SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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 SPECIAL
SITUATIONS TRUST, SERIES 97
B. Name of Depositor: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
C. Complete Address of Depositor's 1001 Warrenville Road
Principal Executive Offices: Lisle, Illinois 60532
D. Name and Complete Address of
Agents for Service: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
Attention: James A. Bowen
Suite 300
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
E. Title and Amount of
Securities Being Registered: An indefinite number 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
(as required by Rule 24f-2): $500.00
H. Approximate Date of Proposed
Sale to the Public: ____ Check if it is
proposed that this filing
will become effective on
_____ at ____ p.m.
pursuant to Rule 487.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS TRUST, SERIES 97
Cross-Reference Sheet
(Form N-8B-2 Items required by Instructions as
to the Prospectus in Form S-6)
FORM N-8B-2 FORM S-6
ITEM NUMBER HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. (a) Name of trust Prospectus front cover
(b) Title of securities issued Summary of Essential
Information
2. Name and address of each Information as to
depositor Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
3. Name and address of Information as to
trustee Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
4. Name and address of Underwriting
principal underwriters
5. State of organization The First Trust Special
of trust Situations Trust
6. Execution and termination The First Trust Special
of trust agreement Situations Trust; Other
Information
7. Changes of name *
8. Fiscal Year *
9. Litigation *
II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST
10. (a) Registered or bearer Rights of Unit Holders
securities
(b) Cumulative or distributive
securities The First Trust Special
Situations Trust
(c) Redemption Rights of Unit Holders
(d) Conversion, transfer, etc. Rights of Unit Holders
(e) Periodic payment plan
certificates *
(f) Voting rights Rights of Unit Holders;
Other Information
(g) Notice of certificate- Rights of Unit Holders;
holders Other Information
(h) Consents required Rights of Unit Holders;
Other Information
(i) Other provisions The First Trust Special
Situations Trust
11. Types of securities comprising The First Trust Special
units Situations Trust
12. Certain information
regarding periodic payment
plan certificates *
13. (a) Load, fees, expenses, etc. Summary of Essential
Information; Public
Offering; The First Trust
Special Situations Trust
(b) Certain information
regarding periodic payment
plan certificates *
(c) Certain percentages Summary of Essential
Information; The First
Trust Special Situations
Trust; Public Offering
(d) Difference in price offered Public Offering
for any class of transactions
to any class or group of
individuals
(e) Certain other load fees, Rights of Unit Holders
expenses, etc. payable by
holders
(f) Certain profits receivable The First Trust Special
by depositor, principal Situations Trust
underwriters, trustee or
affiliated persons
(g) Ratio of annual charges to
income *
14. Issuance of trust's Rights of Unit Holders
securities
15. Receipt and handling of
payments from purchasers *
16. Acquisition and disposition
of underlying securities The First Trust Special
Situations Trust; Rights
of Unit Holders
17. Withdrawal or redemption The First Trust Special
Situations Trust; Public
Offering; Rights of Unit
Holders
18. (a) Receipt, custody and
disposition of income Rights of Unit Holders
(b) Reinvestment of
distributions Rights of Unit Holders
(c) Reserves or special funds Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(d) Schedule of distributions *
19. Records, accounts and
reports Rights of Unit Holders
20. Certain miscellaneous
provisions of trust
agreement
(a) Amendment Other Information
(b) Termination Other Information
(c) and (d) Trustee, removal and
successor Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(e) and (f) Depositor, removal Information as to
and successor Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
21. Loans to security holders *
22. Limitations on liability The First Trust Special
Situations Trust;
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 *
officials and affiliated
persons of depositor
29. Voting securities of *
depositor
30. Persons controlling *
depositor
31. Payment by depositor for *
certain services rendered
to trust
32. Payment by depositor for *
certain other services
rendered to trust
33. Remuneration of other *
persons for certain
services rendered to trust
34. Remuneration of other *
persons for certain services
rendered to trust
IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION
35. Distribution of trust's
securities by states Public Offering
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;
Underwriting
(c) Selling agreements Public Offering
39. (a) Organization of principal Information as to
underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(b) N.A.S.D. membership of Information as to
principal underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
40. Certain fee received by See Items 13(a) and 13(e)
principal underwriters
41. (a) Business of principal Information as to
underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(b) Branch offices of
principal underwriters *
(c) Salesmen of principal
underwriters *
42. Ownership of trust's
securities by certain
persons *
43. Certain brokerage
commissions received
by principal underwriters *
44. (a) Method of valuation Summary of Essential
Information; The First
Trust Special Situations
Trust; 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 Public Offering; Rights
in underlying securities of Unit Holders
V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
48. Organization and regulation Information as to
of trustee Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
49. Fees and expenses of trustee The First Trust Special
Situations Trust
50. Trustee's lien The First Trust Special
Situations Trust
VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OR
SECURITIES
51. Insurance of holders of *
trust's securities
VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT
52. (a) Provisions of trust The First Trust Special
agreement with respect Situations Trust; Rights
to selection or elimination of Unit Holders
of underlying securities
(b) Transactions involving
elimination of underlying
securities *
(c) Policy regarding The First Trust Special
substitution or elimination Situations Trust; Rights
of underlying securities of Unit Holders
(d) Fundamental policy not
otherwise covered *
53. Tax status of Trust The First Trust Special
Situations Trust
VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION
54. Trust's securities during
last ten years *
55. Certain information regarding
periodic payment plan
certificates
56. Certain information regarding
periodic payment plan
certificates
57. Certain information regarding *
periodic payment plan
certificates
58. Certain information regarding
periodic payment plan
certificates
59. Financial statements Report of Independent
(Instruction 1(b) to Auditors; Statement of
Form S-6) Net Assets
__________________________
* Inapplicable, answer negative or not required.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 24, 1994
First Trust Corporate Income Trust
Laddered Series
The First Trust(registered trademark) Special Situations Trust,
Series 97 is a unit investment trust consisting of a portfolio
of interest-bearing corporate debt obligations of well established
domestic companies (the "Bonds") including delivery statements
relating to contracts for the purchase of certain such obligations
and an irrevocable letter of credit. The Sponsor has a limited
right to substitute other bonds in the Trust portfolio in the
event of a failed contract. The weighted average maturity of the
Bonds in the Trust is years.
The Objectives of the Trust are a high level of current income
and conservation of capital through investment in a portfolio
of interest-bearing corporate debt obligations of well established
domestic companies issued after July 18, 1994. The Trust has been
created as a laddered portfolio such that Bonds representing approximately
20% of the principal amount of the Trust will mature and be distributed
annually to Unit holders commencing on , 2000. The
payment of interest and the conservation of capital are, of course,
dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers and/or obligors
to meet their respective obligations. The Trust has a mandatory
termination date (the "Mandatory Termination Date" or "Trust Ending
Date") as set forth under "Summary of Essential Information."
Attention Foreign Investors: Your interest income from the Trust
may be exempt from federal withholding taxes if you are not a
United States citizen or resident and certain conditions are met.
See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
Dividend and Capital Gains Distributions. Distributions of dividends
received, and realized capital gains, if any, received by each
Trust will be paid in cash on the Distribution Date to Unit holders
of record on the Record Date as set forth in the "Summary of Essential
Information." Any distribution of income and/or capital gains
will be net of the expenses of the Trust. Distribution of funds
in the Capital Account, if any, will be made at least annually
in December of each year. Distributions to Unit holders may be
reinvested as described herein. See "How Can Distributions to
Unit Holders be Reinvested?"
Secondary Market for Units. After the initial offering period,
although not obligated to do so, the Sponsor intends to maintain
a market for the Units at prices based upon the aggregate bid
price of the Bonds in the portfolio of the 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?"
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 the Trust. Such deposits of additional Bonds will, therefore,
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 Special Situations Trust?" and "How
May Bonds be Removed from the Trust?"
The Public Offering Price of the Units during the initial offering
period is equal to the aggregate offering price of the Bonds in
the portfolio divided by the number of Units outstanding, plus
a sales charge equal to 3.9% of the Public Offering Price (4.058%
of the aggregate offering price of the Bonds). For sales charges
in the secondary market, see "Public Offering." During the initial
offering period, the sales charge is reduced on a graduated scale
for sales involving at least $250,000. The minimum purchase is
1 Unit.
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.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY
NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE
BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE.
The date of this Prospectus is , 1994
Page 1
Summary of Essential Information
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
of the Bonds- , 1994
Sponsor: Nike Securities L.P.
Trustee: United States Trust Company of New York
Evaluator: Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
General Information
<S> <C>
Principal Amount of Bonds in the Trust $
Number of Units
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit 1/
Principal Amount (Par Value) of Bonds per Unit (1) $
Public Offering Price:
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Bonds in the Portfolio $
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation per Unit $
Sales Charge (2) $
Public Offering Price per Unit (3) $
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit $
Redemption Price per Unit (4) $
Excess of Public Offering Price per Unit Over Redemption Price
per Unit $
Excess of Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit Over
Redemption Price per Unit $
</TABLE>
First Settlement Date , 1994
Mandatory Termination Date (5)
Supervisory Fee Maximum of $.25 per Unit outstanding
annually, payable to an affiliate of
the Sponsor.
Evaluator's Fee $20.00 per evaluation
Income Distribution Record Date Fifteenth day of each month
commencing 15, 1994.
Income Distribution Date (6) Last day of each month commencing
31, 1994.
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 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 the Trust, 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) The sales charge for the Trust, 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
is 3.9% (4.058%).
(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) The Trust may be terminated earlier if the principal value
thereof is less than 20% of the original principal amount of Bonds
deposited in the Trust during the primary offering period.
(6) Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly
payable on the last day of the month to Unit holders of record
on the fifteenth day of such month if the amount available for
distribution equals at least $1.00 per 100 Units. Notwithstanding,
distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be
made in December of each year.
Page 2
FIRST TRUST CORPORATE INCOME TRUST, LADDERED SERIES
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 97
What is The First Trust Special Situations Trust?
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 97 is one of
a series of investment companies created by the Sponsor under
the name of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, each of
which is separate and is designated by a different series number.
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 corporate debt obligations of
well established domestic companies (the "Bonds") 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 Trustee
thereafter credited the account of the Sponsor for Units of the
Trust representing the entire ownership of the Trust which Units
are being offered hereby.
The objectives of the Trust are a high level of current income
and conservation of capital through investment in a portfolio
of interest-bearing corporate debt obligations of well established
domestic companies issued after July 18, 1994. The Trust has been
created as a laddered portfolio such that Bonds representing approximately
20% of the principal amount of the Trust will mature and be distributed
annually to Unit holders commencing on , 2000. THERE
IS, OF COURSE, NO GUARANTEE THAT THE TRUST'S OBJECTIVES WILL BE
ACHIEVED. AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST 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 the Trust's portfolio. From time to time following
the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor, pursuant to the Indenture,
may deposit additional Bonds in the 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
the Trust. Any additional Bonds deposited in the Trust will maintain,
as nearly as is practicable, the original proportionate relationship
of the Bonds in the 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 be due to
the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Bonds deposited
in the Trust on the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit.
See "How May Bonds be Removed from the Trust?" 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 the Trust.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit of the Trust represented
the undivided fractional interest in the Bonds deposited in the
Trust set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." To the
extent that Units of the Trust are redeemed, the aggregate value
of the Bonds in the Trust will be reduced and the undivided fractional
interest represented by each outstanding Unit of the Trust will
increase. However, if additional Units are issued by the Trust
in connection with the deposit of additional Bonds by the Sponsor,
the aggregate value of the Bonds in the Trust will be increased
by amounts allocable to additional Units, and the fractional undivided
interest represented by each Unit of the Trust will be decreased
proportionately. See "How May Units be Redeemed?" The Trust has
a Mandatory Termination Date as set forth herein under "Summary
of Essential Information."
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," or the Moody's Investor Service,
Inc. rating of the Bonds was in no case less than "Baa," including
plus or minus signs or provisional or conditional ratings, or
Page 3
if not rated, the Bonds had, in the opinion of the Sponsor, credit
characteristics sufficiently similar to the credit characteristics
of interest-bearing corporate debt obligations that were so rated
as to be acceptable for acquisition by the Trust (see "Description
of Bond Ratings"); (ii) the prices of the Bonds relative to other
bonds of comparable quality and maturity; (iii) the diversification
of Bonds as to industry of issuer and maturity of Bonds; (iv)
whether the Bonds were issued after July 18, 1984 and (v) whether
the Bonds are non-callable. 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. The Trust
consists primarily of Bonds which, in many cases, do not have
the benefit of covenants which would prevent the issuer from engaging
in capital restructurings or borrowing transactions in connection
with corporate acquisitions, leveraged buyouts or restructurings
which could have the effect of reducing the ability of the issuer
to meet its debt obligations and might result in the ratings of
the Bonds and the value of the underlying Trust portfolio being
reduced. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Bonds be Removed
from the Trust?"
Certain of the Bonds in the Trust 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 Trust were lower than the current market interest
rates for newly issued bonds of comparable rating and type. If
such interest rates for newly issued comparable bonds increase,
the market discount of previously issued bonds will become greater,
and if such interest rates for newly issued comparable bonds decline,
the market discount of previously issued bonds will be reduced,
other things being equal. Investors should also note that the
value of bonds purchased at a market discount will increase in
value faster than bonds purchased at a market premium if interest
rates decrease. Conversely, if interest rates increase, the value
of bonds purchased at a market discount will decrease faster than
bonds purchased at a 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 capital gain and less in the
form of interest income than a comparable bond newly issued at
current market rates. 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.
Certain of the Bonds in the Trust may be original issue discount
bonds or zero coupon 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 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 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.
The effect of owning deep discount zero coupon bonds which do
not make current interest payments is that a fixed yield is earned
not only on the original investment, but also, in effect, on all
earnings during the life of the discount obligation. This implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk
of being unable to reinvest the income on such obligations at
a rate as high as the implicit yield on the discount obligation,
but at the same time eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest
at higher rates in the future. For this reason, the zero coupon
bonds are subject to substantially greater price fluctuations
during periods of changing interest rates than are securities
of comparable quality which make regular interest payments.
Certain of the Bonds in the Trust 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 Trust 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
Page 4
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 Trust 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.
See "Rights of Unit Holders: How May Bonds be Removed from the
Trust?" and "Other Information: How May the Indenture be Amended
or Terminated?"
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 the 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 Trust
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 or otherwise. 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 from a fund accumulated for the scheduled retirement
of a portion of an issue prior to maturity. 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 Estimated Long-Term Return and the Estimated Current
Return on Units of the 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
obligations by issuers or dealers to deliver Bonds to the Sponsor
for deposit in the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the Trust
or if their delivery is delayed, the Estimated Long-Term Return
and the Estimated Current Return (if applicable) shown in "Special
Trust Information" may be reduced.
Page 5
In the event of a failure to deliver any Bond that has been purchased
for the 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 the 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, 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.
Whenever a New Bond has been acquired for the Trust, the Trustee
shall, within five days thereafter, notify all Unit holders of
the 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 the Trust of the Failed Bond exceeded the cost of the
New Bond plus accrued interest. Once the original corpus of the
Trust is acquired, the Trustee will have no power to vary the
investment of the Trust, i.e., the 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
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 Trustee in its sole discretion
deems to be in the interest of the Unit holders of the 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.
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 Trust. At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit,
litigation may be initiated on a variety of grounds with respect
to Bonds in the Trust. Such litigation may affect the validity
of such Bonds. 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.
Each Unit initially offered represents that fractional undivided
interest in the Trust as is set forth in the "Summary of Essential
Information" for the Trust. To the extent that any Units of the
Trust are redeemed by the Trustee, the fractional undivided interest
in the Trust represented by each unredeemed Unit will increase,
although the actual interest in the 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.
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 are as set forth in "Special Trust Information." 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. 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 the Trust change. Therefore, there is no assurance that the
Estimated Current Return (if applicable) indicated in "Special
Trust Information" will be realized in the future. Estimated Long-Term
Return is calculated using a formula which (1
Page 6
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; and (2)
takes into account the expenses and sales charge associated with
each Unit of the Trust. 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 "Special Trust Information" 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 the distributions to Unit holders.
Record Dates for distributions of interest are the fifteenth day
of each month. The Distribution Dates for distributions of interest
is the last day of each month. Unit holders will receive such
distributions, if any, from the Capital Account as are made as
of the Record Dates for monthly distributions.
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 Capital 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.
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel for the Sponsor,
under existing law:
(1) The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for
Federal income tax purposes.
(2) Each Unit holder of the Trust is considered to be the owner
of a pro rata portion of the Trust under subpart E, subchapter
J of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (hereinafter
the "Code"). Each Unit holder will be considered to have received
his pro rata share of income derived from each Trust asset when
such income is received by the Trust. Each Unit holder will also
be required to include in taxable income for Federal income tax
purposes, original issue discount with respect to his interest
in any Bonds held by the Trust at the same time and in the same
manner as though the Unit holder were the direct owner of such
interest.
(3) Each Unit holder 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
Page 7
such Unit holders may have an increase in taxable gain or reduction
in capital loss upon the disposition of such Units. Gain or loss
upon the sale or redemption of Units is measured by comparing
the proceeds of such sale or redemption with the adjusted basis
of the Units. If the Trustee disposes of Bonds (whether by sale,
exchange, 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 including the Stripped Obligations
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 the Trust at a premium must be reduced by the annual amortization
of bond premium which the Unit holder has properly elected to
amortize under Section 171 of the Code. The tax cost reduction
requirements of the 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. The Stripped Obligations
held by the Trust are treated as bonds that were originally issued
at an original issue discount provided, pursuant to a Treasury
Regulation (the "Regulation") issued on December 28, 1992, that
the amount of original issue discount determined under Section
1286 of the Code is not less than a "de minimis" amount as determined
thereunder as discussed below. Because the Stripped Obligations
represent interests in "stripped" bonds, a Unit holder's initial
cost for his pro rata portions of each Stripped Obligation held
by the Trust (determined at the time he acquires his Units in
the manner described above) shall be treated as its "purchase
price" by the Unit holder. Original issue discount is effectively
treated as interest for Federal income tax purposes and the amount
of original issue discount in this case is generally the difference
between the bond's purchase price and its stated redemption price
at maturity. A Unit holder will be required to include in gross
income for each taxable year the sum of his daily portions of
original issue discount attributable to the Stripped Obligations
held by the Trust as such original issue discount accrues and
will in general be subject to Federal income tax with respect
to the total amount of such original issue discount that accrues
for such year even though the income is not distributed to the
Unit holders during such year to the extent it is not less than
a "de minimis" amount as determined under the Regulation. In general,
original issue discount accrues daily under a constant interest
rate method which takes into account the semi-annual compounding
of accrued interest. In the case of the Stripped Obligations,
this method will generally result in an increasing amount of income
to the Unit holders each year. Unit holders should consult their
tax advisers regarding the Federal income tax consequences and
accretion of original issue discount.
(4) Each Unit holder's pro rata share of each expense paid by
the Trust is deductible by the Unit holder to the same extent
as though the expense had been paid directly by him, subject to
the following limitation. It should be noted that as a result
of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain miscellaneous itemized
deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return preparation
fees and employee business expenses will be deductible by an individual
only to the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted
gross income. Temporary regulations have been issued which require
Unit holders to treat certain expenses of the Trust as miscellaneous
itemized deductions subject to this limitation.
If a Unit holder's tax basis of his pro rata portion in any Bonds
held by the Trust exceeds the amount payable by the issuer of
the Bonds with respect to such pro rata interest upon maturity
of the Bond, such excess would be considered "acquisition premium"
which may be amortized by the Unit holder at the Unit holder's
election as provided in Section 171 of the Code. Unit holders
should consult their tax advisors regarding whether such election
should be made and the manner of amortizing acquisition premium.
Certain of the Bonds in the Trust may have been acquired with
"original issue discount." In the case of any Bonds in the Trust
acquired with "original issue discount" that exceeds a "de minimis"
amount as specified in the Code or in the case of the Stripped
Obligations as specified in the Regulation, such discount is includable
in taxable income of the Unit holders on an accrual basis computed
daily, without regard to when payments
Page 8
of interest on such Bonds are received. The Code provides a complex
set of rules regarding the accrual of original issue discount.
These rules provide that original issue discount generally accrues
on the basis of a constant compound interest rate over the term
of the Bonds. Unit holders should consult their tax advisers as
to the amount of original issue discount which accrues.
Special original issue discount rules apply if the purchase price
of the Bond by the Trust exceeds its original issue price plus
the amount of original issue discount which would have previously
accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price").
Unit holders should also consult their tax advisers regarding
these special rules. Similarly these special rules would apply
to a Unit holder if the tax basis of his pro rata portion of a
Bond issued with original issue discount exceeds his pro rata
portion of its adjusted issue price.
If a Unit holder's tax basis in his pro rata portion of Bonds
is less than the allocable portion of such Bond's stated redemption
price at maturity (or, if issued with original issue discount,
the allocable portion of its "revised issue price"), such difference
will constitute market discount unless the amount of market discount
is "de minimis" as specified in the Code. Market discount accrues
daily computed on a straight line basis, unless the Unit holder
elects to calculate accrued market discount under a constant yield
method. The market discount rules do not apply to Stripped Obligations
because they are stripped debt instruments subject to special
original issue discount rules as discussed above. Unit holders
should consult their tax advisers as to the amount of market discount
which accrues.
Accrued market discount is generally includable in taxable income
to the Unit holders as ordinary income for Federal tax purposes
upon the receipt of serial principal payments on the Bonds, on
the sale, maturity or disposition of such Bonds by the Trust,
and on the sale by a Unit holder of Units, unless a Unit holder
elects to include the accrued market discount in taxable income
as such discount accrues. If a Unit holder does not elect to annually
include accrued market discount in taxable income as it accrues,
deductions for any interest expenses incurred by the Unit holder
which is incurred to purchase or carry his Units will be reduced
by such accrued market discount. In general, the portion of any
interest expense which was not currently deductible would ultimately
be deductible when the accrued market discount is included in
income. Unit holders should consult their tax advisers regarding
whether an election should be made to include market discount
in income as it accrues and as to the amount of interest expense
which may not be currently deductible.
The tax basis of a Unit holder with respect to his interest in
a Bond is increased by the amount of original issue discount (and
market discount, if the Unit holder elects to include market discount,
if any, on the Bonds held by the Trust in income as it accrues)
thereon properly included in the Unit holder's gross income as
determined for Federal income tax purposes and reduced by the
amount of any amortized acquisition premium which the Unit holder
has properly elected to amortize under Section 171 of the Code.
A Unit holder's tax basis in his Units will equal his tax basis
in his pro rata portion of all of the assets of the Trust.
A Unit holder will recognize taxable capital gain (or loss) when
all or part of his pro rata interest in a Bond is disposed of
in a taxable transaction for an amount greater (or less) than
his tax basis therefor. Any gain recognized on a sale or exchange
and not constituting a realization of accrued "market discount,"
and any loss will, under current law, generally be capital gain
or loss. As previously discussed, gain realized on the disposition
of the interest of a Unit holder in any Bond deemed to have been
acquired with market discount will be treated as ordinary income
to the extent the gain does not exceed the amount of accrued market
discount not previously taken into income. Any capital gain or
loss arising from the disposition of a Bond by the Trust or the
disposition of Units by a Unit holder will be short-term capital
gain or loss unless the Unit holder has held his Units for more
than one year in which case such capital gain or loss will be
long-term. For taxpayers other than corporations, net capital
gains are presently subject to a maximum stated marginal tax rate
of 28 percent.
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "Tax Act") raised
tax rates on ordinary income while capital gains remain subject
to a 28 percent maximum stated rate. Because some or all capital
gains are taxed at a comparatively lower rate under the Tax Act,
the Tax Act includes a provision that would recharacterize capital
gains as ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions
that are "conversion transactions" effective
Page 9
for transactions entered into after April 30, 1993. Unit holders
and prospective investors should consult with their tax advisers
regarding the potential effect of this provision on their investment
in Units.
If the Unit holder disposes of a Unit, he is deemed thereby to
have disposed of his entire pro rata interest in all Trust assets
including his pro rata portion of all of the Bonds represented
by the Unit. This may result in a portion of the gain, if any,
on such sale being taxable as ordinary income under the market
discount rules (assuming no election was made by the Unit holder
to include market discount in income as it accrues) as previously
discussed.
A Unit holder who is a foreign investor (i.e., an investor other
than a U.S. citizen or resident or a U.S. corporation, partnership,
estate or trust) will not be subject to United States Federal
income taxes, including withholding taxes, on interest income
(including any original issue discount) on, or any gain from the
sale or other disposition of, his pro rata interest in any Bond
or the sale of his Units provided that all of the following conditions
are met: (i) the interest income or gain is not effectively connected
with the conduct by the foreign investor of a trade or business
within the United States (ii) (a) the interest income is not from
sources within the United States or (b) if the interest is United
States source income (which is the case for most securities issued
by United States issuers), then the foreign investor does not
own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of voting stock of the issuer of the
Bond and the foreign investor is not a controlled foreign corporation
related (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code)
to the issuer of the Bond, (iii) with respect to any gain, the
foreign investor (if an individual) is not present in the United
States for 183 days or more during his or her taxable year and
(iv) the foreign investor provides all certification which may
be required of his status (foreign investors may contact the Sponsor
to obtain a Form W-8 which must be filed with the Trustee and
refiled every three calendar years thereafter). Foreign investors
should consult their tax advisers with respect to United States
tax consequences of ownership of Units.
It should be noted that the Tax Act included a provision which
eliminates the exemption from United States taxation, including
withholding taxes, for certain "contingent interest." The provision
applies to interest received after December 31, 1993. No opinion
is expressed herein regarding the potential applicability of this
provision and whether United States taxation or withholding taxes
could be imposed with respect to income derived from the Units
as a result thereof. Unit holders and prospective investors should
consult with their tax advisers regarding the potential effect
of this provision on their investment in Units.
Each Unit holder (other than a foreign investor who has properly
provided the certifications described above) will be requested
to provide the Unit holder's taxpayer identification number to
the trustee and to certify that the Unit holder has not been notified
that payments to the Unit holder are subject to back-up withholding.
If the proper taxpayer identification number and appropriate certification
are not provided when requested, distributions by the Trust to
such Unit holder will be subject to back-up withholding.
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, Special Counsel to
the Trust for New York tax matters, the Trust is not an association
taxable as a corporation and the income of the Trust will be treated
as the income of the Unit holders under the existing income tax
laws of the State and City of New York.
The foregoing discussion relates only to United States Federal
and New York State and City income taxes; Unit holders may be
subject to state and local taxation in other jurisdictions (including
a foreign investor's country of residence). Unit holders should
consult their tax advisers regarding potential state, local, or
foreign taxation with respect to the Units.
Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for Retirement Plans?
Units of the Trust may be well suited for purchase by Individual
Retirement Accounts, Keogh Plans, pension funds and other tax-deferred
retirement plans. Generally, the Federal income tax relating to
capital gains and income received in each of the foregoing plans
is deferred until distributions are received. Distributions from
such plans are generally treated as ordinary income but may, in
some cases, be eligible for special averaging or tax-deferred
rollover treatment. Investors considering participation in any
such plan should review specific tax laws related thereto and
should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect to
the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. Such plans
are offered by brokerage firms and other financial institutions.
Fees and charges with respect to such plans may vary.
Page 10
What are the Expenses and Charges?
At no cost to the Trust, the Sponsor has borne all the expenses
of creating and establishing the Trust, 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 of the
Trust outstanding 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 of the Trust
outstanding as of the respective Dates of Deposit. The fee may
exceed the actual costs of providing such supervisory services
for this Trust, 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 the Trust, the Evaluator will
receive a fee of $20.00. The Trustee pays certain expenses of
the Trust for which it is reimbursed by the Trust. After the first
year the Trustee will receive for its ordinary recurring services
to the 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 the 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 Trust and also provides securities clearing services for
the Sponsor and provides a line of credit which the Sponsor may
utilize to acquire securities (which may include certain of the
Bonds deposited in the Trust). The Trustee's and Evaluator's fees
are payable monthly on or before each Distribution Date from the
Interest Account of the Trust to the extent funds are available
and then from the Capital Account of the Trust. Since the Trustee
has the use of the funds being held in the Capital 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 Trust 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 following additional charges are or may be incurred by the
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 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 in
the Trust in order to make funds available to pay all these amounts
if funds are not otherwise available in the Interest and Capital
Accounts of the Trust.
Unless the Sponsor determines that such an audit is not required,
that the Indenture requires the accounts of the 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
Page 11
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.
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 the Trust a pro rata share of cash, if any, in
the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust and a sales charge
of 3.9% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.058% of
the net amount invested). Also added to the Public Offering Price
is a proportionate share of interest accrued but unpaid on the
Bonds after the First Settlement Date to the date of settlement.
See "How Is Accrued Interest Treated?" 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
the Trust.
For purchases made during the Initial Public Offering, the applicable
sales charge is reduced by a discount as indicated below for volume
purchases:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollar Amount of Discount of Public
Transaction at Offering Price
Public Offering Price per Unit
_____________________ __________________
<S> <C>
$ 250,000 to $499,999 $ 2.50
$ 500,000 to $999,999 $ 5.00
$1,000,000 or more $10.00
</TABLE>
Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the
selling Underwriter or dealer, except that the Sponsor will reimburse
the selling Underwriter or dealer an additional concession of
$2.50 per Unit for purchases of $500,000 or more. This reduced
sales charge structure will apply on all purchases of Units in
the Trust by the same person on any one day from any one Underwriter
or dealer. For purposes of calculating the applicable sales charge,
purchases of Units of the Trust will not be aggregated with any
other purchases by the same person of units in any series of tax-exempt
or other 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 under 21 years of
age will be deemed for the purposes of calculating the applicable
sales charge to be additional purchases by the purchaser. The
reduced sales charges will also be applicable to a trustee or
other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust or single
fiduciary account.
The Public Offering Price of Units of the Trust for secondary
market purchases will be determined by adding to the Evaluator's
determination of the aggregate bid price of the Bonds in the 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 Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust and dividing the
result by the number of Units of the Trust then outstanding. The
minimum sales charge on Units will be 3.0% 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 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.
Page 12
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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Secondary Offering Period
Sales Charge
_________________________
Percentage Percentage
of Public of Net
Offering Amount
Years to Maturity Price Invested
_________________ __________ __________
<S> <C> <C>
Less than 1 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 or more 4.70 5.263
</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 65% 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.
With respect to the employees, officers and directors (including
their immediate families and trustees, custodians or a fiduciary
for the benefit of such person) of Nike Securities L.P. and its
subsidiaries the sales charge is reduced by 2% of the Public Offering
Price for purchases of Units during the initial and secondary
offering periods.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price is as
indicated in the "Summary of Essential Information." In addition
to fluctuations in the amount of interest accrued but unpaid on
Bonds in the Trust, 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 the 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.
During the initial public offering period, a determination of
the aggregate price of the Bonds in the 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 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
the 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.
Page 13
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 "Underwriting")
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 the Trust and create additional
Units. Upon completion of the initial offering, Units repurchased
in the secondary market (see "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 Trust
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 $25.00 per Unit. Any broker/dealer or bank will
receive additional concessions or agency commissions for volume
purchases only on the Initial Date of Deposit resulting in total
concessions as contained in the following table:
250-499 500
Units or more Units
Purchased Purchased
_________ _____________
Total Concessions $26.00 $28.00
However, resales of Units of the 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 Trust 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 above. Under the Glass-Steagall
Act, banks are prohibited from underwriting Trust 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.
What are the Sponsor's Profits?
The Underwriters of the Trust, including the Sponsor, will receive
a gross sales commission equal to 3.9% of the Public Offering
Price of the Units of the 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 "Underwriting" 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 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 the Trust, in the amount of any difference
between the cost of the Bonds to the Trust (which is based on
the Evaluator's determination of the aggregate offering price
of the underlying Bonds of the Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit
as well as subsequent dates of deposit) and the cost of such Bonds
to the Sponsor. See "Underwriting" and Note 1 of "Notes to Portfolio."
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
Page 14
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.
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 the Trust) and the price at which Units are resold
(which price is also based on the bid prices of the Bonds in the
Trust and includes a maximum sales charge of 4.7%) or redeemed.
The secondary market public offering price of Units may be greater
or less than the cost of such Units to the Sponsor.
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 the 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 the Trust in secondary market transactions.
As in this Trust, 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
of the certificate with the signature guaranteed by a participant
in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP")
or such other signature guaranty program in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, as may be accepted by the Trustee. In
certain instances the Trustee may require additional documents
such as, but not limited to, trust instruments, certificates of
death, appointments as executor or administrator or certificates
of corporate authority. 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.
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 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.
Page 15
How are Interest and Capital Distributed?
Interest from the Trust after deduction of amounts sufficient
to reimburse the Trustee, without interest, for any amounts advanced
and paid to the Sponsor as the Unit holder of record as of the
First Settlement Date (see "How is Accrued Interest Treated?")
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. All distributions for the Trust will be net of applicable
expenses for the Trust.
The pro rata share of cash in the Capital Account of the Trust
will be computed as of the fifteenth day of each month, and distributions
to the Unit holders of the 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 the Trust received
after such Record Date and prior to the following Distribution
Date will be held in the Capital Account of the Trust and not
distributed until the next Distribution Date. The Trustee is not
required to pay interest on funds held in the Capital or Interest
Account of the Trust (but may itself earn interest thereon and
therefore benefit from the use of such funds) nor to make a distribution
from the Capital Account of the Trust unless the amount available
for distribution shall equal at least $1.00 per Unit .Notwithstanding,
distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be
made on the last day of each December to Unit holders of record as of
December 15.
The Trustee will credit to the Interest Account of the Trust all
interest received by the Trust, including that part of the proceeds
of any disposition of Bonds which represents accrued interest.
Other receipts will be credited to the Capital Account of the
Trust. The distribution to the Unit holders of the 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 the Trust after deducting estimated expenses.
Because interest payments are not received by the Trust at a constant
rate throughout the year, such interest distribution may be more
or less than the amount credited to the Interest Account of the
Trust as of the Record Date. For the purpose of minimizing fluctuations
in the distributions from the Interest Account of the Trust, the
Trustee is authorized to advance such amounts as may be necessary
to provide interest distributions of approximately equal amounts.
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. The Trustee is not required to pay interest
on funds held in the Capital or Interest Account of the 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 the Trust and, to the extent funds
are not sufficient therein, from the Capital Account of the Trust,
amounts necessary to pay the expenses of the 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 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 Capital Account of the Trust such
amounts as may be necessary to cover redemption of Units of the
Trust by the Trustee.
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
Page 16
the Trustee in writing, elect to terminate his participation in
the Universal Distribution Option and receive directly future
distributions on his Units.
What Reports Will Unit Holders Receive?
The Trustee shall furnish Unit holders of the 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 end of each calendar year,
the Trustee will furnish to each person who at any time during
the calendar year was a Unit holder of the Trust of record, a
statement as to (1) the Interest Account: interest received by
the Trust (including amounts representing interest received upon
any disposition of Bonds of the Trust), 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 Capital
Account: the dates of disposition of any Bonds of the 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 the 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 Capital
Account of the Trust, separately stated, expressed both as total
dollar amounts and as dollar amounts representing the pro rata
share of each Unit outstanding.
In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting requirements,
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 corporate 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 (4:00 p.m. Eastern time) 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 Capital Account of the
Trust. All other amounts paid on redemption shall be withdrawn
from the Capital 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 the initial offering period will be determined
on the basis of the offering price of the Bonds of the 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 the Trust)
by the amount shown under "Summary of Essential
Page 17
Information." 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 the 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) any interest
accrued thereon, less (a) amounts representing taxes or other
governmental charges payable out of the Trust, (b) the accrued
expenses of the 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 the 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.
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 the Trust
in order to make funds available for redemption. To the extent
that Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of the 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 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 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 Trust?
The Trustee, in its sole discretion, is empowered to sell underlying
Bonds of a Trust in order to make funds available for the redemption
of Units of such Trust or to provide for the payment of expenses
of such Trust for which funds are not available. The Depositor
shall maintain with the Trustee a current list of Bonds held in
each Trust designated to be sold for such purposes. As described
in the following paragraph, the Trustee may also sell Bonds in
the Trust which are in default in the payment of principal or
interest or in significant risk of such default where, in the
Sponsor's opinion, such sale is in the best interests of Unit
holders or no other alternative exists. In addition, at the Sponsor's
request, the Trustee shall sell Bonds of a Trust if factors arise
which, in the Sponsor's opinion, adversely affect the tax or exchange
control status of the Bonds. See "How May Units be Redeemed?"
The Sponsor may from time to time act as agent for the Trust with
Page 18
respect to selling Bonds out of the 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, 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 is the First Trust Special Situations Trust?" for Failed
Bonds, the acquisition by the 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 or to any series thereof or to
any other Underwriters. 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 Trusts 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 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 portfolio or the Insurance Policy. 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
Page 19
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 thirty 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 the Trustee may be merged or with which
it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger or consolidation to which the 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 Trust which the Trustee may be required to pay
under any present or future law of the United States of America
or of any other taxing authority having jurisdiction. In addition,
the Indenture contains other customary provisions limiting the
liability of the Trustee.
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 Trust 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 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.
Page 20
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 the Trust issuable thereunder or to permit the deposit
or acquisition of securities either in addition to or in substitution
for any of the Bonds initially deposited in the 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.
The Trust may be liquidated at any time by consent of 100% of
the Unit holders of the Trust or by the Trustee when the value
of the Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than 20% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds initially deposited
in the Trust during the primary offering period or by the Trustee
in the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating
more than 60% of the Units of the Trust are tendered for redemption
by the Underwriters, including the Sponsor. If the 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 the 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 . In the
event of termination, written notice thereof will be sent by the
Trustee to all Unit holders of the 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 the Trust, will distribute to each Unit holder of the 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 the 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 Trust for New York tax matters.
Experts
The statement of net assets, including the portfolio, of the Trust
on the Initial Date of Deposit appearing in this Prospectus and
Registration Statement has been audited by Ernst & Young, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere
herein and in the Registration Statement, and is included in reliance
upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriters named below, including the Sponsor, have severally
purchased Units in the following respective amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Name Address Units
____ _______ _________
<S> <C> <C>
Sponsor
Nike Securities L.P. 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 60532
Underwriters
________
========
Page 21
</TABLE>
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Underwriters of the Trust
became the owners of the Units of the Trust and entitled to the
benefits thereof, as well as the risks inherent therein.
The Agreement Among Underwriters provides that a public offering
of the Units of the 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 14.
The Sponsor will receive from the Underwriters the excess over
the gross sales commission contained in the following table:
Underwriting Concession (per Unit)
100-249 250-999 1,000 or More
Units Units Units
Underwritten Underwritten Underwritten
____________ ____________ ____________
$26.00 $28.00 $29.00
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, The First Trust Special Situations Trust 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, will 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 $0.50
$ 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 (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 the 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
and the Aggregate Offering Price thereof on the Date of Deposit,
less a charge for acquiring the Bonds in the portfolio and for
the Sponsor maintaining a secondary market for the Units. See
"What are the Sponsor's Profits?" and Note 1 of "Notes to Portfolio."
From time to time the Sponsor may implement programs under which
Underwriters and dealers of the Trust 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 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 Trust. Such payments are made by the Sponsor out
of its
Page 22
own assets, and not out of the assets of the Trust. These programs
will not change the price Unit holders pay for their Units or
the amount that the Trust will receive from the Units sold.
A comparison of estimated current returns and estimated long-term
returns with the returns on various 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 investments such as 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.
Page 23
First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered Series
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Special Trust Information
Monthly
_______
<S> <C>
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Unit Income
Estimated Annual Interest Income per Unit $
Less: Estimated Annual Expense per Unit $
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit $
Calculation of Interest Distribution per Unit
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit $
Divided by 12 $
Estimated Daily Rate of Net Interest Accrual per Unit $
Estimated Current Return Based on Public Offering Price (1) %
Estimated Long-Term Return Based on Public Offering Price (1) %
CUSIP
</TABLE>
Trustee's Annual Fee $ per Unit, exclusive
of expenses of the Trust
commencing , 1994.
Distributions
First distribution of $ per Unit will be paid on
, 1994 to Unit holders of record on , 1994.
Regular distributions of $ per Unit will
begin on , 1994 to Unit holders of record on , 1994.
Computation Dates Fifteenth day of the month.
Distribution Dates Last day of the month
commencing , 1994.
[FN]
(1) 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; and (2) takes into account the expenses and
sales charge associated with each Unit of the Trust. 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 24
First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered Series
Portfolio
At the Opening of Business
On the Initial Date of Deposit of the Bonds-
, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Issue Represented by Sponsor's Cost to
Principal Contracts to Purchase Bonds (1) (2) Rating the Trust
_________ ___________________________________ ______ _________
<C> <S> <C> <C>
$ $
__________ __________
$ $
========== ==========
</TABLE>
[FN]
____________
See "Notes to Portfolio" on page 29.
Page 25
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders
First Trust Corporate Income Trust, LADDERED SERIES
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including
the portfolio, of First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered
Series, comprising the First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series
97, as of the opening of business on ,
1994. This statement of net assets is the responsibility of the
Trust's Sponsor. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
this statement 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 statement
of net assets is free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the statement of net assets. Our procedures included
confirmation of the letter of credit held by the Trustee and deposited
in the Trust on , 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 statement of net assets. We believe that our
audit of the statement of net assets provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above
presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered Series, comprising
the First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 97, at the opening
of business on , 1994 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG
Chicago, Illinois
, 1994
Page 26
Statement of Net Assets
FIRST TRUST CORPORATE INCOME TRUST, LADDERED SERIES
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 97
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSETS
<S> <C>
Delivery statements relating to Sponsor's contracts to purchase
bonds (1)(2) $
Accrued interest on underlying bonds (2)(4)
_________
Less distributions payable (4)
_________
Net assets $
=========
Outstanding Units
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
<S> <C>
Cost to investors (3) $
Less gross underwriting commissions (3)
_________
Net assets $
=========
<FN>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
(1) The aggregate offering price of the bonds in the Trust at
the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit and the
cost to the 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 deposited in the
Trust as collateral. The amount of available letter of credit
and the amount expected to be utilized for the Trust is shown
below. The amount expected to be utilized is (a) the cost to the
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.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Accrued
Aggregate Accrued Interest to
Letter of Credit Offering Interest to Expected
To be Price of Date of Dates of
Trust Available Utilized Bonds Deposit Delivery
_____ _________ ________ _________ ___________ ___________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Trust Corporate Income
Trust, Laddered Series $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
[FN]
(3) The aggregate cost to investors (exclusive of accrued interest)
and the aggregate gross underwriting commissions of 3.9% are computed
assuming no reduction of sales charge for quantity purchases.
(4) The Trustee will advance to the Trust the amount of net interest
accrued to , 1994, the First Settlement
Date, for distribution to the Sponsor as the Unit holder of record.
Page 27
NOTES TO PORTFOLIO
The following Notes to Portfolio pertain to the information contained
in the Trust Portfolio on page 25.
(1) Sponsor's contracts to purchase Bonds were entered into during
the period from , 1994 to
, 1994. All contracts to purchase Bonds are expected
to be settled on or prior to , 1994 unless
otherwise indicated.
Other information regarding the Bonds in the Trust on the Initial
Date of Deposit is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Annual
Offering Cost of Profit Or Interest
Price of Bonds To (Loss) To Bid Price Income
Trust Bonds Sponsor Sponsor of Bonds to Trust
_____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Trust Corporate Income Trust,
Laddered Series $ $ $ $ $
</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 portfolio hedging transaction costs and
hedging gains and 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) Rating by Standard & Poor's Corporation.
(3) Rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
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 Security Assurance, Inc., Capital
Markets Assurance Corporation or AMBAC Indemnity Corporation 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.
Page 28
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, 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 large 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.
Page 29
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 30
Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders
The table below sets forth the per Unit estimated monthly distributions
of interest and principal to Unit holders. The table assumes 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 and 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>
First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered Series
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Interest Principal Total
Date (Each Month) Distribution Distribution Distribution
_________________ ____________ ____________ ____________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
Page 31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTENTS:
<S> <C>
Summary of Essential Information 2
First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered Series
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 97:
What is The First Trust Special Situations Trust? 3
What are Estimated Long-Term Return and
Estimated Current Return? 6
How is Accrued Interest Treated? 7
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders? 7
Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for
Retirement Plans? 10
What are the Expenses and Charges? 11
Public Offering:
How is the Public Offering Price Determined? 12
How are Units Distributed? 14
What are the Sponsor's Profits? 14
Will There be a Secondary Market? 15
Rights of Unit Holders:
How are Certificates Issued and Transferred? 15
How are Interest and Capital Distributed? 16
How Can Distributions to Unit Holders be
Reinvested? 16
What Reports Will Unit Holders Receive? 17
How May Units be Redeemed? 17
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor? 18
How May Bonds be Removed from the Trust? 18
Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator:
Who is the Sponsor? 19
Who is the Trustee? 19
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee 20
Who is the Evaluator? 20
Other Information:
How May the Indenture be Amended or
Terminated? 21
Legal Opinions 21
Experts 21
Underwriting 21
First Trust Corporate Income Trust, Laddered Series 24
Portfolio 25
Report of Independent Auditors 26
Statement of Net Assets 27
Notes to Statement of Net Assets 27
Notes to Portfolio 28
Description of Bond Ratings 28
Estimated Cash Flows to Unit Holders 31
______________
</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 TRUST 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)
FIRST TRUST CORPORATE INCOME TRUST
LADDERED SERIES
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
, 1994
Page 32
MEMORANDUM
Re: The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 97
As indicated in our cover letter transmitting the
Registration Statement on Form S-6 and other related material
under the Securities Act of 1933 to the Commission, the only
difference of consequence (except as described below) between The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 99, which is the
current fund, and The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 97, the filing of which this memorandum accompanies, is
the change in the series number. The list of bonds comprising
the Fund, the evaluation, record and distribution dates and other
changes pertaining specifically to the new series, such as size
and number of Units in the Fund and the statement of condition of
the new Fund, will be filed by amendment.
1940 ACT
FORMS N-8A AND N-8B-2
These forms were not filed, as the Form N-8A and Form N-8B-2
filed in respect of Templeton Growth and Treasury Trust, Series 1
and subsequent series (File No. 811-05903) related also to the
subsequent series of the Fund.
1933 ACT
PROSPECTUS
The only significant changes in the Prospectus from the
Series 99 Prospectus relate to the series number and size and the
date and various items of information which will be derived from
and apply specifically to the bonds deposited in the Fund.
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM A Bonding Arrangements of Depositor:
Nike Securities L.P. is covered by a Broker's 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
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the Registrant, The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series
97 has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
Village of Lisle and State of Illinois on June 24, 1994.
THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS
TRUST, SERIES 97
(Registrant)
By: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
(Depositor)
By Carlos E. Nardo
Senior Vice President
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 June 24, 1994
Corporation, the
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., the Depositor.
** An executed copy of the related power of attorney was filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with 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 by this reference.
S-2
CONSENTS OF COUNSEL
The consents of counsel to the use of their names in the
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement will be
contained in their respective opinions to be filed as Exhibits
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Registration Statement.
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG
The consent of Ernst & Young to the use of its name and to
the reference to such firm in the Prospectus included in this
Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
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
S-3
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 24 and
subsequent Series effective January 23, 1992 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-
45093] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 24).
1.1.1* Form of Trust Agreement for Series 97 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, the 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 Corporaiton, the
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).
2.1 Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1
filed herewith on page 2 and incorporated herein by
reference).
3.1* Opinion of counsel as to legality of Securities being
registered.
S-4
3.2* Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of
Securities being registered.
3.3* Opinion of counsel as to New York income tax status of
Securities being registered.
3.4* Opinion of counsel as to advancement of funds by Trustee.
4.1* Consent of Securities Evaluation Service, Inc.
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).
___________________________________
* To be filed by amendment.
S-5
