SCHEDULE 14A
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12
AEW Commercial Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc.
File No. 811-8920
...............................................................................
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
...............................................................................
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ ] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
<PAGE>
AEW COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, INC.
One International Place
44th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
DECEMBER 19, 1996
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TO THE STOCKHOLDERS
OF AEW COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of stockholders
of AEW Commercial Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") will be held on
Thursday, December 19, 1996, at 9:00 a.m. local time, at Aldrich, Eastman &
Waltch, L.P. (the "Adviser"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110-2803, for
the following purposes:
1. To elect a Board of four Directors to serve until their
successors shall have been elected and qualified.
2. To ratify the action of the Board of Directors in
selecting McGladrey & Pullen LLP, as auditors to examine the books and financial
statements of the Fund for the period commencing November 1, 1996 and ending
October 31, 1997.
3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve a new
advisory agreement between the Fund and AEW Capital Management, L.P. ("New
AEW"), pursuant to which New AEW will act as investment adviser with respect to
the assets of the Fund, effective upon consummation of the consolidation of the
operations of the Adviser and Copley Real Estate Advisors, Inc., a subsidiary of
New England Investment Companies, L.P. (the "Merger").
4. The transaction of such other business as may properly be
brought before the meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on November
15, 1996 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
It is hoped that you will attend the meeting, but if you
cannot do so, please fill in and sign the enclosed proxy, and return it in the
accompanying envelope as promptly as possible. Any stockholder attending can
vote in person even though a proxy has already been returned.
By Order of the Board of Directors
MICHAEL DEFAO
Secretary
Boston, Massachusetts
November 15, 1996
<PAGE>
AEW COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of AEW Commercial Mortgage Securities
Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") to be held at the offices of Aldrich, Eastman & Waltch, L.P. (the
"Adviser"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110-2803, on Thursday, December
19, 1996 at 9:00 a.m., local time. The address of the principal office of the
Fund is One International Place, 44th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. This
proxy statement and form of proxy were first sent to shareholders on or about
December 13, 1996.
Proxy Solicitation
All proxies in the enclosed form which are properly executed and
returned to the Fund will be voted as provided therein at the Meeting or at any
adjournments thereof. A stockholder executing and returning a proxy has the
power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice
of such revocation to the Secretary of the Fund. Signing and mailing the proxy
will not affect your right to give a later proxy or to attend the Annual Meeting
and vote your shares in person.
The Board of Directors intends to bring before the meeting the matters
set forth in items 1, 2 and 3 in the foregoing notice. The persons named in the
enclosed proxy and acting thereunder will vote with respect to items 1, 2 and 3
in accordance with the directions of the stockholders as specified on the proxy
card; if no choice is specified, the shares will be voted IN FAVOR of the
election of the four directors named under item 1, IN FAVOR of ratification of
McGladrey & Pullen LLP as auditors and IN FAVOR of approval of the investment
advisory agreement described in item 3. If any other matters are properly
presented to the meeting for action, it is intended that the persons named in
the enclosed proxy and acting thereunder will vote in accordance with the views
of management thereon. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for quorum
purposes. With regard to the election of directors, votes may be cast in favor
or withheld; votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote and
will have no effect. Abstentions will be excluded from the proposal to ratify
approval of accountants, and will have no effect because it requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast at the meeting. Abstentions
will have the effect of a negative vote on the proposal to approve the
investment advisory agreement because it requires the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act") and described below.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting is required for the election of Directors
(Item 1); the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast at the meeting
is required for ratification of the selection of independent public accountants
(Item 2); and the affirmative vote of the lesser of (i) more than 50% of the
Fund's outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting or (ii) 67% of the
shares present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or by proxy, is
required for approval of the investment advisory agreement (Item 3).
In the event a quorum is not present at the meeting or in the event
that a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the proposed item are
not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments
of the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment
will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares represented at
such meeting in person or by proxy. The persons named as proxies will vote those
proxies that they are entitled to vote FOR any such proposal, in favor of such
an adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to be voted AGAINST any
such proposal, against any such adjournment.
<PAGE>
The Adviser will bear the costs of preparing, printing and mailing this
proxy statement, the proxies and any additional materials which may be furnished
to stockholders. Solicitation may be undertaken by mail, telephone, telegraph
and personal contact. The Annual Report of the Fund accompanies this proxy
material.
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
Holders of Common Stock of the Fund of record at the close of
business November 15, 1996 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof. As of November 30, 1996, the Fund has outstanding
11,657,575 shares of Common Stock. The stockholders are entitled to one vote per
share on all business of the meeting.
Beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Fund:
Ameritech Pension Trust 11,644,289 shares - 99.9%
c/o Harris Trust and Savings Bank
111 W. Monroe Street - 5W
Chicago, IL 60603
The officers and directors of the Fund as a group beneficially own in
the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Fund.
The Merger of the Adviser
Under the terms of an agreement between the Adviser and New England
Investment Companies, L.P. ("NEIC"), NEIC will acquire substantially all of the
assets and operations of the Adviser at a cost of approximately $67.5 million in
a combination of cash, a promissory note and units of NEIC and contingent
additional payments up to $35 million, tied to continuation of employment by
certain key employees and realization of certain revenue targets (the "Merger").
NEIC is a publicly-held limited partnership with approximately $88 billion in
assets under management, as to which MetLife-New England Holdings, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, owns 55% of the
outstanding limited partnership interest.
The Adviser will consolidate its operations with Copley Real Estate
Advisors, Inc. ("Copley"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEIC, to form AEW
Capital Management, L.P. ("New AEW"). After the consolidation, New AEW will be a
wholly-owned subsidiary of NEIC. Another subsidiary of NEIC, Reich & Tang Asset
Management L.P. ("RTAM"), is a registered investment adviser and will act as
administrator of the Fund after consummation of the Merger. As of September 30,
1996, RTAM was investment manager, adviser or supervisor with respect to assets
aggregating in excess of $8.6 billion and acts as manager to fifteen open-end
investment companies.
As described in more detail below, the Board of Directors of the Fund
recommends that the shareholders of the Fund approve a new board of directors,
to permit the consolidation of certain operations of investment companies
managed by affiliates of NEIC, and to approve an investment advisory agreement
with New AEW. In addition, it is proposed that upon consummation of the Merger,
the Fund have new auditors (See Proposal No. 2), new officers and new providers
of administrative services as described in more detail below. Such changes and
all actions taken by shareholders at this meeting are subject to consummation of
the Merger. If any matter presented to shareholders at this meeting is not
approved, the Board of Directors of the Fund will determine the appropriate
action to take or recommend to shareholders.
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<PAGE>
I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting four Directors, constituting the entire Board of
Directors of the Fund, are to be elected to hold office until the next annual
meeting or until their successors are elected and shall have qualified. If any
nominee for any reason becomes unable to serve, the persons named as proxies
will vote for the election of such other persons as they believe will carry on
the present policies of the Fund and as they deem to be qualified. The Board of
Directors has no reason to believe that any of the four nominees will be unable
to serve. The ages, principal occupations and certain other affiliations of the
nominees and the amount of stock owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, in
the Fund are as follows:
Name and Address Age ( ) Principal Occupation and other Affiliations
*Clifford M. Brown (40) President of the Fund.
Also the Portfolio Manager at New AEW primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the
fund. Mr. Brown directs AEW's and will direct New
AEW's Public Debt and Equity, and Capital Markets
Groups. Mr. Brown joined the Adviser in 1993, and
has over 17 years of real estate and corporate
finance experience including acquisitions, sales
and financing, restructurings, and mergers and
acquisitions. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr.
Brown was a Director in the real estate department
of Salomon Brothers. He is a member of the Urban
Land Institute and a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business
Administration (B.S. and M.B.A.).
Yung Wong (57) 1986-1994: General Partner of Abacus Partners
Limited Partnership (GP for Abacus Ventures L.P.,
a venture capital investment fund investing in
telecommunications ventures). 1994-Present:
Special Limited Partner of Abacus Partners Limited
Partnership. 1994-1995: Director of Shaw
Investment Management Co. (HK) Ltd. (Management
company for private funds investing in ventures in
China and Asia.)
Director/Trustee:
California Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Connecticut Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., Michigan Daily
Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., New Jersey Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., North Carolina Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Reich & Tang Equity
Fund, Inc., Delafield Fund, Inc. and Short Term
Income Fund, Inc.; Trustee of Florida Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Institutional Daily Income
Fund, Pennsylvania Daily Municipal Income Fund and
Eclipse Financial Asset Trust.
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** Interested person
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<PAGE>
Name and Address Age ( ) Principal Occupation and other Affiliations
Robert Straniere (54) Partner - The Straniere Law Firm
1981-Present: New York State Assemblyman
Director/Trustee:
California Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Connecticut Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., Michigan Daily
Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., New Jersey Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., North Carolina Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Reich & Tang Equity
Fund, Inc., Delafield Fund, Inc. and Short Term
Income Fund, Inc.; Trustee of Florida Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Institutional Daily Income
Fund, Pennsylvania Daily Municipal Income Fund and
Director of Life Cycle Mutual Funds, Inc.
W. Giles Mellon, Ph.D. (65) Professor of Economics and Finance, Graduate
School of Management, Rutgers University, New
Jersey, with which he has been associated since
1966.
Director/Trustee:
California Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Connecticut Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., Michigan Daily
Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., New Jersey Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., North Carolina Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Reich & Tang Equity
Fund, Inc., Delafield Fund, Inc. and Short Term
Income Fund, Inc.; Trustee of Florida Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Institutional Daily Income
Fund and Pennsylvania Daily Municipal Income Fund.
With the exception of Mr. Brown, the Nominees do not own any of the
outstanding shares of common stock of the Fund. Mr. Brown owns 359.096 shares,
which constitutes less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Under the
1940 Act, Mr. Brown is an "interested person" of the Fund because of his
position with the Adviser and New AEW. Mr. Brown, as the owner of an interest in
the Adviser, will receive approximately 1% of the purchase price for the Adviser
upon consummation of the Merger and may also receive approximately 5% of
contingent additional amounts, if any, paid for the Adviser.
The individuals who will become officers of the Fund upon consummation
of the Merger, their ages, and principal occupations during the last five years,
including offices held with the Adviser and its affiliated companies, are as
follows:
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<PAGE>
Name and Officer Age ( ) and Principal Occupation
Clifford M. Brown (40) Also the Portfolio Manager at New AEW
primarily President responsible for the day-to-day
management of the fund. Mr. Brown directs AEW's
and will direct New AEW's Public Debt and Equity,
and Capital Markets Groups. Mr. Brown joined the
Adviser in 1993, and has over 17 years of real
estate and corporate finance experience including
acquisitions, sales and financing, restructurings,
and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining the
Adviser, Mr. Brown was a Director in the real
estate department of Salomon Brothers. He is a
member of the Urban Land Institute and a graduate
of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School
of Business Administration (B.S. and M.B.A.).
J. Grant Monahon (51) The Adviser's and New AEW's General Counsel,
Vice President responsible for the firm's internal and external
legal affairs. Mr. Monahon brings to AEW Capital
Management, L.P. over twenty years of experience
in real estate law. He has represented a wide
variety of institutional clients, both domestic
and international, in complex development and
equity transactions. Most recently, Mr. Monahon
was a partner and the head of the real estate
finance department of a major Boston law firm. He
is a past Chairman of the General Counsel section
of the National Association of Real Estate
Investment Managers. Mr. Monahon is a graduate of
Dartmouth College (B.A.) and Georgetown University
Law Center (J.D.)
James J. Finnegan (36) Also Assistant General Counsel of AEW Capital
Vice President Management, L.P. Mr. Finnegan joined the Adviser
in 1992, and has over ten years of experience in
real estate law, including seven years of
experience in private practice with major New York
City and Boston law firms. Mr. Finnegan has
extensive experience in creating and implementing
real estate investment and asset management
strategies for institutional investors. Mr.
Finnegan also serves as the firm's securities and
regulatory compliance officer. Mr. Finnegan is a
graduate of the University of Vermont (BA) and
Fordham University School of Law (JD).
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<PAGE>
Name and Officer Age ( ) and Principal Occupation
Bernadette N. Finn (48) Also Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Secretary of the Mutual Funds division of Reich & Tang Asset
Management L.P. since September 1993. Formerly
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Reich &
Tang, Inc. from September 1970 to September 1993.
Also, Secretary of California Daily Tax Free
Income Fund, Inc., Connecticut Daily Tax Free
Income Fund, Inc., Cortland Trust, Inc., Daily Tax
Free Income Fund, Inc., Florida Daily Municipal
Income Fund, Michigan Daily Tax Free Income Fund,
Inc., New Jersey Daily Municipal Income Fund,
Inc., New York Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
North Carolina Daily Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
Pennsylvania Daily Municipal Income Fund and Tax
Exempt Proceeds Fund, Inc., a Vice President and
Secretary of Delafield Fund, Inc., Institutional
Daily Income Fund, Reich & Tang Equity Fund, Inc.
and Short Term Income Fund, Inc.
Richard De Sanctis (40) Also Vice President and Treasurer of the
Treasurer Mutual Funds division of Reich & Tang Asset
Management L.P. since September 1993. Formerly
Controller of Reich & Tang, Inc., from January
1991 to September 1993. Also Treasurer of
California Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Connecticut Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc.,
Daily Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., Delafield Fund,
Inc., Florida Daily Municipal Income Fund,
Institutional Daily Income Fund, Michigan Daily
Tax Free Income Fund, Inc., New Jersey Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., New York Daily Tax
Free Income Fund, Inc., North Carolina Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Pennsylvania Daily
Municipal Income Fund, Reich & Tang Equity Fund,
Inc., Short Term Income Fund, Inc. and Tax Exempt
Proceeds Fund, Inc.; and Vice President and
Treasurer of Cortland Fund, Inc., Institutional
Daily Income Fund, Reich & Tang Equity Fund, Inc.
and Short Term Income Fund, Inc.
All officers are elected to one-year terms. Following the consummation of the
Merger, all officers and directors may be reached through the principal offices
of the Fund at: c/o Reich & Tang, 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10020-2302. The Fund had no Nominating or Compensation Committees during fiscal
year 1996. The Board of Directors held four regular meetings in fiscal year
1996.
Unless instructed by the stockholders to refrain from so voting, it is
the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote for election of the four
nominees listed above as Directors. Provided that a quorum is present, a
plurality of the votes validly cast at the meeting is required to elect each of
the Directors.
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<PAGE>
OTHER REMUNERATION AND AFFILIATIONS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Each of the directors of the Fund who are not affiliated persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, will receive an annual fee of $1,500,
and a meeting fee of $250 for each Board meeting attended, as compensation for
services. The Fund also reimburses all Directors who are not affiliated persons
for expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of
Directors. For the year ended October 31, 1996, none of the nominees for
director received compensation from the Fund. It is anticipated that for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, the nominees, if elected, will receive the
compensation set forth below (see table below). Fees, salaries or other
remuneration of officers of the Fund who also serve as directors, officers or
employees of the Adviser or any of their affiliated companies are borne by the
appropriate affiliate. All proposed officers are covered by this provision, and
will not receive any compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total
Compensation
from Registrant
and Fund
Estimated Pension or Estimated Complex to be
Aggregate Retirement Annual Paid to
Compensation from Benefits Accrued Benefits Directors for the
Name of Person Registrant for fiscal as Part of Fund Upon fiscal year
and Position Year Ended 10-31-97 Expenses Retirement ended 10-31-97
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Clifford M. Brown -0- -0- -0- -0-
Director
Yung Wong $2,500 -0- -0- -0-
Director
Robert Straniere $2,500 -0- -0- -0-
Director
W. Giles Mellon $2,500 -0- -0- -0-
Director
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
II. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
At a meeting held on December 12, 1996, the Board of Directors,
including a majority of those Directors who are not interested persons of the
Fund, selected McGladrey & Pullen LLP as auditors to examine the Fund's books
and securities and to certify from time to time the Fund's financial statements
for the period November 1, 1996 to October 31, 1997, subject to ratification by
the stockholders of the Fund. The firm has no direct or indirect material
interest in the Fund. Representatives of McGladrey & Pullen LLP and Price
Waterhouse LLP are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. Price
Waterhouse LLP, the former auditor of the Fund, served as principal accountant
for the Fund for the fiscal year most recently completed.
The Board of Directors has appointed an Audit Committee which will
consist of Yung Wong, Robert Straniere and W. Giles Mellon, if the are elected
at the Meeting. The purpose of this Committee is to evaluate financial
management, meet with the auditors, and deal with other matters of a financial
nature that they deem appropriate. The Audit Committee of the Fund met twice
during fiscal year 1996.
The Board's decision to change the Fund's accountant was related solely
to the proposed change in control of the Adviser and resulted from the Board's
desire to provide the Fund with the same service providers utilized by
investment companies managed by affiliates of NEIC. The Board believes that this
will facilitate administrative operations of the Fund subsequent to the Merger.
The principal accountant's report on the financial statements for the past two
years was without any qualification and there were no disagreements with the
auditor during that period.
A majority vote of the shares represented in person and by proxy at the
meeting is necessary to ratify the selection of the auditors.
III. APPROVAL OF THE NEW INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT FOR THE FUND
Background
One of the purposes of the meeting is to consider a new investment
advisory agreement for the Fund as a result of the proposed consolidation of the
operations of Copley, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEIC, and the Adviser. In
October 1996, the Adviser announced its intention to consolidate its operations
with Copley to form New AEW. The Merger was duly authorized by NEIC and the
Adviser. AEW Capital Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEIC, is the
general partner and NEIC is the sole limited partner of New AEW. NEIC is a
publicly-held limited partnership, as to which the general sole partner is New
England Investment Companies, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The merger is expected to be completed in
December, 1996.
The Merger represents a change in ownership of the Adviser and, as
such, has the effect under the 1940 Act of terminating the existing advisory
agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (the "Existing Advisory Agreement").
Accordingly, shareholders are being asked to approve a new advisory agreement
embodying exactly the same terms and fees with New AEW (the "New Advisory
Agreement"). The Fund's Board of Directors, including a majority of the
non-interested Directors (those Directors who are not parties to the New
Advisory Agreement, or interested persons of such parties) approved the New
Advisory Agreement, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Fund, to
become effective upon the date of the Meeting, or upon consummation of the
merger, if it occurs subsequent to the Annual Meeting.
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<PAGE>
As required by the 1940 Act, the Existing Advisory Agreement provides
for its automatic termination upon "assignment." Consummation of the Merger may
be deemed to be an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Existing
Advisory Agreement resulting in the termination of the Existing Advisory
Agreement in accordance with its terms. In anticipation of the consummation of
the Merger, and to provide continuity in investment advisory services, the
Fund's Board of Directors, including a majority of the Board members who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) at a meeting held on December
12, 1996, approved and directed that there be submitted to shareholders for
approval a new investment advisory agreement between the Fund and New AEW.
In connection with the Fund's approval of the New Advisory Agreement,
the Board considered that the terms of the Merger do not require a change in the
Fund's investment objective or policies, the Adviser's investment management or
operation of the Fund, the investment personnel managing the Fund, the
investment advisory fee or other business activities of the Fund or the
shareholder services (although service providers will change). The Adviser has
informed the Board of the Fund that the Merger will not at this time result in
any such change, although no assurance can be given that such a change will not
occur in the future.
Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act provides that when a change in the
control of an investment adviser occurs, the investment adviser or any of its
affiliated persons may receive any amount or benefit in connection therewith as
long as two conditions are satisfied. First, no "unfair burden" may be imposed
on the investment company as a result of the transaction relating to the change
of control, or any express or implied terms, conditions or understandings
applicable thereto. The term "unfair burden," as defined in the 1940 Act,
includes any arrangement during the two-year period after the change in control
whereby the investment adviser (or predecessor or successor adviser), or any
interested person of any such adviser, receives or is entitled to receive any
compensation, directly or indirectly, from the investment company or its
security holders (other than fees for bona fide investment advisory or other
services) or from any person in connection with the purchase or sale of
securities or other property to, from, or on behalf of the investment company
(other than fees for bona fide principal underwriting services). No such
compensation arrangements are in effect or contemplated insofar as the Fund is
concerned.
The second condition is that, during the three-year period immediately
following consummation of the transaction, at least 75% of the investment
company's board of directors must not be "interested persons" of the Adviser
within the meaning of the 1940 Act. At present, one of the Fund's nominees for
director, out of four nominees, is an interested person of the Adviser. The Fund
expects to comply with Section 15(f).
If the Merger is not completed, the Existing Advisory Agreement will
remain in effect. In the event the New Advisory Agreement is not approved by the
Fund's shareholders, the Directors will promptly seek to enter into a new
advisory arrangement for the Fund, subject to approval by the Fund's
shareholders.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
Aldrich, Eastman & Waltch L.P., 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110 was formed in April 1991 for the purpose of advising public,
corporate, union and government pension plans and endowments on real estate
investing. The Adviser is the successor to most of the business of Aldrich,
Eastman & Waltch, Inc., a registered investment adviser founded in 1981 and the
general partner of the Adviser. United Asset Management Corporation is the sole
limited partner of the Adviser. As of the date of this proxy statement, the
Adviser and its affiliates managed over $5 billion of real estate debt and
equity investments, on behalf of approximately 63 institutional investors.
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<PAGE>
The principal executive officers and directors of the Adviser are as
follows:
PETER C. ALDRICH is a founder and Co-Chairman of the Adviser with
responsibility for the Adviser's Core Portfolio and Portfolio strategies
business lines and for directing all client relations and administrative
functions of the Adviser.
JOSEPH F. AZRACK is President and Chief Executive Officer and also an
Executive Director of the Adviser responsible for day to day management of the
firm. Mr. Azrack has over twenty-two years of experience in the real estate
investment industry. He is a member of the Board of Directors and a past
Chairman of the Pension Real Estate Association. Mr. Azrack is also a member of
the Urban Land Institute, and serves on the Board of Directors of the National
Realty Committee and its Task Force on Real Estate Finance. He is a past adjunct
professor of Real Estate Finance at Columbia University's Graduate School of
Business Administration. Mr. Azrack is a graduate of Villanova University (B.S.)
and Columbia University (M.B.A.).
THOMAS G. EASTMAN is a founder and Co-Chairman and Executive Director
of the Adviser. He is responsible for the Adviser's business development
activities, with a particular focus on establishing relationships with
government-related entities and creating securitized investment vehicles for
institutional real estate investors.
The principal executive officers of the Adviser may be contacted at the
address of the Adviser stated above. Upon consummation of the Merger, the
address of the Adviser will become that of the principal executive officers and
general partner of New AEW. The Board of directors and principal executive
officers of AEW Capital Management, Inc. are as follows:
Peter C. Aldrich, non-executive co-chairman, New AEW; former
co-chairman of the Adviser. (see above also)
Joseph F. Azrack, director and president, New AEW. (see above also)
Joseph W. O'Connor, non-executive co-chairman. Also, former president
and chief executive officer of Copley.
David D. Puyear, treasurer. Also, controller of the Adviser and New
AEW.
Doreen M. Biebusch, assistant treasurer. Also, director of
administration and finance of the Adviser and New AEW.
J. Grant Monahon, vice president and secretary. (See Item 1 above
also).
James J. Finnegan, vice president and assistant secretary. (See Item 1
above also).
Thomas H. Nolan, Jr., vice president. Also, a director of portfolio
management of the Adviser and New AEW.
Clifford M. Brown, vice president. (See Item 1 above also).
Pamela J. Herbst, vice president. Also, former managing director of
Copley; director of portfolio and asset management of New AEW.
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<PAGE>
THE EXISTING ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND THE
NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Existing Advisory Agreement and the proposed New Advisory Agreement
are identical in all substantive respects, differing only in their effective and
termination dates. The description of the New Advisory Agreement is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the form of Agreement attached as Exhibit A to this
proxy statement. Pursuant to the terms of the Existing Advisory Agreement and
the New Advisory Agreement, the Adviser and New AEW, respectively: (a) manage
the investment of the assets of the Fund, (b) continuously review, supervise and
administer the investment program of the Fund, (c) determine the securities to
be purchased or sold and the portion of the Fund's assets to be held uninvested,
(d) provide the Fund with records concerning the Adviser's activities which the
Fund is required to maintain, (e) take all other actions advisable or
appropriate relating to the investments or other assets of the Fund, and (f)
render regular reports to the Fund's officers and Board of Directors concerning
the Adviser's discharge of the foregoing responsibilities. The Adviser or its
affiliates paid the fees, salaries or other remuneration of directors and
officers of the Fund who also served as directors, officers or employees of the
Adviser, or any of their affiliated companies and New AEW will continue to do
so. In return for services provided under the Existing Advisory Agreement and
the New Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee of 0.65% of average
monthly net assets. Each Agreement requires that the Adviser and New AEW waive
its fee to the extent necessary to limit the Fund's total expenses to .80% of
average monthly net assets. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the
Adviser received $662,265 (0.56% of average net assets) from the Fund in fees
under the Existing Advisory Agreement and waived fees of $104,637. As of October
31, 1996, the Fund had net assets of $107,832,583. New AEW would have received
the same fees if the New Advisory Agreement had been in effect during the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996.
The Existing Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by
the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a
loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the
Adviser's part in the performance of its duties under the Agreement, reckless
disregard by the Adviser of its obligation and duties, or a loss resulting from
a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services. The New Advisory Agreement contains identical provisions.
The Existing Advisory Agreement was approved by the Board of Directors
on December 15, 1994 and by the Shareholders of the Fund on December 20, 1994
for an initial two year term in connection with the commencement of the Fund's
operations. The proposed New Advisory Agreement will become effective on the
date of shareholder approval (or date of consummation of the Merger, if it
occurs subsequent to the Meeting) and continue in force for an initial two year
period. The Existing Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement provide
that the respective Agreement will continue from year to year so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (1) the Board of
Directors of the Fund or (2) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund; provided, however, that in either event the continuance
also is required to be approved by the vote of a majority of the Directors of
the Fund who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund or the Adviser cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
upon such approval. The Existing Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory
Agreement provide for automatic termination of the respective Agreement in the
event of its assignment. In addition, each Agreement is terminable at any time,
without penalty, by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days' written
notice to the Adviser or by the Adviser on 90 days' written notice to the Fund.
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<PAGE>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses. If the proposed New Advisory Agreement
had been in effect during the most recent fiscal year, total Fund operating
expenses would have differed in the manner described below.
Change of Fund Service Providers
The Fund has an administration agreement with UAM Fund Services, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Asset Management Corporation ("UAMFSI"), to
perform and oversee administration, fund accounting, dividend disbursing and
transfer agency services provided to the Fund. UAMFSI has subcontracted the
performance of certain of such services to Chase Global Funds Services Company
("CGFSC"). Fees for fund administration are structured based on total net assets
of all investment companies in the UAM family of investment companies, which
includes two mutual funds of multiple series and classes and, prior to the
consummation of the Merger, the Fund. Under the administration Agreement each
series and the Fund pays a monthly fee comprised of two parts: a series-specific
fee which is retained by UAMFSI and a sub-administration fee which UAMFSI in
turn pays to CGFSC. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996 the Fund paid
administrative fees of $151,422.
The Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, acts as custodian for the
assets of the Fund. For the most recent fiscal year, the Fund paid custody fees
of $21,680.
If the Merger is consummated, these agreements will be terminated. RTAM
will be responsible for providing administration and fund accounting. Reich &
Tang Services L.P., a registered transfer agent, will provide dividend
disbursement and transfer agency services. The Fund will be charged a monthly
fee of .15 of 1% for such services. Investors Fiduciary Trust Company will serve
as custodian of the Fund's assets for a fee of approximately .01 of 1%.
Pro Forma Comparison of Annual Shareholder Expenses
(based on assets of $100 million)
Current Expenses of Fund
(based on October 31, 1996 audited financial As a %
statements) of Assets
Advisory Fee (net of waiver) 0.56
Other Operating Expenses 0.24
Total Net Operating Expenses* 0.80
Anticipated Expenses of Fund As a %
(if Proposal 2 approved) of Assets
Advisory Fee 0.56
Other Operating Expenses 0.24
Total Net Operating Expenses* 0.80
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<PAGE>
*Reflects expense cap; without expense cap, total net operating expenses for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996 would have been 0.89% and anticipated total
net operating expenses for the next fiscal year would be 0.89%.
If the Board's approval of the New Advisory Agreement is ratified by
either more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares entitled to vote at the
meeting or by 67% majority of the shares present at such meeting, if the holders
of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are
present in person or by proxy, the New Advisory Agreement will be approved.
The proposed New Advisory Agreement between the Fund and New AEW is
Exhibit A of this proxy statement.
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote to approve the
New Advisory Agreement.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Fund is not required to hold annual meetings. Any stockholder
desiring to present a proposal for consideration at a future meeting of
stockholders of the Fund will be required to submit such proposal in writing so
that it is received by the Fund at 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10020-2302, at least 120 days before the date of the meeting. Mere submission of
a stockholder proposal does not guarantee inclusion of the proposal in the proxy
statement or presentation of the proposal at the meeting since such inclusion
and presentation are subject to compliance with certain federal regulations.
The management of the Fund does not know of any matters to be presented
at the Meeting, other than those set forth in this Proxy Statement.
Michael DeFao, Secretary
December 13, 1996
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AEW Commercial Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc.
AGREEMENT made this day of December, 1996 by and between AEW Commercial
Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc., a Maryland Corporation (the "Fund") and AEW
Capital Management, L.P. (the "Adviser").
1. Duties of Adviser. The Fund hereby appoints the Adviser to act as
discretionary investment adviser to the Fund for the period and on such terms as
set forth in this Agreement. The Fund employs the Adviser to (a) manage the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, (b) continuously review,
supervise and administer the investment program of the Fund, (c) determine the
securities to be purchased or sold and the portion of the Fund's assets to be
held uninvested, (d) provide the Fund with records concerning the Adviser's
activities which the Fund is required to maintain, (e) take all other actions
advisable or appropriate relating to the investments or other assets of the
Fund, and (f) render regular reports to the Fund's officers and Board of
Directors concerning the Adviser's discharge of the foregoing responsibilities.
The Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject
to the control of the officers and the Board of Directors of the Fund, and in
compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Fund's
prospectus and any investment guidelines from time to time furnished to the
Adviser by the Board of Directors of the Fund and applicable laws and
regulations. The Adviser accepts as a part of its responsibilities, the duty to
manage the Fund consistent with the Fund's intent to qualify annually to be
taxed as a regulated investment company under subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Adviser accepts such employment and agrees
to render the services and to provide, at its own expense, the office space,
furnishings and equipment and the personnel required by it to perform the
services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein.
2. Fund Transactions. The Adviser is authorized to select the brokers
or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of securities of the Fund
and is directed to use its best efforts to obtain the best available price and
most favorable execution, provided, however, that, subject to policies
established from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Adviser
may effect securities transactions at commission rates (or "mark-up" to dealers)
in excess of the minimum commission rates (or "mark-up" to dealers) available,
if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission (or
"mark-up" to dealers) is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage,
research or other services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of
either that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall responsibilities
with respect to the Fund. The execution of such transactions shall not be deemed
to represent an unlawful act or breach of any duty created by this Agreement or
otherwise. The Adviser will promptly communicate to the officers and Directors
of the Fund such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may
reasonably request.
3. Compensation of the Adviser. For the services to be rendered by the
Adviser as provided in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the
Adviser in quarterly installments, an advisory fee calculated by applying the
following annual percentage rates to the Fund's average monthly net assets for
the month: 0.65%. The Adviser will waive its fee to the extent necessary to
limit the Fund's total expenses to .80%.
In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in
this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last
business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata
adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current fiscal month as a
percentage of the total number of days in such month.
4. Other Services. At the request of the Fund, the Adviser in its
discretion may make available to the Fund office facilities, equipment,
personnel and other services. Such office facilities, equipment,
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<PAGE>
personnel and services shall be provided for or rendered by the Adviser and
billed to the Fund at the Adviser's cost.
5. Reports. The Fund and the Adviser agree to furnish to each other
current prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, certified
copies of their financial statements, and such other information with regard to
their affairs as each may reasonably request.
6. Status of Adviser. The Adviser has represented to the Fund that it
is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
The Fund acknowledges receipt from the Adviser, at least 48 hours prior to
entering into this Agreement, of Part II of the Adviser's Form ADV as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The services of the Adviser to the Fund
are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar
services to others so long as its services to the Fund are not impaired in any
material respect thereby.
7. Liability of Adviser. In the absence of (i) willful misfeasance, bad
faith or negligence on the part of the Adviser in performance of its obligations
and duties hereunder,(ii) reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations
and duties hereunder, or (iii) a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty
with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any
award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in
Section 36(b) (3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act")), the
Adviser shall not be subject to any liability whatsoever to the Fund, or to any
shareholder of the Fund, for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any other
act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services
hereunder including, without limitation, for any losses that may be sustained in
connection with the purchase, holding, redemption or sale of any security on
behalf of the portfolio. The Adviser shall be protected with respect to actions
which it takes or forbears from taking in reliance on advice of unaffiliated
agents or counsel prudently selected. The foregoing shall not constitute a
waiver or limitation on any right of any person under Federal or state
securities laws.
8. Permissible Interests. Subject to and in accordance with the
Articles of Incorporation of the Fund and the Partnership Agreement of the
Adviser, Directors, officers, agents and shareholders of the Fund are or may be
interested in the Adviser (or any successor thereof) as Directors, officers,
agents, shareholders or otherwise; Directors, officers, agents and shareholders
of the Adviser are or may be interested in the Fund as Directors, officers,
agents, shareholders or otherwise; and the Adviser (or any successor) is or may
be interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise; and the effect of any
such interrelationships shall be governed by said Articles of Incorporation and
Partnership Agreement and the provisions of the 1940 Act.
9. Duration and Termination. This Agreement, unless sooner terminated
as provided herein, shall continue until the earlier of December , 1998 or the
date of the first annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund and,
if approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
thereafter shall continue for periods of one year so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those
members of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not parties to this
Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Board of
Directors of the Fund or (c) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund; provided however, that if the shareholders of the Fund
fail to approve the Agreement as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to
serve in such capacity in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act
and rules thereunder. This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time,
without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement
may be terminated by the Adviser at any time, without the payment of any
penalty, upon 90 days' written notice to the Fund. This Agreement will
automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. Any
notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered
or mailed postpaid, to the other party at the principal office of such party.
As used in this Section 9, the terms "assignment", "interested
persons", and "a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" shall
have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2(a) (4), Section 2(a) (19)
and Section 2(a) (42) of the 1940 Act.
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<PAGE>
10. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by mutual
consent, but the consent of the Fund must be approved (a) by vote of a majority
of those members of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not parties to
this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment, and (b) by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
11. Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or
made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of
this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, subject to the supremacy of the federal
securities laws governing the terms of this Agreement.
13. Notices. Notices to the Fund shall be delivered to:
Clifford Brown
AEW Capital Management, L.P.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2803
Notices to the Adviser shall be sent to:
James J. Finnegan, Esquire
AEW Capital Management, L.P.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2803
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of this ____ day of December, 1996.
AEW CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC
general partner of
AEW CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P. AEW COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES
FUND, INC.
By: By:
James J. Finnegan Clifford Brown
Title: Vice President President and Director
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<PAGE>
PROXY
AEW COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, INC.
This Proxy is solicited on Behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation for the Special Meeting
of Stockholders, December 19, 1996
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints James J. Finnegan and J. Grant Monahon or either of them, with full
power of substitution, as attorneys and proxies to appear and vote all of the
shares of stock standing in the name of the undersigned at the special meeting
of stockholders of AEW Commercial Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc. to be held at
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110-2803 on the 19th day of December, 1996 at
9:00 o'clock a.m., local time, and at any and all adjournments thereof, and the
undersigned hereby instructs said attorneys to vote:
(Continued, and to be signed on other side)
<PAGE>
[X] Please mark your
votes as in this
example
The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as specified in the following
items 1, 2 and 3 but if no choice is specified, they will be voted For the
election of the 4 persons named in the proxy statement as Directors, For
ratification of the appointment of the auditors named in the proxy statement
and For approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement attached as
Exhibit A to the proxy statement.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD [ ] Nominees: Clifford M. Brown
(except as marked AUTHORITY Yung Wong
to the contrary to vote for Robert Straniere
below*) all nominees W. Giles Mellon
2. The ratification of the selection of FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
McGladrey & Pullen LLP as
auditors for the period November 1,
1996 through October 31, 1997. /_/ /_/ /_/
3. The approval of the Investment FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Advisory Agreement between
AEW Commercial Mortgage
Securities Fund, Inc. and AEW
Capital Management, L.P. /_/ /_/ /_/
4. Upon any other business which may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof. The management knows of no other such business.
(*INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write the name of the nominee(s) below.)
_______________________________________
SIGNATURE (S) _______________________ DATE ______________, 1996.
(Signature of all joint owners is PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN
required. Fiduciaries please indicate THIS PROXY CARD IN
your full title.) THE If any other ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
matters properly come before the meeting
about which the proxy holders were not
aware prior to the time of the
solicitation given the proxy holders to
vote in accordance with the views of the
management thereto. The management is
not aware of any such matters.
