK, Trustee
(SEAL) By Thomas Porrazzo
Vice President
Attest:
Rosalia A. Raviele
Assistant Vice President
SECURITIES EVALUATION SERVICE,
INC., Evaluator
(SEAL) By James R. Couture
President
Attest:
James G. Prince
Vice President and
Assistant Secretary
FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.,
Portfolio Supervisor
By Carlos E. Nardo
Senior Vice President
SCHEDULE A TO TRUST AGREEMENT
SECURITIES INITIALLY DEPOSITED
IN
THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217
(Note: Incorporated herein and made a part hereof is the
"Portfolio" as set forth for each Trust in the
Prospectus.)
EXHIBIT 3.1
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
May 11, 1994
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Re: The First Trust Combined Series 217
Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel for Nike Securities L.P., as
Sponsor and Depositor of The First Trust Combined Series 217, in
connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of a
Trust Agreement dated May 11, 1994 among Nike Securities L.P., as
Depositor, United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee,
Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and First
Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor, pursuant to which
the Depositor has delivered to and deposited the Bonds listed in
Schedule A 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 Fund
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 Fund have been duly authorized; and
2. the certificates evidencing the Units in 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 the Fund and the
Depositor in accordance with the terms thereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (File No. 33-53139)
relating to the Units referred to above, 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
EFF/jlg
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
May 11, 1994
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
United States Trust Company
of New York
770 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10003
The First Trust Combined Series 217
Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel for Nike Securities L.P.,
Depositor of The First Trust Combined Series 217 (the "Fund") in
connection with the issuance of Units of fractional undivided
interest in said Fund under a Trust Agreement dated May 11, 1994
(the "Indenture") among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor,
United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and First Trust Advisors
L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor.
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.
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 taxable as an association but will
be governed by the provisions of Subchapter J (relating to
Trusts) of Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").
(ii) Each Certificateholder will be considered as owning a
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 the Trust
will be treated as income of each Certificateholder in the
proportion described, and an item of Trust income will have the
same character in the hands of a Certificateholder 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 Certificateholder, except in the case of a Certificateholder
who is a substantial user (or a person related to such user) of a
facility financed through issuance of any industrial development
bonds or certain private activity bonds held by the Trust. In
the case of such Certificateholder who is a substantial user (and
no other) interest received and original issue discount with
respect to his Units attributable to such industrial development
bonds or such private activity bonds is includable in his gross
income. To the extent a Trust holds Bonds that are "specified
private activity Bonds" within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of
the Code, a Certificateholder's pro rata portion of the income on
such Bonds will be included as an item of tax preference in the
computation of the alternative minimum tax applicable to
individuals, trusts and corporations. In the case of certain
corporations, interest on all of the Bonds is included in
computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Section 56(c)
of the Code, the environmental tax (the "Superfund Tax") imposed
by Section 59A 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 Certificateholder
upon redemption or sale of his Units. Such gain or loss is
measured by comparing the proceeds of such redemption or sale
with the adjusted basis of the Units represented by his
Certificate. Before adjustment, such basis would normally be
cost if the Certificateholder had acquired his Units by purchase,
plus his aliquot share of advances by the Trustee to the
respective Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the
Certificateholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the
Certificateholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Trust, but only to the extent that such advances
are to be repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by such
Trust with respect to such Bonds. In addition, such basis will be
increased by the Certificateholder's aliquot share of the accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond held by the
Trust with respect to which there was an original issue discount
at the time the Bond was issued and reduced by the annual
amortization of bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.
(iv) If the Trustee disposes of an asset of a Trust
(whether by sale, payment on maturity, redemption or otherwise),
gain or loss is recognized to the Certificateholder and the
amount thereof is measured by comparing the Certificateholder's
aliquot share ofthe 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 assets of such Trust (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 Certificateholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each asset of the Trust must be reduced by
the amount of his aliquot share of interest received by the Fund,
if any, on Bonds delivered after the Certificateholder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the
Bonds during the period from the Certificateholder's settlement
date to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust; must be
reduced by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on
Bonds held by the Trust; and must be increased by the
Certificateholder's share of the accrued original issue discount
with respect to each Bond which, at the time the Bond was issued,
had original issue discount.
(v) In the case of any Bond held by the Trust where the
"stated redemption price at maturity" exceeds the "issue price",
such excess shall be original issue discount. With respect to
each Certificateholder, 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 Investment Trust
Insurance policies, if any, issued to certain of the Trusts on
the Date of Deposit by AMBAC Indemnity Corporation, Financial
Guaranty Insurance Company, or a combination thereof. Each such
policy, or a combination of such policies, insures all Bonds in
the Trust covered by that policy against default in the prompt
payment of principal and interest. In our opinion, any amounts
paid under each said policy representing maturing interest on
defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be excludable from
federal gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest
would have been so excludable if paid by the issuer. Paragraph
(II) of this opinion is accordingly applicable to policy proceeds
representing maturing interest.
(vii) Certain bonds in the portfolio of the Trust have been
insured by the issuers, underwriters, the Sponsor or others
against default in the prompt payment of principal and interest
(the "Insured Bonds"). Such Bonds are so designated on the
portfolio pages in the Prospectus for each Trust. Insurance on
Insured Bonds is effective so long as such bonds remain
outstanding. For each of these bonds, we have been advised that
the aggregate principal amount of such bonds listed on the
portfolio page was acquired by the Trust and are part of the
series of such bonds in the listed aggregate principal amount.
Based upon the assumption that the Insured Bonds of the Trust are
part of a series covered by an insurance policy, it is our
opinion that any amounts received by the Trust representing
maturing interest on such bonds will be excludable from Federal
gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
have been so excludable if paid in normal course by the Issuer
notwithstanding that the source of the payment is from policy
proceeds. Paragraph (ii) of this opinion is accordingly
applicable to such payment representing maturing interest.
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 accrued to prior owners. The
application of these rules will also vary depending on the value
of the Bond on the date a Certificateholder acquires his Units,
and the price the Certificateholder pays for his Units.
Except with respect to those Trusts that hold "specified private
activity bonds" within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the
Code issued on or after August 8, 1986 as identified in the
Prospectus related hereto (the "AMT Trusts"), the Trusts do not
include any specified private activity bonds and accordingly none
of the interest income of the Trusts (other than the AMT Trusts,
if any) shall be treated as an item of tax preference when
computing the alternative minimum tax. Because the AMT Trusts
include "specified private activity bonds," all or a portion of
the income of the AMT Trusts shall be treated as an item of tax
preference for alternative minimum tax purposes in the case of
individuals, trusts and corporations. In the case of
corporations, for taxable years beginning after December 31,
1986, the alternative minimum tax and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income
("AMTI"), which is the corporation's taxable income with certain
adjustments.
Pursuant to Section 56(c) of the Code, one of the adjustment
items used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a
corporation (other than an S Corporation, Regulated Investment
Company, Real Estate Investment Trust or REMIC) 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 generally provides for a reduction
in each taxable year of 100% of the otherwise deductible interest
on indebtedness incurred or continued by financial institutions,
to which either Section 585 or Section 593 of the Code applies,
to purchase or carry obligations acquired after August 7, 1986,
the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxes for
such taxable year. Under rules prescribed by Section 265, the
amount of interest otherwise deductible by such financial
institutions in any taxable year which is deemed to be
attributable to tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7,
1986, will be the amount that bears the same ratio to the
interest deduction otherwise allowable (determined without regard
to Section 265) to the taxpayer for the taxable year as the
taxpayer's average adjusted basis (within the meaning of Section
1016) of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986,
bears to such average adjusted basis for all assets of the
taxpayer, unless such financial institution can otherwise
establish, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of
the Treasury, the amount of interest an indebtedness incurred or
continued to purchase or carry such obligations.
We also call attention to the fact that, under Section 265
of the Code, interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to
purchase or carry Units by taxpayers other than certain financial
institutions, as referred to above, is not deductible for federal
income tax purposes. Under rules used by the Internal Revenue
Service for determining when borrowed funds are 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 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") was
recently enacted. The Tax Act subjects tax-exempt bonds to the
market discount rules of the Code effective for bonds purchased
after April 30, 1993. In general, market discount is the amount
(if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds
an investor's purchase price (except to the extent that such
difference, if any, is attributable to original issue discount
not yet accrued). Market discount can arise based on the price a
Trust pays for Bonds or the price a Certificateholder 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 Certificateholders 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 Certificateholder elects to include market
discount in taxable income as it accrues.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (File No. 33-53139)
relating to the Units referred to above and to the use of our
name and to the reference of our firm in said Registration
Statement and in the related Prospectus.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
EFF/jlg
EXHIBIT 3.3
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
2 WALL STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
May 11, 1994
The First Trust Combined Series 217
c/o United States Trust Company
of New York, as Trustee
770 Broadway - 6th Floor
New York, New York 10003
Re: The First Trust Combined Series 217
Dear Sirs:
We are acting as special counsel with respect to New York
tax matters for The First Trust Combined Series 217, which will
be established under a Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust
dated October 16, 1991, and a related Trust Agreement dated
today's date (collectively, the "Indenture"), among Nike
Securities L.P., as Depositor (the "Depositor"); Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator; First Trust Advisors
L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor and United States Trust Company of
New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). Pursuant to the terms of
the Indenture, units of fractional undivided interest in the
Trusts (the "Units") will be issued in the aggregate number set
forth in the Indenture.
We have examined and are familiar with originals or certified
copies, or copies otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
such documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the
purpose of this opinion. In giving this opinion, we have relied
upon the two opinions, each dated today and addressed to the
Trustee, of Chapman and Cutler, counsel for the Depositor, with
respect to the matters of law set forth therein.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. Each Trust will not constitute an association taxable
as a corporation under New York law, and accordingly will not be
subject to the New York State franchise tax or the New York City
general corporation tax.
2. Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New
York, the income of each Trust will be considered the income of
the holders of the Units.
United States Trust Company
of New York
3. By reason of the exemption contained in paragraph (a)
of Subdivision 8 of Section 270 of the New York Tax Law, no New
York State stock transfer tax will be payable in respect of any
transfer of the Certificates.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement (No. 33-53139) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the
registration of the sale of the Units and to the references to
our name under the captions "What is the Federal Tax Status of
Unit Holders" and "Legal Opinions" in such Registration Statement
and the preliminary prospectus included therein.
Very truly yours,
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
EXHIBIT 3.4
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
2 WALL STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
May 11, 1994
United States Trust Company
of New York, as Trustee of
The First Trust Combined
Series 217
770 Broadway - 6th Floor
New York, New York 10003
Attention: Mr. C. William Steelman
Executive Vice President
Re: The First Trust Combined Series 217
Dear Sirs:
We are acting as counsel for United States Trust Company of
New York (the "Trust Company") in connection with the execution
and delivery of a Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust dated
October 16, 1991, and a related Trust Agreement, dated today's
date (collectively, the "Indenture"), among Nike Securities L.P.,
as Depositor (the "Depositor"); Securities Evaluation Service,
Inc., as Evaluator; First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio
Supervisor; and the Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"),
establishing The First Trust Combined Series 217, and the
execution by the Trust Company, as Trustee under the Indenture,
of a certificate or certificates evidencing ownership of units in
the aggregate number set forth in the Indenture (such certificate
or certificates and such aggregate units being herein called
"Certificates" and "Units"), each of which represents an
undivided interest in the Trusts, which consist of interest
bearing, tax-exempt bonds (including confirmations of contracts
for the purchase of certain bonds not yet delivered and cash,
cash equivalents or an irrevocable letter of credit or a
combination thereof, in the amount required for such purchase
upon the receipt of such bonds), such bonds being defined in the
Indenture as Bonds and listed in the Schedule or Schedules to the
Indenture. Upon delivery of the Bonds in an Insured Trust to the
Trustee, such Bonds shall be insured against the nonpayment of
principal and interest.
United States Trust Company
of New York
We have examined the Indenture, the Closing Memorandum dated
today's date and such other documents as we have deemed necessary
in order to render this opinion. Based on the foregoing, we are
of the opinion that:
1. The Trust Company is a duly organized and existing
corporation having the powers of a trust company under the laws
of the State of New York.
2. The Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by
the Trust Company and, assuming due execution and delivery by the
other parties thereto, constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of the Trust Company.
3. The Certificates are in proper form for execution and
delivery by the Trust Company as Trustee.
4. The Trust Company, as Trustee, has duly executed and
delivered to or upon the order of the Depositor a Certificate or
Certificates evidencing ownership of the Units, registered in the
name of the Depositor. Upon receipt of confirmation of the
effectiveness of the registration statement for the sale of the
Units filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Trustee may deliver such other
Certificates, in such names and denominations as the Depositor
may request, to or upon the order of the Depositor as provided in
the Closing Memorandum.
5. The Trust Company, as Trustee, may lawfully under the
New York Banking Law advance to each Trust amounts as may be
necessary to provide monthly interest distributions of
approximately equal amounts, and be reimbursed, without interest,
for any such advances from funds in the interest account on the
ensuing record date, as provided in the Indenture.
In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have not considered,
among other things, whether the Bonds have been duly authorized
and delivered, the efficacy of the insurance, or the federal tax
status of the Bonds.
Very truly yours,
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
EXHIBIT 4.1
SES
Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
Suite 200
531 E. Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
May 11, 1994
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, IL 60532
Re: THE FIRST TRUST COMBINED SERIES 217
Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement File No. 33-
53139 for the above captioned fund. We hereby consent to the use
in the Registration Statement of the references to Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc. as evaluator.
You are hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sincerely,
Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
James R. Couture
President
Standard & Poor's Corporation
Bond Insurance Administration
25 Broadway
New York, New York 10004-1064
May 11, 1994
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Re: The First Trust Combined Series 217
Pursuant to your request for a Standard & Poor's rating on
the units of the above-captioned trust, SEC # 33-53139, 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 'AAA'
claims paying ability ratings 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.
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,
STANDARD & POOR'S
CORPORATION
EXHIBIT 3.5
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60603
May 11, 1994
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
United States Trust Company
of New York
770 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10003
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to The First Trust Combined Series
217 containing The First Trust Advantage: Colorado Trust, Series
13-Long Intermediate (the "Colorado Trust"), with respect to
certain matters preliminary to the issuance and sale of units of
interest therein (the "Units") pursuant to a Trust Indenture and
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Indenture"), among
Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, United States Trust Company
of New York, as Trustee, Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., as
Evaluator, and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio
Supervisor. The Units represent fractional undivided interests
in the principal of and net income on obligations deposited in
one of several separate trusts, including the Colorado Trust.
Each separate trust will be administered as a distinct entity
with investments, expenses, books and records.
The assets of the Colorado Trust will consist of interest-
bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of
Colorado (the "State"), its political subdivisions and
authorities, and, provided the interest thereon is exempt from
State income taxes, by or on behalf of territories or possessions
of the United States of America, or its political subdivisions,
agencies or instrumentalities (the "Bonds"). Distributions of
interest on the Bonds received by the Trust will be made monthly.
Although we express no opinion with respect thereto, in
rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have assumed that the
Bonds were validly issued by the State of Colorado, or its
instrumentalities or municipalities and by or on behalf of
territories or possessions of the United States of America, or
its instrumentalities or municipalities, as the case may be.
We have examined the income tax law of the State of
Colorado, which is based upon the Federal Law, to determine its
applicability to the Colorado Trust (the "Colorado Trust") being
created as part of the Fund and to the holders of Units in the
Colorado Trust who are residents of the State of Colorado
("Colorado Unit holders"). Although we express no opinion with
respect to the issuance of the Bonds, in rendering our opinion
expressed herein, 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 Unit holder, would be exempt
from the income tax imposed by the State that is applicable to
individuals and corporations (the "State Income Tax"). This
opinion does not address the taxation of persons other than full
time residents of Colorado. Based upon the foregoing, it is our
opinion that under Colorado income tax law, as presently enacted
and construed:
(a) The Colorado Trust is not an association taxable
as a corporation for purposes of Colorado income taxation.
(b) Each Colorado Unit holder will be treated as
owning a pro-rata share of each asset of the Colorado Trust
for Colorado income tax purposes in the proportion that the
number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total
number of outstanding Units of the Colorado Trust, and the
income of the Colorado Trust will therefore be treated as
the income of each Colorado Unit holder under Colorado law
in the proportion described and an item of income of the
Colorado Trust will have the same character in the hands of
a Colorado Unit holder as it would have in the hands of the
Trustee.
(c) Gain or loss will be recognized by a Colorado Unit
holder upon redemption or sale of his Units. Such gain or
loss is measured by comparing the proceeds of such
redemption or sale with the adjusted basis of the Units
represented by his Certificate. Before adjustment, such
basis would normally be cost if the Colorado Unit holder has
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of
advances by the Trustee to the Colorado Trust to pay
interest on bonds delivered after the Colorado Unit holder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on
such bonds during the period from the Colorado Unit holder's
settlement date to the date such bonds are delivered to the
Colorado Trust, but only to the extent that such advances
are to be repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by
such Trust with respect to such bonds. In addition, such
basis will be increased by the Colorado Unit holder's
aliquot share of the accrued original issue discount with
respect to each bond held by such Trust with respect to
which there was an original issue discount at the time such
bond was issued and reduced by the annual amortization of
bond premium, if any, on the bonds held by the Colorado
Trust.
(d) If the Trustee disposes of a bond (whether by
sale, payment on maturity, redemption or otherwise) gain or
loss is recognized to the Colorado Unit holder and the
amount thereof is measured by comparing the Colorado Unit
holder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the
transaction with his basis for his fractional interest in
the bond disposed of. Such basis is ascertained by
apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each of the
bonds (as of the date on which his units were acquired)
ratably according to their values as of the valuation date
nearest the date on which he purchased such Units. A
Colorado Unit holder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each bond must be reduced by the
amount of his aliquot share of interest received by the
Colorado Trust, if any, in bonds delivered after the
Colorado Unit holder's settlement date to the extent that
such interest accrued on such bonds during the period from
the Colorado Unit holder's settlement date to the date such
bonds are delivered to the Colorado Trust, must be reduced
by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on bonds
held by such Trust and must be increased by the Colorado
Unit holder's share of the accrued original issue discount
with respect to each bond which, at the time such bond was
issued, had original issue discount.
(e) If interest on indebtedness incurred or continued
by a Colorado Unit holder to purchase Units in the Colorado
Trust is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes, it
will also be nondeductible for Colorado income tax purposes.
(f) So long as the Colorado Trust holds obligations
issued, on or after May 1, 1980, by the State of Colorado or
its political subdivisions (the "Colorado Bonds"), then to
the extent the interest on the Colorado bonds is excludable
from Federal gross income of a Colorado Unit holder pursuant
to Section 103 of the Code, such interest will be excludable
from Colorado adjusted gross income of such Unit holder.
(g) Any amounts paid under an insurance policy issued
to the Colorado Trust which represent maturing interest on
defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be excludable
from Colorado adjusted gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if
paid by the issuer. Paragraph (f) of this opinion is
accordingly applicable to insurance proceeds representing
maturing interest.
(h) Certain of the bonds in the Colorado Trust have
been insured by the issuers, the underwriters or the Sponsor
thereof, or others, against default in the prompt payment of
principal and interest. Based upon the exemptions and
assumptions referred to above, it is our opinion that any
amounts received by the Colorado Trust representing maturing
interest on such bonds will be excludable from Colorado
adjusted gross income if, and to the same extent as, such
interest would have been so excludable if paid in normal
course by the issuer notwithstanding the source of the
payment is from policy proceeds. Paragraph (f) of this
opinion is accordingly applicable to such payment.
We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited and
held in the Colorado Trust or the proceedings for the issuance
thereof or the opinions of bond counsel with respect thereto, and
therefore express no opinion as to the exemption from State
income taxes of interest on the Bonds if received directly by a
Unit holder.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (No. 33-53139) filed
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"),
with respect to the registration of the sale of the Units and to
the references to our firm in such Registration Statement and the
preliminary prospectus included therein. In giving such consent,
we do not thereby admit that we are persons whose consent is
required by Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
EFF/jlg
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60603
May 11, 1994
Nike Securities L.P.
Suite 300
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
United States Trust Company
of New York
770 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10003
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to The First Trust Combined Series
217 containing The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds--Multi-
State: Georgia Trust, Series 4 (the "Georgia Trust"), with
respect to certain matters preliminary to the issuance and sale
of units of interest therein (the "Units") pursuant to a Trust
Indenture and Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the
"Indenture"), among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, United
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and First Trust Advisors
L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor. The Units represent fractional
undivided interests in the principal of and net income on
obligations deposited in one of several separate trusts,
including the Georgia Trust. Each separate trust will be
administered as a distinct entity with investments, expenses,
books and records.
We have also examined certain laws of the State of Georgia
(the "State"), to determine their applicability to the Georgia
Trust being created as part of the Fund and to the holders of
Units in the Georgia Trust who are residents of the State of
Georgia ("Unitholders"). The assets of the Georgia Trust will
consist of interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of
the State or counties, municipalities, authorities or political
subdivisions thereof (the "Georgia Bonds") or by the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions (the "Puerto Rico
Bonds") (collectively, the "Bonds"). Distributions of interest
on the Bonds received by the Georgia Trust will be made semi-
annually unless a Unitholder elects to receive them monthly.
Although we express no opinion with respect thereto, in
rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have assumed that the
Bonds were validly issued by the State or its instrumentalities
or municipalities and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or its
instrumentalities or municipalities, as the case may be.
Based on the foregoing, and review and consideration of
existing State laws, it is our opinion, and we herewith advise
you, as follows:
(a) For purposes of income taxation by the State or any of
its counties or municipalities:
(1) The Georgia Trust is not an association taxable as
a corporation and each Unitholder of the Georgia Trust will be
treated as the owner of a pro-rata portion of the Georgia Trust,
and the income of the Georgia Trust will therefore be treated as
the income of the Unitholder;
(2) Interest on the Georgia Bonds and the Puerto Rico
Bonds which is excludable from gross income for federal income
tax purposes when received by the Georgia Trust will be exempt
from Georgia income taxation and therefore will not be includible
in the income of the Unitholder for income tax purposes when
distributed by the Georgia Trust and received by the Unitholders;
(3) Each Unitholder of the Georgia Trust will
recognize gain or loss for income tax purposes if the Trustee
disposes of a bond (whether by sale, exchange, payment on
maturity, retirement or otherwise) or if the Unitholder redeems
or sells Units of the Georgia Trust to the extent that such
transaction results in a recognized gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes;
(4) Due to the amortization of bond premium and the
basis adjustments required by the Internal Revenue Code, a
Unitholder, under some circumstances, may realize taxable gain
when his or her Units are sold or redeemed prior to the maturity
of Bonds held by the Georgia Trust for an amount equal to such
Units' original cost;
(5) In the case of Georgia Bonds issued before March
11, 1987 with original issue discount the amount of gain or loss
recognized for income tax purposes upon such sale or redemption
of the Bonds or Units may differ from the amount recognized for
federal income tax purposes because original issue discount on
such Bonds will accrue on a ratable basis under Georgia law; and
(6) Interest on indebtedness incurred by a Unitholder
to purchase or carry Units of the Georgia Trust and Trustee fees
and related expenses incurred by the Georgia Trust which are not
deductible for federal income tax purposes are also not
deductible under Georgia law.
(b) Units of the Georgia Trust are not subject to sales or
use taxation by the State or any political subdivision thereof;
(c) Georgia Bonds and Bonds issued by the Government of
Puerto Rico are not subject to intangible personal property
taxation by the State or any political subdivision thereof and
although there is currently no published administrative
interpretation or opinion of the Attorney General of Georgia
dealing with the status of bonds issued by a political
subdivision of Puerto Rico, we have in the past, been advised
orally by representatives of the Georgia Department of Revenue
that such bonds would also be considered exempt from such tax;
(d) No opinion is expressed regarding whether Units of the
Georgia Trust are subject to intangible personal property
taxation by the State, however, according to discussions with the
Georgia Department of Revenue, it is the Department's view that
Units of the Georgia Trust would be subject to such tax;
(e) Georgia Bonds and Puerto Rico Bonds are not subject to
sales or use taxation by the State or any political subdivision
thereof; and
(f) In the case of Trusts for which an insurance policy or
policies with respect to the payment of principal and interest on
the Georgia Bonds and Puerto Rico Bonds has been obtained by the
Depositor, any proceeds paid under such policy or policies issued
to the Georgia Trust, if any, with respect to the Bonds in the
Georgia Trust which represent maturing interest on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee will be exempt from State income
taxes if, and to the same extent as, such interest would have
been so exempt if paid by the issuer of the defaulted
obligations. Paragraph (a)(2) of this opinion is accordingly
applicable to policy proceeds representing maturing interest.
We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited and
held in the Georgia Trust or the proceedings for the issuance
thereof or the opinions of bond counsel with respect thereto, and
therefore express no opinion as to the exemption from State
income taxes of interest on the Bonds if received directly by a
Unitholder.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (No. 33-53139) filed
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"),
with respect to the registration of the sale of the Units and to
the references to our firm in such Registration Statement and the
preliminary prospectus included therein. In giving such consent,
we do not thereby admit that we are persons whose consent is
required by Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Very truly yours,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
EFF/jlg
Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company
115 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
(212)312-3000
(800)352-0001
A GE Capital Company
Municipal Bond
Unit Investment Trust
Portfolio Insurance Policy
Name of Unit Investment Trust: Policy Number: 94020069
See Schedule I attached Control Number: 0010001
hereto
Name of Sponsor of Unit Premium: As shown on
Investment: Schedule A hereto
Nike Securities, L.P.
Name of Trustee of Unit Investment Trust:
United States Trust Company of New York
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company ("Financial Guaranty"), a
New York stock insurance company, in consideration of the payment
of the premiums shown on Schedule A hereto and subject to the
terms of this Policy, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably
agrees to pay to State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., or
its successor, as its agent (the "Fiscal Agent"), for the benefit
of the trustee of the Unit Investment Trust described above or its
successor trustee (the "Unit Investment Trustee"), that portion of
the principal of and interest on the debt obligations described in
Schedule A to this Policy (the "Bonds") which shall become Due for
Payment but shall be unpaid by reason of Nonpayment by the Issuer.
Financial Guaranty will make such payments to the Fiscal Agent on
the date such principal or interest becomes Due for Payment or on
the Business Day next following the day on which Financial
Guaranty shall have received Notice of Nonpayment, whichever is
later. The Fiscal Agent will disburse to the Unit Investment
Trustee the face amount of principal and interest which is then
Due for Payment but is unpaid by reason of Nonpayment by the
Issuer but only upon receipt by the Fiscal Agent, in form
reasonably satisfactory to it, of (i) evidence of the Unit
Investment Trustee's right to receive payment of the principal of
interest Due for Payment and (ii) evidence, including any
appropriate instruments of assignment, that all of the Unit
Investment Trustee's rights to payment of such principal or
interest Due for Payment shall thereupon vest in Financial
Guaranty. Upon such disbursement, Financial Guaranty shall
become the owner of the Bond, appurtenant coupon or right to
payment of principal or interest on such Bond and shall be fully
subrogated to all of the Unit Investment Trustee's rights
thereunder, including the Unit Investment Trustee's right to
payment thereof.
The Policy is non-cancellable for any reason, including failure
to pay any premium. This Policy shall be terminated as to any
Bond which has been paid prior to maturity, sold by the Unit
Investment Trustee or never deposited in the Unit Investment
Trust because the contract to purchase such Bond has failed, and
Financial Guaranty shall not thereafter have any liability under
this Policy on account of Nonpayment of any such Bond. When
Financial Guaranty is notified by the Unit Investment Trustee or
the Sponsor that any Bond has been paid prior to maturity, sold
by the Unit Investment Trustee or never deposited in the Unit
Investment Trust, Financial Guaranty shall refund any prepaid
premium thereon to the Unit Investment Trustee. Any such
notification must specify the amount of Bonds affected, identify
such Bonds by their Item Number in Schedule A hereto, and
designate the date of the event giving rise to a refund of
premium. This Policy does not insure against loss of any
prepayment premium which may at any time be payable with respect
to any Bond.
"Due for Payment" means, when referring to the principal of a
Bond, the stated maturity date thereof or the date on which the
same shall have been duly called for mandatory sinking fund
redemption and does not refer to any earlier date on which
payment is due by reason of call for redemption (other than by
mandatory sinking fund redemption), acceleration or other
advancement of maturity and means, when referring to interest on
a Bond, the stated date for payment of interest. "Nonpayment" in
respect of a Bond means the failure of the Issuer to have
provided sufficient funds to the paying agent for payment in full
of all principal and interest Due for Payment on such Bond.
"Notice" means telephonic or telegraphic notice, subsequently
confirmed in writing, or written notice by registered or
certified mail, from the Unit Investment Trustee or a paying
agent for the Bonds to Financial Guaranty. "Business Day" means
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which the Fiscal
Agent is authorized by law to remain closed. "Issuer" means each
issuer of the Bonds described in Schedule A hereto.
In Witness Whereof, Financial Guaranty has caused this Policy to
be affixed with its corporate seal and to be signed by its duly
authorized officers in facsimile to become effective and binding
upon Financial Guaranty by virtue of the countersignature of its
duly authorized representative.
Ann C. Stern
President
Joan Kimmelman
Effective Date: May 11, 1994 Authorized Representative
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., acknowledged that it has
agreed to perform the duties of Fiscal Agent under this Policy.
Ornule Thoresen
Authorized Officer
Schedule I
(a part of the Municipal Bond Unit Investment
Trust Portfolio Insurance Policy)
Date of Policy: May 11, 1994
Policy Number: 94020069
Control Number: 0010001
Name of Unit Investment Trust: First Trust Combined Series 217,
First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds - Multi-State: Georgia
Trust, Series 4
Endorsement
To Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
Insurance Policy
Policy Number: 94020069 Control Number: 0010001
Notwithstanding the terms and conditions contained in this
Policy, it is further understood that the term "Due for Payment"
shall also include, when referring to the principal of a Bond,
any date on which the same shall have been duly called for
mandatory redemption as a result of the interest on such Bond
having been determined, as provided in the Bond documentation, to
have become subject to Federal income taxation, and shall also
include, when referring to interest on a Bond, the accrued
interest at the rate provided in the Bond documentation, to the
date on which such Bond shall have been duly called for such
mandatory redemption, together with any applicable redemption
premium.
In Witness Whereof, Financial Guaranty has caused this
Endorsement to be affixed with its corporate seal and to be
signed by its duly authorized officers in facsimile to become
effective and binding upon Financial Guaranty by virtue of the
countersignature of its duly authorized representative.
Ann C. Stern
President
Joan Kimmelman
Effective Date: May 11, 1994 Authorized Representative
Acknowledged as of the Effective Date written above:
Ornule Thoresen
Authorized Officer
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., as Fiscal Agent
Endorsement
To Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
Insurance Policy
Policy Number: 94020069 Control Number: 0010001
It is further understood that the term "Nonpayment" in respect of
a Bond includes any payment of principal or interest made by or
on behalf of the issuer of such Bond to the Unit Investment
Trustee which has been recovered from such Unit Investment
Trustee pursuant to the United States Bankruptcy Code by a
trustee in bankruptcy in accordance with a final, nonappealable
order of a court having competent jurisdiction.
In Witness Whereof, Financial Guaranty has caused this
Endorsement to be affixed with its corporate seal and to be
signed by its duly authorized officers in facsimile to become
effective and binding upon Financial Guaranty by virtue of the
countersignature of its duly authorized representative.
Ann C. Stern
President
Joan Kimmelman
Effective Date: May 11, 1994 Authorized Representative
Acknowledged as of the Effective Date written above:
Ornule Thoresen
Authorized Officer
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., as Fiscal Agent
FGIC is a registered service mark used by Financial Guaranty
Insurance Company under license from its parent company. FGIC
Corporation.
Mandatory New York State
Amendatory Endorsement
To Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
Insurance Policy
Policy Number: 94020069 Control Number: 0010001
Notwithstanding the terms and conditions in this Policy, it is
further understood that the term "Due for Payment" shall not
include, when referring to either the principal of a Bond or the
interest on a Bond, any acceleration of payment unless such
acceleration is at the sole option of Financial Guaranty.
Nothing herein shall be construed to waive, alter, reduce, or
amend coverage in any other section of the Policy. If found
contrary to the Policy language, the terms of this Endorsement
supersede the Policy language.
In Witness Whereof, Financial Guaranty has caused this
Endorsement to be affixed with its corporate seal and to be
signed by its duly authorized officers in facsimile to become
effective and binding upon Financial Guaranty by virtue of the
countersignature of its duly authorized representative.
Ann C. Stern
President
Joan Kimmelman
Effective Date: May 11, 1994 Authorized Representative
Acknowledged as of the Effective Date written above:
Ornule Thoresen
Authorized Officer
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., as Fiscal Agent
Mandatory New York State
Amendatory Endorsement
To Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
Insurance Policy
Policy Number: 94020069 Control Number: 0010001
The insurance provided by this Policy is not covered by the New
York Property/Casualty Insurance Security Fund (New York
Insurance Code, Article 76.)
Nothing herein shall be construed to waive, alter, reduce, or
amend coverage in any other section of the Policy. If found
contrary to the Policy language, the terms of this Endorsement
supersede the Policy language.
In Witness Whereof, Financial Guaranty has caused this
Endorsement to be affixed with its corporate seal and to be
signed by its duly authorized officers in facsimile to become
effective and binding upon Financial Guaranty by virtue of the
countersignature of its duly authorized representative.
Ann C. Stern
President
Joan Kimmelman
Effective Date: May 11, 1994 Authorized Representative
Acknowledged as of the Effective Date written above:
Ornule Thoresen
Authorized Officer
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., as Fiscal Agent
Schedule A Page 1 of 1
(a part of the Municipal Bond Unit Investment
Trust Portfolio Insurance Policy) Date of Policy: May 11, 1994
Policy Number: 94020069
Control Number: 0010001
Name of Unit Investment Trust: First Trust Combined Series 217
Name of Applicant Sponsor of Unit Investment Trust: First Trust
Insured Municipal Bonds
- Multi-State: Georgia Trust, Series 4
Name(s) of Investment Trust Co-Sponsor(s): Nike Securities, LP.
Name of Trustee of Unit Investment Trust: United States Trust
Company of New York
A B C D E
Item Par Full Name Full Name Interest
No. Value of Issuer of Bonds Rate (1)
($) (%)
1. $445,000 Fulton County General 5.625%
School District Obligation
(Georgia) School Bonds
Series 1993
$445,000
________
F G H I
Date of Stated CUSIP Rating (2)
Bonds Maturity Number
Date of
Bonds
1. 03-01-94 01-01-21 360064NF2 Aa/AA
J K
Annual Annual
Premium Premium
Rate (3) ($)
(%)
1. .044% $195.80
$195.80
_______
(1) If variable rate is applicable, briefly
describe method of determination.
(2) Without benefit of the Financial Guaranty
portfolio insurance. First rating by Standard & Poor's
Corporation. Second rating by Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
