PROPOSAL 3ADJOURNMENT OF THE MHE SPECIAL MEETING
In the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to constitute a quorum or to approve
the MHE Reorganization Agreement and the Chair of the Special Meeting proposes the adjournment with respect to one or more matters to be considered by MHE shareholders, the common shareholders and VRDP Holders of MHE will be asked to vote as a
single class on the proposal to permit further solicitation of proxies.
Approval of the proposal to adjourn the Special
Meeting with respect to MHE contemplated by Proposal 3 to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of adjournment to constitute a quorum or to approve the MHE Reorganization requires the approval of the holders of a
majority of the MHE common shares and MHE VRDP Shares present and entitled to vote voting as a single class.
32
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PREFERRED SHARES OF THE FUNDS
BZMs Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares, par value
$0.001 per share. MHEs Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share, which were initially divided in to two classes, common shares and preferred shares. MYFs Declaration of
Trust authorizes the issuance of unlimited number of common shares, par value $0.10 per share and 1 million preferred shares, par value $0.10 per share. MZAs, MENs and the Acquiring Funds charter authorizes the issuance of
200 million shares, par value $0.10 per share, all of which were initially classified as common shares. The Board of MZA, MEN and the Acquiring Fund is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued common shares to preferred shares without
the approval of its common shareholders.
Upon the Closing Date of the Reorganizations, Target Fund VRDP Holders will
receive on a one-for-one basis one newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Share, par value $0.10 per share and with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share (plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends that have accrued on the Target Fund VRDP Shares up to and including the day immediately preceding the Closing Date of the Reorganizations if such dividends have not been paid prior to the Closing Date), in exchange
for each Target Fund VRDP Share held by the Target Fund VRDP Holders immediately prior to the Closing Date. The newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares will be Series W-7 VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund. No
fractional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares will be issued.
The terms of the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares to be issued in connection
with the Reorganizations will be identical to the terms of the Acquiring Funds outstanding VRDP Shares and will rank on parity with the Acquiring Funds outstanding VRDP Shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. The newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares will be subject to the same special rate period (including the terms thereof) applicable to the outstanding Acquiring Fund
VRDP Shares as of the Closing Date of the Reorganization. Such special rate period will terminate on April 15, 2021, unless extended. The Reorganizations will not result in any changes to the terms of the Acquiring Funds VRDP Shares
currently outstanding. The terms of the Acquiring Funds VRDP Shares may change from time to time, subject to Board approval.
The newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares will have terms that are similar to the terms of the outstanding Target Fund VRDP Shares, with certain differences. The VRDP Shares of each of BZM and MHE have
a mandatory redemption date of July 1, 2042 and the VRDP Shares of each of MZA, MYF and MEN have a mandatory redemption date of June 1, 2041, while the newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares are expected to have a mandatory redemption
date of October 1, 2041. A Fund may designate any succeeding subsequent rate period of the VRDP Shares as a special rate period subject to the restrictions and requirements set forth in the governing instrument for such Funds
VRDP Shares. During a special rate period, a Fund may choose to modify the terms of the VRDP Shares as permitted by the governing instrument for such Funds VRDP Shares, including, for example, special provisions relating to the calculation of
dividends and the redemption of the VRDP Shares. The VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, BZM, MHE, MZA and MEN are currently in a one year Special Rate Period that will end on April 15, 2021 for the Acquiring Fund, June 25, 2021 for BZM,
and June 17, 2021 for MHE, MZA and MEN, unless extended. The VRDP Shares of MYF are not currently in a Special Rate Period. The terms currently applicable to the VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, BZM, MHE, MZA and MEN during their respective
Special Rate Periods are otherwise substantially similar. The terms of the special rate period applicable to the newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares are expected to be identical to the terms of the Special Rate Period applicable to the
outstanding Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares as of the Closing Date of the Reorganization. The BZM VRDP Shares have a rate floor of 1.05%, which the newly issued Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares are not expected to have. The transfer restrictions applicable to
the VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, BZM, MHE, MZA and MEN during their respective Special Rate Periods are substantially similar, except that BZMs VRDP Shares may not be transferred to TOB Trusts during its Special Rate Period.
33
In connection with the Reorganizations, the Acquiring Fund expects to issue 160
additional VRDP Shares to BZM VRDP Holders, 185 additional VRDP Shares to MHE VRDP Holders, 373 additional VRDP Shares to MZA VRDP Holders, 594 additional VRDP Shares to MYF VRDP Holders and 1,425 additional VRDP Shares to MEN VRDP Holders.
Following the completion of the Reorganizations, the Combined Fund is expected to have 4,503 VRDP Shares outstanding. As a result of the Reorganizations, the Acquiring Funds Articles Supplementary will be amended to authorize an additional
2,737 VRDP Shares. A form of such amendment is attached as Appendix C.
Set forth below is information about each
Funds preferred shares as of August 31, 2020.
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|
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|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Title of Class
|
|
Amount
Authorized
|
|
|
Amount
Authorized
Under Each
Series
|
|
Amount
Held by
Fund for
its Own
Account
|
|
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of
Amount
Shown in
Previous
Column
|
|
|
Issue Date
|
|
Mandatory
Redemption
Date
|
|
BZM
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
Series W-7 160
|
|
0
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
06/14/2012
|
|
|
07/01/2042
|
|
MHE
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
Series W-7 185
|
|
0
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
06/14/2012
|
|
|
07/01/2042
|
|
MZA
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
Series W-7 373
|
|
0
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
05/19/2011
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|
|
06/01/2041
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|
MYF
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
Series W-7 594
|
|
0
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
05/19/2011
|
|
|
06/01/2041
|
|
MEN
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
1,425
|
|
|
Series W-7 1,425
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|
0
|
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|
1,425
|
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|
05/19/2011
|
|
|
06/01/2041
|
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
1,766
|
|
|
Series W-7 1,766
|
|
0
|
|
|
1,766
|
|
|
09/15/2011
|
|
|
10/01/2041
|
|
The outstanding preferred shares of each Fund are fully paid and
non-assessable and have no preemptive or cumulative voting rights.
Below is a table
that details, as of June 30, 2020, (i) each Funds current leverage attributable to preferred shares as a percentage of its total net assets, (ii) the Combined Funds leverage attributable to preferred shares on a pro
forma basis as a percentage of its total net assets assuming only the BZM Reorganization was consummated as of August 31, 2020, which represents the combination of completed Reorganizations presented in this Proxy Statement that would
result in the highest leverage attributable to preferred shares, and (iii) the Combined Funds leverage attributable to preferred shares on a pro forma basis as a percentage of its total net assets assuming all of the
Reorganizations were consummated as of August 31, 2020, which represents, in the Investment Advisors view, the most likely combination of the Reorganizations and the combination of completed Reorganizations that would result in the lowest
leverage attributable to preferred shares.
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|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Title of Class
|
|
|
Shares
Outstanding
|
|
|
Liquidation
Preference
Per Share
|
|
|
Aggregate
Liquidation
Preference
|
|
|
Total
Managed
Assets
|
|
|
As
Percentage
of Net
Assets
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
16,000,000
|
|
|
|
50,511,168
|
|
|
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31.7
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%
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MHE
|
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|
VRDP Shares
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|
|
185
|
|
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$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
18,500,000
|
|
|
|
53,897,434
|
|
|
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34.3
|
%
|
MZA
|
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
37,300,000
|
|
|
|
108,649,215
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|
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34.3
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%
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MYF
|
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|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
$
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100,000
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|
|
$
|
59,400,000
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|
|
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310,728,146
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|
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19.1
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%
|
MEN
|
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
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1,425
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
142,500,000
|
|
|
|
592,625,878
|
|
|
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24.0
|
%
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
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1,766
|
|
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$
|
100,000
|
|
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$
|
176,600,000
|
|
|
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808,262,607
|
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21.8
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%
|
Pro forma Combined Fund (BZM into MQY)
|
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
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1,926
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|
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$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
192,600,000
|
|
|
|
858,773,775
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|
|
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22.4
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%
|
Pro forma Combined Fund (BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF and MEN into MQY)
|
|
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VRDP Shares
|
|
|
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4,503
|
|
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$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
450,300,000
|
|
|
|
1,924,674,449
|
|
|
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23.4
|
%
|
The VRDP Shares were offered to qualified institutional buyers in private transactions exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.
34
The annualized dividend rates for the preferred shares for each Funds most recent
fiscal year end were as follows:
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|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Rate
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
1.26
|
%
|
MHE
|
|
|
1.69
|
%
|
MZA
|
|
|
1.81
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%
|
MYF
|
|
|
1.18
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%
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MEN
|
|
|
2.18
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%
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
|
2.08
|
%
|
Description of the VRDP Shares of Each Fund
Each Funds VRDP Shares have the benefit of an unconditional demand feature pursuant to a purchase agreement provided by BofA, in the
case of the Acquiring Fund, TD Bank, in the case of BZM and MYF, and Wells Fargo, in the case of MHE, MZA and MEN, acting as liquidity provider to ensure full and timely repayment of the liquidation preference amount plus any accumulated and unpaid
dividends to holders upon the occurrence of certain events (each, a Liquidity Facility). Each Fund entered into a fee agreement with the applicable liquidity provider (each, a Fee Agreement) in connection with the Funds
Liquidity Facility that requires a per annum liquidity fee payable to the liquidity provider. The Fee Agreement between each Fund and the applicable liquidity provider is scheduled to expire, unless renewed or terminated in advance, as follows:
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Fund
|
|
Expiration
Date of Fee
Agreement
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
07/09/2021
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MHE
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07/02/2021
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MZA
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07/02/2021
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MYF
|
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|
07/02/2021
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MEN
|
|
|
07/02/2021
|
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
|
04/30/2021
|
|
Each Liquidity Facility requires the liquidity provider to purchase all VRDP Shares tendered for sale
that were not successfully remarketed. Each Fund is required to redeem the Funds VRDP Shares owned by the applicable liquidity provider after six months of continuous, unsuccessful remarketing. Upon the occurrence of the first unsuccessful
remarketing, a Fund is required to segregate liquid assets to fund the redemption.
In the event the VRDP Shares Purchase
Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) for a Fund is not renewed, and the Fund does not arrange for a Purchase Agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the Funds VRDP Shares will be subject to mandatory purchase by the
applicable liquidity provider prior to the termination of the Purchase Agreement. There is no assurance that a Fund will replace such redeemed VRDP Shares with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage.
Except during a special rate period (as described below), VRDP Holders have the right to give notice on any business day to tender the
VRDP Shares for remarketing in seven days, the VRDP Shares are subject to a mandatory tender for remarketing upon the occurrence of certain events, and should a remarketing be unsuccessful, the dividend rate for such VRDP Shares will reset to a
maximum rate as defined in the governing
35
documents of the VRDP Shares. Each Funds VRDP Shares are also subject to certain restrictions on transfer outside of the remarketing process. Except during a special rate period, a Fund may
incur remarketing fees at the annual rate set forth below:
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Fund
|
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Remarketing Agent Fee
|
BZM
|
|
0.05% of 101.85% of the liquidation preference of each outstanding VRDP Share
|
MHE
|
|
0.05% of 101.85% of the liquidation preference of each outstanding VRDP Share
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MZA
|
|
0.05% of 101.85% of the liquidation preference of each outstanding VRDP Share
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MYF
|
|
0.04% of 101.85% of the liquidation preference of each outstanding VRDP Share
|
MEN
|
|
0.05% of 101.85% of the liquidation preference of each outstanding VRDP Share
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
0.10% of 100% of the liquidation preference of each outstanding VRDP Share
|
Six months prior to the mandatory redemption date, each Fund is required to begin to segregate liquid
assets with the Funds custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, each Fund is required to redeem certain of its outstanding VRDP Shares if it fails to maintain certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, each Funds VRDP Shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option
of the Fund. The redemption price per VRDP Share is equal to the liquidation value per VRDP Share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends.
Except during a special rate period, dividends on each Funds VRDP Shares are payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. Such dividend rates are generally based upon a
spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate of the VRDP Shares will be reset to a maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined based on, among other things, the long-term
preferred share rating assigned to the VRDP Shares and the length of time that the VRDP Shares fail to be remarketed. The maximum rate of the VRDP Shares will not exceed an annual rate of 15% for each Fund, exclusive of any applicable gross-up payments or increased dividend payment relating to the inclusion in any dividend of net capital gains or ordinary income taxable for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes.
At the date of issuance, the VRDP Shares of each Fund were assigned a long-term rating of Aaa from Moodys and AAA from Fitch.
Subsequent to the issuance of the VRDP Shares, Moodys completed a review of its methodology for rating securities issued by registered closed-end funds and adopted a new ratings methodology for such
securities, which resulted in the downgrade of Moodys ratings of the VRDP Shares of each Fund. As of August 31, 2020, the VRDP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of Aa1, in the case of MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund, or Aa2, in the
case of BZM, MHE, MZA. The VRDP Shares of each Fund continue to be assigned a long-term rating of AAA from Fitch.
For each
Fund other than MYF, the short-term ratings on the VRDP Shares were withdrawn by Moodys, Fitch and/or S&P at the commencement of the applicable special rate period, as described below. As of August 31, 2020 MYFs
VRDP Shares were assigned short-term ratings of F1+ from Fitch and A-1+ from S&P. The short-term ratings on a Funds VRDP Shares are directly related to the short-term ratings of the liquidity
provider for the Funds VRDP Shares. Changes in the credit quality of the applicable liquidity provider could cause a change in the short-term credit ratings of the VRDP Shares. Except during a special rate period, a change in the short-term
credit rating of the applicable liquidity provider or the VRDP Shares may adversely affect the dividend rate paid on such VRDP Shares, although the dividend rate paid on the VRDP Shares is not directly related to the short-term rating. The liquidity
provider to a Funds VRDP Shares may be terminated prior to the scheduled termination date if such liquidity provider fails to maintain short-term debt ratings in one of the two highest rating categories.
36
Each Funds VRDP Shares are senior in priority to the Funds common shares as to
the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of such Fund. Each Funds VRDP Shares will rank on parity with other preferred shares of the Fund as to the payment of dividends
and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund. The 1940 Act prohibits the declaration of any dividend on a Funds common shares or the repurchase of the Funds common shares if the
Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage of at least 200% of the liquidation preference of the outstanding VRDP Shares. In addition, pursuant to the governing instruments of each Funds VRDP Shares, the Fund is restricted from declaring and
paying dividends on classes of shares ranking junior to or on parity with the VRDP Shares or repurchasing such shares if the Fund fails to declare and pay dividends on the VRDP Shares, redeem any VRDP Shares required to be redeemed under the VRDP
Shares governing instruments or comply with the basic maintenance amount requirement of the agencies rating the VRDP Shares.
Each Funds VRDP Holders have voting rights equal to the Funds common shareholders (one vote per Share) and will vote together with such common shareholders (one vote per Share) as a single
class. However, each Funds VRDP Holders, voting as a separate class, are also entitled to elect two Board Members for the Fund. In addition, the 1940 Act requires that along with approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the
approval of a 1940 Act Majority of the VRDP Holders of a Fund, voting separately as a class, would be required to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the VRDP Shares of the Fund, (b) change the Funds sub-classification as a closed-end management investment company or change its fundamental investment restrictions or (c) change its business so as to cease to be an
investment company.
Each Fund other than MYF previously commenced a special rate period on the date set forth below, which
was extended and is currently set to expire as indicated below:
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|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Commencement
of Special Rate
Period
|
|
|
Current
Special Rate
Period
Expiration
Date
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
06/25/2020
|
|
|
|
06/25/2021
|
|
MHE
|
|
|
06/14/2012
|
|
|
|
06/17/2021
|
|
MZA
|
|
|
06/21/2012
|
|
|
|
06/17/2021
|
|
MEN
|
|
|
06/21/2012
|
|
|
|
06/17/2021
|
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
|
10/22/2015
|
|
|
|
04/15/2021
|
|
The VRDP Holders and a Fund may mutually agree to extend the applicable special rate period prior to the
expiration of such special rate period. If the applicable special rate period is not extended, the VRDP Shares will revert to remarketable securities upon the termination of the special rate period and will be remarketed and available for purchase
by qualified institutional investors. A Liquidity Facility remains in effect for the duration of the applicable special rate period and the VRDP Shares are still subject to mandatory redemption by a Fund on their respective mandatory redemption
date. However, the VRDP Shares will not be remarketed or subject to optional or mandatory tender events during such time. The short-term ratings of the VRDP Shares of each Fund other than MYF were withdrawn by Moodys, Fitch and/or S&P upon
the commencement of the applicable special rate period. Short-term ratings may be re-assigned upon the termination of a special rate period.
During a special rate period, a Fund is required to maintain the same asset coverage, basic maintenance amount and leverage requirements
for the VRDP Shares as was required prior to the special rate period.
During their Special Rate Period, each Fund other than
MYF pays no fees or nominal fees to the liquidity provider and remarketing agent, but instead pays dividends monthly based on the sum of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index (the SIFMA Municipal Swap
Index or the Base Rate) and a percentage per annum based on the long-term ratings assigned to the VRDP Shares (the Ratings Spread). The Ratings Spread will increase in the event the VRDP Shares are rated below Aaa/AAA
by all of the
37
rating agencies rating the VRDP Shares at the time such Ratings Spread is determined, up to a maximum of 3.35% in the event the VRDP Shares are either rated below
Baa3/BBB- by at least one of the rating agencies then rating the VRDP Shares or not rated by any rating agency in the case of each Fund other than MQY, for which the maximum is 4.00%. As of
June 30, 2020, each of MYFs, MENs and the Acquiring Funds VRDP Shares were assigned an Aa1 rating from Moodys, each of BZMs, MHEs and MZAs VRDP Shares were assigned an Aa2 rating from Moodys, and
each Funds VRDP Shares were assigned an AAA rating from Fitch.
The annualized dividend rates of each Funds
VRDP Shares as of each Funds most recent fiscal year end were as follows:
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|
|
Fund
|
|
Rate
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
1.26
|
%
|
MHE
|
|
|
1.69
|
%
|
MZA
|
|
|
1.81
|
%
|
MYF
|
|
|
1.18
|
%
|
MEN
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
|
2.08
|
%
|
Under MQYs Fee Agreement, to the extent the liquidity provider together with certain
affiliates individually or in the aggregate own at least 20% of the outstanding VRDP Shares and the Fund has not failed to pay dividends on the VRDP Shares for two years, the liquidity provider agreed to enter into and maintain a voting trust
agreement and convey into the voting trust the right to vote all of its VRDP Shares owned by it or such affiliates, with respect to: (i) the election of the two members of the Board for which VRDP Holders are entitled to vote under the 1940 Act
and all other rights given to VRDP Holders with respect to the election of the Board; (ii) the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end management investment company to an
open-end fund, or to change the Funds classification from diversified to non-diversified; (iii) the deviation from a policy in respect of concentration of
investments in any particular industry or group of industries as recited in the Funds registration statement; and (iv) borrowing money, issuing senior securities, underwriting securities issued by other persons, purchasing or selling real
estate or commodities or making loans to other persons other than in accordance with the recitals of policy with respect thereto in the Funds registration statement.
Under each of MENs, MHEs and MZAs Fee Agreement, to the extent the liquidity provider together with certain affiliates individually or in the aggregate own at least 20% of the
outstanding VRDP Shares and the Fund has not failed to pay dividends on the VRDP Shares for two years, the liquidity provider agreed to enter into and maintain a voting trust agreement and convey into the voting trust the right to vote all of its
VRDP Shares owned by it or such affiliates, with respect to: (i) the election of the two members of the Board for which VRDP Holders are entitled to vote under the 1940 Act and all other rights given to VRDP Holders with respect to the election
of the Board; (ii) the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end management investment company to an open-end fund, or to change the Funds classification from
diversified to non-diversified; (iii) the deviation from a policy in respect of concentration of investments in any particular industry or group of industries as recited in the Funds registration
statement; (iv) borrowing money, issuing senior securities, underwriting securities issued by other persons, purchasing or selling real estate or commodities or making loans to other persons other than in accordance with the recitals of policy
with respect thereto in the Funds registration statement; (v) any state law voting and consent rights granted to the purchaser as a matter of state law unless such voting or consent rights relate to situations where the rights or
seniority of the beneficial owners of the VRDP Shares could be adversely affected (as determined by the purchaser); and (vi) all other voting and consent rights of the purchaser as a beneficial owner of the VRDP Shares unless such voting or
consent rights relate to situations where the rights or seniority of the beneficial owners of the VRDP Shares could be adversely affected (as determined by the purchaser).
Under BZMs Fee Agreement, to the extent the liquidity provider together with certain affiliates individually or in the aggregate own at least 20% of the outstanding VRDP Shares and BZM has not
failed to pay
38
dividends on the VRDP Shares for two years, the liquidity provider agreed to enter into and maintain a voting trust agreement and convey into the voting trust the right to vote all of its VRDP
Shares owned by it or such affiliates, with respect to: (i) the election of the two members of the Board of Trustees of BZM for which VRDP Holders are entitled to vote under the 1940 Act and all other rights given to VRDP Holders with respect
to the election of the Board; (ii) any matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of BZM that do not relate to (i) the authorization, creation or issuance of any class or series of shares ranking prior to the VRDP Shares of BZM with
respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of BZM, or (ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal of the provisions of (a) BZMs Agreement and Declaration
of Trust, (b) BZMs Statement of Preferences of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (the BZM Statement), (c) any notice of special rate period establishing and fixing, in whole or in part, the rights and preferences of any
VRDP Shares of BZM during the special rate period applicable to such VRDP Shares, or (d) any supplement to the BZM Statement during any mode or similar special rate period applicable to the VRDP Shares, in each case, of BZM, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of the VRDP Shares or the VRDP Holders or the beneficial owners thereof; and (iii) any matters described in 12 C.F.R. § 225.2(q)(1).
If a special rate period is not extended, the VRDP Shares will revert back to remarketable securities and will be remarketed
and available for purchase by qualified institutional investors. There is no assurance that the VRDP Shares will be remarketed or purchased by investors after the termination of a special rate period. If the VRDP Shares are not remarketed or
purchased, then a failed remarketing will occur. As described above, in the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate of the VRDP Shares will be reset to the maximum rate and the VRDP Shares that have not been remarketed are required to be
purchased by the liquidity provider and subject to redemption by the applicable Fund after six months of continuous, unsuccessful remarketing.
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RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Comparison of Risks
Because of their substantially identical or similar investment objectives and similar investment strategies, each Fund is subject to similar investment risks. With respect to the differences in risks,
those risks of BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF and MEN that are not shared with the Acquiring Fund are generally a result of differences in the Funds principal investment strategies described above under SummaryInvestment Objective and
Policies.
Each Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of VRDP Shares and TOBs. See The Acquiring
Funds InvestmentsLeverage; General Risks of Investing in the Acquiring FundLeverage Risk; and General Risks of Investing in the Acquiring FundTender Option Bond Risk. The Acquiring Fund is
expected to continue to leverage its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and TOBs after the Closing Date of the Reorganizations. Please see Information about the Preferred Shares of the Funds for additional information about the
preferred shares of each Fund.
In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities and enters into
transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer of a security to meet all its obligations (issuer credit risk). The value of securities held by the Funds may decline in response to certain
events, including those directly involving the issuers whose securities are owned by the Funds; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; pandemics, epidemics and other global health events; local, regional or global
political, social or economic instability; and currency and interest rate and price fluctuations. Similar to issuer credit risk, the Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity with which the Funds have unsettled or
open transactions may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments.
The Combined Fund will be managed in accordance
with the same investment objective and investment strategies and policies, and subject to the same risks, as the Acquiring Fund. Risk is inherent in all investing. An investment in the common shares of the Acquiring Fund should not be considered a
complete investment program. Each shareholder should take into account the Acquiring Funds investment objective as well as the shareholders other investments when considering an investment in the Acquiring Fund. You may lose part or all
of your investment in the Acquiring Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments.
General Risks of Investing in the Acquiring Fund
Municipal Bond Market Risk. Economic exposure to the municipal securities market involves certain risks. The Acquiring Funds economic exposure to municipal securities includes municipal
securities in the Acquiring Funds portfolio and municipal securities to which the Acquiring Fund is exposed through the ownership of residual interests in municipal TOBs (TOB Residuals). The municipal market is one in which dealer
firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital, and during the financial crisis of 2007-2009 these firms capital was severely constrained. As a result, some firms were unwilling to commit their capital to
purchase and to serve as a dealer for municipal securities. Certain municipal securities may not be registered with the SEC or any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public
information available about the municipal securities to which the Acquiring Fund is economically exposed is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Acquiring Fund may therefore be more
dependent on the analytical abilities of the Investment Advisor than would be a fund investing solely in stocks or taxable bonds. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade securities to which the
Acquiring Fund may be economically exposed, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Acquiring Funds ability to sell such securities at attractive prices or at prices
approximating those at which the Acquiring Fund currently values them.
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In addition, many state and municipal governments that issue securities are under
significant economic and financial stress and may not be able to satisfy their obligations. The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental
cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. The taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or laws and an entitys credit will depend on many factors, including the
entitys tax base, the extent to which the entity relies on federal or state aid, and other factors which are beyond the entitys control. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or referenda could extend
the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In
the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, holders of municipal securities could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and such holders may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which they are
entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Acquiring Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuers obligations on such securities, which
may increase the Acquiring Funds operating expenses. Any income derived from the Acquiring Funds ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt or may fail to generate qualifying
income for purposes of the income tests applicable to regulated investment companies (RICs).
Taxable Municipal
Securities Risk. Build America Bonds involve similar risks as municipal bonds, including credit and market risk. In particular, should a Build America Bonds issuer fail to continue to meet the applicable requirements imposed on the bonds
as provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), it is possible that such issuer may not receive federal cash subsidy payments, impairing the issuers ability to make scheduled interest payments. The Build America
Bond program expired on December 31, 2010 and no further issuance is permitted unless Congress renews the program. As a result, the number of available Build America Bonds is limited, which may negatively affect the value of the Build America
Bonds. In addition, there can be no assurance that Build America Bonds will be actively traded. It is difficult to predict the extent to which a market for such bonds will continue, meaning that Build America Bonds may experience greater illiquidity
than other municipal obligations. The Build America Bonds outstanding as of December 31, 2010 will continue to be eligible for the federal interest rate subsidy, which continues for the life of the Build America Bonds; however, no bonds issued
following expiration of the Build America Bond program will be eligible for the U.S. federal tax subsidy.
Municipal
Securities Risks. Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could
affect the market for and the value of municipal securities. These risks include:
General Obligation Bonds Risks.
General obligation bonds are typically secured by the issuers pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the repayment of principal and the payment of interest. The taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited, however, by
provisions of its state constitution or laws, and an entitys creditworthiness will depend on many factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population declines, natural disasters, declines in the states industrial base
or inability to attract new industries, economic limits on the ability to tax without eroding the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad valorem real property taxes and the extent to which the entity relies on federal
or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the states or entitys control. Accordingly, the capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when
due is affected by the issuers maintenance of its tax base.
Revenue Bonds Risks. Revenue or special obligation
bonds are typically payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources such as payments from the user of the
facility being financed. Accordingly, the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special
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obligation bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such revenue source. Revenue bonds issued by state or local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing involve special risks in addition to those associated with municipal securities generally, including that the underlying properties may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses
and interest costs. Such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on
the financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates
payable on senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet payment obligations on subordinated bonds.
Private Activity Bonds Risks. The Acquiring Fund may invest in certain tax-exempt
securities classified as private activity bonds. These bonds may subject certain investors in the Acquiring Fund to the federal alternative minimum tax.
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks. Municipal bonds may also include moral obligation bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral obligation
bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality in question.
Municipal Notes Risks. Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is
a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, repayment on the note may be delayed or the note may not be fully repaid, and the Acquiring Fund may lose money.
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks. Also included within the general category of municipal bonds are certificates of participation (COPs) issued by government authorities or entities to
finance the acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities. COPs represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract or a conditional sales contract (hereinafter collectively called lease obligations)
relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Municipal leases, like other municipal debt obligations, are subject to the risk of non-payment. Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations
of the issuer for which the issuers unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is frequently backed by the issuers covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain
lease obligations contain non-appropriation clauses which provide that the issuer has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for
such purpose on a yearly basis. Although non-appropriation lease obligations are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult and
the value of the property may be insufficient to issue lease obligations. Certain investments in lease obligations may be illiquid.
The ability of issuers of municipal leases to make timely lease payments may be adversely impacted in general economic downturns and as relative governmental cost burdens are allocated and reallocated
among federal, state and local governmental units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Acquiring Fund, and could result in a reduction in the value of the municipal lease experiencing
non-payment and a potential decrease in the NAV of the Acquiring Fund. Issuers of municipal lease obligations might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the
Acquiring Fund could experience delays and limitations with respect to the collection of principal and interest on such municipal leases and the Acquiring Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it
is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in lease payments, the Acquiring Fund might take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuers obligations on such securities, which may increase the Acquiring Funds
operating expenses and adversely affect the NAV of the Acquiring Fund. When the lease contains a non-appropriation clause, however, the failure to pay would not be a default and the Acquiring Fund would not
have the right to take possession of the assets. Any income derived from the Acquiring Funds ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt or may fail to generate qualifying income for
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purposes of the income tests applicable to regulated investment companies. In addition, the Acquiring Funds intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, may limit
the extent to which the Acquiring Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets, because as a regulated investment company the Acquiring Fund is subject to certain limitations on its investments and on the nature of its income.
Liquidity of Investments. Certain municipal securities in which the Acquiring Fund invests may lack an established
secondary trading market or are otherwise considered illiquid. Liquidity of a security relates to the ability to easily dispose of the security and the price to be obtained and does not generally relate to the credit risk or likelihood of receipt of
cash at maturity. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments.
The financial markets
in general, and certain segments of the municipal securities markets in particular, have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were
suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic value. During such periods some securities could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time.
Tax-Exempt Status Risk. In making investments, the Acquiring Fund and the
Investment Advisor will rely on the opinion of issuers bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal obligations and
payments under tax-exempt derivative securities. Neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Investment Advisor will independently review the bases for those tax opinions. If any of those tax opinions are ultimately
determined to be incorrect or if events occur after the security is acquired that impact the securitys tax-exempt status, the Acquiring Fund and its shareholders could be subject to substantial tax
liabilities. An assertion by the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) that a portfolio security is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Acquiring Funds and its
shareholders income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may cause the Acquiring Fund to be ineligible to pay exempt-interest
dividends or may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities.
Taxability Risk. The Acquiring Fund
intends to minimize the payment of taxable income to shareholders by investing in tax-exempt or municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the
interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such securities, however, may be determined to pay, or have paid, taxable income subsequent to the Acquiring Funds acquisition of the
securities. In that event, the IRS may demand that the Acquiring Fund pay U.S. federal income taxes on the affected interest income, and, if the Acquiring Fund agrees to do so, the Acquiring Funds yield could be adversely affected. In
addition, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Acquiring Fund as exempt interest dividends could be adversely affected, subjecting the Acquiring Funds shareholders to increased U.S. federal income tax
liabilities. In addition, future laws, regulations, rulings or court decisions may cause interest on municipal securities to be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. federal income taxation or interest on state municipal securities to be subject
to state or local income taxation, or the value of state municipal securities to be subject to state or local intangible personal property tax, or may otherwise prevent the Acquiring Fund from realizing the full current benefit of the tax-exempt status of such securities. Any such change could also affect the market price of such securities, and thus the value of an investment in the Acquiring Fund.
Alternative Minimum Tax Risk. The Acquiring Fund expects that a portion of the interest or income it produces will
be includable in alternative minimum taxable income. Exempt interest dividends also are likely to be subject to state and local income taxes. Distributions of any capital gain or other taxable income will be taxable to shareholders. The Acquiring
Fund may not be a suitable investment for investors who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax or who would become subject to such tax by purchasing shares of the Acquiring Fund. The suitability of an investment in the Acquiring Fund
will depend upon a comparison of the
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after-tax yield likely to be provided from the Acquiring Fund with that from comparable tax-exempt investments not
subject to the alternative minimum tax, and from comparable fully taxable investments, in light of each such investors tax position. Special considerations apply to corporate investors.
Nonpayment Risk. Municipal bonds, like other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of nonpayment. The ability of issuers of
municipal securities to make timely payments of interest and principal may be adversely impacted in general economic downturns and as relative governmental cost burdens are allocated and reallocated among federal, state and local governmental units.
Such nonpayment would result in a reduction of income to the Acquiring Fund and could result in a reduction in the value of the municipal security experiencing nonpayment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Acquiring Fund.
Fixed Income Securities Risks. Fixed income securities in which the Acquiring Fund may invest are generally subject to
the following risks:
Interest Rate Risk. The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in
response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Acquiring Fund may be subject to
a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low interest rates, including the Federal Reserves recent lowering of the target for the federal funds rate to a range of 0%0.25% as part of its efforts to
ease the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market
price of the Acquiring Funds investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Acquiring Fund, but will be reflected in the Acquiring Funds NAV. The Acquiring Fund may lose money if short-term or
long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by the Acquiring Funds management. To the extent the Acquiring Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-related
securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Acquiring Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only
periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the NAV of the Acquiring Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These
basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current
market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.
The Acquiring Funds use of leverage, as described below, will tend to increase the Acquiring Funds interest rate risk. The Acquiring Fund may utilize certain strategies, including taking
positions in futures or interest rate swaps, for the purpose of reducing the interest rate sensitivity of fixed income securities held by the Acquiring Fund and decreasing the Acquiring Funds exposure to interest rate risk. The Acquiring Fund
is not required to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk and may choose not to do so. In addition, there is no assurance that any attempts by the Acquiring Fund to reduce interest rate risk will be successful or that any hedges that the Acquiring
Fund may establish will perfectly correlate with movements in interest rates.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in variable and
floating rate debt instruments, which generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes than longer duration fixed rate instruments, but may decline in value in response to rising interest rates if, for example, the rates at which they pay
interest do not rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate instruments generally will not increase in value if interest rates decline. The Acquiring Fund also may invest in inverse
floating rate debt securities, which may decrease in value if interest rates increase, and which also may exhibit greater price volatility than fixed rate debt obligations with similar credit quality.
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Issuer Risk. The value of fixed income securities may decline for a number of reasons
which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, reduced demand for the issuers goods and services, historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of the assets of the issuer.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that one or more fixed income securities in the Acquiring Funds portfolio
will decline in price or fail to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial status. Credit risk is increased when a portfolio security is downgraded or the perceived creditworthiness
of the issuer deteriorates. To the extent the Acquiring Fund invests in below investment grade securities, it will be exposed to a greater amount of credit risk than a fund which only invests in investment grade securities. In addition, to the
extent the Acquiring Fund uses credit derivatives, such use will expose it to additional risk in the event that the bonds underlying the derivatives default. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuers financial condition and on the terms
of the securities. If rating agencies lower their ratings of municipal securities in the Acquiring Funds portfolio, the value of those securities could decline, which could jeopardize rating agencies ratings of Acquiring Fund VRDP
Shares. Because a significant source of income for the Acquiring Fund is the interest and principal payments on the municipal securities in which it invests, any default by an issuer of a municipal security could have a negative impact on the
Acquiring Funds ability to pay dividends on common shares or any VRDP Shares then outstanding and could result in the redemption of some or all of any VRDP Shares then outstanding.
Prepayment Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than
scheduled. For fixed rate securities, such payments often occur during periods of declining interest rates, forcing the Acquiring Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities, resulting in a possible decline in the Acquiring Funds income and
distributions to shareholders. This is known as prepayment or call risk. Below investment grade securities frequently have call features that allow the issuer to redeem the security at dates prior to its stated maturity at a specified
price (typically greater than par) only if certain prescribed conditions are met (call protection). For premium bonds (bonds acquired at prices that exceed their par or principal value) purchased by the Acquiring Fund, prepayment risk
may be enhanced.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Acquiring Funds portfolio
will decline if the Acquiring Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed income securities at market interest rates that are below the Acquiring Fund portfolios current earnings rate.
Duration and Maturity Risk. The Investment Advisor may seek to adjust the portfolios duration or maturity based on its
assessment of current and projected market conditions and all factors that the Investment Advisor deems relevant. In comparison to maturity (which is the date on which the issuer of a debt instrument is obligated to repay the principal amount),
duration is a measure of the price volatility of a debt instrument as a result in changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted average timing of the instruments expected principal and interest payments. Specifically, duration
measures the anticipated percentage change in NAV that is expected for every percentage point change in interest rates. The two have an inverse relationship. Duration can be a useful tool to estimate anticipated price changes to a fixed pool of
income securities associated with changes in interest rates. For example, a duration of five years means that a 1% decrease in interest rates will increase the NAV of the portfolio by approximately 5%; if interest rates increase by 1%, the NAV will
decrease by 5%. However, in a managed portfolio of fixed income securities having differing interest or dividend rates or payment schedules, maturities, redemption provisions, call or prepayment provisions and credit qualities, actual price changes
in response to changes in interest rates may differ significantly from a duration-based estimate at any given time. Actual price movements experienced by a portfolio of fixed income securities will be affected by how interest rates move
(i.e., changes in the relationship of long-term interest rates to short-term interest rates and in the relationship of interest rates for highly rated securities and rates for below investment grade securities), the magnitude of any move in
interest rates, actual and anticipated prepayments of principal through call or redemption features, the extension of maturities through restructuring, the sale of securities for portfolio management purposes, the reinvestment of proceeds from
prepayments on and from sales of securities, and credit quality-related considerations whether associated with financing costs to lower credit quality borrowers or
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otherwise, as well as other factors. Accordingly, while duration maybe a useful tool to estimate potential price movements in relation to changes in interest rates, investors are cautioned that
duration alone will not predict actual changes in the net asset or market value of the Acquiring Funds shares and that actual price movements in the Acquiring Funds portfolio may differ significantly from duration-based estimates.
Duration differs from maturity in that it takes into account a securitys yield, coupon payments and its principal payments in addition to the amount of time until the security finally matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so
will its duration. Prices of securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. In general, a portfolio of securities with a longer duration can be expected to be more
sensitive to interest rate changes than a portfolio with a shorter duration. Any decisions as to the targeted duration or maturity of any particular category of investments or of the Acquiring Funds portfolio generally will be made based on
all pertinent market factors at any given time. The Acquiring Fund may incur costs in seeking to adjust the portfolios average duration or maturity. There can be no assurances that the Investment Advisors assessment of current and
projected market conditions will be correct or that any strategy to adjust the portfolios duration or maturity will be successful at any given time.
Leverage Risk. The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased common share net investment income dividends, but also creates risks for the common shareholders. The Acquiring Fund cannot
assure you that the use of leverage, if employed, will result in a higher yield on the common shares. Any leveraging strategy the Acquiring Fund employs may not be successful. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for common
shareholders, including:
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the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV, market price and dividend rate of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage;
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the risk that fluctuations in interest rates or dividend rates on any leverage that the Acquiring Fund must pay will reduce the return to the common
shareholders;
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the effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the common shares than if the Acquiring Fund
were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the common shares;
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when the Acquiring Fund uses financial leverage, the investment advisory fee payable to the Investment Advisor will be higher than if the Acquiring
Fund did not use leverage; and
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leverage may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return.
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Any decline in the NAV of the Acquiring Funds investments will be borne entirely by the common shareholders. Therefore, if the
market value of the Acquiring Funds portfolio declines, leverage will result in a greater decrease in NAV to the common shareholders than if the Acquiring Fund were not leveraged. This greater NAV decrease will also tend to cause a greater
decline in the market price for the common shares. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately. If the Acquiring Fund were to reduce any outstanding leverage based on a prediction about future changes
to interest rates, and that prediction turned out to be incorrect, the reduction in any outstanding leverage would likely operate to reduce the income and/or total returns to common shareholders relative to the circumstance where the Acquiring Fund
had not reduced any of its outstanding leverage. The Acquiring Fund may decide that this risk outweighs the likelihood of achieving the desired reduction to volatility in income and share price if the prediction were to turn out to be correct, and
determine not to reduce any of its outstanding leverage as described above.
The Acquiring Fund currently utilizes leverage
through the issuance of VRDP Shares (see Information about the Preferred Shares of the Funds) and investments in TOB Residuals (see Tender Option Bond Risk). The use of TOB Residuals may require the Acquiring Fund to
segregate or designate on its books and records assets to cover its obligations. While the segregated or earmarked assets may be invested in liquid assets, they may not be used for other operational purposes. Consequently, the use of leverage may
limit the Acquiring Funds flexibility and may require that the Acquiring Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Fund expenses, to maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Acquiring Funds leveraged exposure or to meet
other obligations at a time when it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets.
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Certain types of leverage used by the Acquiring Fund may result in the Acquiring Fund being
subject to covenants relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. The Acquiring Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies, which issue ratings for the VRDP
Shares issued by the Acquiring Fund or the governing instrument for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The
Investment Advisor does not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing the Acquiring Funds portfolio in accordance with the Acquiring Funds investment objective and policies.
While there are any preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund outstanding, the Acquiring Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other
distribution on its common shares, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accrued preferred shares dividends have been paid and (ii) the value of the Acquiring Funds total assets (determined after deducting the amount of
such dividend or other distribution), less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Acquiring Fund, is at least 200% (as required by the 1940 Act) of the liquidation preference of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the aggregate
original purchase price of the outstanding preferred shares plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared on a cumulative basis). In addition to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Acquiring Fund may be required
to comply with other asset coverage requirements as a condition of the Acquiring Fund obtaining a rating of its preferred shares from a nationally recognized rating service or other asset coverage requirements under an agreement with the liquidity
provider of the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares. These requirements may include an asset coverage test more stringent than that under the 1940 Act. This limitation on the Acquiring Funds ability to make distributions on its common shares could in
certain circumstances impair the ability of the Acquiring Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company under the Code. The Acquiring Fund may, however, to the extent possible, purchase or redeem preferred shares
from time to time to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements and may pay special dividends to the holders of the preferred shares in certain circumstances in connection with any such impairment of the Acquiring Funds status
as a regulated investment company under the Code.
In addition to the foregoing, the use of leverage treated as indebtedness
of the Acquiring Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes may reduce the amount of Acquiring Fund dividends that are otherwise eligible for the dividends received deduction in the hands of corporate shareholders.
The Acquiring Fund may utilize leverage through investment derivatives. The use of certain derivatives will require the Acquiring to
segregate assets to cover its obligations. While the segregated assets may be invested in liquid assets, they may not be used for other operational purposes. Consequently, the use of leverage may limit the Acquiring Funds flexibility and may
require that the Acquiring Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Acquiring Fund expenses, to maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Acquiring Funds leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to sell such assets.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies. Such
investment companies may also be leveraged, and will therefore be subject to the leverage risks described above. This additional leverage may in certain market conditions reduce the NAV of the Acquiring Funds common shares and the returns to
the common shareholders.
Tender Option Bond Risk. The Acquiring Fund currently leverages its assets through the use of
TOB Residuals, which are derivative interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in which the Acquiring Fund may invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S.
federal income tax. No independent investigation will be made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB Residuals held by the Acquiring Fund. There is no assurance that the
Acquiring Funds strategy of using TOB Residuals to leverage its assets will be successful.
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TOB Residuals represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the
purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more funds (a TOB Trust). A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Floaters), which are sold to
third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to the fund(s) that transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are
enhanced with a liquidity support arrangement provided by a third-party bank or other financial institution (the TOBs Liquidity Provider) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). The Acquiring Fund,
as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual cash flow from the TOB Trust. As result, distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Distributions on the TOB Residuals paid to the
Acquiring Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. The amount of such reduction or increase is a function, in part, of the amount
of TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust relative to the amount of the TOB Residuals that it sells. The greater the amount of TOB Floaters sold relative to the TOB Residuals, the more volatile the distributions on the TOB Residuals will be. Short-term
interest rates are at historic lows and may be more likely to rise in the current market environment.
The municipal bonds
transferred to a TOB Trust typically are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely
payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and the Acquiring Fund, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible
for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
Any economic leverage
achieved through the Acquiring Funds investment in TOB Residuals will increase the possibility that common share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of the TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust exceeds the return on the securities in
the TOB Trust. If the income and gains earned on municipal securities owned by a TOB Trust that issues TOB Residuals to the Acquiring Fund are greater than the payments due on the TOB Floaters issued by the TOB Trust, the Acquiring Funds
returns will be greater than if it had not invested in the TOB Residuals.
Although the Acquiring Fund generally would unwind
a TOB transaction rather than try to sell a TOB Residual, if it did try to sell a TOB Residual, its ability to do so would depend on the liquidity of the TOB Residual. TOB Residuals have varying degrees of liquidity based, among other things, upon
the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Trust. The market price of TOB Residuals is more volatile than the underlying municipal bonds due to leverage.
The leverage attributable to the Acquiring Funds use of TOB Residuals may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of
leverage. The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of the Acquiring Fund upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with
the proceeds applied first to any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB Floaters would be paid before the
TOB Residual holders (i.e., the Acquiring Fund) whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in a TOB Trust on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. If the Acquiring Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will
typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs Liquidity Provider pursuant to which the Acquiring Fund is required to reimburse the TOBs Liquidity Provider the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the
liquidation proceeds (the Liquidation Shortfall). As a result, if the Acquiring Fund invests in a recourse TOB Trust, the Acquiring Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall.
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The use of TOB Residuals will require the Acquiring Fund to earmark or segregate liquid
assets in an amount equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored by, or on behalf of, the Acquiring Fund that are not owned by the Acquiring Fund. The use of TOB Residuals
may also require the Acquiring Fund to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to loans provided by the TOBs Liquidity Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Floaters. While the segregated assets may be invested in liquid
securities, they may not be used for other operational purposes. Consequently, the use of leverage through TOB Residuals may limit the Acquiring Funds flexibility and may require that the Acquiring Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay
the Acquiring Funds expenses, to maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Acquiring Funds leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets. Future regulatory
requirements or SEC guidance may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic benefits of TOB Trust transactions or limit the Acquiring Funds ability
to enter into or manage TOB Trust transactions.
The Acquiring Fund structures and sponsors the TOB Trusts in
which it holds TOB Residuals and has certain duties and responsibilities, which may give rise to certain additional risks including, but not limited to, compliance, securities law and operational risks.
The SEC and various federal banking and housing agencies adopted credit risk retention rules for securitizations (the Risk
Retention Rules). The Risk Retention Rules require the sponsor of a TOB Trust to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the underlying assets supporting the TOB Trusts municipal bonds. The Risk Retention Rules may adversely affect the
Acquiring Funds ability to engage in TOB Trust transactions or increase the costs of such transactions in certain circumstances.
TOB Trusts constitute an important component of the municipal bond market. Any modifications or changes to the rules governing TOB Trusts may adversely impact the municipal market and the Acquiring Fund,
including through reduced demand for and liquidity of municipal bonds and increased financing costs for municipal issuers. The ultimate impact of any potential modifications on the TOB market and the overall municipal market is not yet certain.
Please see The Acquiring Funds InvestmentsLeverageTender Option Bonds for additional
information.
Insurance Risk. With respect to an insured municipal security, insurance guarantees that interest
payments on the municipal security will be made on time and that the principal will be repaid when the security matures. Insurance is expected to protect the Acquiring Fund against losses caused by a municipal security issuers failure to make
interest and principal payments. However, insurance does not protect the Acquiring Fund or its shareholders against losses caused by declines in a municipal securitys value. Also, the Acquiring Fund cannot be certain that any insurance company
will make the payments it guarantees. Certain significant providers of insurance for municipal securities incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit
quality investments that experienced defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration during the financial crisis of 2007-2009. These losses have reduced the insurers capital and called into question their continued ability to
perform their obligations under such insurance if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a municipal security suffers a downgrade
in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant and the value of the municipal security would more closely, if not entirely,
reflect such rating. The Acquiring Fund may lose money on its investment if the insurance company does not make payments it guarantees. If a municipal securitys insurer fails to fulfill its obligations or loses its credit rating, the value of
the security could drop.
Yield and Ratings Risk. The yields on debt obligations are dependent on a variety of factors,
including general market conditions, conditions in the particular market for the obligation, the financial condition of the
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issuer, the size of the offering, the maturity of the obligation and the ratings of the issue. The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch, which are described in Appendix D, represent
their respective opinions as to the quality of the obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings, however, are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, obligations with the same rating, maturity and interest rate may have
different market prices. Subsequent to its purchase by the Acquiring Fund, a rated security may cease to be rated. The Investment Advisor will consider such an event in determining whether the Acquiring Fund should continue to hold the security.
Ratings are relative and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal
payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of such obligations. Although these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments, the Investment Advisor also will independently evaluate these securities and the
ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest and principal. To the extent that the Acquiring Fund invests in lower grade securities that have not been rated by a rating agency, the Acquiring Funds ability to achieve its investment
objective will be more dependent on the Investment Advisors credit analysis than would be the case when the Acquiring Fund invests in rated securities.
High Yield Securities Risk. Subject to its investment policies, the Acquiring Fund may invest in securities rated, at the time of investment, below investment grade quality such as
those rated Ba or below by Moodys, BB or below by S&P or Fitch, or securities comparably rated by other rating agencies or in unrated securities determined by the Investment Advisor to be of comparable quality. Such securities, sometimes
referred to as high yield or junk bonds, are predominantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the security and generally involve greater price
volatility than securities in higher rating categories. Often the protection of interest and principal payments with respect to such securities may be very moderate and issuers of such securities face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.
Lower grade securities, though high yielding, are characterized by high risk. They may be subject to certain risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain lower
yielding, higher rated securities. The secondary market for lower grade securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities. Adverse conditions could make it difficult at times for the Acquiring Fund to sell certain securities or
could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Acquiring Funds NAV.
The prices of fixed-income
securities generally are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, the price volatility caused by fluctuating interest rates of securities also is inversely related to the coupons of such securities. Accordingly, below investment grade
securities may be relatively less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher quality securities of comparable maturity because of their higher coupon. The investor receives this higher coupon in return for bearing greater credit risk. The higher
credit risk associated with below investment grade securities potentially can have a greater effect on the value of such securities than may be the case with higher quality issues of comparable maturity.
Lower grade securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that an economic recession could severely
disrupt the market for such securities and may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities. In addition, it is likely that any such economic downturn could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal
and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities. The ratings of Moodys, S&P, Fitch and other rating agencies represent their opinions as to the quality of the obligations which they undertake to rate.
Ratings are relative and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of such obligations. Although these ratings may be an initial criterion
for selection of portfolio investments, the Investment Advisor also will independently evaluate these securities and the ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest and principal. To the extent that the Acquiring Fund invests in lower
grade securities that have not been rated by a rating agency, the Acquiring Funds ability to achieve its investment objective will be more dependent on the Investment Advisors credit analysis than would be the case when the Acquiring
Fund invests in rated securities.
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Unrated Securities Risk. Because the Acquiring Fund may purchase securities that are
not rated by any rating organization, the Investment Advisor may, after assessing their credit quality, internally assign ratings to certain of those securities in categories similar to those of rating organizations. Some unrated securities may not
have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Acquiring Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. To the extent that the Acquiring Fund invests in unrated securities, the Acquiring
Funds ability to achieve its investment objective will be more dependent on the Investment Advisors credit analysis than would be the case when the Acquiring Fund invests in rated securities.
Zero-Coupon Securities Risk. Municipal bonds may include zero-coupon bonds. Zero-coupon
securities are bonds that are sold at a discount to par value and do not pay interest during the life of the security. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the period until maturity at a
rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. Upon maturity, the holder of a zero-coupon security is entitled to receive the par value of the security.
While interest payments are not made on zero-coupon securities, holders of such securities are
deemed to have received income (phantom income) annually, notwithstanding that cash may not be received currently. The effect of owning instruments that do not make current interest payments is that a fixed yield is earned not only on
the original investment but also, in effect, on all discount accretion during the life of the obligations. This implicit reinvestment of earnings at a fixed rate eliminates the risk of being unable to invest distributions at a rate as high as the
implicit yield on the zero-coupon bond, but at the same time eliminates the holders ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. For this reason, some of these securities may be subject to
substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market interest rates than are comparable securities that pay interest currently. Longer term zero-coupon bonds are more exposed to interest
rate risk than shorter term zero-coupon bonds. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are
willing to defer receipt of cash.
The Acquiring Fund accrues income with respect to these securities for U.S. federal income
tax and accounting purposes prior to the receipt of cash payments. Zero-coupon securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash
interest at regular intervals.
Further, to maintain its qualification for pass-through treatment under the federal tax laws,
the Acquiring Fund is required to distribute income to its shareholders and, consequently, may have to dispose of other, more liquid portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances or may have to leverage itself by borrowing in order to
generate the cash to satisfy these distributions. The required distributions may result in an increase in the Acquiring Funds exposure to zero-coupon securities.
In addition to the above-described risks, there are certain other risks related to investing in
zero-coupon securities. During a period of severe market conditions, the market for such securities may become even less liquid. In addition, as these securities do not pay cash interest, the Acquiring
Funds investment exposure to these securities and their risks, including credit risk, will increase during the time these securities are held in the Acquiring Funds portfolio.
Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk. 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 from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Acquiring Fund may lose money.
Indexed and Inverse Securities Risk. Investments in inverse floaters, residual interest TOBs and similar instruments expose the
Acquiring Fund to the same risks as investments in fixed income securities and derivatives, as well as other risks, including those associated with leverage and increased volatility. An investment in these securities typically will involve greater
risk than an investment in a fixed rate security.
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Distributions on inverse floaters, residual interest TOBs and similar instruments will typically bear an inverse relationship to short-term interest rates and typically will be reduced or,
potentially, eliminated as interest rates rise. Inverse floaters, residual interest TOBs and similar instruments will underperform the market for fixed rate securities in a rising interest rate environment. Inverse floaters may be considered to be
leveraged to the extent that their interest rates vary by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in a reference rate of interest (typically a short-term interest rate). The leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with
greater volatility in their market values. Investments in inverse floaters, residual interest TOBs and similar instruments that have fixed income securities underlying them will expose the Acquiring Fund to the risks associated with those fixed
income securities and the values of those investments may be especially sensitive to changes in prepayment rates on the underlying fixed income securities.
When-Issued, Forward Commitment and Delayed Delivery Transactions Risk. The Acquiring Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis (including on a forward commitment or TBA (to
be announced) basis) and may purchase or sell those securities for delayed delivery. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions occur when securities are purchased or sold by the Acquiring Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future
to secure an advantageous yield or price. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may expose the Acquiring Fund to counterparty risk of default as well as the risk that securities may experience fluctuations in value prior to
their actual delivery. The Acquiring Fund will not accrue income with respect to a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its stated delivery date. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve the
additional risk that the price or yield available in the market when the delivery takes place may not be as favorable as that obtained in the transaction itself.
Repurchase Agreements Risk. Repurchase agreements typically involve the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of fixed income securities from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and
loan association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Acquiring Fund will sell the securities back to the institution at a fixed time in the future. The Acquiring Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying
security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Acquiring Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and
losses, including possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period in which the Acquiring Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period; and
expenses of enforcing its rights. While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in fixed income securities, the Acquiring Fund follows procedures approved by the Board that are designed to minimize such
risks. The value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial
institution, the Acquiring Fund generally will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercise of the Acquiring Funds right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any
sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Acquiring Fund could suffer a loss.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risks that the interest income earned on the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense of the
Acquiring Fund, that the market value of the securities sold by the Acquiring Fund may decline below the price at which the Acquiring Fund is obligated to repurchase the securities and that the securities may not be returned to the Acquiring Fund.
There is no assurance that reverse repurchase agreements can be successfully employed.
Securities Lending Risk. The
Acquiring Fund may lend securities to financial institutions. Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process),
gap risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Acquiring Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. If a securities lending
counterparty were to default, the Acquiring Fund would be subject to the risk of a possible delay in receiving collateral or in recovering the loaned securities, or to a possible
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loss of rights in the collateral. In the event a borrower does not return the Acquiring Funds securities as agreed, the Acquiring Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from
liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated, plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities. This event could trigger adverse tax consequences
for the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund could lose money if its short-term investment of the collateral declines in value over the period of the loan. Substitute payments for dividends received by the Acquiring Fund for securities loaned out by
the Acquiring Fund will generally not be considered qualified dividend income. The securities lending agent will take the tax effects on shareholders of this difference into account in connection with the Acquiring Funds securities lending
program. Substitute payments received on tax-exempt securities loaned out will generally not be tax-exempt income.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities Risk. The Acquiring Fund may invest in illiquid or less liquid investments or investments in
which no secondary market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. The Acquiring Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Acquiring
Fund could sell such investments if they were more widely-traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Acquiring Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations.
Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Acquiring Funds NAV and ability to make dividend distributions. The financial markets in general, and certain segments of the mortgage related
securities markets in particular, have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional
measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some investments could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time. Privately issued debt securities are often of
below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.
Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or that may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction
or pursuant to an exemption from registration. For example, Rule 144A under the Securities Act provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional
buyers, such as the Acquiring Fund. However, an insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing the Rule 144A-eligible securities that the Acquiring Fund holds could affect adversely the marketability of certain Rule
144A securities, and the Acquiring Fund might be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable prices. When registration is required to sell a security, the Acquiring Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
expenses and considerable time may pass before the Acquiring Fund is permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If adverse market conditions develop during this period, the Acquiring Fund might obtain a less favorable
price than the price that prevailed when the Acquiring Fund decided to sell. The Acquiring Fund may be unable to sell restricted and other illiquid investments at opportune times or prices.
Investment Companies Risk. Subject to the limitations set forth in the 1940 Act and the Acquiring Funds governing documents
or as otherwise permitted by the SEC, the Acquiring Fund may acquire shares in other affiliated and unaffiliated investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and business development companies (BDCs). The
market value of the shares of other investment companies may differ from their NAV. As an investor in investment companies, including ETFs or BDCs, the Acquiring Fund would bear its ratable share of that entitys expenses, including its
investment advisory and administration fees, while continuing to pay its own advisory and administration fees and other expenses. As a result, shareholders will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment
companies, including ETFs or BDCs.
The securities of other investment companies, including ETFs or BDCs, in which the
Acquiring Fund may invest may be leveraged. As a result, the Acquiring Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an
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investment in such securities. An investment in securities of other investment companies, including ETFs or BDCs, that use leverage may expose the Acquiring Fund to higher volatility in the
market value of such securities and the possibility that the Acquiring Funds long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of the Acquiring Funds common shares) will be diminished.
ETFs are generally not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments relating to its index. An ETF
typically invests in securities included in, or representative of, its index regardless of their investment merits and does not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
Strategic Transactions and Derivatives Risk. The Acquiring Fund may engage in various derivative transactions or portfolio
strategies (Strategic Transactions) for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Acquiring Funds portfolio resulting from trends in
the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Acquiring Funds unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes or to establish a position
in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain. Derivatives are financial contracts or instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset,
reference rate or index (or relationship between two indices). The Acquiring Fund also may use derivatives to add leverage to the portfolio and/or to hedge against increases in the Acquiring Funds costs associated with any leverage strategy
that it may employ. The use of Strategic Transactions to enhance current income may be particularly speculative.
Strategic
Transactions involve risks. The risks associated with Strategic Transactions include (i) the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, (ii) the possible default of the counterparty to the
transaction, (iii) illiquidity of the derivative instruments, and (iv) high volatility losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. Although both over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a lack of liquidity, OTC non-standardized derivative transactions are
generally less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators,
government regulation and intervention, and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Acquiring Fund may conduct its transactions in
derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting the Acquiring Fund to the potential of greater losses. Furthermore, the Acquiring Funds ability to successfully use Strategic Transactions depends on the Investment
Advisors ability to predict pertinent securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors, which cannot be assured. The use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been
used, may require the Acquiring Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Acquiring Fund can realize on an investment or may cause the
Acquiring Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. Additionally, segregated or earmarked liquid assets, amounts paid by the Acquiring Fund as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic
Transactions are not otherwise available to the Acquiring Fund for investment purposes.
Exchange-traded derivatives and OTC
derivative transactions submitted for clearing through a central counterparty are also subject to minimum initial and variation margin requirements set by the relevant clearinghouse, as well as possible SEC-
or Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) mandated margin requirements. The CFTC and federal banking regulators also have imposed margin requirements on non-cleared OTC derivatives, and the
SEC has proposed (but not yet finalized) such non-cleared margin requirements. As applicable, margin requirements will increase the overall costs for the Acquiring Fund.
Many OTC derivatives are valued on the basis of dealers pricing of these instruments. However, the price at which dealers value a
particular derivative and the price that the same dealers would actually be willing to pay for such derivative should the Acquiring Fund wish or be forced to sell such position may be materially different.
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Such differences can result in an overstatement of the Acquiring Funds NAV and may materially adversely affect the Acquiring Fund in situations in which the Acquiring Fund is required to
sell derivative instruments.
While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. Hedges are
sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurances that the Acquiring Funds hedging transactions will be effective.
Derivatives may give rise to a form of leverage and may expose the Acquiring Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Recent
legislation calls for new regulation of the derivatives markets. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet known and may not be known for some time. New regulation may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives,
or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
In November 2019, the SEC proposed new regulations
governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. If adopted as proposed, new Rule 18f-4 would impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund could enter into, eliminate the asset
segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities so that a failure to comply with the proposed limits would result in a statutory violation and require funds whose
use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.
The Acquiring Funds use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated
with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks such as credit risk, currency risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, correlation risk, index risk and volatility as described below:
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Credit Riskthe risk that the counterparty in a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to the Acquiring
Fund, or the risk that the reference entity in a derivative will not be able to honor its financial obligations. In particular, derivatives traded in over-the-counter
(OTC) markets often are not guaranteed by an Exchange (as defined herein) or clearing corporation and often do not require payment of margin, and to the extent that the Acquiring Fund has unrealized gains in such instruments or has
deposited collateral with its counterparties, the Acquiring Fund is at risk that its counterparties will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor their obligations.
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Currency Riskthe risk that changes in the exchange rate between two currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of
an investment.
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Leverage Riskthe risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies (such as, for example, borrowing money to
increase the amount of investments) that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain transactions in derivatives (such as futures transactions or sales of put options) involve substantial
leverage risk and may expose the Acquiring Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Acquiring Fund. When the Acquiring Fund engages in such a transaction, the Acquiring Fund will deposit in a segregated account, or
earmark on its books and records, liquid assets with a value at least equal to the Acquiring Funds exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to the transaction (as
calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Such segregation or earmarking will ensure that the Acquiring Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction, but will not limit the Acquiring Funds
exposure to loss.
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Liquidity Riskthe risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the Acquiring Fund would like or at
the price that the Acquiring Fund as seller believes the security is currently worth. There can be no assurances that, at any specific time, either a liquid secondary market will exist for a derivative or the Acquiring Fund will otherwise be able to
sell such instrument at an acceptable price. It may, therefore, not be possible to close a position in a derivative without incurring substantial losses, if at all. The absence of liquidity may also make it more difficult for the Acquiring Fund to
ascertain a market
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value for such instruments. Although both OTC and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a lack of liquidity, certain derivatives traded in OTC markets, including indexed securities,
swaps and OTC options, involve substantial illiquidity risk. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators,
government regulation and intervention, and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, the liquidity of a secondary market in an exchange-traded derivative contract may be adversely affected by daily price fluctuation
limits established by the exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in an exchange-traded contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond
the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open positions. Prices have in the past moved beyond the daily limit on a number of consecutive trading days. If it is not possible to close an open derivative position entered into by the Acquiring
Fund, the Acquiring Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin in the event of adverse price movements. In such a situation, if the Acquiring Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
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Correlation Riskthe risk that changes in the value of a derivative will not match the changes in the value of the portfolio holdings that
are being hedged or of the particular market or security to which the Acquiring Fund seeks exposure through the use of the derivative. There are a number of factors which may prevent a derivative instrument from achieving the desired correlation (or
inverse correlation) with an underlying asset, rate or index, such as the impact of fees, expenses and transaction costs, the timing of pricing, and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for such derivative instrument.
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Index Riskif the derivative is linked to the performance of an index, it will be subject to the risks associated with changes in that
index. If the index changes, the Acquiring Fund could receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below the price that the Acquiring Fund paid for such derivative. Certain indexed securities, including
inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction to the index), may create leverage, to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index.
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Volatility Riskthe risk that the Acquiring Funds use of derivatives may reduce income or gain and/or increase volatility. Volatility
is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price over a defined time period. The Acquiring Fund could suffer losses related to its derivative positions as a result of unanticipated market
movements, which losses are potentially unlimited.
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When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position
that the Acquiring Fund holds, any loss generated by the derivative generally should be substantially offset by gains on the hedged investment, and vice versa. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains.
Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurances that the Acquiring Funds hedging transactions will be effective. The Acquiring Fund could also suffer losses
related to its derivative positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. The Investment Advisor may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other
economic factors, which could cause the Acquiring Funds derivatives positions to lose value. In addition, some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The possible lack of a
liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Acquiring Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Acquiring Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Acquiring Fund to
value accurately.
When engaging in a hedging transaction, the Acquiring Fund may determine not to seek to establish a perfect
correlation between the hedging instruments utilized and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such an imperfect correlation may prevent the Acquiring Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Acquiring Fund to a risk of loss. The
Acquiring Fund may also determine not to hedge against a particular risk because it does not regard the probability of the risk occurring to be sufficiently high as to justify the cost of the
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hedge or because it does not foresee the occurrence of the risk. It may not be possible for the Acquiring Fund to hedge against a change or event at attractive prices or at a price sufficient to
protect the assets of the Acquiring Fund from the decline in value of the portfolio positions anticipated as a result of such change. The Acquiring Fund may also be restricted in its ability to effectively manage the portion of its assets that are
segregated or earmarked to cover its obligations. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge at all against certain risks.
If the Acquiring Fund invests in a derivative instrument it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Moreover, derivatives
raise certain tax, legal, regulatory and accounting issues that may not be presented by investments in securities, and there is some risk that certain issues could be resolved in a manner that could adversely impact the performance of the Acquiring
Fund.
The Acquiring Fund is not required to use derivatives or other portfolio strategies to seek to increase return or to
seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurances that the Acquiring Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to
other risks when that would be beneficial. Although the Investment Advisor seeks to use derivatives to further the Acquiring Funds investment objective, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.
Options Risk. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and indexes. For example, there are
significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objective. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular
options, whether traded OTC or on a recognized securities exchange (e.g., NYSE), separate trading boards of a securities exchange or through a market system that provides contemporaneous transaction pricing information (an Exchange) may
be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an Exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other
restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an Exchange; the facilities of an Exchange or the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or one or more Exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of
options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that Exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the OCC as a result of
trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Futures Transactions and Options
Risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Acquiring Fund and the price of the futures contract or
option; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited;
(d) the Investment Advisors inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the
performance of its obligations.
Investment in futures contracts involves the risk of imperfect correlation between movements
in the price of the futures contract and the price of the security being hedged. The hedge will not be fully effective when there is imperfect correlation between the movements in the prices of two financial instruments. For example, if the price of
the futures contract moves more or less than the price of the hedged security, the Acquiring Fund will experience either a loss or gain on the futures contract which is not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. To
compensate for imperfect correlations, the Acquiring Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities if the volatility of the hedged securities is historically greater than the volatility of the
futures contracts. Conversely, the Acquiring Fund may purchase or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged securities is historically lower than that of the futures contracts.
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The particular securities comprising the index underlying a securities index financial
futures contract may vary from the securities held by the Acquiring Fund. As a result, the Acquiring Funds ability to hedge effectively all or a portion of the value of its securities through the use of such financial futures contracts will
depend in part on the degree to which price movements in the index underlying the financial futures contract correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Acquiring Fund. The correlation may be affected by disparities in the
average maturity, ratings, geographical mix or structure of the Acquiring Funds investments as compared to those comprising the securities index and general economic or political factors. In addition, the correlation between movements in the
value of the securities index may be subject to change over time as additions to and deletions from the securities index alter its structure. The correlation between futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and the securities held by the
Acquiring Fund may be adversely affected by similar factors and the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of such futures contracts and the prices of securities held by the Acquiring Fund may be greater. The trading of
futures contracts also is subject to certain market risks, such as inadequate trading activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions.
The Acquiring Fund may liquidate futures contracts it enters into through offsetting transactions on the applicable contract market.
There can be no assurances, however, that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close out a futures position. In the event of adverse price movements, the
Acquiring Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Acquiring Fund has insufficient cash, it may be required to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Acquiring Funds ability to hedge effectively its investments in securities. The liquidity of
a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by daily price fluctuation limits established by commodity exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once
the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. Prices have in the past moved beyond the daily limit on a number of consecutive
trading days. The Acquiring Fund will enter into a futures position only if, in the judgement of the Investment Advisor, there appears to be an actively traded secondary market for such futures contracts.
The successful use of transactions in futures and related options also depends on the ability of the Investment Advisor to forecast
correctly the direction and extent of interest rate movements within a given time frame. To the extent interest rates remain stable during the period in which a futures contract or option is held by the Acquiring Fund or such rates move in a
direction opposite to that anticipated, the Acquiring Fund may realize a loss on the Strategic Transaction which is not fully or partially offset by an increase in the value of portfolio securities. As a result, the Acquiring Funds total
return for such period may be less than if it had not engaged in the Strategic Transaction.
Because of low initial margin
deposits made upon the opening of a futures position, futures transactions involve substantial leverage. As a result, relatively small movements in the price of the futures contracts can result in substantial unrealized gains or losses. There is
also the risk of loss by the Acquiring Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Acquiring Fund has an open position in a financial futures contract. Because the Acquiring Fund will engage in the purchase and sale
of futures contracts for hedging purposes or to seek to enhance the Acquiring Funds return, any losses incurred in connection therewith may, if the strategy is successful, be offset in whole or in part by increases in the value of securities
held by the Acquiring Fund or decreases in the price of securities the Acquiring Fund intends to acquire.
The amount of risk
the Acquiring Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed above, the purchase of an option on a futures contract
also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased.
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Counterparty Risk. The Acquiring Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to
the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the Acquiring Fund. Because derivative transactions in which the Acquiring Fund may engage may involve instruments that are not traded on an exchange or cleared through a central
counterparty but are instead traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, the Acquiring Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts. If a counterparty becomes
bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Acquiring Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceedings. The Acquiring Fund may obtain
only a limited recovery, or may obtain no recovery, in such circumstances. Although the Acquiring Fund intends to enter into transactions only with counterparties that the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurances
that, as a result, a counterparty will not default and that the Acquiring Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction. In the event of the counterpartys bankruptcy or insolvency, the Acquiring Funds collateral may be subject to the
conflicting claims of the counterpartys creditors, and the Acquiring Fund may be exposed to the risk of a court treating the Acquiring Fund as a general unsecured creditor of the counterparty, rather than as the owner of the collateral.
The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared OTC derivative transactions since
generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing organization
for performance of financial obligations under the derivative contract. However, there can be no assurances that a clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Acquiring Fund, or that the Acquiring Fund would be able to
recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or the Acquiring Funds clearing broker. In addition, cleared derivative transactions benefit from
daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Uncleared OTC derivative transactions generally do
not benefit from such protections. This exposes the Acquiring Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona
fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Acquiring Fund to suffer a loss. Such counterparty risk is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where
the Acquiring Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties.
In addition, the
Acquiring Fund is subject to the risk that issuers of the instruments in which it invests and trades may default on their obligations under those instruments, and that certain events may occur that have an immediate and significant adverse effect on
the value of those instruments. There can be no assurances that an issuer of an instrument in which the Acquiring Fund invests will not default, or that an event that has an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of an instrument will
not occur, and that the Acquiring Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result.
Swaps Risk. Swaps are a
type of derivative. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with which the Acquiring Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Acquiring Fund and the risk that the Acquiring Fund will not be able to meet its
obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. In order to seek to hedge the value of the Acquiring Funds portfolio, to hedge against increases in the Acquiring Funds cost associated with interest payments on any outstanding
borrowings or to seek to increase the Acquiring Funds return, the Acquiring Fund may enter into swaps, including interest rate swap, total return swap and/or credit default swap transactions. In interest rate swap transactions, there is a risk
that yields will move in the direction opposite of the direction anticipated by the Acquiring Fund, which would cause the Acquiring Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect Acquiring Fund performance.
In addition to the risks applicable to swaps generally (including counterparty risk, high volatility, liquidity risk and credit risk), credit default swap transactions involve special risks because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible
to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial
difficulty).
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Historically, swap transactions have been individually negotiated non-standardized transactions entered into in OTC markets and have not been subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange-traded instruments. However, since the global financial crisis, the OTC
derivatives markets have recently become subject to comprehensive statutes and regulations. In particular, in the United States, the Dodd-Frank Act requires that certain derivatives with U.S. persons must be executed on a regulated market and a
substantial portion of OTC derivatives must be submitted for clearing to regulated clearinghouses. As a result, swap transactions entered into by the Acquiring Fund may become subject to various requirements applicable to swaps under the Dodd-Frank
Act, including clearing, exchange-execution, reporting and recordkeeping requirements, which may make it more difficult and costly for the Acquiring Fund to enter into swap transactions and may also render certain strategies in which the Acquiring
Fund might otherwise engage impossible or so costly that they will no longer be economical to implement. Furthermore, the number of counterparties that may be willing to enter into swap transactions with the Acquiring Fund may also be limited if the
swap transactions with the Acquiring Fund are subject to the swap regulation under the Dodd-Frank Act.
Credit default and
total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Acquiring Funds portfolio because, in addition to its managed assets, the Acquiring Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return
swap agreements are subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations to the Acquiring Fund thereunder. The Acquiring Fund is not required to enter into swap transactions for hedging purposes or to enhance income or
gain and may choose not to do so. In addition, the swaps market is subject to a changing regulatory environment. It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the swaps market could adversely affect the Acquiring Funds ability to
successfully use swaps.
Over-the-Counter
Trading Risk. The derivative instruments that may be purchased or sold by the Acquiring Fund may include instruments not traded on an exchange. The risk of nonperformance by the counterparty to an instrument may be greater than, and the ease
with which the Acquiring Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to an instrument may be less than, the risk associated with an exchange traded instrument. In addition, significant disparities may exist between
bid and asked prices for derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Derivative instruments not traded on exchanges also are not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange traded instruments,
and many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with the transactions. Because derivatives traded in OTC markets generally are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation,
to the extent that the Acquiring Fund has unrealized gains in such instruments or has deposited collateral with its counterparties, the Acquiring Fund is at risk that its counterparties will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its
obligations.
Certain derivatives traded in OTC markets, including indexed securities, swaps and OTC options, involve
substantial liquidity risk. The absence of liquidity may make it difficult or impossible for the Acquiring Fund to sell such instruments promptly at an acceptable price. The absence of liquidity may also make it more difficult for the Acquiring Fund
to ascertain a market value for such instruments. The Acquiring Fund will, therefore, acquire illiquid OTC instruments (i) if the agreement pursuant to which the instrument is purchased contains a formula price at which the instrument may be
terminated or sold, or (ii) for which the Investment Advisor anticipates the Acquiring Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent bids or offers, unless a quotation from only one dealer is available, in which case that
dealers quotation may be used. Because derivatives traded in OTC markets are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation and generally do not require payment of margin, to the extent that the Acquiring Fund has unrealized gains in
such instruments or has deposited collateral with its counterparties the Acquiring Fund is at risk that its counterparties will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its obligations. The Acquiring Fund will attempt to minimize these risks by
engaging in transactions in derivatives traded in OTC markets only with financial institutions that have substantial capital or that have provided the Acquiring Fund with a third-party guaranty or other credit enhancement.
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Dodd-Frank Act Risk. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act of 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act) (the Derivatives Title) imposed a substantially new regulatory structure on derivatives markets, with particular emphasis on swaps (which were subject to oversight by the CFTC) and
security-based swaps (which were subject to oversight by the SEC). The regulatory framework covers a broad range of swap market participants, including banks, non-banks, credit unions, insurance companies,
broker-dealers and investment advisers. Prudential regulators were granted authority to regulate margining of swaps and security-based swaps of banks and bank-related entities.
Although the CFTC and the prudential regulators have adopted and have begun implementing required regulations, the SEC rules were not
finalized until December 2019 and firms have until October 2021 to come into compliance.
Current regulations for swaps
require the mandatory central clearing and mandatory exchange trading of particular types of interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps (together, Covered Swaps). The Fund is required to clear its Covered Swaps through a clearing
broker, which requires, among other things, posting initial margin and variation margin to the Funds clearing broker in order to enter into and maintain positions in Covered Swaps. Covered Swaps generally are required to be executed through a
swap execution facility (SEF), which can involve additional transaction fees.
Additionally, under the Dodd-Frank
Act, swaps (and both swaps and security-based swaps entered into with banks) are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund and post variation margin to the Fund with respect to such derivatives.
Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of OTC swaps with the Fund. Shares of
investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps (as well as security-based swaps in addition to OTC swaps
where the dealer is a bank or subsidiary of a bank holding company) will be phased-in through September 2021. The CFTC has not yet adopted capital requirements for swap dealers. As uncleared capital
requirements for swap dealers and uncleared capital and margin requirements for security-based swaps are phased in and implemented, such requirements may make certain types of trades and/or trading strategies more costly. There may be market
dislocations due to uncertainty during the implementation period of any new regulation and the Investment Advisor cannot know how the derivatives market will adjust to the CFTCs new capital regulations and to the new SEC regulations governing
security-based swaps.
In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain
bank- regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in qualified financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts as well as repurchase agreements and securities lending agreements, terms that delay or
restrict the rights of counterparties to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of affiliate credit enhancements (such as guarantees) in the event that the bank-regulated counterparty
and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings.
Legal and Regulatory Risk.
At any time after the date hereof, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Acquiring Fund. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the securities in which the
Acquiring Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Acquiring Fund itself is regulated. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the
Acquiring Fund or will not impair the ability of the Acquiring Fund to achieve its investment objective. In addition, as new rules and regulations resulting from the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act are implemented and new international capital and
liquidity requirements are introduced under the Basel III Accords, the market may not react the way the Investment Advisor expects. Whether the Acquiring Fund achieves its investment objective may depend on, among other things, whether the
Investment Advisor correctly forecasts market reactions to this and other legislation. In the event the Investment Advisor incorrectly forecasts market reaction, the Acquiring Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
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Regulation as a Commodity Pool. The CFTC subjects advisers to registered
investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps
(CFTC Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent the Acquiring Fund uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as
a commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act
(CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA in respect of the Acquiring Fund.
Failure of Futures Commission Merchants and Clearing Organizations. The Acquiring Fund is required to deposit funds to margin open
positions in cleared derivative instruments (both futures and swaps) with a clearing broker registered as a futures commission merchant (FCM). The CEA requires an FCM to segregate all funds received from customers with
respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of U.S. domestic futures contracts and cleared swaps from the FCMs proprietary assets. Similarly, the CEA requires each FCM to hold in a separate secure account all funds received from customers
with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of foreign futures contracts and segregate any such funds from the funds received with respect to domestic futures contracts. However, all funds and other property received by an FCM from its
customers are held by an FCM on a commingled basis in an omnibus account and amounts in excess of assets posted to the clearing organization may be invested by an FCM in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulation. There is a risk
that assets deposited by the Acquiring Fund with any FCM as margin for futures contracts or commodity options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy losses of other clients of the Acquiring Funds FCM. In addition, the assets of the
Acquiring Fund posted as margin against both swaps and futures contracts may not be fully protected in the event of the FCMs bankruptcy.
Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks. Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur that may have material adverse effects on the Acquiring Fund. For example, the regulatory and tax environment for
derivative instruments in which the Acquiring Fund may participate is evolving, and such changes in the regulation or taxation of derivative instruments may have material adverse effects on the value of derivative instruments held by the Acquiring
Fund and the ability of the Acquiring Fund to pursue its investment strategies.
To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal
income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Acquiring Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources and distribute for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (generally, ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt
interest income, if any. If for any taxable year the Acquiring Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income for that year (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Acquiring Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits.
The current presidential administration has called for, and in certain instances has begun to implement, significant changes to U.S.
fiscal, tax, trade, healthcare, immigration, foreign, and government regulatory policy. In this regard, there is significant uncertainty with respect to legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal level, as well as the state and
local levels. Recent events have created a climate of heightened uncertainty and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with
potentially far-reaching implications. There has been a corresponding meaningful increase in the uncertainty surrounding interest rates, inflation, foreign exchange rates, trade volumes and fiscal and monetary
policy. To the extent the U.S. Congress or the current presidential administration implements changes to U.S. policy, those changes may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade and relations, unemployment,
immigration, corporate taxes, healthcare, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. Some particular areas identified as subject to potential change, amendment or repeal include the Dodd-Frank Act, including the Volcker Rule and
various swaps and derivatives regulations, credit risk retention requirements and the authorities of the
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Federal Reserve, the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the SEC. Although the Acquiring Fund cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to the Acquiring Funds business, they
could adversely affect the Acquiring Funds business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Until the Acquiring Fund knows what policy changes are made and how those changes impact the Acquiring Funds business and the
business of the Acquiring Funds competitors over the long term, the Acquiring Fund will not know if, overall, the Acquiring Fund will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.
The risks and uncertainties associated with these policy proposals are heightened by the 2018 U.S. federal election, which has resulted
in different political parties controlling the U.S. House of Representatives, on the one hand, and the U.S. Senate and the Executive Branch, on the other hand. Additional risks arising from the differences in expressed policy preferences among the
various constituencies in these branches of the U.S. government has led in the past, and may lead in the future, to short-term or prolonged policy impasses, which could, and has, resulted in shutdowns of the U.S. federal government. U.S. federal
government shutdowns, especially prolonged shutdowns, could have a significant adverse impact on the economy in general and could impair the ability of issuers to raise capital in the securities markets. Any of these effects could have an adverse
impact on companies in the Acquiring Funds portfolio and consequently on the value of their securities and the Acquiring Funds NAV.
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. The Acquiring Fund cannot
predict how any changes in the tax laws might affect its investors or the Acquiring Fund itself. New legislation, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions, with or without retroactive application, could
significantly and negatively affect the Acquiring Funds ability to qualify as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to its investors and itself of such qualification, or could have other adverse consequences. You are urged to
consult with your tax advisor with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in the Acquiring Funds shares.
1940 Act Regulation. The Acquiring Fund is a registered closed-end management investment
company and as such is subject to regulations under the 1940 Act. Generally speaking, any contract or provision thereof that is made, or where performance involves a violation of the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation thereunder is unenforceable by
either party unless a court finds otherwise.
Legislation Risk. At any time after the date of this Proxy Statement,
legislation may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Acquiring Fund. Legislation or regulation may change the way in which the Acquiring Fund itself is regulated. The Investment Advisor cannot predict the effects of any new
governmental regulation that may be implemented and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Acquiring Funds ability to achieve its investment objective.
LIBOR Risk. The Acquiring Fund may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The Acquiring Funds investments may pay interest at floating rates based on LIBOR or may be subject to interest caps or floors based
on LIBOR. The Acquiring Fund may also obtain financing at floating rates based on LIBOR. Derivative instruments utilized by the Acquiring Fund may also reference LIBOR.
In 2017, the head of the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021, and it is expected that LIBOR will cease to be published
after that time. The Acquiring Fund may have investments linked to other interbank offered rates, such as the Euro Overnight Index Average (EONIA), which may also cease to be published. Various financial industry groups have begun
planning for the transition away from LIBOR, but there are challenges to converting certain securities and transactions to a new reference rate (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), which is intended to replace the U.S.
dollar LIBOR).
63
Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be
known. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. While some existing LIBOR-based instruments
may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate-setting methodology, there may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such alternative methodologies to replicate LIBOR. Not
all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting provisions and there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions in certain existing instruments. In addition,
a liquid market for newly issued instruments that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing. There may also be challenges for the Acquiring Fund to enter into hedging transactions against such newly issued instruments until a
market for such hedging transactions develops. All of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Acquiring Funds performance or NAV.
Risks Associated with Recent Market Events. Stresses associated with the 2008 financial crisis in the United States and global economies peaked approximately a decade ago, but periods of unusually
high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or a geography, continue to recur. Some countries, including the United States, have adopted and/or are considering the adoption of
more protectionist trade policies, a move away from the tighter financial industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or substantially reducing corporate taxes. The exact shape of these policies is still being considered, but the
equity and debt markets may react strongly to expectations of change, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets expectations are not borne out. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some
international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health, may add to instability
in world economies and markets generally. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to
countries experiencing economic, political and/or financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the Funds investments may be negatively affected by such events.
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now developed into a global pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in closing borders,
enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other pandemics and
epidemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, the impact of infectious diseases in
developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to less established health care systems. Health crises caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social
and economic risks in certain countries. The impact of the pandemic may last for an extended period of time.
Market
Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. The occurrence of events similar to those in recent years, such as the aftermath of the war in Iraq, instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East, new and
ongoing epidemics and pandemics of infectious diseases and other global health events, natural/environmental disasters, terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world, social and political discord, debt crises (such as the Greek
crisis), sovereign debt downgrades, increasingly strained relations between the United States and a number of foreign countries, including traditional allies, such as certain European countries, and historical adversaries, such as North Korea, Iran,
China and Russia, and the international community generally, new and continued political unrest in various countries, such as Venezuela and Spain, the exit or potential exit of one or more countries from the European Union (the EU) or
the European Monetary Union (the EMU), continued changes in the balance of political power among and within the branches of the U.S. government, among others, may result in market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and
worldwide financial markets, and may cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide.
64
The coronavirus pandemic has led to illiquidity and volatility in the municipal bond markets and may lead to downgrades in the credit quality of certain municipal issuers.
China and the United States have each recently imposed tariffs on the other countrys products. These actions may trigger a
significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of Chinas export industry, which could have a
negative impact on the Acquiring Funds performance. U.S. companies that source material and goods from China and those that make large amounts of sales in China would be particularly vulnerable to an escalation of trade tensions. Uncertainty
regarding the outcome of the trade tensions and the potential for a trade war could cause the U.S. dollar to decline against safe haven currencies, such as the Japanese yen and the euro. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to
predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.
The
decision made in the British referendum of June 23, 2016 to leave the EU, an event widely referred to as Brexit, has led to volatility in the financial markets of the United Kingdom and more broadly across Europe and may also lead
to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in such markets. The formal notification to the European Council required under Article 50 of the Treaty on EU was made on March 29, 2017, following which the terms of exit were
negotiated. Pursuant to an agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU, the United Kingdom left the EU on January 31, 2020, subject to a transition period ending December 31, 2020. The longer term economic, legal, political and social
framework to be put in place between the United Kingdom and the EU are unclear at this stage and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the United Kingdom and in wider European
markets for some time. In particular, the decision made in Brexit may lead to a call for similar referendums in other European jurisdictions which may cause increased economic volatility in the European and global markets. This mid- to long-term uncertainty may have an adverse effect on the economy generally and on the ability of the Acquiring Fund to execute its strategies and to receive attractive returns. In particular, currency
volatility may mean that the returns of the Acquiring Fund and its investments are adversely affected by market movements and may make it more difficult, or more expensive, for the Acquiring Fund to execute prudent currency hedging policies.
Potential decline in the value of the British Pound and/or the Euro against other currencies, along with the potential downgrading of the United Kingdoms sovereign credit rating, may also have an impact on the performance of portfolio
companies or investments located in the United Kingdom or Europe. In light of the above, no definitive assessment can currently be made regarding the impact that Brexit will have on the Acquiring Fund, its investments or its organization more
generally.
The occurrence of any of these above events could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile
of the Acquiring Funds portfolio. The Acquiring Fund does not know how long the securities markets may be affected by similar events and cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets.
There can be no assurance that similar events and other market disruptions will not have other material and adverse implications.
Regulation and Government Intervention Risk. The U.S. Government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments, recently have taken unprecedented actions designed to support
certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, such as implementing stimulus packages, providing liquidity in fixed-income, commercial paper and other markets, and providing tax breaks,
among other actions. The reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental support could negatively affect financial markets generally and reduce the value and liquidity of
certain securities. Additionally, with the cessation of certain market support activities, the Acquiring Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk as a result of a rise or increased volatility in interest rates.
Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the
regulation of the issuers in which the Acquiring Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Acquiring Fund is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Acquiring Funds ability to
achieve its investment objective.
65
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, there appears to be a renewed popular,
political and judicial focus on finance related consumer protection. Financial institution practices are also subject to greater scrutiny and criticism generally. In the case of transactions between financial institutions and the general public,
there may be a greater tendency toward strict interpretation of terms and legal rights in favor of the consuming public, particularly where there is a real or perceived disparity in risk allocation and/or where consumers are perceived as not having
had an opportunity to exercise informed consent to the transaction. In the event of conflicting interests between retail investors holding common shares of a closed-end investment company such as the Acquiring
Fund and a large financial institution, a court may similarly seek to strictly interpret terms and legal rights in favor of retail investors. The Acquiring Fund may be affected by governmental action in ways that are not foreseeable, and there is a
possibility that such actions could have a significant adverse effect on the Acquiring Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective.
Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Investment Advisor and Others. The investment activities of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock), the ultimate parent company of the Investment Advisor,
and its affiliates (including BlackRock and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Affiliates)), and their respective directors, officers or employees, in the management of, or their interest in, their own accounts and other accounts
they manage, may present conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Acquiring Fund and its shareholders. BlackRock and its Affiliates provide investment management services to other funds and discretionary managed accounts that may follow
investment programs similar to that of the Acquiring Fund. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, BlackRock and its Affiliates intend to engage in such activities and may receive compensation from third parties for their services. Neither
BlackRock nor any Affiliate is under any obligation to share any investment opportunity, idea or strategy with the Acquiring Fund. As a result, BlackRock and its Affiliates may compete with the Acquiring Fund for appropriate investment
opportunities. The results of the Acquiring Funds investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of an Affiliate and of other accounts managed by BlackRock or an Affiliate and it is possible that the Acquiring Fund could sustain
losses during periods in which one or more Affiliates and other accounts achieve profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures designed to address potential conflicts of interests.
Market and Selection Risk. Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Acquiring
Fund will decline. There is a risk that equity and/or bond markets will go down in value, including the possibility that such markets will go down sharply and unpredictably.
Stock markets are volatile, and the price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a companys financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. An adverse event, such as an
unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by the Acquiring Fund. Also, the price of common stocks is sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price
of common stocks to which the Acquiring Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in investors perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock
market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur.
The prices of fixed income securities tend to fall
as interest rates rise, and such declines tend to be greater among fixed income securities with longer maturities. Market risk is often greater among certain types of fixed income securities, such as
zero-coupon bonds that do not make regular interest payments but are instead bought at a discount to their face values and paid in full upon maturity. As interest rates change, these securities often fluctuate
more in price than securities that make regular interest payments and therefore subject the Acquiring Fund to greater market risk than a fund that does not own these types of securities.
When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are subject to changes in market conditions from the time of the commitment until
settlement, which may adversely affect the prices or yields of the securities being purchased. The greater the Acquiring Funds outstanding commitments for these securities, the greater the Acquiring Funds exposure to market price
fluctuations.
66
Selection risk is the risk that the securities that the Acquiring Funds management
selects will underperform the equity and/or bond market, the market relevant indices or other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
Defensive Investing Risk. For defensive purposes, the Acquiring Fund may allocate assets into cash or short-term fixed income securities. In doing so, the Acquiring Fund may succeed in avoiding
losses but may otherwise fail to achieve its investment objective. Further, the value of short-term fixed income securities may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in credit ratings of the investments. If the Acquiring Fund holds
cash uninvested it will be subject to the credit risk of the depository institution holding the cash.
Decision-Making
Authority Risk. Investors have no authority to make decisions or to exercise business discretion on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, except as set forth in the Acquiring Funds governing documents. The authority for all such decisions is
generally delegated to the Board, which in turn, has delegated the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Funds investment activities to the Investment Advisor,
subject to oversight by the Board.
Management Risk. The Acquiring Fund is subject to management risk because it is an
actively managed investment portfolio. The Investment Advisor and the individual portfolio managers will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Acquiring Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these
will produce the desired results. The Acquiring Fund may be subject to a relatively high level of management risk because the Acquiring Fund may invest in derivative instruments, which may be highly specialized instruments that require investment
techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with equities and bonds.
Valuation Risk. The Acquiring
Fund is subject to valuation risk, which is the risk that one or more of the securities in which the Acquiring Fund invests are valued at prices that the Acquiring Fund is unable to obtain upon sale due to factors such as incomplete data, market
instability or human error. The Investment Advisor may use an independent pricing service or prices provided by dealers to value securities at their market value. Because the secondary markets for certain investments may be limited, such instruments
may be difficult to value. When market quotations are not available, the Investment Advisor may price such investments pursuant to a number of methodologies, such as computer-based analytical modeling or individual security evaluations. These
methodologies generate approximations of market values, and there may be significant professional disagreement about the best methodology for a particular type of financial instrument or different methodologies that might be used under different
circumstances. In the absence of an actual market transaction, reliance on such methodologies is essential, but may introduce significant variances in the ultimate valuation of the Acquiring Funds investments. Technological issues and/or
errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers may also impact the Acquiring Funds ability to value its investments and the calculation of the Acquiring Funds NAV.
When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed to be inaccurate or unreliable, the Acquiring Fund values its investments
at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board. Fair value is defined as the amount for which assets could be sold in an orderly disposition over a reasonable period of time, taking into account
the nature of the asset. Fair value pricing may require determinations that are inherently subjective and inexact about the value of a security or other asset. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value priced assets will not result in
future adjustments to the prices of securities or other assets, or that fair value pricing will reflect a price that the Acquiring Fund is able to obtain upon sale, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security or other asset will
be materially different from quoted or published prices, from the prices used by others for the same security or other asset and/or from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the sale of that security or other asset. For example, the
Acquiring Funds NAV could be adversely affected if the Acquiring Funds determinations regarding the fair value of the Acquiring Funds investments were materially higher than the values that the Acquiring Fund ultimately realizes
upon the disposal of such investments. Where market quotations are not readily available,
67
valuation may require more research than for more liquid investments. In addition, elements of judgment may play a greater role in valuation in such cases than for investments with a more active
secondary market because there is less reliable objective data available. The Acquiring Fund prices its shares daily and therefore all assets, including assets valued at fair value, are valued daily.
Reliance on the Investment Advisor Risk. The Acquiring Fund is dependent upon services and resources provided by the Investment
Advisor, and therefore the Investment Advisors parent, BlackRock. The Investment Advisor is not required to devote its full time to the business of the Acquiring Fund and there is no guarantee or requirement that any investment professional or
other employee of the Investment Advisor will allocate a substantial portion of his or her time to the Acquiring Fund. The loss of one or more individuals involved with the Investment Advisor could have a material adverse effect on the performance
or the continued operation of the Acquiring Fund.
Reliance on Service Providers Risk. The Acquiring Fund must rely
upon the performance of service providers to perform certain functions, which may include functions that are integral to the Acquiring Funds operations and financial performance. Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to
the Acquiring Fund in accordance with the terms of its appointment, to exercise due care and skill or to perform its obligations to the Acquiring Fund at all as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or other causes could have a material adverse effect
on the Acquiring Funds performance and returns to common shareholders. The termination of the Acquiring Funds relationship with any service provider, or any delay in appointing a replacement for such service provider, could materially
disrupt the business of the Acquiring Fund and could have a material adverse effect on the Acquiring Funds performance and returns to common shareholders.
Information Technology Systems Risk. The Acquiring Fund is dependent on the Investment Advisor for certain management services as well as back-office functions. The Investment Advisor depends on
information technology systems in order to assess investment opportunities, strategies and markets and to monitor and control risks for the Acquiring Fund. It is possible that a failure of some kind which causes disruptions to these information
technology systems could materially limit the Investment Advisors ability to adequately assess and adjust investments, formulate strategies and provide adequate risk control. Any such information technology-related difficulty could harm the
performance of the Acquiring Fund. Further, failure of the back-office functions of the Investment Advisor to process trades in a timely fashion could prejudice the investment performance of the Acquiring Fund.
Cyber Security Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Acquiring Fund is
susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems
(e.g., through hacking or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does
not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended
users). Cyber security failures by or breaches of the Investment Advisor and other service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators), and the issuers of securities in which the
Acquiring Fund invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Acquiring Funds ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability
of shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial costs may be
incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While the Acquiring Fund has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such
plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Acquiring Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Acquiring Fund and issuers in which
the Acquiring Fund invests. As a result, the Acquiring Fund or its shareholders could be negatively impacted.
68
Misconduct of Employees and of Service Providers Risk. Misconduct or
misrepresentations by employees of the Investment Advisor or the Acquiring Funds service providers could cause significant losses to the Acquiring Fund. Employee misconduct may include binding the Acquiring Fund to transactions that exceed
authorized limits or present unacceptable risks and unauthorized trading activities, concealing unsuccessful trading activities (which, in any case, may result in unknown and unmanaged risks or losses) or making misrepresentations regarding any of
the foregoing. Losses could also result from actions by the Acquiring Funds service providers, including, without limitation, failing to recognize trades and misappropriating assets. In addition, employees and service providers may improperly
use or disclose confidential information, which could result in litigation or serious financial harm, including limiting the Acquiring Funds business prospects or future marketing activities. Despite the Investment Advisors due diligence
efforts, misconduct and intentional misrepresentations may be undetected or not fully comprehended, thereby potentially undermining the Investment Advisors due diligence efforts. As a result, no assurances can be given that the due diligence
performed by the Investment Advisor will identify or prevent any such misconduct.
Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is
the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future, as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the common shares and distributions on those shares can decline. In
addition, during any periods of rising inflation, interest rates on any borrowings by the Acquiring Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to the common shareholders.
Deflation Risk. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect
on the market valuation of companies, their assets and their revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the
Acquiring Funds portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Acquiring Funds annual portfolio turnover rate may
vary greatly from year to year, as well as within a given year. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Acquiring Fund. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly
greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Acquiring Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in an increased realization of net short-term capital gains by the Acquiring Fund which, when distributed to
common shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. Additionally, in a declining market, portfolio turnover may create realized capital losses.
Anti-Takeover Provisions Risk. The charter and bylaws of the Acquiring Fund and Maryland law include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the
Acquiring Fund or convert the Acquiring Fund to open-end status or to change the composition of the Board.
69
A DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
BZM is formed as a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to its Agreement and Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware. MHE and MYF are each organized as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to its Declaration of Trust governed by the last of the State of Massachusetts. MZA, MEN and the Acquiring Fund are each formed as a Maryland corporation pursuant to
its Articles of Incorporation (the Charter) and governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Each of BZM and MHE is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. Each of MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. Each
Funds principal office is located at 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, and each Funds telephone number is (800) 882-0052.
BZM was formed as a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware on March 14, 2002, and commenced operations on April 30, 2002.
MHE was organized as a
Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of Massachusetts on April 20, 1993, and commenced operations on July 23, 1993.
MZA was formed as a Maryland corporation governed by the laws of the State of Maryland on August 24, 1993, and commenced operations
on October 29, 1993.
MYF was organized as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of Massachusetts on January 21, 1992, and commenced operations on February 28, 1992.
MEN was formed as a Maryland corporation governed by the laws of the State of Maryland on December 14, 1988, and commenced operations on March 2, 1989.
The Acquiring Fund was formed as a Maryland corporation governed by the laws of the State of Maryland on May 5, 1992, and commenced
operations on July 21, 1992.
The Acquiring Fund common shares are listed on the NYSE as
MQY. BZMs common shares are listed on the NYSE as BZM. MHEs common shares are listed on the NYSE as MHE. MZAs common shares are listed on the NYSE as MZA. MYFs common shares are
listed on the NYSE as MYF. MENs common shares are listed on the NYSE as MEN.
Each of the
Acquiring Fund and MEN has an April 30 fiscal year end.
Each of BZM and MHE has an August 31 fiscal year end.
Each of MZA and MYF has a July 31 fiscal year end.
Each Fund has VRDP Shares outstanding. Each Funds VRDP Shares are not listed on a national stock exchange and have not been
registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, may not be offered, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not
subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Please see Information about the Preferred Shares of the Funds for additional information.
The Board of Trustees or Board of Directors and Officers
The Board of Trustees or Board of Directors, as applicable (the Board), of each Fund currently consists of ten individuals (each, a Board Member), eight of whom are not
interested persons of each Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Board Members). The registered investment companies advised by the
70
Investment Advisor or its affiliates (the BlackRock-advised Funds) are organized into one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex), one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset,
index and money market funds (the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex) and one complex of exchange-traded funds (each, a BlackRock Fund Complex). Each Fund is included in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex. The Board Members also
oversee as Board members the operations of the other closed-end registered investment companies included in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.
Certain biographical and other information relating to the Board Members and officers of each Fund is set forth below, including their
year of birth, their principal occupation for at least the last five years, the length of time served, the total number of investment companies overseen in the BlackRock Fund Complexes and any public directorships or trusteeships.
Please refer to the below table which identifies the Board Members and sets forth certain biographical information about the Board
Members for each Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth(1)
|
|
Position(s)
Held
(Length of
Service)(3)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five
Years
|
|
Number
of
BlackRock-
Advised
Registered
Investment
Companies
(RICs)
Consisting
of
Investment
Portfolios
(Portfolios)
Overseen(4)
|
|
Other Public
Company
or
Investment
Company
Directorships
Held During
Past Five
Years(5)
|
Independent Board
Members(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard E. Cavanagh
1946
|
|
Co-Chair of the Board and Board Member (Since 2007)
|
|
Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Board Chair, Volunteers of America
(a not-for-profit organization) from 2015 to 2018 (board member since 2009); Director, Arch Chemicals (chemical and allied products) from 1999 to 2011;
Trustee, Educational Testing Service from 1997 to 2009 and Chairman thereof from 2005 to 2009; Senior Advisor, The Fremont Group since 2008 and Director thereof since 1996; Faculty Member/Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard University since 2007 and Executive
Dean from 1987 to 1995; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995 to 2007.
|
|
86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen P. Robards
1950
|
|
Co-Chair of the Board and Board Member (Since 2007)
|
|
Principal of Robards & Company, LLC (consulting and private investing) since 1987; Co-founder and Director of the Cooke
Center for Learning and Development (a not-for-profit organization) since 1987; Director of Enable Injections, LLC (medical devices) since 2019; Investment
Banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987.
|
|
86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios
|
|
Greenhill &
Co., Inc.;
AtriCure,
Inc.
(medical
devices)
from 2000
until 2017
|
71
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth(1)
|
|
Position(s)
Held
(Length of
Service)(3)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five
Years
|
|
Number
of
BlackRock-
Advised
Registered
Investment
Companies
(RICs)
Consisting
of
Investment
Portfolios
(Portfolios)
Overseen(4)
|
|
Other Public
Company
or
Investment
Company
Directorships
Held During
Past Five
Years(5)
|
Michael J. Castellano
1946
|
|
Board Member (Since 2011)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group LLC from 2001 to 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd from 2004 to 2011; Director, Support Our Aging
Religious (non-profit) from 2009 to June 2015 and from 2017 to September 2020; Director, National Advisory Board of Church Management at Villanova University since 2010; Trustee, Domestic Church
Media Foundation since 2012; Director, CircleBlack Inc. (financial technology company) from 2015 to July 2020.
|
|
86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cynthia L. Egan
1955
|
|
Board Member (Since 2016)
|
|
Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2015; President, Retirement Plan Services, for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; executive positions within Fidelity
Investments from 1989 to 2007.
|
|
86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios
|
|
Unum
(insurance);
The Hanover
Insurance
Group
(insurance);
Envestnet
(investment
platform)
from 2013
until 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank J. Fabozzi
1948
|
|
Board Member (Since 2007)
|
|
Editor of The Journal of Portfolio Management since 1986; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School (France) since 2011; Visiting Professor, Princeton University for the 2013 to
2014 academic year and Spring 2017 semester; Professor in the Practice of Finance, Yale University School of Management from 1994 to 2011 and currently a Teaching Fellow in Yales Executive Programs; Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Liquidity
Funds from 2014 to 2016; affiliated professor Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2011; Visiting Professor, Rutgers University for the Spring 2019 semester; Visiting Professor, New York University for the 2019 academic year.
|
|
87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth(1)
|
|
Position(s)
Held
(Length of
Service)(3)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five
Years
|
|
Number
of
BlackRock-
Advised
Registered
Investment
Companies
(RICs)
Consisting
of
Investment
Portfolios
(Portfolios)
Overseen(4)
|
|
Other Public
Company
or
Investment
Company
Directorships
Held During
Past Five
Years(5)
|
R. Glenn Hubbard
1958
|
|
Board Member (Since 2007)
|
|
Dean, Columbia Business School from 2004 to 2019; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988.
|
|
86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios
|
|
ADP (data
and
information
services);
Metropolitan
Life
Insurance
Company
(insurance);
KKR
Financial
Corporation
(finance)
from 2004
until
2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Carl Kester
1951
|
|
Board Member (Since 2007)
|
|
George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School since 2008; Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2010; Chairman of the Finance
Unit, from 2005 to 2006; Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981.
|
|
87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catherine A. Lynch
1961
|
|
Board Member (Since 2016)
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and various other positions, National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust from 2003 to 2016; Associate Vice President for Treasury
Management, The George Washington University from 1999 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer, Episcopal Church of America from 1995 to 1999.
|
|
87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth(1)
|
|
Position(s)
Held
(Length of
Service)(3)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five
Years
|
|
Number
of
BlackRock-
Advised
Registered
Investment
Companies
(RICs)
Consisting
of
Investment
Portfolios
(Portfolios)
Overseen(4)
|
|
Other Public
Company
or
Investment
Company
Directorships
Held During
Past Five
Years(5)
|
Interested Board
Members(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Fairbairn
1965
|
|
Board Member (Since 2018)
|
|
Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Member of BlackRocks Global Executive and Global Operating
Committees; Co-Chair of BlackRocks Human Capital Committee; Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2019; oversaw BlackRocks Strategic Partner Program and Strategic
Product Management Group from 2012 to 2019; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC from 2011 to 2018; Global Head of BlackRocks Retail and iShares® businesses from 2012 to 2016.
|
|
119 RICs consisting of 266 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Perlowski
1964
|
|
Board Member (Since 2015), President and Chief Executive Officer (Since 2010
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable
foundation) since 2009.
|
|
120 RICs consisting of 267 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
(1)
|
The address of each Board Member is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.
|
(2)
|
Each Independent Board Member holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation,
retirement or removal, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. Board Members who are interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, serve until their successor is elected and qualifies or until their earlier
death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by each Funds bylaws or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Board Members on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate.
|
(3)
|
Date shown is the earliest date a person has served for the Funds covered by this Proxy Statement. Following the combination of Merrill Lynch
Investment Managers, L.P. (MLIM) and BlackRock, Inc. in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. Certain Independent Board Members first
became members of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Richard E. Cavanagh, 1994; Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; W. Carl Kester, 1995; and Karen P. Robards, 1998. Certain other Independent Board
Members became members of the boards of the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex as follows: Michael J. Castellano, 2011; Cynthia L. Egan, 2016; and Catherine A. Lynch, 2016.
|
(4)
|
Dr. Fabozzi, Dr. Kester, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Perlowski are also trustees of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund.
|
(5)
|
Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of each Fund based on their positions
with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex.
|
74
Information Pertaining to the Officers
Certain biographical and other information relating to the officers of the Funds who are not Board Members is set forth below, including
their address and year of birth, principal occupations for at least the last five years and length of time served. With the exception of the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), executive officers receive no compensation from the Funds. The
Acquiring Fund compensates the CCO for his services as its CCO.
Each executive officer is an interested person of
the Funds (as defined in the 1940 Act) by virtue of that individuals position with BlackRock or its affiliates described in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address(1),(2)
and Year of Birth
|
|
Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
|
|
Principal Occupations(s)
During Past Five
Years
|
Jonathan Diorio
1980
|
|
Vice President
(Since
2015)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015.
|
|
|
|
Neal J. Andrews
1966
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
(Since
2007)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of the iShares®
exchange traded funds from 2019 to 2020; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006
|
|
|
|
Jay M. Fife
1970
|
|
Treasurer
(Since
2007)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007.
|
|
|
|
Charles Park
1967
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
(Since 2014)
|
|
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for certain BlackRock-advised Funds from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds
in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the
BFA-advised iShares® exchange traded funds since 2006; Chief Compliance
Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012.
|
|
|
|
Janey Ahn
1975
|
|
Secretary
(Since
2012)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017.
|
(1)
|
The address of each executive officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.
|
(2)
|
Officers of the Funds service at the pleasure of the Board.
|
The Investment Advisor
BlackRock Advisors, LLC
serves as the investment adviser for each Fund and is expected to continue to serve as investment adviser for the Combined Fund. The Investment Advisor is responsible for the management of each Funds portfolio and provides the necessary
personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Fund.
Each Fund entered into
an Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Advisor to provide investment advisory services. For such services, BZM currently pays the Investment Advisor a monthly fee at an annual contractual investment management fee rate of 0.65% of
its average weekly managed assets. For purposes of calculating these fees, managed assets means the total assets of BZM (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of its accrued
liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes, including liabilities represented by TOB leverage and the liquidation preference of the Funds VRDP Shares). Each of MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund currently pays the
Investment Advisor a monthly fee at an annual contractual investment management fee rate of 0.50% of its average daily net assets. For purposes of calculating these fees, net assets means the relevant Funds total assets minus the
sum of its accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB leverage and the liquidation preference of the Funds VRDP Shares).
75
Each Fund and the Investment Advisor have entered into the Fee Waiver Agreement, pursuant to
which the Investment Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of each Funds assets attributable to investments in any equity and fixed-income mutual funds and ETFs managed by the Investment
Advisor or its affiliates that have a contractual fee, through June 30, 2022. In addition, effective December 1, 2019, pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Investment Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fees by
the amount of investment advisory fees each Fund pays to the Investment Advisor indirectly through its investment in money market funds advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates, through June 30, 2022. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be
continued from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance is specifically approved by the Investment Advisor and each Fund (including by a majority of each Funds Independent Board Members). Neither the Investment Advisor nor the
Funds are obligated to extend the Fee Waiver Agreement. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, only by each Fund (upon the vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members or a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of each Fund), upon 90 days written notice by each Fund to the Investment Advisor.
If the
Reorganizations are consummated, the annual contractual investment management fee rate of the Acquiring Fund will be the annual contractual investment management fee rate of the Combined Fund, which will be 0.50% of the average daily net assets of
the Combined Fund. The annual contractual investment management fee rate of the Combined Fund represents a 15 basis point reduction in the annual contractual investment management fee rate for BZM and no change in the annual contractual investment
management fee rate for MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund.
Based on a pro forma Broadridge peer expense
universe for the Combined Fund, the estimated total annual fund expense ratio (excluding investment-related expenses and taxes) is expected to be in the second quartile and contractual investment management fee rate and actual investment management
fee rate over total assets are each expected to be in the first quartile.
The level of expense savings (or increases) will
vary depending on the combination of the Funds in the Reorganizations, and furthermore, there can be no assurance that future expenses will not increase or that any expense savings for any Fund will be realized as a result of any Reorganization.
A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the Investment Management Agreement by the Board of each Fund is
provided in such Funds Form N-CSR for such Funds most recent fiscal year end available at www.sec.gov or by visiting www.blackrock.com.
The Investment Advisor is located at 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
BlackRock. BlackRock is one of the worlds largest publicly-traded investment management firms. As of September 30, 2020, BlackRocks assets under management were approximately $7.808
trillion. BlackRock has over 25 years of experience managing closed-end products and, as of September 30, 2020, advised a registered
closed-end family of 70 exchange-listed active funds with approximately $52 billion in assets.
BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for
institutional and retail clients. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad
base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of
September 30, 2020, the firm had approximately 16,000 employees in more than 39 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America,
Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa.
76
Portfolio Management
BZM is managed by a team of investment professionals led by Phillip Soccio, CFA and Kevin Maloney. Messrs. Soccio and Maloney are
BZMs portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Soccio and
Maloney have been members of BZMs portfolio management team since 2006 and 2017, respectively.
MHE is managed by a team
of investment professionals led by Michael Perilli and Kevin Maloney. Messrs. Perilli and Maloney are MHEs portfolio managers and are responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Perilli and Maloney have been members of MHEs portfolio management
team since 2016 and 2017, respectively.
MZA is managed by a team of investment professionals led by Michael Kalinoski, CFA
and Walter OConnor, CFA. Messrs. Kalinoski, OConnor and Perilli are MZAs portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Funds portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Kalinoski and OConnor have been members of MZAs portfolio management team since 1999 and 2006.
MYF is managed by a team of investment professionals led by Christian Romaglino, Theodore Jaeckel, CFA and Walter OConnor, CFA. Messrs. Jaeckel and OConnor are MYFs portfolio managers
and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Romaglino, Jaeckel and OConnor have
been members of MYFs portfolio management team since 2018, 2006 and 2006, respectively.
Each of MEN and the Acquiring
Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals led by Michael Kalinoski and Christian Romaglino. Messrs. Kalinoski and Romaglino are each of MEN and the Acquiring Funds portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of each Funds portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Kalinoski and Romaglino have been members of MENs and the Acquiring
Funds portfolio management team since 2000 and 2017, respectively.
The biography of each portfolio manager of the Funds
are set forth below:
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Biography
|
Michael Perilli, CFA
|
|
Vice President of BlackRock since 2014; Associate of BlackRock from 2008 to 2014.
|
|
|
Walter OConnor, CFA
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock since 2006; Managing Director of MLIM from 2003 to 2006; Director of MLIM from 1998 to 2003.
|
|
|
Theodore Jaeckel, CFA
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock since 2006; Managing Director of MLIM from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM from 1997 to 2005.
|
|
|
Phillip Soccio
|
|
Director of BlackRock since 2009; Vice President of BlackRock from 2005 to 2008.
|
|
|
Christian Romaglino
|
|
Director of BlackRock since 2017; Portfolio Manager for the Municipal Mutual Fund Desk within BlackRocks Global Fixed Income Group since 2017; Portfolio Manager at Brown
Brothers Harriman from 2007 to 2017.
|
|
|
Kevin Maloney
|
|
Vice President of BlackRock since 2018; Associate of BlackRock from 2014 to 2017; Analyst of BlackRock from 2011 to
2013.
|
77
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Biography
|
Michael Kalinoski, CFA
|
|
Director of BlackRock since 2006; Director of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (MLIM) from 1999 to 2006.
|
Following the Reorganizations, it is expected that the Combined Fund will be managed by a team of
investment professionals led by Christian Romaglino and Michael Kalinoski, CFA.
Other Service Providers
The professional service providers for the Funds are or will be as follows:
|
|
|
Service
|
|
Service Providers to the Funds
|
Accounting Agent
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
|
Custodian
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
|
Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar
|
|
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
|
Liquidity Provider to Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares
|
|
Bank of America, N.A.
|
Remarketing Agent to Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares
|
|
BofA Securities, Inc.
|
Liquidity Provider BZM and MYF VRDP Shares
|
|
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, acting through its New York branch
|
Remarketing Agent to BZM and MYF VRDP Shares
|
|
TD Securities (USA) LLC
|
Liquidity Provider to MHE, MZA and MEN VRDP Shares
|
|
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
|
Remarketing Agent to MHE, MZA and MEN VRDP Shares
|
|
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
|
Tender and Paying Agent to VRDP Shares
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
Deloitte & Touche LLP
|
Fund Counsel
|
|
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
|
Counsel to the Independent Board Members
|
|
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
|
It is not anticipated that the Reorganizations will result in any change in the organizations providing
services to the Acquiring Fund as set forth above. As a result of the Reorganizations, the service providers to the Acquiring Fund are anticipated to be the service providers to the Combined Fund.
Accounting Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company provides certain administration and accounting services to the Funds pursuant to an Administration and Fund Accounting Services Agreement (the Administration
Agreement). Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, State Street Bank and Trust Company provides the Funds with, among other things, customary fund accounting services, including computing each Funds NAV and maintaining books, records
and other documents relating to each Funds financial and portfolio transactions, and customary fund administration services, including assisting the Funds with regulatory filings, tax compliance and other oversight activities. For these and
other services it provides to the Funds, State Street Bank and Trust Company is paid a monthly fee from the Funds at an annual rate ranging from 0.0075% to 0.015% of each Funds managed assets, along with an annual fixed fee ranging from $0 to
$10,000 for the services it provides to the Funds.
78
Custody of Assets
The custodian of the assets of each Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. The
custodian is responsible for, among other things, receipt of and disbursement of funds from each Funds accounts, establishment of segregated accounts as necessary, and transfer, exchange and delivery of Fund portfolio securities.
Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, serves as each Funds transfer agent with respect
to such Funds common shares.
VRDP Shares Liquidity Providers
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, acting through its New York branch (TD Bank), New York, NY 10019, serves as the liquidity provider
for the BZM and MYF VRDP Shares. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (Wells Fargo), Charlotte, NC 28202, serves as the liquidity provider for the MHE, MZA and MEN VRDP Shares. Bank of America, N.A (BofA). New York, New York 10036, serves
as the liquidity provider for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares and will serve in such capacity in connection with the VRDP Shares of the Combined Fund.
VRDP Shares Remarketing Agents
TD Securities
(USA) LLC, New York, New York 10019, serves as the remarketing agent for the BZM and MYF VRDP Shares. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, serves as the remarketing agent for the MHE, MZA and MEN VRDP Shares. BofA Securities
Inc. New York, New York 10036, serves as the remarketing agent for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares and will serve in such capacity in connection with the VRDP Shares of the Combined Fund.
VRDP Shares Tender and Paying Agent
The Bank of
New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as the tender agent, transfer agent and registrar, dividend disbursing agent and paying agent and redemption price disbursing agent with respect to each Funds VRDP Shares and
will serve in such capacity in connection with the VRDP Shares of the Combined Fund.
79
THE ACQUIRING FUNDS INVESTMENTS
Investment Objective and Policies
The Acquiring Funds investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent
investment management. The Acquiring Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of an aggregate of the Acquiring Funds net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred
stock) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities, each of which pays interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the
federal alternative minimum tax) (Municipal Bonds). The Acquiring Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. The Acquiring Funds investment objective and its policy of investing at
least 80% of an aggregate of the Acquiring Funds net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred stock) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal Bonds are fundamental policies that may not be
changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquiring Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). There can be no assurance that the Acquiring Funds investment objective will be realized.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in certain tax-exempt securities classified as private
activity bonds (or industrial development bonds, under pre-1986 law) (PABs) (in general, bonds that benefit non- governmental entities) that may
subject certain investors in the Acquiring Fund to an alternative minimum tax. The percentage of the Acquiring Funds total assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time. The Acquiring Fund also will not invest more than 25% of its total
assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in Municipal Bonds whose issuers are located in the same state.
The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, or are considered by
BlackRock to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase, subject to the Acquiring Funds other investment policies. Bonds of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to
the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Such securities, sometimes referred to as high yield or junk bonds, are predominantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the security and generally involve a greater volatility of price than securities in higher rating categories. Below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities involve substantial risk of
loss, are considered speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and any required redemption or principal payments and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments.
All percentage and ratings limitations on securities in which the Acquiring Fund may invest apply at the time of making an
investment and shall not be considered violated as a result of subsequent market movements or if an investment rating is subsequently downgraded to a rating that would have precluded the Acquiring Funds initial investment in such security. In
the event that the Acquiring Fund disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, the Acquiring Fund may experience a greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
The average maturity of the Acquiring Funds portfolio securities varies from time to time based upon an assessment of economic and
market conditions by the Investment Advisor. The Acquiring Funds portfolio at any given time may include both long-term and intermediate-term municipal bonds.
For temporary periods or to provide liquidity, the Acquiring Fund has the authority to invest as much as 20% of its total assets in tax-exempt and taxable money
market obligations with a maturity of one year or less (such short-term obligations being referred to herein as Temporary Investments). In addition, the Acquiring
80
Fund reserves the right as a defensive measure to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments, when, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, prevailing market or
financial conditions warrant. Taxable money market obligations will yield taxable income. The Acquiring Fund also may invest in variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) and VRDOs in the form of participation interests
(Participating VRDOs) in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution. The Acquiring Funds hedging strategies, which are described in more detail under
Strategic TransactionsFinancial Futures Transactions and Options, are not fundamental policies and may be modified by the Board of the Acquiring Fund without the approval of the Acquiring Funds stockholders. The
Acquiring Fund is also authorized to invest in indexed and inverse floating rate obligations for hedging purposes and to seek to enhance return.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in securities not issued by or on behalf of a state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if the Acquiring Fund receives an opinion of counsel to the
issuer that such securities pay interest that is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities). Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities could include trust certificates, partnership interests or other instruments evidencing interest in one or more long-term Municipal Bonds. Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities also may include securities issued by other investment companies that invest in Municipal Bonds, to the extent such investments are
permitted by the Acquiring Funds investment restrictions and applicable law. Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities are subject to the same risks associated with an
investment in Municipal Bonds as well as many of the risks associated with investments in derivatives. If the Internal Revenue Service were to issue any adverse ruling or take an adverse position with respect to the taxation on these types of
securities, there is a risk that the interest paid on such securities would be deemed taxable at the federal level.
The
Acquiring Fund ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from federal income tax. From time to time, the Acquiring Fund may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation may limit the types and volume of bonds the interest on which qualifies for a federal income tax-exemption. As a result, current legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of Municipal Bonds for investment by the Acquiring Fund.
Description of Municipal Bonds
Set forth below is a detailed description of the Municipal Bonds in which the Acquiring Fund invests. Information with respect to ratings assigned to tax-exempt
obligations that the Acquiring Fund may purchase is set forth in Appendix D. Obligations are included within the term Municipal Bonds if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes in the opinion of
bond counsel to the issuer.
Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes,
including the construction of a wide range of public facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations and obtaining funds for general operating expenses and loans to other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of PABs are
issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately owned or operated facilities, including among other things, airports, public ports, mass commuting facilities, multi-family housing projects, as well as facilities for water
supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal and other specialized facilities. Other types of PABs, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities,
may constitute Municipal Bonds. The interest on Municipal Bonds may bear a fixed rate or be payable at a variable or floating rate. The two principal classifications of Municipal Bonds are general obligation bonds and revenue
bonds, which latter category includes PABs and, for bonds issued on or before August 15, 1986, industrial development bonds. Municipal Bonds typically are issued to finance public projects, such as roads or public buildings, to pay general
operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt. Municipal Bonds may also be issued for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control
projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source. Revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or
81
source. Municipal Bonds may be issued on a long-term basis to provide permanent financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing
power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal Bonds may also be issued to finance
projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of the later issuance of long-term debt.
The
Municipal Bonds in which the Acquiring Fund invests pay interest or income that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from regular Federal income tax. The Investment Advisor does not conduct its own analysis of the tax status of
the interest paid by Municipal Bonds held by the Acquiring Fund, but will rely on the opinion of counsel to the issuer of each such instrument. The Acquiring Fund may also invest in Municipal Bonds issued by United States Territories (such as Puerto
Rico or Guam) that are exempt from regular Federal income tax. In addition to the types of Municipal Bonds described in this Prospectus, the Acquiring Fund may invest in other securities that pay interest or income that is, or make other
distributions that are, exempt from regular Federal income tax and/or state and local personal taxes, regardless of the technical structure of the issuer of the instrument. The Acquiring Fund treats all of such
tax-exempt securities as Municipal Bonds.
The yields on Municipal Bonds are
dependent on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market and the Municipal Bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The
market value of Municipal Bonds will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of bond issuers to meet interest and principal payments.
The Acquiring Fund has not established any limit on the percentage of its portfolio that may be invested in PABs. The Acquiring Fund may
not be a suitable investment for investors who are already subject to the federal alternative minimum tax or who would become subject to the federal alternative minimum tax as a result of an investment in the Acquiring Funds common shares.
General Obligation Bonds. General obligation bonds are typically secured by the issuers pledge of its faith,
credit and taxing power for the repayment of principal and the payment of interest. The taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited, however, by provisions of its state constitution or laws, and an entitys creditworthiness will
depend on many factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population declines, natural disasters, declines in the states industrial base or inability to attract new industries, economic limits on the ability to tax without
eroding the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad valorem real property taxes and the extent to which the entity relies on federal or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the states or
entitys control. Accordingly, the capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when due is affected by the issuers maintenance of its tax base.
Revenue Bonds. Revenue or special obligation bonds are typically payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility
or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources such as payments from the user of the facility being financed. Accordingly, the timely payment of interest and the repayment of
principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special obligation bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such revenue source. Revenue bonds issued by state or local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing involve special risks in addition to those associated with municipal securities generally, including that the underlying properties may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses
and interest costs. Such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on
the financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates
payable on senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet payment obligations on subordinated bonds.
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Municipal Notes. Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They
may provide interim financing in anticipation of tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, repayment on the note may be delayed or the note may not be fully repaid, and the Acquiring Fund
may lose money.
Municipal Commercial Paper. Municipal commercial paper is generally unsecured and issued to meet
short-term financing needs. The lack of security presents some risk of loss to the Acquiring Fund since, in the event of an issuers bankruptcy, unsecured creditors are repaid only after the secured creditors out of the assets, if any, that
remain.
PABs. The Acquiring Fund may purchase Municipal Bonds classified as PABs. Interest received on certain PABs is
treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax and may impact the overall tax liability of certain investors in the Acquiring Fund. PABs, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are
issued by, or on behalf of, states, municipalities or public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment
or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of PABs, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial
facilities, may constitute Municipal Bonds, although the federal tax laws may place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. Such bonds are secured primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments due from the entity
which may or may not be guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise secured. PABs generally are not secured by a pledge of the taxing power of the issuer of such bonds. Therefore, an investor should be aware that repayment of such bonds generally
depends on the revenues of a private entity and be aware of the risks that such an investment may entail. The continued ability of an entity to generate sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds will be affected by
many factors including the size of the entity, capital structure, demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions, government regulation and the entitys dependence on revenues for the operation of the particular
facility being financed.
Moral Obligation Bonds. Municipal Bonds may also include moral obligation bonds,
which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality
in question.
Municipal Lease Obligations. Also included within the general category of Municipal Bonds are
certificates of participation (COPs) issued by government authorities or entities to finance the acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities. COPs represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract
or a conditional sales contract (hereinafter collectively called lease obligations) relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Municipal leases, like other municipal debt obligations, are subject to the risk of non-payment. Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the issuers unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is frequently backed by the issuers
covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain non-appropriation clauses which provide that the issuer has no
obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although non-appropriation lease obligations are secured
by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult and the value of the property may be insufficient to issue lease obligations. Certain investments in lease obligations may be illiquid.
The ability of issuers of municipal leases to make timely lease payments may be adversely impacted in general economic downturns and as
relative governmental cost burdens are allocated and reallocated among federal, state and local governmental units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Acquiring Fund, and could
result in a reduction in the value of the municipal lease experiencing non-payment and a potential decrease in the NAV of the Acquiring Fund. Issuers of municipal lease obligations might seek
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protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Acquiring Fund could experience delays and limitations with respect to the collection of principal and
interest on such municipal leases and the Acquiring Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in lease payments, the Acquiring Fund
might take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuers obligations on such securities, which may increase the Acquiring Funds operating expenses and adversely affect the NAV of the Acquiring Fund. When the lease contains a non-appropriation clause, however, the failure to pay would not be a default and the Acquiring Fund would not have the right to take possession of the assets. Any income derived from the Acquiring Funds
ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt or may fail to generate qualifying income for purposes of the income tests applicable to regulated investment companies. In addition, the Acquiring
Funds intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), may limit the extent to which the Acquiring Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such
assets, because as a regulated investment company the Acquiring Fund is subject to certain limitations on its investments and on the nature of its income.
Zero-Coupon Bonds. Municipal Bonds may include zero-coupon bonds. Zero-coupon bonds are securities that are sold at a discount to par value and do not pay
interest during the life of the security. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the period until maturity at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of
issuance. Upon maturity, the holder of a zero-coupon bond is entitled to receive the par value of the security.
While interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received income (phantom income) annually, notwithstanding that cash may not be received
currently. The effect of owning instruments that do not make current interest payments is that a fixed yield is earned not only on the original investment but also, in effect, on all discount accretion during the life of the obligations. This
implicit reinvestment of earnings at a fixed rate eliminates the risk of being unable to invest distributions at a rate as high as the implicit yield on the zero-coupon bond, but at the same time eliminates
the holders ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. For this reason, some of these securities may be subject to substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market interest rates than are comparable securities
that pay interest currently. Longer term zero-coupon bonds are more exposed to interest rate risk than shorter term zero-coupon bonds. These investments benefit the
issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash.
The Acquiring Fund accrues income with respect to these securities for U.S. federal income tax and accounting purposes prior to the receipt of cash payments. Zero-coupon bonds may be subject to greater
fluctuation in value and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash interest at regular intervals.
Further, to maintain its qualification for pass-through treatment under the federal tax laws, the Acquiring Fund is required to distribute income to its shareholders and, consequently, may have to dispose
of other, more liquid portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances or may have to leverage itself by borrowing in order to generate the cash to satisfy these distributions. The required distributions may result in an increase in the
Acquiring Funds exposure to zero-coupon bonds.
In addition to the
above-described risks, there are certain other risks related to investing in zero-coupon bonds. During a period of severe market conditions, the market for such securities may become even less liquid. In
addition, as these securities do not pay cash interest, the Acquiring Funds investment exposure to these securities and their risks, including credit risk, will increase during the time these securities are held in the Acquiring Funds
portfolio.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The principal of, and interest
on, pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government
securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived
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from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance
refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates,
restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities.
However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer.
Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure developments to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond
financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds (a type of municipal security established by the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982), are generally payable solely from taxes or
other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more
taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such
financings are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as
anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds (and Non-Municipal
Tax-Exempt Securities) that yield a return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. For example, the Acquiring Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds that pay interest based on an index of Municipal
Bond interest rates. The principal amount payable upon maturity of certain Municipal Bonds also may be based on the value of the index. To the extent the Acquiring Fund invests in these types of Municipal Bonds, the Acquiring Funds return on
such Municipal Bonds will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. Interest and principal payable on the Municipal Bonds may also be based on relative changes among particular indices. Also, the Acquiring Fund may invest
in so-called inverse floating rate bonds or residual interest bonds on which the interest rates vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically by a
Dutch auction, a remarketing agent, or by reference to a short-term tax-exempt interest rate index). The Acquiring Fund may purchase synthetically created inverse floating rate bonds evidenced by custodial or
trust receipts. Generally, income on inverse floating rate bonds will decrease when short-term interest rates increase, and will increase when short-term interest rates decrease. Such securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment
leverage, since they may increase or decrease in value in response to changes, as an illustration, in market interest rates at a rate which is a multiple (typically two) of the rate at which fixed rate long-term
tax-exempt securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As a result, the market values of such securities will generally be more volatile than the market values of fixed rate tax-exempt securities. To seek to limit the volatility of these securities, the Acquiring Fund may purchase inverse floating rate bonds with shorter-term maturities or limitations on the extent to which the interest
rate may vary. Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid. See The Acquiring Funds InvestmentsLeverageTender Option Bond Transactions.
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Acquiring Fund may purchase or sell securities
that it is entitled to receive on a when-issued basis. The Acquiring Fund may also purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery basis. The Acquiring Fund may also purchase or sell securities through a forward commitment. These transactions
involve the purchase or sale of securities by the Acquiring Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The purchase will be recorded on the date the Acquiring Fund enters into the commitment and the value of
the securities will thereafter be reflected in the Acquiring Funds NAV. The Acquiring Fund has not established any limit on the percentage of
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its assets that may be committed in connection with these transactions. At the time the Acquiring Fund enters into a transaction on a when-issued basis, it will segregate or designate on its
books and records cash or liquid assets with a value not less than the value of the when-issued securities.
There can be no
assurance that a security purchased on a when-issued basis will be issued or that a security purchased or sold through a forward commitment will be delivered. A default by a counterparty may result in the Acquiring Fund missing the opportunity of
obtaining a price considered to be advantageous. The value of securities in these transactions on the delivery date may be more or less than the Acquiring Funds purchase price. The Acquiring Fund may bear the risk of a decline in the value of
the security in these transactions and may not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period.
If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, the Acquiring Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it has been entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase
before those securities are delivered to the Acquiring Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Acquiring Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss.
When the Acquiring Fund engages in when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the
Acquiring Funds incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price considered to be advantageous.
The market
value of the securities underlying a commitment to purchase securities, and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value, is taken into account when determining the market value of the Acquiring Fund starting on the day the Acquiring Fund
agrees to purchase the securities. The Acquiring Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement date.
Call Rights. The Acquiring Fund may purchase a Municipal Bond issuers right to call all or a portion of such Municipal Bond
for mandatory tender for purchase (a Call Right). A holder of a Call Right may exercise such right to require a mandatory tender for the purchase of related Municipal Bonds, subject to certain conditions. A Call Right that is not
exercised prior to maturity of the related Municipal Bond will expire without value. The economic effect of holding both the Call Right and the related Municipal Bond is identical to holding a Municipal Bond as a
non-callable security. Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid.
Yields. Yields on Municipal Bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general condition of the money market and
of the Municipal Bond market, the size of a particular offering, the financial condition of the issuer, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The ability of the Acquiring Fund to achieve its investment objective is also
dependent on the continuing ability of the issuers of the securities in which the Acquiring Fund invests to meet their obligations for the payment of interest and principal when due. There are variations in the risks involved in holding Municipal
Bonds, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors. Furthermore, the rights of owners of Municipal Bonds and the obligations of the issuer of such Municipal Bonds may be subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws and court decisions affecting the rights of creditors generally and to general equitable principles, which may limit the enforcement of certain remedies.
High Yield or Junk Bonds. The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities that
are rated below investment grade, or are considered by BlackRock to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase, subject to the Acquiring Funds other investment policies. Information with respect to ratings assigned to tax-exempt obligations that the Acquiring Fund may purchase is set forth in Appendix D. Municipal Bonds of below investment grade quality (Ba/BB or below) are commonly known as junk
bonds. Securities rated below investment grade are judged to have speculative characteristics with respect to their interest and principal payments. Such securities may face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business,
financial or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.
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Strategic Transactions
The Acquiring Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell
exchange-listed and over-the-counter (OTC) put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other
derivative instruments or management techniques. These Strategic Transactions may be used for duration management and other risk management purposes, subject to the Acquiring Funds investment restrictions. While the Acquiring Funds use
of Strategic Transactions is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of the Acquiring Funds Common Shares, the net asset value of the Acquiring Funds Common Shares will fluctuate. No assurance can be given that the
Acquiring Funds Strategic Transactions will be effective.
There is no particular strategy that requires use of one
technique rather than another as the decision to use any particular strategy or instrument is a function of market conditions and the composition of the portfolio. The ability of the Acquiring Fund to use Strategic Transactions successfully will
depend on the Investment Advisors ability to predict pertinent market movements as well as sufficient correlation among the instruments, which cannot be assured. Strategic Transactions subject the Acquiring Fund to the risk that, if the
Investment Advisor incorrectly forecasts market values, interest rates or other applicable factors, the Acquiring Funds performance could suffer. Certain of these Strategic Transactions, such as investments in inverse floating rate securities
and credit default swaps, may provide investment leverage to the Acquiring Funds portfolio. The Acquiring Fund is not required to use derivatives or other portfolio strategies to seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so.
The use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Acquiring Fund
to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Acquiring Fund can realize on an investment or may cause the Acquiring Fund to hold a security
that it might otherwise sell. In addition, because of the leveraged nature of the Common Shares, Strategic Transactions will result in a larger impact on the net asset value of the Common Shares than would be the case if the Common Shares were not
leveraged. Furthermore, the Acquiring Fund may only engage in Strategic Transactions from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in interest rates occur.
Inasmuch as any obligations of the Acquiring Fund that arise from the use of Strategic Transactions will be covered by segregated or
earmarked liquid assets or offsetting transactions, the Acquiring Fund and the Investment Advisor believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and, accordingly, will not treat such transactions as being subject to its borrowing
restrictions. Additionally, segregated or earmarked liquid assets, amounts paid by the Acquiring Fund as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to the Acquiring
Fund for investment purposes. For so long as the VRDP Shares are rated by a rating agency, the Acquiring Funds use of options and certain financial futures and options thereon will be subject to such rating agencys guidelines and
limitations on such transactions. In order to maintain ratings on the VRDP Shares from one or more rating agencies, the Acquiring Fund may be required to limit its use of Strategic Transactions in accordance with the specified guidelines of the
applicable rating agencies.
Certain federal income tax requirements may restrict or affect the ability of the Acquiring Fund
to engage in Strategic Transactions. In addition, the use of certain Strategic Transactions may give rise to taxable income and have certain other consequences.
Put and Call Options on Securities and Indices. The Acquiring Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on securities and indices. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to
sell and the writer the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise price during the option period. The Acquiring Fund may also purchase and sell options on bond indices (index options). Index options are similar to options
on securities except that, rather than taking or making delivery of securities underlying the option at a specified
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price upon exercise, an index option gives the holder the right to receive cash upon exercise of the option if the level of the bond index upon which the option is based is greater, in the case
of a call, or less, in the case of a put, than the exercise price of the option. The purchase of a put option on a debt security could protect the Acquiring Funds holdings in a security or a number of securities against a substantial decline
in the market value. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy and the seller the obligation to sell the underlying security or index at the exercise price during the option period or for a specified period prior to a fixed
date. The purchase of a call option on a security could protect the Acquiring Fund against an increase in the price of a security that it intended to purchase in the future.
Writing Covered Call Options. The Acquiring Fund is authorized to write (i.e., sell) covered call options with respect to municipal bonds it owns, thereby giving the holder of the option the right
to buy the underlying security covered by the option from the Acquiring Fund at the stated exercise price until the option expires. The Acquiring Fund writes only covered call options, which means that so long as the Acquiring Fund is obligated as
the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying securities subject to the option.
The Acquiring Fund receives a
premium from writing a call option, which increases the Acquiring Funds return on the underlying security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, the Acquiring Fund limits its opportunity to
profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option for as long as the Acquiring Funds obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options serve as a partial hedge against a decline
in the price of the underlying security. The Acquiring Fund may engage in closing transactions in order to terminate outstanding options that it has written.
Additional Information About Options. The Acquiring Funds ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an exchange-listed put or call option is dependent upon the existence
of a liquid secondary market on option exchanges. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed
by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the normal operations on an exchange; (v) inadequacy
of the facilities of an exchange or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or
series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been listed by the OCC as a result of trades on that
exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. OTC options are purchased from or sold to dealers, financial institutions or other counterparties which have entered into direct agreements with the Acquiring Fund.
With OTC options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between the Acquiring Fund and the counterparty, without the intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. If the counterparty fails to make or
take delivery of the securities underlying an option it has written, or otherwise settle the transaction in accordance with the terms of that option as written, the Acquiring Fund would lose the premium paid for the option as well as any anticipated
benefit of the transaction. OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written by the Acquiring Fund are considered by the staff of the SEC to be illiquid. The illiquidity of such options or assets may prevent a successful sale of such options
or assets, result in a delay of sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that might otherwise be realized.
The Acquiring Fund
may engage in options and futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over- the-counter markets. The Acquiring Fund will only enter into OTC options with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes
to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.
The hours of trading for options on debt securities may not
conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that
cannot be reflected in the option markets.
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Financial Futures Transactions and Options. The Acquiring Fund is authorized to
purchase and sell certain exchange traded financial futures contracts (financial futures contracts) in order to hedge its investments against declines in value, and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities it intends to
purchase or to seek to enhance the Acquiring Funds return. However, any transactions involving financial futures or options (including puts and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with the Acquiring Funds investment
policies and limitations. A financial futures contract obligates the seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract, or in the case of index-based futures
contracts to make and accept a cash settlement, at a specific future time for a specified price. To hedge its portfolio, the Acquiring Fund may take an investment position in a futures contract which will move in the opposite direction from the
portfolio position being hedged. A sale of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the
position in the financial futures contracts. A purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against an increase in the cost of securities intended to be purchased because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an
increase in the value of the position in the futures contracts.
Distributions, if any, of net long-term capital gains from
certain transactions in futures or options are taxable at long-term capital gains rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or, in the case of an
index-based futures contract, to make and accept a cash settlement for a set price on a future date. A majority of transactions in futures contracts, however, do not result in the actual delivery of the underlying instrument or cash settlement, but
are settled through liquidation, i.e., by entering into an offsetting transaction. Futures contracts have been designed by boards of trade which have been designated contracts markets by the CFTC.
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale of a security in that no price or premium is paid or
received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market, which varies, but is generally about 5% of the contract amount, must be deposited with the broker. This amount is known as initial
margin and represents a good faith deposit assuring the performance of both the purchaser and seller under the futures contract. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called variation margin, are required to be
made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. At any time prior to the settlement date
of the futures contract, the position may be closed out by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate the position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be
paid to or released by the broker and the purchaser realizes a loss or gain. In addition, a nominal commission is paid on each completed sale transaction.
The Acquiring Fund may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities as a hedge against adverse changes in interest rates as described below. The Acquiring Fund may
purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts on U.S. Government securities in connection with its hedging strategies.
The Acquiring Fund also may engage in other futures contracts transactions such as futures contracts on municipal bond indices that may become available if the Investment Advisor should determine that
there is normally a sufficient correlation between the prices of such futures contracts and municipal bonds in which the Acquiring Fund invests to make such hedging appropriate.
Futures Strategies. The Acquiring Fund may sell a financial futures contract (i.e., assume a short position) in anticipation of a
decline in the value of its investments resulting from an increase in interest rates or otherwise. The risk of decline could be reduced without employing futures as a hedge by selling investments and either reinvesting the proceeds in securities
with shorter maturities or by holding assets in cash. This strategy, however, entails increased transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and typically would reduce the average yield of
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the Acquiring Funds portfolio securities as a result of the shortening of maturities. The sale of futures contracts provides an alternative means of hedging against declines in the value of
its investments. As such values decline, the value of the Acquiring Funds positions in the futures contracts will tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of the Acquiring Funds
investments that are being hedged. While the Acquiring Fund will incur commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions, commissions on futures transactions are typically lower than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale
of the Acquiring Funds investments being hedged. In addition, the ability of the Acquiring Fund to trade in the standardized contracts available in the futures markets may offer a more effective defensive position than a program to reduce the
average maturity of the portfolio securities due to the unique and varied credit and technical characteristics of the instruments available to the Acquiring Fund. Employing futures as a hedge also may permit the Acquiring Fund to assume a defensive
posture without reducing the yield on its investments beyond any amounts required to engage in futures trading.
When the
Acquiring Fund intends to purchase a security, the Acquiring Fund may purchase futures contracts as a hedge against any increase in the cost of such security resulting from a decrease in interest rates or otherwise, that may occur before such
purchase can be effected. Subject to the degree of correlation between such securities and the futures contracts, subsequent increases in the cost of such securities should be reflected in the value of the futures held by the Acquiring Fund. As such
purchases are made, an equivalent amount of futures contracts will be closed out. Due to changing market conditions and interest rate forecasts, however, a futures position may be terminated without a corresponding purchase of portfolio securities.
Call Options on Futures Contracts. The Acquiring Fund may also purchase and sell exchange traded call and put options
on financial futures contracts. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the futures contract upon which it
is based or the price of the underlying securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying securities. Like the purchase of a futures contract, the Acquiring Fund may purchase a call option on a futures
contract to hedge against a market advance when the Acquiring Fund is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a
futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is below the exercise price, the Acquiring Fund will retain the
full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Acquiring Funds portfolio holdings.
Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a protective put option on portfolio securities. The Acquiring Fund may purchase
a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Acquiring Funds portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities which are
deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is higher than the exercise price, the Acquiring Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the
price of securities which the Acquiring Fund intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required
to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a futures contract
involves risks similar to those relating to futures contracts.
The CFTC subjects advisers to registered investment companies
to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (CFTC
Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent the Acquiring Fund uses CFTC Derivatives, it
90
intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor has claimed
an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation
as a commodity pool operator under the CEA in respect of the Acquiring Fund.
Interest Rate Swap
Transactions. In order to seek to hedge the value of the Acquiring Fund against interest rate fluctuations, to hedge against increases in the Acquiring Funds costs associated with the dividend payments on any preferred shares, including
the VRDP Shares, or to seek to increase the Acquiring Funds return, the Acquiring Fund may enter into interest rate swap transactions such as Municipal Market Data AAA Cash Curve swaps (MMD Swaps) or Securities Industry and
Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index swaps (SIFMA Swaps). To the extent that the Acquiring Fund enters into these transactions, the Acquiring Fund expects to do so primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular
investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Acquiring Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Acquiring Fund may enter into these transactions
primarily as a hedge or for duration or risk management rather than as a speculative investment. However, the Acquiring Fund also may invest in MMD Swaps and SIFMA Swaps to seek to enhance return or gain or to increase the Acquiring Funds
yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short-term and long-term interest rates).
The Acquiring Fund may purchase and sell SIFMA Swaps in the SIFMA swap market. In a SIFMA Swap, the Acquiring Fund exchanges with another party their respective commitments to pay or receive interest
(e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments linked to the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index). Because the underlying index is a tax-exempt index, SIFMA Swaps may reduce cross-market risks
incurred by the Acquiring Fund and increase the Acquiring Funds ability to hedge effectively. SIFMA Swaps are typically quoted for the entire yield curve, beginning with a seven day floating rate index out to 30 years. The duration of a SIFMA
Swap is approximately equal to the duration of a fixed-rate municipal bond with the same attributes as the swap (e.g., coupon, maturity, call feature).
The Acquiring Fund may also purchase and sell MMD Swaps, also known as MMD rate locks. An MMD Swap permits the Acquiring Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio
to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Swap, the Acquiring Fund
can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Acquiring Fund to select the most attractive part of the yield curve. An MMD Swap is a contract between the Acquiring Fund and an MMD Swap provider pursuant to which the parties agree to
make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Acquiring Fund buys an
MMD Swap and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Acquiring Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level,
multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Acquiring Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level
minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract.
In connection with investments in SIFMA and MMD
Swaps, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by the Acquiring Fund, which would cause the Acquiring Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the
Acquiring Funds performance.
The Acquiring Fund has no obligation to enter into SIFMA Swaps or MMD Swaps and may elect
not to do so. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Acquiring Funds obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and the Acquiring Fund will segregate or designate on its
books and records liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess.
91
If there is a default by the other party to an uncleared interest rate swap transaction,
generally the Acquiring Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. With respect to interest rate swap transactions cleared through a central clearing counterparty, a clearing organization will be
substituted for the counterparty and will guarantee the parties performance under the swap agreement. However, there can be no assurances that the clearing organization will satisfy its obligation to the Acquiring Fund or that the Acquiring
Fund would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or the Acquiring Funds clearing broker. Certain U.S. federal income tax
requirements may limit the Acquiring Funds ability to engage in interest rate swaps. Distributions attributable to transactions in interest rate swaps generally will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
Counterparty Credit Standards. To the extent that the Acquiring Fund engages in principal transactions, including, but not limited
to, OTC options, forward currency transactions, swap transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and the purchase and sale of bonds and other fixed income securities, it must rely on the creditworthiness of its counterparties under
such transactions. In certain instances, the credit risk of a counterparty is increased by the lack of a central clearing house for certain transactions, including certain swap contracts. In the event of the insolvency of a counterparty, the
Acquiring Fund may not be able to recover its assets, in full or at all, during the insolvency process. Counterparties to investments may have no obligation to make markets in such investments and may have the ability to apply essentially
discretionary margin and credit requirements. Similarly, the Acquiring Fund will be subject to the risk of bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to such investments by, the counterparties with which it deals. The
Investment Advisor will seek to minimize the Acquiring Funds exposure to counterparty risk by entering into such transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time it enters into the transaction.
Certain option transactions and Strategic Transactions may require the Acquiring Fund to provide collateral to secure its performance obligations under a contract, which would also entail counterparty credit risk.
Other Investment Policies
The Acquiring Fund has adopted certain other policies as set forth below.
Temporary Investments
The Acquiring Fund may invest in short-term tax-exempt and taxable securities subject to the limitations set forth above. The tax-exempt money market securities may include municipal notes, municipal commercial paper,
Municipal Bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year, variable rate demand notes and participations therein. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and grant anticipation notes.
Anticipation notes are sold as interim financing in anticipation of tax collection, bond sales, government grants or revenue receipts. Municipal commercial paper refers to short-term unsecured promissory notes generally issued to finance short-term
credit needs. The taxable money market securities in which the Acquiring Fund may invest as Temporary Investments consist of U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, domestic bank or savings institution certificates of deposit
and bankers acceptances, short-term corporate debt securities such as commercial paper and repurchase agreements. These Temporary Investments must have a stated maturity not in excess of one year from the date of purchase. The Acquiring Fund
may not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank or a savings institution unless the bank or institution is organized and operating in the United States, has total assets of at least one billion dollars and is a member of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), except that up to 10% of total assets may be invested in certificates of deposit of smaller institutions if such certificates are fully insured by the FDIC.
Credit Default Swap Agreements
The Acquiring Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more
securities that are not currently held by the Acquiring Fund. The protection buyer in a credit default contract may be
92
obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event on a reference obligation has
occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or
the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Acquiring Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Acquiring Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Acquiring Fund
may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of
the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Acquiring Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six (6) months and
three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity
whose value may have significantly decreased. As the seller, the Acquiring Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Acquiring Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional
amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if the Acquiring Fund had invested in the
reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. The Acquiring Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with
counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination
date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a
loss of value to the seller. The Acquiring Funds obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Acquiring Fund).
The Acquiring Fund will at all times segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with each such transaction liquid
assets or cash with a value at least equal to the Acquiring Funds exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Acquiring Fund to any counterparty) on a
marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). If the Acquiring Fund is a seller of protection in a credit default swap transaction, it will
segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the contract. Such segregation or designation will ensure that the Acquiring Fund
has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of the Acquiring Funds portfolio. Such segregation or designation will not limit the Acquiring Funds exposure to
loss.
VRDOs and Participating VRDOs
VRDOs are tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to
receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period not to exceed seven days. There is, however, the possibility that because of default or insolvency the demand feature of VRDOs and Participating VRDOs
may not be honored. The interest rates are adjustable at intervals (ranging from daily to up to one year) to some prevailing market rate for similar investments, such adjustment formula being calculated to maintain the market value of the VRDOs, at
approximately the par value of the VRDOs on the adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index or some other appropriate interest rate adjustment index. The Acquiring Fund may invest in all types of tax
exempt instruments currently outstanding or to be issued in the future which satisfy its short-term maturity and quality standards.
Participating VRDOs provide the Acquiring Fund with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued
interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution upon a specified number of days notice, not to exceed
93
seven days. In addition, the Participating VRDO is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of the financial institution. The Acquiring Fund would have an undivided interest in the
underlying obligation and thus participate on the same basis as the financial institution in such obligation except that the financial institution typically retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the obligation,
providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase commitment. It is contemplated that the Acquiring Fund will not invest more than 20% of its assets in Participating VRDOs.
VRDOs that contain an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on a notice
period exceeding seven days may be deemed to be illiquid securities. The Directors may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Investment Advisor the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of such VRDOs.
The Temporary Investments, VRDOs and Participating VRDOs in which the Acquiring Fund may invest will be in the following rating
categories at the time of purchase: MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG- 3/VMIG-3 for notes and
VRDOs and Prime-1 through Prime-3 for commercial paper (as determined by Moodys), SP-1 through SP-2 for notes and A-1 through A-3 for VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by S&P), or
F-1 through F-3 for notes, VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by Fitch). Temporary Investments, if not rated, must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the
Investment Advisor. In addition, the Acquiring Fund reserves the right to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in the judgment of the Investment Advisor, market conditions warrant.
Repurchase Agreements
The Acquiring Fund may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or primary dealer or an
affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government securities or an affiliate thereof. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by
the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during the Acquiring Funds holding period. The risk to the Acquiring Fund is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date;
however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and
interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but the Acquiring Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In
addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by the Acquiring Fund may be delayed or limited.
In general, for federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities sold. Therefore, amounts earned under such agreements will not
be considered tax exempt interest. The treatment of purchase and sales contracts is less certain.
Leverage
The Acquiring Fund currently leverages its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and tender option bonds. The Acquiring
Fund currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Acquiring Fund reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities, in
the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved
until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Acquiring Funds investment objective and policies.
94
The use of leverage can create risks. When leverage is employed, the NAV and market price of
the common shares and the yield to holders of common shares will be more volatile than if leverage were not used. Changes in the value of the Acquiring Funds portfolio, including securities bought with the proceeds of leverage, will be borne
entirely by the holders of common shares. If there is a net decrease or increase in the value of the Acquiring Funds investment portfolio, leverage will decrease or increase, as the case may be, the NAV per common share to a greater extent
than if the Acquiring Fund did not utilize leverage. A reduction in the Acquiring Funds NAV may cause a reduction in the market price of its shares. During periods in which the Acquiring Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to the Investment
Advisor for advisory services will be higher than if the Acquiring Fund did not use leverage, because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Acquiring Funds assets including the proceeds from leverage. Any leveraging strategy the
Acquiring Fund employs may not be successful. See RisksLeverage Risk. See RisksTender Option Bond Risk for details about the risks associated with the Acquiring Funds use of TOB Residuals.
Certain types of leverage the Acquiring Fund may use may result in the Acquiring Fund being subject to covenants relating to asset
coverage and portfolio composition requirements. The Acquiring Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by one or more lenders or by guidelines of one or more rating agencies, which may issue ratings for any short-term debt
securities or preferred shares issued by the Acquiring Fund. The terms of any borrowings or rating agency guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The
Investment Advisor does not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing the Acquiring Funds portfolio in accordance with its investment objective and policies if the Acquiring Fund were to utilize leverage.
Under the 1940 Act, the Acquiring Fund is not permitted to issue senior securities if, immediately after the issuance of such
senior securities, the Acquiring Fund would have an asset coverage ratio (as defined in the 1940 Act) of less than 300% with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., for every dollar of indebtedness outstanding, the
Acquiring Fund is required to have at least three dollars of assets) or less than 200% with respect to senior securities representing preferred shares (i.e., for every dollar of preferred shares outstanding, the Acquiring Fund is required to
have at least two dollars of assets). The 1940 Act also provides that the Acquiring Fund may not declare distributions or purchase its stock (including through tender offers) if, immediately after doing so, it will have an asset coverage ratio of
less than 300% or 200%, as applicable. Under the 1940 Act, certain short-term borrowings (such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to these limitations if (i) repaid within 60 days, (ii) not extended or renewed and
(iii) not in excess of 5% of the total assets of the Acquiring Fund.
Effects of Leverage
Assuming that leverage will represent approximately 38.6% of the Combined Funds total managed assets and that the Combined
Fund will bear expenses relating to that leverage at an average annual rate of 1.30%, the income generated by the Combined Funds portfolio (net of estimated expenses) must exceed 0.50% in order to cover the expenses specifically
related to the Combined Funds estimated use of leverage. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates used for illustration. Actual leverage expenses will vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.
The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage
on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Combined Funds portfolio) of (10)%, (5)%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio
returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Combined Fund. The table further reflects the use of leverage representing 38.6% of the
Combined Funds total managed assets and the Combined Funds currently projected annual leverage expenses of 1.30%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (net of expenses)
|
|
|
(10
|
)%
|
|
|
(5
|
)%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
Common Share Total Return
|
|
|
(17.11
|
)%
|
|
|
(8.97
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.82
|
)%
|
|
|
7.33
|
%
|
|
|
15.48
|
%
|
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Common Share total return is composed of two elements: the Common Share dividends paid by
the Combined Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Combined Fund) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Combined Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table assumes that the Combined
Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, a total return of 0% assumes that the tax-exempt interest the Combined Fund receives on its municipal bonds
investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those securities.
Preferred Shares
The Acquiring Fund has leveraged its portfolio by issuing VRDP Shares. Under the 1940 Act, the Acquiring Fund is not permitted to issue
preferred shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of the Acquiring Funds outstanding preferred shares exceeds 50% of its assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than borrowings
(i.e., the value of the Acquiring Funds assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of its outstanding preferred shares). In addition, the Acquiring Fund would not be permitted to declare any cash dividend or other
distribution on its common shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Acquiring Funds assets less liabilities other than borrowings is at least 200% of such liquidation value. Please see Information about the
Preferred Shares of the Funds for a description of the Acquiring Funds VRDP Shares.
For tax purposes,
the Acquiring Fund is currently required to allocate tax-exempt interest income, net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, between its common shares and preferred shares outstanding in proportion to
total dividends paid to each class for the year in which or with respect to which tax-exempt income, the net capital gain or other taxable income is paid. If net capital gain or other taxable income is
allocated to preferred shares, instead of solely tax-exempt income, the Acquiring Fund will likely have to pay higher total dividends to preferred shareholders or make special payments to preferred
shareholders to compensate them for the increased tax liability. This would reduce the total amount of dividends paid to the common shareholders, but would increase the portion of the dividend that is
tax-exempt. If the increase in dividend payments or the special payments to preferred shareholders are not entirely offset by a reduction in the tax liability of, and an increase in the tax-exempt dividends received by, the common shareholders, the advantage of the Acquiring Funds leveraged structure to common shareholders will be reduced.
Tender Option Bonds
The
Acquiring Fund currently leverages its assets through the use of TOB Residuals, which are derivative interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in which the Acquiring Fund will invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of counsel to
the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. No independent investigation will be made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB Residuals held
by the Acquiring Fund. Although volatile, TOB Residuals typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate municipal bonds with comparable credit quality.
TOB Residuals represent beneficial interests in a TOB Trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more
funds. A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: TOB Floaters, which are sold to third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to the fund(s) that transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. The Fund
may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are enhanced with a liquidity support arrangement from a third-party TOBs Liquidity Provider
(defined below) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). The Acquiring Fund, as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual cash flow from the TOB Trust. The Acquiring Fund contributes municipal bonds to the
TOB Trust and is paid the cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Floaters, less certain transaction costs, and typically will invest the cash to purchase additional municipal bonds or other investments permitted by its investment
policies. If the Acquiring Fund ever purchases all or a portion of
96
the TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust, it may surrender those TOB Floaters together with a proportionate amount of TOB Residuals to the TOB Trust in exchange for a proportionate amount of the
municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
Other BlackRock-advised Funds may contribute municipal bonds to a
TOB Trust into which the Acquiring Fund has contributed municipal bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residual will generally be shared among the funds
ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust typically
are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the
bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and the Acquiring Fund, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of
principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
The TOB Residuals held by the Acquiring Fund generally
provide the Acquiring Fund with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Floaters to tender their notes to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. Thereafter, the Acquiring Fund may withdraw a corresponding share of the
municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. As a result, a tender option bond transaction, in effect, creates exposure for the Acquiring Fund to the entire return of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust, with a net cash investment by the Acquiring Fund that
is less than the value of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust. This multiplies the positive or negative impact of the municipal bonds return within the Acquiring Fund (thereby creating leverage). The leverage within a TOB Trust depends on the
value of the municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust relative to the value of the TOB Floaters it issues.
The Acquiring
Fund may invest in highly leveraged TOB Residuals. A TOB Residual generally is considered highly leveraged if the principal amount of the TOB Floaters issued by the related TOB Trust exceeds 75% of the principal amount of the municipal bonds owned
by the TOB Trust.
The leverage attributable to the Acquiring Funds use of TOB Residuals may be called away
on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of the Acquiring Fund upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust
agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity
Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB Floaters would be paid before the TOB Residual holders (i.e., the Acquiring Fund) whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders
would be paid pro rata.
TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a TOBs Liquidity Provider that
allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their TOB Floaters in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day (subject to the non-occurrence of a termination event). The tendered
TOB Floaters are remarketed by a remarketing agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the TOBs Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Floaters. Any loans made by the TOBs Liquidity Provider will
be secured by the purchased TOB Floaters held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
The Acquiring Fund may invest in a TOB Trust on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. When the Acquiring Fund invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, and the TOBs Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the TOBs Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in
the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the Liquidation Shortfall. If the Acquiring Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs Liquidity Provider pursuant to
which the Acquiring Fund is required to reimburse the
97
TOBs Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if the Acquiring Fund invests in a recourse TOB Trust, the Acquiring Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to
any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
Under accounting rules, Municipal Bonds of the Acquiring Fund that are deposited into a TOB Trust are investments of the Acquiring Fund
and are presented on the Acquiring Funds Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust are presented as liabilities in the Acquiring Funds Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest income from the
underlying Municipal Bonds is recorded by the Acquiring Fund on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee and other services to a TOB Trust are reported as
expenses of the Acquiring Fund. In addition, under accounting rules, loans made to a TOB Trust sponsored by the Acquiring Fund may be presented as loans of the Acquiring Fund in the Acquiring Funds financial statements even if there is no
recourse to the Acquiring Funds assets.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the
market rates for municipal bonds with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option. Since the tender option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date
of the underlying municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust, the holder of the TOB Floaters relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the liquidity facility as well as the credit strength of that institution.
The perceived reliability and creditworthiness, of many major financial institutions, some of which sponsor and/or provide liquidity support to TOB Trusts increases the risk associated with TOB Floaters. This in turn may reduce the desirability of
TOB Floaters as investments, which could impair the viability or availability of TOB Trusts.
The use of TOB Residuals will
require the Acquiring Fund to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored by, or on behalf of, the Acquiring Fund that are
not owned by the Acquiring Fund. The use of TOB Residuals may also require the Acquiring Fund to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to loans provided by the TOBs Liquidity Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB
Floaters. The Acquiring Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to the extent that such changes are in accordance with applicable regulations or interpretations. Future regulatory requirements or SEC guidance
may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic benefits of TOB Trust transactions or limit the Acquiring Funds ability to enter into or manage TOB
Trust transactions.
See Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsGeneral Risks of Investing in the Acquiring
FundTender Option Bond Risk for a description of the risks involved with a TOB issuer.
Credit Facility
The Acquiring Fund is permitted to leverage its portfolio by entering into one or more credit facilities. If the Acquiring Fund enters
into a credit facility, the Acquiring Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default. The Acquiring Fund would also likely have to indemnify the lenders under
the credit facility against liabilities they may incur in connection therewith. In addition, the Acquiring Fund expects that any credit facility would contain covenants that, among other things, likely would limit the Acquiring Funds ability
to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change certain of its investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required
by the 1940 Act. The Acquiring Fund may be required to pledge its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Acquiring Fund expects that any
credit facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There can be no
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assurance that the Acquiring Fund will enter into an agreement for a credit facility, or one on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not
apply. In addition, if entered into, a credit facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares.
Derivatives
The
Acquiring Fund may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them. Derivative transactions that the Acquiring Fund may enter into and the risks associated with them are described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and
are also referred to as Strategic Transactions. The Acquiring Fund cannot assure you that investments in derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result in a higher return on its common shares.
To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate the Acquiring Fund to make payments, the Acquiring Fund may earmark or
segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable by the Acquiring Fund under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations
of the staff of the SEC. If the current value of the amount then payable by the Acquiring Fund under the terms of such transactions is represented by the notional amounts of such investments, the Acquiring Fund would segregate or earmark cash or
liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such notional amounts, and if the current value of the amount then payable by the Acquiring Fund under the terms of such transactions is represented by the market value of the Acquiring
Funds current obligations, the Acquiring Fund would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate the Acquiring Fund to
deliver particular securities to extinguish the Acquiring Funds obligations under such transactions the Acquiring Fund may cover its obligations under such transactions by either (i) owning the securities or collateral
underlying such transactions or (ii) having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, having earmarked or segregated an
appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide the Acquiring Fund with available assets to satisfy its obligations under such transactions. As a result of such earmarking, segregation or
cover, the Acquiring Funds obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act, or considered borrowings subject to the Acquiring Funds limitations on
borrowings discussed above, but may create leverage for the Acquiring Fund. To the extent that the Acquiring Funds obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such obligations may be considered senior
securities representing indebtedness under the 1940 Act and therefore subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.
These earmarking, segregation or cover requirements can result in the Acquiring Fund maintaining securities positions it would otherwise
liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management.
Temporary Borrowings
The Acquiring Fund may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of
dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Acquiring Fund securities.
Investment Restrictions
Each Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions that are fundamental,
meaning such investment restrictions cannot be changed without approval by holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities as defined in the 1940 Act. As defined in the 1940 Act, this phrase means the vote of (1)
67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
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are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less. Each Fund has also adopted certain
non-fundamental investment restrictions. The investment restrictions of the Funds are similar, although there are some differences, and are set forth in Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
Each of MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund is classified as diversified within the meaning of the 1940 Act. This means that each Fund
may not purchase securities of an issuers (other than (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and (ii) securities of other investment companies) if, with respect to 75% of the market
value of its total assets, (a) more than 5% of the market value of the Funds total assets would be invested in securities of a single issuer or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that
issuer. With respect to the remaining 25% of its total assets, each Fund can invest more than 5% of its assets in one issuer. Under the 1940 Act, a fund cannot change its classification from diversified to
non-diversified without shareholder approval.
Each of BZM and MHE is classified as non-diversified within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that such Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its total assets that it may invest in securities of a single issuer.
Each Funds VRDP Shares are assigned long-term ratings by Moodys and Fitch. In order to maintain the required ratings, each
Fund is required to comply with certain investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by Moodys and Fitch. Such guidelines may be more restrictive than the restrictions set forth above. Each Fund does not anticipate that
such guidelines would have a material adverse effect on its ability to achieve its investment objective. Moodys and Fitch receive fees in connection with their ratings issuances. Each Fund is also subject to certain covenants and requirements
under the terms of the VRDP Shares and related documents, including the terms of the liquidity facility supporting the VRDP Shares. Such requirements may be more restrictive than the restrictions set forth above. Each Fund does not anticipate that
such requirements would have a material adverse effect on its ability to achieve its investment objective. Please see Information about the Preferred Shares of the Funds for additional information.
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THE TARGET FUNDS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
BZMs Investment Objective and Policies
BZMs investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income taxes and Maryland personal income tax. As
a fundamental policy, under normal market conditions, BZM will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds, the interest of which is exempt from regular federal income tax and Maryland personal income tax. BZM cannot change its
investment objective or the foregoing fundamental policy without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and the outstanding Preferred Shares, including the VRDP Shares, voting together as a single class, and of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, including the VRDP Shares, voting as a separate class. A majority of the outstanding means (1) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less.
Under normal market conditions, BZM invests at least 80% of its managed assets in investment grade quality municipal bonds. Investment
grade quality means that such bonds are rated, at the time of investment, within the four highest quality ratings as determined by either Moodys (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa), S&P (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB) or Fitch (currently AAA,
AA, A and BBB) or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Advisor. Municipal bonds rated Baa by Moodys are investment grade, but Moodys considers municipal bonds rated Baa to have speculative characteristics.
Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity for issuers of municipal bonds that are rated BBB or Baa (or that have equivalent ratings) to make principal and interest payments than is the case
for issues of higher grade municipal bonds. In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating categories are SP-1+ through SP-2 for S&P, MIG 1 through MIG
3 for Moodys and F1+ through F3 for Fitch. In the case of tax exempt commercial paper, the investment grade rating categories are A-1+ through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-3 for Moodys and F1+ through F3 for Fitch. Obligations ranked in the lowest investment grade rating category (BBB,
SP-2 and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG 3 and Prime-3 for Moodys and BBB and F3 for Fitch), while considered investment
grade, may have certain speculative characteristics. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within the rating categories set forth above. In assessing the quality of
municipal bonds with respect to the foregoing requirements, the Investment Advisor takes into account the nature of any letters of credit or similar credit enhancement to which particular municipal bonds are entitled and the creditworthiness of the
financial institution that provided such credit enhancement.
BZM may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in municipal
bonds that are rated, at the time of investment, Ba/BB or B by Moodys, S&P or Fitch or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Advisor. Securities rated Ba/BB or below are commonly referred to as
high yield or junk bonds and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the security and generally involve a
greater volatility of price than securities in higher rating categories. Below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities involve substantial risk of loss, are considered speculative with respect to the issuers ability to
pay interest and any required redemption or principal payments and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments.
All percentage and ratings limitations on securities in which BZM may invest apply at the time of making an investment and shall not be considered violated if an investment rating is subsequently
downgraded to a rating that would have precluded BZMs initial investment in such security. In determining whether to retain or sell a security that a rating agency has downgraded, the Investment Advisor may consider such factors as the
Investment Advisors assessment of the credit quality of the issuer of the security, the price at which the security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to the security by other rating agencies. In the event that BZM disposes of a
portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, BZM may experience a greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
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Subject to BZMs policy, under normal market conditions, of investing at least 80% of
its managed assets in municipal bonds, the interest from which is exempt from Maryland personal income tax, BZM may invest in securities that pay interest that is not exempt from Maryland personal income tax when, in the judgment of the Investment
Advisor, the return to the shareholders after payment of applicable Maryland personal income tax would be higher than the return available from comparable securities that pay interest that is, or make other distributions that are, exempt from
Maryland personal income tax.
BZM may also invest in securities of other open- or
closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal bonds of the types in which BZM may invest directly and in tax-exempt preferred shares that pay
dividends that are exempt from regular federal income tax. In addition, BZM may purchase municipal bonds that are additionally secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of companies which provide these
credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Although the insurance feature reduces certain financial risks, the premiums for insurance and the higher market price paid for insured obligations may reduce BZMs income. The
insurance feature does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligations or the net asset value of the Common Shares. BZM may purchase insured bonds and may purchase insurance for bonds in its portfolio.
BZM may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as private activity bonds (or industrial development bonds, under pre-1986 law) (PABs) (in general, bonds that benefit non-governmental entities) that may subject certain investors in BZM to an alternative minimum tax. The
percentage of BZMs total assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time. BZM has not established any limit on the percentage of its portfolio that may be invested in municipal bonds subject to the federal alternative minimum tax
provisions of federal tax law, and BZM expects that a portion of the income it produces will be includable in alternative minimum taxable income. VRDP Shares may not be a suitable investment for investors who are subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax or who would become subject to the federal alternative minimum tax as a result of purchasing VRDP Shares. The suitability of an investment in VRDP Shares will depend upon a comparison of the
after-tax yield likely to be provided from BZM with that from comparable tax-exempt investments not subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and from comparable
fully taxable investments, in light of each such investors tax position. Special considerations may apply to corporate investors.
The average maturity of BZMs portfolio securities will vary based upon the Investment Advisors assessment of economic and market conditions. BZMs portfolio at any given time may include
both long-term and intermediate-term municipal bonds.
BZMs stated expectation is that it may invest in municipal bonds
that, in the Investment Advisors opinion, are underrated or undervalued. Underrated municipal bonds are those whose ratings do not, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, reflect their true higher creditworthiness. Undervalued municipal
bonds are bonds that, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, are worth more than the value assigned to them in the marketplace. The Investment Advisor may at times believe that bonds associated with a particular municipal market sector (for
example, but not limited to electric utilities), or issued by a particular municipal issuer, are undervalued. The Investment Advisor may purchase those bonds for BZMs portfolio because they represent a market sector or issuer that the
Investment Advisor considers undervalued, even if the value of those particular bonds appears to be consistent with the value of similar bonds. Municipal bonds of particular types (for example, but not limited to hospital bonds, industrial revenue
bonds or bonds issued by a particular municipal issuer) may be undervalued because there is a temporary excess of supply in that market sector, or because of a general decline in the market price of municipal bonds of the market sector for reasons
that do not apply to the particular municipal bonds that are considered undervalued. BZMs investment in underrated or undervalued municipal bonds will be based on the Investment Advisors belief that their yield is higher than that
available on bonds bearing equivalent levels of interest rate risk, credit risk and other forms of risk, and that their prices will ultimately rise, relative to the market, to reflect their true value. Any capital appreciation realized by BZM will
generally result in capital gain distributions subject to federal capital gains taxation.
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BZM ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from
federal income taxes. From time to time, BZM may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation may limit the types
and volume of bonds the interest on which qualifies for a U.S. federal income tax exemption. As a result, current legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of municipal bonds for investment by BZM.
Description of Municipal Bonds
See The Acquiring Funds InvestmentsDescription of Municipal Bonds for additional information regarding the types of municipal bonds in which BZM invests.
Leverage
BZM may
utilize leverage to seek to enhance the yield and net asset value of its Common Shares. However, this objective cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments. BZM currently leverages its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and tender option
bonds. Under the 1940 Act, BZM is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its managed assets (50% of its net assets) or preferred equity securities up to 50% of its managed assets (100% of its net assets). BZM may voluntarily elect to limit its
leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, BZM may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the VRDP Shares governing instruments,
counterparties or by agencies rating the VRDP Shares, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, BZM is not permitted to issue preferred shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of
BZMs outstanding preferred shares exceeds 50% of its assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than borrowings (i.e., the value of BZMs assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of its
outstanding preferred shares).
Derivatives. BZM may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage
embedded in them. Derivative transactions that BZM may enter into are also referred to as Strategic Transactions. BZM cannot assure you that investments in derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result
in a higher return on its Common Shares.
To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate BZM to make payments, BZM may
earmark or segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable by BZM under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations of
the staff of the SEC. If the current value of the amount then payable by BZM under the terms of such transactions is represented by the notional amounts of such investments, BZM would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value
at least equal to such notional amounts, and if the current value of the amount then payable by BZM under the terms of such transactions is represented by the market value of BZMs current obligations, BZM would segregate or earmark cash or
liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate BZM to deliver particular securities to extinguish BZMs obligations under such transactions BZM may
cover its obligations under such transactions by either (i) owning the securities or collateral underlying such transactions or (ii) having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without
additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, having earmarked or segregated an appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide BZM with available assets
to satisfy its obligations under such transactions. As a result of such earmarking, segregation or cover, BZMs obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act,
or considered borrowings subject to BZMs limitations on borrowings discussed above, but may create leverage for BZM. To the extent that BZMs obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such
obligations may be considered senior securities representing indebtedness under the 1940 Act and therefore subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.
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These earmarking, segregation or cover requirements can result in BZM maintaining securities
positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management.
Temporary Borrowings. BZM may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions
which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Certain short-term borrowings (such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to the 1940 Acts limitations on leverage if (i) repaid within 60 days, and
(ii) not in excess of 5% of BZMs total assets.
Tender Option Bond Transactions. BZM currently leverages its
assets through the use of residual interest municipal tender option bonds (TOB Residuals), which are derivative interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in which BZM will invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of
counsel to the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. No independent investigation will be made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB
Residuals held by BZM. Although volatile, TOB Residuals typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate municipal bonds with comparable credit quality.
TOB Residuals represent beneficial interests in a TOB Trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more
funds. A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Floaters), which are sold to third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to the fund(s) that
transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. BZM may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are enhanced with a liquidity support
arrangement provided by a third-party bank or other financial institution (the TOBs Liquidity Provider) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). BZM, as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual
cash flow from the TOB Trust. BZM contributes municipal bonds to the TOB Trust and is paid the cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Floaters, less certain transaction costs, and typically will invest the cash to purchase
additional municipal bonds or other investments permitted by its investment policies. If BZM ever purchases all or a portion of the TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust, it may surrender those TOB Floaters together with a proportionate amount of TOB
Residuals to the TOB Trust in exchange for a proportionate amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
Other
registered investment companies advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (BlackRock-advised Funds) may contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which BZM has contributed municipal bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised
Funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residual will generally be shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust typically are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds
transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust
would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and BZM, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
The TOB Residuals held by BZM generally provide BZM with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Floaters to
tender their notes to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. Thereafter, BZM may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. As a result, a tender option bond transaction, in effect, creates exposure for BZM to the
entire return of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust, with a net cash investment by BZM that is less than the value of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust. This multiplies the positive or negative impact of the municipal bonds return within
BZM (thereby
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creating leverage). The leverage within a TOB Trust depends on the value of the municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust relative to the value of the TOB Floaters it issues.
BZM may invest in highly leveraged TOB Residuals. A TOB Residual generally is considered highly leveraged if the principal amount of the
TOB Floaters issued by the related TOB Trust exceeds 75% of the principal amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
The leverage attributable to BZMs use of TOB Residuals may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may
be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of BZM upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB
Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB
Floaters would be paid before the TOB Residual holders (i.e., BZM) whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata.
TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a TOBs Liquidity Provider that allows the holders of the TOB
Floaters to tender their TOB Floaters in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day (subject to the nonoccurrence of a termination event). The tendered TOB Floaters are remarketed by a remarketing agent. In the event of a
failed remarketing, the TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the TOBs Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Floaters. Any loans made by the TOBs Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Floaters held by the TOB Trust and will
be subject to an increased interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
BZM may invest in a TOB Trust on
either a non-recourse or recourse basis. When BZM invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, and the TOBs Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the
liquidity facility, the TOBs Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the liquidation proceeds
(Liquidation Shortfall). If BZM invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs Liquidity Provider pursuant to which BZM is required to reimburse the TOBs Liquidity
Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if BZM invests in a recourse TOB Trust, BZM will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in any such TOB Trust,
these losses will be shared ratably, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
Under accounting rules, municipal
bonds of BZM that are deposited into a TOB Trust are investments of BZM and are presented on BZMs Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust are presented as liabilities in BZMs Statement of Assets and
Liabilities. Interest income from the underlying municipal bonds is recorded by BZM on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee and other services to a TOB
Trust are reported as expenses of BZM. In addition, under accounting rules, loans made to a TOB Trust sponsored by BZM may be presented as loans of BZM in BZMs financial statements even if there is no recourse to BZMs assets.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal bonds with maturities or
remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option. Since the tender option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bonds deposited in the
TOB Trust, the holder of the TOB Floaters relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the liquidity facility as well as the credit strength of that institution. The perceived reliability and creditworthiness, of
many major financial institutions, some of which sponsor and/or provide liquidity support to TOB Trusts increases the risk associated with TOB Floaters. This in turn may reduce the desirability of TOB Floaters as investments, which could impair the
viability or availability of TOB Trusts.
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The use of TOB Residuals will require BZM to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount
equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored by, or on behalf of, BZM that are not owned by BZM. The use of TOB Residuals may also require BZM to earmark or segregate liquid
assets in an amount equal to loans provided by the TOBs Liquidity Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Floaters. BZM reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to the extent that such changes are in
accordance with applicable regulations or interpretations. Future regulatory requirements or SEC guidance may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic
benefits of TOB Trust transactions or limit BZMs ability to enter into or manage TOB Trust transactions.
Other Investment Companies
BZM may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities of other open- or
closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal bonds of the types in which BZM may invest directly, subject to the Eligible Assets requirements of the Statement of Preferences which
generally limit BZMs investment in such securities to 5% of its managed assets at the time of investment and subject to applicable regulatory limits. BZM generally expects to invest in other investment companies either during periods when it
has large amounts of uninvested cash or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high-yielding municipal bonds available in the market. As a shareholder in an investment company, BZM will bear its ratable share of that investment
companys expenses and will remain subject to payment of BZMs advisory and other fees and expenses with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares will therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent BZM invests in
other investment companies. The Investment Advisor will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available municipal bond investments. In addition, the securities of other
investment companies may be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks to which BZM may be subject to the extent it employs a leverage strategy. The net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile
and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares. Investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of BZM. In addition, to the extent BZM invests in other investment
companies, BZM will be dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than the Investment Advisor. BZM treats its investments in such open- or closed-end investment companies as
investments in municipal bonds.
Tax-Exempt Preferred Shares
BZM may invest up to 10% of its total assets in preferred interests of other investment funds that pay dividends that are exempt from
regular federal income tax, subject to the Eligible Assets requirements of the Statement of Preferences which generally limit BZMs investment in such securities to 5% of its managed assets at the time of investment. A portion of such dividends
may be capital gain distributions subject to federal capital gains tax. Such funds in turn invest in municipal bonds and other assets that pay interest or make distributions that are exempt from regular federal income tax, such as revenue bonds
issued by state or local agencies to fund the development of low-income, multi-family housing. Investment in such tax-exempt preferred shares involves many of the same
issues as investing in other open- or closed-end investment companies as discussed above. These investments also have additional risks, including liquidity risk, the absence of regulation governing investment
practices, capital structure and leverage, affiliated transactions and other matters, and concentration of investments in particular issuers or industries. Revenue bonds issued by state or local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing involve special risks in addition to those associated with municipal bonds generally, including that the underlying properties may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses and
interest costs. Such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on the
financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates
payable on
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senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet payment obligations on subordinated bonds. BZM will treat investments in tax-exempt
preferred shares as investments in municipal bonds.
Temporary Investments
During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Investment Advisors opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand
or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond market adversely affect the price at which long-term or intermediate-term municipal bonds are available), and in order to keep cash on hand fully
invested, BZM may invest up to 100% of its net assets in liquid, short-term investments including high quality, short-term securities which may be either tax-exempt or taxable and securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal bonds of the type in which BZM may invest directly. BZM intends to invest in taxable short-term investments only in the event that suitable tax-exempt temporary investments are not available at reasonable prices and yields. BZMs investment policies provide that it will invest only in taxable temporary investments which are U.S. government
securities or securities rated within the highest grade by Moodys, S&P or Fitch, and which mature within one year from the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest (such short-term obligations being referred to
herein as Temporary Investments). Temporary Investments of BZM may include certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with assets of at least $1 billion, commercial paper or corporate notes, bonds or debentures with a remaining
maturity of one year or less, or repurchase agreements. See Repurchase Agreements. To the extent BZM invests in Temporary Investments, BZM will not at such times be in a position to achieve its investment objective of tax-exempt income.
Short-term taxable fixed income investments include, without limitation,
the following:
(1) U.S. Government Securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest
that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government Securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration,
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal
Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the
discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. Government
provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not
guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2) Certificates of
deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to
pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Certificates of deposit purchased by BZM may not be fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time BZM purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase
agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for BZM during its holding period,
since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for BZM to invest temporarily available cash. BZM may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to
obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers acceptances in which BZM may invest. BZM expects to enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic
banks
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that, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, present minimal credit risk. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to
BZM is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that BZM is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines
after the agreement is entered into, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, BZM could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Investment Advisor
monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Investment Advisor does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or
exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to BZM. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of BZM to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the
bankruptcy laws.
(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate
master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between BZM and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by BZM at
any time. The Investment Advisor will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporations ability to meet all of its financial
obligations, because BZMs liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. BZMs investment policies provide that its investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper
rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.
Short-term tax-exempt fixed-income securities are securities that are exempt from regular federal income tax and mature within three years or less from the date of
issuance. Short-term tax-exempt fixed-income securities include, without limitation, the following:
Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) are usually general obligations of state and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for projects that will eventually be funded
through the sale of long-term debt obligations or bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations on its BANs is primarily dependent on the issuers access to the long-term municipal bond market and the likelihood that the proceeds of
such bond sales will be used to pay the principal and interest on the BANs.
Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are
issued by state and local governments to finance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues. TANs are usually general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an issuers
capacity to raise taxes due to, among other things, a decline in its tax base or a rise in delinquencies could adversely affect the issuers ability to meet its obligations on outstanding TANs.
Revenue Anticipation Notes (RANs) are issued by governments or governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues
from a designated source will be used to repay the notes. In general, they also constitute general obligations of the issuer. A decline in the receipt of projected revenues, such as anticipated revenues from another level of government, could
adversely affect an issuers ability to meet its obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition, the possibility that the revenues would, when received, be used to meet other obligations could affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal
and interest on RANs.
Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for specific projects. Frequently,
these notes are redeemed with funds obtained from the Federal Housing Administration.
Bank Notes are notes issued by local
government bodies and agencies to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The purposes for which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently issued to meet short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These notes may have
risks similar to the risks associated with TANs and RANs.
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Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (municipal
paper) represents very short-term unsecured, negotiable promissory notes, issued by states, municipalities and their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of municipal paper may be made from various sources, to the extent the
funds are available therefrom. Maturities on municipal paper generally will be shorter than the maturities of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited secondary market for issues of municipal paper.
Certain municipal bonds may carry variable or floating rates of interest whereby the rate of interest is not fixed but varies with
changes in specified market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or tax-exempt money market indices.
While the various types of notes described above as a group represent the major portion of the tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are available in the
marketplace and BZM may invest in such other types of notes to the extent permitted under its investment objective, policies and limitations. Such notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from those mentioned above.
Strategic Transactions and Other Management Techniques
BZM may use a variety of other investment management techniques and instruments. BZM may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions and may purchase and sell
exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial indices and futures contracts (collectively, Strategic Transactions).
These Strategic Transactions may be used for duration management and other risk management to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of BZMs portfolio resulting from trends in the debt securities markets and changes in
interest rates, to protect BZMs unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for
purchasing particular securities and to enhance income or gain. There is no particular strategy that requires use of one technique rather than another as the decision to use any particular strategy or instrument is a function of market conditions
and the composition of the portfolio. The Strategic Transactions are described below. The ability of BZM to use them successfully will depend on the Investment Advisors ability to predict pertinent market movements as well as sufficient
correlation among the instruments, which cannot be assured. Inasmuch as any obligations of BZM that arise from the use of Strategic Transactions will be covered by segregated liquid high grade assets or designating such assets on its books and
records or offsetting transactions, BZM and the Investment Advisor believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. Certain provisions of the Code may
restrict or affect the ability of BZM to engage in Strategic Transactions. In addition, the use of certain Strategic Transactions may give rise to taxable income and have certain other consequences.
Interest Rate Transactions. BZM may enter into interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. BZM
expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities BZM anticipates
purchasing at a later date. BZM will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain. BZMs investment policies provide that it will not sell
interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by BZM with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate
payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal
amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor.
BZM may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors on
either an asset-based or liability-based basis, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with BZM
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receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments on the payment dates. BZM will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of BZMs obligations over its
entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap on a daily basis and will designate on its books and records or segregate with a custodian an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities having an aggregate net asset value at all times at
least equal to the accrued excess. BZMs investment policies provide that it will only enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into
such transactions. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, BZM may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
Credit Default Swap Agreements. BZM may enter into credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference
obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by BZM. The protection buyer in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term
of the contract, provided that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount
of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount (the difference between the market value of the reference obligation and its par value), if the swap is
cash settled. BZM may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If BZM is a buyer and no credit event occurs, BZM may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally
may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, BZM generally receives an upfront payment or
a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six (6) months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value
of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As the seller, BZM would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total
net assets, BZM would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements
involve greater risks than if BZM had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. BZM will enter into credit
default swap agreements only with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and
the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it
pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. BZMs obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to BZM).
BZM will at all times segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with each such transaction liquid assets or cash with
a value at least equal to BZMs exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by BZM to any counterparty) on a marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to
requirements of the SEC). If BZM is a seller of protection in a credit default swap transaction, it will segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the
full notional amount of the contract. Such segregation or designation will ensure that BZM has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of BZMs portfolio. Such
segregation or designation will not limit BZMs exposure to loss.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Contracts. BZM may also enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery (futures contracts) of debt securities, aggregates of debt securities or indices or prices thereof, other financial indices and U.S. government
debt securities or options on the above. BZM will ordinarily engage in such transactions only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) and
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other portfolio management purposes. However, BZM is also permitted to enter into such transactions for non-hedging purposes to enhance income or gain, in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC).
The CFTC
subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in
CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (CFTC Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent BZM uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and
will not market itself as a commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity
Exchange Act (CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA in respect of BZM.
When BZM purchases a futures contract, or writes a put option or purchases a call option thereon, an amount of cash, cash equivalents
(e.g. high grade commercial paper and daily tender adjustable notes) or liquid securities will be segregated or designated on its books and records, so that the amount so segregated or earmarked, plus the amount of initial and variation
margin held in the account of its broker, equals the market value of the futures contracts, thereby ensuring that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged.
Calls on Securities Indices and Futures Contracts. BZM may sell or purchase call options (calls) on municipal bonds and indices based upon the prices of future contracts and debt
securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets. A call gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and
obligates the seller to sell, the underlying security, futures contract or index at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. All such calls sold by BZM must be covered as long as the call is
outstanding (i.e., BZM must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call or other securities acceptable for applicable escrow requirements). A call sold by BZM exposes BZM during the term of the option to possible loss of
opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security, index or futures contract and may require BZM to hold a security of futures contract which it might otherwise have sold. The purchase of a call gives BZM the right
to buy a security, futures contract or index at a fixed price. Calls on futures on municipal bonds must also be covered by deliverable securities on the futures contract or by liquid high grade debt securities segregated or designated on BZMs
books and records to satisfy BZMs obligations pursuant to such instruments.
Puts on Securities, Indices and Futures
Contracts. BZM may purchase put options (puts) that relate to municipal bonds (whether or not it holds such securities in its portfolio), indices or futures contracts. BZM may also sell puts on municipal bonds, indices or futures
contracts on such securities if BZMs contingent obligations on such puts are secured by segregated assets consisting of cash or liquid high grade debt securities having a value not less than the exercise price. BZMs investment policies
provide that it will not sell puts if, as a result, more than 50% of BZMs total assets would be required to cover its potential obligations under its hedging and other investment transactions. In selling puts, there is a risk that BZM may be
required to buy the underlying security at a price higher than the current market price.
Municipal Market Data Rate
Locks. BZM may purchase and sell Municipal Market Data Rate Locks (MMD Rate Locks). An MMD Rate Lock permits BZM to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular
investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. BZM will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk
management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain. An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between BZM and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount,
contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if BZM buys an MMD Rate Lock and the
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Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to BZM equal to the specified level
minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, BZM will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual
level minus the specified level multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In entering into MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the direction opposite of the direction anticipated by BZM, which would cause BZM
to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect BZMs performance. BZM has no obligation to enter into interest rate swap transactions such as Municipal Market Data AAA Cash Curve swaps (MMD
Swaps) and may elect not to do so. The net amount of the excess, if any, of BZMs obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and BZM will segregate or designate on its books
and records liquid securities having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess. BZMs investment policies provide that it will not enter into MMD Rate Locks if, as a result, more than 50% of its total assets would be
required to cover its potential obligations under its hedging and other investment transactions.
Short Sales
BZM may make short sales of municipal bonds. A short sale is a transaction in which BZM sells a security it does not own in anticipation
that the market price of that security will decline. BZM may make short sales to hedge positions, for duration and risk management, in order to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance income or gain. When BZM makes a short sale, it must borrow
the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. BZM may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is
often obligated to pay over to the securities lender any income, distributions or dividends received on such borrowed securities until it returns the security to the securities lender. BZMs obligation to replace the borrowed security will be
secured by collateral deposited with the securities lender, usually cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid assets. BZM will also be required to segregate or earmark similar collateral with its custodian to the extent, if any, necessary so
that the aggregate collateral value is at all times at least equal to the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with the securities lender regarding payment over of any income, distributions or dividends
received by BZM on such security, BZM may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such securities lender. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time BZM
replaces the borrowed security, BZM will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, BZM will realize a gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. Although BZMs gain is limited to
the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited. Short sales, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks.
Restricted and Illiquid Investments
Certain of BZMs investments may
be illiquid. Illiquid investments are securities which cannot be sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value used by BZM in determining its net asset value. Illiquid investments may trade at a
discount from comparable, more liquid investments. Illiquid investments may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on disposition or lack an established secondary trading market. Investment of BZMs assets in illiquid investments may
restrict the ability of BZM to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for a fair price as well as its ability to take advantage of market opportunities.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
BZM may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by BZM with an agreement by BZM to repurchase the securities at an agreed
upon price, date and interest payment. At the time BZM enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may establish and maintain a segregated account
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with the custodian containing, or designate on its books and records, cash and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If BZM establishes
and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be considered a borrowing by BZM; however, under certain
circumstances in which BZM does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books and records, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of BZMs limitation on
borrowings discussed above. The use by BZM of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase
agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities BZM has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase
agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by BZM in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to
enforce BZMs obligation to repurchase the securities and BZMs use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, BZM would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the
proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
Borrowings
BZM reserves the right to borrow funds to the extent permitted by BZMs investment restrictions. The proceeds of
borrowings may be used for any valid purpose including, without limitation, liquidity, investments and repurchases of shares of BZM. Borrowing is a form of leverage and, in that respect, entails risks comparable to those associated with the issuance
of Preferred Shares.
Lending of Securities
BZM may lend portfolio securities to certain borrowers determined to be creditworthy by the Investment Advisor, including to borrowers affiliated with the Investment Advisor. The borrowers provide
collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. No securities loan will be made on behalf of BZM if, as a result, the aggregate value of all securities loans of BZM exceeds one-third of the value of BZMs total assets (including the value of the collateral received). BZM may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. BZM receives
the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower may be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. BZM is compensated by the difference between the amount earned
on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, BZM is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash
collateral received by BZM for such loans, and uninvested cash, may be invested, among other things, in a private investment company managed by an affiliate of the Investment Advisor or in registered money market funds advised by the Investment
Advisor or its affiliates; such investments are subject to investment risk.
BZM conducts its securities lending pursuant to
an exemptive order from the SEC permitting it to lend portfolio securities to borrowers affiliated with BZM and to retain an affiliate of BZM as lending agent. To the extent that BZM engages in securities lending, BlackRock Investment Management,
LLC (BIM), an affiliate of the Investment Advisor, acts as securities lending agent for BZM, subject to the overall supervision of the Investment Advisor. BIM administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the
Board. Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, BIM may lend securities only when the difference between the borrower rebate rate and the risk free rate exceeds a certain level (such securities, the specials only
securities).
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To the extent that BZM engages in securities lending, BZM retains a portion of securities
lending income and remits a remaining portion to BIM as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.
Securities
lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment expenses as defined below), and any fees or other payments to and from borrowers of securities. As securities lending
agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. BZM is responsible for expenses in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan in a private investment company managed by an
affiliate of the Investment Advisor (the collateral investment expenses), however, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses BZM bears to an annual rate of 0.04% of the daily net assets of such private investment company.
In addition, in accordance with the exemptive order, the investment adviser to the private investment company will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by BZM. Such shares also will not be subject to a sales load, redemption
fee, distribution fee or service fee.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, BZM retains 82% of securities
lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses).
In addition, commencing the business day following the date
that the aggregate securities lending income earned across the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex in a calendar year exceeds the breakpoint dollar threshold applicable in the given year set forth in the securities lending agreement, BZM, pursuant to the
current securities lending agreement, will receive for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses).
MHEs Investment Objective and Policies
MHEs investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from both regular U.S. federal income taxes and
Massachusetts personal income taxes as is consistent with the preservation of shareholders capital. There can be no assurance that MHE will achieve its investment objective.
MHE seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in Massachusetts tax- exempt
obligations (including bonds, notes and capital lease obligations). MHE is subject to certain restrictions and investment policies which require it, under normal market conditions (i) to invest at least 80% of its total assets in obligations
that are deemed to be investment grade, and (ii) to invest its assets so that, during any fiscal year, at least 80% of the income generated by MHE will be exempt from regular federal income taxes and Massachusetts personal income
taxes and from the federal alternative minimum tax. MHE may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. Policy (ii) is considered fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of
the outstanding common shares and outstanding preferred shares of MHE (including the VRDP Shares and any other Preferred Shares), voting as a single class and a majority of the outstanding preferred shares of MHE (including the VRDP Shares and any
other Preferred Shares), voting as a separate class, within the meaning of the 1940 Act, i.e., a vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less. Policy (i) may be changed by the Board of Trustees of MHE without shareholder approval.
MHE also may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other municipal obligations which are issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political
subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, each of which pays interest that is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, but do not enable shares of MHE to be exempt from
Massachusetts personal income taxes (Municipal Obligations). As used herein, Massachusetts Municipal Obligations are municipal obligations bearing interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from
both regular U.S. federal income taxes and Massachusetts personal income taxes. Unless otherwise noted, the term Municipal Obligations also includes Massachusetts Municipal Obligations.
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MHE will consider securities to be investment grade if they are rated within the
four highest quality ratings as determined by either S&P Global Ratings (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB), Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa) or Fitch Ratings
(Fitch) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB) at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality at the time of investment by the Investment Advisor. In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating
categories are SP-1+ through SP-2 for S&P, MIG-1 through MIG-3 for Moodys and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. In the case of tax- exempt commercial paper, the investment grade rating categories are A-1+ through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-3 for Moodys and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. Obligations ranked in the lowest investment grade rating category (BBB, SP-2 and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG-3 and Prime-3 for Moodys and BBB and F-3 for Fitch), while
considered investment grade, may have certain speculative characteristics. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within the rating categories set forth above. In
assessing the quality of Massachusetts Municipal Obligations or other Municipal Obligations with respect to the foregoing requirements, the Investment Advisor takes into account the municipal bond insurance as well as the nature of any letters of
credit or similar credit enhancement to which particular Municipal Obligations are entitled and the creditworthiness of the financial institution which provided such municipal bond insurance or credit enhancement. Insurance is expected to protect
MHE against losses caused by a bond issuers failure to make interest or principal payments. However, insurance does not protect MHE or its stockholders against losses caused by declines in a bonds market value. If a bonds insurer
fails to fulfill its obligations or loses its credit rating, the value of the bond could drop. If unrated, such securities will possess creditworthiness comparable, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, to other obligations in which MHE may
invest.
MHE may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-investment grade
securities that are rated below Baa by Moodys or below BBB by S&P or Fitch or are unrated securities that are considered by the Investment Advisor to possess similar credit characteristics. MHE will not, however, invest in any securities
rated lower than B by S&P or Moodys, or any unrated security unless such unrated security is, in the opinion of the Adviser, comparable to securities rated at least B.
The foregoing credit quality policies apply only at the time a security is purchased, and MHE is not required to dispose of a security as
a result of subsequent market movements or if a rating agency downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issue. In determining whether to retain or sell a security that a rating agency has downgraded, the Investment
Advisor may consider such factors as the Investment Advisors assessment of the credit quality of the issuer of the security, the price at which the security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to the security by other rating
agencies. In the event that MHE disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, MHE may experience a greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
MHE may also purchase Municipal Obligations that are additionally secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The
credit quality of companies which provide these credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Although the insurance feature reduces certain financial risks, the premiums for insurance and the higher market price paid for insured
obligations may reduce MHEs income. The insurance feature does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligations or the net asset value of the common shares. MHE may purchase insured bonds and may purchase insurance for bonds in its
portfolio.
MHE may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as private activity bonds (or industrial
development bonds, under pre-1986 law) (PABs) (in general, bonds that benefit non- governmental entities) that may subject certain investors in MHE to an
alternative minimum tax. The percentage of MHEs total assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time. Other than the general requirement that at least 80% of the income generated by MHE be exempt from regular Federal income taxes and
Massachusetts personal income taxes and from the federal alternative minimum tax, MHE has not established any limit on the percentage of its portfolio that may be invested in Municipal Obligations subject to the federal alternative minimum tax
provisions of federal tax law, and MHE expects that a portion of the income it produces will be includable in alternative minimum taxable income.
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The Trust invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations with maturities of more than
ten years. The average maturity of MHEs portfolio securities varies from time to time based upon an assessment of economic and market conditions by the Investment Advisor. MHEs portfolio at any given time may include long-term,
intermediate-term and short-term Municipal Obligations.
The net asset value of the shares of common stock of a closed-end investment company, such as MHE, which invests primarily in fixed income securities, changes as the general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a fixed income
portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to decline. Prices of longer term securities generally fluctuate more in response to interest rate changes than do shorter
term securities. These changes in net asset value are likely to be greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure, such as MHE.
MHEs stated expectation is that it will invest in Municipal Obligations that, in the Investment Advisors opinion, are underrated or undervalued. Underrated Municipal Obligations are those
whose ratings do not, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, reflect their true higher creditworthiness. Undervalued Municipal Obligations are bonds that, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, are worth more than the value assigned to them in
the marketplace. The Investment Advisor may at times believe that bonds associated with a particular municipal market sector (for example, but not limited to electric utilities), or issued by a particular municipal issuer, are undervalued. The
Investment Advisor may purchase those bonds for MHEs portfolio because they represent a market sector or issuer that the Investment Advisor considers undervalued, even if the value of those particular bonds appears to be consistent with the
value of similar bonds. Municipal Obligations of particular types (for example, but not limited to hospital bonds, industrial revenue bonds or bonds issued by a particular municipal issuer) may be undervalued because there is a temporary excess of
supply in that market sector, or because of a general decline in the market price of Municipal Obligations of the market sector for reasons that do not apply to the particular Municipal Obligations that are considered undervalued. MHEs
investment in underrated or undervalued Municipal Obligations will be based on the Investment Advisors belief that their yield is higher than that available on bonds bearing equivalent levels of interest rate risk, credit risk and other forms
of risk, and that their prices will ultimately rise, relative to the market, to reflect their true value. Any capital appreciation realized by MHE will generally result in capital gain distributions subject to federal capital gains taxation.
MHE ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. From
time to time, MHE may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation may limit the types and volume of bonds the
interest on which qualifies for a federal income tax exemption. As a result, current legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of Municipal Obligations for investment by MHE.
Description of Municipal Obligations
See The Acquiring Funds InvestmentsDescription of Municipal Bonds for additional information regarding the types of Municipal Bonds in which MHE invests.
Leverage
MHE may
utilize leverage to seek to enhance the yield and net asset value of its Common Shares. However, this objective cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments. MHE currently leverages its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and tender option
bonds.
Under the 1940 Act, MHE is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3%
of its managed assets (50% of its net assets) or preferred equity securities up to 50% of its managed assets (100% of its net assets). MHE may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In
addition, MHE may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the VRDP Shares governing instruments, counterparties or by agencies rating the VRDP Shares, which may be more stringent
than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
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In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of
leverage, which will be based on short-term interest rates, will normally be lower than the income earned by MHE on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of MHE
(including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, MHEs common stockholders can benefit from incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage
is paid to common stockholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the per share net asset value.
However, in order to benefit common stockholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage
exceed MHEs return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to common stockholders will be lower than if MHE had not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of MHEs portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the
direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. In contrast, the value of MHEs obligations under its leverage arrangement generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest
rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence MHEs net asset value positively or negatively.
Changes in
the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that MHEs leveraging strategy will be successful.
Leverage also will generally cause greater changes in MHEs net asset value, market price and dividend rate than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to
cause a greater decline in the net asset value and market price of MHEs Common Shares than if MHE were not leveraged. In addition, MHE may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply
with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may cause MHE to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit MHEs ability to invest in certain types of securities or use
certain types of hedging strategies. MHE will incur expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by common stockholders and may reduce income to the Common Shares. During periods in which MHE is using leverage, the fees
paid to the Investment Advisor for advisory services will be higher than if MHE did not use leverage, because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of MHEs total managed assets, which includes the proceeds from leverage. MHEs
leveraging strategy may not be successful.
There can be no assurance MHE will be able to continue to use leverage through the
use of preferred shares, tender option bonds or otherwise during periods of instability or illiquidity in the debt markets, during periods of high short-term interest rates or due to other adverse market conditions, because MHE may not be able to
enter into tender option bond transactions or use other forms of leverage during such periods. There can be no assurance that MHEs leverage strategy will be successful. The use of leverage can create risks.
Preferred Shares. MHE has leveraged its portfolio by issuing VRDP Shares. Under the 1940 Act, MHE is not permitted to issue
preferred shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of MHEs outstanding preferred shares exceeds 50% of its assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than borrowings (i.e., the
value of MHEs assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of its outstanding preferred shares). In addition, MHE would not be permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of
such declaration, the value of MHEs assets less liabilities other than borrowings is at least 200% of such liquidation value.
For tax purposes, MHE is currently required to allocate tax-exempt interest income, net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, between its Common Shares and
preferred shares outstanding in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year in which or with respect to which tax-exempt income, the net capital gain or other taxable income is paid. If net
capital gain or other taxable income is allocated to preferred shares, instead of solely tax-exempt income, MHE will likely have to pay higher total dividends to preferred stockholders or make special payments
to preferred stockholders to compensate them for the increased tax
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liability. This would reduce the total amount of dividends paid to the holders of Common Shares, but would increase the portion of the dividend that is
tax-exempt. If the increase in dividend payments or the special payments to preferred stockholders are not entirely offset by a reduction in the tax liability of, and an increase in the tax-exempt dividends received by, the holders of Common Shares, the advantage of MHEs leveraged structure to holders of Common Shares will be reduced.
Tender Option Bonds. MHE currently leverages its assets through the use of residual interest municipal tender option bonds
(TOB Residuals), which are derivative interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in which MHE will invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S.
federal income tax. No independent investigation will be made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB Residuals held by MHE. Although volatile, TOB Residuals typically offer the
potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate municipal bonds with comparable credit quality.
TOB
Residuals represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more funds (a TOB Trust) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or
more funds. A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Floaters), which are sold to third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to the fund(s) that
transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. MHE may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are enhanced with a liquidity support
arrangement from a third-party bank or other financial institution (the TOBs Liquidity Provider) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). MHE, as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual cash
flow from the TOB Trust. MHE contributes municipal bonds to the TOB Trust and is paid the cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Floaters, less certain transaction costs, and typically will invest the cash to purchase additional
municipal bonds or other investments permitted by its investment policies. If MHE ever purchases all or a portion of the TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust, it may surrender those TOB Floaters together with a proportionate amount of TOB Residuals to
the TOB Trust in exchange for a proportionate amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
Other registered
investment companies advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (the BlackRock-advised Funds) may contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which MHE has contributed municipal bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds
participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residual will generally be shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust typically are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds
transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust
would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and MHE, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
The TOB Residuals held by MHE generally provide MHE with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Floaters to
tender their notes to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. Thereafter, MHE may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. As a result, a tender option bond transaction, in effect, creates exposure for MHE to the
entire return of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust, with a net cash investment by MHE that is less than the value of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust. This multiplies the positive or negative impact of the municipal bonds return within
MHE (thereby creating leverage). The leverage within a TOB Trust depends on the value of the municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust relative to the value of the TOB Floaters it issues.
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MHE may invest in highly leveraged TOB Residuals. A TOB Residual generally is considered
highly leveraged if the principal amount of the TOB Floaters issued by the related TOB Trust exceeds 75% of the principal amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
The leverage attributable to MHEs use of TOB Residuals may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. The TOB
Trust may be collapsed without the consent of MHE upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any
accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB Floaters would be paid before the TOB Residual holders (i.e., MHE)
whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata.
TOB
Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a TOBs Liquidity Provider that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their TOB Floaters in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day (subject
to the non-occurrence of a termination event). The tendered TOB Floaters are remarketed by a remarketing agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the TOBs Liquidity
Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Floaters. Any loans made by the TOBs Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Floaters held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased interest rate based on number of days the loan is
outstanding.
MHE may invest in a TOB Trust on either a non-recourse or recourse
basis. When MHE invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, and the TOBs Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the TOBs Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate
all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the Liquidation Shortfall. If MHE invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs
Liquidity Provider pursuant to which MHE is required to reimburse the TOBs Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if MHE invests in a recourse TOB Trust, MHE will bear the risk of loss with respect to any
Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
Under accounting rules, Municipal Obligations of MHE that are deposited into a TOB Trust are investments of MHE and are presented on
MHEs Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust are presented as liabilities in MHEs Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest income from the underlying Municipal Obligations is recorded by MHE on an
accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee and other services to a TOB Trust are reported as expenses of MHE. In addition, under accounting rules, loans made to a
TOB Trust sponsored by MHE may be presented as loans of MHE in MHEs financial statements even if there is no recourse to MHEs assets.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal bonds with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic
interval of the tender option. Since the tender option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust, the holder of the TOB Floaters relies upon the terms of the
agreement with the financial institution furnishing the liquidity facility as well as the credit strength of that institution. The perceived reliability and creditworthiness, of many major financial institutions, some of which sponsor and/or provide
liquidity support to TOB Trusts increases the risk associated with TOB Floaters. This in turn may reduce the desirability of TOB Floaters as investments, which could impair the viability or availability of TOB Trusts.
The use of TOB Residuals will require MHE to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued
but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored
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by, or on behalf of, MHE that are not owned by MHE. The use of TOB Residuals may also require MHE to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to loans provided by the TOBs Liquidity
Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Floaters. MHE reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to the extent that such changes are in accordance with applicable regulations or interpretations. Future
regulatory requirements or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidance may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic benefits of TOB
Trust transactions or limit MHEs ability to enter into or manage TOB Trust transactions.
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements. MHE may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by MHE with an
agreement by MHE to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. At the time MHE enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing cash
and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If MHE establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be
considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be considered a borrowing by MHE; however, under certain circumstances in which MHE does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books
and records, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of MHEs limitation on borrowings discussed above. The use by MHE of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since
the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase
agreement may decline below the price of the securities MHE has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by MHE in connection with the
reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for
bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce MHEs obligation to repurchase the securities and MHEs use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase
agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, MHE would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
MHE also may effect simultaneous purchase and sale transactions that are known as sale-buybacks. A sale-buyback is similar to
a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback, the counterparty that purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of MHEs repurchase of the
underlying security.
Dollar Roll Transactions. MHE may enter into dollar roll transactions. In a dollar
roll transaction, MHE sells a mortgage related or other security to a dealer and simultaneously agrees to repurchase a similar security (but not the same security) in the future at a pre-determined price. A
dollar roll transaction can be viewed, like a reverse repurchase agreement, as a collateralized borrowing in which MHE pledges a mortgage related security to a dealer to obtain cash. However, unlike reverse repurchase agreements, the dealer with
which MHE enters into a dollar roll transaction is not obligated to return the same securities as those originally sold by MHE, but rather only securities which are substantially identical, which generally means that the securities
repurchased will bear the same interest rate and a similar maturity as those sold, but the pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.
During the period between the sale and repurchase, MHE will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities
sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional instruments for MHE and the income from these investments will generate income for MHE. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain that would have been realized
on the securities sold as part of the dollar
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roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of MHE compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls.
At the time MHE enters into a dollar roll transaction, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing
cash and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If MHE establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a dollar roll transaction will not be
considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be considered a borrowing by MHE; however, under certain circumstances in which MHE does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books
and records, such dollar roll transaction will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of MHEs limitation on borrowings.
Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities MHE is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. MHEs right to
purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the investment managers ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurances that dollar rolls can be
successfully employed.
Derivatives. MHE may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in
them. Derivative transactions that MHE may enter into are also referred to as Strategic Transactions. MHE cannot assure you that investments in derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result in a higher
return on its Common Shares.
To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MHE to make payments, MHE may earmark or
segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable by MHE under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations of the staff
of the SEC. If the current value of the amount then payable by MHE under the terms of such transactions is represented by the notional amounts of such investments, MHE would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least
equal to such notional amounts, and if the current value of the amount then payable by MHE under the terms of such transactions is represented by the market value of MHEs current obligations, MHE would segregate or earmark cash or liquid
assets having a market value at least equal to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MHE to deliver particular securities to extinguish MHEs obligations under such transactions MHE may
cover its obligations under such transactions by either (i) owning the securities or collateral underlying such transactions or (ii) having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without
additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, having earmarked or segregated an appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide MHE with available assets
to satisfy its obligations under such transactions. As a result of such earmarking, segregation or cover, MHEs obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act,
or considered borrowings subject to MHEs limitations on borrowings discussed above, but may create leverage for MHE. To the extent that MHEs obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such
obligations may be considered senior securities representing indebtedness under the 1940 Act and therefore subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.
These earmarking, segregation or cover requirements can result in MHE maintaining securities positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be
disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management.
Temporary Borrowings. MHE may also borrow money
as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities.
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Certain short-term borrowings (such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to the
1940 Acts limitations on leverage if (i) repaid within 60 days, and (ii) not in excess of 5% of MHEs total assets.
Strategic Transactions
MHE may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions and swap contracts (including, but not limited
to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter (OTC) put and call options on securities and swap contracts,
financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques. These Strategic Transactions may be used for duration management and other risk management purposes, subject to MHEs investment
restrictions. While MHEs use of Strategic Transactions is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of MHEs Common Shares, the net asset value of MHEs Common Shares will fluctuate. No assurance can be given that
MHEs Strategic Transactions will be effective.
There is no particular strategy that requires use of one technique
rather than another as the decision to use any particular strategy or instrument is a function of market conditions and the composition of the portfolio. The ability of MHE to use Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Investment
Advisors ability to predict pertinent market movements as well as sufficient correlation among the instruments, which cannot be assured. Strategic Transactions subject MHE to the risk that, if the Investment Advisor incorrectly forecasts
market values, interest rates or other applicable factors, MHEs performance could suffer. Certain of these Strategic Transactions, such as investments in inverse floating rate securities and credit default swaps, may provide investment
leverage to MHEs portfolio. MHE is not required to use derivatives or other portfolio strategies to seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so.
The use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require MHE to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than
current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation MHE can realize on an investment or may cause MHE to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, because of the leveraged nature of the Common Shares, Strategic Transactions
will result in a larger impact on the net asset value of the Common Shares than would be the case if the Common Shares were not leveraged. Furthermore, MHE may only engage in Strategic Transactions from time to time and may not necessarily be
engaging in hedging activities when movements in interest rates occur.
Inasmuch as any obligations of MHE that arise from the
use of Strategic Transactions will be covered by segregated or earmarked liquid assets or offsetting transactions, MHE and the Investment Advisor believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and, accordingly, will not treat such
transactions as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. Additionally, segregated or earmarked liquid assets, amounts paid by MHE as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not
otherwise available to MHE for investment purposes.
For so long as the VRDP Shares are rated by a rating agency, MHEs
use of options and certain financial futures and options thereon will be subject to such rating agencys guidelines and limitations on such transactions. In order to maintain ratings on the VRDP Shares from one or more rating agencies, MHE may
be required to limit its use of Strategic Transactions in accordance with the specified guidelines of the applicable rating agencies.
Certain federal income tax requirements may restrict or affect the ability of MHE to engage in Strategic Transactions. In addition, the use of certain Strategic Transactions may give rise to taxable
income and have certain other consequences.
Interest Rate Transactions. MHE may enter into interest rate swaps and the
purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. MHE expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against
any
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increase in the price of securities MHE anticipates purchasing at a later date. MHE will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted
to enter into them to enhance income or gain. MHEs investment policies provide that it will not sell interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by MHE with another party of their respective
commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified
index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor.
MHE may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors on either an asset-based or liability- based basis, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment
streams are netted out, with MHE receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments on the payment dates. MHE will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of MHEs obligations over its entitlements with
respect to each interest rate swap on a daily basis and will segregate with a custodian an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities having an aggregate net asset value at all times at least equal to the accrued excess.
If there is a default by the other party to an uncleared interest rate swap transaction, generally MHE will have contractual remedies
pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. With respect to interest rate swap transactions cleared through a central clearing counterparty, a clearing organization will be substituted for the counterparty and will guarantee the
parties performance under the swap agreement. However, there can be no assurances that the clearing organization will satisfy its obligation to MHE or that MHE would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the
clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or MHEs clearing broker. Certain U.S. federal income tax requirements may limit MHEs ability to engage in interest rate swaps. Distributions attributable to
transactions in interest rate swaps generally will be taxable as ordinary income to stockholders.
Futures Contracts and
Options on Futures Contracts. MHE may also enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery (futures contracts) of debt securities, aggregates of debt securities or indices or prices thereof, other financial indices
and U.S. government debt securities or options on the above. MHE will ordinarily engage in such transactions only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) and other portfolio management purposes. However, MHE is also
permitted to enter into such transactions for non-hedging purposes to enhance income or gain, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the CFTC, which currently provide that no such transaction may be
entered into if at such time more than 5% of MHEs net assets would be posted as initial margin and premiums with respect to such non- strategic transactions.
Calls on Securities Indices and Futures Contracts. MHE may sell or purchase call options (calls) on Municipal
Obligations and indices based upon the prices of future contracts and debt securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the
over-the-counter markets. A call gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the seller to sell, the underlying security, futures contract or index
at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. All such calls sold by MHE must be covered as long as the call is outstanding (i.e., MHE must own the securities or futures contract subject to the
call or other securities acceptable for applicable escrow requirements). A call sold by MHE exposes MHE during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security, index or
futures contract and may require MHE to hold a security of futures contract which it might otherwise have sold. The purchase of a call gives MHE the right to buy a security, futures contract or index at a fixed price. Calls on futures on Municipal
Obligations must also be covered by deliverable securities or the futures contract or by liquid high grade debt securities segregated to satisfy MHEs obligations pursuant to such instruments.
Puts on Securities, Indices and Futures Contracts. MHE may purchase put options (puts) that relate to Municipal
Obligations (whether or not it holds such securities in its portfolio), indices or futures contracts. MHE
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may also sell puts on Municipal Obligations, indices or futures contracts on such securities if MHEs contingent obligations on such puts are secured by segregated assets consisting of cash
or liquid high grade debt securities having a value not less than the exercise price.
The CFTC subjects advisers to
registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options
and swaps (CFTC Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent MHE uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a
commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA)
pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA in respect of MHE.
Municipal Market Data Rate Locks. MHE may purchase and sell Municipal Market Data Rate Locks (MMD Rate Locks). An MMD
Rate Lock permits MHE to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase
in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. MHE will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain. An MMD Rate Lock is a
contract between MHE and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified
level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if MHE buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a
payment to MHE equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, MHE will make a
payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In entering into MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the direction opposite of the
direction anticipated by MHE. MHE may not enter into MMD Rate Locks if, as a result, more than 50% of its total assets would be required to cover its potential obligations under its hedging and other investment transactions.
Counterparty Credit Standards. To the extent that MHE engages in principal transactions, including, but not limited to, OTC
options, forward currency transactions, swap transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and the purchase and sale of bonds and other fixed income securities, it must rely on the creditworthiness of its counterparties under such
transactions. In certain instances, the credit risk of a counterparty is increased by the lack of a central clearing house for certain transactions, including certain swap contracts. In the event of the insolvency of a counterparty, MHE may not be
able to recover its assets, in full or at all, during the insolvency process. Counterparties to investments may have no obligation to make markets in such investments and may have the ability to apply essentially discretionary margin and credit
requirements. Similarly, MHE will be subject to the risk of bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to such investments by, the counterparties with which it deals. The Investment Advisor will seek to minimize MHEs
exposure to counterparty risk by entering into such transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time it enters into the transaction. Certain option transactions and Strategic Transactions may require
MHE to provide collateral to secure its performance obligations under a contract, which would also entail counterparty credit risk.
Other
Investment Policies
MHE has adopted certain other policies as set forth below.
Temporary Investments. During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Investment Advisors opinion, temporary
imbalances of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt bond
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market adversely affect the price at which long-term or intermediate-term obligations are available), or in order to keep cash on hand fully invested, MHE may invest in high quality, short-term
Massachusetts Municipal Obligations the income on which will be exempt from both regular federal income taxes and Massachusetts personal income taxes, or, if such securities are not available at reasonable prices and yields, in comparable temporary
investments, the income on which will be subject to Massachusetts personal income taxes or to both regular federal income taxes and Massachusetts personal income taxes. Tax-exempt temporary investments include
various obligations issued by state and local governmental issuers, such as tax-exempt notes (bond anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes or other such Municipal Obligations
maturing in three years or less from the date of issuance) and municipal commercial paper. MHE may make taxable temporary investments (i.e., those which are subject to both regular federal income taxes or Massachusetts personal income taxes,
or both) if they are U.S. Government securities or securities rated within the highest grade by S&P, and mature within one year from the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest. Taxable temporary investments of MHE may
include certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with assets of at least $1 billion, or commercial paper or corporate notes, bonds or debentures with a remaining maturity of one year or less, or repurchase agreements. To the extent MHE
makes substantial temporary investments in securities the income on which is subject to regular federal income taxes or Massachusetts personal income taxes, or both, MHE will not at such times be in a position to achieve its investment objective.
Credit Default Swap Agreements. MHE may enter into credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to
increase its return. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by MHE. The protection buyer in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection
seller an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par
value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount (the difference between
the market value of the reference obligation and its par value), if the swap is cash settled. MHE may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If MHE is a buyer and no credit event occurs, MHE may recover nothing if the swap is held through
its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have
significantly decreased. As a seller, MHE generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit
event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As the seller, MHE would
effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, MHE would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if MHE had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to
illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. MHE will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions. A buyer generally
also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or
periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. MHEs obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any
amounts owing to MHE).
MHE will at all times segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with each such
transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to MHEs exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by MHE to any counterparty) on a
marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). If MHE is a seller of protection in a credit default swap transaction, it will segregate or
designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the
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full notional amount of the contract. Such segregation or designation will ensure that MHE has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any
potential leveraging of MHEs portfolio. Such segregation or designation will not limit MHEs exposure to loss.
Repurchase Agreements. MHE may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into
only with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer or an affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government securities or an affiliate thereof. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities agrees to
repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during MHEs holding period. The risk to MHE is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral
declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but MHE might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in
connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by MHE may be delayed or limited.
In general, for federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities
sold. Therefore, amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt interest. The treatment of purchase and sales contracts is less certain.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. MHE may invest in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on disposition or lack an established secondary trading market. The sale of restricted and illiquid securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the
sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar
securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
Securities Lending. MHE may lend portfolio securities to
certain borrowers determined to be creditworthy by the Investment Advisor, including to borrowers affiliated with the Investment Advisor. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of
the securities loaned. No securities loan will be made on behalf of MHE if, as a result, the aggregate value of all securities loans of MHE exceeds one-third of the value of MHEs total assets
(including the value of the collateral received). MHE may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. MHE receives the value of any interest or cash
or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to
loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower may be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. MHE is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to
the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, MHE is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral received by MHE for such loans, and uninvested cash,
may be invested, among other things, in a private investment company managed by an affiliate of the Investment Advisor or in registered money market funds advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates; such investments are subject to
investment risk.
MHE conducts its securities lending pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC permitting it to lend
portfolio securities to borrowers affiliated with MHE and to retain an affiliate of MHE as lending agent. To the extent that MHE engages in securities lending, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (BIM), an affiliate of the Investment
Advisor, acts as securities lending agent for MHE, subject to the overall supervision of the Investment Advisor. BIM administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. Pursuant to the current securities lending
agreement, BIM may lend securities only when the difference between the borrower rebate rate and the risk free rate exceeds a certain level (such securities, the specials only securities).
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To the extent that MHE engages in securities lending, MHE retains a portion of securities
lending income and remits a remaining portion to BIM as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.
Securities
lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment expenses as defined below), and any fees or other payments to and from borrowers of securities. As securities lending
agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. MHE is responsible for expenses in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan in a private investment company managed by an
affiliate of the Investment Advisor (the collateral investment expenses), however, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses MHE bears to an annual rate of 0.04% of the daily net assets of such private investment company.
In addition, in accordance with the exemptive order, the investment adviser to the private investment company will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by MHE. Such shares also will not be subject to a sales load, redemption
fee, distribution fee or service fee.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, MHE retains 82% of securities
lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses).
In addition, commencing the business day following the date
that the aggregate securities lending income earned across the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex in a calendar year exceeds the breakpoint dollar threshold applicable in the given year set forth in the securities lending agreement, MHE, pursuant to the
current securities lending agreement, will receive for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses).
MZAs Investment Objectives and Policies
Investment Objective and Policies
MZAs investment objective is to
provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal and Arizona income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. MZA seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of an aggregate of MZAs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred stock), and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal
obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Arizona, its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and by other qualifying issuers, each of which pays interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable
from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax) and exempt from Arizona income tax. MZA also may invest in municipal
obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, each of which pays interest that is excludable from gross income for federal income tax
purposes, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, but is not excludable from gross income for Arizona income tax purposes (Municipal Bonds). Unless otherwise noted, the term Municipal Bonds also includes Arizona
Municipal Bonds. MZA may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
MZAs
investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of an aggregate of MZAs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred stock) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Arizona Municipal
Bonds are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of MZA (as defined in the 1940 Act). There can be no assurance that MZAs investment objective will be realized.
MZA may invest in certain tax-exempt securities classified as private activity
bonds (or industrial development bonds, under pre-1986 law) (PABs) (in general, bonds that benefit non- governmental entities) that may subject certain
investors in MZA to an alternative minimum tax. The percentage of MZAs total assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time.
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Under normal market conditions, MZA expects to invest at least 75% of its assets in a
portfolio of Municipal Bonds that are commonly referred to as investment grade securities, which are obligations rated within the four highest quality ratings as determined by either Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
(Moodys) (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa), S&P Global Ratings (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB) or Fitch Ratings (Fitch) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB), or are considered by the Investment Advisor
to be of comparable quality, at the time of investment. In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating categories are SP-1+ through SP-2 for S&P, MIG-1 through MIG-3 for Moodys and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. In the case of tax- exempt commercial paper, the investment grade rating categories are A-1+ through A-3 for S&P,
Prime-1 through Prime-3 for Moodys and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. Obligations
ranked in the lowest investment grade rating category (BBB, SP-2 and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG-3 and Prime-3 for Moodys; and BBB and F-3 for Fitch), while considered investment grade, may have certain speculative characteristics. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within the rating categories set forth above. In assessing the quality of Municipal Bonds with respect to the foregoing requirements, the Investment Advisor
takes into account the nature of any letters of credit or similar credit enhancement to which particular Municipal Bonds are entitled and the creditworthiness of the financial institution which provided such credit enhancement. Insurance is expected
to protect MZA against losses caused by a bond issuers failure to make interest or principal payments. However, insurance does not protect MZA or its stockholders against losses caused by declines in a bonds market value. If a
bonds insurer fails to fulfill its obligations or loses its credit rating, the value of the bond could drop. If unrated, such securities will possess creditworthiness comparable, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, to other obligations
in which MZA may invest.
MZA may invest up to 25% of its total assets in Municipal Bonds that are rated below Baa by
Moodys or below BBB by S&P or Fitch or, if unrated, are considered by the Investment Advisor to possess similar credit characteristics. Such securities, sometimes referred to as high yield or junk bonds, are
predominantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the security and generally involve a greater volatility of price than securities in higher rating categories. MZA does not
intend to purchase Municipal Bonds that are in default or which the Investment Advisor believes will soon be in default. Below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities involve substantial risk of loss, are considered speculative
with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and any required redemption or principal payments and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments.
All percentage and ratings limitations on securities in which MZA may invest apply at the time of making an investment and shall not be
considered violated as a result of subsequent market movements or if an investment rating is subsequently downgraded to a rating that would have precluded MZAs initial investment in such security. In the event that MZA disposes of a portfolio
security subsequent to its being downgraded, MZA may experience a greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
The average maturity of MZAs portfolio securities varies from time to time based upon an assessment of economic and market conditions by the Investment Advisor. MZAs portfolio at any given
time may include both long-term and intermediate-term municipal bonds.
The net asset value of the shares of common stock of a
closed-end investment company, such as MZA, which invests primarily in fixed income securities, changes as the general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a fixed
income portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to decline. Prices of longer term securities generally fluctuate more in response to interest rate changes than do
shorter term securities. These changes in net asset value are likely to be greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure, such as MZA.
For temporary periods or to provide liquidity, MZA has the authority to invest as much as 20% of its total assets in tax-exempt and taxable money market obligations
with a maturity of one year or less (such short-term obligations being referred to herein as Temporary Investments). In addition, MZA reserves the right as a defensive measure to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in
Temporary Investments, when, in the
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opinion of the Investment Advisor, prevailing market or financial conditions warrant. Taxable money market obligations will yield taxable income. MZA also may invest in variable rate demand
obligations (VRDOs) and VRDOs in the form of participation interests (Participating VRDOs) in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution. See Other
Investment PoliciesTemporary Investments. MZAs hedging strategies, which are described in more detail under Strategic TransactionsFinancial Futures Transactions and Options, are not fundamental policies and
may be modified by the Board of Directors of MZA without the approval of MZAs stockholders. MZA is also authorized to invest in indexed and inverse floating rate obligations for hedging purposes and to seek to enhance return.
MZA may invest in securities not issued by or on behalf of a state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if MZA
receives an opinion of counsel to the issuer that such securities pay interest that is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes and, if applicable, exempt from Arizona income taxes
(Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities). Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities
could include trust certificates, partnership interests or other instruments evidencing interest in one or more long-term Municipal Bonds. Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt
Securities also may include securities issued by other investment companies that invest in Municipal Bonds, to the extent such investments are permitted by MZAs investment restrictions and applicable law.
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities are subject to the same risks associated with an investment in Municipal Bonds as well as many of the risks associated with
investments in derivatives. If the Internal Revenue Service were to issue any adverse ruling or take an adverse position with respect to the taxation on these types of securities, there is a risk that the interest paid on such securities would be
deemed taxable at the federal level.
MZA ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from
regular U.S. federal income tax and Arizona personal income tax. From time to time, MZA may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation may limit the types and volume of bonds the interest on which qualifies for a U.S. federal income tax exemption.
As a result, current legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of Municipal Bonds for investment by MZA.
Description of Municipal Bonds
See The Acquiring Funds
InvestmentsDescription of Municipal Bonds for additional information regarding the types of Municipal Bonds in which MZA invests.
Leverage
MZA may
utilize leverage to seek to enhance the yield and net asset value of its Common Shares. However, this objective cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments. MZA currently leverages its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and tender option
bonds.
Under the 1940 Act, MZA is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3%
of its managed assets (50% of its net assets) or preferred equity securities up to 50% of its managed assets (100% of its net assets). MZA may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In
addition, MZA may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the VRDP Shares governing instruments, counterparties or by agencies rating the VRDP Shares, which may be more stringent
than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing
cost of leverage, which will be based on short-term interest rates, will normally be lower than the income earned by MZA on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of MZA
(including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, MZAs common stockholders can benefit from incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage
is paid to common stockholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the per share net asset value.
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However, in order to benefit common stockholders, the return on assets purchased with
leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage exceed MZAs return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to common stockholders will be lower than if MZA had
not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of MZAs portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. In contrast, the value
of MZAs obligations under its leverage arrangement generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence MZAs net asset value positively or negatively.
Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that MZAs
leveraging strategy will be successful.
Leverage also will generally cause greater changes in MZAs net asset value,
market price and dividend rate than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value and market price of MZAs Common Shares than if MZA were not leveraged. In
addition, MZA may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may
cause MZA to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit MZAs ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. MZA will incur expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne
by common stockholders and may reduce income to the Common Shares. During periods in which MZA is using leverage, the fees paid to the Investment Advisor for advisory services will be higher than if MZA did not use leverage, because the fees paid
will be calculated on the basis of MZAs total managed assets, which includes the proceeds from leverage. MZAs leveraging strategy may not be successful.
There can be no assurance MZA will be able to continue to use leverage through the use of preferred shares, tender option bonds or otherwise during periods of instability or illiquidity in the debt
markets, during periods of high short-term interest rates or due to other adverse market conditions, because MZA may not be able to enter into tender option bond transactions or use other forms of leverage during such periods. There can be no
assurance that MZAs leverage strategy will be successful. The use of leverage can create risks.
Preferred Shares.
MZA has leveraged its portfolio by issuing VRDP Shares. Under the 1940 Act, MZA is not permitted to issue preferred shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of MZAs outstanding preferred shares exceeds 50% of its
assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than borrowings (i.e., the value of MZAs assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of its outstanding preferred shares). In addition, MZA would not be
permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of MZAs assets less liabilities other than borrowings is at least 200% of such liquidation value.
For tax purposes, MZA is currently required to allocate tax-exempt interest income, net capital
gain and other taxable income, if any, between its Common Shares and preferred shares outstanding in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year in which or with respect to which tax-exempt
income, the net capital gain or other taxable income is paid. If net capital gain or other taxable income is allocated to preferred shares, instead of solely tax-exempt income, MZA will likely have to pay
higher total dividends to preferred stockholders or make special payments to preferred stockholders to compensate them for the increased tax liability. This would reduce the total amount of dividends paid to the holders of Common Shares, but would
increase the portion of the dividend that is tax-exempt. If the increase in dividend payments or the special payments to preferred stockholders are not entirely offset by a reduction in the tax liability of,
and an increase in the tax-exempt dividends received by, the holders of Common Shares, the advantage of MZAs leveraged structure to holders of Common Shares will be reduced.
Tender Option Bonds. MZA currently leverages its assets through the use of residual interest municipal tender option bonds
(TOB Residuals), which are derivative interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in
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which MZA will invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. No independent investigation will
be made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB Residuals held by MZA. Although volatile, TOB Residuals typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on
fixed rate municipal bonds with comparable credit quality.
TOB Residuals represent beneficial interests in a special purpose
trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more funds (a TOB Trust) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more funds. A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of
beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Floaters), which are sold to third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to the fund(s) that transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. MZA may
invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are enhanced with a liquidity support arrangement from a third-party bank or other financial
institution (the TOBs Liquidity Provider) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). MZA, as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual cash flow from the TOB Trust. MZA contributes municipal bonds
to the TOB Trust and is paid the cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Floaters, less certain transaction costs, and typically will invest the cash to purchase additional municipal bonds or other investments permitted by its
investment policies. If MZA ever purchases all or a portion of the TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust, it may surrender those TOB Floaters together with a proportionate amount of TOB Residuals to the TOB Trust in exchange for a proportionate amount
of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
Other registered investment companies advised by the Investment Advisor or its
affiliates (the BlackRock-advised Funds) may contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which MZA has contributed municipal bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and
obligations under the TOB Residual will generally be shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust typically are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction
includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and
MZA, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
The TOB Residuals held by MZA generally provide MZA with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Floaters to tender their notes to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest.
Thereafter, MZA may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. As a result, a tender option bond transaction, in effect, creates exposure for MZA to the entire return of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust, with a net
cash investment by MZA that is less than the value of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust. This multiplies the positive or negative impact of the municipal bonds return within MZA (thereby creating leverage). The leverage within a TOB Trust
depends on the value of the municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust relative to the value of the TOB Floaters it issues.
MZA may invest in highly leveraged TOB Residuals. A TOB Residual generally is considered highly leveraged if the principal amount of the
TOB Floaters issued by the related TOB Trust exceeds 75% of the principal amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
The leverage attributable to MZAs use of TOB Residuals may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may
be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of MZA upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB
Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to
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any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB Floaters
would be paid before the TOB Residual holders (i.e., MZA) whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata.
TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a TOBs Liquidity Provider that allows the holders of the TOB
Floaters to tender their TOB Floaters in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day (subject to the non-occurrence of a termination event). The tendered TOB Floaters are remarketed
by a remarketing agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the TOBs Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Floaters. Any loans made by the TOBs Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased
TOB Floaters held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
MZA may invest in a TOB Trust on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. When MZA invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse
basis, and the TOBs Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the TOBs Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any,
of the Liquidation Shortfall. If MZA invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs Liquidity Provider pursuant to which MZA is required to reimburse the TOBs Liquidity Provider the
amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if MZA invests in a recourse TOB Trust, MZA will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses
will be shared ratably, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
Under accounting rules, Municipal Bonds of MZA
that are deposited into a TOB Trust are investments of MZA and are presented on MZAs Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust are presented as liabilities in MZAs Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Interest income from the underlying Municipal Bonds is recorded by MZA on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee and other services to a TOB Trust are
reported as expenses of MZA. In addition, under accounting rules, loans made to a TOB Trust sponsored by MZA may be presented as loans of MZA in MZAs financial statements even if there is no recourse to MZAs assets.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal bonds with maturities or
remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option. Since the tender option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bonds deposited in the
TOB Trust, the holder of the TOB Floaters relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the liquidity facility as well as the credit strength of that institution. The perceived reliability and creditworthiness, of
many major financial institutions, some of which sponsor and/or provide liquidity support to TOB Trusts increases the risk associated with TOB Floaters. This in turn may reduce the desirability of TOB Floaters as investments, which could impair the
viability or availability of TOB Trusts.
The use of TOB Residuals will require MZA to earmark or segregate liquid assets in
an amount equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored by, or on behalf of, MZA that are not owned by MZA. The use of TOB Residuals may also require MZA to earmark or
segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to loans provided by the TOBs Liquidity Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Floaters. MZA reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to the extent that such
changes are in accordance with applicable regulations or interpretations. Future regulatory requirements or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidance may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may
increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic benefits of TOB Trust transactions or limit MZAs ability to enter into or manage TOB Trust transactions.
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Reverse Repurchase Agreements. MZA may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with
respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by MZA with an agreement by MZA to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price,
date and interest payment. At the time MZA enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing cash and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price
(including accrued interest). If MZA establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be
considered a borrowing by MZA; however, under certain circumstances in which MZA does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books and records, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a
borrowing for the purpose of MZAs limitation on borrowings discussed above. The use by MZA of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be
invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities MZA has sold but is
obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by MZA in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or
receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce MZAs obligation to repurchase the securities and MZAs use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.
Also, MZA would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
MZA also may effect simultaneous purchase and sale transactions that are known as sale-buybacks. A sale-buyback is similar to a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback, the
counterparty that purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of MZAs repurchase of the underlying security.
Dollar Roll Transactions. MZA may enter into dollar roll transactions. In a dollar roll transaction, MZA sells a
mortgage related or other security to a dealer and simultaneously agrees to repurchase a similar security (but not the same security) in the future at a pre-determined price. A dollar roll transaction can be
viewed, like a reverse repurchase agreement, as a collateralized borrowing in which MZA pledges a mortgage related security to a dealer to obtain cash. However, unlike reverse repurchase agreements, the dealer with which MZA enters into a dollar
roll transaction is not obligated to return the same securities as those originally sold by MZA, but rather only securities which are substantially identical, which generally means that the securities repurchased will bear the same
interest rate and a similar maturity as those sold, but the pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.
During the period between the sale and repurchase, MZA will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional
instruments for MZA and the income from these investments will generate income for MZA. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the use
of this technique will diminish the investment performance of MZA compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls.
At the time MZA enters into a dollar roll transaction, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing cash and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the
repurchase price (including accrued interest). If MZA establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a dollar roll transaction will not be considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will
not be considered a borrowing by MZA; however, under certain circumstances in which MZA does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books and records, such dollar roll transaction will be considered a
borrowing for the purpose of MZAs limitation on borrowings.
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Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities MZA is
required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. MZAs right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the investment
managers ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurances that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.
Derivatives. MZA may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them. Derivative transactions that MZA may enter into are also referred to as Strategic
Transactions. MZA cannot assure you that investments in derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result in a higher return on its Common Shares.
To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MZA to make payments, MZA may earmark or segregate cash or liquid assets in an
amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable by MZA under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC. If the current value of the
amount then payable by MZA under the terms of such transactions is represented by the notional amounts of such investments, MZA would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such notional amounts, and if
the current value of the amount then payable by MZA under the terms of such transactions is represented by the market value of MZAs current obligations, MZA would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal
to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MZA to deliver particular securities to extinguish MZAs obligations under such transactions MZA may cover its obligations under such transactions by
either (i) owning the securities or collateral underlying such transactions or (ii) having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration
is required, having earmarked or segregated an appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide MZA with available assets to satisfy its obligations under such transactions. As a result of
such earmarking, segregation or cover, MZAs obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act, or considered borrowings subject to MZAs limitations on
borrowings discussed above, but may create leverage for MZA. To the extent that MZAs obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such obligations may be considered senior securities representing
indebtedness under the 1940 Act and therefore subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.
These earmarking,
segregation or cover requirements can result in MZA maintaining securities positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management.
Temporary Borrowings. MZA may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes,
including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Certain short-term borrowings (such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to the 1940
Acts limitations on leverage if (i) repaid within 60 days, and (ii) not in excess of 5% of MZAs total assets.
Strategic Transactions
MZA may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions and swap contracts (including, but not limited
to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter (OTC) put and call options on securities and swap contracts,
financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques. These Strategic Transactions may be used for duration management and other risk management purposes, subject to MZAs investment
restrictions. While MZAs use of Strategic Transactions is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of MZAs Common Shares, the net asset value of MZAs Common Shares will fluctuate. No assurance can be given that
MZAs Strategic Transactions will be effective.
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There is no particular strategy that requires use of one technique rather than another as
the decision to use any particular strategy or instrument is a function of market conditions and the composition of the portfolio. The ability of MZA to use Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Investment Advisors ability to
predict pertinent market movements as well as sufficient correlation among the instruments, which cannot be assured. Strategic Transactions subject MZA to the risk that, if the Investment Advisor incorrectly forecasts market values, interest rates
or other applicable factors, MZAs performance could suffer. Certain of these Strategic Transactions, such as investments in inverse floating rate securities and credit default swaps, may provide investment leverage to MZAs portfolio. MZA
is not required to use derivatives or other portfolio strategies to seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so.
The use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require MZA to sell or purchase
portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation MZA can realize on an investment or may cause MZA to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, because of
the leveraged nature of the Common Shares, Strategic Transactions will result in a larger impact on the net asset value of the Common Shares than would be the case if the Common Shares were not leveraged. Furthermore, MZA may only engage in
Strategic Transactions from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in interest rates occur.
Inasmuch as any obligations of MZA that arise from the use of Strategic Transactions will be covered by segregated or earmarked liquid assets or offsetting transactions, MZA and the Investment Advisor
believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and, accordingly, will not treat such transactions as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. Additionally, segregated or earmarked liquid assets, amounts paid by MZA as premiums and
cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to MZA for investment purposes.
For so long as the VRDP Shares are rated by a rating agency, MZAs use of options and certain financial futures and options thereon will be subject to such rating agencys guidelines and
limitations on such transactions. In order to maintain ratings on the VRDP Shares from one or more rating agencies, MZA may be required to limit its use of Strategic Transactions in accordance with the specified guidelines of the applicable rating
agencies.
Certain federal income tax requirements may restrict or affect the ability of MZA to engage in Strategic
Transactions. In addition, the use of certain Strategic Transactions may give rise to taxable income and have certain other consequences.
Put and Call Options on Securities and Indices. MZA may purchase and sell put and call options on securities and indices. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell and the
writer the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise price during the option period. MZA may also purchase and sell options on bond indices (index options). Index options are similar to options on securities except that,
rather than taking or making delivery of securities underlying the option at a specified price upon exercise, an index option gives the holder the right to receive cash upon exercise of the option if the level of the bond index upon which the option
is based is greater, in the case of a call, or less, in the case of a put, than the exercise price of the option. The purchase of a put option on a debt security could protect MZAs holdings in a security or a number of securities against a
substantial decline in the market value. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy and the seller the obligation to sell the underlying security or index at the exercise price during the option period or for a specified period
prior to a fixed date. The purchase of a call option on a security could protect MZA against an increase in the price of a security that it intended to purchase in the future.
Writing Covered Call Options. MZA is authorized to write (i.e., sell) covered call options with respect to Municipal Bonds it owns, thereby giving the holder of the option the right to buy
the underlying security covered by the option from MZA at the stated exercise price until the option expires. MZA writes only covered call options, which means that so long as MZA is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the
underlying securities subject to the option.
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MZA receives a premium from writing a call option, which increases MZAs return on the
underlying security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, MZA limits its opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the
option for as long as MZAs obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options serve as a partial hedge against a decline in the price of the underlying security. MZA may engage in closing transactions in order to terminate outstanding
options that it has written.
Additional Information About Options. MZAs ability to close out its position as a
purchaser or seller of an exchange-listed put or call option is dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on option exchanges. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange are:
(i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or
underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the normal operations on an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the
trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been listed by
the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. OTC options are purchased from or sold to dealers, financial institutions or other counterparties which have entered into
direct agreements with MZA. With OTC options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between MZA and the counterparty, without the intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. If the counterparty fails
to make or take delivery of the securities underlying an option it has written, or otherwise settle the transaction in accordance with the terms of that option as written, MZA would lose the premium paid for the option as well as any anticipated
benefit of the transaction. OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written by MZA are considered by the staff of the SEC to be illiquid. The illiquidity of such options or assets may prevent a successful sale of such options or assets,
result in a delay of sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that might otherwise be realized.
MZA may engage in options and
futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over- the-counter markets. MZA will only enter into OTC options with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they
enter into such transactions.
The hours of trading for options on debt securities may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option
markets.
Financial Futures Transactions and Options. MZA is authorized to purchase and sell certain exchange traded
financial futures contracts (financial futures contracts) in order to hedge its investments against declines in value, and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities it intends to purchase or to seek to enhance MZAs
return. However, any transactions involving financial futures or options (including puts and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with MZAs investment policies and limitations. A financial futures contract obligates the seller of
a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract, or in the case of index-based futures contracts to make and accept a cash settlement, at a specific future time for a
specified price. To hedge its portfolio, MZA may take an investment position in a futures contract which will move in the opposite direction from the portfolio position being hedged. A sale of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against
a decline in the value of portfolio securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the financial futures contracts. A purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a
hedge against an increase in the cost of securities intended to be purchased because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the futures contracts.
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Distributions, if any, of net long-term capital gains from certain transactions in futures
or options are taxable at long-term capital gains rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Futures Contracts. A
futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or, in the case of an index-based futures contract, to make and accept a cash settlement for a set price on a future date. A majority of transactions in futures
contracts, however, do not result in the actual delivery of the underlying instrument or cash settlement, but are settled through liquidation, i.e., by entering into an offsetting transaction. Futures contracts have been designed by boards of
trade which have been designated contracts markets by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC).
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale of a security in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the
broker and the relevant contract market, which varies, but is generally about 5% of the contract amount, must be deposited with the broker. This amount is known as initial margin and represents a good faith deposit assuring
the performance of both the purchaser and seller under the futures contract. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called variation margin, are required to be made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates
making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. At any time prior to the settlement date of the futures contract, the position may be closed out by taking an
opposite position that will operate to terminate the position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid to or released by the broker and the purchaser realizes a loss or
gain. In addition, a nominal commission is paid on each completed sale transaction.
MZA may also purchase and sell financial
futures contracts on U.S. Government securities as a hedge against adverse changes in interest rates as described below. With respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there are financial futures contracts based on long-term U.S. Treasury
bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, Government National Mortgage Association Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills. MZA may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts on U.S. Government securities in connection with its hedging
strategies.
MZA also may engage in other futures contracts transactions such as futures contracts on municipal bond indices
that may become available if the Investment Advisor should determine that there is normally a sufficient correlation between the prices of such futures contracts and the Municipal Bonds in which MZA invests to make such hedging appropriate.
Futures Strategies. MZA may sell a financial futures contract (i.e., assume a short position) in anticipation
of a decline in the value of its investments resulting from an increase in interest rates or otherwise. The risk of decline could be reduced without employing futures as a hedge by selling investments and either reinvesting the proceeds in
securities with shorter maturities or by holding assets in cash. This strategy, however, entails increased transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and typically would reduce the average yield of MZAs portfolio securities as a result of
the shortening of maturities. The sale of futures contracts provides an alternative means of hedging against declines in the value of its investments. As such values decline, the value of MZAs positions in the futures contracts will tend to
increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of MZAs investments that are being hedged. While MZA will incur commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions, commissions on futures
transactions are typically lower than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale of MZAs investments being hedged. In addition, the ability of MZA to trade in the standardized contracts available in the futures markets may offer a
more effective defensive position than a program to reduce the average maturity of the portfolio securities due to the unique and varied credit and technical characteristics of the instruments available to MZA. Employing futures as a hedge also may
permit MZA to assume a defensive posture without reducing the yield on its investments beyond any amounts required to engage in futures trading.
When MZA intends to purchase a security, MZA may purchase futures contracts as a hedge against any increase in the cost of such security resulting from a decrease in interest rates or otherwise, that may
occur before
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such purchase can be effected. Subject to the degree of correlation between such securities and the futures contracts, subsequent increases in the cost of such securities should be reflected in
the value of the futures held by MZA. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of futures contracts will be closed out. Due to changing market conditions and interest rate forecasts, however, a futures position may be terminated without a
corresponding purchase of portfolio securities.
Call Options on Futures Contracts. MZA may also purchase and sell
exchange traded call and put options on financial futures contracts. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to
either the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying securities. Like the purchase of a futures contract, MZA may purchase
a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance when MZA is not fully invested.
The writing of a call
option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities, which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is below the exercise price, MZA will retain the
full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in MZAs portfolio holdings.
Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a protective put option on portfolio securities. MZA may purchase a put option
on a futures contract to hedge MZAs portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on
a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities, which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is higher than the exercise price, MZA will retain the full
amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities which MZA intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the
writing of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those relating to futures contracts.
The CFTC subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a
prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (CFTC Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent MZA uses CFTC Derivatives, it
intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term
commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under
the CEA in respect of MZA.
Interest Rate Swap Transactions. In order to seek to hedge the value of MZA against
interest rate fluctuations, to hedge against increases in MZAs costs associated with the dividend payments on any preferred shares, including the VRDP Shares, or to seek to increase MZAs return, MZA may enter into interest rate swap
transactions such as Municipal Market Data AAA Cash Curve swaps (MMD Swaps) or Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index swaps (SIFMA Swaps). To the extent that MZA enters into these
transactions, MZA expects to do so primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities MZA anticipates
purchasing at a later date. MZA may enter into these transactions primarily as a hedge or for duration or risk management rather than as a speculative investment. However, MZA also may invest in MMD Swaps and SIFMA Swaps to seek to enhance return or
gain or to increase MZAs yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short-term and long-term interest rates).
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MZA may purchase and sell SIFMA Swaps in the SIFMA swap market. In a SIFMA Swap, MZA
exchanges with another party their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments linked to the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index). Because the underlying index is a tax-exempt index, SIFMA Swaps may reduce cross-market risks incurred by MZA and increase MZAs ability to hedge effectively. SIFMA Swaps are typically quoted for the entire yield curve, beginning with a seven
day floating rate index out to 30 years. The duration of a SIFMA Swap is approximately equal to the duration of a fixed-rate Municipal Bond with the same attributes as the swap (e.g., coupon, maturity, call feature).
MZA may also purchase and sell MMD Swaps, also known as MMD rate locks. An MMD Swap permits MZA to lock in a specified municipal interest
rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By
using an MMD Swap, MZA can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing MZA to select the most attractive part of the yield curve. An MMD Swap is a contract between MZA and an MMD Swap provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make
payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if MZA buys an MMD Swap and the
Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to MZA equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional
amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, MZA will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the
notional amount of the contract.
In connection with investments in SIFMA and MMD Swaps, there is a risk that municipal yields
will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by MZA, which would cause MZA to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect MZAs performance.
MZA has no obligation to enter into SIFMA Swaps or MMD Swaps and may elect not to do so. The net amount of the excess, if any, of
MZAs obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and MZA will segregate or designate on its books and records liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to
the accrued excess.
If there is a default by the other party to an uncleared interest rate swap transaction, generally MZA
will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. With respect to interest rate swap transactions cleared through a central clearing counterparty, a clearing organization will be substituted for the counterparty
and will guarantee the parties performance under the swap agreement. However, there can be no assurances that the clearing organization will satisfy its obligation to MZA or that MZA would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited
on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or MZAs clearing broker. Certain U.S. federal income tax requirements may limit MZAs ability to engage in interest rate swaps.
Distributions attributable to transactions in interest rate swaps generally will be taxable as ordinary income to stockholders.
Counterparty Credit Standards. To the extent that MZA engages in principal transactions, including, but not limited to, OTC
options, forward currency transactions, swap transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and the purchase and sale of bonds and other fixed income securities, it must rely on the creditworthiness of its counterparties under such
transactions. In certain instances, the credit risk of a counterparty is increased by the lack of a central clearing house for certain transactions, including certain swap contracts. In the event of the insolvency of a counterparty, MZA may not be
able to recover its assets, in full or at all, during the insolvency process. Counterparties to investments may have no obligation to make markets in such investments and may have the ability to apply essentially discretionary margin and credit
requirements. Similarly, MZA will be subject to the risk of bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to such investments by, the counterparties with which it deals. The Investment Advisor will seek to minimize MZAs
exposure to counterparty risk by entering into such transactions with counterparties the Investment
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Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time it enters into the transaction. Certain option transactions and Strategic Transactions may require MZA to provide collateral to secure its
performance obligations under a contract, which would also entail counterparty credit risk.
Other Investment Policies
MZA has adopted certain other policies as set forth below.
Temporary Investments. MZA may invest in short-term tax-exempt and taxable securities subject to the limitations set forth above. The tax-exempt money market securities may include municipal notes, municipal commercial paper, municipal bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year, variable rate demand notes and participations therein.
Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and grant anticipation notes. Anticipation notes are sold as interim financing in anticipation of tax collection, bond sales, government grants or
revenue receipts. Municipal commercial paper refers to short-term unsecured promissory notes generally issued to finance short-term credit needs. The taxable money market securities in which MZA may invest as Temporary Investments consist of U.S.
Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, domestic bank or savings institution certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances, short-term corporate debt securities such as commercial paper and repurchase agreements. These
Temporary Investments must have a stated maturity not in excess of one year from the date of purchase. MZA may not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank or a savings institution unless the bank or institution is organized and operating
in the United States, has total assets of at least one billion dollars and is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), except that up to 10% of total assets may be invested in certificates of deposit of smaller
institutions if such certificates are fully insured by the FDIC.
Credit Default Swap Agreements. MZA may enter into
credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by MZA. The protection buyer in
a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event
occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required
to deliver the related net cash amount (the difference between the market value of the reference obligation and its par value), if the swap is cash settled. MZA may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If MZA is a buyer and no credit
event occurs, MZA may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of
deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, MZA generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and
three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose
value may have significantly decreased. As the seller, MZA would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, MZA would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if MZA had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to
general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. MZA will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the
time they enter into such transactions. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable
obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. MZAs obligations under a credit
default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to MZA).
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MZA will at all times segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with
each such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to MZAs exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by MZA to any counterparty) on a
marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). If MZA is a seller of protection in a credit default swap transaction, it will segregate or
designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the contract. Such segregation or designation will ensure that MZA has assets available to
satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of MZAs portfolio. Such segregation or designation will not limit MZAs exposure to loss.
VRDOs and Participating VRDOs. VRDOs are tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or
variable interest rate adjustment formula and right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period not to exceed seven days. There is, however, the
possibility that because of default or insolvency the demand feature of VRDOs and Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The interest rates are adjustable at intervals (ranging from daily to up to one year) to some prevailing market rate for
similar investments, such adjustment formula being calculated to maintain the market value of the VRDOs, at approximately the par value of the VRDOs on the adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index or
some other appropriate interest rate adjustment index. MZA may invest in all types of tax-exempt instruments currently outstanding or to be issued in the future which satisfy its short-term maturity and
quality standards.
Participating VRDOs provide MZA with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying
obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution upon a specified number of days notice, not to exceed seven days. In addition, the
Participating VRDO is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of the financial institution. MZA would have an undivided interest in the underlying obligation and thus participate on the same basis as the financial institution in such
obligation except that the financial institution typically retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the obligation, providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase commitment. MZA has been advised by its
counsel that MZA should be entitled to treat the income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations as long as MZA does not invest more than 20% of its total assets in such
investments and certain other conditions are met. It is contemplated that MZA will not invest more than 20% of its assets in Participating VRDOs.
VRDOs that contain an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on a notice period exceeding seven days may be deemed to be illiquid
securities. The Directors may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Investment Advisor the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of such VRDOs.
The Temporary Investments, VRDOs and Participating VRDOs in which MZA may invest will be in the following rating categories at the time of purchase: MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG-3/VMIG-3 for notes and VRDOs and Prime-1 through Prime-3 for commercial paper (as determined by Moodys), SP-1 through SP-2 for notes and
A-1 through A-3 for VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by S&P), or F-1 through
F-3 for notes, VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by Fitch). Temporary Investments, if not rated, must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Investment Advisor. In addition, MZA reserves the
right to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in the judgment of the Investment Advisor, market conditions warrant.
Repurchase Agreements. MZA may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into
only with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer or an affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government securities or an affiliate thereof. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities agrees to
repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during MZAs holding period. The risk to MZA is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the
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delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the
collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but MZA might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience
delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by MZA may be delayed or limited.
In general, for federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities
sold. Therefore, amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt interest. The treatment of purchase and sales contracts is less certain.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. MZA may invest in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on disposition or lack an established secondary trading market. The sale of restricted and illiquid securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the
sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar
securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
MYFs Investment Objectives and Policies
Investment Objective and Policies
MYFs investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment
management. MYF also seeks to provide shareholders with the opportunity to own shares the value of which is exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxes. MYF seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy,
at least 80% of an aggregate of MYFs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred shares) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations the interest on which, in the
opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax) and which enables shares of MYF
to be exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxes. The State of Florida repealed the Florida Intangible Tax as of January 2007. As a result, MYF seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of an aggregate of
MYFs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred shares) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of Municipal Bonds, regardless of geographic location. MYF may invest directly in such
securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
MYFs investment objective and its policy of investing at
least 80% of an aggregate of MYFs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred shares) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations the interest on which, in the
opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax) and which enables shares of MYF
to be exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxes are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of MYF (as defined in the 1940 Act). There can be no assurance that
MYFs investment objective will be realized.
MYF may invest in certain
tax-exempt securities classified as private activity bonds (or industrial development bonds, under pre-1986 law) (PABs) (in general, bonds that
benefit non-governmental entities) that may subject certain investors in MYF to an alternative minimum tax. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. The percentage of MYFs total
assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time.
Under normal market conditions, MYF invests primarily in a portfolio of
long-term Municipal Bonds that are commonly referred to as investment grade securities, which are obligations rated at the time of purchase
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within the four highest-quality ratings as determined by either Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa), S&P (currently AAA, AA, A and
BBB) or Fitch Ratings (Fitch) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB). In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating categories are SP-1+ through SP-2
for S&P, MIG 1 through MIG 3 for Moodys and F1+ through F3 for Fitch. In the case of tax-exempt commercial paper, the investment grade rating categories are
A-1+ through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-3 for Moodys and F1+ through F3
for Fitch. Obligations ranked in the lowest investment grade rating category (BBB, SP-2 and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG 3 and Prime- 3 for Moodys; and BBB and F3 for
Fitch), while considered investment grade, may have certain speculative characteristics. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within the rating categories set
forth above. In assessing the quality of Municipal Bonds with respect to the foregoing requirements, the Investment Advisor takes into account the nature of any letters of credit or similar credit enhancement to which particular Municipal Bonds are
entitled and the creditworthiness of the financial institution that provided such credit enhancement. See Appendix DRatings of Investments. If unrated, such securities will possess creditworthiness comparable, in the opinion
of the Investment Advisor, to other obligations in which MYF may invest. Insurance is expected to protect MYF against losses caused by a bond issuers failure to make interest or principal payments. However, insurance does not protect MYF or
its shareholders against losses caused by declines in a bonds market value. If a bonds insurer fails to fulfill its obligations or loses its credit rating, the value of the bond could drop. See Appendix DRatings of
Investments. If unrated, such securities will possess creditworthiness comparable, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, to other obligations in which MYF may invest.
MYF may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, which are securities rated at the time
of purchase Ba or below by Moodys, BB or below by S&P or Fitch, or securities determined by the Investment Advisor to be of comparable quality. Below investment grade quality is regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Such securities commonly are referred to as high yield or junk bonds.
All percentage and ratings limitations on securities in which MYF may invest apply at the time of making an investment and shall not be considered violated as a result of subsequent market movements or if
an investment rating is subsequently downgraded to a rating that would have precluded MYFs initial investment in such security. In the event that MYF disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, MYF may experience a
greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
The average maturity of MYFs
portfolio securities varies from time to time based upon an assessment of economic and market conditions by the Investment Advisor. MYFs portfolio at any given time may include long-term, intermediate-term and short-term Municipal Bonds.
The net asset value of the shares of common stock of a closed-end investment company,
such as MYF, which invests primarily in fixed income securities, changes as the general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates
rise, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to decline. Prices of longer term securities generally fluctuate more in. response to interest rate changes than do shorter term securities. These changes in net asset value are likely to
be greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure, such as MYF.
For temporary periods or to provide
liquidity, MYF has the authority to invest as much as 20% of its total assets in tax- exempt and taxable money market obligations with a maturity of one year or less (such short-term obligations being referred
to herein as Temporary Investments). In addition, MYF reserves the right as a defensive measure to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments, when, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, prevailing
market or financial conditions warrant. Taxable money market obligations will yield taxable income. MYF also may invest in variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) and VRDOs in the form of participation interests (Participating
VRDOs) in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution. See Other Investment PoliciesTemporary Investments. MYFs hedging strategies, which are
described in more detail under Strategic TransactionsFinancial Futures Transactions
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and Options, are not fundamental policies and may be modified by the Board of Trustees of MYF without the approval of MYFs shareholders. MYF is also authorized to invest in indexed
and inverse floating rate obligations for hedging purposes and to seek to enhance return.
MYF may invest in securities not
issued by or on behalf of a state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if MYF receives an opinion of counsel to the issuer that such securities pay interest that is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities). Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities could
include trust certificates, partnership interests or other instruments evidencing interest in one or more long-term Municipal Bonds. Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities
also may include securities issued by other investment companies that invest in Municipal Bonds, to the extent such investments are permitted by MYFs investment restrictions and applicable law.
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities are subject to the same risks associated with an investment in Municipal Bonds as well as many of the risks associated with
investments in derivatives. If the Internal Revenue Service were to issue any adverse ruling or take an adverse position with respect to the taxation on these types of securities, there is a risk that the interest paid on such securities would be
deemed taxable at the federal level.
MYF ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from
federal income taxes. From time to time, MYF may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation may limit the types
and volume of bonds the interest on which qualifies for a federal income tax- exemption. As a result, current legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of
Municipal Bonds for investment by MYF.
The State of Florida repealed the Florida Intangible Tax as of January 2007. As a
result, on September 12, 2008, the Board of Trustees of MYF voted unanimously to approve MYF investing in Municipal Bonds regardless of geographic location. If Florida were to reinstate the Florida Intangible Tax or adopt a state income tax,
however, MYF would be required to realign its portfolio such that at least 80% of its assets would be invested in Florida Municipal Bonds or obtain shareholder approval to amend the foregoing fundamental investment policy to remove references to the
Florida Intangible Tax. There can be no assurance that the State of Florida will not reinstate the Florida Intangible Tax or adopt a state income tax in the future. There can also be no assurance that the reinstatement of the Florida Intangible Tax
or the adoption of a state income tax will not have a material adverse effect on MYF or will not impair the ability of MYF to achieve its investment objectives.
Description of Municipal Bonds
See The Acquiring Funds
InvestmentsDescription of Municipal Bonds for additional information regarding the types of Municipal Bonds in which MYF invests.
Leverage
MYF may
utilize leverage to seek to enhance the yield and net asset value of its Common Shares. However, this objective cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments. MYF currently leverages its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and tender option
bonds. Under the 1940 Act, MYF is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its managed assets (50% of its net assets) or preferred equity securities up to 50% of its managed assets (100% of its net assets). MYF may voluntarily elect to limit
its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, MYF may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the VRDP Shares governing instruments,
counterparties or by agencies rating the VRDP Shares, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, MYF is not permitted to issue preferred shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of
MYFs outstanding preferred shares exceeds 50% of its assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than borrowings (i.e., the value of MYFs assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of its
outstanding preferred shares).
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Derivatives. MYF may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage
embedded in them. Derivative transactions that MYF may enter into and the risks associated with them are described elsewhere in this Offering Memorandum and are also referred to as Strategic Transactions. MYF cannot assure you that
investments in derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result in a higher return on its Common Shares.
To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MYF to make payments, MYF may earmark or segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable
by MYF under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC. If the current value of the amount then payable by MYF under the terms of such transactions is
represented by the notional amounts of such investments, MYF would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such notional amounts, and if the current value of the amount then payable by MYF under the terms
of such transactions is represented by the market value of MYFs current obligations, MYF would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such
transactions obligate MYF to deliver particular securities to extinguish MYFs obligations under such transactions MYF may cover its obligations under such transactions by either (i) owning the securities or collateral
underlying such transactions or (ii) having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, having earmarked or segregated an
appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide MYF with available assets to satisfy its obligations under such transactions. As a result of such earmarking, segregation or cover, MYFs
obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act, or considered borrowings subject to MYFs limitations on borrowings discussed above, but may create leverage
for MYF. To the extent that MYFs obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such obligations may be considered senior securities representing indebtedness under the 1940 Act and therefore
subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.
These earmarking, segregation or cover requirements can result in MYF
maintaining securities positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management.
Temporary Borrowings. MYF may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the
payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Certain short-term borrowings (such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to the 1940 Acts
limitations on leverage if (i) repaid within 60 days, and (ii) not in excess of 5% of MYFs total assets.
Tender Option Bond Transactions. MYF currently leverages its assets through the use of TOB Residuals, which are derivative
interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in which MYF will invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. No independent investigation will be
made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB Residuals held by MYF. Although volatile, TOB Residuals typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on
fixed rate municipal bonds with comparable credit quality.
TOB Residuals represent beneficial interests in a TOB Trust formed
for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more funds. A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: TOB Floaters, which are sold to third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to
the fund(s) that transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. MYF may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are enhanced with a
liquidity support arrangement from a third-party TOBs Liquidity Provider (defined below) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). MYF, as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual cash flow from the TOB
Trust. MYF contributes municipal bonds to the TOB Trust and is
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paid the cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Floaters, less certain transaction costs, and typically will invest the cash to purchase additional municipal bonds or other
investments permitted by its investment policies. If MYF ever purchases all or a portion of the TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust, it may surrender those TOB Floaters together with a proportionate amount of TOB Residuals to the TOB Trust in
exchange for a proportionate amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
Other BlackRock-advised Funds (as defined
below) may contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which MYF has contributed municipal bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residual will generally be
shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
The municipal bonds transferred to a
TOB Trust typically are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal
and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and MYF, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments
of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
The TOB Residuals held by MYF generally provide MYF with
the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Floaters to tender their notes to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. Thereafter, MYF may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. As a
result, a tender option bond transaction, in effect, creates exposure for MYF to the entire return of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust, with a net cash investment by MYF that is less than the value of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust. This
multiplies the positive or negative impact of the municipal bonds return within MYF (thereby creating leverage). The leverage within a TOB Trust depends on the value of the municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust relative to the value of
the TOB Floaters it issues.
MYF may invest in highly leveraged TOB Residuals. A TOB Residual generally is considered highly
leveraged if the principal amount of the TOB Floaters issued by the related TOB Trust exceeds 75% of the principal amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
The leverage attributable to MYFs use of TOB Residuals may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. The TOB
Trust may be collapsed without the consent of MYF upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any
accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB Floaters would be paid before the TOB Residual holders
(i.e., MYF) whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata.
TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a TOBs Liquidity Provider that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their TOB Floaters in exchange for payment of par
plus accrued interest on any business day (subject to the non- occurrence of a termination event). The tendered TOB Floaters are remarketed by a remarketing agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB
Trust may draw upon a loan from the TOBs Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Floaters. Any loans made by the TOBs Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Floaters held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased
interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
MYF may invest in a TOB Trust on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. When MYF invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, and the TOBs Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity
facility, the TOBs Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the Liquidation Shortfall. If MYF invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will
typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs Liquidity Provider
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pursuant to which MYF is required to reimburse the TOBs Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if MYF invests in a recourse TOB Trust, MYF will bear the risk of
loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
Under accounting rules, Municipal Bonds of MYF that are deposited into a TOB Trust are investments of MYF and are presented on MYFs
Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust are presented as liabilities in MYFs Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest income from the underlying Municipal Bonds is recorded by MYF on an accrual basis.
Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee and other services to a TOB Trust are reported as expenses of MYF. In addition, under accounting rules, loans made to a TOB Trust
sponsored by MYF may be presented as loans of MYF in MYFs financial statements even if there is no recourse to MYFs assets.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal bonds with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic
interval of the tender option. Since the tender option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust, the holder of the TOB Floaters relies upon the terms of the
agreement with the financial institution furnishing the liquidity facility as well as the credit strength of that institution. The perceived reliability and creditworthiness, of many major financial institutions, some of which sponsor and/or provide
liquidity support to TOB Trusts increases the risk associated with TOB Floaters. This in turn may reduce the desirability of TOB Floaters as investments, which could impair the viability or availability of TOB Trusts.
The use of TOB Residuals will require MYF to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued
but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored by, or on behalf of, MYF that are not owned by MYF. The use of TOB Residuals may also require MYF to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to loans provided
by the TOBs Liquidity Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Floaters. MYF reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to the extent that such changes are in accordance with applicable regulations or
interpretations. Future regulatory requirements or SEC guidance may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic benefits of TOB Trust transactions or limit
MYFs ability to enter into or manage TOB Trust transactions.
See, Risk FactorsGeneral Risks of Investing in
MYFTender Option Bond Risk for a description of the risks involved with a TOB issuer.
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements. MYF may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by MYF with an
agreement by MYF to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. At the time MYF enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing cash
and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If MYF establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be
considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be considered a borrowing by MYF; however, under certain circumstances in which MYF does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books
and records, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of MYFs limitation on borrowings discussed above. The use by MYF of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since
the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase
agreement may decline below the price of the securities MYF has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by MYF in connection with the
reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
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If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce MYFs obligation to repurchase the securities and MYFs use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may
effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, MYF would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
MYF also may effect simultaneous purchase and sale transactions that are known as sale-buybacks. A sale-buyback is similar to
a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback, the counterparty that purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of MYFs repurchase of the
underlying security.
Strategic Transactions
MYF may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell
exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques. These Strategic Transactions may be used for duration management
and other risk management purposes, subject to MYFs investment restrictions. While MYFs use of Strategic Transactions is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of MYFs Common Shares, the net asset value of
MYFs Common Shares will fluctuate. No assurance can be given that MYFs Strategic Transactions will be effective.
There is no particular strategy that requires use of one technique rather than another as the decision to use any particular strategy or
instrument is a function of market conditions and the composition of the portfolio. The ability of MYF to use Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Investment Advisors ability to predict pertinent market movements as well as
sufficient correlation among the instruments, which cannot be assured. Strategic Transactions subject MYF to the risk that, if the Investment Advisor incorrectly forecasts market values, interest rates or other applicable factors, MYFs
performance could suffer. Certain of these Strategic Transactions, such as investments in inverse floating rate securities and credit default swaps, may provide investment leverage to MYFs portfolio. MYF is not required to use derivatives or
other portfolio strategies to seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so.
The use of Strategic Transactions may
result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require MYF to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation MYF can realize on an
investment or may cause MYF to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, because of the leveraged nature of the Common Shares, Strategic Transactions will result in a larger impact on the net asset value of the Common Shares than
would be the case if the Common Shares were not leveraged. Furthermore, MYF may only engage in Strategic Transactions from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in interest rates occur.
Inasmuch as any obligations of MYF that arise from the use of Strategic Transactions will be covered by segregated or earmarked liquid
assets or offsetting transactions, MYF and the Investment Advisor believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and, accordingly, will not treat such transactions as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. Additionally,
segregated or earmarked liquid assets, amounts paid by MYF as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to MYF for investment purposes. For so long as the VRDP Shares
are rated by a rating agency, MYFs use of options and certain financial futures and options thereon will be subject to such rating agencys guidelines and limitations on such transactions. In order to maintain ratings on the VRDP Shares
from one or more rating agencies, MYF may be required to limit its use of Strategic Transactions in accordance with the specified guidelines of the applicable rating agencies.
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Certain federal income tax requirements may restrict or affect the ability of MYF to engage
in Strategic Transactions. In addition, the use of certain Strategic Transactions may give rise to taxable income and have certain other consequences.
Put and Call Options on Securities and Indices. MYF may purchase and sell put and call options on securities and indices. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell and the
writer the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise price during the option period. MYF may also purchase and sell options on bond indices (index options). Index options are similar to options on securities except that,
rather than taking or making delivery of securities underlying the option at a specified price upon exercise, an index option gives the holder the right to receive cash upon exercise of the option if the level of the bond index upon which the option
is based is greater, in the case of a call, or less, in the case of a put, than the exercise price of the option. The purchase of a put option on a debt security could protect MYFs holdings in a security or a number of securities against a
substantial decline in the market value. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy and the seller the obligation to sell the underlying security or index at the exercise price during the option period or for a specified period
prior to a fixed date. The purchase of a call option on a security could protect MYF against an increase in the price of a security that it intended to purchase in the future.
Writing Covered Call Options. MYF is authorized to write (i.e., sell) covered call options with respect to Municipal Bonds it owns, thereby giving the holder of the option the right to buy
the underlying security covered by the option from MYF at the stated exercise price until the option expires. MYF writes only covered call options, which means that so long as MYF is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the
underlying securities subject to the option.
MYF receives a premium from writing a call option, which increases MYFs
return on the underlying security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, MYF limits its opportunity to pro fit from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise
price of the option for as long as MYFs obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options serve as a partial hedge against a decline in the price of the underlying security. MYF may engage in closing transactions in order to terminate
outstanding options that it has written.
Additional Information About Options. MYFs ability to close out its
position as a purchaser or seller of an exchange-listed put or call option is dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on option exchanges. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange are:
(i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or
underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the normal operations on an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the
trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been listed by
the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. OTC options are purchased from or sold to dealers, financial institutions or other counterparties which have entered into
direct agreements with MYF. With OTC options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between MYF and the counterparty, without the intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. If the counterparty fails
to make or take delivery of the securities underlying an option it has written, or otherwise settle the transaction in accordance with the terms of that option as written, MYF would lose the premium paid for the option as well as any anticipated
benefit of the transaction. OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written by MYF are considered by the staff of the SEC to be illiquid. The illiquidity of such options or assets may prevent a successful sale of such options or assets,
result in a delay of sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that might otherwise be realized.
MYF may engage in options and
futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over-the-counter markets. MYF will only enter into OTC options with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes
to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.
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The hours of trading for options on debt securities may not conform to the hours during
which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the
option markets.
Financial Futures Transactions and Options. MYF is authorized to purchase and sell certain exchange
traded financial futures contracts (financial futures contracts) in order to hedge its investments against declines in value, and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities it intends to purchase or to seek to enhance
MYFs return. However, any transactions involving financial futures or options (including puts and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with MYFs investment policies and limitations. A financial futures contract obligates the
seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract, or in the case of index-based futures contracts to make and accept a cash settlement, at a specific future
time for a specified price. To hedge its portfolio, MYF may take an investment position in a futures contract which will move in the opposite direction from the portfolio position being hedged. A sale of financial futures contracts may provide a
hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the financial futures contracts. A purchase of financial futures contracts may
provide a hedge against an increase in the cost of securities intended to be purchased because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the futures contracts.
Distributions, if any, of net long-term capital gains from certain transactions in futures or options are taxable at long-term capital
gains rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between two
parties to buy and sell a security or, in the case of an index- based futures contract, to make and accept a cash settlement for a set price on a future date. A majority of transactions in futures contracts, however, do not result in the actual
delivery of the underlying instrument or cash settlement, but are settled through liquidation, i.e., by entering into an offsetting transaction. Futures contracts have been designed by boards of trade which have been designated
contracts markets by the CFTC.
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale of a
security in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market, which varies, but is generally about 5% of the contract amount, must be deposited with the
broker. This amount is known as initial margin and represents a good faith deposit assuring the performance of both the purchaser and seller under the futures contract. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called
variation margin, are required to be made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the
market. At any time prior to the settlement date of the futures contract, the position may be closed out by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate the position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation
margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid to or released by the broker and the purchaser realizes a loss or gain. In addition, a nominal commission is paid on each completed sale transaction.
MYF may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities as a hedge against adverse changes in interest
rates as described below. With respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there are financial futures contracts based on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA)
Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills. MYF may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and purchase and sell Municipal Bond Index futures contracts in connection with its hedging
strategies.
MYF also may engage in other futures contracts transactions such as futures contracts on other municipal bond
indices that may become available if the Investment Advisor should determine that there is normally a sufficient correlation between the prices of such futures contracts and the Municipal Bonds in which MYF invests to make such hedging appropriate.
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Futures Strategies. MYF may sell a financial futures contract (i.e., assume a
short position) in anticipation of a decline in the value of its investments resulting from an increase in interest rates or otherwise. The risk of decline could be reduced without employing futures as a hedge by selling investments and either
reinvesting the proceeds in securities with shorter maturities or by holding assets in cash. This strategy, however, entails increased transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and typically would reduce the average yield of MYFs
portfolio securities as a result of the shortening of maturities. The sale of futures contracts provides an alternative means of hedging against declines in the value of its investments. As such values decline, the value of MYFs positions in
the futures contracts will tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of MYFs investments that are being hedged. While MYF will incur commission expenses in selling and closing out futures
positions, commissions on futures transactions are typically lower than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale of MYFs investments being hedged. In addition, the ability of MYF to trade in the standardized contracts available in
the futures markets may offer a more effective defensive position than a program to reduce the average maturity of the portfolio securities due to the unique and varied credit and technical characteristics of the instruments available to MYF.
Employing futures as a hedge also may permit MYF to assume a defensive posture without reducing the yield on its investments beyond any amounts required to engage in futures trading.
When MYF intends to purchase a security, MYF may purchase futures contracts as a hedge against any increase in the cost of such security
resulting from a decrease in interest rates or otherwise, that may occur before such purchase can be effected. Subject to the degree of correlation between such securities and the futures contracts, subsequent increases in the cost of such
securities should be reflected in the value of the futures held by MYF. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of futures contracts will be closed out. Due to changing market conditions and interest rate forecasts, however, a futures
position may be terminated without a corresponding purchase of portfolio securities.
Call Options on Futures
Contracts. MYF may also purchase and sell exchange traded call and put options on financial futures contracts. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending
on the pricing of the option compared to either the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying securities. Like the purchase
of a futures contract, MYF may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance when MYF is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price
at expiration is below the exercise price, MYF will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in MYFs portfolio holdings.
Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a protective
put option on portfolio securities. MYF may purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge MYFs portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price
at expiration is higher than the exercise price, MYF will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities which MYF intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to
those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those relating to futures contracts.
The CFTC subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment
adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its
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liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (CFTC Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent MYF
uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the
definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a commodity
pool operator under the CEA in respect of MYF.
Counterparty Credit Standards. To the extent that MYF engages in
principal transactions, including, but not limited to, OTC options, forward currency transactions, swap transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and the purchase and sale of bonds and other fixed income securities, it must rely on
the creditworthiness of its counterparties under such transactions. In certain instances, the credit risk of a counterparty is increased by the lack of a central clearing house for certain transactions, including certain swap contracts. In the event
of the insolvency of a counterparty, MYF may not be able to recover its assets, in full or at all, during the insolvency process. Counterparties to investments may have no obligation to make markets in such investments and may have the ability to
apply essentially discretionary margin and credit requirements. Similarly, MYF will be subject to the risk of bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to such investments by, the counterparties with which it deals. The
Investment Advisor will seek to minimize MYFs exposure to counterparty risk by entering into such transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time it enters into the transaction. Certain option
transactions and Strategic Transactions may require MYF to provide collateral to secure its performance obligations under a contract, which would also entail counterparty credit risk.
Other Investment Policies
MYF has adopted certain other policies as set
forth below.
Temporary Investments
MYF may invest in short-term tax-exempt and taxable securities subject to the limitations set forth above. The tax-exempt
money market securities may include municipal notes, municipal commercial paper, Municipal Bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year, variable rate demand notes and participations therein. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes,
bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and grant anticipation notes. Anticipation notes are sold as interim financing in anticipation of tax collection, bond sales, government grants or revenue receipts. Municipal commercial paper
refers to short-term unsecured promissory notes generally issued to finance short-term credit needs. The taxable money market securities in which MYF may invest as Temporary Investments consist of U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency
securities, domestic bank or savings institution certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances, short-term corporate debt securities such as commercial paper and repurchase agreements. These Temporary Investments must have a stated maturity
not in excess of one year from the date of purchase. MYF may not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank or a savings institution unless the bank or institution is organized and operating in the United States, has total assets of at least
one billion dollars and is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), except that up to 10% of total assets may be invested in certificates of deposit of smaller institutions if such certificates are fully insured by
the FDIC.
Short-term taxable fixed income investments include, without limitation, the following:
(1) U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and
the Tennessee Valley Authority,
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whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the discretionary
authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. Government provides financial
support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market
value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2) Certificates of deposit issued
against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount
deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Certificates of deposit purchased by MYF may not be fully insured by the FDIC.
(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time MYF purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such
securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for MYF during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and
reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for MYF to invest temporarily available cash. MYF may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers acceptances in which MYF may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to MYF is limited to the ability of
the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that MYF is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered
into, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, MYF could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Investment Advisor monitors the value of the
collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Investment Advisor does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon
repurchase price to be paid to MYF. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of MYF to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by
corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between MYF and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by MYF at any time. The Investment Advisor
will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporations ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because MYFs liquidity
might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year
of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.
Short-term
tax-exempt fixed income securities are securities that are exempt from regular federal income tax and mature within three years or less from the date of issuance. Short-term
tax-exempt fixed income securities include, without limitation, the following:
Bond
Anticipation Notes (BANs) are usually general obligations of state and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for projects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term debt obligations or
bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations on its BANs is primarily dependent on the issuers access to the long-term municipal bond market and the likelihood that the proceeds of such bond sales will be used to pay the principal
and interest on the BANs.
Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are issued by state and local governments to finance the
current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues. TANs
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are usually general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an issuers capacity to raise taxes due to, among other things, a decline in its tax base or a rise in delinquencies could
adversely affect the issuers ability to meet its obligations on outstanding TANs.
Revenue Anticipation Notes
(RANs) are issued by governments or governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a designated source will be used to repay the notes. In general, they also constitute general obligations of the issuer. A decline in
the receipt of projected revenues, such as anticipated revenues from another level of government, could adversely affect an issuers ability to meet its obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition, the possibility that the revenues would, when
received, be used to meet other obligations could affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal and interest on RANs.
Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for specific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with
funds obtained from the Federal Housing Administration.
Bank Notes are notes issued by local government bodies and agencies
to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The purposes for which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently issued to meet short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These notes may have risks similar to the risks
associated with TANs and RANs.
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (municipal
paper) represents very short-term unsecured, negotiable promissory notes, issued by states, municipalities and their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of municipal paper may be made from various sources, to the extent the
funds are available therefrom. Maturities on municipal paper generally will be shorter than the maturities of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited secondary market for issues of municipal paper.
Certain municipal bonds may carry variable or floating rates of interest whereby the rate of interest is not fixed but varies with
changes in specified market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or tax-exempt money market indices.
While the various types of notes described above as a group represent the major portion of the tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are available in the
marketplace and MYF may invest in such other types of notes to the extent permitted under its investment objective, policies and limitations. Such notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from those mentioned above.
Interest Rate Swap Transactions
In order to seek to hedge the value of MYF against interest rate fluctuations, to hedge against increases in MYFs costs associated with the dividend payments on any preferred shares, including the
VRDP Shares, or to seek to increase MYFs return, MYF may enter into interest rate swap transactions such as Municipal Market Data AAA Cash Curve swaps (MMD Swaps) or Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal
Swap Index swaps (SIFMA Swaps). To the extent that MYF enters into these transactions, MYF expects to do so primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management
technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities MYF anticipates purchasing at a later date. MYF may enter into these transactions primarily as a hedge or for duration or risk management rather than as a speculative
investment. However, MYF also may invest in MMD Swaps and SIFMA Swaps to seek to enhance return or gain or to increase MYFs yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short-
term and long-term interest rates).
MYF may purchase and sell SIFMA Swaps in the SIFMA swap market. In a SIFMA Swap, MYF
exchanges with another party their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments linked to the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index). Because the underlying index is a tax-exempt index, SIFMA Swaps may reduce cross- market risks incurred by MYF and increase MYFs
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ability to hedge effectively. SIFMA Swaps are typically quoted for the entire yield curve, beginning with a seven day floating rate index out to 30 years. The duration of a SIFMA Swap is
approximately equal to the duration of a fixed-rate Municipal Bond with the same attributes as the swap (e.g., coupon, maturity, call feature).
MYF may also purchase and sell MMD Swaps, also known as MMD rate locks. An MMD Swap permits MYF to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a
particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Swap, MYF can create a synthetic long or short
position, allowing MYF to select the most attractive part of the yield curve. An MMD Swap is a contract between MYF and an MMD Swap provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon
whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if MYF buys an MMD Swap and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the
specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to MYF equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General
Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, MYF will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract.
In connection with investments in SIFMA and MMD Swaps, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than
anticipated by MYF, which would cause MYF to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect MYFs performance.
MYF has no obligation to enter into SIFMA Swaps or MMD Swaps and may elect not to do so. The net amount of the excess, if any, of MYFs obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest
rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and MYF will segregate or designate on its books and records liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess.
If there is a default by the other party to an uncleared interest rate swap transaction, generally MYF will have contractual remedies
pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. With respect to interest rate swap transactions cleared through a central clearing counterparty, a clearing organization will be substituted for the counterparty and will guarantee the
parties performance under the swap agreement. However, there can be no assurances that the clearing organization will satisfy its obligation to MYF or that MYF would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the
clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or MYFs clearing broker. Certain U.S. federal income tax requirements may limit MYFs ability to engage in interest rate swaps. Distributions attributable to
transactions in interest rate swaps generally will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
Credit Default Swap Agreements
MYF may enter into credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return. The credit
default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by MYF. The protection buyer in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront or
a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par value (full notional value) of
the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount (the difference between the market value of the reference
obligation and its par value), if the swap is cash settled. MYF may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If MYF is a buyer and no credit event occurs, MYF may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if
a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller,
MYF generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is
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between six (6) months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in
exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As the seller, MYF would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, MYF
would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater
risks than if MYF had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. MYF will enter into credit default swap
agreements only with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is
held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the
buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. MYFs obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to MYF).
MYF will at all times segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with each such transaction liquid assets or cash with
a value at least equal to MYFs exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by MYF to any counterparty) on a marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to
requirements of the SEC). If MYF is a seller of protection in a credit default swap transaction, it will segregate or designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the
full notional amount of the contract. Such segregation or designation will ensure that MYF has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of MYFs portfolio. Such
segregation or designation will not limit MYFs exposure to loss.
VRDOs and Participating VRDOs
VRDOs are tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment
formula and right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period not to exceed seven (7) days. There is, however, the possibility that because of
default or insolvency the demand feature of VRDOs and Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The interest rates are adjustable at intervals (ranging from daily to up to one year) to some prevailing market rate for similar investments, such
adjustment formula being calculated to maintain the market value of the VRDOs, at approximately the par value of the VRDOs on the adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index or some other appropriate
interest rate adjustment index. MYF may invest in all types of tax-exempt instruments currently outstanding or to be issued in the future which satisfy its short-term maturity and quality standards.
Participating VRDOs provide MYF with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying obligation and the right
to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution upon a specified number of days notice, not to exceed seven (7) days. In addition, the Participating VRDO is
backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of the financial institution. MYF would have an undivided interest in the underlying obligation and thus participate on the same basis as the financial institution in such obligation except that
the financial institution typically retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the obligation, providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase commitment. MYF has been advised by its counsel that MYF should be
entitled to treat the income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations as long as MYF does not invest more than 20% of its total assets in such investments and certain other
conditions are met. It is contemplated that MYF will not invest more than 20% of its assets in Participating VRDOs.
The
Temporary Investments, VRDOs and Participating VRDOs in which MYF may invest will be in the following rating categories at the time of purchase: MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG-3/VMIG-3 for notes and
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VRDOs and Prime-1 through Prime-3 for commercial paper (as determined by Moodys), SP-1 through SP-2 for notes and A-1 through A-3 for VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined
by S&P), or F1 through F3 for notes, VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by Fitch). Temporary Investments, if not rated, must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Investment Advisor. In addition, MYF reserves the right to invest
temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in the judgment of the Investment Advisor, market conditions warrant.
Repurchase Agreements
MYF may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase
agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer or an affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government securities. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the
seller of securities agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during MYFs holding period. Repurchase agreements are
considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security that is the subject of the repurchase contract. The risk to MYF is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although
the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the
event of default, the collateral may be sold but MYF might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy
proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by MYF may be delayed or limited. The Investment Advisor will monitor the value of the collateral at the time the transaction is entered into and
throughout the term of the repurchase agreement in an effort to determine that such value always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price. In the event the value of the collateral declines below the repurchase price, the Investment Advisor
will demand additional collateral from the issuer to increase the value of the collateral to at least that of the repurchase price, including interest.
In general, for federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities sold. Therefore, amounts earned under such agreements will not
be considered tax exempt interest. The treatment of purchase and sales contracts is less certain.
MENs
Investment Objectives and Policies
Investment Objective and Policies
MENs investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes as
is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. MEN seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of an aggregate of MENs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred
stock) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities, each of which pays interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the
U.S. federal alternative minimum tax) (Municipal Bonds). MEN may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. MENs investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of an aggregate
of MENs net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred stock) and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal Bonds are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the approval of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of MEN (as defined in the 1940 Act). There can be no assurance that MENs investment objective will be realized.
MEN may invest in certain tax-exempt securities classified as private activity bonds (or industrial development bonds, under pre-1986 law) (PABs) (in general, bonds that benefit nongovernmental entities) that
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may subject certain investors in MEN to an alternative minimum tax. The percentage of MENs total assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time. MEN also will not invest more than 25%
of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in Municipal Bonds whose issuers are located in the same state.
Under normal market conditions, MEN expects to invest primarily in a portfolio of long-term Municipal Bonds that are commonly referred to as investment grade securities, which are obligations
rated within the four highest quality ratings as determined by either Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa), S&P Global Ratings (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB) or
Fitch Ratings (Fitch) (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB), or, if unrated, are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Investment Advisor, at the time of investment. In the case of short-term notes, the investment grade rating categories
are SP-1+ through SP-2 for S&P, MIG-1 through MIG-3 for Moodys and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. In the case of tax-exempt commercial paper, the investment grade rating categories are A-1+ through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-3 for Moodys and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. Obligations ranked in the lowest investment grade rating category (BBB, SP-2 and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG-3 and Prime-3 for Moodys; and BBB and F-3 for Fitch), while
considered investment grade, may have certain speculative characteristics. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing within the rating categories set forth above. In
assessing the quality of Municipal Bonds with respect to the foregoing requirements, the Investment Advisor takes into account the nature of any letters of credit or similar credit enhancement to which particular Municipal Bonds are entitled and the
creditworthiness of the financial institution which provided such credit enhancement. Insurance is expected to protect MEN against losses caused by a bond issuers failure to make interest or principal payments. However, insurance does not
protect MEN or its stockholders against losses caused by declines in a bonds market value. If a bonds insurer fails to fulfill its obligations or loses its credit rating, the value of the bond could drop. If unrated, such securities will
possess creditworthiness comparable, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, to other obligations in which MEN may invest.
MEN may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, or are considered by the Investment
Advisor to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase, subject to MENs other investment policies. Such securities, sometimes referred to as high yield or junk bonds, are predominantly speculative with respect to
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the security and generally involve a greater volatility of price than securities in higher rating categories. MEN does not intend to purchase Municipal Bonds that are
in default or which the Investment Advisor believes will soon be in default. Below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities involve substantial risk of loss, are considered speculative with respect to the issuers ability
to pay interest and any required redemption or principal payments and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments.
All percentage and ratings limitations on securities in which MEN may invest apply at the time of making an investment and shall not be considered violated as a result of subsequent market movements or if
an investment rating is subsequently downgraded to a rating that would have precluded MENs initial investment in such security. In the event that MEN disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, MEN may experience a
greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
Under normal market conditions, MEN intends
to invest primarily in long-term Municipal Bonds with maturities of more than ten years at the time of investment. However, MEN also may invest in intermediate term Municipal Bonds with maturities of between three years and ten years. MEN also may
invest from time to time in short-term Municipal Bonds with maturities of less than three years. The average maturity of MENs portfolio securities will vary based upon the Investment Advisors assessment of economic and market conditions.
The net asset value of the shares of common stock of a closed-end investment company,
such as MEN, which invests primarily in fixed income securities, changes as the general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates
rise, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to decline. Prices of longer term securities
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generally fluctuate more in response to interest rate changes than do shorter term securities. These changes in net asset value are likely to be greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged
capital structure, such as MEN.
For temporary periods or to provide liquidity, MEN has the authority to invest as much as 20%
of its total assets in tax-exempt and taxable money market obligations with a maturity of one year or less (such short-term obligations being referred to herein as Temporary Investments). In
addition, MEN reserves the right as a defensive measure to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments, when, in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, prevailing market or financial conditions warrant. Taxable money
market obligations will yield taxable income. MEN also may invest in variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) and VRDOs in the form of participation interests (Participating VRDOs) in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution. See Other Investment PoliciesTemporary Investments. MENs hedging strategies, which are described in more detail under Strategic
Transactions Financial Futures Transactions and Options, are not fundamental policies and may be modified by the Board of Directors of MEN without the approval of MENs stockholders. MEN is also authorized to invest in indexed and
inverse floating rate obligations for hedging purposes and to seek to enhance return.
MEN may invest in securities not issued
by or on behalf of a state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if MEN receives an opinion of counsel to the issuer that such securities pay interest that is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (Non- Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities). Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities could
include trust certificates, partnership interests or other instruments evidencing interest in one or more long-term Municipal Bonds. Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities
also may include securities issued by other investment companies that invest in Municipal Bonds, to the extent such investments are permitted by MENs investment restrictions and applicable law.
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities are subject to the same risks associated with an investment in Municipal Bonds as well as many of the risks associated with
investments in derivatives. If the Internal Revenue Service were to issue any adverse ruling or take an adverse position with respect to the taxation on these types of securities, there is a risk that the interest paid on such securities would be
deemed taxable at the federal level.
MEN ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from
regular U.S. federal income tax. From time to time, MEN may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation may limit
the types and volume of bonds the interest on which qualifies for a U.S. federal income tax exemption. As a result, current legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of Municipal Bonds for investment
by MEN.
Description of Municipal Bonds
See The Acquiring Funds InvestmentsDescription of Municipal Bonds for additional information regarding the types of Municipal Bonds in which MEN invests.
Leverage
MEN may
utilize leverage to seek to enhance the yield and net asset value of its Common Shares. However, this objective cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments. MEN currently leverages its assets through the use of VRDP Shares and tender option
bonds.
Under the 1940 Act, MEN is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3%
of its managed assets (50% of its net assets) or preferred equity securities up to 50% of its managed assets (100% of its net assets). MEN may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In
addition, MEN may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the VRDP Shares governing instruments, counterparties or by agencies rating the VRDP Shares, which may be more stringent
than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
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In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of
leverage, which will be based on short-term interest rates, will normally be lower than the income earned by MEN on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of MEN
(including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, MENs common stockholders can benefit from incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage
is paid to common stockholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the per share net asset value.
However, in order to benefit common stockholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage
exceed MENs return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to common stockholders will be lower than if MEN had not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of MENs portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the
direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. In contrast, the value of MENs obligations under its leverage arrangement generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest
rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence MENs net asset value positively or negatively.
Changes in
the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that MENs leveraging strategy will be successful.
Leverage also will generally cause greater changes in MENs net asset value, market price and dividend rate than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to
cause a greater decline in the net asset value and market price of MENs Common Shares than if MEN were not leveraged. In addition, MEN may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply
with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may cause MEN to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit MENs ability to invest in certain types of securities or use
certain types of hedging strategies. MEN will incur expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by common stockholders and may reduce income to the Common Shares. During periods in which MEN is using leverage, the fees
paid to the Investment Advisor for advisory services will be higher than if MEN did not use leverage, because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of MENs total managed assets, which includes the proceeds from leverage. MENs
leveraging strategy may not be successful.
There can be no assurance MEN will be able to continue to use leverage through the
use of preferred shares, tender option bonds or otherwise during periods of instability or illiquidity in the debt markets, during periods of high short-term interest rates or due to other adverse market conditions, because MEN may not be able to
enter into tender option bond transactions or use other forms of leverage during such periods. There can be no assurance that MENs leverage strategy will be successful. The use of leverage can create risks.
Preferred Shares. MEN has leveraged its portfolio by issuing VRDP Shares. Under the 1940 Act, MEN is not permitted to issue
preferred shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of MENs outstanding preferred shares exceeds 50% of its assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than borrowings (i.e., the
value of MENs assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of its outstanding preferred shares). In addition, MEN would not be permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of
such declaration, the value of MENs assets less liabilities other than borrowings is at least 200% of such liquidation value.
For tax purposes, MEN is currently required to allocate tax-exempt interest income, net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, between its Common Shares and
preferred shares outstanding in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year in which or with respect to which tax-exempt income, the net capital gain or other taxable income is paid. If net
capital gain or other taxable income is allocated to preferred shares, instead of solely tax-exempt income, MEN will likely have to pay higher total dividends to preferred stockholders or make special payments
to preferred stockholders to compensate them for the increased tax
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liability. This would reduce the total amount of dividends paid to the holders of Common Shares, but would increase the portion of the dividend that is
tax-exempt. If the increase in dividend payments or the special payments to preferred stockholders are not entirely offset by a reduction in the tax liability of, and an increase in the tax-exempt dividends received by, the holders of Common Shares, the advantage of MENs leveraged structure to holders of Common Shares will be reduced.
Tender Option Bonds. MEN currently leverages its assets through the use of residual interest municipal tender option bonds
(TOB Residuals), which are derivative interests in municipal bonds. The TOB Residuals in which MEN will invest pay interest or income that, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer of such TOB Residuals, is exempt from regular U.S.
federal income tax. No independent investigation will be made to confirm the tax-exempt status of the interest or income paid by TOB Residuals held by MEN. Although volatile, TOB Residuals typically offer the
potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate municipal bonds with comparable credit quality.
TOB
Residuals represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or more funds (a TOB Trust) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds contributed by one or
more funds. A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Floaters), which are sold to third-party investors, and TOB Residuals, which are generally issued to the funds(s) that
transferred municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. MEN may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB Trust and are enhanced with a liquidity support
arrangement from a third-party bank or other financial institution (the TOBs Liquidity Provider) which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued interest). MEN, as a holder of TOB Residuals, is paid the residual cash
flow from the TOB Trust. MEN contributes municipal bonds to the TOB Trust and is paid the cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Floaters, less certain transaction costs, and typically will invest the cash to purchase additional
municipal bonds or other investments permitted by its investment policies. If MEN ever purchases all or a portion of the TOB Floaters sold by the TOB Trust, it may surrender those TOB Floaters together with a proportionate amount of TOB Residuals to
the TOB Trust in exchange for a proportionate amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
Other registered
investment companies advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (the BlackRock-advised Funds) may contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which MEN has contributed municipal bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds
participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residual will generally be shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust typically are high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds
transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction includes a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider. The TOB Trust
would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and MEN, as a TOB Residual holder, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider.
The TOB Residuals held by MEN generally provide MEN with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Floaters to
tender their notes to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. Thereafter, MEN may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. As a result, a tender option bond transaction, in effect, creates exposure for MEN to the
entire return of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust, with a net cash investment by MEN that is less than the value of the municipal bonds in the TOB Trust. This multiplies the positive or negative impact of the municipal bonds return within
MEN (thereby creating leverage). The leverage within a TOB Trust depends on the value of the municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust relative to the value of the TOB Floaters it issues.
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MEN may invest in highly leveraged TOB Residuals. A TOB Residual generally is considered
highly leveraged if the principal amount of the TOB Floaters issued by the related TOB Trust exceeds 75% of the principal amount of the municipal bonds owned by the TOB Trust.
The leverage attributable to MENs use of TOB Residuals may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. The TOB
Trust may be collapsed without the consent of MEN upon the occurrence of termination events, as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any
accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the remarketing agent of the TOB Floaters and the TOBs Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, the holders of the TOB Floaters would be paid before the TOB Residual holders
(i.e., MEN) whereas in other termination events, the holders of TOB Floaters and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata.
TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a TOBs Liquidity Provider that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their TOB Floaters in exchange for payment of par
plus accrued interest on any business day (subject to the non-occurrence of a termination event). The tendered TOB Floaters are remarketed by a remarketing agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB
Trust may draw upon a loan from the TOBs Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Floaters. Any loans made by the TOBs Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Floaters held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased
interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
MEN may invest in a TOB Trust on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. When MEN invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, and the TOBs Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity
facility, the TOBs Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the Liquidation Shortfall. If MEN invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it will
typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the TOBs Liquidity Provider pursuant to which MEN is required to reimburse the TOBs Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if MEN invests in a recourse TOB Trust,
MEN will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple BlackRock-advised Funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
Under accounting rules, Municipal Bonds of MEN that are deposited into a TOB Trust are investments of MEN and are presented on MENs
Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Trust are presented as liabilities in MENs Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest income from the underlying Municipal Bonds is recorded by MEN on an accrual basis.
Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee and other services to a TOB Trust are reported as expenses of MEN. In addition, under accounting rules, loans made to a TOB Trust
sponsored by MEN may be presented as loans of MEN in MENs financial statements even if there is no recourse to MENs assets.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal bonds with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic
interval of the tender option. Since the tender option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bonds deposited in the TOB Trust, the holder of the TOB Floaters relies upon the terms of the
agreement with the financial institution furnishing the liquidity facility as well as the credit strength of that institution. The perceived reliability and creditworthiness, of many major financial institutions, some of which sponsor and/or provide
liquidity support to TOB Trusts increases the risk associated with TOB Floaters. This in turn may reduce the desirability of TOB Floaters as investments, which could impair the viability or availability of TOB Trusts.
The use of TOB Residuals will require MEN to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to any TOB Floaters, plus any accrued
but unpaid interest due on the TOB Floaters, issued by TOB Trusts sponsored
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by, or on behalf of, MEN that are not owned by MEN. The use of TOB Residuals may also require MEN to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to loans provided by the TOBs Liquidity
Provider to the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Floaters. MEN reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to the extent that such changes are in accordance with applicable regulations or interpretations. Future
regulatory requirements or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidance may necessitate more onerous contractual or regulatory requirements, which may increase the costs or reduce the degree of potential economic benefits of TOB
Trust transactions or limit MENs ability to enter into or manage TOB Trust transactions.
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements. MEN may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by MEN with an
agreement by MEN to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. At the time MEN enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing cash
and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If MEN establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be
considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be considered a borrowing by MEN; however, under certain circumstances in which MEN does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books
and records, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of MENs limitation on borrowings discussed above. The use by MEN of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since
the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase
agreement may decline below the price of the securities MEN has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by MEN in connection with the
reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for
bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce MENs obligation to repurchase the securities and MENs use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase
agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, MEN would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
MEN also may effect simultaneous purchase and sale transactions that are known as sale-buybacks. A sale-buyback is similar to
a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback, the counterparty that purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of MENs repurchase of the
underlying security.
Dollar Roll Transactions. MEN may enter into dollar roll transactions. In a dollar
roll transaction, MEN sells a mortgage related or other security to a dealer and simultaneously agrees to repurchase a similar security (but not the same security) in the future at a pre-determined price. A
dollar roll transaction can be viewed, like a reverse repurchase agreement, as a collateralized borrowing in which MEN pledges a mortgage related security to a dealer to obtain cash. However, unlike reverse repurchase agreements, the dealer with
which MEN enters into a dollar roll transaction is not obligated to return the same securities as those originally sold by MEN, but rather only securities which are substantially identical, which generally means that the securities
repurchased will bear the same interest rate and a similar maturity as those sold, but the pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.
During the period between the sale and repurchase, MEN will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities
sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional instruments for MEN and the income from these investments will generate income for MEN. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain that would have been realized
on the securities sold as part of the dollar
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roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of MEN compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls.
At the time MEN enters into a dollar roll transaction, it may establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing
cash and/or liquid assets having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If MEN establishes and maintains such a segregated account, or earmarks such assets as described, a dollar roll transaction will not be
considered a senior security under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be considered a borrowing by MEN; however, under certain circumstances in which MEN does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, or earmark such assets on its books
and records, such dollar roll transaction will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of MENs limitation on borrowings.
Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities MEN is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. MENs right to
purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the investment managers ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurances that dollar rolls can be
successfully employed.
Derivatives. MEN may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in
them. Derivative transactions that MEN may enter into are also referred to as Strategic Transactions. MEN cannot assure you that investments in derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result in a higher
return on its Common Shares.
To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MEN to make payments, MEN may earmark or
segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable by MEN under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations of the staff
of the SEC. If the current value of the amount then payable by MEN under the terms of such transactions is represented by the notional amounts of such investments, MEN would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least
equal to such notional amounts, and if the current value of the amount then payable by MEN under the terms of such transactions is represented by the market value of MENs current obligations, MEN would segregate or earmark cash or liquid
assets having a market value at least equal to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate MEN to deliver particular securities to extinguish MENs obligations under such transactions MEN may
cover its obligations under such transactions by either (i) owning the securities or collateral underlying such transactions or (ii) having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without
additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, having earmarked or segregated an appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide MEN with available assets
to satisfy its obligations under such transactions. As a result of such earmarking, segregation or cover, MENs obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act,
or considered borrowings subject to MENs limitations on borrowings discussed above, but may create leverage for MEN. To the extent that MENs obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such
obligations may be considered senior securities representing indebtedness under the 1940 Act and therefore subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.
These earmarking, segregation or cover requirements can result in MEN maintaining securities positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be
disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management.
Temporary Borrowings. MEN may also borrow money
as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Certain short-term borrowings
(such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to the 1940 Acts limitations on leverage if (i) repaid within 60 days, and (ii) not in excess of 5% of MENs total assets.
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Strategic Transactions
MEN may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell
exchange-listed and over-the-counter (OTC) put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other
derivative instruments or management techniques. These Strategic Transactions may be used for duration management and other risk management purposes, subject to MENs investment restrictions. While MENs use of Strategic Transactions is
intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of MENs Common Shares, the net asset value of MENs Common Shares will fluctuate. No assurance can be given that MENs Strategic Transactions will be effective.
There is no particular strategy that requires use of one technique rather than another as the decision to use any particular strategy or
instrument is a function of market conditions and the composition of the portfolio. The ability of MEN to use Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Investment Advisors ability to predict pertinent market movements as well as
sufficient correlation among the instruments, which cannot be assured. Strategic Transactions subject MEN to the risk that, if the Investment Advisor incorrectly forecasts market values, interest rates or other applicable factors, MENs
performance could suffer. Certain of these Strategic Transactions, such as investments in inverse floating rate securities and credit default swaps, may provide investment leverage to MENs portfolio. MEN is not required to use derivatives or
other portfolio strategies to seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so.
The use of Strategic Transactions may
result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require MEN to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation MEN can realize on an
investment or may cause MEN to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, because of the leveraged nature of the Common Shares, Strategic Transactions will result in a larger impact on the net asset value of the Common Shares than
would be the case if the Common Shares were not leveraged. Furthermore, MEN may only engage in Strategic Transactions from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in interest rates occur.
Inasmuch as any obligations of MEN that arise from the use of Strategic Transactions will be covered by segregated or earmarked liquid
assets or offsetting transactions, MEN and the Investment Advisor believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and, accordingly, will not treat such transactions as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. Additionally,
segregated or earmarked liquid assets, amounts paid by MEN as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to MEN for investment purposes.
For so long as the VRDP Shares are rated by a rating agency, MENs use of options and certain financial futures and options thereon
will be subject to such rating agencys guidelines and limitations on such transactions. In order to maintain ratings on the VRDP Shares from one or more rating agencies, MEN may be required to limit its use of Strategic Transactions in
accordance with the specified guidelines of the applicable rating agencies.
Certain federal income tax requirements may
restrict or affect the ability of MEN to engage in Strategic Transactions. In addition, the use of certain Strategic Transactions may give rise to taxable income and have certain other consequences.
Put and Call Options on Securities and Indices. MEN may purchase and sell put and call options on securities and indices. A put
option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell and the writer the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise price during the option period. MEN may also purchase and sell options on bond indices (index
options). Index options are similar to options on securities except that, rather than taking or making delivery of securities underlying the option at a specified price upon exercise, an index option gives the holder the right to receive cash
upon exercise of the option if the level of the bond index upon
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which the option is based is greater, in the case of a call, or less, in the case of a put, than the exercise price of the option. The purchase of a put option on a debt security could protect
MENs holdings in a security or a number of securities against a substantial decline in the market value. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy and the seller the obligation to sell the underlying security or index at
the exercise price during the option period or for a specified period prior to a fixed date. The purchase of a call option on a security could protect MEN against an increase in the price of a security that it intended to purchase in the future.
Writing Covered Call Options. MEN is authorized to write (i.e., sell) covered call options with respect to
Municipal Bonds it owns, thereby giving the holder of the option the right to buy the underlying security covered by the option from MEN at the stated exercise price until the option expires. MEN writes only covered call options, which means that so
long as MEN is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying securities subject to the option.
MEN
receives a premium from writing a call option, which increases MENs return on the underlying security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, MEN limits its opportunity to profit from an
increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option for as long as MENs obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options serve as a partial hedge against a decline in the price of the underlying
security. MEN may engage in closing transactions in order to terminate outstanding options that it has written.
Additional
Information About Options. MENs ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an exchange-listed put or call option is dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on option exchanges. Among the possible
reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other
restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the normal operations on an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current
trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would
cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been listed by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. OTC options are purchased from or sold to
dealers, financial institutions or other counterparties which have entered into direct agreements with MEN. With OTC options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between MEN and the counterparty, without
the intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. If the counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the securities underlying an option it has written, or otherwise settle the transaction in accordance with the terms of that option as
written, MEN would lose the premium paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written by MEN are considered by the staff of the SEC to be illiquid. The illiquidity of
such options or assets may prevent a successful sale of such options or assets, result in a delay of sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that might otherwise be realized.
MEN may engage in options and futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over- the-counter markets. MEN will only enter into OTC options with
counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.
The hours of
trading for options on debt securities may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements
can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
Financial Futures Transactions
and Options. MEN is authorized to purchase and sell certain exchange traded financial futures contracts (financial futures contracts) in order to hedge its investments against declines
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in value, and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities it intends to purchase or to seek to enhance MENs return. However, any transactions involving financial futures or options
(including puts and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with MENs investment policies and limitations. A financial futures contract obligates the seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to take delivery of
the type of financial instrument covered by the contract, or in the case of index-based futures contracts to make and accept a cash settlement, at a specific future time for a specified price. To hedge its portfolio, MEN may take an investment
position in a futures contract which will move in the opposite direction from the portfolio position being hedged. A sale of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities because such
depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the financial futures contracts. A purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against an increase in the cost of securities intended to
be purchased because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the futures contracts.
Distributions, if any, of net long-term capital gains from certain transactions in futures or options are taxable at long-term capital gains rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or, in the case of an
index-based futures contract, to make and accept a cash settlement for a set price on a future date. A majority of transactions in futures contracts, however, do not result in the actual delivery of the underlying instrument or cash settlement, but
are settled through liquidation, i.e., by entering into an offsetting transaction. Futures contracts have been designed by boards of trade which have been designated contracts markets by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(the CFTC).
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale of a security in that no
price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market, which varies, but is generally about 5% of the contract amount, must be deposited with the broker. This amount
is known as initial margin and represents a good faith deposit assuring the performance of both the purchaser and seller under the futures contract. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called variation
margin, are required to be made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. At any
time prior to the settlement date of the futures contract, the position may be closed out by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate the position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made,
additional cash is required to be paid to or released by the broker and the purchaser realizes a loss or gain. In addition, a nominal commission is paid on each completed sale transaction.
MEN may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities as a hedge against adverse changes in interest
rates as described below. With respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there are financial futures contracts based on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, Government National Mortgage Association Certificates and three-month
U.S. Treasury bills. MEN may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts on U.S. Government securities in connection with its hedging strategies.
MEN also may engage in other futures contracts transactions such as futures contracts on municipal bond indices that may become available if the Investment Advisor should determine that there is normally
a sufficient correlation between the prices of such futures contracts and the Municipal Bonds in which MEN invests to make such hedging appropriate.
Futures Strategies. MEN may sell a financial futures contract (i.e., assume a short position) in anticipation of a decline in the value of its investments resulting from an increase in
interest rates or otherwise. The risk of decline could be reduced without employing futures as a hedge by selling investments and either reinvesting the proceeds in securities with shorter maturities or by holding assets in cash. This strategy,
however, entails increased transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and typically would reduce the average yield of MENs
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portfolio securities as a result of the shortening of maturities. The sale of futures contracts provides an alternative means of hedging against declines in the value of its investments. As such
values decline, the value of MENs positions in the futures contracts will tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of MENs investments that are being hedged. While MEN will incur
commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions, commissions on futures transactions are typically lower than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale of MENs investments being hedged. In addition, the ability of
MEN to trade in the standardized contracts available in the futures markets may offer a more effective defensive position than a program to reduce the average maturity of the portfolio securities due to the unique and varied credit and technical
characteristics of the instruments available to MEN. Employing futures as a hedge also may permit MEN to assume a defensive posture without reducing the yield on its investments beyond any amounts required to engage in futures trading.
When MEN intends to purchase a security, MEN may purchase futures contracts as a hedge against any increase in the cost of such security
resulting from a decrease in interest rates or otherwise, that may occur before such purchase can be effected. Subject to the degree of correlation between such securities and the futures contracts, subsequent increases in the cost of such
securities should be reflected in the value of the futures held by MEN. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of futures contracts will be closed out. Due to changing market conditions and interest rate forecasts, however, a futures
position may be terminated without a corresponding purchase of portfolio securities.
Call Options on Futures
Contracts. MEN may also purchase and sell exchange traded call and put options on financial futures contracts. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending
on the pricing of the option compared to either the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying securities. Like the purchase
of a futures contract, MEN may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance when MEN is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities, which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price
at expiration is below the exercise price, MEN will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in MENs portfolio holdings.
Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a protective
put option on portfolio securities. MEN may purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge MENs portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities, which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price
at expiration is higher than the exercise price, MEN will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities which MEN intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to
those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those relating to futures contracts.
The CFTC subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment
adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (CFTC Derivatives), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure
to such instruments. To the extent MEN uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a commodity pool or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Investment Advisor
has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term
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commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Investment Advisor is not, therefore, subject to registration or
regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA in respect of MEN.
Interest Rate Swap Transactions.
In order to seek to hedge the value of MEN against interest rate fluctuations, to hedge against increases in MENs costs associated with the dividend payments on any preferred shares, including the VRDP Shares, or to seek to increase MENs
return, MEN may enter into interest rate swap transactions such as Municipal Market Data AAA Cash Curve swaps (MMD Swaps) or Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index swaps (SIFMA Swaps). To
the extent that MEN enters into these transactions, MEN expects to do so primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the
price of securities MEN anticipates purchasing at a later date. MEN may enter into these transactions primarily as a hedge or for duration or risk management rather than as a speculative investment. However, MEN also may invest in MMD Swaps and
SIFMA Swaps to seek to enhance return or gain or to increase MENs yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short-term and long-term interest rates).
MEN may purchase and sell SIFMA Swaps in the SIFMA swap market. In a SIFMA Swap, MEN exchanges with another party their respective
commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments linked to the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index). Because the underlying index is a tax-exempt index,
SIFMA Swaps may reduce cross-market risks incurred by MEN and increase MENs ability to hedge effectively. SIFMA Swaps are typically quoted for the entire yield curve, beginning with a seven day floating rate index out to 30 years. The duration
of a SIFMA Swap is approximately equal to the duration of a fixed-rate Municipal Bond with the same attributes as the swap (e.g., coupon, maturity, call feature).
MEN may also purchase and sell MMD Swaps, also known as MMD rate locks. An MMD Swap permits MEN to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a
particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Swap, MEN can create a synthetic long or short
position, allowing MEN to select the most attractive part of the yield curve. An MMD Swap is a contract between MEN and an MMD Swap provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon
whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if MEN buys an MMD Swap and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the
specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to MEN equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General
Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, MEN will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract.
In connection with investments in SIFMA and MMD Swaps, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than
anticipated by MEN, which would cause MEN to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect MENs performance.
MEN has no obligation to enter into SIFMA Swaps or MMD Swaps and may elect not to do so. The net amount of the excess, if any, of MENs obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest
rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and MEN will segregate or designate on its books and records liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess.
If there is a default by the other party to an uncleared interest rate swap transaction, generally MEN will have contractual remedies
pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. With respect to interest rate swap transactions cleared through a central clearing counterparty, a clearing organization will be substituted for the
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counterparty and will guarantee the parties performance under the swap agreement. However, there can be no assurances that the clearing organization will satisfy its obligation to MEN or
that MEN would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or MENs clearing broker. Certain U.S. federal income tax requirements
may limit MENs ability to engage in interest rate swaps. Distributions attributable to transactions in interest rate swaps generally will be taxable as ordinary income to stockholders.
Counterparty Credit Standards. To the extent that MEN engages in principal transactions, including, but not limited to, OTC
options, forward currency transactions, swap transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and the purchase and sale of bonds and other fixed income securities, it must rely on the creditworthiness of its counterparties under such
transactions. In certain instances, the credit risk of a counterparty is increased by the lack of a central clearing house for certain transactions, including certain swap contracts. In the event of the insolvency of a counterparty, MEN may not be
able to recover its assets, in full or at all, during the insolvency process. Counterparties to investments may have no obligation to make markets in such investments and may have the ability to apply essentially discretionary margin and credit
requirements. Similarly, MEN will be subject to the risk of bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to such investments by, the counterparties with which it deals. The Investment Advisor will seek to minimize MENs
exposure to counterparty risk by entering into such transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time it enters into the transaction. Certain option transactions and Strategic Transactions may require
MEN to provide collateral to secure its performance obligations under a contract, which would also entail counterparty credit risk.
Other
Investment Policies
MEN has adopted certain other policies as set forth below.
Temporary Investments. MEN may invest in short-term tax-exempt and taxable securities
subject to the limitations set forth above. The tax-exempt money market securities may include municipal notes, municipal commercial paper, municipal bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year,
variable rate demand notes and participations therein. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and grant anticipation notes. Anticipation notes are sold as interim financing in anticipation
of tax collection, bond sales, government grants or revenue receipts. Municipal commercial paper refers to short-term unsecured promissory notes generally issued to finance short-term credit needs. The taxable money market securities in which MEN
may invest as Temporary Investments consist of U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, domestic bank or savings institution certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances, short-term corporate debt securities such as
commercial paper and repurchase agreements. These Temporary Investments must have a stated maturity not in excess of one year from the date of purchase. MEN may not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank or a savings institution unless
the bank or institution is organized and operating in the United States, has total assets of at least one billion dollars and is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), except that up to 10% of total assets may be
invested in certificates of deposit of smaller institutions if such certificates are fully insured by the FDIC.
Credit
Default Swap Agreements. MEN may enter into credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently
held by MEN. The protection buyer in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event on a
reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity
described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount (the difference between the market value of the reference obligation and its par value), if the swap is cash settled. MEN may be either the buyer or seller
in the transaction. If MEN is a buyer and no credit event occurs, MEN may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a
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credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose
value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, MEN generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event.
If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As the
seller, MEN would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, MEN would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if MEN had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to
general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. MEN will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the
time they enter into such transactions. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable
obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. MENs obligations under a credit
default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to MEN).
MEN will at all times segregate or
designate on its books and records in connection with each such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to MENs exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by MEN to any counterparty) on a marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). If MEN is a seller of protection in a credit default swap transaction, it will segregate or
designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the contract. Such segregation or designation will ensure that MEN has assets available to
satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of MENs portfolio. Such segregation or designation will not limit MENs exposure to loss.
VRDOs and Participating VRDOs. VRDOs are tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or
variable interest rate adjustment formula and right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period not to exceed seven days. There is, however, the
possibility that because of default or insolvency the demand feature of VRDOs and Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The interest rates are adjustable at intervals (ranging from daily to up to one year) to some prevailing market rate for
similar investments, such adjustment formula being calculated to maintain the market value of the VRDOs, at approximately the par value of the VRDOs on the adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index or
some other appropriate interest rate adjustment index. MEN may invest in all types of tax-exempt instruments currently outstanding or to be issued in the future which satisfy its short-term maturity and
quality standards.
Participating VRDOs provide MEN with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying
obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution upon a specified number of days notice, not to exceed seven days. In addition, the
Participating VRDO is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of the financial institution. MEN would have an undivided interest in the underlying obligation and thus participate on the same basis as the financial institution in such
obligation except that the financial institution typically retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the obligation, providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase commitment. MEN has been advised by its
counsel that MEN should be entitled to treat the income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations as long as MEN does not invest more than 20% of its total assets in such
investments and certain other conditions are met. It is contemplated that MEN will not invest more than 20% of its assets in Participating VRDOs.
171
VRDOs that contain an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid
principal balance plus accrued interest on a notice period exceeding seven days may be deemed to be illiquid securities. The Directors may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Investment Advisor the daily function of determining and monitoring
liquidity of such VRDOs.
The Temporary Investments, VRDOs and Participating VRDOs in which MEN may invest will be in the
following rating categories at the time of purchase: MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG- 3/VMIG-3
for notes and VRDOs and Prime-1 through Prime-3 for commercial paper (as determined by Moodys), SP-1 through SP-2 for notes and A-1 through A-3 for VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by S&P), or
F-1 through F-3 for notes, VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by Fitch). Temporary Investments, if not rated, must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the
Investment Advisor. In addition, MEN reserves the right to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in the judgment of the Investment Advisor, market conditions warrant.
Repurchase Agreements. MEN may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into
only with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer or an affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government securities or an affiliate thereof. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities agrees to
repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during MENs holding period. The risk to MEN is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral
declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but MEN might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in
connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by MEN may be delayed or limited.
In general, for federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities
sold. Therefore, amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt interest. The treatment of purchase and sales contracts is less certain.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. MEN may invest in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on disposition or lack an established secondary trading market. The sale of restricted and illiquid securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the
sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar
securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
172
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMON SHARES OF THE FUNDS
General
Common shareholders of each Fund are entitled to share pro rata in dividends declared by such Funds Board as payable to holders of the Funds common shares and in the net assets of the Fund
available for distribution to holders of the common shares. Common shareholders do not have preemptive or conversion rights and each Funds common shares are not redeemable. Voting rights are identical for the common shareholders of each Fund.
Common shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote for each Share held by them and do not have any preemptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe to any Shares of such Fund. Each Funds common shares do not have cumulative
voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of a Funds common shares voting for the election of Board Members can elect all of the Board Members standing for election by such holders, and, in such event, the holders of the
Funds remaining common shares will not be able to elect any Board Members. The outstanding BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and Acquiring Fund common shares are fully paid and non-assessable, except that the
Board of each Fund has the power to cause common shareholders to pay certain expenses of the applicable Fund by setting off charges due from common shareholders from declared but unpaid dividends or distributions owed the common shareholders and/or
by reducing the number of common shares owned by each respective common shareholder. Whenever preferred shares, including VRDP Shares, are outstanding, a Fund may not declare a dividend or distribution to common shareholders (other than a
distribution in common shares of the Fund) or purchase its common shares unless all accumulated dividends on preferred shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares at the time of
declaration of such dividend or distribution or at the time of such purchase would be at least 200% after giving effect to the dividend or distribution or purchase price.
Purchase and Sale of Common Shares
Purchase and
sale procedures for the common shares of each of the Funds are identical. Each Fund has its common shares listed on the NYSE. Investors typically purchase and sell common shares of the Funds through a registered broker-dealer on the NYSE, thereby
incurring a brokerage commission set by the broker-dealer. Alternatively, investors may purchase or sell common shares of each of the Funds through privately negotiated transactions with existing common shareholders. Set forth below is information
about each Funds common shares as of October 16, 2020.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Title of Class
|
|
|
Amount
Authorized
|
|
|
Amount
Held by
Fund for its
Own
Account
|
|
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of
Amount
Shown in
Previous
Column
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
Unlimited
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,082,345
|
|
MHE
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
Unlimited
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,371,023
|
|
MZA
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
4,637,638
|
|
MYF
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
Unlimited
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
13,713,952
|
|
MEN
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
29,681,476
|
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
30,725,788
|
|
173
Common Share Price Data
The following tables set forth the high and low market prices for common shares of each Fund on the NYSE for each full quarterly period
within each Funds two most recent fiscal years and each full quarter since the beginning of each Funds current fiscal year, along with the NAV and discount or premium to NAV for each quotation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BZM
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
8/31/2020
|
|
$
|
15.00
|
|
|
$
|
13.50
|
|
|
$
|
15.31
|
|
|
$
|
14.67
|
|
|
|
(2.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(8.0
|
)%
|
5/31/2020
|
|
$
|
16.45
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
$
|
15.89
|
|
|
$
|
14.47
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
(21.7
|
)%
|
2/29/2020
|
|
$
|
17.74
|
|
|
$
|
14.42
|
|
|
$
|
15.63
|
|
|
$
|
15.38
|
|
|
|
13.5
|
%
|
|
|
(6.2
|
)%
|
11/30/2019
|
|
$
|
14.58
|
|
|
$
|
13.86
|
|
|
$
|
15.36
|
|
|
$
|
15.53
|
|
|
|
(5.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(10.7
|
)%
|
8/31/2019
|
|
$
|
15.11
|
|
|
$
|
14.18
|
|
|
$
|
15.27
|
|
|
$
|
15.19
|
|
|
|
(1.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(6.6
|
)%
|
5/31/2019
|
|
$
|
14.95
|
|
|
$
|
13.89
|
|
|
$
|
14.89
|
|
|
$
|
14.73
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
%
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)%
|
2/28/2019
|
|
$
|
14.60
|
|
|
$
|
12.72
|
|
|
$
|
14.61
|
|
|
$
|
14.63
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.1
|
)%
|
11/30/2018
|
|
$
|
14.47
|
|
|
$
|
12.95
|
|
|
$
|
14.83
|
|
|
$
|
14.48
|
|
|
|
(2.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(10.6
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
MHE
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
8/31/2020
|
|
$
|
13.66
|
|
|
$
|
12.54
|
|
|
$
|
13.97
|
|
|
$
|
13.42
|
|
|
|
(2.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(6.6
|
)%
|
5/31/2020
|
|
$
|
13.98
|
|
|
$
|
11.61
|
|
|
$
|
13.91
|
|
|
$
|
12.58
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
(7.7
|
)%
|
2/29/2020
|
|
$
|
15.05
|
|
|
$
|
13.20
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
13.88
|
|
|
|
6.2
|
%
|
|
|
(5.0
|
)%
|
11/30/2019
|
|
$
|
13.53
|
|
|
$
|
12.48
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
13.96
|
|
|
|
(3.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(10.6
|
)%
|
8/31/2019
|
|
$
|
13.39
|
|
|
$
|
12.72
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
13.75
|
|
|
|
(5.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.5
|
)%
|
5/31/2019
|
|
$
|
12.98
|
|
|
$
|
12.16
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
13.23
|
|
|
|
(5.6
|
)%
|
|
|
(8.1
|
)%
|
2/28/2019
|
|
$
|
12.28
|
|
|
$
|
11.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
13.13
|
|
|
|
(7.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(14.8
|
)%
|
11/30/2018
|
|
$
|
12.86
|
|
|
$
|
11.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
12.98
|
|
|
|
(2.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(14.1
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
MZA
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
7/31/2020
|
|
$
|
14.69
|
|
|
$
|
12.50
|
|
|
$
|
14.66
|
|
|
$
|
13.70
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
(8.8
|
)%
|
4/30/2020
|
|
$
|
14.50
|
|
|
$
|
9.93
|
|
|
$
|
15.38
|
|
|
$
|
13.68
|
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)%
|
|
|
(27.4
|
)%
|
1/31/2020
|
|
$
|
14.43
|
|
|
$
|
13.42
|
|
|
$
|
15.15
|
|
|
$
|
14.86
|
|
|
|
(4.7
|
)%
|
|
|
(9.7
|
)%
|
10/31/2019
|
|
$
|
14.83
|
|
|
$
|
12.89
|
|
|
$
|
15.13
|
|
|
$
|
14.91
|
|
|
|
(2.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.5
|
)%
|
7/31/2019
|
|
$
|
14.20
|
|
|
$
|
13.58
|
|
|
$
|
14.63
|
|
|
$
|
14.61
|
|
|
|
(2.9
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.1
|
)%
|
4/30/2019
|
|
$
|
14.06
|
|
|
$
|
12.91
|
|
|
$
|
14.26
|
|
|
$
|
13.94
|
|
|
|
(1.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.4
|
)%
|
1/31/2019
|
|
$
|
13.08
|
|
|
$
|
12.16
|
|
|
$
|
13.86
|
|
|
$
|
13.86
|
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)%
|
|
|
(12.3
|
)%
|
10/31/2018
|
|
$
|
14.44
|
|
|
$
|
11.90
|
|
|
$
|
14.04
|
|
|
$
|
13.65
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
|
|
(12.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
MYF
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
7/31/2020
|
|
$
|
13.79
|
|
|
$
|
12.20
|
|
|
$
|
14.50
|
|
|
$
|
13.24
|
|
|
|
(4.9
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.9
|
)%
|
4/30/2020
|
|
$
|
15.40
|
|
|
$
|
10.41
|
|
|
$
|
15.17
|
|
|
$
|
13.35
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
(22.0
|
)%
|
1/31/2020
|
|
$
|
14.59
|
|
|
$
|
14.05
|
|
|
$
|
14.88
|
|
|
$
|
14.52
|
|
|
|
(2.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.2
|
)%
|
10/31/2019
|
|
$
|
14.66
|
|
|
$
|
13.70
|
|
|
$
|
14.78
|
|
|
$
|
14.48
|
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(5.4
|
)%
|
7/31/2019
|
|
$
|
14.79
|
|
|
$
|
14.25
|
|
|
$
|
14.44
|
|
|
$
|
14.45
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
|
(1.4
|
)%
|
4/30/2019
|
|
$
|
14.43
|
|
|
$
|
13.57
|
|
|
$
|
14.24
|
|
|
$
|
13.95
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
|
|
(2.7
|
)%
|
1/31/2019
|
|
$
|
13.98
|
|
|
$
|
12.65
|
|
|
$
|
13.84
|
|
|
$
|
13.94
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
(9.2
|
)%
|
10/31/2018
|
|
$
|
14.84
|
|
|
$
|
13.43
|
|
|
$
|
14.09
|
|
|
$
|
14.24
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)%
|
174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEN
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
7/31/2020
|
|
$
|
11.85
|
|
|
$
|
10.16
|
|
|
$
|
12.36
|
|
|
$
|
11.45
|
|
|
|
(4.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(11.3
|
)%
|
4/30/2020
|
|
$
|
12.13
|
|
|
$
|
8.36
|
|
|
$
|
12.48
|
|
|
$
|
9.97
|
|
|
|
(2.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(16.1
|
)%
|
1/31/2020
|
|
$
|
11.77
|
|
|
$
|
11.04
|
|
|
$
|
12.48
|
|
|
$
|
12.13
|
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)%
|
|
|
(9.0
|
)%
|
10/31/2019
|
|
$
|
11.75
|
|
|
$
|
10.36
|
|
|
$
|
12.17
|
|
|
$
|
12.15
|
|
|
|
(3.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(14.8
|
)%
|
7/31/2019
|
|
$
|
11.28
|
|
|
$
|
10.73
|
|
|
$
|
12.03
|
|
|
$
|
11.80
|
|
|
|
(6.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(9.0
|
)%
|
4/30/2019
|
|
$
|
10.79
|
|
|
$
|
10.33
|
|
|
$
|
11.70
|
|
|
$
|
11.67
|
|
|
|
(7.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(11.5
|
)%
|
1/31/2019
|
|
$
|
10.45
|
|
|
$
|
9.68
|
|
|
$
|
11.38
|
|
|
$
|
11.06
|
|
|
|
(8.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(12.5
|
)%
|
10/31/2018
|
|
$
|
10.43
|
|
|
$
|
9.69
|
|
|
$
|
11.54
|
|
|
$
|
11.11
|
|
|
|
(9.6
|
)%
|
|
|
(12.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
7/31/2020
|
|
$
|
16.18
|
|
|
$
|
13.88
|
|
|
$
|
16.48
|
|
|
$
|
14.90
|
|
|
|
(1.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(6.9
|
)%
|
4/30/2020
|
|
$
|
15.80
|
|
|
$
|
11.34
|
|
|
$
|
16.57
|
|
|
$
|
13.42
|
|
|
|
(4.6
|
)%
|
|
|
(15.5
|
)%
|
1/31/2020
|
|
$
|
15.51
|
|
|
$
|
14.73
|
|
|
$
|
16.55
|
|
|
$
|
16.08
|
|
|
|
(6.3
|
)%
|
|
|
(8.4
|
)%
|
10/31/2019
|
|
$
|
15.31
|
|
|
$
|
13.82
|
|
|
$
|
16.42
|
|
|
$
|
16.20
|
|
|
|
(6.7
|
)%
|
|
|
(14.7
|
)%
|
7/31/2019
|
|
$
|
14.69
|
|
|
$
|
14.05
|
|
|
$
|
16.06
|
|
|
$
|
15.71
|
|
|
|
(8.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(10.6
|
)%
|
4/30/2019
|
|
$
|
14.75
|
|
|
$
|
13.66
|
|
|
$
|
15.55
|
|
|
$
|
15.22
|
|
|
|
(5.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(10.2
|
)%
|
1/31/2019
|
|
$
|
13.72
|
|
|
$
|
12.76
|
|
|
$
|
15.16
|
|
|
$
|
14.72
|
|
|
|
(9.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.3
|
)%
|
10/31/2018
|
|
$
|
13.94
|
|
|
$
|
12.70
|
|
|
$
|
15.34
|
|
|
$
|
14.78
|
|
|
|
(9.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(14.1
|
)%
|
For the periods shown in the tables above, the common shares of BZM, MHE, MZA and MYF have traded at both
a premium and a discount and the common shares of MEN and the Acquiring Fund have traded at a discount.
The table below
sets forth the market price, NAV, and the premium/discount to NAV of each Fund as of August 31, 2020.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Market
Price
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Premium/
(Discount)
to NAV
|
|
BZM
|
|
$
|
13.92
|
|
|
$
|
15.13
|
|
|
|
(8.00
|
)%
|
MHE
|
|
$
|
13.24
|
|
|
$
|
13.68
|
|
|
|
(3.22
|
)%
|
MZA
|
|
$
|
14.40
|
|
|
$
|
14.63
|
|
|
|
(1.57
|
)%
|
MYF
|
|
$
|
13.42
|
|
|
$
|
14.36
|
|
|
|
(6.55
|
)%
|
MEN
|
|
$
|
11.37
|
|
|
$
|
12.20
|
|
|
|
(6.80
|
)%
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
$
|
15.92
|
|
|
$
|
16.27
|
|
|
|
(2.15
|
)%
|
To the extent BZMs, MHEs, MZAs, MYFs or MENs common shares are trading
at a wider discount (or a narrower premium) than the Acquiring Fund at the time of its Reorganization, BZMs, MHEs, MZAs, MYFs or MENs common shareholders would have the potential for an economic benefit by the narrowing
of the discount or widening of the premium. To the extent BZMs, MHEs, MZAs, MYFs or MENs common shares are trading at a narrower discount (or wider premium) than the Acquiring Fund at the time of its Reorganization,
BZMs, MHEs, MZAs, MYFs or MENs common shareholders may be negatively impacted if its Reorganization is consummated. Acquiring Fund common shareholders would only benefit from a premium/discount perspective to the extent
the post-Reorganization discount (or premium) of the Acquiring Fund common shares improves.
There can be no assurance that,
after the Reorganizations, common shares of the Combined Fund will trade at, above or below NAV. Upon consummation of the Reorganizations, the Combined Fund common shares may trade at a price that is less than the current market price of Acquiring
Fund common shares. In the Reorganizations, common shareholders of BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF and MEN will receive Acquiring Fund
175
common shares based on the relative NAVs (not the market values) of the respective Funds common shares. The market value of the common shares of the Combined Fund may be less than the
market value of the common shares of a Fund prior to the Reorganizations.
Common Share Dividend History
During the two most recent fiscal years, each Fund has made monthly cash distributions to holders of the Funds
common shares and the aggregate amount of distributions declared during this period by the Acquiring Fund, MEN, BZM, MHE, MZA, and MYF was $41,515,189, $31,198,644, $2,264,678, $2,392,374,
$5,197,645 and $19,766,691 per common share, respectively. Whenever preferred shares, including VRDP Shares, are outstanding, a Fund may not declare a dividend or distribution to common shareholders (other than a
distribution in common shares of the Fund) or purchase its common shares unless all accumulated dividends on preferred shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares at the time of
declaration of such dividend or distribution or at the time of such purchase would be at least 200% after giving effect to the dividend or distribution or purchase price.
Record Holders of Common Shares
As of October 16, 2020, each Fund had
the following number of common shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Class
|
|
Number of
BZM
Record Holders
|
|
Number of
MHE
Record Holders
|
|
Number of
MZA
Record Holders
|
|
Number of
MYF
Record Holders
|
|
Number of
MEN
Record Holders
|
|
Number of
MQY
Record Holders
|
Common Shares
|
|
7
|
|
49
|
|
19
|
|
75
|
|
204
|
|
98
|
176
EXPENSE TABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
The purpose of the comparative fee table below is to assist shareholders of each Fund in understanding the various costs and expenses of
investing in common shares of each Fund and Combined Fund. The information in the table reflects (i) the fees and expenses incurred by BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund during the
12-month period ended August 31, 2020 (unaudited); (ii) the pro forma expenses of the Combined Fund for the 12-month period ended
August 31, 2020 assuming only the Reorganization of BZM into the Acquiring Fund had taken place on September 1, 2019, which represents the combination of completed Reorganizations presented in this
Proxy Statement that would result in the highest Total Expense Ratio for the Combined Fund; and (iii) the pro forma expenses of the Combined Fund for the 12-month period ended
August 31, 2020, for the Combined Fund, assuming all of the Reorganizations had taken place on September 1, 2019, which represents, in the Investment Advisors view, the most likely
combination of the Reorganizations and the combination of the Reorganizations that would result in the lowest Total Expense Ratio for the Combined Fund.
The level of expense savings (or increases) will vary depending upon the combination of the Funds in the Reorganizations and the resulting size of the Combined Fund, and furthermore, there can be no
assurance that future expenses will not increase or that any expense savings for any Fund will be realized. Because each of the Reorganizations may occur whether or not the other Reorganization is approved, several combinations are possible, and the
pro forma effects on operating expenses for all possible combinations are not illustrated in the table below. As noted above, however, the scenarios presented below capture the high and low range of possible pro forma outcomes for the
Reorganizations presented in this Proxy Statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
MHE
|
|
|
MZA
|
|
|
MYF
|
|
|
MEN
|
|
|
Acquiring
Fund
(MQY)
|
|
|
Combined
Fund
(BZM into
MQY)
|
|
|
Combined
Fund
(BZM,
MHE,
MZA, MYF
and MEN
into MQY)
|
|
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Load (as a percentage of the offering price) imposed on purchases of common shares(1)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(2)
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
|
|
$0.02 per
share for
open
market
purchases
of common
shares
|
|
Annual Total Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Management Fees(3)(4)
|
|
|
1.04%
|
|
|
|
0.83%
|
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
|
0.83%
|
|
|
|
0.81%
|
|
|
|
0.81%
|
|
|
|
0.81%
|
|
Other Expenses(5)
|
|
|
1.03%
|
|
|
|
0.69%
|
|
|
|
0.39%
|
|
|
|
0.43%
|
|
|
|
0.13%
|
|
|
|
0.11%
|
|
|
|
0.08%
|
|
|
|
0.05%
|
|
Interest Expense(6)
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
|
1.12%
|
|
|
|
1.00%
|
|
|
|
0.62%
|
|
|
|
0.94%
|
|
|
|
0.85%
|
|
|
|
0.85%
|
|
|
|
0.85%
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(5)
|
|
|
2.87%
|
|
|
|
2.64%
|
|
|
|
2.19%
|
|
|
|
1.85%
|
|
|
|
1.90%
|
|
|
|
1.77%
|
|
|
|
1.74%
|
|
|
|
1.71%
|
|
177
(1)
|
No sales load will be charged in connection with the issuance of Acquiring Fund common shares as part of the Reorganizations. Common shares are not
available for purchase from the Funds but may be purchased on the NYSE through a broker-dealer subject to individually negotiated commission rates. Common shares purchased in the secondary market may be subject to brokerage commissions or other
charges.
|
(2)
|
The Reinvestment Plan Agents fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends will be paid by the Fund. However, you will pay a
$0.02 per share fee incurred in connection with open-market purchases, which will be deducted from the value of the dividend. Participants in BZM, MEN and the Acquiring Fund that request a sale of shares are subject to a $2.50 sales
fee and a $0.15 per share sold brokerage commission fee. Participants in MHE, MZA and MYF that request a sale of shares are subject to a $0.02 per share sold brokerage commission. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the
Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay. See Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan for additional information.
|
(3)
|
BZM currently pays the Investment Advisor a monthly fee at an annual contractual investment management fee rate of 0.65% of its average weekly managed
assets. For purposes of calculating these fees, managed assets mean the total assets of BZM (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed
for investment purposes, including liabilities represented by TOB leverage and the liquidation preference of the Funds VRDP Shares). Each of MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund currently pays the Investment Advisor a monthly fee at an
annual contractual investment management fee rate of 0.50% of its average daily net assets. For purposes of calculating these fees, net assets mean the relevant Funds total assets minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (which
does not include liabilities represented by TOB leverage and the liquidation preference of the Funds VRDP Shares). If the Reorganizations are consummated, the annual contractual investment management fee rate of the Acquiring Fund will be the
annual contractual investment management fee rate of the Combined Fund, which will be 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Combined Fund. The annual contractual investment management fee rate of the Combined Fund represents a 15 basis point
reduction in the annual contractual investment management fee rate for BZM and no change in the annual contractual investment management fee rate for MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund.
|
(4)
|
Each Fund and the Investment Advisor have entered into a fee waiver agreement (the Fee Waiver Agreement), pursuant to which the Investment
Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of each Funds assets attributable to investments in any equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by the Investment Advisor
or its affiliates that have a contractual fee, through June 30, 2022. In addition, pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Investment Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each
Fund pays to the Investment Advisor indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates, through June 30, 2022. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment
of any penalty, only by the Funds (upon the vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund), upon 90 days written notice by each Fund to the Investment Advisor.
|
(5)
|
Includes Reorganization-related expenses accrued during the period for each Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. The Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses (excluding interest expense and, if applicable, Reorganization-related expenses) for the Funds are presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BZM
|
|
MHE
|
|
MZA
|
|
MYF
|
|
MEN
|
|
Acquiring
Fund (MQY)
|
|
Pro forma
Combined
Fund (BZM
into MQY)
|
|
Pro forma
Combined
Fund
(BZM, MHE,
MZA, MYF
and MEN
into
MQY)
|
1.83%
|
|
1.28%
|
|
1.07%
|
|
1.18%
|
|
0.93%
|
|
0.90%
|
|
0.89%
|
|
0.86%
|
(6)
|
The total expense table includes interest expense associated with the Funds investments in TOBs (also known as inverse floaters).
Although such interest expense is actually paid by special purpose vehicles in which the Funds invest, they are recorded on the Funds financial statements for accounting purposes. The total expense table also includes, in interest expense,
dividends associated with the VRDP Shares because the VRDP Shares are considered debt of the Funds for financial reporting purposes.
|
Each Fund uses leverage to seek to enhance its returns to common shareholders. This leverage generally takes two forms: the issuance of preferred shares and investment in TOBs. Both forms of leverage
benefit common shareholders if the cost of the leverage is lower than the returns earned by a Fund when it invests the proceeds from the leverage. In order to help you better understand the costs associated with the Funds leverage strategy,
the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest expense) for the Funds are presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BZM
|
|
MHE
|
|
MZA
|
|
MYF
|
|
MEN
|
|
Acquiring
Fund (MQY)
|
|
Pro forma
Combined
Fund (BZM
into MQY)
|
|
Pro
forma
Combined
Fund
(BZM, MHE,
MZA, MYF
and MEN
into MQY)
|
2.07%
|
|
1.52%
|
|
1.19%
|
|
1.23%
|
|
0.96%
|
|
0.92%
|
|
0.89%
|
|
0.86%
|
178
The following example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the common
shares of the Combined Fund pro forma if only the BZM Reorganization is completed and all of the Reorganizations are completed with the costs of investing in BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund without the Reorganizations. An
investor in common shares would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund set forth in the total expenses table above and (2) a 5% annual return
throughout the period:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
BZM
|
|
$
|
29
|
|
|
$
|
89
|
|
|
$
|
151
|
|
|
$
|
320
|
|
MHE
|
|
$
|
27
|
|
|
$
|
82
|
|
|
$
|
140
|
|
|
$
|
297
|
|
MZA
|
|
$
|
22
|
|
|
$
|
69
|
|
|
$
|
117
|
|
|
$
|
252
|
|
MYF
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
|
$
|
58
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
$
|
217
|
|
MEN
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
|
$
|
60
|
|
|
$
|
103
|
|
|
$
|
222
|
|
Acquiring Fund (MQY)
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
|
$
|
56
|
|
|
$
|
96
|
|
|
$
|
208
|
|
Pro forma Combined Fund (BZM into MQY)
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
|
$
|
94
|
|
|
$
|
205
|
|
Pro forma Combined Fund (BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF and MEN into MQY)
|
|
$
|
17
|
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
93
|
|
|
$
|
202
|
|
The examples set forth above assume common shares of each Fund were owned as of the completion of
the Reorganizations and the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and uses a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by SEC regulations. The examples should not be considered a representation of past or future expenses or annual rates of
return. Actual expenses or annual rates of return may be more or less than those assumed for purposes of the examples.
Common shareholders of the each Fund will indirectly bear all or a portion of the costs of the Reorganizations. Because of the expected
expense savings and other anticipated benefits for each Target Fund, the Investment Advisor recommended and the Board of each Target Fund has approved that its respective Fund be responsible for its own reorganization expenses. The expenses of the
Reorganizations are estimated to be approximately $204,600 for BZM, $207,200 for MHE, $214,900 for MZA, $255,800 for MYF and $300,400 for MEN. For the Acquiring Fund, the expenses of the Reorganizations are estimated to be approximately $318,300, of
which the Investment Advisor will bear approximately $46,000. The actual costs associated with the Reorganizations may be more or less than the estimated costs discussed herein.
VRDP Holders are not expected to bear any costs of the Reorganizations.
179
CAPITALIZATION TABLE
The Board of each Fund may authorize separate classes of shares together with such designation of preferences, rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations, qualifications or terms as may be determined from time to time by the Board of such Fund. The tables below set forth (i) the capitalization of BZM and MQY as of August 31, 2020 and the pro forma
capitalization of the Combined Fund assuming only the BZM Reorganization was consummated as of August 31, 2020 and (ii) the capitalization of the Funds as of August 31, 2020 and the pro forma capitalization of the
Combined Fund assuming all of the Reorganizations were consummated as of August 31, 2020, which represents, in the Investment Advisors view, the most likely combination of the Reorganizations and the combination of completed
Reorganizations that would result in the highest level of capitalization of the Combined Fund.
Capitalization of BZM
and MQY as of August 31, 2020 and pro forma capitalization of the Combined Fund assuming only the BZM Reorganization is consummated (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Target Fund
(BZM)
|
|
|
Acquiring Fund
(MQY)
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Pro forma
Combined
Fund (BZM
into MQY)
|
|
Net Assets Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares(1)
|
|
$
|
31,512,104
|
|
|
$
|
499,820,155
|
|
|
$
|
(2,493,675
|
)(2)
|
|
$
|
528,838,584
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
$
|
16,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
176,600,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
192,600,000
|
|
Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
2,082,345
|
|
|
|
30,715,370
|
|
|
|
(162,706
|
)(3)
|
|
|
32,635,009
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
1,766
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,926
|
|
NAV per Common Share
|
|
$
|
15.13
|
|
|
$
|
16.27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
16.20
|
|
Liquidation Preference per VRDP Share
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
(1)
|
Based on the number of outstanding common shares as of August 31, 2020.
|
(2)
|
Reflects non-recurring aggregate estimated Reorganization expenses of $477,259, of which $204,681 was
attributable to BZM and $272,578 was attributable to the Acquiring Fund. The actual costs associated with the Reorganizations may be more or less than the estimated costs discussed herein. Reflects undistributed net investment income (previously
defined as UNII) of $2,016,416, of which $200,366 was attributable to BZM and $1,816,050 was attributable to the Acquiring Fund.
|
(3)
|
Reflects adjustments due to differences in per common share NAV.
|
Capitalization of each Fund as of August 31, 2020 and pro forma capitalization of the Combined Fund assuming
all Reorganizations are consummated (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BZM
|
|
|
MHE
|
|
|
MZA
|
|
|
MYF
|
|
|
MEN
|
|
|
Acquiring
Fund
(MQY)
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Pro forma
Combined
Fund (BZM,
MHE, MZA,
MYF, MEN
and
MQY)
|
|
Net Assets Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares(1)
|
|
$
|
31,512,104
|
|
|
$
|
32,431,576
|
|
|
$
|
67,849,215
|
|
|
$
|
196,947,333
|
|
|
$
|
362,247,422
|
|
|
$
|
499,820,155
|
|
|
$
|
(5,464,274
|
)(2)
|
|
$
|
1,185,343,531
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
$
|
16,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
18,500,000
|
|
|
$
|
37,300,000
|
|
|
$
|
59,400,000
|
|
|
$
|
142,500,000
|
|
|
$
|
176,600,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
450,300,000
|
|
Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
2,082,345
|
|
|
|
2,371,023
|
|
|
|
4,636,620
|
|
|
|
13,713,952
|
|
|
|
29,681,476
|
|
|
|
30,715,370
|
|
|
|
(10,052,392
|
)(2)
|
|
|
73,148,394
|
|
VRDP Shares
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
|
1,425
|
|
|
|
1,766
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,503
|
(4)
|
NAV per Common Share
|
|
$
|
15.13
|
|
|
$
|
13.68
|
|
|
$
|
14.63
|
|
|
$
|
14.36
|
|
|
$
|
12.20
|
|
|
$
|
16.27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
16.21
|
|
Liquidation Preference per VRDP Share
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
100,000.00
|
|
180
(1)
|
Based on the number of outstanding common shares as of August 31, 2020.
|
(2)
|
Reflects non-recurring aggregate estimated Reorganization expenses of $1,455,846, of which $204,681 was
attributable to BZM, $207,269 was attributable to MHE, $214,948 was attributable to MZA, $255,891 attributable to MYF, $300,479 was attributable to MEN and $272,578 was attributable to the Acquiring Fund. The actual costs associated with the
Reorganizations may be more or less than the estimated costs discussed herein. Reflects UNII of $4,008,428, of which $200,366 was attributable to BZM, $152,225 was attributable to MHE, $289,970 was attributable to MZA, $1,549,817 was attributable to
MEN and $1,816,050 was attributable to the Acquiring Fund.
|
(3)
|
Reflects adjustments due to differences in per common share NAV.
|
(4)
|
Assumes no Target Fund shareholders exercise their appraisal rights, if available.
|
181
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust (BZM)
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand BZMs financial performance for the periods shown. Certain information reflects the financial results for a single common share of
BZM. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in BZM (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions, if applicable). The information shown has been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, BZMs independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon appear in
BZMs Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, which is available upon request.
Please see next
page for Financial Highlights Table
182
Financial Highlights (continued)
BZM Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended August 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
15.61
|
|
|
$
|
14.90
|
|
|
$
|
15.32
|
|
|
$
|
15.97
|
|
|
$
|
14.96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
0.59
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
(0.67
|
)
|
|
|
1.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
|
(0.55
|
)
|
|
|
(0.57
|
)
|
|
|
(0.57
|
)
|
|
|
(0.62
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
|
(0.62
|
)
|
|
|
(0.61
|
)
|
|
|
(0.57
|
)
|
|
|
(0.62
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
15.13
|
|
|
$
|
15.61
|
|
|
$
|
14.90
|
|
|
$
|
15.32
|
|
|
$
|
15.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.92
|
|
|
$
|
14.42
|
|
|
$
|
14.04
|
|
|
$
|
14.29
|
|
|
$
|
16.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
|
|
9.40
|
%
|
|
|
1.67
|
%
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)%
|
|
|
11.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)%
|
|
|
7.25
|
%
|
|
|
2.71
|
%
|
|
|
(7.53
|
)%
|
|
|
15.80
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
2.87
|
%(d)(e)
|
|
|
3.10
|
%(e)
|
|
|
2.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.35
|
%
|
|
|
2.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
2.78
|
%(d)(e)
|
|
|
3.02
|
%(e)
|
|
|
2.67
|
%
|
|
|
2.27
|
%
|
|
|
2.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense, fees, and amortization of offering
costs(f)(g)
|
|
|
1.98
|
%(d)(e)
|
|
|
1.88
|
%(e)
|
|
|
1.78
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
1.83
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
3.14
|
%(e)
|
|
|
3.21
|
%(e)
|
|
|
3.63
|
%
|
|
|
3.87
|
%
|
|
|
3.98
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
31,512
|
|
|
$
|
32,501
|
|
|
$
|
31,008
|
|
|
$
|
31,893
|
|
|
$
|
33,202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year
|
|
$
|
296,949
|
|
|
$
|
303,130
|
|
|
$
|
293,799
|
|
|
$
|
299,333
|
|
|
$
|
307,510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
2,999
|
|
|
$
|
2,999
|
|
|
$
|
2,637
|
|
|
$
|
2,134
|
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average common shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(c)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different
returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(d)
|
Includes non-recurring expenses of reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses
after fees waived and/or reimbursed and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense, fees, and amortization of offering costs would have been 2.62%, 2.53% and 1.73%, respectively.
|
(e)
|
Excludes 0.01% of expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
|
(f)
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares.
|
(g)
|
The total expense ratio after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and
remarketing fees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended August 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Expense ratios
|
|
1.67%
|
|
1.45%
|
|
|
1.38
|
%
|
|
|
1.31
|
%
|
|
|
1.39
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
183
BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Trust (MHE)
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand MHEs financial performance for the periods shown.
Certain information reflects the financial results for a single common share of MHE. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in MHE (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and/or
distributions, if applicable). The information shown has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, MHEs independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 and the Report of
the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon appear in MHEs Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, which is available upon request.
Please see next page for Financial Highlights Table
184
Financial Highlights (continued)
MHE Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended August 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
14.13
|
|
|
$
|
13.33
|
|
|
$
|
13.98
|
|
|
$
|
14.69
|
|
|
$
|
13.89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.50
|
|
|
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
(0.62
|
)
|
|
|
(0.69
|
)
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
1.48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders(b)
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
(0.52
|
)
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.68
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.68
|
|
|
$
|
14.13
|
|
|
$
|
13.33
|
|
|
$
|
13.98
|
|
|
$
|
14.69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.24
|
|
|
$
|
12.96
|
|
|
$
|
12.38
|
|
|
$
|
14.00
|
|
|
$
|
15.32
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
0.46
|
%
|
|
|
10.52
|
%
|
|
|
(0.41
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.34
|
)%
|
|
|
11.01
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
|
|
|
6.00
|
%
|
|
|
9.15
|
%
|
|
|
(7.64
|
)%
|
|
|
(4.30
|
)%
|
|
|
21.27
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
2.64
|
%(d)(e)
|
|
|
2.89
|
%
|
|
|
2.50
|
%
|
|
|
2.17
|
%
|
|
|
1.77
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
2.64
|
%(d)(e)
|
|
|
2.89
|
%
|
|
|
2.50
|
%
|
|
|
2.17
|
%
|
|
|
1.77
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense, fees, and amortization of offering
costs(f)
|
|
|
1.52
|
%(d)(e)
|
|
|
1.29
|
%
|
|
|
1.20
|
%
|
|
|
1.18
|
%
|
|
|
1.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
3.53
|
%(e)
|
|
|
3.74
|
%
|
|
|
4.08
|
%
|
|
|
4.44
|
%
|
|
|
4.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
32,432
|
|
|
$
|
33,501
|
|
|
$
|
31,609
|
|
|
$
|
33,115
|
|
|
$
|
34,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
18,500
|
|
|
$
|
18,500
|
|
|
$
|
18,500
|
|
|
$
|
18,500
|
|
|
$
|
18,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year
|
|
$
|
275,306
|
|
|
$
|
281,087
|
|
|
$
|
270,862
|
|
|
$
|
279,002
|
|
|
$
|
287,959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
2,966
|
|
|
$
|
3,137
|
|
|
$
|
3,136
|
|
|
$
|
1,421
|
|
|
$
|
751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average common shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(c)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different
returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(d)
|
Includes non-recurring expenses of reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses
after fees waived and/or reimbursed and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense, fees, and amortization of offering costs would have been 2.40%, 2.40% and 1.28%, respectively.
|
(e)
|
Excludes 0.01% of expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
|
(f)
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares.
|
185
BlackRock MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc. (MZA)
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand MZAs financial performance for the periods shown. Certain
information reflects the financial results for a single common share of MZA. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in MZA (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and/or
distributions, if applicable). The information shown has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, MZAs independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and the Report of
the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon appear in MZAs Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, which is available upon request.
Please see next page for Financial Highlights Table
186
Financial Highlights (continued)
MZA Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended July 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
14.76
|
|
|
$
|
14.06
|
|
|
$
|
14.56
|
|
|
$
|
15.42
|
|
|
$
|
14.72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
|
(0.84
|
)
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
|
|
|
0.64
|
|
|
|
1.28
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b)
|
|
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
(0.69
|
)
|
|
|
(0.74
|
)
|
|
|
(0.82
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
14.86
|
|
|
$
|
14.76
|
|
|
$
|
14.06
|
|
|
$
|
14.56
|
|
|
$
|
15.42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
14.34
|
|
|
$
|
14.03
|
|
|
$
|
14.45
|
|
|
$
|
16.59
|
|
|
$
|
17.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
4.70
|
%
|
|
|
9.62
|
%
|
|
|
1.22
|
%
|
|
|
(0.72
|
)%
|
|
|
10.11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
|
|
|
6.29
|
%
|
|
|
1.38
|
%
|
|
|
(8.71
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.34
|
)%
|
|
|
9.96
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
2.22
|
%(e)
|
|
|
2.63
|
%
|
|
|
2.28
|
%
|
|
|
2.00
|
%
|
|
|
1.64
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
2.22
|
%(e)
|
|
|
2.63
|
%
|
|
|
2.28
|
%
|
|
|
2.00
|
%
|
|
|
1.64
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense and fees, and amortization of offering
costs(d)
|
|
|
1.13
|
%(e)
|
|
|
1.08
|
%
|
|
|
1.05
|
%
|
|
|
1.03
|
%
|
|
|
1.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
3.91
|
%
|
|
|
3.96
|
%
|
|
|
4.62
|
%
|
|
|
4.94
|
%
|
|
|
5.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
68,885
|
|
|
$
|
68,446
|
|
|
$
|
65,153
|
|
|
$
|
67,346
|
|
|
$
|
71,133
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
37,300
|
|
|
$
|
37,300
|
|
|
$
|
37,300
|
|
|
$
|
37,300
|
|
|
$
|
37,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year
|
|
$
|
284,679
|
|
|
$
|
283,501
|
|
|
$
|
274,673
|
|
|
$
|
280,553
|
|
|
$
|
290,705
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average common shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(c)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different
returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(d)
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares.
|
(e)
|
Includes non-recurring expenses of reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses
after fees waived and total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense would have been 2.15%, 2.15% and 1.06%, respectively.
|
187
BlackRock MuniYield Investment Fund (MYF)
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand MYFs financial performance for the periods shown. Certain
information reflects the financial results for a single common share of MYF. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in MYF (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and/or
distributions, if applicable). The information shown has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, MYFs independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and the Report of
the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon appear in MYFs Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, which is available upon request.
Please see next page for Financial Highlights Table
188
Financial Highlights (continued)
MYF Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended July 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
14.49
|
|
|
$
|
14.29
|
|
|
$
|
14.94
|
|
|
$
|
16.03
|
|
|
$
|
15.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
0.92
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
(0.61
|
)
|
|
|
(1.02
|
)
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
|
|
|
0.71
|
|
|
|
0.97
|
|
|
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b)
|
|
|
(0.67
|
)
|
|
|
(0.77
|
)
|
|
|
(0.87
|
)
|
|
|
(0.94
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
14.53
|
|
|
$
|
14.49
|
|
|
$
|
14.29
|
|
|
$
|
14.94
|
|
|
$
|
16.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.79
|
|
|
$
|
14.49
|
|
|
$
|
13.69
|
|
|
$
|
16.34
|
|
|
$
|
17.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
5.25
|
%
|
|
|
7.12
|
%
|
|
|
1.61
|
%
|
|
|
(0.88
|
)%
|
|
|
9.24
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)%
|
|
|
11.81
|
%
|
|
|
(11.00
|
)%
|
|
|
2.10
|
%
|
|
|
23.41
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
2.04
|
%(f)
|
|
|
2.56
|
%
|
|
|
2.33
|
%
|
|
|
1.97
|
%
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
2.04
|
%(f)
|
|
|
2.56
|
%
|
|
|
2.32
|
%
|
|
|
1.97
|
%
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense and fees, and amortization of offering
costs(d)(e)
|
|
|
1.19
|
%(f)
|
|
|
1.01
|
%
|
|
|
0.98
|
%
|
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
|
|
0.94
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
4.59
|
%
|
|
|
5.18
|
%
|
|
|
5.72
|
%
|
|
|
5.76
|
%
|
|
|
5.86
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
199,288
|
|
|
$
|
198,645
|
|
|
$
|
195,777
|
|
|
$
|
204,427
|
|
|
$
|
218,740
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
59,400
|
|
|
$
|
59,400
|
|
|
$
|
59,400
|
|
|
$
|
59,400
|
|
|
$
|
59,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year
|
|
$
|
435,502
|
|
|
$
|
434,419
|
|
|
$
|
429,591
|
|
|
$
|
444,154
|
|
|
$
|
468,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
59,393
|
|
|
$
|
62,845
|
|
|
$
|
81,012
|
|
|
$
|
79,110
|
|
|
$
|
77,759
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average common shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(c)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different
returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(d)
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares.
|
(e)
|
The total expense ratio after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and
remarketing fees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended July 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Expense ratios
|
|
|
0.96
|
%
|
|
|
0.98
|
%
|
|
|
0.98
|
%
|
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
|
|
0.94
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f)
|
Includes non-recurring expenses of reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses
after fees waived and total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense would have been 2.01%, 2.01% and 1.16%, respectively
|
189
BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc. (MEN)
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand MENs financial performance for the periods shown. Certain
information reflects the financial results for a single common share of MEN. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in MEN (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and/or
distributions, if applicable). The information shown has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, MENs independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020 and the Report of
the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon appear in MENs Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, which is available upon request.
Please see next page for Financial Highlights Table
190
Financial Highlights (continued)
MEN Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended April 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
11.76
|
|
|
$
|
11.46
|
|
|
$
|
11.77
|
|
|
$
|
12.52
|
|
|
$
|
12.27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)
|
|
|
0.50
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
0.59
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
(0.70
|
)
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.72
|
)
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.48
|
)
|
|
|
(0.57
|
)
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.68
|
)
|
|
|
(0.73
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
(0.48
|
)
|
|
|
(0.57
|
)
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.68
|
)
|
|
|
(0.73
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
11.08
|
|
|
$
|
11.76
|
|
|
$
|
11.46
|
|
|
$
|
11.77
|
|
|
$
|
12.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
10.17
|
|
|
$
|
10.71
|
|
|
$
|
10.48
|
|
|
$
|
11.69
|
|
|
$
|
12.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(d)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
(1.65
|
)%
|
|
|
8.43
|
%
|
|
|
2.93
|
%
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)%
|
|
|
8.50
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
|
|
|
(0.88
|
)%
|
|
|
7.98
|
%
|
|
|
(5.23
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.42
|
)%
|
|
|
14.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
2.31
|
%
|
|
|
2.52
|
%
|
|
|
2.06
|
%
|
|
|
1.73
|
%
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly
|
|
|
2.31
|
%
|
|
|
2.52
|
%
|
|
|
2.06
|
%
|
|
|
1.73
|
%
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of
offering costs(e)
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
|
0.94
|
%
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
4.13
|
%
|
|
|
4.68
|
%
|
|
|
4.97
|
%
|
|
|
5.29
|
%
|
|
|
5.71
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
328,915
|
|
|
$
|
349,194
|
|
|
$
|
340,286
|
|
|
$
|
349,037
|
|
|
$
|
370,342
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
142,500
|
|
|
$
|
142,500
|
|
|
$
|
142,500
|
|
|
$
|
142,500
|
|
|
$
|
142,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year
|
|
$
|
330,818
|
|
|
$
|
345,049
|
|
|
$
|
338,797
|
|
|
$
|
344,938
|
|
|
$
|
359,889
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
86,131
|
|
|
$
|
91,349
|
|
|
$
|
87,395
|
|
|
$
|
70,823
|
|
|
$
|
67,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
|
22
|
%
|
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average common shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(c)
|
Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.
|
(d)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different
returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(e)
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares.
|
191
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (MQY)
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the Acquiring Funds financial performance for the periods shown.
Certain information reflects the financial results for a single Common Share of the Acquiring Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Acquiring Fund (assuming reinvestment
of all dividends and/or distributions, if applicable). The information shown has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Acquiring Funds independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements for the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2020 and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon appear in the Acquiring Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, which is available upon request.
Please see next page for Financial Highlights Table
192
Financial Highlights (concluded)
The Acquiring Fund (MQY) Financial Highlights
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|
Year Ended April 30,
|
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2020
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|
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2019
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2018
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2017
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|
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2016
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|
Net asset value, beginning of year
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|
$
|
15.67
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|
|
$
|
15.22
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|
|
$
|
15.56
|
|
|
$
|
16.47
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|
|
$
|
16.12
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|
|
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|
|
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|
|
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|
Net investment income(a)
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0.67
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|
|
|
0.69
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|
|
|
0.77
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|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
0.90
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|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
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|
(0.91
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)
|
|
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0.47
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|
|
|
(0.29
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)
|
|
|
(0.89
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)
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|
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0.40
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Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
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(0.24
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)
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1.16
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0.48
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|
|
|
(0.04
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)
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1.30
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Distributions to Common Shareholders(b)
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|
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From net investment income
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(0.64
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)
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|
|
(0.69
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)
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|
(0.82
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)
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|
|
(0.87
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)
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(0.95
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)
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From net realized gain
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(0.02
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)
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Total distributions
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|
|
(0.64
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)
|
|
|
(0.71
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)
|
|
|
(0.82
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)
|
|
|
(0.87
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)
|
|
|
(0.95
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)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
Net asset value, end of year
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$
|
14.79
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|
|
$
|
15.67
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|
|
$
|
15.22
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|
|
$
|
15.56
|
|
|
$
|
16.47
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.88
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|
|
$
|
13.99
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|
|
$
|
13.83
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|
|
$
|
15.14
|
|
|
$
|
16.56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
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|
|
(1.44
|
)%
|
|
|
8.42
|
%
|
|
|
3.28
|
%
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)%
|
|
|
8.61
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
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|
|
3.60
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%
|
|
|
6.53
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%
|
|
|
(3.55
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.34
|
)%
|
|
|
13.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
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|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
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|
|
2.20
|
%
|
|
|
2.48
|
%
|
|
|
2.05
|
%
|
|
|
1.74
|
%
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
2.20
|
%
|
|
|
2.48
|
%
|
|
|
2.05
|
%
|
|
|
1.74
|
%
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense fees, and amortization of
offering costs(d)(e)
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|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.93
|
%
|
|
|
0.91
|
%
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
1.09
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income to Common Shareholders
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|
|
4.15
|
%
|
|
|
4.55
|
%
|
|
|
4.91
|
%
|
|
|
5.28
|
%
|
|
|
5.62
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
Supplemental Data
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000)
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|
$
|
454,276
|
|
|
$
|
481,212
|
|
|
$
|
467,334
|
|
|
$
|
477,758
|
|
|
$
|
505,367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
176,600
|
|
|
$
|
176,600
|
|
|
$
|
176,600
|
|
|
$
|
176,600
|
|
|
$
|
176,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year
|
|
$
|
357,235
|
|
|
$
|
372,487
|
|
|
$
|
364,628
|
|
|
$
|
370,531
|
|
|
$
|
386,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
129,475
|
|
|
$
|
134,198
|
|
|
$
|
139,144
|
|
|
$
|
119,144
|
|
|
$
|
112,111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average common shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(c)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different
returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(d)
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOBs and/or VRDP Shares.
|
(e)
|
The total expense ratio after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and
remarketing fees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended April 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Expense ratios
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.93
|
%
|
|
|
0.91
|
%
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
193
Submission of Shareholder Proposals
To be considered for presentation at a shareholders meeting, rules promulgated by the SEC generally require that, among other things, a shareholders proposal must be received at the offices of
the relevant Fund a reasonable time before solicitation is made. In addition, each Funds bylaws provide for advance notice provisions, which require shareholders to give timely notice in proper written form to the Secretary of the Fund.
Shareholders should review each Funds bylaws for additional information regarding the Funds advance notice provisions. The bylaws of BZM were filed with the SEC on October 29, 2010 on Form
8-K, the bylaws of MHE were filed with the SEC on September 9, 2010 on Form 8-K, the bylaws of MYF and MEN were filed with the SEC on October 7, 2008 on Form 8-K and the bylaws of MZA and the Acquiring Fund were filed with the SEC on September 21, 2010 on Form 8-K. Shareholders may obtain copies of such documents as described
on page vi of this Proxy Statement.
The timely submission of a proposal does not necessarily mean
that such proposal will be included. Any shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for consideration at a meeting of such shareholders Fund should send such proposal to the relevant Fund at 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022.
Shareholder Communications
Shareholders who want to communicate with the Board or any individual Board Member should write to the attention of the Secretary of their Fund, 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. Shareholders may
communicate with the Boards electronically by sending an e-mail to closedendfundsbod@blackrock.com. The communication should indicate that you are a Fund shareholder. If the communication is
intended for a specific Board Member and so indicates, it will be sent only to that Board Member. If a communication does not indicate a specific Board Member, it will be sent to the Chair of the Governance Committee and the outside counsel to the
Independent Board Members for further distribution as deemed appropriate by such persons.
Additionally, shareholders with
complaints or concerns regarding accounting matters may address letters to the CCO of their respective Fund 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. Shareholders who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO may address letters directly to
the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board that oversees the Fund. Such letters may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
Expense of
Proxy Solicitation
The cost of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed proxy, accompanying notice and this Proxy
Statement, and costs in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Funds. Additional out-of-pocket costs, such as legal expenses and auditor fees,
incurred in connection with the preparation of this Proxy Statement, also will be borne by the Funds. Costs that are borne by the Funds collectively will be allocated among the Funds on the basis of a combination of their respective net assets and
number of shareholder accounts, except when direct costs can reasonably be attributed to one or more specific Fund(s).
Solicitation of proxies is being made primarily by the mailing of this Notice and Proxy Statement with its enclosures on or about
November 4, 2020, but may also be made by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail or the Internet by officers or employees of the Investment Advisor, or by dealers and their representatives. Brokerage houses, banks and
other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to their principals to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. Shareholders of the Funds whose shares are held by nominees such as brokers can vote their proxies by
contacting their respective nominee. The Funds will reimburse brokerage firms,
212
custodians, banks and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding this Proxy Statement and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of each Funds Shares. The Funds and the Investment
Advisor have retained Georgeson LLC to assist with the distribution of proxy materials and the solicitation and tabulation of proxies. The cost of Georgeson LLCs services in connection with the proxy is anticipated to be approximately $13,100,
$14,400, $19,200, $46,800, $69,000 and $91,600 for BZM, MHE, MZA, MYF, MEN and the Acquiring Fund, respectively, for such services (including reimbursements of
out-of-pocket expenses) with respect to the solicitation of proxies from the common shares and the VRDP Shares. Georgeson LLC may solicit proxies personally and by mail,
telephone, fax, e-mail or the Internet. Each Funds portion of the foregoing expenses is not subject to any cap or voluntary agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses that may otherwise apply to
that Fund.
Privacy Principles of the Funds
The Funds are committed to maintaining the privacy of shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided
to help you understand what personal information the Funds collect, how we protect that information, and why in certain cases we may share such information with select other parties.
The Funds do not receive any non-public personal information relating to their shareholders who
purchase shares through their broker-dealers. In the case of shareholders who are record holders of a Fund, the Fund receives personal non-public information on account applications or other forms. With
respect to these shareholders, the Funds also have access to specific information regarding their transactions in each Fund.
The Funds do not disclose any non-public personal information about their shareholders or former
shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service our shareholders accounts (for example, to a transfer agent).
The Funds restrict access to non-public personal information about their shareholders to BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information.
The Funds maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our shareholders.
Incorporation by Reference
The financial statements of the Acquiring Fund
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020 are incorporated by reference herein to the Acquiring Funds annual report filed on Form N-CSR on July 2, 2020.
The financial statements of BZM for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2020 are incorporated by reference herein to BZMs annual report filed on Form
N-CSR on October 30, 2020.
The financial statements of MHE for the fiscal year
ended August 31, 2020 are incorporated by reference herein to MHEs annual report filed on Form
N-CSR on October 30, 2020.
The financial statements of MZA for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 2020 are incorporated by reference herein to MZAs annual report filed on Form
N-CSR on October 2, 2020.
The financial statements of MYF for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2020 are incorporated by reference herein to MYFs annual report filed on Form N-CSR on
October 2, 2020.
The financial statements of MEN for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020 are incorporated by
reference herein to the MENs annual report filed on Form N-CSR on July 2, 2020.
See Financial Statements. The financial statements have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
213
Adjournments and Postponements
Failure of a quorum to be present at the Special Meeting may necessitate adjournment. The Board of each Fund, prior to the Special Meeting
being convened, may postpone such meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date. The chair of the Special Meeting may also adjourn the Special Meeting from time to time with respect to one or more Funds
and one or more matters to be considered by a Fund, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place by which shareholders may be deemed to be present and vote at such
adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. The chair of the Special Meeting may adjourn the Special Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies with respect to a proposal if they determine that
adjournment and further solicitation is reasonable and in the best interests of shareholders. With respect to MHE, such adjournment will require the approval of shareholders present remotely or by proxy at the Special Meeting. At the adjourned
meeting, the Fund may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned one or more times without further notice not later than 120 days after the record date.
Please vote promptly by signing and dating each enclosed proxy card, and if received by mail, returning it (them) in the accompanying
postage paid return envelope OR by following the enclosed instructions to provide voting instructions by telephone or via the Internet.
BlackRock is independent in ownership and governance, with no single majority stockholder and a majority of independent directors.
By Order of the Boards,
Janey Ahn
Secretary of the Funds
November 4, 2020
214
APPENDIX A
FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
In order to consummate the reorganization contemplated herein (the Reorganization) and in
consideration of the promises and the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, [Target Fund], a registered [non-diversified]2[diversified]3 closed-end investment company, File No. 811-[●] (the Target
Fund) and [Acquiring Fund], a registered diversified closed-end investment company, File No. 811-06660 (the Acquiring Fund and
together with the Target Fund, the Funds), each hereby agree as follows:
1. REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF THE ACQUIRING FUND.
The Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Target Fund that:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in conformity
with the laws of the State of Maryland and has the power to own all of its assets and to carry out this Agreement. The Acquiring Fund has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and
to carry out this Agreement.
(b) The Acquiring Fund is duly registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect.
(c) The Acquiring Fund has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this
Agreement subject:
(i) in the case of the consummation of the Reorganization, to the
approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares (as defined in Section 1(o) herein) in the Reorganization, by the holders of the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares
(Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders) voting as a separate class, and
(ii) in the case of the
issuance of additional Acquiring Fund Common Shares (as defined in Section 1(o) herein) in connection with the Reorganization, to the approval of such issuance of additional Acquiring Fund Common Shares by the common shareholders of the
Acquiring Fund (Acquiring Fund Common Shareholders and together with the Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders, the Acquiring Fund Shareholders) and the Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders voting as a single class, in each case
as described in Sections 9(a) and (b) hereof.
(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Acquiring Funds Board of Directors, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding contract of the Acquiring Fund enforceable against the Acquiring Fund in accordance with
its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto.
(e) The Acquiring Fund has provided or made available (including by electronic format) to the Target Fund the most recent
audited annual financial statements of the Acquiring Fund, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (US GAAP) consistently applied and have been audited
by Deloitte & Touche LLP, each Funds independent registered public accounting firm, and such statements fairly present the financial condition and the results of operations of the Acquiring Fund as of the
respective dates indicated and the results of operations and changes in net assets for the periods indicated, and there are no liabilities of the Acquiring Fund whether actual or contingent and whether or not determined or determinable as of such
date that are required to be disclosed but are not disclosed in such statements.
2
|
[Applies to BZM and MHE.]
|
3
|
[Applies to MZA and MYF, MEN.]
|
A-1
(f) An unaudited statement of assets, capital and liabilities of the
Acquiring Fund and an unaudited schedule of investments of the Acquiring Fund, each as of the Valuation Time (as defined in Section 3(e) herein) (together, the Acquiring Fund Closing Financial Statements), will be provided or
made available (including by electronic format) to the Target Fund, at or prior to the Closing Date (as defined in Section 7(a) herein), for the purpose of determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares (as defined in Section 1(o) herein)
to be issued to the Target Fund shareholders (the Target Fund Shareholders) pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement; the Acquiring Fund Closing Financial Statements will fairly present the financial position of the Acquiring
Fund as of the Valuation Time in conformity US GAAP consistently applied.
(g) There are no material
legal, administrative or other proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, threatened against it which assert liability on the part of the Acquiring Fund or which materially affect its financial condition or its ability to
consummate the Reorganization other than as have been disclosed to the Target Fund and/or in the N-14 Registration Statement (as defined in Section 1(l) herein). The Acquiring Fund is not charged with or,
to the best of its knowledge, threatened with any violation or investigation of any possible violation of any provisions of any federal, state or local law or regulation or administrative ruling relating to any aspect of its business.
(h) There are no material contracts outstanding to which the Acquiring Fund is a party that have not been disclosed in
the N-14 Registration Statement or that will not otherwise be disclosed to the Target Fund prior to the Valuation Time.
(i) The Acquiring Fund is not obligated under any provision of its charter or
By-laws, each as amended to the date hereof, and is not a party to any contract or other commitment or obligation, and is not subject to any order or decree, which would be violated by its execution of or
performance under this Agreement, except insofar as the Funds have mutually agreed to amend such contract or other commitment or obligation to cure any potential violation as a condition precedent to the Reorganization.
(j) The Acquiring Fund has no known liabilities of a material amount, contingent or otherwise, other than those shown on
the Acquiring Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, those incurred since the date thereof in the ordinary course of its business as an investment company, and those incurred in connection with the Reorganization.
As of the Valuation Time, the Acquiring Fund will advise the Target Fund of all known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business, existing or accrued as of such time, except to the extent
disclosed in the Acquiring Fund Closing Financial Statements or to the extent already known by the Target Fund.
(k) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or government authority is required for the consummation by
the Acquiring Fund of the Reorganization, except such as may be required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act) and the 1940
Act or state securities laws (which term as used herein shall include the laws of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, each of which will have been obtained on or prior to the Closing Date.
(l) The registration statement filed by the Acquiring Fund on Form
N-14, which includes the proxy statement for the common shareholders of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund with respect to the transactions contemplated herein (the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus), and any supplement or amendment thereto or to the documents included or incorporated by reference therein (collectively, as so amended or supplemented, the N-14
Registration Statement), on its effective date, at the time of the shareholder meeting called to vote on this Agreement and on the Closing Date, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund, (i) complied or will comply in all material
respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading; and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included therein did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
A-2
were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection only shall apply to statements in or omissions from the N-14 Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in the N-14 Registration Statement.
(m) The proxy statement for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders and holders of the Target Fund VRDP Shares (as defined in
section 2(o) herein) (the Target Fund VRDP Holders) with respect to the transactions contemplated herein, and any supplement or amendment thereto (the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement) or to the documents
included or incorporated by reference therein, at the time of the shareholder meeting called to vote on this Agreement and on the Closing Date, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund, (i) complied or will comply in all material respects
with the provisions of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection only shall apply to statements in or
omissions from the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement.
(n) The Acquiring Fund has filed, or intends to file, or has obtained extensions to file, all federal, state and local tax
returns which are required to be filed by it, and has paid or has obtained extensions to pay, all federal, state and local taxes shown on said returns to be due and owing and all assessments received by it, up to and including the taxable year in
which the Closing Date occurs. All tax liabilities of the Acquiring Fund have been adequately provided for on its books, and no tax deficiency or liability of the Acquiring Fund has been asserted and no question with respect thereto has been raised
by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid, up to and including the taxable year in which the Closing Date occurs.
(o) The Acquiring Fund is authorized to issue 199,992,234 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the
Acquiring Fund Common Shares), 6,000 shares of preferred stock of Auction Market Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share, with 4,000 of such shares classified as four separate series consisting of 1,000 shares and each with a
liquidation preference of $50,000 per share and 2,000 of such shares classified as a separate series with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, and 1,766 shares of preferred stock of Series W-7
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares or any other series of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, par value $0.10 per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares and together with Acquiring
Fund Common Shares, the Acquiring Fund Shares). Each outstanding Acquiring Fund Share is fully paid and nonassessable, and has the voting rights provided by the Acquiring Funds charter,
By-laws and applicable law.
(p) The books and records of the
Acquiring Fund made available to the Target Fund and/or its counsel are substantially true and correct and contain no material misstatements or omissions with respect to the operations of the Acquiring Fund.
(q) The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Target Fund Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement will have been duly
authorized and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, will be legally and validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable and will have full voting rights, except as provided by the Acquiring Funds charter or applicable
law, and no Acquiring Fund Shareholder will have any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof.
(r) At or prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be transferred to the Target Fund for distribution to the Target Fund Shareholders on the Closing Date will be duly qualified for
offering to the public in all states of the United States in which the sale of shares of the Funds presently are qualified, and there will be a sufficient number of such Acquiring Fund Common Shares registered under the 1933 Act and, as may be
necessary, with each pertinent state securities commission to permit the transfers contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated.
A-3
(s) At or prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund will have obtained
any and all regulatory, board and shareholder approvals necessary to issue the Acquiring Fund Shares to the Target Fund Shareholders.
(t) The Acquiring Fund has elected to qualify and has qualified as a regulated investment company (RIC) within the meaning of Section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code) for each of its taxable years since its inception, and the Acquiring Fund has satisfied the distribution requirements imposed by Section 852 of the Code to maintain RIC status for each of its taxable years.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TARGET FUND.
The Target Fund represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Acquiring Fund that:
(a) The Target Fund is a [corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in
conformity with the laws of the State of
Maryland]4[statutory trust duly formed, validly existing
and in good standing in conformity with the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the DSTA)]5[business trust duly formed, validly existing and in good standing in conformity with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts]6 and has the power to own all of its assets and to carry out this Agreement. The Target Fund has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
and to carry out this Agreement.
(b) The Target Fund is duly registered under the 1940 Act as a [non-diversified]7[diversified]
8, closed-end
management investment company, and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect.
(c) The Target Fund has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement subject, in the case of consummation of the Reorganization, to the approval and adoption of
this Agreement by the Target Fund Shareholders as described in Section 8(a) hereof. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Target Funds [Board of
Directors]9[Board of Trustees]10
and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding contract of the Target Fund enforceable against the Target Fund in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto.
(d) The Target Fund has provided or made available (including by electronic format) to the Acquiring Fund the most recent
audited annual financial statements of the Target Fund which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP consistently applied and have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, and such statements
fairly present the financial condition and the results of operations of the Target Fund as of the respective dates indicated and the results of operations and changes in net assets for the periods indicated, and there are no liabilities of the
Target Fund whether actual or contingent and whether or not determined or determinable as of such date that are required to be disclosed but are not disclosed in such statements.
(e) An unaudited statement of assets, capital and liabilities of the Target Fund and an unaudited schedule of investments
of the Target Fund, each as of the Valuation Time (together, the Target Fund Closing Financial Statements), will be provided or made available (including by electronic format) to the Acquiring Fund at or prior to the Closing Date,
for the purpose of determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Target Fund Shareholders pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement; the Target Fund Closing Financial Statements will fairly present the financial position of
the Target Fund as of the Valuation Time in conformity with US GAAP consistently applied.
4
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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6
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
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7
|
[Applies to BZM and MHE.]
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8
|
[Applies to MZA, MYF and MEN.]
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9
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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10
|
[Applies to BZM, MHE and MYF.]
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A-4
(f) There are no material legal, administrative or other proceedings pending
or, to the knowledge of the Target Fund, threatened against it which assert liability on the part of the Target Fund or which materially affect its financial condition or its ability to consummate the Reorganization other than as have been disclosed
to the Acquiring Fund. The Target Fund is not charged with or, to the best of its knowledge, threatened with any violation or investigation of any possible violation of any provisions of any federal, state or local law or regulation or
administrative ruling relating to any aspect of its business.
(g) There are no material contracts outstanding
to which the Target Fund is a party that have not been disclosed in the N-14 Registration Statement or will not otherwise be disclosed to the Acquiring Fund prior to the Valuation Time.
(h) The Target Fund is not obligated under any provision of its [charter]11[Agreement and Declaration of Trust]12[Declaration of Trust]13 or By-laws, each as amended to the date hereof, or a party to any contract or other commitment or obligation, and is not
subject to any order or decree, which would be violated by its execution of or performance under this Agreement, except insofar as the Funds have mutually agreed to amend such contract or other commitment or obligation to cure any potential
violation as a condition precedent to the Reorganization.
(i) The Target Fund has no known liabilities of a
material amount, contingent or otherwise, other than those shown on the Target Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended [April 30, 2020]14[July 31, 2020]15[August 31, 2020]16, those incurred since the date thereof in the ordinary course of its business as an investment company and those
incurred in connection with the Reorganization. As of the Valuation Time, the Target Fund will advise the Acquiring Fund of all known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business, existing or
accrued as of such time, except to the extent disclosed in the Target Fund Closing Financial Statements or to the extent already known by the Acquiring Fund.
(j) At both the Valuation Time and the Closing Date, the Target Fund will have full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Target Fund Investments. As used in this Agreement,
the term Target Fund Investments shall mean (i) the investments of the Target Fund shown on the schedule of its investments as of the Valuation Time furnished to the Acquiring Fund; and (ii) all other assets owned by the
Target Fund as of the Valuation Time, other than cash held in liability reserves in amounts necessary to pay taxes and expenses as provided in Section 6(a)(ii) and Section 6(c)(iv) of this Agreement, respectively, and
distributions, if any, as provided in Section 3(c) and Section 9(l) of this Agreement. At the Closing Date, subject only to the obligation to deliver the Target Fund Investments as contemplated by this Agreement, the Target
Fund will have good and marketable title to all of the Target Fund Investments, and the Acquiring Fund will acquire all of the Target Fund Investments free and clear of any encumbrances, liens or security interests and without any restrictions upon
the transfer thereof (except those imposed by the federal or state securities laws and those imperfections of title or encumbrances as do not materially detract from the value or use of the Target Fund Investments or materially affect title
thereto).
(k) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority is
required for the consummation by the Target Fund of the Reorganization, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act or state securities laws (which term as used herein shall include the laws of the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico) or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, each of which will have been obtained on or prior to the Closing Date.
11
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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13
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
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15
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[Applies to MZA and MYF.]
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16
|
[Applies to BZM and MHE.]
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A-5
(l) The N-14 Registration Statement,
on its effective date, at the time of the Target Fund Shareholders meeting called to vote on this Agreement and on the Closing Date, insofar as it relates to the Target Fund (i) complied or will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included therein did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection shall apply only to statements in or omissions from the N-14 Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Target Fund for use in the N-14 Registration Statement.
(m) The Preferred Shares Proxy Statement for the Target Fund VRDP Holders with respect to the transactions contemplated
herein, and any supplement or amendment thereto or to the documents included or incorporated by reference therein, at the time of the shareholder meeting called to vote on this Agreement and on the Closing Date, insofar as it relates to the Target
Fund, (i) complied or will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties
in this subsection shall apply only to statements in or omissions from the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Target Fund for use in the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement.
(n) The Target Fund has filed, or intends to file, or has obtained extensions to file, all federal, state and
local tax returns which are required to be filed by it, and has paid or has obtained extensions to pay, all federal, state and local taxes shown on said returns to be due and owing and all assessments received by it, up to and including the taxable
year in which the Closing Date occurs. All tax liabilities of the Target Fund have been adequately provided for on its books, and no tax deficiency or liability of the Target Fund has been asserted and no question with respect thereto has been
raised by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid, up to and including the taxable year in which the Closing Date occurs.
(o) The Target Fund is authorized to issue [[●] shares of common stock, par value $[0.10] per
share]17[an unlimited number of common shares of
beneficial interest, par value $[0.001] per
share]18 (the Target Fund Common Shares) [,[●] shares of preferred stock of Auction Market Preferred
Stock, par value $[0.10][0.025] per share, with [●] and each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, and [●] shares of preferred stock of Series W-7 Variable Rate Demand Preferred
Shares or any other series of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, par value $[0.10] per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (Target Fund VRDP Shares and together with Target Fund Common Shares, the
Target Fund Shares)]19 and [●] preferred shares of beneficial interest of Series W-7 Variable
Rate Demand Preferred Shares or any other series of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, par value $[0.001] per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (Target Fund VRDP Shares and together with Target Fund Common
Shares, the Target Fund
Shares)]20. Each outstanding Target Fund
Share is duly and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable, except as provided by the Target Funds [charter]21[Agreement
17
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[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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18
|
[Applies to BZM, MHE and MYF.]
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19
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[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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20
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[Applies to BZM, MHE and MYF.]
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21
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[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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A-6
and Declaration of Trust]22[Declaration of Trust]23, and has the voting rights provided by the Target Funds [charter, By-laws]24[Agreement and Declaration of Trust]25[Declaration of Trust]26 and applicable law. The Target Fund has no outstanding preferred shares other than [●] VRDP Shares; no
outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of the Target Fund; and no outstanding securities convertible into shares of the Target Fund. All of the issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares will, at the
time of the Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Target Funds transfer agent as provided in Section 7(d).
(p) All of the issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares were offered for sale and sold in conformity with all applicable
federal and state securities laws.
(q) The Target Fund will not sell or otherwise dispose of any of the
Acquiring Fund Shares to be received in the Reorganization, except in distribution to the Target Fund Shareholders as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement.
(r) The books and records of the Target Fund made available to the Acquiring Fund and/or its counsel are substantially
true and correct and contain no material misstatements or omissions with respect to the operations of the Target Fund.
(s) The Target Fund has elected to qualify and has qualified as a RIC within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for each of its taxable years since its inception, and the Target Fund has
satisfied the distribution requirements imposed by Section 852 of the Code to maintain RIC status for each of its taxable years.
3. THE REORGANIZATION.
(a) Subject to receiving the requisite
approvals of the Target Fund Shareholders and the Acquiring Fund Shareholders, and to the other terms and conditions contained herein, and in accordance with the applicable law, the Target Fund agrees to convey, transfer and deliver to the Acquiring
Fund and the Acquiring Fund agrees to acquire from the Target Fund, on the Closing Date, all of the Target Fund Investments (including interest accrued as of the Valuation Time on debt instruments held by the Target Fund), and assume substantially
all of the liabilities of the Target Fund, in exchange for that number of Acquiring Fund Shares provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, provided however that if, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this
Section 3 and paragraph (l) of Section 9 hereof, (i) the Target Fund determines to make any portion of the UNII Distributions (as defined in Section 3(c) herein) to the Target Fund Common
Shareholders after the Closing Date, the Target Fund Investments to be conveyed, transferred and delivered to the Acquiring Fund hereunder will exclude the amounts required for the payment of such portion of the UNII Distributions and the
liabilities to be assumed by the Acquiring Fund shall not include such undistributed amount of such UNII Distributions, or (ii) the Target Fund determines that the Acquiring Fund will pay amounts in respect of such UNII Distributions on
behalf of the Target Fund to the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive such UNII Distributions after the Closing Date, then the Target Fund Investments to be conveyed, transferred and delivered to the Acquiring Fund hereunder will
include the amounts required for the payment of such portion of the UNII Distributions and the liabilities to be assumed by the Acquiring Fund shall include such undistributed amount of such UNII Distributions. The existence of the Acquiring Fund
shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the Reorganization and it shall be governed by the laws of Maryland.
(b) If the investment adviser determines that the portfolios of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, when aggregated,
would contain investments exceeding certain percentage limitations imposed upon the
23
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
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24
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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26
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
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A-7
Acquiring Fund with respect to such investments or that the disposition of certain assets is necessary to ensure that the resulting portfolio will meet the Acquiring Funds investment
objective, policies and restrictions, as set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, a copy of which has been delivered (including by electronic format) to the Target Fund, the Target Fund, if requested by the Acquiring Fund, will dispose of
a sufficient amount of such investments as may be necessary to avoid violating such limitations as of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will require the Target Fund to dispose of any portion of its assets if, in the
reasonable judgment of the Target Funds [Board of Directors]27[Board of Trustees]28 or investment adviser, such disposition would create more than
an insignificant risk that the Reorganization would not be treated as a reorganization described in Section 368(a) of the Code or would otherwise not be in the best interests of the Target Fund.
(c) Prior to the Closing Date, the Target Fund shall declare a dividend or dividends which, together with all such
previous dividends, shall have the effect of distributing to holders of Target Fund Common Shares (Target Fund Common Shareholders) entitled to such dividends (i) all of its investment company taxable income to and including
the Closing Date, if any (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), (ii) all of its net capital gain, if any, recognized to and including the Closing Date and (iii) the excess of its interest income excludable from gross
income under Section 103(a) of the Code, if any, over its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code for the period to and including the Closing Date. The Target Fund may pay amounts in respect of such
distributions (UNII Distributions) in one or more distributions to Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive such UNII Distributions after the Closing Date. In addition, the Acquiring Fund may pay amounts in respect of
such UNII Distributions on behalf of the Target Fund to the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive such UNII Distributions after the Closing Date as an agent out of cash or other short-term liquid assets maturing prior to the payment
date of the UNII Distributions acquired from the Target Fund in the Reorganization, segregated for this purpose and maintained in an amount at least equal to the remaining payment obligations in respect of the UNII Distributions.
(d) Pursuant to this Agreement, as soon as practicable, and in no event more than 48 hours, exclusive of Sundays and
holidays, after the Closing Date, the Target Fund will distribute all Acquiring Fund Common Shares and Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares received by it to its shareholders in exchange for their Target Fund Common Shares and Target Fund VRDP Shares,
respectively. Such distributions shall be accomplished by the opening of shareholder accounts on the share ledger records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of and in the amounts due to the Target Fund Shareholders based on their respective holdings
in the Target Fund as of the Valuation Time.
(e) The Valuation Time shall be at the close of business of the
New York Stock Exchange on the business day immediately preceding the Closing Date, or such earlier or later day and time as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Funds (the Valuation Time).
(f) The Target Fund will pay or cause to be paid to the Acquiring Fund any interest the Target Fund receives on or after
the Closing Date with respect to any of the Target Fund Investments transferred to the Acquiring Fund hereunder.
(g) Recourse for liabilities assumed from the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be limited to
the net assets acquired by the Acquiring Fund. The known liabilities of the Target Fund, as of the Valuation Time, shall be confirmed to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to Section 2(i) of this Agreement.
(h) The Target Fund will be terminated as soon as practicable following the Closing Date by terminating its registration
under the 1940 Act and dissolving and terminating [under the laws of the State of
27
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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28
|
[Applies to BZM, MHE and MYF.]
|
A-8
Maryland]29[under the DSTA]30[under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to business trusts]31 and will withdraw its authority to do business in any state where it is registered.
(i) For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the parties to this Agreement intend that (i) the Reorganization qualify as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, (ii) this Agreement constitutes a plan of reorganization within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g),
and (iii) the parties to this Agreement will each be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
4. ISSUANCE AND VALUATION OF ACQUIRING FUND SHARES IN THE REORGANIZATION.
(a) A number of Acquiring Fund Common Shares with an aggregate net asset value equal to the value of the Target Fund Investments (including interest accrued as of the Valuation Time on debt
instruments held by the Target Fund) acquired in the Reorganization determined as hereinafter provided, reduced by the amount of liabilities of the Target Fund assumed by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, shall be issued by the Acquiring
Fund to the Target Fund in exchange for such Target Fund Investments, which shall be determined as set forth below. The value of each Funds net assets shall be calculated net of the liquidation preference (including accumulated and
unpaid dividends) of all outstanding preferred shares of such Fund.
(b) A number of Acquiring Fund VRDP
Shares equal to the number of Target Fund VRDP Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date, with the terms described in the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement, shall be issued by the Acquiring Fund to the Target Fund. No fractional
Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares will be issued. Each Acquiring Fund VRDP Share issued to the Target Fund in exchange for a Target Fund VRDP Share will have a liquidation preference of $100,000 plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends that have accrued
on such Target Fund VRDP Share up to and including the day immediately preceding the Closing Date. The Target Fund may pay any such accumulated and unpaid dividends prior to the Closing Date.
(c) The net asset value of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, the values of their assets, the amounts of their
liabilities, and the liquidation preference (including accumulated and unpaid dividends) of the Target Fund VRDP Shares and the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares shall be determined as of the Valuation Time in accordance with the regular procedures of the
Acquiring Fund or such other valuation procedures as shall be mutually agreed by the parties, and no adjustment will be made to the net asset value or liquidation preference so determined of any Fund to take into account differences in realized and
unrealized gains and losses.
Such valuation and determination shall be made by the Acquiring Fund in
cooperation with the Target Fund and shall be confirmed by the Acquiring Fund to the Target Fund. The net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares and the liquidation preference (including accumulated and unpaid dividends) per share
of the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares shall be determined in accordance with such procedures.
For purposes of
determining the net asset value per share of Target Fund Common Shares and the Acquiring Fund Common Shares, the value of the securities held by the applicable Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but not yet received)
minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) and the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding Target Fund VRDP Shares or Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares, as the case may be, shall be divided by the total number of Target Fund Common Shares or
Acquiring Fund Common Shares, as the case may be, outstanding at such time.
29
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
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31
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
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A-9
(d) The Acquiring Fund shall issue to each Target Fund Common
Shareholder book-entry interests for the Acquiring Fund Common Shares registered in the name of such Target Fund Common Shareholder on the basis of each such holders proportionate interest in the aggregate net asset value of the Target Fund
Common Shares.
(e) The Acquiring Fund shall issue to each Target Fund VRDP Holder book-entry interests for the
Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares registered in the name of such Target Fund Holder on a one-for-one basis for each holders holdings of the Target Fund VRDP
Shares. The Target Fund VRDP Holders shall not receive, or be entitled to, any payment or other consideration in connection with or as a result of the Reorganization other than as provided in this Agreement. In connection with such issuance, the
Acquiring Fund shall amend the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (the Articles Supplementary), Notice of Special
Rate Period, share certificates representing such Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares, and such other agreements, instruments or documents relating to the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares, in each case as of the Closing Date and only to the extent necessary or
applicable to such agreement, instrument or document, to reflect the authorization and issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares in connection with the Reorganization.
(f) No fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Shares will be issued to holders of Target Fund Common Shares unless
such shares are held in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan account. In lieu thereof, the Acquiring Funds transfer agent will aggregate all fractional Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization (other than those
issued to a Dividend Reinvestment Plan account) and sell the resulting full shares on the New York Stock Exchange at the current market price for Acquiring Fund Common Shares for the account of all holders of such fractional interests, and each such
holder will receive such holders pro rata share of the proceeds of such sale upon issuance of book-entry interests representing Acquiring Fund Common Shares.
5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.
(a) The Target
Fund and the Acquiring Fund will bear expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization, including but not limited to, costs related to the preparation and distribution of materials distributed to each Funds Board of
[Directors]32 or [Trustees]33 (the Board), expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement, the preparation and filing of any documents required by such
Funds state of organization, the preparation and filing of the N-14 Registration Statement and the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), the printing and distribution of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement and any other materials required to be distributed to shareholders, the SEC, state securities commission and
secretary of state filing fees and legal and audit fees in connection with the Reorganization, fees incurred in obtaining the requisite consents of rating agencies, counterparties or service providers to the preferred shares, legal fees incurred in
connection with amending the transaction documents for the preferred shares, which may include the legal fees of counterparties and service providers to the extent applicable, legal fees incurred preparing each Funds board materials, attending
each Funds board meetings and preparing the minutes, rating agency fees associated with the ratings of the preferred shares in connection with the Reorganization, audit fees associated with each Funds financial statements, stock exchange
fees, transfer agency fees, rating agency fees, portfolio transfer taxes (if any) and any similar expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization, which will be borne directly by the respective Fund incurring the expense or allocated among
the Funds based upon any reasonable methodology approved by the Boards of the Funds, provided, that the Acquiring Funds investment adviser may bear all or a portion of the reorganization expenses of each Fund as set forth in the N-14 Registration Statement. Neither the Funds nor the investment adviser will pay any expenses of shareholders arising out of or in connection with the Reorganization.
32
|
[Applies to MQY, MZA and MEN.]
|
33
|
[Applies to BZM, MHE and MYF.]
|
A-10
(b) If for any reason the Reorganization is not consummated, no party shall
be liable to any other party for any damages resulting therefrom, including, without limitation, consequential damages, and each Fund shall be responsible, on a proportionate total assets basis, for all expenses incurred in connection with the
Reorganization.
6. COVENANTS OF THE FUNDS.
(a) COVENANTS OF EACH FUND.
(i) Each Fund covenants to operate its business as presently conducted between the date hereof and the Closing Date, except to the extent that the Target Fund is required or permitted to dispose of assets
prior to the Closing Date pursuant to Section 3(b) of this Agreement.
(ii) Each of the Funds
agrees that by the Closing Date all of its U.S. federal and other tax returns and reports required to be filed on or before such date shall have been filed and all taxes shown as due on said returns either have been paid or adequate liability
reserves have been provided for the payment of such taxes.
(iii) The intention of the parties is that the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Target Fund shall take any action or cause any action to be
taken (including, without limitation, the filing of any tax return) that is inconsistent with such treatment or results in the failure of the transaction to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. At or
prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will take such action, or cause such action to be taken, as is reasonably necessary to enable Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (Willkie), counsel to the Funds,
to render the tax opinion required herein (including, without limitation, each partys execution of representations reasonably requested by and addressed to Willkie).
(iv) In connection with this covenant, the Funds agree to cooperate with each other in filing any tax return, amended
return or claim for refund, determining a liability for taxes or a right to a refund of taxes or participating in or conducting any audit or other proceeding in respect of taxes. The Acquiring Fund agrees to retain for a period of ten
(10) years following the Closing Date all returns, schedules and work papers and all material records or other documents relating to tax matters of the Target Fund for each of such Funds taxable periods ending on or before the Closing
Date.
(v) The Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares to be transferred to the Target Fund for distribution to the Target
Fund VRDP Holders on the Closing Date shall only be distributed to the Target Fund VRDP Holders in accordance with an available exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, in a manner not involving any public offering within the meaning of
Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act.
(vi) Each Fund shall use reasonable efforts to obtain all requisite
consents and approvals necessary to consummate the Reorganization.
(b) COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND.
(i) The Acquiring Fund will file the N-14 Registration Statement and
the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement with the SEC and will use its best efforts to provide that the N-14 Registration Statement becomes effective as promptly as practicable. Each Fund agrees to cooperate fully
with the other, and each will furnish to the other the information relating to itself to be set forth in the N-14 Registration Statement and the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement as required by the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder and the state securities laws.
(ii)
The Acquiring Fund has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of the Target Fund Investments, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business.
(iii) Following the consummation of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will continue its business as a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act.
A-11
(iv) The Acquiring Fund shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Acquiring
Fund Common Shares to be issued in the Reorganization to be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange prior to the Closing Date.
(v) The Acquiring Fund agrees to mail to its shareholders of record entitled to vote at the special meeting of shareholders at which action is to be considered regarding this Agreement, in sufficient time
to comply with requirements as to notice thereof, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (but only to the Acquiring Fund Common Shareholders) and the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement (but only to the Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders), each of which
complies in all material respects with the applicable provisions of Section 14(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 20(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations, respectively, thereunder.
(vi) The Acquiring Fund shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares to be issued in connection
with the Reorganization to be rated no lower than the rating assigned to the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares immediately prior to the Closing Date by the rating agencies then rating the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
(vii) The Acquiring Fund shall use reasonable efforts to amend the following documents to reflect the authorization and
issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares in connection with the Reorganization: (1) the Articles Supplementary; (2) the Notice of Special Rate Period for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares; (3) share certificates representing
Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares; (4) the VRDP Shares Fee Agreement for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares; (5) the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares; (6) the VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement for the Acquiring
Fund VRDP Shares; (7) the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares; and (8) such other agreements, instruments or documents relating to the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares, in each case by the Closing Date and only
to the extent necessary or applicable to such agreement, instrument or document.
(c) COVENANTS OF THE TARGET
FUND.
(i) The Target Fund agrees that following the consummation of the
Reorganization, following the payment of any portion of the UNII Distribution to be paid to Target Fund Common Shareholders by the Target Fund in accordance with Sections 3(c) and 9(l) hereof following the Closing, it will dissolve in accordance
with the [DTSA]34[laws of State of
Maryland]35[laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts applicable to business trusts]36 and any other applicable law, it will not make any distributions of any Acquiring Fund Common Shares other than to
its shareholders and without first paying or adequately providing for the payment of all of its respective liabilities not assumed by the Acquiring Fund, and on and after the Closing Date it shall not conduct any business except in connection
with its termination.
(ii) The Target Fund undertakes that if the Reorganization is consummated, it will
file an application pursuant to Section 8(f) of the 1940 Act for an order declaring that the Target Fund has ceased to be a registered investment company.
(iii) The Target Fund agrees to mail to its shareholders of record entitled to vote at the special meeting of shareholders at which action is to be considered regarding this Agreement, in sufficient time
to comply with requirements as to notice thereof, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (but only to the Target Fund Common Shareholders) and the Preferred Shares Proxy Statement (but only to the Target Fund VRDP Holders), each of which complies in
all material respects with the applicable provisions of Section 14(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 20(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations, respectively, thereunder.
35
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
36
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
A-12
(iv) After the Closing Date, the Target Fund shall prepare, or cause its
agents to prepare, any U.S. federal, state or local tax returns required to be filed by such Target Fund with respect to its final taxable year ending with its complete liquidation and dissolution and for any prior periods or taxable years and
further shall cause such tax returns to be duly filed with the appropriate taxing authorities. Notwithstanding the aforementioned provisions of this subsection, any expenses incurred by the Target Fund (other than for payment of taxes) in connection
with the preparation and filing of said tax returns after the Closing Date shall be borne by such Target Fund to the extent such expenses have been accrued by such Target Fund in the ordinary course without regard to the Reorganization; any excess
expenses shall be paid from a liability reserve established to provide for the payment of such expenses.
(v)
Upon the request of the Acquiring Fund, the Target Fund shall use reasonable efforts to perform the following actions by the Closing Date or such later time as may be agreed to by the Acquiring Fund: (a) terminate the VRDP Shares Fee Agreement,
the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement, the VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement and the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement and such other agreements, instruments or documents related to the Target Fund VRDP Shares, (b) withdraw the ratings assigned to
the Target Fund VRDP Shares, (c) cancel the share certificates representing Target Fund VRDP Shares, and (d) withdraw or deregister the Target Fund VRDP Shares from The Depository Trust Company.
7. CLOSING DATE.
(a) The closing of the Reorganization (the Closing) shall occur prior to the opening of the NYSE at the offices of Willkie, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, or at such
other time or location as may be mutually agreed to by the Funds, on the next full business day following the Valuation Time to occur after the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement (other
than the conditions that relate to actions to be taken, or documents to be delivered at the Closing, it being understood that the occurrence of the Closing shall remain subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at Closing), or at such
other time and date as may be mutually agreed to by the Funds (such date, the Closing Date).
(b) On the Closing Date, the Target Fund shall deliver the Target Fund Investments, to the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquiring Fund shall issue the Acquiring Fund Shares as provided in this
Agreement. To the extent that any Target Fund Investments, for any reason, are not transferable on the Closing Date, the Target Fund shall cause such Target Fund Investments to be transferred to the Acquiring Funds account with its custodian
at the earliest practicable date thereafter.
(c) The Target Fund will deliver to the Acquiring Fund on
the Closing Date confirmation or other adequate evidence as to the tax basis of the Target Fund Investments delivered to the Acquiring Fund hereunder.
(d) On the Closing Date, the Target Fund shall deliver or make available to (including by electronic format) the Acquiring Fund a list of the names and addresses of all of the Target Fund
Shareholders of record immediately prior to the Closing Date and the number of Target Fund Common Shares and Target Fund VRDP Shares owned by each such Target Fund Shareholder, certified to the best of its knowledge and belief by the transfer
agent for the Target Fund Common Shares and Target Fund VRDP Shares or by the Target Funds Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary.
A-13
8. CONDITIONS OF THE TARGET FUND.
The obligations of the Target Fund hereunder shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a) That this Agreement shall have been approved by at least [eighty percent]37[a majority]38 [two-thirds]39 of the members of the Board of the Target Fund and by the [affirmative vote]40[consent]41 of the Target Fund Common Shareholders and the Target Fund VRDP Holders, voting as a single class, representing a [majority]42[1940 Act Majority (as defined below)]43 of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on this Agreement, and by the affirmative vote of the Target Fund VRDP Holders, voting as a separate class, representing a
1940 Act Majority [(as defined below)] of the outstanding VRDP Shares entitled to vote on this Agreement. A 1940 Act Majority means the affirmative vote of either (i) 67% or more of the class or classes of Target Fund Shares
entitled to vote on such proposal present at the Target Funds shareholder meeting where this Agreement shall be approved, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding class or classes of Target Fund Shares entitled to vote on such
proposal are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding class or classes of Target Fund Shares entitled to vote on such proposal, whichever is less.
(b) That the Acquiring Fund shall have delivered (including in electronic format) to the Target Fund (i) a copy of
the resolutions approving this Agreement and the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with the Reorganization adopted by the Board of the Acquiring Fund, (ii) a certificate setting forth the vote of the Acquiring Fund VRDP
Holders, voting as a separate class, approving this Agreement and the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares in connection with the Reorganization, and the vote of the Acquiring Fund Common Shareholders and the Acquiring Fund VRDP
Holders, voting as a single class, approving the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund Common Shares in connection with the Reorganization, and (iii) a certificate certifying that the Acquiring Fund has received all requisite consents and
approvals necessary to consummate the Reorganization, each certified by the Acquiring Funds Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.
(c) That the Acquiring Fund shall have provided or made available (including by electronic format) to the Target Fund the Acquiring Fund Closing Financial Statements, together with a schedule of the
Acquiring Funds investments, all as of the Valuation Time, certified on the Acquiring Funds behalf by its Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, and a
certificate signed by the Acquiring Funds Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that as of the Valuation Time and as of
the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Acquiring Fund since the date of the Acquiring Funds most recent Annual or Semi-Annual Report, as applicable, other than changes in its portfolio
securities since that date or changes in the market value of its portfolio securities.
(d) That the Acquiring
Fund shall have furnished to the Target Fund a certificate signed by the Acquiring Funds Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, dated as of the Closing Date,
certifying that, as of the Valuation Time and as of the Closing Date, all representations and warranties of the Acquiring Fund made in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if made at and as of such
dates, and that the Acquiring Fund has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to each of such dates.
39
|
[Applies to MZA, MYF and MEN.]
|
40
|
[Applies to BZM, MZA, MYF and MEN.]
|
42
|
[Applies to MHE, MZA, MYF and MEN.]
|
A-14
(e) That there shall not be any material litigation pending with respect to
the matters contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) That the Target Fund shall have received the opinion of
Miles & Stockbridge P.C., special Maryland counsel to the Acquiring Fund, dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to the Target Fund, that substantively provides the following:
(i) The Acquiring Fund is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the corporate power to conduct its business as described in the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act;
(ii) The Acquiring Fund has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all of the obligations under
the Agreement under the applicable laws of the State of Maryland. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action on the part of the Acquiring Fund under the laws of the State of Maryland.
(iii) The execution and
delivery by the Acquiring Fund of this Agreement and the performance of the Acquiring Funds obligations under the Agreement do not violate the Acquiring Funds charter or By-laws.
(iv) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Acquiring Fund of the Agreement nor the compliance by the
Acquiring Fund with the terms and provisions thereof will violate any provision of law of the State of Maryland applicable to the Acquiring Fund.
(v) Assuming that the Acquiring Fund Shares will be issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Target Fund Shareholders as provided
by this Agreement are duly authorized and upon such delivery will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund, and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has, as such holder, any
preemptive rights to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any securities of the Acquiring Fund under the Acquiring Funds charter, By-laws or the laws of the State of Maryland.
(g) That the Target Fund shall have received the opinion of Willkie, counsel to the Acquiring Fund, dated as of the
Closing Date, addressed to the Target Fund, that substantively provides the following:
(i) The Acquiring Fund
is registered with the SEC as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act;
(ii) To the best of such counsels knowledge, no governmental approval, which has not been obtained and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with,
the execution or delivery of the Agreement by the Acquiring Fund, or the enforceability of the Agreement against the Acquiring Fund.
(iii) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Acquiring Fund of the Agreement nor the compliance by the Acquiring Fund with the terms and provisions thereof will contravene any provision of
applicable federal securities law of the United States of America.
(h) That the Target Fund shall have
obtained an opinion from counsel for the Acquiring Fund, dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to the Target Fund, that the consummation of the transactions set forth in this Agreement complies with the requirements of a reorganization as
described in Section 368(a) of the Code.
(i) That all proceedings taken by the Acquiring Fund and its
counsel in connection with the Reorganization and all documents incidental thereto shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Target Fund.
(j) That the N-14 Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending such effectiveness shall have been instituted
or, to the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, be contemplated by the SEC.
A-15
(k) That the liquidity provider for the Target Fund VRDP Shares shall have
consented to this Agreement.
9. CONDITIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND.
The obligations of the Acquiring Fund hereunder shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a) That this Agreement and the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares in connection with the Reorganization
shall have been approved by the Board of the Acquiring Fund and by the affirmative vote of the Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders, voting as a separate class, of a 1940 Act Majority of the outstanding Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
(b) That the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund Common Shares in connection with the Reorganization shall have been
approved by the Board of the Acquiring Fund and by the affirmative vote of the Acquiring Fund Common Shareholders and the Acquiring Fund VRDP Holders, voting as a single class, of a majority of shares entitled to vote on such
issuance.
(c) The Target Fund shall have delivered (including in electronic format) to the Acquiring Fund
(i) a copy of the resolutions approving this Agreement adopted by the Board of the Target Fund, (ii) a certificate setting forth the vote of the Target Fund Common Shareholders and the Target Fund VRDP Holders, voting as a single class,
approving this Agreement, and the vote of the Target Fund VRDP Holders, voting as a separate class, approving this Agreement, and (iii) a certificate certifying that the Target Fund has received all requisite consents and approvals necessary to
consummate the Reorganization, each certified by the Target Funds Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.
(d) That the Target Fund shall have provided or made available (including by electronic format) to the Acquiring Fund the
Target Fund Closing Financial Statements, together with a schedule of the Target Funds investments with their respective dates of acquisition and tax costs, all as of the Valuation Time, certified on the Target Funds behalf by its Chief
Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, and a certificate signed the Target Funds Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that as of the Valuation Time and as of the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Target Fund since the date of the
Target Funds most recent Annual Report or Semi-Annual Report, as applicable, other than changes in the Target Fund Investments since that date or changes in the market value of the Target Fund Investments.
(e) That the Target Fund shall have furnished to the Acquiring Fund a certificate signed by the Target Funds Chief
Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that as of the Valuation Time and as of the Closing Date all representations and warranties of
the Target Fund made in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if made at and as of such dates and the Target Fund has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part
to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such dates.
(f) That there shall not be any material litigation
pending with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement.
(g) That the Acquiring Fund shall have
received the opinion of [Miles & Stockbridge P.C., special Maryland counsel]44[Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, special Delaware
counsel]45[Morgan, Lewis &
44
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
A-16
Bockius LLP, special Massachusetts counsel]46 to the Target Fund, dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to
the Acquiring Fund, that substantively provides the following:
(i) The Target Fund is validly existing [under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts]47 and is in
good standing [under the laws of the State of
Maryland]48[under the DSTA]49[with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts]50;
(ii) The Target Fund has the [corporate] [statutory trust] power and authority [under its
Declaration of Trust and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to business trusts]51 to execute and deliver the Agreement and perform all of its obligations under the Agreement under the [laws of the State of
Maryland]52[DSTA]53[laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts]54. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the consummation by
the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary [corporate] action on the part of the Target Fund under the [laws of the State of Maryland]55[DSTA]56[laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to business trusts]57 and the Target Funds
[charter]58[Agreement and Declaration of
Trust]59[Declaration of Trust]60.
(iii) The Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Target Fund.
(iv) The execution and delivery by the Target Fund of the Agreement did not, and the performance of
the Target Funds obligations under the Agreement, will not violate the [charter]61[Agreement and Declaration of Trust]62[Declaration of Trust]63 or the By-laws of the
Target Fund.
(v) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Target Fund of the Agreement nor the
compliance by the Target Fund with the terms and provisions thereof will violate any provision of any applicable law of the [State of Maryland]64[State of Delaware]65[Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to business trusts]66.
(h) That the Target Fund shall have received the opinion of Willkie, counsel to the Acquiring Fund, dated as of the
Closing Date, addressed to the Target Fund, that substantively provides the following:
(i) The Target Fund is
registered with the SEC as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act;
46
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
47
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
48
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
50
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
51
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
52
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
54
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
55
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
57
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
58
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
60
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
61
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
63
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
64
|
[Applies to MZA and MEN.]
|
66
|
[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
|
A-17
(ii) To the best of such counsels knowledge, no governmental approval,
which has not been obtained and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, the execution or delivery of the Agreement by the Target Fund, or the enforceability of the Agreement against the Target
Fund.
(iii) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Target Fund of the Agreement nor the
compliance by the Target Fund with the terms and provisions thereof will contravene any provision of applicable federal securities law of the United States of America.
(i) That the Acquiring Fund shall have obtained an opinion from counsel for the Target Fund, dated as of the Closing Date,
addressed to the Acquiring Fund, that the consummation of the transactions set forth in this Agreement complies with the requirements of a reorganization as described in Section 368(a) of the Code.
(j) That all proceedings taken by the Target Fund and its counsel in connection with the Reorganization and all documents
incidental thereto shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Acquiring Fund.
(k) That the N-14 Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending such effectiveness shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Target Fund, be contemplated by the
SEC.
(l) That prior to the Closing Date, the Target Fund shall have declared a dividend or dividends
which, together with all such previous dividends, shall have the effect of distributing to the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to such dividends (i) all of its investment company taxable income to and including the Closing Date, if any
(computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), (ii) all of its net capital gain, if any, recognized to and including the Closing Date and (iii) the excess of its interest income excludable from gross income under
Section 103(a) of the Code, if any, over its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code for the period to and including the Closing Date. The Target Fund may pay amounts in respect of such UNII Distributions in one or
more distributions to Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive such UNII Distributions after the Closing Date. In addition, the Acquiring Fund may pay amounts in respect of such UNII Distributions on behalf of the Target Fund to the
Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive such UNII Distributions after the Closing Date as an agent out of cash or other short-term liquid assets maturing prior to the payment date of the UNII Distributions acquired from the Target Fund
in the Reorganization, segregated for this purpose and maintained in an amount at least equal to the remaining payment obligations in respect of the UNII Distributions.
(m) That the liquidity provider for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares shall have consented to this Agreement and the issuance
of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares in connection with the Reorganization.
(n) That the liquidity
provider, remarketing agent, tender and paying agent and the rating agencies for the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares shall have consented to any amendments to the Articles Supplementary, the Notice of Special Rate Period for the Acquiring Fund VRDP
Shares, share certificates representing Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares and such other agreements, instruments or documents relating to the Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares that are necessary to reflect the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares in
connection with the Reorganization, but only to the extent such consent is required under the Related Documents (as defined in the Articles Supplementary).
10. TERMINATION, POSTPONEMENT AND WAIVERS.
(a) Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and the Reorganization abandoned at any time (whether before or after adoption thereof by the shareholders of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund) prior to the
Closing Date, or the Closing Date may be postponed, (i) by mutual consent of the Boards of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund; (ii) by the Board of the Target Fund if any condition of the Target Funds obligations set forth in
Section 8 of this
A-18
Agreement has not been fulfilled or waived by such Board; and (iii) by the Board of the Acquiring Fund if any condition of the Acquiring Funds obligations set forth in Section 9
of this Agreement has not been fulfilled or waived by such Board.
(b) If the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement have not been consummated by [●], 2021, this Agreement automatically shall terminate on that date, unless a later date is mutually agreed to by the Boards of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund.
(c) In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions hereof, the same shall become void and have
no further effect, and there shall not be any liability on the part of any Fund or its respective directors, trustees, officers, agents or shareholders in respect of this Agreement other than with respect to Section 11 and payment by each Fund
of its respective expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization.
(d) At any time prior to the
Closing Date, any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived by the Board of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund (whichever is entitled to the benefit thereof), if, in the judgment of such Board after consultation with its counsel,
such action or waiver will not have a material adverse effect on the benefits intended under this Agreement to the shareholders of their respective Fund, on behalf of which such action is taken.
(e) The respective representations and warranties contained in Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement shall expire with, and
be terminated by, the consummation of the Reorganization, and neither the Funds, nor any of their respective officers, directors, trustees, agents or shareholders shall have any liability with respect to such representations or warranties after the
Closing Date. This provision shall not protect any officer, director, trustee, agent or shareholder of either of the Funds against any liability to the entity for which that officer, director, trustee, agent or shareholder so acts or to its
shareholders, to which that officer, director, trustee, agent or shareholder otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of his or her duties in the conduct of such office.
(f) If any order or orders of the SEC with respect to this Agreement shall be issued prior to the Closing Date
and shall impose any terms or conditions which are determined by action of the Boards of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund to be acceptable, such terms and conditions shall be binding as if a part of this Agreement without further vote or
approval of the Target Fund Shareholders and the Acquiring Fund Shareholders unless such terms and conditions shall result in a change in the method of computing the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Target Fund Shareholders, in
which event, unless such terms and conditions shall have been included in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to the Target Fund Shareholders prior to the meeting at which the Reorganization shall have been approved, this Agreement shall not
be consummated and shall terminate unless the Target Fund promptly shall call a special meeting of the Target Fund Shareholders at which such conditions so imposed shall be submitted for approval.
11. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Each party (an Indemnitor) shall indemnify and hold the other and its officers, directors, trustees, agents and persons controlled by or controlling any of them (each an
Indemnified Party) harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, claims, demands, judgments, settlements, deficiencies, taxes, assessments, charges, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including
reasonable attorneys fees) including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense or disposition of any claim,
action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which such Indemnified Party may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Indemnified Party may
be or may have been threatened (collectively, the Losses) arising out of or related to any claim of a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made herein by the Indemnitor; provided, however, that no
Indemnified Party shall be indemnified
A-19
hereunder against any Losses arising directly from such Indemnified Partys (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence or (iv) reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of such Indemnified Partys position.
(b) The Indemnified Party shall
use its best efforts to minimize any liabilities, damages, deficiencies, claims, judgments, assessments, costs and expenses in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder. The Indemnified Party shall give written notice to Indemnitor within
the earlier of ten (10) days of receipt of written notice to the Indemnified Party or thirty (30) days from discovery by the Indemnified Party of any matters which may give rise to a claim for indemnification or reimbursement under this
Agreement. The failure to give such notice shall not affect the right of the Indemnified Party to indemnity hereunder unless such failure has materially and adversely affected the rights of the Indemnitor. At any time after ten (10) days from
the giving of such notice, the Indemnified Party may, at its option, resist, settle or otherwise compromise, or pay such claim unless it shall have received notice from the Indemnitor that the Indemnitor intends, at the Indemnitors sole cost
and expense, to assume the defense of any such matter, in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right, at no cost or expense to the Indemnitor, to participate in such defense. If the Indemnitor does not assume the defense of such matter,
and in any event until the Indemnitor states in writing that it will assume the defense, the Indemnitor shall pay all costs of the Indemnified Party arising out of the defense until the defense is assumed; provided, however, that the
Indemnified Party shall consult with the Indemnitor and obtain indemnitors prior written consent to any payment or settlement of any such claim. The Indemnitor shall keep the Indemnified Party fully apprised at all times as to the status of
the defense. If the Indemnitor does not assume the defense, the Indemnified Party shall keep the Indemnitor apprised at all times as to the status of the defense. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the Indemnitor shall be
subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.
12. OTHER MATTERS.
(a) All covenants, agreements, representations
and warranties made under this Agreement and any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been material and relied upon by each of the parties, notwithstanding any investigation made by them or on their behalf.
(b) All notices hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered
personally or sent by registered mail or certified mail, postage prepaid. Notice to the Target Fund shall be addressed to [Target Fund] c/o BlackRock Advisors, LLC, 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Janey Ahn,
Secretary of the Target Fund or at such other address as the Target Fund may designate by written notice to the Acquiring Fund. Notice to the Acquiring Fund shall be addressed to BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. c/o BlackRock Advisors, LLC, 40
East 52nd Street New York, New York 10022, Attention: Janey Ahn, Secretary of the Acquiring Fund, or at such other address and to the attention of such other person as the Acquiring Fund may designate by written notice to the Target Fund. Any notice
shall be deemed to have been served or given as of the date such notice is delivered personally or mailed.
(c)
This Agreement supersedes all previous correspondence and oral communications between the Funds regarding the Reorganization, constitutes the only understanding with respect to the Reorganization, may not be changed except by a letter of agreement
signed by each Fund and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in said state.
(d) This Agreement may be amended or modified by the parties hereto prior to the Closing Date, by action taken or
authorized by their respective Boards at any time before or after adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Reorganization by the Target Fund Shareholders or the Acquiring Fund Shareholders, but, after any such adoption and approval, no
amendment or modification shall be made which by law requires further approval by shareholders without such further approval. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Funds.
A-20
(e) This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any person other than the
parties hereto (or their respective successors and assigns) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by statute rule, regulation, decision of a tribunal or
otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to such extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable provided that this Agreement shall be deemed modified to give effect to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law to the intentions of the party as reflected by this Agreement prior to the invalidity of such provision.
(f) It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Funds hereunder shall not be binding upon any of their respective directors, trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents, or employees
personally, but shall bind only the property of the respective Fund. The execution and delivery of this Agreement has been authorized by the Boards of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund and signed by an authorized officer of each of the
Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Board nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, but shall bind only the trust property of each Fund.
(g) [The names [●] and
the Trustees of [●] refer respectively to the Target Fund created and the Board of Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under the Target Funds Declaration of Trust dated [●]
which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the office of the State Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at the principal office of the Target Fund. The obligations of [●] entered into in the name or
on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees of the Target Fund, Target Fund shareholders, officers, representatives or
agents of the Target Fund personally, but bind only the Target Fund property, and all persons dealing with any class of shares of the Target Fund must look solely to the Target Fund property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims
against the Target Fund. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Board of Trustees with respect to the Target Fund hereunder, and signed by authorized officers of the Target Fund, acting as such. Neither the
authorization by the Board of Trustees nor the execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the property of the Target
Fund as provided in the Target Funds charter documents.]67
(h) This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one instrument.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
67
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[Applies to MHE and MYF.]
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A-21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto caused this Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
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BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[TARGET FUND]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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APPENDIX B
FUNDAMENTAL AND NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Acquiring Fund
The following are
fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, and a majority
of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of each class of capital stock represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of each class of capital stock are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock). The Fund may not:
1.
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Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
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2.
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Purchase securities of other investment companies, except (i) in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization,
(ii) by purchase of shares of tax-exempt money market funds advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (as defined in the 1940 Act) to the extent permitted by an exemptive order issued to the
Fund by the SEC, or (iii) by purchase in the open market of securities of closed-end investment companies and only if immediately thereafter not more than 10% of the Funds total assets would be
invested in such securities.
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3.
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Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnerships, commodities or commodity contracts; provided that the Fund may invest
in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein and the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon.
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4.
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Issue senior securities other than preferred stock or borrow in excess of 5% of its total assets taken at market value; provided,
however, that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets for the purpose of repurchasing shares of common stock or redeeming shares of preferred stock.
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5.
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Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
in selling portfolio securities.
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6.
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Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase Municipal Bonds and other debt securities in accordance with its investment
objective, policies and limitations.
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7.
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Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin).
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8.
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Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may
write, purchase and sell options and futures on Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities.
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9.
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Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states municipalities and their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
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For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (4) above, the Fund may borrow moneys in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or
otherwise as permitted by applicable law for the purpose of repurchasing shares of common stock or redeeming shares of preferred stock. For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (9) above, the exception for states, municipalities and
their political subdivisions applies only to tax-exempt securities issued by such entities.
B-1
An additional investment restriction adopted by the Fund, which may be changed by the Board without
stockholder approval, provides that the Fund may not mortgage:
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pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may be necessary in
connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction (4) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in financial futures contracts and options thereon.
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If a percentage restriction on the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in
percentage resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.
MHE
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Funds outstanding Common Shares and outstanding VRDP Shares and any other Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding VRDP Shares and any other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class (which for
this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of each class of shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of each class of shares). The Fund will not:
1.
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Issue senior securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), or borrow money; provided,
however, that the Fund may borrow money (through the issuance of debt securities or otherwise) in an amount not exceeding one-third of the Funds assets immediately after the time of such borrowing and
may issue preferred shares in an amount not exceeding one- half of the Funds assets immediately after the time of such issuance;
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2.
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Make short sales of securities or purchase any securities on margin (except for such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of
transactions), or write or purchase put or call options, except to the extent that the purchase of a stand-by commitment may be considered the purchase of a put and except for transactions involving options on
securities that could otherwise be purchased by the Fund and which are within the descriptions set forth in Strategic Transactions;
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3.
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Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase of Municipal Obligations (including, without limitation,
Massachusetts Health & Education Obligations) in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations may be deemed to be an underwriting;
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4.
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Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry; provided, however, that such limitation shall not be
applicable to tax-exempt Municipal Obligations (including, without limitation, Massachusetts Health & Education Obligations) nor shall it apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or its instrumentalities;
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5.
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Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests
therein or foreclosing upon and selling such security;
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6.
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Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts, except that the Fund may engage in transactions involving financial futures contracts
and options thereon; or
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7.
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Make loans, other than by entering into repurchase agreements and through the purchase of Municipal Obligations (including, without
limitations, Massachusetts Health & Education Obligations) or temporary investments in accordance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.
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The foregoing restrictions and other limitations will apply only at the time of purchase of securities and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after
and as a result of an acquisition of securities. If a percentage restriction on the investment policies or the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting
from changing values will not be considered a violation.
B-2
MZA
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding Common Shares and outstanding VRDP
Shares and any other Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding VRDP Shares and any other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i)
67% of the shares of each class of capital stock represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital
stock). The Fund may not:
1.
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Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
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2.
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Purchase securities of other investment companies, except (i) in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization,
(ii) by purchase of shares of tax-exempt money market funds advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (as defined in the 1940 Act) to the extent permitted by an exemptive order issued to the
Fund by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (iii) by purchase in the open market of securities of closed-end investment companies and only if immediately thereafter no more than 10% of the
Funds total assets would be invested in such securities.
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3.
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Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnerships, commodities or commodity contracts; provided, that the Fund may invest in
securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein, and the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon.
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4.
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Issue senior securities other than preferred stock or borrow in excess of 5% of its total assets taken at market value; provided, however,
that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets for the purpose of repurchasing shares of common stock or redeeming shares of preferred stock.
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5.
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Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
in selling portfolio securities.
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6.
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Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase Arizona Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds and other debt securities in
accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations.
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7.
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Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states municipalities and their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
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For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (4) above, the Fund may borrow moneys in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or
otherwise as permitted by applicable law for the purpose of repurchasing shares of common stock or redeeming shares of preferred stock. For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (7) above, the exception for states, municipalities and
their political subdivisions applies only to tax-exempt securities issued by such entities.
Additional investment restrictions adopted by the Fund, which may be changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval, provide that the
Fund may not:
a)
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Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may
be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction (4) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in financial futures contracts and options thereon.
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b)
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Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin).
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B-3
c)
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Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may
write, purchase and sell options and futures on Arizona Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities and may purchase and sell Call Rights to require
mandatory tender for the purchase of related Arizona Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
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If a percentage restriction on
the investment policies or the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.
MYF
The following are
fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, and a majority
of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of each class of shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of each class of shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of shares). The Fund may not:
1.
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Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
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2.
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Purchase securities of other investment companies, except (i) in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization,
(ii) by purchase of shares of tax-exempt money market funds advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (as defined in the 1940 Act) to the extent permitted by an exemptive order issued to the
Fund by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (iii) by purchase in the open market of securities of closed-end investment companies and only if immediately thereafter no more than 10% of the
Funds total assets would be invested in such securities.
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3.
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Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnerships, commodities or commodity contracts; provided that the Fund may invest
in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein, and the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon.
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4.
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Issue senior securities other than preferred shares or borrow in excess of 5% of its total assets taken at market value; provided,
however, that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets for the purpose of repurchasing common shares or redeeming preferred shares.
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5.
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Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
in selling portfolio securities.
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6.
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Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase Florida Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds and other debt securities in
accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations.
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7.
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Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin).
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8.
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Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may
write, purchase and sell options and futures on Florida Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities.
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9.
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Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states, municipalities and their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
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B-4
For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (4) above, the Fund may borrow moneys in excess of
5% of the value of its total assets to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or otherwise as permitted by applicable law for the purpose of repurchasing common shares or redeeming preferred shares.
For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (9) above, the exception for states, municipalities and their political subdivisions applies only
to tax-exempt securities issued by such entities.
An additional investment restriction adopted by the
Fund, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, provides that the Fund may not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except
as may be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction (4) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in financial futures contracts and options thereon.
If a percentage restriction on the investment policies or the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is
effected, later changes in percentage resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.
MEN
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Funds outstanding Common Shares and outstanding VRDP Shares and any other Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding VRDP Shares and any other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class (which for
this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of each class of capital stock represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock are represented or (ii) more
than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock). The Fund may not:
1.
|
Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
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2.
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Purchase securities of other investment companies, except (i) in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization,
(ii) by purchase of shares of tax-exempt money market funds advised by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (as defined in the 1940 Act) to the extent permitted by an exemptive order issued to the
Fund by the SEC, or (iii) by purchase in the open market of securities of closed-end investment companies and only if immediately thereafter not more than 10% of the Funds total assets would be
invested in such securities.
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3.
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Purchase or sell real estate; provided that the Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by
companies that invest in real estate or interests therein.
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4.
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Issue senior securities other than preferred stock or borrow in excess of 5% of its total assets taken at market value.
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5.
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Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
in selling portfolio securities.
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6.
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Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase Municipal Bonds and other debt securities and enter into repurchase agreements
in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations.
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7.
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Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states, municipalities and their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
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8.
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Purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities, except to the extent that the Fund may do so in accordance with (i) applicable
law, (ii) the Funds prospectus and statement of additional information, as they may be amended from time to time, or as otherwise disclosed to stockholders pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations, and (iii) without
registering as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.
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B-5
For purposes of fundamental investment restriction (7) above, the exception for states, municipalities
and their political subdivisions applies only to tax-exempt securities issued by such entities.
An
additional investment restriction adopted by the Fund, which may be changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval, provides that the Fund may not:
a)
|
Purchase any securities on margin, except the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and
sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts and options thereon is not considered a purchase of a security on margin).
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b)
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Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest in puts, calls, straddles or spread options, except that the Fund may
write, purchase and sell options and futures on Municipal Bonds, U.S. government obligations and related indices.
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c)
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Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may
be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction (4) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in financial futures contracts and options thereon.
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d)
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Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in the Municipal Bonds of any one state.
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If a percentage restriction on the investment policies or the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at
the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.
B-6
APPENDIX C
FORM OF AMENDMENT TO MQY ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
AMENDING THE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND PREFERRED SHARES
This is to certify that:
First: The charter of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a
Maryland corporation (the Corporation), is amended by these Articles of Amendment, which amend the Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, dated as of
September 13, 2011, as amended to date (the Articles Supplementary).
Second: The charter of the Corporation is hereby
amended by deleting the first and second recitals of the Articles Supplementary and inserting the following:
FIRST: Pursuant
to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation by Article VI of the Corporations Charter, the Board of Directors has, by resolution duly adopted on August 19, 2011, reclassified 1,766 authorized and unissued
shares of common stock of the Corporation as shares of preferred stock of the Corporation, par value $0.10 per share, as Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (together with any Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares approved and issued after
August 19, 2011, the VRDP Shares). The VRDP Shares may be issued in one or more series, as designated and authorized by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof from time to time (each series of VRDP
Shares that may be authorized and issued, a Series).
SECOND: Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the
Board of Directors of the Corporation by Article VI of the Corporations Charter, the Board of Directors, by resolution duly adopted on June 16, 2020, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, by resolution duly adopted on
[●], 2020, approved the reclassification of 2,737 authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the Corporation as additional VRDP Shares.
THIRD: The preferences (including liquidation preference), voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, of the shares of each Series of
VRDP Shares are as follows or as set forth in an amendment to these Articles Supplementary or otherwise in the Corporations Charter (each such Series being referred to herein as a Series of VRDP Shares):
Third: The charter of the Corporation is hereby amended by deleting the section titled Designation in the Articles Supplementary and
replacing it with the following:
DESIGNATION
Series W-7: A series of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share, liquidation preference $100,000 per share, was previously authorized and designated Series
W-7 VRDP Shares. The number of Series W-7 VRDP Shares approved for issuance is 4,503. Each Series W-7 VRDP Share shall be
issued on a date or dates determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Applicable Rate commencing on [●], 2021 equal to the sum of 0.84% per annum plus the Securities
C-1
Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index; and have such other preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and distributions,
qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, required by Applicable Law and that are expressly set forth in these Articles Supplementary and the Charter. The Series W-7 VRDP Shares shall constitute a
separate series of preferred stock of the Corporation and each Series W-7 VRDP Share shall be identical. Except as otherwise provided with respect to any additional Series of VRDP Shares or unless the context
requires otherwise, the terms and conditions of these Articles Supplementary apply to each Series of VRDP Shares and each share of such Series.
Fourth: These Articles of Amendment shall be effective as of [●].
Fifth: The amendment to the charter of the Corporation as set forth above in these Articles of Amendment has been duly advised by the board of directors of the Corporation and approved by the
stockholders of the Corporation as and to the extent required by law and in accordance with the charter of the Corporation.
[Signature Page Follows]
C-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. has caused these Articles of Amendment to be
signed as of [●], in its name and on its behalf by the person named below, who acknowledges that these Articles of Amendment are the act of the Corporation and, to the best of such persons knowledge, information, and belief and under
penalties for perjury, all matters and facts contained in these Articles of Amendment are true in all material respects.
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BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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ATTEST:
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Name:
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Janey Ahn
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Title:
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Secretary
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APPENDIX D
RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
A Description of Moodys Investors Service, Inc.s (Moodys) Global Rating Scales
Ratings assigned on Moodys global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial
obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or
obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. Short-term ratings are assigned to
obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Description of Moodys Long-Term Obligation Ratings
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Aaa
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Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
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Aa
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Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
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A
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Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
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Baa
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Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
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Ba
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Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
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B
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Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
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Caa
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Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
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Ca
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Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
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C
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Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
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Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through
Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end
of that generic rating category.
Hybrid Indicator (hyb)
The hybrid indicator (hyb) is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of
scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment.
Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
D-1
Description of Short-Term Obligation Ratings
Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
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P-1
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
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P-2
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
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P-3
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
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NP
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
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Description of Moodys US Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings
The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes
rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuers
long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levelsMIG 1 through MIG 3while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.
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MIG 1
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This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access
to the market for refinancing.
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MIG 2
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This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
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MIG 3
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This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less
well-established.
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SG
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This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
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Description of Moodys Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation
rating. The first element represents Moodys evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moodys evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon
demand (demand feature). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scale.
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VMIG 1
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This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
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VMIG 2
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This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections
that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
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VMIG 3
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This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
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D-2
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SG
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This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade
short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
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Description of S&P Global Ratings (S&P), a Division of S&P Global Inc., Issue Credit Ratings
A S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial
obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other
forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&Ps view of the obligors capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as
they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that
means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 daysincluding commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term
notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&Ps analysis of the following
considerations:
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Likelihood of paymentcapacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of
the obligation;
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Nature of and provisions of the obligation, and the promise we impute;
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Protection afforded by, 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.
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Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*
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AAA
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An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely
strong.
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AA
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An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation
is very strong.
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A
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An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated
categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
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BBB
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An obligation 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.
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BB;
B;
CCC;
CC;
and C
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Obligations 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. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse
conditions.
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D-3
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BB
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An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
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B
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An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
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CCC
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An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
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CC
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An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P expects default
to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
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C
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An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared
to obligations that are rated higher.
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D
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An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D
rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace
period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.
An obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
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NR
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This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a
matter of policy.
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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.
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Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
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A-1
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A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely
strong.
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A-2
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A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
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A-3
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A short-term obligation rated A-3 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.
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B
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A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
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D-4
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C
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A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
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D
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A short-term obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the
D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business
days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic
stay provisions. An obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
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Description of S&Ps Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings
A S&P U.S. municipal
note rating reflects S&Ps opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will
most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&Ps analysis will review the following considerations:
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Amortization schedulethe larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
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Source of paymentthe more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
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S&Ps municipal short-term note rating symbols are as follows:
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SP-1
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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.
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SP-2
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Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
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SP-3
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Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
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Description of Fitch Ratings (Fitchs) Credit Ratings Scales
Fitchs credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends,
repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Fitchs credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. In particular, ratings do not deal with the risk of a market value
loss on a rated security due to changes in interest rates, liquidity and other market considerations. However, in terms of payment obligation on the rated liability, market risk may be considered to the extent that it influences the ability
of an issuer to pay upon a commitment. Ratings nonetheless do not reflect market risk to the extent that they influence the size or other conditionality of the obligation to pay upon a commitment (for example, in the case of index-linked
bonds).
In the default components of ratings assigned to individual obligations or instruments, the agency typically rates to the likelihood
of non-payment or default in accordance with the terms of that instruments documentation. In limited cases, Fitch may include additional considerations (i.e., rate to a higher or lower standard
than that implied in the obligations documentation). In such cases, the agency will make clear the assumptions underlying the agencys opinion in the accompanying rating commentary.
D-5
The terms investment grade and speculative grade have established themselves over
time as shorthand to describe the categories AAA to BBB (investment grade) and BB to D (speculative grade). The terms investment grade and speculative grade are market
conventions, and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. Investment grade categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the speculative
categories either signal a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.
A designation of Not Rated or NR is used to
denote securities not rated by Fitch where Fitch has rated some, but not all, securities comprising an issuance capital structure.
Description of Fitchs Long-Term Corporate Finance Obligations Rating Scales
Fitch long-term obligations rating scales are as follows:
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AAA
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Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
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AA
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Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity
is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
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A
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High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may,
nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
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BBB
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Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate
but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
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BB
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Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time;
however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
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B
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Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
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CCC
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Substantial credit risk. CCC ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.
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CC
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Very high levels of credit risk. CC ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.
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C
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Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. C indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
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Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned RD or D ratings, but are instead rated in the
B to C rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and
loss.
Notes: The modifiers + or - may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating
categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below CCC.
The subscript emr is appended to a rating to denote embedded market risk which is beyond the scope of the rating. The designation is intended to make clear that the rating solely addresses the
counterparty risk of the issuing bank. It is not meant to indicate any limitation in the analysis of the counterparty risk, which in all other respects follows published Fitch criteria for analyzing the issuing financial institution. Fitch does not
rate these instruments where the principal is to any degree subject to market risk.
D-6
Description of Fitchs Short-Term Ratings
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and
relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as short term based on market
convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
Fitch short-term ratings are as follows:
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F1
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Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any
exceptionally strong credit feature.
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F2
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Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
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F3
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Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
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B
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Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and
economic conditions.
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C
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High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
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RD
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Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically
applicable to entity ratings only.
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D
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Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
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D-7
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to:
www.proxy-direct.com
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-337-3503
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
Vote, sign and date your
Proxy Card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
VIRTUAL MEETING
at the following Website:
www.meetingcenter.io/295614271,
on December 15 at 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Time
To Participate in the Virtual Meeting,
enter the 14-digit control number from
the shaded box on this card.
The Password for this meeting is
BLK2020
PROXY CARD
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL INCOME INVESTMENT QUALITY TRUST
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE
INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com
code
VOTE VIA THE
TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PREFERRED SHARES
The undersigned hereby appoints Jay M. Fife and Paul Mickle,
and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the preferred shares of BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust
(BZM) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of BZM to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern time) (the Fund Joint Special Meeting), and any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Fund Joint Special Meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the Fund Joint Special Meeting with all powers
possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Fund Joint Special Meeting. Because of our concerns regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Joint Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, at the
following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271. To attend and participate in the virtual Fund Joint Special Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The Password for this meeting is BLK2020. The validity of this
proxy is governed by Delaware law. This proxy does not revoke any prior powers of attorney except for prior proxies given in connection with the Fund Joint Special Meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Proxy Statement, the
terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the Fund Joint Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY
EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: WWW.PROXY-DIRECT.COM
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
BZM_31540_102020_Pref
TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE:
Proposals THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSALS.
1A. The common shareholders and holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock Maryland
Municipal Bond Trust (BZM) are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BZM and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund and such
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the BZM Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of BZMs assets and the assumption by the
Acquiring Fund of substantially all of BZMs liabilities in exchange solely for newly issued common shares and VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which will be distributed to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of
fractional common shares) and VRDP Holders, respectively, of BZM, and which shall constitute the sole consideration to be distributed or paid to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of fractional common shares) and the
VRDP Holders in respect of their common shares and VRDP Shares, respectively, and (ii) the termination by BZM of its registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the liquidation, dissolution and termination of BZM in
accordance with its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Delaware law (the BZM Reorganization).
1B. The VRDP Holders of BZM are being asked to vote
as a separate class on a proposal to approve the BZM Reorganization Agreement and the BZM Reorganization.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders on December 15, 2020.
The Proxy Statement and Proxy card for this meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/blk-31540Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Sign and Date Below
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 Please keep signature within the boxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx BZM 31540
M xxxxxxxxScanner bar code
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to:
www.proxy-direct.com
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-337-3503
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
Vote, sign and date your
Proxy Card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
VIRTUAL MEETING
at the following Website:
www.meetingcenter.io/295614271,
on December 15 at 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Time
To Participate in the Virtual Meeting,
enter the 14-digit control number from
the shaded box on this card.
The Password for this meeting is
BLK2020
PROXY CARD
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL INCOME INVESTMENT QUALITY TRUST
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE
INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com
code
VOTE VIA THE
TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PREFERRED SHARES
The undersigned hereby appoints Jay M. Fife and Paul Mickle,
and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the preferred shares of BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt
Trust (MHE) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of MHE to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern time) (the Fund Joint Special Meeting), and any
adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Fund Joint Special Meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the Fund Joint Special Meeting with
all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Fund Joint Special Meeting. Because of our concerns regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Joint Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format
only, at the following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271. To attend and participate in the virtual Fund Joint Special Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The Password for this meeting is BLK2020. The
validity of this proxy is governed by Massachusetts law. This proxy does not revoke any prior powers of attorney except for prior proxies given in connection with the Fund Joint Special Meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the
Proxy Statement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the Fund Joint Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: WWW.PROXY-DIRECT.COM
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
BZM_31540_102020_Pref
TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE:
Proposals THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSALS.
1A. The common shareholders and holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock Maryland
Municipal Bond Trust (BZM) are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BZM and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund and such
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the BZM Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of BZMs assets and the assumption by the
Acquiring Fund of substantially all of BZMs liabilities in exchange solely for newly issued common shares and VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which will be distributed to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of
fractional common shares) and VRDP Holders, respectively, of BZM, and which shall constitute the sole consideration to be distributed or paid to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of fractional common shares) and the
VRDP Holders in respect of their common shares and VRDP Shares, respectively, and (ii) the termination by BZM of its registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the liquidation, dissolution and termination of BZM in
accordance with its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Delaware law (the BZM Reorganization).
1B. The VRDP Holders of BZM are being asked to vote
as a separate class on a proposal to approve the BZM Reorganization Agreement and the BZM Reorganization.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders on December 15, 2020.
The Proxy Statement and Proxy card for this meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/blk-31540Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Sign and Date Below
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 Please keep signature within the boxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx MHE 31540
M xxxxxxxxScanner bar code
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to:
www.proxy-direct.com
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-337-3503
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
Vote, sign and date your
Proxy Card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
VIRTUAL MEETING
at the following Website:
www.meetingcenter.io/295614271,
on December 15 at 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Time
To Participate in the Virtual Meeting,
enter the 14-digit control number from
the shaded box on this card.
The Password for this meeting is
BLK2020
PROXY CARD
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL INCOME INVESTMENT QUALITY TRUST
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE
INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com
code
VOTE VIA THE
TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PREFERRED SHARES
The undersigned hereby appoints Jay M. Fife and Paul Mickle,
and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the preferred shares of BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt
Trust (MHE) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of MHE to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern time) (the Fund Joint Special Meeting), and any
adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Fund Joint Special Meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the Fund Joint Special Meeting with
all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Fund Joint Special Meeting. Because of our concerns regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Joint Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format
only, at the following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271. To attend and participate in the virtual Fund Joint Special Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The Password for this meeting is BLK2020. The
validity of this proxy is governed by Massachusetts law. This proxy does not revoke any prior powers of attorney except for prior proxies given in connection with the Fund Joint Special Meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the
Proxy Statement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the Fund Joint Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: WWW.PROXY-DIRECT.COM
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
BZM_31540_102020_Pref
TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE:
Proposals THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSALS.
1A. The common shareholders and holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock Maryland
Municipal Bond Trust (BZM) are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BZM and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund and such
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the BZM Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of BZMs assets and the assumption by the
Acquiring Fund of substantially all of BZMs liabilities in exchange solely for newly issued common shares and VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which will be distributed to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of
fractional common shares) and VRDP Holders, respectively, of BZM, and which shall constitute the sole consideration to be distributed or paid to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of fractional common shares) and the
VRDP Holders in respect of their common shares and VRDP Shares, respectively, and (ii) the termination by BZM of its registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the liquidation, dissolution and termination of BZM in
accordance with its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Delaware law (the BZM Reorganization).
1B. The VRDP Holders of BZM are being asked to vote
as a separate class on a proposal to approve the BZM Reorganization Agreement and the BZM Reorganization.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders on December 15, 2020.
The Proxy Statement and Proxy card for this meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/blk-31540Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Sign and Date Below
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 Please keep signature within the boxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx MZA31540
M xxxxxxxxScanner bar code
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY
VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to:
www.proxy-direct.com
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-337-3503
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date your
Proxy Card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
VIRTUAL MEETING
at the following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271,
on December 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Eastern Time
To participate in the Virtual Meeting, enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card.
The Password for this meeting is BLK2020
DO NOT TEAR
PROXY BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD INVESTMENT FUND
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PREFERRED SHARES
The undersigned hereby appoints Jay M. Fife and Paul Mickle, and each of
them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the preferred shares of BlackRock MuniYield Investment Fund
(MYF) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of MYF to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern time) (the Fund Joint Special Meeting), and any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Fund Joint Special Meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the Fund Joint Special Meeting with all powers
possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Fund Joint Special Meeting. Because of our concerns regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Joint Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, at the
following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271. To attend and participate in the virtual Fund Joint Special Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The Password for this meeting is BLK2020. The validity of this
proxy is governed by Massachusetts law. This proxy does not revoke any prior powers of attorney except for prior proxies given in connection with the Fund Joint Special Meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Proxy Statement, the
terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the Fund Joint Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY
EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
MYF_31540_102020_Pref
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx code
TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE: X
A Proposals THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSALS.
1G. The common shareholders and holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock MuniYield
Investment Fund (MYF) are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between MYF and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund and such Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization, the MYF Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of MYFs assets and the assumption by the Acquiring
Fund of substantially all of MYFs liabilities in exchange solely for newly issued common shares and VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which will be distributed to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of fractional
common shares) and VRDP Holders, respectively, of MYF, and which shall constitute the sole consideration to be distributed or paid to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of fractional common shares) and the VRDP Holders
in respect of their common shares and VRDP Shares, respectively, and (ii) the termination by MYF of its registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the liquidation, dissolution and termination of MYF in accordance with its
Declaration of Trust and Massachusetts law (the MYF Reorganization).
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1H. The VRDP Holders of MYF are being asked to vote as a separate class on a proposal to approve the MYF Reorganization Agreement and the MYF Reorganization.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders on December 15, 2020.
The Proxy
Statement and Proxy card for this meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/blk-31540
B Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Sign and Date Below
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box
Scanner bar code
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx MYF 31540 M xxxxxxxx
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY
VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to:
www.proxy-direct.com
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-337-3503
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date your
Proxy Card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
VIRTUAL MEETING
at the following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271,
on December 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Eastern Time
To participate in the Virtual Meeting, enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card.
The Password for this meeting is BLK2020
DO NOT TEAR
PROXY BLACKROCK MUNIENHANCED FUND, INC.
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PREFERRED SHARES
The undersigned hereby appoints Jay M. Fife and Paul Mickle,
and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the preferred shares of BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc.
(MEN) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of MEN to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern time) (the Fund Joint Special Meeting), and any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Fund Joint Special Meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the Fund Joint Special Meeting with all powers
possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Fund Joint Special Meeting. Because of our concerns regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Joint Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, at the
following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271. To attend and participate in the virtual Fund Joint Special Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The Password for this meeting is BLK2020. The validity of this
proxy is governed by Maryland law. This proxy does not revoke any prior powers of attorney except for prior proxies given in connection with the Fund Joint Special Meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Proxy Statement, the
terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the Fund Joint Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY
EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
MEN_31540_102020_Pref
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx code
TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE: X
A Proposals THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSALS.
1I. The common shareholders and holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock
MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc. (MEN) are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between MEN and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund and such
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the MEN Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of MENs assets and the assumption by the
Acquiring Fund of substantially all of MENs liabilities in exchange solely for newly issued common shares and VRDP Shares of the Acquiring Fund, which will be distributed to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of
fractional common shares) and VRDP Holders, respectively, of MEN, and which shall constitute the sole consideration to be distributed or paid to the common shareholders (although cash may be distributed in lieu of fractional common shares) and the
VRDP Holders in respect of their common shares and VRDP Shares, respectively, and (ii) the termination by MEN of its registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the liquidation, dissolution and termination of MEN in
accordance with its charter and Maryland law (the MEN Reorganization).
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1J. The VRDP Holders of MEN are being asked to vote as a separate class on a proposal to approve the MEN Reorganization Agreement and the MEN Reorganization.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders on December 15, 2020.
The Proxy
Statement and Proxy card for this meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/blk-31540
B Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Sign and Date Below
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box
Scanner bar code
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx MEN 31540 M xxxxxxxx
EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY
VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to:
www.proxy-direct.com
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-337-3503
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date your
Proxy Card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
VIRTUAL MEETING
at the following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271,
on December 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Eastern Time
To participate in the Virtual Meeting, enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card.
The Password for this meeting is BLK2020
DO NOT TEAR
PROXY BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PREFERRED SHARES
The undersigned hereby appoints Jay M. Fife and Paul Mickle,
and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the preferred shares of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.
(MQY) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of MQY to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern time) (the Fund Joint Special Meeting), and any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Fund Joint Special Meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the Fund Joint Special Meeting with all powers
possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the Fund Joint Special Meeting. Because of our concerns regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Joint Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, at the
following Website: www.meetingcenter.io/295614271. To attend and participate in the virtual Fund Joint Special Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The Password for this meeting is BLK2020. The validity of this
proxy is governed by Maryland law. This proxy does not revoke any prior powers of attorney except for prior proxies given in connection with the Fund Joint Special Meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Proxy Statement, the
terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the Fund Joint Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY, IF PROPERLY
EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503
MQY_31540_102020_Pref
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx code
TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE: X
A Proposals THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSALS.
1K. The holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.( the
Acquiring Fund) are being asked to vote as a separate class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust and the Acquiring Fund (the BZM Reorganization
Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1L. The VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund are being asked to vote as a separate class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock
Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Trust and the Acquiring Fund (the MHE Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1M. The VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund are being asked to vote as a
separate class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock MuniYield Arizona Fund Inc. and the Acquiring Fund (the MZA Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including
the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1N. The VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund are being asked to vote as a separate class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between
BlackRock MuniYield Investment Fund and the Acquiring Fund (the MYF Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1O. The VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund are being asked to vote as a
separate class on a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund Inc. and the Acquiring Fund (the MEN Reorganization Agreement) and the transactions contemplated therein, including the
issuance of additional Acquiring Fund VRDP Shares.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2A.
The common shareholders and holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares and the holders thereof, VRDP Holders) of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund) are being asked to
vote as a single class on a proposal to approve the issuance of additional common shares of the Acquiring Fund in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust and the Acquiring Fund.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2B. The common shareholders and VRDP Holders of the
Acquiring Fund, are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve the issuance of additional common shares of the Acquiring Fund in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt
Trust and the Acquiring Fund.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2C. The common shareholders
and VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund, are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve the issuance of additional common shares of the Acquiring Fund in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock
MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc. and the Acquiring Fund.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2D.
The common shareholders and VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund, are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve the issuance of additional common shares of the Acquiring Fund in connection with an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization between BlackRock MuniYield Investment Fund and the Acquiring Fund.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2E. The common shareholders and VRDP Holders of the Acquiring Fund, are being asked to vote as a single class on a proposal to approve the issuance of additional common shares of
the Acquiring Fund in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc. and the Acquiring Fund.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint
Special Meeting of Shareholders on December 15, 2020.
The Proxy Statement and Proxy card for this meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/blk-31540
B Authorized Signatures This section must be completed
for your vote to be counted. Sign and Date Below
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box
Scanner bar code
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx MQY 31540 M xxxxxxxx