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Next: MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND OF MLMSMST, 485APOS, 1999-09-29 |
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 1999 Securities Act File No. 33-54341 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549FORM N-1A |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Pre-Effective Amendment No. Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 and/or REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 Amendment No. 183 |
|X| | | |X| |X| |X| |
(Check appropriate box or boxes)Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund 800 Scudders Mill Road Terry K. Glenn Copies to: |
Counsel for the Trust BROWN & WOOD LLP One World Trade Center New York, New York 10048-0557 Attention: Thomas R. Smith, Jr., Esq. Brian M. Kaplowitz, Esq. |
Michael J. Hennewinkel, Esq. MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box): |
| | | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| | | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
|X| | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| | | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| | | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
| | | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box: |
| | | this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.10 per share. |
Prospectus[LOGO] Merrill Lynch The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not use this prospectus to sell securities until the registration statement containing this prospectus, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
November __, 1999 This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. |
Table of Contents |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
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[ICON] Key Facts In an effort to help you better understand the many concepts involved in making an investment decision, we have defined highlighted terms in this prospectus in the sidebar. Investment Grade any of the four highest debt obligation ratings by recognized rating agencies, including Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's or Fitch IBCA, Inc. Arkansas Municipal Bond a debt obligation issued by or on behalf of a governmental entity in Arkansas or other qualifying issuer that pays interest exempt from Arkansas income taxes as well as from Federal income tax. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND AT A GLANCE What is the Fund's objective? The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with income exempt from Federal and Arkansas income taxes. What are the Fund's main investment strategies? The Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of long term investment grade Arkansas municipal bonds. These may be obligations of a variety of issuers including governmental entities in Arkansas and issuers located in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. The Fund will invest at least 65% of its assets in Arkansas municipal bonds and at least 80% of its total assets in Arkansas municipal bonds and other bonds that pay interest exempt from Federal income tax but not Arkansas income tax. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in high yield bonds (also known as "junk bonds"). The Fund also may invest in certain types of derivative securities. When choosing investments, Fund management considers various factors, including the credit quality of issuers, yield analysis, maturity analysis and the call features of the obligations. Under normal conditions, the Fund's average weighted maturity will be more than ten years. The Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its objective. What are the main risks of investing in the Fund? As with any fund, the value of the Fund's investments and therefore the value of Fund shares may go up or down. These changes may occur in response to interest rate changes or other factors that may affect a particular issuer or obligation. Generally, when interest rates go up, the value of debt instruments like municipal bonds goes down. If the value of the Fund's investments goes down, you may lose money. Prices of longer term securities generally change more in response to interest rate changes than prices of shorter term securities. In addition, since the Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in Arkansas municipal bonds, it is more exposed to negative political or economic factors in Arkansas than a fund that invests more widely. Derivatives and high yield bonds may be volatile and subject to liquidity, leverage, credit and other types of risks. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 3 |
[ICON] Key Facts Who should invest? The Fund may be an appropriate investment for you if you: |
| Are looking for income that is exempt from Federal and Arkansas income taxes | |
| Want a professionally managed portfolio without the administrative burdens of direct investments in municipal bonds | |
| Are looking for liquidity | |
| Can tolerate the risk of loss caused by negative political or economic developments in Arkansas, changes in interest rates or adverse changes in the price of bonds in general |
4 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance for Class B shares for each complete calendar year since the Fund's inception. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. The table compares the average annual total returns for each class of the Fund's shares for the periods shown with those of the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. How the Fund performed in the past is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. [The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.] |
1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | ||||
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15.26 | % | 3.04 | % | 7.42 | % | 4.13 | % |
During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 5.89% (quarter ended March 31, 1995) and the lowest return for a quarter was -1.47% (quarter ended March 31, 1996). The Fund's year-to-date return as of June 30, 1999 was -1.44%. |
Average Annual Total Returns (as of
the calendar year ended December 31, 1998) |
Past One Year |
Since Inception |
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Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund* |
A
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0.57 | % | 6.09 | % | ||||
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index** | 6.48 | % | 8.33 | %# | |||||
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Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund* |
B
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0.13 | % | 6.54 | % | ||||
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index** | 6.48 | % | 8.33 | %# | |||||
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Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund* |
C
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3.13 | % | 6.66 | % | ||||
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index** | 6.48 | % | 8.98 | % | |||||
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Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund* |
D
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0.47 | % | 6.19 | % | ||||
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index** | 6.48 | % | 8.98 | % |
*
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Includes sales charge. |
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**
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This unmanaged Index consists of long term revenue bonds, prerefunded bonds, general obligation bonds and insured bonds. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. |
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Inception date is September 30 1994. |
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Inception date is October 21, 1994. |
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Since October 31, 1994. |
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#
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Since September 30, 1994. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 5 |
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[ICON] Key Facts UNDERSTANDING EXPENSES Fund investors pay various fees and expenses, either directly or indirectly. Listed below are some of the main types of expenses, which all mutual funds may charge: Expenses paid directly by the shareholder: Shareholder Fees these include sales charges which you may pay when you buy or sell shares of the Fund. Expenses paid indirectly by the shareholder: Annual Fund Operating Expenses expenses that cover the costs of operating the Fund. Management Fee a fee paid to the Manager for managing the Fund. Distribution Fees fees used to support the Fund's marketing and distribution efforts, such as compensating Financial Consultants, advertising and promotion. Service (Account Maintenance) Fees fees used to compensate securities dealers for account maintenance activities. |
The Fund offers four different classes of shares. Although your money will be invested the same way no matter which class of shares you buy, there are differences among the fees and expenses associated with each class. Not everyone is eligible to buy every class. After determining which classes you are eligible to buy, decide which class best suits your needs. Your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant can help you with this decision. This table shows the different fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold the different classes of shares of the Fund. Future expenses may be greater or less than those indicated below. |
Shareholder Fees (fees paid
directly from your investment)(a): |
Class A | Class B(b) | Class C | Class D | |||||
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed
on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
4.00 | %(c) | None | None | 4.00 | %(c) | |||
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) | |||||||||
(as a percentage of original purchase | |||||||||
price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | |||||||||
Dividend Reinvestments | None | (d) | 4.0 | %(c) | 1.0 | %(c) | None | ||
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on | |||||||||
Dividend Reinvestments | None | None | None | None | (d) | ||||
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Redemption Fee | None | None | None | None | |||||
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Exchange Fee | None | None | None | None | |||||
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Maximum Account Fee | None | None | None | None | |||||
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that | |||||||||
are deducted from Fund assets): | |||||||||
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Management Fee(e) | 0.55 | % | 0.55 | % | 0.55 | % | 0.55 | % | |
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees(f) | None | 0.50 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.10 | % | ||
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Other Expenses (including transfer agency | |||||||||
fees)(g) | 1.53 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.53 | % | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 2.08 | % | 2.58 | % | 2.68 | % | 2.18 | % | |
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(a) |
In addition, Merrill Lynch may charge clients a processing fee (currently $5.35) when a client buys or redeems shares. |
(b) |
Class B shares automatically convert to Class D shares about ten years after you buy them. Then they will no longer be subject to distribution fees and will pay lower account maintenance fees. |
(c) |
Some investors may qualify for reductions in the sales charge (load). |
(d) |
You may pay a deferred sales charge if you purchase $1 million or more and you redeem within one year. |
(e) |
The Fund pays the Manager a fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the average daily net assets of the Fund for the first $500 million; 0.525% of the average daily net assets from $500 million to $1 billion; and 0.50% of the average daily net assets above $1 billion. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, the fee payable to the Manager from the Fund was equal to 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets, but the Manager voluntarily waived $49,639 of the management fee due. Total Fund Operating Expenses in the fee table have been restated to assume the absence of the waiver becasue it may be discontinued or reduced by the Manager at any time without notice. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, the Manager wavied management fees totaling 0.45% for Class A shares, 0.45% for Class B shares, 0.45% for Class C shares and 0.45% for Class D shares, after which the Fund's total expense ratio was 1.63% for Class A shares, 2.13% for Class B shares, 2.23% for Class C shares and 1.73% for Class D shares. |
6 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
(footnotes continued from previous page) |
(f) |
The Fund calls the "Service Fee" an "Account Maintenance Fee." Account Maintenance Fee is the term used elsewhere in this Prospectus and in all other Fund materials. If you hold Class B or Class C shares for a long time, it may cost you more in distribution (12b-1) fees than the maximum sales charge that you would have paid if you had bought one of the other classes. |
(g) |
The Fund pays the Transfer Agent $11.00 for each Class A and Class D shareholder account and $14.00 for each Class B and Class C shareholder account and reimburses the Transfer Agent's out-of-pocket expenses. The Fund pays a 0.10% fee for certain accounts that participate in the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Advisor program. The Fund also pays a $0.20 monthly closed account charge, which is assessed upon all accounts that close during the year. This fee begins the month following the month the account is closed and ends at the end of the calendar year. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, the Fund paid the Transfer Agent fees totaling $6,963. The Manager provides accounting services to the Fund at its cost. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $38,317 for these services. |
Examples: These examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. These examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you pay the sales charges, if any, that apply to the particular class and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. This assumption is not meant to indicate you will receive a 5% annual rate of return. Your annual return may be more or less than the 5% used in this example. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: |
EXPENSES IF YOU DID REDEEM YOUR SHARES: |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years |
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Class A | $603 | $1,026 | $1,474 | $2,714 | |||||
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Class B | $661 | $1,002 | $1,370 | $2,915 | |||||
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Class C | $371 | $   832 | $1,420 | $3,012 | |||||
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Class D | $612 | $1,055 | $1,523 | $2,813 | |||||
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EXPENSES IF YOU DID NOT REDEEM YOUR SHARES: |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||
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Class A | $603 | $1,026 | $1,474 | $2,714 | |||||
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Class B | $261 | $   802 | $1,370 | $2,915 | |||||
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Class C | $271 | $   832 | $1,420 | $3,012 | |||||
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Class D | $612 | $1,055 | $1,523 | $2,813 | |||||
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MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 7 |
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[ICON] Details About the Fund ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER ABOUT THE MANAGER The Fund is managed by Fund Asset Management. |
The Fund's main goal is to seek income that is exempt from Federal and Arkansas income taxes. The Fund invests primarily in long term, investment grade Arkansas municipal bonds. These may be obligations of a variety of issuers including governmental entities or other qualifying issuers. Issuers may be located in Arkansas or in other qualifying jurisdictions such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. The Fund may invest in either fixed rate or variable rate obligations. At least 80% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in investment grade securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in high yield ("junk") bonds. These bonds are generally more speculative and involve greater price fluctuations than investment grade securities. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in obligations that pay interest exempt from Federal income tax and at least 65% of its total assets in Arkansas municipal bonds. Under normal conditions, the Fund's average weighted maturity will be more than ten years. For temporary periods, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in short term tax exempt or taxable money market obligations, although the Fund will generally not invest more than 20% of its net assets in taxable money market obligations. As a temporary measure for defensive purposes, the Fund may invest without limitation in short term tax-exempt or taxable money market obligations. These short term investments may limit the potential for the Fund to achieve its objective. The Fund may use derivatives including futures, options, indexed securities and inverse securities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. The Fund's investments may include private activity bonds that may subject certain shareholders to a Federal alternative minimum tax. Arkansas' economy is influenced by its growth in heavy manufacturing products such as electrical machinery, transportation equipment, fabricated metals and electronics. Arkansas' resource industries dominate with food products, lumber and paper goods; and the state continues to produce rice, cotton and broiler chickens. The Manager believes that current economic conditions in Arkansas will enable the Fund to continue to invest in high quality Arkansas municipal bonds. Moody's and Standard & Poor's currently rate the State of Arkansas general obligation bonds Aa3 and AA, respectively. |
8 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
Fund management considers a variety of factors when choosing investments, such as: |
| Credit Quality Of Issuers based on bond ratings and other factors including economic and financial conditions. |
| Yield Analysis takes into account factors such as the different yields available on different types of obligations and the shape of the yield curve (longer term obligations typically have higher yields). |
| Maturity Analysis the average maturity of the portfolio will be maintained within a desirable range as determined from time to time. Factors considered include portfolio activity, maturity of the supply of available bonds and the shape of the yield curve. |
In addition, Fund management considers the availability of features that protect against an early call of a bond by the issuer. This section contains a summary discussion of the general risks of investing in the Fund. As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its goals or that the Fund's performance will be positive for any period of time. Bond Market And Selection Risk Bond market risk is the risk that the bond market will go down in value, including the possibility that the market will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the investments that Fund management selects will underperform the market or other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. Credit Risk Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will be unable to pay the interest or principal when due. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of municipal bonds generally increase when interest rates decline and decrease when interest rates increase. Prices of longer term securities generally change more in response to interest rate changes than prices of shorter term securities. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 9 |
[ICON] Details About the Fund State Specific Risk The Fund will invest primarily in Arkansas municipal bonds. As a result, the Fund is more exposed to risks affecting issuers of Arkansas municipal bonds than is a municipal bond fund that invests more widely. While the Arkansas' general economy is presently improving, economic and social conditions may affect the financial condition of Arkansas and its political subdivisions. The Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that it may invest more of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than if it were a diversified fund. By concentrating in a smaller number of investments, the Fund's risk is increased because each investment has a greater effect on the Fund's performance. Call And Redemption Risk A bond's issuer may call a bond for redemption before it matures. If this happens to a bond the Fund holds, the Fund may lose income and may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields. Risks associated with certain types of obligations in which the Fund may invest include: General Obligation Bonds The faith, credit and taxing power of the issuer of a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer's credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. Revenue Bonds Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities. Industrial development bonds are one type of revenue bond. Industrial Development Bonds Municipalities and other public authorities issue industrial development bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment. Moral Obligation Bonds Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. Municipal Notes Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of tax |
10 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. Municipal Lease Obligations In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to budget for and appropriate municipal funds to make payments due on the lease obligation. However, this does not ensure that funds will actually be appropriated in future years. The issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, but the leased property secures the obligation. In addition, the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund's loss. Insured Municipal Bonds Bonds purchased by the Fund may be covered by insurance that guarantees timely interest payments and repayment of principal on maturity. If a bond's insurer fails to fulfill its obligations or loses its credit rating, the value of the bond could drop. Insured bonds are subject to market risk. Junk Bonds Junk bonds are debt securities that are rated below investment grade by the major rating agencies or are unrated securities that Fund management believes are of comparable quality. The Fund does not intend to purchase debt securities that are in default or which Fund management believes will be in default. Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, they are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. Junk bonds generally are less liquid and experience more price volatility than higher rated debt securities. The issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer's bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. Junk bonds may be subject to greater call and redemption risk than higher rated debt securities. When Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments When issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery to the Fund. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party will not meet its obligation, in which case the Fund loses the investment opportunity of the assets it has set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security's price. Variable Rate Demand Obligations Variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 11 |
[ICON] Details About the
Fund Illiquid Investments The Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in illiquid securities that it cannot easily resell within seven days at current value or that have contractual or legal restrictions on resale. If the Fund buys illiquid securities it may be unable to quickly resell them or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value. Derivatives The Fund may use derivative instruments including indexed and inverse securities, options on portfolio positions, options on securities or other financial indices, financial futures and options on such futures. Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including: |
| Credit Risk the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to the Fund. |
| Leverage Risk the risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested. |
| Liquidity Risk the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at the price that the seller believes the security is currently worth. |
The Fund may use derivatives for hedging purposes including anticipatory hedges. Hedging is a strategy in which the Fund uses a derivative to offset the risk that other Fund holdings may decrease in value. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains if the market moves in a different manner than anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match those of the holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will |
12 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
be either available or cost effective. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. Indexed And Inverse Floating Rate Securities The Fund may invest in securities whose potential returns are directly related to changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the underlying index or interest rate rises and fall when the index or interest rate falls. The Fund may also invest in securities whose return is inversely related to changes in an interest rate (inverse floaters). In general, income on inverse floaters will decrease when short term rates increase and increase when short term rates decrease. Investments in inverse floaters may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal. In addition, certain indexed securities and inverse floaters may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate, which effectively leverages the Fund's investment. As a result, the market value of such securities will generally be more volatile than that of fixed rate, tax exempt securities. Both indexed securities and inverse floaters are derivative securities and can be considered speculative. Borrowing And Leverage The Fund may borrow for temporary emergency purposes including to meet redemptions. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the yield on the Fund's portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund's return. Certain securities that the Fund buys may create leverage including, for example, when issued securities, forward commitments and options. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you would like further information about the Fund, including how it invests, please see the Statement of Additional Inormation.
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MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 13 |
[ICON] Your
Account MERRILL LYNCH SELECT PRICINGSM SYSTEM The Fund offers four share classes, each with its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to invest in the way that best suits your needs. Each share class represents an ownership interest in the same investment portfolio. When you choose your class of shares you should consider the size of your investment and how long you plan to hold your shares. Your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant can help you determine which share class is best suited to your personal financial goals. For example, if you select Class A or D shares, you generally pay a sales charge at the time of purchase. If you buy Class D shares, you also pay an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.10%. You may be eligible for a sales charge reduction or waiver. If you select Class B or C shares, you will invest the full amount of your purchase price, but you will be subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% on Class B shares or 0.35% on Class C shares and an account maintenance fee of 0.25% on both classes. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge. In addition, you may be subject to a deferred sales charge when you sell Class B or C shares. The Fund's shares are distributed by Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch. The Fund is a series of the Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust. |
14 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
The table below summarizes key features of the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System. |
Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | ||||
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Availability | Limited to certain investors including: Current Class A shareholders Participants in certain Merrill Lynch-sponsored programs Certain affiliates of Merrill Lynch |
Generally available through Merrill Lynch. Limited availability through other securities dealers. | Generally available through Merrill Lynch. Limited availability through other securities dealers. | Generally available through Merrill Lynch. Limited availability through other securities dealers. | |||
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Initial Sales Charge? |
Yes. Payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges available for larger investments. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | Yes. Payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges available for larger investments. | |||
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Deferred Sales Charge? |
No. (May be charged for purchases over $1 million that are redeemed within one year.) | Yes. Payable if you redeem within four years of purchase. | Yes. Payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. | No. (May be charged for purchases over $1 million that are redeemed within one year.) | |||
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Account Maintenance and Distribution Fees? |
No. | 0.25% Account Maintenance Fee 0.25% Distribution Fee. | 0.25% Account Maintenance Fee 0.35% Distribution Fee. | 0.10% Account Maintenance Fee No Distribution Fee. |
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Conversion to Class D shares? | No. | Yes, automatically after approximately ten years. | No. | No. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 15 |
[ICON] Your Account Right of Accumulation permits you to pay the sales charge that would apply to the cost or value (whichever is higher) of all shares you own in the Merrill Lynch mutual funds that offer Select Pricing options. Letter of Intent permits you to pay the sales charge that would be applicable if you add up all shares of Merrill Lynch Select Pricing System funds that you agree to buy within a 13-month period. Certain restrictions apply. Class A and Class D Shares Initial Sales Charge Options If you select Class A or Class D shares, you will pay a sales charge at the time of purchase. |
Your Investment | As a % of Offering Price |
As a % of Your Investment* |
Dealer Compensation as a % of Offering Price |
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Less than $25,000 | 4.00 | % | 4.17 | % | 3.75 | % | |
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$25,000 but less | |||||||
than $50,000 | 3.75 | % | 3.90 | % | 3.50 | % | |
|
|||||||
$50,000 but less | |||||||
than $100,000 | 3.25 | % | 3.36 | % | 3.00 | % | |
|
|||||||
$100,000 but less | |||||||
than $250,000 | 2.50 | % | 2.56 | % | 2.25 | % | |
|
|||||||
$250,000 but less | |||||||
than $1,000,000 | 1.50 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.25 | % | |
|
|||||||
$1,000,000 and over** | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | |
|
*
|
Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent. |
** | If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Class A or Class D shares, you may not pay an initial sales charge. However, if you redeem your shares within one year after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge. This charge is 1% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds. |
No initial sales charge applies to Class A or Class D shares that you buy through reinvestment of dividends. A reduced or waived sales charge on a purchase of Class A or Class D shares may apply for: |
| Purchases under a Right of Accumulation or Letter of Intent |
| TMASM Managed Trusts |
| Certain Merrill Lynch investment or central asset accounts |
| Purchases using proceeds from the sale of certain Merrill Lynch closed-end funds under certain circumstances |
| Certain investors, including directors or trustees of Merrill Lynch mutual funds and Merrill Lynch employees |
| Certain Merrill Lynch fee-based programs |
16 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
Only certain investors are eligible to buy Class A shares. Your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant can help you determine whether you are eligible to buy Class A shares or to participate in any of these programs. If you decide to buy shares under the initial sales charge alternative and you are eligible to buy both Class A and Class D shares, you should buy Class A since Class D shares are subject to a 0.10% account maintenance fee, while Class A shares are not. If you redeem Class A or Class D shares and within 30 days buy new shares of the same class, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount. The amount eligible for this "Reinstatement Privilege" may not exceed the amount of your redemption proceeds. To exercise the privilege, contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Fund's Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND. Class B and Class C Shares Deferred Sales Charge Options If you select Class B or Class C shares, you do not pay an initial sales charge at the time of purchase. However, if you redeem your Class B shares within four years after purchase, or your Class C shares within one year after purchase, you may be required to pay a deferred sales charge. You will also pay distribution fees of 0.25% for Class B shares and 0.35% for Class C shares and account maintenance fees of 0.25% for Class B and Class C shares each year under distribution plans that the Fund has adopted under Rule 12b-1. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge. The Distributor uses the money that it receives from the deferred sales charges and the distribution fees to cover the costs of marketing, advertising and compensating the Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or other securities dealer who assists you in purchasing Fund shares. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 17 |
[ICON] Your Account Class B Shares If you redeem Class B shares within four years after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge. The amount of the charge gradually decreases as you hold your shares over time, according to the following schedule: |
Years Since Purchase | Sales Charge* | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
0 - 1 | 4.00 | % | |
|
|||
1 - 2 | 3.00 | % | |
|
|||
2 - 3 | 2.00 | % | |
|
|||
3 - 4 | 1.00 | % | |
|
|||
4 and thereafter | 0.00 | % | |
|
* | The percentage charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends are not subject to a deferred sales charge. Not all Merrill Lynch funds have identical deferred sales charge schedules. If you exchange your shares for shares of another fund, the higher charge will apply. |
The deferred sales charge relating to Class B shares may be reduced or waived in certain circumstances, such as: |
| Redemption in connection with participation in certain Merrill Lynch fee-based programs |
| Withdrawals resulting from shareholder death or disability as long as the waiver request is made within one year of death or disability or, if later, reasonably promptly following completion of probate, or in connection with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are held |
| Withdrawal through the Merrill Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plan of up to 10% per year of your Class B account value at the time the plan is established |
Your Class B shares convert automatically into Class D shares approximately ten years after purchase. Any Class B shares received through reinvestment of dividends paid on converting shares will also convert at that time. Class D shares are subject to lower annual expenses than Class B shares. The conversion of Class B to Class D shares is not a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes. |
18 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
Different conversion schedules apply to Class B shares of different Merrill Lynch mutual funds. For example, Class B shares of a fixed-income fund typically convert approximately ten years after purchase compared to approximately eight years for equity funds. If you acquire your Class B shares in an exchange from another fund with a shorter conversion schedule, the Fund's ten year conversion schedule will apply. If you exchange your Class B shares in the Fund for Class B shares of a fund with a shorter conversion schedule, the other fund's conversion schedule will apply. The length of time that you hold both the original and exchanged Class B shares in both funds will count toward the conversion schedule. The conversion schedule may be modified in certain other cases as well. Class C Shares If you redeem Class C shares within one year after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. You will not be charged a deferred sales charge when you redeem shares that you acquire through reinvestment of Fund dividends. The deferred sales charge relating to Class C shares may be reduced or waived in connection with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are held and withdrawals through the Merrill Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Class C shares do not offer a conversion privilege. HOW TO BUY, SELL, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE SHARES The chart below summarizes how to buy, sell, transfer and exchange shares through Merrill Lynch or other securities dealers. You may also buy shares through the Transfer Agent. To learn more about buying shares through the Transfer Agent, call 1-800-MER-FUND. Because the selection of a mutual fund involves many considerations, your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant may help you with this decision. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 19 |
[ICON] Your Account |
If You Want to | Your Choices | Information Important for You to Know | |
|
|||
Buy Shares | First, select the share class appropriate for you | Refer to the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing table on page 15. Be sure to read this Prospectus carefully. | |
|
|||
Next, determine the amount of your investment | The minimum initial investment
for the Fund is $1,000 for all accounts except that certain Merrill Lynch
fee-based programs have a $250 initial minimum investment. (The minimums for initial investments may be waived under certain circumstances.) |
||
|
|||
Have your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or securities dealer submit your purchase order | The price of your shares is based
on the next calculation of net asset value after your order is placed. Any
purchase orders placed prior to the close of business on the New York Stock
Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be priced at the net asset
value determined that day. Purchase orders placed after that time will be priced at the net asset value determined on the next business day. The Fund may reject any order to buy shares and may suspend the sale of shares at any time. Merrill Lynch may charge a processing fee to confirm a purchase. This fee is currently $5.35. |
||
|
|||
Or contact the Transfer Agent |
To purchase shares directly, call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND and request a purchase application. Mail the completed purchase application to the Transfer Agent at the address on the inside back cover of this Prospectus. | ||
|
|||
Add to Your Investment |
Purchase additional shares | The minimum investment for additional
purchases is $50 except that certain programs, such as automatic investment
plans, may have higher minimums. (The minimum for additional purchases may be waived under certain circumstances.) |
|
|
|||
Acquire additional shares through the automatic dividend reinvestment plan | All dividends are automatically reinvested without a sales charge. | ||
Participate in the automatic investment plan | You may invest a specific amount on a periodic basis through certain Merrill Lynch investment or central asset accounts. | ||
|
|||
Transfer Shares to Another Securities Dealer |
Transfer to a participating securities dealer |
You may transfer your Fund shares only to another securities dealer that has entered into an agreement with Merrill Lynch. Certain shareholder services may not be available for the transferred shares. You may only purchase additional shares of funds previously owned before the transfer. All future trading of these assets must be coordinated by the receiving firm. | |
|
|||
Transfer to a non-participating securities dealer |
You must either: Transfer your shares to an account with the Transfer Agent; or Sell your shares, paying any applicable CDSC. |
||
|
20 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
|
If You Want to | Your Choices | Information Important for You to Know | |
|
|||
Sell Your Shares | Have your Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant or securities dealer submit your sales order |
The price of your shares
is based on the next calculation of net asset value after your order is
placed. For your redemption request to be priced at the net asset value
on the day of your request, you must submit your request to your dealer
prior to that day's close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally
4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Any redemption request placed after that time will
be priced at the net asset value at the close of business on the next business
day. Dealers must submit redemption requests to the Fund not more than thirty
minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the
day the request was received. Securities dealers, including Merrill Lynch, may charge a fee to process a redemption of shares. Merrill Lynch currently charges a fee of $5.35. No processing fee is charged if you redeem shares directly through the Transfer Agent. The Fund may reject an order to sell shares under certain circumstances. |
|
|
|||
Sell through the Transfer Agent | You may sell shares
held at the Transfer Agent by writing to the Transfer Agent at the address
on the inside back cover of this prospectus. All shareholders on the account
must sign the letter. In some cases a signature guarantee may be required.
Please see the Statement of Additional Information for details on when a
signature guarantee is needed. If you hold stock certificates, return the
certificates with the letter. The Transfer Agent will normally mail redemption
proceeds within seven days following receipt of a properly completed request.
If you make a redemption request before the Fund has collected payment for
the purchase of shares, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may delay mailing
your proceeds. This delay will usually not exceed ten days. If you hold share certificates, they must be delivered to the Transfer Agent before they can be converted. Check with the Transfer Agent or your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant for details. |
||
|
|||
Sell Shares Systematically | Participate in the Fund's Systematic Withdrawal Plan | You can choose to receive systematic payments from your Fund account either by check or through direct deposit to your bank account on a monthly or quarterly basis. If you hold your Fund shares in a Merrill Lynch CMA® or CBA® Account you can arrange for systematic redemptions of a fixed dollar amount on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis, subject to certain conditions. Under either method you must have dividends automatically reinvested. For Class B and C shares your total annual withdrawals cannot be more than 10% per year of the value of your shares at the time your plan is established. The deferred sales charge is waived for systematic redemptions. Ask your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant for details. | |
|
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 21 |
[ICON] Your Account |
If You Want to | Your Choices | Information Important for You to Know | |
|
|||
Exchange Your Shares |
Select the fund into which you want to exchange. Be sure to read that fund's prospectus | You can exchange your shares of the Fund for shares
of many other Merrill Lynch mutual funds. You must have held the shares
used in the exchange for at least 15 calendar days before you can exchange
to another fund. Each class of Fund shares is generally exchangeable for shares of the same class of another fund. If you own Class A shares and wish to exchange into a fund in which you have no Class A shares (and are not eligible to purchase Class A shares), you will exchange into Class D shares. Some of the Merrill Lynch mutual funds impose a different initial or deferred sales charge schedule. If you exchange Class A or D shares for shares of a fund with a higher initial sales charge than you originally paid, you will be charged the difference at the time of exchange. If you exchange Class B shares for shares of a fund with a different deferred sales charge schedule, the higher schedule will apply. The time you hold Class B or C shares in both funds will count when determining your holding period for calculating a deferred sales charge at redemption. If you exchange Class A or D shares for money market fund shares, you will receive Class A shares of Summit Cash Reserves Fund. Class B or C shares of the Fund will be exchanged for Class B shares of Summit. Although there is currently no limit on the number of exchanges that you can make, the exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time in the future. |
|
|
22 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
|
Net Asset Value the market value of the Fund's total assets after deducting liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. |
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED When you buy shares, you pay the net asset value, plus any applicable sales charge. This is the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at their net asset value, minus any applicable deferred sales charge. The Fund calculates its net asset value (generally by using market quotations) each day the New York Stock Exchange is open, after the close of business on the Exchange (the Exchange generally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The net asset value used in determining your price is the next one calculated after your purchase or redemption order is placed. Generally, Class A shares will have the highest net asset value because that class has the lowest expenses, and Class D shares will have a higher net asset value than Class B or Class C shares. Class B shares will have a higher net asset value than Class C shares because Class B shares have lower distribution expenses than Class C shares. Also dividends paid on Class A and Class D shares will generally be higher than dividends paid on Class B and Class C shares because Class A and Class D shares have lower expenses. PARTICIPATION IN MERRILL LYNCH FEE-BASED PROGRAMS If you participate in certain fee-based programs offered by Merrill Lynch, you may be able to buy Class A shares at net asset value, including by exchanges from other share classes. Sales charges on the shares being exchanged may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances. You generally cannot transfer shares held through a fee-based program into another account. Instead, you will have to redeem your shares held through the program and purchase shares of another class, which may be subject to distribution and account maintenance fees. This may be a taxable event and you will pay any applicable sales charges. If you leave one of these programs, your shares may be redeemed or automatically exchanged into another class of Fund shares or into a money market fund. The class you receive may be the class you originally owned when you entered the program, or in certain cases, a different class. If the exchange is into Class B shares, the period before conversion to Class D shares may be modified. Any redemption or exchange will be at net asset value. However, if you participate in the program for less than a specified period, you may be charged a fee in accordance with the terms of the program. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 23 |
[ICON] Your Account |
Dividends Exempt Interest, ordinary income and capital gains paid to shareholders. Dividends may be reinvested in additional Fund shares as they are paid. |
Details about these features and the relevant charges are included in the client agreement for each fee-based program and are available from your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant.
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES The Fund will distribute any net investment income monthly and any net realized long or short term capital gains at least annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with Federal tax requirements. If your account is with Merrill Lynch and you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant. If your account is with the Transfer Agent and you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact the Transfer Agent. Taxes To the extent that the dividends distributed by the Fund are from municipal bond interest income, they are exempt from Federal income tax. However, certain investors may be subject to a Federal alternative minimum tax on dividends received from the Fund. To the extent that the dividends distributed by the Fund are derived from Arkansas municipal bond interest income, they are also exempt from Arkansas income taxes. Interest income from other investments may produce taxable distributions. Dividends derived from capital gains realized by the Fund will be subject to Federal tax, and generally will be subject to Arkansas tax as well. However, thirty percent of capital gain dividends are excluded from income for Arkansas income tax purposes. If you are subject to income tax in a state other than Arkansas, the dividends derived from Arkansas municipal bonds will not be exempt from income tax in that state. Generally, within 60 days after the end of the Fund's taxable year, the Trust will tell you the amount of exempt-interest dividends and capital gain dividends you received that year. Capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains to you, regardless of how long you have held your shares. The tax treatment of dividends from the Fund is the same whether you choose to receive dividends in cash or to have them reinvested in shares of the Fund. |
24 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
|
"BUYING A DIVIDEND" You may want to avoid buying shares shortly before the Fund pays a dividend, although the impact on you will be significantly less than if you were invested in a fund paying fully taxable dividends. The reason? If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed taxable income (if any) or capital gains, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable dividend. Before investing you may want to consult your tax adviser. |
By law, the Fund must withhold 31% of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or if the number you have provided is incorrect. If you redeem Fund shares or exchange them for shares of another fund, any gain on the transaction may be subject to Federal income tax. This section summarizes some of the consequences of an investment in the Fund under current Federal and Arkansas tax laws. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund under all applicable tax laws. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information has more information about taxes. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 25 |
[ICON] Management of the Fund Fund Asset Management, the Fund's Manager, manages the Fund's investments and its business operations under the overall supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees. The Manager has the responsibility for making all investment decisions for the Fund. The Fund pays the Manager a fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the average daily net assets of the Fund for the first $500 million; 0.525% of the average daily net assets from $500 million to $1 billion; and 0.50% of the average daily net assets above $1 billion. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, the fee payable to the Manager from the Fund was equal to 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets, but the Manager voluntarily waived a portion of the management fee due for the fiscal year. See the Fees and Expenses table on page 6. Fund Asset Management is part of the Asset Management Group of ML & Co. The Asset Management Group had approximately $520 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management as of August 1999. This amount includes assets managed for Merrill Lynch affiliates. A Note About Year 2000 Many computer systems were designed using only two digits to designate years. These systems may not be able to distinguish the Year 2000 from the Year 1900 (commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem"). The Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by Fund management or other Fund service providers do not properly address this problem before January 1, 2000. The Fund management expects to have addressed this problem before then, and does not anticipate that the services it provides will be adversely affected. The Fund's other service providers have told Fund management that they also expect to resolve the Year 2000 Problem, and Fund management will continue to monitor the situation as the Year 2000 approaches. However, if the problem has not been fully addressed, the Fund could be negatively affected. The Year 2000 Problem could also have a negative impact on the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, and this could hurt the Fund's investment returns. |
26 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the periods shown. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends). This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is included in the Fund's annual report to shareholders, which is available upon request. |
Class A
|
Class B
|
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset |
For the Year Ended July 31,
|
For the Period September 30, 1994 to July 31, |
For the Year Ended July 31,
|
For the Period September 30, 1994 to July 31, |
|||||||||||||||||
Value: | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | $10.72 | $10.34 | $10.29 | $10.00 | $ | $10.71 | $10.34 | $10.29 | $10.00 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Investment income net |
.47 | .52 | .55 | .50 | .42 | .46 | .50 | .46 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Realized and unrealized gain on investments net |
.03 | .38 | .05 | .29 | .04 | .37 | .05 | .29 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations |
.50 | .90 | .60 | .79 | .46 | .83 | .55 | .75 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Less dividends and distributions: Investment income net |
| (.47 | ) | (.52 | ) | (.55 | ) | (.50 | ) | | (.42 | ) | (.46 | ) | (.50 | ) | (.46 | ) | |||
Realized gain on investments net |
| (.04 | ) | | | | | (.04 | ) | | | | |||||||||
In excess of realized gain on investments net |
| (.02 | ) | | | | | (.02 | ) | | | | |||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions |
| (.53 | ) | (.52 | ) | (.55 | ) | (.50 | ) | (.48 | ) | (.46 | ) | (.50 | ) | (.46 | ) | ||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | $10.69 | $10.72 | $10.34 | $10.29 | $ | $10.69 | $10.71 | $10.34 | $10.29 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment Return:** |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value per share |
% | 4.79 | % | 8.94 | % | 5.94 | % | 8.13 | %# | % | 4.35 | % | 8.29 | % | 5.39 | % | 7.68 | %# | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of reimbursement |
% | 1.18 | % | .83 | % | .49 | % | .11 | %* | % | 1.70 | % | 1.34 | % | 1.00 | % | .63 | %* | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses | % | 1.63 | % | 1.92 | % | 3.17 | % | 2.32 | %* | % | 2.16 | % | 2.44 | % | 3.69 | % | 2.83 | %* | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Investment income net |
% | 4.38 | % | 4.96 | % | 5.28 | % | 5.94 | %* | % | 3.89 | % | 4.46 | % | 4.77 | % | 5.41 | %* | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) |
$ | $3,246 | $1,781 | $1,710 | $2,251 | $ | $6,539 | $7,527 | $7,573 | $8,145 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover | % | 61.45 | % | 41.07 | % | 28.82 | % | 28.64 | % | % | 61.45 | % | 41.07 | % | 28.82 | % | 28.64 | % | |||
|
| Commencement of operations. |
| Amount is less than $.01 per share. | |
# | Aggregate total investment return. |
* | Annualized. |
** | Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 27 |
|
Class C
|
Class D
|
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset |
For the Year Ended July 31,
|
For the Period October 21, 1994 to July 31, |
For the Year Ended July 31,
|
For the Period October 21, 1994 to July 31, |
|||||||||||||||||
Value: | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | $10.72 | $10.34 | $10.30 | $ 9.92 | $ | $10.71 | $10.34 | $10.29 | $ 9.92 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Investment income net |
.41 | .46 | .49 | .41 | .46 | .51 | .54 | .46 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Realized and unrealized gain on investments net |
.03 | .38 | .04 | .38 | .04 | .37 | .05 | .37 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations |
.44 | .84 | .53 | .79 | .50 | .88 | .59 | .83 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Less dividends and distributions: Investment income net |
| (.41 | ) | (.46 | ) | (.49 | ) | (.41 | ) | | (.46 | ) | (.51 | ) | (.54 | ) | (.46 | ) | |||
Realized gain on investments net |
| (.04 | ) | | | | | (.04 | ) | | | | |||||||||
In excess of realized gain on investments net |
| (.02 | ) | | | | | (.02 | ) | | | | |||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions |
| (.47 | ) | (.46 | ) | (.49 | ) | (.41 | ) | | (.52 | ) | (.51 | ) | (.54 | ) | (.46 | ) | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | $10.69 | $10.72 | $10.34 | $10.30 | $ | $10.69 | $10.71 | $10.34 | $10.29 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment Return:** |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value per share |
% | 4.16 | % | 8.29 | % | 5.19 | % | 8.13 | %# | % | 4.79 | % | 8.73 | % | 5.84 | % | 8.54 | %# | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of reimbursement |
% | 1.80 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.11 | % | .85 | %* | % | 1.29 | % | .92 | % | .60 | % | .29 | %* | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses | % | 2.25 | % | 2.51 | % | 3.81 | % | 2.90 | %* | % | 1.74 | % | 2.03 | % | 3.31 | % | 2.37 | %* | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Investment income net |
% | 3.79 | % | 4.36 | % | 4.68 | % | 5.00 | %* | % | 4.29 | % | 4.87 | % | 5.18 | % | 5.64 | %* | |||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) |
$ | $1,202 | $843 | $681 | $558 | $ | $1,162 | $1,027 | $1,081 | $723 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover | % | 61.45 | % | 41.07 | % | 28.82 | % | 28.64 | % | % | 61.45 | % | 41.07 | % | 28.82 | % | 28.64 | % | |||
|
* | Annualized. |
** | Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads. |
| Commencement of operations. |
# | Aggregate total investment return. |
28 | MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
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MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
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MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
|
[1] |
POTENTIAL INVESTORS Open an account (two options) |
[2] |
MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL CONSULTANT OR SECURITIES DEALER Advises shareholders on their Fund investments. |
TRANSFER AGENT Financial Data Services, Inc. P.O. Box 45289 Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 Performs recordkeeping and reporting services. |
|
DISTRIBUTOR Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. P.O. Box 9081 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081 Arranges for the sale of Fund shares. |
||
COUNSEL Brown & Wood LLP One World Trade Center New York, New York 10048-0557 Provides legal advice to the Fund. |
THE
FUND The Board of Trustees oversees the Fund. |
CUSTODIAN State Street Bank and Trust Company P.O. Box 351 Boston, Massachusetts 02101 Holds the Fund's assets for safekeeping. |
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP 117 Campus Drive Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6400 Audits the financial statements of the Fund on behalf of the shareholders. |
MANAGER Fund Asset Management, L.P. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 TELEPHONE NUMBER 1-800-MER-FUND Manages the Fund's day-to-day activities. |
MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
For More Information [ICON] Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund's annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. You may obtain these reports at no cost by calling 1-800-MER-FUND. The Fund will send you one copy of each shareholder report and certain other mailings, regardless of the number of Fund accounts you have. To receive separate shareholder reports for each account, call your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or write to the Transfer Agent at its mailing address. Include your name, address, tax identification number and Merrill Lynch brokerage or mutual fund account number. If you have any questions, please call your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND. Statement of Additional Information The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference (legally considered to be part of this prospectus). You may request a free copy by writing the Fund at Financial Data Services, Inc. P.O. Box 45289 Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 or by calling 1-800-MER-FUND. Contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Fund, at the telephone number or address indicated above, if you have any questions. Information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room. This information is also available on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and copies may be obtained upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. No one is authorized to provide you with information that is different from information contained in this Prospectus. Investment Company Act file #811-4375 Prospectus[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch Arkansas November __, 1999 |
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I-1 |
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II-1 |
ARTHUR ZEIKEL (67) Trustee (1)(2) 300 Woodland Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090. Chairman of the Manager and MLAM from 1997 to 1999 and President thereof from 1977 to 1997; Chairman of Princeton Services from 1997 to 1999, Director thereof from 1993 to 1999 and President thereof from 1993 to 1997; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") from 1990 to 1999. VINCENT R. GIORDANO (55) Senior Vice President (1)(2) Senior Vice President of the Manager and MLAM since 1984; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services since 1993. KENNETH A. JACOB (48) Vice President (1)(2) First Vice President of MLAM since 1997; Vice President of MLAM from 1984 to 1997; Vice President of the Manager since 1984. MICHAEL KALINOSKI (29) Portfolio Manager and Vice President (1)(2) Vice President and Portfolio Manager with MLAM since 1999; from 1996 to 1999 he was the head Municipal Bond Trader with Strong Funds and from 1983 to 1996 was a member of the municipal bond investment team of Strong Funds. DONALD C. BURKE (39) Vice President and Treasurer (1)(2) Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager and MLAM since 1999; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services since 1999; Vice President of PFD since 1999; First Vice President of MLAM from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of MLAM from 1990 to 1997; Director of Taxation of MLAM since 1990. ALICE A. PELLEGRINO (39) Secretary (1)(2) Vice President of MLAM since 1999; Attorney associated with MLAM since 1997; Associate with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP from 1992 to 1997. |
|
________ | |
(1) |
Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Trust. |
(2) |
Such Trustee or officer is a director, trustee or officer of certain other investment companies for which the Manager or MLAM acts as the investment adviser or manager. |
(3) |
Member of the Trust's Audit and Nominating Committee, which is responsible for the selection of the independent auditors and the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees. |
As of August 23, 1999, the Trustees, officers of the Trust and officers of the Fund as a group (12 persons) owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. At such date, Mr. Zeikel, a Trustee of the Trust, Mr. Glenn, a Trustee and officer of the Trust and the other officers of the Trust and the Fund owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of ML & Co. The Trust pays each non-interested Trustee a fee of $10,000 per year plus $1,000 per Board meeting attended. The Trust also compensates members of its Audit and Nominating Committee (the "Committee"), which consists of all the non-interested Trustees, a fee of $2,000 per year plus $500 per Committee meeting attended. The Trust reimburses each non-interested Trustee for his out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at Board and Committee meetings. The fees and expenses of the Trustees are allocated to the respective series of the Trust on the basis of asset size. The following table shows the compensation earned by the non-interested Trustees for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 and the aggregate compensation paid to them from all registered investment companies advised by the Manager and its affiliate, MLAM ("MLAM/FAM-advised funds"), for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998. |
Name
|
Position with Trust |
Compensation From Fund |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expense |
Estimated Annual Benefits upon Retirement |
Aggregate Compensation from Trust and Other MLAM/FAM- Advised Funds(1) |
|
James H. Bodurtha |
Trustee |
$135 |
None |
None |
$163,500 |
|
Herbert I. London |
Trustee |
$135 |
None |
None |
$163,500 |
|
Robert R. Martin |
Trustee |
$135 |
None |
None |
$163,500 |
|
Joseph L. May |
Trustee |
$135 |
None |
None |
$163,500 |
|
André F. Perold |
Trustee |
$135 |
None |
None |
$163,500 |
_______ | |
(1) |
The Trustees serve on the boards of MLAM/FAM-advised funds as follows: Mr. Bodurtha (29 registered investment companies consisting of 47 portfolios); Mr. London (29 registered investment companies consisting of 47 portfolios); Mr. Martin (29 registered investment companies consisting of 47 portfolios); Mr. May (29 registered investment companies consisting of 47 portfolios); and Mr. Perold (29 registered investment companies consisting of 47 portfolios). |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Management Fee |
Management Fee Waived |
||
1999 |
$ |
|
||
1998 |
$63,127 |
$52,178 |
||
1997 |
$60,286 |
$60,286 |
Class A Shares |
||||
For the Fiscal Year |
Gross Sales |
Sales Charges |
Sales Charges |
CDSCs Received on |
1999 |
$ 768 |
$ 82 |
$ 686 |
$0 |
1998 |
$ 659 |
$ 48 |
$ 611 |
$0 |
1997 |
$1,846 |
$128 |
$1,718 |
$0 |
Class D Shares |
||||
For the Fiscal Year |
Gross Sales |
Sales Charges |
Sales Charges |
CDSCs Received on |
1999 |
$4,042 |
$314 |
$3,728 |
$0 |
1998 |
$3,900 |
$420 |
$3,480 |
$0 |
1997 |
$1,555 |
$ 91 |
$1,464 |
$0 |
Year Since Purchase Payment Made |
CDSC as a Percentage of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge |
|||
0-1 |
4.0% | |||
1-2 |
3.0% | |||
2-3 |
2.0% | |||
3-4 |
1.0% | |||
4 and thereafter |
None |
To provide an example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the third year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 shares (proceeds of $600), 10 shares will not be subject to a CDSC because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 40 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the applicable rate in the third year after purchase).
22
The Class B CDSC may be waived on redemptions
of shares in certain circumstances, including any partial or complete
redemption following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) of a Class B
shareholder (including one who owns the Class B shares as joint tenant
with his or her spouse), provided the redemption is requested within one
year of the death or initial determination of disability or, if later,
reasonably promptly following completion of probate. The Class B CDSC
may be waived or its terms may be modified in connection with certain
fee-based programs. The Class B CDSC may also be waived in connection
with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are held
or for withdrawals through the Merrill Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
See "Shareholder Services Fee-Based Programs" and "
Systematic Withdrawal Plan." Conversion of Class B Shares to Class
D Shares. After approximately ten years (the "Conversion Period"),
Class B shares will be converted automatically into Class D shares of
the Fund. Class D shares are subject to an ongoing account maintenance
fee of 0.10% of net assets but are not subject to the distribution fee
that is borne by Class B shares. Automatic conversion of Class B shares
into Class D shares will occur at least once each month (on the "Conversion
Date") on the basis of the relative net asset value of the shares
of the two classes on the Conversion Date, without the imposition of any
sales load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to Class
D shares will not be deemed a purchase or sale of the shares for Federal
income tax purposes. In addition, shares purchased through reinvestment
of dividends on Class B shares also will convert automatically to Class
D shares. The Conversion Date for dividend reinvestment shares will be
calculated taking into account the length of time the shares underlying
such dividend reinvestment shares were outstanding. If at the Conversion
Date the conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares of the Fund in
a single account will result in less than $50 worth of Class B shares
being left in the account, all of the Class B shares of the Fund held
in the account on the Conversion Date will be converted to Class D shares
of the Fund. In general, Class B shares of equity Select
Pricing Funds will convert approximately eight years after initial purchase
and Class B shares of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income Select Pricing
Funds will convert approximately ten years after initial purchase. If,
during the Conversion Period, a shareholder exchanges Class B shares with
an eight-year Conversion Period for Class B shares with a ten-year Conversion
Period, or vice versa, the Conversion Period applicable to the Class B
shares acquired in the exchange will apply and the holding period for
the shares exchanged will be tacked on to the holding period for the shares
acquired. The conversion period also may be modified for investors that
participate in certain fee-based programs. See "Shareholder Services
Fee-Based Programs." Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising
the exchange privilege described under "Shareholder Services Exchange
Privilege" will continue to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule
if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class
B shares acquired as a result of the exchange. Share certificates for Class B shares of
the Fund to be converted must be delivered to the Transfer Agent at least
one week prior to the Conversion Date applicable to those shares. In the
event such certificates are not received by the Transfer Agent at least
one week prior to the Conversion Date, the related Class B shares will
convert to Class D shares on the next scheduled Conversion Date after
such certificates are delivered. Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Class C Shares Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a 1.0% CDSC charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. In determining whether a Class C CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no Class C CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no Class C CDSC will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends. It will be assumed that the redemption is first of shares held for over one year or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and then of shares held longest during the one-year period.
23 |
A transfer of shares from a shareholder's account to another account will be assumed to be made in the same order as a redemption. The Class C CDSC may be waived in connection with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are held and withdrawals through the Merrill Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plan. See "Shareholder Services Fee-Based Programs" and " Systematic Withdrawal Plan." The Class C CDSC of the Fund and certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds may be waived with respect to Class C shares purchased by an investor with the net proceeds of a tender offer made by certain MLAM-advised closed end funds, including Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc. Such waiver is subject to the requirement that the tendered shares shall have been held by the investor for a minimum of one year and to such other conditions as are set forth in the prospectus for the related closed end fund. Class B and Class C Sales Charge Information |
||||
Class B Shares* |
||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
CDSCs Received by Distributor |
CDSCs Paid to Merrill Lynch |
||
1999 |
$ 7,741 |
$ 7,741 |
||
1998 |
$18,160 |
$18,160 |
||
1997 |
$22,801 |
$22,801 |
||
_______________ |
||||
Class C Shares |
||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
CDSCs Received by Distributor |
CDSCs Paid to Merrill Lynch |
||
1999 |
$ 0 |
$ 0 |
||
1998 |
$ 1,286 |
$ 1,286 |
||
1997 |
$ 4 |
$ 4 |
(in thousands) |
|||||||||
Eligible |
Allowable |
Allowable |
Maximum |
Amounts |
Aggregate |
Annual |
|||
Class B
Shares for the period September 30, 1994 (commencement of operations) to July 31, 1999 |
|||||||||
Under NASD Rule as Adopted |
$10,626 |
$664 |
$273 |
$937 |
$198 |
$739 |
$12 |
||
Under Distributor's Voluntary Waiver |
$10,626 |
$664 |
$ 53 |
$717 |
$198 |
$519 |
$12 |
||
Class C Shares, for the period October 21, 1994 (commencement of operations) to July 31, 1999 |
|||||||||
Under NASD Rule as Adopted |
$ 1,618 |
$101 |
$ 29 |
$130 |
$ 15 |
$115 |
$ 3 |
__________ | |
(1) |
Purchase price of all eligible Class B or Class C shares sold during the periods indicated other than shares acquired through dividend reinvestment and the exchange privilege. |
(2) |
Includes amounts attributable to exchanges from Summit Cash Reserves Fund ("Summit") which are not reflected in Eligible Gross Sales. Shares of Summit can only be purchased by exchange from another fund (the "redeemed fund"). Upon such an exchange, the maximum allowable sales charge payment to the redeemed fund is reduced in accordance with the amount of the redemption. This amount is then added to the maximum allowable sales charge payment with respect to Summit. Upon an exchange out of Summit, the remaining balance of this amount is deducted from the maximum allowable sales charge payment to Summit and added to the maximum allowable sales charge payment to the fund into which the exchange is made. |
(3) |
Interest is computed on a monthly basis based upon the prime rate, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, plus 1.0%, as permitted under the NASD Rule. |
(4) |
Consists of CDSC payments, distribution fee payments and accruals. See "What are the Fund's fees and expenses?" in the Prospectus. This figure may include CDSCs that were deferred when a shareholder redeemed shares prior to the expiration of the applicable CDSC period and invested the proceeds, without the imposition of a sales charge, in Class A shares in conjunction with the shareholder's participation in the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Advisor (Merrill Lynch MFASM) Program (the "MFA Program"). The CDSC is booked as a contingent obligation that may be payable if the shareholder terminates participation in the MFA Program. |
(5) |
Provided to illustrate the extent to which the current level of distribution fee payments (not including any CDSC payments) is amortizing the unpaid balance. No assurance can be given that payments of the distribution fee will reach either the voluntary maximum (with respect to Class B shares) or the NASD maximum (with respect to Class B and Class C shares). |
Class A |
Class B
|
Class C
|
Class D
|
||||
Net Assets |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
|||||||
Number of Shares Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share (net |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
Sales Charge (for Class A and |
|
** |
** |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Offering Price |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
______ | |||
* |
Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; assumes maximum sales charge is applicable. |
||
**
|
Class B and Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but may be subject to a CDSC on redemption of shares. See "Purchase of Shares Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives Class B and Class C Shares Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Class B Shares" and " Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Class C Shares" herein. |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
|
Number of Transactions |
Approximate Aggregate |
||
1999 |
|
$ |
||
1998 |
12 |
$5,715,000 |
||
1997 |
6 |
$2,400,000 |
required by the periods
of the quotations, actual annual, annualized or aggregate data, rather than
average annual data, may be quoted and (2) the maximum applicable sales
charges will not be included with respect to annual or annualized rates
of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the performance data calculations
of including or excluding the maximum applicable sales charges, actual annual
or annualized total return data generally will be lower than average annual
total return data since the average rates of return reflect compounding
of return; aggregate total return data generally will be higher than average
annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return reflect compounding
over a longer period of time.
Set forth below is total return, yield
and tax-equivalent yield information for the Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class D shares of the Fund for the periods indicated. |
||||||
Class A Shares
|
Class B Shares
|
|||||
Period |
Expressed as |
Redeemable Value |
Expressed as |
Redeemable Value |
||
Average Annual Total Return
(including maximum applicable sales charges) |
||||||
One Year Ended July 31, 1999 |
(2.64)% |
$ 973.60 |
(2.98)% |
|
||
Inception (September 30, |
5.13% |
$1,273.30 |
5.48% |
$1,294.00 |
||
|
(excluding maximum applicable sales charges) |
|||||
|
||||||
Year ended July 31, |
||||||
1999 |
1.42% |
$ 1,014.20 |
0.91% |
$ 1,009.10 |
||
1998 |
4.79% |
$ 1,047.90 |
4.35% |
$ 1,043.50 |
||
1997 |
8.94% |
$ 1,089.40 |
8.29% |
$ 1,082.90 |
||
1996 |
5.94% |
$ 1,059.40 |
5.39% |
$ 1,053.90 |
||
Inception (September 30, |
8.13% |
$ 1,081.30 |
7.68% |
$ 1,076.80 |
||
|
||||||
|
Aggregate Total Return
(including maximum applicable sales charges) |
|||||
|
||||||
Inception (September 30, |
27.33% |
$1,273.30 |
29.40% |
$1,294.00 |
||
|
Yield
|
|||||
30 days ended July 31, 1999 |
2.68% |
|
2.28% |
|
||
|
Tax Equivalent Yield*
|
|||||
30 days ended July 31, 1999 |
3.72% |
|
3.17% |
|
||
* Based on a Federal income tax rate of 28%. |
Class C Shares
|
Class D Shares
|
|||||
Period |
Expressed as |
Redeemable Value |
Expressed as |
Redeemable Value |
||
|
Average Annual Total Return
(including maximum applicable sales charges) |
|||||
One year ended July 31, 1999 |
(0.16)% |
$ 998.40 |
(2.73)% |
$ 972.70 |
||
Inception (October 21, 1994) |
5.53% |
$ 1,293.30 |
5.18% |
$ 1,273.00 |
||
|
||||||
|
Annual Total Return
(excluding maximum applicable sales charges) |
|||||
|
||||||
Year Ended July 31, |
||||||
1999 |
0.81% |
$ 1,008.10 |
1.32% |
$ 1,013.20 |
||
1998 |
4.16% |
$ 1,041.60 |
4.79% |
$ 1,047.90 |
||
1997 |
8.29% |
$ 1,082.90 |
8.73% |
$ 1,087.30 |
||
1996 |
5.19% |
$ 1,051.90 |
5.84% |
$ 1,058.40 |
||
Inception (October 21, 1994) |
8.13% |
$ 1,081.30 |
8.54% |
$ 1,085.40 |
||
|
||||||
|
Class C Shares
|
Class D Shares
|
|||||
Period |
Expressed as |
Redeemable Value |
Expressed as |
Redeemable Value |
||
Aggregate Total Return
(including maximum applicable sales charges) |
||||||
Inception (October 21, 1994) |
29.33% |
$1,293.30 |
27.30% |
$1,273.00 |
||
Yield
|
||||||
30 days ended July 31, 1999 |
2.19% |
|
2.58% |
|
||
Tax Equivalent Yield* | ||||||
30 days ended July 31, 1999 |
3.04% |
|
3.58% |
|
||
* Based on a Federal income tax rate of 28%. |
In order to reflect the reduced sales charges in the case of Class A or Class D shares, or the waiver of the CDSC in the case of Class B or Class C shares applicable to certain investors, as described under "Purchase of Shares" the total return data quoted by the Fund in advertisements directed to such investors may take into account the reduced, and not the maximum, sales charge or may not take into account the CDSC, and, therefore, may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced sales charges or the waiver of CDSCs, a lower amount of expenses may be deducted. On occasion, the Fund may compare its performance to the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index or other market indices or to performance data published by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc. ("Morningstar"), CDA Investment Technology, Inc., Money Magazine, US News & World Report, Business Week, Forbes Magazine, Fortune Magazine or other industry publications. When comparing its performance to a market index, the Fund may refer to various statistical measures derived from the historic performance of the Fund and the index such as standard deviation and beta. In addition, from time to time the Fund may include its Morningstar risk-adjusted performance ratings in advertisements or supplemental sales literature. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered indicative of the Fund's relative performance for any future period. Total return figures are based on the Fund's historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Fund's total return, yield and tax-equivalent yield will vary depending on market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's operating expenses and the amount of realized and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period. The value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate and an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Trust is a business trust organized on August 2, 1985 under the laws of Massachusetts. On October 1, 1987, the Trust changed its name from "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Tax-exempt Series Trust" to "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Bond Series Trust," and on December 22, 1987 the Trust again changed its name to "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust." The Trust is an open-end management investment company comprised of separate Series, each of which is a separate portfolio offering shares to selected groups of purchasers. Each of the Series is managed independently in order to provide to shareholders who are residents of the state to which such Series relates with income exempt from Federal, and in certain cases state and local, income taxes. The Trustees are authorized to create an unlimited number of Series and, with respect to each Series, to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, $.10 par value per share, of different classes and to divide or combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Series. The Trust is presently comprised of the Fund, Merrill Lynch Arizona Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Colorado Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Florida Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Michigan Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill
40
Lynch North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Ohio Municipal
Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Oregon Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Pennsylvania
Municipal Bond Fund and Merrill Lynch Texas Municipal Bond Fund. Shareholder
approval is not required for the authorization of additional Series or
classes of a Series of the Trust. At the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the shares of the Fund are divided into Class A, Class B,
Class C and Class D shares. Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares
represent interests in the same assets of the Fund and are identical in
all respects except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear certain
expenses relating to the account maintenance associated with such shares
and Class B and Class C shares bear certain expenses relating to the distribution
of such shares. All shares of the Trust have equal voting rights. Each
class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to
distribution and/or account maintenance expenditures, as applicable (except
that Class B shareholders may vote upon any material changes to expenses
charged under the Class D Distribution Plan). See "Purchase of Shares."
The Trustees of the Trust may classify and reclassify the shares of any
Series into additional or other classes at a future date. Each issued and outstanding share of a
Series is entitled to one vote and to participate equally in dividends
and distributions with respect to that Series and, upon liquidation or
dissolution of the Series, in the net assets of such Series remaining
after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities except that, as noted above,
expenses relating to distribution and/or account maintenance of the Class
B, Class C and Class D shares are borne solely by the respective class.
There normally will be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of
electing Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of
the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which
time the Trustees then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for
the election of Trustees. Shareholders may, in accordance with the terms
of the Declaration of Trust, cause a meeting of shareholders to be held
for the purpose of voting on the removal of Trustees. Also, the Trust
will be required to call a special meeting of shareholders in accordance
with the requirements of the Investment Company Act to seek approval of
new management and advisory arrangements, of a material increase in distribution
fees or a change in the fundamental policies, objectives or restrictions
of a Series. The obligations and liabilities of a particular
Series are restricted to the assets of that Series and do not extend to
the assets of the Trust generally. The shares of each Series, when issued,
will be fully paid and nonassessable, have no preference, preemptive,
or similar rights and will be freely transferable. Redemption and conversion
privileges are as set forth elsewhere herein and in the Prospectus. Shares
do not have cumulative voting rights and the holders of more than 50%
of the shares of the Trust voting for the election of Trustees can elect
all of the Trustees if they choose to do so and in such event the holders
of the remaining shares would not be able to elect any Trustees. No amendments
may be made to the Declaration of Trust, other than amendments necessary
to conform the Declaration to certain laws or regulations, to change the
name of the Trust, or to make certain non-material changes, without the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust,
or of the affected Series or class, as applicable. The Declaration of Trust establishing the
Trust dated August 2, 1985, a copy of which, together with all amendments
thereto (the "Declaration") is on file in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name
"Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust" refers to
the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as
individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee
or agent of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability; nor shall
resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation
or claim of the Trust, but the "Trust Property" only shall be
liable. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for
the trust's obligations. However, the risk of a shareholder incurring
financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances
in which both inadequate insurance existed and the trust itself was unable
to meet its obligations. The Manager provided the initial capital
for the Fund by purchasing 10,000 shares of the Fund for $100,000. Such
shares were acquired for investment and can only be disposed of by redemption.
If additional Series are added to the Trust, the organizational expenses
will be allocated among the Series in a manner deemed equitable by the
Trustees. 41
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 117 Campus Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6400, has been selected as the independent auditors of the Trust. The selection of independent auditors is subject to approval by the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund. State Street Bank and Trust Company, P. O. Box 351, Boston, Massachusetts 02101, acts as the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The Custodian is responsible for safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities and collecting interest on the Fund's investments. Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484, acts as the Trust's Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening, maintenance and servicing of shareholder accounts. See "How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares Through the Transfer Agent" in the Prospectus. Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, is counsel for the Trust. The fiscal year of the Fund ends on July 31 of each year. The Trust sends to the Fund's shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports showing the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report, containing financial statements audited by independent auditors, is sent to shareholders each year. After the end of each year, shareholders will receive Federal income tax information regarding dividends and capital gains distributions. Shareholder inquiries may be addressed to the Fund at the address or telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Statement of Additional Information. The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits relating thereto, which the Trust has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, to which reference is hereby made. Under a separate agreement, ML&Co. has granted the Trust the right to use the "Merrill Lynch" name and has reserved the right to withdraw its consent to the use of such name by the Trust at any time or to grant the use of such name to any other company, and the Trust has granted ML&Co. under certain conditions, the use of any other name it might assume in the future, with respect to any corporation organized by ML & Co. To the knowledge of the Trust, the following
persons or entities owned beneficially 5% or more of any class of the
Fund's shares as of August 31, 1999: |
Name |
Address |
Percent of Class |
|
Priscella Franklin McCoy
Trustee U/A DTD 07/10/97 by Revocable Trust |
10709 Castleton St. Fort Smith, AK 72908 |
17.8% of Class A
|
|
John P. Shields | 507 S. 14th St. Fort Smith, AK 72901 |
6% of Class A
|
|
Mr. James O. Ward | 1900 Resevoir Rd. #53T Little Rock, AK 72207 |
48.1% of Class C
|
|
|
|||
Dr. Guy Gardner and Brigita
Gardner Jtwros |
11 Woodsong Dr. Roland, AK 72135 |
10.1% of Class C
|
|
Clara Rosetta Chapman
Trustee U/A DTD 09/29/93 by Rosetta Chapman Living Trust |
1814 S. Spring St. Little Rock, AK 72206 |
5.9% of Class C
|
|
Super Rent Enterprise,
Inc. Attn: Jim Cotton |
10102 Stephens Ct. Fort Smith, AR 72908 |
5.2% of Class C
|
|
Dr. James G. Bryan and
Mrs Kathy S. Bryan JTWROS |
103 S. Moose | Morrilton, AR 72110 |
5.2% of Class C
|
|
Barbara B. Soell and John B. Soell JTWROS |
#61 Kingsbridge Way Little Rock, AR 72212 |
15.2% of Class D
|
|
James E. Cotton TTEE Betsy B. Cotton TTEE By Joint Revocable Trust |
10102 Stephens Ct. Fort Smith, AR 72908 |
14.9% of Class D
|
|
Mrs. Laura Wolf Separate Property Account |
18690 E. Blackoak Rd. Fayetteville, AR 72701 |
13.6% of Class D
|
|
Edward F. Ragsdale TTEE U/A DTD 10/08/91 By Elizabeth Ragsdale Trust |
4429 Friarwood Dr. Alton, IL 62002 |
9% of Class D
|
|
John B. Soell and Barbara B. Soell JTWROS |
2718 Echo Valley Dr. Little Rock, AR 72227 |
8.1% of Class D
|
|
Richard W. Spelzhaus | 304 McCollum Dr. Forrest City, AK 72335 |
7.6% of Class D
|
|
Mrs Flora Mae Griffey,
Miss Clarla Griffey and Miss Nancy Griffey JTWROS |
7401 Amherst Dr Little Rock, AR 72205 |
5.7% of Class D
|
|
Anton C. Haake TTEE Wilman Haake TTEE U/A DTD 05/05/1999 By Haake Family Trust |
48 Salvatierra Way Hot Springs, AR 71909 |
5.3% of Class D
|
The Fund's audited financial statements are incorporated in this Statement of Additional Information by reference to its 1999 annual report to shareholders. You may request a copy of the annual report at no charge by calling (800) 456-4587 ext. 789 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on any business day.
43
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS IN ARKANSAS The following information is a brief summary of factors affecting the economy of the state and does not purport to be a complete description of such factors. Other factors will affect issuers. The summary is based primarily upon one or more publicly available offering statements relating to debt offerings of state issuers; however, it has not been updated nor will it be updated during the year. The Trust has not independently verified this information. Economic Information During the past two decades, the economic base of Arkansas (the "State" or "Arkansas") has shifted from agriculture to light manufacturing. The State is now moving toward a heavier manufacturing base involving more sophisticated processes and products such as electrical machinery, transportation equipment, fabricated metals and electronics. Resource-related industries dominate and the largest employers are the food products, lumber and paper good industries. The agricultural sector, though much diminished in importance, remains a significant contributor to state income. Arkansas ranks first in the nation in rice production, first in production of broiler chickens and fourth in cotton. At $20,393, or 77% of the national average for 1998, Arkansas' personal income figure reflects strong gains and relative improvement in recent decades. Recent gains are attributed to employment provided by manufacturing growth and the State's attraction to retirees. The State's unemployment rate in 1998 equalled or was below the national average in each month. General and Revenue Obligations The Constitution of the State of Arkansas does not limit the amount of general obligation bonds which may be issued by the State; however, no such bonds may be issued unless approved by the voters of the State at a general election or a special election held for that purpose. There is no constitutional limitation on the aggregate principal amount of revenue bonds that may be issued by the State and its agencies. All revenue bonds and notes are secured only by specific revenue streams and neither the general revenues of the State nor its full faith and credit are pledged to repayment. As of June 30, 1998, the State's outstanding General Obligation Bonds totalled $400,402,000. The State has no other outstanding general obligation debt. There is no legislation pending calling for the issuance of any further general obligation of the State. From 1972 through 1984, the State had no general obligation debt outstanding. In addition to the State's General Obligation Bonds, the State had outstanding at June 30, 1998, $13,542,000 in revenue bonds and notes issued by various state agencies, authorities and institutions of higher education. Lease Obligation Numerous state agencies presently lease equipment and/or occupy leased office space. These lease commitments generally are cancelable, without penalty, upon the failure of the State to appropriate sufficient funds at each biennial legislative session. The present value of future minimum commitments under operating and capital leases at June 30, 1998, was $163,304,000. Arkansas Development Finance Authority The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (the "Authority") is the largest issuer of tax-exempt debt in the State. The Authority was created by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1985 as a multipurpose finance authority. After its creation, it assumed the functions, powers and duties of the Arkansas Housing Development Agency and that agency was abolished. In addition to providing financing for residential housing, the Authority is permitted to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing agricultural business enterprise, capital improvements for State agencies and local governments, educational facilities, health care facilities, industrial enterprises and short-term advance funding of local government obligations. The Authority had $1,385,691,000 principal amount of bonds outstanding as of June 30, 1998. I-1
Bonds Issued By Political Subdivisions and Other Constitutional Authorities Cities, counties, public facilities boards, improvement districts, utilities commissions, water districts and other constitutional authorities are authorized to issue general obligation and revenue bonds. The majority of these bonds are special revenue obligations which are unrated absent credit enhancement. Financial Organizations and Management The following State organizations share responsibility for statewide financial management: the General Assembly, the Office of Budget and the Office of Accounting of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Governor, the Treasurer and the Division of Legislative Audit. The State is prohibited by its Constitution from deficit spending. Accordingly, spending is limited to actual revenues received by the State. The General Assembly has responsibility for legislating the level of State services and appropriating the funds for operations of State agencies. The Office of Budget prepares the Executive Budget with the advice and consent of the Governor. The Office of Budget also monitors the level and type of State expenditures. The Accounting Division has the responsibility for maintaining fund and appropriation control and, through the Pre-Audit Section and in conjunction with the Auditor of State, has responsibility for the disbursement process. The Treasurer has responsibilities for disbursement, bank reconciliation and investment of State funds (with the advice of the State Board of Finance). The Division of Legislative Audit has responsibility for performing financial post-audits of State agencies. Budget of State Agencies State agencies submit biennial budget requests to the Office of Budget of the Department of Finance and Administration. The Office of Budget prepares the Executive Budget and an estimate of general revenues. The Executive Budget contains the budget amount recommended by the Governor. The General Assembly appropriates money after consideration of both the Executive Budget and the revenue estimate. The appropriation process begins in the joint House-Senate Budget Committee and then proceeds through both houses of the General Assembly. Legislative appropriations are subject to the Governor's approval or veto, including the authority of line-item veto. The General Assembly also must enact legislation pursuant to the Revenue Stabilization Act to provide for an allotment process of funding appropriations in order to comply with state law prohibiting deficit spending. The Governor may restrict spending to a level below the level of appropriations. Revenue Stabilization Act Act 750 of 1973, codified at Arkansas Code Annotated §§0019-5-101 et seq., establishes the State's revenue stabilization law (the "Stabilization Act"). The Stabilization Act and related legislation govern the administration and distribution of State revenues. Pursuant to the Stabilization Act, all general and special revenues are deposited into the General Revenue Allotment Account and the Special Revenue Allotment Account according to the type of revenue being deposited. From the General Revenue Fund, 3% of all general revenues are distributed to the Constitutional Officers Fund and the Central Services Fund to provide support for the State's elected officials (legislators, constitutional officers, judges), their staffs and the Department of Finance and Administration. The balance is then distributed to separate funds proportionately as established by the Stabilization Act. From the Special Revenue Fund, 3% of special revenues collected by the Department of Finance and Administration and 11/2% of all special revenues collected by other agencies are first distributed to provide support for the State's elected officials, their staffs and the Department of Finance and Administration. The balance is then distributed to the funds for which the special revenues were collected as provided by law. Special revenues, which are primarily users taxes, are generally earmarked for the program or agency providing the related service. General revenues are transferred into funds established and maintained by the Treasurer for major programs and agencies of the State in accordance with funding priorities established by the General Assembly. I-2
Pursuant to the Stabilization Act, the General Assembly establishes three levels of priority for general revenue spending, levels "A", "B", and "C". Successive levels of appropriations are funded only in the event sufficient revenues have been generated to fully fund any prior level. Accordingly, appropriations made to programs and agencies are only maximum authorizations to spend. Actual expenditures are limited to the lesser of (i) special revenues earmarked for a program or agencies' fund maintained by the Treasurer or (ii) the maximum appropriations by the General Assembly. Since State revenues are not collected throughout the year in a pattern consistent with program and agency expenditures, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, which receives one-half of the interest earnings from State fund investments, has been established and is utilized to assure proper cash flow during any period. Other interest earnings are pledged to special revenue obligations or used to supplement the State's capital construction program. Auditing Procedures The accounts of the State are subject to post-audit by the Division of Legislative Audit. Audits are performed as a series of audits which include agencies and funds. Copies of audit reports are made available for each fiscal year and may be obtained from the Division of Legislative Audit, State Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. Revenue Structure of the State The Department of Finance and Administration prepares a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report ("CAFR") after the close of each fiscal year. Commencing with the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, the General Purpose Financial Statements have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent accounting firm. Copies of the complete report may be obtained by contacting the Department of Finance and Administration, PO Box 3278, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203. Property Tax Reform In November 2000 Arkansas will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment which would reduce Arkansas property taxes by approximately $180 million dollars annually. If the amendment passes, the state sales tax will increase by 1/2 cent in order to raise funds to make up for the lost property tax revenues. Local governments and school districts in Arkansas rely on property taxes to fund a significant percentage of annual budgets. Petitions are currently being circulated to place an alternative property tax amendment on the ballot in November 2000. This amendment would abolish all property taxes and substitute additional state sales taxes; however, the sales tax would generate significantly less income than the current property taxes. This would result in a decrease in revenues for local government and public schools. Bond Ratings As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, Arkansas' general obligation bonds are rated Aa3 by Moody's and AA by Standard & Poor's. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority's $102,685,000 principal amount of Guaranty Revenue Bonds are rated A by Standard & Poor's. In the absence of credit enhancement from bond insurance, letter of credit or other credit facilities, the bonds of state agencies, colleges and universities, other local political subdivisions and other boards and commissions are generally unrated. I-3
RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDs Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s ("Moody's") Long-Term Debt Ratings |
|
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 edged." 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. |
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 risk appear somewhat larger than in AAA securities. |
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. |
Baa |
Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payment 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. |
Ba |
Bonds which are rated BA are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. |
B |
Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. |
Caa |
Bonds which are rated CAA are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest. |
Ca |
Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings. |
C |
Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. |
Note: Those bonds in the AA, A, Baa, BA and B groups which Moody's believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1. Short Term Notes: The three ratings of Moody's for short-term notes are MIG 1/VMIG 1, MIG 2/VMIG 2 and MIG 3/VMIG 3; MIG 1/VMIG 1 denotes "best quality strong protection from established cash flows"; MIG 2/VMIG 2 denotes "high quality" with "ample margins of protection"; MIG 3/VMIG 3 instruments are of "favorable quality but lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades." Description of Moody's Commercial Paper Ratings Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:
II-1
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions)
have a superior ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well established industries;
high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins
in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash
generation; and well established access to a range of financial markets
and assured sources of alternate liquidity. Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions)
have a strong ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above
but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound,
may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while
still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample
alternate liquidity is maintained. Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions)
have an acceptable ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
The effects of industry characteristics and market composition may be
more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result
in changes to the level of debt protection measurements and may require
relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained. Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within
any of the Prime rating categories. Description of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc. ("Standard & Poor's"), Municipal Debt Ratings A Standard & Poor's municipal debt
rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with
respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial
obligations or a specific program. It takes into consideration the creditworthiness
of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation. The debt rating is not a recommendation
to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation, 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 obligors or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other
sources Standard & Poor's 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 based on circumstances. The ratings are based, in varying degrees,
on the following considerations: |
||
I.
|
|
Likelihood of payment 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 to, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights. |
AAA |
Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. |
AA |
Debt rated "AA" differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree. The Obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong. |
A |
Debt rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. |
BBB |
Debt rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. |
II-2 |
BB |
Debt rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
|
|
|
D |
Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. |
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. Description of Standard & Poor's Commercial Paper Ratings A Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the highest-quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as follows: |
A-1 |
This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation. |
A-2 |
Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1." |
A-3 |
Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations. |
B |
Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment. |
C |
This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment. |
D |
Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. |
A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard & Poor's by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information. A Standard & Poor's note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment.
|
SP-1 |
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. |
SP-2 |
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. |
SP-3 |
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest. |
II-3 |
c |
The "c" subscript is used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer's bonds are deemed taxable. |
p |
The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, 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 own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk. |
* |
Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. |
r |
The "r" highlights derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that Standard & Poor's believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns as a result of noncredit risks. Examples of such obligations are securities with principal or interest return indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options, and interest-only and principal-only mortgage securities. The absence of an "r" symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return. |
Description of Fitch IBCA, Inc.'s ("Fitch") Investment Grade Bond Ratings Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The rating represents Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner. The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength and credit quality. Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by insurance policies or financial guarantees unless otherwise indicated. Bonds carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differences in the degrees of credit risk. Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of payments made in respect of any security. Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons. |
AAA |
Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest
credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay
interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably
foreseeable events. |
AA |
Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high
credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal
is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA."
Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and "AA" categories
are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term
debt of these issuers is generally rated "F-1+." |
A |
Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings. |
II-4
|
BBB |
Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory-credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings. |
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category. |
NR |
Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue. |
Conditional |
A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a project or the occurrence of a specific event. |
Suspended |
A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information available from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes. |
Withdrawn |
A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced and, at Fitch's discretion, when an issuer fails to furnish proper and timely information. |
FitchAlert |
Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and should be resolved within 12 months. |
|
Ratings Outlook: An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive" or "Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook. Description of Fitch's Speculative Grade Bond Ratings Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings ("BB" to "C") represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD" to "D") is an assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation. The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength. Bonds that have the rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in degrees of credit risk. |
BB |
Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements. |
B |
Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue. |
CCC |
Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic environment. |
CC |
Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time. |
C |
Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal. |
II-5 |
DDD |
Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative and |
DD |
should be valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the |
D |
obligor. "DDD" represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents the lowest potential for recovery. |
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "DDD," "DD," or "D" categories. Description of Fitch's Short-Term Ratings Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment notes. The short-term ratings places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely manner. Fitch short-term ratings are as follows: |
F-1+ |
Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment. |
F-1 |
Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated "F-1+." |
F-2 |
Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned "F-1+" and "F-1" ratings. |
F-3 |
Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade. |
F-S |
Weak Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and are vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. |
D |
Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default. |
LOC |
The symbol "LOC" indicates that the rating is based on a letter of credit issued by a commercial bank. |
II-6
Code # 18320-11-99 PART C. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 23. Exhibits |
|||
Exhibit Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
||
1
|
(a) |
|
Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated August 2, 1985(a) |
(b) |
|
Amendment to Declaration of Trust, dated October 3, 1998.(b) |
|
(c) |
|
Amendment to Declaration of Trust, dated October 17, 1994, and instrument establishing Class C and Class D shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.(c) |
|
(d) |
|
Instrument establishing Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund") as a series of Registrant.(d) |
|
(e) |
|
Instrument establishing Class A and Class B shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.(d) |
|
2
|
|
|
By-Laws of Registrant.(d) |
3
|
|
|
Portions of the Declaration of Trust, Certificate of Establishment and Designation and By-laws of the Registrant defining the rights of holders of the Fund as a series of the Registrant.(e) |
4
|
|
|
Management Agreement between Registrant and Fund Asset Management, LP(d) |
5
|
(a) |
|
Form of Revised Class A Shares Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. (now known as Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc.) (the "Distributor").(f) |
(b) |
|
Class B Shares Distribution Agreement between Registrant and the Distributor.(d) |
|
(c) |
|
Form of Class C Shares Distribution Agreement between Registrant and the Distributor.(f) |
|
(d) |
|
Form of Class D Shares Distribution Agreement between Registrant and the Distributor.(f) |
|
6
|
|
|
None. |
7
|
|
|
Form of Custody Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank & Trust Company.(g) |
8
|
|
|
Form of Letter Amendment to the Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing Agency Agreement between Registrant and Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. ("Financial Data Services, Inc.").(d) |
9
|
(a) |
|
Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Registrant.(d) |
(b) |
|
Consent of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to the Registrant. |
|
10
|
|
|
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Registrant. |
11
|
|
|
None. |
12
|
|
|
Certificate of Fund Asset Management, LP(d) |
13
|
(a) |
|
Class B Distribution Plan of the Registrant and Class B Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement.(d) |
(b) |
|
Form of Class C Distribution Plan of the Registrant and Class C Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement.(f) |
|
(c) |
|
Form of Class D Distribution Plan of the Registrant and Class D Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement.(f) |
|
14
|
|
|
None. |
15
|
|
|
Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3.(h) |
____________ | |
(a) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to shares of the Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund series of the Registrant (File No. 33-99473), filed on January 31, 1995. |
(b) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to shares of the Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund series of the Registrant (File No. 33-99473), filed on January 31, 1995. |
(c) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to shares of the Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund series of the Registrant (File No. 33-99473), filed on January 31, 1995. |
C-1 |
|
(d) |
Filed on August 2, 1994 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to shares of the Fund (File No. 33-54341) (the "Registration Statement"). |
(e) |
Reference is made to Article II, Section 2.3 and Articles V, VI, VIII, IX, X and XI of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust, as amended, filed as Exhibit 1(a) to the Registration Statement; to the Certificates of Establishment and Designation establishing the Fund as a series of the Registrant and establishing Class A and Class B shares of beneficial interest of the Fund, files as Exhibits 1(c) and 1(d), respectively, to the Registration Statement; and to Articles I, V and VI of the Registrant's By-laws, previously filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registration Statement. |
(f) |
Filed on October 20, 1994 as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement. |
(g) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to shares of the Merrill Lynch Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund series of the Registrant (File No. 33-44734), filed on October 14, 1994. |
(h) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to shares of the Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund series of the Registrant (File No. 2-99473), filed on January 25, 1996. |
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant The Registrant is not controlled by or under common control with any other person. Item 25. Indemnification Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides as follows: "The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents (including persons who serve at its request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which it has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a trustee, officer, employee or agent, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties; provided, however, that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of good faith and reasonable belief as to the best interests of the Trust, had been adjudicated, it would have been adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any Person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he or she may be lawfully entitled; provided that no Person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement granted herein or in Section 5.1 or to which he or she may be otherwise entitled except out of the property of the Trust, and no Shareholder shall be personally liable to any Person with respect to any claim for indemnity or reimbursement or otherwise. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection with indemnification under this Section 5.3, provided that the indemnified person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such indemnification." Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification moneys for actions based upon the Investment Company Act of 1940 may be concerned, such payments will be made only on the following conditions: (i) the advances must be limited to amounts used, or to be used, for the preparation or presentation of a defense to the action, including costs connected with the preparation of a settlement; (ii) advances may be made only upon receipt of a written promise by, or on behalf of, the recipient to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds the amount which it is ultimately determined that he or she is entitled to receive from the Registrant by reason of indemnification; and (iii)(a) such promise must be secured by a surety bond, other suitable insurance or an equivalent form of security which assures that any repayments may be obtained by the Registrant without delay or litigation, which bond, insurance or other form of security must be provided by the recipient of the advance, or
C-2
(b) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant's disinterested, non-party Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based upon a review of readily available facts that the recipient of the advance ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. In Section 9 of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Shares Distribution Agreements relating to the securities being offered hereby, the Registrant agrees to indemnify the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), against certain types of civil liabilities arising in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant and the principal underwriter pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant and the principal underwriter in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer or controlling person or the principal underwriter in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser Fund Asset Management, LP (the "Manager" or "FAM") acts as the investment adviser for the following open-end registered investment companies: CBA Money Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA Tax-exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., Financial Institutions Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Emerging Tigers Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Federal Securities Trust, Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Phoenix Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc., and The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.; and for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Apex Municipal Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund II, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund III, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 1999, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc., MuniAssets Fund, Inc., MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund IV, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund V, Inc., MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund II, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund III, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund IV, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V, MuniHoldings Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings Insured Fund IV, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund IV, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund IV, Inc., MuniHoldings Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Michigan Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniInsured Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund II, Inc., MuniVest Florida Fund, MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniVest New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniVest Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Florida Fund, MuniYield Florida Insured Fund, MuniYield Fund, Inc., MuniYield Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield Michigan Fund, Inc., MuniYield Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Pennsylvania Fund, MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc., Senior High Income Portfolio, Inc. and Worldwide DollarVest Fund, Inc.
C-3
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, LP ("MLAM"), an affiliate of the Manager, acts as the investment adviser for the following open-end registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch Adjustable Rate Securities Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Americas Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Builder Program, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Convertible Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Dragon Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch EuroFund, Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund for Investment and Retirement, Merrill Lynch Global Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Holdings, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Resources Trust, Merrill Lynch Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Utility Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Growth Fund, Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch International Equity Fund, Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, Merrill Lynch Real Estate Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Short-term Global Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Strategic Dividend Fund, Merrill Lynch US Treasury Money Fund, Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves, Merrill Lynch Utility Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc. and Hotchkis and Wiley Funds (advised by Hotchkis and Wiley, a division of MLAM); and for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc. MLAM also acts as sub-adviser to Merrill Lynch World Strategy Portfolio and Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Portfolio, two investment portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust. The address of each of these registered investment companies is PO Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011, except that the address of Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series and Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2665. The address of the Manager, MLAM, Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") and Princeton Administrators, LP ("Princeton Administrators") is also PO Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011. The address of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc., ("PFD") and of Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor ("MLFD") is PO Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081. The address of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") is World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281-1201. The address of the Fund's transfer agent, Financial Data Services, Inc. ("FDS"), is 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484. Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and partner of the Manager indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person or entity has been engaged since August 1, 1997 for his, her or its own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee. In addition, Mr. Glenn is President and Mr. Burke is Vice President and Treasurer and of all or substantially all of the investment companies described in the first two paragraphs of this Item 26, and Messrs. Doll, Giordano and Monagle are officers of one or more of such companies |
.
Name |
Position(s) with the |
Other Substantial Business, |
|
ML & Co. |
|
Limited Partner |
Financial Services Holding Company; Limited Partner of MLAM |
Princeton Services |
General Partner |
General Partner of MLAM |
|
Jeffrey M. Peek |
President |
President of MLAM; President and Director of Princeton Services; Executive Vice President of ML & Co.; Managing Director and Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division of Merrill Lynch in 1997 |
|
Terry K. Glenn |
Executive Vice President |
Executive Vice President of MLAM; Executive Vice President and Director of Princeton Services; President and Director of PFD; Director of FDS; President of Princeton Administrators |
|
Gregory A. Bundy |
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director |
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of MLAM; Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Princeton Services; Co-CEO of Merrill Lynch Australia from 1997 to 1999 |
|
|
|||
Name |
Position(s) with the |
Other Substantial Business, |
|
Donald C. Burke |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Taxation of MLAM; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services; Vice President of PFD; First Vice President of MLAM from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of MLAM from 1990 to 1997 |
|
|
|||
Michael G. Clark |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services; Treasurer and Director of PFD; First Vice President of MLAM from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of MLAM from 1996 to 1997 |
|
Robert C. Doll |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services; Chief Investment Officer of Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. in 1999 and Executive Vice President thereof from 1991 to 1999 |
|
Linda L. Federici |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
|
Vincent R. Giordano |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
|
Michael J. Hennewinkel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
|
Philip L. Kirstein |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Director of Princeton Services |
|
Debra W. Landsman-Yaros |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services; Vice President of PFDS |
|
Stephen M. M. Miller |
Senior Vice President |
Executive Vice President of Princeton Administrators; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
|
Joseph T. Monagle, Jr. |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
|
Brian A. Murdock |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
|
Gregory D. Upah |
Senior Vice President |
Senior Vice President of MLAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
Item 27. Principal Underwriters (a) MLFD, a division of PFD, acts as the principal underwriter for the Registrant and for each of the open-end registered investment companies referred to in the first two paragraphs of Item 26 except CBA Money Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA Tax-exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc. The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc. MLFD also acts as the principal underwriter for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc. A separate division of PFD acts as the principal underwriter of a number of other investment companies.
C-5
(b) Set forth below is information concerning each director and officer of PFD. The principal business address of each such person is PO Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081, except that the address of Messrs. Breen, Crook, Fatseas and Wasel is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2665. |
Name |
Position(s) and Office(s)
with PFD
|
Position(s) and Office(s) with
Registrant
|
||
Terry K. Glenn |
President and Director |
President and Trustee |
||
Michael G. Clark |
Treasurer and Director |
None |
||
Thomas J. Verage |
Director |
None |
||
Robert W. Crook |
Senior Vice President |
None |
||
Michael J. Brady |
Vice President |
None |
||
William M. Breen |
Vice President |
None |
||
Donald C. Burke |
Vice President |
Vice President and Treasurer |
||
James T. Fatseas |
Vice President |
None |
||
Debra W. Landsman-Yaros |
Vice President |
None |
||
Michelle T. Lau |
Vice President |
None |
||
Salvatore Venezia |
Vice President |
None |
||
William Wasel |
Vice President |
None |
||
Robert Harris |
Secretary |
None |
||
|
(c) Not applicable Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of the Registrant (800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536), and its transfer agent, Financial Data Services, Inc. (4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484). Item 29. Management Services Other than as set forth under the caption "Management of the Fund Fund Asset Management" in the Prospectus constituting Part A of the Registration Statement and under "Management of the Trust Management and Advisory Arrangements" in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of the Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract. Item 30. Undertakings. Not applicable.
C-6
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, and the State of New Jersey, on the 29th day of September, 1999
|
MERRILL LYNCH MULTI-STATE MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
(Registrant) |
|
By /s/ Donald C. Burke
(Donald C. Burke, Vice President and Treasurer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the |
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
---|---|---|
TERRY K. GLENN*
(Terry K. Glenn) |
President and Trustee (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
/s/ DONALD C. BURKE
(Donald C. Burke) |
Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
September 29, 1999 |
JAMES H. BODURTHA*
(James H. Bodurtha) |
Trustee | |
HERBERT I. LONDON*
(Herbert I. London) |
Trustee | |
ROBERT R. MARTIN*
(Robert R. Martin) |
Trustee | |
JOSEPH L. MAY*
(Joseph L. May) |
Trustee | |
ANDRE F. PEROLD*
(Andre F. Perold) |
Trustee | |
ARTHUR ZEIKEL*
(Arthur Zeikel) |
Trustee | |
*By: /s/ DONALD C. BURKE
(Donald C. Burke, Attorney-in-Fact) |
September 29, 1999 |
C-7
POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned Directors/Trustees and officers of each of the registered investment companies listed below hereby authorize Terry K. Glenn, Donald C. Burke and Joseph T. Monagle, Jr., or any of them, as attorney-in-fact, to sign on his or her behalf in the capacities indicated any Registration Statement or amendment thereto (including post-effective amendments) for each of the following registered investment companies and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission: Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Convertible Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Consults International Portfolio, Merrill Lynch Growth Fund, Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc., MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund III, MuniHoldings Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniVest Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniYield Fund, Inc., MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Florida Fund, MuniYield Michigan Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. and MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc. Dated: April 7, 1999
|
/s/ TERRY K. GLENN
Terry K. Glenn (President/Principal Executive Officer/Director/Trustee) |
/s/ JOSEPH L. MAY
Joseph L. May (Director/Trustee) |
/s/ JAMES H. BODURTHA
James H. Bodurtha (Director/Trustee) |
/s/ ANDRÉ F. PEROLD
André F. Perold (Director/Trustee) |
/s/ HERBERT I. LONDON
Herbert I. London (Director/Trustee) |
/s/ ARTHUR ZEIKEL
Arthur Zeikel (Director/Trustee) |
/s/ ROBERT R. MARTIN
Robert R. Martin (Director/Trustee) |
/s/ DONALD C. BURKE
Donald C. Burke (Vice President/Treasurer/Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
C-8 EXHIBIT INDEX |
Exhibit Number |
Description
|
||
9 |
(b) |
|
Consent of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to the Registrant |
10 |
|
|
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Registrant |
|